#claw convoy

[genshinimpactresources]

Genshin Impact | Dolls from Claw Convoy

Download Link (Google Drive)

[rai-knightshade-art]

A Brief Moment of Peace

Or,

EVERYBODY SHUT UP! SHUT THE FUCK UP! IT IS BEDDY-BYE TIME!! THEY ARE EEPY!!! QUIIIIEEEETTTTTT!!!!!!!!!!!

(Image ID in Alt Text)

[the-curious-cat24]

They look so cute!!! 🥰🥰

[dandelion-wings]

The thing is... the premise here is supposed to be people adopting "stray" animals... but so far they've all been. fucking. wild beasts! Maybe just leave them in the wild and adopt out actual stray dogs and cats, y'all!

[jj-gold-falcon]

When you get your Friend who is also a Lion to become a Giant Lion Man Arm so you can both punch bad guys with the power of friendship and furries or somethin'

[lyrieeeee]

Sethos in claw convoy event!!

GET YOUR SETHOS DOLLS!!!!

[genshin-impact-updates]

"Claw Convoy" Event: Animal Seeking Challenges

〓Event Duration〓

2024/11/22 10:00 – 2024/12/02 03:59

〓Event Rewards〓

〓Eligibility〓

Adventure Rank 20 or above

And complete Archon Quest Prologue: Act III "Song of the Dragon and Freedom"

〓Event Details〓

● A new stage will unlock each day for the first 6 days of the event.

● During the event, use the Inscribed Mirror around the signs and the devices linked to the Inscribed Mirror will show you what the small animals that have connected to the item are seeing.

● After using the Inscribed Mirror, you can adjust your camera angle to observe your surroundings and improve the accuracy of your search.

● Use that information to locate all the small animals and claim the gifts prepared by the mysterious adopters.

[spxdyr]

the (incomplete) list of all the times those stupid loverboys should have kissed but were too busy yearning they forgot that second part was an option:

"you can have my back anyday" and they didn't kiss

*eddie holds Buck's hand the entire time he's pinned under the firetruck* and they didn't kiss

"he's hanging out with his Buck today" and they didn't kiss

"there's no one in the world i trust more withe my son, than you" and they didn't kiss

"you wanna go for the title" and they didn't kiss

*Buck claws at the muddy ground after the well collapses* and they didn't kiss

*Buck crawls under a firetruck to save Eddie during an active shooter situation" and they didn't kiss

"are you okay?" *eddie asks as he's literally dying and sees HIS blood on Buck's face before promptly passing out* AND THEY DIDN'T KISS

"if i die you get custody of my only son" and they didn't kiss

"because, evan..." and they DIDN'T KISS

*THE ENTIRE KIDNAPPING EPISODE* and they didn't kiss

*Buck comforts Eddie after his violent breakdown follwoing the death of the last member of convoy* and they didn't kiss

"go get 'em cowboy" and they didn't kiss

*Eddie rushes up an electrified ladder after Buck gets struck my lightning, pushing Bobby out the way* AND THEY DIDN'T KISS

"DO MORE" and they didn't kiss

"three minutes and seventeen seconds" and they didn't kiss

"welcome back to the land of the living Buck, you were missed" and. they. didn't. kiss.

*BUCK. COMES. OUT* and they didn't kiss

"i'm worried about you man..." and they didn't kiss

*THUMB. THUMB. THUMB." AND. THEY. DIDNT. KISS!

all i'm saying is those boys are driving me in-fucking-sane, if they don't kiss this season i'm burning the whole thing down...

please feel free to add more in the tags ☺️

[growup-thatbeautiful]

mad max fury road absolutely destroyed me so here’s some max brainrot!

also, apologies for all the unanswered asks, i legit haven’t written anything since well before december, but i’m trying to get back into it. just, you know, a lot going on :))

tw: mentions of sa, blood, canon typical violence

you’re one of joe’s wives, so obviously you’ve got a lot of trauma and you’re not exactly used to being out in the open. but, when furiosa tells you to follow her onto the convoy, you don’t hesitate one bit. you would do anything to get away from joe and the prison joe crated for you and the other girls. nothing can be worse than what you’ve already been through.

the hiding hole in the convoy is dusty and hot. it’s hard to breathe through the smoke and sand whirling through the crowded space, and you’re pushed up against the hard metal, Toast’s elbow in your stomach. when the convoy stops moving, you relish the opportunity to stretch your legs and drink some water. the thin cloth that covers your body is gritty with sand and stained by tears. if you had anything else to change into, you would.

the sun is brighter than anything you’ve ever seen. the sand is warmer than you expected, and you remind yourself that people die out here. but the water is cold and it’s sweet on your tongue, the hope of survival clawing it’s way from your chest.

