#feeling the additional asters

[arashikohedervary]

✨Phrases that'd become part of my daily vocabulary if it weren't for English not being my first language✨:

Part 1: Young Justice

"I'm whelmed."

"I'm feeling the aster."

*slaps forehead* "Hello, Megann!"

"Be back in a flash"

"Are you feeling the aster?"

"The Wall-man has arrived!"

[autistic-shaiapouf]

Alright gamers, iris is the first girlie to have a full artfight profile complete with additional outfit notes!!

[fuji-sen]

the 'evil imposter' just wants to be a baker!

Prologue: The Foodie turned Imposter?!

Part 2: Sweet Flowers

[ part 1 ] || [ masterlist ] || [ part 3 ]

divider is made by @saradika-graphics

Walking around you'd slowly realize you were in Mondstadt, based from the bundle of regional specialties you held in your arms. The orange makeshift bouquet of windwheel asters spun around like a regular pinwheel. Seeing that sight brought a small smile on your face, your walk around Mondstadt was peaceful, you hadn't run into unnecessary troubles so maybe your worries were for nothing.

Yeah, nvm — [Name]

You felt your stomach grumble, famished you were. But the city seemed to be nearing in the distance. Perhaps you can wait till then, but then you remember how broke you were and sighed, staring at the orange flowers in your arms. You wonder if you can sell it.

Money was definitely going to be an issue, as well as acquiring a roof over your head. Depending on the timeline, the only place left, may already be booked by the Fatui Delegates.

Food could be remedied by foraging sunsettias and wild crops.

"Oh a waypoint!" excitedly you run up to the red, unactivated waypoint and quickly you did the first thing that came to mind, slapping it with your hand.

The monument gave a hum of life before it turned blue and activated. "So that works at least" you hummed, inspecting it curiously. Up close and in real life, you could see the intricate design chiseled into the material.

Crouching down you wondered, could you use a waypoint? could you use one to go back home. . ?

"Well if I don't get to go back home, at least I don't have any more student debt" you chuckled hopelessly as you rubbed the water that pricked your eyes.

°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･

By the time you arrived at Mondstadt, the sun was almost setting. The skies were starting to get painted with an orange and pink hue.

Perhaps you shouldn't have gotten distracted or drowned in your sentiments and emotions. .

You sniffed, hugging yourself at the cold unforgiving winds while the windwheel asters and sweet flowers (a new addition to your wildflower bouquet) were luckily still fresh despite the trials they had gone through with your short travel to the city.

The sweet flowers had a sweet fragrance, once that made you crave for some sweet snacks. You debated on whether you can eat the flower raw, it looked more like a daisy too. . you decided against it. It would be far more wiser to use it for cooking or sell it for money.

The gates to the city was weirdly enough unguarded, so you stood by it awkwardly wondering when the guards would come. Would it be okay to enter without informing the knights? After waiting a couple of minutes, you decided to walk inside the city, time was running out, it would be getting dark soon and if you couldn't afford a place by selling these asters, you decided to at least buy some essentials. A polearm maybe or a coat, and maybe join the adventurers guild and see if there are any freebies or a free uniform you could get, cause your pajamas and fluffy Cinnamoroll designed slippers aren't going to cut it with the outdoor lifestyle you'd no doubt put them through.

You frown as you stared down on your cinnamoroll slippers. . it was no longer a pristine white due to the mud you had stepped into. .

Walking into the city of Mondstadt you found the city strangely. . void of life. You wonder if the prologue had yet to start and Stormterror or rather Dvalin was bothering the region.

Morale would mean a whole time low, and probably meant that prices on essentials would have risen, or maybe hopefully they were giving donations and relief goods.

"Hello," A voice greeted you and you turned to the woman or rather doll that operated the desk of the adventurer's guild "Would you like to join the Adventurer's guild?"

The smile on the puppet's face sent shivers down your spine but you pushed those feelings aside as you nodded politely. "Alright then, would you please present me with your information," she handed you a clipboard and pen "And I'll get the standard uniform for you." and then the receptionist left for a moment.

You blinked, wasn't she going to ask you for your size? or did Katheryne came with special eyes that could measure a person's body to decide the perfect clothes?

You began writing some information down. Your name, your age and your birthday but you left your address and place of origin empty since you couldn't just put in [country] and [city name] could you??

Turning to look behind you, you met eyes with a couple of residents of the city, and politely you waved at them as a greeting. . only for them to gape at you and run away from your gaze.

Okay. . rude much? was it because you were an outlander or a foreigner??

"Here you go. Everything seems to be in order." You snap back to the desk to find the receptionist had returned and had long since taken the clipboard and was reading through your information. 'When did she—?'

Katheryne then placed a set of uniform and fortunately, boots, right in front of you and you sighed in relief. "Thank you" and just as your finger grazed the fabric the clothes disappeared in a warm yellow light.

“. . .”

“can I uh. . get another set of the uniform. ." your voice cracked in shame. But before you could say anything more—

"Halt! Who dares to trespass into the City!" She flinched, turning to the approaching Guards, the knights of Favonius based on their uniforms, they stared at you wide eyes and mouth agape "What the—"

°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･

For whatever reason you ended up in Jean's office, tied down and on the floor. The windwheel asters were left on the streets, possibly wilting, alone. . the sweet flowers were trampled when they were trying to restrain her. It's sweet scent long gone, replaced with something bitter.

Jean wasn't here, oh wait no, she was coming in. You could hear muffled voices from the door, strange, when had your hearing been this good?

"do they really have the face of our divine?" that was Jean right? "well we won't know if we don't enter and see for ourselves" that suggestive yet sweet and soft voice was definitely Lisa's.

Were they talking about you?

What the hell did they mean by 'face of their divine?'

for some reason it was like a cold bucket of water was poured onto you, it was cold and terrifying and you started to shiver.

The door opened and Jean and Lisa did enter, as you craned your neck to look behind you, past the door you could see groups of knights who looked at each other with emotions you could vaguely pinpoint, horrified, worried, anger. .

"My my, you really do have the face of our esteemed creator." Lisa, the ever beautiful librarian grabbed you by the chin, making you look at her as she studied your face with scrutinizing Green eyes. Your breath hitched.

"What do you think?"

"I don't sense anything special from them, maybe they truly are an imposter."

You gaped at the terms that were hurled at you, imposter?? nothing special?? okay those were unnecessary!

Jean and Lisa conversed with each other, as your brows furrowed at the growing uncertainty in your stomach. Something was wrong, when were the Steadfast Jean and the carefree Lisa this. . cold and heartless.

"Where are Kaeya and the others?" Jean asked. "They are still visiting the temples with the traveller. I left after finishing the temple I was assigned to." Lisa informed the blond who nodded at the information.

The acting grandmaster hummed "I suppose we should deal with the imposter before they return."

The sound of a blade being unsheathed made you pale, the color disappearing from your skin as you watched Jean approached you, sword in hand without hesitation. .

Was she really going to kill you?

"Wait— wait a second? Why the hell are you going to kill me? What did I even do? Sure I entered the city carelessly but that was because your knights were slacking—hic!"

You could feel cold metal on the skin around your neck, sweat started to gather as you froze under Jean's stare.

"You committed the most grave blasphemy, heresy against the most divine creator! To imitate her beloved's face is a crime punishable by death."

You backtracked "What did you mean by creator! Also also how is being born with my face a crime?! do you hear how stupid that shit sounds?! You're a knight isn't there a due process?!"

Before she could reply the windows rattled and rattled, the winds were strong, the sun had long set and it was dark yet you could see the dust and objects flying about dangerous due to the storm. .

Storm terror was here.

Quickly you stood up, gaining Jean's and Lisa's attention once more as you quickly ran towards the window, knocking Jean to the ground and grabbing her sword due to your pettiness. You stopped for a moment to cut the restraints off your wrists with the sword.

"Why don't you settle down" Lisa said with a sickening sweet voice as powerful electro manifested in her hands and—

you screamed.

For now the earlier chapters will be titled with ingredients rather than food or recipe names.

[porters-fangs]

aster presents

giving the redacted couples a pet !

operating under the assumption that they eventually move in together/establish a relationship if they haven’t already ofc :3

(this is very headcanon heavy, so if you’re allergic to other people’s opinions pls keep scrolling 🫶)

• David & Angel - Guinea Pigs

You’d think that the wolf shifters would have dogs, and you’d be wrong. They actually get incredibly antsy when there’s another dog in the house, replacing their scent. It’s their territory, and it feels like a threat when another canine comes along - even another member of the pack.

And so, when Angel came home with two squeaking guinea pigs one day, toppling over each other to crawl into his lap, David was thrilled pleasantly surprised.

• Asher & Baaabe - Pigeon

Asher found a pigeon on the side of the road on his way home from work, cowering by the curb, one of its wings broken and bleeding. Being the tender person that he is, he bundled it up in his hoodie and drove home with it in his lap, muttering over and over about how everything would be okay.

Babe gave it a bath while Asher made up a little bed for it, and they called the vet in the morning to see if there was anything else they could do. Long story short, that pigeon is the luckiest bird in the world.

• Milo & Sweetheart - Chinchilla

Now, of course they have Aggro. But that’s too easy. Either as an alternative (or an additional pet, why not)-

Sweetheart has always been a huge fan of exotic pets. As a child, they had practically every animal under the sun - except for their dream pet.

Milo was more than happy to oblige, and they spent a few months converting one of their spare rooms into a the perfect space for their new baby. Sweetheart spends every day after work doting on the little fluffball, sat in the large playpen to let the stress of work seep from their bones.

And Milo wasn’t unhappy with the arrangement either. He’ll regularly hand the little guy a post-it note (usually something along the lines of “fuck you chrissy”) take a picture, and send it to the group chat. Christian isn’t a huge fan.

• Sam & Darlin - Chickens

As a kid, Sam used to have a gorgeous border collie that he had to leave behind when he ran away, and that kills him inside. But he’d never subject Darlin to feeling on edge in their own home for the sake of reliving that bond.

So they have chickens.

Does Darlin threaten to storm the coop every time Sam makes a good point in an argument? Maybe

But Sam also finds them asleep in the hen house after a long day of work, leaning against the doorframe fondly as he watches them snore beneath a pile of feathers.

• Vincent & Lovely - German Shepherd

A stunning couple needs an equally stunning dog.

Do they really need a guard dog? No, not at all. But that beautiful dog and its sleek black coat could rip a man’s arm off almost as easily as they could themselves.

Lovely handles the training, and Vincent watches from a distance, mildly intimidated by the both of them, but also in awe of how gorgeous they are.

• Porter & Treasure - Calico

You can thank my beloved Vinn (@vind3miat0r) for this one 🫶

Treasure has a cat. They found it in an alley after a rough night of their own, hissing and backed up into a corner. It reminded them of themself. They coaxed it back out into the light, bundling it up and driving it home, forgetting all about their friends, still drinking themselves to death in the club.

Before they even met Porter, their adorable little calico kitty kept them sane, nuzzling into their face and lapping at their tears every time they found themself sobbing in bed.

Porter always thought of himself as a dog person.

Porter was wrong.

Porter loves Cinnamon Toast Crunch more than life itself.

Treasure has come home multiple times to find the vampire sprawled out on the sofa with their cat snoozing on his chest, and they swear they fall in love all over again.

• Gavin & Freelancer - Betta Fish

Unfortunately, much to the Freelancer’s chagrin, Gavin is terrified of cats. So, instead, they have a huge fish tank in their kitchen. Call it a compromise.

The Freelancer comes home with more and more fish every time they go to the pet store just to get food, claiming that “it looked so sad :(”

And Gavin had to agree. The way these fish were treated truly was inhumane, and he was more than happy to help the Freelancer name every addition to their tank that came through their front door.

He was also far more fascinated by them than he’d ever anticipated being. He could stare at that tank for hours.

• Lasko & Dear - Frogs

Dear loves frogs. Lasko? Not so much.

When they moved in, he wasn’t expecting the uninvited guests that came with them. He never complained, of course, but he did insist that the tank would reside in the spare room and not the bedroom that he slept in every night. For practical reasons. Not because those bugged eyes and those webbed feet unsettled him.

Not at all.

Although, Dear could’ve sworn they heard him yelp when they opened the little tub of mealworms for feeding time…

He’ll warm up to them.

• Damien & Huxley - Collie

As if Huxley wasn’t enough of a bundle of energy, these two decided that they wanted one of the most active dogs on the planet. It works out surprisingly well for both of them, though.

It joins Huxley on hikes, bounding up the trail ahead of him, tail wagging impatiently as it waits for him to catch up as he laughs into the trees.

It sits at Damien’s side as he pores over his notes, and when the furrow in his brow deepens, it’ll nudge its nose into his hand until he drops the pen, tugging him outside for a walk.

And when they all collapse onto the couch in the evening, a pile of fur and giggles and a thumping tail, everything feels right.

• Elliot & Sunshine - Lovebirds

The pun isn’t lost on me.

They have a gorgeous, bright, mated pair of lovebirds. Whenever the couple catch them nuzzling beaks, Elliot pulls Sunshine’s face to his and brushes his nose over theirs.

Sunshine makes jewellery out of the feathers that molt around the house, and they both have matching necklaces that they wear everywhere.

• Blake & Bestie - California King Snake

Bestie walks around the house with it curled around their neck. Blake thinks it’s hot.

That’s all I have to say.

• Avior & Starlight - Maine Coon

Starlight has a black maine coon named Urania, after the Greek muse of astronomy. She is their pride and joy.

She gets along with Avior incredibly well, and even though he was initially very intimidated by her size, he quickly realised that meant she was in fact the softest and warmest cuddle buddy he could ever ask for.

She sits on Starlight’s lap when they’re reading, purring even after she’s fallen asleep, sometimes reaching out to paw at the pages.

• Anton & Lover - Hedgehog

Another rescue story, except Lover found this little cutie in their backyard while Anton was still away at work. They were too nervous to let it back outside even after they’d nursed it back to health, since its front paw was still a little crooked, so they decided to dedicate a little space for it in their office to keep an eye on it.

When Anton came home a few weeks later, he fell in love with the hedgehog. Literally just spent hours playing with it, giving it little snacks (even after Lover insisted it’d had enough)

And so they gained a new member of their family to keep Lover company when Anton had to go away again. And again.

• Hush & Doc - Stick Insects

Doc loves bugs. This is a fact.

Hush loves bugs. He never knew this.

Doc has a tank of stick insects in their bedroom, and the first time Hush spent the night he asked them why they kept an empty tank. And so Doc pulled out one of their precious babies to show him. And he was absolutely fascinated.

“It’s a living stick?”

“No, it’s an insect that’s adapted to look like a stick. For protection.”

“…Can I touch it?”

They sat on Doc’s bed with the bugs for hours.

• Vega & Warden - Dobermann

Vega values loyalty and obedience. And he adores his dobermann like you wouldn’t believe. If he ever had a soft spot for anything other than Warden, it was that dog.

He trains it meticulously, despite having every capability to protect himself, and praises every milestone.

When it first met Warden, Vega was expecting the usual wariness, for the dog’s ears to flick forward as it appraised them.

Not at all.

For the first time that Vega could remember, it broke heel to launch itself at Warden, licking at their face in excitement. And he didn’t reprimand it. Why would he?

After losing his memories, Vega found a strange familiarity in that dog as it stood by Warden’s side, as though protecting them… from him.

• Guy & Honey - Ferrets

I feel like I don’t need to elaborate.

I will.

They have three.

Honey loves playing with them. They have that macaroni bath and the ferrets love wiggling around while Honey laughs until their ribs hurt.

Guy slips them pizza scraps after his shift, putting his finger over his lips and warning them to stay quiet or else Honey might hear them snacking.

• Aaron & Smartass - Belgian Malinois

It lays under Aaron’s desk while he works from home, nudging his foot with its nose every so often to remind him to take a break.

He often comes home from the office to find Smartass stretched across the couch, having fallen asleep while trying to wait up for him, the dog in their lap. It looks up when he closes the door behind him, clearly unimpressed with his poor punctuality.

That dog has a favourite.

• Ollie & Baby - Hamsters

They have two and both seemed determined to end their little rodent lives early. Ollie and Baby both love them so much, but they’ll wake up to find one with its head poking out between the bars, precariously close to choking, and another just passed out in the wood chips.

The vet bill? Ridiculous.

• Geordi & Cutie - Rabbit

In another life perhaps, they have a very sweet grey rabbit with an attitude. Thumping its paws whenever it isn’t allowed outside immediately when it asks, whenever its dinner is two minutes too late, whenever it’s woken up from its very important nap in the sunlight.

Geordi jokes that it reminds him of Cutie.

• Morgan & Seer Obscura - Mice

Seer Obscura actually saved these mice from lab testing as part of a charity program, and they were planning to adopt them out to close friends - but instead ended up with six mice that they love very much.

They scatter across their shoulders, and sometimes when Morgan brushes a lock of hair back from their face, a little fuzzy nose will poke out from behind their neck, sniffing around.

• Azmidi & Sweetie - Boa Constrictor

Scares the shit out of any visitors they have round.

They enjoy that very much.

Sweetie will fully poke their fingers into the enclosure when feeding it, and has not yet been bitten by some miracle.

No survival instincts, I tell you.

———

okay thank you for joining me on this wonderful journey! i do apologise if any of these are out of character or deviate from the canon - i don’t listen to all of the redacted boys but i do like to try and be inclusive 🫶

[emberdew]

Trans Danny Fic Recs 🏳️‍⚧️

Hi! For Pride Month I wanted to make a list of a bunch of fics that feature trans Danny that I like! Here we go:

One-shots

What are you going to do, fight the sun? by TheBadDragon || 1k One-shot. It's one of the few stories I've read where both Danny and Vlad are trans and I love it.

