#especially two handed but sword and shield is nice too

[grapecaseschoices]

i know people dont like playing warrior in da. but grappling hook has to be one of the sexiest and coolest moves ever on a per-specialization ability tree.

[pardonmymannerssir]

(This wouldn’t leave me alone until I wrote it.)

Rook enters the dinning room -or what he likes to consider the mess hall- and recognizes all the faces present but one.

Strife steps forward immediately and the stranger follows. He’s tall, a few inches taller than Rook, and has short, curling blonde hair that’s graying at the temples. Theres a scar on his lip that somehow makes him look dashing instead of grizzly, and he’s wearing a breast plate emblazoned with a familiar symbol.

“Rook,” Strife says, “meet Commander Cullen Rutherford, of the Inquisition.”

The Commander extends his hand as if he’s not a legend made suddenly flesh. Rook has read stories about this man. Some of them rather salacious. His smile is crooked. “Just Cullen, please. Since the Inquisition disbanded the only thing I’ve been in command of is a few litters of Mabari puppies from time to time.”

Rook takes his hand firmly, because he’s a professional, damnit. “Right. Cullen. Pleasure to meet you, I assume you’re here to help?”

“Eve- the Inquisitor sent me ahead, I’ve a dozen men with me, the remnants of the Inquisition that we could spare from the South. It’s not much but they are some of our best.”

Rook nods sharply, catching Neve’s eye from across the room and trying to ignore the way his heart skips. The memories from the night before try very hard to distract him. All warm brown skin and breathy sighs. Her expression is unreadable but her eyes glitter.

They just need to get through this alive, he tells himself. Just this last bit. All they have to do is kill two gods. Easy.

“Every little bit helps,” he says finally, though an army would have been nice. “We’re grateful to have you. Now, let’s figure out how we’re going to get to Ghilan'nain.”

—-

Rook, for one, is deeply pleased to see the Inquisitor and Morrigan burst through the door. Especially considering the alternative had previously been either Venatori or Darkspawn.

Commander Cullen is… less so. The large man barrels forward with a grim fury in his eyes as Rook sags with relief against the nearest wall. The Commander has a small cut on his brow that has bled down the side of his face and he is splattered in blight, blood and general grime like the rest of them. The man is certainly formidable with sword and shield, and he may not have brought an army but he’d probably saved Rook’s life a dozen times on their way through the barrier.

The Inquisitor looks pristine in contrast, her nondescript robes are spotless and her coppery hair is carefully braided away from her face. She’s pretty and stately as always, but pale and sharp like a small dagger. She looks to her Commander with steely resolve and the air of a woman who’s been here before.

“I thought we agreed you would remain behind,” Cullen bites out.

Magister Dorian slips past them with an affectionate roll of his eyes for Rook’s benefit. Clearly this is a display he’s seen before.

The Inquisitor smirks but the steel in her eyes remains. “What, and let you have all the fun.”

“Evelyn-“

“Not Inquisitor?”

“You shouldn’t be here. We agreed.”

She sighs, shoulders sagging a little. “Cullen… I have to try.”

“You have tried,” Cullen insists. “For Makers sake, Inquisitor he cut your hand off and left you unconscious and alone.”

Huh. Rook adds dismemberment to his long list of reasons why Solas is an ass.

“Well yes, but he did it to save my life.”

Cullen shakes his head. “So he claimed but in case it’s escaped your notice he’s rather known for lying.”

“It is pretty hard to deny that the Mark had been killing me, love.” She looks at him and there’s a pleading in her eyes. “This time it’s different, we’ve got Mythal and-“

Cullen reaches out and takes her arm and the moment becomes instantly more intimate and Rook can read the anguish in the other man’s face. He should look away but finds he can’t. Transfixed by the devotion nakedly on display.

“Evelyn, please, it’s too dangerous. We aren’t as young as we once were and I can’t bear the thought of you endangering yourself again. Not after what he did to Varric.”

The mention of Varric burns, a fresh and gapping wound.

The Inquisitor reaches up to cup the Commander’s cheek and she mutters a spell softly under her breath, healing his wound. She pulls a handkerchief from her robes and mops gently at the blood left behind. The sharpness in her dulls and her fingers linger at his jaw. “Typical of you to berate me for risking my life while you’re covered in blood. Besides, you’re the old one. I’m a full six years younger than you and in the prime of my life.”

Cullen grabs her hand and traps it against his face. He closes his eyes for a moment with the air of a man praying for patience. “Ten years hasn’t made you take matters more seriously,” he says dryly.

The Inquisitor chuckles. “And here I thought you fell in love with me for my fantastic sense of humor and great a-“

Cullen shuts her up with a kiss. Firm. Desperate. Lingering. Rook finally manages to look away to find Neve watching him. This time her expression is very easy to read. He peels himself away from the wall and sheathes his sword. A kiss sounds rather nice, he decides.

—-

Solas disappears and the veil snaps closed with a sound like a clap of thunder. Silence descends as the enormity of what just happened hovers just beyond Rook’s comprehension.

It’s over. It’s really over.

Next to him, the Inquisitor sinks to her knees, fingers pressed to her lips. There are tears in her eyes. Rook follows suit, though his own decent is much less.. graceful. Neve helps him down and he uses his sword for a bit of support as the aftershocks of adrenaline and pure relief course through him. His entire body beneath his armor feels like one giant bruise, but he throws an arm around Neve’s shoulders and plants a sound kiss to her temple that makes her blush before she sinks into him. It strikes him that he has time. So much time now. To touch, to kiss, to talk. To laugh.

“It’s over,” the Inquisitor whispers. “He’s gone.”

Commander Cullen is rushing across the terrace, worry etched on his face. The rest of Rook’s team is fast on his heels. The Inquisitor must recognize the clattering sound of Cullen’s approach because she forces herself unsteadily to her feet. She turns just in time for her Commander to gather her into his arms.

“Thank the Maker,” he says with the reverence of a true believer and he takes the Inquisitor’s face in his hands, looking her over for injury.

The Inquisitor laughs. It’s a bright sound, like the chiming of a bell, and shoves his hands away to throw her arms around his neck.

Cullen stumbles back a step and then swings her around once, twice, his smile blinding. They kiss, tenderly. When the Inquisitor pulls away, however, she looks toward the space where Solas had once stood and there is sadness and regret in her eyes.

“He went willingly… alone… possibly forever.”

Cullen’s mouth forms a hard line. “He has much to atone for.”

“Yes… I know. I only wish-I don’t know, that we’d had more time to talk. He was my friend once…”

Cullen only squeezes her gently before setting her on her feet. The Inquisitor turns to Rook, an air of formality settling about her like a cloak. It makes him sit a bit straighter. In her simple robes with wisps of hair fluttering in the breeze, she manages to look regal.

“Thank you, Rook, for helping me finish this.”

He manages a nod, not at all sure how to react. “Hard to imagine where we go from here,” he says, then looks at Neve whose heart is shinning in her eyes. “Well, I suppose you two have given me a few ideas.”

[felassan]

Just poring over some of the new images. ◕‿◕

I like the overall shape of the dragon, its wings and silhouette, like it's maintaining this theme, two. It particularly reminds me of the DAII cover, with the figures of other characters being present in the dragon's wings. the pattern in the background gives the impression of a sunburst or explosion/outwards burst of energy (there's been lots of that going around in promo images for DA:TV over the years hasn't there). :D chunks of rock float around, which by now is associated with Fadey stuff (floating rocks in the Fade), the barrier (Veil) crumbling in key arts, and reality warping in places like Arlathan Forest. the dragon, open-mouthed, golden-eyed and ready to breathe fire, recalls the dragons on the Dragon Age vinyl arts, two, especially with its general position, and the dragon in this screenshot/scene. in the background at the bottom you can even see a hint of the 'concentric circles' pattern that represents the Veil.

I love that this group shot truly does include the whole team, including Assan and Manfred. I wonder if they will come into the field too if we select Davrin or Emmrich to come out with us respectively? We saw Assan capably fighting darkspawn in the character trailer, and in this image Manfred is helping fend the monsters off. Does Manfred carry Emmrich's stuff in his lil backpack..? 🥺 and I wonder what the purpose of Manfred's goggles are. Visually they set him apart from other skeleton/undead-type enemies and make it so you don't have to peer into empty the eyesockets of a skull, but also they're green (necromancy magic color) and we see Emmrich doing magic on them here. Are they part of the enchantment keeping him animated? also happy to see Varric in this one even though he is not one of the 7 companions. also, Bianca is still here. RIP

Taash looks so cool. :D Even her weapons are gold. her upper body armor in this piece has the aesthetic to me of like a dragon's ribbed armored chest and underside. I like that her weapons are unique generally, and from each other too. her dual-wielding like this as [I presume] a warrior differentiates her from Rook who if a warrior would be sword and shield or twohanded. her gauntlets look like they have dragon teeth or spines on them (the sticky-out parts that are not scale-like).

Davrin is at Rook's right hand. ♡ the floating triangles near Bellara show that she is using her magical device. I wonder what the white sphere part of Neve's wand/staff is. like, in this particular image it gives me the impression of a big pearl. Lucanis' eyes are glowing, like we see here, in that way that seems to hint that something interesting is going on there. overall it's cool to see all the team and cast together like this, working together heroically to stave off doom.

some of the monsters the group are fighting at least are red lyrium darkspawn. the ones with 'shark fin'-shaped headpieces are the same kind as the one at that link. are the rest all darkspawn too (there are different types of darkspawn ofc), or are there some walking dead mixed in there? (lol at the one Varric has just shot in the face). the non-sharkhead ones seem to be these guys from concept art. the prominence of darkspawn in this key art give the impression that we will fight a lot of red lyrium darkspawn in this game and that the threat they pose, including the Blight, is a significant part of the game's storyline.

at the center of it all and at the forefront is Rook. in a nice bit of poetic mirroring (the Wolf and the Rook), they too stand on a rocky outcropping, also with the knife - just like this. the knife is blue here.. blue lyrium influence? the very ground on which they stand bursts with energy. I wonder if Rook's outfit here is sort of their default, iconic look, like the Champion of Kirkwall armor for Hawke etc? I love that they have a cape and the point of their helmet gives them a bird-like feel. (omg.. we can have capes in this game fr). they have the Veilguard symbol on their chest. and could they be canonically left-handed..? :)

[jacevelaryonswife]

Golden and Silver, my new colors | part two

That day Aemond had thought about you more than ever. Maybe it was time to deal with his ghosts and allow your to approach, to see beyond what his eye could see.

∴ pairing: Aemond Targaryen x Wife!reader

∴warnings and a note: slight angst, pregnancy, some reader’s thoughts may be a little aggressive to the topic of pregnancy, spiteful reader, english is not my first language. There's a bit of book!aemond here.

golden and silver masterlist

Duty was more important than petty desires. Prince Aemond did not wish to marry so suddenly, but he performed his duty with obedience. You were a good lady, beautiful and quite polite, but nothing more. You were like all the others that made up the royal court, just normal, there was nothing special about you and he didn't have to convince himself of that. However, there were certain moments when he almost leaned into your touch and let himself sink into the melody of your voice a little longer. It was unexpected, sudden, and almost ripped a hole in the armor that protected him from your affection. It started when you so proudly displayed his colors in your dresses and jewelry, the blue with the purple hues of sapphires enhancing your beauty. Later when you asked him about reading preferences, maybe your intention wasn't as genuine, but it was a good attempt at rapprochement.

He knew that his posture did not match that of a husband, nor the husband you deserved, but it was strange to deal with your presence and especially your affection. No lady ever bothered to disguise their disgust when crossing his path. No matter how good he was with a sword or if he owned the largest dragon in the world, in the end he was just Aemond One-Eye, not as handsome as his younger brother or lucky enough to be the firstborn. So imagine his surprise at not receiving your dislike? You were a pretty little thing, a little afraid and almost desperate for your husband's attention and approval. A good, kind lady, in his mother's words. A nice ass and nice tits, in Aegon's words. Yet what prevented him from removing a part of the shield to allow entry? You weren't dismissive, much less cunning or cruel. A part of him refused to budge, another part just didn't have enough interest. Too simple maybe.

But then the news of your pregnancy hit him. He would be a father. It was particularly strange to the ears. Not all men are born to be fathers — he had some very close examples — so the thought troubled him. How could he be a decent father if he kept failing as a husband? He was aware of his flaw though he didn't do much to remedy it, not even Alicent's constant advice and suggestions made him change. However, things will never be the same, you were pregnant, expecting a little dragon in your womb, his dragon. The thought that had haunted him before (and continued to haunt him) now gave him a small twinge of pride.

“I hope that with this happy event you can understand each other,” the queen said.

That day Aemond had thought about you more than ever. Maybe it was time to deal with his ghosts and allow your to approach, to see beyond what his eye could see. He kept his hand over your for the better part of the dinner his mother had arranged last night — much to the delight of both families — and an almost satisfied expression was visible on his face. On the other hand, you were quieter than usual. Your answers were short and your gaze was almost always beyond the moment. Women were emotional, he knew that, and pregnancy tended to make them even more sensitive by what the books said. It could be something or it could be nothing.

