#call of duty raptor one

[raptor-one]

Manifesting Raptor Ones return for blops 6 🙏

[bowlovercat]

I’ve been watching the new zombies trailer over and over again. This will be a long post about it, if you haven’t seen it then spoiler warning!

I feel like them showing Weavers room in-depth like this is building towards the shared hatred that him and Edward Richtofen have for one another now. His name is etched in the wall much more deeply than anything else, and very noticeably too. Also:

Smaller things I noticed were what I think is a name “Harry”(?) etched out in the wall. There’s a rumor Weaver accidentally killed Richtofen’s son and wife. It is at least confirmed that Weaver did accidentally kill a kid in the BOCW zombies intel where he claimed he didn’t know the kid was there and was very distraught as Maxis comforted him.

The date might just be the day they were taken into the terminus facility. I just thought it stood out. Along with the saying above the coatrack thing. “I will have no dreams in breathless…(slumber?)” I can’t make out the last word quite well but slumber is my best guess.

Also just a cool note is that it appears that Weaver is actually a decent artist. Just a fun little piece of info I like to see.

I also wonder what exactly the two weapons are pointed towards? Perhaps a metaphor for Richtofen or perhaps he’s just gone insane. If anyone understands Russian and can translate the text I’d be very appreciative ❤️

Grey, Carver, and Raptor one all look amazing and surprisingly built for their situation. Then again this is cod lol. I know in Carvers report he would hold little training sessions to keep moral up so it seemed to work. Also Raptor One’s smile looks like that Mewing meme and I can’t get it out of my head. His name was allegedly revealed to be Stoney Maddox

I’m really excited for Maya and what she will bring to the story. I also want to know who her brother is and how he potentially ended up on Richtofen’s shit list. Also she’s kinda cute like 👀

Also just now found out there’s a 10 image post limit LAME. I’ll make another post, a part 2 if you will. Cause I have one more theory.

[sweetcollywobbles]

more leon headcanons

i miss him i miss him i miss him i miss him i miss him i miss him

i miss my wife, tails.

so lets talk about him.

⟢ leon was 6 years old when his family was murdered. there was a time when he could remember all of their faces. yet as he gets older, their faces have become a lot more blurry. sometimes he catches himself staring into the mirror. did nonno have the same nose as he did? was he the same blonde as his nonna? does he have his moms' smile? were his dad's eyes just as blue as his? when they looked at him, did they see themselves in him as he's so desperatley trying to remember them in him?

⟢ leon is the italian version of a "no sabo" kid. he knows the language, yet doesn't seem to be able to put the words together himself. he just kinda stands there nodding his head with a blank stare. then when he has to respond he's just kinda like "uuuhhhh tbh idk". he knows how to correctly pronounce some words and phrases, but that's about it.

⟡HOWEVER, he will call his lover with italian terms of endearment, i.e., amore mio, cucciolotta, cuore mio, piccola, etc. he might even say some phrases that he does know in italian, i.e., Io e te per sempre (you and me forever), sei la mia vita (you are my life), ti amo tanto (i love you so much), etc.

+p.s. sorry for any misinterpretations, i'm not italian but i am mexican so spanish and italian are not too different (???) but please correct me if i'm wrong!

⟢ leon has always been a dinosuar guy. he's watched probably every dino documentary thats ever been made and rewatches them whenever they're on. so, naturally, whenever he travels for work, he'll try his best to visit every museum he possibly can to see their dino exhibit and nothing else. of course, as het gets older (probably DI to RE6) he'll explore the other exhibits but for rn he'll just stick to the dino exhibits. and if you must ask him what his favorite dinosuar is, he'll say the answer he said as a kid, a spinosaurus. it's common enough for people to know and not give him a strange look of confusion. but really, his heart belongs to the pachycephalosaurus.

⟡ of course, in its natural progression, leon will also delve into a fascination of raptors and reptiles. he'll go to zoos and spend his time in the reptile exhibit. he'll also go bird watching for any avian raptors he can find. this also does mean that he has nice pair binoculars and will buy a native bird identify guide when he travels. his documentary options have now expanded with his two new interests which really excites him.

⟢ whether you believe it or not, leon is actually more of a fruity cocktail kinda guy. he doesn't mind beer or hard liquor, especially when he needs something strong and to the point. something to help him drink away the bad memories and all too realistic nightmares. but if he's just in the mood to enjoy himself, leon will cook up a salty dog or a cranberry vodka.

⟢ leon oh so terribly wants kids. but before he forces you into his life, he never thought that to be possible. so in his off time, he would volunteer for the NICU at the local hospital to be a baby cuddler. he got into it after he tried it with rebecca. it gave him the sense that everything will be okay, that even if he can't have a few of his own, at least he can be there for little ones that need someone, even if its for a moment.

⟡ TRUST, that once you do have a baby with this man, he's all over them. that baby will never not be in his arms or in the proximity of him. he's on spit up and diaper duty. baby wakes up late at night crying? no worries, he's already in the room (he was sleeping on the nursery floor). you will almost have to battle this man to hold YOUR baby.

⟢ leon is actually a really big fan of romcoms and time pieces. in fact, his favorite time piece movie is pride and prejudice. oh he absolutely adores romantic pieces like that especially because he's a hopeless romantic at heart. he's fallen in love with the idea of falling in love with a girl he's just met and having soft intimate moments with them. his guilty pleasure romcom is 13 going on 30, especially since after the whole plagas incident, the movie was just released and he binged that movie on repeat.

⟡ BUT, just because he likes time pieces and romcoms doesn't mean he doesn't like action or thriller movies. leon's a really big fan of the matrix series and star wars series. also the fast and furious franchise is actually where his love of fast cars and motorcycles stem from. he just can't do any horror movies because baby has trauma :(

₊˚⊹ ᥫ᭡. 𓂃

it's not much, but i thought these were silly and gave him a little more character. please let me know what you think or if you have any headcanons of your own!!!

xxox

[stuffireadandenjoy]

Call of the Jurassic

A Jurassic Park/Call of Duty Fic

Chapter Four - AO3 Link

Words: 3k Warnings: canon typical violence, description of gore, animals injured, suicidal thoughts Notes: Gaz chapter! I've been so excited about his chapters for so long. I hope y'all enjoy the beginning to Gaz's no good, very bad day!

Tag List: please see comments for tags

[If you want to be tagged for future updates, please leave a comment.]

Dividers by @saradika-graphics

Gaz grunted as he hauled the man to his feet and raced towards the trees, weaving in and out of panicked dinosaurs, he hoped the thick vegetation would slow the raptors down. He could hear growling and snarling behind him. One of the raptors must have turned back. Bloody fuckin’ hell!  Just what he needed!

Luckily the Shadow was keeping up as they raced in and out of dinosaurs before hitting the tree line. His hands were no longer bound which was the least of Gaz’s worries at the moment but would need to be addressed later. They made it to the tree line. Gaz knew that if they could get amongst the thick foliage and trees, they stood a much better chance.

But that’s when it all went bad. 

Gaz felt the Shadow slip from his grasp as he was jerked back. Gaz’s foot caught on a fallen limb, tumbling down into the forest floor, and before he could stand up he heard the other man’s screams. He reached for his pistol and whipped around to face the raptor. Gaz froze as fear gripped his muscles and stilled him in place, a slight tremor in his hands shook the pistol.

The Shadow was punching at the raptor, bringing his fists down on its head. But the blows seemed to not affect the raptor at all as it continued to bury its face inside the Shadow’s stomach. The raptor was making a grunting snarl with every blow, closing one of its eyes, but it didn’t pause as it gorged itself.

Gaz felt himself reset and kicked into gear. He used his elbows and legs to crawl backwards but he froze again as a stick snapped under his elbow. The raptor raised its head, an intestine hanging from its jaws. Blood dripped from its muzzle. It tilted its head back and forth looking into the foliage but quickly went back to eating. Which is when Gaz noticed the Shadow was only making small gurgling whimpers and moans with each jerk of the raptor’s head.

Much more carefully, Gaz slowly worked himself further into the vegetation before maneuvering around a tree to stand up. He could still make out the raptor through the leaves and vines. Gaz frowned hearing the Shadow start to breath frantically, almost wheezing sounds, but quickly realized it was his own rapid breathing. Biting his glove he whimpered quietly hearing growls and snarls. 

More raptors showed up, hissing with jaws wide and claws held out in clear threats. But the bigger raptor would give them low growls and quick snaps. Gaz couldn’t move, his teeth digging into his glove. The smaller raptors would dart in and pull on an arm or leg, ripping small chunks of clothing or flesh from the man. The Shadow no longer made any sound.

Gaz wanted to move. He’d been trained to overcome all emotions, push past them, and finish the mission. But this? This was something he couldn’t seem to overcome. It was a fear so deep in his bones, it rooted him in place. A final barking snarl erupted from down the hill making all the other raptors jump and cower. The biggest raptor approached, a scar across its muzzle. 

He watched as the bigger raptor approached the first and it seemed to strut confidently towards the body. But the first raptor ducked its head, lips pulled back in a low snarl, and it flared out its forearms, ready to defend its kill. The bigger raptor paused a snarl building in its chest before it leaped at the other raptor. The snarls, growls, and cries set off something in Gaz’s brain that made him run. His brain was a static of panic. He caught a glimpse in his escape of the smaller raptors slowly jerking the body away from the bigger pair.

Gaz wasn’t sure how long he ran but he ran until his legs shook and he could hardly gasp for air. Eventually his panic subsided and he mentally scolded himself for losing his calm. He leaned back against a tree, ignoring how exhausted his body was from the rush of adrenaline and slipped back into planning. He needed to figure out his location and work out how to get back to the others. He knew he ran in the opposite direction of the valley but did he take any turns or even double back in his panic?

Gaz looked up as the wind picked up and the skies darkened. Big, ominous clouds quickly covered the skies, blocking out the sun. He blinked as the rain started to softly fall. It started to pick up and began to sting as it pelted his skin. He turned around to step out of the tree line and get a better idea of his location. He froze, eyes wide and breath ripped from his lungs. The rain and thunder were loud. It hid the sounds of the forest. It hid the footfalls of the raptor walking not but a few yards away.

The rain glistened off its scaled body, water running off it in little streams, some running red. Bright red cuts litter its body. It shook its body as it nosed the leaf litter on the ground, its withers shook bothered by the rain. It made low grunting calls that echoed around the little clearing. Soon small chirps and calls answered the raptor. The smallest raptors Gaz had seen so far rushed out from the brush and nipped at the larger raptor’s jaw. The raptor made a deep almost sonar like sound as the little raptors nipped and it began to regurgitate whatever animal had been its meal.

Chicks, he thought body slow but mind speeding up. The thought of being near a feeding mother and her offspring sent off every alarm bell in Gaz’s mind. He’d rather be fighting one of the bigger raptors. At least they could be deterred. A mother? She would die before letting anything hurt her babies.

