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serensama · 2 months ago

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In Sacrifice, Glory: Chapter 10

Read on Ao3 TW: mention/eluding to possible SA.

Elissa barely managed to restrain herself from murdering Alexius when they came out of the portal. She reminded herself that he was not yet the same person and he deserved a chance to rectify all the terrible things he had done, whilst there was still time to do so.

The events that unfurled after their return passed by in a whirlwind. They arrested the magister and recruited the mages as partners, much to Cassandra’s chagrin, and then the Herald came face to face with the Queen. The bloody Queen.

Though she had been informed that King Cailan had perished in the last Blight, it was odd seeing Anora again. Again? When had she seen her at all?Still, it seemed that her instincts were not wrong. Following the Queen’s decree that the mages were no longer welcome in Ferelden, she glanced around the room and paused when she saw the Herald. She stepped forward and inspected her well, her blue eyes scanning every inch of her face, trying to find the trick.

“Elissa? Elissa is that … how is it possible... no, no. My apologies, Herald. For a moment there... I almost thought you were someone I knew many years ago,” she said, second-guessing herself.

“My name is Elissa, your Majesty,” she replied, unsure of what to say. The Queen stared at her, stunned, a dainty hand covering her mouth as she bent forward to take in another good look at the mage. “But I do not think I’ve had the honour of meeting you before.”

The Queen nodded, agreeing with Elissa, of course, there was no way the woman in front of her could have been the same woman from the Blight. She was there when they put her on the pyre, Fergus circumventing any notion of his sister being laid to rest anywhere that wasn’t on their family’s land, no matter ‘how lovely the tomb next to Garahel’ was. She helped commission the statue in Denerim and visited both Highever and Redcliffe’s tributes to the fallen Cousland… She even stayed and helped Fergus organise the memorial with Alistair and that Chantry Sister friend of theirs. This Herald of Andraste was just someone who looked eerily like someone from their past, deliberately handpicked by the Inquisition due to the resemblance- to galvanise the people out of misplaced admiration for the long-dead hero.

“Well, Herald, you have my thanks. Best you leave as soon as possible with them, Arl Teagan will be here in a matter of weeks, it would be best if the people who displaced him were gone,” Queen Anora emphasised.

“Of course, your Majesty. The Inquisition will work with the mages to get them out of Redcliffe as soon as we can organise for safe transport to Haven.”

The Queen went to leave but took another long look at Elissa, unable to shake the feeling that she had just spoken to a ghost, Maker save her.

Elissa stared at the Queen and a memory of a little girl with long blonde braids on either side of her head, running around the Arl of Denerim’s estate with two boys; one golden-haired child who had to be late King Cailan.. the other with a mop of dark brown, maybe two or three years older than the future King and Queen of Ferelden. His laughter as he chased after the younger children caused unexpected emotion to surface. She did not know who he was, but she knew he was important.

Elissa ignored the twinge of pain she felt, too focused on the face of the young brunette that she did not hear Fiona speaking to her.

“I-uh... my apologies, Fiona, could you please repeat that?” she asked, flushing at the Grand Enchanter.

“I merely asked if you wished for me to show you the rookery so you may send a letter to your people to get things underway? I do not wish to further outstay our welcome.”

Elissa nodded and followed after the elven mage, not bothering to let her know she already knew where the rookery was in the castle. She did not know how to explain it to her- because, as always, she did not know how to explain it to herself.

---

Arriving back in Haven after her escapades in the future did not elicit the same feeling as before. She no longer felt at home or any comfort- when all she could see were her friends tainted by red lyrium, the lands scorched to dust and demons hiding around every corner. Elissa spent most of the trip home deep in thought or speaking only to Dorian because she could not bear to look at them all. When she did try to speak to them, all she could see was Varric being drained by a despair demon, or Cassandra being run through by the Venatori.

She did not have the heart to directly look at Leliana, her death playing over in her mind each time she let her mind wander. The pain in her eyes, the sorrow in her voice, her absolute willingness to die in her place. And now she could not even say hello to her.

The absolute cowardice.

And Cullen... to see him standing there, skin clear of dead veins and so animated and, Maker, alive... she didn’t know whether to run up to him and throw her hands around him or simply run away.

“It is not a matter for debate. There will be abominations among the mages, and we must be prepared,” he groused, looking at the other advisors, his voice echoing within the hall.

“If we rescind the offer of an alliance, it makes the Inquisition appear incompetent at best- and tyrannical at worst,” Josephine tried to explain to him, but it only made him more frustrated. He looked up and saw Elissa, his frustration at the situation getting the better of him.

“What were you thinking, turning mages loose with no oversight? The veil is torn open!” he yelled at her, stunning Elissa.

“They’re people, Cullen. They deserve the same respect as anyone else,” she said steadfastly, trying to sound as normal as possible.

He’s alive. He’s right there. He’s alive.

“This is not about respect! Even the strongest mages can be overcome by demons in conditions like these! You were there, Seeker! Why didn’t you intervene?” he turned his attention to Cassandra, who opted to provide a measured answer.

“The sole point of the Herald’s mission was to gain the mages’ aid, and that was accomplished,” she said, obviously not impressed at what Elissa did but wanted to remain diplomatic.

“The voice of pragmatism speaks! And here I was just starting to enjoy the circular arguments,” Dorian piped in, stepping out from behind a column, unable to ignore their in-fighting any longer.

Cullen had flashbacks of his Templar brothers and sisters being slaughtered in both the Tower and in Kirkwall by blood mages. He remembered the faces of the poor mages caught and sacrificed alongside the Templars and shuddered to think of that happening in Haven. The horror of being trapped and seeing everyone you cared about tortured and murdered- if he saw another mage do that to Elissa- he wouldn’t know what he would do. His rage spilled over into his expression as he looked back to the Herald.

“I do not care if we seem tyrannical, I care that we are safe, that the people of Ferelden are safe. What happened at Redcliffe with the mages, that was a mistake and one we could pay dearly for.”

He’s alive. He’s allowed to be angry… But he’s not allowed to be angry at these mages just for being mages.

“I am a mage, Cullen, have you forgotten? Do you think I just carry this for fun?” she asked as she gestured to her staff. “I am a mage, and I will die before I conscript anyone to do anything against their will. Do you understand me? I will not let your fear of mages destroy their chance to live freely. Or have you secretly planned that I, too, be conscripted into the Inquisition?” she spat at him, surprising him out of his anger-fuelled stupor.

Cassandra placed herself between them, her hands up as a call for peace. “Enough of this. Closing the Breach is all that matters,” she reminded them, not moving until she saw Elissa calm down.

Leliana quietly looked at Elissa and their Commander, unsure of what had just happened between them. They seemed so close before they departed for Redcliffe, and then suddenly she was spending all her time with Tevinter mage and wanted nothing to do with Cullen? With any of them, if Cassandra’s report was to be believed.

“One battle at a time,” Cullen groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose to stave off an oncoming migraine. “It’s going to take time to organise our troops and the mage recruits. Let’s take this to the war room. Join us,” he said, doing his best to extend an olive branch to the Herald. He hadn’t meant to upset her again with something he said, brought upon by his deep-seated issues. “None of this means anything without you... or your input,” he added, as kindly as he could following their heated interaction.

Elissa stared at him, a mixture of too many emotions clashing within her to speak, causing the Commander to blush and everyone present to shift uncomfortably.

“Do not worry, Herald, meet us there when you’re ready. There is time, take as much rest as you need. As the Commander said, there is much to be done between now and our march to the Breach,” Josephine said, trying to nip the storm brewing within the mage.

“Of course there is. I’ll be there to help when the mages arrive, but I would like to see this Breach up close before that, if you don’t mind,” Dorian chirped, surprising Elissa, who smiled for the first time since her arrival. Something that Cullen had not failed to notice.

“Then you’re… staying? With the Inquisition? You’re not going to go back to Tevinter?” she asked hopefully, taking a step closer to Dorian, who had reached over and picked off a piece of lint from her chest casually. So naturally, both Leliana and Cullen had bristled at the innocent bit of contact. What exactly had happened during their travels to cause this sudden closeness between them?

“Oh, didn’t I mention? The South is so charming and rustic. I adore it to little pieces,” he grinned sardonically at her, his moustache twitching from the laugh he was trying to contain.

“The South, or me, Master Pavus?” she prodded congenially, the foul mood she had all but lifted.

“You minx, you got me. How could I possibly leave when you and I look so damned good together. Now, how about you show me that thing in the sky, and we’ll make a date out of it.”

Cullen could feel an odd churning in his gut, an uneasy sensation that made him want to punch the Tevinter mage in the throat, not that he had done anything to warrant such violence. He scratched at the back of his neck awkwardly, unsure of where or who to look at and decided to make a strategic exit.

“I’ll... uh... begin preparations to march on the summit. Maker willing, the mages will be enough to grant us victory.” The Commander left with a curt nod to the women and headed into the war room, not taking a second look at either Elissa or Dorian.

Elissa watched him leave out of the corner of her eyes and exhaled. What the hell was wrong with her? She could barely acknowledge him, and so instead, she decided to pick a fight with him. Wonderful. Ingenious. Returning to Haven was a mistake; it was better when she was just out there in the field and unable to talk to anyone. That way, she didn’t have to continue reliving a future that never happened to anyone but her and Dorian.

She agreed to take Dorian out to the Breach later in the week and then excused herself and made her way directly to her cabin, keeping her head down and not speaking to a soul who addressed her, not even the children who ran up to her to welcome her back from her triumph in Redcliffe.

Leliana sighed heavily and motioned for Josie and Cassandra to follow into the war room to give them insight as to why the Herald may have reacted to the Commander like that, at least provide her best-educated assumption for what happened.

“I cannot explain why she is acting like this, she has been snappish and standoffish since her return to this time,” Cassandra said as she leaned against the doorframe. “She told us that the future was horrible, we understand, but she has changed so much it is concerning.”

Josephine put her ledger down on the war table and smoothed down her blouse as she thought out loud. “Perhaps... Perhaps something else happened to her in the future that she does not wish to talk about? Something horrible... what if those mages... mercy, they... could they have hurther?” she postured, her meaning hanging heavily in the air.

Cullen tightened his grip on the map markers in his fist until they shot out of his grasp and skidded across the floor, startling the ambassador. He apologised and muttered something about looking for a reference and turned toward the bookshelves, burying his face into the rows of texts. Elissa... being trapped somewhere... getting assaulted... hit too close to home for him. He did not know if he could bear the possibility of it happening to her as well.