To the surprise of everyone present, it was something. Unexpected and uncomfortable, to say the least. His tender and obedient wife, so affable and meek has just displayed an unknown and almost aggressive facet. Aemond could choose the blindness of ignorance and believe the nonsense his father had said to smooth your way out, but he knew better that wasn't a good sign, especially when you treated him apathetically in subsequent developments. At that moment the one-eye prince felt different sensations, but none were as terrifying as the realization of guilt. It could be a coincidence in fact, but it wasn't what his heart pointed out. After returning to the small dinner, Aemond reassured your parents and his mother with false words that he wisely disbelieved. Would it be naive to believe that your devotion would remain active without any kind of return? He mulled this over at the owl hour as you rested facing the wall. A small detail.

The next day when orange rays directly illuminated his face, Aemond noticed the empty bed before he noticed another small detail: you didn't wake him. Often your hands touched him on the face or shoulder so you had breakfast together every day. All from the first day of marriage. He faced the ceiling as he brooded over the situation. Maybe you needed to go somewhere, maybe the pregnancy made you more sensitive, maybe just like him you didn't know how to deal with the news. There were many options, but the one that tormented him was caused by himself.

That morning you felt a sudden urge to get away from him. Aemond was also a morning person, but he woke up a few minutes after you, giving you the advantage of sneaking out. Not that it was too difficult, you thought, your presence wasn't usually appreciated, what difference would it make?

Your personal maid had set the table as usual, but this time you didn't bother to dismiss her immediately for privacy with Aemond. She asked about the prince, which you answered quickly. Not a word was exchanged after that, you didn't even notice when she withdrew upon the arrival of your husband, too caught up in your current condition. A child, you would have a child soon and you couldn't get anything good out of it. Would you be able to love him with all the grudge you held in your chest? Would you be able to love this child while wishing his father would get out of your sight?

The wisest thing to do was to suppress such feelings and move on as a devoted wife and honorable daughter. But you didn't want that. No, you wanted to feel the grudge in it’s most palpable and fervent state. You wanted the freedom to feel and want what you desire without the interference of right or wrong.

"How are you feeling?" asked Aemond, breaking the silence.

"I’m fine."

That's all the two of you talked about. Interestingly, both the question and the answer were not completely honest. Yes, Aemond worried about you because of your condition, but mostly because he noticed the change in your behavior. And yes, you were physically fine and healthy, but on the inside… you just wanted to slaughter him.

Your meeting with the craftswoman was just after breakfast, the dress you wore was light orange, the majority color of your house, which would soon be replaced by shades of gold and silver. You also asked for new jewels of the same colors, of the most diverse sizes and shapes. You were a little extravagant and always liked to be neat. One of the perks of being a member of the royal family was the improved quality of cloth.

“I ask you to make them as soon as you can, I want to have them with me soon.”

“And the other dresses, my lady… the ones you own?” Asked the artisan's assistant, receiving a rigid answer from her:

“It is none of your business, Irma.”

"There’s no problem. I'm actually thinking of distributing them to the other ladies of the court or to the women of the poorest part of Kingslanding”, your voice was calm. "I never liked green, it won't be a problem to discard them." You didn't mind the look exchanged between the two women, very interested in the new models you would own.

On that day, the tradition that you and your friends kept of getting together whenever one was pregnant happened. You were the last of the small group and expected to be nervous. You felt nervous whenever you remembered the fact, but you were happy to be in the beautiful garden on a beautiful day.

“Have you thought of the names yet?” Drusilla asked.

“Not yet,” you replied as you took a piece of lemon cake.

"Valyrian names are very beautiful, but please don't name Aegon if it's a boy or Rhaenys if it's a girl," your other friend Livilla said, making you laugh.

“Please, how many Aegons has House Targaryen seen? I don't intend to collaborate with another one”, you replied in a good mood.

“And the prince? Did he suggest any names?” Kalena asked, bringing a sour taste to your mouth. Oh please, you meant to reply with an eye roll.

"No, not once, but if he wants to suggest it it should be a tawdry name like Maegor." Your tone was more prickly than usual, more than you intended to show (no less than you felt). Your friends smiled with some concern, and the comment in particular caught Livilla's attention.

"What's he like? You know, he was always so quiet and reserved?” she asked.

“He is quiet and reserved, nothing more.” Looks like I married a door, you wanted to say, but you chose not to reveal too much. You never know when the walls might hear.

“At least he is not unfaithful like Prince Aegon,” Drusilla said. How lucky I am. “It was a little difficult with Willas at first, we were strangers and I always thought his brother was better looking, but he was the heir, not Tyrent. However, time and the magical treasure he keeps in his legs made things easier.”

“Drusilla!” Kalena looked at her with wide eyes before laughing.

"You can't blame me for being fond of my husband's dowry!" she made light of it, “what about prince aemond, what is he like back there in four walls?”

“Uh…” you tried. “I don't know, is it normal? I think. I don't know."

“I'm sorry, dear”, it was Livilla's turn to speak. “I always thought that behind that black wall there would be a fierce stallion.”

“Behind that wall are as many other walls as the swords that forge the Iron Throne, believe me,” you complained.

“Targaryens, love them devotedly or hate them bitterly,” Drusilla said, studying your posture.

“Don't let these things get you down. Men are like that, they take time to appreciate what really matters. Perhaps now, with the pregnancy, he will open up to the present at your side,” Livilla said with a friendly smile.

You knew the risk of her next words, especially if they were heard, but you couldn't help it.

“What if I don't want to?”

On the other side of the palace the queen was talking alone with your husband. Not for the first time, but she hoped it might be the last —they both hoped for different reasons. She asked what happened last night, which he answered truthfully.

"I don't know, she's been quiet ever since."

“She’s pregnant, it’s a difficult but happy period. You are very lucky to have her by your side.”

“You already said that.”

“And you don't seem to listen. Do you think I like to repeat that?” She asked. “What's the problem, Aemond? What is the problem that makes you not understand?”

He did not answer.

“I have my own things to manage, the things of the kingdom in your father's absence. Do you know how much it demands?”

"Yes mother."

“Then why do you insist on going through with it?”

"I'm not asking-"

“But I’m your mother! And believe me, I've been in her place. It's been a long time since your union, Aemond, don't make things difficult on purpose. You will be a father soon, act like it, act like the son I raised.”

His gaze was hazy, hard to read. He hated being charged or warned about something he knew, he didn't need it, Aegon did. Leaving his mother's room after being dismissed, the one-eye prince knew he had a decision to make, but he didn't know he had little time to do so.

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Thank you everyone for the positive feedback! There are a few people I wasn't able to tag, but I appreciate all the feedback received 💙

[dreaming-medium]

Animals Without Direction

Chapter Six - Aye, My Lord

Previous Chapter | Next Chapter

Masterlist

Neither you nor Hyunjin spoke a single word to one another on the walk back to the capital. Even if he tried, you would’ve shut it down immediately. There wasn’t a single nice word you would’ve been able to conjure up to say to him. 

By the time you entered the stone walls of Miroh’s capital, it was close to midnight. Gone was the laughter that filled the streets. Instead, you were met with a close silence. 

It wasn’t eerie, but you’re sure that you would’ve appreciated the distraction. What wouldn’t you give to walk into one of the taverns and order yourself a strong drink.

Once you both stepped inside the keep, Hyunjin spoke up. “Until next time, Y/N.” His voice still had that cocky tilt to it. Truly, it made your teeth grind. 

Your fingers itched to connect your fist with his jaw. 

His farewell receives no response from you.

But, as soon as he disappeared down a hallway, all you could feel was the ghost of his gentle touch on your ears. The feeling slid down your spine and you shivered. 

He knows. He knows how sensitive they are. What he did was akin to him shoving his tongue down your throat and pulling your hair. 

Honestly, maybe that would’ve evoked less of a reaction. 

There were so many other ways he could’ve proved his point, but he chose the most… intimate way you could think of.

You should feel a lot angrier than you do. You should’ve slapped him, kicked him in the groin, ran your sword through him. But instead you leaned into it and let yourself be consumed by the shivers that came with the sensation. 

The way your body reacted to his touch like a cat curling around its owner’s legs. 

You immediately shake your head free of those thoughts. Enough. 

A deep sigh comes from your chest and you take in where you’re standing in the keep. Since you returned, you should probably check in with the Jarl if he’s awake. You can definitely find the throne room from here. Maybe you’re starting to get the hang of this place.

----------------------------------------------

To your surprise, Chan was awake. He was standing at the end of one of the tables in the throne room. 

He was in a simple tunic and cotton pants. The top of the tunic was undone, revealing a large portion of his sculpted chest. It was strange seeing him in normal clothes. The last few times you saw him, he had on regal, expensive looking robes.

The clothes he wore were still tame considering what you’re used to seeing nobles wear. 

It was also a surprise to you that he never wore a crown. 

His hair looked even curlier and more unkempt than usual. Did he wake up and come down here? Has he not gone to sleep yet? A deep frown pulls at his lips, he looks lost in thought. One of his hands comes up by his mouth.

There were no guards in the room, the only sound was the fire flicking in the grand hearth. 

As soon as your footsteps crossed the threshold of the room, he looked up in surprise. 

“Ah, Y/N. I see you’ve made it back in one piece.” A genuine smile crosses his face. “And you have a new shield.” He looks over your shoulder at the Shield of Absorption poking out from behind you. 

Even with shoulders on the broader side, the shield showed around you. 

“Aye, an enchanted one too.” You say, taking steps closer to him until you’re about five feet away, standing on the other side of the table. 

“A fantastic find, then.”

Sprawled out on top of the table is a map of the continent, Olera. The six holds of the continent are clearly labeled. There are several smaller villages and cities written in ink that you’ve never heard of. But the most interesting part of the map was the small flags placed on top. 

They were on top of military posts and forts. 

This was a war map. 

Most of the forts that were identified were in Miroh and Erbus, but there were a few in the other four holds. Especially the two kingdoms that shared northern borders with Miroh and Erbus: Bewaes and Inuin. But there were a few known strongholds labeled in Daefall and Upera. 

Chan made no move to shield your eyes from the map. Twenty four hours you’ve been here and he trusts you to see the location of his strongholds. Not only his strongholds, but the other holds as well.

Back in Erbus you could be hung just for being in the same room as a map like this. 

“How did it go?” He asks you. 

Pulling your gaze from the map, you look up at him. “Ah,” you couldn’t hold eye contact with him. A sheepish smile crosses your face and you look away, “I do not believe we will be doing business with Camus again… nor will… anyone.”

Truly, the consequences of your actions didn’t cross your mind until now. Would you be charged with another murder? Would he take away your room? Banished to the dungeons?

Obviously, this merchant was someone they counted on for supplies, and you killed him the first time you met him. Within the first twenty minutes of meeting him. 

Chan sucks in a breath and lets out a deep sigh. Out of the corner of your eye, you see his head roll around his neck like he’s stretching. “Did you strike first?”

“Nay, my lord. He slammed Hyunjin’s head into the counter, I threw a tankard at his head before it could get worse, it all went downhill from there.”

You gulped, ready to accept your punishment. There’s a stiff moment of silence before you hear gentle laughter coming from Chan. 

“I apologize, it is just not every day I hear that Hyunjin had his bell rung.” When you look over at him, he has his hand over his mouth. He’s trying so hard not to laugh out loud. 

The corner of your mouth pulls up. “I believe he still has a red mark on his forehead if you would like to see it yourself.”

That seems to delight him even more and the floodgates of his laughter break. It’s musical, his laughter. And apparently contagious, as you find yourself chuckling under your breath. His eyes crinkle shut with laughter and he leans over on the table and braces his weight on his hands.

It’s such a warm sight.

With clothing like this, his hair messy, the beautiful smile on his face, you would never realize the power this man holds. This man could snap his fingers and bring an army to their knees.  

He’s laughing while holding himself over a war map. That, in itself, is poetry to you. 

Eventually, after a few moments, he calms down. “Thank you for reporting in, Y/N.”

“Of course, my lord.”

“Please call me Chan.”

You nod your head once. “If you don’t need me for anything else…” you bow your head and turn to leave. 

“Y/N.”

When Chan’s voice calls out, you turn back around, a curious expression on your face.

“I know it has only been a day, but I am glad you’re here,” Chan states, his hands staying put on the table. 

“Thank you, my lord.” You nod, heat coming up to your cheeks.

“I know you spoke of a life back in Erbus…” his eyes stare deeply into yours, they’re so warm and comforting. “But it could not have been easy. Especially given the details you provided.”

Your eyebrows furrow as memories of Erbus play through your mind; both good and bad. Playing in the streets with other children, song filled nights in the tavern, but what you hear the loudest in your mind is the night that the city guard discovered your father was an Elf in hiding. 

Slowly, your gaze falls from Chan’s eyes, to the floor. The mirthful glint from your eyes fades. 