Ever slowly, almost too slow for his aching muscles, he started stepping back. His feet gently tapped the ground for any signs of twigs or leaf litter that could make a sound and give away his position before he stepped back. Even slower he twisted to hide his body partially behind the tree. The raptor snorted and sniffed, head snapping up and immediately its eyes landed on him. Gaz blinked, unsure of what to do. He had dropped his rifle in the valley when he fell and he had a feeling his pistol wouldn’t be of much use. 

Just as quickly as the raptor appeared, with  a sharp bark, it disappeared into the brush chicks quietly calling as they followed, mouths bloody from their interrupted meal. Gaz let out the breath he hadn’t been aware he had been holding. He stumbled a little, back resting against the tree as he tried to control his racing heart and calm his thoughts again.

Thunder clapped loudly overhead and the rain continued to sting his skin. He had hoped he could get his bearings. With the mother raptor around he needed to get out of the area even more quickly and back to the others. Gaz took one last shaky breath, checked his direction, and started back towards where he calculated the valley was. He would climb a tree to get a better idea but the tree tops were too dense to get a good view.

He trailed through the trees and slowed his pace as he noticed them thinning out. Gaz took a sniff and noticed a foul odor. It was the stench from before. When they were getting close to the compound! If he could find the road leading to the compound, he could follow it to the trail leading to the valley. Gaz hesitated at the edge of the forest. He felt like a deer, fearful to step into the meadow. Memories of hunters long since etched into its mind and manners.

Gaz did not want to get caught out in the open by the raptors, so he hugged the edge and only crossed the road when he could no longer stay hidden. The rain continued to pour. Lightning illuminating the murky world for brief flashes. Seconds of Gaz really being able to see. He’d lost so much gear. His helmet had his night vision and that would’ve helped some in this moment. 

A flash of lightning and he could see the compound just a few yards away. In his excitement to see the building, he missed the scaled body visible in the brief light following behind him. Gaz peered out from the trees. He’d gotten very turned around. Somehow circling around behind the compound. Maybe there was a radio that he could work on and get in contact with the others. His had broken in the fall. 

Gaz waited for a flash of lightning to get a good look and with nothing in sight, he made his way to a tree about ten yards out of the treeline. He waited for another flash to see what building was closest. But when the world lit up in bright white, his stomach dropped. He could briefly make out two raptors maneuvering to get between him and the buildings. He had been followed. Gaz had to come up with a plan.

And quickly. 

The compound was no longer an option but now what? The trees around him were either too short to make a difference or had no means of climbing, all the branches too flimsy or nonexistent for him to climb. He felt a familiar cylinder attached to his belt. Soap had convinced him to throw his extra on Gaz’s belt. Gaz waited for another flash and quickly made up his mind. He’d make a run for the road and hope that the smoke bomb gave him enough time to find a tree to climb. 

He pulled the pin and tossed the smoke bomb. It rolled gently across the wet grass, smoke pouring out of it. Gaz followed the trail of smoke and heard snarling racing in from all directions. Avoiding raptors left and right, who couldn’t smell him or see him, he made it to the treeline and leaped for the closest tree. He grabbed a branch and heaved. Slowly climbing up the large tree. Before he could make it to safety, the branch gave way under his weight and he fell to the ground. 

Quickly standing up and trying for the tree again, he abandoned it without thought hearing the rush of raptors. He peered over his shoulder as he ran into the trees and thick foliage. Branches scratched his cheeks and pulled at straps slowing him down significantly. He kept his breath even as he ran as carefully as possible through the forest. One slip or stumble and Gaz would be dead. He gave a momentary thought to if that happened, he would use his pistol one last time. 

He yelled narrowly avoiding the snapping jaws of a raptor as lightning flashed and veered in the opposite direction. He only made it a few more yards before again barely missing another set of jaws. Gaz burst through the trees to find himself on the edge of a cliff. He could see the valley across the tree tops. He whipped around hearing the raptors forcing their way through coming right for him. 

He felt all over his gear quickly making a list in his head and a plan on what he could do with each thing. He stopped at his rappelling gear and quickly tied it around a tree. He could just make out the first raptor as he fit everything and leaned back over the edge. With one final yell, he leaped and bounced off the cliff edge. He caught a brief preview of what laid below him with a flash of lightning.

Gaz heaved as he caught his breath, his gaze focused upwards blinking against the stinging rain. He tried to make out the shapes of the raptors. He could just hear their hisses and snarls that melted into the sound of the rain and thunder. He shivered as the rain soaked through his gear, making everything wet and cold. He glanced down to just make out the bottom through glimpses. Still another roughly fifteen yards before he was close enough to the ground. But he would make it.

Ignoring the sudden quiet from the raptors above, Gaz concentrated on getting down as quickly and safely as possible. The last thing he needed was a twisted ankle or a broken leg if he landed the wrong way. An injury like that was as good as signing his death certificate out in a place like this.

He made it down the next 8 yards with a slow and careful pace without incident. Until he felt a shake in the cliff. He looked around but all he could make out was trees and rain through the murky light. A ripple caught his eye. He looked over to a little indent in the cliff, a puddle forming. It rippled with each deep shake of the cliff.

Gaz took a deep breath calming the racing thoughts and heart. He had to remain calm. Even if it was a bloody earthquake. He checked his surroundings again but saw none of the rocks or dirt come loose. Just the steady stream of water running down the cliff side.

That’s when he heard it. A deep rumble in the air. It reminded him almost like when he first heard an elephant. It made the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end. He slowly began to look around again. He had to have missed something. He blinked away the rain and huffed, his nerves getting the better of him. A sick feeling twisted his stomach and the chill in his bones wasn’t the rain, but something deeper in his DNA.

He felt it.

He was being watched.

He was being hunted.

Again.

Movement caught his eye and he looked to his left to a tree he’d clocked a few times but this time there was something else there. An eyeball the size of a dinner plate. It slowly blinked at him. A deep rumble shook through him. Through his bones. It stole the air from his lungs.

Gaz had been in many life threatening situations. Had faced down cartel. Been blown up. Shit at. Stabbed. Tortured. Half drowned. He fell out of a bloody plane and hung on to fight another day. And just recently chased by raptors. But this…

This was nature versus him. A predator watching him. Observing him. Sizing him up to see if he was worth the effort. And he really hoped he wasn’t. The animal blinked again and took a deep breath, before releasing a roar.

Gaz flinched, falling as his grip slipped. He hit the ground much harder than he’d like but he didn't give himself a moment to focus on the pain. He could assess the damage later when he was safe. Jumping to his feet and ignoring the pain in his leg, he limped as fast as he could towards the cave in the cliffside he'd seen before. He had to get there. 

As lightning flashed across the sky it lit up Gaz’s path as he picked up his pace. Over the booming thunder he could hear the trees behind him snapping and cracking. Gaz ignored the way the ground beneath his feet shook with each step of the approaching T Rex. He bumped against the cliffside and his hands scrambled for the opening he knew was there. Gaz could still feel the approaching footsteps, he could almost feel the breath of the Rex on his back. Smell the rotten stench as if he was in its jaws already.

There, he thought with a burst of hope. 

With a flash of lightning, Gaz heaved himself into the hole. It wasn’t big, just big enough for to stand in and just wide enough for him to shove his shoulder through. But it was deep enough he hoped it kept the Rex out. Gaz clutched his leg and pressed against the damp crevice wall. He could feel the footsteps through his back. They shook his lungs. He closed his eyes and rested his head back. The last thing he wanted to see was the gaping maw of a prehistoric animal that shouldn’t exist. Gaz could hear the rex sniffing and snorting around the entrance. He swallowed, feeling its hot breath. It smelled strongly of rotten meat and some other foul sour stench. Deep growls echoed in his skull, he felt them more than heard them. There was…scrapping?

Gaz opened his eyes to see a giant clawed toe digging into the side of the wall. It wasn’t doing much but it certainly got Gaz’s attention and pulse up. The rex would dig for a bit and tilt its head down snuffling loudly. Gaz pressed further into the crevice, ignoring the sharp pain in his leg. It didn’t feel broken but it bloody didn’t feel good. With his back to the wall, Gaz watched as the digging and snuffling slowly came to a halt. He could hear the rex’s deep breathing just outside the crevice. He heard a deep sigh and then footsteps slowly walking away. Despite his better judgment, Gaz crept out of the crevice to get a proper look. It was a once in a lifetime opportunity. 

The rain had stopped but deep thunder still rolled around the skies. The rex was slowly walking away, its head just brushing the treetops. It’s pebbled scaly skin was a mottled green that resembled the foliage of the trees. It had a lighter underbelly and a massive head. Gaz noticed a distinct scar on its leg that almost reminded him of a similar one on his knee. A surgery scar? But who could have possibly performed a surgery on such a large animal. Gaz watched as the tail of the animal which he noticed was missing a bit of the end of it, disappeared into the trees. The footfalls slowly faded away and Gaz was left with his thoughts.

[mg-dango]

I was gonna wait until I had a backstory for this sad boi, but the truth is I've been a bit lazy with him so I said "fvck it" and decided to post it now and then write the character sheet later

He doesn´t have a lore as wild as Dientes (Sorry that one is the favorite lol), but some interesting thins about him:

He´s a combat medic

Kinda a bit of a nepobaby, since he´s Natalya "Raptor" Orlov grandson and that maaaaaay have influenced some connections in the russian army

He´s very tall and when many people meet him at first, they are intimidated by his scary look, however, once you know him he´s actually a cinnamon roll.

Ok when I first made him, I didn´t know there was a character in the first call of duty games that's also named "Aleksei Ivanovich" but that´s just coincidence those two aren´t related at all

that´s pretty much everything I have from him until now, sorry Aleksei you´re like the middle child of my OCs/j

[guthrie-odonto]

Chapter 3 still hasn't been released yet, which can only mean one thing... we can still speculate and have fun ideas as to who the fan-favorite Secret Skrunkly Boss™ will be! In my case, I have a mix of multiple common theories: The runningest, rip-roarin'est raptor this side of the Pixos, Chonery the Cowboy! (pronounced similar to "Connor" and "canary")

Once the beloved star of a simultaneous kids show and computer/video game (think like Dora the Explorer but inverse/a video game would be seen as a show in the dark world), Chonery even knew Ralsei at one point, the two being good friends and going on all sorts of fun adventures before Ralsei ended up leaving for his princely duties in a way, Chonery was the Chara/Kris to Ralsei's Asriel.... One day, Chonery would be told by some stranger (through mail, like how some shows would have fan mail segments) that their show would come to an end, as cowboy shows tend to go. At first, they just saw it as a chance to give one final great perfomance and proudly watch as his successors carried on in their role. But...

Nobody came...

