#c: cain

[sigmasoyboy]

Hellooo, i saw someone ask the numbers 23 and 25 for the serial killer trio and i really liked the answer. So i wanted to ask the same numbers for the vicetober boys if its okay 😄

Thank you in advance and have a great time 🩷

this one will have to go under the cut due to lenght (・・; we have many boys to talk about

23. Do they prefer romance or affection? What is the quickest way to your character’s heart?

For both Cain and Abel it's a bit complicated to tell. Cain does not trust other living beings anymore and as a child the line between affection and romance were blurred so it's hard to tell which they prefer. Having someone on their side and then some sort of sibling was nice but separation and betrayal hurt deeply so there are no more quick ways to his heart.

Abel only cares about consuming. Previously, I guess you could say that the bond they had with Cain was their preference, though now it matters less than their desire for their flesh. Similarily, there are no way to his heart.

Eli… Only cares about receiving either from Viorel anyway, and their friendship has been ambiguous from the beginning. The quickest way to his heart was apparently just trying to befriend him after a lifetime of neglect, it got him attached to that boy like superglue.

Viorel thinks he is satisfied by friendship alone but he does craves romantic affection, he just think he is not good enough to "trap" someone in an exclusive relationship with him. The quickest way to his heart is giving him self-confidence and blowjobs-- though he is quick to retract back into his shell after his self-esteem issues overshadow the butterflies.

Ismaele pretends he doesn't much care for either. Sex is just a distraction from the horrors, camaradery is just something to indulge in like alcohol or anything else, no one can understand him anymore anyway™️. Deep down he does need affection, no real preference on the type. Quickest way to his heart is to not let him know you're trying to slither your way there lol

Ange has no preference either, he likes caring for people, romantic feelings or not. Previously, he did try to reach out through sex with not much luck though. Quickest way to his heart is having losing dog energy, he has a weakness for the strays no one want.

Doe does not really conceptualize affection as different concepts. There's only what Ange gave him and what he gives back to others in return. He likes being cared for and feeling safe and that's about it. Quickest way to his heart is hugs and food.

Valya used to value friendship above all, he wasn't interested in romance, though it was made complicated by his paranoid tendencies. The quickest way to his heart was unrelenting loyalty and the ability to forgive him, no matter what.

Domen does not actually care about either, they're just tools for him to manipulate others. From the outside though, he probably seem to prefer romance since he's often going on dates and metting people. Quickest way to his heart is flattery, but you'll never be able to truly reach it.

Jesse naturally cares about romance, the idea of being someone's number one obsesses him because it's so out of reach, at this point any affection makes feelings blossom hard and fast which tend to freak people out. Any positive attention leads to his heart, though less so after what happened with Domen made him jaded.

25. Do they have any weird bedroom habits? Any unusual kinks?

Sex does nothing for Cain, he has no libido or interest in it. Abel on the other hand does derive some sick psychosexual pleasure from both hunting and playing with his food (see: the inherent erotism of cannibalism) despite being sexless.

Eli… Doesn't have a bed. He sleeps on his couch, which is almost the only piece of furniture he owns. That's weird in itself. As far as kink goes, seeing Viorel wear his clothes, even casually, really does something to him, and he more than once smelled clothes Viorel left at his place when jacking off. He just has a huge thing for Viorel lol

Viorel's weird bedroom habit is that he doesn't bother with his wheelchair when going to the toilet in the middle of the night, so you can get jumpscared by his grudge-look-alike bedhead crawling in the hallway in the dark since he can't reach the lightswitch from there. Nothing too unusual kink wise, he's got some pretty classic fantaisies like having sex in a semi-public place or doing it half-clothed.

Ismaele just pretty consistently wakes up drenched in sweat throughout the night. Usually he goes to check on Valya then has a smoke in front of an open window before going back to bed and trying to sleep again. As for kinks, he likes being ordered around, especially if he gets praise for doing exactly as he's told.