You can still hear the sound of the door to your cottage being kicked in, the guards screaming and calling your mother and father such vile, nasty words. The way it sounded when they snapped his bones, when they-

“Y/N.” Chan spoke your name so softly, but it took you out of that nasty memory so fast. 

When you look up, you see nothing but compassion written on his face. One day, you’ve been here one day, and already he looks at you as if he knows exactly what you’ve been through. Like he wants nothing but to comfort you.

“I know it must not have been easy,” he pauses, searching your face, “but you are here now.”

Your throat feels dry when you respond, “Thank you, my lord.” the words crack a bit and you realize that if you do not leave this room soon, you’re going to start crying in front of him.

“Chan.” he repeats in a stern, yet gentle manner. Again, all you do is nod. “Oh, before you leave.” Chan reaches over and grabs a small pouch from the table, he holds it out for you. “Your payment.”

You raise an eyebrow, “I’ve only been here a day.”

“Aye, but I pay all my workers on the same day, it would be a pain to adjust it for one person. Additionally, you did complete a job today, so it is not as if I am paying you for nothing.” He motions for you to take the pouch from him.

Hesitantly, you reach out to grab it. Chan reaches forward and grabs your hand with his empty one, forcibly placing the pouch of gold in your palm and closing your fingers over it. 

It’s the first time he’s touched you. The warmth from his palms spreads all the way up your arm. His touch lingers for a moment before he drops your hand.

“Do with it whatever you please.” he adds with that loving smile of his.

Your mind goes back to the market you passed by today.

Nervously, you look around the room, absentmindedly shifting your weight from foot to foot. “Am I permitted to go to the market in the city?”

When Chan doesn’t answer, you look at him. He’s staring at you with an absolutely flabbergasted expression. As if you asked him the most ridiculous question.

“You…” he trips over his words, “Y/N, you are not our prisoner. You can come and go however you wish. All I ask is that you report to me when I request you for a job.”

Your tongue pokes from your lips and you lick them nervously. “Aye, of course, I knew that. I was simply making sure, thank you, my lord.”

“Chan.” he repeats. Once more, you only nod. 

There’s a few moments of silence, the pouch of gold in your palm is the heaviest you’ve ever held. All you want to do is roll it around in your fingers, open it up and count each coin.

“Um,” you stutter after a moment, “I’ll be going then.” 

Swiftly, you turn on your heel and walk towards the door that leads to the closest path to your room– at least, it’s the closest you know of.

“Goodnight, Y/N.” he calls after you, there’s a bit of mirth laced in his voice.

“Goodnight, my lord.” you answer, a bit softer than his.

“Chan.”

“Sure.”

[occasionallyprosie]

"A Warrior's Blade"

Link was eight when he met the spirit of the Master Sword. Fi still remembered the last time too-small hands held her... She swore she would not let this one fail and die too. She would teach him to be an unstoppable force. Only... maybe a traumatized sword who was taught that emotions were useless and that all dangers were to be eliminated wasn't the best option to raise a child told from a young age he would be tasked with protecting the goddesses bloodline.

Febuwhump 2024 | Alt Prompt 4: Human Weapon

Read on AO3

Warnings: Mild cursing

Link was eight years old when he found his uncle guardian bleeding out in the sewers, was given a sword and shield far too big for his arm and hand, and told to save the princess.

Link was eight years old when he met Fi, the kind spirit of the Master Sword, who took one look at him and promised him that she would ensure that he will be strong enough to kill Ganon and save the princess. That promise was everything to Link, Zelda had asked him in a dream to save her and he had to, he had to. Something in his blood thrummed and he knew that it was his duty to protect the girl, even if she was two years his senior. Fi would tell him that she couldn't do that, however, unless he reforged her. She was weakened, her metal rusted and dull from centuries left soaked in the blood of her last wielder.

Fi told him about the boy who wielded her before, that he had died, how Ganon had crushed the boy, how his tusks had tore open the boy's stomach, how Fi had been driven into his chest and pierced his heart. Fi explained in graphic detail, and Link asked if the same would happen to him.

"If it does, would you still try and fight him?"

Link had nodded. "I would... I have to. Nobody else will."

"Then as long as you do as I tell you, then no, it won't."

Link was ten when his anger got Din captured and Fi told him to never let himself get emotional during battle.

He was ten when he met a dodongo that didn't immediately try to kill him, it was young and nice and Link thought it was a friend. Fi reminded him that monsters were monsters. Despite the way Dimitri the dodongo begged, Link killed it.

He was eleven when he let his guard down and had a bit of fun with Sir Raven, only for an attack to strike and he was caught off guard enough that Roperi was almost hurt. Fi told him to never let his guard down.

He was fourteen when he was wrecked on an island, met Marin, fell in love with her and lost her when he woke the Wind Fish. After he told Fi, she told him that emotions like that would only be a detriment and he shouldn't allow it to happen again.

He was fifteen when Fi told him he was doing well, right after he killed Octavo--who had begged for clemency and insisted he had tried to kill Ganon--without an ounce of remorse or hesitation, just a notice that Octavo was a threat and he eliminated him.

Link was nineteen when he met the heroes of times past and future.

Fi hadn't said much the past four years, she only spoke three times and it was, in moments of weakness, to remind him to keep his emotions in check, never to let his guard down, and to eliminate whatever threats he was met with, even if it didn't act like other threats.

He almost killed the other heroes on sight when he ran into the group of highly armed men, especially the one with thick darkness around him, but Fi had stopped him with a word. They were heroes, her other masters, he was to never do them harm.

Twilight was a bit concerned.

Since this whole time travel thing started, he had gotten to know his fellow heroes. He got to know Wild, who he would see again even when this all ended. He even got to meet the hero of time, his predecessor and ancestor.

It was incredible, and sure, some of the heroes weren't... what he would've expected as heroes. A pompous knight, a soft and kindhearted woodcarver, two literal children who also were the ones most prone to cursing, and an almost child who was incredibly paranoid and definitely scared of blood.

But the oddest one was the cold and quiet adventuring veteran. Just overall, Legend was sharp, dismissive, and incredibly distant. He didn't talk with them, didn't get to know them beyond their names and skill sets, didn't seem to care at all. He never let his guard down, even in inns or the castle, Warriors had tried to tease him for it all but Legend's quick response was a far sharper jab that necessary for the tease Warriors had given. Wind would try to chat with him, and Legend seemed to listen, but he never actually engaged in conversation.

At least, at first that's how it was. As time went on, Twilight learned that Warriors was so obsessed with his appearance out of a fear of being judged and looked down on, of being unworthy of his station and not as 'noble' as he was expected to be. He learned that Sky could be a vicious fighter and protector, he was the first one to step up and face off a horde of monsters alone. Wind and Four were both incredibly emotionally intelligent, Wind was also very good at calculating their location and once he had a map he could get them anywhere, then Four was just intelligent on the overall, he would provide rationale and the pragmatic approach. Then Hyrule turned out to be a total powerhouse with his magic, and his fear of blood stemmed from a curse being placed on his own blood, he was also the only one who willingly stuffed his hand into a gaping wound to slow the bleeding.

Legend took the longest to figure out. Slowly, even slower than Hyrule who won their unofficial bet of "most paranoid", Legend relaxed around them. He eventually would tease Warriors, throw insults as easily as he turned on his heel, which turned out to be very quickly because he ended up telling them about how he had been a dancer for a bit! He told them a few stories rather unrelated to his quests, talked about people they reminded him of. Twilight could see Legend grow protective over Hyrule and Wind, watched him almost turn to Sky in search of approval.

It was odd, how much his personality just changed.

Then after a particularly bad battle, it flipped again.

Twilight took some time to get all the details. Legend had been fighting with Wild when a monster--nobody could agree on what, a daira, moblin, or lizalfos--had tried to attack Legend. Legend had been distracted by Wind's yelp when he barely dodged a flaming ball sent by a Wizzrobe, and Wild shoved him out of the way. Wild was fine now, but he had needed a fairy.

Twilight didn't know what it was, but Legend hadn't let go of his sword, staring down at it with a small frown, eyebrows knit, and pain in his eyes. Then it was like a switch was flipped and his expression mellowed out and went blank.

It had been two weeks since, and Legend hadn't let his guard down once, he hadn't indulged Wind with stories, hadn't chided Wild gently over his form, hadn't argued jokingly with Warriors, he was just cold and sharp all over again.

Twilight was worried. What caused the... relapse?

They found the Shadow.

After a long battle with a lot of running, Legend managed to get the Shadow at the other end of his blade. Hyrule and Wild behind him and moving quickly to join him. The rest were either injured or stayed behind with the injured, and were hallways or rooms behind them.

Legend moved to kill.

"Wait!" The Shadow--a Dark Link--exclaimed. "You wouldn't want to do that."

Legend did pause, only because he sensed dark magic flare behind him and a brief glance showed Wild stumbling back.

"Kill me and I kill them both."

Hyrule yelped as Wild--eyes blazing black--lunged at the other hero. The traveler barely deflected the first attack.

"Champion! Snap out of it!"

Legend internally cursed. The Shadow was still at his mercy, his sword at his throat, but he could feel the magic in the room. He may be fast with a blade, but the Shadow would have plenty of time to snap the cords that kept Wild alive, dark magic was powerful like that. It only really required intent once the power backed it up.

If he made on wrong move, Wild would be dead. But if he didn't move, Hyrule would die.

Except, the Shadow was a threat, it was the threat and the entire timeline hung in the balance. He had to kill it.

The Shadow grinned at him, its face uncannily like Wind's at the moment. "Let me go, and I'll let them live."

In a moment of weakness, Legend found himself saying, "Let them go permanently, and we can have this fight to ourselves another day."

He wasn't supposed to spare the enemy, under any circumstances with the sole exception of the goddess' blood being in the balance. He served the goddess, he protected her daughters, he didn't spare the greatest threat Hyrule has yet faced for the sake of some of her heroes.

But... he didn't want them to get hurt.

"Only you?" The Shadow countered.

"Wild, please!" Hyrule begged. Legend knew Wild would win their spars on a normal day, if Hyrule was holding back and Wild wasn't, there was no doubt of who would win.

Then everything froze.

"Have you forgotten what I have taught you?" Fi questioned, crystalline face somehow conveying her disappointment.

"F-Fi--"

"Have you forgotten to turn off your heart, this is not you." She shook her head. "I see you changing from how I've designed you."

Link clenched his jaw, staring at the immobile form of the Shadow.

"Have you forgotten your purpose? Let me remind you."

Memories slammed into his mind, the dozen times he went against Fi's guidance and how every single time it failed. His battles with Ganon, with Veran and Onyx, with Agahnim and Yuga, the Wind Fish, Lady Maud, Octavo-- His duty was protecting Hyrule, the goddesses bloodline, and her people. Not some heroes.

"Don’t forget that you’re a hero of a very special kind," Fi warned him. "You are the legendary hero, the greatest of them all. Don’t disappoint me."

Link didn't respond. When time clicked back into place, he met those eyes but heard Hyrule begging Wild to come back, to snap out of it.

He's still a threat until he's dead, Fi reminded him. Finish it.

No. "Only me," Legend told the Shadow.

No?

He would not let the other heroes be killed. Not on his watch.

"Not even that sword?" The Shadow challenged.

"No other spirit or soul will interfere in our fight--From either side. Deal?"

The Shadow grinned. "Deal."

Legend lowered his blade and The Shadow ran. Wild fell like a puppet with his strings cut.

He felt Fi pulse. She was upset.

He resigned himself to burned hands until the quest was over.

"That was reckless."

I know.

"You were too sentimental."

Yes.

"That is not a teaching of mine." Fi hovered before him, he had slipped away from the group in the aftermath at Fi's order and she stood there to lecture him. Like every other time he screwed up and wasn't her perfect little hero. "You've grown too soft, your dead friends will attest."

"They--"

"Put your emotions aside," she snapped. "You’re the legend, meant to teach the rest! I don’t know where I went wrong, but I warned you."

"You wanted me to get them killed!" He argued.

"In time, they'll all be gone."

"But this way I can fight him!"

"You need to learn your place."

"I can kill him without anyone else interfering!"

"Without me you won't be able to."

"I will keep my word. A fight alone and I'll win," he insisted.

She narrowed her eyes at him. "You forget. You are mine."

He froze. Her crystal cracked as she drew close, no longer hiding herself.

"Listen close. In this fight, you will not disappoint me. You won't waste the time I've spent molding and designing you into a proper hero. Consider this my final warning."

He looked down, clenching his hand into a fist. "You don't own me."

She startled.

"Why are you surprised? We are the same. Used, broken, and doing our best, but unlike you, every time I screw up, I fix it myself while you put it on a child to mend."

"You’ll be killed."

"Get out of my head now."

"There is a 0% chance you'll succeed."

"I'll control my own life."

She floated back. "What a waste of energy spent."

"At least I'm out here fighting for my goddess," he retorted. "While you forged someone else into the weapon."

"Since you claim you’re so much better, why have I saved your life time and time again?"

