#gladiolus love letter

[picmurasaki]

Young Gladnis and their Love Letters 💜

[crsssie]

white day event: I could be the one you're looking for

Happy white day! Your love letters from Valentine's were kindly received, so please select a bouquet to receive back from your favs! Pick a character + color scheme and learn their response!

Character list

apothecary diaries (Jinshi, Maomao)

danganronpa (Komaeda, Hinata, Kamukura)

dc (Tim, Steph, Cass, Jaime Reyes)

a date with death (Grimmy)

lovebrush chronicles (Alkaid, Ayn, Cael, Clarence, Lars)

love and deepspace (Zayne, Xavier, Rafayel)

saiki k (Saiki)

solo leveling (Jinwoo, Zhigang)

tears of themis (Vyn, Marius, Luke, Artem)

Color Scheme

Pink - carnations, roses, peonies, camelia

Red - roses, asters, amaryllis, begonia

Orange - roses, alstroemerias, banksias, ranunculus

Yellow - begonias, pansies, dahlias, marigolds

Green - hellebores, carnations, zantedeschias, gladiolus

Blue - irises, periwinkles, clematis, asters

Purple - daisies, lilies, roses, gladiola

White - camellias, anemones, amaryllis, gardenias

No sample post this time! You'll get a short blurb in return <3

Event ends: 3/16/24

[elysiangroundsforall]

Love & War

"Everything is fair in love and war"

CH-1

As Seonghwa emerged from the assembly hall, the administrative minister of the king, Jung Wooyoung, greeted him with a respectful nod. "Congratulations, Hyung," Wooyoung offered warmly.

"Thank you, Wooyoung," Seonghwa replied with a nod of acknowledgment.

"The king has requested me to escort you to your palace," Wooyoung continued, his tone respectful yet tinged with an air of formality. Seonghwa simply nodded in response, his mind already occupied with thoughts of the challenges and responsibilities that lay ahead.

As they exited the palace, two ornate palanquins awaited them, resplendent in hues of gold and red. Seonghwa settled into one, his thoughts momentarily diverted by the memory of the finance minister's envious glare. He knew well the source of the man's resentment—his own meteoric rise to prominence at a young age, culminating in his appointment as the general of Korea's most formidable army.

Lost in contemplation, Seonghwa hardly noticed the journey as the palanquins traversed the bustling streets, eventually arriving at the Gladiolus Palace. Stepping out onto the marble courtyard, Seonghwa was instantly engulfed by an aura of opulence and grandeur that seemed to permeate every corner of the magnificent estate.

Towering pillars, adorned with intricate carvings, reached towards the heavens, casting graceful shadows across the courtyard. The gentle melody of cascading fountains filled the air, their crystalline waters shimmering in the sunlight, adding to the palace's ethereal beauty.

In that moment, Seonghwa couldn't help but feel a surge of pride and determination, knowing that this palace, now his own, would serve as a symbol of his achievements and the king's trust. Yet, beneath the surface of his elation, he remained keenly aware of the challenges and adversaries that awaited him in the corridors of power. Gazing around in awe, Seonghwa found himself captivated by the unparalleled beauty that enveloped him. The grandeur of the palace was nothing short of breathtaking. Whispers lingered in the air, hinting at the palace's storied past—a legacy intertwined with the illustrious history of Goguryeo. Legends spoke of its origins, tracing its lineage back to the queen of the realm's inaugural monarch. However, following her exile, the palace had been sanctified, designated solely for those who had earned the king's utmost trust and reverence.

As he walked through the corridors, the weight of his title and responsibilities settled upon his shoulders. The Gladiolus Palace would now be his home, a symbol of his elevated status and the king's favor. But amidst the splendor, Seonghwa couldn't shake the lingering sense of unease—the knowledge that envy and resentment lurked in the shadows, waiting to test his resolve and ambition.

"You are nothing but worthless, your very existence is futile!" Y/N endured the scathing verbal assault from her aunt, the queen of Baekje, her words laced with disdain.

Before Y/N could even muster a response, she felt the sting of a hunter's strike from the crown prince of the kingdom, Yoon Taehyun. Each blow intensified, accompanied by harsh admonishments, leaving Y/N pleading for mercy, her cries falling on deaf ears.

As Y/N endured the cruel punishment, her younger brother, Jisung, stood resolute outside the store room, determined to rescue his sister from her tormentors. With a heavy heart, he retreated to his quarters, penning a letter to his friend, Kang Yeosang, a military strategist in the Goguryeo empire, outlining their plan for Y/N's escape.

"Dear Hyung,

I trust this letter finds you well. The time has come to set our plan in motion. I implore you to find a suitable suitor for my sister, one who will treat her with the kindness and respect she deserves. I will endeavor to free her from her captivity by the 29th of this month.

Regards,

Prince Jisung of Baekje"

Jisung entrusted the letter to his messenger with a sense of urgency, urging him to expedite its delivery to Yeosang without delay. The messenger embarked on his journey, traversing the vast expanse between the kingdoms until he reached the majestic capital city of Onyeosanseong within three days' time. Upon his arrival, he diligently inquired and navigated through the bustling corridors of the palace until he finally located Yeosang in his office chambers.

With a solemn bow, Yeosang received the letter and swiftly perused its contents, his expression grave as he absorbed the weight of its message. After confirming its authenticity, Yeosang dispatched the messenger back to Jisung with a firm nod of assurance.

With the groundwork laid, Yeosang wasted no time in seeking an audience with the king, determined to set their plan into motion. Bowed respectfully before the monarch, Yeosang broached the sensitive subject at hand, his words measured yet impassioned.

"My lord, there is a matter of utmost importance that requires your attention," Yeosang began, his voice resonating with a sense of urgency.

The king, intrigued, granted his permission with a nod of approval, signaling for Yeosang to continue.

"This may come as a surprise, but I share a longstanding friendship with Prince Jisung of Baekje. We were childhood companions during his time in our kingdom, and he recently confided in me regarding a troubling discovery," Yeosang explained, his tone tinged with solemnity as he relayed the distressing revelation.

He recounted the grim tale of Princess Y/N's harrowing ordeal, detailing her years of unspeakable suffering at the hands of the Baekje monarchy. As he spoke, the gravity of the situation hung heavy in the air, compelling the king to listen intently, his expression a mixture of shock and concern.

Moved by the plight of his niece, the king's resolve solidified, his determination to rescue her from her torment unwavering. Thus, with the foundation laid and the king's support secured, their daring plan to liberate Princess Y/N from her captors began to take shape.

"We have devised a plan, My lord," Yeosang announced with conviction, his voice steady and resolute.

"What is it?" the king inquired, his interest piqued by Yeosang's determined demeanor.

"We believe that securing a marriage for her within our kingdom may offer Princess Y/N a chance at salvation," Yeosang explained, his words measured yet infused with empathy.

"But wouldn't arranging a marriage proposal pose a significant risk, given her precarious situation?" the king interjected, his brow furrowing with concern.

"We have devised a plan, My lord," Yeosang announced with conviction, his voice steady and resolute.

"What is it?" the king inquired, his interest piqued by Yeosang's determined demeanor.

"We believe that securing a marriage for her within our kingdom may offer Princess Y/N a chance at salvation," Yeosang explained, his words measured yet infused with empathy.

"But wouldn't arranging a marriage proposal pose a significant risk, given her precarious situation?" the king interjected, his brow furrowing with concern.

