#friend or foe? (muse interaction)

[504py]

Scalding-Hot Steel - Knight!Leon Kennedy/Reader

He finally lets you try on his armor.

I'M SO SORRY THIS TOOK SO LONG TO GET OUT!!! 😭😭😭😭🙏🙏 i got caught in a bit of a slump, but i hope this can make up for it, and that this was worth the wait!! the chapter after this might be the finale, so i may take even longer to get to it. nonetheless, thank you to everyone who's been reading till now, and thank you all for 600 followers!!!

Historical inaccuracies, I suck at old-timey speak, reader referred to as "my lady" but no other gendered terms or descriptors besides that, no use of Y/N, Leon is a total puppy, mutual pining.

1, 2, 3

𓈒⠀𓂃⠀⠀˖⠀𓇬⠀˖⠀⠀𓂃⠀𓈒

You're unsure what it was, but following that interaction at the library, you and Leon have grown closer.

This upgrade in your relationship has made you be able to relax more in his presence, now that you see him as more friend than foe. Well, to call him a foe was a gargantuan exaggeration, but you did find him intimidating. You still do sometimes.

Even if you've backed off and retired your old obsessive habit of being way too observant about every single little detail about Leon, you can't help but still notice how it seems like your roles have been swapped.

Leon has begun to follow you around like a dog, to put it simply.

You swear it's not just you fixating on him, you really have started seeing him around much more often. He's started waiting by your door to greet you a good morning with a small smile, before heading to the courtyard. During lunchtime, he's begun to engage in smalltalk with you, talking about mundane things like the weather, or your schedule for the day. He's especially chatty if he learns he's going to be part of it. At night, when his usual routine would be to simply see you off at your bedroom door and say goodnight, now he sits by your bedside and talks about anything 'till it lulls you to sleep. He'd be mortified if you knew how long he stayed after you've dozed off.

Leon has begun studying you, in return. He likes to think that he's observant, but that usually only applies to combat, or if he's been trained beforehand on the matter. With people, he's never really had much luck reading them, unless it's too obvious for it to even be called "observing."

Leon admires that about you, how keen your eyes always are. He wonders if you're as drawn into his quirks as he is with yours. If you were, he envies your ability to drink in information so tactfully. If the devil were in the details– in your details, Leon would love to become a sinner.

His attempts in learning more about you were painfully amateurish. Even if Leon were a great tutor, a great protector, a great fighter, he tends to be terrible at holding conversation.

"My lady–"

"I told you to stop calling me that." You sigh and roll your eyes playfully.

"Sorry." He huffs your name bashfully, drawing closer towards you. You look up at him, and he drinks in the sight before you're squinting slightly at the rays of sun attacking you from behind his head.

"Please step into the shade, milady." He insists, holding his hand out for you to place yours on, before leading you underneath a large tree.

"There you are again, Sir Leon." You laugh, resting your back against the smooth bark of the tree.

"Hey, I asked you to forgo the titles as well." He muses, noticing you were still straining your eyes slightly, so he steps in front of the sun. It makes your face relax, and once again, he realizes keeping you happy and protecting you brings him fulfillment like no other.

"Just doing the same as you are, Sir Leon, since you won't drop mine." Chuckling, you sit down on the plush grass and wait for him to follow.

He smiles and breathes out a laugh, setting down the picnic basket in front of you. Leon wants to sit beside you, but then his back wouldn't be there to shield you from the sun. He sits where he is.

"Alright, I'm sorry." He says, almost jokingly. Saying your name out loud makes him feel shy, like saying the name of a god. It feels almost forbidden to be molded by his tongue, but you always invite him to say it, and the intimacy makes his heart race every single time he dares to. He mumbles it quietly again, getting a high from it.

You look beautiful. He thought that from the day he first met you, but the closer you two have gotten, the more and more he finds himself thinking that, and even more does it make his heart ache in his chest. In the shade under this tree, windy summer day illuminating the soft curves of your face so enchantingly, Leon can't help but look like a bit of an idiot drinking the sight in.

"Are you feeling hot?"

His eyes look at your lips first, ears registering your voice second. He closes his mouth, realizing it's been hanging slightly agape.

"I, uh, no– no, I'm feeling alright, my–"

You tilt your head down, and send him a playful warning glare. He stops in his tracks and looks down for a second, smiling breathily.

"I'm alright."

"Really? Your head tilts to the right this time, and Leon's heart skips a beat at how adorable he finds the gesture. "That armor you're wearing looks pretty hot. Can't you take it off?"

"It's only chainmail." He reassures, taking off his helmet and combing a hand through his flattened hair, "The helmet is a little troublesome, though."

You chirp, "I can imagine." before you open up the picnic basket in front of you and start rummaging through it.

Leon watches you munch on some biscuits for a bit, before his eyes flit back to the helmet by his side. "...Some time ago, you said you had wanted to try on my armor."

He says this mid-chew, so you hurry to get your food down so you can respond, "Oh, you remembered?" You wipe away a few crumbs from your lip, Leon finds the act charming, and it makes him smile softly. You continue, "Mm, yes, I did. Why bring it up?"

"Well," Leon holds up his helmet, "Would you like to try it on now?"

The way your eyes light up can't help but force a boyish, giddy grin on Leon's face. It feels strange and his cheeks feel weird, he can't really remember the last time he's smiled this hard. It does scare him a little, how foreign it is, but the feeling is so, so welcomed.

"Of course! Are you joking?" You put the snacks in your hands away, and move the basket to the side so you can inch closer to Leon. The feeling of your legs touching make butterflies take flight in his stomach.

"I-I'm not– I–" He's sputtering and he finds his brain struggling to function at being so flustered.

"Calm down, Leon." You laugh heartily. He wonders if you know the effect you have on him, but with how darn observant you are, he's sure that you're well aware what you do to him. It makes his cheeks burn red and glare at you with a kittenish frown. He wishes he could be more suave about his feelings towards you.

"I will once you stop making me so flustered." Leon huffs, hoping that wasn't too bold of a thing to say. His cheeks burn deeper. His eyebrows lower at your surprised look.

"Do I now?"

"W-Well– See, you're doing it again!" Leon groans, letting go of his helmet to hide his flushed face in his broad hands and whine. His ears turn red at the sound of your hearty laugh.

"Well, it's only fair that I do it to you too."

"Too?"

Your face warms, realizing what you've revealed. Leon grins, elated at the mere implication that he makes you feel the same way.

"Y-You've noticed, haven't you? In the library, you asked why I felt so uncomfortable around you."

"You didn't exactly answer... I thought it was because you disliked me."

"...Now you know that I clearly don't. We get along rather well, don't we?"

He's beaming at you, and it's not just the sun shining on him, it looks like he's literally glowing with serenity and love.

"We do, my lady."

"Leon!" You interject him calling you by your formal title.

He can't seem to let the title go, because in his mind, it's more of a pet name than a title. A term of endearment. Leon clings to the "my" part of the title, he liked the tiniest hint that you could be his. My lady, my lover, my sweetheart, mine.

Leon giggles, and he pauses for a moment after, realizing he can't remember the last time he's let out such a noise. He gazes upon you in awe, amazed at how you were able to bring out this side of him.

"What is it?"

Leon blinks, getting drawn out of his haze and shaking his head dismissively. He keeps his soft gaze on you, though.

The pads of his fingers rest on his helmet, feeling the ridges of it. Maybe it was too rough for someone he deemed as delicate as you. His eyes lower and rest on the piece of armor, noting how it's covered in scratches and dents, how it isn't so shiny as he'd like for it to be. It washed over him like a small wave of shame, thinking it not worthy for someone of your standing to don. Not even socially, but the standing that you held within his mind and his heart. Leon never thought he'd be insecure over such a trivial thing.

"So... Can I try it on, my good Sir?"

Leon lets out a little snort at what you call him, freezing and making an embarrassed face at the undignified noise, but then he he sees how happy it makes you– perhaps how happy he himself makes you, and he feels at ease.

"Yes, of course, Your Royal Highness."

You playfully slap his bicep at the absurd title. "I am not royalty!"

"You are to me." He mutters as he adjusts his sitting position, and you can hear the smile in his voice.

He's kneeling in front of you, being mindful of your hair or anything on your clothing the helmet could snag on, gently lowering it before the hard metal rests on the top of your skull.

Leon sits back down, and can't help a cheesy, tight-lipped smile when he sees how awkwardly it fits you. It's crooked, and it simply is too rugged in contrast to your usual attire and demeanor.

"...How is it?"

"Wow, I can barely see. This is amazing!" Your hands rest on the sides of the helmet to try and stabilize it, yet it still tips over off balance after adjusting. Leon lets out a snort, and this time, he's only half-embarrassed.

"How do you fight in this? I can't see anything."

Leon wordlessly pulls the visor up. His heart pounds at the sight of your flushed face and messy hair.

"Ohh. What if an arrow lands in my face, though?"

"I can assure you, you won't be getting into that sort of situation anytime soon."

"You seem very sure of yourself, Leon."

"Of course, it's my duty to protect you."

"...Do you enjoy it?"

"What? Protecting you?"

You nod, "Yes."

"I look forward to it every day."

The two of you share a wide smile, beaming at the intimacy of this interaction, and you two have never felt closer. I want to kiss you, is all Leon can think about.

Right as he was mindlessly leaning in, you let out a small laugh for whatever reason, and Leon is forever grateful that you do, because it snaps him out of his trance, and he feels so stupid for trying to make a move on you.

"That's good. I don't think armor suits me very much anyways." You clumsily take his helmet off of your head, and rest it by your hip.

"I'm glad to have you protecting me, Leon. I'm so happy to have you by my side every day, not even as a knight, but as a companion." You say this so demurely, looking down at your lap with a cherubic expression on your face that has his heart pounding in his strong chest.

Then, you just had to look up at him, and meet his lovestruck stare, and maybe he's gone crazy from how flustered he's been all day, but he swears he can see the same look in your eyes.

Leon throws out whatever he was last thinking straight out the window, encases your wrists in his hands, and kisses you.

𓈒⠀𓂃⠀⠀˖⠀𓇬⠀˖⠀⠀𓂃⠀𓈒

[mysticdeath]

SCENARIO SPECIFIC STARTER CALL ﹒⌗﹒🦇﹒🐺 ˚₊‧ … below you will find a categorized list of various scenarios featuring a variety of settings and muses. by interacting with this post below, you are declaring interest in receiving a starter specific to that scenario. these will vary in length but likely yield at least a paragraph minimum. feel free to note any added context, preferences, and you'd like for us to discuss the scenario more + plot before writing. multis please also specify who you would like the scenario for, failure to do so will result in no starter.

| | | | CHARACTER SPECIFIC SCENARIOS … ————— with each, the specifics may vary.

