#guest oc: theo

[iwritesickfic]

9 from the body aches prompt list!

Thanks anon! :D Prompt is "Being super uncomfortable on a car ride because every bump is painful."

Theo feels like he hasn't slept properly in weeks. The doctor described his illness as "psychogenic" which essentially meant he was shit out of luck trying to do anything about it. They said it was probably brought on by the stress of being on tour, which while logical didn't help very much. He's going to be on tour for another two months.

One morning he just woke up with a fever, and it hasn't gone away since. It'll drop a little with ibuprofen, but otherwise, he's been running at about 101. Constantly.

Tonight is no different. He's lying awake in the tour bus bed, trembling with chills despite the way his body is burning up. He'd be sore enough from performing an arena show, but with the fever it's borderline unbearable. His muscles throb, his joints ache, and every bump and swerve and sway of the bus sets them off. He tries to hold back the sounds that tear from his throat, the soft sobs and moans, but he's so exhausted that they find their way out anyway.

It's been weeks. He's so damn tired. He wants a bed that isn't moving. He wants a proper, hot shower to wash his sweat-sticky skin and pound against the sore muscles in his back.

And what he wants more than anything - embarrassingly - is for Seamus to hold him.

But as another bump on the highway jolts his aching frame, he knows he's not getting any of those things.

[sanguinaryrot]

glancing back and forth between the priest and the cannibal + love soldier deciding which I want to be the first ever comic i work on

[itwasrealtome]

AGENT GRAY

Chapter Nine • No Man’s Land

TAGLIST FORM

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⚠️ DO NOT READ IF THIS MIGHT TRIGGER YOU

Olivia Benson x fem! FBI Agent OC

Summary:

Content Warning: Usual SVU & Violent Crimes talk • young kid missing, mention of alcohol, mention of blood, mention of DNA, mention of violent gesture | Couple breaking up | Some SEAL talk • mention of the desert, mention of bruises and bandaids, mention of military vehicle.

A/N: BASED ON EP.8 – S18 of L&O SVU • Not them starting to flirt 👀 Be ready!

*

SATURDAY, JANUARY 14

Manhattan, SVU Bullpen

10:52 AM

—Because I thought you'd think that I was a bad mother and then when you did find Theo, you would take him away from me.

Nadine Lachere was half-leaning on the conference table, her eyes sharply accusatory. She'd welcomed guests to her home the night before, checked on her six-year-old son at around two o'clock, and gone to bed herself. But when little Theo's babysitter arrived in the early hours of the morning, his bed was empty. He and the carpet at the foot of the bed had disappeared, leaving behind only a thin trail of blood.

Her face was drawn, pale under the fluorescent lighting, and her knuckles white where she gripped the edge of the table. Olivia watched from a distance, taking it in–the desperation in Nadine's posture, the defensive set of her jaw. Her statement didn't excuse the missing pieces, didn't make up for the alcohol, the dangerous objects in the apartment, or the man she failed to mention. But it gave the outline of a mother who was more broken than cruel.

The Special Victims Unit had been called in. Amanda and Carisi started by taking stock of the situation and gathering information from the mother and her friend. Such parties were a regular occurrence. There was leftover booze on the coffee table, but also a whole bunch of objects that only belonged miles away from a child. The mother was hungover, visibly disoriented and kept accusing her ex-partner.

It might have been a lead if Fin and Carisi hadn't found the DNA of a certain Gabriel Norton in the boy's bedroom. Lachere had said nothing about the man, the same one with whom she'd had a brief relationship that had ended after a violent gesture on his part. She had only wanted to protect her son, to protect their rights.

—Lower East Side. We're headed there now.

Olivia gave a short nod, letting two of her detectives on their way. She was already stepping forward, ready to further investigate with Rollins, when she spotted movement from the bullpen's entrance–him. Ed Tucker. Dressed in a dark grey overcoat, his usual shirt and tie, and that look on his face like he already knew he wasn't supposed to be there.

—Hey.

Just one word, but it landed heavy. The brunette didn't reply right away. Her body had tensed, every nerve on high alert, already pulled in too many directions. Her jaw flexed slightly as she glanced around—detectives moving, phones ringing, lives hanging in the balance.

She didn't have time for this–not now, not in the middle of a missing child case with more emotional weight than most. She had a boy to find. Parents to reassure. People to interview.

—Now's not a good time, Ed.

—I figured, he said gently. But you hung up on me last night, and then nothing. I didn't hear back. I just needed to know if Noah's okay.

That softened something in her. Not much, but just enough. She nodded once, curt but honest.

—He's fine. He just climbed up on the counter when I turned my back for two seconds. I panicked. I shouldn't have hung up, I just-

She stopped herself. There wasn't time to explain how she'd barely slept, how Theo Lachere's case had sunk its claws into her because something about it scratched too close to home. A missing boy. A trail of blood. A mother with excuses and an invisible history of pain.

Ed nodded, stepping a little closer, lowering his voice.

—I get it. I wasn't trying to interrupt anything. I just... needed to see you.

Olivia didn't answer right away. She glanced toward the back of the squad room–Rollins giving her space, but clearly watching. She gave her a small nod, silently telling her to keep things moving while she dealt with... whatever this was.

She motioned for Ed to follow her and led him into her office, the door clicking softly shut behind them. The space was cluttered with files, scribbled post-its, old takeout containers. The air felt tighter now, the buzz of the squad room muffled by the glass. Olivia crossed her arms and turned to him.

—You can't just show up here, she said, not angry, but tired. So, so tired. I've got a six-year-old boy missing and a mother who's giving us half-truths on a good day.

The IA Sergeant didn't answer right away. His gaze had already drifted to her desk, to the folder sitting just a little out of place from the others. The tab was still visible. GRAY, ALEXIS.

He blinked. Took a step toward it.

—You're still looking at that?

Olivia hadn't meant to leave it there, but it was the last thing she'd touched before the call came in. She had tried to put it out of her mind, to focus on the job, but Alexis's file had a gravity to it. There were too many things that didn't make sense–too many silences, omissions. The absence of a reason in that file, the sheer weight of redacted paragraphs and the unexplained decision to leave the SEALs, was like a splinter she couldn't stop picking at.

She didn't flinch. She picked up her notebook and thumbed through it, pretending to be focused on her notes. She didn't answer right away.

—It's related to current cases, she said eventually, her tone even. We've had two–no, three–recent cases involving vets. I wanted to understand the psychological backgrounds a little better.

Her boyfriend didn't move from his place beside the desk. His arms crossed, and his eyes flicked from her to the file again.

—You're not that curious about every file someone hands you, Liv. You've had that for months.

Olivia's fingers froze on the edge of the paper. She didn't look at him. Didn't want to.

—What are you looking for?

It hung in the air, heavier than it should have been.

She straightened and pushed the file away with the flat of her hand, the soft thunk louder than necessary.

—You wouldn't understand, she murmured. Not as a deflection. But because she didn't know how to explain it. Not yet.

Ed sighed and stepped closer, his voice gentler now. Less defensive.

—Try me.

She looked up at him then. The expression on his face was honest—open, even. And for a second, she wanted to take the out. To tell him it was nothing. To smile, maybe, and move on.

But she couldn't lie to him, not this time. She wouldn't.

—Something's not right in that file, she said finally, her voice quieter now. Alexis doesn't walk away without a reason. She's not the type. Her record is spotless. Commendations, leadership. And then one day, she just leaves.

She exhaled, slowly, pressing her thumb into the edge of the desk.

—She told me she left because it was time. But that's not what her eyes said.

—So this is about a hunch? he asked, measured. Or is it about her?

Olivia's jaw tightened. She hated that he asked. She hated that she didn't know the answer.

—You think there's something going on?

—I think you haven't been here with me for weeks. I think you've been somewhere else. And I think you're trying not to ask yourself why.

She wanted to deny it. To say that work had pulled her in, that Theo's case was taking up space in her mind, that the shooting last week still hadn't left her bones. But none of that would explain why Alexis Gray's name kept circling back in her thoughts, always louder than she wanted it to be.