"Leave me alone!"

They both went silent, Legend panting and shaking. He didn't know what he was doing, he didn't, but all he knew was that... damnit, he just wanted to be himself. He had that for a while there, he hadn't realized it at the time but then he realized he had been happy... He just wanted that, but he didn't want to lose Fi.

"One day, you'll hear what I'm saying. One day, you may understand. One day... but not today, for after all you’re still human."

Legend flinched, then he forced out a shaky, "Leave."

She did not respond for a long moment. "Yes, Master."

She disappeared into her sword. Legend could feel her spirit go dormant.

He closed his eyes, dropped the blade, and released a shaky breath... He just wanted to be himself with these heroes, he wanted to know them, to protect them... so why did it suddenly feel like nothing mattered at all? Not the heroes, not their safety, nor who he was.

Why was he so broken?

Event Masterlist

[athena-gunpla]

BE 1/144 Round Table Knights SC-003 "God's Guardian Gawain"

It's finally done! This is the one other SNAA "fake" gunpla kit that currently exists, and it's a really striking one. Just like the other kit, Thunder Incise Grace, Gawain goes together super smoothly and even has a well detailed inner frame.

A neat feature of this kit was the inclusion of gold inner parts. I used my gold paint marker to redo the gold (as the stock gold was incredibly flat) but unfortunately this made the pieces a little too big, making the kit much harder to snap together and giving it some pretty annoying panel gaps. Given most of this is hidden, this is probably a step you can skip.

Regardless, Gawainhas amazing range of motion, and excellent color separation, with layering of parts giving the kit a super detailed surface and plenty of panel lines. The blue clear pieces are another neat detail, and make the kit look amazing in the light, especially as they are UV reactive.

The kit comes with plenty of pre-moulded hands just like Incise Grace, as well as really nice waterslide decals. The weapon options are the main draw of this kit, with a large transforming gunblade and a bulky shield with its own beam effect parts.

The gun can fold back into a shorter sword mode, and be held by either of the two handles for a variety of poses. The beam effects can easily be removed for active or deactive display. The back of the main weapon can also be removed to provide a small combat knife.

Additionally, Gawain has two large wing effect pieces that attach securely to the back boosters. These look really cool, and are a major reason I was excited for this kit.

Overall it was a great building experience and the kit looks really cool on my shelf. At the significantly lower price compared to gunpla I definitely recommend checking it out.

[phoenix-fell]

Hi! I enjoyed your analysis. Hope you don't mind the ask. In the post you talked about alternating between background and foreground, what background scenes do you think are particularly worth paying attention to? Starting to realize how much Ive overlooked lol.

Thanks! And of course, happy to receive asks! Good question, there's a few I could name and there's some scenes that are technically 'foreground' but are extremely understated - like the close-up of Blake's sword but here's a few:

My favourite background moments to note, is a scene in 'Creation' - Vol 8 - where Penny is becoming human, there's a huge flash of light. Ruby and Weiss cover their own eyes, turning their bodies away. Whereas, positioned in front of the 'camera' (but not the focus), Blake and Yang immediately turn into each other, Yang placing a protective arm around Blake and shielding them both with her other arm. When the camera pulls away to show them in the background, Yang's arm is still around her and it shows Blake wrapping her arm around Yang too. The camera begins to focus on Penny, with the two of them stood comfortably looking on with their arms round each other. It's so easy to miss, especially the latter part, but I love the way they're framed together and is just such a nice little background inclusion as it shows an active choice to animate these two doing something differently to Weiss and Ruby.

Another one that's often overlooked is in 'Fault', Vol 8, the infamous "Yeah...Ruby..." line from Yang - the screen focuses on the part of the bike she's fixing and looking at before she initiates that conversation with Jaune, which is purple, and likely what prompted her to think of Blake.

There's also scenes, particularly in Volumes 7/8 as the cast grows, where lines are added in to imply off-screen developments they don't have time to show on-screen, such as:

"Have you guys ever thought about branching out - you always pair up but...." - Marrow, in Sparks, Vol 7, which is used to imply that they're spending more time together without showing it, partnering up on all their missions.

"Blake and Yang are off doing their own thing... Again." - Nora, in A Night Off, Vol 7. Marrow implied they're spending all their time together at work, Nora heavily implies that they're spending a lot of time together outside of work - likely to banish the notion that it's just a 'I just want to fight by her side' type of arrangement.

This one's much smaller, but in Risk - Vol 8 - after Ironwood has announced his ultimatum, Yang tells Ruby, "you know, that hound kicked us around like we were nothing, but Blake told me that you and the Schnees managed to take it down..." Simple, but just having Yang slot in that, somewhere offscreen after their Beeunion, she and Blake have caught up about their time apart. Later in this episode, once Ruby expresses hope in the form of a new plan, the camera pans out to show them all together in a circle. Everyone's focused on Ruby who had just spoken, except for Ren and Nora who look to each other, and Blake who honest to god looks like a sunflower following the sun as she just turns to beam at an oblivious Yang. I don't tend to place too much emphasis on two characters who are often in scenes together looking at each other, but there's something about the Renora parallel that stood out to me, especially as everyone else is very still - it was a choice to animate her this way. Blake's often shown staring at Yang, notably whenever something good happens and she's happy, or when she needs comfort/is worried.

Lastly, my three other on-screen understated favourites are:

This one is in 'As Above, So Below' Vol 7. They use parallels between these two and Renora often, the scene directly before this one is Nora comforting Ren by holding his hand, then pans to these two. Yang looking worried (as Ren did), then just a subtle smile from Blake and shared look between the two as they relax. Notably, they're sitting opposite Ren and Nora; showing how the two pairs 'mirror' one another.

Another 'blink and you'll miss it' (but not the BB fans! We see all) is in 'Worthy' Vol 8. Immediately after Yang falls and Blake was unable to catch her, we can see Blake's body almost entirely off the platform and Weiss having to pull her back up. The strong implication being that Blake was ready to willingly dive into the void after her. (I make no apologies for the fact that the screenshot looks like Neo is nudging Weiss' butt off the platform).

And lastly, who could forget this absolute screamer. It's a popular and iconic scene now, but you'd be forgiven if you didn't see Yang checking Blake out the first time in 'A Night Off' Volume 7.

But to add a little bit more into the 'background' notion of the scene that not a lot of people seem to talk about: Weiss is deciding what she wants to do. Three 'options' are presented to the audience, but only two invitations are extended to the team. Ruby explicitly invites Weiss to the party, Jaune invites Weiss to the movies... But earlier in the scene, Ruby asks what Blake and Yang are doing and it's met with a matter-of-fact statement that they had been invited out, but extend no invite, no cordial 'if you want in' or 'come along' to any of their teammates. These two are very much presented as being completely in their own bubble separate from the rest of the team.

Sorry this ended up so long!! I should have just made a separate post on background analysis and parallels because I have stuff from earlier volumes. I just love these two! Anyway, I hope this helped and hope you enjoyed!

[pendragon1256]

An Odd Rivalry

Ok, this is my first post here. Please be nice. Please note this is a train-of-thought, unpolished, rough-draft type thing. Anyway.

SCOLIPEDE FIGHTING CENTISKORCH IS STUPID AND I WILL LIVE ON THIS HILL

Look, hear me out. Scolipede is a Bug/Poison type. It doesn't resist Fire, it's weak to it. It's said it "chases down enemies with great speed and then attacks relentlessly with its horns until it prevails." Or, alternatively, "It latches onto the prey using the toxic spikes on its neck, and then slams it into the ground for the deadly poison effect." How convenient! Two potential strategies it uses in hunting.

THE FIRST ONE OF WHICH IS STUPID.

For you see, "When in battle, Centiskorch will rear up and use its long, hot body to attack, either by slamming its searing belly into opponents like a whip or constricting them with its body." See the problem yet?

Note the words "hot body". (Gosh, I hate how that sounds outside of context.) See, not only does its Shield entry note it has a "burning body," but its design-especially with its Gigantamax form's pose and design-is based off of a radiator coil, with its segmented underside resembling stove burners.

Like, Scolipede, man. Your rival has FIRE. At all times. It's literally ON HIS FACE and on his TAIL. It literally has his back at all times. He's designed to look like things THAT BURN YOU. He literally RADIATES HEAT. Which you are WEAK TO.

(My personal headcanon for Bug-types resisting Ice-type moves, BTW, is that Bug-types due to their unusual size benefit from mild to severe gigantothermy and Infinity Energy boosting their biological processes/capabilities. In other words, Bug-types utilize their larger size to help them resist cold, and have adapted to do so to such a degree they suck at dealing with heat instead. They don't struggle with losing heat, they struggle with getting rid of it. Note that Scolipede is a very large Bug-type? Yeah, exactly!)

So, what gives? Well, first off, Centiskorch is noted as "excessively hostile" in its Shield entry. The official website from Sword and Shield goes so far as to state "This Pokémon is so belligerent by nature that it will indiscriminately attack anything that gets close to it."

Bulbapedia similarly notes of Scolipede that "It is very aggressive and will not give up until victorious." Its black Pokedex entry backs this up, with how it "attacks relentlessly with its horns until it prevails."

So, on one hand we have someone easily triggered, and on the other hand we have someone too stupid to give up and leave the fight. But, more importantly, Scolipede uses hit and run tactics. Well, maybe not hit and run, but if you're sprinting up to an opponent and then strike them with your horns, something called inertia will keep you from stopping right then and there.

So unless Scolipede likes screeching to a halt, which is likely a poor choice considering it's probably given its prey the home run treatment and needs to close the gap, or slamming into things to stop itself-which comes with obvious issues, such as head trauma and every. single. boss. doing this and getting absolutely owned for it (hey man, your head got stuck, MASSIVE SKILL ISSUE), it's gonna turn around and do it again. Or in other words, it'll U-turn. (Eh? Eh?)

This is important, as while Centiskorch can easily position itself like a wall to roast prey, or wrap prey in its radiating coils, it's rather hard to do that when the target in question is actively outspeeding you. It's Sp. Attack is a respectable (although not great) 90, and it's speed is a mere 65, compared to Scolipede's 112. And Scolipede can have Speed Boost.

Also important, Centiskorch is thin. Like, bulletin board thin. Call me crazy, but I don't think this guy is pulling a Stunfisk if Scolipede manages to run over his vulnerable topside. Wait, vulnerable topside? Yes, because while I'm sure Centiskorch is fairly hot on its back (I mean really, its heat generating organs are right there, beneath its back), there is still less heat and less of an active threat there (can't fire attacks from something that isn't there, and its back has nothing on it. Not even cool chitin structures like Golisopod uses to fire Pin Missile, which would render the back just as dangerous as the front). Additionally, you can walk on hot coals as long as you are relatively fast (since coal is a poor heat conductor) so Scolipede with its hoof structures should be able to get by just fine.

It just can't grab something that's literally a radiator! Like, seriously, with how thin its body is, the heat will get to you if you grab it from behind. It may seem smart for Scolipede to grab it from behind and hold it, ensure the threatening parts of Centiskorch are secured, but those radiator cells (radiator segments sounds awful) will still be entirely too close to Scolipede! Never mind how close Scolipede's claws can and will get to touching the burners (formerly radiator cells) on its underside!

Centiskorch is also looong, and Scolipede only has four pairs of foreclaws. It can only secure maybe a third of Centiskorch's body, and guess what? That leaves either its head or its tail free. With how long it is, and how short on hands Scolipede is, Centiskorch can easily wrap, slam, or hose over Scolipede with flames then. And then, let's talk about that fire at its front and back, yeah?

Again, referencing swordshield.pokemon.com, "Centiskorch creates flammable gases by fermenting its food within its body. The gases are then burned in the heat-generating organs along its belly. This process produces so much fire that the flames overflow from both the antennae on its head and from its rear end."

In other words, those flames on the face can easily burn Scolipede if he grabbed the section directly attached to the head, or torch Scolipede's underbelly if he didn't secure the tail. And since those flames are overflow, from burning gas trapped inside its body, significant pressure is involved. It's not unthinkable that Centiskorch could build up the heat and pressure, then channel it into a jet or blast…and would you look at that.

Not only does Centiskorch learn Flamethrower and Fire Blast by TR, but it learns Inferno by Level 1. That's not all either. It also naturally learns Fire Spin, so it can produce a "fierce vortex of fire that rages for four to five turns", and before that it learns Flame Wheel, where "The user cloaks itself in fire and charges at the target." Isn't that just Flame Charge? Wait…..

Centiskorch likely executes Flame Wheel by curling backwards, linking end-to-end like an Oroboros, and then producing flame from its burners (for obvious reasons, it cannot let "flames overflow" from its head and tail here, and since G-max Centiferno was observed in Pokemon Journeys as a massive fireball being produced by glowing yellow burners, it stands to reason it can produce flame from its burners).

This means it can roll like Whirlipede.

I just checked, Centiskorch does this in the anime. My gosh!