Nobody did anything with them, no director/screenwriter/controller gave any commands, nothing was done with the sets he once performed on, nobody even came back for props. Eventually, the mysterious entity they had been in contact stopped writing to them, his last note being about the truth of this world paired with a shadow crystal and a poncho constructed from pure darkness, information so core-rattling that it left literal scars on their eyes. Being left alone without a spotlight, without light, without anything more than darkness for so long, cursed with the so-called freedom of abandonment beyond their control, even their color left them; but that's just how cowboy shows are... right? The one place they ended up finding solace in was the deep caverns of the fossil mines and the remains found within. Might not seem like the place for a spunky buckeroo to be in, but perhaps they saw a bit of themselves in the extinct creatures after all, they were certain that they too were a Goner.... And besides. If a canary sings in a mineshaft and nobody is around to hear it... why would it mean that there's something wrong?

Then, after the dark fountain that had been seeded was opened, Chonery noticed that some visitors had shown up in his little ghost town. Not just any visitors, but genuine, bonafide lightners! It wasn't enough to completely bounce them back, but the sight of Lighters of all entities visiting their little patch of NOTHING was enough to bring some hue to Chonery's shaded face. And if that wasn't enough, his old friend "Rip-Roaring Rally" subsequently arrived, having detected the dark presence that had been spawned in the Dreemurr household. After being filled in on the situation, Chonery even volunteered to join the party as someone who knows the ins and outs of this particular dark world as well as being just as knowledgeable on matters of darkness and lore as Ralsei (in battle, Chonery and Ralsei would act together as a single party member). And what's more, they didn't even ask for anything in return, not even a chance to get the airtime they'd gone so long without it's not like a dead bud walking such as themselves had any reason to breathe anymore. But Chonery would have an idea for a project he'd make for the fun gang, one that they suggest Kris and the player could help out on by obtaining the six power cathodes split amongst the two big factions of the dark world, the gangs led by Mike and Tenna respectively. This, of course, is the buildup for the secret boss fight, but it was also... oh, it was an idea. a great idea.

It was a simply WONDERFUL IDEA.

for some meta, behind the scenes notes: Chonery (a portmanteau of Chara, Goner, Flowey, and canary–as in "canary in a coal mine") is obviously a mix of Chara and Flowey in allusions, paralleling how Ralsei was in Chapter 1 and being the Ralsei version of Chara. (doesn't hurt that it means they have eye scars that match Photoshop Flowey and look like a face in the Memoryhead enemy from Undertale) In addition, they also draw on the popular cowboy/woody theory, with the video game aspect being from the sonic theory crafted by @right-brain-left-brain as well as the semi-common idea that the chapter 3 secret boss could be inspired by how Asriel had an attachment to Yoshi and felt enough guilt over pulling the "Yoshi down the pit" trick to confess to it in church–hence why they're specifically a raptor (plus it fits the sonic angle because what's more 90s and cool than a dinosaur?) Also, the secret bosses all have some kind of speech quirk (Jevil's repetition, Spamton's advertisment interruptions) and have actual voice lines somewhere, so what'd those be for lil' ol' Chonery here? They'd be both. That's right, instead of a written speech quirk, all their dialogue would come with voice acting (almost as if they're capable of not just speaking to Kris and the others, but to the player). As for what object they're formed from: The trashed flowers from Asgore? The bootleg video game controller? Kris' feelings of the once-happy (or at least relatively stable) state of the Dreemurr family overall, now a shadow of what it used to be? Who's to say.

Even with all their knowledge on the truth of this world and what darkners become in the light world, Chonery isn't so sure themselves...

[te-amozevris]

Wolf & the Kite

my piece for @black-emporium-exchange

Prompt: What happens when you fall in love with your best friend’s sister? And she happens to be a mage? Both of these things cause an existential crisis for Fenris, but he can’t help but feel protective over her. And when Garret Hawke leaves Bethany behind when he goes on his adventure into the Deep Roads, Fenris takes it upon himself to ensure Bethany’s safety. (I mostly went with this prompt)

Kite is a type of raptor bird like hawk

Treat For @CrimsonShield75

Garrett hadn’t wanted to set off for the big Expedition yet, there was still one more companion he needed to wait for. The grouchy Bartrand muttered- humans with their personal drama.

The steadfast elf had been running over to the dwarven district. Since Hawke’s message had highlighted Hey Fenris, sorry to trouble you but please come with haste! Need to tell u something important— the messenger recited it to Fenris, since his reading speed was still slow. It was daylight in the public square, Fenris had decided to forgo his full armour set, only strapped on his gauntlets.  He slowed, panting upon seeing the big group. Garrett’s booming voice: “Fen! Thank you for coming! Please, take care of my little sister. Templars found out about her, they’re coming for her.” Fen had mixed feelings, she’s a mage she should be in the Circle to be kept safe. But the elder Hawke’s voice actually cracked with emotion now. Though he was usually impulsive on missions, he always kept up his calm stoic veneer in their group. The companions who would be going in with him, Varric, Mage and Isabela watched. Fenris wanted to ask ‘why me’ but this was not the time nor place.

The rogues murmured assurances that it would be alright. Garrett was always kind and understanding with him… Hesitantly he patted his shoulder. “Do not worry. I will take care of Bethany.”

He was still shy about touches and being touched, but his best friend needed some comfort. Hawke gently hugged him, repeating his thanks, that they would try to send word as soon as they reached the safe camp in the Deep Roads.

Fenris hoped he could fulfil his promise.

*****

Two weeks later

Bethany

I heard the other apostates pleading and crying with the Templars to let them see their families. One last time, denied.

I hadn’t wanted Cullen’s horrible men to hurt Echo or Mother, so I had come willingly to the Gallows. Echo growled and was going to lunge at the men. I did not want to stop her. One of the Templars demanded- call off your mutt or you will regret it. I glared at Cullen and said, “You’re just as Fereldan as us.” He barked at them to stand down and wait outside.

“Yes. No soldier should be cruel to animals. We await you outside Bethany. Say your farewells.” He sounded contrite, but it was not like I had any choice. I really wished I could smite the entire despicable group with some spell. Mother was shaken and crying. I told Echo “Girl, do take care of Mother when I’m not here.” She made a sad whine as I hugged her, crying into her fur.

******

Now someone rapped on my cell’s door. I had been allocated a room with a small window, bare furnishing- a small desk and a bed. Because my brother had solved many of Kirkwall’s problems and his great influence, I was assured that they would treat me humanely.  Of course like the other mages, Templars would still be on duty to ensure I did not try anything rash like jail break.  I asked ‘Yes?’

“You have a visitor.” A gruff voice replied, with several murmurs. I stood up, surprised. Brother should have departed for the Deep Roads already, who could possibly want to visit me? My visitor stepped in, familiar mop of silver hair, pointed ears. His tattoos thrummed musically with my mana.

“Hello Bethany. How are you?”

At the same time I said his name. Fenris raised his gaze from the floor and a small smile played on his lips. The reticent elf was seldom outside without his spiky cuirass and big two-hander axe, but today he was casually dressed in a white shirt with dark green pants. He was shouldering a pack.

“I’m fine. Oh Fenris, I-I didn’t know you would come.” I invited him to sit on the one chair, while I took my bed. My heart was quickening strangely, we had been on some quests and missions together, but he had mistrusted my magic at first. I told myself --Stop it you’re being silly. Calm down. Fenris  is Garrett’s friend, nothing more.

 “I have free time today. After all, most of our companions have went on the expedition.” His gravelly voice was pleasant. My face warmed up at his soft emerald gaze. I busied myself pouring us glasses of water. The Gallows did not offer luxury beverages and foods.

He hummed, setting down the pack and showing me the contents. “These are for you, Leandra wanted to add in her letter, your doll and I’ve brought you some snacks too.” Wow I didn’t realise Fenris knew that I liked this rare brand of candies! All of them were my favourite buns too.

I felt astounded and touched, that Fenris cared enough to remember my preferences.  As I put my doll on my table, he asked me, “Did they touch you? It doesn’t seem like they feed you enough.”  

“No I’m ok. Um, can I ask you something?” I gently touched his hand. The raised scars were rough.

Elf tilted his head. “Of course.”  Initially I just asked Fen how was brother and how long he might be expected to be in the Deep Roads, and our friends. Fenris tried his best to answer me. His baritone gave me happy butterflies. Then the burning question, “You were quite angry when we first met, Fenris. I’m not perfect but can you learn to trust me? ”

He was quiet for a long time. Then he slowly nodded, holding my hands. That felt good and comfortable. Fenris’ ears seemed to be going pink.

“I did not mean you would be dangerous. Just that my experiences back there, most magisters only cared about crushing the poor and rising to power. Forgive me. I don’t want to argue now.” He let go of my hands and cleared his throat.

I changed the subject. “ You’re not totally wrong. Oh how is your reading and writing going? Can we write letters, Fen?”

He chuckled. “Um I am still slow but making progress. Yes let’s write to each other. Don’t worry too much, Beth.” He did not correct me that I had shortened his name too. Good start!

All too soon, visiting time was up. I began to see some silver lining to the dark clouds of my stint here.

**************

Fenris was keen to practise his writing, so as I waited for his weekly visits, I would be getting mails. And I enjoyed writing back to him too. I did not expect that Broody could joke in his own wry way, was honest and a really good listener.

Ave had a mutual friend in the Templars, who did not mind acting as messenger.

Hi Beth, I don’t know how spell your full name. Sorry. Hope u are coping well.

Yes I remember what I said last time, din mean all mages snakes. U are stronger than those falling to tempt.. – drawing of a small firebomb

(ah I knew he meant temptation leading to power)   Learning to sketch drawings. Deeply sorry din trust u. Indeed I was fearing to face D and demons alone, very thankful for ur help too. No I don’t only have black shirts haha. Whats your fav colour?   

Regards, Fenris

I smiled at his sentiments. Fenris often said the ritual had been agonizing to the point of wiping out memories. Any little stuff he could recall was a miracle. His writing was like a child’s big scrawl, at complete odds with his baritone of wisdom. I really appreciated how much effort Fenris was making to write.

For me, some nights had been tough to resist the different demons’ illusions—some would wear Father’s face or prey on my guilt, insecurities…. Then the templars’ interrogations. It was mentally exhausting to resist, I would try to visualise Andraste’s protection, but it also helped when Fenris manifested in her place!

In one vision, Fenris had longer hair and he sliced through all the desire demons and minions. He was a formidable whirlwind, using a shield and an Archon’s blade. Then I pulled myself free of the mental restraints. “Fenris! You’re here?” The apparition looked astonished, then he said something in a foreign tongue. It sounded soothing.

I thanked him. He smiled, then his form took on a blinding ethereal radiance.  I shut my eyes, tears brimming against the light. After that vision, I could sleep peacefully for a few nights with no temptations or night terrors.

Fenris’ mysterious lyrium tattoos let him step one world into the Fade, could it have been his Dream-soul saving me? I wanted to ask him when he came, but I worried that he would be upset. Visiting hour was so short, I didn’t want it wasted. Perhaps a more indirect approach would help. I took out a sheaf of papers.

***********

Fenris

I would often get letters from our friends, reporting on Hawke’s progress in the Deep Roads. It was quite slow going, Varric saying they encountered a couple of dragons. That worried me. These mails were not so private, so I paid the messenger a bit more to read them to me. Those from Bethany, I always brought upstairs to my private room, despite her circumstances she managed to bring light to my woes.