She didn't know what it was. It wasn't about attraction, not exactly. It was deeper than that. Something she couldn't name, maybe didn't even want to. But it was there, and she was chasing it like a shadow that wouldn't sit still.

–There's nothing going on, she said, voice steady, even if she didn't fully believe it herself. She's gone. I haven't heard from her in months.

—But she's still here.

*

SUNDAY, JANUARY 15

Manhattan — Olivia's Apartment

08:16 PM

The soft hum of the dishwasher filled the background as the quiet of the evening settled around them. The apartment was dim, cozy in the way Olivia always made it at the end of the day–lights low, a candle burning in the kitchen, a blanket folded neatly over the couch. Outside, the wind howled faintly through the cracks around the windows. Winter in the city had dug in deep, bitter and sharp.

The sound of little feet against the floor made the lieutenant smile as she leaned against the corridor wall, arms loosely folded. Noah, ever the bundle of evening energy, barely turned around on hearing his mother's voice. He gave her a grin that was more tooth than obedience and disappeared around a corner. Seconds later, the faucet turned on and a small cup hit porcelain.

Behind her, Ed sat in silence on the couch. He'd taken off his coat, draped it neatly over the armrest, but hadn't settled into the room the way he used to. He looked uneasy, like a guest instead of someone who once made himself coffee in her kitchen without asking. His elbows rested on his knees, fingers laced loosely together, eyes on the hardwood floor as though trying to work up the courage to say what had been weighing on him.

Olivia hesitated as she took in the sight of him: the slope of his shoulders, the silver dusting his hair, the familiar outline of the man who had once made her feel like maybe there could be something after everything she'd endured. Then, with a breath, she stepped back into the room, into the heaviness she hadn't quite been ready to face.

The man looked up the moment she approached, his expression open, tired, and cautiously searching for hers.

—He's getting so big, he said, voice quiet but sincere, as if trying to start with something neutral, something safe.

She nodded, arms crossing lightly over her chest. She didn't sit beside him–she sat across from him instead, and even that space between them felt like an echo of something larger. A gap that had grown slowly, inch by inch, until it had become this quiet thing they both could feel but hadn't dared name.

—Yeah. Too fast some days.

They sat in silence for a few beats, the sound of the TV flickering in the background, some news anchor's voice muffled and irrelevant. The room, once filled with ease and banter, now felt like it held its breath, waiting for one of them to finally crack it open.

Ed leaned forward slightly, clearing his throat.

—Can I ask you something?

She met his eyes, already bracing.

—Is it just me, he said slowly. Or have things... not been great with us lately?

He didn't sound bitter. If anything, he sounded like a man already resigned to hearing something he wasn't ready for. Olivia dropped her gaze to her lap for a second, then looked up again. Her face was calm, composed, but behind that was the familiar restraint she carried like armor.

—I've tried, Ed. Really, I have.

Her words weren't sharp, weren't defensive–they just carried the fatigue of someone who had spent too long trying to hold a shape she wasn't sure fit anymore. She could see the way his expression faltered, the way his brow pinched and his jaw tensed like he was swallowing words he didn't want to say.

—I know. So have I. But I feel like we're not trying at the same time anymore.

Olivia didn't say anything right away. Her chin dipped into the barest nod, slow and heavy, as if the gesture itself weighed more than she could carry. Her throat felt tight, constricted with everything she wasn't saying aloud—because he wasn't wrong. Not about this. They were standing in the same room, breathing the same air, but it was as if they were each tuned to a different signal now, no longer hearing the same rhythm, no longer reaching for the same life.

Whatever had once tethered them together had frayed with time and silence, and maybe it had been unraveling longer than either of them had wanted to admit. Maybe they'd been holding on out of habit. Or hope. Or fear of what letting go might mean. But whatever they were clinging to–it no longer felt enough.

—Is it about me retiring?

The question came out with more weight than he probably intended, but he needed to know. Needed to understand why the woman in front of him had slowly begun to drift like a tide pulling out from shore.

She sighed, pressing her fingers to her temples for a moment before letting her hand drop.

—No, she said. Then, after a beat. Yes. Maybe.

She glanced toward the hallway, where Noah had grown quiet again. The bathroom light still glowed under the door.

—When you said you were ready to put the shield down, it caught me off guard. Like you were already ten steps ahead, planning for a life that didn't involve any of this. The job. The late nights. The calls in the middle of dinner. And I just... I froze. Because I don't know what it means to live without all of that. I've been this job longer than I've been anything else. She looked at him then, more vulnerable than she intended. I got scared. Not because you were ready to move on... but because I wasn't.

Ed stood silently for a moment, eyes softening as he watched her. There was a time when he might've taken her hesitation as rejection, when he might've bristled and pushed back. But not now. Not tonight. Not after the years they both carried on their backs. He saw her clearly—not just the Lieutenant, not just the mother, not just the woman trying to hold it all together. He saw the fear behind her eyes, the way her shoulders dropped when she thought no one was looking.

He stepped a little closer, voice lower now, almost gentle.

—Liv... you don't have to explain. I get it.

—No, Ed, I do. You deserve more than half-truth or me shutting down every time things get too close. You've been patient. And kind. And steady. And I'm- She paused, forcing the words through the tightness in her throat. I'm sorry. I really am.

The sergeant exhaled through his nose, a small, almost wistful smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. He shook his head once, then reached out and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear in the way only someone who truly knew her would dare.

—You don't owe me anything, Liv. Not your guilt. Not an explanation. And definitely not some version of yourself you think I want. You're doing what you need to do–for your son, for your team, for yourself. That's not something to apologize for.

She blinked, holding his gaze. Her eyes were glossy now, but she wouldn't let the tears fall. Not here. Not yet.

—Still... it feels like I'm breaking something. Something that could've worked, maybe, if we'd both just-

—If we'd both just been someone else, Ed finished for her, a trace of a smile cutting through the sadness. Someone in a different time, different place. Yeah. I've thought that too.

She swallowed, nodded slowly. It was the most honest thing they'd said all night. He leaned forward and pressed a kiss to her forehead–chaste, familiar, with the weight of all the moments they would never have. Then he stepped back and let his hand fall away.

He grabbed his coat off the chair and slid it over his shoulders in practiced silence. The room felt colder now, but not unfriendly. Just... quieter.

He made it almost to the door before turning around one last time. His voice was steady, but the softness in it nearly undid her.

—Take care of yourself, Olivia Benson.

*

SUNDAY, JANUARY 15

Manhattan — Olivia's Apartment

11:03 PM

The apartment was silent.

That thick kind of silence that only settles after an emotional day, when the city hum outside seems miles away and the walls themselves are holding their breath. It was getting late. Olivia sat on the couch, a blanket pulled around her shoulders, half-drunk tea cooling on the side table next to her. The TV was off. The lights were dim. The glow from the hallway, leading to Noah's room, was the only thing casting warmth across the apartment.

The little boy had gone to bed hours ago, just after Ed left. He was curled up under the covers, his favorite stuffed animal close to his chest, lost in dreams his mother wished she could join. But her thoughts were tangled, restless. She had stood by the door long after the man walked out, his last words lingering like perfume: "Take care of yourself.". She had whispered you too, but he hadn't heard it.

Now, she sat still, her phone in her hand again, turning it over slowly like she wasn't sure whether she wanted to reach out or hide from the world. Her thumb hovered over the screen, hesitating. She wasn't even sure what she wanted to say—only that she missed her. Missed talking to her. Missed knowing she was safe.

Finally, with a slow breath, she reached for it again. She opened her messages and stared at the last contact in the thread.

Alexis Gray.

She hadn't heard from her since the brief FaceTime call Miles had told her about a week ago. Alexis had left on deployment on November 1. Since then, just a few breadcrumbs. A call. A nod that she was okay. But no real contact. Not with her.

Her thumb hovered, hesitated, then typed.

Hey. Just checking in. Hope you're okay.