It has a potential method to match Scolipede's speed! Granted, it obviously can't do this well, its visibility and hearing has got to be impaired in the position of being linked end-to-end and engulfed in flames, but this could work! Wait, Scolipede could-although, again, it'd be stupid-catch a Centiskorch using Flame Charge. Those foreclaws would be perfect for that, and then it could yeet the-wait, no, scratch that.

So what can Scolipede do? Number one, an odd observation.

Centiskorch and Scolipede's strongest STABs both have matching power.

Let me build upon that.

Centiskorch is a physical attacker (Atk of 115), yet it doesn't learn a single Physical move by level-up that goes above 80 base power. Flame Wheel, Bug Bite, Slam, Crunch, Lunge & Fire Lash? They're all 80 base power. These moves are also learned at Lvl. 15, 20, 32, 53, and 60 respectively. Really, Pokemon? I mean, it makes sense something with so little mass-and with it spread out too-can't have much force behind it, but Gamefreak you made it a physical attacker!

However. Scolipede does learn physical moves that are much stronger by level-up, those being Take Down, Double-Edge, and Megahorn. Which are learned by Lvl. 34, 66, and 74. The other Physical moves it learns by level-up are Poison Sting at Lvl. 12 (lol), Poison Tail at Lvl. 12, and Bug Bite at Lvl. 20.

So what did I mean earlier, that Centiskorch and Scolipede's strongest moves have the same power and accuracy? Well, as it turns out, Centiskorch can learn Flare Blitz. This is it's strongest STAB (since its Bug-type STABS all suck) and mirrors how Scolipede can learn Poison-type moves, but they all kind of suck in terms of damage (yes yes, Toxic is amazing, but not if the target in question can cloak themselves in flame to block it or simply burn out the venom. Get real). Also, while Megahorn has only 85% accuracy, Flare Blitz has 100% accuracy but does 1/3 recoil.

(But, honestly, this oddservation all started with the realization that Megahorn and Power Whip have identical BP and Accuracy, and Centiskorch has Power Whip for coverage. Let that sink in. Now I can't get rid of the image of a Centiskorch with a glowing green upper body locking itself against a Scolipede's massive glowing green horns like it's a sword….)

(Also, yes, technically Giga Impact is stronger, but it doesn't make sense that something of such little mass can exert so much physical force. If it was about constricting or whipping, it'd make more sense, but mass still matters and it doesn't have enough. Yes I am choosing to ignore how Power Whip deals just 30 points less damage than Giga Impact.)

Gosh, imagine….Flare Blitz's description reads word for word like Flame Wheel, except it adds "This also damages the user quite a lot." Yeah no dip Sherlock, that's why physical Fire-type attackers generally suck! (As well as Electric-type attackers, dang it Gamefreak! STAHP! CRIPPLING! YOUR! OWN! CREATIONS!) So imagine a giant wheel of raging flame, slamming into a Scolipede's lowered head, getting caught between its horns, as the Scolipede struggles to fight past it's opponent's inertia to send it flying….

Or, y'know, just Scolipede whiffing the blow, front hooves leaving the ground as its head whips up, making one last majestic pose as a 100% accuracy Flare Blitz just bodies Scolipede and sends it flying through the air in the "Deer Crossing" pose to nail a sign.

I used to love Scolipede. What happened?

Number two. Scolipede learns Screech at just Lvl. 16, and Screech lowers an opponent's defense at two stages. Look at Centiskorch and tell me that thing doesn't have paper-thin defenses. (Checks Yep, Def. is 65. This thing may have 100 HP, but it ain't tanky. 90 Sp. Def also ain't doing it no favors here, but it might be worth against Scolipede's 55 Sp. Attack.) So if Scolipede uses Screech out of nowhere to shock Centiskorch and give it an edge before The Trampling, that might actually be a good idea!

This may seem stupid-it'll give Centiskorch advance warning, give it time to hide-but remember, Centiskorch is naturally belligerent. It's the sort of idiot who after getting nailed by a brick thrown through their window throws open the door and goes "You picked the wrong HOUSE, fool!", except it's not an idiot, all that swagger of an expert rapper is backed by flames that can literally roast you and it knows that. 120 bp Flare Blitz baby! "THIS IS MY LANE! GET OUT! ARE YOU DEAF, ARE YOU BLIND, OR JUST READY TO DIE NOW!"

But, is it really worth? Consider. At Level 26-a mere 10 levels higher (I jest, 10 levels seems like quite a lot)-Scolipede gains Venoshock, which has a respectable 65 bp. Realistically, if that venom coating sticks around (gets absorbed through Centiskorch chitin, or maybe ingested if the Scolipede was lucky or had good aim), it should seriously mess up the Centiskorch if a later Poison Sting or Poison Tail gets the Poison proc. (And if the living chemical burner can't burn away the venom….let's be nice and say since natural selection is clearly going to get involved here, and Fire-types

Of course, even better is Scolipede's Toxic, learned at Lvl. 50. In the anime, this move can melt down trees and boulders, and even if Centiskorch's fire can quickly burn away acid, that should do real damage to Centiskorch. Never mind how legendary Toxic is within the community, or how much of a logistical nightmare a Poison capable of compounding damage to bring lethal to near-lethal injuries within minutes would be! At this point, "cloaks itself in flames" is starting to look like a necessary defensive tactic!

And at Level 58, it learns Venom Drench. This move lowers the Attack, Special Attack, and Speed of a poisoned target by one stage. Or in other words, it weakens a Centiskorch's ability to retaliate at range, flee in a timely manner, or even just hit back in melee. Centiskorch learns Coil at Level 20, which is really powerful overall, but between Screech and Venom Drench, those Attack and Defense buffs can go right out the window.

And with Toxic and Venoshock, Centiskorch itself can just go straight out the window like the poor board member in all those memes. Seriously, I can't understate the psychological impact of your enemy's face being on fire in a combat scenario*-nor the fact that having fire of nearly 1,500 F infused into your body should be a massive problem for anything trying to poison you. But between Scolipede's higher speed, higher BP moves, and better defenses, well, 10 extra points in Attack and 35 extra points in Sp. Attack and Fire stab may not be enough.

I can't believe Scolipede actually stands a chance.

That said, the fact they live in entirely different areas does seem to suggest these battles are effectively MAD-Mutually Assured Destruction-which makes sense. Even in the Pokemon world, injuries can seriously impair a predator's ability to hunt or defend itself, and both species can inflict HP-draining effects via Burn or Poison. Effects which, by the way, don't passively go away. You'd need Berries to cure that, out in the wild.

Alright. So. That wraps it up. Thanks for anyone who read to the end! Open to constructive criticism or asks on what Pokemon to analyze next lol

[gleefully-macabre]

A bit disappointed in the Ancient Hero’s Aspect. 84 defense is nice, but increasing the power of the Master Sword Beam doesn’t help if the player sucks at maintaining full health.

I got the Champion’s Leathers, Diamond Circlet, and Zonite Shin Guards at the earliest opportunity and upgrading them was my #1 priority. This combination gives Link 88 defense, +1 Attack, and +1 towards improved battery efficiency.

I recently finish killing all 14 Gleeoks for the Monster Hunter Medal (3 down, 3 to go!) and switched to the Fierce Diety set when I realized I was able to take down a Gleeok without getting hit (at least one 5-shot Savage Lynel Bow, two or three Gerudo Scimitars fused with Silver Lynel Saber Horn, plus at least 2 Rocket Shields, and a +3 Attack buff). I was able to get the last 3 King Gleeoks, including the one in the Depths, without taking damage.

This is also the ONLY monster I have ever taken no damage with. Even Frox would get me once in a while, even if it’s just being too close and getting smacked by a flailing foot. With Ganon, that just ain’t gonna happen.

I don’t consider the Phantom Ganons to be decent practice runs for the real thing. They are weaksauce, especially with the Master Sword in hand.

*sigh* I’m just putting off the inevitable. I should just go face the final boss, die until I figure it out, then continue doing side quests at my leisure. Pretty sure I accidentally made it down to the final area (put a Travel Medallion down so I won’t have to make THAT trek again).

[themculibrary]

200k+ Masterlist 2

Links Last Checked: January 1st, 2024

part one

1796 Broadway (ao3) - rainproof, teaberryblue steve/tony, bruce/natasha M, 460k

Summary: Captain America respectfully requests that all complaints be addressed to him in writing. On paper, the nice old-fashioned way, because the computer screen hurts his eyes.

Put your phone down, Tony.

Bend Around the Wind (ao3) - Scyllaya loki/tony E, 403k

Summary: A few months after the battle of New York the God Loki appears back on Stark Tower under chaotic circumstances. This time however he is on the run. Tony Stark gets caught up in the crossfire and is taken along with the Aesir. Can the two of them ever make truce in order to get away? And even if they do, how does one escape from such a dark corner of the universe, when they are so very far away from the Nine Realms, that not even Loki knows the way back home. But first, they need to survive.

Blue Lips, Blue Veins (ao3) - romanoff steve/tony E, 300k

Summary: Tony Stark is Iron Man.

Before that, he was an man with bigger heart than brain. Before that, he was an asshole with a bigger mouth than sense. And before that, he was was a scared little boy. Not that it matters. Stark's always have had iron in their backbone.

Born from the Earth (ao3) - venusm steve/tony, clint/phil, tony/oc E, 277k

Summary: Tony Stark's born an omega in a world where that means he's supposed to follow certain social rules. He becomes Iron Man anyway: Fuck biology.

If only his biology (and the world) would quit fucking him back.

Counterpart (ao3) - sara_holmes steve/tony M, 217k

Summary: coun•ter•part [koun-ter-pahrt] [noun] 1. a person or thing closely resembling another, especially in function. 2. a copy; duplicate. 3. one of two parts that fit, complete, or complement one another.

Just because Hydra used the DNA of a Captain America from another dimension to create a lab-grown, six-year-old super-soldier, it doesn't mean that said six-year old super-soldier is biologically Steve's, right?

(Where Steve wants to ban Clint from bringing things home from alternative dimensions, until he doesn't.)

God's Righteous Man (ao3) - FoxyAtlas steve/bucky M, 232k

Summary: A story in which the serum doesn't affect Steve's size, the shield goes to Bucky, and they reunite years before the Battle of New York. Also, Steve is a punk, but that's canon.

A timeline starting with the Howling Commandos and going all the way to Pre-Infinity War.

Pieces of Echoes (ao3) - geekymoviemom T, 334k

Summary: When weapons designer and SHIELD consultant Tony Stark and his son are kidnapped following a routine weapons demonstration, newly defrosted World War II hero Steve Rogers is sent to find them.

But what begins as just another mission, a way for Captain America to reintegrate back into society, quickly warps into something more as betrayals are discovered, harsh, long-buried truths are finally brought to light, and Tony and Steve come to realise that their biggest allies are each other.

Pirate's Heart (ao3) - NotEvenCloseToStraight bucky/steve/tony E, 267k

Summary: The 1700s, the Golden Age of Piracy, and Captain Steve Rogers has all he wants: a ship, a loyal crew, Bucky at his side, and the horizon offering a new adventure everyday. But an impulsive kiss gone wrong leads to a marriage between Steve and Tony Stark, and now Steve doesn't know what to do about ANYTHING. Steve loves Bucky, but something about Tony draws him in. Tony is too innocent for this life, but he picks up a sword anyway. Bucky is Steve's, but when he offers his hand to Tony and now the three of them are something new. When the truth about Steve's mission to ruin the Stark name comes out, Tony runs away, leaving Steve and Bucky behind in search of answers to the secrets hidden from him his whole life-- about his company, about Uncle Obie, about his parents death.

Steve and Bucky cant abandon their mission against Stane and Tony cant deal with the answers he finds in New York. Is this the end? Is Tony gone forever? Or will he leave his old life and return to the sea and the Pirates that hold his heart?

Poetic Justice (ao3) - Limmet loki/tony M, 311k

Summary: When the time comes to pass sentence on Loki after the events in The Avengers, Odin decides to go for the poetic justice angle. For his attempt to enslave humanity, Loki has his magic and powers bound, and is sent back to Midgard and given over to Tony Stark to be his slave.

This was not a turn of events Tony had ever seen coming.

Rock Me Gently (ao3) - enigma731, invisibledaemon gamora/peter M, 479k

Summary: “She is our–She is Gamora,” Nebula says. “There is only one Gamora and I know her better than any of you do.” She pauses and glares at Peter, clearly challenging him to protest that. For once, he doesn’t dare. “This Gamora has jumped forward in time nine years, but she is the same person at her core. Just as you are the same despite not having experienced the last five years I did. We are all just–out of sync at the moment.”

Show Me What I'm Looking For (ao3) - JamieB93 mj/peter, pepper/tony M, 381k

Summary: Peter Parker has spent the last year struggling to believe he has finally found a place he belongs. He has come a long way and whilst there is still a way to go, Peter begins to blossom and open himself up to the world. Which brings with it all the usual teenage dramas.

A touch damaged and more than a little rough around the edges, Peter is very often his own worst enemy. Still plagued by the scars of a traumatic past and newer challenges - it seems Peter's happy ending might not be so easily in reach.