༶ REPLY 🐊 FOR HAYLEY MARSHALL TO FIND YOUR MUSE INJURED IN THE BAYOU — with no access to proper medical care and time running out, the hybrid realizes she'll need to heal your muse with her blood if there's any hope of getting answers about what happened to lead to this situations.

༶ REPLY 👥 FOR KLAUS MIKAELSON TO USE HIS IDENTITY TO LURE YOUR MUSE INTO A TRAP — after taking possession of a new body, klaus presents himself as someone close to your muse or in need of help and attempts to lures your character into a false sense of security to achieve his latest scheme.

༶ REPLY 🔮 FOR DAVINA CLAIRE TO LOSE CONTROL OF HER POWERS AROUND YOUR MUSE — during an intense moment, davina's magic becomes volatile, and your character is there to witness her struggle to rein it in. davina realizes too late that she's exposed her vulnerability (and possibly her status as a witch), leaving your character with this newfound knowledge. will they confront her with concern, use it as leverage, offer to help, or attempt to blackmail her.

༶ REPLY 🩸 FOR JENNA SOMMERS TO BE FOUND BY YOUR MUSE WHILE EXPERIENCING HER FIRST FEED — the unfortunate victim of klaus's plan to get to elena, jenna has been turned into a vampire. confused, scared, and controlled by this new hunger, she relies on her instincts to feed.

༶ REPLY ⚫️ FOR HOPE MIKAELSON TO HAVE HER HUMANITY OFF IN FRONT OF YOUR MUSE — after a moment of intense grief, hope's mind flips its switch, shutting off her humanity. your character is one of the unlucky few to witness the tribrid without her emotions. now the only question is, will they attempt to bring her back or join her on this new, strange, emotionless adventure.

༶ REPLY 💀 FOR STEFAN SALVATORE TO CROSS PATHS WITH YOUR MUSE WHILE ACTING AS KLAUS'S RIPPER — your character crosses paths with stefan, but he's not the stefan they remember. with his humanity off and under klaus's control, he's a true ripper with a chilling smile and unrestrained hunger.

༶ REPLY 🏘️ FOR LIZZIE SALTZMAN TO BE YOUR MUSE'S COLLEGE ROOMMATE — life away from home is always hard, but it's even harder when you're trying to keep your heretic status hidden from your new roommate who may, or may not, be hiding a few supernatural secrets of their own.

༶ REPLY 🐦‍🔥 FOR LANDON KIRBY TO BE FOUND BY YOUR MUSE AFTER ONE OF HIS DEATHS — your character has stumbled upon a dead body that soon bursts into flames. after turning to ash, landon revives, unsurprised. the only real question is what happens next and whether they are friend or foe.

༶ REPLY 🔎 FOR JENNA SOMMERS TO INVESTIGATE / QUESTION YOUR MUSE — tired of being kept in the dark and confident there is far more going on than what she's being told, jenna decides to uncover the truth for herself and begins digging. one way or another, the two cross paths and jenna takes matters into her own hands to get to the bottom of things.

༶ REPLY 🚙 FOR LIZZIE SALTZMAN AND YOUR MUSE TO BE STUCK ON A ROAD TRIP TOGETHER — searching for a magical ingredient, attempting to keep an artifact safe, running for safety, etc. the why may vary, but one thing is for certain, the open road is full of possibilities and mixed feelings.

༶ REPLY ❗️ FOR KLAUS MIKAELSON TO DEMAND INFORMATION FROM YOUR MUSE — believing your character has vital information about a threat to his family or territory, klaus is relentless in his interrogation, employing charm, intimidation, compulsion, and even violence to get his answers. they must find a way to either resist or strike a deal with the original hybrid.

༶ REPLY 🖋️ FOR STEFAN SALVATORE TO HAVE A DIARY ENTRY ABOUT YOUR MUSE THAT THEY FIND — while spending time around stefan, your character stumbles upon one of his diary entries that mentions them. the entry gives them unexpected insight into stefan's thoughts and feelings, possibly bringing up memories, new emotions, or even secrets thought to be buried deep.

༶ REPLY ⚱️ FOR HOPE MIKAELSON TO SEEK OUT YOUR MUSE TO UNDERSTAND HER FAMILY'S PAST — curious about her family's dark and twisted legacy, hope seeks out your character, who either belongs to, knew, or has knowledge of the mikaelson's family history. questions are asked, stories are swapped, and possible grudges drawn.

༶ REPLY 🧊 FOR LANDON KIRBY TO HELP YOUR MUSE WHO IS STUCK BETWEEN LIFE AND DEATH — your character arrives in limbo, unable to fully cross over or "find peace" — they're in a liminal state, unsure what to do or where to go. this can be in connection to a transition, a temporary vampire death, or a fatal death. as the angel of death [see: ferryman] of limbo, landon makes it his job to explain their unique situation and wait with them for nature to run its course where they can then pass on or return to the living depending on the situation at hand.

༶ REPLY 🔮 FOR DAVINA CLAIRE TO LOSE CONTROL OF HER POWERS AROUND YOUR MUSE — during an intense moment, davina's magic becomes volatile, and your character is there to witness her struggle to rein it in. davina realizes too late that she's exposed her vulnerability (and possibly her status as a witch), leaving your character with this newfound knowledge. will they confront her with concern, use it as leverage, offer to help, or attempt to blackmail her.

༶ REPLY 🐺 FOR HAYLEY MARSHALL TO SAVE YOUR MUSE FROM A WEREWOLF ATTACK — on a full moon, your character is being hunted or was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time, and crossed paths with a pack of werewolves. hayley intervenes and saves them, but not without consequences. now they must both hide until morning, dealing with the tension, fear, and general suspicion of one another until it is safe to leave.

༶ REPLY 👻 FOR VICKI DONAVON TO START APPEARING TO YOUR MUSE AFTER SHE'S DIED — manifesting behind them, visible in mirrors, interfering with their technology, lingering nearby only to vanish within a blink. she's desperate to communicate, to explain her situation, but her very essence clings to just how much of a believer they are and whether or not they're receptive.

| | | | ALTERNATIVELY, LIST ONE OF THE SETTINGS BELOW TO RECEIVE A STARTER SET IN OR AROUND IT : [NOTE]: you may specify a muse or decree dealer's choice for random selection …

༶ AMUSEMENT PARK/CARNIVAL. ༶ TIME LOOP. ༶ ROADSIDE DINNER. ༶ CROWDED BAR. ༶ CAMPGROUND. ༶ ALLEYWAY. ༶ MUSEUM. ༶ HOTEL/MOTEL. ༶ FOREST. ༶ CHURCH ATTIC. ༶ ABANDONED FARMHOUSE. ༶ PRISON WORLD. ༶ GRAVEYARD. ༶ HIGH SCHOOL LATE AT NIGHT. ༶ CHAMBRE DE CHASSE/THERAPY BOX SESSION.

[nights-at-crystarium]

Fragments - episodes 27-30 author notes

You can find similar breakdown posts on older episodes in my pinned!

I make these notes as I work on an episode, however, people have been so attentive and observant with their comments that I started a tag fragments feedback where we dive even deeper into themes and interactions in the comic. These comments are a blessing, often pointing out things that my own brain doesn't register.

Obligatory ShB spoiler warning.

Episode 27 begins with a chat about the original weapons that are merely a stylish-looking convenience for them ic and for me ooc, so that I don't have to draw them lugging their weapons around.

Essentia's just a name for Vivi's spear, not like the whole concept. I introduced it around the beginning of the ShB arc. Alisaie's weapons have no name yet, there's a possibility to do something cute referring to twins.. I shall think of it :3c

Look at this child being all smug for having been able to help recreating something previously thought unique, and, um, flirting.. In her own way.....

Vivi be like, sigh, "ah, back on her bs already... Better indulge her while she's still in a nice mood".

Alisaie's left arm's stronger than both Vivi's. As a dragoon he doesn't only use magic to amplify his jumps, if it works on legs, why not extend it to arms as well? Not unlike what monks do, minus the actual physical training. Basically he cheats with magic in real fights. A casual friendly duel isn't worth expending aether, so he only relies on his actual strength :'>

He also can't do friendly duels because his Echo only telegraphs hostile attacks. A friend would stop before his blade cuts him, so Vivi's kinda blind, only relying on his own average skill. A legendary hero that's no fun to spar with if you're remotely competent.

..Which has no negative effect on Exarch's fanboyism.

Several people said they look forward to said sparring session, and I felt like I failed them because I had no plans to follow through with this. Then I thought some more.. Do we mean every little thing we say or think? Sometimes it's just distracted nonsense. If every action and word were hooks/setups for the story, it'd feel artificial. This's just my opinion, but some scenes have to have idle chatter and musings for realism.

Vivi and Alphi look like door-to-door salesmen, yet the Chais are buying multiples of whatever they sell.

This's a looooooongg post, under the cut we go~

A random thing that thematically belongs here, but didn't make it in the comic: Vivi ended up being more freaked out by Eulmore than Amh Araeng.

Feo "privacy breach" Ul :> They greet each other so casually that it's clear, this's far from being the first time.

One of my personal fav panels so far. People loved the "crystal mystel" so much but I can't take credit for that! My brain's full of soup that's a mix of everything canon and my own generous additions, but I THINK one of the pixies calls him that ingame, sometime post 5.0.

You probably didn't know that you needed more Exarch and Feo Ul interactions till now, I've got you covered. Their scenes will take time to trickle in, but they EXIST and go back as far as their first meeting.

Exactly what happened.

One more episode where Vivi doesn't utter a word, but it doesn't feel like that.

Tank!Exarch fanclub, +1 member. Vivi's pleasantly surprised by the sudden shift in Exarch's demeanor. He genuinely admires him here. "Lead me anywhere daddy".

Ready for a guild wars 1 (one!) joke? No? I'm making it anyway. Lyna casts gaze of contempt (effect: removes enchantments on target foe)

She's such a good daughter with great intuition. She feels uneasy about this way before Vivi feels anything at all. He just looks. Perceives. He has eyes, dammit! And Exarch has those stupid sexy sandals and shiny crystal arm and stylish flowy robes and he's generally kinda cool? It's official, it has begun: Vivi's attracted to Exarch here.

