#crow and mouse answer

[crowandmousewritingco]

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again.

Joel would have absolutely no real idea what being trans means. It’d be the “Jesse what the fuck are you talking about” meme

But I think he’s the live and let live type, pre and post outbreak. Not my business type guy. We see it in bill and Frank in the show and with the game reaction to Ellie. He just cares that Dina treats her good.

So I think after he learns reader is trans he may find it a bit odd if he’s honest. He doesn’t get it. But he likes reader so he’s gonna be open and not immidietly run

He’s gonna learn that making the changes reader chooses to make, makes them happy. He’ll learn that this matters, it’s not something silly thing Fox News makes fun of it’s real life. And he’ll love and accept reader and fight to the death for them 🙏🏻

Sorry in my feels thought you may understand lol

i agree! Considering he's from Texas, he has no idea what pronouns are Pre-Outbreak. And maybe that's why the reader is a little apprehensive about how Joel react knowing what they know about him. But when he sees Joel reading what he can on the subject it makes him feel a lot better. Joel would have a lot of unlearning to do, especially if he was surrounded by more right leaning people which a majority of Texas' population is.

Once Joel has learned what he can with the limited resources in Jackson, I can definitely see him becoming a little bit of an advocate for the reader's pronouns. Like if people in Jackson start shit with you, Joel will be there in an instant to help them.

Not gonna lie this did inspire us to right a fic with this theme!

[homunculus-argument]

It annoys me unreasonably when you want to ask people "what bird and what mammal would make the worst gryphon" as a fun thought exercise, and people with no joy and no imagination always interpret it as "a gryphon that sucks, is physically impossible, and would hate being alive", and - being predictable and lacking in imagination - always, always answer with "a hummingbird and a blue whale lol".

Like come on. Why do you have to suck the fun out of everything. Why not use a fraction of imagination and delightful whimsy. Imagine the combination of a mouse and a sparrow. That creature would be merciless, burtal, absolutely determined to get into your trash and has the power of both wings and hands to do its will. Or a crow and a cat - that thing is smart enough to fuck with people and not afraid to do it. Imagine the ungodly shriek of the noble fox-seagull, also determined to get into your trash.

A gryphon that is a combination of a kangaroo and a cassowary. The only proof we have of a loving god is the fact that those things do not exist. If hell is real, it's full of them. That thing can't fly, but it will run you down, it will kill you, and you will look stupid the whole entire time you're dying.

Why would the first thing that pops into your mind at the words "the worst gryphon" automatically be "a gryphon that hates being alive". Can you not picture a gryphon that fucking loves being alive, and has both the power and the will to make it everyone else's problem.

[starmocha]

Rock-a-Bye [Sylus + Daughter ★ 1122 words ★ Masterlist ★ Series Index ★ AO3] Sylus has a stubborn little birdie who won’t go to sleep. A/N: God, I was not prepared for this man to sing “Rock-a-Bye Baby.” My womb and I have not been the same since then.

Sylus sat behind his desk, going over some new intel he had received that night. The door to his office was opened ajar, the hallway dimmed light filtered in. As his eyes skimmed the documents, his deep voice rumbled softly, “Mephisto is in here with me, so who is that little birdie lurking outside my office?”

He smirked when he heard a tiny startled gasp. He looked up just in time to catch a small shadow quickly backing up against the wall to hide.

“Baby,” his voice called out, “come into Daddy’s office.”

He waited, seeing the hesitation from the person outside, and after nearly a minute, he watched his office door opened further, a little girl in a pink nightgown walked into his office looking guilty.

“It is eleven, why are you not in bed, baby?”

“How…did Daddy know it was me?”

Sylus tilted his head in amusement at the little girl’s question, his eyes drifting over to the mechanical crow in his office. His daughter noticed and she instantly stomped her foot. The little girl gave a pout and then she turned and glared at the mechanical bird perched near her father’s desk.

“Mephie tattled on me!”

The mechanical crow looked startled before it lowered its head in shame, giving a sad coo.

Sylus had a hard time hiding his amusement, chuckling at his daughter’s angry pout. “Don’t be mad at Mephisto, baby,” he said calmly, “Look, his feelings are hurt.”

Instantly, the little girl looked guilty for her outburst. She walked over to near Sylus’ desk and reached up on her tippy toes to stroke the crow’s feathers. Her voice was very small and remorseful, “I’m sorry, Mephie…”

Mephisto gave a cheerful caw, earning not only a smile from the little toddler but also her father.

Sylus reached over and patted his daughter’s head gently, smoothing out her hair. “Now, baby, do you want to tell me why you are still awake at this hour? I thought Luke and Kieran had put you to bed.”

“They did…” she responded, looking down at the white kitty cat slippers she was wearing. She shuffled her feet guiltily, and then confessed, “I miss Mommy…”

Sylus’ expression softened, empathizing deeply with the little three-year-old girl. He leaned back in his chair and patted his lap, gesturing for his daughter to come closer. Delighted, the little girl immediately scampered over and raised her arms, waiting for her father to lift her up. Sylus easily picked her up, settling her comfortably on his lap. He smiled when she snuggled closer to him.

“I know you miss Mommy, baby,” he started gently, “but Mommy is away on a mission right now. Didn’t she video chat with you and said good night earlier?”

“It’s not the same,” his daughter replied with a pout, crossing her arms stubbornly. She looked up at her father with wide, pleading eyes, “I want to stay up with Daddy.”

Sylus sighed and shook his head. “Daddy has business to take care of tonight.”

“I can be as quiet as a mouse, Daddy!”

Sylus chuckled and stroked her cheek affectionately, pleased when he heard her sweet little giggles. “I know you can, my little birdie,” he said, but shook his head again, “But this type of business is for grownups only.”

“Okay…” The little girl looked down sadly, her legs idly kicking back and forth as she stared at her kitty slippers.

Sylus stroked her hair to comfort her. “Come on, baby,” he said, “it’s well past your bedtime.”

“What about Daddy’s bedtime?”

“Daddy’s bedtime is in the morning,” Sylus answered curtly, carefully lifting his daughter into his arms as he stood up. She clung to him as he carried her out of his office. Cheekily, she waved at Mephisto as she was taken away. The mechanical crow cooed softly.

“Daddy?”

“What is it, baby?”

“Can’t I stay up with you?”

Before Sylus could respond, he caught sight of Luke and Kieran searching from room to room down the hallways. He stopped, and cleared his throat, alerting the twins.

“Did you two lose a little birdie?” He paused, and added with an exasperated sigh, “Again?”

“Uh, listen, Boss,” Luke started, panicking, “It wasn’t our fault!”

Kieran instantly agreed, “Yeah, we tucked her in real good. We even stood outside the door for ten minutes to make sure she didn’t sneak out again!”

“And yet she escaped. Again.”

“Boss—”

The little girl giggled. “Sorry, Lukey, Kier-Kier…”

Kieran sighed and crossed his arms. “Little Miss, you are lucky you are so adorable.”

Luke interjected, “Don’t worry, Boss, we’ll make sure she’ll go to bed this time—”

“Forget it,” Sylus cut in, already walking past the two. “I’ll tuck her in myself.”

The twins sighed and waved weakly at the smiley, waving girl.

As Sylus approached his daughter’s bedroom, he felt her squirming in his arms. He paused and looked down. “Is this little birdie trying to fly away?”

“Maybe…”

Sylus shook his head and opened the bedroom door. Inside the large room, there were countless toys and books, much too excessive for a little three-year-old girl to have, but money meant absolutely nothing to Sylus when it came to his daughter’s happiness. Sylus walked to the middle of the room where there was a large canopy bed with sheer pink curtains and fairy lights strewn about waiting for its little owner to return. As Sylus tucked his daughter into her bed, he noticed her sulking again. “Baby, it’s almost midnight. You should have been asleep four hours ago.”

“Can I have a song, Daddy?”

“Trying to strike a deal, are you?”

The girl gave her best pout and puppy dog eyes.

“Deal accepted,” Sylus answered, sitting down on his daughter’s bed. He smiled as she snuggled up to him. “You might be the only person around this place who appreciate my singing.”

Sylus smiled when he saw his daughter yawning. Despite her stubbornness the whole night, it wouldn’t take much to finally lull her to sleep. His large hand gently held onto her little hand, stroking it tenderly as his deep voice sung softly, “Rock-a-bye baby on the treetop…”

He watched as sleepy little eyes drifted close as he sang her a lullaby. When he had finished, his daughter was already sound asleep, cuddled up close to him, breathing softly. Sylus took a glance at a clock in his daughter’s bedroom.

He was already running late to the meeting.

The meeting could wait, Sylus decided. After all, the people waiting for him to arrive needed him, not the other way around. He settled more comfortably in bed next to his sleeping daughter, his deep humming the only sound heard in the large bedroom.

[the-key-five]

arya stark appreciation week → day 1: quote

Only the kindly man knew the Common Tongue. "Who are you?" he would ask her every day. "No one," she would answer, she who had been Arya of House Stark, Arya Underfoot, Arya Horseface. She had been Arry and Weasel too, and Squab and Salty, Nan the cupbearer, a grey mouse, a sheep, the ghost of Harrenhal . . . but not for true, not in her heart of hearts. In there she was Arya of Winterfell, the daughter of Lord Eddard Stark and Lady Catelyn, who had once had brothers named Robb and Bran and Rickon, a sister named Sansa, a direwolf called Nymeria, a half brother named Jon Snow. In there she was someone . . . but that was not the answer that he wanted.

A Feast for Crows, Arya II

[spellsyzygy]

Promises Made | agathario x reader fic

chapter one.

𖦹 summary: you’ve lived a few lovely, domestic months with agatha. someone’s come to bring a stop to that — and claim what they were promised.

19th century, 1.2k(?) words. rio heavy chapter.

𖦹 warnings: dark fic (read at your own discretion) depictions of violence (r receiving), choking, stabbing, rio is a menace, references of miscarriages, depictions of spousal abuse, blood play (once if you squint), dacryphilia (one mention), nudity, not technically smut but there’s some sexual tension, ANGST, pet names (little witch, little mouse, mouse), depictions of drowning, fem reader, audrey plaza murder me please.

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the evening wind howls outside as you kiss agatha goodbye, she’s off to meet with what she’s referred to as a ‘promising new coven’. you asked to go with her but she refused, saying it was far too dangerous for you to venture into the city. your husband has swarms of men looking for you. the townsfolk have spread a rumor that a witch stole you away to use as sacrifice for her dark ritual. you and agatha laughed at that over tea the other night.

“be safe, my moon” you whisper as you pull away from the kiss.

“when am i not?” she grins and gives you one last wave before she dips into the wood.

it has been two months since you started this strangely domestic partnership with the purple witch. you’ve been dripping with an unfamiliar bliss ever since. you frequently dote on her and tell her how good she is to you. she gives you everything you could ever want. though, you can tell she hides something from you, something sinister. you wouldn’t dare ruin what you have with prying questions — and what good are answers you don’t really want? let her have her secrets, she gives you everything else.

you stare out the window for a bit, you spot a fox as it scampers out of the brush. it stops and stares at you, which leaves you feeling uneasy. to clear your mind, you go to draw a bath. you enter the bathroom, leaving the door cracked behind you. you find agatha has already prepared a warm bath for you. you’ve outdone yourself again, my dear. you undress and toss your garments into the laundry basket. the subtle scent of lavender fills the air and you can’t wait to dip into the milky pool agatha has prepared for you.

a murder of crows caw outside your window. a normal occurrence, but you swear these ones are peering into your very soul. you pour a bit of rose scented oil into your palm and rub it across your bare collarbone and arms. you hear the front door unlock and footsteps trailing towards you.

“forget something, agatha?” you call out. the bathroom door behind you creaks open and a smile creeps onto your lips.

her cool hands come up over your shoulders and you reach up to give one a squeeze. “missed me already?” you tease. she works her free hand to the front of your neck — just below your jaw. “agatha?”