"That is precisely why we propose to clandestinely extricate her from Baekje and solemnize the marriage within the confines of Goguryeo," Yeosang countered, his gaze unwavering as he outlined the intricacies of their plan.

The king considered Yeosang's proposal thoughtfully, recognizing the gravity of the situation. "You have my permission," he declared finally, his voice carrying the weight of authority.

"Do you have a candidate in mind?" the king inquired, his gaze fixed intently on Yeosang.

"General Park Seonghwa, my lord," Yeosang revealed without hesitation, his tone reflecting his unwavering confidence in the choice.

The king's expression softened at the mention of Seonghwa's name, a flicker of paternal affection crossing his features. "I hold General Seonghwa in high regard, but to marry him to a woman who has endured such suffering... I am uncertain if it is the right course of action," he confessed, his voice tinged with uncertainty.

Yeosang met the king's gaze with unwavering resolve. "My lord, General Seonghwa's reputation may precede him as a man of formidable demeanor, known for his stern and unwavering nature on the battlefield. However, beneath this seemingly cold exterior lies a heart capable of profound compassion and understanding," Yeosang asserted, his tone resolute yet earnest. "While he may have earned a reputation for his strict discipline and ruthless tactics in warfare, his loyalty and sense of duty are unparalleled. It is this very sense of duty that makes him an ideal candidate to safeguard Princess Y/N's well-being," he continued, emphasizing the depth of character hidden beneath the general's imposing facade.

"Very well, give me tomorrow's time to have an audience with him," the king remarked, his tone carrying a weight of authority and contemplation.

Ch 2>>

[threerattsinatrenchcoat]

Flowers

"Your collection features a disturbing lack of consistency," Lae'zel said, somehow both looming over Wyll's shoulder and holding herself at perfect attention.

"It's not about visual appeal," Wyll explained. "It's a letter."

She snorted. "A letter. In flowers. When you have a functional set of written characters."

"It is a custom here to place flowers on graves. This year I'm telling mother of the people I have met." Most of Wyll's childhood had been spent behind a blade, but he'd always loved his mother's dried bouquets and spent many evenings poring over her books and notes to learn everything about each one.

Lae'zel quietly watched him tie individual bundles of clippings and arrange them in the larger one. "Which is me?"

"This." He pointed to it. One long stalk of proud red plumes, several inverted stalks of compact buds, and a collection of delicate, star-shaped flowers. Lae'zel's assessment was correct; they only suited each other in meaning. 

Lae'zel's lip curled into a sneer. "Showy. I am not showy."

"That is a gladiolus. A noble flower. It symbolizes integrity, strength, victory and loyalty."

Her face softened. "Accurate. What of the rest?"

"Borage. For bluntness. Directness."

The sneer was definitely a smile now. "And the one that is upside down?"

"Lavender."

"It smells… acceptable."

"Lavender, inverted, means trust. And tied with the ribbon on this side, it signifies that this spray represents my feelings towards you."

"You feel you can trust me."

He nodded.

"You will tie it both ways, then," she harrumphed. "What of the rest?"

He showed her Gale, with nightshade for magic, lupine for fascination and imagination, gathered around hollyhock for ambition and prolific creativity. Wyll was in two minds about stripping the blooms from the hollyhock and leaving only the buds. Stripping the ambition and leaving only the creativity. Hopefully next year.

Karlach's part, with chrysanthemum for positivity during suffering, zephyrlily for expectation of something awful (one he hoped to invert next year) and Fleur-de-Luce for fire and flames. The bundle for Tav, dahlia for leadership, in red for energy and yellow for friendship, lily of the valley for determination and daisies for hope. 

Shadowheart, with night orchid for moments of openness in the dark, forget-me-not—really a romantic flower, but he thought the theme applied strongly to her and he really would rather her not forget their friendship—and snapdragon, one upright and one inverted. One for lies told and secrets kept; one for lies admitted and secrets shared. 

Last was Astarion, the one he was most nervous about, although Astarion (as a complicated person) would likely appreciate the complicated meanings. Larkspur for levity and capriciousness, cockscomb for foppery and because it was named cockscomb, and hydrangea, which meant aloofness, a lack of sympathy, but also a gratefulness in being understood.

All of it was wrapped in ivy for friendship and loyalty, and surrounded by his mother's favorites. He added a ribbon around the massive bundle, finishing it with rosemary and clover. Remembrance and a promise to think of her.

"Apt," was all Lae'zel said.

~*~

A perfect, sunny morning, the perfect day to deliver his flowers. Wyll made his way to his mother's grave in the gardens of the Lower City. Her gardens; mother thought everyone deserved beauty.

"Your wad of weeds is lacking. Would that you use this to complete it."

Lae'zel, surprisingly. She raised her eyebrows, shifting her weight in a way that suggested nervousness. She thrust a small bouquet towards him and said, "The shop built it at my suggestion. They claim edelweiss is bravery and devotion, iris for valor, faith and hope, and monkshood for a chivalrous knight. I insisted that they used one that meant a 'fool who always must be the center of attention'. They did not comply."

"Narcissus, in the future."

"I will remember that."

He took it. "Whose is it?"

Lae'zel rolled her eyes. "Yours."

"I don't need–"

She sucked her teeth. "If it is as you say, a 'letter', to a woman who perished in your journey to this realm, then she cares not for us. You are her mission. Yours will be the first news she gets."

"Thank you," he said, lowering the bouquet to the grave.

"And for your outbursts, I have prepared handkerchiefs."

"I'm not going to cry," he laughed. "There was a time I would, but that is past. Now I'm sharing my happiness, not my grief."

She snorted. "And what of these weeds on her grave? I will remove them."

Wyll glanced at the plants, still young, then looked closer. Perhaps he shouldn't have dismissed Lae'zel's offer of handkerchiefs. "No. Leave them. They're a letter."

"Then it is not my concern. I will leave you to read it."

Wyll knelt by the grave, running his fingers over the flowers.

Celandine, volkamenia, ragweed. On a bed of moss, for a mother's love.

Happiness is coming. May you enjoy it. 

I love you, too.

[caramel-catss]

info

fic masterlist under the cut

i'm caramel, a guy on the internet who likes when people make cool things. i'm a writer, artist, gamer, and astronomer!

ao3: caramelcats | writing: #caramel writes

analysis: #caramel rants | art: #caramel art

trilogy au tag (masterlist soon!! hopefully!!!): #trilogy au

fic masterlist

not all of what i post is on tumblr, my full list of works is on my ao3!

legend of zelda

reflection of love - 8.4k; ravioli; soulmates au

never leave - 1k; marlink; link and marin dance together

warm afternoon and cool waters - 2.3k; marlink; mermaid au; marin and link take a break after a dungeon

foundations - 2k; totk!zelda is taken to skyloft and meets sksw!zelda instead of the zonai

untitled - 300; short fluff blurb, marin & link practicing ocarina together

suthorn boy - 1.4k; concept writing about eow zelda and link's developing relationship & some tri stuff too

linked universe

comma flirting - 4.4k; ravioli; letters sent between ravio and legend

night owls - 2.5k; legend and twilight smoking together

omori

blue bow - 18.5k; aubrey-centric, aubrey character study

gladiolus - chaptered (unfinished); sequel to blue bow, continuing aubrey's story after canon

untitled - 1k; novelization of 3 days left scene w/ basil & sunny in grandma's room

dramatical murder

nul iris - 4k; post-canon clearao relationship study

[homemade-clones]

Gaze: 🌼 - Assign them an aesthetic

Bedbug: 💌 - How would they react to a love letter? 🌹 - Do they have a signature scent? Perfume, shampoo or alike?