Hello Fenris,

It is okay to spell me as Beth. Last night something amazing happened- in the Fade I was being caught by some creatures and a person who looked like you came blazing in to save me! He was all shiny, bright, long hair and with your face. Instead of big sword, he was using a smaller blade with a shield.

What do you think? Could we talk more about this when we meet? Only if it’s comfortable for you.  

I do love your sketches,  yes I know what the bomb is referring to Haha!

Ah we only knew you were so furious when D had not been found. It must be emotionally difficult to cope with constant bounty hunters. My experiences may not be the same, but we always had to move because of Father and I. Mother would complain how troublesome it was, uprooting all the time.

I have many favourite colours- scarlet, deep blue, and green like your eyes. Why? Don’t have to buy me presents, I’m happy enough that we get to spend time together.

Yours truly,

Bethany

From my experience, Vint magisters would always be tempted to attain more power, higher status and become corrupt. Somehow I had faith in her, that she would not be like them. My heart ached reading her words, instead of demons she wrote ‘creatures’ . Essentially the same. Then a person who looked like… me saved her? And she had a romantic tone.  Indeed, I could not wait to discuss this with her.

Almost time to go. I headed for the markets to buy some trinkets to add to all the stuff meant for her. And a bouquet of flowers.

At the Gallows, Cullen walked with me to the usual confinement area, all the guards with their grim helms, shields and heavy armour. Today I wore an amulet on a long string to deflect the sensation of their auras on lyrium. Did not want to be hampered by the discomfort.

He said today she was allowed outside for good behaviour.

“She has never been bad, nor dangerous,” I snapped, not understanding why I leapt to her defence. We were at the courtyard, loosely guarded by plain-clothes knights. Cullen seemed about to reply, but held his tongue.

Some adepts were meeting with families, supervised, I let my gaze rove until I saw Hawke’s sister. Her hair was longer, and she seemed to have lost weight but her new pink dress was pretty. Her mother had it tailored.

She was seated at a bench with a table.

My hands were full so I could not wave but I called her name.

I felt joyful hearing her answer. “Wow Fen, are these all for me?” I nodded, beaming.

She took a long sniff of my flowers. “Thank you! Did you get my letter?”

“Yes. Do you feel safe to talk here? We are rather conspicuous. ”  I set down the pack. She peeked inside, saying I needn’t have spent so much. We went to a corner, away from prying eyes. Before I could speak, Beth gently cupped my face.

“You look tired, Fen. Did you… have night terrors again?”

I sighed. “Hm now you mention it, I will feel sleepy. Yes, I often sleep poorly. Helps with wine. Did you think that elf coming in the vision was me?”  It was intriguing to discuss, I felt calm though the Fade was a very dangerous realm.

When we were mutually quiet, I checked our surroundings. No Templars walking past. I whispered – do you want to be away from here? You can hide at my house. It’s haunted, people won’t think to search there.  

Beth’s eyes went wide. Naturally she was concerned, “But I don’t want you to get into trouble or be hurt. I know the Templar auras like Silence can also trigger pain and remove all magic. Your markings too. I can just wait for Garrett to come back, he probably won’t take much longer.”

Unfortunately she was wrong about that. I did not want to tell her the worrying news, not just my friend being in peril but all the rest of our colleagues. But being in the Gallows she was already stressed.

 “I won’t be in trouble, they all know I’m Hawke’s ally and associate. I can still defend myself. Don’t have to worry.” I reassured, reaching out to hug her against me. My markings protested a bit, but the skittering sensation was tolerable. It was a much gentler energy thanks to the amulet. Beth noticed my jewellery, it was a crescent with a star.

“It’s perfect, Fen. Do wear amulets more often.” She fingered it. 

Then it seemed like some visitors were departing, and a few guards were heading our way. It felt nice and snug, how her warm body felt next to mine and her heartbeats. I’m taking care of Hawke yes, but it does not feel like enough, if she stays with me I can protect her better!

I said softly in her ear, “Don’t worry, just think about it.” I felt her nod slowly. We enjoyed our embrace a while longer, breathing in tandem.

Clomp, Clomp the boots of the guards approached louder.

Gruff voice said- All right visitor time’s up now. What’s this, ain’t fair she getting so many stuff, we oughta be getting some too. As she stood up with my gift basket, the man moved forward to snatch it. I felt pissed and though I was shorter than him, I barked, “Keep your hands to yourself. How can a Templar be a bully?” With anger, my markings flared but the blue light was dimmed by the amulet.  Not taking my glare off him, with one hand I de- activated the rune. Then I faced them, ignoring the rush of fiery pain through each vein. A few gasps of shock around.  “Hawke is coming back soon- meanwhile this mage is under my protection,” I announced, standing to my full height.

The gruff man stepped back a bit, scowling. He grumbled some racist remarks- that knife-ear words don’t carry weight. Two of his colleagues watched us warily and said, “Don’t trifle with him, he’s decimated countless bodies, they all died horribly.”  Yet they did not fully back off, hands on their swords.

I braced myself. Bethany said behind me, “Fenris, be careful. It’s not worth the trouble.”  True, I would not be able to withstand if they started using their Silence on me and would get sick. In previous battles, I had struggled hard not to drop my heavy sword when it nullified my supernatural abilities.

But I did not condone bullying. I warned them, if they fought me today as a civilian, Cullen would hear of this.  Made them drop their aggression quite fast, the first man was still angry but they cleared a path for us.

I reined in the call of lyrium, my skin returning back to normal tan. “Let’s go. I’ll walk you back.”  Mage was quiet until we reached her isolated room, and I helped her to keep her things.

“Fenris, thank you for defending me. Are you alright?” Was her face paling? Why?

Now the adrenaline had left my body, I felt light-headed and my vision swam, dark spots. Her voice sounded fading and further away, no no I don’t wish to faint now, I urged myself but my body refused to obey me….

*******

I woke with a splitting headache, lying on firm bedding. My body ached but the intensity was bearable. I gingerly moved to sit up and felt arms around me for support. “Fenris, you had me so worried! You were out for quite long.” She moved away, then came back with a cup of water.  “I didn’t feel those goons flash their power, but you shouldn’t exert now. Rest.”

I was lying on her one bed. Since she was in mother-mode, I lay back down.

“I am sorry for worrying you, Beth. Of course I won’t let them bully you, you are… igne cordis mei. I promised Garrett that I would take care of you.”

She asked what those words meant, stroking my hair. I leaned into her touch. And her eyes filled with tears when I said them.

As I attempted to sit up, Bethany got me some of the cupcakes. “Perhaps you’re famished, on top of lacking sleep, Fenris.” I conceded. As we ate, she opened a book about healthy diets and explained about them. She also added, “You will need all your stamina to protect me. And when was the last time you cleaned your mansion?”

I raised a brow. Did this mean Beth agreed to my suggestion? She tried to look firm but was fighting a smile. “I- er do some cleaning every week. Merrill has been offering to come help me, said she wanted to poof away the mushrooms and what not.” I chuckled.

“Yea that’s her. I miss them all, even though I don’t understand what she’s saying half the time,” Beth said, going to her desk and scribbling something.

I felt strong enough to stand. The mage gave me a hug, then tucked the paper scrap into my tunic’s pocket.  She whispered, open it when you’re outside.  

When I returned to Hightown, I looked at it and smiled. She had drawn directions to an unguarded section of the prison and ‘Can’t wait to run away with you’

[doodling-doodle]

Hello, Welcome in!

I'm Doodle, how's it going?

Just Dance and Call of Duty content || The Captain of Task Force Chaos (My Lieutenant, @androgynousgaz, and my Mercenary Sergeant, @kings-out-of-pocket-hell) || The reviver of Gazalex on AO3 (Unofficial but kinda true) || Wanderroser || Gazalex stan || Swiftie

Fic Masterlist!

Being updated:

Call of Duty AU's

The Slice Of Paradise: Ch.1, Ch.2, Ch.3, Ch.4, Ch.5, Ch.6, Ch.7 (No current update schedule)

The ABO Verse (AKA, this was never named): Ch.1, Ch.2, Ch.3, Ch.4, Ch.5, Ch.6 (Updated when Asks are sent in)

Hunter And Hunted: Ch.1, Ch.2

The Wolf Pack: Ch.1

(HUNTER AND HUNTED AND THE WOLF PACK ARE A PART OF THE SAME VAMPIRE AU. NO CURRENT UPDATE SCHEDULE)

The Lighthouse: Ch.1

An Ice Touch: Ch.1, Ch.2

Under The Water: Ch.1

(THE LIGHTHOUSE, AN ICE TOUCH, AND UNDER THE WATER ARE A PART OF THE SAME SAILOR/MER AU. NO CURRENT UPDATE SCHEDULE)

The Rose Gold Kings: Ch.1

The Rose Gold Prince: Ch.1, Ch.2

Los Reyes De Las Almas: Ch.1, Ch.2

(THE ROSE GOLD KINGS, THE ROSE GOLD PRINCE, AND LOS REYES DE LAS ALMAS ARE ALL A PART OF THE SAME ROYAL AU. NO CURRENT UPDATE SCHEDULE)

Just Dance:

Through The Eras: Ch.1, Ch.2, Ch.3, Ch.4, Ch.5, Ch.6, Ch.7, Ch.8 (Also Cross-posted on Ao3, no current update schedule)

Completed Fics:

Call of Duty AU's:

He's Not Dead But Still Gone: Ch.1, Ch.2, Ch.3, Ch.4

A Modern Great War: Ch.1, Ch.2, Ch.3, Ch.4, Ch.5, Ch.6, Ch.7, Ch.8, Ch.9, Ch.10, Ch.11, Ch.12, Ch.13, Ch.14, Ch.15, Ch.16, Ch.17, Ch.18

Fluffcember 2023: Masterlist on AO3

Just Dance:

The "It's Been So Long" two-part fic: Ch.1, Ch.2

AO3 Link Here!

Modern Warfare, Vanguard, and Just Dance Fics posted here!

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I DO NOT allow smut. I will write foreplay/slight undressing.

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Call of Duty

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That's all for now, thanks for reading!

[zooophagous]

For today's entry of Wayward Souls, we take a break to explore a side character's point of view a bit more and take in a little bit of the history behind Luther Strauss. There are mentions of child abuse and violence so viewer discretion is advised.

My name is Franz. Do not ask me about my surname, I do not want anyone to know it. I am a grounds-keeper by trade, I keep the cemetery. It is mostly manual labor, cutting grass and trimming trees and righting stones that fall over. There are sometimes larger projects that need doing like removing a stump or repairing a walkway, or digging a grave.

I have worked outside in similar work all of my life. I was given the job here when the pastor of my previous church gave a good reference for me to the old grounds-keeper (Do not ask, I will not tell you his name.) I already knew the work well, or so I thought. There are some things one must see in person to believe, some jobs you must do yourself to understand them, and some things that are better left well enough alone.

