#but no it has become a running joke whenever I run maps with any group of friends | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

lofitojii · 4 years ago

Text

PART [I] Guardian Angel

*★*――――*★**★*――――*★**★*――――*★*

Summary: You are a new sidekick to the number two hero of Tokyo, Hawks. You team up with another sidekick, Bakugou, in an ongoing investigation on a serial killer. Unexpected interactions happen that flip the whole case around causing new, confusing feelings which alter your relationships in ways you never saw coming.

Word Count: 4.6k

Warning: Minor Swearing

A/N: It’s HERE!!! The new series I’ve been working on for the last month is finally planned out and I’m super excited about it! Please let me know what you think, there will be posts made for discussions before the new part is released.

NOTE: This is not following the current story at all. The League of Villains do not play any part in this at all, only Dabi.

Guardian Angel Master List

*★*――――*★**★*――――*★**★*――――*★*

The fall air was crisp, every inhaled breath chilling your body from the inside out. The leaves looked as if they were on fire, the deep crimson, the burnt orange, lighting up the grey world they resided in. This was your favorite time of year, when you could visibly see the seasons change. Despite the fact the darkest part of the year was right around the corner, you were looking forward to all of it. This year was going to be different, you could feel it ridden within you.

It was your first day at your new job, completely unaware and new to the area. You had moved in the weekend prior, receiving the job through a simple phone call interview. You had no idea who or what your new boss looked like. All you knew is that you were hand picked from a group of qualifying sidekicks to the number 2 hero, Hawks. Apparently he is a very busy man, and the only thing you knew about him was that his quirk was similar to yours. Except he can’t put his wings away.

How can you not know who the number 2 hero is? Well, coming from a rather small town where you worked 7 days a week kind of took up most of your free time, and when you did get a moment to yourself, you were either reading or spending time with the locals. You didn’t care much for TV or the news or social media. You enjoyed quality time and company, something most people didn’t really understand.

Your quirk was known as the ‘Angel Quirk’ meaning you had white wings that grew in size under your control, whenever you pleased. You also had a healing factor to your quirk, using your feathers as a type of medicine as well. You were a Pro Hero’s sidekick back in your home town but received an email one morning that read:

Dear Y/N,

After doing intense research and speaking to your most recent employer and university teachers, you have been chosen to accompany Japan’s number 2 hero, Hawks, as his personal sidekick with the goal of becoming one of Japan’s very own perosnal Pro Heroes. According to your employer, he has said he feels you have greater potential that you can’t utilize in your small town. Please give us a call or email us back. Thank you!

-Hawks Agency

You had no idea your previous employer had reached out until you received that letter. You didn’t mind doing small hero work here and there in your small town but when your boss stressed to you that you could be and do more, you decided to reach out. You didn’t know what you were expecting but you had received the job within the first 10 minutes of your interviewl.

So that’s where you are now, downtown Tokyo, trying your best to understand how the train systems worked. Yeah, you could’ve just flown there but you didn’t want to make a scene before debuting with your new boss. It was just something you had decided, thinking that maybe an article would be released about a new hero coming to town rather than being seen with Hawks himself first. You didn’t want to come off as rude or arrogant, even though you knew you were probably overthinking the situation.

You just wanted to make a good impression, regardless of what your old boss had said about you. They already have this idea of you, and you wanted to live up to that idea. Your boss did speak highly of you, you didn’t want to let anyone down, mainly yourself.

“Damn, this city is huge,” you cursed out loud, looking up from the city map you had picked up at the subway stop before you hopped on. “So if that’s the coffee shop, then I still have about a good mile or two before I get to the agency building. Maybe I should use my wings to get the- OOF!” you were hit in the back, causing you to choke on your words and stumble over onto the cement.

“Sorry!” You looked up to see a man, his red wings casting a long shadow over you. “Didn’t see ya there! Sometimes I’m too fast for my own damn good.” He reached his hand out, letting you tightly grip it as he helped you up.

“You’re good, I was the one standing there like a mindless idiot,” you joked, reaching down to pick up the things you had dropped due to your collision. When you stood up, you noticed that he was already gone. Wow, so much for being polite. He said sorry but what does that mean when he just flies off without saying anything else? Whatever, you had to get to work so you just decided to brush it off.

You expanded your white wings, trying your best to fly higher than the city clouds in order to keep people from seeing you. You thought to yourself that maybe this was the best route to work, clear yet cold skys. Not to mention you would cut your full trip in half. You landed in front of the office building, retracting your wings back to its original, small size before entering the building. You approached the girl that was sitting behind a desk, tapping away at her keyboard. You cleared your throat before interrupting. “Hi, I’m the new sidekick Y/N. Just wondering where I need to go?” You asked the front receptionist you guided you towards the elevators.

“It’s the top floor,” she smiled. “Good luck, Miss Y/N.” You let out a sigh of relief as you stood in the elevator alone. Your day had just barely started and yet you could feel yourself already growing tired of everything. Your temper was rather short today, that man setting something off in you when he left without saying anything. Thank god you didn’t have to worry about him anymore. Tokyo was a rather large city, what are the chances of running into him a second time? You tried your best to shake off the incident that took place this morning, not wanting it to ruin your full day ahead of you.

You walked up to the giant wooden doors, knocking twice before opening them. You were greeted with a huge open window, a single desk sitting in the middle of the room with a beautiful view behind it. There were bookshelves lined with literature you had read or had planned to read. “Similar tastes,” you whispered as you traced along the backbone of the books. The room was empty, leaving you alone to examine the things you found interesting to you.

“You like what you see?” Wait a second… That voice... “You must be the new sidekick. How’s it going? I’m Hawks.” You turned around and were faced with the man that had knocked you over earlier. For some reason, dread took over, your actions visible to the man standing in front of you. “Why the long face?”

“You’re kidding me, right?” you scoffed, the man giving you a blank look. “You literally knocked me off my feet earlier? I dropped everything?” He was still giving you that stupid blank look. “You’re joking…”

“OH! I remember now. Yeah sorry about that,” he scratched the back of his head nervously. “I was in a hurry.” Wow...

“Obviously.” You rolled your eyes at his comment, unimpressed with the lack of remorse that came through his tone. You felt as if this relationship would be decided here, right now, just based on the way you were feeling as he stood there, a stupid grin plastard on his face. You let out a deep sigh, trying to regulate your breathing so you wouldn’t lash out on your new boss who was standing inches away from you. “I guess I’ll introduce myself since we’ll be working together. My name is Y/N L/N, I’m from a small town about 4 hours out of Tokyo. My quirk is known as the ‘Angel Quirk’ meaning I can do anything you can but better.”

“Woah, woah,” he stopped you, waving his hands in the air. “That’s a pretty bold statement, newby. What do you mean ‘better’?”

“I mean I can hide my wings if I want to, and also can expand them when I choose. They regenerate within the hour, I can use them to heal both internal and external wounds depending on how severe the injury is. I can also use them as weapons, hardening them as I please.”

“Okay but can you use them to listen to things? Do you have the ability to use them as an extension of you? As in, can you use them to listen or to track?” He was grilling you with questions, almost as if you struck a nerve with him. It was quite amusing to see him all flustered like this.

“I can use them to track things within a certain radius, the further away from the feather, the harder it is for me to make things out.” He furrowed his brows, crossing his arms over his chest with a huff.

“Okay yeah, your quirk is better in some parts but that doesn’t make you better than me.”

“I never said I was better than you, I only said my quirk was better. You’re the number 2 hero for a reason, I have no doubt in your skill at all.” He really got his feelings hurt that bad by your comment? Talk about a fragile ego.

He let out a sigh, sounding a little grumpy in his words as he went through the paperwork with you. “Oh and take this,” He handed you a bag, his cheeks flushed red. “I don’t know what it looks like but the design team came up with it since we do have similar quirks.”

“A new costume?” You raised an eyebrow, looking at the fabric with the paper bag. It was a body suit, like an actual teddy style body suit, a pair of sheer tights, and some knee high boots. There was also a pair of yellow goggles, matching the ones Hawks were wearing. “What if people think we’re dating?” You didn’t really think about it much until Hawks gave you your new costume that was almost identical in color to his. It was balck and gold, just like his shirt, the cropped jacket being a deeper shade of brown, just like his jacket.

“And? So what if they do? I wouldn’t mind faking it,” he smirked, winking directly at you. He began to laugh as you reached your hand to hide your crimson cheeks. They were warm, you knew his comment made you blush, and so did he.

“Shut the hell up,” you responded, biting your lip. “I’m going to request a new jacket at least. I’m sorry but this color is hideous with the black.”

“You really think so?” he asked, looking at his own jacket. “Well in that case, I’ll ask for them to give us black ones.”

“White,” you stopped him. “I want a white one.”

“White it is, m’lady,” he bowed, getting up from his seat. He leaned over his desk, transitioning from his bowed state, coming face to face with you. He was so close you could smell the lingering fragrance of mint coming from his breath. “I’m excited to work with you.” You quickly got up, bowing in response all in one quick motion, knocking your head with his. It was loud, painful, and embarrassing all within the 30 seconds that it took place. “Ow ow ow ow ow,” he rubbed his forehead, exposing the red bump that was getting ready to form.

You were quick to pluck two white feathers from the right side of your back, leaning over the desk and pressing it to his forehead. “Hold still,” you struggled to get out as Hawks winced in pain. You let out a deep breath, focusing on the feather in your hand. It was quick to dissolve, leaving Hawks in awe with what had just happened. He sat back down, watching you apply the same treatment to yourself.

“Wow,” he breathed, still in shock from what just took place. “Your quirk really is cool.”

“The only downside to my healing is that it’s only possible with the right side of my wings. The left side doesn’t have the same ability,” you admitted while sitting back down, your wings returning to their smaller size so you were able to sit more comfortably. Hawks just sat there, gobsmacked with the events that just occurred. “To be honest, we gotta get this whole bumping into each other thing under control.”

“You’re telling me,” he whispered, leaning back in his own seat. He finally snapped back into reality after being lost within himself. “Go change into your new costume and I’ll put the order in for the white coat. You’re going on patrol today with one of my other sidekicks. He’s newer to the team so it will be good for you two to get comfortable with each other. I will warn you though, he’s a bit of a hot head. Short temper, super egotistical. Great guy though, you’ll love him.”

“He sounds wonderful,” you noted sarcastically. You were soon interrupted by the sound of the door opening, being greeted with a blonde haired man with quite the aggressive scowl.

“What the hell did you say, you damn bird?” You turned your head, taking notice to his rather large grenade equipment covering his forearms. Those have to be super heavy, the look like they weigh more than the man himself.

“There you are! Bakugou, I’d like you to meet your new partner, Y/N! You guys are going to be working together from here on out. You’re still my sidekicks, so we’re still a team here but when it comes to the more lowkey stuff, like investigations and patrolling, you guys will be working together.” Did he really just say ‘lowkey’? How old is this guy? He’s got to be older than you, having started his own agency, right?

“Yeah, whatever,” Bakugou growled. Hawks wasn’t kidding when he said this guy was a hot head, the vibe he was giving off really intimidated you. But then again, you weren’t one to take shit, not even from some punk coworker with a short temper. “I’m leaving in 10. Better hurry you noob.”

“Noob?” You questioned, grabbing your things and following Bakugou out the room. You stopped before you reached the door, turning around and bowing towards Hawks. “Thank you!”

“Good luck, kid!” He waved back, his smile sweet and reassuring. You had experienced something rather unpleasant that morning with Hawks, only to find out he was your new boss. He seemed to be quite the air head, or at least spacey in some aspect. He was interesting to you, and for some reason you wanted to know more about him. The fact he had asked for you specifically out of all the other applicants was even more interesting to you. Did he choose you for another reason? Was it because you had a similar quirk to his? As time goes on, you can only hope that you’ll uncover these hidden secrets you were so focused on. He didn’t need to tell you he was hiding anything, you could just feel something in his aura.

You followed Bakugou who led you to the women's locker room, telling you he would wait outside the door for you to be finished. He actually told you to ‘hurry the fuck up’ but you just rolled your eyes at his demand. You thought to yourself that if anyone else would have been paired up with this guy, you were sure they would resign due to his attitude. You weren’t one to give up, though. You were here for a reason, having a set goal that wasn’t about to be ruined due to some smart asses comments. Not to mention, the children in the foster home you grew up in were mean as hell.

When you put on the outfit, you were flustered by how revealing it was. You did mention that you needed flexibility in your costume but you didn’t think it was going to be some kind of lingerie set. Hopefully the coat you requested is available soon, thinking that maybe it would help cover up some of the more revealing parts.

You exited the locker room, only things on you being your Hero License and your outfit. Bakugou handed you an ear piece, letting you know it’s used for the both of you, two other side kicks and Hawks himself. “So what exactly are we doing today?” You asked, exiting the building with Bakugou by your side.

“We’ve been asked to investigate the west side of town. Rumor has it that some dick head guy has been spotted frequently in the area who has been linked to a chain of murdered victims. All the bodies have similar burn marks, as if it’s this guys sick way of marking his work. Our job is to try and see if we can narrow down his exact location.” You had read over the file prior to moving to the city, being asked by the agency so that way you weren’t too behind on what was going on.

Description: Black hair, scars covering majority of his body, black coat, black shoes, distressed jeans. Last known location: West Tokyo. Number of bodies linked to crime: 12.

“Well then,” you started, letting your wings grow to their full capability. You reached your hand out towards Bakugou, signaling for him to grab on.

“What the hell? What are you doing? I don’t need your fucking help.”

“I get that but if you let me carry you, we could cut our trip time in half and with it being fall, almost winter, it’s going to get dark soon. I have no doubt that you can get there by yourself but if we want to play it smart and more efficient,” you sang, reaching your hand out again for him to take, letting your actions finish your statment. He wasn’t happy about the idea but he knew you were right, making it obvious by his aggressive huff.

You wrapped Bakugou up in your arms, taking off the second you knew you had a secure grip on him. With flying to the west side of town, it really did cut the travel time in half, leaving you an extra hour or so to investigate, much longer than what the estimated time stated. “Land there!” Bakugou yelled, pointing at the roof of a mini mart that was placed in between two rather tall buildings. You released your grip on him, his immediate reaction being annoyed and bothered by the ‘wind’ and you ‘flying too damn fast’. You just ignored his remarks, letting him take the lead on the investigation so he would stop complaining.

“How long have you worked for Hawks?” You asked, taking a seat next to Bakugou. He lowered his glasses that matched both yours and Hawks’, using them to enhance his sight towards the ground below.

“Why do you care?” He growled, avoiding any sort of eye contact with you.

“Well I don’t but if we’re going to be working together, I think it’s important that we have a bearable relationship, don’t you agree?”

“No I don’t. I don’t care who you are or where you come from. We’re co workers, that’s it.” You didn’t expect Bakugou’s words to hurt as much as they did. You barely met the guy and he’s already made his decision on how the relationship was going to be. A part of you wanted to just let it go, to just accept the fact that he didn’t care for personal relationships, but the other part, the part of you that always got you into trouble, wanted to know and be more with him.

“Well I care,” you finally blurted out, causing Bakugou to finally look over at you. “I’m not saying that we have to be friends but if we want to be a strong team, we have to get to know each other on a more personal level. I can see you’re very strong and I also know that we could be really good together. So ignore me all you want but I’m not going to stop asking.” He looked puzzled, as if no one had ever bothered to speak to him like this. It was as if he was thrown into foreign territory and had to figure out how to navigate to the sudden outburst.

“3 months,” he answered, immitadly turning away from you. You couldn’t help but smile at the small achievement you had accomplished. It wasn’t something drastic or something to celebrate, but you took it as a win regardless.

After sitting on the roof for a good half hour, you had decided to take street view, letting Bakugou keep the high ground. You were told that the suspect wore a black coat, had dark features, but the main identifier being his scars. He wore the black coat to hide his arms and body and wore a face mask to hide the scars that are suspected to be on his face.

After mindlessly walking for what felt like forever, Bakugou finally came through the ear piece. “Angel, there’s a man fitting our description on the other side of the street, walking towards your direction.” You were quick to react, trying to spot any signs of a man in a dark coat. You thought you were going to lose him in the crowd, having to make your way through groups of people walking in your opposite direction.

“Bakugou, I don’t-” You were suddenly cut off, being pushed back by the force of colliding with another person. You lost your balance, falling straight onto the concrete sidewalk below you. “Ouch…” You winced in pain, the collision of your bum hitting the hard concrete rattling you a bit. You looked up to see what it was that you had bumped into, Bakugou screaming in your ear before you could put the pieces together.

“THAT’S HIM!” You made eye contact, complete shock written across your facial features as you stared directly at the man you had been looking for.

“Here,” he reached his hand out, offering to help you up from your fall. “Sorry about that. It’s easy to get caught up in these crowds.” You were hesitant to take his hand but did it anyways, knowing that you had to diminish any sort of suspicion. His hand was rough to the touch, as if it was scared more so than dry skin. You noticed his stitches that held his scars together, slightly grazing over them as you released. “Oh uhh.. I got these cause my quirk is too strong for me to really handle.” The man seemed to be around your age, his whole appearance matching the description you were given.

What do I do?

“Oh I wasn’t meaning to stare,” you hesitantly assured him, trying to awkwardly laugh off the situation.

“I haven’t seen you around here before,” he finally changed the subject, the new topic being just as stressful as the last.

“Oh yeah I’m new to town! Just doing an internship so I’m still kind of new to all of this. I’m just out patrolling the area, making sure nothing bad happens. Ya know, the normal hero stuff.” You awkwardly scratched the back of your head, avoiding eye contact as best as you could. In all honesty, you wanted to cut this conversation short and let Bakugou track him to wherever he was planning on going, but your mind had gone blank. You were unable to think of an out so instead, you had to let the conversation carry on until you found an opening.

“Well I bet people will feel better having such a pretty hero like you around to keep them safe.” Woah woah woah… Did he really just call you pretty? And are you actually blushing right now at his comment?? Get it together Y/N!

“Eh- haha. I mean I’m just doing my job, just like any other hero.” Please leave. Please go away. Please give me an opening to get out of here.

“I guess I’ll be seeing a lot more of you then?” His smile was everything but welcoming. You could see that this man wasn’t someone who found heroes pleasant to begin with. The uneasy feeling you had when you made eye contact the first time started to grow, causing you to internally panic. “Cute wings. Reminds me of another Pro Hero I see flying around here sometimes.”

“Uh… Who?” You asked, trying your best to play dumb. He furrowed his brows, your response coming off more suspicious than before. “I’m sorry. Like I said, I’m new here and I don’t even know who I work for. I was just sent here as soon as I got there so I haven’t really met anyone.”

“Huh. Well I’m sure you’ll meet him soon. Especially if you have wings like that,” he said, pointing to your enlarged wings. “He’s a pretty big fan of people who have similar quirks to his.”

“I’ll definitely have to keep an eye out then. Sounds like we’d get along.”

“The names Dabi, by the way. And you are?” Did he really just tell you his name? Was the whole ‘play dumb’ act really working? Could this be some kind of message that he wants to send to Hawks since he was the one who mentioned him?

“You can call me Angel,” you responded, knowing it was better to offer your hero name rather than your real one. You chose the hero name ‘Angel’ because it could be taken as either a hero name or even a birth given name.

“Angel,” he repeated, barely above a whisper. “Fitting.” You didn’t respond this time, wanting to let the conversation end there which Dabi caught onto. “Well I’ll let you get back to work Angel. I hope I see you again.” And with that, he was gone, disappearing from your view into the crowd of people.

You were quick to make your way around the block so that way you could communicate with Bakugou without having to worry about Dabi overhearing anything if he had happened to still be in ear shot distance. “Angel what happened!? Did you get anything?”

“I’ll come find you! Just keep tracking him! I’m on my way!” you told Bakugou before lifting off above the city. You were quick to spot Bakugou who was jumping from rooftop to rooftop, keeping a steady pace and decent distance between him and the suspect. Once Bakugou stopped, you took that as a sign to land on the closest building and follow Bakugou’s actions so that way you could keep a low profile since the suspect now knew who you were. You mentally kicked yourself in the butt, knowing that you should’ve just left after he helped you up.

“What did he say?” Bakugou barked, his vision focused on the cluster of buildings in front of him.

“Well I got his name.”

“And?” He looked over at you, his expression completely unreadable. Were you going to get in trouble for making contact? And on the first day too?

“Dabi.” Bakugou’s face went white, his expression telling you that maybe they knew more about the suspect than they were telling you. “Bakugou, who’s Dabi?”

“I pinpointed the location. Let’s get back to the agency and report to Hawks what we found.”

“I’m not taking us anywhere until you tell me who this Dabi guy is!”

“Suit yourself you dumb bird.” He was quick to blast off, making his way back in the direction of the agency. You were in shock by his sudden outburst, creating quite the distance between you two. What is going on? You were so confused, only being left more in the dark as Bakugou ignored your multiple questions.