Ange used to hug himself and pet his own hair to lull himself to sleep. Now he's much more fond of hugging someone else and petting their hair, feeling the slow breathing of someone against him gets him really sleepy. He's got a crossdressing kink (mostly him wearing dresses and such, but he does also enjoys dressing up his partner from time to time); for him it's more about sensations than visuals, even the discomfort of restrictive clothes or the rough sensation of lace can be very erotic to him, though he does also like being called cute and such. Otherwise, he enjoys teasing and light pain (both receiving and giving).

Most of Doe's habits are odd. In bed, it's probably hugging whoever is sleeping with him no matter who it is. He's a real octopus, wrapping his long limbs around the other. As far as it is known, he has no kink in particular.

Valya's in a vegetative state, the weirdest thing about his bedroom habits is just the fact he still has wake/sleep cycles but they aren't really regular so he sometimes falls asleep while Ismaele is bathing him or washing his teeth. Before he was in this state, he used to talk in his sleep a lot and Ismaele would have little conversations with him when he couldn't sleep. He did feel some sexual gratification from dominating others back then but it would be a bit exaggerated to call it a kink.

Domen weirdest bedroom habit was probably that he could not stand hearing Jesse breathing next to him at night so most of the time he would kick him out of his room. If he did grace him with sleeping together in the same bed he would wear ear plugs, and cuddles were only before sleep, no touching during. Kink wise, he was big into somno, but that's mostly because it was the closest to his actual necrophilia kink he could get with a living partner. Next to it being a sadist kinda pales.

When he still had many Jesse had to rearrange the plushies who had fallen/moved on his bed before he could sleep. He would also choose a big one to cuddle during the night since most times Domen refused to sleep with him. He always felt more vulnerable to dark thoughts at night, now it can get to the point where he feels so utterly shitty he'll go to the bathroom to self-harm as the only way to kill the noise. As for kinks, he used to be into the idea of puppy play but Domen kind of killed that for him by kicking and caging him as part of it and making him understand very well how cringe it was and how lucky he was to be indulged… He also has a thing for wearing stocking and panties, but he dislikes being treated like a girl.

[fireflyflits]

Bored work doodles

[sheenlux]

He was hungover, and trying to hide it. He'd been so anxious over the reaping that he'd somehow be having to come back as a tribute rather than as a mentor he spent what could have possibly been his last night as a free man getting very, very high, and very, very drunk. Evidently, it had been for nothing, but now that the reapings were over he saw that quite a few people he knew were being dragged back into the games. He saw Cain, and approached not wanting to be miserable alone. Plopping down next to him, he pulled off the sunglasses he was wearing. Bags under his eyes darker than usual. "If you comment on the fact I'm a blonde now, please be merciful. It wasn't exactly my choice." Still he'd rather talk about his hair, or the music or anything besides the games at the present moment.

@cain-gunn

[rt2417]

[Hymn of Serata on the Requiem Night] Chapter 1

Bradley: Even at a feast, yer still a damn miserable son of a bitch.

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Location: Forest

Lennox: Kenja-sama's handkerchief, it's quite to hard to find, isn't it.

Akira: Yes. I thought I dropped it while I was walking around this area earlier, but…

I feel a little sorry for having you keep me company for so long.

Lennox: Please do not worry about it. After all, everyone loses things sometimes.

Together with Lennox, who encouraged me, we advance further into the gloomy forest.

As the chilly night wind passes us by, Lennox suddenly lifts his head.

Akira: What’s the matter, Lennox; did you perhaps find something?

Lennox: No, I thought I heard a sound. Like the sound of a bell…

Akira: It’s true! It’s coming from deep in the thicket over there, don’t you think?

Lennox: Someone may possibly be out here. Still, it’s already quite late…

Akira: You’re right… Why don’t we take a little look around?

Mixed in with our footsteps as we tread on the grass, the sound of the bell is long and thin, and continues to echo on as if trying to lure someone in.

After a bit of walking, a sweet aroma suddenly tickles my nose.

Akira: (Smells nice…)

As if enticed by the aroma, I look ahead past Lennox’s broad back.

In a clearing with few trees, a bonfire's flames flicker. Standing quietly in front of it, is a figure cloaked in black.

Faust: ……

Lennox: Faust-sama?