Cake: 🍁 - Their favourite season and why?

Hiii, thank you for the ask!

GAZE

Not sure if there's a named “-core” for his aesthetic, so I'll go with words, if it's alright?

- Someone, underwater, reaching out to an offered hand. It's unclear if the hand is a friend from above, or a foe from the depths.

- Nighttime, sitting in the edge of a skyscraper abandoned while it was still being built. The lights of the city are bright and warm light the sun, reaching just below the person's boots, who watches life go by, in the shadows.

- A flower crown of red gladiolus, too loose around his head, falling over his eyes. The color of flowers seem to melt down his face. Oh. It's not the flowers.

BEDBUG

💌 How would they react to a love letter?

Might as well change his name to "Giddy", because that's how he'll be acting for the rest of the week (or longer). Catch Bedbug on his bunk, reading it over and over again – feet kicking, pillow-screaming, telling (to a very confused) Burr all about the sweet things the person wrote him.

Tooka or Cheese will have to physically capture and sit down the man to stop him from hurriedly jumping into a relationship – or engagement, if the letter comes from a partner; because he's now in love and must speak back his own confession (yeah he falls in – and out of – love at the drop of a hat, no he's not working on it).

In the case of someone who's not his partner, once he calms down (and if the infatuation hasn't died) he will write back to the person in hopes of starting something with them. 🌹 Do they have a signature scent? Perfume, shampoo or alike?

It varies so much, he's always on the move trying to burn out that seemingly endless well of energy feeding his body (too bad it's ADHD you can't burn it out, my dear bug), but all he does is burn trough body sprays and the barracks' allotted hot water.

He steals grabs what's the closest to him when his runs out. But while it lasts, he uses a fire fruit punch one, and under all the plastoid and blaster smoke, he's often smelling kinda citrus-y.

CAKE

Summer! More specifically, high summer. Why? He hates, with the power of a thousand suns, to be even minimally cold.

Cake would rather have to constantly keep his hair braided/in a bun to avoid sweating away, than bundling up in two layers of blacks and wool socks and thick gloves, and still not feeling his face or fingers or toes or- let's just say he's really not okay with being chilly.

[ohhgingersnaps]

WDSTF asks: id love to ask the superheroes how they started making their superhero identity and getting their name out there. esp nonny lolll did he just start sending predictions and ppl took him seriously when they notjced they were coming true?

and for the lovebirds (avaseb and abileah) ur fav feature of ur s/o :3

(WDSTF Asks)

[A/N: This got kind of long so I'll be putting everything past the first three entries under a cut!]

how did they start making their superhero identity and getting their name out there?

Ava (Phoenix)

“Dee and I moved to the city right after we graduated college. We both knew we wanted to try dabbling in the whole hero thing, so we formed our own little two-person team. We helped each other pick out aliases.” She laughs. “The first version of my suit was just a bunch of mismatched red athletic wear and a cheap masquerade mask. The leggings were about as durable as tissue paper, and I had, like, this awful cutaway tank with zero arm protection, because I didn’t want to risk setting myself on fire.

“It started as more of a hobby than anything else. We’d do small jobs here or there when we had time, but nothing substantial, until we ended up collaborating with a larger team on one of the bigger supervillain take-downs a year or two in.

“After that, things sort of… Escalated?” She shrugs and waves a hand. “Like, it’s not like nobody knew who we were before then, but we started getting invitations. Other teams started asking if we’d help out with heists or join them on patrols. We got invited to galas and parties. One of our contacts hooked us up with proper, custom-made suits.

“It was great, but also, people started to expect things, you know? It turned to into less of a thing we did for fun on weekends and more of an obligation.”

Sebastian (Memento)

“I wanted to try my hand at grey-hat hacking— just to see if I could do it, because I was getting bored with my regular projects, and it was for a good cause, right? I put out an ad as a hero-aligned merc, but the only person who contacted me was Gladiolus.” He grimaces. “He wanted me to help him with a mission for free, because, and I quote, ‘It will be good exposure.’

“Anyway, I helped him break into a supervillain lair. It went… ‘Badly’ isn’t the right word, and of course Phoenix and I were on better terms by the end of it, but…” The corners of his mouth quirk upwards, and he lets out a little huff of air that might be a laugh. “There are a lot of good ways to meet your celebrity crush. Trapping her in a hallway because she interrupted an opposing hero team’s heist is not one of them.”

Shane (Anonymous Friend)

“I ignored my powers for as long as I could,” Shane says, running a hand across his jaw. “But then I got a premonition about something big, with a lot of collateral damage, and I guess I figured, hey, I’ve got some useful intel. It would be stupid to not to try and help, right?

“So I grabbed a magazine from the recycling and some scissors, and I cut out a bunch of letters. I got the idea from a TV crime serial, or something stupid like that. Anyway, I sent warnings out to most of the major hero teams. Signed it as ‘Anonymous Friend,’ which was meant to be reassuring, but in hindsight, was probably super creepy.

“Only one team took my little arts-and-crafts warnings seriously, but they ended up saving a lot of people. Enough that when I sent out another round of notes, the other teams actually listened.

“I didn’t expect anyone to give me credit, let alone speculate about my identity. Folks actually thought I was an evil henchperson or lower-profile villain who’d done a heel-face-turn, for a while— must’ve put the villains on edge for a bit, hah— but it doesn’t really matter what they thought I was. Good guy, bad guy…” He shrugs. “Whatever. The important part was that fewer people got hurt.”

Harvey (Doc)

“As a healer, I ended up taking a slightly different route than most new heroes. I would just carry around a mask and wait until a fight started nearby, and then rush to help anyone who needed medical assistance. Of course, I picked out my own alias, Eubiostagenic, based on Greek medical terms— “eu” (good), “bios” (life), “sta” (stability), and “genic” (producing or causing)… Took me about a week to settle on it, back in pre-med.” His moustache twitches in what might be amusement. “Of course, everyone ended up just calling me Doc.”

Leah (Morning Glory)

“I didn’t even know I had powers until I started taking my botany classes. And once Kel found out… It’s not like I didn’t have a choice in becoming Morning Glory, but…” She frowns, her mouth pressed into a thin line. “I tried to at least stick to hero-aligned merc jobs, but Kel wasn’t always exactly up-front with me about what type of job we were doing. Sometimes, mitigating the damage after we got there was the best I could do.”

and for the lovebirds (avaseb and abileah) ur fav feature of ur s/o :3 (A/N: I wasn’t sure whether you meant “feature” in the sense of personality traits or physical features, so I answered for both!)

Ava

“Ooh, where do I start?” she asks, smiling wide. “Okay, so like… There’s a lot to pick from here, but I guess my favorite thing about him is that he’s a really steady, thoughtful person? Like, he thinks before he does stuff, and he’s the person I turn to whenever I need a sanity check. I can always trust him to tell me whenever I’m being too impulsive.

“In terms of physical features… Seb’s got really nice hair! And a nice face. And a nice butt. Just, like… All of him is great, honestly.” She waves her hands and shrugs. “But if I have to pick just one thing to be my favorite, it’s probably his hair.”

Sebastian

“My favorite feature? That’s kind of tough.” He thinks for a moment, chewing the inside of his lip. “I think my favorite thing about Ava is how passionate she is. She gets really invested in things, and she just… She cares about what she does, and she always gives it her all.

