#enough arcane chatter for the night i have fic to write

[cheriekos]

"i really liked the direction they took jinx this season and a lot of her arc really resonated with me" hell yeah brother good for you

"jinx is SO much better this season, shes way better now that she's not being a crazy harley quinn knock off -" i have a gun. i literally have a gun and i'm outside your house

[cantolopejeevas]

Uhhhh, this is a thing I wrote a looooong while ago back when I first made my DnD character Syr, but now I’m posting it because I’m gonna be writing another little fic for them and I have Plans for it, so! Here’s this, haha~

The fire wasn’t warm enough. But that was fine. Syr scooted closer to it, and held their hands out to try and ease the chill out of their bones. They didn’t know why they were still here in the ruins of their home. So much time spent alone, with nothing but their dark pacts and memories to keep them company. Maybe they were too attached. Maybe they knew that nothing would be as comfortable as the bloodstained cushion beneath them, or as stable as the stone all around them, or as pleasing to listen to as the sounds of the city above.

But they knew that had to leave soon. For good. More than just trips outside, more than little jobs, more than quick ventures to hone their magic.

“There’s a whole world out there, dear girl. One day you’ll be able to see it. No more being cooped up in this sad city with us lowly criminals.”

Their fingers curled as they focused on their left hand. Soon, a patch of black fur covered it, and their quickly put their other hand to it. Soft. Just like they remembered. And as they closed their eyes, the wreckage around them melted into the comfort they’d known almost all their life.

“Alright! Which one of ya fuckin’ scoundrels wants to try and one-up that story!?”

Syr’s hand shot up from its place against Papa Shadow’s. Then it quickly moved with their other, signing out rapidly, “I helped Reggie steal a couple apples today from that mean lady who wouldn’t sell to Papa! I made myself look all human, and bought an apple and pretended it made me real sick while there were guards around! Even made myself all pale!”

To prove it, they got up and shifted their form, slumping their shoulders and letting out fakes little coughs. Until finally, they wheezed and let themself fall face-first into the ground, which earned a loud roar of laughter from the crowd. After a moment of twitching and playing dead, they scrambled back up and took their seat once more, hopeful as they stared Vira down and prayed for her approval.

The glow of the fire made the smirk on her face sinister. She then barked out a laugh and slapped her knee, the jewels on her ring glinting in the firelight. “Alright, our li’l baby decoy’s number one tonight! Anyone else wanna take a shot at it!?”

They grinned wildly, especially when no one else spoke up. After a long minute, Vira huffed.

“Well, we’re calling it a night, then! Tomorrow, one of you better be able to top our reigning champion! Or you’re going on night watch for a week straight!”

Everyone got up from their seats around the fire. Chatter filled the air, half of it being aimed at Syr as everyone passed by them and patted their head, congratulating them for their fifth win at Story Night in a row. They’d never felt so proud of themself.

Papa Shadow stayed by the fire, even as it died down, so Syr stayed with him. Once everyone else was gone to their tents or rooms, they asked in the softest whisper, “How come you never tell stories, Papa?"

“Everyone has heard all the stories I have to tell,” he answered as he scratched his chin. “Thieving isn’t quite in my bones anymore. Unless you’d like me to share all the stories I have about you. I just thought you would like to do that yourself.”

They scrunched up their nose. “I know my stories, but… Haven’t heard any of yours.”

“Oh, you haven’t?” He hummed and stared upwards, toward the ceiling. His blue eyes practically glowed in the dark, like bright stars. “Why, I could’ve sworn you had…”

They turned to him and placed their hands firmly on his leg so they could lean forward and stare him down. “I haven’t! Tell me a story, I wanna know!”

He bobbed his head side to side as he thought. The anticipation nearly killed Syr, but then he had mercy on them with a gentle smile and said, “Alright. I will tell you the story of how I stole from the monstrous tyrant of a distant land, far from this little city, and freed the people from his tyranny with nothing but my charm and quick-thinking. It’s a tale of danger, adventure, fear, and hope. All of this happened long before you were a twinkle in all our eyes, long before I even joined this band of thieves. You’re hearing history as it was made by yours truly.  Are you ready, dear girl?”

They snuggled up into his side, one hand on his so they could feel the soft fur that put them at ease. “Mmhm.”

If they listened closely, they could just barely hear the whispers of that story. But as soon as they opened their eyes, the illusion was broken. Tents and warm coziness were replaced by ruin and rot. Their ear twitched at the sound of dripping water in the distance. No uproarious chatter to block it out now. No warmth to stave away the cold. No nightwatch to keep the guards at bay.

Not like the guards had anymore interest in this place.

Syr let out a sigh. They’d never been a good thief. Which was a surprise, really. But not as much of one as their penchant for… Certain kinds of magic.

Slowly, their attention turned from the fading patch of fur on their hand to the ring on their finger. Their arcane focus. Touching on the jewels made harsh curses and bold laughter chorus through their head. It was meant to be worn only by the leader of the clan.

By default, that had become Syr.

They lifted their head and and locked eyes with the skeleton sitting just across the way. One day, they’d be able to bring everyone back. Raise the dead and take back everything that was stolen from them. Then life could be normal again. They’d have a family, and happiness, and comfort. They’d be able to sit by the fire and listen to stories. They’d be able to feel the comfort of Papa Shadow’s soft fur and make a crowd of hard-boiled criminals laugh again.

All they had to do was hone their power, and gain mastery over death itself. Then everything they were promised would be theirs.