Zooming in super close to bring your attention to his thigh gap <w<

A closeup for the hell of it C: His eyes have a natural faint glow that's just there, it doesn't mean anything, like, genuinely.

Vivi tries to appease Lyna. He has no idea why she keeps glaring at him, probably still not trusting a stranger. He uses his charm as a casual manipulation. Unfortunately, Lyna falls for it. For now.

As per msq, Exarch's kneeling, not collapsing (although that would've been just as fitting tbh). While still not trusting him too much, Vivi slowly begins to respect a reputable ruler and a skilled fighter, and WHY IS HE KNEELING MY LORD GET UP?! Vivi hates being treated like some sort of a messiah. That pushes him further inside the box of being a mythical figure, and denies his humanity.

Normal colors and lighting!! For one episode....

The scene on the left isn't meant to feel cozy and inviting, while the right one is. Sickly, cold, washed out colors vs darker and warmer ones. I'm putting a lot of thought into this, just wanted to celebrate it a lil C:

Episodes 28-29 show Vivi and Exarch's ways of handling unexpected personal hostility. Vivi casually whips out a V and a silly grin, while Exarch.....

He tried, okay?!

A thing on their positioning in this scene that I didn't plan consciously, it just happened: Exarch's framed by the Crystarium, appearing more aligned with it, while the elf pile's surrounded by an idyllic natural frame. Something something about the greenery meaning life, and Exarch looking a bit out of place here.

This's our first, but not last encounter of an imagination theater :>

The dragons are goofy on purpose. Well, sort of. I can count on one hand the amount of times I drew non-humanoid creatures, and the tone here doesn't demand anything super serious from me. Also it makes sense in-character, Exarch probably never saw a dragon up close.

Take a good look at this lil shit. I indulged in illustrating his badass moment before pointing the "camera" away for a while. We're heading into the Il Mheg arc that lasts for months and has no cats ;w;

Vivi's iconic Protagonist Grin >:D

Also, Ryne. Just to keep your expectations grounded: while I personally like her, she has no relevance in this story, and very little screentime. I'm currently having Eden raid brainworms, might write a scene or two related to that, but we're talking many years into the future. Until then, she doesn't do much.

ShB cast's diverse and extremely fun to explore, but if I went on tangents the comic would literally never progress. Gotta be honest, I'm already terrified that some readers might drift away before reaching the wolgraha part of this wolgraha comic. I don't wanna rush OR dilute the main plot too much, if that makes sense. Also, just like in real life, you probably don't form perfect connections with every member of your social circle, some people grow closer than others. Vivi has next to no connection to Minfilia/Ryne, he also stays away from little girls after one of those ended up becoming his lifelong problem *snorts and points at Alisaie*

Desires, and feasting on them? A dungeon meshi nod? More likely than you think.

Feo Ul, sprawled out on his chest like that, visually resembles a burning heart.

Emet antithesis :3c

Imagine loving your pet so much that you let him do this. Feo Ul isn't moved by the physical act AND the joking accusation.

While seemingly slacking for a dozen episodes, Vivi formed bonds with Feo Ul and Ardbert, and thus secured the future of the two stars. Now he has friends that aren't his coworkers first and foremost, that he genuinely wants to fight for. This's what makes him tick as a hero: a quiet plea of a friend, not even asking him directly, a stark contrast to being dragged around and cried at for help. If Vivi's introduction to an entity (person/group of people) is "they suffer, they need help", he shrugs it off. Everyone suffers and needs help, he can't split into thousands of vivis to please them all.

He's only truly motivated to help, or empathizes with those who he gets to know through other means. Take Ardbert, his strange behavior on the Source, then reintroduction that's confusion and companionable snark, but not wailing for help. And Feo Ul, they hang out with him just because, they're safe.

He may not run off to fight the local Lightwarden this instant, but when he gets around to it, he's earnest for a change.

This's all I have for now, thanks for reading!!

[olliesmultimuse]

❝Friends turn into foes and rivalries So keep your friends close and your enemies closer! Never really know who you can trust, never really know who you can trust!❞

This is an independent and mutuals only multifandom multimuse, consisting of canon characters from different series, blog! Heavily headcanon-based characters, consisting of icon and iconless roleplays. Mun’s Ollie (they/them pronouns). If you’d like to interact and/or spread the word around, feel free to like/reblog this promo if interested and I’ll come check ya out!

   // guidelines // muses // muses 2 // blogroll // memes // starter calls // opens //

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[mayhemhq]

𝙄𝙈𝙋𝙊𝙍𝙏𝘼𝙉𝙏 𝙉𝙊𝙏𝙀𝙎.

please note that no engagements, pregnancies, or elopements should be mentioned or carried out without prior approval from us. additionally, do not post about these events on the dash without approval. while we want to support creative freedom, it’s important to maintain order within the group. if you blatantly ignore this rule, you will be removed as we have mentioned this three times thus far. ( * we have one couple who have already reached out to us prior and have approval. )

this event is set up to provide a wealth of writing opportunities with both friends and foes. we encourage you to step beyond your usual circles and connect with new characters. take advantage of this rare chance to reach out, plot, and write with as many people as possible, as it’s not often that all characters are gathered in one place. there are so many possibilities!

drama is welcome and can add to the fun, but let’s keep it balanced and enjoyable for everyone. we’re all adults, and the aim is to have a great time. please be considerate and communicate openly about any drama that could impact a significant number of people. let’s ensure the event ooc remains fun and positive for all involved.

you may now post ooc plotting calls, but please ensure you only do so if you plan to actively engage in the post in a timely manner. posting and then disappearing for days, leaving others hanging, is a common issue we’d like to avoid. we understand life can be busy, but please respect your fellow mun’s time and commitment to this event.

weekends typically see lower activity due to various reasons. we’ll begin posting the event winnings and other updates around 8 pm cst. each round will feature a randomized win, and there will be some fun, silly awards for each event, one per each team. we’ll post the trophy winner and personalized awards as soon as possible, as we only received the lists on friday night. thanks for your patience!

the games are set to start around 4 pm pt on saturday. however, due to time zone differences and the need for admins to gather names, work on graphics, and manage their own characters and real-life commitments, which is why we’re scheduling them a bit later ic.

saturday, feel free to start posting about the games, your team and whatnot. we might try to throw in a meme during this too, to encourage some random interactions, but feel free to post photos, start your writing or whatever you’d like to do during this day!

canon time of games: 4pm pt irl time of games (when your muses can talk and reference the games!): 6pm cst

sunday’s masquerade ball will take place around 9pm pt on the venetian casino floor to celebrate the ending of the event and a good send off for us all. we’ll post around 9pm cst time to start the event. remember it’s a dress coded event. you are encouraged to wear elaborate masks, whether they’re classic venetian styles or more modern interpretations. all guests should dress in formal, black-tie attire. think classic tuxedos, stylish suits or dress shirts, and glamorous gowns, complemented with sophisticated accessories such as elegant gloves, glasses, and statement jewelry.

sunday you are encouraged to post your looks, writings and whatnot, but also, we’ll throw up a dash meme of drunken truth or dare to fit the vibes and encourage some interaction. please do not reblog the old one, we’ll create a new post. however, fill free to post about the party and chaos then too!

canon time of ball: 9pm pt irl time of ball (when your muses can talk and reference the party!): 9pm cst

all posts are to be tagged m.event (mayhem on the strip) to reference the timeline of what is happening. you have until friday the 20th to cut off all posts regarding the game, as it will be wrapped. doesn’t mean it can’t be referenced as past tense, obviously, but this gives more than enough time to post about it.

the overview of teams, games and more will be posted after this one tomorrow morning.

[liaromancewriter]

Picta Problems

Premise: Cassie and Ethan clash over a Pictagram post.

Book: Open Heart (post series) Pairing: Ethan Ramsey x F!MC (Cassie Valentine) Rating/Category: Teen. Angsty Fluff. Format: Prose + Text & Pic Fic Words: 1,100

A/N: I started with the intent of making fluffy edits; that's it. And then this fic took a life of its own. Submission for @choiceschallenge-may2023 prompt "photographs" and @choicesjunechallenge "stories". I'm using @choicesflashfics week 35, prompt 3.

Part 1: Picta Memories

Part 2: The Backlash

Part 3: The Confrontation

Cassie Valentine was having a good day until she wasn’t. Everyone knew her to be easygoing, often with a smile on her lips, but serious about her work. Her friends and foes agreed on one thing: she had a long fuse, and it took a lot for her to lose that sunny disposition.

Of course, she wasn’t a saint, and medicine wasn’t a career for eternal optimists. But she found a way to keep her balance despite everything fate threw at her.

That’s why many people milling about on the seventh floor of Boston’s Edenbrook Hospital were surprised to see her angry expression as she furiously tapped on her cell phone. Sensing her distraction, they stayed out of her way.

But the rumors spread. Dr. Valentine was in a bad mood. Best to wait until it evened out. She might be slow to anger, but she was also quick to diffuse.

The traveling nurse assigned to that floor asked his colleagues if the young doctor might just be hangry. Perhaps a cookie could turn the tide.

“She’s partial to cupcakes,” one of them commented.

“And coffee,” another piped in, having witnessed Dr. Valentine and Dr. Ramsey returning from their daily coffee run for years.

“Could she have had a fight with Dr. Ramsey?” one recently hired nurse wondered.

The idea was so preposterous that everyone around the nurses’ station laughed. They were still wiping tears from their eyes when Ethan Ramsey stepped off the elevator and marched determinedly down the hallway to his former office.

Everyone held their breath and pretended to be busy as he paused midway to stare at them. He quirked one eyebrow, a perplexed frown forming on his lips and then he shook his head and continued walking.

Still puzzling over the bizarre behavior at the nurses’ station, Ethan absently swiped his access card on the reader outside the diagnostic team’s office and strode through the sliding glass doors.

“Any idea what’s happening outside?” he called out.

Cassie was staring at scans on the digital board and didn’t respond. Not giving it another thought, Ethan joined her and shoved his hands in his pant pockets as he stared at what appeared to be a patient’s brain. The shadows told their own story about the individual’s condition.

“Hmm,” he mused and rocked back on his heels. “See that—”

“I know how to read a scan, Ethan,” Cassie said curtly, throwing him an annoyed look. “Believe it or not, I am adult enough to do my job without anyone watching over my shoulder.”