“In terms of physical features, uh…” He glances away, ducking his head between his shoulders. His face is pink. “Her eyes, I guess?” [A/N: He’s lying. He does like her eyes a lot, but her legs win the Favorite Physical Feature Award by a small margin.]

Abigail

“I like that she’s, uh… Self-assured isn’t the right word. Earnest, I think?” Abigail says. “She’s spent a lot of time thinking about who she is and what she wants to become, and she’s a good person, even if she doubts herself sometimes. She’s strong in her convictions! She’s a complicated person, and I really admire how she works all of the different facets of herself into her art.

“My favorite part of Leah is her hands. I know, it’s kind of a weird choice, but… I dunno, they’re strong! They’re what she uses to express herself!” She giggles. “And it’s always fun to use palm-reading as an excuse to hold one of them.”

Leah

“Abigail is… A very strong-willed person,” Leah says, her voice fond. “She’s determined, especially when it comes to protecting the people she cares about, and she has a strong sense of justice. But she pairs that determination with empathy. Does that sound strange?

“It took me almost a year, after I moved to the valley, to really feel like myself again— to trust people again— and my progress wasn’t linear. But Abigail’s been…” She searches for words. “Whenever I need to step back and process something, she respects my boundaries. I can always trust that she’ll still be there when I decide to come back, but she doesn’t act like I owe her anything.

“She’s determined, but that determination makes her a safe place to land.

“My favorite part of her, from a physical standpoint, is… Probably her hair. It has a lot of interesting movement, and it’s very fun to draw.” Leah thinks for a moment, then grins. “Although I have to admit, her biceps are pretty nice, too.”

[wormcocoon]

Letter to W (number i dunno)

Dear Mr. W,

Halo! How long has it been?!

Probably not much, maybe just a month? Oh, Mr. W. A lot of things going on at the moment. I had a week or almost two weeks of cooking. I made so many dishes. I inconvenienced my friends by convincing them that it's better to stay indoors and that I'd cook for them in exchange of them bringing me ingredients and a bottle or two of wine. Gosh.

In the week before my birthday, I had a bottle of wine every night. Sometimes, in the mornings I would make a Soju Milk Soda. I'd have a glass every morning and a bottle of wine in the evening. And like in that Lorde song, I let the days and nights change my mind. But never really doing any real action. I wrote all of them out, all feeling and thought I wrote them out, even when they didn't appear as is in words. I wrote them in a way, that I knew I meant the way it did in my head.

Anyway, my sister had her oathtaking yesterday. I had to color my hair black. It was pink for a week. I bleached it twice, then purpled it, it faded and turned pink, and then i turned it black.

This weekend I was at Moalboal. At the beach with Vian and Fleur. I am happy to have that be Vian's last memory of the beach here in the Philippines. I bought the two of them a bracelet. I hope it was a good 2 days for Vian.

We plan to get matching tattoos, a chain of stars, sometime this week before November 30. My sister will have her Thanksgiving dinner at home on that day. I will go back to Badian too. I would say home, but home has been vague these days. I mostly don't know where I belong, so,,, so I retreat inside my head and heart and make that my home. Not letting myself be too focused on the external places. The world is still beautiful to my eyes though. Thank God.

I cried on my birthday. I got flowers courtesy of Elvin. Baby's breathe/asters, and gladiolus flowers. Can you IMAGINE? I slid down the wall and was about to have a big cry! I remembered Alyssa was coming over though so I tried not to get too eaten by it. I wanted to though. But it's okay. I placed the flowers on a vase the next day. I cut the bottom stems, removed the tape, and placed it on the dining table. It's browning at the base now, but the top buds of the Gladiolus continue to bloom. They are pretty.

I am at the office today. I read everything.

I'm not sure if I should make actions. I live my life. There is an almost nagging, like a pea in a 10 mattress bed, feeling in me. That I should do something. I'm not sure what. I don't want to be the one that fixes it all again by being okay.

I am okay Mr. W. I'm better these days. Na tagam nalang jud ko mahimong the one who makes situations depend on them. I've never had that feeling you see. People always seem to assign that to me. Don't I always say what I want? Why can't we have that conversation? Is there nothing you want?

I had this conversation with Alyssa, how very isolating it is when people look to us for decisions. We also want to depend on others, we want our moods and emotions to rely on somebody. To know that feeling, instead we are trapped into becoming encouraging, trapped to understanding, trapped to action, trapped to make things better for them instead of for us. Because why not? These are people I like, people I chose.

Most days, it doesn't matter. It's all good because it's Love. But on crucial days, its so isolating. Like not being understood. Like being considered above everybody. It's sweet, but its lonely. We both just want to be held really.

hehe. I miss you Mr. W. I know you're all around me. But I guess this is just the human condition, to miss stuff.

I wonder what I will have for lunch. Sometimes I wonder what Elvin eats for lunch. And though I know he reads these, I feel a little detached because this is a letter addressed to you Mr. W. That's why I always love writing letters. It makes me able to write about things I love.

I read his own account of things of course. It's like a ritual I avoid. I know I'm going to do it, but I still try not to. But because it's ritual, I do it anyway. Rituals never hurt.

Well, okay, human sacrifices hurt, and probably a lot of other rituals. But this one doesn't. It's like reading the newspaper, or reading the calendar.

Oh Mr. W, how are you? Are your Ice still melting? Will more volcanoes come up from the water? A lot of these billionaires are looking up to space. A lot of these politicians still fight over money and raw materials.

I wonder if any of them has ever just wanted to look at flowers, and said, "This is okay."

I'm still jolted by my feelings and the people around me. I'd love to exist in somebody else's orbit Mr. W. I have so much love to give.

You see this is also something I eventually realized. My capacity to love is SO HUGE. I think I understand now what new mother's say when they go, I didn't know I could love more than I do, but I do the moment I got you. Only, I am sans baby. And thank God for that too! I couldn't afford the diapers yet!

Wow, this is turning out to be a really long letter Mr. W.

It's sunny outside. Christmas is only 29 days away. And then 2025. Oh how the world continues to turn.

Mr. W, my Clue says I am 2 days away from my period. I feel it too, sleeping very heavily, cravings' crazy, tears near the surface. I am only glad I can say, "This is okay." Maybe not all the time, and of course I still have the wants and desires. But that's okay too. And that everything I feel and think while PMS'ing and while on the period is still true and honest, as I've always been. Rena praised me for my consistency too. hehe.

I just pricked myself on a pin, thinking of what else to tell you Mr. W.

! I withdraw from my masters! It made me cry a lot of nights. Even today it makes me sad, I told my sister. I was sort of asking for her permission or support on my decision. She told me, she'd help me next time. It warmed my heart. I miss learning. But I am learning today. Just other stuff.

Mr. W, I was also supposed to upload a video on Youtube about my week of relaxation. I took so many videos of me cooking. But I'm still editing it. In the end maybe i'll just make a trailer/teaser type. Without ever releasing the full length. hehe cause its only for me and the people in my inner life.

What else.

I miss Elvin Mr. W. But in a way this feels like a dishonest way of saying things. There is a missing element, like an excluded part of the story which explains why I miss him. It's all in our history. All the times we've spent, the shift from semi-childhood, to teenhood, to adulthood, and to the settling down of who we are in the world.

Its living Mr. W.

I think I'll end here for now. Here are a few photos I'll share.

[second-wife-playbook]

angelica :   where does your muse draw inspiration in life ?  what motivates them ?

apple blossom :   how does your muse go about expressing or not expressing their sexuality ?  

gladiolus :   describe a moment from your muse’s life that they will never forget .

iris :   if your muse could convey one last message to someone they have lost or left behind ,   what would it be ?  