She read it three times before pressing send, then set the phone back down as though expecting silence. Olivia exhaled, rubbed her eyes, and tried to shake the feeling like she was pressing on a bruise she couldn't see.

The buzz of her phone startled her. FaceTime. Alexis.

Her heart jumped. She scrambled to answer it, stepping back into the soft glow of the living room lamp as the screen came to life.

—Well, well, Alexis drawled with a smirk the second the camera focused. I knew it–you really can't live without me, huh?

The lieutenant let out a breath that was somewhere between a laugh and a sigh. Relief coursed through her. She didn't even try to hide it.

—You look like hell, she said instead, but there was a smile curling at the corners of her mouth.

Gray raised a brow and angled the camera. She was wearing full fatigues, her name tag and unit patch visible beneath a few streaks of desert dust. Her face bore new bruises, a small butterfly bandage near her temple, and her hair was pulled back into a tight but slightly messy bun. She was squinting into harsh sunlight. Behind her, Olivia could just make out the edge of a tent, a beige military vehicle, and what looked like an endless stretch of hot, sun-scorched sand.

—Yeah, well, not everyone gets to live in luxury Manhattan apartments with throw pillows and central air.

—Where are you?

Alexis adjusted the phone slightly, panning slowly.

—Can't say. But I can show you a little.

Olivia watched the screen fill with the desert landscape–flat, arid, the kind of place that felt a thousand miles away from everything. Even the sky looked different–brighter, more unforgiving. Heat shimmered off the sand like a mirage.

—Jesus, Olivia muttered. It's so... empty.

—Yeah. But in a weird way, it's quiet. You don't realize how loud the world is until you're away from it.

They settled into a silence that didn't feel awkward. Olivia moved to the couch and sat down, holding the phone with both hands now, as if steadying a thread between them.

—You okay? Alexis asked eventually, her tone softer now. You look exhausted.

The oldest hesitated, her gaze flickering for a moment as if weighing the decision. After a beat, she nodded, but the gesture lacked conviction, her eyes betraying uncertainty she wasn't ready to voice.

—Yeah. I just... It's been a long week.

—That a lie or one of your "I'm-fine-but-not-really" things? You forget, I've seen you shut down before.

The brunette leaned back slightly, her gaze sharp as she watched Olivia, knowing her well enough to miss the signs of something being held back. It wasn't just tiredness in her eyes or the way she clenched her jaw when a certain topic came up–it was something deeper, something that spoke of the quiet struggles she never let anyone in on.

—I broke up with Ed.

Alexis blinked, just once. No big expression. But Olivia noticed the subtle shift—the tightening of her jaw, the softening in her eyes.

—Oh.

She didn't immediately say more, and Olivia appreciated that. No questions. No drama. Just presence.

—It wasn't... dramatic, Olivia continued, voice low. I think we both knew something wasn't right. We just didn't say it out loud for a while.

The commander leaned back, phone angled so that only her face remained on screen, with the faded blue sky stretching behind her.

—Do I need to find him and beat his ass?

Olivia let out a laugh, a quiet, breathy sound that caught even her off guard. It had slipped out before she could stop it—surprised.

—No. Lexi, come on.

—Just checking. I've got boots and a full tank of pettiness.

She laughed again, softer this time. And when it faded, her face relaxed into something more honest.

—I feel bad. Like I broke something that maybe could've worked. If I just tried harder. But... I don't know. It never felt... right-right. Just good on paper. Safe.

Alexis nodded slowly.

—Safe's not enough. Not for someone like you.

There was a stretch of quiet again. Olivia looked at her, really looked. At the sweat on her forehead, the smudge of dirt near her cheek, the quiet resilience in her expression. The way she always felt like the only person in the world who got it, without needing the words.

—You're more than just a colleague, you know, Olivia said finally, her voice hushed.

Green eyes didn't leave hers. Gray didn't smile or joke this time. She just nodded, once.

—Yeah. I know.

—Is this insane?

—If it is... we're in it together.

The wind picked up behind the SEAL, lifting grains of sand into the dry desert air. Her silhouette shifted slightly as she turned her head, instinctively responding to the sudden gust. For a moment, her features were framed against the open sky, bathed the strong embers of the still rising sun.

She looked past the screen, her gaze scanning the vast emptiness beyond the tent—alert, even here, even now. Then she turned back, her eyes settling on the camera again, steady and sharp, like she hadn't missed a beat.

—I've got to go. Another transport's coming in.

—Stay safe, Olivia said, a little too quickly.

Alexis gave her a small smile, softer now. More vulnerable.

—I always do better when I know you're watching.

*

TAGLIST: @nciscmjunkie @makkaroni221 @thefatobsession @ginasbaby @certainlychaotic @kiwiana145 @kobayashi-fr @hi-i-1

[faustianfascination]

predator incarnate

Kinktober 15. Predator/Prey | Degradation

Words: 4904 Pairing: Comte Saint Germain x OC (ikemen vampire) & Comte Saint Germain x Leonardo da Vinci

Tags: NSFW! MDNI! predator/prey, slight dom/sub, creampie, anal sex, biting, oral sex, afab character, comte and leo have the dynamic of the golden girls, leo is so over his shit

Notes: this has been brewing for a while, it's inspired by the story 'The Company of Wolves' by Angela Carter from her short story collection 'The Bloody Chamber'. Dedicating this to fellow mustard man appreciator @valkyyriia. No mustard was harmed in the making of this fic.

The argument in the parlour had continued for longer than Comte had expected; an animated show of wits and expertise that was deeply fascinating and illuminating in equal measure. Since she had requested to remain under his roof, Persephone, or Effy as she had allowed them to call her, had begun to open up like a sensuous bloom allowing them all more glimpses of her surprisingly mercurial character. They also began to witness her intelligence and literary knowledge in full, holding her own against the likes of Arthur and Dazai when she felt like it. Comte knew there was a story as to why she concealed her light, and so desperately he wanted her to share it but she was cautions to let anyone too close too quickly. Tonight however had been something of a turning point.

The evening had begun in the parlour, as she, Arthur, Theo and Dazai had been playing cards. However they got onto the topic was unknown, as it was only when the debate was in full swing he’d let his attention drift from Leonardo. Eroticism was the source of the conflict, from what Comte gathered Arthur had claimed Lady Chatterly’s Lover was one of the most erotic books he’d read, possibly the most erotic book in existence. Effy took exception to this and this led to an exciting exchange over what eroticism in literature was. To make her point, she retrieved her favourite book from her room, yet to be written, by the name of the Bloody Chamber by an author called Angela Carter. It was a collection of fairy tales, her favourite she explained was a particular story called ‘The Company of Wolves’ and to make her point she and Arthur decided to read passages from their respective texts to prove their point. Arthur, not only a good writer could also recite a story with skill, no matter how dirty. Now though, Effy reclined upon the chaise reading this tale to a room of predators; yes the story was erotic, but what gave her an edge over Arthur was her whiskey husked voice wrapping around the words, her body subtly shifting as her breath created a beautifully arousing rhythm of the rise and fall of her chest as her voice filled the room. As the story spoke of a maiden encircled by a choir of wolves, the Count couldn’t help but see the parallel of his maiden of his mansion, encircled by another form of predator incarnate; a beautiful moment of fiction blending into reality.

Every eye in the parlour was on her, enraptured at her tale, every eye caressing her body and Comte felt his immature jealously flare. More so when he could see the desire evident in Arthur’s gaze. The fact they’d had a tryst already bristled him more than he cared to admit, making his more possessive vampiric nature surface, little cracks in his gentlemanly facade. He could give her true pleasure that would make her forget all about him, if only she would look his way. Part of him wanted to drop the niceties, ignore the boundary between them as host and guest, unleash the full power of his seductive prowess so he could finally mark her as his territory, lick every inch of her body clean of the mystery writer’s influence. His mature sided reminded him that she was his treasured guest, now resident, not his property so he did his best to push those feelings down in whatever way he could.