“What’s wrong?”

“I’m pissed off at you!”

Taken aback by her vehemence, Ethan started to reach for her, only for Cassie to evade his touch. She walked around him and took her place behind the desk, putting physical and emotional distance between them.

“Is this about my text message earlier?” Ethan asked, mentally tracking their interactions during the day.

“Partially,” she said. “It’s about you not trusting me enough to know when to draw the line about publicizing our relationship. I barely post about you. If people didn’t already know about us, they’d think I was single. But that isn’t good enough for you, is it?”

Ethan wondered how his day had gone from breakfast in bed with his lover to her looking at him as if he was a stranger. He didn’t think their text exchange had been that serious, but clearly, Cassie disagreed.

“I already apologized,” he said, sighing deeply, unable to hide his irritation.

“Until the next time,” Cassie bit out. “I can’t be in a relationship where I’m constantly walking on eggshells. I ask for very little, Ethan, but I demand your trust in this. I’ve earned it.”

She was right, thought Ethan. She’d had enough experience with tabloids to be a fiend about her privacy. And as someone intimately familiar with her Pictagram feed, he knew his presence was an exception, not the rule.

Of all the things she could be upset about, he found it hilarious that it was over this. He admitted his first reaction was annoyance at seeing a private moment shared on social media and having her friends comment. But there hadn’t been malicious intent involved.

Like it or not, he was involved with Cassie, and she had earned his trust. Not just for this, but for all other things too.

“Why are you smiling at me like that?” Cassie asked suspiciously, her green eyes narrowing to slits.

Instead of answering, he walked around the desk, turned her chair and placed his hands on either side of her chair, effectively caging her. He leaned in, his blue eyes intent as they locked on hers.

“I.” He kissed her forehead. “Am.” Then the tip of her nose. “Sorry.” He brushed his lips across hers. “I overreacted. Forgive me?”

He didn’t think she’d respond, but she seemed to deflate before his eyes, losing the tightness in her body as her anger left.

“Fine,” she said somewhat graciously. “But we should set some ground rules because I’m not ashamed of our relationship. I might not want to end up on HSTea, but that doesn’t mean I want to hide away completely.”

She pushed against his arms until he moved back to let her stand.

“There are obligations to who I am, Ethan,” Cassie said, deadly serious as she crossed her arms across her chest. “If we’re going to go the distance, you need to accept that being with a Valentine comes with social responsibilities and prurient interest from strangers.”

She continued, staring at him carefully. “My family tries their best to keep the limelight away from me, but they cannot make it disappear completely. It will shine on you too, and you have to be okay with it even if you don’t like it.”

“I see,” he said cautiously for lack of anything else to say.

The shrill sound of his pager cut through the uncomfortable silence. Ethan cursed and glanced at the tiny screen.

“I have to go, but I do want to discuss this, Cassie,” he said. “Meet me for dinner tonight. We can talk without interruption.”

She nodded rigidly, and Ethan exhaled. He touched her hand, needing that connection before they went their separate ways. He took comfort when she hooked her pinky around his and smiled softly.

As he walked back to his office in the administrative wing, Ethan thought it would likely be the most important dinner of his life. But there was no decision to make. He’d already decided to fall in love with Cassie. Everything started from there.

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

All Fics & Edits: @annfg8 @bluebelle08 @coffeeheartaddict2 @crazy-loca-blog @doriopenheart @genevievemd @headoverheelsforramsey @lucy-268 @jamespotterthefirst @jerzwriter @lady-calypso @mainstreetreader @peonierose @potionsprefect @queencarb @quixoticdreamer16 @rookiemartin @socalwriterbee @takemyopenheart @tessa-liam @trappedinfanfiction

Submissions: @choicesficwriterscreations @openheartfanfics

Ethan & Cassie only: @cariantha @custaroonie @hopelessromantic1352 @mrs-ramsey

[notamewsed]

Don't Blame Me - Chapter 9

Pairing: Enver Gortash x Tav (Original Female Character)

Fandom: Baldur's Gate 3

Tags: Slow Burn, Eventual Smut, Power Imbalance

“You’ve certainly made a name for yourself, infiltrating Moonrise and bringing down Ketheric. Quite the achievement, I must say.” Gortash's tone carried a hint of genuine admiration, though it was impossible to tell how sincere.

“We only did what needed to be done.” Aurea met his gaze evenly, unsure of how exactly to navigate this interaction.

“Ah, modesty,” he mused. “But let’s not downplay your accomplishments. Rising above, claiming what’s yours. That takes drive. Not many have the will for it.”

“I assume you speak from experience?” She teased with a wry smile.

“Ambition recognizes ambition, my dear.” He chuckled, low and knowing. “I believe we could be allies… Friends, even.” His grin lingered as his eyes briefly appraised her figure.

“Friends.” Aurea echoed, her cheeks unwittingly burning. “You seem sure of that.”

“Of course,” he leaned into her, voice smooth and certain. “I’d be a fool to let such a formidable ally turn foe so quickly.”

“Especially given the current situation. Orin has a bloody vendetta against both of us now. We must seize her stone and control the brain, or face the city’s ruin. You have my word that I will do no harm unto you. Do I have yours?”

There was a moment of hesitation. The Emperor’s voice thrummed in Aurea’s mind. “I can detect no deceit. This alliance could serve us well. And if it does not, well, we need not honor it.”

“Imagine the power we could wield together, you and I, ruling all of Faerûn as gods.” He spoke, the words building with every breath.

Clearly this man was a lunatic, she thought. But, he was right in one thing. It would be reckless to make an enemy so quickly, especially one whose steel militia could kill them on sight. She stole a glance back at Gale, whose expression looked more pained by the second.

“Tell me you’ll at least consider it.” He implored, his gauntleted hand hovering over his chest.

“I will consider it.”

✵✵✵

A gown had been prepared for her. It was deep maroon in color with gold embroidery etched over the bodice. At first glance, the designs looked botanical, reminiscent of vines from a tree, but were in fact, serpents twisting over one another in elaborate knots. A sweeping cape detail descended from the apex of her shoulders down to the hemline.

It reminded her of the worn robe she’d cherished during her travels—bartered from the quartermaster at the Last Light Inn.

As she sat at the polished mahogany dinner table, Aurea wondered how long Gortash would keep her waiting.

There was a thread loose on the skirt of her dress. Her finger circled the offending string and twirled it between her digits, gently tugging at it.

Her mind churned with more questions. Had he discovered her trespass? Was this dinner merely a preamble to punishment? She told herself she had been careful enough, but Gortash was no fool. One misplaced detail and he would have known something was awry. But would he have suspected it was her?

Her grip tightened, and she snapped the thread free.

“You’ll have to accept my deepest apologies for the tardiness, dear.” Gortash slipped through the door.

“Is there a matter you wish to discuss?” Aurea asked, absently.

“Must I have a reason to invite my wife to dinner?” He replied, placing the pads of his fingers on the table before seating himself.

Aurea met his gaze in silence. Gortash took a sharp inhale through his nose in response, tension evident in the set of his jaw.

Check out the full chapter here:

[delusionaid]

interaction call: friends and foes

In that sense, who wants to fight me (my boys)? (Like this if you're interested in negative/bad encounter threads, such as enemies, rivals or people who notably dislike each other. Maybe they have to work together, maybe they just meet and have an argument, maybe they'll get in each other's way - all things to discuss.

Please have a muse in mind if you like this (on my end, but also yours if you're a multi!)

[temperednuvi]

who? @raventeresi where? woods outside Eterna

Shenuvun is sitting in the woods outside Eterna, reading a rather interesting treatise on Aetheron, when she hears light steps approaching. Slowly, she raises her head and tilts it in the direction of the walker, eyes narrowed as she awaits for the interloper to arrive. Shoulders tense, she gathers her magic on her gut and waits to see if it is to be a friend or a foe. She suspects the latter, but it is better to assume the best so near Eterna. She wouldn’t want to accidentally hit someone with friendly fire again. Fingers tapping against the cover of her book, she waits, until a faiman comes into sight and she blinks in surprise. 

“Oh, you. I know you,” she muses thoughtfully, eyes flickering around her form and taking her in rather carefully. She remembers her, yes, from amidst the refugees coming from Iskaldrik. Shenuvun hadn’t tried to talk to her, too worried about the witches to want to interact with such a shield. But now? Far from the hunters and on her territory? Now she is curious. “An Iskaran, correct? We were in the troupe together.”

[moonfaunagames]

Sims 4 Disney Ancestor Challenge (Choose Your Own Adventure)

Sims 4 Disney Ancestor Challenge (Choose Your Own Adventure) 

Welcome to the Disney Ancestor Challenge! There are a lot of Disney Sim Challenges, but none fit exactly what I wanted. I created a challenge with the legacies in historical era order and with multiple generation characters from which you can choose to play! This is a very long challenge, but no worries you can always cut movies you don’t want to play (Just make sure to check any requirements from the previous generation). Each of the 37 Legacies (number subject to change with future movie additions) offers 2-3 characters to choose from. I am very excited to play and hope you enjoy it! To see the full challenge click the link to the google Doc.

RULES: 

Always read ahead one generation so you don’t miss anything while playing the current generation. This is especially important when choosing the different character options. For Example: If you play as Ariel for Gen 14 then Gen 13 needs to have seven children, but if you choose to play as Eric then they only need to have one child. This will also help in not having repeat aspirations and careers if you pick the character you want to play beforehand. 

Must Complete Aspirations and Careers unless specified.

If you are playing for historical accuracy then you may change the aspirations and careers to better fit the era, but must still complete these. 

If your sim is an orphan then they start with no simoleons.

Some categories do not specify marriage. If it is unspecified then it is up to you to determine what fits your storyline best.

Have fun! Remember to play the game in a way that makes you happy. If something doesn’t work for you or you don’t have a pack then change the rules to better suit your gameplay! 

Hercules - (800-1200 BC Greece)

Megara  

Summary: 

You begin as a romantic. You find a partner that you are smitten with and would do anything for them, including dedicating your heart and soul to reviving them after they die in an accident. You bring them back only for them to waste no time indulging themselves in everything life has to offer…including other people. You catch them cheating on you. Heartbroken and jaded you have a difficult time trusting anyone. 