Angelica: Coronis is a big reader, mostly of literary works and novels. Having strong protagonists, realistic protagonists, and even tragic heroes often motivates her to take a more hopeful approach at life by viewing it as a sort of fairy tale to be lived out in order to reach a happy ending. Books have a powerful presence in her life, and have given her much of the hope she has to keep going.

Apple Blossom: Coronis sadly has a very repressed sexual self, due to a neglectful upbringing, strict social standards of the Goetia and a life of isolation. Her physical desires remain a point of shame up until she meets her first partner, which more or less allows her an awakening to pursue it more actively. In verses where she has partners, making love for the first time makes her more experimental and open in forwarding sex and intimacy in relationships.

Gladiolus: When Coronis was eight years old, she experienced an unexpected change of character in her older sister Stella, who offered to play with her, have tea times together and was markedly changed from the bullying, cruel child she had been before. Coronis was uneasy about this at first, but as it carried on for three days, she believed Stella wanted to mend their relationship and become proper sisters. After a week of spending time together, playing, dressing up and doing other childhood past times, Stella said she could point out the Palace of the Morningstar to her, Lucifer's residence. Coronis was led to the tallest window in the house, and invited to stand on the windowsill to see where her sister was pointing.

Stella then pushed Coronis out the window and slammed it shut. Coronis suffered several broken bones and was left crying and screaming in pain in the garden. Due to being an immortal, she was not killed in the fall, but she was left there for some time before a servant found her and called an ambulance. After returning home from the hospital, not only was Stella not punished, but she returned to her usual self. Coronis was taught that trusting her family from that point on was a mistake, and took to no longer trusting them.

Iris: If Coronis were to leave behind a message for anyone, with the exceptions of verses where she has a lover, it would likely be with a stranger. Given her family has neglected her for so long, and her friends are few, she would not want to burden anyone she has a friendship with with a post-mortem message. Nor would she trust her family to suddenly change for the better if they received such a letter. Thus, she would most likely write an anonymous letter to be found by any stranger, expressing her feelings, her hopes and dreams, before saying goodbye. She wouldn't sign her name.

[ffxvficrec]

by wth_am_i_writing When Ignis turned eighteen, fate painted the name of his soulmate with searing strokes down his spine. A red scar to hint at one’s destined. But when Ignis tugged his sleep shirt off and turned to look at the fresh marks in the mirror, the letters were already black. When Ignis was twenty, he learned the happy future he envisioned wasn't meant to be. When Insomnia fell, he learned that he was just another pawn in the Gods' game of chess. Words: 2681, Chapters: 1/?, Language: English Fandoms: Final Fantasy XV Rating: Mature Warnings: Graphic Depictions Of Violence Categories: M/M Characters: Noctis Lucis Caelum , Ignis Scientia , Gladiolus Amicitia , Prompto Argentum Relationships: Noctis Lucis Caelum/Ignis Scientia Additional Tags: Angst , Implied/Referenced Character Death , Minor Character Death , Unrequited Love , Canon-Typical Violence , Self-Sacrifice , Other Additional Tags to Be Added , Soulmates , Minor Lunafreya Nox Fleuret/Noctis Lucis Caelum , contemplations of self sacrifice and dying , will they won't they relationship dynamics , some sweetness and fluff early on but this is primarily angst

[elysiangroundsforall]

Love & War

"Everything is fair in love and war."

Ch-14

As the days passed, the tension between Seonghwa and Y/N gradually began to thaw. Yet, the past had a way of casting long shadows, and both carried heavy burdens from their previous lives.

One evening, as Y/N was sitting in the garden of the House of Gladiolus, she received a letter from her brother. The letter was brief, yet it conveyed the depth of his concern and the dire situation back in Baekje. It read:

"Dear Y/N, I have heard troubling news. Our aunt and uncle have discovered your whereabouts. They are aware you are in Goguryeo and may take actions against you. I have written to Yeosang, asking him to sort this matter. Please stay safe and keep your guard up. With love, Your brother"

Y/N's heart raced as she read the letter. The memories of her aunt, uncle, and cousin's cruelty flooded back, and she felt a chill run down her spine. That night, she had another nightmare.

She was back in Baekje, confined in a dark, damp cell. Her aunt's harsh voice echoed in the background, her uncle's cold eyes staring down at her, and her cousin's smirk as he inflicted pain. The fear, the helplessness, the agony—it all came rushing back. She woke up with a start, her heart pounding, and tears streaming down her face.

Unbeknownst to her, Seonghwa had been watching over her from a distance. He had noticed her restlessness and the way she had been more withdrawn since receiving the letter. Concerned, he approached her room quietly, intending to check on her. He found her sitting up in bed, trembling and crying.

"Y/N," Seonghwa called softly from the doorway, his voice devoid of the earlier coldness. "Are you alright?"

She looked up, startled but too overwhelmed to respond. Seeing her distress, Seonghwa hesitated for a moment before walking over and sitting beside her. "I know we've had our differences, but you don't have to go through this alone."

Y/N wiped her tears and took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. "I received a letter from my brother. My aunt and uncle, they know I'm here."

Seonghwa's expression hardened. "Your aunt and uncle… the ones who tortured you?"

She nodded, unable to find her voice.

Seonghwa clenched his fists. "I won't let them harm you again. You're safe here, Y/N. I promise."

Despite his reassurances, Y/N felt a mix of fear and uncertainty. "But why would you care? You've barely known me, and we've had nothing but misunderstandings."

Seonghwa took a deep breath, his eyes reflecting a mix of determination and regret. "Because I've seen enough suffering. I know what it's like to carry the scars of a painful past. And… maybe I misjudged you. Maybe I let my own demons cloud my judgment."

Y/N looked at him, her eyes searching his for any sign of deceit. She found none, only a sincere desire to make amends. "Thank you," she whispered, her voice trembling. "I appreciate it."

In that moment, a fragile truce formed between them. They were two souls, battered and bruised by their pasts, but willing to find a way forward together.

Meanwhile, in Baekje, Y/N's cruel aunt and uncle were plotting their next move, unaware of the budding alliance forming in Goguryeo. The fate of kingdoms and the lives of those intertwined hung in a delicate balance, teetering on the brink of conflict and reconciliation.

ch 15>>

[atomic-taco-muffin]

Poly sora x Hana x Mana highschool college au:

Maya: *walks in and punches Seifer in the face* fucking asshole! You lied about loving me?

Myra: *let's him go*

Seifer: it's not-

Maya: *holds up the letter he wrote for her* oh really? If it's "not what you think!" Then why in this letter did you call me a whore and a slut?