Still Here, Still There (ao3) - ArwenP steve/tony N/R, 218k

Summary: Tony and Steve never think about having a child- until they do. They have their son, Peter, and then... everything goes to hell.

Now that they decided to keep their son away... what will happen to all of them?

Sunrise in Exile (ao3) - Ragdoll (Keshka) tony/stephen E, 384k

Summary: Tony does the math and realizes their best chance to save the universe is by... not confronting Thanos on his own turf.

So he steals a wizard and a spider and a space ship. And he runs.

(Three humans and an A.I in space, the alien friendships they make along the way, and discovering how science and magic might coexist in a universe where they can be one and the same.)

Until It Sleeps (ao3) - frickss75 steve/bucky M, 407k

Summary: Steve finally has Bucky back in Brooklyn with him, but he is finding out that his issues are deeper than he thought. His PTSD manifestsin many ways, including some very bizarre sleep behavoir. And Bucky is fighting internally with constantly returning memories and some deep seated fears about himself. Steve loves Bucky no matter what and is determined to prove it to him however he can.

Walking The Wire (ao3) - emquin N/R, 372k

Summary: “I knew your mother,” Tony said, figuring it was the right way to start. “You know this. She used to work for me and I liked her a lot. We were friends and she sort of reached a part of me that very few people could in those days. I think it was partly because she was brilliant and because she didn’t bore me like most people did. I didn’t love her -- not like that, but I cherished her friendship.”

“Mr. Stark why are you telling me--”

“She left when she found out she was pregnant,” Tony said and had to glance up, “and didn’t even bother to tell me about it.”

-

It was a one night stand and Tony had a lot of them, but this one changed everything. Tony always knew Peter Parker existed. He had no idea that Peter would become Spider-Man, but he kept tabs on his son, even when he couldn't meet him. Peter Parker grew up unaware of his superhero father, admiring Iron Man from afar and unaware that one day he would too become a super-hero - an Avenger. Spanning the entirety of the MCU , this fic covers a canonical view of what it would be like if Peter was Tony's biological son dwelving heavily into the canon. AU post-Infinity War with an AU version of Endgame and with a Stony endgame.

whatever souls are made of (ao3) - atypicalsnowman tony/stephen M, 320k

Summary: Soul bonding canon divergence. Fourteen million futures and Stephen saw just one where they win. Tony has to soul bond to a virtual stranger whereas Stephen... Stephen is in love.

This is a story of how two broken men became friends, then family, then fell in love.

And saved the universe.

Your Latest Trick (ao3) - ChortlesOfDoom loki/tony, pepper/tony E, 273k

Summary: Following a violent, masterfully feigned death aboard the Statesman, Thor believes Loki's gone for good; more importantly, so does Thanos. Exhausted and hungry for revenge, Loki returns to Earth, but as he bides his strength, anonymously supplying the Avengers with inside knowledge between his own preparations, he begins to see the true cost of holding on.

You've got a friend in me (ao3) - boleyn13 loki/tony, clint/natasha, pepper/tony M, 412k

Summary: After faking his death in the Dark World Loki is free to do what he wants. Instead of leaving everything behind Loki is driven by his thirst for revenge and won't find peace before he destroyed every single one of the Avengers. This time though he won't use violence, but the weapons of the God of Mischief: trickery, deceit and illusion. Loki decides to befriend the Avengers. However they won't know it's him. Not until he is close enough to strike. Unfortunately Loki didn't consider the possibility that he might get too close.

[xiakha]

FFXIVWrite2023 Prompt #2 - Bark

It wasn't every day that Hilda Ware, the Mongrel, would answer a summons. She was more than happy to let those who wanted to mouth off to mouth off as much as they liked. They got awful quiet when it came time for her Hounds to distribute what little they gathered up that moon. The purebloods could mouth off all they wanted; Hilda wouldn't hear it from down in the Brume, so it didn't bother her any. And if they got into her earshot... well there was good reason most nobles avoided the Brume. The Hounds would never directly retaliate, but everyone involved would know that it was retaliation. The Mongrel was all too happy to bite after all.

But now a nasty little rumor had gotten more legs than a yarzon and threatened to skitter its way on over to upturn the both the Pillars and the Brume all at once and the daft foreigners that started it all were asking around for her? This she had to see.

Of course, she knew of Fortemps's "guests," especially the Miqo'te. Oh she had plenty of names and rumors in the Brume. None of them were nice. Most Hilda would not to repeat or let befoul her tongue. The nicest were centered around her being the Fortemps's kept pet, the bastard son's whore, his latest cocksheath. Rarely did they make reference to her status as the Azure Dragoon, if only because most people of the Brume didn't care, and allegations that she had bedded her way into the position butted heads with the gossip that Aymeric and Estinien, the two men she would most need to spread her legs for, were more than occupied with one another.

There was another set of whispers that fretted about the recent slayings in the Brume of Temple Knights. Some claimed to have seen the Miqo'te, or someone very similar to her, do the deed. Some form of grim justice was thus dispensed, aye, but there was doubtless to be some kind of retribution upon those in the Brume. If that was the selfsame Fortemps's Coeurlregina, the whispers went, what could she hope to gain for such brutal killings?

Regardless, it would seem between stemming the tide of Dravanian forces and felling the Great Wyrm, this Miqo'te was keeping quite busy, and all the extra ruckus she was generating was getting her Hounds all worked up. Hilda was worked up too. First heretics in the city and then the implication that the Church had outright lied for a thousand years? All of this on the back of the unheard of second Azure Dragoon of a generation, the rumored Knightsbane, the foreign harlot that had seduced one of Ishgard's most beloved yet unloved sons?

These were interesting times for sure.

Hilda saw her from afar, her cropped violet hair sticking out in the grey fog and smog of the Brume by a long malm. She was clad in typical Ishgardian armor, but wore no shield. Instead, strapped to her back was a naked hand-and-a-half sword, formidable in the hands of a full grown Elezen man, colossal on the back of the adventurer.

Her arms were crossed and the flicking of her tail betrayed her annoyance, but she didn't act either as her schoolboy compatriot failed to speak sense into one of Hilda's Hounds and her shorter would-be-barmaid compatriot fretted in circles. As Hilda drew near, the Miqo'te instinctively reached behind her back to place a hand upon the grip but did not draw her sword, a motion neither of her companions noticed, but Hilda's Hounds sure did. Things were about to escalate...

"Enough! Leave threatenin' women and children to our 'betters'! We don't have the knack!"

"Hilda?"

Tch, her loyal Hounds let her presence distract them from the nearly drawn weapon before them. If there was ever a moment to strike them down, it would be now. The boys would need much more drilling if they got out of this unharmed. Despite the circumstances, the Miqo'te relaxed and her hand left her blade, though her eye never left Hilda.

"Lay a finger on the blue bloods' pups and you're like to lose the hand." She nodded, pointing her chin at the mismatched trio, "It ain't often I get called on by glorious heroes like yourself. So tell me: what have I done to deserve you?"

Introductions were brief, the Miqo'te spoke with an exotic lilt and had an equally as exotic name, "Shi-ow" or something that left the lips hanging open and the tongue frozen before the one syllable ended. Hilda knew it of course, but only after it had been passed multiple times through ears and lips, so to hear it fresh from the source was different. She watched as Xiao did her best to internalize her own name. After moons of three or four syllable long mouthfuls (in more ways than one, if the rumors spoke true) with enough written-but-unspoken hidden letters to stage an ambush, it must have been equally relieving and disconcerting to pass the lips over "Hilda."

She was nearly Hilda's height, but built likely a third again as heavy. Hilda didn't consider herself much of a sickly waif, but with the way Xiao's muscles packed the armor she had on, the Mongrel was as emaciated as her nickname would imply in comparison. Broad of shoulder and bereft of much of a bust, she could likely have passed for a man if she wished, were it not for the smooth femininity of her face and the silky if firm way she held herself. Considering the predilections of the Greystone she was (oft anyway) joined to by the hip, the way his sword swung, so to speak, much started to make sense.

Her ears were twitchy and alert, constantly flitting to sounds around them. Her eye was a deep purple, the other covered by a scar and eyepatch. Hilda had never been stared down by a great wyrm, but she imagined Xiao's eye was similar enough. Upon Xiao's cheeks and across her nose was a starfield of pale flecks on her tan skin that matched the whisker-like streaks that ran from her jawline. Her lips were held thin and curved mostly downwards, her eyebrows alike. All together, her face was weary. The eyepatch and hard squint did little to disguise her eyebags. If she were prim enough to line her eyes, blush her cheeks, or paint her lips, all of that had faded away long ago. If she had anything high class to her, it had been beaten out of her through years of low living.

So it was that Hilda immediately took a liking to the brute despite herself.

The schoolboy who could have passed for a noble save the lack of high blood stench, or at least one that Hilda recognized, was Alphinaud and their diminutive and deceptively devious companion was Tataru. Of the three, Hilda was most wary of the Lalafell, she knew too much and was the most likely to be in a position to use the information she had. The most damage that Alphinaud could do was talk your ear off, and Xiao may slice one in twain with the sword but clearly left the intrigue and plotting to her betters.

Introductions made, Hilda directed them into the Forgotten Knight to get out of the cold and miasma, and so at least they could keep an eye on the prying ears around them. She watched as Xiao gave the slightest of nods to the armored Au ra by the stairs, who returned the gesture, then strolled up to the bar to order a round for the entire table. Curiously, she leaned backwards on the bar and mostly gestured her order, keeping her un-eyepatched eye on the few remaining patrons, her ears flicking to every muttered conversation. Hilda recognized the style.

Curiouser and curiouser.

"How's a pirate fall in with snooty highborns?" Hilda asked as Xiao returned with lagers for the table, a hot chocolate for the boy, and mulled wine for the Lalafell.

Xiao scowled slightly at the recognition but shrugged, "Didn't think other Lominsans came this far ashore."

"Relax, I've just a single acquaintance that orders spirits as you do, though it would seem skypirates have taken after their seaborne brethren." There was a brief toast, "Well?"

"To shorten a long tale, took on a mercenary assignment that went overlong. Wouldn't recommend."

The look of dismay on Alphinaud's face at this set the Hounds laughing.

"And here I was thinkin' you'd be a prissy lady adventurer with the company you keep. Full of surprises this one, eh?"

"'Ve been warned to roll wi' dogs was to get fleas, but what's that matter to us already fleabitten?"

Hilda tapped her tankard on the table, "Hear, hear. Well then, I suppose this'll be some candid canine conversation I can expect?"

Xiao nodded again at the Au ra, who unsheathed his own long naked blade and thrust it into the wooden planks at his feet, catching the attention of the few dawdling patrons who hadn't cleared out when Hilda arrived and stared at them. The Mongrel went up to Gibrillont herself and offered him a bag of coin for the inconvenience that clearing out a slow night was, and the greatsword wielding knight returned to his room with his young charge, leaving the party alone in the Forgotten Knight.

"So what's this about a rumor I hear?"

Hilda blew a low whistle after Alphinaud finished regaling the full tale, "Look, you've a good heart. I can see that. Willin' to risk your neck for someone else, even when his troubles ain't yours. But what's this got to do with me and mine?"

Alphinaud nodded, "If Ser Aymeric is imprisoned in the Vault, we will need all the help we can muster to breach their defenses and rescue him."

"Lookin' for as big a pack as you can muster--" The doors above them slammed shut, "What in the hells?"

"And here I was seeking to put down but a single monstrous heretic with the blood of Temple Knights on her hands, only to find a rats' nest ...or perhaps a kennel?" Ser Charibert de Leusignac, pyromancer, former inquisitor, and current member of the Heavens' Ward descended the steps with his retinue, "The honored guests of House Fortemps consorting with the queen of rats? Oh? Plotting insurrection, I shouldn't wonder! Tsk-tsk. That won't do."

"That. Won't. Do. At. All."

Xiao had already risen, her hand resting easy on her sword's grip, "If ye want me to come quietly, 'd happily fight another of yer 'trials by combat.'"

Charibert clicked his tongue, "Sickness is wont to fester and spread. It must be burned out ere the infection takes hold. Why wait for a trial when we have reason enough to excise the tumor here and now?"

"I reckon ser's got the irons already waiting to be fired." Hilda drew her musket." Well, so happens I've got irons of my own awaiting firing."

"Ahahaha! Such simple creatures, rats and rabid dogs alike. Certain to attack when cornered." The Knight of the Heavens' Ward waggled a finger, "Let us step outside, miladies. In here, your toys could hurt someone."

Outside the Forgotten Knight, Hilda was greeted to overwhelming odds. Charibert likely summoned as many Temple Knights that could be spared. Hilda looked back at her forces, the only other combatant was Xiao. Her Hounds never traveled with weapons if they could help it, no reason to risk imprisonment if they get frisked by a passing knight. Alphinaud could provide some conjury, but combat magicks he had little experience with, and his carbuncle didn't have the teeth to tear flesh. Dozens against two, three if you were being generous.