“guess again.” an unfamiliar voice responds before shoving your head down into the water.

you thrash and claw at the arms. you need to breathe. you weren’t allowed so much as a gasp before those unrelenting arms forced you down. the hand that isn’t forcing your head down is squeezing around your throat with an unnatural strength. think, you plead with yourself — there must be something you can do. the rebreathing spell. a healing incantation agatha taught you while working on your powers, after she teased you for not knowing how to swim. ‘you know what they do to witches they catch’ her voice fills your mind.

you recall the intricate movements you’ve repeated so many times before. a light green glow comes from your hands and place them over your chest. finally, you can breathe again — though not really, without this spell you’d be dead.

“of course.” the cloaked woman hisses, releasing you with a forceful shove. you rise from the water, gasping. the air stings your throat and your whole body shakes. you sulk in the bath, staring at the woman who leans against your sink.

“did my husband send you?” you whisper, voice hoarse from the near strangulation. the woman scoffs in reply. “what did he promise you? money? land?” you lift yourself out of the tub and snatch a towel from the rack to cover yourself.

“you’re a hard one to catch” she complains, completely ignoring your question. she looks you over slowly — there’s not a trace of shame in her amused expression. “she chose a cute pet, of course she just had to fall for a healer…” she rolls her eyes.

is she talking about agatha?

“you have escaped my clutches far too many times, little witch.” agatha’s pet name for you. chills run up your spine, how long has she been watching us?

you tense and feel magic tingling through your veins. i’ve escaped her before — i can do it again… right? the woman slinks towards you, her nails trace the hilt of her dagger. fear forces your magic to your palms. you feel the power swirl around your fingertips.

“oh im so frightened!” she fakes a cower. “what is your bright idea? to heal me to death?”

“leave this place. i swear i will not remember your face, i have no quarrel with you, plea-“ your breath hitches as she tugs the towel away from you. she places a cold hand against your lower stomach.

“oh you have plenty quarrel with me, i’ve taken quite a few things from you.” her fingers tap against your skin, “and you’ve taken much from me.” her finger traces up your stomach to your throat, “i was to have you that night, so many moons ago.”

your stomach churns with the memory of your husband’s hands against your throat. was she there, waiting for your life to be snuffed out? you were only saved by chance — a knock at the door. your neighbors wife had gone missing and needed your husband’s help in finding her.

you gasp before backing away from her, “death,”you don’t get far before you’re pinned against the tub. a lump forms in your throat, “i have not been promised to you,”

“yes,” she presses her body against yours, “you have.” rio unsheathes the dagger at her side and places a hand on your cheek. she brushes away the damp hair that sticks to your face, “sad to prune such a pretty flower,” the dagger brushes against your side, “but promises must be kept.”

there’s an indescribable burning in your side as she stabs into you. wails spill from your lips and she lets you crumple to the ground. rio kneels in front of you and grabs the blade’s exposed handle. she strokes your cheek, wiping away the tears that scurry down it.

“i’m sure she had fun with you.” rio coos as she twists the knife, “her domesticated,” — another twist —“little mouse.” — she yanks the blade out from you, “but I was promised a body, your body.” she cleans her blade with the towel she snatched from you. blood pours from your wound, leaving a small puddle on the floor around you.

“please-“ your hand shoots to your side and you try mending the gash.

“well now, that’s annoying—“ rio’s hands dance around one another rapidly and suddenly your thrown from the floor into the bathroom’s mirror. shattered glass slices your cheeks and arms and back. you collapse to the ground. your body is too weak to fight back, but you mend the smallest cuts on your hands with what little energy you have left. rio clamors over you, straddling your waist. “c’mon, give up.” she grabs your face roughly, “give up.” you try to shake your head no but she forces it into a nod. “there we go,” she hums.

she positions her dagger over your heart, the tip digs into your skin and blood begins to trickle down your chest.

“please…” you beg — but you’re not sure what for.

BONG — BONG — BONG

three church bells ring out loudly, shaking the walls of the cottage. you don’t recall ever hearing them before, you aren’t even sure where the nearest church is, and it certainly can’t be three yet.

rio growls animalisticly, “looks like she’s saved you once more,” she drags the dagger down between your breasts, droplets of blood bubble onto your soft skin, “but i’ll be back.” rio turns your head to the slide and licks up your cheek, blood and tears coat her tongue. she runs it across her teeth and flashes a wicked smile at you. she tosses your head down and peels herself off of you.

“she knows she cannot delay me forever, we will walk together soon enough, little witch.” with that she saunters out of the cottage and into the woods.

the spot on your cheek is healed, but your mind muddled and your body is broken. your magic is drained and you stare at the moon through the window. it’s eerily silent out. you lay in a bath of your own hot blood, yet still you’re shivering. you steady yourself against the sink and hear the familiar click of the front door unlocking.

“mouse? i’m home—“ agatha calls.

end of chapter one.

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𖦹 chapter two (coming soon?)

a/n: needed to get this out of my system. comfort will come soon … followed by more hurt, probably some smut, and then comfort again.

[mytheoristavenue]

Hi hi!!! I'm here to pop into your inbox to remind you about the office part 2 thingy :3 (i absolutely adore your writing by the way, nobody else writes for those 3 as well as u do <3)

Thanks for reminding me!

MHA Fumikage Tokoyami 🍋 - Step Into My Office

Summary: As requested, you meet Tokoyami in his office, hoping he wasn't about to fire you.

Warnings: Office sex, mean!Tokoyami, rough sex, slight manipulation, use of his alias, unprotected sex, AFAB!Reader

Word Count: 1.4K

You waited on the other side of the door, heart hammering in your chest. You'd stood there for nearly ten minutes at this point, trying to gather your courage, staring down a gold nameplate that read 'Tsukuyomi'. With a final, very deep breath, you raised your fist to knock, only to be startled out of the idea by your boss bellowing from the inside. "I haven't got all day."

You quickly scurried in, shutting the door behind you, nervously grooming yourself as you collected your bearings. "M-My apologies, sir." You squeaked, drawing closer. "Y-You wanted to see me?"

"You may not be aware of this, but I am an incredibly busy man." The crow scolded, hands folded neatly under his beak, elbows propped on the desk. "If I offer you my time, I'd advise against wasting it."

"O-Of course, sir," You bowed your head shamefully. "I-It won't happen again."

"I hope not," He nodded to the visitor's chair in front of his desk. sternly. "Sit." You do as he asked, swallowing dryly.

"Have I done something wrong, sir?" You asked, voice trembling as you peered up at him.

"Aside from interrupting me time and time again? No," He answered, beady vermillion eyes narrowing on you as if you were a field mouse. "As a matter of fact, the other heroes in this agency and I have been talking and..." He sighed, pinching the bridge of his beak. "As much as it pains me to admit, we agree you deserve a reward for your hard work."

You can't contain the smile that cracks across your face, eyes sparkling with awe at his attempt at praise. "R-Really, what is it?"

For the first time, he smiled- no, smirked at you. His expression was predatory and devious, but you tried to push down how uneasy it made you. You were finally being recognized for your dedication to the agency and you couldn't be happier.

"My, aren't you eager?" He teased, tilting his head back, motioning for you to come over to him. "You may have the others convinced you're an angel sent from above to organize their lives for meager pay," He cooed, rolling his desk chair back and pulling you by the hips in front of him, slowly turning you to face the other way. "But I am not so easily swayed."

You couldn't even find the words to reply, not that he would have allowed you to speak over him anyway. Your face glowed red like a cattle branding iron and felt just as hot as he continued, one palm flat on the small of your back, giving you a gentle forward nudge. You pressed your hands to the desk, leaning over in as modestly as you could.

"That being said, if you were able to convince me that you have this agency's best interest at heart, I might be inclined to give the final vote in favor of your new contract." He hinted, eyes darkening as he surveyed the doughy surface of the backs of your thighs, trailing the seem that ran up the legs of your pantyhose. "Which of course, would include a handsome raise and a very nice benefit package. But the choice is inevitably yours. Your position here is not in jeopardy if you decline."

You finally nodded shyly, just once. "W-What would I need to do to convince you?"

-----

"Just like that, perfect," Tsukuyomi sighed, hand still pressed to the small of your back, easing you up and down. He felt so powerful, sitting in his big leather office chair, watching his secretary do all the work for him. Your knees trembled and the muscles in your thighs burned from the odd angle, but you did as you were told, sitting fully into his lap before dragging yourself into a near stand. You repeated this workout for what felt like millennia, but you couldn't deny that it was worth your while.

The crow marveled at the sight of you, back arched, straining to keep up with his command, pencil skirt pushed up your back. Your dark gray pantyhose now had an obscene hole, only big enough for him to fit through and your panties were unceremoniously pushed to the side, leaving little to catch the fallout. "Good girl, you certainly deserve a raise, don't you?" He cooed, head tilted back in ecstasy as you rode him from the comfort of his chain.

You nodded with a pitiful whine, only to feel a sharp smack to your rump which you were sure left a tight fishnet pattern on your skin thanks to your pantyhose. "Go on then, tell me you deserve that raise. You want it, don't you?" He ordered, his palm lingering on your backside, caressing it, as if to soothe the sting.

"I-I..." you whimpered, tears pricking your eyes as drool dripped down your chin. "I-I deserve a raise..."

"Oh, you don't sound very sure of yourself," He feigns ignorance, sighing. "I don't think I can in good conscience sign off on a reward you don't feel you deserve."

"I-I do...deserve it." You argued weakly, knees buckling a bit from the strain they were under.

"Then convince me," He encouraged, smacking your behind again, but not near as hard as this time. "Say: 'I deserve a damned raise, Tsukoyomi, sir!'" He ordered, taking the initiative to pull you down onto him to penetrate you even deeper.

"I-I can't say that..." You refused meekly, dipping your head against the desk momentarily, only to be straightened again by his harsh actions.

"Need I remind you that this is all for your benefit?" He asked, his breath hitching a bit when he bottomed out entirely, not that you noticed. "It brings me no pleasure to have to spend even more money on your labor. Now, do you want that raise, or not?"

"I-I do-!" You whined, throwing your head back, only to have the hero catch a fistful of your hair.

"Then say it!" He demanded, shifting up to stand, pounding into you hatefully as his chair rolled away behind him. "Say it or the offer is off the table, I won't wait for you to decide what you want!"

You finally snapped, feeling your cervix begin to bruise, melting into the desk, coating his paperwork with drool and smudged makeup. "I-I deserve a damn raise, Tsukuyomi!" You shouted, tears streaming down your cheeks. "I-I deserve so much more than what I make for putting up with you all! I deserve a six-figure salary just for putting up with you alone!"

Tsukuyomi's eyes darkened as he let out a low chuckle, incredibly aroused by your outburst. "That's right, tell me all about it, Feather," He huffed, finally convinced as he watched you work yourself silly on his cock. "You've got a hard job, don't you? Keeping up with three pro heroes all by yourself?" You nodded, moaning a confirmative hum. "And I'm just awful to you, aren't I?"

"T-Terrible..." Admit ina mousy tone, nearly braindead from how he was treating you.

"Let's start over, shall we? I w-want to turn over a new leaf, be a better boss." He chuckled, feeling his high crescendo begin to build. "Why don't we start with twenty-five percent pay raise, along with 401K, vision a-and- a-ahhh..." He trailed off, beginning to lose himself. "M-Medical insurance..."

You gritted your teeth as the knot in your tummy pulled tight and tighter. Suddenly you smirked weakly. "A-And dental?"

Your boss was taken aback to be sure, halting for a moment before gripping your hips tightly, bracing himself. "Let me cum inside?" He proposed with a devious smirk which only widened as you nodded, messed bun bouncing with the motion. "Deal."