Traits: Loyal, Self-assured, Jealous

Aspiration: Soulmate

Career: Secret Agent

Rules:

Find a partner and have a higher romance than friendship 

Have your partner die, and resurrect them(if pleading with the grim reaper fails, must bring them back by other means)

Have your partner cheat on you, leaving you heartbroken

Become a secret agent and choose Diamond Branch 

Reach level 8 of your career to unlock romantic interactions

Meet the love of your life, be mean to them

Max friendship before becoming romantic

Max romance before marrying and having at least two kids

OR 

Hercules 

Summary: 

You have always felt different than the rest of your family. You discover you are adopted and set out to find your roots as a teenager. Upon discovering your birth parents you realize your true aspiration is to become…a hero! Whatever that means? Time to become a bodybuilder. Become SUPER strong. Capable of defeating any foe! 

Traits: Active, Bro, Socially Awkward (optional)  

Aspiration: Body Builder

Career: Athletic (Body Builder)

Rules:

Start as a lanky Teenager with no muscles 

Meet birth parents as a teenager (be gifted a pet named Pegasus, doesn’t have to be a “real animal” if you don’t have a correlating pack) 

Find a mentor to “Train” you for your aspiration 

Win at least 3 Fights before seeing your Birth Parents again 

Find a non-commital Sim 

Become best friends before becoming romantic 

Have your partner die and revive them

Receive gold on a date

Max romance before marrying and having at least two kids

OR 

Muse

Summary: 

Your expertise lies in the arts. You love being creative and influencing the people around you with your talents. You endeavor to create a lasting mark for your future lineage to be inspired by for generations to come. 

Traits:  Creative, Gloomy, Dance Machine 

Aspiration: Must Complete a minimum of 3 creative aspirations (Ex: Musical Genius, Painter Extraordinaire, Best-Selling Author, Master Actor/Actress, Master Maker, Lord/Lady of the Knits, Joke Star, Master Mixologist, etc.) 

Career: Freelancer and/or what is needed for aspiration

Rules:

Max Singing

Max Dancing

Complete 3 Creative Aspirations (Difficulty Level: Hard) 

Must Mentor at least 3 sims in a creative skill

Must use each of the 3 aspiration rewards at least once

Use a telescope or the backyard observatory at least 3 times (Additionally, Stargaze and Cloudgaze for fun) 

Must have at least two kids 

T

The Sword in the Stone - 400s England

Arthur/Wart 

Summary:

One of your parents has the mentality of Brawns over Books. They encourage you and your sibling to develop your brawn. Your sibling isn’t always the nicest to you growing up and tends to tease you a lot. One day you meet an older mentor who encourages you to learn about more than just fitness. They become a mentor to you. Their knowledge and life lessons help you to become a just and fair “ruler”. 

Traits: Outgoing, Ambitious, Good     

Aspiration: Renaissance Sims 

Career: Politician (Politician Branch) OR Business (Management Branch) 

Rules:

Toddler Trait is Charmer

Have the Rambunctious Scamp Childhood Aspiration

Must be friends with an older spellcaster (They will become your mentor)

The mentor must help with homework, school projects, and character values

Have a close-knit group of friends (Knights of the Round Table)

Your spouse has an affair with your best friend

You learn of it but stay with your spouse

Have an heir

OR

Merlin 

Summary:

You dream of being the most powerful wizard in the world. You devote yourself to learning every magical object, spell, and potion. You may develop a rival or two, but that happens on the way to greatness. As you get older you have a premonition about the future. You discover you are to be a mentor. You become an educator and eventually mentor the next generation in everything they need to know to become well-rounded. 

Traits: Ambitious, Bookworm, Clumsy

Aspiration: Spellcraft and Sorcery

Career: Education

Rules:

Must have the Sixam Owl Familiar (Archimedes) 

Must own a Telescope

Max Logic Skill

Must learn every spell

Must lean every potion 

Have a magical enemy whom you duel (Until you win) 

Mentor a child in homework, school projects, and character values

Have Heir

If you choose the Eilonwy path it may be better suited to have this heir with a spellcaster 

If you choose the Taran Path then you must move to a farm for your heir before they are a teen.

The Black Cauldron - Early Middles Ages [476 is the beginning] In Prydain

Eilonwy (Realm of Magic) 

While Eilonwy is in the movie we get more of her character and life from the books, “The Chronicles of Prydain” which is what the movie is based on. The Eilonwy generation will be based heavily on the books than the little we get in the movie. 

Summary: 

As a child you are wild and unkempt, even forgoing shoes. You are known for being confident, outspoken, and having an excellent moral compass. You are often mistaken for a “Damsel” in distress, but that couldn’t be farther from the truth. You come from a long line of formidable enchantresses. Passed down to you from your ancestors is your “Bauble” (familiar) which you are never without. However, your knowledge of magic growing up is limited, but you are never without your magic Bauble (Your familiar). As a teen, you visit your ancestral home for “proper” training. You become friends with your future love, but you don’t admit your feelings until years later. 

Traits: Self-Assured, Cheerful, Vegetarian 

Aspiration: Neighborhood Confidante 

Career: Paranormal Investigator 

Rules:

Must have high character values in Empathy and Emotional Control

Meet your future love as a teenager in a spooky place (Ex: a haunted house, graveyard, etc.) 

Become friends, but you don’t admit your feelings until you’re an adult

Must have a familiar (Common Fairy as the Bauble)

Must Learn 5 spells 

Max Medium Skill

Must choose a mortal life of love over an immortal life in the enchanted realm (Give up your magic forever) 

Cannot marry until after you give up your magic

OR 

Taran

Summary:

In your youth, you live on a farm tending to the plants and animals, but you have a restless spirit. You long for adventure and leave the farm before becoming a Young Adult. You learn and develop the Medium skill to help with your paranormal investigations. You meet your love interest when young, but don’t admit your feelings until you’re an adult. 

Traits: Adventurous, Dog Lover, Outgoing

Aspiration: Neighborhood Confidante

Career: Paranormal Investigator 

Rules:

Have high character values in Conflict Resolution and Empathy

Live on a farm in your youth

Must move from the farm before becoming a YA

Get a dog with the traits Glutton, Jumpy, and Loyal when you move

Must keep the dog alive/bring it back from death through the entire playthrough

Max Medium skill (instead of Hen Wen) 

Meet your love interest in a haunted or scary place

Must go anytime someone invites you somewhere

Must Live in 3 different places (not counting the farm) 

You become friends, but don’t admit your feelings until you are an adult

Cannot marry until aspiration is complete

If you choose to follow Sisu’s path you must have five children

Raya and the last dragon - “Several Thousand Years Ago” in Kumandra

Raya 

Summary: 

Your parent(s) has always strived to teach you about trust and unity. However, there is an evil unleashed that breaks the land and the people living there. You lose your parent(s) due to this evil. You set out to discover a way to end what is dividing your world and bring unity. 

Traits: Adventurous, Active, Loves the Outdoors

Aspiration: Strangerville Mystery AND Mt. Komorebi Sightseer

Career: Sell things on the yardsale table and dumpster dive. When Strangerville 

  Aspiration is complete can join a career (if you want) 

Rules:

Learn a soup recipe with a parent

Have a pet

Have a childhood friend who becomes your enemy as a teen

Loose Parent(s) as a teen or young adult (Doesn’t have to be through death) 

Explore the world (after parental loss) and make good friends along the way

Make soup that you learned with your parent and serve it to all your friends

Reunite with childhood friend/enemy and rebuild the relationship 

Complete Strangerville Mystery to fix the divided world 

Reunite with Parent(s)

Have an heir

OR 

Sisu

Summary:  

You are kind and fun-loving, but can also be naive. You have a big family and love your siblings very much. The land you live in has always been prosperous, but something evil has begun to hurt the people. You and your siblings set out to discover and stop this evil. 

Traits: Goofball, Cheerful, Child of the Ocean

Aspiration: Mt. Komorebi Sightseer AND Strangerville Mystery 

Career: Sell items on Yard Sale Table 

Rules:

Optional: Mermaid Form as Dragon Form 

Swim once a day

Have a strong relationship with your siblings 

Start Strangerville mystery with your siblings, but lose contact with them (and your parents) 

Travel and make good friends along the way 

You are a compulsive gift-giver (Give gifts to your friends when you see them) 

Reunite with siblings once Strangerville Aspiration is complete

Have Heir 

Mulan - 386-586ish China 

Mulan

Summary: 

Growing up you have always been a bit of an outcast. You are taught to follow the status quo, but following rules and traditions is not your cup of tea. You deeply love your family, even though you don’t feel like you can ever be their kind of perfect. This love for your family leads you to run away and join the military career to protect them. Your social skills and clumsy traits cause you some difficulty, but you are brave and will overcome your fears. 

Traits: Family Oriented, Socially Awkward, Clumsy

Aspiration: Bodybuilder

Career: Military 

Rules:

Must have tea/dinner with your parents and grandparents once a week (Except for when you run away)

Must have a makeover as a young adult 

Run away and join the military (Do not see family again until after you have reached one fame star)

Have at least one pet

Reach minimum level 6 in Logic Skill

Gain at least One Fame Star (For bringing honor to the family) 

Marry after reaching the top of your career (Partner must also be in the military) 

Have Heir

OR 

Li Shang

Summary:

 You dream of being a great leader. You develop a no non-sense personality and constantly work toward your dream. You meet a coworker who balances your personality and brings out the best in you. 

Traits: Proper, Perfectionist, Ambitious 

Aspiration: Goal Orientated

Career: Military 

Rules:

Max the fitness skill

Mentor 4 Sims in the fitness skill 

Gain at least one Fame star (For Honor) 

Reach the top of your career 

Marry a coworker 

Have a big family dinner with your family and your partner’s family once a week 

Have Heir

Aladdin - Middle East 800s 

Jasmine 

Summary: 

Your family does their best to protect you and follow the laws. For your safety, you are kept at home, even though you long to see the world. Due to tradition, you are also expected to marry a wealthy suitor whom your parents select. You are a romantic and want to fall in love and not force it. Fed up with the same routine you take matters into your own hands. 

