#finally I grew the balls to release my oc to the fandom

[lady-moonbroch]

Blood Donation: Claire Fraser

Full Name: Claire Saoirse McCarthy Fraser of Lovat (in short Claire Fraser)

Reason for name: Claire = clear, bright | Saoirse = freedom | McCarthy = her mother’s surname (Irish) | Fraser of Lovat = her father’s surname (Highland Clan)

Nickname: La Dame Blanche (the French equivalent of a witch or spirit, due to her knowledge as an apothecary and the aid she offers)

Family: Irvin Aidan Fraser of Lovat (father) || Catriona McCarthy (mother) || Róisín McCarthy (aunt) || Lachlan (Irvin’s childhood friend and brother-in-arms)

Age: 24 || Sex: Female || Blood Type: 0 || Height: 1,64 cm

Place of Birth: Beauly, Inverness, Highlands of Scotland

Birthday: 22nd of June 1730 (Summer Solstice)

Species/Race: Human \ Hereditary Sorceress

Ethnicity: Scottish \ Irish

Occupation: Healer \ Herbalist - Apothecary

Body Build: Toned and fit, hourglass shaped body, a well-proportioned mix of petit and curvaceous (large bosom, small waist and curvy hips)

Skin colour: Caucasian

Hair style: Usually straight, ending in loose curls. Otherwise braided and styled in half up-dos and embellished with ribbons of varying colours.

Hair colour: Auburn / Ginger (with a pinkish undertone).

Eye colour:  Her right eye is brown and her left eye is green.

Distinguishing Features: Soft dimples apparent when smiling, her heterochromia, light coloured freckles across her face and even less apparent ones on her body, three relatively small scars on her back from lash strikes, a couple of scattered small scars on her arms and legs.

Preferred Clothing: Rarely wears pants, enjoys dresses and skirts, often likes to wear her clan’s tartan, has a matching plaid patterned cloak which she embellishes with the Fraser badge. Her clothes of choice are usually simple, wears fancier clothes only on special occasions.

Accessories: earrings, rings and a couple of bracelets, her clan’s badge, plenty of ribbons and chokers.

Way of speaking: talks with a mix of a slight Irish / Scottish accent and idioms (brogue). She tries to speak as clearly as possible but it intensifies tenfold when she is angry. She speaks English, Gaelic, French and some Italian.

Illness (physical or mental): has mental trauma from the loss of her father and the witch trials that lead to her mother’s execution which manifests in nightmares and gloominess.

Skills/Abilities: 

Singing

Botany and herbalism

Basic knowledge of swordsmanship and archery

Playing the ocarina, the lute and the tambourine

Basic knowledge in painting

Knitting / Sewing

Farming and gardening

Cooking

Basic knowledge of carpentry

Horse riding

Magic Abilities:

Spell casting

Healing

Defensive magic

Elemental manipulation (mild)

Magical Medicine Manipulation | Potion Creation

Telekinesis & Telepathy

Precognition (manifested as dreams, but not often)

Necromancy and dark arts (used in very grave situations and it comes with a great cost)

Personality: 

Claire seems aloof and cold at first.  She's awkward and clammed in her shell but once comfortable she becomes a walking ray of sunshine. She’s very friendly and kind towards her friends. She can become slightly overprotective of them due to her worrying nature and often shows her mischievous side.

Her eyes are always sharp and keen when it comes to her loved ones, searching for the slightest change in their behaviour. She is a good listener and she will do anything for her friends. She wears her heart on her sleeve and speaks her mind frankly, often without thinking twice about the consequences. She wants people around her to laugh and smile sincerely and her clumsy, silly attics are more often than not a source of amusement for them.

Likes:

Reading books

Arts: singing, story telling, drawing, dancing

Helping others

Picking herbs and edible mushrooms, roots and berries from the forest

Gardening / Nature / Animals

Traveling

Children (although she’s a little awkward around them)

Being around people, often in the pub

Whiskey and ale

Dislikes:

Dishonesty

Mistreatment (especially of the less fortunate)

Prejudiced people 

Bad odour

Being touched by strangers 

Small spaces

Bugs

Relationships:

Le Comte de Saint Germaine: Comte was the was the first to find Claire as he walked the streets of Paris. After some hesitation she explained everything that had happened and led her here. He immediately took her under his wing, letting her stay in the mansion as if he was his own child and along with Leonardo became her tutor. Each taught her different skills, languages and good manners to fit in the society of Paris, but never allowed her to forget her homeland’s heritage. When she turned 18, Comte sent her to Edinburgh to study botanology and medicine and four years after she returns to the mansion to stay by his side as a way to thank him and repay him for his kindness and love. She adores Thyme and likes to play and give her treats as often as the Count allows it.

Leonardo Da Vinci: Claire met Leonardo the first day Comte brought her to the mansion. He lent her his shoulder and comforted her along with his old friend, became a doting friend and tutor for her that would proudly watch her grow and find her way to happiness again. She won’t admit it aloud, but Leonardo was actually her teenage crush. He, of course, knew it from the beginning and often teasingly offered to pose in nude for her as practice (in hindsight, she regrets not taking that chance). Even after spending many years apart their playful banter hasn’t changed. They still keep each other company, taking strolls while talking in the City of Light. She have tried to clean his room after she tripped on his anatomy books but soon gave up on the idea. She is often found cuddling and napping with Lumiére under the gazebo or in the rocking chair on the porch.

Vincent Van Gogh: She loves this ray of sunshine more than anything (who doesn’t). They often walk together in the forest or in town and brainstorm on ideas and impressions. He encourages her to not misunderstand his brother's words for aversion, but still watches them fondly when they bicker. She absolutely loves his work and admires his skills and takes up his offer to paint together when she has the time. Whenever the Dutch painter lacks inspiration or feels gloomy, she will sing to him or tell him a story to help his imagination stir. She always cares a small pouch full of nuts and berries for Brush, whom she finds absolutely adorable.

Theodorus Van Gogh: From the first time he saw her he was entranced by her unusual appearance and he, admittedly, struck her as quite a bonnie lad...until he opened his mouth to speak. They instantaneously began to bicker thanks to Theo’s acrimonious mannerisms and Claire’s quick temper. Despite this she was curious about his vocation, never having met an art dealer before and what impressed her the most was his passion. She slowly began to see the man behind the rough facade and was drawn into the sweetness he hid beneath his hard exterior, a side she witness in his time with Vincent and King. 

Arthur Conan Doyle: She found him attractive from the very beginning but the writer’s frivolous and indecently provocative ways filled her with dismay. She decided to keep a distance from him but was soon quite intrigued by his work. Both his writing skill and wit caught her interest, but it was also their common homeland that brought them closer and closer as the time passed by. Arthur invites her to the pub quite often, where they usually end up singing Irish and Scottish songs and teasing Theo out of his wits. After a while she begins to call him “Sassenach” as a word of endearment only used for him, betraying her growing fondness for the mystery writer. She enjoys taking long walks with him and Vic and talk about books and cases of mystery for Arthur’s new work.

Napoleon Bonaparte: They became friends rather quickly, thanks to Napoleon’s charisma and charm. She asked Napoleon to train her in combat and swordsmanship in order for her to improve her skills but they often cook together while they talk about history and their everyday shenanigans. She wants to help him enjoy this second chance in life, ease his troubles and insecurities about his life as a demi-vampire. They tease each other relentlessly, often causing a ruckus -much to Sebastian and Isaac’s dismay-. She’s very fond of Jupiter and enjoys to watch his encounters with her familiar, an albino raven named Glinda.