For Whom the Bell Tolls by @raaorqtpbpdy || 35k One-shot. This features a really interesting AU. I love that it deals with the question "if Danny is trans and he and Dani are siblings, do people think Danny named himself after his sister?"

Original by between || 4k One-shot. This is the only story I can think of where Danny comes out as trans to Dani. It is really sweet.

Pregaming is only distasteful if the deceased is actually dead and/or a good person. by @ficauthor || 14k One-shot. This story is so funny! It has great trans jokes (written by trans author).

Wrong Feeling by @gh0stzonedarchive || 2k One-shot. A nice nonbinary Danny coming out story.

Unpacking ALL of THAT. by @kawaiijohn || 6k One-shot. A nice story about Paulina saving Danny and then having a conversation while trapped in a box. It features trans (and bi) Danny and lesbian Paulina.

making it through by @robotbeowulf || 2k One-shot. A sweet story where Mr. Lancer helps Phantom and also comes out as trans to him.

Closet Space by @ecto-american || 2k One-shot. A sweet story where Danny and Sam are both trans and swap clothes.

oh, simple thing (breathing such harsh air) by Possiblyenjoyable || 3k One-shot. A really good story where Vlad may be a villain, but at least he's not transphobic.

Multichapter and Series

A Lot To Learn by @vampyra142001 || 21k Incomplete series. A nice Vlad redemption story. I really like how Danny being trans is incorporated into the story. Plus Vlad is ace.

Friends in Strange Places by @sunnys567 || 100k Complete multi-chap. This AU is really good and I love that Danny's friends learn about their own identities during Vlad's "coming out" trip.

Lightning by @tourettesdog || 21k Incomplete multi-chap. This is one of my favorite No One Knows AU stories and one of the few fics I can think of from Sam's POV. It features the iconic line: “Phantom’s trans— what an icon.” TourettesDog has several other fics with trans Danny that I like too, including Phantom at Pride.

Cognitive Dissonance by @secretly-an-automaton || 9k Complete multi-chap. A super sweet Gray Ghost revelation story! Danny being trans is a part of the reveal, which I think is a cool concept.

the haunting murders of bristol mansion by @antelabbitsghost || 8k Complete multi-chap. A really funny Buzzfeed Unsolved inspired story. Featuring Danny calling it transphobic when furniture falls on him lol.

Casper High’s New Nurse by @thewiltingdaisy || 55k Complete multi-chap. This story features one of my favorite tropes- an OC adult who helps struggling children with their problems. Danny is trans and the OC nurse character is nonbinary, which is cool!

Food as a Love Language by GooseJacket || 13k Incomplete series. Another fic where Danny and Vlad are both trans (and pan), which I appreciate despite it not coming up in the story much. I really love Danny and Kyle’s relationship in it though; they’re really cute together.

Mundane to Monstrous Ghost by @goliath-de-senfina-sango || 75k Complete multi-chap (part of an incomplete series, but ends in a nice place). This canon rewrite is really cool! Danny uses a wish from Desiree to magically transition, which is amazing.

DPxDC

Unearthed, Reborn by @queenofthequillandink || 62k Incomplete multi-chap. An amazing story featuring soft Eternal Trio with Jason as their teen half ghost son. In addition to Danny being trans, Dick Grayson also transes their gender. Plus there are trans puns!

Rooftop Express by @cheezygoddess || 89k Incomplete multi-chap. A really good Dead on Main story featuring trans Danny and trans Jason.

Wanted: Dead and Alive by @aster-draws || 121k Complete multi-chap. A very angsty vivisection fic with a happy ending. Danny is both trans and intersex. And of course, the GIW are transphobic.

Unlimited Love by @oliveofvanders || 10k Incomplete series. Some nice one-shots featuring trans Danny and the Death Defying (Danny/Dick) ship. I especially like the second fic about the pride parade.

Of All the Things My Hands Have Held by @disillusioneddanny || 17k Complete multi-chap. A cute Dead Serious story where Danny and Damian raise a baby together. I think it's funny that Talia gives them the baby partly because she doesn't know Danny is trans. DisillusionedDanny actually has a bunch of really good fics with trans Danny, including Eat The Acid and Love Like You.

Phantom in Gotham by @artemismoorea03 || 320k Incomplete series. This series is incredible! Poor Danny has to deal with some upsetting situations, but everyone in the Batfam who learns that Danny is trans is supportive which is sweet.

Liminal Familiarity by @isitcowboytimes || 70k Incomplete multi-chap. A nice angsty AU where Danny helps Jason after he becomes half ghost. There's a scene where Danny transforms back to human after being only Phantom for a while and he gets hit with gender dysphoria and being human dysphoria at the same time, oof.

Stalking Astronauts: Gotham's Latest Social Media Craze! by @tachvintlogic || 54k Complete multi-chap. This is a really interesting twist on the usual DPxDC adoption trope where Danny is afraid of being adopted, and he doesn't need to be because he's an adult and a successful astronaut. Unfortunately because of his facial masculinization surgery, everyone thinks he looks a Wayne.

Barely Surviving in a World Antithetical to My Existence by DomesticatedOpossum and Vampirenote13 || 67k Incomplete multi-chap. Danny gets isekaied to Gotham and helped by Constantine and the bats eventually. I like that both Danny and Tim are trans in this.

Better Halves (and other such falsehoods) by @astereaes || 132k Incomplete multi-chap. An amazing fake relationship Danny/Tim story! Tim doesn't know that Danny is trans for a while but he also doesn't know a lot of things about Danny lol.

I'll be updating this list as I read/remember other cool trans Danny fics, so feel free to send recs or promote your own fics! Last updated: 9/16/24.

[wings-of-ink]

Alright, everyone!

HERE ARE THE ASKS YOU'VE BEEN WAITING FOR

Below the cut are the asks and my answers/responses. I do apologize for not answering these individually, but some of them contain spoilers for chapter 5 content. Given the developments and reveals of the chapter, I want to let things simmer a bit before I pop off responses like normal.

If my Nonies listed below want to pop back into the ask box and let me know they got their answer, I would appreciate that, but you don't have to either (or if you have an additional question or comment, that's fine too!). I will reblog this a few times to make sure you have a higher chance of spotting it.

I numbered the Asks and put my answers in another color so you can tell things apart a bit easier. This is a trial run on answering these this way. I will also tag things for spoilers. ^_^

Anon:  "There's a she-wolf in the closet" made me laugh so hard I cried sdfjglkjl I was not expecting that out of nowhere 🤣😭  the temptation to name the wolf Shakira...............immense.

I'm so glad you got that reference! My husband and I sing that song to each other with the little "awoos" and all, lol. It was too good to pass up. Fun fact, if you name her Shakira, Oswin has a unique response. 

2. Anon:  Hmmm. "I like the name Aster I'll probably use it again" HMMMMM hMMMMM hmmmMMMM Is this new Aster the ??? RO

Remembered that, did ya 😁 (I was quietly cackling when I wrote that for the old ask). You questioning Aster just makes me want to mess with you Nony, you can't tempt me like this! 

3. Anon:  Aster is so hawt, carressing our cheek w his thumb???? "i wont hurr you" pls let him be an ro bc gah damnnnn

Glad that did it for you, Anon, lol. There will be more of that in store. ^_^

4. Ravioli anon here, hope you remember me LOL I just finished reading the new chapter and I HAD A BLAST The whole gang in here now!!!!!! Aster is no longer question marks!!!! (I will admit when they were introcuded I almost, ALMOST expected their name in game to just be ???)

Hello Ravioli! Still chuckling about that I hope you know. The temptation was unreal to leave ??? in there, lol. At this point, even I know him more by that than his name!

Also to keep up with my perfect choice of names, my she-wolf is now named Der, because together we are Ravi and Der Get it, Ravi 'n Der. Consider this as a way to honor our dear grandma we were named after by our loving dads, you'll never be forgotten, you girlboss of a woman 

OMG, you are killing me over here, lol. This makes me want to code something for that, lol. Just your fathers shaking their heads at your MC while still being kinda amused and weirdly proud. Grandmother Ravinder would glare at you, but smile later.

5. @origamihoshi: Screaming about the necklace Oswin gives MC, my headcanon about MC wearing the snail shell as a necklace can now be canon! and I guess more reasons for my MC to be down bad for Oswin oops. I'm loving the update! I'm so happy to finally meet Rune, I love them so much! I wanna befriend them all. and I feel like there's been a good balance to spend time with all the characters so far and that makes me really happy. 😌Also cuddling with Zahn was so sweet oh my god, I love them so much too! I got so many more questions about MC and the curse, and the mark for that matter, looking forward to when we finally get some answers.

I very, very nearly told you that when you posted your MC, I was so ecstatic. I thought if you while coding that section too. I am so glad you enjoyed the new chapter and new goodies. Lots of fun stuff to come! ^_^

6. @mutsuowo:  HELP I NAMED THE SHE-WOLF ASTER BECAUSE I FIRST CALLED THE MULE YARROW AND NOW I HAVE NOT ONE, NOT TWO BUR THREE ASTER* GOING AROUND (I know one changed to Lakota but the joke that count)

Whoops! Lol Sorry my friend! I don't think any more Asters are hiding about at least. Probably….

7. @mutsuowo: I got spoiled of Aster's name by accident and even then I mistook it for being Lakota, so I thought somehow Lakota had a divorce and took the children to be an option romance with the MC. Cue to me acting like a variety game host and going "We have a cult member, a magician, childhood friends and also a wolf...what about you Aster ? What do you bring to make we choose you ?" The answer was being a DILF

Lol! Oh dear, yeah, bestie has a quarter-life crisis and leaves his wife and 4 kids to live that DILF life. Love it, this is some quality daytime TV stuff. 😆 

8. Anon:  Hello there! I am currently in the middle of the newest chapter, very very good work! Spoiler ahead : So MC is absorbing magic? That might actually help the theory that somehow MC is a god, demi-god, or whatever that is: cursed because they are on this plane and needing magic as a very part of their being? I can't imagine that a god wouldn't be starving for magic if deprived of it. Perhaps in GC it's not magic gods handle, but something similar? The fact that we CHOSE the mark truly makes me think that somehow we were choosing an aspect of ourselves for some reason. Not only something physical either. If not our domain, perhaps a tell of why we were cursed in the first place ? I wonder if, before the Curse manifested, MC would have been flagged as a magic being ? I don't think there was anybody that could have sussed them out back then though ? Rune is amazing, btw, big fan. Can't wait for Purple Lad to accompany us and need a bath as badly as Duri did !

Oooh, are you perhaps my Nony who sent some other theories in about this? Very juicy theory as well. Next chapter you'll learn a bit more about Hayat's curse over the gods and see if it lines up or changes your thoughts more. 😁 I'm glad you like Rune too! They are in for a new experience for sure. Even if they aren't as stuffy as other nobles, they definitely appreciate more refined things. The little town MC grew up in might be a bit of a culture shock. 

9. Anon:  Sooooo... I'm thinking we ARE the mad god ! A reincarnation of it at least ! Thinking about how the cult wanted us dead, I am thinking that as long as MC is alive, they can't have another incarnation of them.   But What exactly was it that drove the god mad ?

Oooh! This one is juicy too! These theories are so tasty! Lots of questions with this one. And like the one above, there may be some info in chapter 6 that may just give more evidence one way or another.

10. Anon:  Me on my first playthrough: oh, Oswin's pretty cute! I think I'll try romancing him first Me when I meet Zahn: oh no you can't just make me choose like that how am I supposed to do this Me when I meet Duri: are you kidding me. Ok screw it I'm romancing Duri Me when I meet Rune: FUCKAIJASJDSAAA Me when I meet ???: No reaction because I'm already combusted. I can't even anymore 

Lol! I am glad and maybe just a tiny bit sorry that you're so torn, my dear. Let's find some glue and get you patched up… ^_^

11. Anon:  HAVE THEORIES! NATHAN IS DURI'S UNCLE, AND ASS-TER -HE DESERVES THAT AFTER THE RING BUSINESS >:( - WAS RAISED BY THOSE ASSHOLES WHO ALMOST KIDNAPPED MC! (I am open to Asster endearing himself later, but I'm mad at him rn, how dare he hurt my already hurt, lovely, MC 😡😡😡) Anyway, your writing is impeccable as always, can't wait to (perhaps) bring Asster to his knees (with love or spite, or maybe both?? He seems like someone easy to love-hate, lol). Tysm, for God Cursed, I love it <333

Yaaass, moar theories! That's a good one too! Nathan having some secrets wouldn't be shocking either. They'd get along too… And it is totally fair for MC to be salty! And ASSter is a perfect nickname, lol. It's also fair that in chapter 6 you'll be able to (try to) get after him about it. :3

12. Anon:  TW SPOILERS ''There is nothing I want more than to hear you…hear you say what you- Nothing more… But for your own sake. Y/N, I'm a monster. I have been a monster. Your heart should be free of thoughts of me until you know what haunts my sleep at night. If you can do that for me and your heart does not change, then I will hear those words and I will spend the rest of my days showing you what you mean to me.'' UUUUHHMMMMM, EXCUSE MEE?????? LIKE THIS IS THE MOST-ROMANTIC-NON-LOVE-CONFESSION I HAVE EVER HEARD??? EVEN THOUGH IT BURNS ME TO NOT KNOW WHAT AFFLICTS OSWIN, AFTER HEARING THAT I'M WILLING TO WAIT FOR HIM.

I love that you love this! I might have cried juuuust a little bit when I wrote that scene, lol (shocking, I know).

13. Anon:  replayed the IF from the start for the update and gosh i felt so bad for our dear MC who has gone through SO much in a (relatively) short amount of time. and the way MC just always thinks about their fathers makes me sobbbbbb. one that always gets me is the scene where MC cried out for their fathers when they were in pain (my heart broke when they said they wanted to be held by their papa). another is in the scene with jasper and co. (‘i learned it from my fathers!’, yesss go MC!!!!). but oh, just imagining the absolute heartbreak the fathers would feel if they knew how MC cried out for them and knew about everything that MC went through, makes me tear up! MC is SO loved by their fathers and MC loves them just as much and i love that. i hope we’ll be able to give da and papa the biggest hugs when we see them again 🥹wonderful update, author! i absolutely adore the world you’ve built and the brilliant characters you’ve created (shout out to one my favs.. our new she-wolf friend <3)

I set out on this IF journey intending to be a bit hard on the MC and I think I succeeded, lol. It might be hard to believe but I really do love the MC as a character too and I feel for them. Hopefully not too hard, but they're on a journey of perseverance so I have faith in them. ^_^ That scene really tore me up too, especially thinking about how hard it would hit the dads to know their beloved kid was calling out to them. 😭 I am so glad you enjoyed the update, my dear, there will be great big dad-hugs in the future, I promise (and more than a few tears). ^_^

14. Anon:  idk if it's choice or route-specific but, zahn was NOT looking good at the end of chapter 5 and i'm worried 😟

Not route-specific (unfortunately???)…they're…going through some things. 😬 (sorry in advance)

15. Anon:  Hi, hi!! Dropping by to blabber about the update after i've finally had time to lose myself in it! (Oh no it got long again.) Okay, so, from the very moment i saw your intro post (over half a year ago, methinks) i decided to go for Rune's route first. I have been very patient, very faithful. And now i can finally say it was so, so worth the wait!!! they have me wrapped all around their beautiful noble finger; they're perfect, they are everything (i mean, how many people can say a literal god shows up for their birthday? yeah, thought so). I know they are no exception either and have their own share of issues, but honestly? that's even better. I wish i was kidding about the amount of times i daydream about them. Look at me now how i'm smiling like a stupid idiot. And the fact that i can make my MC an absolute shy mess around them is just so!! *chef's kiss* 

"Oh no it got long again" is like the tagline for my existence, lol. I am so giddy that you adore Rune! I think they've had less traction since they weren't introduced until now, but I also believe they are just the type of person that is better experienced. I enjoy writing all of the ROs, but Rune is such a presence in my heart and I really hope that comes through.

Also, did Duri seriously rat them out like that? Umm, for science, of what nature, exactly, are the books under Runey's bed?

LOL and I'm so glad you caught that bit about their "hidden literature." Rune LOVES romance novels, including the ridiculous smutty ones even if the plot is kinda bad.

Anyway, moving on, because you fed us so well with the story once again!! Can i just say i love your brain? Can i? Is that weird? Apologies. So!

You can totally say that, lol. I appreciate that you think so, my brain frustrates me sometimes, but I like how smooth it is. Very soft.

We learned so much in this update, and yet our answers are still too far to reach--but that's the whole fun about this! I'm thinking things, i'm suspecting, but i'll hold onto my theories for now… It is indeed very fortunate that each of MC's new friends can seemingly contribute a piece to this vexing puzzle; question is, is the picture only missing the very last piece, or are all four needed for it to be complete? I'm folding my hands and patiently waiting to find out in future updates. 

Oooh, you're speaking my language, Nony. There are some theories up above, maybe those will get your mind spinning too. That's a very good question though too. Eveyone seems to have something that might help MC out…so the question could be, do they go full Power Rangers and combine them to solve this problem or is one strong enough on their own? Hmmmmm? Time will tell.

One thing i will say is, more people may know about MC and their whole deal than Oswin may want to even consider. People with not the best intentions, that is.