“I would not put it past them, considering what they were willing to do to the world,” Cassandra frowned, her countenance turning darker.

Leliana agreed and reined in her thoughts, channelling them toward why she had brought them all in with her in the first place. “I think you all deserve to know why Elissa is so adamant about one’s freedom of choice,” she began. “At this point, I think we’re all now of the belief that what I said about our Herald is true. That she is the same person who ended the Blight ten years ago? That the woman is indeed Elissa Cousland?”

Cassandra made a noise of agreement from her corner of the room. “It would be foolish for me to refute it as being the most likely situation. You have been saying so from the start. The mage in Redcliffe, Connor Guerrin, seemed to believe so, too. Even the Queen herself had to double-check.”

“And the serving girl, Rosemary,” Cullen added, still staring at the bookcase. “She said she used to be one of her ladies back in Highever.”

“We are all of the same mind now, Leliana, please continue,” Josie prompted.

The Spymaster nodded and took another deep breath before proceeding.

“I would ideally like to wait for her to be the one to tell you this, but there is no guarantee she will remember anything more, so it is best we understand her so we do not have to second guess everything she does,” she said moving towards the top right of their map table, standing beside Cullen. “The stories tell of her bravery, her unfaltering nature and how devoted she was to stopping the Blight. The perfect Grey Warden. But the truth is, she hated being one. Detested it.”

“But... she must have been one of the finest Wardens. No others came close to stopping a Blight within a decade, let alone one year!” Josie exclaimed, unable to reconcile the idea of the Herald being anything but the gracious warrior they all knew about.

“As a Cousland, she had been prepared to be married off to the best political family, bound to continuing their noble line, and she understood that- but she thought she had time before her duty called, especially with her brother already married with an heir. You must all know of the Cousland Castle massacre, the treachery of Arl Howe and the role Teryn Loghain played in the deaths of so many innocent men and women, including most of Elissa’s family. She did not volunteer to become a Warden. She was forcefully conscripted. Bound to killing these monsters for the rest of her life. Robbing her of all the possibilities she dreamed of. She was taken. Kicking and screaming away from her dying mother and father on the night of the attack.”

Leliana paused to see the information sink into each of the advisor’s minds, seeing them come to the understanding of what conscription truly meant to her. Though Elissa did not remember it, there was something inside of her that did. She recalled Elissa’s small voice when they were back in Redcliffe Chantry, after the siege was won and Alistair was away speaking to Bann Teagan.

‘All I see is Darkspawn. Smell them. Taste their blood. Dream of them. The Wardens stole my future... They stole me away from my family, Lela. Duncan may have been Alistair’s hero, but he was my captor.’

“She told me that she fought with the Commander of the Wardens, Duncan, the entire way from Highever until they reached Ostagar. She had thought up so many ways to kill him in his sleep so she could head back to Highever to get revenge or continue to Ostagar to meet with Fergus on her own- but she could never go through with it. She thought of her father and the lesson he drilled into her from the moment she could understand it. ‘A Cousland always does their duty.’ It was the main reason she never forced Alistair onto the throne, though he may have been willing if she asked him to. She couldn’t do that to him, not when her duty almost destroyed her... so I understand why she would not chain the mages to us. Apart from being one now herself, of course, she would abhor placing shackles on anyone.”

Cullen shoved the book he was absentmindedly thumbing through back into the bookshelf and walked out of the room in a rush, hurrying out to find Elissa. He did not want to allow the feeling in his gut to fester and their relationship to suffer for it. He would apologise for his callous words, and he would try to explain his point of view... And try to keep an open mind and not see demons or abominations lurking within groups of mages.

It was a constant challenge for him, one he had been trying to overcome since he first transferred to Kirkwall, but he was not perfect, and his fears still got the best of him. But he did not inherently hate mages; he was just more wary of them than most people. It was not outlandish considering the events that led him to the Inquisition, but he was tired of submitting to his past. He would continue trying to be better.

He was about to knock on her door when he heard a faint cry followed by a stifled whimper. Cullen stepped back and peered into the window, trying to convince himself he wasn’t being a lecher but just wanted to make sure she was alright. She was curled up on the floor beside her bed sobbing; her unmarked hand balled into a fist in her mouth to stop as much noise from escaping as she could. Any of the remaining bravado she had disappeared the moment she closed the door behind her.

He could not help but wonder... How often did she have to do this when she fought the Blight- did she ever get the chance? They would have been on the road for most of it- did she slip away and cry in the darkness? Did she cry when she was at Kinloch Hold? For him and the victims of the Tower? Did she also have to deal with stupid squabbles from her friends and have them second-guess her every judgment?

Cullen thought better of interrupting her. She deserved time to process whatever happened and not feel like she had to be strong for any of them. Whatever she was battling with, he would allow her to do what she needed. Because something had happened to her in Redcliffe, that much was certain, but he didn't have the heart to ask her, not until she was ready. Especially with the way she had been avoiding his eyes. He was afraid to know her answer.

---

Elissa became an expert at eluding people, even though she was stuck in camp, she was difficult to get alone. Like a skittish deer, the moment she saw the advisors, she’d head in the other direction and engage other people in conversation, making it impossible to take her away for a one-on-one discussion. When Josephine tried to invite her to the war table to discuss the plans, she said she trusted in what they would do and that she would be ready to march when the last of the mages arrived and rested enough to assault the Breach. She denied opportunities to spar with Cassandra, and she continued to outright ignore Leliana and Cullen, much to their displeasure.

She knew she was being stubborn and stupid and mean. It hurt her to see how they all reacted to her sudden aloofness and detachment. But it was easier speaking to Sera or the Iron Bull upon their return from the Storm Coast, easy to laugh and pretend none of the future happened because she hadn’t seen them there. Covered in red lyrium. Didn’t die for her. She could pretend they had gotten away and not admit they were both probably long dead in that version of the future.

Elissa spent a lot of time travelling with Solas in the Fade, the elven mage understanding that pushing her would not be wise in her current condition. He inherently saw she needed compassion, not education. She used her arcane training with Vivienne as a way to keep her days filled and chose to take her meals with Dorian in the privacy of their respective cabins- even using the mage as a human shield whenever Cullen sought her out, the Commander halting in his tracks whenever he’d see her with Tevinter.

She managed to keep the hide-and-seek act up for almost three weeks, each day resting heavily against her conscience. Varric gave up trying to speak to her, only sending her letters once in a while asking if he had done something to offend her and if she wanted to talk, he was only a few tents away. Even Bull had started to analyse her, which resulted in multiple arm wrestling matches to distract him, and when that stopped working, she reminded him that he still called her Boss and he should stop broaching topics she didn’t want to discuss.

Josephine stopped by her cabin one morning as she was getting ready to let her know that all the preparations were set to go to the Breach, it was just up to her when they would go. Elissa looked at her, shocked, had that much time already passed? She cleared her throat and agreed that the sooner they got things underway, the better. The ambassador advised she would inform the rest of the Inquisition they would leave the following morning, encouraging the Herald to continue resting. It would be a massive undertaking, but she would not be alone.

She watched as the Antivan walked out of the room and picked up the comb she used, skimming her fingers over the pretty carvings of vines and flowers. She flipped it over and stared at the odd symbols she knew were not from the Common tongue, the letters made of odd dashes, almost runic in their form. She did not think they were Dwarven, but it was quite similar.

“It says, Kadan, in Qunlat.”

“Kadan. You call me that, what does it mean?”

“It means where the heart is.”

“O-Oh, wow. Thank you, Sten, but I do not- it is a wonderful gesture, but-”

“I take your reaction to mean you believe I harbour feelings for you. You humans, such reductive creatures. We say it to people we hold in high esteem. Have no fear, I have no wish to replace that boy you roll around your tent with.”

“Ah... well. Thank you, Sten. This is a great gift, and I will be sure to use it often.”

“As you should, your hair is starting to knot.”

“... Thanks Sten.”

“If you would prefer, I could simply cut your hair off entirely-”

“You will do no such thing! Lissa’s hair is perfectly glorious as it is!”

“I was not addressing you, spy, if you wish, I could cut off your hair too.”

“You keep your blade away from us, Sten! Only I may touch her hair anyways, just look at my masterpiece! But I must admit that this is a lovely comb, it must have taken a long time to craft this.”

“Yes. The process took time, but it helped me drown out your incessant talk with each other.”

“Such a charmer, this one, eh, Lis?”

Elissa dropped the comb at the memory, her ears ringing and a familiar burst of pain at her temple, but she could not stop smiling. She now had a name for the unknown man in her mind, Sten, the man she pictured when she went to meet Bull. She witnessed the genuine affection she and Leliana once shared, understood why the Spymaster had looked so forlorn each time she looked at her... why her final request was to be remembered. She pulled out her plain braid and resolved herself; she had spent enough time being afraid of memories. It was time she became the master of her mind.

She marched directly to Leliana’s tent, where she was about to order an alleged traitor’s execution. Elissa remembered her vengeful attack on Alexius and begged for her to reconsider, not wanting another death to be notched upon the Sister’s blood-stained hands. The woman stared at her like she was mad, but she relented and was rewarded with a smile from her friend, such a simple gesture enough to warm the redhead’s hardened heart.

“You did not come here to speak of this Herald, I suppose Josie has told you we are ready to march by your leave,” she said, shuffling the papers around her desk, searching for the specific page she needed to send off to one of her agents in the valley.

“Yes, confirmed we are to move tomorrow morning.”

“Great. Is there something else I can help you with?” she asked distractedly, finally finding the vellum she was after.

“I... this might... this is a little weird to ask-”

“If you are not comfortable speaking to me about it, perhaps someone like Solas or Dorian can assist you in my stead,” she replied, the obvious bite when she said her other companions’ names not lost to Elissa. She stepped forward and handed the comb to Leliana, who was confused but accepted it nonetheless, a small frown playing on her lips.

“I was hoping that you could spare some time to... to maybe... do my hair for me,” Elissa murmured, her cheeks flushing a bright pink. Leliana gawked at the woman before her, completely stunned. She half expected to be brushed off or perhaps snapped at, but not that.

“I am... not as practised as I was before-” she began, twisting the comb in between her fingers slowly and appreciating the lovely gift from their old friend.

“Oh, it’s fine. Don’t worry about it; I’ll just do it myself,” Elissa said, dismissing the idea as preposterous. She went to retrieve the comb only to have Leliana snatch it out of her reach, the Spymaster glancing at her with a sly expression on her face.