Faust: Kenja and Lennox… As expected, there was a hint of your presence.

In a place like this, what is it that you want?

Akira: No…

Faust speaks quietly, as he always does, but I suddenly find myself at a loss for words.

The flickering flames contrast against the moonlight; his beautiful profile looks pale and somewhat otherworldly amidst it all.

Lennox: …Faust-sama. In addition to you, was there anyone else here?

There’s empty liquor bottles, almost as if someone was having a banquet.

Akira: Ah, it’s true. The bonfire is surrounded by plenty of alcohol and fruit. There’s also corolla flowers lined up…

Faust: No… I’ve been alone the entire time.

The moon is clearly visible tonight. I thought I’d have a drink by myself while gazing up at it.

Akira: Eh…?

It feels a bit unexpected to hear those words come from Faust.

Even as Faust speaks with a light casual tone, a hint of self-deprecation flickers on his face, as he slowly looks upward.

Up in the night sky, the enormous Great Calamity looms above, threatening to engulf us.

Faust: Looking up at the moon… makes me feel uncomfortable, like I have an ache in the depths of my heart.

That’s why, with this as a side dish, I thought I’d direct a complaint or two toward the Calamity.

That’s it, there’s no more to it.

Lennox: ……

Bradley: Hmph. If that’s what yer havin’ as a side dish, it’ll only make the booze taste like shit.

Even at a feast, yer still a damn miserable son of a bitch.

Akira: ……!

I turn around at the sound of the familiar voice coming from behind us. Faust also gazes deep into the forest, where it originates from.

Lennox: Bradley… Could it be, you were blown away by a sneeze again?

Bradley: Well, that’s about the gist of it. ’M not very happy ’bout it.

Bradley says this nonchalantly, as he steps out of the woods with ease.

Bradley: Y’all got a depressing look on yer faces. I can get why you feel such resentment, though.

I was hurt too, but the eastern curse worker was almost killed by that damn moon.

Faust: That’s right. However, ultimately I didn’t end up dying.

Faust mumbles as he casts his eyes downward, then he abruptly fumbles with his sleeve to retrieve something.

Faust: Come to think of it, I picked this up earlier. Is it yours?

Akira: Oh, my handkerchief…! Thank you so much, I was searching for this.

Lennox: I’m glad you were able to successfully find it.

Akira: Yes! Lennox you too, thanks so much for keeping me company while searching for it.

Faust: In that case, if you’ve finished with your business you shouldn’t linger for long. Please head back to the Wizard Manor as soon as possible…

Bradley: Huh, there’s some good booze ‘ere.

Interrupting Faust, Bradley steps forward before the bonfire. He quickly crouches down to judge the bottles of alcohol lined up.

Faust: Oi, don’t go rummaging. There’s no liquor here for thieves.

Bradley: It’s good, ain’t it? If ya went to the extent to pull all this out, it’ll be hard to bring it back. I’ll lend a helpin’ hand.

Akira: Ah… Well, I’ll help you tidy up too. I think we’re all about finished for the day.

While saying this, I reach for the items scattered around me. Then, Faust’s sharp voice rings out.

Faust: Stop, don’t touch that!

Akira: Ah, I’m sorry…!

In response to the unexpected menacing look, my shoulders jumped. Faust looks taken aback, his words muddled.

Faust: Apologies… I didn’t mean to frighten you. It’s just that you shouldn’t carelessly touch a wizard’s tools like that.

Particularly when it comes to things that a curse worker like me handles.

Lennox: …Here, let me help.

The night wind is getting colder, so please head back first, Kenja-sama and Bradley. We’ll return soon.

As he speaks, a strong cold wind blows between the two of us. Bradley scratches the tip of his nose and grumbles.

Bradley: Shit, that was close. Hell, I don’t wanna be sent flyin’ again.

C’mon, Kenja. The bar at the Wizard Manor is a way better place to drink booze in than this shithole. Come ‘n get a drink with me.

Akira: O-Of course. Well then, I’ll take your word for it… Faust, Lennox. Good night, I’ll see you tomorrow.

Faust: Ah. Good night.

Lennox: Have a good night.