at first, like everyone else, you don’t trust him one bit. he’s a stranger, and a man, and you’re not sure he’s sane. he doesn’t even have a name that you know of.

but there’s something about him. something that tells you he won’t hurt you or any of the other girls. the brown eyes that he hides under that mask are cunning and strange, yes, but there’s a level of honesty in them that makes you want to trust him.

furiosa’s killswitch stops him before he gets too far, and then he’s forced to take your group. you’re squeezed up from with him and her, the daggers between them enough to make it uncomfortable. she has control- you’re not worried about that- but he has pretty much all of the weapons furiosa hid away.

for the most part, the time passes in silence. Toast and Splendid argue some, and Dag takes the middle ground. Furiosa concentrates on the road, and the man curls as far into the metal of the door as he can, weapons stashed underneath his feet.

it’s not until much later, after you’ve met up with the women from the green place, that you talk to him for the first time. the sky is dark and streaked with sandstorms in the distance, greys and oranges flooding the atmosphere.

“all the others have names. you don’t?” he asks. you’re sitting in the front seat with him again, Furiosa deep in conversation with one of the older women.

“you haven’t told us your name either,” you bite back. “and my name isn’t your concern. neither are their names.” you nod toward the group of girls curled up on the back seat, each looking more and more exhausted.

he accepts your answer with a small nod. “i wouldn’t want to keep a name he gave me either.” there’s a surprising level of understanding in his eyes.

“it’s not that.” he doesn’t look convinced. “it’s not just that,” you correct. “i don’t have anything else to go by. i’m not used to having people use my name for good things.”

“i wouldn’t want to contribute to that bad streak,” he agrees. “what do i call you, then?”

you think for a moment. it doesn’t take you long to come up with a name. it’s something you heard Cheedo talk about one time, probably just a story about a place with streets made of water, opera houses full of painted tiles, and people crammed together but happy. “venice. you can call me venice.”

“venice it is, then.”

the next day, the plan changes. you never thought you would want to head back to where you came from, but it’s better than the alternative. years riding nowhere. sun blisters and sand burns.

the road back to the stronghold is dangerous. it’s risky. but you have Furiosa and the man with you. they’re just as dangerous, you think.

you didn’t expect to survive, though. yes, you lost Splendid and Nux. it hurt like you thought it would, but you haven’t had enough time to really consider it. not with everything going on. not when you find out the man’s name is max. it’s a good name, an old name. one without this world’s pain ingrained into it.

it’s been hours on the road with him and you can’t sleep. every time you close your eyes you see joe’s figure lurking over you or splendid’s body roll underneath truck tires or even flames eating at nux as rubble and rock crushed him into the ground. you know you’re going to be home soon, if you can even call the stronghold a home.

you know you’re getting on max’s nerves. he doesn’t say anything, but the glances in your direction are enough. you pick at your fingernails until they’re raw and bite and the inside of your cheek until it bleeds. none of it helps. you can’t sleep.

finally, he breaks the silence. “why don’t you try to sleep?” you don’t need to tell him why. he’s heard your screaming and your panicked breaths. he knows what happens when you try to sleep. “there’s nothing that used to help you fall asleep? with the other girls?”

“toast and i used to hold each other when it was too much.” you don’t know why you tell him. you would never wake Toast up, not when she’s finally fallen asleep after fitful attempts. and it’s not like max is going to hold you while you sleep. he has more important things to do.

you don’t expect him to offer. you really don’t. with Furiosa hurt, its on him to drive. it shouldn’t be much further, but it’s enough.

“lay you head down,” he says softly. when you don’t immediately respond, he adds, “you don’t have to, but i think it’ll help you get some sleep.”

“okay,” you agree uncertainly. slowly, carefully, like you’re trying not to scare him or yourself, you lean over and lay down, your back on the warm metal of the seat. your head rests gently on his thigh, and you try not to put too much pressure on him. you know he’s sore, and you aren’t sure this is what he wants.

“there you go.” his voice is quiet but, for once, sure of himself. his hand reaches to card through your hair and brush it off your face. “try to sleep, now.”

it’s easier than you thought it would be, trusting him. letting him take care of you. but, somehow, you do. maybe it’s because you know his name and because he’s saved you so many times. whatever it is, you let him lull you to sleep with his gentle hands tracing the curves of your face.

[second-wife-playbook]

@helluvaoutlaw

Coronis had always wanted to come to Wrath. To visit. Wrath was a wilderness with a capital W. The desert that stretched off into the horizon, it's many suns and volcanoes, and it's people...wily, strong, and with quickfire tempers. She had seen it replicated on TV, with adventures in the lawless lands, cowboys and the like.