Snap out of it Y/N! Follow him!

“What- Bakugou!!”

#hawks #Hawks fanfic #hawks x reader #hawks x female reader #hawks one shot #bakugou x y/n #katsuki bakugo x reader #bakugou x reader #bakugou #bakugou katsuki #Dabi #dabi x female reader #dabi fanfic #dabi x reader

80 notes · View notes

bowsie22 · 3 years ago

Text

Pingxie Collection 4

Summary: There was something wrong with Wu Xie.

It started small, barely noticeable. A forgotten date, pricing an antique wrong. Then Wu Xie started making bigger mistakes. Confusing tombs, forgetting Xiaoge’s favourite meal. Pangzi was worried. Was Wu Xie sick? Had he touched something in the last tomb? Was he just messing with them? Pangzi swore that if this was some stupid joke or prank, he was going to destroy Wu Xie’s extensive cardigan collection.

Thankfully he wasn’t the only one to notice. Xiaoge was suspicious too. And he was a bit more proactive about investigating it, following Wu Xie whenever he left Wushanju and looking through his phone and computer. When Pangzi mentioned the invasion of privacy, Xiaoge responded that he’d apologise when they finally figured out what was going on. And more importantly, why Wu Xie hadn’t confided in them.

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

After two weeks of this, Pangzi and Xiaoge made the decision to search Wu Xie’s office. It was the only room in Wushanju that Wu Xie had completely to himself, sharing the living spaces with the other two and a bedroom with Xiaoge.

The door closed behind Wu Xie, but the two waited for a few minutes. It wasn’t unusual for Wu Xie to forget something and have to rush back in to grab it. Five minutes later they walked into his office which looked like a bomb had hit it. Avoiding a stack of papers waist high, Pangzi winced. “Does he not have a filing system? A way to organise these things? I can see why Wang Meng avoids this place.” Looking through all this junk wouldn’t be easy.

Half an hour later and they still hadn’t found anything of use. Financial records, maps, historical records, books, Pangzi had found them all and then some. But nothing suspicious. Collapsing into the chair behind the desk, Pangzi sighed. He had hoped that they would find some answer in here. Watching Xiaoge flick through a stack of papers, he knew he wasn’t the only one. He leaned back, concentrating on the ceiling, not expecting to find anything. But directly above his head, there it was. A barely noticeable gap between one ceiling tile and the next. Scrambling onto the desk, Pangzi reached up, shoving the tile aside and reaching into gap. Fingers gripping something, Pangzi tugged it towards himself. A box, bit cliché but it was something. Pangzi would accept anything at this point.

Handing the box to Xiaoge, Pangzi watched as the older man opened it, his face becoming somehow paler. “What is it? Oh god, is it his nudes?” Turning the box around, Xiaoge held it up for his friend to see. “Well, that complicates things, doesn’t it?”

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

“A dinner party?” Pangzi nodded, concentrating more on the food cooking in front of him than Wu Xie standing behind him. “You couldn’t have told me this before?” Dropping the spoon, Pangzi turned to face his friend, aware of Xiaoge dropping his knife and doing the same. “Wu Xie, we planned this last month, remember? Huaye and Heiye have been visiting Huaye’s shipping facilities around China. We thought they might like a nice dinner to welcome them home.”

Wu Xie stared at the floor for a second too long. He looked up, smiling brightly at his friends. “Of course, I’m such an idiot! How could I forget something like this? Well, I doubt you want my help in the kitchen. I’ll go get the table ready.” Listening to footsteps fade, Pangzi turned back to his cooking, Xiaoge returning to his vegetables at the same time. “Xiaoge, is everything ready for tonight?” Xiaoge nodded, eyes on the chopping board. Tonight was going to be interesting.

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

Surprising no one, the meal was delicious. Collecting the plates, Pangzi winked at Heiye, who stood up, pouring wine in everyone’s glass. “A toast! To say thank you to our generous hosts.” He tipped his glass to Xiaoge who sat with arm on the back of Wu Xie’s chair, a soft hand stroking down the younger’s back. Tipping his glass back, Wu Xie took a deep drink, realising too late that he was the only one who had. As his friends watched, Wu Xie slumped unconscious, face first onto the table.

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

Struggling to open his eyes, Wu Xie winced as he felt rope rub against his wrists and ankles. Looking down at his body, he realised that he was tied to a chair in the middle of Wushanju’s back courtyard. “Guys, this isn’t funny! Untie me, let me go!” He was quickly surrounded by the group, Heiye standing behind him, Pangzi and Xie Yuchen on either side and Xiaoge in front of him. Turning his doe eyes towards his boyfriend, Wu Xie pouted. “Xiaoge, what are you doing? What is going on?” Pangzi threw something at the younger man’s feet. “You know what, we were just about to ask you the same question.”

Zhang Haike swore as he saw his two face masks at his feet. Looking up, he froze at the coldness in Xiaoge’s eyes. Heiye leaned in to whisper in his ear, “The only reason Yaba Zhang isn’t killing you right now is because you know where Wu Xie is. Be smart about this Zhang Haike and tell us where he is.” Never let it be said that Zhang Haike wasn’t a smart man. He knew that he couldn’t fight his way out of this, not with Heiye and Xiaoge there. Not one of the men surrounding him would hesitate to kill him if it meant Wu Xie’s safety. “Cox has him. He thinks that Wu Xie’s blood is the key to his experiments. We sent a message pretending to be Xie Yuchen who needed help and the little idiot came running. I’d been studying his behaviours for a while now, so it made sense for me to replace him. I can bring you to where he is provided I get to live.”

After a quick discussion, Pangzi went to get the car while Heiye and Xiao Hua went to Wushanju to gather up some weapons. Xiaoge stayed behind, keeping watch over his old friend. The two stared at each other, Zhang Haike trying to see any fondness or softness that might be left. Xiaoge looked back at him, emotionless. “Why? Why did you do this? Why take him from me?” Zhang Haike couldn’t help but laugh, a horrible, bitter sound. “Why? Why? Are you serious? You are the Zhang family patriarch and you spend your time following that little idiot into tombs. You are at his beck and call constantly! You are wasting your blood on keeping him alive-“ Xiaoge’s sword flew through the air, resting against his throat. Swallowing, Zhang Haike felt blood trickle down his neck. Finally, some emotion from his old friend. Rage was better than indifference. “I follow him because I love him, I’m in love with him. Because he is the most important person in the world to me. If I don’t have him, I have nothing, there is nothing to keep me here. And I know that he feels the same way.”

Sheathing his sword, Xiaoge bent to untie Zhang Haike. “If I see you again, if you ever dare to wear his face again, I will kill you. There will be no hesitation, no mercy, you will die.” Zhang Haike stood, stumbling as blood flowed to his feet. Following his patriarch to the car where three heavily armed men waited for them, Zhang Haike realised that he may have made a mistake with this.

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

Saving Wu Xie had been surprisingly easy. There weren’t many guards in the building and Zhang Haike’s key got them to the main lab with no problems. Once the scientists saw the armed men, they ran, valuing their lives more than their work apparently. Wu Xie lay in a bed in the main lab. One arm had a needle that removed blood every half hour, his other arm an IV that was giving him nutrients. According to Zhang Haike, Wu Xie was kept sedated. He was easier to handle like that. Xiao Hua went through the computers, copying anything useful onto a hard drive, deleting everything when he was done. Heiye and Pangzi laid charges around the room, leaving enough time for the group to get out. Xiaoge removed the needles from Wu Xie’s arms, lifting the young man into his arms.

Pangzi and Xiao Hua settled Wu Xie into the car as Heiye kept watch. Xiaoge stood with Zhang Haike, watching his friends work. “Remember what I said Zhang Haike, I don’t want to see you again.” With a final look at his childhood friend, Xiaoge climbed into the car beside Wu Xie, pulling the other’s head to rest on his shoulder. His friend had made his choices and so had Xiaoge. There was never a moment of doubt, Xiaoge knew his choice had been the right one.

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

Once he woke up, Wu Xie showered, ate and collapsed onto the living room couch, pulling Xiaoge down with him. After some manoeuvring, Xiaoge lay on his back, Wu Xie lying on top of him, head resting on his chest. It was his favourite way to lie on the couch. He claimed that hearing Xiaoge’s heartbeat always relaxed him. Xiao Hua and Heiye settled themselves onto the love seat while Pangzi took the armchair. They sat in silence, knowing that Wu Xie would speak when he was ready to.

“I was unconscious for most of it. They woke me up for a few minutes every day. Not sure what they did with my blood. I think they made some serums or something? Ah Ning stopped them from injecting me with them. They injected some mice though. And then the mice melted, so thank God for Ah Ning. And yes Pangzi, I know we need to have another conversation about me rushing off by myself and being stupid.” Pangzi nodded, satisfied smile on his face. He was proud of Wu Xie knowing that he had made a mistake. Look at his little Tianzhen growing up. The group sat in the living room for another few hours, wanting to spend some time with their friend and knowing that Wu Xie always needed to be surrounded by the people he loved at times like these.

Pangzi was the first to move, dragging himself to his feet. Before leaving the room, he ruffled Wu Xie’s hair, laughing at the annoyed shout. Heiye and Xiao Hua followed him, Heiye also going for the hair, Xiao Hua leaning down to press a soft kiss to the now messy hair. “We love you Wu Xie.” Wu Xie sat up to pull his oldest friend into a tight hug. “Love you too Xiao Hua.”

Finally. Xiaoge got to tuck Wu Xie into their bed. Climbing in behind him, he pulled Wu Xie close, smiling as the younger man pressed a kiss to the other’s clavicle as he did every night. “I know I say this every time, but thank you for coming for me, especially considering what you lost to get me back.” Xiaoge took a minute to respond, hand running through Wu Xie’s hair, slowly lulling the man to sleep. “Wu Xie, I love you. I’ll always come for you, no matter what. And Zhang Haike isn’t as important as you. I can lose anything and anyone in this world except you.” Looking down he realised that Wu Xie had fallen asleep. Well, it wasn’t like Wu Xie didn’t know that Xiaoge loved him. Xiaoge would just have to happily spend the rest of their lives reminding him of that fact.

#lost tomb #pingxie

5 notes · View notes

cinaja · 4 years ago

Text

Before the Wall part 32

Masterlist:

A/N: This chapter is a bit longer than usual. I considered splitting it, but it felt more coherent as one part, so I left it like this. And after the last chapters, I did my best to make this a bit happier (at least in parts)

----

In the next months, life once again proves its uncaring ability to go on no matter what. In the scope of a war that spans an entire Continent, a few thousand dead soldiers are as inconsequential as the pain they cause the ones who survive. But to the lives of the people who were affected by these deaths, they are anything but.

Ironically enough, the next months go well for the Alliance. Jurian spends most of the time rebuilding his army from scratch. The number of new recruits is staggering, and within one months, they are back to their old number. With the newly-trained soldiers, they even win a few victories against to Loyalists. It helps that Jurian has a new spy, whose identity he refuses to disclose, but who brings invaluable information. Meanwhile, Drakon finds a way to work with his advisors that doesn`t look quite so much like he`s being manipulated. And Miryam… well, she manages to avoid any larger catastrophes with the council. Or with herself.

But while things may get better for the Alliance, nothing really improves for their little friendship group. For the first weeks, Miryam tries to ignore the changes in Jurian, but after a while, there is no denying it anymore. He grows harder. Colder. It`s like some spark in him went out. His smiles grow rare, laughs even rarer. When he isn`t busy training his new recruits, he pours over maps in his tent. Whenever Amarantha or Clythia are mentioned, cold rage flickers in his eyes.

Miryam worries about him. And she worries about herself. Lately, her power doesn`t just push and pull at her, there are moments when she actually loses control. Four times now, she had to rush out of the camp, away from anyone who might see, because she could not hold it in anymore.

It seems like today will be the fifth time. Standing in the war tent, Miryam does her best to focus on what Jurian is telling them. His spy sent some intelligence about Amarantha`s supply routes, and he`s hoping to intercept them. Miryam should be listening, but her focus keeps slipping. She tries every trick she knows – breathes in deeply, digs her nails into her leg, counts backwards from thousand. Nothing helps. It`s like she`s caught in quicksand and the harder she struggles, the further it pulls her down.

“Maybe we could lay a trap here”, one of Jurian`s new commanders says and taps the map. Jurian nods in approval and the discussion continues.

Miryam takes a shuddering breath. The ground seems to shift under her feet. She needs to get out of here. So far, she managed to keep her problems secret, but if she loses control in the middle of a strategy meeting, the council will know within the hour.

She jumps to her feet so abruptly that every eye around the table turns to her. “I have a meeting to attend”, she says as calmly as she can manage, “You`ll excuse me.”

By the time Miryam stalks out of the tent, Jurian has already returned his attention to the maps. Miryam walks through the camp as quickly as she can without running. The human soldiers stop and stare at her as she walks by, a few incline their heads. Their old soldiers were her friends - they were the people she sat with by the fire, the people who told her jokes and shared food with her. She likes the new recruits, but they are distant with her. They treat her with reverence, not friendship.

She`s almost out of the camp now. The ground seems to slip under her feet and she nearly stumbles. The guards wave her through and Miryam stumbles through the light birch forest they made their camp in, away from where her soldiers might see.

Somehow, she manages to get a safe distance away from the camp before her legs give out from under her. She falls to her knees on the ground and finally loosens her grip on her power. But letting go doesn`t truly offer relief. Without anywhere to go, her power rushes through the air, shoots into the ground and then back into Miryam. It shoots through her, burning like fire. She has to press a fist against her mouth to muffle her scream. Why does it hurt so much?

She doesn`t know how long she kneels on the ground, gasping for air, trying not to scream. An eternity passes, or maybe it is just a second. But eventually, her power calms down. Miryam lets herself sink to the ground and wipes the sweat from her forehead.

“Shit”, she mutters towards the sky.

“Can I do anything to help?”

Miryam screams and bolts upright. “Cauldron, Drakon!”

“Sorry.” He winces and carefully steps closer. “I wanted to help, but…” He trails off. “Do you need anything.”

Miryam shakes her head. Her head is pounding, her entire body hurts, but there`s little to be done. “It will go away eventually.”

“So that wasn`t the first time?”

Miryam runs her fingers over the ground. Cracks have formed in the earth, leading away from her like little bolts of lightning. The biggest is five centimetres wide. She supposes that she`ll have a hard time denying that anything bad happened now.

“The fifth”, she replies quietly.

Drakon curses. “Miryam. Why didn`t you say anything?”

The deep worry in his tone surprises Miryam. And scares her, to be honest. It isn`t unusual for her to be in pain after having to use her powers in battle, and Drakon never sounded this worried about it.

"Do you know anything about this?", Miryam asks, countering his question with one of her own.

Drakon shrugs. "A little. I had tutors on magic when I was a child and they liked to warn about what might happen if I didn`t pay attention and failed to learn how to properly control my powers. But air magic is one if the easier ones to master, and I'm not that powerful, so I never truly had problems."

Miryam tries to tell herself that whatever warnings Drakon`s teachers gave him were just an attempt to get a child to take his lessons seriously. But somehow, she can`t quite manage to convince herself.

"But I have a friend who studies magic", Drakon continues, "He might be able to help."

Miryam is already shaking her head before he finished the sentence. "No. Most certainly not. Do you have any idea what it will do to my standing in the council if this becomes public?"

"This is serious, Miryam", Drakon says. When she just crosses her arms, he sighs. “I swear that my friend will keep your secret.”

Miryam rubs her hand over her arm. She is so damned tired.

"How well do you know your friend?”, she asks and privately thinks that if they`ve been friends for over two years, she`ll take the risk.

"Oh, I'd hope I know him very well, since we were together for three years."

“Kiko?”, Miryam asks. As far as he knows, he was Drakon`s first and only romantic partner so far. “I thought he studied social sciences as well.”

“No, his subject were magical studies. He specializes in Elemental Powers, but he`d also have learned something about Higher Powers.”

Miryam smiles, mentally readjusting the image she had of Drakon`s former partner. It isn`t that she knew much about him in the first place, but she knows Drakon writes him letters at least once a month, and still talks of him fondly.

“How did you meet, then?”, she asks, “Since you wouldn`t have had the same classes.”

“My class had the task to organize social projects in a nearby city. He blew up his lab and was assigned volunteer work as punishment, so he ended up working on the project I lead. And don`t think I didn`t notice you changing the subject.” Drakon runs his fingers over the ground, where a long crack has formed. “Please”, he says, “At least give it a try.”

Miryam makes a face at him. “Fine.”

At least if it`s Kiko they`re meeting, she knows that Drakon knows him well. Chances of her secret getting out are slim. The risk is within reason.

Drakon perks up. “Really?”

“I`m probably going to regret this”, Miryam mutters, “but yes. Besides, I always wanted to see university.”

And maybe she is more scared of what`s happening to her than she thought, if she is willing to take the risk.

----

Mor is happy. It is ridiculous, she knows. Around her, the world is burning, yet she has never felt more like herself than in the last year. Especially right now.

Together with Adromache, she sits huddled around a campfire in Andromache`s camp, both of them wrapped tightly into a blanket. It is winter, and Andromache`s army has been stationed further north these past few weeks, so it`s freezing cold. Mor doesn`t much mind the temperatures. The Illyrian mountains get just as cold, and the temperatures give her an excuse to sit closer to Andromache.

Mor runs a hand through Andromache`s hair. Even after all these moths, she still can`t quite believe it.

“I have to go to Telique tomorrow”, Andromache tells her and absentmindedly turns the stick she`s using to roast a loaf of bread over the fire in her hands. “I`ll probably be gone for most of the day.”

Mor frowns. “I haven`t heard of any Alliance meeting.”

“No, it`s just the human queens. A…”, she frowns, “A strategy discussion, you could say.”

“Oh, another one of your secret humans-only meetings?”

Andromache jerks away from her, eyes widening in surprise. “What… how…”, she sputters.

“Az told me”, Mor says, “He had to find out for my uncle, but I think most of the Alliance knows.”

Andromache groans and rubs her temple. “So much for our attempts at secrecy. In that case: Yes, we`re holding one of our humans-only meetings, as you call them.”

Mor pulls her stick out of the fire and carefully takes a bite of the bread. It is so hot it burns her tongue and she curses softly.

“I suppose I shouldn`t ask you what you`re going to discuss.”

Andromache smiles wryly. “Might be for the best.”

Mor nods. She`s curious, of course. But Andromache is a queen with a duty to both her country and her people. Asking her after information that the human leadership has deemed secret would mean to ask her to choose Mor over that duty. And since Mor loves her, she`d never ask her to make that choice.

“I also have a meeting. With my uncle”, she says instead.

“Ugh.” Andromache reaches for the wine bottle standing next to her and passes it to Mor.

She laughs. “At least he likes me better than Rhys. Although that’s probably because I’m not a danger to his throne. Unlike Rhys, being his heir and all.”

Andromache shakes her head. “You Fae and your obsession with bloodlines and such things. I personally find it much smarter to have the ruler adopt the person they deem most suited to taking the throne, no blood relations required.”

Mor nods. She finds the human rule of having rulers pick their own successor, possibly also from adopted family, fascinating. Not that it could ever work in Prythian, where the power chooses the next ruler, but it still seems like an intelligent system. But well, most things the humans doo seem more intelligent than how Fae act.

She takes a swig from the bottle, then puts an arm around Andromache. “Either way, it looks like we’ll both need a drink tomorrow evening.”

Andromache laughs and leans against her. Right now, sitting by the fire together, Mor would like to freeze time and live in this moment forever. She smiles into Andromache’s hair and pulls her a little closer, thinking just how lucky she is to have this.

Mor leaves the camp early in the next morning to go meet her uncle. This time, at least, he didn`t demand she come visit him in the Hewn City. With the war escalating further each day, even the High Lord of the Night Court can`t constantly remain in his seat of power. He spent the past few days in one of the Illyrian camps where the soldiers gave him trouble, and that is where she is asked to meet him.

The camp is hundreds of miles further south, and Mor opens her fur-laced cloak almost as soon as she lands. The Illyrian soldiers watch her wearily, but they don`t try to approach her. It is a well-known fact that both the High Lord and his son like Mor, and that makes her untouchable to them.

Mor finds her uncle in the commander`s tent, eating a breakfast better suited to a palace than a war camp.

“Ah, Morrigan”, he greets her and gestures to an empty chair with his fork. “Sit. Have you eaten?”

“No, My Lord.” He wordlessly dumps some fried eggs on her platter and Mor smiles. “Thank you.”

“So, tell me”, he says and takes a bite of his eggs. “what news does the Continent have?”

“Nothing much”, Mor says, then begins to rattle off a few basic rumours she heard. Who got into an argument with whom, which Alliance members might be thinking of forging a new alliance.