As we exchange salutations, Bradley, with one hand in his pocket, magically pulls out his broom.

He yanks me on by the scruff of my neck, and once I settle behind him with my legs crossed, we’re immediately lifted off the ground.

As the wind blows, I can faintly hear the sound of the bell from somewhere beneath us.

Location: Manor

And so, a few days later we’re presented with an unexpected request.

Arthur: Pure white hands creeping through the sky?

Cock Robin: Yes… It seems to be an anomaly happening in a village on the outskirts of the Central Country.

Once night falls, I was told that multiple hands emerge and creep all throughout the area.

Riquet: Are you saying that there’s no face or body, that it’s just hands?

Akira: That’s rather unsettling. It’s almost like a different sort of scary than ghosts and the like.

Rustica: When it comes to only having hands, we need to think over how to communicate with them. Rather than idle chit chat, perhaps we should use music.

Rutile: Hm, that sounds lovely! Even if you only have fingers, you can still play the piano and pluck strings.

Cain: It would surely help if they like music, wouldn’t it. Actually, what’s the situation like in the village itself?

The people gathered around to listen to the request are Rutile, Rustica, Cock Robin-san, and myself. The Central Wizards are also among us.

Cock Robin-san was originally looking for the Central Wizards and me, however, seeing Rutile and Rustica in the dining hall, he also asked them to help.

Cock Robin: It seems that the residents are so frightened by the strange sight that they’ve withdrawn into their homes.

Furthermore, some residents have even left the village after rumors spread that it was a curse of sorts…

Oz: So, the hands are just wandering about then. What’s the actual harm?

Cock Robin: Um, well… According to reports sometimes they just merely float about, but other times they draw near private homes and livestock pens.

I heard that some villagers and livestock were grabbed by the shoulders and were nearly dragged straight into darkness, and such…

Cain: That’s a rather vague report.

Cock Robin: Sorry, the contents of the report were a bit ambiguous in certain places…

Arthur: Judging from his penmanship, he may have been in a state of distraught. He must’ve been frightened, but still somehow managed to send us a letter.

Rutile: In addition, it seems that the time when the anomalies began to occur was… It says that it was after the Great Calamity came.

Riquet: I see. In that case, it’s our turn.

Cain: Yeah, we should go check it out in person. It’s most likely an after effect of the Calamity. Is that alright with you, Kenja-sama?

Akira: Yes, of course. Please, allow me to accompany you all in this investigation.

Arthur: If that’s the case, we should promptly discuss a date as soon as possible.

Since this is a Central Country affair, the participants will be Cain, Riquet… and myself. I’ll keep my identity concealed though.

Rustica: Then let me also accompany you. The wandering hands may possibly be looking for a potential dance partner.

Even for me, it’s not every day that I get the chance to have someone other than myself take my hand.

Rutile: I’m coming too! Since we just had the pleasure of talking together, I would be happy to help in any way I can.

Arthur: Thank you. It'll be reassuring having the both of you. Oz-sama, what about you?

Akira: (Ah, right… Arthur is worried about Oz’s wounds from the Calamity, since the anomaly occurs at night.)

Oz gives a slight nod toward Arthur’s concerned look. Then slowly, he looks me in the eyes.

Oz: …There are others who are more qualified for this than I am.

Oz: When it comes to curses, there’s someone whose specialty lies in them.

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[sheenlux]

"Really no uptick in Cains after you won? I would have thought the whole, baby winning without having to kill woulda caused a lot of parents being like we want our baby to have that type of luck." There were a lot more Sheens in One after he won, but he also thought some of it was because of his mother talking parents into naming their kids after him or something like that.

Sheen put a hand on Cain's shoulder, squeezing it. "It can be a good thing. No one who helped them....is guilty for believing that they were trying to do good. We're all allowed to have hope.....fuck...I know....I know I've really come to realize....hope is a really good fucking motivator at keeping you going day by day." There have been so many dark days for Sheen where he had no hope....no desire to keep pushing on. He had been letting himself hope more and found himself wanting more to do more, to be more present in the lives of his friends.