Well this was an example of; be careful what you wish for.

The transport going through the desert likely boasted some stunning views, but Coronis wasn't seeing any of them. She felt out of place, paralyzed with terror. Her high-society gown was completely unsuitable to the rough terrain, and every time the vehicle jostled over the rough robe, she felt her breathe catch and her pulse quicken.

Andrealphus looked unconcerned. Why should he? He wasn't the one about to become a meal.

"You're so overdramatic. It could always be worse." That was what he said. That was the fucking audacity the Marquis had when Coronis was strong-armed to the ground, hands and feet tied and the horrors explained. "You will be remembered as an exalted martyr, and spare the family a terrible fate. What more could a noble want, really?"

To live, goddammit! To actually live, and not get eaten by a fucking snake-god!!!

Cori had tried to protest. But apparently such attempts at mercy were unpalatable to the ears of her brother and her fated executioner. A simple gesture was all that was needed to tape her beak shut, unable to make a peep aside from muffled whimpers and cries. She wasn't even given the courtesy of knowing what she was being sacrificed for.

The convoy stopped outside of a volcano. A lone cave awaited, with a rough looking imp in a robe bearing a serpent with terrifying eyes. He looked displeased to see the Marquis and Coronis, but nonetheless gestured to a lone minecart. "This will take her right down." He explained gruffly. "Beware Goetia. The Great Destroyer does not take pleasure in meager offerings."

"Rest assured, my heart breaks to see her go-" Andrealphus had said with a long-suffering moan, wrapping an arm around Cori's shoulders, even as she wriggled to break free. "-and I will mourn her passing every day for as long as I live."

A very scripted, very insincere answer. The imp must have sensed it...but didn't question it. "Right. Down she goes."

Andrealphus had brought two large hellhounds for security...and a sack. Coronis fought to break free as hard as she could, but she was being wrangled in with the ease of manhandling a baby chick. The Marquis gave her a last long look.

"I will miss you, you know." He said. Trying for once, to actually sound as if he meant it. "There will never be a soul as easy and soft as you."

Don't! Don't! Coronis begged with all her might, trying to plead with her eyes. Please, please, I don't want to die!!

But as she was dropped into the minecart, everything went very dark. There was a moment's stillness, and then a jolt as the cart went sailing, the sound of the wind whipping past and a heavy dip-

And Coronis entered Wrath's underworld.

______

C'mon, c'mon! Get these stupid things offa me!

The cart whistled down the track at speeds Coronis could only imagine. But within the sack she was trapped it, she pushed her arms around her back legs as far as they would reach until they were capable of being severed by her talons...as fast as she could anyway. It was slow work, and each second felt like it was passing at breakneck speeds.

I-I have to get out! I'll be killed if I don't get out! What would happen should she escape the sack, much less the cart, she had no idea. Run away and join a rodeo? Become an itinerant wanderer in the desert? Turn into a cave dweller?! That could all wait until the ropes-

Snap.

To her great relief, her hands were freed. She tugged and tore at the ropes binding her feet, then clawed at the tape that kept her beak shut, shredding it off. "I gotta get outta here!"

CLANG!

The cart stopped so short that the sack...and all it's contents, rolled out. Coronis yelped in surprise and pain, bruised by the rough landing. She frantically felt for the opening, pulling it open as fast as she could-

Only to wish she had stayed in the sack.

[genshinimpactresources]

Genshin Impact | Assets from Claw Convoy

[pinturas-sgm-aviacion]