“-I am not as practised as I was before. But I have not forgotten everything, not yet, at least,” she replied, a smile sweeping across her mouth. “Please, sit,” she gestured to the spot just in front of her feet, quickly putting a nearby blanket on the floor for Elissa to sit upon. The Herald sighed in relief and promptly sat against the older woman, her shoulders resting against her knees.

It was odd to think that she would feel so relaxed in Leliana’s presence when, at the start of it all, she was certain the woman had wanted her dead. Maybe it was because she had seen the memory of them both, she knew this exchange of affection and trust was something they had done countless times before, a normal part of their day once upon a time.

“I must say, this was not what I had expected when you finally came to see me... if I had known, I would have cracked open the wine Josie gave to me,” Leliana joked as she sectioned off Elissa’s hair.

“They’ve just started serving breakfast in the tavern, Leliana,” Elissa laughed, reaching up to hold up a piece of hair that Leliana was about to ask her to keep aside... She did not dwell on how she knew when and where to reach out; she figured the answers she needed would come to her eventually. So stop being a little coward already.

“It would not be the first time you and I had been drunk too early in the day,” she responded, remembering some of her fondest memories of their time together.

“In my defence, we were in Orzammar, and you can’t bloody tell whether it’s day or night underground,” Elissa automatically said, taking a minute to process what she recalled. She felt Leliana still behind her, a sharp intake of breath as she waited to see if she would say more.

“... That’s right, isn’t it? We were in Orzammar? And we were celebrating something there... I just don't remember what.”

Leliana continued plaiting her hair and cleared her throat, not trusting herself not to sound like a hysterical weeping woman. “That’s correct. The dwarves had just elected Bhelen Aeducan to be their new king.”

“I see.”

They sat in silence as Leliana continued to work on Elissa’s hair, both wondering what to say next. Elissa waited to see if any other tidbits would come out of her, but nothing came forth, so she proceeded with her plan. Craven, but at least it would get the job done- if she didn’t have to look at her, she could do it.

“In the future, the future I saw when we were at Redcliffe … you... you sacrificed yourself for me,” she whispered, her throat tight at the recollection of the woman’s mangled corpse. To her credit, Leliana did not pause or hesitate in her answer.

"That is no great surprise, Elissa. One small life for a second chance at history? I always loved a bargain. I would sacrifice myself for the Inquisition, the Chantry and the cause... There is no question that I would sacrifice myself for you," she stated so easily it was like breathing for her. Admitting she would lay down her life for her like it was nothing or something she did not need to think twice about- just how much of their great friendship had her memory taken from her?

"You ... You asked me for one thing..." she said, her voice unsteady, hands fidgeting with the tops of her boots anxiously.

"What was that?"

"To remember you."

That had caused the Spymaster to pause, her heart quickening and her head screaming at her not to get her hopes up.

"... Is... Is that something that you want to do?" she asked cautiously, her fingers starting back on the complex style. Elissa sat there in silence for a moment and truly considered it. Living in ignorance was generally easy, there was less pain and less to live up to... but was it truly living?

"I think it's something that I have to do," she answered, offering the last section of hair to Leliana without being prompted.

"If it's out of concern for me-" Leliana started but stopped when Elissa turned her head as far as she could to the side to look at her.

"No. I mean, yes, of course, there is a great concern for you, but... No. I think I need to remember you and whatever happened to live well and to fight at my best. I made a promise to save you all, and I will."

Leliana tied off the braid with a simple leather strap and handed the comb back to Elissa, unsure of what to say next. The Herald stood up and pocketed the comb, the elaborate hairstyle and innocent expression enough to fool Leliana that they had somehow transported back to the past, the young woman asking for her advice on whether she should try to seduce her fellow Grey Warden or if she should wait for him to make the next move.

“I… I also see these little snippets of us. And… I miss them. I see parts of the whole picture, and I miss not knowing everything about it. I miss you, and I don’t even know you… does any of that make sense?” Elissa asked, practically begging for the woman to understand her. Leliana nodded, and Elissa breathed a little easier, knowing that she wasn’t just babbling nonsense and embarrassing herself.

"So, where do you want to start?" the Spymaster asked, leaning back into her chair and regarding the Herald with one of the most open looks she had seen on the woman.

"At the beginning. But not now...” she noted the disappointed look Leliana gave her and continued, “-I need to focus on the task at hand. I need to get through closing this Breach with the mages tomorrow, and I don’t know if I can do that with whatever may be dragged up from my past. Besides, it gives me something to look forward to and even more reason to ensure I don’t run into anything head first and almost kill myself as I always seem to do."

Elissa thanked Leliana for her time and her hair and resigned herself to finding Cassandra and Varric to apologise to them for being such an ass, and then... Cullen, of course, Cullen. She ran her fingers at the ends of her hair and wondered if she could get away with asking the man if he could do her hair so she didn’t have to face him when she spoke to him… but she doubted that plan would work with anyone other than Leliana. No, she just had to buck up, admit she was wrong and hope he didn’t completely hate her.

---

Leliana watched Elissa speak to Varric as she headed to the small rookery, pulling out the four letters that remained on her person for months. She commandeered the fastest ravens they had in camp and secured a letter to each one. One for a safehouse in Antiva. One to Vigils Keep. One to a safe house in the Coastlands and the last one to Castle Cousland.

She held off from sending them for too long, waiting because Elissa’s progress stagnated, and it would have been too cruel to send them if she could not remember any of them.

There were other reasons for the delay as well.

She was not lying when she said she had not heard from her Warden contact, Oghren, for months. No matter how many ravens she sent to Amaranthine or Felsi asking her for an update, there was no word from him. Then Zevran sent her a letter saying he would be travelling and could not confirm where he was due to the nature of his mission but that he would be in touch as soon as he could. Teryn Cousland would have come right away, but she did not know if it would be detrimental to Elissa to see her brother so soon. She had passed out from pain after finding out her nickname, what would happen if the Teryn came running up to her in tears, proclaiming he was her brother?

And Alistair… if Oghren was hard to contact when he was meant to be in one place, then it was nigh impossible to pin down the nomadic Warden. But she would try. The events of the morning cemented that Elissa was slowly remembering who she was, and it was only right to let the people who loved her most know. By the time everyone could make it to Haven to see her, she may have returned to them completely, and it was a gamble she had to take. If anyone deserved a story with a happily ever after, it was her friend, and she would do all she could to help her write it.

---

He could see her pacing back and forth between the Iron Bull’s tent and Blackwall’s seat near the forge. At first, it looked like she was speaking to them or perhaps playing a game of whispers, but it soon became evident she was trying to build up the courage to do something- something to do with him if her glances his way had anything to do with it.

Cullen had tried his damnedest to talk to her and apologise; if she was cross with him or disappointed, he wanted the chance to talk with her. However, the look on her face at times it appeared as if she were afraid of him. At first, it made him want to go to her more, to understand what happened without his notice to make her feel that way, but he quickly realised that perhaps pressing the matter was not the answer to their situation, not when she used people to literally shield herself from him. He would have to wait for her to be ready to talk to him… if she ever would be.

He wasn’t stupid; he knew there was nothing to be had with Elissa. He may have liked to read, but he was not so easily lost in fantastical tales of people finding each other in the middle of a war. But he did not want to lose the burgeoning friendship they shared. It was easier to laugh with her around, to ignore the ache in his bones in her presence, forget that they went into battle after battle with worsening odds at every turn when she would walk by and somehow, she made the day a little bit better just by being there.

Cullen looked back up to see Krem take the Herald by the arm and lead her towards him with an encouraging but determined look on their face. He could see them hurriedly whispering something to her as she nodded obediently and agreed with everything they said. Krem took Elissa by the arms and shook her slightly, the woman’s eyes widening from the jolt. Elissa nodded more assertively and clasped the Charger lieutenant’s forearm in thanks. She walked over to him on her own only to pause and worriedly turn back.

“I’ve forgotten everything you just told me,” he heard her cry out, her body language screaming that she was about to run back to Krem.

They held out their hand in a preemptive motion to stop her. “Herald, just talk to the man. You battled with time and won, you can speak to the Commander.”

Cullen’s eyebrows shot up with shock, was she that scared of him she needed a pep talk from other members of the Inquisition? Had to have them feed the words to her? He pretended to look over the documents in his hands until he heard her clear her throat to get his attention.

He looked up at her, and, Maker, she truly was a vision. Had he forgotten so much from only a couple of weeks of not being able to engage with her directly? Certainly not. Perhaps she... perhaps she was the type of person who only got more beautiful each time you saw them.

Maker, have mercy. You are the Commander. She is the Herald. And she is afraid of you, man.

“A-Ah, good afternoon, Herald,” he greeted her stiffly. He wanted to sound casual, maybe even aloof, not like a scared little boy in front of his teacher.

“Afternoon Commander,” she replied, unable to completely focus her eyes on him. Each time she did, she’d last only for a few seconds and would have to look away.

“Is there something I can help you with?” he asked after a minute of awkward silence. Elissa opened her mouth but thought better of what she was about to say and shut it. She looked back to Krem, who threw her two thumbs up in encouragement before turning their attention to something Iron Bull said, the Qunari openly watching their interaction with a satisfied grin on his face.

Elissa cleared her throat again, her nervousness apparent. He could tell she was having some sort of internal struggle or dialogue with herself, and he did not want to deter her from whatever it was she needed to address with him.

“I... You weren’t happy with the situation with the mages. Do you now have a problem with me as well?” she asked, her face contorting once she said it. Obviously, it was not what she had intended to say, but at least it was a start.

“Of course not, Herald,” he sighed heavily. “I’m not about to ruin the alliance you and the Inquisition have with the mages, but I must ensure the safety of everyone here. That includes the mages. I am always here to help you, to help with what we’re trying to do here. I am just taking what I believe are the necessary precautions; I can only hope that you can see it that way.”

Elissa was staring up at him with a look filled with such sadness he was about to ask her how he was upsetting her, only for her to put on her ‘Herald of Andraste’ mask she thought she needed to act out for everyone else.

“Of course, Commander, I am glad for it, and I appreciate your efforts. I will see you tomorrow,” she said curtly before turning around and returning to Krem, who looked at her exasperatedly. He was sure he had heard The Iron Bull say, “Boss, you didn’t even kiss!” which would make her reaction to it understandable, the much smaller Herald pointing to her own behind before grabbing it aggressively with one hand and intimating that the Qunari should kiss her- oh.