“And your friend Andromache?”, her uncle asks, “Still dangling around with that guard of hers?”

“That`s a rumour”, Mor says, trying to sound as annoyed as possible.

The truth is, Andromache and her started that rumour. Well, Andromache`s spymaster did, but she gave the order. Andromache came up with the idea. She thought that the perfect way to keep rumours about a relationship between them from spreading was to start a rumour that she was in a relationship with someone else. The guard she asked for the favour is an old friend of hers, who`s currently uninterested in relationships and didn`t mind helping out.

The High Lord nods and returns to his food. Mor takes a small bite of her food and watches him over it. She wishes he`d just dismiss her and let her return to Andromache`s camp.

“What do you know about Miryam?”

Mor perks up. “What?” She catches herself. “What I know about her? She`s my –“ She remembers that her uncle can`t stand Miryam and catches herself before she can say friend. “I know her well.”

“Does she have any secrets?”

“No”, Mor replies automatically, which is, of course, a lie. “Why are you asking?”

“She annoys me.” He shrugs. “I think she`s an arrogant, stupid child who, through sheer dumb luck, got into a position she has no right to. And I`d like her to lose this position.” He smiles. “But since you know her so well, I find I have a hard time believing your no.”

Mor shifts uncomfortably in her seat. “Well, all of her secrets are connected to her past. And I doubt it will work in your favour if you bring that up.”

The High Lord mutters a curse. “And Jurian?”

“No secrets that I know of”, Mor says, which is actually true.

The High Lord stabs his sausage with way more force than necessary. “Everyone has secrets”, he says, “It`s just a matter of finding them.” To Mor, he adds, “You`re dismissed.”

----

Jurian watches Miryam as she sketches the final symbol on a doorway, then steps back. The symbol glows and sinks into the wood, Miryam brushes the chalk off her hands.

“I wonder”, she mutters, “why we have to hold each of these meetings in a different location. I have to set new wards every time.”

“Secrecy reasons”, Jurian says and twirls his knife around his finger once.

Miryam makes a face at him. “I’d like to see the spy who gets through these wards.”

Jurian just shrugs. In his opinion, it’s better to be safe then sorry, and the more human palaces have wards, the better. With how the war is going, you never know when you might need them.

Outside, the sun is already beginning to set. Jurian sighs. He wishes the meeting they are about to attend was already over and he back in his camp. He still has an attack on Amarantha’s supply routes to plan, the information for it supplied by Clythia, who still hasn’t made the connection between her meetings with Jurian and the fact that intel about her army keeps getting out.

“It’s almost time for the meeting”, Miryam says, “We should go if we don’t want to be late.”

Jurian doesn’t particularly care about being late, but he still follows her. The meeting is held in one of the palace’s highest rooms. It has huge, open windows overlooking a small port city and the bay beyond. The windows aren’t filled with glass, but this is one of the human settlements furthest south, and even in deep winter, the temperatures are mild. Jurian sits down in a cushioned chair while Miryam walks over to greet Andromache.

Sighing, Jurian stares down at his shoes. He hates sitting around like this, doing nothing while outside, the war rages on. He hates these useless, stupid meetings where people only talk but never see to say anything and they can spend hours discussing without coming to a conclusion. Just the thought of spending the next hours sitting around in this chamber makes him furious.

But of course, Jurian if furious more often than not lately.

Finally, the meeting starts. Indeed, they spent more than half an hour discussing the current state of the war, as if they aren’t all fighting it every day.

“Things have been looking better”, Andromache finally summarizes the situation, “but we’re still losing.”

Jurian bristles. “We won’t lose. Not while I have anything to say about it.”

“If we do lose”, one of the other commanders says, “you might be dead, anyways. So in that case, you wouldn’t have anything to say about it.” Jurian just glares.

“Miryam”, Andromache says, “how is that spell you were working on coming along?”

“Not good.” Miryam sighs. “I’ve been stuck for these past months.”

“Or maybe you just haven’t been trying very hard”, Nakia says. When Miryam starts to object, she cuts her off. “After all, what do you care about other people, as long as yours get freed?”

Jurian glares at her over the table. He’s angry at her, too. Although he has to admit that Miryam hasn’t been working on the spell as hard as she could have been, for reasons Jurian doesn’t entirely understand

“Unlike you”, Miryam says, “I care about all humans, not just a group of them.”

Nakia jumps to her feet, but Andromache takes her by the arm and pushes her back down.

“That’s enough. Nakia, for the last time, stop implying that Miryam doesn’t care about humans outside of the Black Land. It’s ridiculous and you know it. Miryam, the same goes for you. We’re all on the same side here.”

Miryam presses her lips together. “I can create wards that hold off an enemy army for a few hours”, she says, “But you are asking for a spell that effectively cleaves the world in two and is able to hold off against any and all Fae for eternity! Do you even realize…” She shakes her head, and when she continues, her voice trembles slightly. “You demand the impossible. And when I cannot do it, you accuse me of failing on purpose. This isn’t fair.”

Andromache sighs. “No one truly believes that.” She looks at Nakia, who is glaring at her fingers. “Not even Nakia. Tensions are just running a little high for everyone, that’s all.” She turns back to Miryam. “And no one here expects the impossible. But you know how dangerous our situation is – you know better than anyone here what will happen to us if we lose. So I’m begging you to keep trying.”

Miryam fiddles around with her sleeves. “Of course I’ll try”, she says and Andromache moves the subject to different matters.

When the meeting is finally over, Miryam rushes out of the room and Jurian is quick to follow her.

“No one thinks that”, he says while they walk through the halls, “You know that no one thinks that.” But he can’t quite stop himself from adding, “But you have to admit that you haven’t exactly been doing your best.”

Miryam whirls around to him. There is true hurt in her eyes, and Jurian curses himself for not being able to keep his mouth shut. If there was ever a time not to bring this up, it is now.

“I’m not saying you didn’t try”, he says, “Just that, considering how precarious this situation is, I thought you would have been… you know…” trying harder.

“Sure.” Miryam rubs a hand over her face. “It’s only one of the most complicated spells I’ve ever heard off. Surely I must only try harder if I want to come up with a solution. Because it’s that easy.”

Jurian sighs. Now he just made it worse. “I’m sorry”, he says, “I didn’t mean that. I don’t really know that much about magic, I shouldn’t have said anything.”

Miryam nods. “I’m going to university with Drakon tomorrow”, she says, “Maybe they have some texts or… something.”

“What are you doing at university?”

“You know how I’ve been having a little trouble with my powers lately? Drakon thought the university might have some information about it.” She turns to Jurian and manages a smile. “You could come along if you want to. I’d be happy to have you there.”

Jurian would love to say yes. But the very idea of spending an entire day with running around some university for rich Fae children disturbs him. He already lost one day – wasting another seems irresponsible. He has a war to fight, and two Hybern generals to kill. And if he’s honest, this entire visit seems far too Fae for his liking, anyways.

“I’m sorry”, he says, feeling terrible about himself because it is not Miryam he’s trying to refuse. “Things at camp have been terribly busy. If we want to pull that attack on Amarantha’s army off, I can’t be gone tomorrow. But I’m sure you’ll have fun with Drakon.”

“Of course. We probably shouldn’t leave the camp without a commander anyways.” Her smile is almost convincing. But only almost.

Jurian reaches for her hand. “But we can for a ride. After our raid. We haven’t had time alone together in a while.”

Miryam looks relieved enough that Jurian feels even worse about himself. “I’d like that”, she says, and this time, her smile actually looks real.

----

Miryam and Drakon set out three days later. At Sinna`s insistence, they are accompanied by two guards – although officially, taking the guard`s was Drakon`s decision. He winnows all of them to a well-kept lawn just within the university grounds. A few of the guards employed by the university look at them sharply, before one of them recognizes Drakon and inclines his head. Drakon nods back at him.

Meanwhile, Miryam is too busy staring at their surroundings to notice the guards. Drakon smiles at her, remembering his reaction to first seeing the university. Built in the centre of the Continent, it is almost like a small city in itself. The centre is made up of the university complex – libraries, laboratories, offices and lecture halls – but around it, there are normal houses and workshops mostly catering to the university.

"Beautiful", Miryam whispers.

Drakon nods. "The buildings are over a thousand years old. The university itself is far older, but it was burned down once and had to be rebuild." He points ahead to a huge wooden building that towers over the rest of the city. "The library is over there. It's where we'll meet Kiko."

His guards fall back and a few metres as they start walking and stay far enough behind that they likely won't be able to hear their conversation. Miryam absentmindedly links her arm with Drakon`s, but keeps looking around at the university buildings.

“It`s all wood”, she says, amazement colouring her voice.

“It was the style at the time. Well, at least here.”

Miryam nods. One of the buildings, a fragile-looking clocktower, catches her attention and Drakon has to tug her aside to stop her from running into a faerie who`s standing by the road. She turns around to smile at him, more freely than she has in a while. Drakon doesn`t know why, but his cheeks heat and he quickly looks away.

"I just wish Jurian had come along", Miryam says softly. "Getting out of camp for a bit might have been good for him."

Drakon nods, and turns back to Miryam, whose smile has dimmed considerably. They both spent the last months worrying about Jurian. Drakon wishes he could do more to help, but things between him and Jurian have been difficult lately, and the worst part is that he doesn`t even know why. It`s like from one day to another, Jurian decided that he doesn`t particularly care for Drakon`s company anymore. Even his refusal to accompany them on their trip today seemed to be aimed mostly at him.

Normally, he would have assumed that he`s seeing things, but when he asked Miryam about it, she shared his opinion. Although she didn`t know the reasons behind Jurian`s behaviour either. She offered to ask, but relying on Miryam to solve the problems between him and Jurian would just make him feel like he`s too much of a coward to do it himself.

“Does Jurian know why we`re here?”, Drakon asks.

“I`m not keeping this secret from him.” She shrugs. “He knows I have trouble with controlling my power sometimes, and that we`re asking a friend of yours for advice.”

Drakon frowns at her. Somehow, he finds it hard to believe that Jurian would have stayed behind if he truly knew why they were here. Jurian may not be interested in visiting a Fae library, but he cares about Miryam more than about anything else and the idea that he`d not at least try to help her with a problem like this seems outlandish.

“And you`re sure you told him how serious this is?”

Miryam suddenly finds huge interest in a smaller building to their left. She carefully studies it, then asks, “Is that a tavern? I thought this was a university.”

“Miryam.”

“It`s not…” She sighs and turns around to face Drakon. “I told him the truth. I just don`t see the point in exaggerating a problem and giving him one more thing to worry about when he can`t do anything about it anyways.”

Drakon does see the point in it. He sees several points, actually, and is about to tell Miryam as much when they get interrupted by a Fae male with colourful butterfly wings.

“Ah, Drakon”, he says and reaches for his hand. “It’s so good to see you. How are you?”

“Well. And you, professor?”, Drakon asks, trying to sound polite, but not overly cheerful.

Professor Niko taught two of his classes in his second and third year at university and him and Drakon never quite got along. He once had Drakon fail an assignment just because their opinions didn’t match. But him now being Prince seems to have increased the professor’s opinion of him, which only makes Drakon like him less.

“Oh, I can’t complain.” He smiles at Drakon. “I’ve read your papers. Good work as always. Although I do find a few of your arguments a little… extreme.”

“What is extreme about saying humans should be equal to Fae?”, Miryam cuts in, frowning lightly.

The professor turns to Miryam, seemingly only noticing her now. “And you must be Lady Miryam”, he says, “Well, I can imagine why you’d say that. Although even you must admit that Fae have certain inherent advantages over you mortals.”

“No, I do not see it that way at all”, Miryam says in a tone that dares him to argue.

“And if you’d ever talk to a human”, Drakon adds, “you might find you agree with her.” His cheeks are burning. “But as it is, Miryam and I have to be off.” He takes her by the arm and leads her away. As soon as they are out of hearing range, he sighs. “Sorry. That was… He’s from Rask, you see. You know that I don’t agree with that.”

“I know that”, Miryam says, “Just… are there slaves in this city?”

“No. Slavery has been prohibited on university grounds for millennia.” He hesitates. “Although the university doesn’t accept human students either.”

Miryam sighs – and changes the subject. “They don`t seem bothered by your new status.”

Drakon feels like he should say something more on the university’s leaning on slavery, but if Miryam decides not to pursue the subject, that’s her choice to make.

“Royalty isn`t as uncommon here as you`d think”, he says, “Most nobles, including royals, want their children to get the best education, and that means either this university, or the one in the Black Land. Most prefer this one, though, because it`s independent.”

Some extremely smart person decided millennia ago that education shouldn`t be tied to one single state, so he arranged for a small bit of land around the centre of the Continent to be made into neutral ground and to build a university there. The obvious flaw in that arrangement is that the university now has to cover its expenses from the money students pay, which effectively bars most people from attending.

“So this is where rich Fae families send their children to make useful connections for later?”, Miryam asks

Drakon winces. “Basically. Although there are even divisions between individual classes. Lower-ranking nobles generally go into social studies or sciences and hope for a seat on a ruling council. Well, or military. Royal children are generally expected to go either into politics or the military." He shrugs with an indifference he doesn’t quite feel. "My father always wanted me to go into politics. But well, I failed in the lessons, and since my father had little patience for useless things, he had me try military next."

"Even if you don't excel at lessons, they are hardly useless", Miryam objects.

"Well, I wasn't referring to the lessons." Miryam`s expression shifts from confused to upset, and he quickly adds, “We both know I`m hopeless at politics. Anyways, my father thought that at least I`d prove to be somewhat brilliant in military matters, so he sent me off to train under Sinna. But I guess I didn`t have any particular talent for that either, so when I was nineteen – after five years of trying – Sinna convinced my father to send me to university.”

Miryam stops walking to stare at him. He doesn`t understand what her problem is, until she says very softly, “Your father sent you to join the military at fourteen?”

“I don`t think you understand how embarrassing it is for a Continental ruler to have a child that completely fails at politics.” Miryam continues staring at him, and Drakon awkwardly shifts his weight from one foot to another. “It`s not like there were any battles at the time. But after a few years at university, my father decided I was at least good enough at what I was doing that he could give me a seat on his council. Well.” He winces. “Until the matter with Ravenia, of course.”

Miryam stares at him for another uncomfortable moment, then continues walking. “Your father sounds horrible.”

Drakon is too surprised to say something at first. He just stares at her. But then, he catches himself and vehemently shakes his head. “No. No, he isn`t. Wasn`t, I mean. He was a good person.”

Miryam arches an eyebrow at him. “He sent you, his own child, off to the military at fourteen and sold you to Ravenia ten years later.”

“No, it`s…”, Drakon stammers. He hates the way Miryam says it, how she makes what his father did sound terrible and heartless. “It`s not like that at all. And please stop looking at me like you feel bad for me. You’re the last person who should feel bad for me for that!”

Miryam presses her lips together. “Bad childhoods aren`t a competition.”

“I didn`t have a bad childhood! And I loved my father.” And I got him killed, he adds silently.

Miryam looks at him like she very badly wants to argue, but bites her tongue at the last moment. Instead, she nods towards the towering building before them.

“Is that the library?”

Drakon nods and tries hard to push his thoughts away from his dead family and what they might think of him now. He makes to step through the library`s huge doors, but one of the guards in fronts stops him with an outstretched hand.

“No weapons past this point”, he says.

Oh, right. He should have remembered that. Drakon unties his weapons` belt and hands it to the guards, Miryam passes over her dagger. Then, Drakon turns around to his guards, who look extremely unhappy at the idea of giving up their weapons.

“We`ll be busy in the library for, say, three hours, and the it is well protected. There`s a nice restaurant just around the corner, if you want to go. You are, of course, invited.”

The guards don`t look overly happy that they won`t accompany them, but the prospect of a free dinner that isn`t army food seems to lighten their mood. Drakon hold open the door to the library for Miryam and follows her inside. They walk past the front table and Miryam cranes her neck back to look up at the high ceiling, and the stairs climbing up right to the roof.

“We meet Kiko in the ninth story”, Drakon says, “So, we could walk, or-“

“Fly, please.”

Drakon laughs and ruffles his wings. A group of students walks past, one of them whispers something to the others and then, they all stare. Drakon wraps his arms around Miryam, spreads his wings and sends them shooting into the air. They land on the ninth story and Miryam quickly straightens her clothes.

“There we are”, Drakon says and pushes open the door. “Magical studies, department for Higher Powers.”

It isn`t one of the parts of the library he visited frequently as a student, but he knows his way around well enough not to get lost as he leads Miryam through the labyrinth of shelves to where they agreed to meet Kiko.

He is already there, casually leaning against a shelf. In the soft light, his red skin seems to glow, the colours shifting around it making him look like a living flame. When he sees Drakon, he grins broadly and pushes off the shelf he was leaning against. Drakon closes the space between them with two quick steps and pulls his old friend into a hug.

“I missed you too”, Kiko says. He lets go of Drakon and gives him a mischievous smile. “So, tell me, Your Highness. Do I need to bow?”

“Don`t you dare.” Drakon laughs and waves Miryam over. “That`s Miryam. Miryam, Kiko.”

“Nice to meet you”, Miryam says.

“The pleasure is mine.” Kiko sketches a bow, then winks at her. “My friends will be beyond jealous if they hear I`ve actually met you. That is, if they believe me at all. But”, he adds, expression turning more sober, “I suppose you aren`t here just to give me something to brag about to my friends.” He turns to Drakon. “Your letter said you need my help. What can I do for you?”

Drakon sets up wards around them with a wave, then inclines his head to Miryam. “I think it`s best if you explain.”

Miryam nods, but looks around nervously even though she should know about the wards. “You know that I`m a witch”, she says carefully.

Kiko nods, excitement lighting his red eyes. The horns poking out of his curly hair seem to tremble slightly. “Yes, of course. That must be so exciting! I`ve never met a witch before – is it true that you can see spells? And talk to animals?”

Drakon winces. He didn’t consider how utterly fascinated any people who study magic are by witches. That the Guild is so secretive about their abilities only adds to the general interest. Maybe he should have warned Kiko that Miryam has a rather difficult relationship with both her abilities and the Guild.

“Yes to the spells, no to the animals”, she says. Drakon is probably the only one to notice that her smile seems a little strained. “I`ve been having… trouble with it lately, though. For over a year now.”

Kiko`s expression turns serious immediately. “What kind of trouble?”

“With the control. It worked just fine in the beginning, but now…” She shrugs a bit helplessly then begins to haltingly describe her problems. Problems that Drakon didn`t even know existed until a few days ago. “Do you have any idea what it might be?”, she asks after she finished. “Because it keeps getting worse and I...” She breaks off and shrugs again.

Kiko nods. “I see.” He starts chewing on his lower lip. “I take it you aren`t ready to take this to my professor?”

Miryam immediately shakes her head. “It has to remain secret.”

Kiko nods again, but his frown deepens. “The problem is that witches are rare. And, if you excuse me saying so, somewhat secretive about their power. Scholars have been petitioning with the Guild for centuries to get them to disclose at least some information, but they refuse. So I`m afraid that I have far too little information to be able to give you any definite answers.”

“Your guess is better than mine”, Miryam says. If she is disappointed, she hides it well. She now wears the same mild expression she usually dons for council meetings.

“For the reasons behind your troubles”, Kiko says, “The only guess I can come up with is that you simply grow more powerful with time and whatever control you had when you were younger is simply no longer enough. For Fae, it takes about seven years for their power to fully mature, and it might be similar for witches. You got your power at – sixteen? Seventeen? Count up from there.”

Miryam presses her lips together. “So you`re saying this will get worse for one more year?” Drakon squeezes her hand.

“I`m sorry”, Kiko says. “The best advice I can give you is to find someone with similar abilities and get him to teach you.”

“The only people I could ask for that are other witches. And the Guild hates me.” She shakes her head. “There has to be another option.”

Drakon shoots Kiko a pleading look. Just give her something! He can`t have dragged Miryam here, made her hope there might be a solution, just for them to leave empty-handed.

“Well”, Kiko says and gestures vaguely to the shelfs surrounding them. “This is the world`s biggest library. Not a problem those books don`t know a solution to. We just need to search.”

“Great”, Drakon says, quickly jumping onto the suggestion, “Where do we start?”

“Shelf 36 to 120 could have something”, Kiko says.

Drakon looks at the long shelves, then back at Kiko, brows raised. Searching this many shelves would take days.

“Good”, Miryam says, “I’ll start from the end, then.” She manages a parting smile, then rushes off.

Drakon has to fight off the impulse to run after her and find some words of comfort. This didn’t go at all as he’d planned.

“I`m sorry I couldn`t give her a better answer”, Kiko says as they walk over to shelf 36.

“Not your fault.” Drakon sighs. “I should have handled it differently.” Maybe he should have discussed the matter alone with Kiko before bringing Miryam into it. Or he should have made it clear that they might not find anything.