"Take it from a miserable fuck like me, don't let anyone take hope from you, no matter how fucking shitty they are."

"Yeah, I mean, Cain's not exactly a super common name in District Two either," he shrugged. Maybe it wasn't common, but that didn't mean it wasn't meaningful. In a roundabout way, it got right to the heart of who he was meant to be— at least if you thought of Cain as a hero in his story.

"Yeah, sure, sure," he agreed, mostly. Cain just wasn't sure he was quite as ready to let himself off the hook. He'd been doing it his whole life— purposely making excuses and looking the other way. Sure, he'd been twelve, but he'd been doing the same thing at nineteen. "I'd be a totally different person if I'd never gone in," he echoed. "I mean, for one, I'd probably still be at the Academy hoping for a shot at winning." Would that version of him be happier, more blissfully unaware? Or would he be bitter, always wanting more than he had? "But I'm not sure if being with the Vox is a pro or a con on the whole good person thing anymore," Cain added, a sort of admission. He'd wanted it to be. He'd wanted to liberate the districts from the Capitol and the Games, or maybe, really, he'd just wanted to liberate himself from guilt. Maybe his fight with Cress was still zigzagging across his thoughts, but Cain didn't know anymore what made a hero and what made a villain.

[batfamilycentral]

Cassandra Cain in Detective Comics #1084 (2024), art by Robbi Rodriguez. - requested by anonymous.

[asoftepiloguemylove]

Cynthia Cruz Diagnosis // David Foster Wallace // Olivia Rodrigo lacy // pinterest // Jamie Varon Does The Universe Fight For Souls To Be Together? // Ethel Cain Inbred // Chen Chen Popular Street // Meggie C. Royer Tragedies // Olivia Rodrigo making the bed // @ely-n // Mary Oliver "The Return," What Do We Know: Poems and Prose Poems // Meg Day "There's Snow in the West," Last Psalm at Sea Level

[detectivegoldstein]

He let out a snort, shaking his head as he reached over to grab his cane. "Just don' tell Atkins I'm the one that got ya into smoking. Fucker gives me enough shit already." Heading outside, James dug into his pocket for the pack and held it out to Cain. "If ya don' like it don' worry about it. Ain't for everyone. Yeah yeah, smokin' kills an' all that shit, but it also clears yer head in a way a lotta things don't."

seemed like both cain and james had suffered enough losses for one lifetime. now he knew why he gravitated towards the elder ranger so often. "i've never tried smoking, but i probably should. something tells me it would me chill out a bit. i'll come join you."

[castlesbyrs]

1x02 - 4x10 Tom kept his promise.

[sigmasoyboy]

can't believe I can cram all of vicetober into a single post now (well, minus the only drawing that I didn't manage to link to the rest of the story, F), this feels insane

context: drawn during 2022 following that year's vicetober prompt list. The story that would eventually become the vicetober verse was made up as I went, building on top of previous drawings and ideas and coming back to explore lots of what ifs, then polished and stitched together over the next months (and still ever evolving and growing).

🫁 click on image description to enable crazed ramblings (/!\ unfiltered 2AM thoughts) 🫀

[fireflyflits]

This is the funniest way I could have took a pic of this sketch.

[octaviuscreed]

Octavius noted that Cain didn't quite answer his question; rather, he went with the fact that Two still had a tribute in the games. He supposed as a Mentor that he had a duty to both of his tributes but it was only human to be biased. He did however pick up on the academy-trained aspect of what Cain said though, "I of course, have no preference in who wins but, how much stock can be put in the academy's training right now? It's not really pushing out the same amount of victors as it used to."

"Happy Hunger Games," Cain greeted, surprised to see a gamemaker out at the bar instead of holed up in the gamemaker offices. "Nah, Two's still in it. We might be down one, but Maverick Montana is still active." Active... somehow it felt more technical than just saying alive, more sanitized. Cain wasn't sure how he felt about it, even as the words left his own mouth. "He's good, a stong contender. Academy trained and he worked as a trainer in the Tower for a while. He's got strong alliances too."