Jeanne D’ Arc: Although it took time for Jean to open up to her, he and Claire became close friends as time passed. They both bear a harsh past on their backs, and that helped to deepen their bond quickly. She was always saddened by his story, but doesn’t allow herself to pity him. She admires and holds great love and respect for him, standing at his side when his demons get the better of him. After much nagging, she convinced the soldier to spar and ride with her and Napoleon more often. She really loves Shelly and the two of them play often with the little cub in the garden.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: “You are too loud” he said, “You are too rude” she replied. That was the very first conversation between Mozart and Claire. She couldn’t believe there could be someone ruder than Theo, but she was wrong. It took plenty of time for them to connect on any level, both avoiding contact at all costs. Music was the bridge that finally brought them together, she enjoys listening to him play the piano, while Mozart enjoys hearing her sing, although he won’t admit it. their common friendship with Jean became another linking factor for them. She enjoys watching him being happy drunk, and will often teases him about it. The musician complains that Claire’s familiar is a bad influence on Schelm as they’re often seen together but she says he acts like an overprotective dad just to anger him further.

Dazai Osamu: It didn’t take too long for Claire to see behind his happy facade.  She became fond of him quickly and finds him endearing and funny but she can’t help to wish she could help him with the sadness that he hides behind his skilfully made-up smiles. She will often join him and Arthur when they tease Isaac or the other residents due to her mischievous nature. She is very interested in his work as an author as well as his culture, which is more than foreign for her and just enjoys talking to him as she silently admires his wit. She finds Bunta absolutely adorable, gives her treats and talks to her often when tends to the garden.

Isaac Newton: Although confused at first, the more she got to know Isaac the more she became fond of him. Poking fun at him with Arthur and Dazai and aggravating him never fails to put a smile on her face, albeit she knows when to stop and leave him be. She likes to listen to him talk about physics (although she cannot fully comprehend them) and joins him to stargaze when the night sky is clear. They often stroll in the city centre with Napoleon and watches them teach children at the alleyway. His clumsy way of showing his feelings make him all the more delightful in her eyes and the way he gets flustered so easily makes her eager to tease him. She finds little Harry adorable keeps an eye on him when he’s free to roam the garden of the mansion.

William Shakespeare: Although she is a huge fan of his work and no matter how much respect he has for the bard she remains highly suspicious of him. She is polite and friendly should he ever visit but she doesn’t have an ounce of trust for him and keeps her distance. Finds his bunny terribly cute, though.

Sebastian: She is quite fond of him, finds his quirks and his deadpan humour hilarious. She really respects his work around the mansion and admires his patience. They share mutual respect for Le Comte as well as the same curiosity and passion for history, thus if she coaxes any information from the residents she will transfer it to him (on her own volition she says). She loves to help him around with the housework and take some weight off his shoulders. Usually calls him “Bash”. She likes Rotte a lot and her knowledge of farm animals has been a huge help for Sebastian, especially when the little “Fräulein” needs trimming.

Paired with:  Arthur / Theodorus

_______________ A/N: Obviously Claire is very much inspired from Outlander (I love that series don’t judge me). Her common origins with Arthur were accidental (Doyle’s parents were actually Irish). And lastly there will be a fic about her background soon enough. Thank you for reading my OC extravaganza, lofk u!

[youcantkillamutant]

The Advocate: Three Weeks Before Finals

Author: youcantkillamutant

Fandom: Marvel (Black Panther)

Pairing: Erik Stevens/Killmonger x Black!OC

Summary: Lex is just trying to get through senior year without failing anything massive, so when she sees a lamb on her running route she ignores it, mostly.

Warnings: Cursing, Mention of Death (Human & Animal)

Words: 3K+

A/N: Hi….Remember me? Yeah. I’m still here, this time with a God!Erik AU. *shrug*. I only own my original characters of course, Marvel don’t sue me I’m broke.

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3 Weeks Before Finals

“Get out!”

“I am. I just wanted to check my—” Flashcards. One can never over-prepare. Right?

“No. Non. Nope. No m’am.” Ruby turned Lex by her shoulders. “You promised last week that you would relax. Pinky promised! So go have your weird picnic.”

“But—”

“No buts! I’m leaving you a bath bomb by the tub, and you better use it when you get back.” Lex felt a wave of affection for Ruby. Over the years she had surpassed roommate status and built herself a home in Lex’s heart. Lex opened her mouth to thank Ruby, but Ruby had already opened the door.

“I know, I’m the absolute best and you love me most. Now go!” With a shove, Lex was out the door and Ruby slammed, screaming a muffled ‘love ya!’ through the wood.

“Love you too Ru.” Shaking her head, Lex made her way to the stairs, sliding on a pair of cat eye sunnies and adjusting the basket on her arm. Today is going to be a nice, wonderful even, but most importantly relaxing, day. Hopefully.

*^*

“So how exactly are you getting out of this Cousin?” Erik was sat in the dungeons of Eko, where the sky meets the earth in a clash of thunder and splash of waves. It’s probably the closest he’s been to the earth below in a few dozen decades. Glossy and clean, the cell wasn’t uncomfortable, especially not for a God, but it was annoying. His prank was harmless, and suddenly the Elders are yelling at him about ‘disrespect’ and ‘ineptitude’.

“First of all, this is ridiculous. It was one prank!”

“One out of a billion.” Shuri noted sharply.

“Exactly! What makes this one so special? Why are the Elders mad about this? They hardly pay attention to us nowadays. Since when are they sticklers for the rules Shu?”

“It is…strange that they’re truly upset with you.”

“See! You know I’m right. Something is going on.”

“You may be right, but you can hardly prove it.”

“Yet. I can’t prove it yet.” Erik’s face had twisted into something fierce and contemplative. Shuri shook her head.

“You know, your scheming is what got you into this mess in the first place. Besides, mother and I have a plan for you. One that the Elders have already approved.” Shuri handed him a file. Erik’s eyebrows shot up, They hadn’t bothered with paper in a few dozen centuries. Then he opened the file.

It had the picture of a girl, cute, but unknown to Erik. She had a warm smile and dark circles under her eyes, wide lips and a button nose. Her name was on the next file, along with her date of birth, age, height, blood type, lineage and even her weight. Apparently, she was a student descended from good stock. If Erik thought back hard enough, he might have remembered fighting with the girl’s great-great-grandfather in some unholy war.

“Who the hell is this?”

“Your Advocate.” Shuri shrugged when Erik recoiled.

“She’s human. She doesn’t even have a degree. Or a drop of godly blood.”

“Actually we’re still running the tests on that one, but that’s not the point. She doesn’t know much about us, but she’s smart and fair. The Elders have approved her. They believe she’ll be unbiased with…everything.”

“Everything? What do you mean everything?”Erik figured he’d be out in a years time, five at most. No longer than a blink for a god his age. The Elders rarely bothered to hold grudges with Gods like him. He was too important for the balance to be indisposed for too long.

“There’s to be a trial.” Shuri could literally see Erik’s anger as veins of gold rose up his arms, trailing towards his neck. “Before you get upset! It was either a trial or immediate exile.” Shuri had expected this to blow the wind out of his sails, but Erik only grew angrier.

“So my only chance of coming out of this is a little human? I’ve never even met the girl!” He pounded on the bars of his cell annoyed that he was beginning to feel the chill of vibranium bars.