They start from opposite sides of the shelf and begin to sort their way through the books, checking each title and only taking a closer look at the books that sound promising. Drakon sighs. How are they ever supposed to find anything this way?

“And how are you?”, he asks.

“Can’t complain.” Kiko shrugs. “My studies are going well, and I haven’t blown up anything in a few months, so that’s a new record.” He nudges Drakon in the side. “And right now, I’m a little pissed at you. How come I only now find out that you have a crush on her?”

Drakon nearly drops the book he just pulled out of the shelf. “What?” Then, he finally processes what Kiko just said and vehemently shakes his head. “No. No, I don`t have a crush on Miryam! That`s ridiculous.”

Kiko laughs, puts his book back into the shelf and pulls out another. “Obviously you do.” He scans the book`s first page and puts it back into the shelf. “Just the way you look at her. Although I should have probably known from your letters already – you can`t seem to stop going on about how amazing and talented and wonderful she is.”

“I`m not…” …in love with her, Drakon wants to say, but he can`t quite get himself to actually speak the words.

He isn`t in love with her. He isn`t. Sure, he notices thinks about her, like how her smile lights up her entire face and makes her look like she might be glowing. Or that she is beautiful. But he`d have to be blind not to notice that. And she`s kind, and strong, and smart. He misses her when she`s not around.

They are friends. That`s why. But if he`s entirely honest, they have been friends for a while, but in the past months…

“Shit”, Drakon mutters and runs his hand through his hair. “Shit, I can`t be in love with her!”

“Why not? She seems nice.”

“Because it`s going to ruin everything! She`s my friend, and…” He begins pace between the shelves. “And she`s in love with Jurian. Who is also my friend. Oh, Cauldron, what if they find out?”

Jurian seems angry enough with him as it is. Maybe it`s because of that? Maybe he somehow noticed that Drakon fell in love with Miryam and is angry about that. Who could even blame him?

“Don`t you think you may be over-reacting a little bit?”, Kiko asks. His mouth quirks upwards like he is trying very hard no to smile. “Look on the bright side: at least it can’t end worse than your engagement with Ravenia.”

But this just horrifies Drakon more. “I was engaged to –“ He frantically runs his fingers through his hair. “When we first met, I… She… Oh Cauldron, I`m a terrible person.”

Kiko laughs and puts a hand on his shoulder. “Look, Drakon, not to interrupt your freak-out, but don`t you think you`re blowing this way out of proportion?”

“This is a disaster.”

“It`s a crush. The thing about crushes is, you can`t really control if you get them or not, and they usually don`t last long.” Kiko gives his shoulder a final squeeze and lets go. “So calm down a little”, he says, “As long as you don`t start trying anything with her, you should be fine.”

“Right.” Drakon nods and takes a deep breath. This is fine. The situation may not be ideal, but nothing needs to change about their situation. They can still be friends. It`s fine. He looks down at the book still in his hands and flips it open.

“Then we should probably, you know. Continue looking.”

Kiko laughs. “You really haven`t changed at all.”

Drakon doesn`t bother to tell him how very wrong that assessment is.

----

Miryam has never seen so many books in one place. The shelves reach up to the ceiling and are stuffed with volumes, some of which look like they might be hundreds of years old. She barely dares to touch them for fear that they might fall apart under her touch.

After she worked her way through the first shelf, though, she realizes that there may well be too many books. She could spend days here and still not have seen everything. Even if she just glances at the title of each book and only takes a closer look at the ones that sound like they might be useful, the search takes ages and the odds of finding any useful information seem minimal. Cauldron, she doesn`t even know exactly what she is looking for. Information on witches? On magic in general? On how to control power? Maybe Kiko doesn`t truly know either, and that`s why he has them search close to a hundred shelves.

After working her way through three shelves, Miryam is just about ready to give up. Coming here was a stupid idea. A waste of time. She should have known that witches would be so secretive about their abilities that no one would be able to tell her anything. Well, except for the Guild, but they`d probably rather kill her than help her. How foolish of her, to have hoped that this visit might be the solution to her problems. It will be the best to tell Drakon and Kiko to give up the search before they waste any more time chasing after information that isn`t there.

She walks past the seemingly endless rows of shelves until a small glass vitrine catches her attention. She pauses. The vitrine itself looks rather inconspicuous, as does the leather book lying inside, but the glowing strings surrounding both are anything but. Miryam automatically reaches for the vitrine`s lid, but stops herself in the last moment.

“Go ahead”, a voice says from behind her, making her spin around.

A Fae female in scholar`s robes stands between the shelves. She is easily one of the oldest Fae Miryam has ever met, hair already streaked with white and skin marked by deep wrinkles. Her deep brown eyes seem kind enough, though.

“I`m sorry”, Miryam says. She feels caught, even though she wasn’t really going to do anything. “I wasn`t going to touch it.”

“Please.” The female steps closer. “I`d love to see. I so rarely get the chance to see a witch at work.”

Miryam considers refusing, but the spells on the book are witch-made. If she wants to find out what is inside, this is her chance. Carefully, she reaches out for the lid. The wards on the vitrine are simple enough that Miryam doesn`t need to speak to disable them. She opens the lid and pulls out the book. Half a thought has it flap open.

“Fascinating”, the female says as Miryam carefully flips through the pages. “None of our experts have been able to open it.”

Miryam can easily imagine why. After all, her own spellbook is protected by similar wards.

“It`s a spell book”, she explains, “Warded against anyone other than a witch reading it.”

And, this much is obvious just from reading the first page, the spells inside are far more advanced than anything that Miryam has been able to find in her own book. She scans the pages, struggling to understand what, exactly, is written in there. Wards, if she`s not mistaken, but more complicated than any she has ever seen.

She flips the book shut. “May I borrow this?”

“Unfortunately, that will not be possible.”

Miryam hesitates. If she is correct, this book will not be able to help her with the problem she came here to solve, but it might just contain the solution to another issue. She promised Jurian to keep looking into ways a wall between humans and Fae might be constructed, and if there’s a chance of this book containing answers, she cannot give it up this easily.

“I have another book”, she says, “similar to this one. It contains general information on how witches` powers work. If you let me borrow this book, I could copy a few pages from mine and send them to you in exchange.”

She sees the light glinting in the scholar`s eyes and knows she has won before the female says, “That seems like a fair trade. I`ll expect the book and your copies back in a month.”

“Thank you”, Miryam says and tucks the book under her arm. “Now, if you`ll excuse me, I have to go find my friends.”

She feels the female`s eyes on her back as she quickly walks away to where she suspects Drakon and Kiko. She finds them by shelf 40, standing hunched over a book When she walks over to them, Drakon looks up.

“Oh, good that you`re here.” He smiles at her, then quickly looks away again, like he’s uncomfortable about something. “We may have found something.”

Miryam quickly steps closer. “Really?”

“Yes, uhm. Kiko thinks…” Drakon clears his throat and steps from one foot to the other. He really does seem uncomfortable. Miryam wonders if she interrupted something between him and Kiko.

“It`s a book describing the case of a shadowsinger who lived five hundred years ago”, Kiko says, “He also had trouble with his powers, from what I`ve been able to gather. I don`t know the book, or the author, but shadowsinging is considered a Higher Art, same as witchcraft. Maybe you`ll be able to find something useful in it.”

“Thank you”, Miryam says, not bothering to hide her relief. If there was another person who struggled with the same things and made it out of it, she might just be fine. “Truly.”

Kiko`s skin turns an even deeper red. “Anytime. And I`ll continue looking. If I find anything, I`ll let you know.”

“Thank you”, Drakon says and glances at a clock that’s standing in the corner. “I’m afraid Miryam and I have to get going. I told my guards we’d be back in three hours, and I don’t know what they’ll do if we’re late.”

Miryam thanks Kiko again, then steps back a few steps to let him and Drakon say goodbye in private. The two of them hug, Kiko says something that makes Drakon laugh, then they break apart.

“Take care, you two!”, Kiko calls after them as they walk back through the library. Drakon waves back over the shoulder at him.

When they are out of the library and walking through the university town again, Drakon nods to the second book Miryam still holds in her hands. “And what is that?”

“A spellbook.” She reaches for his hand and smiles. “Coming here was a wonderful idea, Drakon. Thank you.”

He smiles back at her. “I just hope this book we found will help.”

Back in their camp, Miryam spends the entire night reading in the book about the shadowsinger while Jurian sleeps next to her. The book isn`t helpful. Not in the slightest.

Dread growing with each page, Miryam reads the scarily blunt description of what happened to that long-ago shadowsinger. It started with trouble with controlling his abilities. Small at first, then bigger and bigger, until he had outbursts where he entirely lost control. The symptoms the author describes are scarily similar to what Miryam is struggling with, just applied to a different set of powers. But it didn`t end there. After a while, he started to lose touch with reality. Could no longer tell what was real and what imagined. Saw things that weren`t there. After two years, he died during one of his magical outbursts.

Miryam carefully closes the book and puts it on her nightstand. Blows out the candle.

She spends the rest of the night sobbing into her pillow.

But in the morning, when Drakon asks her if she found anything in the book, she makes herself smile. “It was very helpful.”

It’s not like there’s anything they can do about it, anyways. Better to focus on winning the war than to waste time on a problem that doesn’t have a solution.

----

Tags @croissantcitysucks @sjm-things @clolikescloquetas

12 notes · View notes

luckbandit · 5 years ago

Text

Squib!Regulus AU-pt. 2

You guys wanted it, so you got it!

-Regulus is at first very nervous at his new home. Marius and his wife (who is a muggle with knowledge of the magic world) are very kind to him, but Reg has been raised by the worst people ever and spends his first month think they’re gonna eat him or something like that

-Marius is concerned for the kid. He barely comes out of his room and when they’re eating together for meals, he’s silent, too silent for a nine-year-old. And one time when Marius raises his hand too quickly, Reg flinches, ready for a hit. His mother may have used magic, but Orion was willing to dirty his own hands when his sons depleased him

-eventually, Reg starts to lower his guard around Marius and his wife. He starts reading muggle books by muggle authors, starts becoming more comfortable with himself and his new guardians. Marius teaches him about muggle technology and Reg is fascinated by how much these people have accomplished without magic. In some ways they’ve even surpassed wizards!

-he also finds himself watching Marius’s wife work in the kitchen. He was never allowed in the kitchen at Grimmauld, that was the place where House Elves work. No son of Black belonged there, not even squibs.

-another month passes, then another, then a year, and then Marius decides to send Regulus to muggle school. Reg was hesitant, much preferring his uncle’s private tutoring, but Marius insists, saying how he should get to know kids his age, kids like him, kids without magic. So Reg goes.

-school is, in a way, fun. Sure some of his classmates tease him for his very posh sounding name but he doesn’t really care what other people think of him for once. He loves his teachers and his classes, there are so many things to learn. He even makes a friend; a girl in his class named Mary. She’s outgoing, fearless, and is very loud. It’s a wonder why they became friends. But they did.

-Regulus’s favorite subject is science. It was a comfort, he supposed, that muggles had a magic of their own, one you didn’t have to be born correctly to use. Anyone could learn and master science, even use it to bend the universe to their whim. And maybe he liked it out of spite too. Wizards were so proud of their magic, yet Regulus might’ve found something better. Mary calls him a nerd and says that obviously the best and only good subject is recess. Reg rolls his eyes but smiles and the two run to the playground together

-another year passes and Reg can’t help himself but look out for any owls. He’s now 11. If he was normal, he would be getting his Hogwarts acceptance letter now. But no owl came. Marius knew what Reg was thinking, he’s been through this thought process himself. He tells Reg, quite bluntly, that the ancient and most noble house of black are full of fools and that Reg is perfect the way he is.

-one day Mary pulls him aside and says she wants to tell him a secret but he has to promise not to tell anyone. He promises. “I am a witch”, Mary says, “and I’m heading to magic school”. Mary was a Muggleborn. A Mudblood, his parents called it.

-Reg’s first thought was the prejudice that has been shoved down his throat. His second thought was that Mary was his friend. He smiles and says she joking. She insists she’s telling the truth. After more “convincing”, he decides she’s telling the truth and says he’ll be lonely without her. Mary hugs him and promises to write as much as she could.

-he keeps his word. He doesn’t tell anyone, not even Marius. And when Mary leaves for Hogwarts, he ignores the spike of envy that has settled deep in his chest.

-back to Sirius, Grimmauld place has become even lonelier. With Reg gone, his parents were pushing more pressure onto him to be the perfect heir. It’s more painful too, at least before, he knew it was to protect his little brother. Now it’s just because of him. His fault.

-his parents scream at him whenever he says Reg’s name, claiming they have no son called Regulus and that Sirius is the one and only heir, and that he must start asking like it

-desperate, he asks Kreacher what happened. The Elf eventually gives in and says that Master Regulus has been sent away to live with abominations like him. Sirius, relieved that Reg is alive, doesn’t call out the insults

-then third year begins. Sirius reunited with James, Remus, and Peter, first years are sorted (a certain muggleborn named Maryis sorted into Gryffindor), and the Marauders are back!

-it is during this year that they find out about Remus’s condition. It’s also when they find out about Regulus. Sirius didn’t mean to tell them, but when James asked why he was upset, he replied without thinking; “Reg was suppose to be here this year”. Peter asks who Reg is and it all comes spilling from there.

-they are horrified at how willing Sirius’s parents were to give their son. Their own son! Afterwards, there’s a big group hug and James swears to help his best mate find his brother.

-from then on, it’s pretty similar. The Marauders become animagi and join Remus on their monthly adventures, the map his made, and dreaded Prank happens.

-meanwhile, Regulus has adapted fully to muggle life. He makes some more friends to make up for Mary’s absence (he tells her he’s a squib during the summer of her second year.her reply is to hug him to death) starts helping in the kitchen, picks up an instrument or two, and before you know it, he’s ready for High School.

-and then, at 16, Sirius runs away

53 notes · View notes

commenter2 · 4 years ago

Text

Ideas for Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order 2

I recently got the last of the trophies for Jedi: Fallen Order and while playing the game it gave me some ideas for new gameplay mechanics along with improvements to those that exist that I personally think should be in the next game, as well as a an idea for a potential plot that could be used.

Ill start off with the plot.

What if for the next game Cal and the other characters discover that the Empire have found a map to an ancient Force item/device and its up to Cal and the others to find it first before the Empire can use it for evil by following the clues on the map while dealing with other challenges along the way.

I know the plot of Fallen Order was similar to my plot suggestion, but I like the idea of a Force item/device being the focus on the game then just getting another game of the heroes fighting the Empire for the rebellion or destroying another superweapon. I got some ideas for potential items/devices that would make for an interesting plot such as an ancient chamber that is believed to enhance a force users abilities, a book containing forgotten secrets of the Sith AND Jedi back before the two groups were at odds, or the coordinates written by a Sith lord that lead to another unheard galaxy.

One thing I really liked in Fallen Order was that we got to see and learn the history of an alternate version of the Force called the “Life Wind” and how it pretty much resulted in the first Jedi and Sith so it would cool to see another example of this in the next game. Maybe in the game it could be revealed that the Force item/device the characters are looking for was made by a race who was able to use both sides of the Force as a power source, using it to make kinetic powered generators, devices powered by some force lightning. etc. and even though some specialized in the dark side they never go truly corrupted by it or got into conflict with those who like to specialize in the light side of the Force, that is until a Jedi (or something like one) came and ruined the peace causing the civilization to fall.

I also have some ideas for side plots for the game.

One is of course seeing Cal deal with falling to the dark side of the Force, I mean EVERY Jedi story makes the main Jedi character go though this at some point so it be good to do it in order get it out of the way. Same for Cere since it was already touched on in Fallen Order. Maybe Maul could have a hand in this as maybe while searching for clues for his own quest, he runs into the group on a few occasions and teaches Cal some Sith techniques in order to get an apprentice, but fails. That and of course Maul is an awesome character.

Another possible idea is a subplot where Cal and Merrin become a canon couple, and not just because they would make an interesting couple. To my knowledge, in the entirety of the Star Wars franchise Anakin, and one other Jedi I can’t name right now, have been the only Jedi to be in canon romantic relationships as others that I can think of either don’t go through with the relationship because of some reason or another like there dedication to the force/cause, never get the chance because someone dies, or it becomes non canon, so it would be interesting (and different plot wise) to see another Jedi be in a relationship, and Merrin being a Nightsister would make it even more interesting and unique then previous Star Wars couples.

Maybe there is a side plot where on one of the planets, Cal has to deal with an active battalion of battle droids who could serve a surviving separatist leader who believe that Cal is with the Empire, trying to kill him.

With the plot done, its time to go over ideas for gameplay, a lot of which I think we can all agree on.

One obvious idea for the next game is being able to fast travel to certain places on planets, as I’m sure I’m not alone when I say it was a real pain to travel back to certain places in order to get missing items and scans. What if you can do this at the mediation circles ? There is a joke in the fandom on how Jedi can use the force to move super fast so maybe this could be the method of fast traveling or as another funny method, using screen wipes like in the original trilogy ?

When it comes to combat it was really interesting getting and using a double sided lightsaber AND a split saber in the game so I think we can all agree that in the next game you should be able to acquire the ability to dual wield.

I could see dual wielding being another lightsaber mode you can switch to whenever you want, making the one sided lightsaber good for casual combat, the double bladed mode effective for groups of enemies but bad against single enemies, and dual wielding to fighting specific targets, as you can do more damage but your defenses are greatly weakened when dealing with groups of enemies and maybe it takes more Force out of your Force bar. Perhaps the skill tree for the next game should have a skill that can allow you to fight with two lightsabers for a small period of time instead of just one strike.

Also while on the topic of lightsabers, what about the idea of being able to dual wield double bladed lightsabers ? Sure that sounds like overkill but they are canon in Star Wars. Maybe that could be like the split saber feature of the game and you acquire late in the game ?

Other combat related ideas I have are Cal being able to use dark side powers like force lighting, which could work with the “Cal tempt by dark side" sub plot or being able to use a blaster, as Cere showed how powerful a blaster can be in the hands of a Jedi in Fallen Order.

Remember in the game you got to control an AT-AT and shot at Imperial troops and vehicles ? That was a fun feature and I think the next game should have more segments like that but with more variety, like being able to fly ships or use turrets, which could be possible since EA had a hand in developing the Battlefront games along with Fallen Order.

What would you like to see happen in the Fallen Order sequel ? Do you agree with any of these ideas ? If so why ?

#star wars #star wars jedi: fallen order #star wars jedi: fallen order sequel #sequel ideas #lightsabers #video games #ea games

4 notes · View notes

theaologies · 5 years ago

Text

We’ll Continue (to be disappointed) [fic]

Fandom: Dragon Age Ship: Solavellan (implied) Rating: Gen Summary: Charter delivers some news Wordcount: ~1700 Notes: I haven’t written anything in... so long... god. A drabble, some character introspection mostly Read on Ao3

HEAVY SPOILERS for TEVINTER NIGHTS

“Is that all?” Cassandra asks, dropping the bundle of papers that has occupied her hands for the past hour or so on the small, stained wood table their little group stands around.

The basement they find themselves gathered in this time is small and damp, the scent of fish drifting in from the port outside mixing none too sweetly with old ale that has spilled through the floorboards of the tavern above. The cramped space barely fits the four women with their table, which tilts precariously whenever something heavier than a dagger is placed upon it, and Leliana has joked more than once that if Cullen had joined them he and his pauldrons would have had to play door for them.

But this isn't a matter to disturb Cullen with. Not while he's enjoying his retirement and time with his family.

No, this little party is made up only of those absolutely necessary; Cassandra, Leliana, Lavellan, and Charter.

Charter, who is the one who retrieved this information for them.

The Elven woman nods as she watches Cassandra drop her notes, folding her arms across her chest. “That is all, yes. And since I was the only one spared we won't have to concern ourselves with cleaning up loose ends.”

Cassandra sighs, frustration evident in her voice. “I suppose you're right.” She nods, rubbing at her chin, “though I admit my confusion at your survival- he'd kill all those others in attendance, yet not you? Just because you... asked?”

“I had done nothing to wrong him,” Charter tells her, leaning over to gather the papers up once more. “The others had lied or slandered him or posed some kind of risk. I merely sought out information- and it was information he was willing to share.”

“He doesn't want to kill Elves,” Lavellan supplies, finally speaking up for the first time since their meeting began, “he will if he absolutely must, but Solas is... trying not to kill other Elves. He's still trying to recruit them into his army.” She glances up at the other Elf, violet eyes both hard and exhausted at the same time, “you said it yourself- he asked you to join. And it probably would have looked worse for him had you not returned.”