Gladiolus: explain before I tell both Maya's father (Xaldin) and Rumi's father about you stalking her

Gladiolus: and trying to rape them

[dustydoop]

Alright since cringe is dead, I'm info dropping about my OCs, idc if you don't want to know you get to now (I'm using this picrew since I haven't the time to make actual headshots for all of them)

Nova Robertson

Birthday: May 13th

Favorite Color: Jade green

Symbolism motifs: Sun, big cats (mostly lions)

Personality: Firey, passionate, stubborn, curious

Fun fact: She's very tall! Like 6'

Angela Gartner

Birthday: May 17th

Favorite Color: Bubblegum pink

Symbolism motifs: Daisies, stars

Personality: Bubbly, sensitive, selfless, sociable

Fun fact: Her house is based on a real abandoned dvd rental place that's across the street from my house

Jessica "Jez" Salucci

Birthday: November 19th

Favorite Color: Cherry red

Symbolism motifs: Trees, electric guitar

Personality: Independent, abrasive, determined, reserved

Fun Fact: She rollerblades in her free time

Millie Easton

Birthday: June 4th

Favorite Color: Lavender

Symbolism motifs: Meadows, gears

Personality: Intelligent, clumsy, creative, perfectionistic

Fun Fact: Her first name is Amelia, not Mildred

Kylar Sato

Birthday: December 2nd

Favorite Color: Charcoal grey

Symbolism motifs: Metal, maps

Personality: Bold, chaotic, direct, defiant

Fun Fact: She is so good at impressions and impersonations that it's scary

Brianna Rosa

Birthday: September 30th

Favorite Color: Goldenrod yellow

Symbolism motifs: Wheat fields, breeze

Personality: Organized, blunt, stuck-up, dedicated

Fun Fact: She's a distant relative of Catherine of Aragon

Gene Carter

Birthday: April 26th

Favorite Color: Teal

Symbolism motifs: Moon, ocean

Personality: Caution, supportive, emotionally fragile, willing to help

Fun Fact: He's a very musical guy, he knows a lot of instruments

Quill Torres Martinez

Birthday: July 6th

Favorite Color: Burnt orange

Symbolism motifs: Fire, beach

Personality: Goofy, easliy bored, charismatic, disordered

Fun Fact: His parents are very rich, he's a bit spoiled

Rae Woodfield

Birthday: February 10th

Favorite Color: Indigo

Symbolism motifs: Butterflies, rain

Personality: Impulsive, open-minded, dissatisfied, analytical (if she thinks about something first)

Fun Fact: She has port wine stain birthmarks under her eyes

Jesse Mintz

Birthday: October 29th

Favorite Color: Forest green

Symbolism motifs: Gladiolus, bricks

Personality: Quiet, calm, dependable, insecure

Fun Fact: He's naturally good at skateboarding

Benedict Lewis

It won't let me add more audio links so pretend its a link to Sparks by Coldplay

Birthday: March 27th

Favorite Color: Navy blue

Symbolism motifs: Dogs, photos

Personality: Prepared, unrealistic, altruistic, overly reminiscent

Fun Fact: He always carries a bag full of absolutely anything you could need

Thea Robertson

Again, only 10 audio links so pretend it's Gold Dust Woman by Fleetwood Mac

Birthday: May 23rd

Favorite Color: Tangerine

Symbolism motifs: Gold, sunflowers

Personality: Tense, rational, aloof, protective

Fun Fact: She's the oldest of the group, and Nova's older sister

[valentineves]

A breathtaking grey sky stretched across the vast expanse, casting a sense of serenity over the land. It was the arrival of spring, adorning the world with a kaleidoscope of vibrant blooms. Little did anyone know that she, the venus, yearned for adventure, longing to explore the mysteries that lay beyond the galaxy walls. So let the story unfold.

Page I

The venus first appeared on the blooming month of Gladiolus. She goes by the name Kayla Evangeline, lovingly nicknamed Kay, Kayie or Yiya but you may call her with any nickname you desire as long as it is not offensive. And as she graced the world in the month of August, the stars bestowed upon her a celestial tapestry of a leo sun, a libra moon, and a gemini rising. Gracefully embracing her true essence, she proudly identifies with feminine pronouns and delightfully unveils her ESFJ personality type through a journey of self-discovery.

Page II

Fate may have brought both of you together, crossing paths and engaging in heartfelt conversations in wondrous settings. And among the magical locations where you can find her as Jane, or other places, such as:

OA: The Brooks Club, La petit bakery, Monochrooms, La’Terrarium, dissnewclub, 22 Officers, Dittours (first batch), Haute Revue, Love Letter, The Good Doers, Rhythm Reel, Moon Gen Store, Carnival Day,

SQ: The 4395, Divine petals, Chaos Club, The Lonerz Club, Youngsters, All liners GDM

Page III

Should one possess a sincere curiosity to unveil the intricate facets of her regal persona, the princess would be delighted to present a tapestry of facts. She graciously offers a glimpse into her magical world with a few intriguing trivia about her:

She loves reading just as much as she loves her chocolate in the morning. Her go-to-genres are self-development and romance. If you’d like to be her read buddies, feel free to to notify her

Fashion is her favorite topic therefore you might find her account filled with pretty things from designers or fashion related stuff. Oh beware she talks a lot

A cherub once said that a day is incomplete without singing your hearts out to the music, so she always has her headphones on to hear Taylor Swift, SZA, Ariana Grande, Olivia Rodrigo, Lany, Lauv, Ruel, Conan Gray, Keshi, Jeremy Zucker, James Arthur, Novo Amor, NIKI, Tate McRae, RINI, Clinton Kane, Justin Bieber, Tulus, Fiersa Bestari, Garamerica, and Hivi on the radio

Cooking is also her current obsession although she is still an amateur, she always tries to cook delightful dishes to boost her mood up or just… messing around with the recipe

She’s not much of a movie watcher but she looooves horror a bit too much. So hey, if you’re also into horror film, hit her up!

Running out of things to write down but that is all you need to know about her.

After a journey filled with magical moments and adventures, we find ourselves standing at the glorious culmination of our grand affair. The time has come to bid adieu to the wondrous tale that has unfolded, revealing the sweet chapters of her extraordinary life. With a tear and a smile, we gently close the book on this cherished tale.

Love, Kayla E.

[thedemoninme141]

Ghosts-Chapter 14: The Gulag.

But you looked up from the blood and from the dirt and from the dying, to the stars. “ The shadows played their part, To the world, The Ghosts are the villain now,” John said.

“Hundreds of casualties, so many innocents dead, How many more lives are gonna be lost Ghost? How many Jades are gonna pay the punishment they didn't deserve, while we stand by doing nothing? We can't hide anymore." Tori said expressing her anger and frustration.

"Then what do you suggest?" Ghost asked.

"Just take the bloody gloves off and fight, Hit them in the front, We have got a location from the files John located in the safehouse, Why can't we just go and dig whatever we can find there!" Tori yelled.

"You take the gloves off you get blood on your hands." Ghost said.

Tori looked down.

"But there is a fine line between right and wrong, and somewhere between them, in the shadows, we go in to fight them, we get dirty, so the world stays clean, that's our mission." Ghost added.

"Start the prep, John."

"The place is a bloody fortress, With an actual dungeon. Built to withstand any siege. The building survived every brutal winter. The occupants... they weren't so lucky. Became a Monastery. Didn't survive the purges. Over the last century, it's played host to anyone the government didn't want, but couldn't kill. The place is filled with living casualties of the last war... which I swear I thought we'd won. But I suppose it's all a day at the races, you back the losing horse, and this is where you end up. Prisoner 627 is held up there, all we know is the shadows don't want us the get him. That's why they killed Makarov. Our best intel is the place is run by Russian mercenaries. They have heavy military support, We are gonna need an army." John said.

"I can get us an army." Another familiar voice said at the door.

"Major West." Ghost greeted.

"Ghost." West nodded.

"Tori, Isn't it?" He said looking at Tori.

Tori said nothing. She didn’t even look at him.

" It was hard to convince General Shepherd, but he is gonna help us, for now," West said.

"That would be enough." Ghost said.

"So what's the plan?" West asked.

"We hit them in the front."