“Exactly. I’ve convinced the Elders that if you can convince the Advocate to help you, you deserve a trial. Led by Wakandan law and defended by her of course.” It was actually the most she could get the Elders to agree to. Even as she sat pleading on her knees, the Elders merely raised a brow and nodded in irritated acquiescence.

“Well where is she?” Erik looked around Shuri, but knew his ‘Advocate’ wasn’t around. He would have noticed a human on Eko. He wasn’t the Gatekeeper, but he knew energies.

“Erik, you don’t actually think the Elders would allow her into Eko without you convincing her first.” Erik rolled his eyes ad let his head fall against the wall.

“Now how am I supposed to do that from a cell Shuri?”

“You and I both know you can be resourceful. Pranking is not your only skill.” Erik stared up at the ceiling as Shuri walked away, wishing for the first tie since his imprisonment that his father was still around. At least he could give him some strength. Unfortunately, Erik would have to bolster himself.

“Good luck Cousin!” She didn’t bother saying anything else as she exited the cell. If Erik couldn’t get his Advocate on his side, then those might be the last words she ever said to him. Better to keep them jaunty rather than grave.

*^*

It was hot. Not unbearable, but not ideal either. The sun wasn’t shy today, finally breaking through the clouds that had been hanging over town. Still Lex trundled her way towards her favorite running path on campus. Huge shades covered her eyes, lips pursing in the heat and a wicker basket swinging on her arm. She’d borrowed the basket from the only pair of her friends that she classified as adults: Tom and Lucie. Though they were all around the same age, the couple had a nice little apartment, and emanated an air of togetherness that Lex couldn’t imagine having as a scattered grad student.

Lex pulled out her phone to share her location with Ruby at the entrance to the running path. Nothing had ever happened to her, but plenty of people had plenty of stories. The path was attached to some National Park and so long as you had your university ID, you could get into the thick of it for free.

On a running day, Lex found herself going ten or so miles, but today she just wanted to make it to her favorite little meadow. She wasn’t completely stressed, and so she didn’t need the run to get rid of excess energy pulsing through her. Today was a day to relax. Wiggling her toes in her shoes, Lex set off along the path.

It took nearly an hour, but she made it. By now, sweat made her skin sticky and the breeze came and went every now and then wrapping her tight and releasing her to the relentless heat of the sun. The meadow was just as nice as it always is, quiet and simple. A bed of grass dotted with toadstools, wildflowers and shrouded in peeling sycamores. The sun filtered through the leaves and the wind enticed them to dance, like a nature-made disco ball.

There was a vignette of three old tree trunks, stripped white and smooth. There was one in the center, nearly half her height, and some days, Lex could see bunnies and birds flitting around the area. Not today it seems. She shrugged, pushing away the irrational sadness at not seeing her usual gaggle of woodland creatures today, and shook out her blanket.

Lex kept her head low while pulling out her lunch letting the sun warm her neck for a bit. Remnants of fresh brie cheese were wrapped in kente printed beeswax, water crackers, a freshly chopped apple and another for the road. A turkey and swiss stacked with tomatoes, onions and lettuce on beautifully brown rye bread; fresh bread being one of the only things Lex splurges on weekly. A bottle of tea completed the setting, glass bottle winking in the sunshine.

Lex sank into the blanket, feeling a few blades of grass poking through the soft blanket as the tree roots cradled her. Eyes closed, she inhaled deeply, letting the exhale force any tension out of her body. When she blinked her eyes open, ready to eat, there was a brown lamb next to the tree stump, not even a breath away.

*^*

“I suppose you’ve heard the news Auntie. I’m to convince an ‘Advocate’ to help me.” Erik let out a bark of a laugh. “Can you imagine, the life of a God in the hands of a human. A tragedy for the storybooks, huh?”

“As far as I remember, you’re meant to be convincing that human to help you, so instead of belittling her, why don’t you get to work?”

“I already have. I’m just waiting to see if she bites.” And to see if she’s as ‘fair’ as Shuri says.

Ramonda raised her left brow tempted to ask more of her nephew. Did he not see that his place in the Godly court was at stake? Instead he lazes around in his cell waiting for a human to what? Rise to his bait? Briefly she wondered if this was something he learned from his time in the human world. They had lost track of him when he was small; Chaos and Kindness searched high and low for the little God. Still it took them a decade or so to find him and when they did…Ramonda shook the thought from her head as Erik spoke.

“What are you doing here, my dear Auntie?”

“Since you asked Nephew, I’m here because the Advocate was my idea. And I fear I would be remiss in my duties as your family if I did not help.”

“You’re helping me?” As the Goddess of Order, Ramonda had curled her lip at Ertumke the day he was born. A child born of Chaos and Kindness was never bound to be her favorite. Still she did her duties as a Godmother, not that the child seemed to care.

“Contrary to popular belief I do care about you Ertumke. You’re my nephew. Though irritating and often ridiculously dramatic, you are family. And you were the first to put a smile on T’Challa’s face when his father left.” There was a wave of silence as the sentence settled, but Ramonda breathed life into her body again in an instant. “Shuri did the hard work of getting the Elders’ approval. Now I’m happy to induct the girl but please Ertumke, no games.”

He seemed to think about this for a while, tapping his chin and studying his Aunt. They’d never been particularly close, Erik had always favored Shuri out of the lot of them, but then again, Ramonda had never done him harm. Even now she looked uncomfortable in his presence, but I suppose that makes sense. He is the child of Chaos. Order never sat well with him.

“I asked for Shuri and they sent you.” Erik had clanked an empty cup against the glass of his cage, barked a few orders at a Dora and waited. He should have known they weren’t going to get Shuri. Those demigods never get anything right.

“She’s been in the lab for a while, I wouldn’t want to break her concentration.” Ramonda knew just about everything of Shuri’s life except what happened in her lab. As far as she was concerned it wasn’t her business, or her speed. She’d much rather influence a few architects than spend her time trying to understand Shuri’s latest invention for the world below.

“Oh, Shuri couldn’t help her big cousin cause she’s in the middle of an invention orgy? Good for her.” Erik smirked and stroked his chin.

“That is my daughter you’re speaking about Ertumke.”

Erik shrugged. It’s not like he was actually talking about sex, which would have actually been normal for Gods like him. No, Shuri spent hours and hours in a lab, inventing and came out looking like she had just rolled through sheets with some of Eko’s finest. Still, he said nothing more on the subject, knowing that he should be grateful anyone came down to the dungeons at all. It was such an odd temperature here for Gods. Nearly cold enough to raise goosebumps.

“I would greatly appreciate your help Auntie.” Erik’s voice was more of s rumble than a clear sentence, and Ramonda’s mouth fell open in shock. There is a first time for everything she supposed. Even Ertumke asking another for help.

“Would you like some water? I thought you were choking on your pride for a moment there.” Erik cut his eyes her way with a minimal amount of heat and she laughed.

“I wish you had called for us earlier. You’ve already sent out your, bait?” Erik nodded though Ramonda barely paid him any mind, releasing a heavy sigh. “I’ll be late.” this time Erik really did choke on a laugh.

“You’re worried about being late? You’re a God. We invented time.”

“There’s nothing wrong with being prompt Erik. Especially in a situation like this.” Besides, the Goddess of Order absolutely despised tardiness.

*^*

The lamb merely blinked at Lex. She froze, wondering what the hell was going on. Sure she’d seen rabbits and a few deer on the running path, it was a national park after all, but she’d never seen a lamb. She’d actually never really seen a lamb outside of a petting zoo, and that was ages ago.