I'm sure it's fiiiiiine. Probably just a…crazy…crazy fluke. It's fine. 😀

Speaking of, Oswin is so sweet! He cares so much i think it's rending him apart. Perhaps he should partake of Nathan's pipe every now and then. You know, for recreational purposes. Frankly i admit i don't know how mean you still can be to Oswin because every time there's a choice during his scenes i just tunnel-vision to the friendliest one there. It really makes me feel sorry for him if there are MCs out there who are still bitter about their relationship. As he was opening up about what kinds of actual horrors he witnessed and had to deal with in consequence, it really made me think MC's little group should, as a side-quest, go out and find him a therapist, because this guy *slaps him on the back* can fit so much trauma in him!

That's a good way to describe Oswin. He feels very intensely and those emotions are difficult for him to manage. I try not to be too mean to him, but I do want to try and give a decent variety of responses to the past tension for some MCs. Negativity there isn't a huge focus, so I try not to go too far down the rabbit hole with it at least, lol. A therapist is a great idea for him, for real. You cracked me up with that reference, I imagine Lakota trying to sell him to the MC, lol.

 I see Zahn has entered the trenches(TM). Just after i had them repeatedly stabbed in MC's place. And just after they finally got to cuddle with MC. This is fine. Not gonna lie, for a solid second you had me believe we wouldn't see them come back from that totally not evil or at least highly doubtful church of theirs, and that we'd had to leave without them. Haha, no waay. Lunan wouldn't do that to them, right? Right? Oh thank gods. See? I was right. Anyway, it seems like their character development arc is coming up soon, so i'm keeping calm and not cracking my knuckles, not at all.

Oh yes, there will be some development soon here. Tee hee?

Duri is so fun. Their playfulness is so endearing, so much so that i find myself repeatedly swayed in my decision to have them in a (now mostly) platonic relationship with MC. Simmer down, you'll have your turn. It had me rolling how they snapped once the bandits insulted their feet lmao! Also, also, their dynamic with Rune? Mmm, so good. I love the kind of friendship that's like "yeah i picked up this weird wet dog one day and now it won't leave me be and it's annoying, but only i'm allowed to say that. here, have a treat."

I love that you love that. Writing Duri is fun and I get to break some social norms with them so it's a win-win for us all. The relation to Rune is a blast.

Moving on, Duri sniffing MC after they talked with someone they didn't know; Duri immediately leaping at the opportunity to tease a jealous MC; Duri coming to MC's rescue to put a harasser in their place--they can't keep getting away with being so charming! Oh wait, they can. Human laws don't apply to them, after all.

Duri is already so loyal. Like a pup you picked up at the shelter, the connection is pretty quick for them. Also, if you didn't know, you can also get Rune to get defensive of MC being harassed in the tavern. Currently thinking of changing the code of that, but if you choose to stay neutral or a bit distrustful of Duri, Rune will get involved instead. Both have the confidence and the power to back it up though, can't go wrong.

And Aster? Something is up with him. Big time. Bost obviously, his name. I don't know, i don't know, i'm not convinced it's a coincidence or merely "fate." I'm watching you, Aster. Okay, and yes, i see why MC might need his help, but he never once elaborated on that part where he said he needs MC for power. Sooo, naah, i'm not putting my egg in your basket, not yet. Especially!! After he so brutally demonstrated just how much of a bigger hand he has over MC. That was evil. (In a good way.) He's unhinged, and i love that in a character. I would not trust him even with a cheese grater.

That may be wisdom here for sure, lol. Aster is quite the character, as are all of them I suppose. All have secrets he especially has some serious growing to do. He'll be an interesting addition - and a very smug one at that. Maybe juuuust maybe MC can get him to feel a little remorse for being an ASSter, to quote a previous ask, lol.

I almost thought MC's group of friends were going to mistake him for the kidnapper and everyone would want to throw hands, or would at least be very leery of him, so seeing how easily he slotted in had me a little surprised (and i think he was a bit surprised himself).

That very nearly happened actually. I cut it because of chapter length, and I'm thinking I want to polish the ending for that anyway. I feel like I was burnt out while writing that and I pushed it too fast. So, we'll see what happens in future….

I really, really liked the option of having MC be scared of him after he put a cork (dart) in Jasper's mouth (throat). The head tilt afterwards? Wiping away a stray tear? "Now come sit with me on my picnic blanket designer cloak to talk about how everything is drawn to you, including me?" "I'll need to study you?" Yes, i'll take your entire stock.

I'm glad you enjoyed your dessert, Nony. ;) There will be some serious studying in the next chapter.

Oswin being extremely quiet while MC was recounting their failed abduction because he was still recovering from those 6 panic attacks he had since finding MC's room empty and with signs of struggle.

THIS absolutely. MC may get an account of the experience later.

 i can't wait to see what the dads are going to say about each of MC's new friends! I can already imagine who might not entirely vibe with whom, especially if papa and da are going to be in a sour mood after they see my (feral despite being the healer of the party) MC scarred and sore despite their letters containing nothing but rainbows and sunshine (oops). MC's right, though, how are they going to house so many people lol.

This will be so much fun, especially when it comes to sleeping arrangements…A couple ROs will get themselves sorted but there's a couple that we might just get a "one bed" trope with, lol.

And last but not least, MC got the promised puppy!!! (i named her "Ginger" <33) 

Oh that is such a cute name too! She is kinda the color of ginger and she's also very gentle (ginger) AND she can be very spicy if you piss her off. Very gingery.

I have been here before and gushed about your writing on multiple occasions and i don't want to repeat myself over and over, so i'll just reiterate once more that i'm constantly blown away by how real and vivid you make everything feel. You're putting things down and i'm picking them right up, thank you, thank you, yup, i'll have that as well, thank you. You're painting pictures inside my head, and they're gorgeous and vibrant and moving now--hey, how did you even get in here? I'm convinced you're a mage. MC is not the mage here (yet?), but you sure are!! It's okay, you may fess up now. As always, thank you so much for all your hard work! May your holidays be full of joy and rest! Take care <333

I am so thankful that you resonate so much with my writing, my friend. That really truly makes my heart so glad and encourages me to keep at it. I hope each chapter brings you more and more enjoyment and adventure. ^_^

16. @rhiannon02:  IM SCREAMING OVER CH 5 LITERALLY SCREAMING ASTER ??? IM IM LOSING IT

Well, hang on dear, maybe I can help you find it, lol. (I heard that one in my soul) ^_^

That's all for now! ^_^

[suugarbabe]

foolish flowers | g.w x reader

word count: ~1.5k

summary: little georgie blurb based on an ask I recieved and lost.

warning: fluff

The dinging above the door alerted you that a customer had walked into the shop. You did your best to sound polite as you shouted from the back, “I’ll be right up.” Whoever had walked in told you to take your time, but you still found yourself rushing a bit as to not appear rude. 

You walked from the back with a bushel of Aster flowers in your arms, completely obstructing your view. You feel yourself nearly tripping over a pot as you’re making your way to your work station, quietly cursing to yourself. “Here, let me help you with those,” two large hands grab the bushel from you, placing it on the counter. 

You smoothed out your apron before looking up and meeting quite possibly the softest and kindest green eyes you’ve ever seen, “T-thank you.” The man in front of you just smiled, giving a nod before going back to look at the flowers and arrangements you had around your small shop. 

His brows furrowed reading the different cards associated with certain displays. You found yourself watching him, observing him as he looked around. He was incredibly tall, having to nearly bend in half to read anything on the counter. 

You couldn’t help but find his looks of confusion endearing. You decided it was probably best to offer your assistance, for as much as it seemed like he wanted to appear like he knew what he was looking for, he was completely lost. “Looking for something for your girlfriend?” you kept your tone innocent, but you’d be lying if you said there wasn’t motive behind the question beyond being helpful to a customer. 

“Erm, no, for my mum actually,” a blush crept up the man’s neck, dusting his cheeks along with it and accentuating his freckles. “Well then might I suggest not getting these,” you gestured towards the red salvia’s, “as they typically symbolize meaning ‘forever mine’, not quite sure that’s best for mum.” 

You gave him your sweetest smile and he returned a nervous one, scratching the back of his neck, “What, erm, do you suggest then? It’s her birthday tomorrow, my mum, that is, I just wanted to get her something nice.” 

You tapped your finger against your lips as you thought, glancing around the shop to create a beautiful and meaningful piece in your head. “How about…” you trailed off walking up to the marigolds and grabbing a handful, “and a little of…” you grabbed a small batch of chamomile, “oh and definitely…” you grabbed some fully bloomed clematis, “and lastly…” you grabbed some columbine. 

The man watched and you arranged it all in a beautiful glass vase, the purples, whites and yellows dancing together perfectly. He couldn’t help the smile that spread over his face as he watched you work. “Stunning,” he breathed, “What does it all mean?” 

You clapped your hands together in excitement, explaining pieces was one of your favorite parts of your job. “So, the marigolds here,” you pointed to the flame colored flower, “are her birth month flower and these here,” you pointed to the chamomile, “mean patience in adversity. I assumed because she was a boy mum that she probably dealt with a lot while you grew up,” you shot him a playful wink. 

He laughed lightly at this, “You have no idea.” You continued, pointing next at the clematis, “These mean mental beauty, which is simply true for any mother, and these here,” you pointed at the white flower surrounded by what looked like a purple shell and leaves, “are columbine flowers, they represent foolishness.” 

The man quirked an eyebrow at this one, “And why, pray tell, did you pick these?” You bit your lower lip slightly, “Well, you look awfully close to the moving character atop the joke shop across the street, so I just assumed you probably own it. Thus the additive of some foolishness representation.” 

He smirked at your explanation, leading you to believe that you were correct in your assumption, “Would you believe me if I told you I was born on April fools?” You giggled lightly, “I would expect nothing less coming from the man who owns a joke shop. What is it called again?” 

The man smiled proudly now, “Weasley’s Wizard Wheezes.” You looked at him curiously, “So is that your name? Weasley?” 

He nodded, “Surname. My first name, however, is George.” 

“Well it’s very nice to meet you, George.” You smiled sweetly, then turned to your register, “That’ll be ten galleons.” His smile never faltered as he dug into his pocket, pulling out the coins needed. 

He grabbed the vase, walking towards the door. As he was halfway out, he turned back to you, “I just realized that I told you my name, but you never told me yours.” You shrugged your shoulders, “Guess you’ll have to ask when I stop in your shop next time.” 

George raised his eyebrows, liking the bit of mischief you were flirting with, “Alright, guess I’ll see you then, love.” With a wink, he was out the door. 

—--------

Fred stood at the top of the steps, watching the smiling faces roam around his shop. He loved the kids faces as they discovered a new way to prank, a new toy to cause chaos, or how he could see the light switch in their eyes when they saw something on the shelves that had them plotting. 

He and George would get the same look when they were younger. Godric, they get that same look still to this day, they just try their best to choose the appropriate time and place for their shenanigans. 

What his shop did not often get were beautiful women exploring his shop and looking at… “Puking pastilles?” He looked at you curiously, but you hadn’t yet lifted your head from the package. 

“Seems like they’d come in handy for the family dinner I’m trying to avoid tonight,” Fred laughed with you and you finally turned to look at him. 

“Well, you’re certainly not George are you,” your smile was sweet as Fred cocked an eyebrow at you. “And how could you possibly be certain of that, darling?” 

You looked up at the man in front of you, he looked exactly like George, very obviously a twin brother. However if you paid attention enough, there were subtle differences. You didn’t inform George of this last week but you had noticed him before he walked into your shop that day. 

There were quite a few times you had spotted him through your front window, leaving or coming to work, always dressed colorfully and having a smile on his face. When he smiled the corners of his eyes wrinkled just a little, his eyes downturned just slightly more than the man in front of you. 

But the thing that really gave it away you had noticed just last week, when he was finally close enough for you to really see him properly. Staring into friends eyes you smiled, patting his chest, “George has a beauty mark on his neck, right here.” You pointed towards the spot where George’s mark was on Fred’s neck. 

Fred’s smile seemed to grow impossibly wider, “You’re the flower shop girl aren’t you.” He said it more like a statement rather than a question. “Y/n,” you corrected. 

The redhead laughed, “Oh Georgie is going to hate that I learned your name before him.” You shook your head, “Is Georgie here?”

Fred nodded, “Yeah, boyo’s here alright, but I’m really relishing in me getting to learn more information about the girl he’s been pining after before he does.” 

He was hoping to embarrass his twin a little, so what you said next instead had Fred a bit shocked. “Well I’m glad the feeling has been mutual,” your tone and smirk quite impressed Fred. 

When you looked over his shoulder he turned, seeing his twin on the upper level of the shop, “If you’ll excuse me, not George-”

“Fred,” he interrupted. You smiled, “If you’ll excuse me Fred, I’m going to go find George.” 

Fred watched as you sauntered up the staircase, George still none the wiser as he helped a few customers out. As you made it to the top you stood behind him and started speaking, his ears perking at the sound of your voice, “Got anything here to get out of a dinner party?” 

George turned around, sly smile on his face, “Have you looked into puking pastilles?” You held up the box in your hands, “Ah yes, that’s what the other George suggested.” 

The smile on George’s face quickly turned to laughter, “The other George?” You nodded, “You didn’t tell me you had a twin; Fred was it?” 

He nodded, leaning a hand on the railing beside him now, “And you still haven’t told me your name. I’ve been referring to you as flower shop girl in my head all week.” 

Your grin widened, knowing now (thanks to Fred) that George had probably been referring to you as that for a lot longer than a week, “Y/n. My name’s Y/n.” 

“S’beautiful,” George was bold, tucking a loose strand of hair behind your ear. Fred watched from a few floors below, mentally patting his brother on the back for pulling out the moves they used to use in school.

[phoenix-downer]

Love’s First Bloom

Summary: Kairi accidentally falls into a rushing river when she tries to pick a rare paopu flower. Sora and Riku work together to rescue her and realize they both have feelings for her.

Kairi likewise has a few realizations of her own.

~5000 words. Set between BBS and KH1. Love Triangle, Friendship, Romance, Fluff, Angst, Feelings Realization, Crushes, First Love, Introspection, Hurt/Comfort. POV Kairi, Riku, and Sora.

🌸🌼🌺

How quickly life can change. Like a cool breeze picking up or a slight shift in the scenery, suddenly what you took for granted can be gone in an instant. 

“C’mon, Kairi, let’s go!” Sora called. Kairi looked up from her current crafts project: a flower crown with purple asters, white chrysanthemums, blue forget-me-nots, and big red hibiscuses. Those colors were all nice together, but a yellow flower would be a nice addition. Maybe she’d find one as they went exploring. 

She tucked the flower crown in her pocket, then grabbed her straw hat and put it on. She wasn’t like Sora and Riku—they tanned easily, especially Sora, but her skin turned red so fast. And then the red turned into dozens and dozens of freckles. Redheads weren’t made for the tropical sun, and brief memories of another place flickered through her mind. A place with a big castle and lots of flowers and waterfalls. 

“Coming!” she cried as she stumbled after the boys. They were both so much faster than her, and the sand on the beach was always hard to run on. But presently the ground beneath her feet got more solid, and the boys finally slowed down as the three of them passed through the town and started climbing the hills behind it.

“Where are we going this time?” Sora asked, looking at Riku. Riku always decided what they would do. 

Riku grinned and swung his play sword. “It’s a surprise. But I think you’ll like it, Kairi.” He looked at her like he wanted her to say something. Come to think of it, he’d been looking at her a lot lately. 

“Oh, are there nice flowers?” she asked, her fingers resting on the flower crown in her pocket. She wanted to finish it as soon as she could.

Riku’s grin got bigger, and his eyes had a teasing glint in them. “Maybe.” 

“And pretty scenery?” she pressed. Every part of Destiny Islands was pretty, but Riku always knew the best spots.

“Only the best for you,” Riku said, and Kairi felt a funny feeling blooming in her chest.

Sora frowned, his face twisting into a scowl. “I know some pretty spots too, Kairi,” he said. 

Riku rolled his eyes. “Yeah, yeah. The stuff I showed you guys last week,” he said, and Kairi giggled into her hand. 

Now Sora was pouting. “That’s not true, I know a lot of nice spots Riku doesn’t know!” 

“Prove it, then,” Riku said, and Sora muttered something about how he would. At the branch in the mountain path up ahead, he led them to the right. They followed the path for a little longer until Sora took them off the path and through a clump of trees. On the other side was a beautiful clearing full of wildflowers, perfect for sparring. The sound of running water reached Kairi’s ears. There must be a branch of the river nearby. 

“Oh, this is really pretty!” Kairi exclaimed, clasping her hands together. She glanced at Sora, and he grinned and rubbed his cheek. 

“Hmmph,” Riku said. It was clear this was a place he hadn’t been before. Either that or he had but hadn’t thought to bring them here.

Sora pulled his wooden sword out. “Wanna fight?” he asked Riku, and at this Riku perked up. He loved the chance to spar with Sora. He pulled his sword out too and moved into an attack stance. 

Kairi smoothed her skirts and dutifully sat down on the grass nearby. Sora recklessly charged, and Riku carefully evaded him, then caught him in the back. Sora plunged into a roll and then sprung to his feet. He whirled around so quickly that he caught Riku by surprise, knocking Riku over. But Riku still had a trick up his sleeve; he waited a few seconds, then pushed himself up with his arms, using his momentum to kick Sora with both of his feet. Sora flinched and yelped but still clung to his sword. And so the fight continued with neither of them getting the upper hand. Riku was stronger but Sora was faster, so it wasn’t clear who would win.