1942 11 09 Morocco, Operation Torch, Clawed by a Wildcat - Roy Grinnell

https://mikesresearch.com/2022/03/27/air-battle-over-morocco-1942/

November 9 The battered but plucky pilots of GC II/5 were airborne at dawn with only five aircraft. They strafed landing craft at Fedhala and received such intense US Navy AA fire that three of the French Hawks were damaged severely, although all the planes returned.At 0645 hours, Tom Booth leading 7 Red Ripper Wildcats took off from the RANGER bound for Port Lyautey. John Raby’s VF-9 was close behind with eight F4F-4s ordered to patrol over Fedhala. The VF-41 pilots were straining to locate enemy targets and waiting for some direction when an air control officer with US troops radioed that a lone French plane was strafing them. Tom Booth replied to the distress call but was immediately countermanded by the ship and ordered to attack an enemy transport column on the Fedhala-Casablanca Road. In screaming dives, the Wildcats descended on the enemy truck convoy spraying it with .50 Cal machine gun fire. Booth ordered the stubby Wildcats to strafe the column again. While pulling up, they observed 6 to 8 trucks burning and another half dozen sitting at odd angles in the ditches along the chaotic road.John Raby’s VF-9 had barely reached their patrol altitude at 10,000 feet when French aircraft were spotted. A motley group of 15 LeO 451s, DB-7s and Martin 167s had just bombed landing craft on the Fedhala beachhead from high altitude with poor results. They were escorted by 16 Hawk 75s from GC I/5. Without the slightest hesitation, Raby led his 8 Wildcats against the enemy force. The French bombers got away as the fighters became embroiled in a massive dogfight.In the air battle, Wildcats and Hawks alternately became the hunter and were the hunted. The French fought and flew courageously, but the Curtiss fighters were unable to cause decisive damage to the Wildcats. On the other hand, the six .50 Cal machine guns of the F4F-4s had a devastating effect on the French fighters. Some of the French pilots had out flown the Wildcats, but they did not ready had a chance. The main reason may have been that their aerial combat tactics were those from WWI. Four planes of the Champagne Escadrille were destroyed, two pilots KIA and two other survived crash landings. Another four Hawks were damaged. VF-9 claimed 5 destroyed and 4 probables.

[assortedvillainvault]

I have a question that pops into my head all the time. What would happen if Lord Shen found love after dominating Gongmen City…

type. a beautiful young peahen with enchanting beauty appears in the city, and Shen decides to make her his servant... and then he feels something he has never felt... and that leaves him with more kindness in his heart

Always good to ponder that would happen if ‘toning it the fuck down for love’ was an option in these films! I’ve left this one on a bit of a cliffhanger, because I...kind of forgot the whole 'more kindness' thing in my enjoyment of Shen being a creepy powertripping asshole...

Lord Shen x Beautiful!Reader

- You’re a noble who is here to pay your yearly city respects, as per tradition. You’re part of the ruling family in a province that supplies much of the food to Gongmen city in exchange for military protection in case of invasion, and are well acquainted with the ruling council after the abdication and death of the previous ruling family.

- When you arrive, instead of the usual warm greeting at the gates – it’s to legions of wolves and new decals of stark white and crimson peacock feathers emblazoned over the city walls.

- With a sinking heart, you meet your guards wide eyes and swallow as the head wolf barges through the doors to shunt your convoy through the occupied city, straight to the palace.

- Lord Shen received you in his throne room, the decorations stripped bare down to the wood and metal, his cannon standing proud on the dias with the albino bird himself looking boredly out of the window at the city below. You couldn’t help but shiver as cold red eyes scanned the streets – knowing that he was calculating the worth of everything he could see not in the value of lives, but money, materials and conquest.

- Said red eyes widened considerably upon turning to face you.

- He was, infuriatingly, dismissive of the length of time your two families had had your alliance, but upon examining the treaty down the most minute of details he agreed to keep your agreement for protection.

- The fact he insisted you discuss this in person with him, instead of your clerks, alone except for your most loyal guard as Shen stood a shade too close to you and even dared to brush your feather train with his own… you were sweating fit to enough to mimic a run in the rain when all was said and done.

- You couldn’t help but let out a shaky breath as he declared the alliance to still be beneficial, swanning about his throne room with a great sweep of his tail. Politeness dictated that you bow as you thanked him, but not before you felt his gaze trace your form like a physical weight.

- With a snap of his steel tipped claws he called for your entourage to get packed and prepare for the journey back home.

- You fight not to sag in relief and turn to follow your servants – only to be met with two gorilla guards, spears clashing as they cross in your path – your guards crying out in alarm as the small rams couldn’t gat back to you, the wolves jeering from the guards posts.

- Shen coughed, chuckling as he strode forward. “Apologies my dear, I’m afraid I might have misspoken.”

- He leaned forward and gently tucked a stray feather of yours away, crooning. “I said your servants can leave. You, my dear, will be staying for a Very. Long. Time.”

[dandelion-wings]

Genshin: find the adopted animals

Genshin: search on Mt. Aocang

...is Cloud Retainer adopting pets now, too?