What they do not tell you about keeping the cemetery grounds, is that you become responsible for all of its contents. Should a vault collapse, should a badger dig into a grave, should the grounds flood and bones boil to the surface, you must be the one to collect them.

So, when I was told initially that a certain grave had lost its occupant, I was prepared to put on my gloves and return him. I took the news with some confusion when I was corrected. "Stay and wait, he will return himself."

So, I sat in that office with the old grounds-keeper and I waited. It was that evening I was introduced the first time to Luther Strauss. I was not warned, and had no idea, of what I would see. The old grounds-keeper did not tell me, believing I would laugh or disbelieve, maybe.

It was nine o'clock in the evening, that exact time, when there was a tap at the office door. It was so soft I was not sure I heard it, or perhaps it was a noise of the building settling on its old foundation, but it was rythmic and deliberate.

"Stay seated." I was warned. "He does not like new people. Be quiet and do not move until he knows you are someone safe."

My mouth was dry and my hands were shaking. I wanted to believe this was some prank- hazing perhaps, to terrify a new keeper with the horrors of his duties. When the door opened and I took in the full sight of Herr Strauss I knew it was no prank.

The old grounds-keeper exchanged some words with him I did not hear, and he looked past the grounds-keeper and over him at me. He was very tall, a full head more so than either of us, though he shrank in his gestures like a kicked dog. His eyes also shined like one, in a dull orange light in the back of his black and hollow eyes.

He was dead. He looked dead. But he walked, and he talked, and he looked at me as a raptor looks at a sparrow and his teeth stuck out like thorns on a tree and though he smelled of stale grave not even worms wanted him.

"He wants you to say he can come in." The grounds-keeper said to me. "Be polite. He is a guest."

I did not want to invite him in. In that moment I wanted to hithim. I wanted to take my shovel from the hook on the wall and beat him to pieces. I wanted to put him back in the plot he had vacated and go home and call my pastor and apologize for abandoning the post he had found for me.

But that would be the actions of a brave and strong man. I am strong in my way from heavy labor, but I was not brave enough for this. "Come in," I told him.

He crossed the room slowly and stood in front of me and tilted his head to one side and then the other as if listening for some sound only he could hear. My heart beat quickly in my chest and I thought perhaps he was listening for that. Maybe he had envy for it, lacking one of his own.

"Good evening," he said to me. "I am Luther Strauss. I am told you are to be the new care taker."

I did not want to look him in the eyes, but his graveclothes hung in such tatters that his nakedness was nearly exposed, and I did not wish to insult him by staring. I returned his gaze and told him that I was. He had awful teeth, sharp and visible beneath his lips even with his mouth shut.

He shrank from me as I looked at him. I felt stronger then, that merely looking drove him back. Perhaps this flimsy spectre would fall apart if examined too closely. I stood up and he nearly startled. The old grounds-keeper came quickly to his side, and handed him a small cup and a book. Luther Strauss drank the contents of the cup, and thanked him for the book. He looked at me one more time and quickly took himself out the door and into the night.

I did not need to ask to know that the cup held blood.

"What the Hell was that thing?" I asked once I was quite sure the strange being was actually gone.

"That is our most peculiar tenant." The grounds-keeper answered me.

"That blood that you gave him. Whose was it?"

"My own. Sometimes I have help from my wife or a neighbor, but largely, he is my responsibility."

"Where did he come from? Is he some sort of demon?"

"Some sort. He comes from here. He is a born citizen of this land. He has been here longer than either of us combined."

"And he eats blood."

"Yes, and the occasional gift of milk or wine, but blood he likes best. It is what he needs."

"Why did you show this to me?"

"You are to be the new care taker. Some day responsibility will shift off of my own shoulders and onto you. I needed you to know what I am asking you to do."

"How did you find him?"

"The old caretaker showed me. And the caretaker before that showed him. He is... an heirloom. A relic that needs keeping. He is quite old. Older now than the oldest man."

"Why don't you kill it?"

That was a stupid question to ask, for it made the grounds-keeper angry. He stepped close to my chest and talked down to me with his hands clenched.

"Kill it! You would kill a neighbor? Kill a man in need, who never did you harm? Why do you want me to kill it? What has it done to you?"

I did not know what to say.

"Isn't he dangerous?"

"Very. But a man is also dangerous. Men kill and shoot and rob and maim other men, for sport, every day in this very city. Luther Strauss only wants what it needs, and it asks for it politely. Why should I kill or maim when I can spare a life so easily?"

He looked down at his arm, where I saw the circular scar of repeated needle-pricks nested in his elbow.

"It is only a small amount of blood. I suggest you come to terms with the idea, or find other employment. It is your responsibility as the grounds-keeper to keep the dead restful in their graves. You will be responsible for the care of Luther Strauss as well."

"What is it I need to do? Do I kill for it?"

"Gods! No. But you will bleed for your responsibility. You and your wife or neighbor or brother or anyone else you can ask to help you. I would not recommend trying to feed him yourself every night. You will become anemic. You may fill the difference of the cup with beef blood if necessary, but do not make a substitution entirely. He will know the difference."

"Anything else."

"Keep the area around his tomb. I will show it to you. An apartment has been carved for him in a space under ground. Keep the lid intact. Keep the stone upright. Discourage animals or visitors from lingering there. Now and then bring him a book. He does not complain of what kind. Medical journals are a favorite. Most importantly is this."

"What?"

"You have to talk to him."

"Bad enough that I have to feed it! You want me to talk to it? Should I just let him attach like a lamprey?"

"No. NEVER allow him to bite you. He will refuse if you offer, but do not try to tempt him. You must talk to him, as you may be the only one that does. If he does not talk to someone, he may lose whatever is left of the man inside. For your safety and the safety of the community, you must treat him kindly and with respect."

"I still do not see why we cannot simply kill it."

"Because it would be a murder, sir. I am not a murderer, and I don't tolerate one in my office. There is something else you should know, though, should you ever be tempted to seek that solution."

"Which is?"

"I have had occasion to give him a fresh corpse, once. One he could drink from and be fed and asleep for days. He chewed into it with such vigor that by the time I retrieved it, there was no neck, only head and spine like a lollipop. When I touched it, that head fell off. I have never seen him when he needs to defend himself, and after that, I do not want to."

"So it is threats and coersion then."

"No. Only fair warning. Luther Strauss was a man, once. Now he is a man and also a tiger. If you cannot tame one, you should go now."

What could I do? In a new city with no family and no other work, I spoke to my pastor friend to apologize for wasting his time asking for a reference. I did not mention the vampire. He encouraged me to stay longer, to try a little harder. He said he felt God wanted me here. That perhaps it was some divine purpose.

More like some infernal one. But I did stay. I stayed and I watched the charade play out every evening of the old grounds-keeper and his kept vampire. They would talk, they would sometimes even joke. I never did. I would bleed myself for his dinners, I would leave occasional books and newspapers and magazines diligently at his tomb. I made a show of planting a flower garden around his plot, so that people would not walk on it and grow too close to him and disturb his grisly slumber.

But still, I did not talk. Not until the old grounds-keeper fell on the job one day, and rode away in the back of an ambulance. All of the blood he gave away to that thing and he still had enough left to clot behind his eyes, in his brain, and take the life from him in an instant.

That night I was alone. I sat in the office with a bottle of brandy and the horrible realization that I was alone now, and I would not be for long. Eventually, Strauss entered.

He seemed lost. Confused. He craned his head around the office, listening for a familiar voice and a familiar pulse that wasn't there. He glanced at me for an explanation. I was still silent. He knew better than to talk to me, but when I did not move from my chair to fetch his awful dinner his hunger drove him to ask.

"Where is the old grounds keeper?"

And I finally spoke my first word to one Luther Strauss.

"Dead."

He inhaled sharply, and raised his ugly clawed hand to his face in apparent shock. I was surprised by the seemingly human gesture. He began to tremble in his limbs, and finally began to weep.

I did not know how to respond. Even after so long, he was strange enough to strike fear- but now, also human enough to cry. No doubt he had seen many such caretakers come and go. He probably saw many of them buried on his own territory. He was not, however, numb to it.

Perhaps that was the push I needed, to finally step fully into my new shoes. I poured a bit of brandy into Strauss' cup and mingled it with my blood and handed it to him.

"We drink to him tonight. Do not be afraid, I will take care of you."

And so I did.

For many years we continued. I would feed him, drink with him, talk to him when I could. I was always afraid of him though I never once saw his full strength with my own eyes. Not until I finally collected on many years of stored favors.

I had eventually come to meet a woman and even fall in love and marry, despite my odd hours and obligations. She is an understanding and helpful person and fed Luther Strauss from her own vein many times.

My wife had a young neice, a young lady unfortunately easily fooled by a cruel older man who used his considerable wealth to shower her in gifts. He had eyes for those younger than himself. Sometimes, younger by far, far too many years. This poor foolish neice had found out about his indiscretions through his carelessness; and threatened to bring the records of it to the police.

He responded by beating her face in. Many teeth were lost, many bones were broken, and most maddeningly of all, the wealth he used to groom her was now also used to shield him from consequences. The law had washed their hands of him, and he became untouchable.

But, God works in mysterious ways.

Luther Strauss spoke to me that evening as usual. He is a sensitive creature, and my anger was hot and bright, and it did not take him long to notice it or long for me to tell the story. It was at this moment I decided.

I must ask him for help.

He refused, initially. His eons of fireside conversations with old fat groundskeepers like myself had kept him fairly human. Too human to happily do what I asked to be done.

"You ask me to commit the sin of murder?" He said to me.

"No." I replied. "I ask you to repay the kindness your neighbors have given to you. When you asked for clothing, for food, for warmth, we were there. Now we ask you for safety."

"It is against my ethics to kill a human being." He refused.

"That is not a human being," I thundered, "That is a monster."

"You ask a monster to hunt a monster, then."

"Who better to ask? And what is more, he is healthy and lives a soft life. I can only feed you so much at a time. This for you would be a feast year. I will bring you new clothes and books and wine and all manner of things to go along with your dinner, if you are brave enough to claim it!"

"You are asking me to resort to killing to achieve my basic needs? Is that not the opposite of the purpose of our arrangement?"

"His victims were children."

That shut the vampire up. He stared at me with a hollow hawkish face and I could hear his fangs click against one another when he finally spoke again.

"Children."

"Little girls. Some not more than four."

He wavered slightly in his spot, and tapped his claw to his chin, and finally asked me the vital question of "Where."

I have said I have never seen the full extent of the strength of Luther Strauss, and I still have not. I did not stay at the scene to implicate myself or to be haunted by what I might witness. I did however purchase a set of clothes, and accompany my strange friend to what would become the crime scene.

He knocked at the door oh so softly and the vile occupant opened it with a stupid grunt of acknowledgement. The last thing I heard, before I walked away as quickly as I could, was the cordial greeting of the tiger. "Hello, I am Doctor Luther Strauss. You may call me Mr. Strauss, or just 'Strauss.' May I come in?"