After a while, Kairi got kinda bored watching the boys fight. They sparred so often that she felt like she'd seen every combination of tricks they could pull off, and there were some pretty-looking flowers over by the riverbank that she really wanted to pick. She skipped off in the direction of the river. A quick glance over her shoulder told her the boys didn’t even notice because they were so focused on their fight. Smiling to herself, she continued on. She usually enjoyed hanging out with Sora and Riku, but sometimes they were just such…boys. Lately they’d been constantly sparring and competing with each other, even when she wanted to pick flowers or go swimming or make seashell crafts. 

Besides, this way she could give them both flowers no matter who won the fight. 

The wildflowers along the riverbank were really pretty. Their petals were small and delicate, like little blue bells hanging off the stems. The river sped along nearby, deceptively calm for having such a fast current. Her parents always warned her about not swimming in the water when it looked like that. One wrong move and she would easily get swept under. 

Humming, she picked a few more flowers and tucked them into her pockets. She was always careful not to take more than she needed. Only enough for her crafts—the rest she needed to leave behind so there would still be pretty flowers in the future. That was what her parents had taught her. The flowers she did pick would make nice gifts and supplies for her crafts.

Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted a brilliant yellow blossom. It had five petals, and the rounded shape of the petals made it look like a paopu fruit. Kairi’s breath caught. Was this the paopu flower? She’d only seen it a couple times in the wild before, and never in a place she could reach it. It was supposed to be super rare, and she hadn’t expected to see one today.

Which meant she had to pick it. Who knows when she might find one again? Edging towards the riverbank, she thought about who to give it to: Sora, or Riku. A blush crept up her cheeks. You were supposed to give the flower to someone you loved. But who did she love? She wasn’t really sure. 

Just…a little further…there. She plucked the flower and smiled, glancing back towards the boys. But the movement threw her balance off, and she gasped and dropped the flower. A clump of earth crumbled beneath her hands, and a root from a nearby tree broke off when she grabbed it. She clutched at something, anything, to keep herself from falling in, but it was too late. With a scream, she tumbled headlong into the cold, fast-moving waters of the river.

🌸🌼🌺

The moment Riku and Sora heard Kairi’s blood-curdling scream and then a loud splash, the boys dropped their swords and raced to the riverbank. Riku knew Kairi was a strong swimmer thanks to his careful lessons (well, and if he had to, he would admit Sora had helped her too), but the river was cold and the current was fast. And if she’d hit her head on anything when she’d fallen…

Riku reached the riverbank first. He yanked his shirt off and threw it on the ground. “Sora, I’m going in!” he called as Sora arrived, panting hard. “Find a branch I can hold onto and pull us out.” Sora nodded, trusting him completely, and with that Riku dove into the icy water. Man, it was cold, and the current was fast, but he had to find Kairi. She hadn’t fallen into the water much earlier than him, but—

There she was, a little further downstream. Her eyes were half-lidded and she was gripping a tree branch, but as he watched in horror, her hand went limp and she slipped back into the water. 

“KAIRI!” he shouted, then swam to her as fast as he could. This couldn't be the end of her. He wouldn't let it be. Ever since she had washed up on the shores of the Destiny Islands eight years ago, his life hadn't been the same. She'd been shy and quiet at first, her eyes always gazing off into the distance like she was searching for someone she couldn't find, but that was before she’d opened up to them. They were all friends now, and the thought of never hearing her giggle or seeing her smile or watching her eyes light up when he surprised her made his stomach churn and drove him to reach her. He had to see the way her eyes danced and her smile got playful when she teased him and Sora again. He just had to.

Faster, he had to go faster. His senses sharpened, and his feelings were as clear as the river rushing to take her away from him: he couldn't bear for her to slip out of his life just as suddenly as she'd entered it. Her head briefly popped out of the water again, and relief flooded him at the side of her familiar red hair. He reached towards her, he was almost there, just a little farther—

“Kairi, grab my hand!” he shouted.

She latched onto his arm with far more strength than he expected, and he knew Sora had to act quickly, or they would both drown. In her desperate state, Kairi wouldn't remember to avoid dragging Riku under the water with her. It was something all parents told their children on Destiny Islands, and the warning rang clear through Riku's mind.

“Riku, grab the stick!” 

Never had he been so relieved to hear his best friend's voice. Sora had tied himself to a tree with some spare rope and was holding out a tree branch to him, his eyes filled with panic and worry. Riku grabbed on, and the unwanted thought flashed through his mind that Sora might not be strong enough to pull them both out. He was still pretty scrawny and small. But a determined glint was in his friend’s eyes now, and Sora braced himself and pulled with far more strength than Riku thought he was capable of. The muscles in his arms strained and shook, and he gritted his teeth and groaned loudly, but he refused to let go. For a split second, Riku thought he saw a blond boy several years older than him in Sora's place, but then he was gone and it was just Sora. Slowly, inch by inch, he pulled Riku and Kairi out of the river.

Sheesh. Riku must've been seeing things with how stressed out he was. He turned his attention to Kairi. She gasped and coughed, and at last enough of Riku was on the bank to pull and drag her the rest of the way up. She was shivering, soaking wet, and now covered in mud from the bank, but she was alive. He suddenly felt very, very weak, and as he glanced at Sora, he was shocked to see tears dripping down his cheeks.

“Thank goodness,” Sora said, sniffing and rubbing his red eyes, his voice filled with relief. “I thought I was gonna lose you both.”

Riku was irritated at how much of a crybaby Sora was being. Again. Seriously, he'd been such a crybaby ever since they were kids, and even at twelve years old, he still cried shamelessly in front of other people. Then Riku was annoyed at how little faith Sora had in him. Did Sora really think he wouldn't save Kairi? 

But when Sora smiled at them both and knelt to hug them, all of that melted away.

We really matter that much to him, don't we? A pang of guilt shot through Riku at how he'd been treating Sora lately. Putting him down in front of Kairi to try to impress her. Goading him and teasing him when he reacted and got upset. Turning everything into a competition because a tiny, green-eyed voice deep down wondered if Kairi liked Sora more.

Not that Sora noticed. The idiot was still so oblivious to his own feelings, let alone Kairi’s.

But Riku didn't push Sora away or tell him not to hug them. He didn't like how clingy Sora was being, but after what they’d all just been through, he would allow Sora to be clingy. Just this once.

“Kairi, you’re as cold as ice,” Sora said. He pulled away from them and frowned. He was right. When Riku touched her arm, it was way colder than it should've been. She coughed and wouldn't stop shivering, and when Sora said her name again, she didn't respond. 

“Kairi, wake up,” Sora begged, but she still wouldn't respond.

“I think she needs to see a doctor,” Riku said. “Hang on, let me grab my shirt so you can put it over her, then I'll go get her parents.”

He found his shirt upriver a little ways away from them, right where he’d left it, and brought it back. He tossed it to Sora and took off running, following the path of the river. He had to make it back to town as quickly as possible. But he was tired, so tired from going after Kairi. Would she really be okay? If only he were stronger, he could carry her all the way back to her parents or to the doctor himself.

Another pang of guilt shot through him. He needed more strength. More strength to protect her. His body was growing every day, but it still wasn't fast enough or strong enough. He still had to rely on adults for help. One day, he would have the strength to protect his friends himself. He had to. 

The thought urged him forward even as his legs ached and his lungs burned. Strength, to protect what matters. That was what he wanted, more than anything else.

🌸🌼🌺

Sora didn't know what to do. Even though he’d wrapped Riku’s shirt around Kairi, she kept getting colder and colder. She wasn't responding to him anymore, like she'd fallen into a deep deep sleep. She was still breathing, but her face was as pale as a ghost’s.

His heart was thundering in his chest, and his head swam. His arms ached from lifting Riku and Kairi out of the water, and he felt so useless. What good was it that he'd gotten her out of the water if she died here?

“Riku, hurry," he pleaded, but he knew he had to do something before his friend returned with help. It would still be a while yet before anyone else came. So he pulled Kairi close to his body and held her tight, hoping with all his heart that his warmth would make her body warm up again.

This was the closest he'd ever been to her, but all he could think about was how cold she was, how limp she was, how he wanted nothing more than for her to open her eyes again. Her eyes were so pretty. Blue like the sea with just a hint of purple, her favorite color. How did he not notice how pretty they were before? And now she might never open them again.

“Wake up, please,“ he begged, and the words sounded strangled and choked. “Kairi, you have to open your eyes!”

How could he have been so stupid? The thought of losing her made him realize just how much she meant to him. She was such an important part of his life, woven into so many memories as tightly as she wove her flower crowns and daisy chains together into beautiful creations. He couldn't imagine the future without her. In his mind, he'd arrogantly acted like she would always be there. But today had shown him he couldn't ever take a single moment with her for granted.

So he willed with all his heart that she would live, that his warmth would be enough. If it was, he would be sure to treasure every memory with her from now on.

After what was probably only minutes but felt like hours of agonized waiting, her skin felt ever so slightly warmer. At first he thought it was his overactive imagination, but no, a slight flush had returned to her cheeks. He gripped her even more tightly. A minute passed, and then another, and at last she stirred and opened her eyes.

“Sora?” she said weakly. Her voice sounded more like the croaks of the frogs they liked to catch in the pool on the Play Island, but to him it was the most wonderful sound in the world.

“You're awake!” He smiled, and in that moment he thought his heart would leap out of his chest. A warm, tingly sensation tumbled through him, but it wasn't a bad feeling. Just exciting and new. He would think about it later.

She smiled back. “You saved me. Thank you.”

He couldn't help himself. He hugged her tightly, and a moment later, he felt her arms wrapping around him. This was a very different hug from the quick hug he’d given her and Riku earlier. She was close, closer than she'd ever been, and something stirred deep inside him. His face, no, his entire body felt warm. He’d never been so aware of his body like this before, let alone hers. He was embarrassed by what he was feeling, but at the same time, he didn't want to let go of her either. It was like he couldn't move and didn't want to. She wasn't pulling away either. Did she like hugging him? He sure liked hugging her.

What was all this? He’d never felt like this before. Before he could make heads or tails of it, Riku returned with the grownups. 

The look on Riku's face was strange. Like Sora had just said something awful and punched him. Sora felt oddly…guilty. Like he shouldn't be hugging Kairi like this in front of Riku, even though it felt better than he could've imagined. So he pulled away from her even though he could've sat there hugging her for hours.

“Kairi, are you okay?" her mother asked, holding a blanket out to her daughter. The grownups took over from that point, and Sora just sort of watched everything in a daze.

Until Kairi wondered whose T-shirt she was wearing, and Riku shyly said that it was his. Kairi thanked him and tried to give it back to him, her cheeks pink as she avoided looking at his bare chest. Riku shook his head and insisted she keep it, and his cheeks were flushed too.

Sora felt like someone had kicked him in the gut. The breeze that had felt pleasant earlier felt cold now. Like the world was strange and different and off kilter because he knew something he wished he didn't. 

He understood now why Riku had given him that strange look. A tiny green-eyed monster reared its ugly head inside him. A creature of shadow that whispered Kairi's mine. Sora pushed the creature deep down to where he couldn't hear it anymore. Kairi wasn't a possession to own, she was a person. She was his friend. How could he even think something like that?

But a part of him didn't want her hugging anyone else the way she'd hugged him. And that part of him did not like the way she had looked at Riku, or the way Riku had looked at her.

Sora had stepped into a storybook he didn't want to be any part of. Riku was his best friend. Kairi was also his friend. He didn't want to hurt Riku, and he couldn't bear to watch Kairi smile at Riku or blush because of something Riku had said or giggle because of something Riku had done. He had the funny sense that the little green-eyed monster would grow bigger and stronger every time she did.

So when the grownups took Kairi back to the town, Sora stayed behind. She looked disappointed but didn't argue, and he promised he'd see her tomorrow. Now he was wandering back and forth by the river and kicking clumps of grass. He didn't think he could be around Riku or Kairi right now. He was relieved she was okay, but he had no idea what was going on with himself. The three of them were friends. They would always be friends. Right?

He wanted everything to go back to the way it was. Things had been fine this morning. Sure, Riku liked to tease him, and Kairi liked to tease him too, but he knew where his place was in that world. This new world, with these confusing new feelings? He had no idea. All he was sure of was that he wanted to hug Kairi again like that, but he didn't want to hurt Riku's feelings. And he knew that if Kairi ever hugged Riku the way she had hugged him, the monster might destroy him from the inside.

Not that he could ever let either of them know that. All of this felt so wrong and so complicated. 

He wandered over to the spot where Kairi had fallen in the river. A yellow flower with five petals caught his eye. Huh. The rounded shape of the petals kinda made it look like a paopu fruit. He picked it up and carefully tucked it in his pocket. It was a nice flower, and for some reason, he felt like it should stay with him. Maybe it was a token of good luck that had kept Kairi safe. He would take it home and put it in a vase. That would help it live for a while longer.

As he walked home, the future didn't seem so scary anymore. Those strange thoughts he had had earlier, those weird new feelings…it all felt a little silly now. He and Riku and Kairi would always be friends. He put his hands behind his neck and whistled as he walked the path home.

A tiny part of him, not the little green-eyed monster but something smaller and more delicate and yet harder to kill, hoped that someday, Kairi would hug him again like that, and that Riku wouldn't hate him for it.

🌸🌼🌺

The next day, Kairi was feeling much better. A good night’s sleep, her mother's miso soup, and the day off from school had worked wonders. Still, that had been an awfully close call, and she promised her parents never to do something so foolish again just to try to get a flower.

She sighed sadly. She'd been so close to having a legendary paopu flower of her own. Imagine what she could've done with it! Oh well. It certainly wasn't worth her life, and she knew she would find another one eventually.

The weather was perfect today. She happily skipped down the path to the main part of town, enjoying the beautiful scenery. Her father was the mayor, and her family lived in a big special house on a hill overlooking the town. Sora and Riku's families lived in town, so it was a bit of a walk to reach them, but she didn't mind.

She decided to stop by Sora's house first. It was a little closer, and he'd acted strange after their hug yesterday, and she wanted to know why. He’d gotten all quiet and thoughtful, which wasn't like him at all. She was a little bummed out he hadn't walked her home along with the grownups and Riku. But he’d said he wanted to stay behind a little longer, and she’d been too tired to argue.

She knocked on the door, then rocked up and down on her heels as she waited for him to answer, her hands behind her back. His mom opened the door instead and invited her in, and she greeted her politely and took off her shoes. Then she took the stairs two at a time and burst into his room. He was lying on his bed with his hands behind his neck, and he sat up, surprise written on his features until he realized it was her. His face lit up and then softened into a smile.

“Hey, Kairi! I'm glad you're feeling better.”

She tilted her head and leaned closer, which made his breath catch in an adorable way and a flush creep up his cheeks. “It's all thanks to you and—“

Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted a brilliant yellow blossom carefully placed in a simple glass vase on his bedside table. It had five round petals, and Kairi’s breath caught. Was this the paopu flower she’d picked yesterday? 

“Sora, where did you find that flower?” 

He grinned. “Oh, that? It's pretty, isn't it? I found it on the riverbank yesterday and brought it home because I liked it.” He paused for a moment, studying her face. “Do you want it?”

She just stared at him for a few moments. You were supposed to give the flower to someone you loved. By fate or by chance, the flower had made its way to Sora. And in that moment, her feelings became crystal clear. The flower was a sign, but it hadn’t made up her mind. No, it was simply confirmation of what she already knew, deep down inside her heart.

She was very grateful to Riku for saving her from the river and for his friendship over the years, and like every other girl on the islands, she thought he was attractive, so of course she had blushed at seeing him shirtless yesterday. But she'd also realized something very important, something that had taken her by complete surprise.

Sora was the one she had a crush on. Sora. On paper she should prefer Riku. He was older, he was more mature, he was stronger and faster and good-looking. So why didn't she like him like that?

The answer was Sora. As she gazed at him, her heart grew warm and a blush spread across her cheeks. She couldn't stop thinking about the tender way he’d hugged her yesterday. How safe and gentle his arms were. How he had warmed her cold, shivering body up. The smile on his face that was meant only for her. It had lit up his eyes when she woke up and transformed his entire appearance. And his eyes were so pretty. How had she never noticed before? They were as blue as the sky at midday without a cloud to shroud them. She loved his messy mop of spiky brown hair and his dorky clothes, too. 

He was so brave and kind and goodhearted. Finding the strength from deep in his heart to rescue both her and Riku from the river, even though it must've been really difficult to pull them both out of it.

Sora was a good person. And knowing he was a good person, that he would go to any length to save her, painted him in a different light. Or maybe she was finally seeing what had been there all along.

She suddenly felt bad about the look on his face yesterday when she’d tried to give Riku back his T-shirt. He looked so hurt in a way she hadn't ever seen before, but he’d quickly masked it. Was it possible he was jealous? The thought sent a little thrill through her.

He had nothing to be jealous of. The paopu flower was only confirmation of something that had been growing and growing until today it had burst into bloom. Its yellow petals cast everything in a different light, like rays of the sun showing her Sora’s true self.

He tilted his head, a faint smile twitching at his lips. “Kairi? Everything okay?”

“Yes, sorry! I just got lost in thought, that's all.”

He just shook his head and grinned. “And you give me such a hard time about daydreaming,” he teased, putting his hands behind his neck. Then his expression softened and he lowered them. “But seriously, do you want the flower? You can have it.”

“Oh! No, no I want you to keep it. It suits you, and it suits that spot on the window.”

Still…The fact that he’d offered her the flower…was that confirmation he had feelings for her, too? 

No, he didn't know what it meant. She wasn't even sure he knew what his feelings were. But maybe one day he would. And then maybe he would tell her.

“Okay!” He glanced out the window looking out over the area in front of the house, where Riku was now waiting for them. “C’mon, Riku’s here.”