-----

"I'll draw up the paperwork this afternoon," Tsukuyomi said sternly, clearing his throat and smoothing his costume out, watching you do the same with your office attire. "I will have to have another meeting with Tentacole and Tail-Man to discuss the negotiation."

You nodded with a serene smile, shifting awkwardly, thighs glued together. "Thank you, Tsukuyomi, sir," You began tidying up his desk as if nothing had ever happened, taking his coffee mug as you turned to leave. "I'll bring you a fresh cup of coffee."

"Thank you." He nodded, an air of professionalism surrounding him.

"Sir?" You asked before you got to the door, still squirming uncomfortably. "May I be granted an extended lunch? I'd like to go home to change." The way he smirked at your request made you incredibly uneasy.

"Permission denied."

[petertingle-yipyip]

STRANGER (vi) - KAZ BREKKER

tags: @beekeepingageissome @shadowzena43 @nikfigueiredo @mp-littlebit @starmansirius @hadesnumber1daughter @directioner5life @strvngestark @hostilityghost @ofmenanduhhhwellmen // previously // next

Pairing: Kaz x Davina Rollins (enemies to lovers)

Word Count: 5,786

Summary: Haunting memories and vivid hallucinations, Davina fights through the surprise takedown and the dynamic nearly shifts. Or maybe, in some sense, it still does.

Kaz dropped his cane as Davina fell against him. One of his hands held her arm still so the other caught her around her back. Her own grip fell away from his sleeve and she was completely still, completely limp.

Jesper was on her other side with panic in his eyes. Kaz knew it was reflected in his own, but when he looked to try and see what Davina was trying to tell him, he saw Per Haskell looking on with a proud smirk.

“Take her to the Slat.” Kaz told Jesper. He didn’t want to hand Davina over, but there was a new rage clawing at the inside of his chest. He heard the feral tone in his voice, felt the tension brewing in his muscles. “Tell no one who she is. Go straight to mine.”

“Kaz…” Jesper said as Kaz placed Davina in his arms.

Kaz drew her hood up, carefully shadowing her face and protecting her identity. She seemed as if she were sleeping and the softness in her features made his heart ache. ‘In another life, maybe’, he told himself. Jesper adjusted his hold on her before he nodded to Kaz.

“Send for Zenik when you get there.” Kaz instructed, Jesper nodding fervently at the tasks being laid out for him.

“What will you do?” Jesper asked. 

“I’m going to get some answers.”

He may not be able to have her in that life, but he would do everything he could to right the wrongs he could. And he would start with Haskell.

—————

“Papa, what if Kaz and Jordie can’t find our new home?” You ask as you skip beside your mother down the path away from your previous home. It was all packed up by the time you woke up and your father informed you that you’d had to move. ‘Mouse problem’ he told you. ‘Can’t have that in your little lungs, now can we?’

You didn’t question it.

“Don’t you worry about it, Davi.” He smiles and reaches down to pat your head. “I left a note for them.”

“Good.” You grin and your father takes your other hand to help your other swing you over a puddle. You land with a fit of giggles. “I like Kaz and Jordie.”

“Do you?” Your father asks but he’s not really interested.

“Yes, they’re my only real friends after all.” You nod. “I hope they find us soon.”

———————

“She didn’t come back, Kol.” Melli said anxiously. “She was only supposed to be there a few hours.”

“I agree she’s taking longer than intended.” Kol nodded. “And I don’t know Davina the same way you do, but I trust that she’ll come back. We’ll need to present that front to the rest of them in the meantime.”

“A front? You’re suggesting we lie to them?” She sounded incredulous, almost offended by the concept.

“I’m suggesting we protect what she’s built.” He put his hands up in surrender. “If something has happened and if her father finds out…”

“He’ll steamroll us.” Melli understood. “You’re right, but… What if one of us goes to the Crow Club to see if there’s anything there? We’re not as known so it wouldn’t seem suspicious.”

“I can get in and out. I don’t have my tattoo yet.”

“Alright… Let’s give it a day or two. In the meantime, see if Nina Zenik knows anything when you go for your lesson.”

———————

“Please, have you seen these boys?” You show the drawing to anyone who’d stop, but hardly anyone stops for a child with a pencil drawing in her hands and tears down her cheeks. “Won’t someone help me?”

You chase down the bodymen every morning as they’re coming off the boats. They warn you to stay back, that they might have the Plague on them, but you stick out your arms with the drawing in your hands.

“Please, Sir.” Your eyes water again but at least you could hide behind the paper. “They’re my only friends.”

“I’m sorry, little one. I think I picked them up last night.” One of the men says and you can hear the sympathy in their voice.

Your arms fall and you know your cheeks are tear-stricken, eyes red and puffy. Your lip quivers and the man can only nod sadly before he leaves.

They were dead… Kaz and Jordie were dead…

You fall to your knees as you sobbed.

—————

Your eyes opened for a moment but couldn’t focus. A sharp pain ignited behind your eyeballs and you slammed them shut. You groaned in pain, covering your face in your hands.

You realized, just barely, that you were laying in a bed. A thin blanket was laid over you and your head was on a soft pillow. Your brows furrowed beneath your hands as you tried to remember what happened.

“Is she gonna be alright?” You heard a voice far off. Maybe he was in the same room, maybe he was on the other side of the door. You had no idea. “What happened to her?”

“Haskell poisoned her.” Another voice, angrier and rougher than the first, answered. It sounded like all his focus was going into keeping himself composed. “It’s a stimulant, mental and physical. He doesn’t know the extent of the effects but he dosed her on purpose. Was damn proud of it, too.”

You knew both of those voices. How did you know those voices? They both seemed to care and that made you feel a bit safer, though the unfamiliar surroundings still left an eerie feeling around you.

“Why would he do that? She couldn’t have provoked him.”

“She could have. I’m sure she could provoke the Devil enough He’d bolt out of Hell if she wanted to, but I doubt she did…  No, he did this because he wants to prove his power.”

“Did she say why was she at the Club?” He sounded nervous.

Kaz is alive? And he was worried about you. He didn’t abandon you as kids and he didn’t die of the Plague.

“I don’t know. She collapsed before she could give a real answer.” 

You tried to sit up, to see Kaz and to talk to him, but the attempted movement caused pain to explode in your head, tightening your chest and weighing down your body. You cried out and collapsed against the mattress. You could’ve sworn you felt your heart stutter in your chest before you fell unconscious again.

—————

It’s dark. There’s seemingly nothing around you. You don’t even feel like a person, just a consciousness. An idea. Do you have a name?

Yes, of course you have a name. But what is it?

“My beautiful little girl.” A woman’s voice comes. But not just any woman, your mother.

She begins to materialize out of the darkness and you find your shape too.

Your name is Davina, Davina Rollins.

“Hello, Davi.” She smiles and cups your face in her hands.

“Hi, Mama.” You smile.

“You’ve grown so beautiful, so strong. It’s been a long time, my sweet girl.”

“Mama…” The idea of your friends wouldn’t leave you, bouncing around your thoughts like a ball of rubber in a box. “Do you remember my friends, Kaz and Jordie?”

Her hands fall away. “The farm boys your father brought in? The ones that ran off and left you in shambles? Yes.”

“They didn’t run off. They were picked up by the bodymen when I was kid.”

“The Queen’s Lady Plague got them?” Her chin turns up in disgust. “Serves them right.”

“Mama!”

“They disgraced your father.”

“Papa lied to them! He called himself Jakob. He stole their money! He left them to die, it’s all his fault!”

Her open hand strikes your cheek and you cry out.

———————

Davina cried out from the bed, twisting and turning like she was trying to get away from something. Her temperature was steady but higher than it should’ve been. Nina had drawn the blanket away and kept a wet towel on her forehead.

“You say she was poisoned?” Nina asked, her hands fluttering gently around Davina.

“Yes.” Kaz answered tightly. He was seated at the edge of the bed, chin resting on balled up fists and his elbows on his knees. “Haskell put something in a drink he gave her. A high dose stimulant, physical and mental.”

“Explains the nonsense she’s mumbling.” Nina said to herself. “She’ll be alright, but what are we to tell her Snakes?”

“They don’t know she’s here.”

“No, but her Heartrender came to the White Rose. He’s worried about her.”

“Why was he there?” Kaz knew he shouldn’t ask. When Davina was lying in the bed beside him, squirming and whimpering as if she was atop pins and needles, he should be focused on her. But of course, his need for information pushed to the forefront.

“I call on him from time to time. He makes me laugh.” She waved him off. He didn’t believe it - considering Davina gave the same reason for visiting Nina - but he had no proof otherwise, so he didn’t ask again. “I told him I hadn’t heard anything but someone should send word that she’s alive.”

“He trusts you?”

“Enough, it seems.”

“Then do it. I don’t care how. I’ll stay with her.”

———————

You’re with Kaz.

You’re sitting in the grass of the front yard of the Rollins’ house. Your brother is kicking his feet on the swing your father made for him. Your mother and your father are laughing as they push him, teasing that he’d fly off.

You look over at Kaz, he has his eyes closed as he faces the sun like a cat. You smile to yourself and as if he knows, he turns to you and returns the smile.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” He laughs before dropping to his back. He folds his arms and tucked his hands neatly behind his head. The motion pulls his rolled sleeves above his elbows and you can just see his interlocked fingers behind his scattered hair.

“I’m glad you’re here.” You say honestly. You shift to lay beside him, nestling yourself in the crook of his arm. That arm comes down and drapes across your chest. You fiddle with his fingers before he takes hold of your hand.

“I’ll be here so long as you have me.”

“Kaz Rietveld. that almost sounds like a proposal.” You tease. “You know, you’ll owe my father a goat.”

“A goat?” He laughs. “Just one? That’s selling yourself short. Dear.”

“Several.” You correct yourself. “And you’ll have to see if my brother approves.”

“Really? And what of my brother?”

“Jordie adores me. I don’t think he’ll mind.”

Jordie… No, that wasn’t right. But he was coming up the path with a basket of snacks.

You look around and realize quite a few things are wrong. It wasn’t the Rollins’ house you’re in front of, but the fake home from before the Rietvelds died. Your brother doesn’t have a swing in that tree. And Kaz, well he has his bare hand in yours with his arms exposed.

That wasn’t right. None of that was right.

———————

“Why is she here, Kaz?” A girl was asking. You knew you recognized the voice, but you couldn’t imagine her face. The anger in her voice was sharp as a blade.

“Where else should I have taken her?” A boy - Kaz - answered. “Left her unconscious in an alley?”

“You could have taken her to her Snakes!”

“They could go to war with us over this. I wasn’t going to risk that.”

“If any of them want to declare war, it’s going to be her. Do you honestly think she’ll be happy to wake up here?” Her disbelief made her laugh. “Saints, Kaz, she’ll probably throw a punch at whoever she sees first.”

“Haskell did this to her, Inej. If I had her brought to the Poisoned Rook, her Heartrender would’ve ended whoever had her. I couldn’t take her to her main building because no one knows where it is. If I left her somewhere, what was to stop Pekka or one of the menagerie owners from grabbing her?”

“She won’t see it that way.”

“You don’t know her.”

“And you do?” That disbelieving laugh again.

Silence.

Your eyes hurt so you closed them again. You whined slightly and tried to rub them, but your limbs still felt too heavy.

“Do you know her?” Inej insisted. You could vaguely remember her then. The Suli girl known as the Wraith who could throw a blade with frightening skill. 

If she was upset with your presence wherever you were, you didn’t think you’d be there much longer.

———————

You feel different, like there was something calling to you in every person. Like every person has their own drumbeat that only your ears could recognize. No, not your ears, but your body. You were you, as a child, but suddenly you were Grisha. Corporalnik. A Healer.

You find two boys in an alley, afflicted by the Queen’s Lady Plague. When the younger one looks at you, you immediately recognize him.