The moans bordered on growls, Comte's bed shaking, sometimes creaking under the force of his thrusts into Leonardo's arse. The fucked as only two pureblood vampires could, all fangs and power as Comte took out his frustrations on Leonardo's now well battered hole. The sheets were balled so much in Leonardo's hands that he'd ripped them to ribbons, he felt a bit bad for Sebastian because Comte's bed would be a mess tomorrow between the torn sheets and the bitten to pieces pillows. Comte plunged his fangs into Leonardo's neck, reaching around to give his cock a jerk to push him over the edge. Comte's release followed soon after, collapsing on Leonardo's back leaving the two a panting heap. This had been going on for days, the Italian knowing he was in for a rough time after Comte pulled him into his room after the night in the parlour and pounced on him. At least tonight they'd made it as far as the bed.

"Feeling better now you bastardo bisognoso" he panted as they began to untangle themselves, he slowly sat rubbing his stiff back. He could tell that this had no way satisfied his old friend due to the melancholic look still in his eyes. Leonardo couldn't decided if he should punch him, fuck him or just go drag Effy to the room and throw her at him at this rate. The things he puts up with for this fool.

Comte rose from the bed and rifled through Leonardo's coat for his pack of cigarillos then wandered out to the balcony for a smoke, swiftly followed by his long suffering bedmate.

"First you interrupt my sleep and now you steal my smokes" Leonardo huffed as he took a cigarillo too. Comte had lit his and at least had the courtesy to light him up too.

"Mon cher ami, who exactly pays for your smokes? Who let's you live in their home and pays your bills?" Comte shot back.

"And don't you like to remind me" said Leonardo reaching over and giving Comte's chin a squeeze and nipping his cheek before he withdrew. Comte just blew smoke in his face with a mischievous grin. "Sebas said you told him to tidy up the old hunting cabin. Going to actually do some hunting so it can live up to it's name or are you just going to make that poor soul trek tea out to you?"

"Well, I spotted her there a few days ago looking for it and thought it might make a nice space for her when she needs a break from fête des saucisses she lives with. Apparently she's also been exploring the empty parts of the mansion when she can't sleep too. Perhaps I should build her a dance studio" Comte said with a tender smile, letting his eyes drift skyward.

The Frenchman enjoyed the fragrant smoke filling his lungs as he gazed to the evening sky. It helped restore his energy after his impromptu liaison, thinking back on what caused it. Seeing her giggling and flirting with Dazai had made his jealousy flare again. This was becoming a problem, not least because his bed was going to be firewood if he didn't deal with this frustration soon.

"That is very sweet but stop thinking and just make a move you fool. Also if you're going to build her anything it's another closet with all the dresses you buy her" Leonardo said after a few minutes of Comte staring at the sky like a sad puppy.

"You make it sound like I giver her an excessive amount of dresses, a young lady needs options for all situations. Also, it's not that simple. She was stranded here because of me, she is a someone who I opened my home to and promised to protect as long as she remains here. She herself said I was like the father of the mansion, how could I make a move without ruining that" he sighed sadly

"I think you're more like daddy than father to her Comte. Have you not noticed how she looks at you? I doubt your advances would be unwelcome and cara is more than capable of looking after herself, she has an entire mansion and castle's worth of vampires wrapped around her pretty little finger" said Leonardo practically rolling his "plus I'm worried if you don't make a move soon Arthur or one of your other little flowers will end up the Seine"

"Fine even if that is the case, how on do I go about approaching her? She is a treasure, one who deserves careful handling" said Comte who was progressively looking more pitiful, making Leonardo only more amused by the situation.

"Pffft, bastardo bugiardo you know exactly how to seduce her, she literally told you how the other day in the parlour." Leonardo was getting to the point of slapping him now, his hands emphasising this acutely "Also I doubt the puttana di Versailles is really so clueless in such carnal matters" Leonardo jibed as he drew in another lungful of cigarillo smoke.

"Puttana di Versailles!? excusez-moi, I was not that incorrigible" said the master of the mansion with a look somewhere between offended and scandalised despite Leonardo being correct. Seeing his old friend's reaction Leonardo couldn't help but tease Comte more.

"That's rich coming from the man who was at one point frequenting the bed of both the Queen and the King. Your cock was the main thing holding that marriage together"

Realising that Leonardo's knowledge of his philandering past was the winning hand, Comte sighed and continued smoking with a pout on his face. He eventually fell back into his dilemma, voicing the conflict that was haunting him constantly around his most treasured resident to his old friend in the smoke tinged evening air. He was talking for a while before he realised Leonardo had stopped responding and there was now a snoring sound echoing into the night much to his annoyance. Comte considered leaving the ingrate on the balcony to freeze overnight but it wasn't worth the moaning that would come so he unceremoniously lifted him into the room and dumped him on the bed with more force than was necessary. It earned him a bite in the derrière.

Persephone crept out of her room, the cool glow of the full moon lighting her way to the vacant wing of the mansion. It was hardly falling to rack and ruin, but the half decorated rooms, discarded books, trinkets and remnants were fun to investigate. She padded lightly down the hall, her black boots contrasting with the white silken slip she slept in. It was one of the many gifts of clothing from Comte, and although it was technically underwear, she rather liked sweeping about the empty part of the mansion in it and as well as sleeping in it. It felt the part of a gothic heroine, which was fitting for the only woman in the nest of vampires. The thought bought a silly grin to her face, enjoying the levity of the moment she gracefully twirled down the hall, dancing through the moonlight. There was no real reason for her nightly endeavours, just that she enjoyed the peace the small hours bought and tonight she was too restless to sleep so she decided to explore some more.

Unbeknownst to her, she wasn't alone. Comte watched, bewitched at her beautiful figure sweeping through the hall. Like an angel come to his home. He followed, careful to mind his steps; he wanted to observe her but more so a dark idea was taking root in his mind. Leonardo had already said she'd told him what she liked through that story, so tonight he intended to let his inner beast out to hunt the one who had so inflamed his desires.

Persephone came to a stop near the double doors that led to the wooded part of the property. She'd not explored that much of that part yet, spending most of her time around the manicured gardens but the bright moon painting the trees tempted her to try the doors to see it they'd open. It wasn't a cold night, but there was a bit of a chill, raising gooseflesh on her skin, making the hair on the back of her neck stand. Her increased sensitivity making her feel strange, as if she was being watched. She looked around only to still find herself alone in the hall, brushing the feeling off as the atmosphere of the night. The doors were stiff, but with a little pushing, they soon opened out to the woody landscape. She remembered Sebas saying something about there being an old hunting shack out in the woodland in this direction and she’d been searching for days. The curiosity led her eyes to peer between the trees, as if trying to make out a building amongst the tangle of wood.

As she was about to step out, a velvet voice filled the silence "Careful where you wander ma chérie. You never know what beasts lurk in the dark waiting to sink their teeth into such nubile flesh"

Suddenly she felt a presence behind her. She turned with a start only to find Comte behind her, she let out a small chuckle at his appearance, the fear receding as she relaxed in her master's presence.

"I'm not scared about such things" she said with a light tone "I am no ones meat. Plus what harm could I come to among you and your companions" she added a flirtatious intonation at his warning, winking at the vampire. Although tonight even she noticed something different about Comte. He'd always been devastatingly attractive, but something about him in the moonlight with his top button open, he seemed overwhelmingly sensual. It was radiating off him to the point she felt herself flush just by his presence, the prickle of gooseflesh growing over her body. His eyes even seemed to glow molten gold, a little voice in her mind wandering if it was possible to drown in someone's gaze. Unconsciously, she moved closer to him, as if hypnotised. Comte's smile took on an edge, vampires were not just creatures of blood but sex too. They were sensitive to the arousal of their pray, long using beguilement to lure and disarm so they could devour their prey in every way possible. It had been a while since he'd let his vampiric self out to play and already he was rewarded with the scent of lust, the pretty young maiden coming to him willingly, body illuminated by the moon, waves of dark hair webbed over pearlescent skin, her pert nipples caressed by the silk he'd bought and dressed her in. What a beautiful sight indeed. However, how beautiful she'd look with a flush of fear upon her skin, her blood pumping even faster?