Xiao drew her sword finally and casually leaned against it while sizing up the enemy herself. She turned her head to Hilda and gestured quizzically at the gathered knights.

Hilda smiled, "Seems like an even fight to me."

Without a rejoinder, Xiao plunged into the fray.

The adventurer was mighty, working her way through as many knights as she could. Her blade bristled with crackling black-red energy. Hilda did her best to watch Xiao's back, shooting to disable any Temple Knights that attempted to attack from Xiao's left though the Miqo'te seemed preternaturally able to dodge even those opportunistic swipes from her eyepatched side. What hits the knights were able to get in were quickly healed over by Alphinaud, and Xiao was able to draw enough enmity that neither Hilda nor Alphinaud had much aimed at them.

But attrition was, and seemed always to be, the strategy. Xiao did not get a chance to finish off any of the knights, so plentiful were her foes, so a knight dropped to the cobblestones could recover and return to the melee little worse for wear. Alphinaud, the poor boy, caught a stray arrow to the shoulder, and Hilda ran out of munitions, the bark of her gun finally out of bite. The Mongrel grimaced and prepared to use her musket as a club when a voice ran out above the din of combat.

"Stop this, all of you! It is madness! Why are you fighting!?"

Haurchefant Greystone leapt off his chocobo and slammed shield first into a knight poised to pierce Xiao's side. Hilda watched Xiao's expression, determined but grim up to this point, split into a wide and starry-eyed smile.

Ye gods, the Miqo'te was so incredibly in love. It was sickening, thought Hilda.

Xiao fought with increased fervor, her swings now more reckless that she had someone to her back. Haurchefant fought with textbook expertise, parrying blows and deflecting shots with efficient and precise movements. His steady defensive work gave Xiao the room to breathe and inflict more readily grievous harm. Knights no longer rolled away to gather their sense and return to the fray.

"Hilda!" One of the Hounds caught her attention and tossed her a satchel of ammo. She caught it out of the air and reloaded her musket in one fluid motion. Alphinaud mustered the will to pull the arrow out of his shoulder, his face beaded in sweat from the exertion. He now stood up, his conjury patching up his shoulder, and was ready to aid in battle again.

Thus it was that the tides of battle turned.

Soon, it was only Charibert left, pressed into a corner by the warrior lovers. His retinue was to a man bleeding on the ground, groaning or unconscious.

"Hmph. How fitting that it would be you three. The noble bastard, his foreign whore, and the mongrel bitch."

"This mongrel bitch is going to put a bullet between your eyes!" Hilda snarled, sighting down her crosshairs. But before she could pull the trigger or Xiao could lunge forward, yet another voice rang out.

"Enough! Cease this fighting!"

All eyes turned to Lucia, backed herself by her own retinue of a dozen knights. If the battle wasn't just about finished, it was definitely over now. Charibert clicked his tongue and took the distraction as an opportunity to back flip away.

Lucia's men moved in to treat the wounded but also capture the Temple Knights aligned to Charibert. Haurchefant swept Xiao up in a quick embrace and a peck on the lips before they stood to attention both to debrief with Lucia.

Hilda strolled up to their side as well, standing to attention as genuinely as she could manage. Any doubts she may have harbored about the rumors du jour or the Camp Dragonhead Lord and would-be Lady were as trounced as the knights at her feet.

If this was the way they were looking to summon her and convince her to throw in with them, well, it worked. If they had a mind to change things around here, then she had a mind to join them.

[stinkylittleanon]

Hello!! Here’s my description for the Pokemon Sword/Shield and Scarlet/Violet Matchup Trade!! I put it in bullet points to make it easier ☺️

- I’m 20 years old, so I need to be shipped with an adult. I personally headcanon Arven and Nemona as adults, so please keep that in mind

- I work as a librarian and enjoy writing, drawing and baking. I’d probably be working as a student library worker at Naranja Academy in this scenario. I LOVE researching things and am a huge nerd in general

- I’m 4’ 10” tall (so crazy short, 147 cm) with a slender and toned figure, long fluffy brown hair and glasses. My style switches between masculine and feminine a lot, and I tend to wear unusual but cute outfits

- I’m Autistic and Disabled with stuff like scoliosis, lightheadedness (I faint a lot :/), breathing issues, weak bones and chronic pain in my hands, back and hips

- I have a very good sense of humor. I love making people laugh!!!

- I’m very goal-driven (especially while playing video games) and love training my pokemon to get stronger. I love story-driven games that let me fulfill objectives lol

- My friends say I have warm, inviting vibes that make people feel at home. I love comforting people and am quite good at it! I rarely if ever get mad at anyone or anything. A fire Pokemon could burn my books and I'd still be like "You're fine sweetie, it's not your fault, don't even worry about it ☺️". I’m the type of person who could make friends with anyone. That being said, it is hard for me to put myself first sometimes and I tend to be a little self-sacrificing too often

- I get flustered really easily. Just call me any cute nickname or compliment and I'm on the floor. An online friend called me babe once and I nearly threw my phone across the bed and squealed

- That being said, I’m very affectionate. One of the easiest ways to relax me is by holding my hand, so I tend to do that or cling to people’s arms. But I also really respect boundaries and know when people don’t like being touched so it depends

- I'm very sweet and polite, but can also be a bit if a gremlin. My entire moral alignment is neutral good because it boils down to "Yeah, but it'd be funny". I know when to have fun and also when to take things seriously

- I have two main goals in life: Learn as much as I possibly can, and help people. I feel like those things are what I was put here to do

- I’m very booksmart but also incredibly stupid, in a high wisdom low intelligence kinda way. I’m a walking trivia machine but also have no sense of self preservation whatsoever.

- Though I might not seem like it, I can be very stubborn and blunt. Never to the point of picking fights, but once you’ve lost my trust, it’s honestly hard to get it back. So very sweet, but fierce when provoked

Thanks so much!! I can’t wait to do yours, I’ll have it out as soon as possible! Also sorry if this is too long, I like to talk lol ;-;

Hiii!! Thank you for putting it in lil' bullet points, it actually helps so much! Also it's not too long at all! For Scar/vio I match ya with...

Arven!!

The first thing that made me choose him was the height difference, I'm ngl! I headcanon that Arven is at least close to 6ft, not quite there but he's definitely taller. (I'm a sucker for height differences LMAO) Anyways! Arven is a carin' guy, and even if he kinda struggles with his anger a bit he's still the sweetest person you can meet when you get to know him. He's a bit of a mess too, but that's not something you can't handle! - When you first meet, it's after Arven graduates (finally) and begins working as a substitute for Naranja! I hc that he becomes one of the teachers in the future, so this is his lil' head start into that. - It's quite a mess when you two meet... Literally, this guy manages to knock everything over- And you're just- So nice about it... - Arven can't help the way his heartbeat quickens when you two meet. You're so sweet but... You've got this aura that just tells him you're ready for it all. - And after you two meet, Arven keeps going to the library to see you. He's a goof, and you seem to enjoy his company... And he really likes talking to you. You know so much!! And he can't help but look up to ya for how you reach your goals. - When you guys finally go on a date, the entire faculty knows how much he likes ya- He's like a puppy and it's so obvious - Anyways... Picnic date is the first thing! He plans on cooking for you, but when you show up with baked goods... Holy shit that's it for him, you're a keeper - You guys have a super cute relationship, but you also definitely help each other. Arven helps you take up for yourself more, and he makes sure that you realize how important you truly are. He's a bit stubborn over you putting yourself first LMAO - You two get into shenanigans, little jokes with other staff... And sometimes it'll make a mess, the staff does find it endearing. You two make sure it's not something that'll actually upset anyone! - Also... He's the same with the 'smart but stupid', Arven is a fuckin' himbo and a half. You know that meme about "If you get your leg cut off, what would hurt?"? That's you guys- - Fluffy hair couple!!! FLUFFY HAIR COUPLE- - Overall, you guys are literally just way too cute! The whole school knows about you two, and you're absolute goals >:) - Btw, Arven loves to fluster you with lil' kisses on the forehead!!

For sw/sh I match ya with...

Sonia!!

I couldn't help but think of two lil' nerds in love, and I think it'd be such a sweet relationship!! Sonia is a sweet but sassy gal, and very smart, so you two would match so well!! - With Sonia having so many books and doing research on Pokemon, you'd be the perfect assistant! Maybe that's how you two meet! - Like at first, you're just a new assistant after Sonia's last one kinda betrayed her, yk yk, but then you guys just get along so well... - And when Hop decides he wants to work with pokemon and starts helping Sonia out too, Sonia sees your caring nature and she's just... Head over heels - Like you're so caring, and smart, and funny and and and... She just can't wrap her head around it. - Sonia does research pokemon, yeah, but that wouldn't stop her from researching the disabilities you have! She'd accommodate your needs so well and find the best solutions! - Your relationship is more co-workers to friends to lovers, so it's something that slowly happens and it's so sweet - Also with Sonia being super fem presenting, she would LOVE to match outfits with you if you ever dress feminine. Or even masculine, she's still got a fashion sense! - She gets you lil' star hairclips to match her heart ones... And that's literally how she asks you out - Whatever date you go on, it's literally the sweetest thing ever. - Sonia is also sweet but with a stubbornness to her, so your energies match in a way! - You guys would work on researching together, just sitting by each other with books but sitting close enough that your arms are touching... - Hop always teases you two, but despite how flustered Sonia gets about it she'll just hold your hand and give you a kiss to drive him off - Also she just loves complimenting you... She truly means her words, but the way your face lights up with blush is. so. CUTE!! - Also her Yamper loves you, it loves sitting in your lap while you do your own research! --- Sorry if the way I wrote Sonia's is different from Arven's, these were written on different days LMAO but ty for the trade! It was super fun and it's been a long while!!

[cagemasterfantasy]

Battle Smith Ranking (5e)

Guide

1=useless

2=often useful

3=sometimes useful

4=perfect

Tool Proficiency 4 most interesting and expensive non-magical adventuring gear is made of metal

Subclass Spells

Level 3 Heroism and Shield 4 Spectacular defensive buffs. Shield easily makes up the durability gap between Battle Smith and Armorer in heavy armor

Level 5 Branding Smite and Warding Bond 2 both options are situational. Warding Bond is hard due to Artificer’s d8 hit die

Level 9 Aura of Vitality and Conjure Barrage 2 both spells are fine but not especially good for a 3rd-level spell

Level 13 Aura of Purity and Fire Shield 4 more great defensive buffs

Level 17 Banishing Smite and Mass Cure Wounds 2 both options are situational but you don’t have another good way to deal with extraplanar creatures and your best group healing is Aura of Vitality which can’t get a whole party back on their feat in 1 turn

Battle Ready 4 finally a way to use Intelligence for your weapon attacks. You also get martial weapons which offers a small improvement to your existing weapon options. Be sure to take 14 Dexterity to max out medium armor but otherwise go all-in on Intelligence. You have a variety of good options for how to jump into combat with a weapon. Grab a longsword and a shield and you’re nearly as durable as a Fighter (arguably more durable if you have the right infusions) especially with Steel Defender’s Deflect Attack. Deflect Attack may even be enough to justify using a two-handed melee weapon so that you can focus on offense but if you’re going to use Booming Blade or Green-Flame Blade the bigger damage dice will be less impactful than the AC bonus from a shield. If you want to be extra defensive but still in melee grab a whip and keep your Steel Defender between you and your enemies. If that’s still not safe enough grab a ranged weapon and send your Steel Defender into melee on its own

Steel Defender 4 the Steel Defender is primarily a Defender rather than a Striker. It has a decent pile of hit points and what amounts to Fighting Style (Protection). It deals damage equivalent to a longsword and since it’s force damage almost nothing will resist it but its primary function is to protect you while you do the real damage. It has a poor AC at just 15 so expect to spend a lot of time repairing it between fights. The Steel Defender’s Repair action allows it to repair itself but at 3 uses per day you’ll get a lot more healing out of Mending. The Steel Defender notably doesn’t gain any ability to fly which is a problematic limitation once you reach high enough level that flying enemies become common. You’ll need a way to either get enemies down into range of your Steel Defender or you’ll need to find a way to make your Steel Defender fly. Infusing a pair of Winged Boots is probably your best option

Extra Attack 3 Helpful since Battle Smith typically relies on weapons for damage output but without an on-hit damage boost you’ll get considerably more damage output out of cantrips like Booming Blade and Sword Burst so Extra Attack may only be consistently useful if you’re using a reach weapon or a ranged weapon

Arcane Jolt 4 2d6 damage/healing up to 5 times per day isn’t much but fortunately it doubles at 15th level and the healing is as useful as Healing Word allowing you to heal dying allies and get them back into the fight. Personally I would reserve this exclusively for healing and critical hits. The damage isn’t enough to make a big difference normally unless you know that it’ll kill the target but the damage is extra damage rather than a separate damage source so it’s multiplied on a critical hit like Divine Smite or Hex