“He wants us to know he can be anywhere at anytime,” Leliana says, “even though we've officially disbanded he knows we're still working against him- he wants us to know just how big of a threat he, personally, is to us. Any of us. All of us.” The Divine, cloaked in a simple disguise, spreads a hand out over the small map of Tevinter tacked down on the table, looking over it dutifully. “We'll have to be more careful from now on- well, even more so than we have been.” She sighs, a frown etched across her lips, “I'm afraid our infrequent meetings will have to become... even more infrequent. And those of us who are traveling will have to do more to cover our tracks. It will be difficult but we can't afford to get lazy now- or ever.” Nimble fingers pluck at the tacks, carefully rolling the map back up before depositing it in a tiny canister. As she straightens she eyes both Charter and Lavellan, “I'm sorry to say, but that means being more careful around other Elves, as well- if he'd go so far as to attempt to recruit a known spymaster-”

“No, you're right,” Lavellan agrees quickly, though she doesn't meet her eye, “anyone could be one of his agents, at this point. There's no telling. Caution must be taken, especially with those Elves coming out of Tevinter.”

Leliana gives a single nod, seemingly pleased with her understanding. “Yes, exactly. We cannot, at the moment, take any unnecessary risks. Now-” her eyes sweep over the other women as she tugs at the hood of her cloak, ensuring her hair is completely covered, “I'm afraid I must take my leave. Cassandra and I must be present later tonight at the Viscount's banquet- there had to be some excuse for use to travel all the way to Kirkwall, after all.”

Cassandra makes a disgusted noise from the space by the door as she dons her own cloak. “Politics.”

“Now, now, Cassandra,” Leliana chides playfully, a smirk replacing her serious expression, “I'm sure Varric won't make it too unbearable for you. Perhaps our dear friend will even give you the next copy of his book.”

The dark haired woman rolls her eyes, turning toward the door quickly to hide the blush that creeps its way up her neck.

“Charter, if you wouldn't mind passing this information to Harding when you have the chance?” Leliana requests, “she'll need to know the details of this meeting in depth and what to keep an eye out for in the future.”

“Of course, My Lady,” Charter agrees, tucking the papers away into a leather pouch hidden inside her vest, “I will get this to her as soon as possible.”

“Thank you,” Leliana says, then turns to Lavellan, “I'm sorry you can't join us tonight,” she tells her sympathetically, “If there were a way-”

But Lavellan just lifts her hand to stop her. “It's fine,” she says, “I spent some time with Varric yesterday- we caught up then. Had lunch. It's no big deal.” She shrugs. “Besides, I'm to start trek toward the Arlathan Forest early tomorrow. Varric gave me information to catch up with one of his and Hawke's friends who's been working on dismantling the slave trade there. Thought I might be some help.”

Leliana doesn't miss the way she fidgets with the hem of her sleeve, though; fingers tugging at the fabric to try to hide the dragonbone contraption Dagna made to replace her missing arm. “You had said before,” the redhead starts carefully, “that you were considering stopping by Wycome on your way. Do you still-”

“I might,” she cuts her off again, still not looking her in the eye, “I haven't decided yet. I know reports have said that some of my Clan might still be out there- but-” she sighs, rolling her shoulders to try to stave off the shudder that threatens to run through her, “I just don't think it would matter if I went back. I doubt they'd want me back, after everything. If they even recognized me at all.”

Cassandra turns back to look at the Elven woman, a soft pity in her eyes, “Inqui-”

“Don't,” Lavellan says quickly, sharply, then deflates, letting the sudden anger rush out of her. “I'm not the Inquisitor anymore, Cassandra,” she tells her with a wavering smile, “let's not pretend I still am.”

The other woman frowns, though instead of her usual frustration it's one of sympathy. “Yes, of course.” She agrees softly, “I- just know- if there's anything you need-”

Lavellan nods, looking up at the human women, a fake smile plastered across her face. “I know, and thank you. But I'm fine. I'll be fine. Truly.”

There's a pause. Lavellan returns to her subconscious fidgeting. Leliana chooses not to say anything of it. “Very well,” The Divine relents, moving to join Cassandra at the door. “We'll be seeing you, then. Just be sure to keep in touch, wherever it is you end up. I've never met Fenris personally but I know he can be... a bit touchy, as Varric's said. And perhaps... don't mention your mage sympathies.” She then looks over toward Charter, giving her associate a nod. “And you know where your duties take you next?”

“Of course, My Lady. I will continue to inform you of any developments in the Imperium.”

“Thank you. Walk in the Maker's Light, both of you.” She tells them, and then follows Cassandra out the door, the dark haired woman giving a nod in farewell to both of them.

The door shuts with a click, leaving the two Elves alone together.

An awkward silence blankets the room as they wait until they are clear to leave. Lavellan has no idea if Charter is one for small talk- they never were more than acquaintances during their time with the Inquisition- but where Lavellan used to be, she's found she hasn't had the spirit to summon the casual lightheartedness that had been so central to her demeanor all her life.

At least not for the past year and a half.

So she lets the silence be. For about an hour the two Elven women simply sit in silence; Lavellan finding a discarded crate and fiddling with the more mechanical components of her arm while Charter perches on the table itself, pouring over a small, well worn notebook. Once, Lavellan briefly catches her sleeve in a joint and curses under her breath, waving Charter off when she looks up in question. It proves to be the extent of their interaction.

At least, until right before Lavellan rises to leave.

“Wait,” Charter stops her, just as she goes to tug her hood over her head. A scarred brow quirks in the spy's direction, watching as she tears a leaf of paper from the little notebook. She looks at it for a brief moment, as though second guessing herself, before holding it out for Lavellan to take. “I don't know that Leliana would... approve of me giving you this information,” she says as the other woman carefully takes it from her, “but for him to have said it...” she hums softly, tucking away the notebook, “he allowed me my life. Delivering it to you- it's a debt paid.”

Lavellan wills her hand not to shake as she looks down at the parchment, a sudden weakness trembling in the pit of her stomach.

“When you report back to the Inquisitor... Say that I am sorry.”

“For all that it's worth,” Charter continues, moving to stand, “it did sound like he meant it.”

There's the silence once again as Lavellan's eyes stayed glued to the page, that weakness trying to decide whether to manifest itself as sadness or anger. It's such a shock, for him to address anything directly towards her after all this time, that when if finally hits her throat it culminates as neither- a tiny, humorless chuckle escapes her mouth instead. “A teahouse.” Is all she can bring herself to say; just a whisper of the word, with an almost unwilling fondness trapped behind her teeth.

Charter smiles- just a little, with just a hint of pity- and lightly claps Lavellan on the shoulder as she slips past her and out the door, disappearing into the quickly setting sun.

#Dragon Age #Solavellan #Dragon Age Inquisition #solavellan fanfiction #Dragon Age Tevinter Nights #oh boysie here we go #Lavellan #Dragon Age Fanfiction #DAI #technically I guess #DAfics #Minawrites #Cybil Lavellan

4 notes · View notes

bestfriendforhire · 4 years ago

Text

Children of BFFH, Entry 48

Even after a couple weeks with the three brothers on their island, the world held constant wonder for me. We had flown to this city on an airplane in the night, and parts of the city still seemed lively. The view from the air had been dazzling. lights stretching out toward the horizon. On the ground, I could see that many of the streets were lit, but empty. I wanted to explore and learn more, but we were racing the sun. Vampires were always racing the sun. I had learned this.

The blood knowledge granted me was full of facts and language skills, but Vito said he couldn’t share wisdom or understanding through blood. I had no idea what he had meant initially, but Zachary and Papak⁠—Vito’s brothers⁠—helped Vito to show me. I knew dozens of languages, but I could completely miss what was being said if I didn’t understand colloquialisms of the area in which they were spoken. Likewise, I knew what numerous machines were, but I still didn’t understand the details of how they worked. The blood knowledge granted me mental paintings, but I needed experience to relate to the artists’ emotions.

Learning from the brothers was much more fun than the tutors in my old life, strict and impatient if I grew distracted. My old home was probably long gone. My dresses, hairbrush, and lyre certainly were. Embroidery practice wasn’t necessary anymore, though Vito felt I should still perfect my skills just for the sake of having them.

“What’s the matter, child?” questioned Vito as he wiped a tear from my cheek.

I shook my head, saying, “Nothing. Sorry.”

Ariadne hugged me. “Missing us already? We will visit.”

“I was thinking of my mother. I know she’s been dead for hundreds of years, but I feel that I saw her just weeks ago.” I explained, brushing another tear away. I knew Ariadne wouldn’t care about tears in her shirt, but I still did. I lived in a time where fabrics were precious and tended with great care. Ariadne could create new ones in an instant, already cut and sewn. Magic lessons were more important now than knowing how to store my clothes.

Ariadne squeezed me tighter, looking more like a girl my age than an old vampire of considerable renown.

“Never forsake your tears, my dear. Vampires who forget the concerns of mortals don’t tend to live long themselves.” stated Vito, smiling at me like a kindly grandfather. “We’re here.” He announced, though the limousine hadn’t stopped yet.

I looked out and saw a sprawling building, not the biggest I had seen since waking, but certainly quite large. The brothers had spoken of James Michael Somerset III in so many different ways that I had no way knowing what he’d be like. He was rich. That much was inarguable. I wasn’t certain if he was young or old, human or something else. The brothers acted as if he was a younger brother, but spoke of him as someone of incredible power whenever I asked a question. They made jokes about him, but warned never to underestimate him. They were probably confusing me on purpose.

I blinked, and then found myself staring. A young man had appeared at the front of the house. He wore a fine suit, similar to how the brothers dressed, and looked as if he was prepared to wait an eternity for us to reach him. Yes, the limousine was a slow, meandering thing, but the brothers had insisted that acting mortal when observed was paramount for a vampire, lest we draw the attention of a Slayer. I took most of my first week to realize that the Slayers were a family, not a group of vampire hunters, though they apparently did hunt vampires down if the vampires drew their ire.

“I’m sure I’ve told you, Valeria, but you should always expect James to know more than you do. These days, he tends to be more aware than my brothers and me.” Vito reminded me, smiling as he observed James.

When we finally stepped out of the car, James immediately smiled, saying, “Always a pleasure to see you, my friends.” He leaned down to look me in the eye and held out a hand as he said, “Valeria, meeting you is a pleasure as well. I am James Michael Somerset III, and you are quite welcome to live here, though I left discussing your presence with Cosette to Vito and Ariadne.”

Vito was frowning a little when I looked up at him. “How long have you known?” questioned Vito.

“Only three weeks, but I am quite certain that Cosette will oblige you. Unfortunately, I can’t remain to see you inside. I’m actually out on business at the moment, but Mila is ever willing to accommodate your needs.” he told us, disappearing as he said the last word.

“But… I wasn’t even awake yet three weeks past.” I stated, looking to Vito and Ariadne for answers.

“No, you weren’t, but James is James.” replied Vito, still frowning slightly.

“You know there was probably a reason he couldn’t warn us.” suggested Ariadne.

“How could he be out on business if he was here?” I questioned, hoping for an actual answer to this one.

“James is James.” replied Vito with a shrug. “He didn’t run off just now. He either wasn’t really here, leaving an incredible illusion to greet us, or he teleported here long enough to greet us in person. Either way, don’t expect anyone else to pull off such a trick.” Then he muttered in a barely audible whisper “I swear I felt him, so he was probably here.”

“In this household, you’ll be able to be yourself without disguise. Most everyone has magic of their own. Though some are very human physically, others will exceed you greatly. Do be careful not to hurt anyone, or you might see what James is like when he’s in a bad mood.” warned Ariadne.

The doors opened, and a very beautiful maid stood just inside the building. I jumped, my head swiveling back and forth, when I caught sight of our driver stepping out of the limousine. They looked like the same person! That face… “Mila!?” I asked.

“Yes, I am Mila Wilson.” replied the maid as she curtsied. “If you need anything, just ask. I’ll hear and attempt to help you.”

“You’re the oracle of the mirror.” I told her, wanting to be certain.

She smirked. “I’m hardly an oracle, but I am well-connected. My other body will get your bags, so please follow me.”

“Always listen to Mila if she gives you instruction, my dear.” stated Vito as he and Ariadne went up into the house. “Mila takes care of this household and all who dwell here. She’s also the daughter of the brightest person you’ll ever meet, and her daughter is… Well, how is Serenity these days?”

“Exuberant just as often as when you last saw her. I’m keeping her distracted with a project at the moment, so she won’t bother Valeria before she’s moved in.” explained Mila, sounding amused.

Vito nodded and said, “‘Exuberant’ does seem quite fitting for her. Valeria, don’t challenge Serenity at anything until after you’ve gotten to know her. Just as you could accidentally hurt some of the more human children here, Serenity could accidentally hurt you if she gets carried away.”

“She rarely hurts anyone other than herself more than superficially, at least physically. The shock to people’s minds is more often the problem.” insisted Mila, glancing back at us.

“Have there been any serious incidents lately?” questioned Ariadne in concern.

Mila shook her head. “No. The worst we’ve had recently was a visitor who suffered from mild shock after having a snowball fight. Serenity went a little overboard trying to protect her.”

“Snowball fight?” I asked.

“Ah, yes. You would’ve been kept indoors in winter. Rolling small balls of snow and throwing them at one another in a sort of game was common even when you were born. Here, there are probably complicated rules and a great deal of magic involved.” explained Vito.

“Magic more than rules in our snowball fights.” acknowledge Mila, sounding amused.

When I stopped asking questions, Mila started explaining what rooms we were passing throughout the house, promising to show me a map and explaining more once I was in my room. The second floor of the Northwest wing was where Cosette lived, and where I’d be staying if she agreed.

The door opened as we arrived, and a pretty, chestnut-haired woman with deep blue eyes stood there in a lovely, white blouse and a dark blue skirt that barely went past her knees. I knew that this wasn’t considered immodest now, but I also knew my mother wouldn’t have approved, even with the white stockings covering her legs.

Brushing back some wandering strands of hair, the woman said, “What a pleasant surprise! Please, come in.” Then she stepped out of the way, motioning for us to enter.

“Sorry to barge in on you like this, but we felt discussing things with you in person would be for the best.” replied Ariadne, squeezing me by my shoulders after she walked with me into the room. “This is Veleria Cornaro.”

Curtsying, I said, “A pleasure to meet you, Cosette.” I felt nervous, reminded of when mother introduced me to different nobles.

Cosette seemed amused when I met her eyes. Had I done something wrong? What if she turned me away? What would become of me?

“Nice to meet you, Valeria. Care to sit?” she asked, pointing us onward farther into the room.

“Thank you, my dear.” replied Vito, gracefully walking past her and taking a seat on a comfortable-looking sofa. Furniture had changed a great deal over the years, and I couldn’t gauge whether much of what was in here would be considered expensive or not.

Ariadne and I sat next to him, and Cosette took a seat opposite to us on another sofa there. She was well-bred. Her posture as she walked and sat made me certain of it. She was speaking with one of the oldest three vampires and still seemed confident in her domain.

“I accept.” stated Cosette after we sat in silence for several seconds.

Huh? What just happened?

“Are you sure?” questioned Ariadne.

“Yes. Though this is certainly unexpected, You and Vito wouldn’t bring such an untrained vampire here if she did not need someone to care for her. She obviously needs some more practice blending in, although I’d guess her to be at least a couple hundred years old. How did you find her?” questioned Cosette.

I couldn’t figure out what I was missing, but I knew I must be missing a great deal.

“Quite right. She is five-hundred-and-sixty-four years old, but her mind matches her body. Whoever prepared her blood bath was quite skilled, so her body was almost at peak condition within days. There was an accident at an archaeological site, and the worker’s blood revived her when the seal was broken. Highly unusual circumstances. She’s fifteenth century Italian and from a noble family at that. Furthermore, she possesses quite rare magic. Even Ariadne hadn’t seen the like among the fey.” explained Vito as if talking about an enjoyable outing.

I had so many questions. What was a blood bath? Who was injured? What were the fey he spoke of? Would asking anything be considered rude by Cosette?

Apparently reading my worries on my face, Cosette said, “A blood bath is, more or less, what it sounds like, Valeria. A vampire is immersed in blood that was transformed, allowing it to retain vital energy for many, many years. That was primarily used as a way to hide during dangerous years for our kind. Your body drank up the blood and its energy. A more experienced vampire would have been able to completely wake themselves after the blood ran out. Since you were newly turned when you went in, you didn’t have that sort of reflex, drying out till you were indistinguishable from a well-preserved corpse.”

“What seal was broken? Who was injured?” I asked, since she seemed obliging.

Ariadne hugged me again. “One of the workers was struck by a crumbling pillar. The lid of your coffin was broken, allowing his blood to nourish you.”

“And what are the fey?” I asked.

“Magical beings whose blood mingled with that of humans off and on throughout the years, granting magical gifts to the descendents. Some can disappear at whim. Others can control light, sound, or fire. There are fey who change their shape faster than you can change your clothes. Categorizing them all would be tedious, so we tend to lump them together more often than not.” she told me.

“What is your magic like?” questioned Cosette.

Seeing Vito nod, I showed her. Her eyes widened in surprise, and she smiled at me in delight. Maybe she really would accept me.

#Children of BFFH #Children #of #BFFH #Jovial Times #Jovial #Times #Fantasy #Fiction #Story

1 note · View note

petitprincess1 · 5 years ago

Text

My Heroic AU (Now With OCs)

Warning: Long(er) Post!

I’m back at it again with another thing explaining my Heroic Au. Figured that I should probably explain some of my OCs (even though the main four are technically OCs too, but shush). So, for those who are interested, click here to read my first post (for those who read it, now they got heights and ages) about my AU. I would say you don’t have to read that one, but it helps to get a gist of things. But if you dont want to, here’s the main idea:

Central/Main Idea: Mine are more on the chaotic good side of things than lawful because I find it more fun and they kind of explore the whole “if villains can kill and destroy and people just accept it, why can’t a hero do the same, especially when justified and with a corrupt justice system?” Basically, whenever a hero does anything like kill or destroy, no matter the reason, they are automatically seen as corrupt or they have a dying need to be stopped, even more so than villains. My Heroic characters basically exist to prove such a thought wrong…even if they aren’t the most mentally balanced people.

Also, I will be using imaged from others that I have commissioned/requested, while also tagging them. If they do not wish for me to use their drawings, then that is perfectly fine

Sayua Kobayashi/Cross-Boa (created by @little-geecko) Age: 34-35 Height: ~7 foot at full height, but can be about 6 foot 8 Job: Hero for hire/Archer Species: Naga (even though she doesn’t know how to shape-shift) Background: Very little is known about Sayua’s past, due to her being found as a baby in the middle of the forest…and her not willing to tell anyone about her background. Her parents, who were elders, often taught her to stay within the wilderness and often keep moving, due to them being nomads. They also taught her how to live off the land, how to defend herself, teaching her archery and how to create/fix her own weapons.

Her parents ended up dying, due to natural causes, when Sayua was 19, forcing her to live on her own. She didn’t really bother moving from where they last had made shelter, since it was in a pretty well-protected and bountiful. And because she didn’t want to leave her adoptive parents’ graves. Everything was pretty calm as she did whatever she could to take care of herself, until a year or two later someone had ransacked her place and her parents’ graves were dug up.

Sayua was able to track them down easily to a small town and had gathered information from people (who she snapped at few times from them taking too long to answer her) from where the thief seemed to be located. When she found them, it seemed like she had found them also having an illegal pawning business where they basically stole whatever they could from people, sell it off, and run before cops are notified. Needless to say, she was going to give them hell for disrupting her peace and interrupting her parents’ eternal peace.When she came out with a few wounds, bruises and only a fractured arm, as well as the criminals being taken away, Sayua was approached by a man with a white top hat that was very interested in her deed. Personality: She’s a very strong-willed woman with a fiery temper, while also taking absolutely no shit from anyone. if you ever tell her that her short temper and snappy behavior is from being alone in a forest for so many years, she’ll tell you it’s not, while also holding a sickle to your throat. Despite her behavior, she also is a natural leader and will often take the lead or make the first move.

She also tends to be very indifferent to what your status is and what you have down. So, it’s pretty hard to intimidate her, but she does have her limits. just hardly ever shows them. Don’t expect her to be terrified of people like Demencia or Flug because the moment they breathe to even say one sentence, Sayua will yell, “HOLY SHIT! JUST KILL ME ALREADY!” …She’s impatient.