Traits: Cat/dog Lover (Depending on your Raja), High-Maintenance, Romantic

Aspiration: Serial Romantic 

Career: Actor/Actress OR Education (Disney Princess Enchanted Tales: Follow Your Dreams she is a teacher BUT there are several legacies with teaching) 

Rules:

Have an animal Best Friend (Raja) and become companions as a child

You are only allowed to leave the house for school 

Use a telescope for stargazing

You are allowed on dates approved by parents (for aspiration)

Sneak out of the house and meet your future partner

Find a partner with the kleptomaniac trait

Complete serial romantic trait before marrying

Marry the kleptomaniac partner (do not take any of their household funds since they are a poor street rat) 

Have Heir

OR

Aladdin

Summary:

 You lose your parents and to make a living you develop survival skills to stay one jump ahead. You steal only to survive, and while you develop severe insecurities, you remain good at heart. Your insecurity leads you to believe no one would want to be with a street rat. That is until you meet someone who could change your life. 

Traits: Kleptomaniac, Outgoing, Goofball

Aspiration: Fabulously Wealthy 

Career: Steal for money

Rules:

Become an orphan as a teen or young adult (If you choose Moana to play next then do not kill your parents to become an Orphan. Instead, run away from home.) 

Start with low funds and steal to make a living

Have a loyal pet and become companions

Level Logic skill to a minimum of five

Level the Fitness Skill to a minimum of six

Complete Message in a Bottle Collection

Become friends with a “Genie” (can be any occult but preferably spellcaster) who helps you with their magic

Have a makeover with Genie’s help 

Marry a rich person with Genie’s help

Have Heir

OR

Genie 

Summary: 

You possess phenomenal cosmic power…and an itty-bitty living space. You grow up isolated and refrain from making friends. People tend to want to use you for your powers and not genuine friendship. However, this doesn’t stop you from continuously reaching out and being good to those around you. You meet a street rat kleptomaniac who surprisingly changes your life for the better. 

Traits: Goofball, Loyal, Good

Aspiration: Joke Star 

Career:  Entertainer (Comedian) 

Rules:

Become a Spellcrafter

Must never: kill someone, make people fall in love, or revive the dead

Must grow up isolated (Do not make friends until you are a Young Adult) 

Complete Message in a Bottle Collection

Must live in a tiny home (Tier 1 or 2) 

Must use the magic carpet rug

Be bestfriends with a kleptomaniac 

You must give your best friend a makeover and help them marry someone rich

Have your best friend live with you until they marry

Must learn a minimum of three spells and use them each at least once (Do not break the three Never rules with these spells) 

Move/Retire to Sulani. This does not need to be a tiny home. (Optional: Complete Beach life Aspiration) 

Have Heir

Moana - 900s Polynesian island (3000 yrs in past as of 2016)

Moana 

Summary: 

The Ocean has always called to you. You care a great deal about your family and friends, but long to voyage beyond your home. The land needs saving and you don’t know how far you’ll have to go, but you’ll do everything you can to heal the land. 

Traits: Child of the Islands, Child of the Ocean, Self-Assured 

Aspiration: Angling Ace

Career: Conservationist (Environmental Manager) 

Rules:

Must live in Sulani

Have a close relationship with a grandparent 

The same grandparent must pass before you leave home

Use Lot Trait Island Spirits and Commune with them

Must use the Conservationist Canoe at least 3 times 

Meet your “Maui” by a Volcano and become BFFs 

You and your best friend travel 

Heal the island (Preserve and restore Sulani’s ecosystem) 

Find the “Heart of Sulani” (The rare green Heart of Sulani necklace)

Watch the turtles hatch 

Have an heir

OR

Maui

Summary: 

You seek constant love and validation. You must perform increasingly grand feats to sustain your fame. Once you reach the top it can be hard to maintain the love of the people. You go to an isolated volcanic island where you meet your best friend. They force you to join them in healing the land and doing what is right (not because it will gain you fame). 

Traits: Active, Self-Assured, Child of the Islands 

Aspiration: World Famous Celebrity AND Beach Life 

Career: Lifeguard AND Must do Island Living Odd Jobs (Can also Fish and dive for $$)

Rules:

Must Live off the grid in Sulani (With the Volcanic Lot Trait) 

Have the Island Spirits Lot Trait 

Practice Singing 

Use a Speargun for fishing (Found by clicking on the buoy) and/or the Admiral’s Fish Trap 

Meet your “Moana” by the Volcano and become BFFs

Use “Beach Flex” from the lifeguard career on at least three sims 

Have a canoe 

Help Clean up the island and restore Sulani’s ecosystem with your best friend

Commune with the island spirits

Have an heir 

Brave - 900 (10th century Scotland) 

Merida 

Summary: 

You are brave, bold, and extremely stubborn. When you are younger you get along great with your parents, but when you become a teenager your relationship with one of your parents becomes strained. Wanting the best for you they try and arrange suitors for you, but you could care less about relationships. You want to have adventures and change the fate your parents have planned for you. 

Traits: Hot-Headed, Slob, Non-Committal 

Aspiration: Extreme Sports Enthusiast 

Career: Use Video Station and drone to record adventures (If you Ski you can 

  teach ski classes at level 10, but otherwise use a drone to record   

  adventures for snowboarding, hiking, climbing, etc.) 

Rules:

Learn to play the violin (Level 4, Dislike it)

Max Rock Climbing

Make it to the top of the peak (“Drink from the fire falls” in reference to the movie) 

Have a minimum of 6 in fitness

Have a rocky relationship with one of your parental figures

Have three younger triplet siblings  

Have 3 Suitors chosen by your parents (Refuse all three)

Find the will-o-the-wisp insect

Find the Hermit’s House and become good enough friends until they give you a recipe (Use them or find a witch to change your fate) 

Get your parental figure you have a rocky relationship with cursed (Have them eat a baked good and then change them into a bear costume or transform into occult) 

Also, transform your 3 younger siblings (into bear costumes) 

Become Best Friends with the parental figure before breaking their curse and your siblings 

Unlock Brave Reward Trait

Have an heir, adopt, or use a sibling's child as an heir 

OR

Mor’du

Summary:

 You are the eldest of four siblings. Growing up you have always felt superior as you expect to inherit a large plot of land with a house/castle to rule as you see fit. However, your parents have a different plan. They expect the four of you to take care of the land together. You become enraged and plot to change your fate. 

Traits: Evil, Mean, and Jealous

Aspiration: Optional depending on Gameplay (Do not have to complete) 

 If you change into a werewolf you can choose Lonewolf

If you use a bear costume can begin as one aspiration and then change to a new one once you are a bear 

Do what fits your gameplay best

Career: Optional (Ex: military or bodybuilding) Until turned into a bear (Must  

  survive off the land after that) 

Rules:

You are the oldest of 3 siblings (Traits: The youngest is a genius (Wise), the third is good (compassionate), and the second is loyal (Just) 

You inherit a large plot of land with a house/castle (But you are told you must share it with your 3 other siblings) 

Become enemies with 3 siblings

Have one child before finding the witch 

Fiind the will-o-the-wisp insect

Find a witch and demand a spell for strength (Must find the Hermit’s House and become good enough friends until they give you a recipe)

Transform into bear and cheat strength. Or transform into an occult sim

Must defeat siblings and remain alone on your land

Cannot have any friends and must never take off bear costume (or always stay transformed as occult sim) 

Must live off the land (live off the grid, lot challenge simple living, forge, fish, etc. ) 

Be openly hostile to anyone you encounter 

OR 

Witch Carver

Summary: 

You become a witch and move to a cottage in the woods. Here you live with your Raven familiar. You create potions, but your real passion is woodworking. Too many unsatisfied customers when it comes to potions. However, you will sell both (even if some customers leave in a bear costume). It is a simple magic life. 

Traits: Art lover, Erratic, Maker

Aspiration:  Purveyor of Potions 

Career: Sell potions and woodcarvings (Optional: Own Retail Store) 

Rules:

Must live in the woods 

Must sell potions and woodcarvings 

Max Handiness

Reach a minimum of level 5 in cooking or baking

Learn all Potions (and a minimum of 5 Practical Spells) 

Never conjure where you carve

Must have Familiar (Raven) 

Must have a broomstick

Must travel on Vacation at least once

Optional: Find a will-o-the-wisp insect

Have Heir 

Emperors New Groove - 1300s-1500s

Kuzco

Summary: 

Your caretaker(s) spoil you rotten as a kid. You grow to become arrogant, conceited, and selfish, but with a flair for style. You rarely take things seriously and tend to make enemies due to your attitude. Unfortunately for you, you upset the wrong person too many times. 

Traits: Self-Absorbed, Snob, High Maintenance (OR Lactose Intolerant, but     would be better to avoid cheese without it) 

Aspiration: World Famous Celebrity AND Jungle Explorer 

Career: Social Media (Internet Personality) 

Rules:

Have a Vacation home in Selvadorada and spend most of your time there (Can use mods or cheats to stay there if you want) 

Max Dancing Skill

You dislike cheese and frogs (Avoid both) 

Upset Caregiver, Parent, or just the wrong sim and be “turned” into a llama

Must wear llama costume

Have a rabbit enemy (“squirrel”) 

Make friends with a local in Selvadorada 

Max Selvadorada Culture

Must Completely Explore the Jungle and Unlock the temple before removing Llama Costume 

Once you are no longer a llama, you become more understanding and kind

Have an Heir 

OR

  Pacha

Summary: 

You are a loveable and kind person. You enjoy the simple things in life and appreciate the people around you. You have always wanted to be a good parent and dream of having your own farm where you can raise several of your kids and your beloved animals. 

Traits: Family Orientated, Loyal, Animal Enthusiast 

Aspiration: Country Care Taker

Career: Farmer 

Rules:

Have a Llama Farm

Become Best Friends with a Llama

Marry early 

Have at least 3 kids

Explore the Selvadorada Jungle

Meet a sim in the jungle and at first, dislike them (and then slowly become friends) 

Stay in Selvadorada as long as possible (Can use cheats or mods) 

Max Selvadorada Culture

Learn about the food, music, and all local customs

OR

Kronk

Summary:

You have always loved the outdoors. From a young age, you aspire to spend as much time in nature as possible. You join scouts and are determined to be a Llamacorn. In your outdoor adventures, you find your love of animals and your love for fitness. When you’re older you take a job because they need muscle and you got plenty of that. However, the people you work for aren’t exactly the best. You still maintain your kindness even when you have to argue with the devil on your shoulder. You develop several hobbies and discover your true passion in life. 