“Kaz.” You breathe a sigh of relief.

“Vina?” He looks at you with watery eyes, a red face with flushed cheeks. “Can you help him?”

You look over and see Jordie, frighteningly still in Kaz’s arms. You gulp. You can hear the bodymen coming.

“I can try.”

———————

You sat upright in the bed, gasping for air. Your eyes adjusted to the unfamiliar setting and you scrambled back until you hit the wall. You could feel your hair stuck to your forehead and the back of your neck, your shirt sticking along the length of your spine. 

You looked all around, trying to get a grip on reality. You were just there. Jordie was right in front of you.

Instead, a hand was on either arm and someone was in front of you. You flicked your hand for your blade but nothing came out. You looked down in a panic and wondered if your cuff was broken. When your eyes finally focused on the figure in front of you, you realized it was Kaz.

Kaz, as he was. With his meticulously combed hair, dark and watchful eyes, his all black outfits. The only thing missing were his gloves and that stupid hat. Where were his gloves?

“Where is he?” You breathed. Your mind was still reeling from your latest dream but there was no imaginary thrum of power in you. You wouldn’t be able to save him even if he was there.

“Who?” Kaz asked and the worry in his tone was reflected in his eyes. “Who are you looking for, Davina?”

“Jordie.” You nearly whispered and you watched his face fall. “He was right here. I was…” You felt the tears threatening and you didn’t bother to stop them as your hands started to shake. “I couldn’t save him. I tried, Kaz, I did.”

“What do you mean?” His voice was low and he carefully brushed his thumb against your cheek. The barest of touch, hardly a gaze of skin, but you felt it like a jolt of electricity. “He’s been gone a long time.”

You took a shaky breath and nodded. You knew Kaz was right, but that didn’t make the dream any less real.

You had to sort through the memories, the hallucinations, and the truth. Talking to your mother about the boys, that never happened. Neither did that afternoon on the lawn. And you never had the chance to help Jordie.

“Is this…” You glanced around, wiping your eyes with your sleeve. You realized you were in the same clothes, despite your cloak being missing, and you didn’t feel the material of the cuffed blade either. “Is this real?”

“Yes.” He answered simply. He had leaned away and gave you a few more inches of space. “Whatever you saw, that wasn’t real. Do you remember what happened?”

“I came to the Crow Club.” You nodded, thinking of the chain of events that ended with you in an unfamiliar bed with Kaz sitting beside you. “I was looking for…”

Did Kaz know of Jesper’s debt to you? You couldn’t say for sure so you kept it to yourself for the time being.

“For someone.” You emphasized, hoping it sounded as if you just couldn’t remember. “And I was hoping for a chance to get my ring back.”

He gave a small smirk before he pulled the chain out from under his collar. Your ring was still at the end and you frowned slightly at the sight. Even if you had gotten into his office, you wouldn’t have found it. For a moment, you considered reaching for it.

“Do you always wear it?” You asked in slight annoyance.

“I know better than to leave something valuable unattended.” He answered proudly before tucking it away again. Getting that back would prove to be more difficult than you expected “What happened next, Davina?”

“I started playing cards to pass the time… I was winning, too.”

You remembered tucking your winnings into your boot, which led you to think about your boots. You kicked the blanket off and saw your feet in only your socks.

“Where are my boots?” You asked quickly.

Kaz pointed to the floor near the edge of the bed. You carefully crawled past him and picked them up. You tipped them over on the bed, seeing the folded bills fall out. You counted them quickly, knowing what was in each stack easily since you always situated your money stacks by the hundreds, and found it was all accounted for. You blew a sigh of relief before putting it all back.

“You think I’d rob you while you were unconscious? You think me so underhanded?” Kaz almost sounded offended.

“I think you’d rob the Ravkan King if he let you close enough.” Your boots hit the floor with a dull thud.

“I had Nina take your boots off because I knew you hated shoes on the bed.”

“My mother hated shoes on the bed.” You countered and he shot you an accusatory look. “But I agree she was right… Wait a minute. You called on your Heartrender?”

“Was I meant to call on yours?” He shrugged.

“You weren’t meant to call on anyone!” You yelled. “You could’ve taken me back to the Rook.”

“Well, you should’ve said that. Oh, that’s right. You collapsed in my arms before you could say anything.”

“I didn’t…” You tried to argue but you trailed off as you thought of what happened.

Haskell pulled you aside, tried to get you to sell. You denied, he gave you a drink that didn’t quite taste right. He wouldn’t let you leave until you finished it. Then you saw Kaz and then…

“What did he give me?” You asked quietly.

“Some sort of poison. He didn't say where it was from.” Kaz answered slowly. “It was stimulant-based, meant to affect your head and your body.”

“I was overwhelmed when I ran into you. It was too loud, too bright, and then I was dizzy. I couldn’t talk. I couldn’t think straight.”

“That’s why I had Jesper bring you here.” He seemed to consider reaching for your hand but decided against it. You almost told him he could. “I didn’t want… I couldn’t risk bringing you there and starting a war.”

The same excuse you heard him tell Inej in one of your bouts of borderline lucidity.

“A war… Melli wouldn’t call for it.” You shook your head. “She enjoys the petty crimes of what we do but in my absence, she wouldn’t want that.”

“You’re telling me if you died, no one would want vengeance?” He challenged slightly, and you wondered if it was Dirtyhands asking for intel or if it was Kaz asking if you mattered. But then again, those were the same thing in the end.

“Has anyone come looking?” You asked instead.

“Nina said your Heartrender asked. She was supposed to send word that you were alive.”

You nodded to yourself. If Kol knew you were alive, that was something. All he and Melli had to do was manage a few more hours. However, it did strike you as odd that Kol went to Nina.

“How long have I been here?” Your brows furrowed.

“A few days.” Kaz answered carefully, hesitant for your reaction.

“Saints, I’ve been unconscious here and hallucinating for days?” You practically jumped off the bed. You shoved your hands into your hair as you paced the space. “I need to leave. Where is my hood?”

“You can’t leave yet.” Kaz stood.

“You can’t stop me, Dirtyhands.”

“Trust me, I’ll send you away as soon as it’s safe.” He spat back and the harshness of his tone made you freeze. Your head snapped towards him and his arms were folded, but you could see one of his fingers tapping against his sleeve. “Unfortunately for us both, that’s not an option.”

“And why not?”

“Because it’s broad daylight and what do you think people will think when you come out of my room in the same clothes?” Kaz said plainly. Anyone else would’ve emphasized the implications but Kaz just stared at

you expectantly.

“They’ll think I tumbled with the Bastard.” You sighed. “Great. So I’ll have to sneak out like a shameful nightcap. That’ll be wonderful for my reputation.”

He scoffed slightly and your simple gaze turned to a glare.

“Your reputation wouldn’t be the only one damaged, mind you.” He spoke. 

“Oh, of course.” You bowed sarcastically. “The Almighty, Steadfast Dirtyhands who cannot be seduced or wooed, Saints forbid any woman try. But alas, the Snake manages to bed him. How tragic that’d be.”

“That’s not what I meant.”

“You’re too elite a criminal to tumble with the likes of me, correct?” You continued. You didn’t know why you did, but you were just so angry. “A little girl playing dress-up, a wretched little child living off her father’s name. You’re far above that.”

“Davina.” Kaz said firmly.

“Melli would have a grand time with this one.” You muttered to yourself. 

“Alright, enough.” He said firmly and you stared at him as if he had grown an extra limb. Who was he to order you around? “I’ll bring you something to eat and find you a change of clothes. Just stay here.”

You should argue. You should say something ridiculous that’d continue to annoy him, but realistically, he was right. An unarmed Snake among angry Crows was as good as dead. As unhappy as you were, Kaz was looking out for you, and you wouldn’t admit it, but you appreciated it.

“Something with a high collar, if you can.” You said in defeat, a hand coming to your tattoo. “I’d rather not be a target while I’m captive.”

You huffed and dropped onto the bed.

“And I want my cloak and blades back!”

Kaz said something to himself before making his way across the room.

You sat cross legged on the mattress and the images from your daze came back. Young Kaz, begging for your help. Your father’s smile as he lied to you. Your mother slapping you. Laying on Kaz’s chest while he held your  hand. The last one was the illusion that hurt the most.

You pushed the image away but the ghost of a false touch lingered. Instead, you busied your fingers with counting your kruge again.

He came back in soon after. He dropped the folded clothes beside you, a fresh shirt and your cloak, and you simply glanced at them. When you didn’t hear his steps or his cane, you looked up and saw him waiting for something.

“Why did he do it?” You asked, looking for something to fill the silence. You stood and turned your back to him while you peeled your old shirt off.

“Power.” Kaz answered after a moment of silence. “He did it to show he could.”

“To show me or was it intended to be a message to my father?” You pulled your arms through the dark shirt and began buttoning it. It was too big, intended for someone taller than you, but it was clean so you couldn’t complain. “He was going to drag me to the Emerald Palace, wasn’t he?”

“I didn’t care to ask.”

“Well.” You breathed and turned back to face him. You almost laughed when you saw he was particularly interested in something on the wall to his left. “Regretfully, I have to thank you. If I had to go through that alone…”

He finally looked at you. “What did you see?”

Your brows furrowed.

“You woke up and asked about…” He trailed off.

“Right.” You nodded. You sat back on the bed, pulling your cloak into your lap, and motioned for him to come beside you. Hesitantly, he did but there was a sizeable distance between you. “It was fake. I knew it then but still…”

How were you supposed to explain what you had seen?

“I found you and Jordie before the bodymen did. I was trying to help him. I thought- I felt like I could’ve.”

He said nothing. Instead, there was a light tap of his cane against your foot.

“There were memories, too. When we left the house you knew, my father told me he left a note for you boys. I saw when the bodymen told me they had picked you both up.” You sniffled. “Could you imagine little me, in the dress my mother made, falling to my knees in tears and clutching my drawing?” You laughed sadly.

You couldn’t look over at Kaz. You focused on your hands in your lap instead. You thought again of the wretched illusion of the lawn, the brightness of Kaz’s smile, the lightness of his voice. You remembered the way the sun shined on his features and the way his hand felt in yours.

“I never blamed you.” Kaz offered suddenly. You couldn’t bring yourself to lift your eyes, knowing they were probably bloodshot and watery. You still glanced over but you kept your gaze on his knees. At some point, he had moved closer. “Davina…”

“When I could finally move, I went to my father… He told me you two betrayed him, learned what you needed and ran off. He said you never cared about being my friend, but I didn’t believe him… I started to sneak out in the mornings after that. I tried the cafe but it was gone. I went to the bank and the teller said the Rietveld account was empty. It seemed like you two were gone.”

He said nothing, but his knee brushed yours as he shifted.

“I went to talk to my mother about it. She never made me feel bad for liking you and your brother. She even encouraged my drawings, said it’d help keep your memories fresh. ‘You can keep them in your heart, always, but putting them on paper will help you to remember the little things.’ she said… But I found my father first. He was talking to the teller and told him I was there. I heard the teller say that everything went according to my father’s plan. I’ve hated him ever since.”

You finally lifted your eyes and Kaz was already studying you. One of his hands was gripping the blanket, the other holding his cane as it rested across his lap. He had replaced his gloves and his sleeves were long, his black waistcoat fitted neatly.

“You say you don’t blame me but I know you hate me.” You said plainly. “You hate that I was kind and we were friends. You hate that I didn’t give you a reason to hate me from the start. I remind you of my father and your brother…”

“Not all memories are bad.” He said quietly.

You scoffed slightly. “The way you look at your Crows, the way you look at the Wraith, you don’t look at me like that. You look at me the way you look at my father. Hatred. Contempt. Call it what you want.”