The vampire advanced on his prey, driving Persephone slowly against the wall until she was caged by him. The master of the mansion finally showing his fangs.

It was in that moment, she realised, the beast began to show his true nature. Still dressed in the costume of his gentlemanly role, but the sway of his movements, the power radiating from his body and the blazing gold in his eyes gave away the true nature of this predator incarnate. Inhuman and otherworldly, utterly beguiling. He could subdue her with his strength alone, but his mesmerising aura was enough to cause her to still under his gaze as his arms caged her against the wall

“Ma petite chérie, ma belle proie” his breath against her ear making every nerve in her body buzz with a electrifying mix of fear and lust “you dance around me in such a skimpy little outfit, barely concealing that enticing body of yours like you’re safe and sound but chérie, you seem to forget that my true nature is neither gentle nor a man” his voice dropped an octave and the smoothness of his tone was now edged with a predatory growl

“Oh but cher Maître, you seem very much like a hot blooded man right now…” She teased despite the tension coiling through her stomach, aware of quite how thin the fabric of her nightgown was, how the silk seemed to accentuate her form rather than conceal it. The comment earned her a deep chuckle, that felt like it was reverberating through her bones, setting her nerves on fire and making heat pool between her legs.

“Oh ma chérie, ma jolie petite listen very carefully now” his lips came even closer to her ear, his body pressed her further into the wall “sois intelligent et cours, run as fast as those lovely legs can carry you because if I catch you I intended to devour every last part of you” his forehead was now pressed against hers, eye to eye with something even more dangerous dancing in them now. He was showing her a courtesy, however they both knew that this would end in the predator capturing his prey like a tiger playing with a rabbit.

Comte moved his lips to her neck, giving a light kiss before he gently pulled his fangs over the skin making her shudder in anticipation, never breaking it but reminding her of his ferocity. The feeling of her breath hitching, her body tensing made his lust start spiralling. Pausing over her pulse, pressing the tips a little into her skin, he could feel her blood flowing and wanted to sink his fangs and drink her blood while she sung blissfully under him but alas that was out of the question. The scent of her desire drifting to him made him stiff, but he wanted to prolong the foreplay before he devoured her fully; the harder the chase the more satisfying the meal after all. He drew his fangs back and licked a stripe back up her neck, halting at her ear after giving the lobe a playful nibble. His lips stilled over it so she would hear his warning

"Run" he breathed in her ear, letting out a fearful snarling growl to make his prey flee. She was smart enough to bolt at that point. Comte watched her run down through the doors that lead to the forest, seeing her merge with the darkness. He dropped his coat and waistcoat to the floor, rolled up his shirtsleeves and licked his lips as he began to track her trail.

"Let the hunt begin chérie"

Dodging between the trees, the moonlight warping them into a maze she she weaved through as fast as she could. The chilled air stung her lungs and sensitised her skin, the silk of the slip caressing and pulling over her body in a way that made her more aroused. She was being hunted, but she had no real desire to evade capture. Perhaps Comte had listened too well to her favourite story but she had no complaints as he stalked her through the woods. She lent up against a tree, taking a moment to gather her bearings and slow her breathing

"You'll need to do better than that ma jolie petite" Comte's voice rung between trucks, seeming to bounce off every surface, shooting straight between her legs making her shudder in pleasure. Persephone didn't need to be warned twice and set off on again, she would make that vampire work for his meal.

She had no idea how long they had been playing their erotic hide and seek, how deep in the woods they had wandered. In the distance, a light orange glow caught her eye, it's warmth standing out in the cool light of the moon. Moth like she ventured towards it, as the glow got larger, she came to realise that it was coming from a small cabin. Perhaps the same building that had initially piqued her interest.

The worn wood felt smooth to the touch, soft almost in it's curves and textures. The door opened smoothly, a wall of warmth and smell of a fire embracing her. As she walked in, she looked around at the cosy space. It was simple but luxurious, as expected of her tasteful master. Leather arm chairs by the fire, a small parlour table between. The space stretched on to what looked like a pile of furs adorning a bed near the window. This place was certainly not abandoned, the incongruity of a lit fire in the middle of a night not dawning on her until she heard the door click shut, the turning of a lock signalling there was no escape.

She turned to see his glowing eyes, his shirt even more undone and tie long gone. The firelight dancing on his exposed muscle, emphasising how strong, how utterly virile he looked. The arms that she usually saw handling tea cups and letters now transformed into the strong, unyielding arms of a predator.

His smile was steeped in lust, licking his lips at the sight of her. He took a seat in one of the chairs, turning it so he was looking directly at her, his position lesuirely as one leg crossed over the knee of the other making the bulge in his trousers all the more obvious. The silence was heavy with their unspoken but obvious desires, until Comte's commanding voice said

"Boots, off" she complied, slowly slipping her feet out of the boots onto the warm plush rug.

"And the slip" his eyes felt like they were setting her on fire, she did as he bade and let the straps off her shoulders. The silk fluttering to the floor around her feet. Not a shred of fabric hiding her from him now. He savoured the sight, enjoying every inch of the flesh he intended to enjoy.

"Into the fire with it" he said, moments like this it dawned how much the aristocrat he was, commanding her with such practiced ease. She bent and lifted the silk slowly, keeping her eyes locked on his through the whole movement exaggerating her form as she bent ensuring he enjoyed every moment of the show. The slip evaporated in the flames like moth wings. Once it was gone he got up and finally began his meal. Her lips tasted of salty sweat and the rose oil he gave her, his hands touching every inch of naked flesh, soft and warm yet muscular and strong. He could feel the years of training that had sculpted her, the thought at her stamina and the night of sex ahead making his erection strain at his trousers. Their tongues wrapped around each other like serpents, he pushed her body towards the bed pressing his pelvis into hers until they fell together upon the soft furs. The tickle against her naked flesh making her gasp as he broke the kiss so he could strip himself. She was certain she heard the ripping of fabric as he shed the layers of fine garments until he stood over her naked and painfully handsome, every muscle defined, his cock erect and leaking. The sight alone made her clench, her arousal dripping between her legs longing to feel that impressive organ rearrange hers.

"Legs open" he commanded, the authority in his voice making it clear there would be no arguments. She opened her legs, as wide as she could allowing him full view of her, going so far as to hold them open for his enjoyment. Comte licked his lips at the sight, her cunt flushed dark and painted in firelight, dripping with want. He lifted her leg, bringing the arch of her foot to his face and placed a chaste kiss upon it, making her gasp and try and pull away only for his inescapable grip to tighten. Next his lips kissed her ankle and begun the journey towards her thighs, kissing, nibbling, licking every bit of skin as he ascended. Soon he'd joined her on the bed, between her legs and kissing, marking, sucking the inside of her thighs until he was near her cunt, her body already trembling at his ministrations. He slid his long finger inside, her drenched hole. He withdrew the digit and commanded her again

"Look at me" her eyes locking with his again as he slowly licked her arousal off it. Making a sound of delight as if he's just tasted a fine wine

"Ma chérie, how lovely you taste. So sweet and delicious, you coat my finger so well I can only imagine how fine you'll be on my tongue" he smirked as he bought his lips to her pussy. He kissed up and down, then took to licking every inch of it, tasting every part of her intimate flesh. She moaned as he worked, not even sinking into the best part yet. He spread her open, enjoying every detail of her pretty cunt and sunk his tongue into her quivering little hole. This earned him her voice wrapping around his name and the feeling of her fingers in his hair, pulling, scratching and driving him further in. The enthusiasm making him chuckle into her. He slipped in two fingers, curling them deep into her to stimulate her g spot, sucking on her clit hard to make her come on his face as soon as possible. He wanted to feel her pouring all over his lips. It didn't take long for his wish to come true as she ground against him and shamelessly chased her orgasm.

Persephone throat already felt dry from yelling Comte's name over as he ate her, but now the real show began. He stood up, wiping the liquid from his face, licking it from his fingers. It only made her wetter.