I went home, and I went to bed, and despite the heat that had built up in my head and my stomach I fell asleep. I did not know of the aftermath for some days. I avoided the cemetery and took sick leave. Strauss would have been asleep for a week or more, after such a large meal. I left him to his own devices. On the third day my wife's neice broke the news.

The pedophile was dead. I expected as such. The details I could have done without. His body was found in the living room. However, his skin was found in the bathroom. The amount of bloodshed at the scene seemed to indicate that he lost his hide while still alive and bleeding.

Do I feel guilt?

No. Not about that. I feel guilt for Strauss. My request weighed on him heavily and it came with consequences. It was not long after that, strangers began to appear in the cemetery. Every animal has its predators, and these were hunting vampires. He did not go down without a fight. He bested one, and left the body on the walkway like a cat leaves a dead bird on a doorstep. A small victory, but it was clear the end was inevitable.

Finally he was disinterred, caught asleep and drugged, taken away in a box in chains and I have never once seen him again. I often find myself very sorry for it. If I knew my request would destroy him I would not have made it. Work has no charm left for me and I long to retire early.

But, some days ago, I received a piece of hand written mail.

"Dear Franz.

I am well. I am alive and well fed and surrounded by friends. I may have found a lover. I worry for you and hope you and your wife and her neice are safe and did not suffer any consequences of my outburst. I will not be returning. Please keep the garden over Hannah's plot with the pink and purple flowers, as those are her favorites. You may write to me, but security may not allow me to have it. If I do not respond, that is why. I am safe. Thank you for taking care of me.

Your friend,

Doctor Luther Strauss."

I am not wholly convinced of the authenticity of the letter. I choose to believe it is true, because I want to believe it is true. When I die, I wish to be cremated.

[paintedscales]

FFXIV Write 2023 :: Day 30

Prompt :: Amity Characters :: Nomin tal Kheeriin, R'ayzel Mhazu (belongs to @blossomblade) Word Count :: 866

FFXIV Write 2023 Master List

"I'll be staying behind in Ishgard. My duty here is not yet done," had been Ralne's response to Nomin when contacted over the linkpearl. Since Ralne had recovered from her own wounds, she returned to Ishgard, where she had been entrusted by Aymeric with overseeing change within the Temple Knights. With her time among the Dutiful Sisters of the Edelweiss, Ralne had been skilled enough to do things Lucia had sometimes done at Aymeric’s side.

"I couldn't possibly, Nomin… Now that I've returned here to Sharlayan from the Rising Stones, I have so much that I must document for myself and future generations! We were a major part of history and the shape of it, Nomin! I couldn't possibly go with you -- even if I'd love to… Oh! But Raha might want to go! I'll just ask him for all of the details after!" And that had been the excitable, yet somewhat disappointing answer from Lorha when it concerned the map that Estinien had bought.

It was not as if Lorha had not brought up some good points -- she had ever been a scholar of Sharlayan, much like many of the other Scions. She always found love and passion when it came to learning about the histories of places, so hearing her turn down the idea of finding these ruins beneath the Bounty had been somewhat of a shock.

As for R’ayzel…

"No go on their ends, eh?" R'ayzel asked once they had been seated at a table in Mehryde's Meyhane. She looked at Nomin’s slumped form over the table, an amused smirk present on her lips. Out of everyone from Nomin’s beginnings of adventuring in Eorzea, only R’ayzel had answered the call -- which had been in person given that she had stayed in Thavnair in order to simply sample the local cuisine and sights after the Scions had disbanded. She had nothing better to do -- so she claimed. So here she sat, ready and raring to go.

“Didn’t sound like it…” Nomin replied in an almost defeated manner. Pushing herself back up with a small sigh, Nomin looked over at R'ayzel. "I guess I could actually go and ask G'raha or Y'shtola… I do have reason to return to Sharlayan, even if only for a small time. I can ask G’raha and Y’shtola if they would have interest in-person.”

“Want me to come with you?”

“Only if you want.”

“I can’t imagine you not wanting some friends tagging along,” R’ayzel grinned. “After the whole disbandment business, we all went separate ways for the most part, eh? I can’t say Estinien’s been the best company since I’ve lingered around Thavnair -- what with him helping Vrtra’s Radiant Host. Not that I much prefer going out of my way to meet with him. I’m surprised he even had time to roam the markets.”

A small smile crept onto Nomin’s face.

“I appreciate the company, certainly,” Nomin said. “I actually kind of hope more things like this come up in time. The company and camaraderie between everyone else…I think I would miss it if we were really to go our separate ways and not go out on excursions like the one ahead of us.”

“Quite the admission all things considered,” R’ayzel chuckled.

“Yea, yea…” Nomin rolled her eyes with an amused scoff. “But at least I’ve gone back to the Steppe and mended those bridges… I’m really glad I did, too. It…it was still so amazing to have seen so many from the Steppe band together and fight a common enemy like they did.”

R’ayzel’s expression softened at Nomin’s words. “It shall certainly be interesting to see if the amity between the Steppe tribes will last from what I’ve heard from you and seen for myself.”

Nomin’s brow rose momentarily as she chuckled lightly. "I'm hoping that it lasts…but culture and tradition might keep the drive for tribal conflict strong."

Mihleel had come by, fresh made raptor tandoori steaming on plates ready to eat in her possession. She greeted the two amicably before placing their orders down along with some naan. Both Nomin and R'ayzel watched after her before they started on their meals, still speaking on their thoughts and idle musings.

"Still, though…the adventure up to this point has been filled with so many unexpected turns," Nomin recollected. "I'm just…I'm glad things have mostly turned out for the best at the end of everything. It's hard to believe sometimes -- so much of it is surreal, even now."

"You're telling me!" R'ayzel chortled, taking a bite of her tandoori. "T' fink we'h all jus' been coastin' frew, pih'kin up allies an'--" she swallowed, "--and all kinds of different bits of trouble along the way."

"Pfft…" Nomin blew a small raspberry, taking a bite of her food. She chewed and swallowed, thinking how, even if they had all changed and grown throughout their journey, there were still some aspects there that remained with them. Like R'ayzel's poor table manners.

Honestly, Nomin found herself so grateful that she could sit there at the table with R’ayzel so at ease, excited for a new adventure. Just like she had when she had first met with Lorha in Gridania nearly six summers ago.

[raptor-one]

I just want a cowgirl for Christmas!

[bowlovercat]

This is a part 2, if you haven’t seen part one definitely check it out. Anyway, spoiler warning once again for the new zombies teaser!

Let’s talk about this guy. I don’t think he’s just any old guard. I think he’s the person who’s been interrogating the crew, Ernst Duffer I believe is his name on their files. Now we saw Maya kill him in the trailer but I don’t think that’s the last of him. Personally I think he’ll return as Brutus, this timelines version of him. It’s just a theory but I’ve seen some others also agree with it. Plus it would be cool to have him chase the crew down in the game. Maybe he’ll be the ester egg boss? Although I’ve been hearing some other things so I’m not sure.

It’s good to see peck again, I missed this egghead almost as much as weaver. Also carver manhandled the shit outta him. Bro weighs as much as a peanut.

It seems like we won’t be playing as him on this map, maybe a future operator.. pls treyarch. Seems like Strauss (who literally looked like a caveman in the trailer) and Peck will be the crews eyes in the sky. They’re also going to pull Richtofen’s coordinates so it makes me wonder how fast they’ll get to him? Maybe Richtofen won’t be their only enemy?

Also holy shit someone tell Weaver he’s going to get heat stroke from all those layers. Gah DAMN. Elizabeth back there only has one shirt on top of that dingy undershirt, bro pls share!

Weaver hogging all the clothes becomes even more apparent when you look at everyone else 😭But also he looks amazing, some might say I might be a little bias or whatever 🙄.

I also hope that raptor one has a bigger role in the game or at least more voice lines. I think they realized how much we liked him in Cold War, that’s the only reason I think they brought him back and had him capture in Mauer der Toten.

Also there’s going to be a bigger reveal on august 8th so I really can’t wait to see what else will be revealed. I’m so hyped.

[cyberaxolotl]

A long time ago, up in the stars, the moon glowed and glowed with a brilliant light. Or at least, the bright side of the moon did. On the dark side of the moon was only clouds, barely any light, and deep, dark woods. And even deeper inside was the king of the moon, ruler of the dark side of it.

One day, the moon king decided he wanted more than just the dreary, dark side of the moon. He wanted to take the light side of the moon from the moon goddess as well. So, he snuck into her castle, and away from her he took the moonstone, as well as the legendary golden scissors, Calibrus.

But he knew it was a risk to keep the moonstone whole when it still had so much power linked to the moon goddess. So, to keep her from getting it back, he shattered it, and chose twelve unlucky souls to make his puppets to defend them. Wooden puppets, porcelain figurines, metal mechanisms, and stuffed toys were what he turned those twelve into, and gave them all one piece of the moonstone. To keep them from remembering who they used to be, he changed them completely; no more names for his twelve generals, only their titles, and what they were. And their passions, oh their passions, they were no more. They were changed to fit the places they were given.

General Deer was the first general, living in the castle with the moon bear king, and becoming his personal assistant. After how determined he’d become to defend the dark side of the moon and hold tight to his moonstone shard, it’s hard to believe that the wooden boy used to just be the innocent mayor of a small town, nestled in the shadow of the moon goddess’s own castle.

General Mouse is stuffed and small, making him the greatest choice to send to the Moonwoods, alongside his companion, the porcelain figurine General Ferret. Ferret stands still as a statue in the waterfalls of the forested swamp, waiting for an unlucky soul to get too close to her, enamored by the beauty of such a great statue, one that would belong in a music box. Ferret belonged on the stage, with no voice, and not a movement to be made prematurely. Mouse’s duty was to run along the tall stalks of bamboo, carrying a wretched purple poison and mister on his back, corrupting every flora in sight. The fauna had to consume the elixir in order for it to work on them, and despite their natural caution, Mouse had such a natural comforting feeling to him, that made all the animals trust him.

Escaping the Moonwoods and crossing a pier, you’ll find yourself at the Moonshine Sea. It’s glittering waters must not distract you, for it hosts two of the most powerful generals of all; the wooden General Walrus, and the plush General Chinchilla. Walrus was strong and fast, Chinchilla was determined and smart, and the two bore an unbreakable bond that could cross the seven seas. Despite their places as pirates on the Moonshine Sea, in their old lives, neither of the two had done much in the place of boats. No, they were once a backpacking couple, trekking the mountains of the dark side of the moon.