Elissa happened to look back at him at that moment, and she flushed, the absurdity of the moment catching them both off guard. Shy, awkward smiles were exchanged between them- though she still could not hold his gaze for long. She released herself and shoved her hand in her jacket pocket before retreating into the main camp without turning around again. Cullen knew it was a far cry from where they were before, but at least she was talking to him again. He could wait.

---

Elissa stood inside the Chantry. The events of the last couple of days were a blur.

They had done it; they closed the Breach. The mages pulled through, and their power was enough for her to draw from to help stabilise the green gash in the sky. Her arm had hurt all the way home, but thankfully, Solas was right there beside her, feeding his mana into her to help soothe the ache, the apostate quietly congratulating her for what she helped to achieve and apologising that he could not do more for her pain.

Their return was met with joyous celebration. The entire town was overcome with merriment as they feasted, drank and danced with each other at their success- Haven feeling safer than it had before the explosion at the Conclave. It seemed like everyone wanted to talk to her, touch her and thank her for what she had done, but all she wanted was a quiet moment to herself to take it all in. To just breathe.

But nothing was ever so simple for her.

Of course not.

Why would it be? Why wouldn’t the Elder One lead an entire army of corrupted Templars to come barging down their front door and attack them all? A random spirit boy named Cole showed up to warn them, just barely in time to gather their forces and shake them from their happy haze to ready them for battle.

And then... a dragon. A bloody. Fucking. Dragon.

What could they do to ward off an army and a dragon?

She was standing there, her thoughts running a mile a minute, nothing coming to her- her mind as blank as the snow that covered the ground. A wet cough and a noise of strained pain broke her out of her state of inaction. Cole was kneeling next to an injured Chancellor Roderick, the cleric clutching to his side with his robes stained red from his wound.

“He tried to stop a templar. The blade went deep. He’s going to die,” Cole said plainly.

“What a charming boy, a relation of yours, Herald?” the injured man said dryly, another gurgle of blood behind his coughs. Elissa thought at that moment, in another time and place, she and Roderick could have been friends. But it was too late. It was all too late. She looked up to see Cullen run to her, the Commander surveying their surroundings like the vigilant leader he was.

“How is everything, Commander?” she asked in reflex, knowing full well that he had nothing up his sleeve.

“It is not good,” he replied truthfully, worry creasing his forehead. “That dragon stole back any time you might have earned us, and we’re in dire straits. That army now has a straight path to us- they will kill everyone in Haven!”

“The Elder One doesn’t care about the village. He only wants the Herald,” Cole said from his position next to the Chancellor, his face still covered by the large brim of his hat. Elissa was not one for quitting, so it was not something she considered before. But if her sacrifice would mean they would all be able to escape and live on... was that not a worthy exchange? Her life for many. What had Leliana said? Ah, yes. She always loved a bargain.

“The Breach is now sealed, if it means my life will save these people, he can have me,” she said willfully, staring at the mark on her palm. Perhaps now they knew what was coming, what they had to prepare for without her- it wouldn’t matter that she was gone.

Cole shook his head and took her hand. “It won’t. It won’t stop him. He wants to kill you. No one else matters, but he’ll crush them, kill them all anyway.”

She could hear Cullen talking to her, telling her that there was no surviving the oncoming attack. Instead, they could use the trebuchets to aim at the mountains and stop their forces with an avalanche. Elissa knew she told him it would result in them being buried alive, and he posited that at least it was a death on their terms... and in an instant, she was right back in that cell with him in Redcliffe... her dagger in her hand and him welcoming death with open arms.

Elissa could feel her heart start to thunder in her chest, with despair creeping in once again until the Chancellor told them about a secret path that only those who had taken the holy pilgrimage would know. She bit the inside of her cheek to snap her back to reality; this wasn’t Redcliffe; Cullen was fine, and her hands were still clean of his blood. She could still do it all, save them all.

“Do you think it’ll work, Commander?” she asked, breath returning to her lungs, sparks of hope twinkling in her eyes.

Cullen stared at her, horrified at what she was planning to do, the idea of her alone as they made their way out of Haven-

“Possibly,” he paused, hoping that she would change her mind. “But, what of your escape, Herald?” he urged her.

Elissa looked up at him with her eyes shining in the dim light of the Chantry, her lips twitching between smiling and falling into a quivering mess.

Oh.

“... Perhaps you’ll surprise it, find a way to”, he found himself saying but was cut off by the Herald throwing herself onto him, her arms clinging around his neck. His arms wrapped around her without any thought, cherishing the embrace as much as it shocked him. He felt her turn her head, her lips brushing against his ears as she whispered sincerely to him.

“I’ll do it this time; I promised you, Cullen. I will save you. I will save everyone.”

She released him and took two decisive steps back, her eyes steeled and her mana crackling under her skin, the picture of the courageous warrior ready to brave her final battle. Cullen swallowed an unnamed emotion down his throat and saluted her once more before assembling everyone to follow behind Cole and the Chancellor.

He rushed back just as he was about to leave and took her by the hands. Cullen looked into her eyes so he was sure she understood each word he said.

“The soldiers have loaded the trebuchets. Keep the Elder One’s attention until we’re above the tree line. If we are to have a chance—if you are to have a chance—let that thing hear you.”

Elissa smiled at him, the sight more beautiful and painful than he ever thought it could be.

“If there’s one thing I know how to do, it’s how to get attention. No monster can come to my home and try to upstage me with their entrance. What does he think he is? Orlesian?”

---

They sent up the flare.

They saw the ballista hit the mountain, the avalanche larger than anticipated.

They saw the Archdemon escape and, with it, the Elder One.

They did not see the Herald.

---

Leliana wanted to scream when they told her what happened. She was charged to lead the evacuated villagers out and was not told that Elissa would not be with them. She ran back, pushing into the fleeing people, to see the fires of the dragon extinguished by the mighty snowfall- the entire village destroyed by the weight of the avalanche.

She stood there with her shaking hands covering her mouth as she fought off the grief that was fighting to overtake her once again. She could hear Cullen’s gasp as the village was levelled, and all that was left to see was the devastation that was once called Haven.

Leliana took in a breath and then a second.

And then screamed out into the night sky, uncaring if another avalanche took her.

Cullen grasped her shoulder, his eyes fixed on the spot, absolutely horrified but unable to look away.

“She... spoke of sacrifice to me... just the other morning... I had not thought that..” she tapered off, wiping away the tears that came to her eyes angrily. She didn’t have time to be sad; she didn’t have time to feel. Look how far her foolish hope had gotten her.

“Come Cullen, the Inquisition still stands.”

Cullen took in a breath and blinked; perhaps you will find a way...

“Yes, yes, of course Leliana. To work.”

Chapter 11

#dragonage #dragon age #dragon age inquisition #dragon age origins #cullen x inquisitor #alistair x warden #alistair x warden x cullen #alistair x inquisitor x cullen #dragon age 2 #dragon age fanfic #cullen x warden #alistair x inquisitor #LONG POST #tw: mention of sa

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renee-writer · 2 years ago

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What If It Were Brian Chapter Thirty-five

AO3

“He was an evil man, cruel to all around him. The time was different but the queen and prince still wished to get away from him. They went through a portal that brought them to a place and time where the real king lives. He wasn’t like the other. He was kind and loving. There a princess was born to them named, Olivia. There they lived happily forever.”

She watches her big brother, fascinated by his words. At a few months old, she doesn’t understand them but, she loves his focused attention and her name being said.

Jamie loves his son’s storytelling skill and the role he has in it. The true king, indeed. Claire is out collecting herbs for her surgery. With the new house finished, the original house can now be used as such. Fergus went with her as a guard. Murtagh is out hunting. It is just himself and his children.

“Grand tale son. Storytelling is in your blood. It is a Scottish tradition.”

He smiles down at Olivia, who is contently resting in his lap. Claire can only make short trips. The lass remains fully content only with her mama, as it should be at her age.

“Your turn daddy. Tell us a story.”

He is happy too. Patting his free knee, he invites Brian to join him.

“There once was a poor lad, wondering about the land, in service to his uncles. A Laird in excel, you see. Unable to return to his land because the evil Englishmen.

One day, he fell off his horse, injuring himself. Well, neither his uncle nor the other lads with him knew how to fix it. They were discussing it when suddenly, like a dream, there was a lass there.

She looked like no other lass the poor wonderer had ever seen. She behaved like none either. She took charge, you see. Neither weak nor obedient was she.

When she spoke, demanding leave to see to his shoulder, he realized she was an English lass. It didn’t matter, he knew still she was to be his lady.

She fixed his shoulder, a type of magic, then they rode together back to his uncles keep. He was a stubborn one, was the lad, not telling her he was injured another way.

She found out when he fell off his horse. He woke to her kneeling a top him, speaking words no lass should. He knew then, even more then before, she was to be his bride.

They were married, amidst a room full of candles. Now they have sons and a daughter. He is Laird of his own land. They are living happily.”

Brian has falling asleep. Olivia is awake, looking at him with her round eyes, a grin on her face.

“Aye, my lass, the story is about your daddy and mama.”

He adjusts to lay Brian down on the bed. Then he just rocks his daughter until Claire and Fergus, return.

#my writing #outlander fanfic #what if it were brian #chapter thirty five #jamie and claire #cannon divergence #outlander fandom

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ladala99 · 4 months ago

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Burnout's Power

Contains: mind control, Christianity-inspired demons

Burnout padded towards the ritual ground—the last place Ilere had been spotted.

Time was running out, and Burnout knew it. Wisdom had made it clear that Desert was not going to be sitting out of the fights for much longer.

Burnout was going to have to fight Desert, which meant that he wouldn’t get the benefit of Desert’s and Sandy’s powers. In fact, they would be used against him. He wouldn’t stand a chance. Not unless he had a power of his own.

The demonic portal shimmered. It was close to closing. Whatever he had to do to convince Ilere to give him a power, it had to be fast. Which probably meant sacrificing something. Perhaps becoming changed, like his father and Fortune. But the alternative was being vaporized and his soul absorbed as pure energy. It was a risk he was willing to take.

Ilere’s eyes glistened as he approached. “You’re coming to me?” she asked.

He bowed. “I need a power. Whatever it takes. I need to be able to fight Desert. Whatever. . .” his breath hitched. Was he really going to do this? “Even if it means losing myself in the process.”

He raised his head and met her eyes.

She blinked in pleasure. “I think I have the perfect power in mind. No need to change you myself.” She opened her eyes again and met his. The world faded from around them.

Burnout’s body tingled, and he felt an unfamiliar warmness in his chest. Like happiness, but not quite. Something a bit more sinister.