Improved Defender 4 2d6 more damage/healing on Arcane Jolt makes it a little more impactful but still not significant. The AC boost is significant especially since your pet has been sitting at 15 AC for 11 levels while attack bonuses gradually increase. The tiny bit of damage on Deflect Attack is nice too. At this level 1d4+5 (assuming that you have 20 Intelligence by now) isn’t much at this level but it’s still a nice little buff to something which you were going to do anyway and if you’re using it every round (which you really should) it will add up quickly

Final Ranking 3 Battle Smith allows Artificer to focus on Intelligence and Constitution allowing you to thrive in melee without worrying about Strength or Dexterity. The Steel Defender is a really simple pet and the cost of it dying is low enough that you don’t need to feel bad about it so you’re free to throw it in front of you and your allies whenever things get dangerous. The hardest decision facing Battle Smith is what to do with your hands. Most characters only have two hands and if you plan to be in melee that’s often a problem. You could use a two-handed weapon but a shield is an important option when you only have d8 hit dice. You could fight at range with a bow or crossbow and that would work fine but if you want to fight at range Artillerist is typically a better fit. Battle Smith is intended to wade into melee with a weapon in hand and clad in so many Infusions that you’re basically untouchable. Remember that you can use any item bearing one of your infusions as a spellcasting focus which means that you can use it to provide both Material and Somatic components for spells that require inexpensive material components, and thanks to the “Tools Required” part of the Artificer’s Spellcasting feature you don’t need a free hand to perform Somatic components so long as either your weapon or your shield are one of your Infused Items

[prismit]

alright, here's my thoughts on the current state of online tera raids and how i think they could be improved. excluding glitches in this post, since while yeah there's quite a few that should be addressed, i think the biggest flaws in this system are all just poorly designed mechanics.

under a cut because this got kind of long lol

problem 1: right now it's pretty much impossible to get into one of the 8 displayed raids on the front page unless you click on it within the first few seconds of the page loading (and even then it's pretty much a 50/50 shot). and instead of immediately telling you the raid is too full to join, it makes you wait a full 40 seconds for no reason.

two easy solutions to this: either decrease the time it tries to let the player in to ~10-15 seconds, or ideally just make it so pressing B while trying to join lets you cancel. also, since the front page raids fill up so fast, the refresh button should have a MUCH shorter cooldown; maybe 30-45 seconds at most.

problem 2: the random button is really the only way to consistently get into online raids. because of this, i feel like the time penalty for leaving a raid before it starts is too harsh (especially when you still get penalized even if the host cancels the raid, which is entirely unfair). i understand that the penalty is probably there to "encourage" people to help out lower level players. but on the opposite hand, i had a lot of times earlier in the postgame where i just didn't have anything to counter a difficult raid boss, so i had to choose between being a hindrance to the rest of the team - likely costing them the win - or backing out and taking a penalty for being courteous.

so i have a couple ideas for this: first of all, i don't think there should be a penalty at all for backing out before a raid starts. instead, give players who have beaten the game bonus rewards for participating in lower level raids. nothing too crazy, maybe just some extra exp candies and money items. don't punish players on the assumption that they're being selfish - instead, reward them on the assumption that they're being helpful.

on top of that, it could also be a good idea to have the random button take you to a second page where you can choose what tier of raids you want to join. this would also be a good place to show that lower tier raids can give higher tier players bonus rewards, which can encourage people to join those lower tier raids by choice. this is less necessary than the previous idea, but it'd be some nice quality of life.

problem 3: the raids themselves are way too slow with all the animations. the most noticeable example of this that i can think of is a rock type garganacl raid. every single turn, you have the player's animation (which is even longer if you're using a tera-boosted attack), then garganacl's tera-boosted animation, followed by its actual attack animation, and then the animation for being hurt by sandstorm, and finally the animation for being salt cured. sometimes also leftovers/shell bell and/or grassy terrain heals. every single turn. also, whenever you do something that heals your whole team, you're unable to do anything while you watch every pokemon do its healing animation. and that's not even mentioning how laggy it is online.

they already had a solution to this in sword and shield! abridge the move animations during raids. particles out of the attacker, particles into the target. don't make me watch shadow ball slowly creep towards the boss while a timer ticks down; that lost time really stacks. also this one should just be for every battle, but mention every stat boost/decrease at once instead of having a new text box for every stat. and of course when doing something that affects the whole team, do it all at once. there's a timer, i can't be sitting still for 10 seconds while every teammate is healed individually. the online lag is something i can't give any suggestions on really. that's on nintendo to improve their servers and it's on gamefreak to optimize their game.

problem 4: my final complaint might be more of a nitpick, but i really think the health cheer is way too rng-reliant. it feels like it only heals 1/5 of everyone's max hp most of the time. sure it also heals status conditions, but that doesn't really matter when you're knocked out this turn thanks to a tiny heal anyways. the other two cheers are always a net positive (unless you time them poorly and get your stats wiped immediately, but that's avoidable), but the health cheer way too often ends up doing more harm than good.

i can see that it might be hard to balance this one, but i just think it should never heal any less than 1/3 of everyone's max hp. maybe it heals 1/2 max hp 50% of the time, 1/3 40% of the time, and a full recovery 10% of the time. it doesn't have to be those numbers specifically, but the important part is that the minimum heal needs to be actually kind of decent, at least. otherwise its too much of a risk for something that's supposed to be a benefit.

there might be some other things that could be improved, but i think these are the worst of them. i also doubt they're actually going to fix raids in any way, but one can still hope! at the very least, i hope they learn and improve on these co-op game modes in future games.

[taliah-tezel]

"... Maybe." Narrowed yet playfully guilty eyes look his way. Had it not been for him showing up unannounced, her shirt-stealing secrets would remain as such. Though, she can't say she really cares that he knows, especially not when he doesn't seem to mind - not that she thought he would. "Sorry, was that supposed to stop me from stealing them? Because all I heard was get a free shirt and get a step closer to getting you naked. Why would that be a bad thing?" Taliah shoots back, a grin practically splitting her cheeks.

"So it's... a headless guy holding a sword and a shield, or bo... Maybe it's not a sword, you know? Maybe it's like... A giant chicken drumstick. Who knows, really?" Taliah chuckles, but she makes a point of giving him another soft little nuzzle. Just making sure he knew she wasn't mocking him, or this beautiful scene he'd set out to talk to her about. She appreciated it more than he knew. "I never knew that about him. I like that he shared it with you, was it something you two did often?" She wonders, picturing a young Cole, sitting by his Uncle as he taught him about the stars. She was glad they had memories like that, ones that Cole could carry with him.

"I had to. You're lucky I didn't make some sort of Sirius Black joke, too." In reference to Harry Potter. "Yeah, that's what I'm looking at? I was looking around it, too. Is that not how it works?" Frowning in confusion, she shakes her head. "Don't answer that. I don't need the magic of this ruined by detail." She chuckled, forming a slow jutted lip as she stares at the star. "It stands alone then? That's... awfully sad." Or, as sad as it could be for a big ball of ice to be considered something that was lonely. It was just the purer side of her mind that held some familiarity to how it felt, if it could feel. She always remembered just how alone she felt when she first moved here. Had it not been for the kindness of Cole and Emiri, who knows if she would have ever been able to shake it.

Taliah turns her focus onto him, catching that telling look in his eyes, the way he cleared his throat as if he was almost nervous. But her smile, as it grew, remained silent. The fact he hadn't been looking up told her it wasn't the sky he was appreciating. "Oh! Yes, I know that one." She bubbles in excitement, nodding as she does. Hey, it was the little things, right? If knowing the brightest star in the sky was an achievement, she'd take it. Resting her head gently against the pillow, her warm eyes traced across his features as he spoke. "I like that," as a way to remind yourself of what's good, it was certainly one of the better coping mechanisms she'd heard. And it made sense now, all the times she knew he was here alone, she now knew why. "Is that also something Michael taught you?" Taliah wonders and so, she asks.

Almost like a physical pull, there's a gentle little move into the touch of his hand. Her eyes close for a few moments, fingers curling lightly around his wrist. It felt nice just to bask and appreciate the softness of the action. The only sound echoing in that little bubble he'd made for them was his voice. Something that soothed her soul, so much that it took her a second longer than it should have for her brain to catch up to what he'd said. Eyelids pop open in sync with the way her mouth forms a small O shape. "... Cole." Barely above a whisper, she swallows the lump that had suddenly formed in her throat. Her whole heart felt so touched, she almost couldn't believe that she would mean that much to anyone, but here he was, always proving it to be true. Dilated pupils, red cheeks, an instantly elevated heartbeat... God damn this man. That had to be the most powerful thing anyone had ever said to her, and pairing it with his humble ways and kind eyes, she actually felt quite emotional about it.

In case her entirely heartwarming reaction to his confession wasn't enough, she decided to throw caution to the wind and let the moment overwhelm any rational thought. Bringing her hands up to the sides of his face, Taliah pulls him down part way, her own head lifting up to meet in the middle. The second her lips connect with his, her heart alone tells her it's not a regrettable moment, so she just leans into it, into him. It's a slow kiss, one she lets linger and only parts after tugging at his lower lip. Brown eyes lift to his blue ones, a smile crawling onto her lips. "... I'm not sorry this time." She whispers,, obviously, referring to her apology after the last time she stuck the lips on him.

“Lemme guess,” he started, brow raising slightly just before he narrowed his eyes at her, “My Margaritaville shirt– it’s livin’ in one of your drawers, ain’t it?” He’d first noticed that it had gone missing a few months ago, and truth be told he hadn’t thought much more about it since– it was just a shirt, after all, one he’d bought on a whim. But now it all made a bit more sense to him. The dryer at the clubhouse hadn’t shredded it to shit after all, if this latest theory proved true. “Ya can keep it if ya have it– just know if ya keep stealin’ all my shirts, I’m gonna have to walk around naked,” he teased, knocking his head in a brief shake as a warm laugh rumbled in his chest. Moments like these, ones that were so carefree and easy, were the ones that Cole lived for, and it wasn’t the least bit surprising to him that when he added it all up, most of these moments were spent with her.

Chuckling, Cole nodded, keeping his eyes trained on Orion, “Yeah, that’s it– can’t see the head, and honestly I always thought the shield looked more like a bow, but what the fuck do I know?” Really, he didn’t know how astronomers had come up with half the things they had, and yet he admired their craft anyway. “Sure did,” he confirmed, a gentle smile pulling at the corner of his mouth, “He loved this shit.” And as a result, Cole had come to love it too, not just because it had given him an excuse to spend more time with Michael, but because he’d learned to lean on the stars the same way his uncle had and found that they often gave him those rare moments of peace he couldn’t find elsewhere. “God, you really went there, didn’t ya?” He barked out a laugh at her play on words. Really, he should have seen it coming. “Nah, we ain’t lookin’ at the same thing,” he chuckled, squinting as he tried to make out the shape of a dog. Pointing at Sirius again, a lone star, he tried to redirect her, “Look there. It’s just a single star– see it now?”

For a moment, he wondered why he’d never done this with her before. Perhaps he simply hadn’t thought to, or the timing had never been right. Humming in agreement, he glanced over at her then, “Yeah, it is,” though he didn’t mean the night sky– not anymore. He meant her, because for however much he marveled at the magnificent creation overhead, it’d never come close to her. Clearing his throat, he turned his attention skyward again and raised his hand, “Look over there– that star is Polaris. It’s essentially the north star ‘cause it never moves from its spot. So any time ya feel lost and need to find true north, there it is.” It had always been one of his favorites, as well as the one he turned to the most.

“Of course,” he murmured at her thanks for this. She didn’t need to thank him, though. For him, it was a joy just to share it with her. Gazing down at her, he offered up one of his usual crooked smiles, though it was softer now, not as playful as it usually was. He tipped his head to the side, getting his thoughts in order and recalling a conversation much like this one, only twenty-three years ago, and with Michael. He’d said it best back then, far better than Cole could ever hope to, and so he tapped into that memory, “For every star I see up there, I try to think of somethin’ good,” he started, shrugging a shoulder, “That way, when I’m at my lowest and I need remindin’ of everythin’ good, I just look up and remember.” It forced him to remember all the good things he still had, even in the middle of everything bad. He’d even assigned meanings to some of his favorite stars. For example, whenever he looked at Sirius, he was reminded of Michael, and the club. 

And then there was Polaris. Unwavering, unyielding Polaris, always there to ground him and set him back on course, no matter how far and wide he’d let himself wander. There’d only ever been one thing in his life that he could equate to Polaris, that had a pull strong enough to guide him back home, and she was laying next to him. Smiling gently, Cole lifted a hand to her cheek, the pad of his thumb following the slope of her cheekbone as blue eyes trailed over every detail– details he already had committed to memory but couldn’t help but take one more lingering look at. “When I look at Polaris, I think of you,” he admitted, swallowing hard as he let that confession settle between them and fully realized the weight of it. A world without her would be like a night sky without Polaris– everyone who wandered would most certainly be lost without it, the same way Cole knew he’d never find his way back to anything that mattered without her.