This lamb, brown and unmoving, glowed gold in the sun. It’s fur had hints of red and curled like hers, in tiny kinky knots. It’s ear twitched as Lex exhaled and she froze again. The next time she breathed out, it tilted its head towards her.

“Uh…hi.” An ear twitched at the sound of her voice, but that was it. Still, she couldn’t pick up her sandwich, not while that little lamb sat there, looking at her.

Scooping the extra apple out of her basket, Lex approached the tree stumps. The lamb gazed on, black eyes unblinking. She’d taken off her shoes and socks and the grass beneath her feet was warm. The weeds circling the stump of the tree gave way the Lex’s knees as she knelt down to drop the apple before the lamb.

When she glanced up, just for a second, she saw the lamb dripping golden ichor from a crown of black thistles. Surrounded by torches and granite, the lamb was on an alter. But then she blinked, and the image was gone. Shaking her head, Lex wandered back to her blanket and ate her lunch. She was probably imagining things anyways, breakfast had slipped through the cracks in favor of another few hours of studying before Ruby woke up and berated her for it.

Lunch was delicious, the bread and brie especially. As she ate, Lex could feel tension slipping from her shoulders. She’d been coming on this path for years, and there was nothing like sitting out here. The natural sounds coaxed her worries away, and her eyes slipped closed under the sun.

When she woke an hour or so later, the apple was gone along with the beautiful brown lamb.

*^*

“Hallelujah!”

“Ruby, Jesus!”

“You look relaxed! You actually chilled out!” Ruby let out a whoop in Lex’s ear. “Though I see you haven’t used the bath bomb yet.” Ruby leaned into her neck for a whiff. “And you really should.”

“God okay, I just got back Ru.”

“I know, I know. Okay,” She plucked the basket from Lex’s arm and turned her towards the bathroom. “Go take a bath and soak in all of the serenity you found today. I’m ordering us takeout and then we’re watching crap TV!” Lex rolled her eyes as she stumbled to the bathroom.

The sunny day had taken more out of her than she imagined. She could still feel the heat on her skin as she undressed, and couldn’t stop thinking about that lamb. Sure she’d seen bunnies on the trail before, but never a lamb. Turning the hot water on, she let the tub fill as she grabbed her speaker and phone.

Light synth beats and soft piano chords filled the bathroom along with the steam, and Lex twisted the water off. Sitting on the floor, leaning over the edge of the tub, she let the bath bomb plop into the water. Closing her eyes as the bomb fizzed away, her mind drifted. She slipped into the glossy purple water absentmindedly relishing in the heat that prickled every inch of her skin.

This is always the best part of a bath. When the day is done, chores and homework taken care of, and you have to do is let the water ground you. Any movement, even your breath creates a soft current in the tub, encouraging the water to lap at your skin in a continuous embrace. Lex loved this moment, letting her head fall back as her eyes drifted shut.

When she blinked her eyes open, the album was drifting to a close and the lamb was back. In her apartment. In her bathroom. Lex jumped and water sloshed over the tub, crawling towards the lamb. She thought the steam was crafting illusions, but when she rubbed her eyes and blinked them open again, the lamb was still there. Steam swirled through the air as the lamb stood unblinking.

On a whim, Lex reached out a hand, palm open, water dripping from her fingers onto the mess on the floor. There was no way this was actually happening. Ruby would have noticed a lamb walking through the apartment, right?  

“Hey, little one. What are you doing here?” Just like earlier, the lamb cocked its head at her words. Then it stooped down and licked a bit of water from the tiles. When Lex blinked again, the lamb was gone. Lex sat back gazing at the ceiling and wondering what the hell was happening.

It must be the heat. After napping out in the sun, and then a warm bath, she must just be experiencing some extreme heat exhaustion. Or some—

“Lex!” Ruby’s voice was higher than she’d ever heard it before, which raised an alarm. Ruby hated sounding shrill, she said it reminded her too much of her mom. Wrapping herself in a towel Lex hustled out of the bathroom and stopped short. Ruby was sitting on the couch in front of a woman. A woman in glowing robes.

“Um…hi?”

“Hello, Alexandra. I trust you are well.”

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A/N: *peaking out from behind a luscious palm* Hi everyone! I hope you’re all doing well! I never meant to leave things this long, but I got distracted with building stuff to redo my room and then starting a new job just as Rona got her feet on the ground. 

I’ll admit I’m pretty nervous about posting this story. After being away for so long, it feels like I should just dip my feet back in and start slow. I’ll be honest I haven’t written in a WHILE. I’m kind of afraid I forgot how to write? lol *yikes* I’d love to know what y’all think, and I’m going to try to be a little more active in posting this story. 

As I said before, I’ve had this idea rolling around in my head for a year and some change now (I think), and I was inspired by Champion by killmongersgurl.

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[knives-out20]

Magnetic Pull - Erik Lehnsherr x Male!OC - Part 19

Fandom: X-Men: First Class (2011)

Pairing: Karmel Rosenstein (OC) x Erik Lehnsherr

Warnings: Spoilers for X-Men: First Class, Swearing, 

Notes: The next part is the finale! Also- if you can pick up the Hannibal (NBC show) references in this part, or any part in the past, fucking hell, I love you.

Karmel followed Charles and Moira, wobbling out and onto the sand. He watched a hole form in the wall in the upper middle level of the ship, and out floated a dead Sebastian Shaw, arms out and head hanging like he was on an invisible cross. Karmel gasped softly when he saw Erik standing on the ledge, wearing a shiny helmet."Erik!" He called, out of pure, raw relief that Erik was alive.

"Today, our fighting stops!" Erik's voice boomed.

The other mutants drew closer to Shaw's floating, lifeless body. They were all wary, and hesitant.

Erik lowered Shaw's body, onto the ground, blood trickling down Sebastian's forehead. He floated off the ledge, levitating above his past torturer's body. Erik spared Karmel a glance, who grew brave enough to wander closer, passed Charles and Moira.

The two helplessly let him.

Erik spoke again once his feet were on the sand."Take off your blinders, everyone. The real enemy is out there" he pointed out at the military ships still at sea, filled with humans."I feel their guns moving in the water, their metal targeting us."

Karmel stopped, Charles and Moira at his sides.

"Americans, Soviets, humans" Erik scowled."United in their fear of the unknown."

Karmel shuddered; he remembered when he had talked to Erik, at the X-Mansion, about how the idea of co-existing with humans was funny- since humans destroy what they don't understand. 

"The neanderthal is running scared, my fellow mutants!" Erik headed for the coastline, Karmel following from a way's behind him."Go ahead, Charles." His head snapped in Charles' direction, gaze gliding over Karmel."Tell me I'm wrong" Erik challenged.

Charles slowly pressed two fingers to his temple.

Karmel gave Erik a worried look, sparing the ships and Charles a couple of mere glances.

Charles lowered his hand. He turned to Moira, and nodded, letting her run back to the jet.

Soon, the canons fired missiles up and into the air, then soaring down towards the island.

"Shit- Erik!" Karmel automatically yelled.

Erik looked at him, then back over at the missiles flying their way. He raised a hand, all of them freezing mid-air immediately. Erik bore a stone-cold look in his deep eyes as he looked up at them, turning his palm inwards.

This made the missiles slowly flip around, facing back the way they came from.

Karmel then realized what Erik was about to do.

"Erik, you said yourself, we're the better men" Charles reminded."This is the time to prove it."

Erik ignored him, the missiles all successfully turned back around.