[sheenlux]

Sheen had given Cain some time to grieve for Mack, Sheen could slightly understand what he was going through. While he never exactly had any type of formal relationship with Rodeo, there had still been feelings for him on Sheen's end. He had made it clear though, that should Cain need anything he was there for him. Now that it had been some time, Sheen figured it had been a better time as any to offer of a distraction......

A conclusion to the bet that they had made during the 134 Victor Ball.....whoever had gotten the least amount of sponsors would be getting the other's name tattooed on their backside. Sheen wasn't actually confident in his number, he had gotten as many sponsors as usual. So when he met with Cain, and they compared numbers.....it revealed they had gotten exactly the same amount of sponsors, thirteen.

So after a brief negotiation, the two came to the conclusion that they had both technically lost since neither had gotten a higher number of sponsors. So, they would be both be getting the first and last initial of the other tattooed onto them.

Meeting up outside of Cain's place the following day, Sheen had taken ether, he was going to need it in order to follow through. He had been nervous, but now he was excited...confident about it. When Cain came out he wrapped an arm around his shoulder, pulling him in.

"You ready for this? Because you can still turn tail and get the hell outta here if you want, buddy. But then I'd have no choice but to brand you as a chicken forever."

@cain-gunn

[rt2417]

[Hymn of Serata on the Requiem Night] Chapter 3

Rutile: J-Just now, something passed by…

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Location: Remote Central Village

Time: Day

Akira: (Perhaps that’s why…… I wonder if that’s the reason why Faust approached the villagers.)

(Come to think of it, Arthur is the Prince, so there’s the chance someone could’ve recognized him. Moreso, Cain’s wound from the Calamity prevents him from seeing others…)

Even without using words, Faust was able to make the right decision for the situation naturally. It’s a reassuring thought, having his presence by our side on this mission.

Faust: In the meantime, we should continue discussion about the investigation. Is there anyone with concrete information on the time and location of when the anomaly happens?

Woman with a Mole: Um, well… I happened to catch sight of something in the direction of the plaza. I believe it was a bit after sunset…

Graying Old Man: I also saw something just down the hill. This was late at night, around the time when most people are already in slumber…

The villagers seemed much more at ease now than a short while ago. All of them answer Faust’s questions in loud voices.

According to their reports, the anomaly only occurs during the night. Moreso, the sightings themselves can be seen all over the village.

Bearded Man: Sightings outside of the village are rare, but I’ve seen them once or twice by the right hand side of the animal trail entrance.

The end of that trail stops at a sudden steep cliff, which is why most of the village folks don’t go near it……

Cain: I see. Well, then it’s probably best to keep our investigation inside the village, yeah? If we come out with nothing, we can start looking outside.

I’ll go around shaking the villagers hands while gathering information. It’d be kinda a hassle if I can’t see them.

Faust: Right, if you would. To start off, let’s prioritize the residences with missing livestock and the areas that sustained the most damage.

Once night falls, we’ll regroup in the plaza and share our findings.

Time: Night

Rutile: As we were running about, it seems like nightfall has caught up to us.

Akira: I agree… It was like I blinked my eyes and suddenly the sun had already begun to set.

With no lit street lights or house lamps, it was hard to believe the scenery was the same as it was in the day. Everything had been enshrouded in darkness.

Since the anomalies only ever occurred at night, it was reasonable to guess that whatever it was probably wasn’t the best with light. Therefore, even the smallest lights were extinguished.

Arthur: I’ve gone and asked the residents who live around here to spend the night in other houses… but, it’s really pitch black now.

Cain: Yeah. Man, if we don’t keep talking we might even end up losing sight of each other.

Gathered in the plaza, so far, are a few of us who have already finished our investigation. The only source of light was from the moon, which occasionally flickered through the clouds.

Faust: I see that everyone has assembled. Lennox, Rustica, and I have returned.

Lennox: Apologies for the delay.

Rustica: Oh my, hearing everyone’s voices in the darkness makes it so much easier to enjoy the sound of them.

Riquet: Welcome back. Per Faust’s instructions we’ve been waiting without any lights turned on, but so far I haven’t noticed anything out of the ordinary.

Cain: Ow! Rustica… My foot, you’re stepping on it!