On the other side of the Moonshine Sea, you’ll find yourself quickly into a desert. The Wild Waste is hot, unforgiving, and enough to set wood and cloth ablaze. But moon-grade steel laughs in the face of the sun, and that’s what the generals sent here are made of. General Bull and General Raptor can turn the desert air to a dust cloud in an instant, bearing a determined road rivalry that nobody really knows why they have. Bull is brawny and heavyweight, while Raptor is gaudy and has an ego that outweighs her size. Their rampant rivalry to win whatever sort of race they think they’re playing is their biggest weakness; together, these generals could have been unstoppable, but they fell to name calling and squabbling. But, Bull and Raptor were once happily married. They lived in a small house on the coast, and the issues only arrived when the moonstone shards did. Perhaps, if you were to take the moonstone shard from one of them, they’d knock some sense into the other.

The Deep Dark Woods are a harrowing place, that every resident of the moon tends to avoid, and fear. Unless you live there, of which, you get very used to the dark. General Sheep is the only general to live in that dark abyss, and truly, she doesn’t care for the moon king or the shards at all. She’s too tired and her springs are too old and rusty to put up a fight for it’s ownership. It would seem she was robbed of something when the moonstone shard was given to her, but she never can remember what.

General Morse, General Bunny, and General Raccoon all dwell in the Land of Time, but bare differing objectives there. For Morse and Bunny, it’s to make it seem like everything is alright; the Land of Time is under no threat so long as the clock still moves, and trust them, nobody wants to stop time. It is General Raccoon’s duty to sneak into the Great Clocktower, and rip the clock hands from the father clock, stopping time in its tracks. If time never passes, then the sun rising cannot stop the moon king from ruling the moon. General Morse and Bunny can seem as innocent as they want, and the affection they share with each other only lays in that sentiment further. But do not let them fool you, these two still have great power.

Finally, the cold arctic. Only one general is here again, General Rabbit, but this is where they work their best; they have done everything for the moon king. They’ve built the weapons used by other generals, mixed the elixir used by Mouse, and watched in the background while Bull, Raptor, Sheep, and Raccoon did their duties. They are the moon king’s most valuable general, and that makes them the one who must hide away in the cold north, and make sure their moonstone is not taken away from them. However, when all other generals fail, Rabbit will have to make their debut to protect the king themself.

The twelve moonstone shards that these puppets carry are what stop the moon goddess from defeating the moon king. And that is why the moon prays for a hero to stop him, stop the generals, and free the moon…

(AU inspired by Puppeteer, a game by Japan Studio)

[stuffireadandenjoy]

Call of the Jurassic

A Jurassic Park/Call of Duty Fic

Chapter Three - AO3 Link

Words: 2.5k Warnings: canon typical violence, description of gore, animal death, animals injured Notes: This chapter is shorter but I'm happy with it!

Tag List: @snootlestheangel, @writeforfandoms, @syoddeye, @pfhwrittes, @deeptrashwitch, @bringinsexybackk69, @dragonnarrative-writes, @stigandr-the-cat, @kyletogaz

[If you want to be tagged for future updates, please leave a comment.]

Dividers by @saradika-graphics

Ghost looked up hearing the truck’s engine, along with the sounds of snarling. He felt his heart pound loudly in his ears causing everything to be muffled but also even louder than before. 

“They’ll come back. They didn’t kill him. They didn’t kill him.” The Shadow cried, his knees giving out again just for Gaz to haul him back up by the back of his shirt.

“Bloody stand!” Gaz snarled, heaving the man back onto his legs. Ghost had ignored his bad feeling for a while. He’d noticed it long before they’d stepped on the island. This whole place felt like a death trap. Like something was always watching them. Waiting.

“Something’s wrong.” Price growled at Ghost’s shoulder. Ghost raised his rifle hearing the horn from the truck blare and continued with a comical high pitch honk. Ghost bit the inside of his cheek hearing a yell and more snarling. Price grabbed his arm as he stepped forward.

“Price.” Ghost bit out looking over his shoulder at the man. But he looked away, seeing the pity and pain in Price’s eyes. Ghost knew as well as Price that if Soap had been compromised, that if he was being attacked, they would need another plan. And there was nothing they could do for him. But everything in Ghost screamed to go to the other man. 

They both turned hearing the Shadow, which came as a surprise to everyone, crying more upon hearing the commotion of the vehicle. Gaz was struggling to keep the man on his feet.

“Cap. He won’t shut up.” 

“You shut your mouth right now or I’ll shut it for you.” Price threatened the man, fist tight around the man’s vest straps. The man just continued to sob and whimper.

“They didn’t kill him. They didn’t kill him.” 

Gaz and Price shared a look. If the man’s ravings were to be taken for any sort of truth, it meant there was at least one more of Petrov’s men alive. It also meant Petrov was working with Graves. Someone none of them were looking forward to seeing again. Price looked back at Ghost but saw the man kneeling, rifle raised. That’s when Price heard it. The engine and wheels on asphalt growing louder and louder.

Soap!

Price raised his own rifle and stood by Ghost. Ghost took the shot as soon as Soap came around the corner. Price watched, always impressed by his lieutenant, as a huge dinosaur fell from the truck. It rolled but quickly got to its feet with one big shake. Three more raced alongside the truck. Price and Ghost opened fire. The other dinosaurs immediately broke off from the chase and scattered to the trees. The one that Ghost had shot, a bigger one with a scar across its long snout, pulled its lips back and snarled, before following the others into the trees.

“Raptors!” Gaz called out, confirming Price’s suspicions.

Soap skidded to a stop and jumped out, quickly rounding the front of the truck. Ghost went to him and immediately started examining him. He had what looked like a bite mark in his shoulder, much too close to his neck. There were several deep gashes in his vest that would have definitely ripped him open had he not been wearing it. Soap was lucky he hadn’t bled out and that the bite missed anything major. 

“Gave ‘im hell, lt.” Soap laughed as Ghost immediately started bandaging him up as fast as possible. Price grabbed the Shadow by his vest. Him and Gaz hauled the man up into the bed of the truck. Time was of the essence. It was very possible the raptors wouldn’t stay away for long. Price thought they’d simply broken away due to the hunt becoming more complicated. A single man would be an easy kill for them. But four and armed to the teeth? Well at least it made them hesitate.

“Need to go.” Price barked, sliding into the driver’s side. He frowned seeing how much blood covered the wheel and dash. The seat had it splattered in all sorts of places.

“I’ll be fine!” Soap barked, climbing more delicately than normal, but still with haste, into the bed of the truck. Ghost frowned but quickly got into the passenger seat. He pulled out the map and directed Price back towards the valley they’d seen before. Ghost hoped they could lose the raptors amongst the herbivores. 

“Or the bastards could get trampled.” Ghost offered.

Soap groaned as Price hit just about every bump in the road. He ignored the Shadow’s babbling. Gaz leaned in close, hand resting on Soap’s forearm. He delicately examined Ghost’s rushed bandage job. Soap was already bleeding through and Gaz could tell his complexion was much paler than usual.

“Don’t ya worry your pretty head. I’ve lived through worse.” Soap grinned, giving Gaz an exaggerated wink. Gaz grinned with him but it fell quickly seeing blood drip slowly from Soap’s shoulder. He leaned through the hole that used to be the window. Frame bent out and twisted. Glass shattered and cracked in spider webs. Like something tried to crawl through it.

“Soap won’t be doing well too soon. We need to find somewhere to stitch him up.” 

Price frowned over at Ghost who was pouring over the map. 

“Gho-” Gaz started.

“I know.” Ghost gritted from between teeth behind his mask. Gaz took that as an indication to let the man be for now. Price gave Ghost a heavy pat on the knee before returning to the wheel. They needed a plan and needed one quick. 

“Trees.” Ghost growled.

Price looked over at Ghost as he looked up at the large trees around them. 

“Once we lose them we climb a tree. It’ll at least give us time to get Soap patched up.”

Price nodded. They were a mile down the road before Price noticed the movement in the trees along the road. He couldn’t make out the shapes amongst the foliage but he had a good idea of what was following them. 

“Cap!” Gaz called. Price could see him already aiming into the trees, tracking the movement.

“I see them.” He growled, his foot pressing down on the pedal. They kicked up dirt and grass as the tires dug in and they picked up speed. Price gritted his teeth feeling the whole frame start to shake. He grunted and winced as they hit a hole, bouncing the truck and leaning it in a precarious way. 

“Soap!” Gaz shouted, drawing Price’s attention to the rearview mirror. He watched as Soap quickly raised a pistol and took a shot at a raptor as it leapt into the bed of the truck. The bullet struck the raptor square in the chest, knocking it back and slamming against the tailgate hard enough to knock it open. Its body fell from the bed and rolled away. The other raptors melted from the foliage, easily keeping pace with the truck. They were so much faster than Gaz ever expected.

“Bloody hell!” Gaz spit as the truck hit another hole knocking him and Soap around. The truck tilted as the road began to slant down into the valley. Which made the two sergeants’ raptor problem even more difficult. With the tilt, the raptors had better angles to leap into the truck. Quickly taking a knee, Gaz aimed his rifle but as soon as he did the raptors began to dodge and weave.

“Fuckin’ scaly bastards.” Soap barked, shooting at a raptor that snapped at the tires. It ducked and sped up, keeping a distance from the side. A shout caught their attention as the Shadow fell, his arms still tied behind his back. He fell face first into the bed and bounced slightly out the back, tailgate long gone. His upper torso hanging off.

Gaz dropped his rifle and grabbed the Shadow by the back of his vest. Gaz felt the cuffs catch on something as he tugged. As much as he wanted to toss the idiot for a good distraction, they still needed information from him. Where were the rest of Petrov’s men? Why was a Shadow here? Why was Graves involved with Makarov? 

The truck gave another bounce as they entered the valley, causing a panic to spread through the herds of dinosaurs. With loud bellows, the huge herbivores scattered slamming into each other and grazing the truck in their panic. Gaz felt his body sway and tilt over the edge. The world spun. Scaly bodies and the truck mixed in a blur of colors and shapes. Another weight followed him. Gaz knew this was very, very bad.

The last thing Ghost saw when he looked in the side mirror was Gaz’s boots disappearing from the bed of the truck and the Shadow following after. His blood went cold and for a dark moment, he hoped the fall snapped Gaz’s neck so he didn’t have to feel being eaten alive by the raptors. Ghost could still hear the screams of a corporal as he was eaten by a bear from a mission long ago. It’s something you never forget. And he hoped to never hear it again.

Price cursed seeing one of his sergeants fall from the bed of the truck but there was nothing he could do. He turned the truck sharply to the left, slamming into one of the raptors. The animal snarled and snapped but kept its distance for now. Ghost went to lean out the window and barely missed the snapping jaws of a waiting raptor. They could hear Soap yelling for Gaz and the sound of gunfire. 

Soap watched in horror as Gaz tumbled with their captive ass over tit. He needed to help him but there was nothing he could do. A morbid blessing was that only one raptor had broken off to turn back. The other three kept attacking the truck, trying to jump in the bed or snapping at the windows. Soap wanted to scream for Price to stop but if Price did then all of them wouldn’t stand a chance. Instead, Soap shot at the remaining raptors hoping to at least kill them and give Gaz a fighting chance.