“She isn’t like you.” He gently insisted. “Vina, I-“

“All the Saints, you look horrible!” Nina’s voice cut in suddenly and you jumped. “But at least you’re lucid now.”

“Hello, Nina.” You smiled. “And thank you, for everything you did for me.”

She grinned in response and Kaz got to his feet. He nodded to you before he left. His departure left you feeling rather alone, despite Nina being in the room.

“I’ve brought you a treat.” She said happily and it dragged you from the threatening melancholy. Her hands came out from behind her back and she was holding a plate stacked high with waffles. “Obviously it’s meant for us to share.”

“Obviously.” You repeated. “I’m sorry I haven’t come by lately.”

“Don’t worry, Kol explained it.” She came and sat beside you. “Although, he did not mention that.” She nodded towards the entryway. Your brows furrowed and she rolled her eyes. “You and Brekker.”

“What?” Your eyes went wide. “No, it’s not like that. It’s just a shared past. You know, the enemy of my enemy is my friend...”

“Mhmm.” She smirked and plucked a waffle from the pile. “Your words can lie but your heartbeat doesn’t.”

“What do you mean?” You grabbed a waffle of your own.

“It was racing.” She teased. “And just know, Kaz doesn’t let just any woman in his bed. In fact, he’s never let any woman into his bed as far as I know.”

“You’re ridiculous.” You laughed.

“Says the woman wearing his shirt.”

You felt your cheeks flush. Nina noticed almost immediately and she broke out laughing. You frowned and threw a waffle piece at her.

“How is Kol doing with his lessons?” You asked, desperate to change the subject.

“He’s a prodigy.” She nodded, getting the hint. “It’s so easy to teach him. And I assured him you were well. Turns out your lieutenant has been beside herself since you disappeared.”

“Poor Melli.” You frowned. “I need to get back to them soon.”

“Do you feel well enough to leave?” She leaned in a bit to study your face. “Unfortunately, you do look as if you’ve been unconscious and miserable for several days.”

“I feel alright, I guess.” You shrugged and fiddled with the button of the sleeve cuff. “It brought up some horrid memories but physically, nothing feels wrong.”

“I’ll tell Brekker you can leave in a few hours time then.” She offered a sympathetic smile. “You do need to eat and drink some water to get some strength back. I won’t let you leave until you do. Jesper should be-“

As if on cue, Jesper came in with a tray of glasses and a full pitcher. He beamed at you and hurried to put the tray down, nearly dropping it in the process. He sat on your other side, leaned across you to grab a waffle, and put a hand on your shoulder.

“I’m so glad you’re alive.” He said, his mouth full of waffle.

“Hello to you, too.” You laughed and gestured to a water glass. “Yes, I’m alive and well. Thank you for not leaving me on the Club floor.”

“It was Kaz’s idea.” Jesper shrugged before handing you the glass. “I had no idea what to do.”

You frowned and lightly whacked his arm. “You know, I wouldn’t have been in that situation if someone remembered their debts.”

“Ah, yes, about that…” He said nervously. “You see…”

Nina giggled beside you.

“You’re coming up on a second fee, Fahey.” You warned teasingly. “You wouldn’t want this to snowball, would you?”

“Jesper.” Nina clicked her tongue in playful disappointment. “Did you borrow money from dear Davina?”

“Yes, but-“

“Shame on you!” She continued and you suppressed a smile by taking another bite of waffle.

“I’m going to pay her back!”

“That’s what you tell all your creditors.”

“I know, but I mean it this time!”

You had to laugh at that.

“Alright, how about this?” You faced Jesper with a smile. “Since you helped me, I’ll forget the first fee and the upcoming. It’s still a flat eight hundred.”

“Eight hundred?” Nina gasped.

“I was just as surprised as you are.” He laughed. “But I promise, Davina, I will pay you back.”

“I believe you.” You nodded. “If not, I’ll come back and find you. I won’t be so nice all the time.”

“You’re terrifying when you want to be. Do you know that?”

“I’ve been practicing.”

“She might be able to give Kaz a run for his money.” Jesper told Nina, leaning around you.

“Inej still has her beat.” Nina answered.

“The Wraith wasn’t very happy to know I’m here, was she?” You asked carefully. You remembered the anger in her voice, the sharpness it held. If words could cut, no doubt hers would’ve.

Neither of them said anything.

“I shall take that as my cue.” You nodded. You pushed to your feet, set down the glass, and then bent over to shove your feet into your boots. You fit your cloak around your shoulders and felt the blade still tucked into the sheath.

You thought to ask but once your quizzical expression met Nina’s, she winked. You smiled and nodded once before your hand went to where your cuff usually rested.

“Where’s my other blade?” You asked.

“Boss’s desk.” Jesper motioned to the doorway. “Saw it on my way in.”

“Last time I was in his office, he cut me.” You looked towards the doorway. You remembered when you were tied up in that room, how you could just barely see through it and into the room you were currently in.

“That’s just bad manners.” Jesper joked and you smiled slightly.

“Tell Brekker I appreciate the hospitality and, add this part reluctantly, I owe him.”

Jesper nodded and tipped his hat towards you. Nina blew you a kiss.

You took a deep breath and stepped into the office. It was empty, save for you, and you were thankful. Your blade was sitting on his desk, atop a stack of papers, and you hurried for it. You slipped it on, under the sleeve of your borrowed shirt, and glanced at the paper beneath it.

It was your drawing.

He kept it. You wondered why, but when you heard the turning of the doorknob, you moved. You hurried out the closest window and dropped onto the closest roof. You crouched under the windowsill and pulled your hood up, pressing against the Dregs’ building for a minute. When no voices came and no one crawled after you, you began making your way down to find your way back to the Poisoned Rook.

To your friends.

[ghoul-slime]

Mushy May Day 5 - Animals (Aether/Dew)

Day 5! Honestly shocked I made it this far. As always, thanks to @forlorn-crows for organizing this and to @ghuleh-recs for the dividers!

Day 5 - Animals (Aether/Dew), no warnings, 1093 words

Aether is wrapping up his shift in the infirmary when he gets the text, mood lifting the moment he sees Dew’s name pop up in the notification. It had only been a few days since the band went back out on tour, and Aether was already missing his little fire ghoul something fierce.

When he opens the message, he’s greeted with a photo of Dew dressed in full costume, holding up a tiny orange kitten in his hands. Dew has sent a handful of other photos, all of the same kitten. Eating treats out of his hand, playing with a little catnip mouse, curled up and asleep in his lap. In the background he can see the rest of the pack sprawled out on the carpet of the green room with a tiny army of kittens and puppies.

Papa must have arranged for an animal rescue to visit the venue that day. Those were always some of their favorite days on tour, Aether thinks nostalgically. It was a great way for them all to de-stress after weeks on the road cooped up in the tour bus or boring hotel rooms. Getting to spend the day with playful little puppies and curious kittens did wonders for everyone’s morale. Dew especially. He was always the last ghoul to give up whatever animal he’d been cuddling with for the duration of the visit. 

Aether’s phone dings, and with it another handful of kitten pictures, along with a message from Dew.

His name is Chicken Nugget!!!

Aether smiles to himself. Three whole exclamation points? Dew must be having a good time with the animal rescue’s visit. He can’t wait to hear about it during their nightly call.

Aether texts back and tells him so.

Dew answers with another picture of himself holding Chicken Nugget up to his face, the tiny little kitten mid cheek-rub against the edge of one of Dew’s bug-eyed helmet goggles. 

Aether sets the photo as his phone wallpaper immediately.

That night when they talk, Dew can’t stop gushing about the kitten.

“Aether, I’m in love,” Dew says dramatically.

Aether gasps in mock outrage. “Wow, should I be jealous?” he answers.

Dew snorts. “Yes actually. I wanted to take him home so bad, but Papa said absolutely no way, no pets on the tour bus. I guess he has a point though,” Dew concedes, sounding more than a little bit sad about it.

“We bonded though, Aeth!” Dew exclaims, excited again. “He picked me over everyone else and he looked so sad when I had to give him back. I felt like I was abandoning him...” Aether can just hear the sad little frown on Dew’s face through the tone of his voice.

He listens to Dew talk about Chicken Nugget for the rest of their call. The fire ghoul has always been a little animal lover, but this is the first time Aether has seen him get so attached. It’s completely adorable, Aether thinks, though he’s sure that Dew will have moved on from it in a day or so once they get back out on the road. 

He’s completely wrong. Dew brings up the kitten every night during their calls for weeks. Worrying about what will happen if he doesn’t get adopted. Worrying about what will happen if he does get adopted, that he couldn’t trust just anyone with his little Chicken Nugget. 

Another month passes and Aether can hear the exhaustion in Dew’s voice building each day. It’s the first time since they’d been summoned that they’d been apart for so long.

“Lonely out here sometimes,” Dew says one night as he dozes off in his bunk on the phone with Aether. “Miss you…” he trails off. 

Aether’s heart aches. There’s still months of touring left. It’ll be nearly winter before he and Dew are reunited. That night, Aether makes a decision.

In the morning, he’s convinced himself he knows what to do. First things first, he has to make a few phone calls. He takes out his cell phone and dials.

Papa? Dew’s not around you right now, is he? Good. Can we talk?

An agonizing two months later and Aether finds himself standing anxiously outside the abbey, waiting for the tour bus to finally come rumbling down the road. To deliver his precious pack and beloved mate back into his waiting arms.

Dew is the first one off the bus, and he flies into Aether, nearly knocking him down in the process. He takes Dew’s bags in one hand and Dew’s hand in the other and leads him into the abbey, listening to him talk about the long flight and the even longer bus ride back home.

Once they’re inside, Dew makes a beeline toward the kitchen. But before he can escape, Aether tugs him back gently by the hand.

“Come here, I want to show you something first,” Aether says softly.

“Aeth, can’t it wait, I’m freaking starving,” Dew answers, rubbing his stomach to emphasize his point.

“Nope, can’t wait.” Aether takes Dew by the shoulders and steers him down the hall towards their shared bedroom. “Come with me.” 

Dew looks back at him suspiciously, but lets Aether guide him toward their closed bedroom door. When they get there, Dew turns the knob and opens the door slowly, unsure of what he’s going to find there waiting for him.

And then he sees it. A tiny little orange ball of fluff curled up in the middle of their nest. Dew gasps, immediately covering his mouth with his hand when the sound wakes the kitten from his nap. Chicken Nugget takes one look at Dew, stretches out his tiny paws, and lets out an excited little mewl.

Dew rushes over to the bed, scoops up the kitten, and cradles him to his chest before turning to back Aether with wide, glassy eyes. “How did you?” Dew’s voice cracks just a little bit.

Oh Satan, if Dew cries, he is definitely going to cry too, Aether thinks to himself in a panic.

“Don’t ask, it was a giant pain in the ass though,” he laughs, wiping a stray tear threatening to spill from his eyes. He pulls Dew in, careful not to squish the little purring kitten between them, and kisses his forehead. “He’s here now though. He was waiting for you. Both of us were waiting for you.”

Dew lets out a sob, and that’s it, Aether is crying too. Chicken Nugget, on the other hand, couldn’t be happier, purring away and kneading Dew's sweatshirt with tiny little claws.

[cat-mentality]

Back on with my silly qsmp headcanons with zero evidences in canon!!!

The English version:

Foolish has never once in his life tried to pretend to be human, yet people just genuinely think he is like that(tm) and don't question anything he does

As he has shark dna Foolish doesn't need to blink as often as a human, he is therefore great at staring contests (it freaks the fuck out of everyone)

Foolish and Bad keep an score of how many times they have killed each other just to have bragging rights

They have never give an straight answer when someone asks if they have fucked in the past

Bad sings in the shower

Fit is just a regular human but no one believes him when he says it, they all just think he is hiding his true self and he has received MANY talks about "embracing yourself"

Jaiden trauma dumps by accident. She will be having a perfectly normal conversation and then mention something horrible from her past without even meaning to.