The world faded back into view. That was it?

Ilere spoke. “I have unlocked the ancestral perception that was locked before. You now have the ability to summon your ancestors at will, manifest them, and control them.”

His ancestors. Fergus, likely, but also, “Doesn’t that include you?”

She flicked her tail. “It does. But it would not give you access to my powers. Just my physical strength.”

This seemed too easy. “What’s the catch? You can’t just be giving me this for nothing.”

“In order for them to fight by your side, you must control them.” She let that sink in.

He would be controlling them like Sandy and Desert control lions. And Ilere at times.

She continued, “Using such a power for your own gain will, of course, put you in my pride in the end. Especially as you have chosen to receive it yourself.”

“I see,” he said. He dipped his head. “Thank you for offering me a fighting chance.”

“I hope you survive,” she said. “I would be rewarded greatly to bring your soul into my pride.”

“And I’d rather be there than be red energy,” he replied.

———

He didn’t have to use his power against lions like Fergus. He could use it on the mindless lions already chained the the demon realm. And for practice, he tried exactly that.

He was in a rocky clearing in the territory, and he focused inward. He thought about one of the ghostly kings he had seen, with the dead eyes. He felt a line of energy connecting him with that lion, and pulled.

It felt like he was dragging the other lion out of a pile of fallen trees, but he managed to get him free, channeling energy to manifest him.

The dull-eyed king was there, looking somewhat confused. He was the Primal Smilus one with saffron fur and an onyx mane.

Now to actually control him. Burnout poured the second type of energy, more sinister but feeling oddly good to use, into the ground. Chains of red energy burst from the ground and tangled around the dull-eyed lion’s legs.

Burnout could feel the other lion’s mind, though it seemed far away and through a thick fog. He mentally grasped at it, and as soon as he locked it in his mental jaws, the fog cleared.

The other lion’s body was Burnout’s to command, but a very confused presence itched at the back of his mind.

I’m dead, it said. I’m supposed to be dead. Ilere said that she would ensure I wouldn’t awaken to the horrors of her world. But I seem to be home. Is this a dream? Horror dawned on it. I can’t move. Something else is controlling me. Where’s Ilere?

The mindless lion wasn’t mindless after all. Burnout had the power to bring him—perhaps all of them—back. He let go, but as he did so, the mental fog rolled in and the other lion’s eyes glazed back over.

Burnout used his power again, taking back control, but also awakening the lion again.

That was weird, the other lion thought. It was like oblivion took me again, but I’m back. And still can’t move.

Burnout rose himself and walked into the other lion’s view.

“You’re still in there,” he said. “I tried my power on you because I thought you were mindless. But I guess I woke you up.”

Did Ilere know about this potential? Perhaps she knew it wouldn’t matter, as the fog would return when Burnout released him.

Who are you? The other lion wondered.

“My name’s Burnout. Lightning’s cub. I know you’re an ancestor, but what is your name?”

Lightning’s cub is controlling me. Not again. And must be able to hear my thoughts. I am Luke, son of Lana. I am the one who brought the Exile Pride back into the fold. Lightning was from the Exile Pride. What do you want with me, Burnout? And where is Ilere?

“I was testing my new power,” Burnout said. “I. . . I don’t know about any Exile Pride. I don’t know how it was in your day, but I’m a submale, and I’ll need to fight to stay alive. One of my opponents has the power to control lionesses, and he will use that power against me. I got this power, to manifest and control the bodies of my ancestors, to defend myself. Whoever loses these submale fights will die, and their soul will be absorbed as demonic energy.

“As for Ilere, well, the original is in the ritual grounds. I don’t know where the one that normally commands you is, if that’s what you’re asking. I can summon her, too, I think. If you want. I don’t know if you do since she’s probably the reason you’re mindless.”

Absorbed as demonic energy. Ilere must have integrated into the main line, then. So you are both of Lightning and Ilere. That’s . . . dangerous.

My Ilere is the reason I was like that, yes. In life she served me, and in death I was to serve her. She told me she would spare me the pain of being aware in that world of death and torture, and she did just that.

Burnout tested his ability to command the body. It felt oddly right, toying with its poses.

“You said ‘not again,’ earlier. What did you mean by that?” he asked.

The Lightning in my day wanted me dead. She could see the future and knew what my kingship would lead to. She also repeatedly tried to prevent my Ilere from gaining power over me. Including putting me in trances herself.

Lightning was powerful in her own way, Burnout. Combining her powers with Ilere’s. . . That is what you are doing now, isn’t it? Summoning a dead lion to control him.

“Yeah,” Burnout admitted. “It seems once I let go, you’ll be mindless again, though. So it’s not like I can free you. This is just making me feel bad whatever I do.”

“Is he not mindless now?” a lioness asked.

Burnout jumped, and spotted the lioness who normally commanded Luke sitting on a tall rock. Luke’s Ilere.

“The fog cleared when I took control and he seems to be who he originally was,” Burnout said. “Ilere gave me a power,” he added. “Summoning and controlling my ancestors.”

Luke’s Ilere jumped down. “Interesting,” she said. “I guess that makes sense that he’s preserved in there. After all, if we ever lose power, all of us will be returned to our most uncorrupted state, so we can be tortured most effectively.

“Of course,” she said, “this isn’t what you need, is it, Burnout? You can’t be distracted in battle. You’ll need to silence the mind as well.”

Dread crept into Burnout’s heart. She was right, of course. And he sensed he could do that.

She’s not even pretending to be kind anymore, Luke commented. What did they do to her down there? Perhaps it’s best I don’t know. Perhaps she just used her powers too much.

From my experience with my Ilere, the more you use your powers, the more you lose your true self. Remember that, and use them sparingly. But if you must practice, go ahead.

With that invitation, Burnout activated the third stage of his power that he could sense. Luke’s thoughts were choked out as Burnout’s will filled the space. It felt satisfying, but he also felt guilty.

Satisfied he knew how to do it, he let go completely. He felt the fog fill the mind again as he retreated, and could barely spot a spirit chain spring back out of Luke’s paw to unite him with his Ilere.

Luke walked dully to his Ilere’s side.

“Don’t let yourself get distracted during an actual fight,” Luke’s Ilere said, and they both walked off.

#lioden #lioden story

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ghxstkn1fe · 2 years ago

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thinking about alastyrs arm in pd. when did he make and attach the prosthetic? did he cut his entire arm off or is the prosthetic some type of device used to fend fergus off? is fergus even still there? if so, how much is it affecting alastyr? is it one of the reasons alastyr went a little mad? what is that green stuff he injects into the arm? it looks like how the portals in convergence were described but if there is truly a connection then why? what is that green liquid and why is he injecting it into his arm? is the liquid what keeps fergus at bay???? i need answers??? bizly please????

#i need to know more about what happened to him after the end of the unreleased 9th episode cause that episode had soooo much information #i don’t even know if the two unreleased episodes are even cannon anymore #and if they are then to what extent #blehhhhhhhhh my brains going so fast #over the hills

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best-character-named-x-poll · 6 months ago

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301-400

Round 301: Cosmo : WINNER: Cosmo (Fairly Odd Parents)

Round 302: Alina : WINNER: Alina Starkov (Shadow and Bone)

Round 303: Zeke : WINNER: Zeke (Xenoblade Chronicles)

Round 304: Adora : WINNER: Princess Adora (She-Ra and the Princesses of Power)

Round 305: Fergus : WINNER: King Fergus (Brave)

Round 306: Sheila : WINNER: Sheila Hammond (Santa Clarita Diet)

Round 307: Remy : WINNER: Remy (Ratatouille)

Round 308: Caroline : WINNER: Caroline aka GLaDOS (Portal)

Round 309: Felix : WINNER: Fix-It-Felix (Wreck-It-Ralph)

Round 310: April : WINNER: April Ludgate (Parks and Recreation)

Round 311: Ignacio/Ignatius : WINNER: Ignacio "Nacho" Varga (Breaking Bad/Better Call Saul)

Round 312: Orla : WINNER: Orla McCool (Derry Girls)

Round 313: Craig : WINNER: Craig Pelton (Community)

Round 314: Erica : WINNER: Erika (Barbie's Princess and the Pauper)

Round 315: Gaius : WINNER: Gaius (Merlin)

Round 316: Lois : WINNER: Lois Lane (Superman)

Round 317: Hugo : WINNER: Hugo (Dream Daddy)

Round 318: Skyler : WINNER: Skylor Chen (Ninjago)

Round 319: Hans : WINNER: Huge Hands Hans (Phineas and Ferb)

Round 320: Camille : WINNER: Camilla Hect (The Locked Tomb)

Round 321: Olaf : WINNER: Count Olaf (A Serious of Unfortunate Events)

Round 322: Dana : WINNER: Dana Scully (The X-Files)

Round 323: Tim : WINNER: Tim Drake (Batman)

Round 324: Daisy : WINNER: Princess Daisy (Mario)

Round 325: Quentin : WINNER: Quentin Beck aka Mysterio (Spider-Man)

Round 326: Flora : WINNER: Flora Reinhold (Professor Layton)

Round 327: Fox : WINNER: Fox Mulder (The X-Files)

Round 328: Rosemary : WINNER: Rosemary Woodhouse (Rosemary's Baby)

Round 329: Ralph : WINNER: Wreck-It-Ralph (Wreck-It-Ralph)

Round 330: Ada : WINNER: Ada Wong (Resident Evil)

Round 331: Rod : WINNER: Rodrick Heffley (Diary of a Wimpy Kid)

Round 332: Missy : WINNER: Missy (Doctor Who)

Round 333: Raphael : WINNER: Raphael (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles)

Round 334: Elena : WINNER: Elena de la Vega (Zorra)

Round 335: Stan : WINNER: Stan Pines (Gravity Falls)

Round 336: Victoria : WINNER: Victoria Everglot (Corpse Bride)

Round 337: Steve : WINNER: Steve (Minecraft)

Round 338: Anita : WINNER: Anita Fite (Young Justice)

Round 339: Clyde : WINNER: Clyde Donovan (South Park)

Round 340: Dawn : WINNER: Dawn Summers (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)

Round 341: Gabriel : WINNER: Gabriel (Ultrakill)

Round 342: Rebecca : WINNER: Rebecca Bunch (Crazy Ex Girlfriend)

Round 343: Cory : WINNER: Koriand'r aka Starfire (Teen Titans)

Round 344: Debbie : WINNER: Debbie Jellinsky (Addams' Family Values)

Round 345: Carlos : WINNER: Carlos the Scientist (Welcome to Night Vale)