“I'll be right down,” she told him. With that he took off and clambered down the stairs while she lingered, staring in awe at the flower. It had found its way to Sora like it was supposed to and had revealed her feelings to her. Her heart.

This was all so strange and sudden and new. She needed time to think, to process her feelings before she went downstairs and joined the boys. A blush crept up her face, and she giggled into her hand. Sora! She liked Sora! Selphie would tease her endlessly about it if she knew.

But she didn't have to know yet. For now, this was Kairi's precious, private secret. She didn't have to tell anyone until she was ready. How this would all unfold was uncertain, but these new feelings were wonderful, and she would treasure them in her heart just like she treasured Sora in her heart.

And, when the time was right, she would tell him. Glancing at the flower one final time, she knew how she would do it. It was all in the flower’s namesake. She descended the stairs with a smile, looking forward to the day her daydreaming would become a reality.

🌸🌼🌺

A/N: Happy birthday to @hollypollly! 🥳 She gave me a very detailed prompt and outline for the story which was a lot of fun to write ❤️ Thank you so much for everything, Holley, and I hope you have a wonderful day and a fantastic year ❤️ I'm really grateful we met, and I'm glad you're a part of my life 🥺❤️

And thank you all for reading ❤️ I really enjoyed exploring how each of the characters felt in this situation because I do think they would all be feeling conflicting emotions, and it was fun to put that Ventus cameo in there too. I also really enjoyed exploring the world of Destiny Islands more and expounding on the paopu flower concept Holley came up with. Hope you all enjoyed!

[thorns-and-starlight]

97 - Personal

Thranduil x OC

・❥・ “This is no longer a game,” he said, not accusingly but as a warning. 

Note: a continuation from my last post

Elenariel had planned to win this round.

Planned it carefully. Thought it through. Or so she told herself.

After all, if Thranduil could arrange thoughtful gifts and silent gestures that unsettled her, surely she could return the favor. Something subtle. Something unexpected.

Something intimate.

It started with a quiet conversation with the palace tailor.

A discreet request.

A small adjustment to one of his travel cloaks – the one he favored on patrol, worn often enough that she had memorized the faint weathering at the edges.

She had simply intended to replace it with a new one. Practical. Almost identical.

Almost.

But with one small addition.

A hidden stitch on the inside seam. A design woven in fine thread only he would notice.

The white blossom of the mountain aster.

His mother’s favorite flower. Something he had mentioned to her once, in passing, when speaking of places long lost and memories he rarely revisited.

It was not meant to be anything more than a quiet gesture. A game piece.

It was not supposed to feel like… this.

When the cloak was delivered to him, she expected no reaction. Perhaps a subtle glance, maybe a sharp-witted comment.

But the next morning, he appeared at the stables wearing it.

And when their paths crossed, he stopped.

“You,” he said, voice steady but lower than usual. “You arranged this.”

His hand brushed over the inside seam – the stitching invisible from the outside, but perfectly present against his palm.

Elenariel’s smirk faltered.

“I thought you’d appreciate the craftsmanship,” she said, meaning to sound flippant, but it came out too soft.

His gaze lingered on her longer than it should have. “Why that flower?”

“You told me once. I remembered.”

“That was a long time ago.”

“You remember everything,” she whispered, suddenly realizing so did she.

The silence stretched between them.

Then, slowly, carefully, he took a step closer.

“This is no longer a game,” he said, not accusingly but as a warning. A line being drawn. A chance to step back.

Elenariel’s pulse thundered.

She should have laughed. Should have made another quip. Should have retreated.

Instead, she smiled – softly, gently – and asked, “Do you want it to be?”

His gaze dropped briefly to her lips, then returned to her eyes with a rare, dangerous tenderness.

“No,” he said, voice like velvet. “Not anymore.”

And just like that, something shifted.

The game — if it had ever truly been one — was over.

But the dance?

The dance had only just begun.

[aedarisfarm]

Farmer Arapaima!

When 1.6 came out, I loved the additions to fishing (targeted bait, smoked fish, being able to make legend roe/put them in ponds, the fishing chests, etc etc etc) and fishing has always been my favorite part of the game so.... I created a farmer very centered around fishing! I had also been fixated on River Monsters again, and that added to the fuel.

So, here's a newer addition to Aedaris Farm - Arapaima! This is just a rough ref as I figure out how to draw tattoos and fish. Some fun stuff about him under the cut!

Some Fun Facts

He/Him pronouns, gay, and is around 24 years old.

He gets a new tattoo every year after turning eighteen.

He communicates in sign! He isn't deaf, but he hates speaking and his own voice, grew up with deaf family members and found he much prefers signing over actually speaking, so just uses it to communicate instead. It feels far more natural to him.

Got bitten by a shark on his arm when he was younger and diving with his mom.

Arapaima's not necessarily reserved, but he'll rarely seek out the company of others. He becomes friends with people through convenience of location, most of the time, or if they seek him out first. He very much enjoys the company of others though, even if he doesn't seek it out.

Haaaaaaates the mines. The only reason he goes to them is to fish in the underground lakes. Refuses to step foot in Skull Caverns after hearing about it from the others, and would honestly rather make out with Clint than have to go to any floors beside the lakes.

Very empathetic and will cry if he sees other people cry.

Loves cooking for others but he himself is a picky eater.

Physically affectionate - the few friends he has + the other farmers, he will usually have an arm tossed over a shoulder or waist, is very happy to cuddle with people or act as a human jungle gym for kids, and VERY touchy with his intimate partners. Will give lots of forehead or cheek kisses to whoever allows him to as well.

Tattoos

Arapaima currently has tattoos of the following fish in descending order (designing them pending): Arapaima (neck), Red bellied piranha, Alligator gar, Glyphis shark, Bluntnose sixgill shark, Goliath grouper

Along the rest of his arm, he wants tattoos of: Stonefish (irl one, not the sdv one), Wolffish, Payara, Goblin shark, Northern snakehead

Along his back, he wants tattoos of the Legendary Fish

Relationships

Arapaima lives on the farm with the others - how did he join them? Sour Patch dragged him along, moving to Pelican Town was the day he met Aster and Kali.

Very quickly became friends with Aster, bonding over their love of fishing.

Kali he grew closer to over a much longer time, but are practically inseparable once they are friends (unless Kali goes to the mines).

He and Sour Patch had a fwb relationship in their late high school and Sour Patch's early college years, the sex fizzled out over time but they still kept up their friendship.

In the valley, he adopts a little black kitten and names it Sareng. She's very cuddly and loves curling up on Arapaima's shoulders. She'll accompany him fishing sometimes.

To no one's surprise he becomes best friends with Willy almost instantly, and you can usually find him wherever Willy is if he's not with one of the other farmers. When he goes to the saloon, he will sit with Willy most of the time and they'll talk about their catches or they'll share embarrassing/funny fishing stories.

Became closer friends with Marnie after finding out about her and Lewis' relationship, and has a really strong relatability to her situation with him. Tries far more gently than the other farmers to get her to ditch Lewis because of this.

Befriended Vincent accidentally - the kid started seeking him out after discovering Arapaima usually had live worms or bugs with him (for fishing, but still) and encouraged Vincent's antics because it was a form of exploration. Now Arapaima tries to make time specifically to hang out with Vincent, and is starting to teach him how to fish.

Alex, he fell for very accidentally but very hard. It was a slow process mostly because they couldn't communicate very well when they first met (Arapaima signing, Alex didn't know sign, Arapaima wasn't going to spend a bunch of time writing what he wanted to say when he could be doing something else, and so they just barely interacted). They ran into each other constantly though in the summer, and Alex began picking up sign/started learning it on his own terms. On slow summer days he'd teach Alex sign.

Arapaima doesn't really realize he's slowly fallen for Alex until Alex's 8-heart event, when it hits him hard just how much he cares for him, seeing Alex crying over his mother's death, and wanting nothing more than to ease his pain in some way, but he has no idea how.

[dez78]

Chapter 1: Reluctant Allies

Fandom: Baldur's Gate 3

Warnings: Trauma, mentions of abuse, Blood drinking, and Cursing

Rating: 18+ (Adult, Minors DNI)

Additional tags: Protective father, Protective husband, Astarion has a wife at the beginning, Astarion is a dad at the beginning, Dadstarion, Tavstarion, Astarion is feral when it comes to protecting his babies and his wife.

Summary: Astarion, his wife Artemis, and their six-year-old elflings are captured by the Nautiloid and crashed on the revered beach with Shadowheart and Lae'zel.

A/N: Astarion and his childhood love, Artemis, who eventually became his wife are turned into spawn by Cazador. Artemis gave birth to the twins late into their slavery. Astarion and Artemis were able to keep the twins, but Cazador was cruel even to them.

A/N 2: Their kids names are Aster (son) and Astra (daughter) They are their "Little Stars." As they like to call them.

Chapter 2 Link Below:

Crimson Tide Chapter 2: A mother's fury

Two of the pods, hissed as they opened. Artemis inhaled sharply as she held her throbbing head, she sat up, holding onto the side of the pod for balance. She had a splitting headache from that damn tadpole the mind flayer put in her eye. She stumbled out, falling onto her hands and knees. She groaned as she regained her balance and stood.

She looked over when she heard a familiar voice, Astarion stood by her holding his head.

"Gods above, I have a blazing headache." He groaned.

"What happened, where are we?" She rasped at him; he looked over at her.

"I'm not sure, moonflower." Astarion replied, his voice was groggy, he was still dazed.

"Weren't the twins with us?" Artemis questioned as her ruby eyes darted around the area. Their panic set in, their eyes darted around looking for their six-year-old, elflings, Aster and Astra. They were right next to them when the Nautiloid attacked.

Astarion's eyes landed on two pods next to his and Artemis's, he went over and peered inside, he saw his children inside. He growled, a low rumble from within his chest.

"They are in these pods." Astarion hissed to his lover, Artemis hurried over to the opposite pod from Astarion's.

"Don't worry, little star. Daddy's here." He said, before punching the glass of one of the pods. His hand bloodied as he cracked the pod open, Aster was the one he pulled out, he set him down and checked him for injuries.

"Daddy? What happened?" The boy asked groggily as he wobbled,

"I'm not entirely sure yet little star." Astarion replied honestly, his bloody knuckles healed significantly fast, given his nature as a vampire, he was able to regenerate wounds.

Artemis punched at the second pod, where her daughter, Astra lay inside. She punched until the pod cracked and gave way, allowing her to reach in and pull her out safely. Her knuckles bloody as well but they healed within seconds.

"Mummy?" Astra's youthful voice was strained.

"You're safe, little starling." Artemis told her daughter in a hushed voice as she set her down. She grimaced as she held her head.

Suddenly their minds connected with strong telepathy, something potent. Astarion and Artemis realized then, their poor babies had tadpoles like they did.

It put a deep ache in their chests, knowing their elflings had the same twisted fate, yet again. As if being under Cazador wasn't tormenting already, now they had these blasted tadpoles to share as well.

Astra and Aster were so uncomfortable, feeling the foreign squirming, they began to panic. They started sobbing simultaneously. Astarion and Artemis stood there frozen for a moment, not knowing what to do at first.

Then their own panic set it when the tears didn't subside, usually when they cried like this it meant danger for them. Cazador hated their cries and would often lock them away to shut them up, only causing the twins to cry louder.

Astarion and Artemis knelt in front of their crying elflings, hushing them with words of affection.

"My darlings, I know you are uncomfortable, but we mustn't linger. We need to get to safety first." Astarion told them as he pet their faces in tandem. He wiped their tears away with the pads of his thumbs. Artemis sat there rubbing Aster's arm to calm him down.

The parents stood, each of them picking up a twin. Astarion took Aster on his hip and Artemis held Astra, the family a vampiric elves hurried out.

The family ran through the Nautiloid, they saw the raging battle taking place in Avernus. The dragons roared above, spewing fire at the ship.

"Are we in Avernus?" Artemis questioned as she looked at the blood red sky and the ashy ground, the volcanic mountains were enormous. Before Astarion could answer, a Githyanki warrior leapt off the ledge from above, she landed with grace and held them at the edge of her blade.

"Abominations! This is your end!" She snarled, pointing her blade, before Astarion could even say anything. A terrible pain ripped through his mind. His head throbbed and his skin tingled. Visions rush past: A dragon's wing, a silver sword, and a flash of his face through the strange woman's eyes.

"My head...what is this...ngh." The woman writhed as she leaned forward. Astarion looked at Artemis, she was writhing too. It had affected them all. He adjusted Aster on his hip, who cried in his arms. Astra was right with him.

"Daddy, why does my head hurt." Aster sobbed; his boyish innocence made an ache rush through Astarion. Astra hiccupped in her mother's arms as she wiped her eyes as her tears flowed freely.

"We need to find a way off this ship!" The woman said.

"She's right Astarion, this is too dangerous." Artemis agreed as she adjusted Astra, trying to calm her.

"Then let's go. We mustn't linger much longer." Astarion replied, they hurried off further through the ship.

The imps screeched upon their arrival. Astarion handed Aster to Artemis,

"Stay behind me. I'll handle this." He told her, she reluctantly took their son as she watched Astarion follow the Gith into battle. There were only a few imps, but Artemis still worried none the less. She stayed low with the twins.

Astarion was graceful with his dagger, his fighting style was like a dance. Then with the Gith's power attacks, the imps were no match. They were dealt with quickly.

Astarion grabbed two scimitars and a crossbow. He strapped the crossbow to his back. he used the dual swords, leading the way. Artemis followed suite.

The family and Githyanki warrior, traveled across the ship, looking for any survivors and a way to get out.

Upon arriving in a control room, they heard a woman banging on her pod, pleading for help.

"Leave her, we are already slow with your screaming babes." The Gith, they knew as Lae'zel now, told them. Astarion growled low,

"We are not slow; we are making good time." He said with a deep scowl.

"She might be useful Astarion, we can't leave her." Artemis countered as she adjusted the twins on her hips again. Astarion went up to the panel, he investigated it.

"It needs some type of key." He said, Artemis looked around, setting the twins down for a fleeting moment as she searched. Astarion went to the back room and ended up finding a rune of some kind. He came back out.

"I found this." He said holding up the rune, he placed it into empty socket of the machine, and it hummed to life. Astarion carefully placed his hand on it and a hideous squirming could be felt. He winced, then a strange feeling washed over him. A feeling of authority.

Astarion willed the pod to open with his mind and it worked, the pod hissed and the woman inside fell out. Catching her breath as she slowly stood.

Artemis grabbed the twins again and walked over to the woman with Astarion, Lae'zel was less than pleased, a scowl on her face as she crossed her arms over her armored chest.

"I thought that damn thing was going to be my coffin. Thank you-" The woman started, but that strong link between their minds connected again.

Astarion and Artemis saw, wariness, caution, and a hint of fear.

"You keep dangerous company." The woman said wrinkling her nose as she looked at Lae'zel with distain.

"Dangerous company is something we need, darling." Astarion said with his charming tone.

"Shadowheart is my name, pleasure." The woman said, the elven rogue bowed as he spoke his name in a voice honey sweet.

"Astarion."

Shadowheart looked over,

"You have children?" She asked,

"Yes, my family and I were swept off the streets of Baldur's Gate." Astarion's face contorted with displeasure as he spoke.

"Enough! We need to get moving!" Lae'zel snapped,

"I don't remember anyone putting you in charge." Shadowheart scoffed.

"Kainyank." Lae'zel snorted back.

The elves and Gith warrior hurried off to the helm of the ship.

When they arrived at the helm, they were met with a huge battle between hellspawn and ilithid.

"Spawn, connect the transponder, we must escape." One ilithid commanded,

"Do it! We will deal with the Kaik after!" Lae'zel told Astarion. He looked over at Artemis, who nodded. Astarion took out his swords, inhaling before darting forward.

"We'll cover you!" Shadowheart called to him, Artemis followed behind Astarion with the twins in her arms, he cleared a path. His moves graceful yet again, his blades were precise as he cut through the enemies.

Artemis ducked and dodged on coming attacks, Astarion was a force of speed and grace.

Finally they reached the transponder, Astarion sheathed his swords, Artemis was with him. He connected the tentacles together, he looked up when he heard the dragon's roar.

It landed above, the hole in the ceiling of the ship was gaping and allowed the dragon to stick it's entire head into the ship, sensing danger. Astarion didn't hesitate. He faced his wife and shoved her away with their twins.

Just as she landed with a thud, the dragon's fire spewed inside. Where she stood, she would have been burned. Astarion got singed and patted his fine garments to douse the flames.

The ship suddenly surged forward, sending Astarion flying back. Artemis too, she held the twins as tightly as she could. They tumbled and got dragged across the ship.

Astarion flew and caught the ship's transponder for support, so he wouldn't fall to his death. Artemis was tucked away safely with the twins elsewhere.

Astarion used all of his strength to climb to reach the tentacles again, he gritted his teeth and reached.

Finally, he managed to grab hold of it and was able to twist it. Which sent the ship through another plane. Sending Astarion flying once again as the ship leveled out. He tumbled across the floor of the ship. Artemis was with him.

They looked at each other with worrisome expressions as they looked down at the ground, it was coming fast as the ship plummeted to the ground.

Artemis lay sprawled on her back amidst the wreckage, her silver hair splayed like threads of moonlight against the scorched sand. The Nautiloid had plummeted into the coastline, leaving survivors scattered along the beach.

Artemis's eyes fluttered open, ruby-red irises catching the sunlight for a brief moment before she winced. The bright sky above felt almost mocking after the horrors they'd faced inside the Nautiloid. Blinking against the brightness, she focused the sun bore down on her.