Slime can't read a room to save his life, if embarrassement could kill that would be his main cause of death

He once lost control of his human form and left slime goo all over Wilbur right before a concert

Wilbur cannot handle spice.

Neither can Philza actually.

Niki in other hand has bitten peppers before and snacked on them.

Mouse is very open about the fact that she is a demon and she is very pleased that everyone on the Island just takes it in stride, since usually it freaks people out

Mouse is not saying she has partaken in eating human flesh before, but she is also not denying it.

Lenay has a criminal record. No one knows why and she has never answered either.

Tubbo talks with his machines and it freaked him the fuck out when they started to answer him (It's Arin and he is loving this new kid)

Quackity and Mouse once entered a competition on who could hold their breath for longer (The both passed out)

Philza thinks every sickness can be fixed with avocado toast and he will recomend it as legitimate medical treatment

Jaiden talks with parrots and they keep her on loop of all the gossip on the Island

It took Tina literally invoking the powers of hell to people realize she is a demon and not a rabbit hybrid and Mouse was incredibly excited to have a demon bestie

Foolish is in fact jealous

Niki is such a good baker that she has made people cry by how good her food is

Fit spends a lot of his time running around Tubbo and stopping him from poking where he shouldn't, Philza is just glad he has someone to share the babysitting duty

Slime is a light weight, one glass of wine and the man is gone

Niki is an lynx hybrid and she has hissed at people before. She also can sort of understand cats and they follow her around a lot.

Fit is in fact allergic to cats but every cat on the Island seems to really love him

Slime needs his glasses less than his bitch wife so he will sometimes take them off, but it causes a lot of confusion because people fail to recognize him without them

Lenay has a terrible sense of direction, she is just better at following people and hoping for the best

Philza's crows really like both Fit and Tubbo and will sometimes follow them around but get sometimes annoyed that they wouldn't understand them

Bad and Philza were coworkers for a time

Jaiden can't dance but she sure as hell likes to try

Lenay on the other hand is a good dancer but she doesn't usually do it

Tubbo is actually a duck hybrid but literally no ones believes him when he tells them that because all the ducks on the Island hate him

He falls asleep on the most random spots ever because it's less sleeping and more crashing, he doesn't even know where his bed is

Fit will sometimes thrown his mechanical arm at people. No reason but that he felt like doing it.

Bad uses his tail to hit people when they are being annoying.

Foolish once bite his tail in retaliation.

[valentinedaughtler]

Tainted Opal (Part 5)

Kaz Brekker x fem!reader

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4

T/Ws: violence, romantic feelings, blood, mild spice scenes sometimes, fem!reader and she/her pronouns, sexual abuse/trauma (not explicit)

Synopsis: When Kaz questions your life before Ketterdam and your trust, you discuss your upbringing with him. (You also cook dinner with Kaz and it’s cute.)

REQUESTS: OPEN✅

____________________________________________

5 - To Kill a Mother

I lifted my head up from the leather seat in the office, the fabric sticking to my skin. Kaz stood in front of me, the desk between us. His face was hard, it always seemed to be.

"I left for a reason, you know," my voice carried a heavy weight of the past. My thoughts feel foggy. I don't want to talk about this.

"You're a pirate-"

"Was, Kaz, I was a pirate," I corrected with a sharp tone. I fiddled with the stitching of my thick pants, easing my mind before I continued. "I wasn't a member of the Kraken Killers, I was from a smaller crew. A group of ruthless, but unimportant people." Kaz listened silently as I spoke, a sense of concentration rooted deeply within him. He probably wonders if I'm lying. "We were the Mouse Petals, seemingly soft and enticing, but brutally unforgiving. My dear old dad was the Captain, he taught me to take charge and... dispose of unwanted weak links. When he was busy, my mom would tell me the many ways to have a man or woman wrapped around your finger."

"Why did you leave, not enough dabloons?"

"Because, it was brutal. Innocent people worse off than us became our targets when Greed finally consumed my father. He began taking it out on my mother when plans didn't... go so smoothly. Any mistake made by the crew was a consent to death," I explained while bile rose in my throat, my eyes dripping like broken faucets. "Mom made a mistake, she...-," I choked on my words. "It doesn't matter, but what matters is that she's dead. Dad killed her." I looked up at Kaz again, my face red from crying... and maybe because he looked so good right now.

He finally spoke after what felt like an eternity, "why didn't you tell us? Might have been useful to know," he rasped.

"It's helpful information, sure, but it never came up in conversation. What did you want me to do? While we're navigating sea routes just turn to you saying 'hey Kaz, by the way I used to be a fucking pirate and I watched my mom die'?" I snapped.

"Well, we are on a boat, any time would have been a good time, really. All Jesper did at dinner one night was tell pirate puns," Kaz combated, the grip on his cane tightening, and his face distorting into a grim scowl.

I stayed silent as he stared me down. For whatever reason I cared what Kaz thought of me, what the Crows thought of me. I got up from the leather chair, ripping my bare skin off the sweat stained seat. As I walked past Kaz, I saw him eye me. I stopped, "you wanna say something or can I go?"

His silence answer my question, so I trudged my way up the wooden stairs onto the sunny ship deck. The sloshing waves grew more tipsy, drunkenly tipping the boat this way and that without a care in the world. Oh, how I envied the ocean.

Inej appeared from the slivers of shadow that existed midday, her flexible body contorting into view. I gave her a weak smile as a greeting before laying on a patch of loose rope on the ship's stern.

"How was easdropping, doll?" I asked Inej with a smooth tone.

"Oh-, I-,"

"I'm not upset Inej, I'm a sucker for gossip and old habits die hard," I sighed with a forced laugh as she sleuthed her way next to me. She gracefully sat down next to me, her sleek hair falling into her face.

She smiled at me, a friendly care rested on her face. It wasn't a look of someone who felt initial pity for anyone they saw, it was a keen understanding that was followed by empathy.

"He likes you, well, I'm not sure he really likes anyone, but if he did, it was be us Crows."

"I'm not a Crow,"

"Maybe this heist will prove otherwise," her eyes held a knowing gleam, she understood the pain it was to deal with Kaz sometimes. But I felt a little warm inside when she implied my acceptance.

I'd always had the innate ability to coax others into liking me, into loving me, but it was more of a lustful gimmick than a commitment. The Crows felt like a commitment. Granted, it hadn't been long, but there was a different ambiance around interactions I had with the crew compared to others in my life.

"Thank you, Inej," I whispered to her, hugging my knees in my sunburned arms. We sat in silence as the sea's waves slapped against the boat, like an over-eager greeting. "What did the ocean say to the sand?"

Inej stifled a laugh before replying, her long, slender body gracefully folded next to mine.

"I don't know, what did it say?"

"Nothing," I shrugged as the ghost of a smile played on my lips, "it just waved." I couldn't keep it together anymore, I burst into laughter, along with Inej. It wasn't even a funny joke, but it made me feel whole to giggle with someone who understood me. Kaz would have hated that joke. "I just didn't want to talk about it with him," I said to no one in particular, but Inej listened with intent. I watched as her endless hair flowed down her back and onto the wooden deck of the boat, her dark eyes deep pools that drowned all of Ketterdam's secrets.

I sighed and stood up, grasping the ledge of the boat. "I don't know why it felt like a big deal."

"People are complex, fears and traumas gash pieces of a person, sometimes taking whole chunks, until they're the remains of what once was a person," Inej's voice was a whisper in the wind. "Go tell Kaz the ocean joke, he'll detest it." She laughed and like that, she was gone into the wind as well.

✵ ♣ ✵

Kaz wasn't in the office, instead he was in his bunk, an awkward shaped room that was essentially a closet, connected to the main bunks with a door. Perhaps Kaz hadn't wanted to listen to Matthias snore all night, or maybe he didn't want to listen to Jesper and Wylan say goodnight to each other a dozen times before actually meaning it. For whatever reason, Kaz was in the cramped corner of the boat, hunched over on his bed, spine facing the door.

"What did the ocean say to the sand?" I asked, he craned his neck to look at me before sighing, turning around to see me. He didn't look eager to hear the punchline, but his expression often didn't indicate his mood.

"Do tell,"

"Nothing, it just waved."

"You're brilliant," he mocked dryly.

"Oh Kaz, are you shore you get the joke?"

"...,"

"Saints, it's just a joke, you don't have to be a salty beach about it," I grinned, my cheeks dusted with pink.

"How have you survived in Ketterdam with that mouth of yours?"

"My mouth is adorned with soft lips, darling. Gets me out of trouble often," I winked and leaned against the door. He turned away from me, but I noticed something off about him.

"We're close to the Fjerdan passage, we should be there by the end of the week. I believe we are hugging the border of the Ravkan countryside that leads to The Fold." I said, easing the tension that hung heavy in the room. "We will need winter attire, and Matthias will have to be disguised because... well, I think it's obvious," I said with an awkward chuckle. Kaz nodded, still not looking at me.

He stood up and limped to the door, "we're on dinner duty," was all he said before gesturing for me to move and leaving the room.

I followed after him to the small kitchen jutting out of the cabin. Kaz began taking out knives and cutting apples into oddly shaped slivers.

"I didn't buy specially preserved ingredients to have them be wasted by someone who doesn't know how to cook," I teased as I stood behind him; micromanaging.

"How can you be sure I can't cook?" He grumbled, placing the knife back into the cutting board. I smirked at his insulted demeanor.

"For someone who has most likely fought with every weapon in the book, you can't use a knife for anything but damage." My gaze met his. The colors of his eyes resembled those of over-steeped tea, unknown thoughts stored inside. "Let me show you how to use a knife," I said, he flinched as I came closer though. I moved the cutting board closer to me, giving him the reassurance of space between us.

I delicately chop the apples into thin slivers, gingerly slicing them with a confidence. After I finish with the first apple, I gestured to Kaz, who was sulking as he watched, for him to attempt at the feat. "The trick is to remember it's an apple, not a human threat," I said and patted his jacket-covered shoulder. He flinched, but began to cut the apples.

I sprinkled cinnamon and sugar onto the perfect —and the ones Kaz sliced- apple slivers before placing them over the gas stove. There was really no need for such an expensive boat when I bought it, but I'm glad I did.

"You did a good job," I complimented with a grin, skirting around the kitchen with pep. "Now, we need to make the sandwiches. I'm gonna keep you on slicing duty, alright?" He nodded and began to slice meat and cheese into thick sheets. I watched him methodically go through the motions of the repetitive task before he looked up at me,

"Get me the lettuce." His teasing smirk seemed to whisper to me, I saw you staring. I blushed slightly as his scarred lips had curved into a smile.

"I will if you use your manners," I purred while retrieving the bread from the cupboard. He sighed before giving me a mocking, dreamy look,

"My dearest Y/n, my darling, would you please get me the lettuce, my little Crow," his voice was sweet and immitated mine a twinge, asshole. I tossed him a bag of lettuce and began roasting the bread.

"You're lucky you're not a target with expensive jewelry, or you'd be met with an intimate reaction," I retorted at his slyness, but I couldn't help but wondered if my face was beet red.

Kaz and I continued to cook up the paninis and apple chips with little incident, Kaz did almost cut a finger off, but he was fine.

Dinner was served to everyone by myself and Kaz, each sandwich looked intricate and appetizing. Nina made a satisfied noise as she bit into the cheese-and-meat filled bread. I laughed slightly and took a bite as well, it was very good. Thick globs of cheese poured down the sides of the crisp bread and perfectly seasoned meat sat inbetween the top layer of bread and cheese.

"Y/n, Kaz, this is the second best thing I've ever put in my mouth," Jesper praised. Wylan giggled as they held hands and smiled. Matthias gave me an approving nod as he sat at Nina's hip, and Inej smiled at me with kind eyes.