Round 346: Tara : WINNER: Tara Maclay (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)

Round 347: Alucard : WINNER: Alucard (Castlevania)

Round 348: Isobel/Isabella : WINNER: Isabella Garcia Shapiro (Phineas and Ferb)

Round 349: Wade : WINNER: Wade Wilson (Deadpool)

Round 350: Marina : WINNER: Marina Ida (Splatoon)

Round 351: Clive : WINNER: Clive (Professor Layton)

Round 352: Athena : WINNER: Athena (Greek Mythology)

Round 353: Ron : WINNER: Ron Stoppable (Kim Possible)

Round 354: Vivian : WINNER: Vivian Kensington (Legally Blonde)

Round 355: Cliff : WINNER: Clifford the Big Red Dog (Clifford the Big Red Dog)

Round 356: Heather : WINNER: Heather Chandler, Heather Duke and Heather Macnamara (Heathers)

Round 357: Bernard : WINNER: Bernard (The Rescuers)

Round 358: Paige : WINNER: Paige Matthews (Charmed)

Round 359: Terry : WINNER: Terry Jeffords (Brookyln-Nine-Nine)

Round 360: Dora : WINNER: Dora Marquez (Dora the Explorer)

Round 361: Monty : WINNER: Monty Montgomery (A Series of Unfortunate Events)

Round 362: Gemma : WINNER: Jemma Simmons (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D)

Round 363: Parker : WINNER: Parker (Leverage)

Round 364: Melanie : WINNER: Melanie King (The Magnus Archives)

Round 365: Francis : WINNER: Francis Monogram (Phineas and Ferb)

Round 366: Jules : WINNER: Jules Paxton (Bend It Like Beckham)

Round 367: Malcolm : WINNER: Malcolm Wilkerson (Malcolm in the Middle)

Round 368: Molly : WINNER: Mollymauk Tealeaf (Critical Role)

Round 369: Jonas : WINNER: Jonas Quinn (Stargate SG-1)

Round 370: Claudia : WINNER: Claudia (Interview With The Vampire)

Round 371: Aiden : WINNER: Aiden Pearce (Watch Dogs)

Round 372: Cynthia : WINNER: Cynthia (Pokemon)

Round 373: Oscar : WINNER: Oscar the Grouch (Sesame Street)

Round 374: Mabel : WINNER: Mabel Pines (Gravity Falls)

Round 375: Randall : WINNER: Rand al'Thor (Wheel of Time)

Round 376: Liesel : WINNER: Liesl Von Trapp (The Sound of Music)

Round 377: Stuart : WINNER: Stuart Little (Stuart Little)

Round 378: Laurel : WINNER: Laurel Lightfoot (Onward)

Round 379: Roger : WINNER: Roger Rabbit (Who Framed Roger Rabbit)

Round 380: Nami : WINNER: Nami (One Piece)

Round 381: George : WINNER: George Cubbins (Lockwood and Co.)

Round 382: Esme : WINNER: Esmeralda (The Hunchback of Notre Dame)

Round 383: Klaus : WINNER: Klaus Hargreeves (The Umbrella Academy)

Round 384: Nora : WINNER: Nora Darhk (Legends if Tomorrow) AND Nora (Noragami)

Round 385: Ulrich : WINNER: Ulrich Stern (Code Lyoko)

Round 386: May : WINNER: May Parker (Spider-Man)

Round 387: Calvin : WINNER: Calvin (Calvin and Hobbes)

Round 388: Fern : WINNER: Fearne Calloway (Critical Role)

Round 389: Jackson : WINNER: Jackson Jekyll (Monster High)

Round 390: Juliet : WINNER: Juliet O'Hara (Psych)

Round 391: Ike : WINNER: Ike (Fire Emblem)

Round 392: Summer : WINNER: Summer Smith (Rick and Morty)

Round 393: Duke : WINNER: Duke Thomas aka The Signal (DC Comics)

Round 394: Melinda : WINNER: Melinda May (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D)

Round 395: Jared : WINNER: Jared, 19 (Never Fucking Learned How To Read)

Round 396: Jo : WINNER: Jo March (Little Women)

Round 397: Toby : WINNER: Toby (The Great Mouse Detective)

Round 398: Diana : WINNER: Diana Prince (Wonder Woman)

Round 399: Moe : WINNER: Moe Slyzlak (The Simpsons)

Round 400: Luna : WINNER: Princess Luna (My Little Pony)

Past Polls

Round 1: Peter : WINNER: Peter Parker (Spider-Man)

Round 2: Elizabeth : WINNER: Elizabeth Swann (Pirates of the Caribbean)

Round 3: Jason : WINNER: Jason Mendoza (The Good Place)

Round 4: Eve : WINNER: EVE (WALL-E)

Round 5: Fred : WINNER: Fred Jones (Scooby-Doo)

Round 6: Rachel : WINNER: Rachel (Animorphs)

Round 7: Arthur : WINNER: Arthur Pendragon (Merlin)

Round 8: Amy : WINNER: Amy Pond (Doctor Who)

Round 9: Tom : WINNER: Tom (Tom and Jerry)

Round 10: Claire : WINNER: Clare Devlin (Derry Girls)

Round 11: James : WINNER: James (Pokemon)

Round 12: Max : WINNER: Max (Black Sails)

Round 13: Simon : WINNER: Simon Belmont (Castlevania)

Round 14: Jane : WINNER: Jane Crocker (Homestuck)

Round 15: Victor : WINNER: Victor Nikiforov (Yuri On Ice)

Round 16: Mary : WINNER: Mary Poppins (Mary Poppins)

Round 17: Will : WINNER: Will Graham (Hannibal)

Round 18: Laura : WINNER: Laura Palmer (Twin Peaks)

Round 19: Ben : WINNER: Ben "Obi-Wan" Kenobi (Star Wars)

Round 20: Chloe : WINNER: Chloe Price (Life Is Strange)

Round 21: John : WINNER: Jonathan Sims (The Magnus Archives)

Round 22: Lydia : WINNER: Lydia Deetz (Beetlejuice)

Round 23: Mark : WINNER: Marc Spector (Moon Knight)

Round 24: Jess : WINNER: Jesse Pinkman (Breaking Bad)

Round 25: Theo : WINNER: Theobald Gumbar (Dimension 20: A Crown Of Candy)

Round 26: Sarah: WINNER: Sarah Jane Smith (Doctor Who)

Round 27: Richard : WINNER: Richard Gansey III (The Raven Cycle)

Round 28: Cass : WINNER: Cassandra Cain (Batman)

Round 29: Edward : WINNER: Edward Elric (Fullmetal Alchemist)

Round 30: Carm : WINNER: Carmen Sandiego (Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?)

Round 31: Hal : WINNER: HAL9000 (2001: A Space Odyssey)

Round 32: Sid : WINNER: Sydney Adamu (The Bear)

Round 33: Jack : WINNER: Captain Jack Harkness (Doctor Who)

Round 34: Stephanie : WINNER: Stephanie Brown (Batman)

Round 35: Ash : WINNER: Ash Ketchum (Pokemon)

Round 36: Veronica : WINNER: Veronica Sawyer (Heathers)

Round 37: Kurt : WINNER: Kurt Wagner aka Nightcrawler (X-Men)

Round 38: Eleanor : WINNER: Eleanor Shellstrop (The Good Place)

Round 39: Nathan : WINNER: Nathan Young (Misfits)

Round 40: Fiona : WINNER: Princess Fiona (Shrek)

Round 41: Gale : WINNER: Gayle Waters-Waters (Chris Fleming)

Round 42: Barbara : WINNER: Barbara Millicent Roberts aka Barbie (Barbie)

Round 43: Sam : WINNER: Samwise Gamgee (Lord of the Rings)

Round 44: Grace : WINNER: Grace Chastity (Nerdy Prudes Must Die)

Round 45: Barry : WINNER: Barry Bluejeans (The Adventure Zone)

Round 46: Raven : WINNER: Raven (Teen Titans)

Round 47: Dan : WINNER: Danny Fenton (Danny Phantom)

Round 48: Mia : WINNER: Mia Fey (Ace Attorney)

Round 49: Matt : WINNER: Matt Murdock (Daredevil)

Round 50: Rose : WINNER: Rose Tyler (Doctor Who)

Round 51: Robert : WINNER: Robbie Rotten (LazyTown)

Round 52: Lola : WINNER: Lola Bunny (Space Jam)

Round 53: Scott : WINNER: Scott Summers aka Cyclops (X-Men)

Round 54: Olivia : WINNER: Olivia Octavious (Spiderverse)

Round 55: Finn : WINNER: Finn the Human (Adventure Time)

Round 56: Emily : WINNER: Emily Charlton (The Devil Wears Prada)

Round 57: Elliot : WINNER: Eliot Spencer (Leverage)

Round 58: Sonia : WINNER: Sonia (Pokemon)

Round 59: Gideon : WINNER: Gideon Nav (The Locked Tomb)

Round 60: Jen : WINNER: Jennifer Check (Jennifer's Body)

Round 61: Miles : WINNER: Miles Morales (Spider-Man)

Round 62: Lana : WINNER: Lana Skye (Ace Attorney)

Round 63: Spencer : WINNER: Spencer Shay (iCarly)

Round 64: Tracy : WINNER: Tracy Turnbald (Hairspray!)