Despite all these “negatives”, she does have a soft spot that she shows from time-to-time and will often try to inspire younger heroes to work harder to be their best. …Does telling people that they will die if they don’t man up count as inspiration? Also, she may or may not be asexual. She just says that she would rather not figure out how snakes have sex. That and Lucius doesn’t make it any better with all the sex jokes he makes.

~~~

Lucius Wickes/Heartbreaker/Reaper (created by @skribblie) Age: 25 Height: 5 foot 8 Job: Hero for hire/Womanizer Species: Incubus Background: Lucius did live a pretty normal-ish life with his dad being a former demon from Hell that was one of Satan’s warriors, banishing all those that dare get in his way, and his mom being an accountant. He was raised and born in New Orleans, where his dad retired and met his mom. Lucius also met his ex-fiancee, Maria (yes, I know that Metauro’s ex-wife is named Maria. I made these backgrounds a long time ago…I am not changing anything). The two hit it off very quickly, due to Maria being immune to his passive infatuation ability and being more into just him, which he found absolutely incredible. He hadn’t really met anyone that wasn’t into him for simply being an incubus. Plus, Maria was also really into the supernatural, so that was something that put him at ease.

The two ended up leaving out of New Orleans to a smaller town that wasn’t even really on the map. Maria wanted to go there because she had always wanted to live a small, simple life and Lucius wanted to go there to propose. Unfortunately, neither got what they wanted.

Lucius refuses to say what all exactly happened, being vague on purpose to seem guiltier, except that her death was on his hands and that Maria’s last words were: “It’s not your fault.” …A man with a white hat also found him covered in blood, in the middle of a city that was littered with bodies, and had a thousand mile stare in his eyes. The only thing that made him snap out of it was of the man promising that he will make him atone for his sins. Personality: Lucius is a quick-witted smartass that really knows how to and when to get on somebody’s nerves. He has an extreme ego and isn’t afraid to boast about his best qualities He always looks for any opportunity to make an explicit joke or even to seduce someone. He will fervently deny that it’s some kind of self-medication and just say that it’s the price of being a demon. He also loves to play around or mess with people in any way that he can, even if it means that they may want to punch or kill him afterwards.

He’s the kind of guy that likes to cheat death or toe the line of danger, whatever gets his adrenaline pumping and unleashes a bit of the sleeping hellish beast within him. Whether that be through sex or even a bit murder, he’s all up for it. His preferred weapon is a hatchet or an axe.

Lucius can also barely control his demonic side and often keeps it under wraps. The only time he uses it is when in an emergency or when they both have a common end goal, which rarely happens. White Hat must be present when his demon side is let loose or else he’ll lose control fairly quickly and go on a rampage.

Lucius also often attends bars and even will be a bartender or even put on a show for the people. Anyone of any gender or configuartion loves him and loves them for helping him forget how much he hates himself.

~~~

Mari Belmont/The Marionettist (created by a friend and @redmoondragon-art) Age: 16 Height: 5 foot Job: Assassin for hire/Student Background: Mari was born without any powers or anything really all that unique. However, her father was researching a way to genetically engineer a hero. He didn’t really have any other test subjects, but Mari, who was 5 years old at the time, had volunteered to help him. Mari’s mom was against her helping her father, but after a long argument, she realized that she wasn’t going to win. So, she just only wished for her to be closely monitored and safe. There isn’t much to her background, since she’s so young, but the process to become what she is now was very long and grueling. She often remembers times waking up in the middle of the night in her test tube, almost drowning. Personality: Despite her age, Mari often is the mother of any group that she’s a part of. Always making sure that everyone is ready and taken care. She also had taken dancing and aerial silks lessons when she was around 10. It was just something that she always found interesting and graceful. Mari also loves any activity that requires any bit of creativity or using her hands.

Her powers also allows her use her strings like a tightrope, aerial silks (without even hurting herself), and that she can swing on. Not only that, but she also can use them to control peoples’ minds and make them like her puppet, which she often just makes them kill themselves with whatever is nearby.