Traits: Foodie, Loves Outdoors, Neat

Aspiration: Outdoor Enthusiast 

Career: Criminal (Until Level Six “The Muscles) then pursue a dream as a Chef 

Rules:

Become a Llamacorn in Scouts 

Become a minimum of level two in dancing (2 Semesters in the back with your weak ankles) 

Level fitness skill to at least an 8 

Complete Chef Career 

Become Friends with each of the woodland creatures, especially the rabbit (Rabbit, Fox, Birds)

Adopt a cat

Explore Selvadorada and attempt to stay there as long as possible (can use cheats and mods) 

Max Selvadorada Culture

Have an Heir

Sleeping Beauty - 14th Century England

Aurora (Briar Rose)

Summary: 

To avoid a curse, you are spirited away as a toddler to a secluded area and are raised by three magical beings. There you grow up innocent to the outside world. You always avoid strangers during your woodland outings. However, one day when you are singing through the forest (as one does), you come across a stranger who seems so familiar. As if you walked with them once upon a dream. 

Traits: Music Lover, Romantic, Lazy

Aspiration: Soulmate 

Career: Florist (And Make Jam) 

Rules:

Your parent makes an enemy with an occult sim when you are a toddler

To avoid occult sim and their “Curse” you are sent to the woods with three guardians to raise you (Guardians are magical) 

Do not talk to or interact with strangers (Especially this enemy sim)

Sing to and befriend the birds (Cottage Living) 

Befriend other woodland creatures (when you come across them)

Pick berries (and other harvestable plants) 

You can gather and wander in the woods, but cannot go into any town (except for school)

Meet your future spouse while singing in the woods (This is the first time you break your guardian’s “No Talking To Strangers Rule) 

Do not see this love interest again until you officially see your parents again

Go with three guardians to meet the parent(s)

Must hate knitting and cross-stitching 

Attempting knitting or cross-stitching and then fall into a deep slumber

Be awoken by your future spouse and become best friends

Go to a Ball with friends and family 

Be married 

Have Heir 

OR 

Phillip

Summary: 

You grow up to be brave and heroic, but easygoing by nature. You are extremely charismatic and love meeting new people. You want to meet your soulmate and marry for true love! Unfortunately, you and your soulmate have an enemy that you must defeat. 

Traits: Romantic, Creative, Cheerful

Aspiration: Soulmate

Career: Actor

Rules:

Max Charisma Skill

Find a spouse either in the forest or randomly singing 

Must dance with potential spouse the first time you meet (Do not see them again until you defeat the enemy)

Have a magical enemy 

Fight said enemy until you win 

When your future spouse and their family are sleeping, you must awaken them all

Dance at a ball with your future spouse 

Marry and have an Heir

Hunchback of Notre Dame - 15th Century

Esmeralda

Summary: 

You are cunning, confident, and a kind, loving selfless soul. You love dancing, performing, and anything involved in entertaining. You also deeply believe in doing the right thing and want justice for your people. You use your voice to protest what you don’t believe is right and you promote the causes you know are what the world needs. 

Traits: Dance Machine, Outgoing, Party Animal 

Aspiration: City Native

Career: Start off Busking for tips and then join the Politician Career (Charity Organizer Branch)  

Rules:

Max Dancing Skill

Max Charisma 

Have a minimum level 5 in logic skill 

Attend all festivals at least once 

Start a protest 

Have a dog, max training, and have them perform tricks with other sims around (Djali the goat) 

Have a friend who has a crush on you (keep your relationship strictly platonic) 

Have an enemy who is both elderly and evil (Kill off this sim, they deserve it) 

Marry someone who believes in your cause 

Have an heir 

OR 

Quasimodo

Summary: 

You are raised by an Evil sim instead of by your parents. Despite being raised by an evil sim, you are kind, gentle, and trusting in nature. You are also extremely shy due to being raised away from society. You are scared to venture out of the house, but eventually, sneak out to a festival. You meet someone who helps to change your life for the better. 

Traits: Loner, Good, Gloomy

Aspiration: City Native

Career: Sell things on Plopsy (Optional: When Evil Sim dies you can open a retail shop) 

Rules:

Grow Up with an Evil Sim who isn’t your parent (Optional: Make the Evil Sim an Adult, instead of a young adult, so they age quicker) 

Do not leave the house unless for school

Do not make any friends until you are a teen

Can befriend three children's toys 

Minimum fitness skill of 6

Max Handiness Skill with the workbench for carvings 

Sneak out and attend a festival where you meet a sim who you develop a crush on 

Fall in love with sim, but only ever be friends (They marry someone else) 

When Evil Sim is an elder, kill them off early (they deserve it) 

Start making more friends after Evil Sim’s death 

Have an heir 

To see all 37 Legacies visit:

If you decide to play I'd love to know and see your characters! Feel free to share with me or on my other social media. Please make sure to cite me in any created content.

Enjoy!

[thesoulofasurvivor]

Decisions used to be easy, huh? What time to get up, what to wear, where to go. Now it's a bit different. Could you tell friend from foe? Could you kill? Could you do worse? If a loved one was infected, could you do the right thing? 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ bailey is a 14 year old born into the apocalypse, please read about bailey on my blog along with my rules prior to interacting! mun is 25+ and semi selective, this blog is 18+ due to the nature of the muse. original character created for The Last of Us

other verses available: younger aged, sweet tooth, the walking dead (request only)

[lordofthestrix]

Like this post if if your muse has any kind of dynamic with Tristan, be it friend or foe, and you wish to have a bonds-tag in this blog so you can endure me listing you in any post that reminded me of our interactions.

[whiskeysmulti]

I’ll make it plain and simple, he hates him, so seeing him fills him with anger, disgust, and annoyance. Underneath it all there is some underlying respect as a formidable foe. That’s basically it. I suppose feeling murderous intent should also count? ((OOC: For Hibari to Mukuro this time))

Describe how your Muse feels when they look at my Muse.- no longer accepting!

.Whiskey.

As he should. Was just bringing this point up with a friend about some one piece muses, so I'll say it here. Mukuro while still a Vongola Guardian was originally a villain, and many forget that Mukuro rejected the position of Guardian he's only there by association to Chrome who did accept the Mist title in his place. Villains are not to be watered down, taken lightly, or sweetened up just because it makes it more comfortable for a goody two shoes to interact with them. Not only was Mukuro a villain in the Kokuyo arc, he and Hibari are painted as rivals. Hibari was built to be the strongest guardian as the Cloud and Mukuro beat him on a dirty trick and nothing else. Which had to be not only humiliating and insulting, but infuriating too. But, as you said there is still a level of respect between them even as adversaries, so I 100% agree with this. Instead of enemies to rivals to lovers their relationship can be summed up, in my opinion, as enemies, to rivals to "I tolerate you because I'm forced to work with you now" but they will never see each other as friendly.

[zobriezalarys]

ZOBRIEZALARYS⸻ INDEPENDENT, MUTUAL EXCLUSIVE AND SELECTIVE BLOG FOR PRINCE DAEMON TARGARYEN FROM A SONG OF ICE AND FIRE AND HBO'S HOUSE OF THE DRAGON AND GAME OF THRONES. CST + 3. SHE/HER. WRITTEN BY CALI. (#)

exploration due to the book topics of: incest, murder, violence, torture, unreliable narrators, scheming and so much more. / promo. carrd.

temp rules under the cut.

01ㅤ| ㅤㅤintroductionㅤ : ㅤmy name is CALI (SHE/HER, CST+2) born in 1994, 21+ .welcome to my DAEMON TARGARYEN muse blog. this blog is private, selective and mutually exclusive. meaning i won't interact with blogs that are not mutuals with me. [this blog is open to plotting both on discord via tupperbox and tumblr]. 02.ㅤ| ㅤㅤactivityㅤ : activity on this blog will be medium to low through the week days. i'm mostly active at nights and from fridays to sundays activity will be higher through the weekends and through tupperbox on discord .best way to reach me will be through discord that can be asked upon request to create a 1x1 server or just to talk. [please don't pressure me for replies or asks. as well, communication is key, i'm not a mind reader so if something is bothering you, asking me is okay.]. 03.ㅤ| ㅤthreadsㅤ : ㅤthreads will be dropped and asks will be cleared. we are always welcome to do multi threads at the same time. if i get overwhelmed i will usually drop things to start over. i have a generalized anxiety disorder so that affects my productivity too asks are always welcome to be turned into threads . do not reblog memes from me unless we are mutuals. [and if you want to unfollow me, please softblock. as well, if we are friends, always reach out if you are uncomfortable, i will do my best to improve]

04.ㅤ| ㅤㅤformattingㅤ : ㅤfrom january, 2023 , this blog is forced to have only the BETA EDITOR + TRIM. please keep this in mind while roleplaying with me if you are still using the legacy editor. I no longer use small text as my go-to formatting but i might use it at times. i am still available to use legacy when required but do keep this in mind ㅤ[BETA EDITOR + REGULAR TEXT + DOUBLE SPACE. WILL USE ICONS IRREGULARY.]

05.ㅤ| BANNED FACECLAIMS. elizabeth olsen, scarlett johansson, jeremy renner, amber heard, allison mack, gal gadot, johnny depp.

06.ㅤ| ㅤㅤcreditsㅤ : psd, graphics, promo are all done made by me through my resource blog. some days i will be iconless and others i will use them, mostly when i'm at home. [i write novella, multi-para and single line as well text roleplay via discord/tupperbox and tumblr as well]. 07.ㅤ| ㅤㅤshippingㅤ : ㅤ shipping is wonderful and it's one of my favorite things in the world.daemon is portrayed here as closeted bisexual and with a preference for women. mentions of his relationship with rhaenyra will be discussed and mentioned but not explicitally portrayed unless i'm comfortable with the other person. but this is game of thrones and the relationship is important to the second part of the show first season and the second season. in their twisted way, daemon and rhaenyra are twin flames and i would rather not ignore all of the source material .do not push relationships on me based on canonocity. mentions of the targaryens incest will be simply tagged as incest mention tw.

08.ㅤ| ㅤㅤDNIㅤ : ㅤ due to personal reasons, i won't be roleplaying with characters from the following fandoms. DC'S STARGIRL, PEACEMAKER, MUSES FROM THE BATMAN (2022) AND HORROR MUSES BASED (SELECTIVE), WRESTLING FACECLAIMS. unless we are friends. on my other non ck related muses i don't mind but i have had some bad experiences in the past [personal DNI can be given in privacy, however no name drops will be given here as none of the people are bad and DNI worthy, just uncomfortable].