Round 65: Luke : WINNER: Luke Skywalker (Star Wars)

Round 66: Natalie : WINNER: Natalie Scatorccio (Yellowjackets)

Round 67: Harry : WINNER: Harry Du Bois (Disco Elysium)

Round 68: Lucy : WINNER: Lucy van Pelt (Peanuts)

Round 69: Damian : WINNER: Damian Wayne (Batman)

Round 70: Tabitha : WINNER: Tabitha Casper (Dan and Phil Games: Sims 4)

Round 71: Nick : WINNER: Nicholas D. Wolfwood (Trigun)

Round 72: Gwen : WINNER: Guinevere (Merlin)

Round 73: Paul : WINNER: Paulette Bonafonte (Legally Blonde)

Round 74: Abigail : WINNER: Abigail Hobbs (Hannibal)

Round 75: Jordan : WINNER: Jordan Baker (The Great Gatsby)

Round 76: Donna : WINNER: Donna Noble (Doctor Who)

Round 77: Morgan : WINNER: Morgana (Merlin)

Round 78: Allison : WINNER: Alison Cooper (BBC Ghosts)

Round 79: Patrick : WINNER: Patrick Star (Spongebob Squarepants)

Round 80: Linda : WINNER: Linda Belcher (Bob's Burgers)

Round 81: Philip : WINNER: Philip J. Fry (Futurama)

Round 82: Clarisse : WINNER: Clarisse La Rue (Percy Jackson)

Round 83: Jeff : WINNER: Jeff The Killer (Creepypasta)

Round 84: Maria : WINNER: Maria (The Sound Of Music)

Round 85: David : WINNER: David aka Solid Snake (Metal Gear)

Round 86: Tiffany : WINNER: Tiffany Aching (Discworld)

Round 87: Charlie : WINNER: Charlie Kelly (It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia)

Round 88: Sandy : WINNER: Sandy Cheeks (Spongebob Squarepants)

Round 89: Cody : WINNER: Commander Cody (Star Wars: Clone Wars)

Round 90: Amanda : WINNER: Amanda Young (Saw)

Round 91: Jeremy : WINNER: Jeremy aka Scout (Team Fortress 2)

Round 92: Velma : WINNER: Velma Dinkley (Scooby-Doo)

Round 93: Adam : WINNER: Adam Parrish (The Raven Cycle)

Round 94: Sue : WINNER: Susan Pevensie (Narnia)

Round 95: Derek : WINNER: Derek Hale (Teen Wolf)

Round 96: Michelle : WINNER: Michelle Mallon (Derry Girls)

Round 97: Neil : WINNER: Neil Perry (Dead Poets Society)

Round 98: Lisa : WINNER: Lisa Cuddy (House MD)

Round 99: Tony : WINNER: Tony Soprano (The Soprano's)

Round 100: Karen : WINNER: Karen Smith (Mean Girls)

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wheatley-imagine-scenarios · 3 years ago

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Hello LGBT Community Part 4

Kinda funny how I thought I was done after part 2 and now I’ve realized how many characters there truly are. Anyway, this part is for Meet The Cores specific characters. This might be put in multiple parts because there’s quite a few of those guys. I’ve been made aware of The Underground fan series as well, but I probably won’t use that, just because the characters have pretty small part and I just don’t really know what I’d say about them. Anyway, here’s some gay headcanons, with the obligatory mention that all Aperture bots/employees are trans.

‘Onathan (Ego Core)

He gives off sophisticated gay vibes

He has never loved a woman in his damn life

Trans man, he/him pronouns

Turret Core

Demigirl

I headcanon the human turret as demigirl and human defective turret as demiboy I just like thinking of them as the yin and yang of each other, just thought this would fit here

Asexual panromantic

Rusty

Gay for reasons I can’t put into words

Trans guy, he/him

Ray

Pansexual

Trans man

I’ve heard people ship him and Space Core, and I haven’t decided my thoughts on that, but I can definitely understand it

I also just want to appreciate his chaotic energy and also pray for his VA’s larynx

Glitchy

Trans dude, he/him

Literally his whole role in the series was him wondering what his purpose was

Getting maybe abrosexual vibes from him?

Rose (Botanical Core)

Definite bisexual

Trans woman, she/her

I’d say lesbian, but I can’t deny the romantic undertones of when she was talking to Fact. (Yes I think Fact is gay, but he’s also an entirely different character in Meet the Cores from what I’ve created. Kinda like how Caroline is in the Portal 2 Musical)

Fergus (Gel Supervisor)

Asexual homoromantic

Trans man, he/him pronouns

Dr. Alma

Lesbian, so very lesbian

Trans woman, she/her

#can i point out the hypocrisy in wheatley making fun of glitchy #because sir i love you but you were literally made to be an idiot #he probably just wanted to have high ground over at least one person #meet the cores #dr alma #fergus portal #rose portal #glitchy portal #ray portal #rusty portal #turret core #ego core #portal #portal 2

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ask-everafteracademy · 2 years ago

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Ever After Academy route summaries

Abel Hawthorn the Woodsman

Abel has been cursed with the same contract that bound the Tin Man to kill Hero and Heroine. But Hero believes they can overcome the curse together and they renew their vows to each other. Abel can’t let Hero go, curse or not. But, a mysterious green fog claws its way across campus, draining magic everywhere it goes. The rush to cure the trees increases as they discover Arin is dying from their connection. Hero learns to wield axes from Abel and to use magic from Nora. In return, Hero teaches Abel how to cook. To everyone’s horror, they find the green fog was sent by the Wizard as it takes over the Labyrinth! Hero discovers that fixing the lighthouse lamp has to be from his own magic. As the fog gains power, everyone begins to see creepy magical illusions of their fears. In the finale, the fog is strong enough to possess Abel’s body and Hero must fight him. But in the end, it’s love—not power—that saves them both. Breaking the spell on Hero helps break the curse on Abel at the last minute through love.

For the remaining seasons, trust, loyalty, and ‘love as an answer’ were to be the main themes. Hero fixes the lamp as he retakes his Light Keeper role and becomes an unofficial Woodsman. Abel becomes an efficient cook and confidently faces down all his past enemies. They continue on many adventures in both realms, often able to fulfill their separate duties together. Eventually, Abel is given his own, unique title from the White Queen and becomes his own boss, employing dedicated Woodsmen around the world. This gives him more time with Hero where they raise orphaned children together.

Lavinia the Ice Queen

The mystery of Lavinia's parentage is revealed. She was born to Titania, the queen of the Summer Fae Court and the most powerful of the Fae. Titania loved her daughter for a time, but Lavinia was half human and Titania also realized that Lavinia could grow up to be a threat to her. So she had Lavinia left in the snow to freeze. Lavinia has no memory of her early days among the Fae, but she does remember doing anything she could to survive...and she does remember that magic came to her naturally. When Lavinia came into her full power, she caught the attention of Titania who at first wondered who this new queen was...and then realized it was the daughter she tried to abandon.

We planned on spending the rest of Lavinia's route delving into the topics of betrayal and love and Lavinia would grapple with both her struggle for power (which has always been her way of self preservation) and her own sense of morality. After finding out she is the daughter of her worst enemy and a universal villain, she will also struggle with who she is as a person. Titania will try many tactics to either destroy Lavinia or make Lavinia give away her power. Ultimately, it will be the grounding love of Heroine that will help Lavinia through this difficult time. They will break the spell on Heroine and defeat Titania and her Fae Court. Lavinia will choose Ezra to rule as regent in her kingdom while she travels with Heroine while she works as the Path Finder. When Heroine and Lavinia's child grows up, that child will become the Path Finder. Heroine and Lavinia will return to Lavinia's Ice realm and rule as equals.

Arin Langdon the Guardian

The final challenge is interrupted by the arrival of Wilhelm Grimm, one of the Brothers Grimm. Heroine is able to use her magic to turn the tide in the fight against Wilhelm, and in doing so finds a way to use the magic of the Path Finder...to create paths and to open portals between this world and the magical realm. The clash with Wilhelm culminates in the temporary defeat of Wilhelm, but in the death of Dr. James Tutorea. As he dies he gives Heroine a ring that matches the one she wears. Fergus also sees the error of his ways and withdrawals [sic] from the competition. It is decided the best thing the group can do is find a way to travel to the magical realm and go to the Red and White Queens as James was doing to get the seeds.

Arin and Heroine are then confronted with a problem that they will have to deal with the rest of their lives: that Heroine's place as the Path Finder is in the magical realm and Arin's is in the Library. Over the course of the rest of the seasons we would break the spell on Heroine and have Heroine and Arin grow in their magic together as well as in their love. They would wear matching rings that magically create a space between the worlds where time stops for just the two of them where they can be together whenever they want for as long as they want. In this way they can fulfill their duties but also be together. Before Heroine goes into the magical realm, they have a wedding that solidifies their union. Heroine and Arin will eventually retire from their roles and pass them down to their children.

#Lovestruck #Voltage Lovestruck #Lovestruck Voltage #Ever After Academy #route summaries #reposted here for ease of reference since i haven't seen it around in text form

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fanmade-cores-competion · 2 years ago

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Presenting!!! The Fanmade Cores competition!!!

Jumping on the bandwagon to these things!!! This competition is gonna be for the fan-made cores in some portal series and games! Obviously I probably didn't get everyone, but The Underground is already sort of obscure enough I didn't want to use more unknown ones that were definitely going to loose anyways because only 5 other people knew about them!

All of the cores I'll be using are from Meet the Cores 1-3, Portal: The Underground, Portal Stories: Mel, and Aperture Tag! And these are ONLY the Cores, so no turrets, P-body/Atlas variations and others won't be included here!

With that out of the way! Here are the matchups (no links right now since I'm still setting up the polls!)

ROUND 1:

Avery vs Enrichment Core

Ray vs Gaming Core

Chuck/Security Core vs General Core

Fergus/Gel Supervisor vs Rusty Core

Narrator Core vs Dr. Alma

Omni Core vs Oxygen Core

ST4NL3 Core vs Humour Core

Glitchy vs Music Core

Loose Screws Louis/Jazz Core vs Ohnothan/Ego Core

Rose vs Turret Core

Legal Core vs Quest Core

Virgil vs Heavy Metal Core

Rainbow Core vs Nigel

Paranoia Core vs Storyteller Core

Friendship Cores vs Optimism Core

Ambition Core vs Interview Core

Protocol Core vs Elite Core

Once I get the polls set up these will all have links! For now please rb to spread this to other Core fans :]

#portal #portal 2 #portal meet the cores #meet the cores #portal the underground #the underground #aperture tag #portal stories: mel #tumblr polls

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arinlangdon · 3 years ago

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From the Lovestruck official website, a summary of the remainder of Arin's route:

The final challenge is interrupted by the arrival of Wilhelm Grimm, one of the Brothers Grimm. Heroine is able to use her magic to turn the tide in the fight against Wilhelm, and in doing so finds a way to use the magic of the Path Finder...to create paths and to open portals between this world and the magical realm. The clash with Wilhelm culminates in the temporary defeat of Wilhelm, but in the death of Dr. James Tutorea. As he dies he gives Heroine a ring that matches the one she wears. Fergus also sees the error of his ways and withdrawals from the competition. It is decided the best thing the group can do is find a way to travel to the magical realm and go to the Red and White Queens as James was doing to get the seeds.

#Ever After Academy #Arin Langdon #EAA spoilers #Arin Langdon spoilers

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renee-writer · 2 years ago

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I Fought the Law Chapter 53

AO3

“You best prepare them.” Murtagh suggests. Jamie nods and steps out. He goes up to the door and enters.