"There are thousands of men on those ships. Good, honest, innocent men!" Charles exclaimed."They're just following orders."

"Erik's been at the mercy of men just following orders" Karmel coldly reminded Charles.

Erik nodded."Never again."

Karmel watched Erik gesture his hand upwards, the missiles shooting back over towards the soldiers.

"Erik, release them!" Charles ordered."Karmel, tell him to stop, he'll listen to you."

Karmel gave Charles an apologetic look; he didn’t want to do that."Erik..." Was all he could force himself to say.

"No!" Charles charged at Erik, knocking him down.

"Charles!" Karmel called, the missiles exploding, falling into the ocean when Erik's powers got cut off.

Charles grunted once on top of Erik, reaching for his helmet.

"I don't want to hurt you- don't make me" Erik threatened, elbowing Charles off of him.

"Erik!" Karmel called.

Alex, Sean, Hank and Raven approached at the sign of Charles getting hurt, Erik darting his eyes in their direction.

"Stand back!" He growled, waving an arm, sending the team flying away, landing by the treeline.

"Erik-" Karmel repeated, taking a step towards him.

Erik gestured for Karmel to stop where he stood."I hesitated on you that time, but don't let my trust in you throw it away. I let you know me...see me...I gave you a rare gift...but you didn't want it."

"Didn't I?" Karmel's voice trembled as he said this, eyes growing sparkly, the words out of his mouth quicker than a speeding airplane. He grit his teeth to hold back any sobs on the borderline of coming out, but the tears in his eyes told a different story. Karmel glanced at his wrist, knowing full and well the 'gift' Erik meant wasn't the leather bound on his wrist.

The gift Erik gave Karmel was the gift of Erik letting Karmel see who he really is. Erik letting his guard down around Karmel, being vulnerable around the mutant with dirty blond hair and penchant for getting angry easily.

"This is all I ever wanted for you, Karmel...for both of us" Erik knelt down.

"It's beautiful." Karmel croaked truthfully, glancing down."You let me know you, Erik, see you, and it's so beautiful. You're beautiful, you're far from whatever weapon Shaw wanted you to come out to be, you’re more than that. You're far from any of the wrongs you've ever done, Erik. You're perfect-" perfect for me, he wanted to say."You're a good man" Karmel pleaded, looking back up to Erik."It's beautiful, Erik, but please, don't hurt Charles."

"He would deny me my life!"

"No- No. Not your life."

"My freedom, then- our freedom! He would take that from me, maybe even you. He would confine me to a prison cell, away from you."

Karmel's shoulder shook."Do you believe you could change me, the way I've ch-changed you?"

"I already did." Erik glanced down."I'm not blind to things like that, Karmel. But that isn't important...Fate and circumstance have returned us to this moment. I forgive you, Karmel. Will you forgive me?"

Karmel balled his hand into a fist, covering his mouth with it.

"Karmel. Come to me." Erik beckoned, pinning Charles down."Charles, that's enough!" He muttered, raising a hand for the leftover missiles to shoot at the ships once more.

"Erik, stop!" Charles yelled, earning a clean punch across the face from him.

Erik quickly stood back up, side-stepping away from Charles to control the missiles that were left.

A bullet shot right past Karmel, deflecting off of Erik's helmet. He snapped his head in the direction from where it came from."Moira-? Moira, no!" Karmel screamed, jumping up and down like an angry child."Shoot at Erik again, do it, I dare you, see what FUCKING happens!"

Moira continued shooting at Erik, bullets directly missing Karmel.

Until, one fateful bullet. Erik used his hand to deflect it, unaware that it would tear though Charles' lower back.

Charles was on the ground no sooner than he had stood up at. It was like it happened in slow motion- Charles fell to his knees, all eyes on him when he hit the sand.

"Charles- Charles!"

"Charles?"

"Charlie!"

Charles' face scrunched up in pain, a hand over where the bullet hit him.

Erik ran to him, rolling Charles onto his back and using his mutation to pull the bullet out of him. He held the bullet in his hand, Karmel using a vine to grab it and throw it in Moira's direction.

"What the fuck did I just say?" He rhetorically asked.

The missiles that were left exploded, and fell into the abyss of the sea.

Karmel jogged over to Erik and Charles, Moira lagging behind in fear.

"I'm so sorry- I said back off!" Erik angrily yelled at the mutants, all except Karmel."You. You did this" his glare landed on Moira, a hand cradling Charles' neck, his other on Charles' chest. Erik raised his hand, the necklace Moira wore starting to choke her.

"Erik. Please." Charles breathlessly pleaded."She didn't do this, Erik. You did."

"Excuse me? That was Moira's fucking bullet, from her gun, which she shot. Erik deflected Moira's bullet, from Moira's gun, that Moira shot" Karmel reiterated Moira's name throughout, just about ready to set it in stone. He grew helpless to the look that flashed onto Erik's face, one of sorrow. Karmel slowly backed away, fearful of what he'd do to anyone that was physically too close to him.

Erik slowly lowered his hand, releasing Moira from her own choke-hold."Us turning on each other, it's what they want" he gruffly told."I tried to warn you, Charles. Karmel knew better before you, too, he didn't need any warning. I want you by my side, just as I want Karmel by my side" Erik whispered."We're brothers, you and I. All of us, together, protecting each other. We want the same thing."

Karmel gulped, lips trembling."He didn't blind me completely" he spoke up."Charles, he just- gave me a few ideas here and there, that I sculpted into false hope. You saw so, last night. I'd never deceive from my own morals, Erik. No matter who says what."

Erik looked up at Karmel for a moment, with dare I say, a look of love. He hid it from view by trailing his gaze back down to Charles.

Charles' breath shook as he looked up at Erik, hopeless of anything else to say."My friend," he laughed sadly."I'm sorry. But you and I, we do not."

Erik froze, any hope left in Charles disappearing, just like that. 

Charles was on the brink of tears at this point, while Karmel was finally calming down from his held-back sobs from earlier.

Erik looked up at Moira, gesturing for her to come over.

"Charles," Moira whispered, racing over."I'm sorry, I'm so sorry" she repeated, as Erik slowly got up.

Erik stood up, walking a few feet away from Charles. He had his eyes on the line of mutants, and Karmel now lingering to the side of the line."This society won't accept us. We form our own. The humans have played their hand," he pointed at the ships."Now we get ready to play ours. Who's with me?"

Karmel's breath hitched, eyes darting between Charles struggling in the sand, and Erik standing tall. He felt eyes on him; Erik's eyes. Full of pleading, and that soft look they bore on him as of recent. Karmel bit the edge of his lip, Erik outstretching a hand.

"No more hiding" Raven whispered, walking past Karmel, and over to...Charles? She knelt down, Charles grabbing her arm.

"You should go with him. It's what you want” Charles urged.

"You promised me you would never read my mind" Raven reminded.

"I know. I promised you a great many things, I'm afraid. I'm sorry" Charles apologized, quickly kissing Raven's hand.

"Take care of him" Raven told Moira. She kissed Charles forehead, standing up and looping around to Erik's side, closer to Shaw's submarine than the jet.

Angel and Shaw's henchmen joined her.

"And Beast! Never forget. Mutant, and proud" Raven called.

Erik's gaze landed back on Karmel, who took a step forward.

"Charles." Karmel called, one last time."I know what I have to do, but I don't know if I have the strength to do it."

"Do it, Karmel. It's what you've always wanted, you and I both know that I- I could never change that. Go with Erik” Charles coerced, hoping Karmel would pity him somehow, and stay. He looked up at Karmel with pleading eyes, hoping something about that alone could get the message across. 