She also is extremely playful and hyperactive. She will also defend the actions of her parents, especially to those that dare pretend they know better. She also attends White Hat hero academy whenever she has free-time. ..What do you mean you have to register?

~~~

Panna “Pan” Ward/Pandora (created by @lightpudding) Age: 10-12 Height: 4 foot 4 Job: Freelance hero Background: Pan was very sick when she was born, an illness that attacked at her throat. Luckily, she was saved, but it cost her her vocal chords, rendering her mute, excluding a few small, quiet noises. Her parents were pretty kept in the shadows, even keeping some of their life away from Pan. All that is known that they were into the dark magic and even, rumored, satanism.However, they made sure that Pan was given as much care and love that she deserved, even home-schooling her and teaching her a bit of sign language.

Unfortunately. Pan only knew her parents for 9 years, due to a random attack that happened in her house. She had no idea what was happening because her parents hid her away in a closet. When everything had quieted down, she found her house completely in ruins and her parents dead bodies. She also found a jack-in-the-box near their bodies that was latched shut with a note, reading, “Take this and defend yourself. You’re the new Pandora.”

Pan wasn’t afraid of the demons that lurked within, especially if it meant that they could help avenge her parents’ death. Personality: Pandora makes sure that everyone is okay before herself. It can even just be a random villain that she’s fighting. She’ll always come up to them with a small first-aid kit that she keeps in her box and makes sure they’re okay to go home. Although, a bandaid in a large, gaping hole in someone’s stomach may not help all that much. They still appreciate it though.

Her favorite demon in the toy box is a large creature that has hundreds of eyes all over his body, gnashing mouths, large, skin-tearing claws, and deep, timber voice that shakes the very ground. He has caused many deaths, made Satan himself even tremble in fear, created many widows, and has devastated thousands of armies. …Pan named him Lord Fluffybottom. He takes that name with great pride.

Pandora loves learning anything new and often will not ask for help, even if she’s too short to reach for something or has a hard time understanding. Pan also realizes that she is pretty much useless without her jack-in-the-box, but that doesn’t stop her from trying to help or fight, even if her hits amount to nothing. Luckily, not many people are willing to fight a defenseless child, even if she does take that as an insult.

Pan created the dress herself as a way to remember her parents, since it’s made from several pieces of fabric from their and her clothes. Not only that, but she doesn’t live in one place for too long and often moves from place-to-place. ~~~ I have more OCs, but they don’t have images and this going on for a bit long. I may make a part two. I hope that you guys like them and sorry if their stories may be edgy.

45 notes · View notes

inkstaineddove · 5 years ago

Text

Business and Displeasure Ch.2

Chapters: 1 + 3

The next day brought more meetings. Again, the foursome found themselves seated around Austria's desk, staring down a map of Europe. Britain once again took over as the de-facto commander. "I think the best we can do is squeeze him on all sides, wherever his men are." He pointed to where they'd made blue marks, symbolizing the location of troops loyal to Napoleon. "For a few thousand pounds and a promise of supplementing them some troops, we'll be able to get Spain and Portugal more proactively on the offensive. They don't have to be particularly domineering, but enough to cause some trouble and bog down whatever French contingents are there. Thankfully, my men have already been fighting there for a year so that should soon be resolved and we can push into France. Once we're in, Napoleon will have to decide whether to continue running amok throughout Germany or go defend his homeland." He smiled, sneeringly. "Francis will force him to defend Paris, of course. But taking the capital has never required much effort."

Prussia yawned. "That's great that you've got your own plan for glory mapped out, rule Britannia and all, but are you just going to insult how we've been doing things and not tell us how to improve?" He threw his hands up in the air. "I need a better idea of what we're doing beyond 'hey, you don't mind if we do all the fighting in Brandenburg?' If we can start by pushing into the Rhine territories, rough them up until they switch sides, it'll take less time to force the French back into their own country."

"Well it's a little late for that sentiment, isn't it? There's French troops crawling freely through your cities! I understand not wanting to make it any worse for you or your people, but you'll have to toughen it out for a bit longer. If it's food or other supplies you're worried about, I'll break through the barricade and sneak ships out to get things to you." Arthur smiled, truly meaning to be kind while Gilbert took it as dismissive. "Think of the end result. Stiff upper lip, we'll all get through it."

"There's a lot of buildup in the east. He seems to have taken up residence more in Saxony than Brandenburg. Perhaps we can take the fighting there? If we manage to kick them out and have cavalry harass them along the way, the French might get the message that they're no longer welcome here." Russia smiled and this time Prussia took it for what it was, an attempt to be actually providing meaningful assistance. "It's the perfect spot, out of Gilbert's territory so no one important is getting harassed and in between us and Austria so we can get to them fairly easily."

Austria nodded along. "And, whether we like it or not, the three of us have ample experience fighting there. That's one good thing to come out of the Silesian Wars."

"There were more good things than that. I got Silesia, after all. I think that's been best for us all." Prussia grinned. Their silence was telling and his ego deflated.

"Anyways, we'll be able to use our knowledge to the advantage. Napoleon running around through it doesn't provide much practical experience on which hills are best for battle and Francis preferred to stay at home whenever his armies were there. They'll both be utterly useless. As for Saxony himself, if he and Bavaria have to hide behind France's coattails for defense then they're no longer a threat on their own. Prussia and I can work on weakening them further in the meantime."

Something malicious glinted in both their eyes. Yes, they would both enjoy that, especially if that meant control over some new territory along their borders. Britain cleared his throat. "Rich coming from me considering the whole reason I'm in this, but try not to go crazy settling old scores. We'll need maximum strength for the real enemy. Afterwards then you two can go cutting up all of Germany as you see fit, but not before we reduce France to tears." He smiled at the thought. If there was a god that was merciful, Arthur would be the one to relish in that sight first. "All that being settled, that leaves the matter of financing for the war tomorrow. I hope you three brought your checkbooks!" Collecting his things, he laughed and left the room.

"That was unnecessary. He acts like we're poor!" Ivan scowled. He childishly stuck out his tongue at the door. "Who died and anointed him king?"

"France." Austria grumbled. The truth of the statement elicited a weak laugh from the group.

"How could we forget, it's England's world and we're all just living in it. If we don't kiss the boot enough, we might get invaded and become his next colony." Prussia's bitter remark invoked more of a laugh. Before they could help themselves, they were trading barbs about England and his arrogant demeanor. He was always nice enough in small doses, but having to spend more than a few hours with him? Well, they certainly understood why America fought so desperately for his independence. Maybe they could find a way to get themselves independent from him or push his stupid little island farther away from the rest of Europe. And while they were at it, why not saw off France too and send them both the same way? Then they could just fight each other to the death while leaving the rest be.

Russia chuckled. "Ah, but you two don't mean that. Without them, you guys would begin going at it like crazy people. You'd try taking whatever was left for yourselves like the greedy little children you are." He sat his head on his hands and cocked it to the side. He appeared so menacing and childlike at the same time. "If you did that, I'd end you both so quickly you'd think you were Poland." He giggled at how shocked they were. "You both are so transparent. Don't believe yourselves better than them when the four of you are cut from the same cloth." With that, he left them in silence.

"What did we do to him to deserve that? I thought Ivan was my friend!" Gilbert crossed his arms. "No better than Arthur and Francis? The two of us? We're loads better! Especially because I wouldn't have the trouble Arthur has in crushing you once and for all."

"I think it was his way of giving us friendly advice, but it sure didn't feel friendly." Roderich rolled his eyes. "Give it up, you yourself admit your army's in bad shape right now. You couldn't defeat an invasion from Cleves, let alone my army. Defeating you would take half my forces and one eye closed."

Prussia rose, as did his temper. "Oh, and the Little Master is out here commanding his troops any better! I get my men back in shape, fire the useless, and it's over for you. You'll be on your knees before me, begging for mercy. But don't worry, I'd treat you well. Your head would hang on the shiniest pike in Berlin with a paper crown for a paper empire."

"You're kidding right? You're washed up, you're a joke. You're no longer the state you used to be, Gilbert. It would take a couple of infantry, some hussars, a couple of cannons and you'd be done for. I'd be in Berlin and no one would care or stop me. I'd be able to finally rip your heart from your chest, stilling you forever more, and hang it up on the mantelpiece. It would serve as a warning to any and all who sympathized with you or dared to defy me next of what I was capable of. And no annoying Prussian-check on my power to pretend to care about the little guy." As he spoke, Austria had backed Prussia into a corner. His right hand stood in the space between their chests. Prussia saw red, his fist twitched, he swung for Austria's jaw but was blocked. "You fucking idiot, you think you can pull the same move on me so soon? Learn some new tricks."

Russia clapped. "Wow, way to prove my point." Prussia and Austria jolted back. They forced back on their more civilized demeanor. "I wish you two would act like this more often in front of us all. So much more riveting and with an incredible amount of tension! Are you two always like this?"

Feeling panicked, they both switched into German. Russia shook his head. "You two are speaking so fast that I don't understand what you're screaming at me. No? No, no, no, no? You fuck-Gilbert that's not nice."

Eventually they calmed down. Austria managed composure enough to speak normally first. "I merely was so enamored with the idea of murdering him in cold blood that I got carried away. Surely you, of all nations, can understand that. We're normally much better behaved than this. The idea of unchecked power, even when not acted upon, is such a corrosive force. We're very good people, I assure you Ivan. We would never be like those two, ruining the world to kill each other. Pure fantasy nothing more!"

Prussia became much less eloquent once he figured out how to communicate again. "I got carried away with him begging on his knees, but I don't want him to actually do that! It was just a subtle way of letting him know how I'd dominate him! But not like that! I'd dominate him physically through capturing all his cities and having each state he controls turn against him, not in a weird way! Why are you making this weird? Is it so wrong for a man to want to kill his worst enemy? Oh, shit, yeah what he said. We totally don't act like this in private. We are men of moral character who haven't gotten in a fistfight in my basement recently. Yeah, we're actually best friends and this is just an act to impress people."

Austria jumped onto that. "Exactly! If people knew how much we loved each other - as cousins! As cousins, the best of cousins - they would be upset because they'd feel jealous that their family couldn't be like ours. We're so close that we share the same wife, look at us!" They put their arms around each other and smiled wide. "Nothing to think about here, so why don't you never bring that up again."

Ivan nodded, his eyebrows raised upward in apparent amusement. "I love you two, you're both so fragile. I can say anything and it sets you off." He laughed heartily, clutching at his stomach. "Thanks for revealing all of that personal information to me. You two will be the talk of Moscow when I return." He laughed off to his room, leaving Gilbert and Roderich feeling incredibly debased. They pushed each other away.

"Why mention that about Erzsi to him? What an idiot you are. Think before you speak next time!" Gilbert sneered at him. "I guess that would require you to have a brain first of all."

"As if you've been trying to be secretive about it at all! And how about you, why mention a fistfight in your basement? It wasn't even much of a fight, all you did was punch me and cause me to bite through my lip." He returned Gilbert's sneer. "Forget it, get the hell away from me. You've caused me enough trouble for the night."

"Fine, I was going to my room anyways!"

"Fine!"

They continued shouting fine at each other till Gilbert's door slammed shut. Roderich banged his head against the wall. He needed a new life, this one had grown too ridiculous for him to handle anymore. --- “I hope everything was alright before. From my room I heard a lot of frantic yelling in...I believe it was German? It all seemed to blur together. Did something happen?” Arthur mainly directed his question at Gilbert, who was focused on a painting next to Arthur’s head.

Ivan laughed. “Oh, you missed it. It was the funniest thing. Gilbert and-“ Gilbert had placed his hand over the Russian’s mouth. “Ivan, I’m telling you this because I care about you. If you breathe a word of that to anyone, you’re losing your only friend.”

He thought over this. In his eyes, Arthur observed Ivan go through frustration, bargaining, and then acceptance. Gilbert removed his hand. “Harsh, but very fair. I’m sorry Arthur, that must’ve been the wind. Nothing happened after you left.” The Briton looked between Ivan and Gilbert, then Gilbert and Ivan. “I-I-I, I guess so. Very well then. Cheers.” Shaking his head, he drank back all his whiskey before pouring himself another glass.

Gilbert bit his tongue to prevent himself from laughing, but he did nudge Ivan with his shoulder and the two shared a bemused look. He gestured to the deck of cards lying on the nearby table. “Forget idle chatter. Why don’t we play a bit of poker.”

Relieved to be back in normal territory, Arthur would agree to just about anything. “Certainly fills up the time.” He peered around Ivan to look at Erzsébet and Roderich. “Will you two be joining us?” ”It would be rude to say no, wouldn’t it dear?” More seemingly polite words laced with the faintest bit of malice. Erzsébet rose and made her way over to the other’s, sitting herself between Prussia and Britain.

Roderich sighed. He knew she was geared up for this fight, but he didn’t have it in him after the events from before. “You have fun, I’m an awful poker player.” “Maybe now we could make it strip poker if you’re in.” Gilbert had a hungry look about him. The room let out a collective breath after Erzsébet smacked him in the back of the head for the remark and called him crass. There would be no repeat of the previous night.

The group doled out the cards and the pennies they were playing for. The game carried on peacefully, the air filling with the usual joy of the winner and frustrations of the losers. It was so mundane that Roderich found that he had tuned them out completely and was engrossed in his book.

It seemed to Arthur as if Erzsébet and Gilbert could pick up on this somehow and use it as pretext for increased flirting. It started with Hungary leaning against his arm.

Gilbert looked down at her with an endeared look on his face. “Are you seriously trying to look at my cards?”

“Why would I need to do that? I’m beating you aren’t I?” The feigned innocence almost worked. Almost because Erzsébet couldn’t help herself leaning further to actually get a good look. “No wonder you’ve lost so much. What a bad hand.” Gilbert gently nudged her back upright. "Hey, there's a strategy here. Maybe you can't see it, but I'm three steps ahead of everyone and it's clear as day. So eye's on your own cards and learn from the master." His tone was chiding, but too familiar for it to not raise suspicion in Arthur. He glanced at Roderich and found him obliviously focusing on his book.

"She's not lying, your hand really is awful." Ivan looked over Gilbert's shoulder. "That's why you keep folding."

"Fuck it, I'm getting a new hand." Prussia switched out his cards quickly and put them in coat jacket, away from prying eyes.

"Oi, Gilbert. Try not to be so uncouth." Children. Britain was dealing with children. If he wanted to deal with this type of behavior, he would've visited Australia.

The Prussian rolled his eyes. "Seriously? Who do you think you are, my Vatti?"

Arthur forced a strained smile on his face. He looked between Ivan and Erzsébet. "Would you two mind pretending not to know English for a second?" Once they confirmed in their native languages, he pointed at Gilbert and dropped the fake smile. "You're a right cunt."

Instead of being properly insulted, his newly adopted children were howling in laughter. They had apparently never seen a more thrilling thing than Arthur using such a strong word before. If he knew how popular unrestrained cursing would make him, he might have considered that as his preferred mode of diplomacy. If all it took to secure the Anglo-Prussian alliance was insulting Prussia, then what a fool he was spending hundreds of thousands of pounds to make weak impressions on Gilbert's monarchs. As for Russia, well, what do you expect from a man whose culture revolves around wearing strange hats and doing completely inane dances? No wonder his nation reigned supreme above others.

In all the excitement, Arthur's neatly stacked pile of pennies got knocked to the floor. Grumbling, he knelt down to pick it up. A rough hand on a soft thigh, the image flashed in the corner of his eye. He took a hesitant glance before averting his gaze back on his scattered change. "For heaven's sake," he mouthed, not wanting to risk anyone hearing and having this turn into a scene. He cursed them. He cursed Gilbert and Erzsébet for being so blatant and he cursed Roderich for being so spineless in affairs of the heart (and, if Erzsébet's behavior was any indication, of the body too). He even cursed Ivan for being so oblivious, whether willfully or because his head was filled with slush, to everything going on around them. How did Roderich not realize he was setting himself up for disaster and Gilbert not realize that, somehow, this would blow up in his face? Fools, damned fools, the whole lot of them.

The Briton rose from the table, considering one game to be sufficiently over. He pitied poor Austria the most. To lack such control of his household or, more likely, being up against two stubborn forces of nature had to wear on him. Arthur himself understood, he'd been there through his dealings with France and Spain as equals and with America and Australia as caregiver. The idiot likely had no friends, was completely loathed by anyone who might be sympathetic to him due to his unlikable personality, and too emotionally constrained to try and forge a deep connection with another person. Was he projecting too much? He shook that thought off. No, Arthur was certain, he understood Roderich and he was going to have a companion through the rest of this week whether he liked it or not.

Roderich did not like it.

#hws britain #aph britain #aph prussia #hws prussia #aph austria #pruhun #hws austria #aph hungary #hws hungary #aph pruhun #hws pruhun #hetalia #hetalia fanfic #aph russia #hws russia

2 notes · View notes

scullyy · 6 years ago

Text

Days With You

Title: Days With You / Chapter One

Pairing: Clementine x Louis

Word Count: 1945

Summary: Clementine and Louis enjoy their first (impromptu) date.

A/N: I’ve been wanting to try a modern au for a while now, it’s nice to take a break from the walkers :P This was originally a 9k fic that I ultimately broke down into smaller chapters. It’ll be an ongoing series of events between Clementine and Louis throughout their time at university.

So many damn sounds.

Were carnivals always this loud?

Clementine adjusted the headphones in her ears, trying to drown out the noise. How Marlon and Louis convinced her to join their expedition to the carnival was beyond her. The bright lights of the stalls and sketchy rides could make the moon blush.

“Earth to Clem,” Marlon waved his hand in front of Clementine's face, her eyes meeting his. “You got your ticket?”

She pulled the blue stub out of her back pocket, displaying it in all its scrunched mess. Marlon nodded, grateful that someone was organised.

“According to Marlon, an organised day is a fun day,” Louis whispered to her. She jumped slightly at his intrusion, despite his voice being very timid. “But it is a social day, so no headphones Missy.”

He yanked both headphones out of her ears, placing one into his own. “My Chemical Romance, seriously? Remind me to create a playlist for you.”

She snatched the headphone out of his ear, chucking them back into her satchel. “I like my style of music thank you very much. I don't need you recommending me The Sound of Music, again.”

“I'm just saying, Julie Andrews never gets old.” Louis flashed his ticket to the woman standing at the kiosk, giving him a tired smile as he entered, Clementine following closely.

“I still reckon we should have gone to the bar.” Violet gave an obvious look of disgust at a little boy running past her, hitting her thigh in the process.

“Chin up Vi, it’ll be fun.” Ruby gushed, earning an eye-roll from said girl.

The group of eager and annoyed young adults set up station at a picnic table, the smell of grease from the hotdog stand was enough to make Clementine’s stomach hurt.

“So, where does everyone want to go first?” Marlon asked as he flattened out the map in front of everyone.

“I’d like to watch the horse show, scope out the competition y’know,” Ruby said as she pointed to the cartoon horse in the centre of the map.

Louis gave Aasim a gentle nudge to the shoulder, bravely winking at him despite the death stare Aasim was sporting.

“Alright, since we’ll most likely never decide, let’s just go where we want and meet at this food stand in two hours.”

Everyone seemed to enjoy that plan, running off into different directions. Clementine began to wander aimlessly around the carnival, enjoying how the fairy lights glowed against the night sky. It was peaceful being on her own.

It was disturbed as Louis’s presence appeared beside her, so much for peace. Whenever Louis was around her heart fluttered, everything about him was somehow attractive, even when they were in high school and he was a total dork.

“You have any idea where to go?” He chirped in her ear. “Cause I don’t.”

“I was just gonna walk till something caught my eye. It’s been a while since I’ve been to a carnival, don’t really remember what it’s like.” Memories of holding both her parents' hands slipped through the cracks. Her dads’ laughter echoed, taunting her.

“You cool Clem?”

Clementine snapped back into reality just as quickly as she fell out of it. “Yeah, just thinking about my parents.”

Louis slowly nodded, not daring to press the subject further. Despite having known her for a few years, the mystery surrounding her parents remained strong as ever. She had her adoptive father, Lee Everett and her little brother AJ - whom she loved dearly - but they couldn’t fully replace what she lost as a child.

Louis searched the nearby area, desperate for something that would make her happy again. The bright blue light of the High Striker grabbed his attention. A plan began to form in his mind, a risky one...but to see Clementine smile?

She was always worth it.

Louis walked to the machine, flashed the oddly young worker his ticket and confidently gripped the mallet. It was moments like these when he was glad he played baseball as a kid. Although this was the only time he has ever needed those skills.

“What are you doing?” Clementine questioned. She didn't like the cheeky sparkle in his eyes, it usually ended in trouble.

“If I can ring this bell, you have to go on a date with me.”

“What?”

“You plus me equals a date. Deal?”

Before she had a chance to speak Louis raised the mallet in the air, taking in a deep breath before slamming it down on the red button. Clementines shoulders fell as the lever flew to the top of mechanism, hitting the bell sharply.

Louis couldn't stop the grin he was sporting. “So, a date it is m'lady.”

She was almost at a loss for words, at his offer and strength. Knowing that fighting him would result in an endless battle, she accepted his request. “Do you have it planned out?” Clementine matched his grin, her heart running like a freight train

Louis motioned to the bustling carnival around them. “Right here, right now. Clementine, will you go on a date with me?” He bowed down dramatically to his princess, a nickname he only ever referred to when he was alone.

“Okay.” She answered without thinking, her desires influencing her mind.

Louis by taken aback by her answer, expecting some sort of argument from her. “Ah, well let’s check out the Ferris Wheel. I hear it’s got the best view of the forest.”

He took her hand slowly, desperate not to piss her off, but shockingly she grabbed tightly and let herself be dragged through the crowd. His stomach starting doing mad flips, how were her hands so soft? He didn’t let go till they were inside the small compartment, against his own wishes. The compartment was dangerously rickety and small, definitely not up to code. Their knees clashed together as they shimmied onto the cold seats.

“I don’t know how you convinced me to come tonight,” Clementine laughed as the ride went into motion, hoping the darkness would conceal her blush at being in such a close proximity to Louis. “You know this isn’t really my scene.”

Louis just shrugged. “We all deserve some fun, especially now that uni is starting soon. ”

“Don’t remind me. It feels like yesterday we all started, can't believe it's already been two years.”

Louis gazed at his close friend, who was calmly fidgeting with the rips in her jeans. He remembers the day they met so clearly. She was the mysterious new girl and Marlon was giving her a brief tour of their high school, he was in the music room practising when he first laid eyes on her. She was beautiful, she had always been beautiful to him and he’s always been able to hide how he felt. Until now, seeing her so calm in his presence.

Clementine turned to him, looking almost embarrassed. “Did you plan to ask me out, or was it just a joke?”

He thought it was obvious, wasn’t it? He’d been flirting with her since the day they met. “My sweet Clementine, I may joke from time to time,”

Clementine scoffed. “That was an understatement.”

“But when it comes to matters of the heart, I do get serious.”

“Wow, you being serious?”

Louis chuckled. “I asked you out because I like-like you and I have for a while now.”

He sure was a wild card, telling her this in a place where she couldn’t run. Louis had always been charismatic, especially towards her. Only her.

It all made sense, the relentless jokes, dramatic serenades and lingering glances. He tried to express himself in his own way.

Their eyes met and she instantly reached out for his hands. The hopeless romantic in him couldn't help but feel weightless and somehow completely grounded all at once. Their fingers laced together, Louis squeezed slightly, proving to himself that this was real.

This is real.

Clementine examined his face, staring at him for a sign. A sign that he was okay with it, a sign that he wasn’t beginning to regret it all. “Louis? I...don't really know how to do the date thing.”

“Neither do I.” He confessed.

Knowing that he was just as confused as she was provided Clementine with some relief. Her hand found its way to the back of his neck and pulled him closer, closing the gap that kept them at a safe distance all these years. Their lips made contact as fireworks exploded in the air above.

“Talk about a movie moment.” Louis smirked into the kiss.

They were eager to stay wrapped up together in their own world, but the sudden halt in movement brought them both back to planet Earth. “Did the ride just stop?” Clementines question had an obvious answer that was starting to settle in.

“I think our chemistry gave the ride a jolt.”

“Fuck he's so smooth.”

Clementine laughed freely with him, despite their current situation. The people in the other carriages were shouting, becoming afraid from being suspended mid-air.

Louis stopped caring about the outside world, hoping that the ride stays like this. “And I'm going to take this all as a sign that you like me back.”

“What gave it away,” Clementine confirmed his number one wish, turning away to catch her breath. “Check it out!” She squealed, getting distracted by the breathtaking sight. Louis looked down below, realising they had made it to the top. The view was spectacular. The trees looked so small and dense. The people looked like dolls, enjoying the night whilst they could before being forced back into their daily routine.

“You were right,” Clementine was in awe. “It is the best view.”

Louis turned back to Clementine. “Yeah, it’s amazing.”

They both hopped out of the ride, grateful to feel the ground beneath their feet. Clementine looked at her watch to confirm the time. “I can't believe we spent our two hours stuck on that Ferris wheel.”

“It went by suspiciously fast, so no complaints here,” Louis playfully shoved Clementine. “Did you have fun?”

“I did, thanks for a good date.” She smiled sweetly.

“Just good? That's it, our next date has to be splendid!” Louis punched the air dramatically.

Clementine raised an eyebrow at his candour. “A next date? Who said-”

“Sorry too busy preparing a date for this amazing girl I’ve had a crush on forever, hopefully, she'll say yes.”

All Clementine could do was smile, she wasn't skilled with words, just simple actions. They made eye contact with their friends, all holding prizes and food. Violet seemed to be happier, then again she was holding a pack of chicken nuggets.

“There you guys are,” Marlon sighed. “We haven't seen you two all night.”

Violet wiggled her eyebrows as the other kids began to giggle at all the things two young adults who share feelings for each other could do. It seemed everyone else was aware of the subtle flirting they shared beore Clementine and Louis even acknowleged it.

“We were on the Ferris Wheel, it broke down.” Clementine killed their whispers instantly, she wasn't one for gossip and especially didn't want any rumours about her to circulate.

Marlon eyed down his two friends. “Okay, Violet, Brody and Mitch won't stop pestering me about going to the bar, you guys wanna join?”

Louis and Clem both nodded, walking a little ways ahead of the group to share whispers and secrets they've kept the past few years.

“Am I wrong or are we witnessing the beginnings of love here?” Aasim joked to the others as they watched their friends sink further and further into their feelings.

This was the start of something wild.

#twdg #the walking dead game #the walking dead game season four #clementine twdg #twdgs4 #louis #twdg louis #clouis #louisentine #fanfiction #xscullyx

156 notes · View notes

whorderofthepheonix · 6 years ago

Text

Sacredly Scarred: Chapter 26 || Erik Killmonger

A/N: YERRRRRRRRRRRR, I know y’all finna get turnt for this chapter because YA BOI IS BACK! And the return of a character y’all ain’t heard from in a minute 👀👀👀 ALSO I wanna do a competition.... I’ll venmo $10 to whoever sends in the most interesting Character Ask Questions (this may become a regular thing, we’ll see 🤷🏽)

Also, a huge, massive shout-out to @vikkidc @pand-pand-panda @desireatatyana @forbeautyandlife @sup3rn0va13 for coming to my aid early this morning to help me through one of the worst anxiety attacks of my life ❤️ thanks guys ❤️❤️❤️

Words: 2.4k

Warnings: Swearing, Illegal Activities

Alyssa’s POV

Ayana was washing off her face mask as I scrolled through our joint instagram feed.

“Hey, how many followers have we gained since we post that picture with Kim?” She called from the bathroom.

“30,000. But she just followed us back so we should be expecting more,” I grinned. I kept scrolling and came across a picture on The Shade Room, which almost killed me. “Oh, my god... OH MY GOD! AYANA! YENAI IS ON THE SHADE ROOM!”

“WHAT?” She screamed, running over to me without drying her face. “LET ME SEE!” I turned my phone to her and showed her the picture of her and Drake, cozied up at Playhouse. The caption reading. ‘TSRBaeWatch: @champagnepapi looked boo’d up at Playhouse earlier tonight with a mystery lady friend 👀 #Roomies is this just a cozy coincidence or is Aubrey off limits?’ We both screamed as Ayana grabbed her phone.

“I’m calling her right now!” She squealed. After a few seconds she hung up the phone with a strange look on her face. “That’s weird, she’s not picking up...”

“You don’t think she had a breakdown because of what happened do you?” I asked, worriedly. We just gave each other a look before sprinting to the elevator and basically breaking down, Nai’s door.

“YENAI?” We shouted out. She was definitely here. The apartment was cleaned earlier and yet, there was a pool of vomit on the floor next to the broken house phone. Ayana pulled out her gun, just in case.

“Really? A gun?” I rolled my eyes.

“Better to be safe than sorry,” she insisted. We entered the bedroom and heard movement from the closet.

“Yenai?” I asked opening the closet door. We walked in and Yenai was silent, sitting in front of the mirror, her eyes black from dripping mascara.

“Hi guys,” she croaked. “Nice gun, Ayana.”

“Put that thing away,” I hissed. She unloaded the gun and stuck it back in her robe as we walked over to Yenai, sitting on both sides of her. “Yenai, are you okay?”

“Was it too soon to come back ot the apartment?” Ayana asked. “Because you can come back with us right now-”

“The apartment’s fine,” she giggled. “It’s just a shame that I can’t stay here anymore.” She pulled a blunt out of her pocket and sparked it up.

“What are you talking about?”

“My dad’s getting out of prison next week,” she explained. “And so is Mr. Leonard Gregg.”

“Who is Leonard Gregg?” Ayana questioned.

“Doesn’t matter,” Yenai shrugged, blowing the smoke from her mouth. “He called me just now. They know where I am and they’re coming to kill me. It’s not like I can go anywhere, either. They’ll find me. They’ll always find me...”

“Yenai... You’re scaring us,” I said. She looked me in the eyes.

“You don’t think I’m scared?” She whispered. “I never thought I’d ever have to see them again... And now they’re getting out. They want blood. My blood.” Then she laughed, shaking her head. “Oh well. It was nice knowing you guys. I won’t bothering writing a will. You guys can just have all of my stuff... Oh, and tell Vogue that I’m sorry for dying before I could make the dresses.” She picked up her phone from in front of her feet and scrolled through Instagram. “Hey! Look at that! I’m on The Shade Room.” Me and Ayana looked at each other.

“Yenai, would you like to come back to our place tonight? You know, to feel safer?” Ayana asked.

“Sure, why not?” She sighed. “I’ve got 7 days left on Earth, might as well make them count.” Then she looked at her phone again. “Whoops. Make that 6 days. It’s past midnight.” We helped Yenai off the floor and got her back to the apartment. By the time her face hit the pillow in the guest bedroom, she was out. I pulled Ayana into the guest bathroom.

“Do you have any idea what she was saying?” I asked. “Who is Leonard Gregg? Did you have any idea her dad was in prison?”

“No, but Alyssa she was also stoned out of her mind!” Ayana pointed out. “Who knows if anything she said is reliable?”

“Well... We know one person who’d know...” I suggested.

“...Alyssa... No! Are you crazy? She’d kill us! And we hate him remember?” She hissed.

“Yenai, could be in danger Ayana!” I frowned. “What if someone really is trying to hurt her?” Ayana thought about it.

“We don’t even know where he is...”

“We can find out... You still dating G?”

“Kinda,” she grinned. “We’ve been on a couple of dates but I haven’t seen him since our last raid 6 weeks ago.”

“Doesn’t matter. Call him. He’ll find him.”

An hour later we got the address from G. Ayana also got an invitation to go sailing on a yacht date next weekend 🙄 I typed in the address and Ayana’s eyes almost popped out of her head.

“Redding?! That’s liked 9 hours from here!” She gasped.

“Well, I guess we should leave now then,” I sighed. “We’ll get there by midday.”

“Ughhh, can’t we just fly?” Ayan groaned. I glared at her. “Ugh. Fine! I’ll pack.”

“Not too much, just the straps and masks,” I advised. We gave Dorota specific instructions not to let Yenai leave the apartment under any circumstance. And we told the front desk to question and hold anyone who they’ve never seen before. We packed up our mini cooper and I got in the driver’s seat.

“Put the place in Maps, please,” I told Ayana as we buckled in. She searched the place and scoffed.

“Sandial Summers Treatment Center. Is this a treatment center or a country club?” She rolled her eyes.

“Well I always felt better after coming from Daddy’s country club so, what’s the difference?” I joked.

Erik’s POV

“How are you feeling today, Erik?” Jacqueline asked.

“Great,” I said, honestly. “I actually had the urge to talk in group yesterday.”

“That’s excellent news!” She smiled jointing down notes. “Does that mean you’ll join us for a run later? Or maybe take a dip in the pool?”

“Woah, I said I had an urge... I also had an urge for opioids a few days ago, so I won’t get ahead of myself,” I warned.

“Understandable,” she laughed. “It’s not permitted but a few of the guests manage to get ahold of drugs and/or alcohol while they get treated. When is the last time you consumed alcohol?”

“I haven’t touched a drink since the night before I checked myself in,” I admitted.

“An what about recreational drugs?”

“Nope,” I shook my head. “I was serious about getting my shit together. I never wanna be that person again.”

“When is the last time you thought about hurting yourself?” She asked. I thought about it.

“Um... A couple of days after being here. I just kept thinking about Yenai and... And how I hurt her. I hate myself for what I did...”

“You were in a horrible state of mind WHILE intoxicated. While that does not excuse your actions, they should be taken into serious consideration,” she informed me. “When you told me what your scars represented, I was worried. But then you shared where your mind was during that time. Again... Not excusable but understandable. You are making serious progress here, Erik. And you are free to leave whenever you feel ready. There’s no rush. I’d still like you to open up more in group but if you feel your time here has been effective, I’ve already written your discharge papers and can have them filed whenever.” I smiled.

“Thanks, Jacqueline but I’d really like to go back to what we were saying a few weeks ago about possibly reaching out to Yenai... Maybe writing her a letter?” I suggested.

“That’s definitely a possibility,” she nodded. “We can talk about it more in our next session.” We stood up and shook hands and I left the office. This place was incredible. I haven’t felt like great since... Ever. I didn’t feel the need to hide or keep secrets. I was free so to speak. As I approached my room, a nurse was waiting outside the door, looking worried.

“Oh, Mr. Stevens! There you are!” She quivered. “Your tea cart was delivered just moments ago.” Oh right, forgot to mention. I drink tea and shit now.

“Cool, thanks,” I said walking into the room. I closed the door behind me but stopped dead in my tracks when I saw Alyssa and Ayana sitting on the bed, sipping tea.

“Hey, Erik!” The sang in unison.

“Nice room, you’ve got here,” Ayana complimented, blowing her tea.

“Yeah, but FYI, tea is served at 4. Not noon,” Alyssa pointed out. I turned to the nurse by the door.

“The one on the right had a gun,” she quaked pointing to Ayana. “T-They- They threatened me!”

“You can leave now,” Ayana smiled.

“And remember what we said, keep your mouth shut,” Alyssa added. The nurse scurried away.

“Um, it’s not that I don’t appreciate seeing you guys... It’s just... What the fuck are you two doing here?” I asked.

“We need your help,” Ayana said.

“It’s Yenai,” Alyssa finished. I cleared my throat and poured myself a cup of tea.

“Is she in trouble?” I worried.

“We don’t know.”

“That’s why we’re here.”

“Well, I’m sorry but I can’t help,” I shook my head.

“E, don’t do this, we need your help,” Ayana frowned.

“With all do respect, you guys don’t even know if you need my help or not. And I love Yenai but I’m actually doing better here! I’m trying to move on and get better and...” I took a breath. “I don’t know what’ll happen if I just drop everything and leave for her. I’m sorry but y’all gotta leave.” I turned and reached for the door.

“Yenai’s father and someone named Leonard Gregg are getting out of prison next week,” Alyssa said from behind me. My hand froze. “We don’t know who that is but she said he called her and said he knows where she is. Said he threatened to kill her.” I felt my blood boil. “Who is he Erik?”

“He’s the guy that raped her when she was 12... And her dad let it happen,” I told them.

“Oh HELL no!” Ayana yelled standing to her feet. “Yo, what we bouta do?” Then it was like all the zen in me had gone out the window. The FUCK did this nigga think he was? Threatening MY girl. Aight, bet.

“Give me your phone,” I opened my palm and Alyssa handed me her phone. I dialed a number quick. “Yo, G... Yeah, nigga I’m good. Look I need a plane out in Redding. You got a guy up here?... Bet. Tell him imma be there in an hour.” Then I hung up.

“A plane?” Alyssa asked as I popped my hospital band off. “Where we going?”

“New York.”

Yenai’s POV

Dorota basically kept me hostage all day. It wasn’t so bad though. She served me my meals in bed and I just kept myself company by watching tv all day. I couldn’t stand to watch Lifetime without Erik so I just watched old Nickelodeon shows. It was nearly 10 o’clock at night and the Twins STILL weren’t home. I took out my phone and texted Ayana.

Me: Where are u??

They haven’t been answering my calls or texts all day! I just flopped back down on my pillows watching Kenan & Kel when my phone started ringing. I got excited when I thought it was the girls calling me back but it wasn’t. This time it was a 704 area code. I didn’t know where it was coming from. It couldn’t have been Gregg or my dad, right? Probably a scam call. I answered it.

“Look, I’ve already accept Satan as my Lord and savior okay-”

“Yenai?” The familiar voice on the phone said. My stomach dropped.

“Raina?!” I screeched. “What? How? What the fuck? Why are you calling me?”

“I wouldn’t have called if it weren’t important,” Raina whispered. “They’re talking about you on the news...”

“What? Because of the Drake thing on The Shade Room? Jesus, there are people that are dying-”

“No, not because of that! Look... Your dad’s name is Marvin George, right?” My heart started racing.

“Why are you asking me this?” I quivered.

“Just... Just turn on the news,” she insisted then the line disconnected. My hands trembled as I picked up the remote and changed the channel.

“And for those just tuning in, disaster struck New York City’s prison, Rikers Island, as a riot started due to uncertain circumstances. There have been 7 confirmed deaths and 11 prisoners have escaped.” The anchorman said. “We go live with Janet Matthews in New York City. Janet?”

“Thanks, Tom. I’m standing outside of Rikers Island prison where just hours ago, where 3 masked assailants broke into the prison and opened fire on several correctional officers.” Janet said. “Most of the escapees were imprisoned for minor drug charges except two. 51-year-old Leonard Gregg and 50-year-old Marvin George, both men were charged with 1st degree rape of a minor 12 years ago, when the latter allowed Leonard Gregg to rape his 12-year-old daughter, Mackenzie George. The 3 assailants, as shown in this security footage obtained by state shows, are seen grabbing the 2 men and exiting the prison, shooting anyone who gets in their way. If you have any information about the 3 assailants, we urge you to reach out to authorities-” I turned off the tv. My heart stopped when the footage played. No... It couldn’t be... They wouldn’t do that to me... They wouldn’t. The walls were closing in on me. My breathing got shallow and I felt like passing out. The door opened slowly and Dorota looked inside.

“Ms. Yenai... You have visitor,” she told me. This is it... This is the day I die. Let’s just get this over with. I took a deep breath and slid off the bed, following her into the living room. But, it wasn’t my dad or Mr. Gregg. It was-

“Erik,” I whispered. Erik turned around and faced me.

“You need to come with me,” he insisted.

“What did you do?” I whispered, tears falling from my eyes. “WHAT THE FUCK DID YOU DO?!” I charged at him hitting his chest. “What did you do?! They’re gonna kill me, Erik! What did-”

“Yenai!... I know you have no reason but I need you to TRUST ME,” he said. “And I need you to come with me.” He extended his hand. I nodded and took it.

“Okay... Okay, I will.”