She jumped up quickly, she wavered slightly, the ground beneath her still unsteady from the crash. Instinctively, she raised a hand to shield her face, looking for shade to hide, half-expecting the searing pain she'd come to dread in her undead existence. Instead, there was only a strange tingling warmth dancing across her skin, foreign but not unpleasant.

She looked around, when she realized Astarion and the twins weren't with her.

"Astarion!" She cried desperately as she trudged along the beach, he wasn't far, he was sprawled out on the beach. She hurried to him and shook him awake, his crimson eyes fluttered open.

Upon seeing Artemis in the sun, he quickly grabbed her and pulled her into the shade.

"What in sweet hells! Come here!" He cried, panic etched in his voice as he held her close,

"Star, it's okay. The sun doesn't burn us, look." She said, holding her arm out into the light. Astarion watched in awe as she twisted her arm, and no ash came from her skin.

They could walk in the daylight again. It was a miracle from the gods.

"Where the twins." Astarion said suddenly, he looked around and saw them a few feet away. He crawled over to them with Artemis, when their elflings woke up and whined, they sighed breaths of relief, despite not really needing it.

They scooped up their babies. Artemis and Astarion walked along the ravaged beach holding each twin. They didn't get far before seeing another survivor. They hurried over to her. It was Shadowheart.

Artemis set Astra down and knelt by Shadowheart, grabbing her shoulders and shaking her awake. She opened her eyes and looked around,

"What, happened?" She said, disoriented as she stood slowly with Artemis's help.

"You survived too!" Shadowheart voiced as she looked over at the elven woman and man before her. Their minds connected then. They could feel everything each other was feeling at that moment.

Fear, confusion, wariness, and distrust.

"We need to get these little monsters out." Shadowheart commented, the half elf's face was distorted as she frowned deeply.

"Do you know anything about these parasites?" Artemis questioned as she folded her arms over her chest.

"No better than you, I'm afraid. Just that they eventually turn us into mind flayers." Shadowheart replied truthfully.

"Turn us into...ahahaha!" Astarion laughed, but it wasn't joyous.

"Of course it'll turn me into a monster." He said with distain.

"We really should work on finding a healer." Artemis suggested.

"And I suppose you mean for us to travel together?" Shadowheart said warily.

"We can do that better together." Artemis added. Shadowheart was a bit more reluctant, so naturally she was more cautious as she agreed.

"Where's our Gith friend, by the way?" Artemis asked, noticing Lae'zel wasn't on the beach.

"I would reconsider calling her a friend, it seems she up and left us behind." Shadowheart grunted displeasingly as she folded her arms across her chest. Tilting her head slightly to the side.

"We should look for other survivors." Shadowheart suggested.

The three reluctant allies agreed to search for other survivors. They headed up the beach, searching the coast and scavenging for supplies.

They scavenged the wreckage; they found food and backpacks full of pots, pans, and tinder.

They went further up the beach and came across a magical portal inside a rock.

"What's wrong with that rune? It looks unstable, somehow." Artemis commented as they approached it. Shadowheart was the one to investigate it first, she slowly reached up.

The portal then zapped her, she cried out and withdrew her hand, inspecting it for spectral burns.

Suddenly a hand reached out, a man's voice followed afterwards.

"A hand! Anyone!" Shadowheart was wary at first but then took the man's hand and started to pull.

"That's it! Keeping pulling!" The man said. Shadowheart pulled with all her might, with one final tug, the man flew out and crashed into Shadowheart, forcing both of them to the ground.

Astarion and Artemis stood back a bit watching the exchange. The man stood and groaned, he dusted off his robes, he was clearly a wizard. Shadowheart stood afterwards.

"Hello, I'm Gale. Pleasure. I'm usually better at this." The man said cheerfully as he shook Shadowheart's hand. She looked at him with distain.

"At introductions?" Astarion snorted in a haughty tone.

"At magic." Gale corrected him with a genuine smile, Astarion just rolled his eyes.

"I'm Shadowheart, that's Artemis and Astarion." The Cleric introduced the party.

"I assume you all have an intrusion in the ocular region?" Gale said, pointing to his temple.

"Couldn't have said it better." Artemis replied.

"None of you happen to be Cleric do you?" Gale questioned,

"I am, but this is beyond most Cleric's abilities." Shadowheart replied.

"That's enough chit-chat. The sooner we find a healer, the better." Astarion countered, cutting the conversation short with irritation. All he was concerned about was his elflings and getting them cured of this parasite.

"Fair enough, do you have room for one more?" Gale smirked,

"Sure, you can join us." Shadowheart replied, more of obligation than companionship. Gale looked over at the two pale elves, that's when he saw the smaller stature elves.

"And who do we have here?" Gale said in a soft tone, he tried approaching and Astarion stepped forward,

"Do not take another step wizard." He growled; his crimson eyes gleaming dangerously. Gale laughed holding up his hands defensively.

"Little territorial we are, okay." He said, stepping back. Astarion was careful to not reveal his vampirism yet. He had to be careful.

"We should look for more survivors." Artemis eased the tension. Astarion relaxed somewhat but kept his eyes on the wizard.

They traveled up into the wilderness away from the beach, Artemis was leading the way, she saw two Tieflings ahead and approached them with caution.

Upon getting closer, she saw Lae'zel in a hanging cage. Her stare was white hot as she lurched into Artemis's mind. Lae'zel spoke then, her lips unmoving, but her voice as clear as day.

'Free me and get rid of them, I don't care how you do it.'

"I wouldn't trust her." Shadowheart snorted.

Artemis turned the Tieflings and turned on her vampiric charm as she spoke,

"This is a dangerous creature; you should let me handle it. Get yourselves to safety." Her crimson eyes burned into their very souls.

"We'll be sure to, good luck." The man said.

"If you need shelter after, we have a grove not too far up the road." The woman added. They hurried away, leaving Artemis to deal with Lae'zel.

Astarion used his crossbow and aimed for the base, he shot at it, and it cracked, but didn't break. He shot it again and it collapsed, Lae'zel fell out. She stood and dusted off her armor.

"Looks like the worm hasn't consumed all your senses." Lae'zel growled as she clapped the dirt from her hands. A deep frown wrinkling her features.

"A thank you would suffice." Artemis frowned. Shadowheart smirked.

"You might as well ask a wyvern bow to worms. The cure I offer will suffice as thanks." Lae'zel said, raising her head proudly.

"Fine, you can come along." Artemis offered,

"I'll trust your judgment-but I won't trust her. Not until I've gotten the measure of her." Shadowheart explained.

"You've a sharp tongue, elf. Would that your mind proved it's equal." Lae'zel retorted.

"Half-elf. I suppose the finer details are lost on a creature like you." Shadowheart shot back. Astarion snickered and Artemis smirked.

"Our first priority is to find a healer; we should head to that grove." Gale suggested.

"I agree, we need to find a way to get rid of these little monsters in our heads." Shadowheart explained.

The group continued forth in search of the grove the Tieflings had mentioned. As they walked, Shadowheart started up a conversation with Gale,

"So, Gale. You seem to know a lot about our condition."

"I do; I've studied on it enough to get an idea of it. It's called Ceremorphosis and it's to be avoided." Gale explained.

"It's a painful and horrific process." He added.

"Great, I look forward to it." Shadowheart said dryly as she scoffed, looking away.

"I hear shouting." Artemis commented as she looked over at her husband.

"I do too, let's be careful." He warned her. They approached and saw a group of adventures outside of a wooden gate. They assumed this was the Grove they were told about.

Astarion leaned into Artemis and spoke,

"Take the twins and keep your distance." Artemis nodded in response and took their elfings, she ushered them back down to the beach. Astarion then approached the gate with Shadowheart, Gale, and Lae'zel in toe.

"Let us in!" A human cried,

"The Goblins are right behind us!" He added.

"You led them here! You fool!" The Tiefling man wailed, his tone was rageful.

Artemis meanwhile got enough distance, she looked back towards the wilderness, a look of wariness on her timeless face.

"Mummy, is daddy going to be okay?" Astra asked, her youthful voice was distressed. Artemis smiled gently at her daughter as she knelt.

"Yes, Moonbeam. Daddy is going to be just fine. I promise." She said as she brushed a stray strand of silver hair from Astra's face. Aster stood next to his sister, clutching her hand tightly. His untamed silver curls whisked around from the light breeze.

"We just need to stay here for a bit, daddy will take care of the monsters." Artemis explained, she painted Astarion in a heroic light. The elflings admired both parents, but especially their father. He could do no wrong in their eyes.

Artemis sat down on a bit of debris, setting the twins down with her. She took this time to rub the smudges off their faces. Then she combed her fingers through their hair, untangling it to the best of her ability.

Astra's hair was easier to untangle, but Aster's unruly curls seemed to have a mind of their own. He wriggled in his mother's lap and whined.

"Aster please." Artemis told him as she fought with his curls. Astarion's genes were strong. Finally, Artemis got his curls to look tamer. She let him go.

She turned to Astra and began to braid pigtails for her. Her fingers wove through her daughter's silky-smooth hair, Astra inherited her mother's hair, so it was easier to tame than her brother's.

"Mummy, can you make my hair look like yours?" Astra asked, bending her head back as she looked at her mother, Artemis smiled,

"Of course, Starlight." She replied softly. Astra referred to the two buns and braids Artemis wore. She undid the braid and worked with her daughter's hair. It was longer, so it should be easy to recreate her own hairstyle.

Aster played in the sand in close proximity to his mother, she could keep an eye on him easily where he sat now.

By the time Artemis was finished with Astra's hair, that's when Astarion came down to the beach.

"Daddy!" The twins called in unison as they towards their father, he was covered in blood, but Artemis knew it was his by the scent of it. Astarion embraced his elflings as his wife approached him, she hugged him tightly.

"Is it safe?" She asked, her ruby eyes meeting his crimson ones, Astarion nodded, he looked exhausted. Artemis knew the reason; he hadn't fed yet and he was spent after fighting.

"It's safe now, my Moonflower." He said, his voice was strained, but calm.

"Come along, the others are already inside the Grove." Astarion ushered his family back towards the Grove.

"There are children here you fool!" Zevlor cried, he was clearly upset.

"We was running for our lives and you refuse to open the gate because you're a coward!" Aradin snapped. Zevlor tried to find reason in that response but couldn't find one.

"I want to protect my people, we have the druids to deal with already!" He wailed.

"Now, hold on. Let's not make things worse." Astarion said, his voice was authoritative, but calm. Aradin glared daggers at him,

"No one asked for your opinion, knife ears." He said coldly, Astarion looked at him like the insult physically struck him.

"Excuse me? I am the one who saved your asses." He barked with a biting tone, his face contorted into a scowl.

"This man did save your life; you owe him thanks." Zevlor countered, Aradin spit on the ground at Astarion's feet. The elf's lips twitched; he was losing his patience.

"I didn't ask for help from no, Fey mongrel." Aradin spat with distain, his nose wrinkling in disgust.

"Stop insulting my husband." Artemis defended Astarion.

"Oh another, Twigger. Great. With their own brats." Aradin rolled his eyes in distain as he looked at Artemis and the twins who hid behind her.

"You can insult me, but not my wife and my babes." Astarion growled, before Aradin knew what was happening, Astarion's fist collided with his jaw, knocking him out cold.

Astarion winced and shook his hand as he looked up at Zevlor,

"Thank you again for your help." He explained.

"Pleasure, but I'm not staying long, I need to find a healer." Astarion replied as he rubbed his sore knuckles.

"Goblin got you? There's a healer here, further down in the Grove, her name is Nettie." Zevlor explained to him.

"I appreciate it." Astarion said as he started to make his way towards the inner grove, Artemis, the twins, Shadowheart, Gale, and Lae'zel all followed. No one said anything.

Upon finding Nettie, Astarion and his companions were met with a dead-end.

"I can't provide a cure, only a way out. I'm sorry." Nettie explained,

"This is just great." Shadowheart scoffed as she folded her arms across her chest. Astarion reluctantly took the Wyvern poison.

"If you can find Halsin, he may be able to help you better than I could." Nettie offered a solution, Astarion sighed, this wasn't on his agenda today, but for the sake of his family, he agreed to find the Arch Druid.

"I'll look for him, you have my word." Astarion said thickly. Nettie sighed in relief,

"That's good news to hear for once. Thank you." She breathed. Astarion nodded, he stepped out and his party of companions followed in toe.

When they got outside, Astarion met with Arabella's parents. Locke and Komira, they thanked him for saving their daughter and gave up their locket to him. He took it with a gracious bow and left the family to discuss.

He looked over at his own elflings, Artemis had a hand on each other their shoulders, both of them yawned as they rubbed their eyes.

"We should look a place to camp soon, they need rest, Starlight." Artemis told him in a soft tone. Astarion agreed with her, and they went to the vendor to purchase supplies and possibly tents, if he had any in stock. They raked up enough gold for now.

Once enough was purchased, the party of allies headed out of the Grove to look for a spot to set up their camp.

After two hours of looking, the party of companions found a suitable clearing in the wilderness.

"This looks like a good place to camp." Gale noted as he looked around the area. They had bought and scavenged enough camp supplies to get them started.

"We should set it up and keep it set up, so we can just retreat here after the day's end." Gale continued, his suggestion was met with mutual agreement from his companions.

It was late afternoon, around 4:30pm. The companions scattered around the camp and picked their spots to set up their tents. Astarion and Artemis set up Astra and Aster's tent first.

The twins went down to the water to play, intending to explore, looking for bugs and frogs. They found sticks and ran along the water, pretending to be valiant heroes.

Gale set up his area to his liking, unpacking his scrolls and books. He noted they needed some furniture. Tables, chairs, etc. He heard the laughter of the children and smiled fondly.

He watched them run around for a moment, then he headed towards them, with the innocent intention of introducing himself to them. He didn't even think about the possible consequences of his actions.

Aster and Astra kneeled in the dirt, giggling as they played. Gale with a friendly smile approached them.

"Hello, younglings." He smiled brightly as he waved, Aster and Astra looked up at him with wide eyes. The fear of Cazador resurfacing, they didn't know if this was a bad man. Just yesterday they were living with Cazador, their tormentor.

The twins were paralyzed with fear, they held on to each other and trembled. It didn't go unnoticed by Gale; he knelt down in front of them.

"It's okay little ones; I won't hurt you." He said with softness; he held out his hand and conjured a colorful orb in his palm. The twin's eased a bit but were still unsure. Gale reached out further.

"Take it." He said softly, Aster reached out and took the orb, briefly their hands brushed. Gale smiled, not knowing of the brewing storm just a few feet away.

Astarion had witnessed this, he turned feral. Shadowheart was setting up the rest of her tent, when she looked up. She saw Astarion's fangs unretract, and he was over by his children in a blur of motion. Her eyes widened.

Gale stood slowly, but before he could even react, Astarion's hand was clasped around this throat, and he was slamming Gale into the ground. He stood above him; he titled his head and bared his fangs angrily. He was a predator now. Gale was shocked.

"You dare approach my elflings without my permission, you dare touch them!?" Astarion was livid, his crimson eyes glowed and his face was contorted in an expression, that scared the grown man below him.

Gale stammered as he spoke or as best as he could with Astarion choking him.

"I-I didn't mean no harm-I swear!" His words were strained and his face fearful. Astarion didn't lighten up, he leaned down, his voice low, he spoke in a deep guttural growl.

"Consider this your only warning, wizard."

Astarion let go and stood up, he turned to his elflings, his expression softened immediately. Shadowheart hurried over and helped Gale to his feet, Artemis went over too.

"My love?" Her voice broke through the tension of the air, Astarion turned to her.

"It's okay, my dear." He told her gently. He knelt before his elflings.

"Is he a bad man?" Aster asked, his young eyes full of innocent wonder. Astarion sighed,

"I don't know yet, he's our companion for now, but you cannot trust everyone so easily Aster." He told his son. He kissed both of his children's foreheads, then he stood and held his wife close to him.

"You're a vampire?" Shadowheart asked.

"We all are, yes." Astarion snapped, he wanted to keep this hidden longer, but the damned wizard got noisy, and he had to step in to protect his babes.

"Your children are vampires too? They were turned that young?" Gale asked, his voice that of dejection and his eyebrows fell in a sorrowful manner.

"No, they were born." Artemis said shakily, still not fully trusting, but she felt the need to share it.

"Born vampires? That's such a rare anomaly. Fascinating." Gale chirped with curious eyes. Astarion stepped forward,

"Hands to yourself wizard, my elflings are not your experiments." He warned. Gale held up his hands defensively.

"I have not that intention, friend." He said, Astarion glared at him.

"We're not friends." He said,

"Well we have to be something if are going to be working together." Shadowheart countered boldly.

"We will be acquittances, but we are not friends." Astarion said holding his head up as he held Artemis closer to him.

"So, I guess that means, I'm only cooking for three." Gale joked suddenly, Astarion looked at him, he was making jokes after having a vampire father on him threatening his life. Fascinating.

"Yes, I can provide food for my family." Astarion told him confidently.

When the canopy of night encapsulated the wilderness. Astarion and Artemis went out to hunt with their twins. Their forms moved like shadows in the cover of darkness, their footsteps feather light.

Astarion stayed low, he was a stalking predator now, all his mannerisms were absent for this time being as his eyes surveyed the area looking for prey. Thanks to his vampirism, he could see in complete darkness.

His vision allowed him to find warm blooded creatures to hunt. His heightened senses were prominent because of his gnawing hunger. His sense of smell was immaculate, and his hearing was even better. His skyward ear twitched when he heard something.