Karmel sniffled, not looking Charles in the eyes; it would only make him more distraught as to whether he should stay or go."But you- will you be fine? Will you be alright, Charlie Chaplin? You got shot, for fuck's sake."

Charles giggled sadly."I'll be better before you know it. Now go, Karmel. Join Erik."

Karmel stopped himself from approaching Erik."'Charlie Chaplin'. Now, I don't- I don't know if this name was ever a joke to you, but I sure hope it wasn't. If you're really so smart, you'd see it's been a compliment, this- this entire time," he paused."You think I'd ever go around comparing you to one of the most influential, intelligent, talented, life-changing people in the world for no reason?" Karmel asked."I respect you, Charlie. I respect you so much, you deserve to only ever know the truth."

"G-Great to know, Karmel-" Charles stuttered, trying to pretend he wasn't going to cry over how much that nickname truly was supposed to mean to him.”With all my knowledge and intrusion, K-Karmel, I never could entirely predict you.”

“One last thing, actually.”

“Mhm?” Charles forcefully hummed. Maybe Karmel decided to stay.”What? You’ll stay?”

“Don’t ever fucking forget, Charles: beware, it goeth before the fall.”

“Of course” Charles nodded, a pained smile on his lips. He hated to see Karmel leave, as the two had grown to be close friends quite quickly. But, this was what Karmel wanted, and Charles knew that more than anything. He just wants his friends to be happy. Besides; maybe sometime in the future, Charles could beckon Karmel back to his side.

Karmel licked his lips, head panning over to Erik, who had an arm slightly outstretched for him. He slowly made his way over, as if drawn in by Erik’s magnetic pull.

Erik could swear, Karmel had that same pull on him. He took off his helmet, holding it in his left hand.

Karmel filled the space between Erik and Charles. Karmel held Erik's hand tightly, and turned to face the mutant at his side. At last, the two succumbed to their emotions, and rightfully gave into the romantic feelings that have been there since the start. Karmel trailed his free hand up Erik's chest, across his neck and over his cheek, stopping when the tips of his fingers could touch Erik's hair. He and Erik pressed their foreheads together, Karmel's fingers grazing the base of Erik's ear as they kept eye contact. 

There was no doubt in Erik's mind that he loved Karmel from the moment he found out that Karmel truly saw all his flaws, yet wanted him to stay. From the moment Karmel told him despite the wrongs he'd done, Erik was a good man. Erik's eyes fell closed in comfort, Karmel doing the same with their foreheads still up against each other.

Neither had to say an "I love you" to the other. Neither had to kiss, either. It was clear as day at this point, how the two mutants felt about each other. So clear, that no words needed to be said, no actions needed to be done. It was an unspoken truth, how they love each other, and just how in love they are.

Azazel glanced over the line of mutants by him, and teleported the group away in a wave of red smoke.

[typhonserpent]

Stealing Away

Fandom: Dragon Age Genre: Slice-of-Life Description: When Ivnar and Lady Bug get into a scuffle, Ivnar finds out that his friend has been keeping a secret from him. Luckily, his nosy little sister has some tricks up her sleeve.

If you’re interested in more writing on my OC dalish clan, please feel free to check out the Clan Suledin tag!

Ivnar lounged on the back of the aravel.

The ground was rocky, and every step the halla took made the wheels rattle beneath him. One leg, which dangled over the edge, swayed slightly when they went over an especially large rock. He was slouching against the side, bow resting on his lap with an arrow lazily strung and dangling between his fingers.

Bug poked him in the knee. "Hey," He said.

He stirred just enough to raise his eyebrows, blinking twice in his friends direction.

Bug nodded at a bush as the passed it. "Betcha can't hit that nug." The arrow went off with a thwip, embedding itself in the ground beside the nugs rump. The little creature immediately bolted, a pink blur against the rough, dry landscape.

"You're right, I can't." Ivnar grumbled and swing his leg back onto the cart, curling against himself.

Bug tilted his head to one side, "What's wrong?"

"Nothing." Ivnar mumbled without moving a muscle.

"It ain't nothin'. You should try shooting things. That's what cheers me up."

That made Ivnar shoot up, yellow eyes as sharp as shards of glass. "You get to be happy, Felassan." He snapped, jaw tight, and, Bug visibly flinched at the harsh name. He inhaled as if to say something, but was immediately interrupted by the Keeper's voice from the head of the convoy.

"Hold!" Sohon called, raising a wrinkled hand, "We'll set up camp here."

Hallamas hair trailed behind her as she leaped between Bug and Ivnar, landing on a patch of grass. She was gone between the aravels in seconds.

"Did she have to pee?" Bug asked, his question punctuated by the scuff of Ivnars feet hitting the dirt.

"Where are you going?" Bugs words stopped Ivnar only a few paces from the aravel. Ivnar swiveled and gestured broadly to the convoy, where passengers here and there were already lowering sails and untying ropes. He raised one eyebrow.

"We're not through with this." Bug added, arms crossed.

"Whatever." Ivnar grumbled with an eye roll.

Bug propelled himself off the back of the aravel.

Ivnar stumbled forward a few steps when Bug latched to his back, arms locked around Ivnars shoulders. "I know where you're ticklish!" Bug taunted just before reaching a hand under one of Ivnars arms. Ivnar squirmed, working an elbow under Bugs ribs so he could jam it into Bugs stomach.

Bug reeled back a half pace and was met with Ivnars fist to his chin. Ivnar jumped onto him like a cat onto its prey, and both elves tumbled to the ground. A nearby halla snorted and attempted to move away from them, only to be caught by the aravel it was still tied to.

Bug jammed a knee into Ivnars stomach, dazing him long enough for Bug to roll them both around. A shout interrupted their scuffle. "Alright, break it up!" A familiar voice bellowed.

Bug felt bony fingers dig into either shoulder and watched as Ivnar was yanked away by his shirt collar. The elf who'd spoken dragged Ivnar back a pace while Arwen held Bug back, her salt-and-pepper hair falling over eyes that glared down at him.

Ivnars eyes were glued to the ground, jaw clenched. There was a smear of dirt on his left cheek. Bug rubbed a sizable bruise on his chin. Ivnar yelped when Elnar, the elf holding him yanked him to his feet by his ear.

"What is the matter with you?" Elnar snapped.

"Sorry, dad." Ivnar muttered, wincing with pain. Bug dared a glance at the gathering crowd, where Hallama was shrinking back behind her mother, Varrinas back. So that's where she was off to in such a hurry. Rotten little snitch.

Elnar finally released his son and Arwen loosened her grip on Bugs shoulders. Bug stood and rubbed one of his shoulders.

"I have half a mind to ground both of you. Acting like cats in heat." Elnar scoffed, his gaze moving between the two of them, "We're not here to tear each others throats out like the shemlen. We're better than that."

"Yes, sir. Sorry, sir." Bug muttered, cheeks flushing. Elnar had lines on his face that were etched in stone and a demeanor as hard as his gaze. It was hard not to feel guilty when he was scolding you.

"_You _should know better." The older elf growled, arms crosses. His eyes rested on the vallaslin that covered half of Bugs face, dark and not yet faded by age or sunlight. Bug touched his cheek with his fingertips. "And if you," Elnars eyes returned to Ivnar, "Want to be even considered for the ritual, you had better start acting like you deserve to become an adult." Ivnars eyes stayed on the ground, though a flicker of something flashed behind them at the scolding. Anger, perhaps? Jealously? Before Bug could place his finger on it, Elnar spoke again, "You'll both unload the Aravel and then brush and tend to the halla until I tell you to stop. And at some point I had better hear that you two figured things out."