"On all fours" came another of his commands, making her stomach flip. As she settled on all fours, she made a show of gently wiggling her bottom to him, looking over her shoulder with a pretty look of mischief. He gripped her hip, then bought his hand down in a light smack

"What was that for?!" she asked in faux indignation

"Because I can" he said, his smirk widening to revealing his fangs. The sight made her giggle, enjoying seeing the usually so put together man so very feral.

His grip on her hips tightened as he bought his cock to her entrance, rubbing the tip to lubricate it, then he lined up and sunk in with a strong movement, nearly knocking her forward. She let her arms down a bit only to spanked again letting her know she was to stay on her hands. He started pounding her, thrusting in while using his grip on her hips to to slide her up and down his cock as he thrusted in, the sensations making both of them curse. Persephone gripped the furs as he mounted her like she was a bitch in heat. It felt good to be his, to be claimed like this and she called his name each time he sank in. Overwhelmed sometimes by how deep he got.

Just as another climax was building, he pulled out and rolled her over onto her back. He lifted one leg to his shoulder, pressed the other one wide and sunk into her again, enjoying the view of her reaching into the furs, her fingers gripping them tight, her hair spread everywhere and her body gleaming in the dim light pulled tight and arching like a bow. He pressed their bodies close, enjoying the sensual possibilities of her flexibility that he would explore for the rest of the night. The position was closer, more intimate, when his hips came flush with hers they reached new depths making her scream into him. The sensation made Comte growl, a string of curses falling from him in an array of languages. Seeing the vampire fall apart for her, it was dizzyingly good. He moved smoothly, rolling his hips with each thrust, pressing along every part of her silken walls. He kissed her again, capturing her lips and taking the breath from her, kissing down her neck and chest landing at her nipples. Taking one in his mouth, he sucked as he fucked deep into her, the sensations making her come on his cock. The tightness and fluttering sent him into oblivion too, his hips stopping and pressing deep as he filled her with him. Their bodies stay connected while they both rode out their highs. He slowly raised himself and pulled out of her, savouring the sight of his seed mixed with her. Partly tempted to lick it up, he held off to enjoy her relaxed form recovering from his embrace. The delight of finally having her made the coil of frustration that had been building for days finally faded and he couldn't keep the satisfied smile off his face. He rolled one the bed, pulling her close and running kisses down her neck.

"So chérie, how does it feel to tame a beast with your body" he whispered into her ear, the room quiet save for the crackle of burning wood. She squirmed in his arms. The feeling of her pulling away from him caused a slight concern of pushing her too far to bubble up. However, before it could take hold though, she climbed atop him brushing her cunt on his half hard cock. The feeling made him swell again instantly, the feeling of her suddenly sinking down on him making his hips buck and his voice howl. She let out a breathy chuckle, looking down at him

"I don't know Comte, you'll have to tell me when you've managed to tame this beast" she said as she caressed her own body then bringing her hands to his chest. Her tone was affectionate, leaning down to kiss the tip of his nose before she began riding him with fevour.

The howls from the hunting cabin continuing long past the break of dawn.

[writing-intheundercroft]

Masterlist

Finally put together a masterlist of everything I've written! Take note, most works (okay all of them) are NSFW, MDNI!

All works can also be found on my AO3, wordswe_neversaid

Series:

When We're Older (Sebastian Sallow x F!Slytherin OC) Rating: E Chapters: 22/30 AO3 Link Summary: Forever indebted to his two best friends, Theodora Caulfield and Ominis Gaunt, Sebastian Sallow swears that he’ll be a better man. He’ll balance his classes, new job, good grades, future career prospects, and his social life, all while promising to never delve into dark magic again. He promises to figure out a way to make it up to Anne, win Ominis’s trust back, and help Theo hone in on her ancient magical abilities. When Sebastian Sallow sets his mind to something, he rarely gives up (clearly to his own detriment). Promises are easy to make at sixteen, and even easier to break as one gets older.

Your Ivy Grows (Ominis Gaunt x F!Reader/OC) Rating: E Chapters: 11/?? AO3 Link Summary: Ominis Gaunt cannot see, but he can feel. He can feel the tall thickets of grass outside of his Aunt Noctua's house, now his for the summer. He can feel the sand down by the beach, the water of the tide pools, the overgrown ivy in Noctua's beloved garden. Most importantly, he can feel the gentle brush of his house guest's hand against his as they take their daily walk. He fears that he may feel much, much more for his new house guest.

This Little Life (Auror!Sebastian x F!Reader) Rating: E AO3 Link Summary: Scenes from a life with the auror, Sebastian Sallow. The Night Shift ~ Only You ~ At Home ~ Wreck My Plans ~ Bite The Hand

One Shots:

Tis the Damn Season (Garreth Weasley x F!Reader) Rating: E AO3 Link Summary: You're back from five years of traveling the world and living in America, and Garreth Weasley invites you on a foraging trip down to his family cottage in Cornwall. You accept, having regretted not sharing your feelings when you last said goodbye. Or, the origin story of the Weasley knitted sweaters.

The Perfect Gift (Ominis Gaunt x F!Reader) Rating: T AO3 Link: Coming Soon Summary: Ominis overhears the girls talking about some singer, and decides to write MC a song for Christmas. Sebastian can't help but be his wingman.

in a world of boys, he's a gentleman (Leander Prewett x F!Reader) Rating: E AO3 Link Summary: You never think much about your friends' roommate, Leander. Until you start crashing in his room.

Tried and True (Ominis Gaunt x M!Reader) Rating: T AO3 Link: Coming Soon Summary: Days after the events in the Scriptorium, Ominis can tell something is up with the new fifth year.

You're Gonna Go Far (Ominis Gaunt x F!Reader) Rating: E AO3 Link Summary: It's the night before graduation, and Ominis Gaunt is moving to New York City next week. There isn't much time left to say all the things that have gone unsaid over the past seven years.

[abgemeldet]

I'm a little late…(but as the saying goes: better late than never.) but happy 10th anniversary Atel and Adrian 😭❤

Since I realized that these two existed over 10 years now, it was a really good reason to finally draw them again 😭🥹 Adrian and Atel (plus her companion the souleater creature Motsch) are my absolute favorite OC's I have ever created and i still love them so much…

(with @doodlesdreaming 's OC Theo as a special guest ❤ I wanted to draw him before and now I took the chance to put him together with Atel and Motsch 🥰 ) Now down below comes some emotional shit, because it's 10th anniversary, so if you're not interested just ignore it 🤡👋 --

In September 2014 I had a dream and from this dream so many characters and a long story and adventure emerged, including Atel and Adrian. (Although Adrian didn't have a name at the time and Atel always just called him 'Monkey'…it's...a .. long story…she still call him that...) and my goal up until now has been…to one day make a game out of it all…not a manga or a book but a game, which will probably never happen, but still that is my goal one day. The two of them have accompanied me on many emotional paths over the years, and I even developed the same obsession with them as I now have with Demibino. It annoys me so much that I forgot about 10th anniversary of them that i even cried. (even now I cry about it..)

I drew them both for myself from time to time but never uploaded it…and now I have redraws of the first picture I drew of them and holy cheesus…THE DIFFERENCE!!!! (WHATS A NOSE 2014ME!?!)

of all my OC's I will love these two forever…and you can see how much I love them because I have fucking pictures of them hanging on my wall, from people who drew them for me (one of them are a Commission but everything else was completly random bc the poeple liked them(and i still remember they got a ship Name…Adriel 😂))

...every time I look at it, it makes me happy...so if you want to make me happy…I WILL HANG IT ON MY WALL!! 😂😂🙏❤ (One picture is missing…and I can no longer access to it because the phone where is it on is broken….it was a birthday present...) And now to go one step further to show my love…I even cosplayed Atel (the old version of her).