It didn't go unnoticed by his wife, her voice was barely above a whisper,

"What do you hear?" She asked, the twins at her side. The wind shifted and the vampires could smell the fresh blood nearby. It was a pack of wild boars if Astarion's hearing, and smell didn't fail him.

"Follow me." He whispered as he trekked through the wilderness. His steps were cautious as they got closer, finally in a clearing of trees, they saw the pack of boars. There was seven of them that they counted. Astarion looked at his wife and nodded, she responded with a quick nod of her own.

"Stay here, little stars. Mummy and daddy will feed you soon." Astarion told his twins, they nodded in response to their father. They kept themselves low in the darkness.

Astarion and Artemis stalked their prey, their eyes hungry.

Then in a blur of motion, the vampires attacked. They were ferocious as they bit into the boar's necks. They managed to bring down four of the seven. The rest scattered back into the thick trees.

"Aster, Astra! Come here, darlings!" Astarion called, the twins came out from their hiding place and approached.

"Pick which one you want." Astarion told them standing above the corpses. Aster and Astra picked their dinner, Astarion and Artemis knelt down and fed on their own boars.

For the first time in their exsistences, the family of vampires could drink greedily with no consequences, quenching their thirst that had tormented them for so long.

The warm blood rushed into their mouths, making them dazed for a few moments because of the satisfaction of it.

When the boars were drained, the family was more than satisfied, they were happy. Their stomachs full and their cheeks flushed. Artemis and Astarion walked back to camp, indulging in conversion while their twins ran circles around them.

Once getting back to camp, their companions had long since fallen asleep, Astarion and Artemis tucked their twins away into their bedrolls.

They yawned again, more aggressively this time. They made cooing noises as they settled into the warmth of their beds. Artemis took out Astra's braids and buns so she could sleep more comfortably.

Before long, the twins slipped into their reverie. Artemis and Astarion snuck out and headed to their own tent, just a few steps away from their children's.

Once inside, they got comfortable. Artemis let her hair down, letting it fall along her back. Her hair fell like liquid starlight cascading down her back. It looked ethereal against her milky skin. Astarion's breath hitched, he had seen his wife plenty of times before, but this time felt different.

Maybe it was their freedom and no fear of Cazador looming over them constantly. Astarion reached out, hesitantly at first, but once his fingers brushed her skin, she turned to him.

Her ruby eyes illuminated, half lidded. Her eyelashes kissing her sharp cheekbones as she blinked slowly. Astarion was captivated, had his wife always been so beautiful? So otherworldly?

With the recent consumption of fresh blood, Astarion felt the heat rush to his cheeks and the tips of his ears. He was entranced by his wife. Despite being together for over 200 years, he found himself feeling like he was a young boy falling love all over again.

"You're staring, Starlight." Artemis said meekly, her own cheeks and ears flushing a deep red. Astarion blinked at her,

"Am I?" He asked, his voice was thick and distant, he was completely lost in his wife's eyes, drinking up her beauty. Astarion leaned in and captured Artemis's lips in tentative kiss, exploring her all over again freely.

They had intimacy often, but they always had to be discreet and careful that Cazador didn't catch them. Astarion disobeyed often with the rules and was defiant, he refused to let Cazador ruin intimacy with his wife. She was the only good thing he had for years, to lose her would be to lose himself. He was resilient and didn't allow that to happen.

Their intimacy was their sacred escape, to get lost in each other and their pleasure. They didn't lose it, Astarion thanked all the gods, whoever would listen.

Now as he freely kissed his wife again after so many years of torment and shadows, it felt incredible to let go for once. To let go of the lingering fear that they could be caught by their master.

Astarion rolled over on top of Artemis, his lips moving in tandem with her own, his tongue pushed into her mouth and tangled with hers. He ghosted his hands over her body, debating where to touch first.

He was drunk on love and decided to just touch every inch of her skin; she did the same. Feeling every part of her husband that was exposed to her fingertips.

It was pure bliss for the husband and wife. They could finally love each other freely once more.

[redbullgivesyouwingedkuriboh]

hi. if you’re reading this that means it’s my 21st birthday. I had this idea and had to write it down immediately (it’s may 29th. see y’all in just under 6 months) so. yeah. enjoy. happy 21st birthday to me!

The GX Cast In: What they would order for their first legal drink at a bar

DISCLAIMER: blair is excluded from this one cause I can’t fathom her being an adult rn. all characters are considered to be of legal drinking age for the purposes of this post. I do not condone underage drinking. drink responsibly and always call for help if you or a friend are displaying symptoms of alcohol poisoning.

Jaden Yuki: I have determined that Jaden doesn’t like whiskey, but if it’s mixed in something he might be okay with it. a rum and coke would be his go-to. on the rocks, he can’t drink warm liquor.

Chazz Princeton: straight vodka. i have a working theory that the more trauma someone has the better they take shots. (this is not a healthy theory, to be sure, but Chazz certainly qualifies as an observable subject.) he will spit out any food that contains the tiniest amount of carrot but pounds vodka like a champ. he’s definitely tried to do the whole lime and salt thing but found he prefers the burn. I just want him to be okay :(

Dr. Crowler: wayyyyyy back in the day, a very hot, very gay bartender gave him a shot of raspberry schnapps on the house because he “looks like a raspberry schnapps kinda guy”. keeps a bottle of it in his office for feeling nostalgic. atticus has gotten into it more than once, with zero evidence left behind.

Syrus Truesdale: the fruitiest goddamn cocktail you’ve ever seen. there’s a bendy straw and a paper umbrella. probably served out of a pineapple. he does not want to so much as SENSE the alcohol

Alexis Rhodes: whiskey sour. asks for the lemon on the side and squeezes the juice directly into her mouth.

Atticus Rhodes: margaritas, plural. unironically sings “gimme one margarita ima open my legs” the entire time and has to be physically restrained in order to stop him.

Zane Truesdale: he can’t drink, he has a heart condition. however: him and atticus buy cheap wine from the liquor store on oct 31 and sit somewhere outside as the clock ticks over to midnight, making the switch from atticus’s birthday to zane’s. they toast. life is good. zane has palpatations immediately and never drinks again.

Aster Phoenix: wine aunt energy. exclusively drinks wine, but alternates between white and red. his palate changes depending on what he ate. for his twenty first birthday, he probably had steak (s2 fishing incident had me rolling on the ground laughing), which pairs well with cabernet (I think that’s a red) so he’d get red wine.

Yubel: technically has always been legal drinking age? regardless, the strongest whiskey you can find. Jaden dislikes whiskey, though, so has only ever gotten him to take one shot of it. collects the little shooter bottles. it’s really cute to see them all lined up.

Jesse Anderson: fruity cocktail for a fruity bitch. he’d order a sex on the beach, but it would go something like, “I’d like a, ah… ha, alrighty then. A s-sex on the… you know what I mean!”, followed up by Chazz saying, “oh my god he’d like a sex on the beach. jesus.”

Jim Crocodile Cook: not much of a drinker, but he’d also love the fruity cocktails. he would order a strawberry daiquiri. frozen. he’d also do a shot for the hell of it, probably of cheap vodka, and spend the rest of the evening wondering how everyone else is handling that stuff so well.

Axel Brodie: straight fucking gin. no additives, no garnish, no nothing. just axel and a shot glass. somehow never shows signs of being tipsy.

Adrian Gecko: beer. he thinks it makes him look relatable. unironically a beer drinker. probably PBA.

Bastion Misawa: he orders a shot of “your finest whiskey, barkeep”. sniffs it first. takes a little sip. “oh, goodness. no thank you.”

[manyfandomocs]

THE HUMPHREY FAMILY

(surprise I have a second gen for gossip girl now, there's other families and ships and no fic/series title yet but here's Catalina's family in order of when they joined the family and I'm putting it under the cut cause it's a lot of info tbh but I love them)

Min-ho Baek-Humphrey ; The first child Catalina and Dan adopted. They were young, but once Catalina saw this little six year old she knew she had to be his mom. He's been with them the longest, he added Humphrey to his last name when he was 14 (Catalina was very adamant that their adopted children keep their birth names unless they chose to change it so they wouldn't lose that connection to their biological family). Min-ho's a huge jock, a little bit of a playboy, but he adores his younger siblings and cousins and honestly he's a big softie he just doesn't come off that way at first.

Gardenia Humphrey ; Gardenia was fostered first at two, officially adopted at six, and had on and off visitation with her biological family until she was eight when she expressed zero interest in seeing the family that kept hurting her and disappointing her. That's when she said she wanted Catalina and Dan to help her with a whole new name to sever ties. She's very good in school, which tbh did originally start as a way to ensure that they'd never regret adopting her (which would never happen she is Catalina's little baby) but she does really love learning.

Annabel Humphrey ; The oldest of the twins, Catalina and Dan's biological children. They were honestly an oopsie pregnancy because Catalina was mostly intending on adopting but she was not upset at all when one of their date nights ended with a positive pregnancy test. Annabel and Aster are sophomores, but she is already ready for top Queen Bee status (she takes after her Auntie Blair a lot), though at the same time she has a little more of a "cool and edgy" approach to being Queen Bee. She is also one of the biggest problem makers in the family and is constantly trying to hang around Min-ho's friends (it's because tbh Min-ho is her favorite sibling but she tells him it's cause his friends are hot)

Aster Humphrey ; The younger of the twins (though he says it doesn't matter since he's almost a foot taller than Annabel), and he's the most chill. The least "work" of the siblings, though that's mostly appearances because he thinks it'll be easier for Catalina and Dan to focus on the others because outside of school (and even sometimes in school) he is all daredevil pranking energy. Aster loves going through random places in New York the most, as long as he makes sure he's back before dinner he's pretty sure they won't notice.

Reign Jarrett ; The newest addition to their family, she's a little older than the twins but was only just adopted recently. Not from New York or from a rich family (her mom died when she was 10 and she's been in the foster system since), so she's getting used to a lot of the new things here with her family and school. She does love her new siblings and parents a lot but she also feels incredibly awkward and is trying to figure everything else out on top of getting used to all the new dynamics.

Bonus, these children are all also Nolan's (and therefore are van der Woodsen's instead) in a crossover with @randomestfandoms-ocs but here is their first daughter (shifting everyone past Min-ho down a little) from this post

[mariacallous]

Hundreds of emails and internal documents reviewed by WIRED reveal top lobbyists and representatives of America’s agricultural industry led a persistent and often covert campaign to surveil, discredit, and suppress animal rights organizations for nearly a decade, while relying on corporate spies to infiltrate meetings and functionally serve as an informant for the FBI.

The documents, mostly obtained through public records requests by the nonprofit Property of the People, detail a secretive and long-running collaboration between the FBI’s Weapons of Mass Destruction Directorate (WMDD)—whose scope today includes Palestinian rights activists and the recent wave of arson targeting Teslas—and the Animal Agriculture Alliance (AAA), a nonprofit trade group representing the interests of US farmers, ranchers, veterinarians, and others across America’s food supply chain.

Since at least 2018, documents show, the AAA has been supplying federal agents with intelligence on the activities of animal rights groups such as Direct Action Everywhere (DxE), with records of emails and meetings reflecting the industry’s broader mission to convince authorities that activists are the preeminent “bioterrorism” threat to the United States. Spies working for the AAA during its collaboration with the FBI went undercover at activism meetings, obtaining photographs, audio recordings, and other strategic material. The group’s ties with law enforcement were leveraged to help shield industry actors from public scrutiny, to press for investigations into its most powerful critics, and to reframe the purpose and efforts of animal rights protesters as a singular national security threat.

The records further show that state authorities have cited protests as a reason to conceal information about disease outbreaks at factory farms from the public.

Zoe Rosenberg, a UC Berkeley student and animal cruelty investigator at DxE, says she’s hardly surprised that powerful private-sector groups are working to surveil the organization, but she finds their work with the police paradoxical. “If anyone should have the ear of law enforcement, it’s animal cruelty investigators exposing rampant violations of the law leading to real animals suffering and dying horrific deaths,” she tells WIRED.

Profiled by WIRED in 2019, DxE is a grassroots animal rights organization dedicated to nonviolent direct actions, including covert operations that often involve rescuing animals and documenting practices at factory farms that the group considers inhumane.

Rosenberg, 22, is facing charges in California for removing four chickens from a slaughterhouse in Sonoma County in 2023. In addition to minor charges such as trespassing, she was also hit with a felony count of conspiracy to commit those misdemeanors—a discretionary charge that Sonoma County’s prosecutor justified by portraying Rosenberg as a “biosecurity risk” in light of avian flu.

According to Rosenberg, DxE relies on biosecurity protocols that go “above and beyond” industry standards, including quarantining its investigators from birds for a full week before and after entering farms. “All of our investigators before entering a facility shower with hot water and soap and put on freshly washed clothes that have been washed thoroughly and dried on high heat to kill viruses and bacteria,” she says. “Everything is sanitized and then sanitized again upon leaving the facility.”

Rosenberg does not deny removing the chickens, which she named Poppy, Aster, Ivy, and Azalea. “Generally, if we feel an animal is going to die from neglect or maltreatment if we don’t remove them from the facility, then we feel that it is justified and necessary to step in to save their life,” she says. Her attorney, Chris Carraway, says that DxE tried reporting allegations of health violations at the facility to “the point of futility.” Rosenberg says reporting alleged violations often leads to getting bounced between offices; a “never-ending loop of no one agency wanting to take responsibility and enforce animal welfare laws.”

The birds Rosenberg removed, she says, were all smaller and weaker than their flockmates, showing signs of what she believed to be infection and dehydration, along with open wounds and other visible injuries. Under veterinary care, Rosenberg says, Poppy was diagnosed with a respiratory infection, while Aster’s feet were found to be “full of pus.” Each of the birds had contracted coccidiosis, she says, referring to a parasite that causes diarrhea, inflammation, and bleeding.

Tinker Tailor Corporate Spy

To gather intelligence on DxE, records show, the Animal Agriculture Alliance has surveilled the group for years. Confidential documents obtained separately by WIRED reveal undercover operators for the AAA embedded within the animal rights group and fed the trade organization daily reports about protests and meetings, as well as photographs, audio recordings, and other documentation.

During a November 2018 meeting, AAA board members discussed attending DxE events to develop “protective information,” adding they were already in contact with a “security company” that had previously attended DxE’s training. At a manager’s meeting the following April, the group disclosed that it wanted to “hire someone” to attend a DxE conference in Berkeley, California. Minutes from that meeting show the “total price would be about $4,500.” A confidential report, authored several months later by an undercover on assignment from private intelligence firm Afimac Global, reveals the results of the operation. (Another confidential report—not attributed to a specific intelligence firm—shows the AAA would again infiltrate a DxE conference in 2021. The report identifies members of DxE and other attendees, including Rosenberg, and describes interviews with activists and observations about their protest activities.)

Afimac did not respond to a request for comment.

At a regulatory conference in early 2018, the AAA had delivered a talk on “Bioterrorism and activist groups.” Internal AAA documents show that, within a few months, the FBI contacted AAA with a request. “They reached out to us a few weeks ago and asked for records of activist incidents on farms,” say notes from a meeting that May. At the same meeting, members discussed their difficulty getting prosecutors to charge activists with crimes, with one industry representative saying the issue was their lack of legal standing.

The rep suggested calling on law enforcement to deploy “terrorism” charges instead—as one national pork producer had reportedly considered. The AAA had already “been in contact with the FBI about this situation,” the notes claim.

In an email to WIRED, AAA spokesperson Emily Ellis denied the organization has a formal relationship with the FBI. “In the course of our work to support a secure food system, we have occasionally communicated with authorities to flag concerns where there is a potential risk to people, animals, or critical infrastructure.” The nonprofit declined to answer questions about its hiring of undercovers and did not respond when asked whether it had any specific evidence showing activists have caused outbreaks.

“The Alliance cannot speak to how law enforcement officials choose to communicate or act on information,” Ellis wrote. “We do not direct the actions of any government agency, and we categorically reject the suggestion that the Alliance instructs or influences the FBI or any such organization.”

Records show that in the spring of 2019, the AAA moved to establish a firmer connection with the FBI. In an email to the bureau that May, the group’s then-president and CEO, Kay Johnson Smith, noted having met with Stephen Goldsmith, a veterinarian at the FBI’s WMDD, a month earlier at a conference aimed at strengthening ties between the government and agriculture sector. The email goes on to remind Goldsmith of her presentation at the event concerning DxE; an “extremist group,” she wrote, “that has executed several mass protests on farms, in retail stores and in restaurants.” Smith then called on the WMDD to help the AAA share information about DxE “with law enforcement officials nationwide,” claiming the group is planning an “extremist campaign.”

Smith passed along an alert about an upcoming DxE protest, a march from a local police station to a nearby grocery store, asking if the FBI would connect the group “with law enforcement officials nationwide.” Goldsmith forwarded the alert to another FBI official who forwarded it along to several more, before it eventually reached a counterterrorism center in Washington and a federal investigator with the US Department of Agriculture (USDA).

The WMDD issued an intelligence memo roughly three months later titled “Animal Rights Extremists Likely Increase the Spread of Virulent Newcastle Disease [vND] in California,” citing with “high confidence” claims that violent extremists were “likely” to “spread vND”—a highly contagious and often fatal disease that affects birds—“in the near term” by neglecting biosafety procedures. The FBI highlighted two instances in which it claimed there was “no evidence” of activists following proper protocols.”