09.ㅤ| ㅤㅤetiquetteㅤ : ㅤ don't godmod my muse. small things are welcomed. daemon is a trained knight and one of the most skilled in the realm by standards, even when he nears his fifties, he is still a formidable foe. he is however, very much human but if your muse wants to hurt him psychically, you need to let me know i just want to be given a heads up if you will ever do a thing to hurt them. i assure you, i will not mind if plotted. [as well, don't assume ships with me unless we are friends].

10.ㅤ| a song of ice and fire : ㅤ the world of a song of ice and fire involves death, gore, betrayal, medieval like talks, fantasy talk as well mentions of incest, all will be present so keep this in mind. the whole targaryen family is a circle, and he is married to his niece.

[of-invisible-ties]

FE: Engage Update

Hey, guys, here’s some updates about FE: Engage and how I’m going to handle it on my blog.

I’m currently in the middle of playing Engage, and I love it. Awesome game, but I want to experience it blind, and I want anyone playing the game to experience it blind, too. 

As such, ALL AND ANY ENGAGE CONTENT ON THIS BLOG WILL BE TAGGED. I will be using the tag #fe engage whenever I post Engage-related content. Engage spoilers will be tagged as #fe engage spoilers. 

I will be selective when following Engage-related blogs because I’m paranoid about spoilers and don’t want to get spoiled. 

Because of my no spoilers policy, I’ve listed information about Engage-related muses and verses under the cut. Do NOT read it if you don’t want spoilers about the Emblem Rings, Engage characters, or Chapter 11 of Engage’s story.  

ENGAGE VERSE

Some of my muses appear as Emblem Rings, so I’ll be giving them Engage verses where they retain their canonical roles within Engage’s story. This applies to the following of my muses:

Marth

Celica

Sigurd

Ephraim

Micaiah

Lucina

Eligor (my custom Male!Byleth)

I’m cool with any threads related to their roles as Emblem Rings. As I’ve gotten past Chapter 11, I’m well aware that Marth, Celica, Sigurd, and Micaiah are torn away from Alear and corrupted by fell power. And I’m SO down for some angsty threads relating to that. Friend-to-foe angst is my jam. Anything prior to that is cool, too. I love the idea of past FE characters talking to and interacting with the newest game’s cast, and there’s tons of threads to be had with that.

Anything past Chapter 15 regarding the rings is off-limits, though. I haven’t gotten that far yet. 

ENGAGE MUSES

I’m up to Chapter 15 of Engage, and so far, here are the characters I really like and am considering taking up as muses:

Lumera (although I’d definitely be going “my city now!” because she’s got so much untapped potential)

Ivy

Amber

Diamant 

These Engage characters aren’t full-fledged muses yet. Think of them as voice tests. I’m more than willing to write with them, but I’ll still be figuring out stuff as I go. 

[all-for-geek]

I Lost You Once Chapter 7: Friend or Foe

Chapter 6

Chapter 8

Word Count: 1,661

Fandom: Alex Bale/Don’t Feed the Muse

TW: public harassment and harm

Kim was stopped in her tracks by a sharp tug on her arm. She could feel her shoulder barely staying in its socket, and it took all of her balance to remain standing. She almost didn’t dare to turn around. 

When she did, she was face to face with Carl once again. His eyes were bulging out of his face as he stared her down. He gripped her arm tight enough that she knew there would be a mark when he released her. 

“How do you know about them?! Carl asked desperately. “Do you work for them?”

Kim had only a few seconds to make a massive decision. A part of her wanted to reveal her past to Carl. There was something in the way his eyes constantly darted around, as if waiting for something to jump out, that felt a little too familiar to Kim. The rational part of her, or at least the part she felt was rational, reminded her of how risky it was to reveal that out in the open.

“No, I don’t,” Kim finally answered, choosing her words carefully, “I’m just someone who got too close to the truth. Now, let me go.”

“You really expect me to believe that,” Carl countered, ignoring her last sentence, “How do I know that this isn’t a trap? Some morbid test of loyalty or something.”

“If this was a trick, why would I give you a hint?” Kim attempted to wrangle her arm out of Carl’s iron tight grip. A few passersby had noticed the scene, and the last thing she needed was more attention. “I promise, everything you need to know is on that thumbdrive. Open it or don’t. That’s your funeral, but unless you want word of this to definitely reach HMF, I’d suggest you let me go.”

Carl finally looked away from Kim and at the pedestrians that were staring them down. A few had begun to pull out their phones. Kim couldn’t see, but a small, elderly woman was staring daggers at Carl as she made her way up the street. He quickly let go of Kim's arm. Without a word, he turned around and left.

“Are you all right, dear?” The elderly woman asked as she finally made her way up to Kim.

“I’ll be fine,” Kim responded, rubbing her arm. “I’ve dealt with worse.”

The woman looked at Kim with a mix of pity and anger. “There’s no place for men like that in a civilized world. If you would like, I have some ointment in my shop that should help with the pain.”

“I appreciate that, but I should be heading home.” Kim wanted to believe that the woman was helping her out of the goodness of her heart, but she never knew who to trust. Not without Connie vetting them first.

“Alright, if you’re sure,” the woman replied hesitantly. She fumbled with her purse and pulled out a business card. “If you ever change your mind, or if that brute shows up again, feel free to stop by or give me a call.”

Kim glanced down at the card to find the woman’s name. “Thank you Mrs. Peterson.”

“Anytime, dear.” Mrs. Peterson gently squeezed Kim’s non-red arm and walked back into her store.

When Kim got back to her car, she let out the breath that she had been holding. Her interaction with Carl had not gone as expected, but at least it was done. She looked down at the card Mrs. Peterson had given her. Apparently, she ran some pet shop. Kim chuckled. Despite the woman’s seeming generosity, she was not likely to come back. She had caught Connie salivating over Cindy one too many times to make that mistake.

Carl snuck back into his house. He felt a pang of sadness as he stared out at the dark, empty kitchen that greeted him. There was a time not very long ago when this home was full of joy and life. Before his youngest moved out. Before the divorce. Before…

He fumbled with the thumbdrive in his jean pocket. He had half a mind to smash it. Carl was half convinced that Abigail, if that was even her real name, was a spy sent to trick him. To tempt him into making some mistake. Give the monster that had taken over his home an excuse to hurt him or worse. But then again, what if she wasn’t?

Carl stood still and listened for the tell-tale signs of his Muse. It’s squishy, wet movements as it crawled along the floor and walls. The house creaking under its weight. To Carl’s surprise, he heard nothing. He knew better than to hope that it had left. However, it was the closest he was probably going to get to being alone.

Carl started up a load of laundry. Not the most obvious stealth move, but he had learned years ago that the laundry machine made it almost impossible to hear what was happening in his office. Even the finely-tuned ears of the Muse struggled to hear as long as he kept quiet. He entered his office, which had been turned into his recording spot for Conspiracy Carl videos, and turned on his computer. Before he pulled out the thumbdrive, he opened his most recent CC video and put it into the default editing software. He had no idea how the thing worked, but it would give him something to back out to just in case.

Finally, his fingers trembling, Carl inserted the thumbdrive. Inside were files from deep inside Happy Meat Farms website. Files showing grotesque animal experiments and mutations. Carl couldn’t help but smile. He had suspected that Happy Meat Farms was corrupt ever since his now ex-wife got a job there. Now, he had proof.

As he dived further, however, his smile faded. There were files illustrating other types of experiments, many of which had nothing to do with farm animals. Experiments involving the muses and what happened to the hosts they attached to. There were two projects in particular that caught his eye. One was Project Nightmare, where HMF agents psychologically destroyed the hosts through the muses before…the file didn’t say, but Carl knew that it couldn’t be good. The guilt that he had been struggling with for the past few weeks came back in full force. He had to warn Mark about what was going to happen. Even if he never forgave Carl, maybe he still had a chance to get out of this. Mark wasn’t in as deep yet.

Somehow, the second project was even worse. Project Vulnerability. Apparently, HMF was experimenting with tainting meat to spread diseases through the population. Because of course they were. The project had, thankfully, been deemed a failure, but not before some people did get sick. It wasn’t run of the mill food poisoning either. One guy ended up with diabetes from the tainted meat and another…

Carl choked back a sob. No. He didn’t want to believe what he was reading, but there it was. One of the victims of Project Vulnerability was Cecile Mayhew who developed pancreatic cancer. She hadn’t gone by that name in a long time though. Not since she and Carl got a divorce.

The pieces began to click into a terrifying picture. Cecile didn’t receive her cancer diagnosis until long after their divorce had been settled. At that point, it had been slowly infecting her for a couple years. If HMF had her listed under Cecile’s married name, they knew long before even Cecile did.

Carl had to warn Mark. His guilt over what he did to his son was growing faster by the second. He would go to his son and explain everything. Maybe the two of them could go into hiding and figure things out from there. Carl hoped to one day apologize to Cecile. She had always had a sharper mind, but he was so god-damn stubborn that-

Carl froze in thought as the laundry machine turned off. He quickly exited out of the files and did his best to erase any trace of them off of his computer. He was going to make things right, but first, he needed to worry about the creature sliding into the doorway.

Kim entered her house to find Ramona sitting on the couch, staring at her like a dog waiting for its person to return from the war.

“How did it go?” Ramona asked, jumping out of her seat.

“Well-ish,” Kim started, “I managed to give Carl the thumbdrive, but…” Kim struggled to find the right words to describe what happened.

“But…” Ramona prompted.

“He figured out that the message was about HMF, but in the wrong way. He thought that I was working for them.”

“If you were working for HMF, why would you have contacted him the way you did?” Ramona asked, confused.

“He thought that it might have been some elaborate test for him,” Kim clarified, “But it turned out fine. He’s definitely going to check out the information we gave him.”

“Well, that’s good at least.” Ramona sat back down on the couch. “What’s next?”

“We wait, I suppose,” Kim said as she sat next to her friend.

“For how long?” Ramona complained. “What if he got intercepted or caught? How long do we give them until-”

Ramona was interrupted by the e-mail notification on Kim’s phone. Speak of the devil, Carl had responded:

I Need Your Help

Look, I don’t know how you got the information you gave me, but I don’t have time to trust anyone else right now. I need you to check on someone for me. My son, Mark, also has a Muse. I haven’t spoken to him in months, and my Muse is keeping me on a tighter leash after today. I need to make sure that he’s okay.

His name is Mark Mayhew. You found me. You should be able to find him too.

Thank you,

Carlton