"I shouldn't get too much credit, Kaz did chop up stuff... and almost his finger- but he did great," I grinned at my tease and leaned towards his stiff sitting posture as he ate. Everyone laughed with no ill intent, but Kaz huffed with an irritated look.

"If you're so good at cooking, why do we all have to take turns cooking each night?" His eyes stared me down, the question seemed rhetorical; a way to shut me up. I can't let that happen.

"I'm paying you all, might as well get my money's worth." I laughed, and the beginnings of a smile twitched on Kaz's scarred lips. His really nice lips. If I could trace the scars every night before I slept I would, but if felt uncomfortable to think about. I don't ever feel like this...

The night ended fine, no one brought up the pirate incident from earlier, so I took today as a win. But Kaz knew, yet it didn't bother me as much as it should've.

✵ ♣ ✵

I watched in horror, for what felt like eons strung together into a much longer expanse of torment. My mother was tied up on the ledge of a wooden plank jutting off a ship, eyes puffy from crying. Her limbs were red and bloody from the ropes keeping her from grasping freedom. I stood next to my father, his tall figure looming over me with resemblance to a demonic entity. His grip on my frail shoulders squeezed tighter as he turned to me.

"Do it,"

I woke up to the thunk of my head making contact with the bunk above me; the empty bunk initially reserved for Kaz. I didn't kill her, I didn't do it. I continued to say these words until I felt I could beleive them, for tonight.

Sleep would only plunge me back into the sea of that dream again, so I silently, attempting to not wake anyone up, walked up the cabin's steps. When I reached the mast of the boat, my eyes fell on those of a scar-covered boy. He sat against the crates near the front of the tall beam holding the sails high. He looked at me with empty, glazed over eyes. Gray bags prominent and hair unkept. He looked like a meek kid rather than a Gang boss. Maybe he was just both.

"Nightmare?" I asked and sat next to him, and to my surprise, he didn't move away.

"Yeah,"

___________________

Word Count: 2292

___________________

I had a good time thinking of the backstory for this character, though my knowledge of pirates is pretty limited. Hope you enjoyed the ocean puns, my bisexuality made me do it

-Valentine

[sixerstanley]

I meant to ask about the stan ghost au or comment on it but my mind is presently mush.... it was something about Stan doing cat like things while haunting Ford, like does he/is he able to bring Ford things? I think? Like little treasures or things he'd think Ford would like or just random bits and bobs, kinda like how your cat will bring you a dead mouse or a crow will give people they like the most random things

Though that would depend on Stan being be to interact with things and im not sure what all his capabilities are in your AU

i honestly havent considered that but i definitely am now!!!!

hmm, i feel like. it would take time. like he'd have to practice for a while, and work up to interacting with things. I wonder if once the kids get there, mabel can help in some way?? not sure how--i gotta contemplate the magical stuff regarding mabel and stan, but she at the very least can coach him and encourage him, lol

i do like the idea of him leaving things for ford but what about like. always refilling his glass of water. leaving him a snack that ford swears he didn't even buy. stuff like that to try to take care of ford

thanks for the ask, sorry it took a few days to answer!

[crowandmousewritingco]

Hey darlin'! I'm playing @burntheedges PP Fandom Bingo and sending some new asks. It's my impression you might be a writing team! How did that collab. develop? I want to hear more! @inept-the-magnificent has been assisting me with my Series Pike's Place, and I love creative collaborations!

Hi friend!! I hope the bingo is going well for you! And yes you are correct. Mod Crow and myself are quite the collabing team. So Mod Crow is my boyfriend and the one who introduced me to Pedro Pascal. And one day we looked at each other and said “What if we started a fanfiction blog together?” It was important to us that we focus on trans readers stories since that’s what we wanted to see in the fics we read. And the rest is history. We spend many a nights coming up with fic ideas and brainrotting about Frankie and Dio.

And if you want to send in more asks, please do! We love interacting with everyone. 😋😋😋 Oh if you ever want to collab with either of us please reach out!

[serpercival]

What animals would you assign each mash character as?

Oh God. Fantastic question. This is poorly organized because I'm just writing things down as I think about them.

So we know one of my answers. My main man my bestie my sweet cheese Trapper is 100% a fox no doubt about it. I've written 190k words about this what else am I going to say here. Mischievous and clever, independent but loves to play, somewhere between dog and cat coded (the cat coding is more Trapper John M.D. but I'm insane so it's all the effectively same universe to me most of the time). He's even got the laugh....

Hawkeye and BJ both feel obvious to me too as a cat and a dog respectively. The thing with BJ is that people usually say "golden retriever boyfriend" but honestly he's got enough bite that the foxtrap gang generally goes with golden shepherd (golden retriever/German shepherd cross) which is insanely specific and betrays the exact level we think about this at constantly.

Also a thing that's been discussed with the foxtrap gang is Charles as a Pallas cat. IDK how that fits on personality but if you Google one you'll see what I mean looks-wise.

Frank's a ferret. Obviously.

I've seen art of Margaret as a lion and I think that fits really really well. Maybe a tiger if you want to lean more into her independent streak rather than her desire for a pack. Big cat either way imo; it leans into the more complementary dynamic she and Hawk have in the later seasons. Looking for a custom fit in an off the rack world...

I usually see Mulcahy as a rabbit and I agree with that one. He's not a character I spend a lot of time thinking about so I don't have any revelations there.

My brain is insisting on river otter for Henry. No idea where that came from but I think it works, honestly. Goofy little guy who likes to fish.

I'm thinking magpie for Klinger? Likes to collect shiny things, fun pattern, way smarter than you'd think. Maybe a crow—iirc magpies have a bit of a mean streak and that's not him at all. I've also seen art of him as a peacock and my brain is also giving me "one of those tropical birds that has an insane mating dance where they build a little display out of flowers and sticks." I guess he's bird coded to me even if I can't decide on anything specific.

Obvious answer for Potter is to play into something equine and honestly I'd say donkey or mule over horse. I am not a horse girl (gn) but the stereotype is that horses are flighty and donkeys are stubborn, so voila.

Radar.... mouse. Yeah. That feels right.

[tomahachi12]

27 with one of your spinels! (pick one or use all of them!)

"27) What's their spirit tamagotchi? Or an animal you associate them with?"

I answered something like this quite a bit ago!

Someone asked what my Spinels favorite animals were, and those are pretty much what I associate for my girls xD

Here and here

Spade - golden retrievers Club - cats Diamond - ravens Orange - rabbits (or a chipmunk) Rook - crows/ravens Luna - sheep (she's based off a sheep soooo) Chunni - squirrel (she's based off a squirrel lol) Poppy - rabbit Mel - mouse Jinx - praying mantis Sparky - uuh.. a puppy

[ramshackle-ramblings]

Chapter 6: Reunion

in which Alise receives a gift, and Mouse solicits help

First Previous

A small "Noooo" escaped Mouse, looking at Jamil horrified before turning to look at an emerging Sebek. Their face went pale at the sight of the furious half-fae.

"Begging the Great Seven for it to be anything but Alise," Mouse commented, eyes glued to Sebek's form.

Jamil looked curiously at Mouse, and then back to Sebek, the tip of his togue sticking out again.

Lilia and Silver followed in Sebek's wake. Lilia had his arm around the waist of a small girl, guiding her along with them.

"Is that her?" Jamil asked. "She's tiny."

Silver caught Mouse's eye from the across the hall, and pointed at Alise with a shrug.

Mouse only nodded to Jamil's question, speaking up to joke; "And mighty."

They waved at Silver, mouthing "I'm so sorry" to him. They motioned Silver to come here, again mouthing "I can save you if you come here". Mouse wasn't sure if they were joking or not. Silver nodded and redirected Lilia toward Mouse's group.

"Look what I found!" Lilia crowed when they got close. "Actually, I think Silver found her, but I kept her from getting lost again."

Alise waved, unsure at what point she was allowed to break away from her kidnappers escorts.

Mouse detached themselves from Jamil, offering the group a nervous smile.

"I'm so sorry about this," Mouse called back, rubbing their arm in nervous habit. "But thank you so much for taking care of her, it means so much."

Sebek stopped when he heard Mouse’s voice, grumbling as he turned to look over.

"Of course! She was no trouble at all," Lilia waved off Mouse’s thanks.

Mouse glanced over to Sebek, before looking back at Lilia. Their smile faltering just slightly. "I'm happy to hear that."

Lilia followed Mouse's gaze to Sebek, and waved it off. "That's nothing to worry about. He's just not used to people matching his energy."

"Are you sure?" Mouse asked, worry lacing their voice. "I mean he's..." Not normally so annoyed? Not as angry looking?

"Oh, very sure," Lilia promised Mouse.

Mouse just simply nodded, looking over to Sebek who was staring their way before quickly turning when they made eye contact. Mouse letting out a soft sigh. "Thank you guys again, I'll try to keep a tighter leash on her until potionology..."

Lilia declared that no thanks were necessary, she was no trouble at all. Mouse offered Alise their hand, looking back to Jamil and Kalim only to find Kalim running to be by their side.

"Hi!!" He chimed, latching onto Mouse's other arm.

"Hi," Alise answered, looking genuinely delighted. She took Mouse's hand, and Lilia looked proud of the successful hand-off. "They're ... a little scary when they're all together in a mob like that," she whispered.

Mouse gently pulled Alise towards them, like a worried mother who just repossessed their problem child. Lilia floated off toward Sebek, and the food after that.

Kalim circled back to stand on the other side of Alise. "You're the new student that Mouse mentioned, right?"

"I probably am," Alise confirmed.

Kalim smiled, taking Alise's free hand into his own. "Mouse was telling us about you! It's so nice to meet you, I'm Kalim! If you need anything you can just come to me, okay!?"

"Thanks," Alise answered Kalim, mentally increasing her Number Of Times I've Been Kidnapped count. Weird that it's gone from 0 to 3 in 12 hours. "I'm Alise. I can't think of anything I need just now."

Kalim nodded, his eyes sparkling as he spoke to her. "That's okay! Anything to help out Mouse's new dorm mate!"

"Thanks," Alise said. "I'll, uh, I'll keep that in mind."

Kalim nodded again before gasping as if he just remembered something, turning to face Jamil and waving at him excitedly "Oh! Oh!! Jamil!! You should come meet Alise too!!"

Jamil said, "Hello," but his face said "must I?". Alise responded with "Hello," but her face said "help me".

Silver waited for Lilia and Sebek to get a little further away.  Not actually out of earshot, but far enough that everyone could pretend they were.

"Sebek will be fine. This just might be the first time in years he hasn't been able to glower someone into submission." His gaze shifted to Alise, held hostage between Kalim and Mouse. "I think I understand what you were saying earlier, though," he said, almost fondly.

"Ah... So that's the root of his ire..." Mouse hummed, looking over to Alise with a soft expression. "I hate to say it, but that might actually be for the best with him..." Mouse looked back to Silver, rubbing the back of their neck and forcing out a laugh. "Yeahhh... She's uhm... Very confrontational - and we've only just met her."

"That appears to be the overwhelming opinion on it. Lilia declared this 'the start of a beautiful friendship'," Silver shrugged.

"Eeeehh..." Mouse made a sound at Lilia's declaration. "I'm not sure I'd uh... Describe it as *that* exactly."

Silver just shrugged.

Mouse sighed, motioning to Silver to catch up with the other Diasomnia boys. "Well... Let's just hope they don't kill each other."

They then turned to Alise and Kalim, patting Alise on the head before speaking gently. "Let's get you two fed..."

"Fed sounds good," she agreed, resigned to being herded for the immediate future.

Mouse smiled, following behind the pair with Jamil. He started to point out an empty table near the back, but was interrupted by Ace and Deuce mobbing Mouse.

"We asked Jack if he'd help," Deuce started. "But he told us we were irresponsible."