Rustica: Oh my, excuse me. Cain, have you somehow managed to lose a few inches?

Arthur: Rustica, Cain is over that way. I’m Arthur.

Akira: We’re all at the mercy of the darkness, it seems… It’s cloudy today, so even the moonlight is dim.

Although my eyes are adjusting to it, it’s so dark you wouldn’t even realize if someone tried to pinch your nose. So, please, be careful…

Bradley: Nose? That’s a strange way to put it, ain’t it? Hey!

Akira: Guh. W-Who!?

Bradley: Hahah! You really can’t see, can ya? In a condition like that, you’ll totally get captured by the monsters!

Akira: Bradley! Oh my god…… I really thought you were the anomaly.

Faust: Seriously, what are you doing? If you keep these foolish games up, you’ll miss anything abnormal happening.

Lennox: Still, with this level of darkness, it proves quite challenging to observe anything without paying close attention.

Rather, I honestly find it easier to tell if someone is pinching my nose than this…..

Lennox says as he surveys the nearby surroundings. Then, something faintly emerges across his face.

It looks akin to a white spider. However, even as I strained my eyes, before I could clearly see it, the cover of night masks its presence.

Akira: (Was I mistaken…?)

Cain: Hey, did you guys just see that? I could’ve sworn I felt something from where Lennox’s voice was coming from……

As I look in the direction of Cain’s voice, something white quickly crosses my field of vision.

Akira: Gh…!?

Rutile: J-Just now, something passed by…

Riquet: Rutile, it’s near you!

Rutile: Wah!

Bradley: Heh… So ya got the nerve to come out now?

I could hear Bradley’s laughter from nearby, and finally, I came to see it clearly. Unconsciously, I let out a scream.

Akira: H-Hands! We’re surrounded by a bunch of white hands…!

I quickly became all too aware of the many white hands floating in the darkness, encircling us.

It was undoubtedly a bizarre spectacle. A myriad of hands float in every direction around us, swaying as if they were watching our every move.

Lennox: Kenja-sama, please stay behind me.

Akira: R-Right…!

As I take a step back, Faust recites his spell.

Faust: « Salliuqnart • Mullcredo »

As Faust finishes, an orb of light appears, illuminating the surrounding area. Naturally, everyone gathers around the orb.

Even after the light was released, the white hands persisted, moving about as they pleased. At that moment, we came to a realization.

Lennox: This is…

Akira: H-How should I put this…… Their movements are surprisingly quite unique.

Riquet: Yes….. They walk on the ground using their fingers, and sometimes mimic flying by forming wing shapes.

Rutile: They almost look like they’re swaying and dancing on a swing; giving off a relaxed feel to them, don’t they?

Cain: It’s no doubt peculiar…. Even when they appear, there’s no notable sense of weirdness. That remains true even now.

Arthur: Agreed. I don't sense anything strange or feel any hostility. If it were so, we would’ve been attacked by now.

Rustica: Then, shall I get acquainted with them? Come, extend your hands my way.

Akira: Wait, Rustica!

Rustica, who approaches gracefully, gently extends his hand towards the eerie floating white presence. The younger wizards, startled by his actions, instinctively widen their eyes.

Rustica: Oya…

Riquet: I-Is holding your hands out suddenly like that even okay…!?

Faust: How careless…. Well, never mind that; is there anything unusual?

Rustica: No. But this is quite the surprise. « Amoresuto • Viesse »

Bradley: If you wanna make the light brighter, at least give a heads up. My eyes’ are gettin’ strained.

In an instant, the white hands halted their movements, as if taken by surprise, after being bathed in the bright magic.

In that short time, I could see the details of the hands.

Akira: Could it be that….. All of them are gloves?

Rustica: That’s correct. Each one has a different shape, but they’re all crafted with high-quality materials and craftsmanship.

Arthur: Now that you mention it….. There are consistent stitches on them.

Lennox: The inside of the gloves are empty as well. They get caught by the wind, and the hem flutters about.

Rutile: It’s quite the peculiar scene, isn’t it? It feels just like a world from a picture book.