"Yes, dad."

"Yes, sir."

The words were spoken in unison, and Bug was happy to see that most of the clan had gone back to their own business, save for Hallama and Varrina. Elnar wasted no time in storming past the pair and returning to his duties. Varrina took Hallamas hand and ushered her in the same direction.

The moment alone would have been awkward, save for the fact that Ivnar had already turned his attention to the aravel they rode in on. He was untying the ropes in seconds, and Bug was left to follow suit.

The motions were pure muscle memory for the pair. Bug would take the left side of knots and Ivnar would take the right. Ivnar would climb over the cart to throw the ropes to the other side, but Bug would crawl underneath to untie the last of the ropes. Bug would catch whatever Ivnar threw down from the top. Tarps first, then tent covers, bedrolls, furs. The difference here was that where their chore would normally be filled with sly comments and dirty jokes, they now spent the whole task in silence. With each silent minute, the tension grew thicker. When they were done with the first cart, they moved onto separate ones. Ivnar was the first to begin unloading the halla. He stripped one of her bridle and harness, stepped back a pace as she shook her head, then set to work tugging the knots from her fur.

Night fell and Bug had been assigned the task of scraping dirt and peeled paint off the aravels. It meant he was even further away from Ivnar, who'd led a few halla down to the nearby creek for a drink. Hallama approached behind while he was crouched by one of the halla, using a dagger to dig out the dirt caked onto her hooves.

She held out a wood plate bearing a few strips of roast venison and a little pile of berries. Ivnar accepted it with a grateful nod and settled on a nearby rock to eat.

Hallama plopped down on the ground beside him while he was tearing off a bite of the meat with his teeth.

"Lady Bugs upset with you." She said after a few seconds of silence.

Ivnar scoffed and swallowed his food, "I should be upset with him!"

Hallama scowled, though it was hard for a small child with messy hair to look anything other than cute when she wrinkled her nose in disdain. "You're so... Dense!"

"You don't even know what that means."

"It means you're stupid! I would know!"

"Oh, yeah? Just what would you know about being stupid?" Ivnar quipped with a smirk.

Hallama stood and crossed her arms, closing her eyes with an all-too-confident humph, "I know how to fix it so you're both happy. And you'll still get the apology you want."

Ivnar shook his head, still smirking. "Tell me then, oh wise peacemaker Hallama. What do you have in mind?"

She brightened, grinning from ear to ear. "You just have to get something for me! A present for Bug, from Val Royeux."

"From Val Ro- what sort of stories has he been telling you?" Ivnars eyes widened, his face paling with the suggestion.

"Um... This was my idea. I just heard him say it was two hours away on a good mount."

"Oh, so you're nosy _and _insane." Ivnar shoved the now-empty plate into her hands. He yanked the wire brush from his pocket and turned to one of the halla that was still lapping at the water. Most of the herd had wandered off to graze.

The brush passed through the soft fur easily. Hallama came up behind him. She hummed her words like a songbird, "You could be there and back before midnight. Ivnar, come on." She tugged on the waist of his pants.

"What in Mythals name makes you think this is a good idea?" Ivnar brushed the same spot without looking up.

She leaned back, fingers weaved though his belt as leverage. Ivnar didn't budge.

"Dad's busy on a scout and Lady Bug is working on the Aravels," She sang, shifting her feet from one foot to the next, "And Arwen is having a meeting with Keeper Sohon and no one's gonna notice a halla wandering off for a few hours."

He looked down at her over his shoulder. His eyes narrowed. She grinned, two gaps in her smile where baby teeth had fallen out. She tumbled backwards onto her rump, leather belt in her hand, and Ivnar felt a chill.

Grumbling incoherent curses under his breath, he pulled his pants up and snatched the belt from Hallamas hands. "If I say yes will you never suggest anything like this ever again?"

She bounced on the balls of her feet. "Yes, yes, yes!"

"I mean it, Hallama! Never again. If dad catches us headed for a shemlen city, we're dead."

"Promise! Swear it on my life!"

Ivnar heaved a sigh and pocketed the brush he'd been using before hoisting himself onto the hallas back. He held down a hand to help Hallama climb up.

"There and back. Quick visit. Grab the present and then leave." He said.

"Quick visit. Promise!" Hallama chimed as she settled into a seat in front of him.

As it turned out, she was right. The huge, glistening towers of Val Royeux came into sight within the hour. Ivnar left the halla to graze in a field outside the main gate. Unlike a horse, she wouldn't wander far. The halla knew who cared for them.

Hallama swept past the gate like a tiny breeze, her brother following close behind.

It was fortunate, he thought, that the the marketplace was so close to the city's entrance, or else they may have been stuck wandering until dawn.

Hallama stopped at every store window. She cupped her hands, pressed her face against the glass, and squinted to confirm the contents before moving onto the next store front. Ivnars fingers itched to reach for his bow. Every rustling of bird feathers or echo of his own footsteps had him glancing over his shoulder. He spied the soft glow of a lantern peeking around one corner and took bow out, slinging an arrow just as Hallamas voice whispered, "This one!"

He kept eying the light while he stepped backwards to where she was standing. Only when the glow faded and he was in front of the door did he finally sheath the arrow and try the handle.

"They're closed." He said, nodding to the padlock that barred their entry.

Hands on her hips, Hallama raised one eyebrow.

Sighing, Ivnar rolled his eyed and fished a lock pick from his pocket.

"This had better be worth it." He muttered as he worked the thin strip of metal against the lock pins. It clicked open within seconds. Orlesians, it seemed, weren't known for complex locks.

The door opened with a creek. Ornate dresses lined every wall, some proudly displayed on mannequins with a few pieces of jewelry thrown in for decoration. The back wall sported sketches of dress designs and a lock box on the counter, alongside rows of needles and thread.

Hallama was already pushing past Ivnar and running into the shop.

"This is... A women's clothing store." He voiced slowly.

"Uh, yeah?"

"Thought we were shopping for Bug."

"What's Bugs name?"

"Felassan?"

"Not his dead name! His real name. The full one."

"Lady ... Bug?" Ivnars cheeks flushed with immediate realization. His eyes widened before lowering to the ground. "Oh." He breathed. Hallama paid him no mind. She was already lifting the hem of one of the gowns on display, rubbing her fingers on the material.

He heard boots hitting stone outside and swiveled to face the door, fingers twitching as he reached for an arrow and paused with his hand poised behind his back.

"This one's nice. She'd like the acorns on it." She said. He didn't bother turning to look. His eyes were fixed on lantern glow that had returned to the square outside.

"I'm sure it's fine. Just pick one." He hissed.

"You're supposed to help! Otherwise what's the point?"

Ivnar rolled his eyes and swiveled to see the dress. It was a slim piec with ruffled layers forming the skirt and acorns and vines embroidered along the neckline. He picked up the fabric and rubbed it between his thumb and forefinger. He'd never seen silk before, but he'd heard about how it was soft and slippery.

"It's fine. Let's go." He whispered.

"We should pick up some jewelry, too.”

"Hallama ..."

Ivnar has barely growled the warning when a voice bellowed from the street.

"Halt! Who goes there!"

His warning quickly turned into a swear, "Fenedhis."