Claire stands at his entrance, Fergus cradled in her arms. “Jamie, Gel knows a barrister that can help us with his paperwork.”

He smiles, kisses her and then the top of his son’s head. “That is excellent.”

“Did you guys get everything sorted?”

“Well sort of. We did get the portal destroyed but…, there was a complication.”

“Yes?”

“Us, or a version of us, my ancestor, James Alexander Malcolm Mackenzie Fraser and his wife, Elizabeth, who I swear Claire is the split of you, came through. They are here, literally, in the car.”

Geillis is forgotten until she calls out, “The hell you say!”

“Hand to God.” He replies not taking his eyes off Claire. “Shall I bring them in?”

She nods as her mate says, “Absolutely!”

“Yes, bring them in.” She says through numb lips.

They enter with hesitation. At seeing Claire and Geillis, wearing trousers, Jamie the first, starts to say something and then stops, recalling when they are. Instead, he bows low while his wife courtesies.

“Lasses, thank you for your hospitality. I am James Alexander Malcolm Mackenzie Fraser, the Laird of Lallybroch and this is my wife, the Lady Elizabeth.”

“Very nice to meet you. I am Geillis Duncan and this is my mate, Claire Beauchamp and her son, Fergus.”

“Our son.” Jamie adds.

“Won’t you have a seat.” Claire offers.

They do, Elizabeth tucking her dress carefully in. She looks amazingly like herself. It is eerie. The others find seats around the room. Jamie takes Fergus rocking him against his chest. They all look at each other.

“So, you ah, came through the stone?” Geillis says.

“No Mistress Duncan. We were at Castle Leoch and suddenly found ourselves in the presence of the others.” James answers.

“It was quite a shock.” Elizabeth adds. Her accent is higher browed then Claire’s who has lived all over.

“I can well imagine.” Claire answers. The two lasses look at each other. The similarities are amazing.

“Jamie, we must have a child. Lady Beauchamp must come from us.”

“Aye, mo ghra, we must.”

Jamie and Claire look at each other. Does this mean they are related way back? Before either can speak, there is a knock.

“Oh that must be Ned, the solicitor.” Geillis exclaims.

“Oh boy.” Angus mumbles.

“You might as well let him in Gel. Maybe he can help make sense of all this.”

#my writing #outlander fanfic #i fought the law #chapter 53 #jamie and claire #cannon divergent #modern au #outlander fanfiction

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ladala99 · 5 months ago

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Lioden - Burnout's October Prelude

I have gotten around to giving that cub a personality. Or at least a story - personality so far is "unsure cub who is probably too mature."

Contains some non-graphic violence and Christian-inspired depictions of demons and demonic ritual (also non-graphic). As per usual for my Lioden stuff.

------

Burnout sniffed around the den, looking for something to play with. He eventually settled on a leaf, tossing it into the air and pouncing at it before it landed. He was so focused on his self-appointed mission, he almost didn’t hear a the echoey voice at the edge of his awareness.

“Burnout. . . Burnout. . .” it repeated until he pricked his ears and looked. A shimmery form of a full-grown lion stood next to him, and as he looked, it became more and more solid until he could see just how golden he was. He looked majestic, with a proud brown mane and amber eyes. “Burnout,” he said, clearly this time, “can you hear me?”

Burnout nodded. “Who are you?”

The lion raised his tail, showing both power and joy. “I am Fergus, the first of the pride. I am glad to see I am the first to reach you.”

Burnout blinked, his tail twitching. “First? Oh, is this about how Mommy says the spirits speak to her? Are spirits going to speak to me?” He shuddered at the thought. His mother’s spirits moan and wail and give warnings that cannot be heeded.

“Yes,” Fergus said. “And soon at that. The lands are darkening, and the battle between heaven and hell will begin once more. Your father will make a choice, but I do not believe he thinks he has one. He will be corrupted, and the spirits of hell will speak to you, telling you lies.” He snarled as he spoke the last sentence.

Burnout’s eyes widened. “And I’ll become like Mommy?”

Fergus shook his head. “You already are more equipped to handle what you see and hear. But it will not be easy, and if you choose to heed the lies you hear from the demons. . . The pride will go through another generation of darkness.”

“We are demons, though, aren’t we?” Burnout said. “That’s what everybody says. Why would demons lie to us?”

“You are more lion than demon,” Fergus said. “That bloodline is less strong and, despite what they will say to you, will not give you privileges in the afterlife. They will, at best, take your will and leave you a hollow slave. But for many, pain and torture is the fate for lion spirits who take the path of that eternity.” Fergus looks off in the distance. “My pride cannot be reduced to this forever. My descendants deserve a dignified fate. I hope it can change with you.”

“What do I do?” Burnout asked.

“Remember what I told you. Once the portal is open, I won’t be able to reach you until it closes again. If you believe the lies of the demons who will walk among you, and you make a promise you cannot take back, then I might never be able to reach you again. So please, I believe in you—resist them. And maybe you can dig the pride out of the hole it fell into.”

“Okay,” is all Burnout could think to say.

The spirit of Fergus faded, and Burnout’s father, Wisdom, returned from his patrol.

———

Wisdom could feel what happened. The knowledge streamed into his mind from the power he had requested from the demons. By making that request, he knew that the natural demonic essence that flowed through his bloodline was lost, but at the time he hadn’t cared. But now, that allowed his ancestors to interfere.

“If your heir does not believe us, then you, Wisdom, will be treated as a normal, wretched lion for all eternity. You must either stop him from being the heir, or you must ensure that he, too, is irrevocably in our grasp. Then will you keep your power and freedom in the next life.”

Because of his infinite knowledge, Wisdom knew the voice in his mind spoke the truth. At least partially. They would try every way to wriggle their way into enslaving him after his death. But so long as he fulfilled every request, he would keep himself safe, taking his place as a demon-lion. Living with his demonic ancestors in power.

He didn’t like how they kept changing the deal, but he knew he was too far gone to back out now. He had been too far gone the moment he was born. Demon magic had run through his veins.

When he had chosen his power, the demons were not all that willing to give it to him. Perhaps his ancestors had also sacrificed something, perhaps their conscience or their will. Omen, his father, had been completely ruthless, after all. He had kept everyone in the pridelands, lions and animals alike, under a trance and sacrificed them all to the underworld whenever he killed. That was his payment for power.

Wisdom had wanted to know everything, and the demons had suggested he accept a demonic companion that tells him everything he asks. He refused and wanted the power for himself. So they said he had to give up having demon magic at all during life for this, and they’d only give it back after death if he earned it in ways that he would know how. That was the deal he had taken.

He had assumed then that it would only be his own actions that affected his fate, but once he knew all, he also knew that the demons didn’t have any such limitations in mind.

Wisdom sat down next to his son. “I’m sorry,” he said, “that my choices make it so that you have a much harder path through life. You weren’t born with power, but that doesn’t mean you can’t earn it later. Come.” He stood again and gestured with his tail.

Burnout obediently, if hesitantly, followed. Fergus hadn’t told him anything negative about Wisdom, but clearly the cub knew this somehow was about his chat with his ancestor.

Wisdom quickly told Ashes what he needed as he passed by her, making sure Burnout couldn’t hear. The fierce lioness had a sadistic gleam in her eye as she left to follow orders.

As they neared the ritual ground, Burnout slowed. Wisdom positioned himself behind the cub. “You are in no danger,” Wisdom told him. “I will not blame you for what some ghost told you. This will only prevent you from getting confused later.”

The cub still refused to enter the ritual ground.

“I am your father and I command you to stand in the center,” Wisdom said with a hint of warning. “And if you do not, perhaps I will end your life after all.”

The cub whimpered, but crept forward, allowing Wisdom to lead him to the center.

When Omen had been here, the circle had glowed. But not now. It would still work, however.

Ashes came back, beckoning two lionesses enter the ritual grounds: an elder of Ashes’ own line and a lioness with distinctive fur unrelated to the pride.

Wisdom growled a chant, knowing exactly the words to use for his purpose. He first advanced on the younger lioness, then killed her in one bite. Her spirit flowed red into the ground and into a terrified Burnout, but Ashes watched carefully and he didn’t dare try to run. The elder saw what was happening and dipped her head. “What am I fueling?” she asked quietly.

“A protective shield against unwanted spirits,” Wisdom said. “Then I give my life in service.” She exposed her neck, and Wisdom took the offer. Her spirit, too, flowed red into Burnout.

As Ashes cleaned up, Burnout stared at Wisdom with wide eyes. “It is done,” Wisdom said. “You are free to go.”

The cub did not need to be told twice and dashed back towards the den, obviously horrified. He would have to get used to this sort of thing eventually. Without magic of his own, all demonic displays of power had to be done through instant sacrifice.

“You would rather end the lives of two rather than just kill the cub?” The demonic voice asked. “It is still uncertain whether the cub will choose correctly.”

Wisdom huffed. While the statement of the promise did make that the more obvious choice, Wisdom knew that killing Burnout would not do Wisdom many favors. He wanted a cub of Lightning’s line, which Burnout was, to succeed him. But also, he had to believe that Burnout would eventually see it was better to side with the demons than try to escape them, and someone who makes that choice of their own will is worth infinitely more than any sacrifice.

———

Burnout huddled in the corner of the den. He didn’t know what his father tried to do to him—succeeded in doing to him. It seemed to have something to do with Fergus, though.

He felt something wrap itself around his hindquarters, and he jumped, but it still stayed there. He tried to shake it off, but it seemed to dig in.

“Relax, Burnout,” a lioness’s voice hissed. He looked and spotted a red-coated lioness with demonic horns. Like Fergus, she started as a spirit and then solidified. “It’s just some decoration.”

Burnout looked, and saw the ropes with horsehair attached draping over his body. “Why? And who are you, anyway?”

“As an outward display of debt,” the lioness said. “I am Ilere, an ancestor of yours.”

An ancestor. Burnout relaxed a bit. But, “Debt?”

“We are protecting you from those who would seek to confuse you.”

“Fergus?” Burnout guessed.

Ilere nodded. “He thinks we don’t look after our own. We do. When the portal opens, and Wisdom chooses us, every one of my descendants will be rewarded. That includes you.

“However—” She flicked her tail. “—You are free to choose to be just a lion, like that Fergus wants. Make it so those lionesses died for nothing. It will be obvious to everyone what you chose, however. So choose wisely.”

Her form faded, and Burnout was alone again.

If this was the right thing, Burnout doubted this would be the way to go about it. Fergus was probably right.

But would Burnout be able to endure the time the portal was open?

#lioden #lioden story

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