[baeshijima]

GENSHIN 5.2 NOTES

REDEEM CODES

6ALMWAVKLK35

7TLMXSD243JR

JS45ETDJLKMD

REDEEM HERE

BANNERS/WEAPONS

QUESTS

TRIBAL CHRONICLES: TLALOCAN

ARCHON QUEST INTERLUDE

NEW AREAS

FLOWER-FEATHER CLAN

MASTERS OF THE NIGHT-WIND

OCHKANATLAN

+ a new companion who will help in exploring ochkanatlan

NEW ENEMIES

EVENTS

PATCH-LONG EXPLORATION REWARDS

IKTOMI SPIRITSEEKING SCROLLS

ADVENTURER'S TRAILS: METAMORPHOSIS

EXERCISE SURGING STORM

AUTOMATIC ARTISTRY

CLAW CONVOY

LEYLINE OVERFLOW

OTHER

XBOX X + S SERIES AVAILABLE FOR PLAY + UNLOCK NEW WINDGLIDER ON PLATFORM

[karniss-bg3]

Hello again. ) I'm still thinking about the dancing drider. Let's imagine that during another walk through the shadows, Kar'niss found a group of dead people. One of them had a gramophone - the technology of big cities. And a bag of records. Kar'niss takes the find with him and one day, when no one bothers him, he figures out how it works. He listens to music and remembers that he was once trained to dance and did it well. Now he is trying to repeat those movements again… And someone who likes him is surreptitiously watching him. What happens then? I hope it is an interesting idea) Thank you.

[Link to AO3 Mirror]

Another day, another patrol through the Shadowlands. Kar’niss was alone this day and at times he preferred it as such, allowing him moments where he could converse with his Queen uninterrupted. Rarely did the voices answer back which allowed him to prattle on about everything and nothing as his leisure. The drider marched through the darkness with moon lantern in hand only coming to pause when he noticed something strange on the road ahead. He approached to investigate coming to discover a fallen convoy of travelers who were likely unprepared for the horrors of these cursed lands. Bodies were strewn over the road alongside an overturned cart, the beast who had been pulling it long gone.

The drider skittered over to closely examine the carnage, lifting his lantern to better shed light on the situation. The bodies were in various states of ruin, cut up and slashed either by knife or by claw. The damage was too great to discern either possibility but one thing Kar’niss knew for certain was that they were dead. He grabbed the corpse of a gnome male by the collar to hoist them up and sniff in their direction. His nose crinkled with disappointment able to tell that their blood had long gone cold and wasn’t suitable for feasting. He’d snort while he casually tossed the cadaver aside letting it land where it would. He was prepared to abandon the grizzly but common sight and continue on his way. That is until he caught sight of something glimmering in his peripheral. He’d crane his head to peer down at a pile of abandoned items strewn across the dead earth until he spied a partially open box.

He reached out to push the lid open the rest of the way revealing a bizarre device tucked away within. A wide, brass funnel protruded from the top of the object, wide and rounded at the mouth. It was attached to a rosewood box with intricate gold symbols woven into the wood grain on all sides. He assumed it to be in a language he did not know. A round turn table sat at it’s center with a peculiar metal arm hovering inches from its surface, a narrow needle fastened to the arms end. Tucked in a separate bag were a series of black discs, all with little holes bored into their centers.

“What is this, Majesty?” Kar’niss said.

The drider leaned over to peer into the dark funnel to see if something was hidden inside. Perhaps this was an oddly shaped home for a fey creature like the one trapped in his lantern? He’d lower the light source down and speak directly to the entity within, a pixie known as Dolly Thrice.

“Little nuisance, what do you know of this strange item?” Kar’niss lowered the lantern closer to it so the fey inside might shed some insight.

“So the reject wants answers? This box is not for you, it’s for dancers,” said the small voice within.

Kar’niss squinted at the reply. “Dancers? What cryptic non-sense. Speak plain!”

“I can show you if you set me free. If you deny my wish then you can blow me!”

Kar’niss reared his head back and grit his teeth, an audible growl bubbling from his throat. “We will figure it out ourselves! Majesty will guide us, yes...yes She knows what to do.”

“Ha! A drider with a brain? A notion that is beyond insane. Do not come crying to Dolly Thrice when Ketheric puts your head in a vice. Amused I will be by golly bearing witness to your folly.”

His upper lip curled into an unimpressed sneer. Tempted as he was to toss the moon lantern away he also knew this was a gift from his Queen, his everything. He believed the pixie was there to test his loyalty and test him she did.

Kar’niss collected the box and bag with the black discs juggling them in one arm while the other kept hold of the lantern to light the way. He returned to Moonrise tower, a few guards seen patrolling the outer perimeter.

“The spider freak has returned,” said one guard.

“Hard to even look at,” replied another.

Kar’niss ignored their chiding, they were the Absolute’s chosen after all. He was accustomed to the snide remarks and filthy looks but it didn’t matter. He was safe in the knowledge that his Queen saw something worthy in him, the opinions of others held no weight by comparison. Kar’niss climbed up the interior walls and squeezed through holes in the ceiling, spiriting himself away to one of the more secluded locations to play with his new toy. He squeezed himself into an abandoned room, the area covered in a thin layer of dust and the air thick with the smell of mothballs and age. He’d clear off a small table where he placed the device, setting his lantern aside.