~~~

A/N: I wonder what’s gonna happen 👀👀👀 in the next chapter 👀👀👀👀 you know what to do 😏😏😏 See you in the next one! xoxo CHARACTER ASKS ARE OPEN! READ A/N AT THE TOP!

Tag List: @scrumptiouslytenaciouscrusade @shame-full-love @wakanda-4evr @destinio1 @queenartistica @starbucksnapkin @hold-me-like-a-heart-beat @beymonger @goldenratiophelia @sociallyawkward18 @pandagirl200 @chelledallas @thatbish27 @janellemonaenae @blaq-gyal @ironsquad @godhatesyouandi @bigdaddythraxxx @cocooned-butterfly @someareblindtoitsbeauty @84eix @sincerelyroxxie @i-am-shee @thadelightfulone @depressed-little-shadow @vikkidc @keonaforever21 @keairadiamond @plushthighs @itsjustshanie @ovohanna24 @getyourfandomon @kzmiaz13 @marysxo @forbeautyandlife @blackandfair @imdiirtydan @theunsweetenedtruth @maya-leche @fromthebaytola @jennxgold @supernovaah @hidden-treasures21 @queenshxt-only @cutewylie @pupyluv247 @elegantd @namelesslosers @tntnv (Did I forget anyone? I’m so sorry! LMK!)

253 notes · View notes

freshwater--mermaid · 7 years ago

Text

Ersatz Ch 21: Earthbound

Both Danny and Vlad stood in the small guest bedroom of the Fenton household, the sounds of everyone else having breakfast coming in through the closed door.

Danny raised an eyebrow at the blank-faced man before him, the seconds dragging on in continued silence.

Finally, Vlad blinked, his expression turning into one of disapproval.

"Daniel, I will not be showing up any time you wish just to distract your parents so that you can go into the Ghost Zone alone."

"I didn't say you had to come over all the time! Just visit occasionally, like you do now." Danny argued. "How else am I ever going to discover everything in there? I don't get a lot of opportunities to be in the lab for hours without my parents noticing."

"First, I don't think you fully appreciate just how large the Ghost Zone actually is." Vlad said. "Second, have you forgotten how dangerous I said it was to venture around in there while alone?"

"Oh please, there wasn't a single ghost in sight." Danny replied. "Even that big castle I got to was completely empty."

Vlad sighed. "You're very lucky that whatever creature guarded that territory was not around."

Danny threw his hands into the air in frustration.

"Well how else am I supposed to learn more about the Ghost Zone if I can't explore it?"

Vlad smiled, only adding to Danny's annoyance.

"Now I never said that."

The man's smile grew into a smirk, giving Danny the all-too-familiar feeling that he was being laughed at.

"Don't misunderstand me, Daniel." Vlad continued, ignoring the teen's frown. "I'm very impressed with your initiative. Deciding to map out the Ghost Zone is a smart idea. Doing it alone is the part that I'm in disagreement with."

Vlad walked around Danny, heading toward the door as he spoke.

"And besides, I myself have been charting the ghost zone for years now."

"You what?" Danny couldn't help but raise his voice in surprise.

"But I will be more than happy to go with you when the next opportunity arises." Vlad said, opening the door. "After all, I haven't explored this particular area yet."

With that, the man walked out of the room, leaving Danny with a mix of curiosity and frustration, which had become the norm after their conversations.

Sighing to himself, Danny walked out of the room as well, entering the living room. Vlad had joined with the group in the kitchen, choosing to stand at the counter rather than try to find a place at the over-crowded table. He politely refused Maddie's offer of food.

Danny chose an empty seat crammed between Sam and Jazz. The former was listening to Jack and Tucker discuss one of Jack's inventions, and the latter was trying to ignore everyone as she read from a small book.

"Hi, sweetheart." Maddie greeted her son, retrieving a plate of bacon and eggs. "I saved some breakfast for you. Now eat up quick; you kids will need to leave soon."

Danny glanced down at the plate as it was set before him, pushing it away slightly.

"Not hungry, Mom." he said.

Maddie frowned down at him, but was overtaken by Tucker and Jack, who halted conversation long enough to lunge at Danny's plate, devouring its contents.

~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~*

School was mostly a blur, which was nothing new. Danny passed his classes in silent thought, interrupted only twice. Once when Dash 'tripped' while exiting a classroom, causing him to grab Danny's head and slam it hard onto his desk. The second break in Danny's mental wandering came in the form of a text from Vlad during Study Hall.

It read simply: Meet me in your parents' workshop this evening.

Danny knew it could only mean one thing; a trip into the Ghost Zone.

It was honestly exciting, the thought of traversing about with someone who had actual knowledge and experience of the otherworldly realm. Danny spent the remainder of his final class wondering what locations might be nearby that he hadn't discovered yet. It felt so much like something out of one of his favorite sci fi space adventure movies. He wished Tucker had left behind his recording equipment so Danny could film it all.

'Maybe he'll be able to run home and get his things before too much time passes.' he thought, the bell sounding loudly overhead.

Gathering his things, Danny was up and out the door in moments, making it outside to wait on his friends before the first sprinting students burst out the front doors.

After several minutes of waiting impatiently, Tucker and Sam finally appeared amid the crowd of faces. He waved at them, gaining their attention, and they wore relieved expressions as they walked toward him.

"Where were you?" Sam asked.

"Waiting out here." Danny answered, as though it were the most obvious thing.

"You didn't stop by our lockers." Sam continued. "We thought something might have happened."

"Like what?" Danny laughed, leading the way down the sidewalk.

"Hey man, with all the weirdness seeking you out lately, you can't really blame us." Tucker reasoned.

Danny mentally conceded to their point, choosing to change the subject with a question.

"Hey Tuck, d'you think you could bring over your camera and things to my place?"

"Why?" Tucker asked.

"Me and Mr Masters are going through the portal again and I figured you'd want-"

"Woah wait, what?" Sam interrupted. "Danny, I don't think that's a good idea."

Danny sighed audibly, rolling his eyes at his friend.

"Sam, come on, you can't keep assuming he's bad news."

"I just don't think it's smart to go wandering the Ghost Zone with that guy."

"As apposed to wandering it by myself. Yeah, much safer."

Sam frowned heavily at him, crossing her arms defensively.

"Well either way," she said, "We already made plans for this afternoon, remember?"

Danny's expression blanked out, his mind casting about for the answer, and coming up dry.

Now it was Sam's turn to sigh harshly. "Our Halloween project? The little fruit jack o' lanterns? Any of this ringing a bell?"

Danny's eyes widened "Oh! I…forgot."

The three shared an awkward silence as they continued walking, the turn toward Sam's street approaching. Finally, as they reached the end of the block, Sam spoke up.

"Just head home, Danny." she said. "Me and Tucker have this. It's just carving up fruit."

Danny gave her a smile before running quickly across the crosswalk before its light changed, waving his goodbye over his shoulder.

"Be careful!" Sam called after him.

She shared a quick glance with Tucker before the two turned and continued down their own path.

~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~*

Danny walked down to the lab, bracing himself to once again see the ghost woman laid out on the table, or something equally unsettling. Instead, he saw only Vlad, reading through notes at his mother's desk.

"Where's my mom and dad?" Danny asked as he stepped fully into the room. "I thought they were taking a break from ghost hunting nights to work on upgrading their weapons?"

"They are." Vlad answered, not looking up. "And it's very interesting what information they've gathered just from the few encounters they've had recently. And of course, their study of subject o-one has been a great benefit."

"O-what?" Danny asked.

"O-one. The name they've given to their one and only captive ghost." Vlad elaborated, looking up at the teen. "I was told that they have you to thank for her capture."

Danny wasn't sure how to react to that statement, and so settled for looking down at his mother's notes and blueprints.

"Why are you going through her research?"

"To get a better idea of how these new weapons they're creating will operate. You should do the same whenever you can."

Vlad set the notebook down upon the table, once again looking at Danny.

"I do think you're squandering a great opportunity, Daniel. As I've said before, having access to this lab and all of its contents, as well as your parents' knowledge, is something that could only benefit you."

Danny walked away from the man, toward the closed portal.

"As much as I love standing around getting lectured, I think we should get moving before my parents come back from wherever you sent them."

"No need to worry about that." Vlad smiled, pulling back a sleeve to glance down at his watch. "By my estimation, we should have a little less than fourteen hours before your parents are awake enough to notice our absence."

"Awake enough?"

"A simple sedative, as before. Nothing to fret over."

Danny wanted to be mad about Vlad once again drugging his parents, but found that it wasn't that much of a bother. It wasn't as if the extra sleep would hurt them, after all.

With that affirming thought, Danny pushed the activation button, watching the portal doors slide open. The white room became awash in a green glow, Danny and Vlad casting pale shadows as they stood before the portal.

~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~*

Sam removed the basket of various fruits from a kitchen cabinet, setting it on the counter before turning to Tucker.

"Alright, which one do you want to carve up first?" she asked.

"The orange." he replied. "I could use a snack."

"You can't peel it, Tuck." Sam replied.

"I can scoop its insides out and eat it that way." the boy smiled at his own logic.

Sam shrugged, opening a drawer filled with knives of different sizes.

"Okay," she continued. "Pick your weapon."

Tucker deliberated momentarily, before grinning and pulling out the largest knife in the drawer.

"You can't carve an orange with that." Sam smiled, taking the knife and giving him one that was notably smaller.

"Not with that attitude. Where's your Halloween spirit?" Tucker joked, looking over his orange and thinking of where to start.

Sam set her own knife on the countertop, closing the drawer and selecting a tiny watermelon from the basket. It took her longer than Tucker to cut open the top. When she finally had it removed, she took a spoon and began scooping out the pale red insides, dropping them onto a plate.

"You gonna eat that?" Tucker spoke through a mouthful of orange mush, gesturing at the plate.

"Help yourself." Sam rolled her eyes with a smile.

~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~*

"So there's really nothing worth it behind any of these doors?" Danny said, disappointment clear in his voice as he looked around at them all.

"I assure you, my boy, nothing of any real interest lies beyond any of these doors." Vlad assured, gesturing for Danny to follow him as they continued away from the Fenton Works island.

"They are home to ghosts too weak to conjure anything more than a room or two from faded memories. In fact, anything that you take from these rooms would simply dissolve into pure ectoplasm in minutes."

Any further questions Danny had were halted as Vlad pointed ahead.

"I believe that's the castle you visited before?"

"That's the one." Danny confirmed. "Don't get excited, though. It's a lot farther away than it looks."

"Then we'd better pick up the pace." Vlad said, rocketing away in almost the blink of an eye.

Danny started in surprise before taking off at full speed. He caught up to Vlad in seconds, the elder of the two remaining several feet ahead.

After continuing on this way for a while, Danny cupped his hands around his mouth and shouted.

"Hey, slow down!"

Vlad instantly halted flight, and Danny dove to the side. His leg still clipped Vlad's side, and he was sent spinning. Vlad quickly grabbed him by the arm, and Danny held his eyes shut and waited for the dizziness to pass. He grimaced at the pain in his leg and arm.

"I said slow down, not stop." he griped. "And how can you go that fast for so long, anyway?"

"It all comes from practice, Daniel." Vlad answered, keeping his grip on the boy and continuing forward at a slower rate.

Danny soon stopped seeing stars, and pulled his arm away. He was glad to see that they were almost at their destination.

"So how many years did it take to get as fast as you are?" he asked.

"Not too many." Vlad answered over his shoulder. "About ten, I'd say."

Danny groaned, his shoulder slumping down.

"Man, it's gonna take forever before I can do anything as good as you can!"

"You'll soon find that time holds little weight." Vlad said. "The years begin to feel like weeks."

"Wow, really?" Danny asked. "So…it doesn't feel like that long ago since you died?"

"At times it feels like only yesterday."

Vlad then held up a hand, bringing both the flight and the conversation to an end. They were still many yards away from the castle walls. Danny looked at it for a moment before glancing toward Vlad, surprised by the intense look on the man's face.

"What are you doing?" he asked.

Vlad didn't answer, but instead became tense, looking around with a hard expression before his gaze fell on Danny.

"Do not go near this area again."

With those short words, he turned left and began flying away. Danny looked back at the castle before catching up with the elder ghost.

"So, let me guess," he began, keeping abreast with Vlad thanks to the slow pace. "You're not going to tell me what spooked you about that place, you're just gonna expect me to follow your every word."

"I told you that I have spent years charting every location in this realm, remember?"

"Yeah, what does that have to do with anything?"

"I haven't told you this yet, but your little island occupies a far corner of the Ghost Zone." Vlad said, searching the landscape as he spoke. "That is why you see so little activity where you are, and why everything is so far away."

Danny thought for a moment, taking in the information.

"So, in terms of ghost realty, I got placed in the countryside of the Ghost Zone? And there are, like, ghost cities packed with wall to wall ghosts and their homes?"

"Yes," Vlad answered. "I'm not sure what causes certain territories to manifest where they do. It seems to be entirely random, and in your case bad luck."

"Bad luck?" Danny questioned. "Yeah, I guess. Living around other ghosts would be cooler than being in the middle of nowhere."

"Actually, that works to your advantage." Vlad countered. "Being so isolated means that the more intelligent spirits are less likely to find your home. If you lived among them, you would likely be fighting them from your territory often. What I meant by bad luck is the fact that you live so near to that fortress."

"The castle? I wouldn't exactly call it near."

Vlad frowned at the teen. "I meant my earlier words, Daniel. Do not go to that place anymore."

"Then tell me what's so bad about it!" Danny exclaimed, throwing his hands out in frustration.

"It belongs to a very powerful and very malevolent creature." Vlad replied. "Let's be thankful that you didn't wake it when you first stumbled around inside its lair."

"So its asleep?"

"In a sense, yes. Now come on, I see something ahead."

Vlad flew forward, staying in front as he led the way toward another building.

~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~*

"Now hold it still for a few seconds." Sam instructed.

"I know how glue works."Tucker replied dryly, but with a smile. He had to admit internally that this was turning out to be more fun than he had originally thought when he'd suggested the idea.

Sam lightly hit him over the arm for his quip, causing him to lean away from her.

"Hey! Watch the glue, Sam." he said mockingly.

"How about I just glue your mouth shut and give myself some peace and quiet." Sam shot back with a grin.

"I'd like to see you try."

Sam gave him a threatening smile for his bold words, waving the glue around before using it for one of her own tiny jack o' lanterns. She hoped that she would be able to clean all the glue off of the fancy platter once Halloween was over. If her parents found out she was using it for the display, she'd be grounded. But she decided to worry about those details later.

"This is starting to look really good." she said, looking at the little pineapple and squash that were already set in place. "It really was a great idea, Tuck."

"I'm a genius, I know." Tucker smiled, before certain thoughts has his bright expression falling.

"You think Danny's okay?" he asked after a brief silence.

Sam's face also dimmed, her eyes remaining on the platter.

"Yeah, he'll be okay." she said.

Another silence followed, both friends' concern mixing in the air between them. Finally, Sam broke through it with a smile, looking at Tucker.

"Either way, he's missing out on a great time. This is a lot of fun."

Tucker returned her smile, gluing the final piece onto the display. They both gazed at it proudly.

"Hey, wanna make some popcorn and watch that new horror flick?" the boy asked.

"Night of the Shewolf? You've seen it like ten times already." Sam replied.

"Yeah, but werewolf ladies, Sam." Tucker argued, his voice becoming dreamy.

"You've got some messed up taste, Tuck." Sam said, shaking her head.

"So is that a yes?"

"It's a yes. I'll start the popcorn."

~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~*

The building before them was tall and square, with a flat roof and little windows set in perfect rows all around. It reminded Danny of the old abandoned buildings in downtown.

"Be careful." Vlad cautioned in a quiet voice, slowly approaching the double doors at the front of the floating building.

"Why are we going in?" Danny asked. "I thought you wanted me to avoid these places."

"Creating an accurate map of this area requires knowing what kind of spirit lives in each territory. Now, keep behind me." Vlad answered.

Reaching a hand out, he slowly pushed open one of the doors, its hinges screeching out loudly, as though they hadn't been disturbed in decades. Danny peered over Vlad's shoulder as the man gazed cautiously around inside, both of them trying to see through the thick darkness.

A scraping noise caused Danny to jump, and Vlad fired a single shot of ectoplasm into the shadows. The pink glow cast a pale light from where it stuck to a far wall, and the two were able to distinguish the figures of old wooden boxes and crates. They sat stacked in neat rows, as if they were a library. Some of them wore labels with no words printed upon them.

The sound was heard again, and this time they could see the cause. A single, small box shuffled only a few centimeters out from behind a distant row, as though it were trying to peer around the corner at them.

Vlad held up his hand once more, liquid ectoplasm churning in his palm.

"Wait, don't!" Danny exclaimed, grabbing onto Vlad's arm. "We can't just go around blasting ghosts that haven't done anything. It's probably just some ghost of a rat or something."

"Here now, I am no mere rat!" cried a voice from within the room.

The box from before opened up, a blue glow coming from within. The glow then shot up into the air, quickly taking form. In moments the figure of a short, fat man hovered in the centre of the room, arms crossed and looking down at the pair with an indignant glare.

"I am not some filthy rodent; it is I, the great and powerful Box Ghost!" he gestured widely as he spoke. "Why have you awoken me from my slumber?"

Danny couldn't help but chuckle at the strange spirit's antics. His clothes and accent made the teen guess he was from the forties, but the way he spoke so dramatically reminded Danny of a high school kid trying to quote Shakespeare.

Vlad also seemed rather unimpressed, holding the unspent energy in his hand still and raising an eyebrow at the ghost's theatrics.

As silence dragged on, the self-proclaimed Box Ghost slowly fell out of his dramatic pose, looking down on the intruders with confusion.

"Why do you not tremble in fear at the sight of the mighty Box Ghost!" he demanded.

"Because you're anything but scary, dude." Danny said with a shrug.

The teen was honestly relieved that at least one of his distant neighbors wasn't a monstrous creature to be avoided.

"How dare you slander me!" the Box Ghost cried, rising higher into the air.

Vlad didn't wait to hear the rest of the speech that was obviously about to come. Instead, he sent out the gathered energy in his hand, sending it out in a sweeping gesture. It collided with the Box Ghost and sent him crashing into the far wall. The pink liquid stuck around his middle, pinning his arms and holding him against the wall. The short ghost struggled against his bonds, but the ectoplam held strong.

"Now that that is over with, let's move on." he said, straightening his shirt with a sigh before turning and exiting the building.

Danny watched the ghost continue to struggle and mumble curses and threats, before he turned and followed after Vlad.

"Uh, is he going to be able to get out eventually?" Danny asked as they flew onward.

"He will." Vlad answered, a self-satisfied smile curving across his face. "Eventually."

"I'm going to mark that location as an 'avoid at all costs'." the man added after a moment, annoyance painted clearly in his tone, earning a grin from Danny.

The boy began looking around, wondering what other strange locations and bizarre inhabitants they would come upon in the hours to come. Suddenly fourteen hours felt like far too little time, and Danny wished there was some way to remain in this realm for as long as he wished. He wanted to explore every corner.

#ersatz au #danny phantom #vlad masters #ghost zone #danny fenton #vlad being a mentor #sam and tucker bonding #both those dynamics are a lot of fun to write

5 notes · View notes