"Jade, honey, are you sure you can do this?" Tori asked as she and Jade walk into the cemetery, holding each other's hand.

Jade took a deep breath, "Yeah, I can, it's just, it's been a while since I've visited her."

They find what they had been looking for.

" CATHERINE WEST

BELOVED MOTHER AND WIFE."

Jade slowly approached her mother's forever-lying bed. She rests the purple gladiolus flowers she brought on the soil. She touches the letters carved on the stone,

"Happy mothers day Mom. It's been a while since I've visited right? I know you are angry about that, Usually, I come alone, But this time I've brought someone. Someone who is very significant in my life. Meet Tori, The love of my life, Mom."

" I was so afraid, but Tori gave me hope. She is always there for me when I need someone to reassure me that everything will be okay. Tori gave me the happiness I had searched for all my life."

"And I promise to keep her happy for the rest of her life," Tori said.

"Goodbye, Mom," Jade said as she hold Tori's hand and turned around.

"Are you okay Jade?" Tori asked.

"As long as you don't let go of my hand, Tori."

“Never,” Tori said smiling.

The truck ride was brutal, they have no idea where they are now, but Ghost trusts West.

"Are you sure this isn't a trap, Ghost? the government want us dead" Helena asked.

"Shepherd doesn't work with the government, he has his own ways," John said.

"This is our only chance to end the shadows, West won't let us down, the wests never let us down." Ghost said.

Tori smiled and also felt upset at the thought of Jade.

"We are almost there boys, Get your masks on," West yelled from the front seat of the truck.

The team puts on their masks, Only Ghost didn't need to, he never took off his mask. Tori wonders, how scared is he down there.

They hop out of the truck one by one, Tori feels Shepherd's men's eyes on them. Whispering to one another.

"I can't believe it. It's the Ghosts."

"Shepherd really got them to work."

"Look at that guy."

"He is massive."

"They creep me out, man."

They enter the main operating building, where they find the general and a dozen men. A bearded man in a camo Boonie hat nodded to Ghost, who nodded back without saying anything. "Shepherd, They are here," West said.

Shepherd eyes every one of them, and lastly Tori, “I thought they would be taller.” He comments. "Gentlemen, Uncle sam would've given me a medal for taking you down, But that wouldn't have been the right thing to do. I know your past, I know your present, and I know what you all are capable of, but you trusting me also means I am trusting you. Whatever happened in Los Angeles, I know you men didn't do it. We are at war. But we can win the war before it even starts if we work together. Welcome to the task force initiative." Shepherd said.

"Let's not waste any of your time, Captain Price, show them their team."

Shepherd said to the bearded man and walked out of the room but stopped at the door,

"And give them the big guns." He added and left.

"Let's get even, shall we?" Price said. . . . .

Tori holds tight on the little bird helicopter as they are flying towards the Gulag.

"Thirty seconds." Price said.

Two F-15s fly in.

"Hornet Two-One, this is Jester One-One, flight of two F-15s, four HARMs for the section. Standby for SEAD, over."  Jester One-One pilot radioed in.

" Solid copy, Jester. Go get 'em."

The F-15s fire and destroy a radio station and fly off.

"Good kill. Good kill. Hornet Two-One, you're clear all the way. Good luck. Out." Price said.

" Two going in hot." Hornet Two-Two pilot warned.

Hornet Two-Two fires its guns and takes out a watch tower. The entire gulag is alerted of their presence as Tori sees Russians moving all around the gulag. Dust of debris get in her eyes, but she didn't care. She doesn't care about the pain anymore.

Hornet Two-One hovers across the first guard tower. Helena takes out her M14 EBR and eliminates foot-mobiles on the tower.

" Shift right." Ghost said.

Hornet Two-One hovers to the right to the next tower.

"Stabilize" Ghost ordered.

"Ready. " Hornet Two-one pilot signalled.

The team started firing on the second tower, taking out the guards.

"I see four hostiles on the next tower!" Tori yelled.

"Roger, shifting right." The pilot said.

Hornet Two-One hovers to the right to the next tower. Before the team can engage, an F-15 fires on the tower and quickly flies past Hornet Two-One. The resulting air draft causes Two-One to wobble.

"Hang on!" the pilot yelled.

"Shepherd! Get those fighters to cease fire immediately! That was too close! " Ghost yelled.

" I'll try to buy you some time. One man in a gulag doesn't mean much to the Navy at this point." Shepherd radioed in.

"Bloody hell! I thought they were the good guys!" John said.

"John cut the chatter. Stay frosty." Ghost said.

The Little Bird begins to land on the gulag, dropping off the Ghosts.

"Ghost team is on the deck. Repeat, Ghost team is on the ground and movin'" Price signalled in.

" Specter, Echo, stay on the chopper to provide sniper support." Ghost ordered Farah and Alex.

"Roger," Alex said.

The team engages enemy hostiles positioned on the second level on the way to the entrance of the gulag.

" Two-One is in position for gun run."

"Copy Two-One, lasing target on the second floor!" Price said.

Hornet Two-One fires its guns on the second floor destroying the hostiles.

The team tries to move to the building but Tori notices more hostiles hiding on the 3rd-floor balcony.

"Hostiles on the third floor!" Tori yelled as she saw the ambush waiting for them. The team immediately got to cover but Price got hit.

"Price!" Ghost said.

"Cover Me!" He yelled as the rest started firing on the 3rd floor.

He sprinted to Price and dragged him to cover.

"You broken?" Ghost asked.

"Nah, I am good." Price said.

" Go in, grab Prisoner 627, and get out!" He ordered.

Ghost nodded

"Wraith! Use your grenade launcher!"

Tori nodded as she aimed and shot the 40mm bullet. One loud bang and they were all gone.

"Let's keep moving." Ghost ordered.

"That's the control room up ahead! I can use it to find the prisoner! I'll tap into their system and look for the prisoner! It's gonna take some time!" Roach said.

"Copy that, Roach! we're on cell duty! Follow me!" Ghost yelled.

Roach  hacks into the gulag's control systems. The rest of the team goes down the first level and engages foot-mobiles while looking for #627.

" All right, I'm patched in. I'm tracking your progress on the security cameras." Roach said.

"Copy that! Do you have the location of Prisoner 627?" Ghost asked.

"Negative, but I've got a searchlight tracking hostiles on your floor. That should make your job easier." Roach replied.

"Cheeky Bastard," Helena said.

"Stay sharp! The prisoner may be in one of these cells! Roach. we've hit a security door, get it open!" Ghost said.

"Workin' on it...this hardware is ancient!"

The door on the other side of the next room opens.

"Roach!  you opened the wrong door!" Ghost yelled.

"Roger, standby... Got it!" Roach said.

The door in front of the team opens.

"That's better, let's go!" Ghost ordered.

The team searches the cells.

"Cell 4-D is clear." Tori yelled.

"Cell 4-B , clear." John said.

"Roach, all these cells are deserted," Helena said.

"Got it! Prisoner 627's been transferred to the east wing! Head through the armoury in the centre - that's the fastest way there."

"Roger that! Squad, head for that armoury down there! Move!" Ghost commanded.

The team heads downstairs to the armoury.

" See anything you like?" Helena asked Tori.

"I think I will keep my primary..." Tori said but she picks up a Benelli M4 shotgun. "But I like to keep this one for close encounters," she added.

"Too right, mate," Helena smirked.

"Bad news. I'm tracking three, no, four hostile squads converging on your position!

Tori hears dozens of footsteps all around them.