“Hrm.” Kar’niss lowered himself to inspect the device and the discs that came with it. He picked up one of the records and examined it, peeking through the hole at it’s center. He’d then bite into it as if it were a thin sandwich, his expression immediately turning sour from the unfavorable taste. He’d stick his tongue out and shake his head with disgust before placing the disc down onto the table.

“Of course a mindless beast would think it’s edible. Are you sure your intelligence is credible?” Dolly Thrice chided from within her glass prison.

“Shut up!” Kar’niss snarled, his legs clicking at the ground in aggravation. He sucked in a shaken breath as his hand rubbed along the back of his neck, his pedipalps trembling against his torso. “We are smart, we can figure it out.”

While he was put off by the nosy pixie close by he was determined to unlock the secrets of the item one way or another. His gaze caught sight of the golden crank attached to the side of the box. He recognized similar mechanisms on music boxes or gate lifts. His clawed hands grabbed the handle and turned the arm slowly winding it up. When he released the arm he noticed it began to turn on it’s own and so did the circular table at the center of the box. He bit his lower lip as the cogs in his mind whirled with thought trying to put pieces together. He retrieved another record and turned it over in his hands, his eyes darting from the disc to the turn table taking note that both were roughly the same size. That and there was a protruding piece of metal at the center of the turn table that looked to fit the hole in the disc.

“Is this right, my Queen? Yes, we think it must be.”

He placed the record down onto the protruding nub which secured it in place. Sure enough it began to spin in place, powered by the mechanisms within. Kar’niss’ lips curled into a self-satisfied smile, his chest puffing out to signify pride in his discovery. The celebration was short lived, morphing into renewed confusion. What purpose did a spinning disc serve? He scratched his head and eyeballed every part of the gadget until he rediscovered the arm. It hovered above the record as if waiting to make contact, itching to be united. With some hesitation he applied pressure to the lever until the needle beneath made contact. At first all he could hear was strange popping sound coming from the brass cone on top which made his head tip curiously.

“I do not understand,” Kar’niss said.

Before the drider could check to make sure he did it right the loud boom of music erupted from the cone. The unexpected noise put Kar’niss in a panic, the drider quick to back away against a nearby wall and lift up his front legs into a defensive stance which exposed his underbelly, the back four remaining firmly planted on the ground. His heart pounded in his chest, his hand clinging to the hilt of his sword over his shoulder, all of his eyes wide and on alert. His reaction caused Dolly Thrice to howl with laughter within her cage, finding the entire thing ridiculous. The music continued to play a calming waltz melody, a tune that echoed throughout the room he was in. After his breathing grew steady he’d lower his front legs and frown, maintaining distance but curious all the same.

[Music]

“What sort of magic is this?” Kar’niss asked, voice barely above a whisper.

“The drider does not know? My, he really is slow,” Dolly Thrice chirped. “Four bards offended a wizard most cruel and he would not be made a fool. A choice he did give if the musicians wished to live. Be shrunk down and forever enslaved to the box or curse their loved ones with the deadly pox? To spare the ones they cherished so they promised to put on a show. In this wooden prison they must stay, performing for their master night and day!”

Kar’niss squinted when she offered the sorrowful explanation. He carefully approached the gramophone and looked it up and down, his gaze scrutinizing. “There are...people in here?” Kar’niss tapped the side of the device with a claw, expecting to hear cries for help or some other response by doing so. Of course nothing of the sort happened and it only increased his confusion further. He didn’t understand that the pixie was having fun at his expense.

Now that the initial shock had passed it gave Kar’niss a moment to focus on the song being played. While it wasn’t a melody he was accustomed to it did remind him of days gone by. He was often tasked to dance for the Matrons at feasts and other ceremonious events. The women admired him for his beauty and how well he moved, a man that had more grace than any would assume now. His body began to sway without him realizing it, those long legs swinging on their joints to carry his over-sized body this way and that. He didn’t understand why it mesmerized him so but the song did well to drown out the voices in his mind which were always vying for his attention. This was a rare moment of focus for him and it did well to relax the normally alert creature.

The music had filtered out into the hallway, catching the attention of Tav who was walking by. It was unusual to hear music in the tower, especially such a robust theme most were incapable of playing. They approached the door and gently turned the handle, pushing the door open a crack to peek inside. To their surprise they saw Kar’niss swaying to the beat, his eyes locked on the peculiar device where the sound came from. They watched while Kar’niss surrendered his body to the music, his movements growing more animated the higher his confidence climbed. Tav kept themselves hidden from view, unable to resist watching the rare performance.