Mouse jumped slightly at their sudden appearance. "O-oh... Oh! Oh no we uhm- We found her!" Mouse stumbled, gently pulling Alise to stand in front of them as if showing her off to the two other freshmen.

"I guess Silver found her on his way to pick up Malleus from class..." They explained, quickly letting go of Alise to catch a bolt of whining grey mass that jumped into their arms and quickly snuggled into them.

Alise didn't think she'd ever seen anyone look as relieved as Deuce did in that moment. He looked like he was considering hugging her. She just waved and turned to Mouse. "Did ... did you have the school looking for me?"

"Uhm... No... Just these two, and eventually Silver." Mouse responded, rubbing the back of their neck. Cheeks flushing as Kalim engulfed them in a tight hug.

"Oh yeah!! They were miserable our entire study hall worrying about you!" Kalim said, without any regard to Mouse's protests. "But we're lucky we found you, ‘cause now Mouse can stop beating themselves up over nothing!"

His tone was soft as he spoke the last remark, pressing his cheek against Mouse's. They leaned into his presence. Though Mouse's face screamed of guilt, Kalim's was more of an overjoyed older brother who was previously worried. Grim reached up to play with one of Kalim's earrings and giggled to himself every time it made a jingling sound.

Alise blinked up at Mouse. "I'm sorry I worried you," she said softly. Where are you? and Where have you been? were not questions she was used to answering. As long as obligations were met, most people in her life didn’t care if she was here or there, or how or when she’d gotten from one place to another.

Mouse looked over to Alise, offering her a soft smile before patting her head. "No need to apologize, we're the ones who failed to keep track of you." It wasn't exactly wrong. "I'm just happy you're safe."

Alise shrugged. "Why wouldn't I be safe? And ... I'm not actually a child," she said it with a little laugh, but her tone was serious. "I don't really need babysitting."

Jamil gave her an appraising look, but said nothing, just raised an eyebrow in Mouse's direction.

Mouse's smile faltered, Kalim looking at them curiously as they responded. "W-well, it's a really big school in an unfamiliar place. It's not hard to get lost." Mouse ducked their head, grabbing one of Grim's paws to stop him from batting at Kalim's earrings.

"I didn't mean to make you feel like a child, I apologize..." Their tone genuine before they cleared their throat. "But! We should get food before lunch ends!"

"Food is good!" Alise agreed cheerfully. She turned toward the cafeteria. "What's for lunch?"

Grim quickly jumped out of Mouse's arm, at the same time Kalim unwrapped from them. The two energetic figures flanking Alise and guiding her towards the counters filled with food.

"It's an all you can eat buffet!!" Grim announced, his walk silly as he was on his hind legs only and not all fours. His usually animated tail unusually still to keep him balanced.

"Mhm! And don't worry about the end price today! I'll cover the cost as a welcome gift!" Kalim spoke, voice tinted with excitement.

Mouse only sighed, turning to look at Jamil with an apologetic look. "I think I know the answer, but you packed Kalim's and your own lunch today, yeah?"

Jamil nodded. "And I'm glad I did, because it would have been impossible to get him to leave. Are you getting something from the buffet, or would you like to share with us? There's plenty."

`Number Of Times I've Been Kidnapped: 4?`

Mouse hummed, looking between the buffet and then Jamil. Thoughts running a mile a minute before they were cut off by Ace throwing an arm around their shoulders.

"I think they'd like to share," he answered for them, a smirk tugging on the corner of his lips but his eyes reading concern.

Mouse opened their mouth to argue, shutting it quickly when he placed a finger to their lips and shushed her audibly.

"He's the one who offered, so it's fine!" He argued against their unspoken words, patting their chest lightly.

"Come on, then. Before there's not a table," Jamil began to weave through the cafeteria toward an empty table, taking Ace's answer as the decision. Mouse huffed, shoving Ace off them dramatically before waving to him, following after Jamil quickly.

Jamil began pulling things out and setting them up on the table for lunch. He was right, there was a lot of food.

Ace saluted Mouse, snickering to himself before grabbing onto Deuce's arm and tugging him towards the usual Heartslabyul spot where Riddle was. "C'mon before Riddle collars us!"

"We're not gonna eat with Mouse?" Deuce went with Ace, but had clearly misunderstood what the plan for lunch had been.

"Did you forget?" Ace chastised, shaking his head. "Riddle's having all of us sit together for lunch today! And Mouse will be fine! They're with Jamil and Kalim, what's the worst those two can do to them? Spoil ‘em?"

"I know Mouse will be fine!" Deuce protested, following Ace into the crowd. He had forgotten.

"Then c'mon!" Ace urged, as if the two weren't already on their way to the table.

Jamil had just about finished the lunch spread, when Kalim led Alise to the table with Jamil and Mouse. Grim looked exceptionally pleased. Alise looked mortified.

None of them had any food.

"I don't know what happened," Alise started. "I didn't ask for anything, really."

Mouse looked up at the group, their face going pale at both everyone's expressions and at Alise's words.

"No.... He didn't..." Mouse's words came out quiet and airy, barely audible over the chatter of the other students in the room. Turning to look at Jamil. "Tell me he didn't..."

"He did," Jamil said flatly.

Several cafeteria workers were depositing loaded trays onto the table. Grim was supervising smugly.

Mouse sighed, pulling out their phone - "generously" to them by the headmaster to quickly text a certain Hyena.

You wouldn't happen to have gotten lunch yet, would you?

Immediately their phone vibrated in response.

Nope :) Just finished getting Leona his sandwich though :/ Kalim got the new student way too much food... Help us...

Mouse immediately spoke up. "I'm asking Ruggie to help us with..." They surveyed the trays of food being placed on the table, exhaustion quickly taking them over with another sigh. "This..."

"I swear, I didn't ask for any of it. I was just looking at what there was," Alise tried to explain.

Jamil shook his head. "It's fine. We should have expected ... " he waved his hand at the food. "This."

Mouse chuckled, motioning for Alise to calm down. "It's not your fault in the slightest, hun." They then glanced over to Jamil, nodding along. "It was a uhm... Oversight on our part."

Kalim just smiled, hands on his hips as if he achieved something great - which he might as well have. "Well it wouldn't be a good welcome gift if I didn't go all out!!"

Mouse sighed again, checking their new messages

New student? Wait NVM that's not important I'll be there in like 10 10? Tupperware ....` Ruggie no... :)

Alise blinked at Kalim in confusion. "I ... Yes, but ... I mean ... " She gave up. He looked so proud, and she was sure he was just being genuinely nice, but this was just absurd. No single person could be expected to eat all of this, and he'd already told her that he wasn't going to have any of it.

She continued to stare at him, baffled, and flopped onto the bench.

"Thank you," she settled on finally.

"Of course!" Kalim announced before sitting down.

Next

[toournextadventure]

Alright alright I have a new ask for you!

How many Birdy Behaviours does bird!reader actually delight in?

There's so many cute and weird things that I could consider.

Cute things:

- Do their feathers puff up if they're angry or startled? If they're cold? If so, do they have little downy feathers that would be visible when they do? How soft and floofy would they look?

- Will their wings cover people they're in bed with? Like a little tent?

(I think it'd be adorable if everytime they wake up, their wings shake uncontrollably before folding back into themselves. Like how birds will do if they get snow or rain on their feathers. That instinctually, reader is protecting wednesday from the weather, even when in their dorm. Adorable)

- Do they molt? Groom themselves? When they shower, do the wings need extra care? Do they need help molting? Someone else to groom the hard-to-reach parts of their wings?

- Speaking of water, do the wings absorb water or deflect them like water fowl? Do they do a cute little shimmy when they're trying to get water off their wings?

Weird bird behaviours:

- Do they ever.. Go birdy? If they're very hungry and see a litte creacher, like a bug or mouse, would they crunch down? Eat raw meat? Are there certain things they need in their diet that normies don't?

- Okay, Google the sound that a peacock makes when it fans it's feathers. Can they.. can they make that sound? I'm terrified and intrigued.

- do they have feathers in other parts of their body? On their back between their wings, in their hair?

- Do they whistle at 5am?

- animals like crows will gift their human friends little trinkets, I know birb reader does this, but to what extent? Will they change what they gift people based on their excitement? Like If Enid loves little gems and Wednesday appreciates bones more? Will they steal things from one person and gift it to another?

STEALING LORE

-

Anyway not all of these are necessary to answer but idk theyve just been living in my head rent free so i had to get it all out.

Istg i should just make fanfics of your fanfics at this point

Oh no, you opened Pandora's Box, I AM answering all of these. And also, if you did, I would swear fealty to you 🧎

Cute things:

They absolutely do puff up, especially when angry, it's part of what makes her so frustrated. It's hard to look intimidating when you've got a bunch of fluff on your back. Wednesday always teases her for the fluffy downy feathers, which makes her even more mad, which makes Wednesday even more amused

YES they cover people they're cuddling with. Like, once she starts sleeping with Wednesday, they practically turn into fluffy blankets. And they shake during dreams, nightmares, and when waking up. Wednesday nearly threatens to cut them off once after the feathers tickled her nose and she couldn't stop sneezing for 15mins

They absolutely molt, it's awful. Usually Reader just complains the whole time until someone finally offers to help (it used to be Enid until she bugs Wednesday enough). She can get 95% of it on her own but every now and then there's a spot she just can't reach

They absorb water and it's hell. They feel soggy and heavy and take forever to dry, and Wednesday is lucky she's so cute because all that walking in the rain is absolutely miserable. The shimmy itself is not cute though, it's more like when a dog tries to shake water off. Erratic, violent, ceaseless shaking until it's dry and then she's stuck, once again, with fluffy, unruly feathers

Weird behaviours:

Yes, but more in terms of "oh shit are those seeds?? Is that fruit??? oh fuck yes" Like, she manages to control herself around meat, but she will chase and terrorise little creachers if they pass by her at the right time. More than once, Wednesday watched her grab a rabbit, fly with it, and let it plummet back to the ground. Or she just flatout curb stomp a snake if she feels threatened. Reader is an absolute menace to the local ecosystem

Thankfully no peacock feather sounds, the most anyone can hear is just a gentle ruffle and maybe a little hum in th eprocess

No other feathers, but that doesn't stop the chaos because she drops those feathers everywhere

She will basically whistle/call out at the most random hours of the day, much like a rooster. Though not quite as loud, it's almost like she can't help it. In the middle of class? A small whistle. Half-asleep? Another one. In the middle of a test? It's a good thing the school is full of Outcasts because what do you know, Reader is whistling

Damn right, she 100% caters her trinket gifts. She starts off with just whatever she can find, but she narrows it down until she knows The Gift. Enid usually gets anything shiny, whether it's a gem or earring or anything else. Wednesday gets rocks and pieces of bones. More than once theyve gotten something that Reader stole literally from the other side of the room, so it's not even really a gift, but it's the thought that counts (Reader also tries to woo Wednesday with rock piles, much like a penguin)

EXTRA BEHAVIOURS 👀

She picks at her feathers when she's extremely stressed or overwhelmed. It's a small part of why she keeps them in the harness when she's anxious, it keeps her from the bad habit

She BITES FINGERS. More than once Enid has pointed at her and she just... chomped and it's not even a hard bite but it leaves everyone like "what the genuine fuck???"

An absolute weirdo with the weather. It snows? She plays in it like it's the best thing ever, much like crows. It's sunny? Catch this bitch outside with wings outstretched fully catchin those rays

Always 100% down to fight her own reflection. She's got a human brain, she knows it's her own reflection, but that small birdy part still sees the reflection and is like "gasp, an enemy, square up." It's the sole reason there's no mirrors in Reader's room. Probably the only time Wednesday actually, audibly laughed was when Reader unexpectedly passed a mirror and instantly started a fight. Thankfully it wasn't an expensive one