My sister make the Cosplay for me AND I WILL COSPLAY HER AGAIN SOMEDAY!!! <3

I could write so much more…but I keep starting to cry (also because I am very emotional at the moment), so I'll end it here. Thank you if you have read / seen it this far ♥

[multistandomwrites]

A Younger Temptation

Hello everyone, this is the sixth chapter of the series I’m doing of Ikémen Vampire x teen reader which I hope you’ll all like and support. I will try to update as much as possible. I can’t promise it’ll be everyday, but I’ll try to whenever I have time. This fic also may not fully follow everything that happens in the game, though I’ve tried to include some parts from the game, but they might also happen at different points. Enjoy.

I don’t own Ikémen Vampire, only my own oc’s. All rights reserved for Cybird.

Themes: platonic, fluff, exploring

Chapter Six - One Week Later

After a short while of more silence, Arthur spoke again. “So, how old are you, love?” Startled, I looked over at him. “16,” I replied evenly as I witnessed a slightly shocked expression cross his face before being replaced with a grin.

“A child. Comte, I don’t think your mansion will be quiet for much longer,” he joked as Comte smiled wistfully. “Right, because it’s always quiet with you around,” he replied as I stifled a giggle. If anything, he knew how to give a good roast.

“So Le Comte, are you going to te-“ “Theo, don’t be such a fun killer. You’ll scare the poor girl,” Arthur interrupted as I noticed an indiscernible look being passed between them. I felt the slight tension in the air as they each spoke, but it was soon dispelled by Leonardo. Leonardo da Vinci.

“‘Comte,’ why don't you show our guest to her room?” He suggested to which Comte nodded and stood, gesturing for me to do the same. “Yes. Y/N, I have a room you can use.”

I followed him out of the dining room, up the velvet staircase and into a medium sized room with a double bed, wooden wardrobe and bedside tables and a scarlet rug in the centre. “It’s nice. Thanks,” I near whispered as Comte gave a warm smile and nodded, looking pleased with himself. “My rooms on the left and Leonardos is on the right, so if you need anything, feel free to knock,” he told me. I nodded and bowed my head slightly to show my appreciation.

“Merci.” He smiled. “Not bad.”

Over the next few days, I had bonded with and gotten close to Comte, Sed, Leo, Vince and Arthur who I often accompanied to stalls and talked to regularly while I adjusted to this new time period and setting. I had also learnt more about their personal lives, now and historically, and we had an easy, regular routine which we followed everyday.

The only ones who, at the time, I was unable to get through to were Mozart and Jean. Whenever they saw me or were left alone with me in a room, they would leave quickly and find some excuse not to be around me.

But, whenever I brought it up to Sebastian, he assured me it wasn’t personal and that they were both incredibly introverted and socially awkward, choosing to distance themselves from people they weren’t familiar with. I mean, I couldn’t blame them, but still.

I wanted to earn their trust and let them know they could be open around me, but I decided to wait and see what happened instead of forcing a friendship.

I also helped Seb with his chores around the mansion daily as often as I could, usually waking Napoleon up who refused to kiss me and taking wine to the residents at certain times, but Theo also dragged me out to join him at art exhibitions which I appreciated as it gave me new, exciting ideas for my own drawings and music.

There was only one thing nagging at my mind still: how are these people, who should be long dead, still alive here? I tried to brainstorm ideas and theories to come up with logical solutions (again), but to no avail. It wasn’t until a week after my arrival that things began to get interesting - according to Arthur and Dazai, anyway.

I had woken up bright and early on the morning of my 8th day with high spirits which was unusual to say the least. Mostly, it was Sebastian or one of the others who had to wake me up and drag me downstairs, but that day felt different.

I jogged down the velvet staircase and made my way into the kitchen where Seb, Napo, Comte and Vince were sat at the smaller table.

“Hey, Sunshine,” the blonde greeted me cheerfully with a warm smile which I tiredly mirrored. “Y/N, what are you doing up so early?” Napo asked, eyebrows raised. I shrugged. “I’m thinking about heading into town today. See more than just Theo’s dealings,” I told him, putting my shoes on.

I had chosen to keep my modern clothes and Leo had bought me some trousers which he had worked on to make them into more comfortable leggings.

“How long are you going out for?” Comte began his torrent of motherly questions. “Not too late. Yes, I’ll be careful. And no, I don’t need someone to come with me,” I finished with a small smile as the man chuckled. “Okay, ma chérie.”

I said goodbye to the men in the kitchen before leaving, not really knowing where I was going. I took in the beautiful sights of the French city, viewing freshly trimmed lawns, hedges in different forms, flowers decorating the fields and young children running around, laughing.

I followed a large crowd walking down the cobbled streets, gazing at the different shops and stalls we passed, mesmerised by how similar the market was to the ones we had back in the 21st century. Perhaps not everything was different in this strange, very unfamiliar time period of the 19th century. It was at that moment I felt a short body collide with mine unexpectedly. Feeling guilty for not noticing someone running so close to me, I turned.

Preface

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Masterlist

[esta-elavaris]

Part Nineteen [2,416 words] ~ James Norrington/OC

An AU of my completed, 400k+ word fanfic Catch the Wind [AO3], in which Elizabeth, not James, is the one to discover Theodora Byrne after she crash-lands into the world of Pirates of the Caribbean.

Page breaks by cafekitsune.

Also now on AO3 and FF.net.

Masterlist of all chapters.

Tag list [let me know if you want to be added!]: @teawithshakespeare @missfronkensteen @dancerinthestorm

A/N: I did not intend to take such a long break from this – but I’m so grateful for how patient you all were!

When Theo received her own personal invite to Amelia Simmonds’ garden party a week after the incident, she had no idea if it was because of the incident and the boundless gossip opportunities it presented, or because Port Royal couldn’t keep a secret for shit and it was now common knowledge that she was being courted by Captain Norrington.

Back home, a garden party would be a boombox in the garden with a cooler full of beers, and a few different choices of Dorito flavours artfully bowled across a white plastic table. It was a bit of a different affair here. The patio doors were flung open and a string quartet was on standby to greet the guests as they filtered out into the hot Caribbean sun under blindingly bright dresses with matching parasols, where canapes and fine crystal glasses of indistinguishable beverages awaited them.

It wasn’t surprising to Theo – and it was probably less surprising to everybody else – that she had no idea how to act. Oh, in settings such as these she had long since learned to follow Elizabeth’s lead, but there was no lead to follow when it came to her new status as far as Port Royal’s most beloved captain was concerned. And not knowing how to act while also being under such heavy scrutiny? That was yet another source of pressure.

Yes, she could follow James’ lead, as well as guessing based on how they’d conducted their visits – for he had visited at least once every day while she ‘recovered’, even if his schedule meant that visit was a mere ten minutes between other things. And she’d found she’d begun to actively look forward to those visits, and was disappointed when they were over.

Oh, she was completely doomed.

Still, that doom came to her dressed dashingly as usual in his full formal get-up the moment she was alone, wielding a glass with some indiscernible liquid in each hand.

“For you,” he handed her one of the tiny glasses.

Theo peered at the glass, barely bigger than her thumb, her brow furrowed.

“It’s Bénédictine,” he said.

“Oh, I know, I just…I don’t know if I can manage all of this,” she said.

James sighed his impatience – fondly, at that – and she continued.

“I mean, look at that. You could drown in there. No, it’s just far too much. I get bored of all drinks after the first mouthful, and this? This has two. Maybe even three. I’ll never manage it.”

“I see you’re feeling better,” he said, a note of humour breaking up his rueful tone. “You must be, if you’re back to teasing me.”

She did feel better. Whatever she’d been plied with for the sake of her ‘nerves’ had, at the time, left her feeling a little foggy, and with a sense of contentment too blankets like and hazy to be real...and once it’d worn off, she’d paid the price for that. Something to do with burning through too much dopamine in too short a time, she suspected, leaving her to do without after the fact. That had been rough. But it hadn’t lasted long, no more than a day, considering she hadn’t been on the stuff long enough to warrant proper withdrawals. Mostly she’d been tired.

...And a little scared. All right, more than a ‘little’ scared. Of what was yet to come. Of the mess she’d gotten herself into. Of the choices she was still making, to be ‘courted’ by a man from the eighteenth century, who should not exist, who was doomed to die, who would hate her if he knew all she kept from him...and who she couldn’t possibly actually have any future with, even if she did manage to circumvent his fate. Right? Staying with him would mean...staying altogether.