Kar’niss lifted his arms above his head and curled his hips in time with the way of his body, his front two legs tapping the ground in time to the beat while the rest remained planted in place. His pedipalps lifted one at a time, curling outward one after the other as if they were walking on air. The bulky arachnid abdomen wiggled side to side, the muscles on his torso tensing beneath the chitin armor while putting them to use. His legs carried him into motion, stepping forward then back time and time again, even bold enough to turn his entire body in place. His arms swayed in an arc from his chest then back in. Tav smiled to themselves, feeling a sense of relief that perhaps Kar’niss wasn’t as lost as previously assumed. It gave them hope and encouraged them not to give up on him just yet. One would be forgiven for thinking Kar’niss was under the effect of a charm spell, lost in the rare moment of self-indulgent joy.

Such distractions would prove to be Kar’niss’ undoing. Lost as he was to the tune he didn’t pay mind to his surroundings, nor the many obstacles in his path. Upon spinning around for the second time one of his legs slipped into the open slot at the back of a wooden chair, catching him mid-step. Now tangled and in the process of circular momentum he didn’t have time to stop himself. His legs curled and staggered, the room turning upside down as the drider crashed onto his side, the chair splintering apart beneath the full bulk of his body. Kar’niss cried out from both fear and a bit of pain, the shards of wood cutting into him and his leg twisted in a way that was uncomfortable. Thankfully it did not break. Tav gasped at the sight and pushed into the room even though it revealed they had been spying on him.

“Kar’niss, are you alright?!” Tav rushed to his side and hurriedly yanked what wood pieces they could from beneath him.

Dolly Thrice squealed with laughter at the sight of the poor drider. “Eight legs better than two? Not when it comes to you!”

Tav shot the lantern a dirty glare. “It’s not funny, Dolly. Leave him be.”

Kar’niss hissed in pain and embarrassment, his legs kicking out in an effort to right himself. “Don’t touch us! Go away, GO AWAY!” Kar’niss roared as he pushed Tav off, barely managing to get himself upright.

Tav backed off and held up their hands in a defensive manner. “It’s alright, Kar’niss. I’m just trying to help you. It was an accident, that’s all.”

The drider limped toward a corner and clumsily climbed the wall, his back leg still sore but intact. He’d retreat to the dark spot and curl in on himself, not wanting to be seen by anyone. Tav frowned, glancing over their shoulder at the device just as the song came to an end. They approached and looked at it quietly, not wanting to leave Kar’niss alone even if he argued otherwise. Tav was ready to reach out and touch the equipment until the drider interjected from his corner.

“No! The bards are sleeping now,” he grumbled.

Tav’s brow lofted. “Bards?”

Kar’niss inched forward until his face was partially exposed by the dim light in the room. “The little nuisance told us of the bards inside the box.”

Tav squinted and exhaled a deep, exhausted breath. “Did she?” They wandered over and picked up the moon lantern, speaking directly to its host. “You shouldn’t tease Kar’niss like that, much less fill his head with non-sense.”

“Easy for the tall one to say. They don’t have to sit in this lantern all day."

“I know. But he is just as much a victim as you. Give me time, I’ll work it out.” Tav placed the torch back in its corner and turned to approach the humiliated drider glued to the wall. “Everything is alright. Please come down.”

Kar’niss shook his head and retreated back into his corner. “No.”

Tav hummed and planted their hands on their hips taking a moment to contemplate. They’d turn and began clearing a space in the room, pushing furniture aside and any other obstacles that likely didn’t favor spider legs. They clapped dust free from their hands once finished, returning to Kar’niss who kept a curious eye on things.

“There, plenty of space for you now.” Tav extended a hand in his direction, fingers outstretched. “If you come down I’ll even tell you what the device really is.”

He eyeballed the hand reaching for him, his hair dangling freely over his shoulder. After he thought the offer through he crept forward and clapped his hand into Tav’s own. The adventurer walked backward to lead Kar’niss down off the wall and back onto solid ground, smiling at him.

“What is it?” Kar’niss asked. Tav let go of his hand and returned to the location of the player. “It’s called a gramophone. It’s a relatively new invention and one only nobles can really afford at the minute. These discs are called records because they record sound or voices which the gramophone can play back. The song you were listening to is referred to as a waltz.”

“Wah-ults?” Kar’niss cocked his head to one side, the sound of the word on his tongue strange to him.

“Waltz, yes. It’s a kind of dance mostly popular in noble circles, although it is gaining traction across the classes. I can show you if you’d like,” Tav said.