Cain: Even though it’s a picture book, it’s more so the type that suits a specific kind of audience. Hence why the villagers find them creepy instead.

Rustica: Yeah….. Still, it gave me a mysterious feeling. It was as if I was holding the hand of a young maiden…

Bradley: Hands or gloves, it doesn’t matter. Stop fuckin’ around and kick their asses instead.

Akira: Ah.

Faust is deep in thought when the gloves begin to move silently, inching closer from behind Bradley.

With that knowledge, it takes hold of a strand of his hair and yanks forcefully.

Bradley: You, whose hair do you think yer pullin’ at!?

In an instant, Bradley stretches out his hand, but the gloves slip through the gaps between his long fingers.

And then, in a dash, they quickly escape with a whoosh, moving up and down in place as if cheering ‘Banzai!’

The other gloves present express their approval with an applause.

Rustica: My, how wonderful. Racing through the night at the speed of a shooting star, such a marvelous display of agility. Allow me to offer my own applause too.

Cain: Haha. Somehow, it feels like I’m watching a game of chase or something.

Akira: How do I say this…. They seem quite mischievous, I’m beginning to find them somewhat cute now.

Faust: Still, we can’t afford to let them run wild. Without understanding the cause or background, I can’t devise proper strategies.

Lennox: That’s right. In any case, for the time being we should use magic to catch….. Ah, Faust-sama.

Faust: What is it?

Lennox: Please stay where you are. There is something on your shoulder...

Faust: ! Say it promptly. « Salliuqnart • Mullcredo »

Without hesitation, Faust extends his hand to grasp the thing on his shoulder and begins to recite his spell.

However, the gloves immediately float up, nudging his glasses in the process.

Akira: Woah, it’s coming over here….! It’s pretty quick, isn’t it!?

I also try to reach out for the gloves, but they slip through, flying towards Rutile. Then, they start circling around him at high speed.

Rutile: W-Would you please…. be still for a moment? U…Ugh…. My head…. is spinning….

Cain: Arthur, there’s one diving into your cloak!

Arthur: Cain, your sword is being poked at too!

Cain: You’re right. Hey, back off! If my sword comes out, your fingers are gonna get cut!

Riquet: Ah, give me back that bag! I just got it from the villagers!

Akira: E-Everyone is getting caught up with the gloves….

Bradley: Tch, so damn irritating. « Adno Potensum » !

Bradley’s spell rings out, like aiming to take down a flying bird.

In that moment, the glove, which had been suspended in mid-air as if paralyzed, suddenly vanishes into the darkness.

Bradley: Hah….? It just poofed out of existence.

Arthur: « Pernoctant • Nixzo »

…It’s true. These gloves, do they lack an actual form!?

Rutile: Now that you mention it, I think it also slipped through Rustica-san and Faust-san’s fingertips a little while ago…?

Riquet: It’s like they’re ghost gloves or something….

Faust: ……..If we continue like this, we won’t get anywhere. Let's change the plan, everyone. For now, let's prioritize the safety of the village.

Lennox: I agree….. We can't keep playing cat and mouse with them until morning.

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[batfamilycentral]

Cassandra Cain in Spirit World (2023), art by Haining. - requested by anonymous.

[sheenlux]

When Cain clasped his hand into Sheen's to shake it, he felt the smile on his face grow after trying to match the other's seriousness. Unable to, considering how silly this whole thing was. What they were betting on, what would happen to the loser (Cain.) When they let go of one another's hand, he gave Cain a small pat on the back. "I think I am going to head out into the maze now, dude. You enjoy the rest of your night, text me if anything wild happens." Giving Cain a little salute, Sheen headed out towards the back terrace.

Cain had no room to judge. He wasn't one to back down from a challenge, and in a sick way, he respected that Sheen would do something dumb just to prove something too. That's what it was to be a Career, and to always have something to prove. "Oh, I know. It's exactly why I did it," he laughed. He laughed harder when Sheen called him an ass. "I didn't make you do anything. That was all you, man." But he took Sheen's hand to shake, putting on an air of seriousness to make the whole thing seem more official. "Alright, you've got a deal."