Hallama yanked the dress down, causing the mannequin to fall with a loud clatter. "Run!" She shouted, then darted out the door with yellow silk and ruffles trailing behind her.

He had little choice but to follow, though he kept his bow in one hand. He saw the glint of heavy armor from the corner of his eye, shining from the lantern in the guards hand. He shouted again, though the pair were well on their way to the gate by then.

The guards metal boots clanged against the stone streets with every step. He was trying to match their pace, but that armor was slowing him down. Ivnar dared a glance over his shoulder. The tall, lumbering human was several paces behind them now, and they were putting more distance between them with every pace.

Horses raised their heads when the two elves darted past the stables that were outside the city gates. Ivnar could see the familiar white hallas figure in the nearby field, her head bent to graze the grass there. He put his fingers to his lips, and the halla raised her head when he whistled.

She trotted up to meet them. Hallama threw the dress across the hallas neck.

She grasped the creatures fur in her hands and tried pulling herself onto her back, causing the halla to release an indignant bray. Ivnar came up behind and pushed Hallama up onto the hallas back before leaping on just behind her. The guards footsteps were softer in the grass. Ivnar hitched the halla into motion. He found himself grinning, caught Hallama sporting an equal smile. As the halla sprinted away, he finally took a good look at the guard behind them. Doubled over, huffing and puffing and well aware of the fact that he couldn't outrun a halla. Ivnar caught himself laughing while the city spires grew smaller behind them.

The halla eventually slowed to a steady trot. He still sported a grin, and to accent the mood Hallama broke the silence with a giggle.

Her laughter, it seemed, was contagious. As her giggles grew in intensity, his own low chuckles joined until they were both doubling over, the halla paying no mind to her giggle-struck passengers.

Ivnar caught Hallama in a headlock and noogied her hair with his fist.

"Never again, brat. If we don't talk to the shemlen, then we definitely don't buy ball gowns from them."

"Stealing ball gowns is fine, though, right?"

Ivnar glanced at the stars while he chewed on the question. "Sure," He decided,

"Just this once, stealing ball gowns is fine."

She scoffed, "Not like they would have traded furs and leathers for a gown anyway."

"It's... Probably better to leave trading to Keeper Sohon and Arwen. Shems can't be trusted. Besides, it's not practical. Trading perfectly useful furs for something soft and fragile."

He ran his thumb along the embroidery. Ivnar could see the creek approaching along with the halla who grazed by it. Tufts of white fur against a sea of dark grass. Hallama scoffed, "Bug won't think so. You can ask him yourself." With that, she wiggled until she could swing one leg over and hopped off the halla. She wasted no time in hurrying back to the camp, leaving Ivnar alone with the herd and his stolen prize.

Lady Bug was on the edge of the camp, leaning up against an aravel, her mouth hung wide in a snore while a rag hung loosely from one hand. Ivnar steered the halla up next to her, purposely letting his boots hit the ground hard when he dismounted. Bug stirred and yawned as she woke, rubbing an eye with her palm.

"Hey." Ivnar said. She grumbled something incoherent, though Ivnar could swear he heard the word 'jerk' sprinkled in there.

"Whatever you just said, I probably deserved it. Here." He pulled down the dress and thrust it into Bugs face, "I wanted to give you this."

Bug squinted at the dress with an incredulous look, not so much as raising a finger in response. "That was Hallamas idea, wasn't it?" She said. Ivnar cringed, "Is it obvious?"

Bug snorted a laugh. "Sneaky brat. Asked me to tell her 'bout when I was living in Val Royeux. Let slip that I used to go to the marketplace and look the dresses in the windows. You? You never would've thought of somethin' like this."

His eyes went downcast and the hand holding out the dress lowered by a few inches. "Well," He added, "I also wanted to say... I'm sorry."

One of Bug eyebrows very slowly raised. She reached out and took the dress from Ivnar. Dropping the rag she'd been holding, she spread it out in her lap, fingertips gently brushing the embroidery.

Ivnar sat across from her, legs crossed. "You should have told me sooner. I never would have called you by that name if I'd known. Even if I was angry. I'm sorry. For that. And for punching you."

She let out a short, breathy laugh. "No, I'm sorry. When you get like that I shouldn't assume shootin' nugs is gonna fix it." She had moved on to touching the skirt now, thumbing through the layers of lace that made it poofy. "Where'd you even get this?" She asked.

"Don't ask." He said, throwing up his arms, "As it is I'm going to scrub the aravels for a month after Dad sees that thing. I just hope the guard didn't put together that we were Dalish because if he shows up here in the morning, I'm dead."

She laughed, a familiar snort through the nose, making her cover her mouth like she always did. "I'm sure you're fine." She said, wiping a tear away with her thumb, "Thank you, Ivnar. I've no idea when I'm gonna wear it, but thank you."

Ivnar flashed a tiny, stiff smile. "You could try it on now if you want."

Her expression rapidly cycled between several emotions. First, sheer terror, then shock, bewilderment, and finally her eyebrows perked in a tiny spark of curiosity. "Y-you really think it's okay?"

"I didn't go through all that trouble just to steal you the wrong size. I wanna see how it looks." He said, still smiling.

It took a few minutes for them to move far enough away from camp that Bug was comfortable. Even so, she made Ivnar turn his back and wait on the opposite side of the thicket where she'd chosen to change. He had his arms crossed, leaning against a tree while he listened the rustle of fabric and the occasional snap of a twig.

Her voice, trembling slightly, sounded from behind the thicket, "Y-you gotta promise you won't laugh." To which he rolled his eyes and kicked off the tree to spin around, "Oh Creators, just come out already. I don't care."

He could hear the rustle of skirts and the drag of leaves against the ground. The dress was entirely too long for her, and the silk pooled around her feet and dragged behind her as she walked. Scoffing, she glanced down and grabbed a handful of fabric, but stopped when she caught Ivnar staring.

The moonlight bathed her and washed out the deep yellow of the dress, turning it into a pale gold and making the vines and acorns stand out all the more. It would seem they were meant to frame breasts, but on Bug they were just a bit wrinkled.

"It's loose here." She muttered, tugging at the low neckline. When he kept staring, her already red cheeks flushed even further. She clutched her arms to her chest. "It's that bad?" She asked.

Ivnars eyes snapped back into focus, "Huh? No! You... You look pretty."

Her mouth hung open a bit. She was staring at the ground, still holding herself. He approached and took a wrist in each hand, prying her arms apart. "We can look for some cotton plants while we're on the road tomorrow. Or maybe if we catch a ram I can sheer some of it's wool. We'll fill it out, don't worry."

Bug sniffled and tugged a hand away to wipe her eye, "Guess when I'm invited to one o' them fancy Orlesian balls, I'll have somethin' to wear." He ran his thumb over her wrist. "We'll have to get you some evening gloves, then. Maybe a necklace? Hallama wanted to get you some jewelry, but it didn't work out."

She chuckled, snorted, and covered her mouth.  It was then that Ivnar remembered the wire brush in his pocket. Removing it, he made a motion for her to turn around. When she obeyed, he started brushing her hair. It was shorter than his, a messy straight bowl cut that barely went past her ears, but the tangles worked out with ease, and he discovered for the first time a little natural bob at the tips.

"I don't know what it was like in the alienage," He added, "But it isn't that way here. You know Dad considers you one of his own. We'll accept you. No matter what."

He embraced her from behind, smiling. She beamed back, "I ain't seen you this happy in days."

For once, his smile didn't falter at those words. "I guess I'll just have to steal you gifts more often."