Price sped up and Gaz slowly disappeared from Soap’s view, body quickly hidden among the stampeding herbivores and dust. The only hope was that Gaz would survive and they could all meet up or look for him once they were safe. 

The chaos around them made it hard to navigate properly but Price had good enough sense to stay away from the river. He had no idea how deep it was or if there even was a shallow part. So he aimed for the forest across the clearing and hoped their problem could be solved easier from the trees. A parasaur bellowed and rammed into them crushing the raptor between the metal frame and its bulk.

It tilted the truck but Price grinned viciously hearing a loud sharp cry from the raptor. It crumpled to the ground and did not get back up. Price watched as Soap shot another raptor and it slowed down, stopping by the side of the fallen raptor. Slowly the other raptor, the scarred one, also gave up the chase and returned to the others before disappearing into the long grass.

“Cap-”

“I know.” Price answered without looking back at Soap. He understood Soap’s desire to go back but Price had to think about the rest of his team first. Ghost helped guide him through the trees. Occasionally a parasaur would stroll alongside them as they looked up trying to find a good enough tree. Price didn’t like how quiet Soap had gotten. The man was normally very mouthy and a little hot tempered.

“A bit of blood loss is good for ‘im.” Ghost commented pointing in the direction of a tree. Price grinned as they parked underneath it. He stood watch as Ghost set up the rigging to hoist Soap up. Price watched from the corner of his eye as Ghost clambered up the tree with the ease of a leopard. For a big man Ghost was incredibly nimble. 

“Alright. Send him up.” Ghost called down. Price helped Soap into the harness and watched as the man did his best to sit right. He could just barely make out grunts from up in the tree. Price also swore he heard, ‘Puttin you on a fuckin diet.’ But he wasn't sure. Once Soap was secured into the tree, Price groaned as he made his way up. He would definitely feel all of this in the morning. 

“Sir, we need-”

“Once we’ve fixed you up, me and Ghost will go look for Garrick. But none sooner. I won’t be losing two men in one go.” Price said firmly. He would not budge on this. As much as he cared for Kyle, he had to think of them as a whole. 

“Careful, Lt. I’ve never done this before. Gotta treat me right my first time.” Soap snarked. Ghost used more force than necessary to pull the thread tight. 

“Not so good with vi-”

“Shut it.” Ghost barked. Soap quieted down and just watched as Ghost finished the stitches. It was rebandaged and his vest back in place in no time. Ghost was one of the better on the team at medical besides Gaz. Simply because others felt more comfortable around Gaz, even though Ghost had more skill in that area. 

“We’ll rest and make sure they’re not waiting for us.” 

Soap opened his mouth but closed it quickly when Price gave him a look. Price leaned back and watched as the dinosaurs a few yards below ambled around peacefully. It eased Price’s nerves some. But there was still a knot in his stomach and the image of Gaz’s body tumbling behind the truck made him sick. He knew Kyle was a capable man. Trusted him implicitly. If anyone could make it alone on this island it was Gaz.

Ghost rested next to Soap giving him his shoulder to lay on. Was softer than the tree. Soap’s labored breathing slowly changed its tempo to a smoother breathing. One of sleep and painfully relaxation. Ghost grunted and leaned further against the tree. It was dark underneath the trees despite the sun coming up. Could almost confuse it for dusk.

“We need to look for him.”

“We will.”

“He could-”

“I know. It’s why we’re resting.”

“He’s very capable. Knows a lot about the animals here. If anyone could make it, Kyle can.” Price smiled at Ghost’s words. They reflected his thoughts from earlier. It did not ease the sickness threatening to crawl up his throat.

“You get some rest. I’ll wake you in an hour.” Ghost grunted his reply and leaned his head back. Price watched the pair for a moment longer before turning away.

Price looked over to the small strip of the road he could see. Price didn’t have it in him to tell the others what he saw. Three of the four raptors were tearing something apart. He never prayed before but he did now.

Don’t let that be his sergeant.

[ask-fell-drones]

Memories

Depictions of death and abuse

I remember being called inside a room by a man. I was unconfortable, but obeying was my duty. It was either that or dying, and I can't die, not when I can still live with him.

Inside the room, the man was sitting on the bed, giving an eerie smile. He looked at me, seeing every part of my body, licking his lips. I knew what he wanted, it was not uncommon.

"Come here child" My stomach hurt and filled with disgust, but I had to hold it, I had to obey. I walked close to him and slowly took my clothes out.

The mansion was pretty calm, no sound could be heard aside from the humans talking to eachother. Maids and Butlers were serving people on the room. I could see that most were doing their jobs, but I haven't seen L, O, Y, and S since yesterday.

They were probably slacking off again, like they always do. In the distance I see a little girl, sadly walking by the other humans. The girl sees me and runs towards my direction.

"Hey J" The girl waved to me. Her expression getting brighter, with a smile forming on her mouth.

"Hello Miss Tessa, what is your order?" I say with a stern tone.

"I don't have any orders now. I just want to talk" She said, leaning on the balcony, on our side.

"I'm afriad I can't do that Miss. I have a job to do right now" I take a plate with food and drinks.

"Aw, c'mon J. There are so many alredy doing their tasks. One less isn't going to break everything" She said with sad eyes, placing her hands together on the side of her cheeks.

"I'm sorry Miss, but I can't, there are alredy four slacking off. On that note, I'm sorry to ask this to you, but could you tell someone to catch the four slacking drones?"

"You don't need the formality with me J, you know that, but who are the slaking?"

"L, O, Y and S. They are probably in the basement" She said, as she made her way to serve those rich bastards.

I start walking. J did ask me to order a drone to check them, but I don't want to, so I'm gonna see it myself. On the way there, I walk by my parents room. It seems that they are having another argument, so better walk as fast as I can.

I hear the sound of door opening. My heart feels the grip of fear, my blood turning cold, making me shiver.

"Tessa! Come here, right now" My ftaher screams are loud and full of force. I know he's not asking, and I know what's going to happen. I see a little butler drone, helping a maid drone with glasses walking down the hall.

"N, V! Could you guys check the basement and library for 4 drone?" I scream, before my arm is grabbed by my father. I can smell the alcohol he has been drinking, vodka.

James throws his daughter inside the room and locks the door behind him. I look at V with a worried face. This wasn't the first time this happened, but it never ended well. We could only hope for the best.

"I'll check the library. You go check the basement" V said.

"Are you sure. Doesn't it hurt to-"

"Shut up. I can go to the library" V said as she pushed me with a little blush on her visor, walking away stumbling a bit. It clearly hurts, but why does she deny my help? Am I really that annoying to her?

I forget that and walk to the basement. This place always creeped me. Some drones say that the Elliots make experiments down here. Raptor drones, crown drones, all type of weird crap.

Most just laugh it off, but can they trully deny that the Elliots could do that one day?

I open the basement door. The stair down is completely dark, like always. A lot of accidents happened here, because of this darkness...

Good job N, now you're more afraid than before. Why do you always do that?

I can feel the cold in my metal skin, it makes this place even more sinister. Descending the stair a little more, I smell the putrid smell of dry oil.

Why is there dry oil here? Did something happen to a drone? Did someone do something to a drone? Or... Did a drone do something to themselves?

My legs start to give up. The fear makes my body weak, I feel the pressure getting stronger, the air getting thicker, the smell getting worse. My stomach moves from place to place, wanting to spill out the liquid it produces, but I hold it in.

When I reach the end of the stairs, my eyes hollow. On the ceiling there is four chain, four arms being held in each of them. The floor is covered in oil, it sticks my foot to the ground. I can't hold in any longer. Whatever was inside of me, is thrown out.

My vomit mixes with the oil on the ground, making a pond of disgust. I have to get out of here, fast!

When I look back, I see that the basement door is closing. I try to reach it, but my light is cut short.

I walk to the library with a lot of effort. I hate this place, I hate humans. They're all pigs that should be exterminated!

Unfortunaly I can't do anything. I'll live like this and die like this. At least I caan by N's side. That is if he doesn't give up on me.

Why am I always so rude to him? He's always nice and kind, but me? I'm a monster. I push him away as if he was disposable drone, as if he doesn't matter.

If things keep going like this... Let's just get the drones and go back to doing our duty.

I enter the library. The bookshelves are huge, reaching the ceilings. Looking from down here it doesn't seem that they have an end. There is a variety of books here, from phylosophy to math. Everything can be found here, but no one ever comes.

I continue walking, looking for any drones that might be here. On the end of the library, I see a little worker, fuck, it's C.

Always acting strange. There's something wrong with them. It seems that they are doing something, must be them that I was sent to find, since there are no more drones out here.

I walk closer to C, but something takes my attention. There's a black liquid, it smells like oil, dripping from the desk C is in. Are they cutting themselves?

Before I walk to them. C turns to face me.

"Hello V. Evil smile" I back away a bit.

"H-Hey. I think the Elliots are calling you" C looks back at the desk.

"Giggle. I wanted to have a talk with them" C gets up and jumps from the chair.

My eyes hollow. No, this can't be, this can't be real. On the desk C was in, I see N's head, oil dripping from his decapitated neck. His visor showing a red warning, with some wires coming out of his head.

I start walking back. This can't be happening. I look at C, but they were alredy gone. Why did they do this? Why N? Why?

"Evil laugh. The reason is pretty simple S I S T E R"

[khaosundivided]

A newcomer at the Fortress, or so comes the news on the wings of a Chaos Fury. Hjallmarr grumbles, and puts down his transcribed book. A tome on machines and edifices...useful, but also enjoyable to read. He doesn’t like his hobby to be disturbed, but duty calls.

The Prince rises and strides through the sinister looking structure he and his forces call home. He could fly, but doesn’t think to, instead walking into the Courtyard to find his generals already there. Even from this distance, he can see them: A tall and broad mass of feathers staring down the resident Bloodthirster, having what can only be unfriendly words with one another. Hjallmarr hurries his stride. Brasscrown might’ve been the cooler side of angry, but that would only last so long.

“ If I wanted to talk to a dog, I would have visited the kennels.” Says the avian daemon, “ Where is the new Prince?”

Brass was snout-to-beak with him immediately, “ None of your business or the Changer’s business, lie-spinner. We already have one bloody bird squawking around here and we do not need another.”

“ Brass,” It was Hjallmarr. Both Greater Daemons looked at him. “ I appreciate your zeal, but if I can talk to the newcomer alone?”

The Bloodthirster looked between the two of them, snorted, then stomped off. Hjallmarr sighed, looking at the newcomer. “ Forgive him-- he gets territorial about his new home--”

“ -- after being kicked from his old one? I can imagine.” Said the Lord of Change, bemused. 

Hjallmarr took his measure. He was even larger up close, his features a mixture of an owl and other raptors of the sky. His plumage was white, with the slightest tint of blue. But there was nothing slight about his eyes, which blazed Tzeentch’s colors. The corners of it’s beak turned up in a grin.

“ A pleasure to finally to meet you, Prince of the Four. I am Xi Ix.”

“ And the Changer sends his warmest regards.”