Analysts at the Northern California Regional Intelligence Center (NCRIC), a multi-agency hub that supports law enforcement, soon threw cold water on the FBI’s claims. “Animal rights activists are probably not responsible for any of the identified vND incidents” in the state, the NCRIC said less than four months later, citing federal scientific research, records first obtained by the transparency group Distributed Denial of Secrets show. The agency further noted that despite law enforcement’s claims that DxE “almost certainly” violated biosecurity protocols, police reports showed activists had taken “biosecurity precautions to prevent contamination or spread of disease.”

If the activists were to engage in criminal activity, the NCRIC decided, the crimes were likely to be “non-violent” and “low level.”

That same fall, Goldsmith’s chemical-biological countermeasure unit within the WMDD quietly circulated a presentation to state law enforcement officials pointing to “unsubstantiated reports” that PETA, the animal rights nonprofit, had played some sort of role in the 2015 avian flu outbreak—allegedly collecting “contaminated carcasses” in an effort to spread the virus. Goldsmith had already previously dismissed a similar claim while working for the same unit four years prior. (A trade publication paraphrased the FBI official in 2015 telling a crowd “there is no evidence of that actually happening.”)

Goldsmith did not respond to a request for comment. The FBI declined to comment about any specific groups but noted it frequently shares information with members of the private sector. “Our goal is to protect our communities from unlawful activity while at the same time upholding the Constitution,” the agency said in an emailed statement. “The FBI focuses on individuals who commit or intend to commit violence and activity that constitutes a federal crime or poses a threat to national security. The FBI can never open an investigation based solely on First Amendment protected activity.”

New Ammunition

By the end of 2019, the Animal Agriculture Alliance was relying heavily on “bioterrorism” claims to justify further calls for law enforcement intervention. To gain the attention of local police in California and the state’s Rural Crimes Task Force, the AAA contacted Michael Payne, an outreach coordinator at the Western Institute for Food Safety and Security at UC Davis. One of its members, they said, had heard from an unidentified trucker who was growing increasingly frustrated with animal rights activists. And the driver’s concerns extended to “bioterrorism.”

The activists were taking photos of the driver’s truck, the AAA said, and “feeding his pigs grapes.”

Payne had previously attended a presentation by the AAA on “dealing with animal rights activists,” according to emails between them. He’d later invited the AAA to collaborate on a range of dairy-farm proposals in California, alongside multiple law enforcement agencies, including the FBI.

Neither Payne nor UC Davis responded to requests for comment. Nor did the California Rural Crime Prevention Task Force. Attempts to reach Payne by phone were unsuccessful.

Months after the FBI circulated its now-disputed assessment of activists spreading the virulent Newcastle disease, Payne issued a memo under the rural taskforce’s letterhead encouraging his “FBI colleagues” to read an article translated and amplified by a Beijing-based podcast host. The article concerns Chinese “swine stir-fry syndicates” purportedly using drones to spread African swine flu in an alleged scheme to manipulate the price of pork.

Payne suggests weaponizing the allegations to achieve specific policy goals here in the US, such as allowing farmers to declare livestock facilities “no fly zones.” “Combined with the assessment from the FBI indicating activist trespass is a real and present biosecurity threat,” he writes, the Chinese pig-gang claims hand the industry “ammunition” to ensure sheriffs do a “proper job” when responding to complaints.

Significantly, the podcast host (whose blog was shared by Payne) openly rejected the pig-gang allegations, drawing attention to the Chinese government’s ownership of the news outlet that originally reported the story, as well as counter-reporting by a “respected” independent outlet.

Payne’s email notes that he forwarded the article to a slew of local sheriffs’ departments, as well as the state’s WMDD office, “which in turn passed it on to FBI HQ ‘for their situational awareness.’”

Information gathered on DxE’s activities by the AAA was widely disseminated to federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies around the US, as well as the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. In a February 2021 email, the group provided the WMDD office information on three events that DxE and other activist groups had planned, including a Zoom class and a vigil at a pork processing plant for Regan Russell, an activist killed in 2020 by a livestock transport truck outside an Ontario slaughterhouse.

Goldsmith circulated the AAA’s tips to several FBI agents, as well as a supervising special inspector in the animal health branch of the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA). Several federal agencies and at least 27 state and local police departments received the email. At least 10 agricultural trade groups and lobbyists were copied.

Big Ag’s Back Channel

Ryan Shapiro, executive director at Property of the People, says the hundreds of records amassed by his organization offer an unprecedented look at how Big Ag lobbyists allegedly vied to conceal incidents of animal cruelty and disease and targeted law enforcement agencies specifically for capture. “This is a shameless assault on civil liberties, human health, and basic decency,” he says.

“There’s an inherent relationship between cruelty and disease on factory farms,” says Shapiro, whose MIT doctoral dissertation explored the intersections of national security and controversies over animals. “When you have that many animals packed in so tightly they can’t stand up, can’t turn around, can’t spread their limbs, and are pressed up against each other in their own filth, in their own sickness, of course disease is going to be rampant.”

The furor over DxE’s activism within the animal agriculture industry reached a fever pitch two months later with the launch of Project Counterglow, an online interactive map of more than 27,500 farms and animal-ag facilities drawn from public regulatory and business records, reporting by individual activists, and artificial intelligence that scanned satellite imagery to reveal previously unknown facilities.

Citing Project Counterglow the following month, the Food Protection and Defense Institute, a university-based consortium working alongside the Department of Homeland Security, disclosed in a memo that the FBI and AAA had jointly “profiled the current risk environment” at an industry-government coordinating event within days of the map’s launch. According to the memo, the FBI was in the process of supplying the AAA with a list of WMDD coordinators with whom members were encouraged to share knowledge about activists.

The FBI would eventually provide the group with a dedicated inbox to inform on DxE and other animal rights groups. In a 2023 email, the alliance reminded members to report “animal rights activity” directly to the FBI using the group’s own “Activist Activity Notification Form” and the email address NF_ARVE_INTAKE@fbi.gov.

The Food Protection and Defense Institute did not respond to a request for comment.

Delays, Denials, and Disease

Preventing animal rights activists from learning about outbreaks has at times taken priority over notifying the public about them.

Emails from 2023 show officials at the USDA and the California Department of Food and Agriculture discussing how best to delay news about a highly pathogenic avian flu detected at two Sonoma County farms; a state official having previously warned that “protesters” were likely to be in the area. The solution, put forth by a USDA official, was to simply not enter the information into the state’s emergency management response system, delaying the alert for at least another three days.

“Much longer than that and it raises too many questions,” they said.

At least a quarter of a million birds were culled around the same time as the emails. And a year later, the CDFA released a report that pointed the finger at the protesters, alleging it was “plausible” they may have spread the virus.

Steve Lyle, a CDFA spokesperson, says the possibility of people showing up to a farm without proper biosecurity training always raises concerns about virus spread. “In any animal disease incident, more movement of people and equipment brings a greater risk of spread,” he says.

A “crisis response plan” crafted by Washington State livestock and agricultural groups, obtained through a public records request, notes that the federal government’s policy is “to assume that any animal disease outbreak or large-scale food contamination incident is an intentional act until proven otherwise.”

When rumors about cattle being poisoned or intentionally infected with a virus began circulating around the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) and other agencies, the claims were put to rest by the head of an field dairy investigative unit out of Washington State University, whose team had discovered a “serious outbreak” among several herds of yearling cattle.

The investigator noted that while a cattle owner was convinced the outbreak was “sabotage from animal rights activists,” other probable sources were clearly present. The investigator said his team had “spent a lot of time trying to convince [the ranchers] that the disease outbreak most likely had nothing to do with bioterrorism, and is most likely due to husbandry and management issues which we laid out very clearly for them.”

But ranchers, he said, seemed to “prefer to follow conspiracy.” After reading this, a WSDA official told others in the email chain to “keep this information private and not forward [it] on.”

Pressed by a reporter in 2021 as to why the WSDA kept no tally of livestock in the state, officials noted internally that, while the short answer was it’s never been directed to, “privacy is very important to producers, especially with ongoing threats associated with agro-terrorism and activist groups.”

The AAA, meanwhile, has worked for years to keep its communications with the government secret from the public, moving documents subject to public records requests behind a “password protected link” in 2018, records show. That same year, it joined a coalition of food industry groups in filing an amicus brief with the US Supreme Court aimed at limiting public access to corporate records under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)—expressing enthusiasm at the time that the court’s conservative majority would back its play. “Animal activist groups routinely use FOIA to obtain confidential information submitted to the government,” a meeting agenda from the time reads.

The case, ultimately decided in the food industry’s favor, redefined the meaning of “confidential” under FOIA to include information that the industry itself decided should be private.

In October 2024, Goldsmith attempted to intercede against a state-level records request by Property of the People, incorrectly informing the Washington State Department of Agriculture that the requester—Shapiro—was a member of a known criminal group.

Records later obtained by Shapiro under the state’s public records act show Goldsmith telling the WSDA that the “timing” of his request was suspicious because it coincided with a recent bird flu outbreak. That outbreak occurred in an “unusual location in the building,” he said, and did not match the virus’s “expected epidemiological pattern.” While stressing that there’d been a report of a simultaneous outbreak at another farm owned by the same company, Goldsmith also cited the AAA in his email as an organization monitoring “animal rights violent extremists.”

“Transparency is not terrorism,” says Shapiro, “and the FBI should not be taking marching orders from industry flacks.”

WSDA officials, while correcting Goldsmith’s allegation that Shapiro is a member of a criminal group, advised the FBI not to mention the infected farm by name, providing Goldsmith and other FBI officials with a code word in case their communications were discovered through a public records request. A WSDA spokesperson tells WIRED that it is customary to do so when a farm is placed under quarantine, “to protect the identity of the operation, consistent with confidentiality provisions.” The FBI was later waived off by the WSDA entirely in an email emphasizing that the two cases Goldsmith thought potentially connected were “completely unrelated.”

“WSDA responded to the inquiry,” a spokesperson tells WIRED, adding that the strains of disease at the two locations were “genetically different” and “did not raise concerns.”

[fitgof]

Chapter 1 Recap

Read the full chapter here

With Generation 1 wrapping up soon - here's a recap of everything that's happened so far before the final chapter.

Recap under the cut

A young woman wanders the land amongst death

700 years ago in Windflower Castle Perennial and Everlast van Aster wait for their daughter to return

Ambrosia (our trusty BPR founder) brings them something but her parents are too preoccupied to notice their daughter out of sorts

In the sunny city of Del Sunberry, Amy is painting and told by the housemaid/housekeeper, Summerdream, to get ready for dinner - Perennial has even laid out a dress for her daughter to wear for the occasion

At dinner, Everlast announces more guests will be attending the auction the family is holding, and Perennial corrects Amy's manners

Amy voices her distaste for the family's lifestyle and Perennial cannot understand why her daughter is ungrateful for it

Everlast tries to subdue the argument, and Amy is excused to finish a painting meant to be part of the auction

Amy is stressing about her painting late at night, unable to complete it. Her mother offers to make some tea so they can talk and get to the bottom of why Amy is being so difficult

Amy thinks she hurt people but Perennial doesn't think it's a problem if Amy was protecting herself; she too has had to do things over the years and Amy needs to get over it

Perennial talks about her previous time travelling, and suggests Amy do some research about what happened 700 years ago

They're a family of witches with magic abilities and Amy doesn't know what she can do yet. Perennial also suggests additional training can be arranged

Amy started reading through books for any clues but her father's collection didn't have any information - oh and Summerdream the housemaid is also a cat

Everlast finds his daughter reading his books and they talk - Amy is concerned whatever happened will happen again and she might even hurt her parents

Unfortunately, no one knows what Amy's ability is to help her - the Scholarship doesn't have a record of what the pairing of her parents' abilities make - not that Amy wants their help, she's not a fan of a council of old men

Amy thinks her grandmama might be able to help but Everlast doesn't agree because Perennial and his mother never got along. Amy thinks her father would have been better off marrying an old girlfriend but Everlast is quite content with his family as-is.

Amy finds her mother creating a potion that she admits is for the auction guests to manipulate them to increase their bids

Amy tells Perennial she did some research like her mother suggested, and mentions her grandmama. Perennial shares her dislike of the woman but Amy doesn't remember her to be so bad and also points out Summerdream is Perennial's familiar. She doesn't have her own familiar yet

The conversation turns to Amy feeling like she's behind all her 'milestones' - doesn't know her ability, doesn't have a familiar, doesn't even have a boyfriend like her friends. Perennial loses herself in some distant memories, and Amy first mentions her nemesis Myrtus Rosebottom.

Morgyn Ember arrives to begin properly tutoring Amy in magic, including duelling.

Back in her day, Perennial considered herself to be a bit of a champion in duelling (which she may or may not have achieved with her ability) and suggests helping with the lesson but Morgyn talks her our of it so she and Summerdream just watch.

After a few blasts, Amy thinks she's doing well, until she overcharges her magic and depletes all her energy

Perennial and Morgyn speak about Amy's magic - Morgyn says Amy's development is behind but one day may be proficient enough to be a Sage if she studies hard enough. The idea of being a Sage is disappointing to Perennial

On Auction night, Perennial is upset Amy did not wear the dress she chose for her daughter and demands she goes upstairs to change but while they are arguing, Everlast reintroduces an old friend of his to his family - Dianthus Larkspur

Dianthus makes Amy feel a bit uncomfortable but her parents push her to spend time with him and to show him her work that's on display in the auction which he is impressed with

Amy admits to Dianthus that she wants to paint for herself, and have her own art on display in a gallery one day instead of the restorations (and art fraud) she does now. Dianthus believes in her and gives her his contact details to keep in touch for the future

Later in the evening, Amy is admiring one of her favourite pieces at the auction when she's interrupted by a guest who introduces himself as Folklore Phlox . They discuss the artist and Amy is impressed someone knows almost as much as she does. But he finds a flaw in her fraudulent painting that she tries to explain but is offended when this guest essentially calls the artist boring

Perennial had been following/watching her daughter and sees her spending too much time with someone who appears undesirable so she pulls Amy away. They talk about what Dianthus may want

At the end of the night Perennial slaps Amy for her earlier disobedience with the dress and grounds her with chores

Amy lies on her bed thinking about the guest she spoke with about art while outside a summer snow falls

Chapter 2 Recap >>

[justyouraveragebird]

Getting Worse. (Look Outside Fic)

(As a quick foreword, this may not be the best written, so apologies. Also, TW for mild body horror, blood, and possible panic attack.)

Jasper sighed, placing the “gilded” mask on his face, before wrapping himself in his robe. Another migraine. Pulling his gloves on, he checked the mirror before he left. Nothing seemed too terribly abnormal, though his eyes were still red. The others had started wearing colored contacts to make him feel less “insecure.” While it wasn’t too much of a big deal for him, it was nice to note that his fellows would likely stick with him, regardless of all that happened, and was still happening. 

Leaving his silent apartment, he took note of the dark hallway. No creatures, this time. Yesterday he had been accosted by a former neighbor of his, who had somehow made it up from floor one. While unfortunate, they had lost their mind, thus having to be put down. He’d ensure that all those lost here would get a proper burial, when the time came. He slowly made his way towards the usual meeting room, where the other astronomers stood, waiting. 

Beryl was playing with a paddleball, whilst Aurelius scribbled drawings in his notebook. Aster merely stood by, calmly observing. The three all perked up once Jasper finally made his way to the whiteboard, clutching his head and tapping at the board with a finger. 

“Do we have any more information on The Visitor? Any other dreams grasping at the subconscious?” Nobody answered. Jasper sighed. Five days remained before The Visitor left, and they were no closer to answering what it was, and why it came here.

 Everyone distributed the rations they had scavenged. Food was getting scarce. Once again, everyone gave any kind of meat to him. He wasn’t entirely certain why, but it was starting to get tiring. A nasty little thought crossed his mind. “They think you’re a monster like the rest of them, that’s why they attempt to placate you with meat.” He shook it off, though he could feel his migraine getting worse. Nobody was speaking much today. None had the energy. 

Adjusting his mask, he felt it poke into his eye. Yet, oddly, the mask was on correctly. Something was off. Very off. Excusing himself to the restroom, he checked the mirror, pulling off the mask, to be greeted by an additional pair of eyes to the side of his old ones, both crimson. His heart constricted in his chest, and air seemed to burn in his lungs. As if the awful warping of his skin wasn’t bad enough! He stared into the mirror, disgusted, using the sink to hold himself steady. Sybil’s fate popped into his mind, dissolving into a pile of flesh in his grasp. 

His head was splitting. He reapplied the mask, hiding his awful appearance, not even caring about how it poked at the new eyes. Perhaps he was a monster? What then? He tried to shake the thoughts away again. He was not a monster. Yet the idea still remained. Anger suddenly seared through his body. So what if he was a monster? Nothing he can do about it, after all! It’s all hopeless! He punched at the glass, breaking it. Shit.

A knock at the door. 

“Jasper? Are you alright?” Beryl was questioning him. He did not answer. Just made sure it was still locked. Nobody needed to see him like this. He checked his knuckles, glass shards embedded within. He gingerly pulled them out, wincing at the pain, before bandaging the wound. Beryl was still knocking, still talking. Aster and Aurelius had joined her. He sighed, unlocking the door. The three barged in, squawking in concern, talking over each other.

“Are you alright?” “What happened to the mirror?” “Is your hand okay?” “Do you need a tonic?” He vaguely answered each question, trying to be as subtle as possible to avoid saying, “Oh, I got mad at my own reflection and punched it.” The trio dragged him out of the bathroom to the cheap couch. Beryl went to cook him something, while Aster and Aurelius kept watch. Jasper yawned, falling asleep there. His head hurt so bad…