"I can hear them coming...let's go! We're too exposed!" John said.

Tori saw a couple of riot shields on the corner.

"We can use those Riot Shields." She said pointing at them.

"Roger. Shade, Rev, you are our cover. Get ready Wraith."

John and Helena grab the shields, Tori takes cover behind John , and Ghost , behind Helena.

The door is blown open as Russian soldiers enter the room, their guns blazing. Their bullets, however, do no damage because they are deflected by the shields and are dropped by the Ghosts' retaliatory fire. They advance to the next room engaging enemies.  They reach the window at the end of the floor.

"Roach  here. Recommend you bypass the lower floors by rappelling out that window."

"Copy that, follow me!" Ghost said.

They rappel out the window down to the bottom floor.

" The camera feed in solitary confinement is dead. The power must be down in that section." Roach warned.

"Roger that. Squad, switch to night vision." Ghost ordered.

They switch on night vision goggles as they enter the bottom floor. They engage hostiles in a dark hallway. Tori ends up killing most of them.

"Hey, Ghost! Are you sure she wasn't trained with us?" Helena joked.

"Focus on the mission Rev." Ghost said.

"Ugh, you are no fun."

Tori smiled.

"Check these cells for stragglers."

"This one's empty." Helena said.

"This one's empty, too." John said.

At the end of the tunnel an explosion blows a hole on the ceiling, lighting up the floor, shaking the whole castle like an earthquake.

" Shepherd, what the hell was that? Get the navy to cease fire!"

"The Navy isn't in a talking mood right now. Standby.” “Ghosts, They've agreed to stop firing for now. Keep going, I'll keep you posted. Out." The general radioed in. They continue through the floor. They reach the end of the hallway.

"' The old shower room's about thirty feet ahead on your left. You can breach the wall to get in." Roach suggested.

Ghost  plants a breaching charge on the wall.

"We are taking a shortcut." he said.

The squad takes position around the charge.

Ghost clicks on the detonator as the charge explodes, throwing an enemy across the room as the team breaches the shower room. As the team reaches the middle of the showers, hostiles with riot shields arrive.

" Heavy assault troops up ahead! Don't attack them head-on! Move quickly and hit them from the side! Rev, help me distract them, Shade, Wraith, Flank them!" Ghost commanded.

Ghost and Helena start firing on the shields as they crouch to take cover behind.

Tori and John attack them from the sides with melee weapons. Plunging their knives into the mercenaries necks taking one after another down.

"Good work. Let's go, We can jump in that hole in the far end of the showers." Ghost said.

They reach the end of the showers and jump down the hole into a tunnel.

"  Roach, we're in the old tunnel system heading southwest."

"Ok. Keep going along that tunnel." Roach replied.

They keep moving for a minute, finding no entrances or exits.

"Talk to me, Roach! We don't want to be down here when those ships start firing again."

"Keep going, you're almost there."

They slide down a slope and move to the end of the tunnel.

" Prisoner 627 should be right on your left, You can breach the wall to get in."

"Roger, Wraith, plant the charges."

Tori deploys a breaching charge against the wall. She detonates as the team prepares. The wall explodes, and she enters first only to be punched in the face, falling to the ground. Her vision blurred. She shakes her head and turns to face the figure who is pointing her own gun at her. Her vision clears as she notices a woman rather than a man. A woman in her fifties. She feels like she knows her.

"Drop it!" John yelled,

"Drop the gun!" Helena yelled.

"We are not here to kill you." Ghost said.

The woman looks back at the squad.

"John? Helena? and.. " she said but paused looking at Ghost. Tori finally notices the similarities between her and a certain raven-haired beauty she once knew.

"Catherine" Ghost said.

[the-blind-geisha]

If you're up to it, I'd be delighted to read a SFW love letter from Gladio : )

ZINNIA (MAGENTA) - Lasting Affection

YARROW - Cure for heartache

WINDFLOWER - Sincerity, Symbol of Love

TULIP (YELLOW) - There’s Sunshine In Your Smile

SNAPDRAGON - Gracious Lady, Strength

PETUNIA - Your Presence Soothes Me

PEACH BLOSSOM - I am your Captive

I hope I didn't pick too many flowers..

Thank you so much for all your works!

A/N: Aww, don't worry at all, anon. You didn't pick too many. It is more than enough! I'd be delighted to~! Thanks for the RQ and the sweet words~

Y/N,

I truly wish I could begin this letter with saying how this trip so far has been an easy trek, but I have to be honest—it hasn't. The daemons, the everlasting night... it hasn't made things easy for my group and I as we attempted to get to Hammerhead.

I won't go too far into detail, but we all lost quite a bit just trying to even leave Lestallum. The havens still work wonders, but I guess the daemons are becoming far more brazen than before. A part of me curses myself for not bringing you with me but also sighs in relief at not having done so. I am not certain what I would do if I lost you on this journey.

Yeah, I know. You'd tell me you can protect yourself just fine. Y/N, you are hardly a warrior that can fight as these monsters can. Besides, I don't want you to risk running into someone that you love in a far more monstrous form. I know what that can do to people. I've seen some of my friends turned into them. Knowing putting them down is showing them empathy hurts worse than I can describe.

Just thinking of that makes me sick to my stomach. Honestly, now I do wish you were here. As small as you are next to me, I find myself warmed by your mere presence. Your voice is soothing to the unsettling sounds of the night I find myself trapped within. I can protect myself just fine being the Shield of the King of Lucis, but I would find more strength in wielding my sword and shield if you were here.

Y/N, you are the only light I have now in this gods be damned world. My sister won't keep up with my constant need to wander about aimlessly to become stronger, and I understand her. You—I worried that I would somehow drag you well into the dirt with me as I worked on becoming a better man. However, y/n, you stayed with me all this time. I have been gone for weeks at a time, and I hate I have. I've come back, only to have you show what courage and strength you can, but I know that deep down you are losing that spark of life that you once had.

Why must I be responsible for that? I am so, so sorry y/n. I shouldn't continue to do this to you. I shouldn't. My heart continues to thrive with whatever passion is still buried within it because of you, and yet, here I continue to ignore you for the pursuit of power. I'm being selfish, aren't I? I really should either bring you with me or just stay put for far longer.

I miss the times of coming back to Lestallum and seeing you waiting for me ever patiently. The only indication that you are restless is the weight that has grown apparent upon your features. You appear as though you haven't slept in days, and I fear I am responsible for that. If I am, please accept my apology. The woman I love—I would never imagine harming her. You are my everything, and I will see to it that you are treated as such.

Y/N, I found a few things on my way to Hammerhead, and if I can get Cindy to give me the tools I require, I might be able to craft into something you can wear. If you want to, of course.

I am sure you are laughing at what a slave I am to your affection, but that's not it at all. I willingly follow in your steps and wherever you so would go given how much I adore you. As Eos craves the sun, I crave the gift of your smile. Even just gazing into your eyes can I easily see what I've been without lately. You make this coming of the end more enjoyable. The world could easily burn in hell tomorrow, and I would be at peace if I just had you in my arms till the bitter end.

If I get this gift made, will you wear it? I can only hope so. I think it is something you may very well like as I've always noted your hints and nods in certain directions in regards to our relationship. You can laugh I am a bit hardheaded, but I am very easily aware of what's going on around me. As a Shield to the King of Lucis, I have to be. Your wishes, no matter how quiet you think they are, do not go unnoticed by me.

Be safe, my strength and my all,

Gladiolus Amicitia