The drider shook his head and shrank visibly. “N-No, we are too clumsy.”

“I don’t think you are, not at all. You were doing really well before you got into a fight with the chair. Now that there is space you should be fine. It’s a fairly simple dance to do.” Tav approached the gramophone and moved the needle back to the beginning of the record. They wound up the crank until it could budge no further, letting it go so the music kicked back in. They’d return to Kar’niss who was wound tighter than a spring, terrified of making another mistake especially in front of Tav. But they were not as worried, taking his hand into their own. “Now you place your hand on my hip, like this. One of my hands goes on your shoulder and the other takes your hand into mine.” Tav did exactly as instructed, stepping in closer so their hips rested between his pedipalps.

Kar’niss’ breath hitched in his throat with how close they were, closer than he was used to being with anyone who didn’t become a meal. His rounded abdomen trembled with nerves and his palms sweat, far more vulnerable than he cared to be. He trusted Tav more than he was willing to admit and he was interested in this dance they spoke of. The least he could do was give it a chance. Tav nodded and waited for the proper beat to step to the side, leading Kar’niss at first so he could get used to the rhythm.

“One, two, three. One, two, three,” Tav counted off.

Kar’niss followed along, stumbling at first as the movements were tricky with this body. Tav counting along with the steps did aid him in following, the pair dancing together from one side of the room to the next. They spun around together, the sound of Tav’s footsteps mingled with the steady clicking of Kar’niss’ pointed legs. He kept his body lowered enough to where Tav didn’t strain maintaining their hold, the pair soon finding a rhythm that worked for them both. The more he shook off his nerves the more he realized he was having fun, a concept foreign to him. He watched Tav who was smiling back at him, the duo gliding across the floor as if it were a ballroom and they were center stage. Kar’niss’ steps were wide but carefully taken while Tav kept their movements short and easy to follow. Once they were certain he had a grasp on the dance moves Tav leaned back, releasing his shoulder and maintaining the grasp on his hand, in order to spin around in place and return to their former position. Kar’niss’ eyes went wide with some surprise at how fluid the movement was, impressed.

Tav leaned in and rested their head against his shoulder, nestling their face against his neck. The drider felt a swelling in his chest, blood rushing to his face which caused a rosy hue to blossom over the normally pale surface. The hand planted on Tav’s waist opted to wander, his palm sliding around the small of their back so his arm could tug them in closer, securing them against his body. His pedipalps followed suit, fastening around the curve of their backside to hold tight. In that single moment of bliss the pair left Moonrise and the Shadow curse behind. No one else existed save for themselves, locked in a romantic embrace where they might savor the company of one another. This was their time, their moment, it belonged to no one else.

Like all good things this, too, was fated to end. The melody began to slow down, reaching its final notes to signify the finale. The duo slowed their movements to match and soon came to a stop, silence falling over the darkened room they stood in. Tav leaned back and looked into Kar’niss’ eyes, a gaze that was returned in kind by the drider. They reached up to caress the side of his face with their fingertips, feeling over the scars and the uneven surface of the chitin lining his jaw. Both felt the tension rising between them, the normally reclusive drider finding the courage to lean in closer to Tav, bridging the gap between their lips. Tav’s eyes fluttered shut, their trembled lips growing painfully close to touching.

“Dolly Dolly Dolly wishes they would stop. I cannot bear to watch this slop!” Dolly Thrice called out from her cage. “If unholy sins you want to commit at least first toss this pixie into a pit.”

Kar’niss jolted from the sudden lecture, jerking away from Tav with a frown etched on his face. Tav winced and side eyed the moon lantern. They knew Kar’niss valued the damn thing but frankly they were coming to terms with the idea of making it disappear, permanently.

“Thanks Dolly. You always know how to enhance a mood,” Tav sighed.

The drider wrinkled his nose and released Tav from his grip, his legs shifting beneath him with anxious energy. “It is alright, we have wasted too much time here. Majesty calls, we must fulfill Her bidding.” He stepped away from Tav and retrieved the annoying but useful lantern, skittering toward a hole in the ceiling so he might retreat to the top of the tower. Tav looked on and crossed their arms, disappointed that he was departing but they also knew better than to push their luck. “As you wish. Perhaps...we might do this again sometime.”

Kar’niss paused at the opening, taking a moment to glance over his shoulder at his companion. “Perhaps.” He pressed his lips together and tipped his chin up. “Thank you for teaching us this...wall-utz.” From there he squeezed his way through the opening and disappeared from sight.

Tav stood back, reaching out apply a glancing touch to the side of the gramophone. They smiled and leaned back against the table.

“You’re welcome, Kar’niss.”