And worse still, she wasn’t standing here wishing that she’d done anything differently. Was it any wonder she hadn’t had the heart to needle him?

“Did you miss it?” she asked. “The teasing?”

“More than I should admit.”

All those in attendance at the garden party – all of the eyes who sought to discern just how Port Royal’s newest courting couple would behave around one another – would have no difficulty seeing how she blushed then.

Clearing her throat, she did her best to ignore that blush and spoke. “No regrets on not choosing team shark, then?”

“None thus far. Ask me again in a week or two,” he said drily, a small smile playing on his lips.

“A week?” she gasped. “You think it’ll take that long? You absolute saint, you.”

That earned her a full-blown smile. At least until he made the mistake of casting a glance about those gathered – all of the eyes flickering to them from beneath parasols, over fans, and across drinks. It was enough to dampen his joy, a little, for he straightened, but the smile didn’t fully disappear. Discomfort, it seemed, more than embarrassment. That was a relief. An Irish castaway with no social standing, save for Governor Swann’s daughter having taken a fondness for her, was an unconventional choice, and James Norrington was nothing if not conventional. Or, well, that was how it was supposed to be for now.

“I do hope I’m the only one between us who has the feeling of being an exhibit at a zoo,” he remarked.

“You get used to it,” she offered quietly.

“I...yes. I suppose it’s been that way for you here since the beginning. And my saintly behaviour did not help.”

“Eh, it was a welcome distraction. Passed the time.”

“You’re too generous.”

Feeling bold, she disguised her next words behind a sip of the drink he’d brought her. “You’re too handsome.”

A shocked laugh sprang forth from him, followed by a good deal of spluttering before he finally cleared his throat and shook his head, pretending to find the nearest patch of grass incredibly fascinating. Her smugness lasted about as long as it took her to actually taste the contents of her glass, though, after which her nose wrinkled and she went back to nursing the glass, wondering how exactly she could get rid of it without looking like even more of a wildly uncultured swine.

“There was a matter I wanted to raise with you, while you’re here. I didn’t want to trouble you with it before, nor ruin our visits together...but...well...”

Now she was standing in the garden of the House of Simmonds, there wasn’t much to ruin. She didn’t voice that fact, but the knowing look she cast about the setting seemed to show him that she understood well enough.

“Your father,” he said finally.

“My father?” she echoed weakly.

“I know there are things you have yet to share with me,” a note of sourness threatened to seep into his voice, but he fought it valiantly. “And I shall not rush you. But...you were trying to reach him, yes? And he is...he is a military man? Those are parts of your tale that I never doubted.”

“Yeah- yes. Yes.”

“Would you allow me to begin the process of attempting to find him?”

Theodora stared. And he apparently took that as an answer, continuing quickly but firmly.

“I will not rush you, I spoke truthfully when I said that, I swear it. Not in this, nor in...nor in this,” he motioned, barely, in a way that indicated between the two of them. “But I am keenly aware, as I’m sure you are, that this is a process that may take some time. A long, long time. By the time letters fall into the wrong hands, then reach the right ones, and then receive responses. Is it not better to begin it now? And then the rest of the timing will be at our leisure. At your leisure.”

Pragmatic to a fault. And still too, too fucking good. Whatever he saw in her face, he apparently disliked, for he adjusted where he stood so that his back would block her face from the view of all others in attendance.

“The last thing I wish to do is make you uncomfortable. I’ve done enough of that. And I do not ask this for my own sake, so that we might- I wish to reunite you. Only that. And what else it may or may not bring can be discussed at a later date.”

“Can I think on it?” she asked quietly, finding herself completely unable to look at him.

The correct thing to do, from a standpoint of cold hard logic, would be to agree. To let this already impossibly busy and dutiful man take on extra work, chasing down someone who had not yet been born, for a woman he likely would no longer regard with any affection once he knew the truth. Because what reason could she have to disagree? His patience, on this matter, was a finite thing, and sooner or later he would need an explanation. Telling him no would shorten that span of time, but telling him yes would only have her deserving his hatred twofold, should the truth come out and he realises it was a pointless venture from the very beginning.

“Of course you can.”

Sighing, she almost brought the glass to her lips for another sip, just for something to do with her hands, before she remembered how foul it tasted and dropped it again. “He’d really like you, you know.”

“Only if you mask some of the finer details of these last few months,” he mused, though his eyes remained trained on her features, seeking out any hint of what she really wanted to say.

“I may be open to bribes.”

“I will keep that in mind.”

A few beats of silence passed, and then Theo straightened, hesitated, and sighed.

“James...”

“Hello, you two!” Elizabeth was on them then, lowering her voice after her initial sunny greeting. “I am here in a glowing display of proof that I am neither spurned nor offended. How am I faring?”

James coughed, his current resolution towards candour challenged by Elizabeth’s bluntness, but when his eyes found Theo’s face again, she met his gaze and found he was doing his utmost to show through eye contact alone that he was not angry with her. Frustrated, perhaps, but not angry. 

“Valiantly. You haven’t slapped me or anything,” she answered Elizabeth, spirits bolstered enough by that reassurance to joke a little.

“Miss Swann must be too frightened to do so, after your victory against your last foe.”

“The shark? That was your victory,” Theo pointed out.

“I shan’t claim it. Consider that my first of many bribes,” he replied drily. “And this the second.”

As he spoke, he plucked the glass from her hand and, after making sure the view of the others was fully shielded, emptied its contents into the grass. It was criminal for a grown man to be that adorable. Especially when his face softened at how his actions had her fighting back a smile.

“I’ll leave you two in peace. Miss Swann. Th- Miss Byrne.”

“You know, I never thought I’d see the day when anybody could make him forget formalities so easily. Perhaps you really are a witch,” Elizabeth murmured conspiratorially – mercifully, once he was out of earshot.

Theo didn’t respond.

“The two of you really are so precious, you know,” she prodded again.

“He wants to track down my dad.”

“What?”

“My father. He was asking permission to get the ball rolling to track him down, and reunite us.”

“Oh that’s so romantic!”

“Elizabeth.”

Never before had she felt such a keen need to monitor herself so closely – her tone, her expressions, her body language. For not only were all gathered here watching, but she knew James would be too, trying to get a sense of her reaction when she mightn’t feel the need to filter it for his sake. For he knew that Elizabeth knew everything. And she could therefore be more forthcoming with her. If she freaked out now, if she spoke in anything other than a casual tone, with anything but a smile on her face, he’d grow more suspicious. He’d demand answers sooner.

And if he did that? She’d have a mind to just tell him the bloody truth and be done with it. But that wasn’t possible. Was it?

“What? It is! I’d never say it in front of him, I know how easily he embarrasses, but even you can’t deny it’s terribly sweet-”

“Elizabeth.”

“What, Theo?” Elizabeth laughed impatiently, evidently frustrated that she was equally thrilled alongside her.

“What am I supposed to say?” she said through a smile that was more just like gritted teeth. “What am I supposed to tell him?!”

“The only thing you can tell him. Yes. It’ll be a grave insult otherwise,” Elizabeth replied as though it were obvious. 

“So I’m supposed to just let him chase after someone who doesn’t exist?”

“It’ll make him happy!”

“And then when he finds out the truth?”

“...If he finds out the truth, you can handle it when it comes.”

There were times, when she spent time with Elizabeth, where she marvelled at how all of the divides between them made little difference. Those of the times, lifestyles, wealth, and even age. This was not one of those times.

“It’s not that simple.”

“Of course it is!” Elizabeth insisted, appearing irked at her now. “Enough of this, for now. We can’t be seen to be bickering now, they’ll assume the worst. We can discuss this later, Theo, but really you do have to tell him yes. He’ll think you’re not serious about him, otherwise! And then all of this heartache will have been for nothing! When you’re both so happy!”

We can discuss this later sounded a whole lot like I can explain why I’m right later, but Theo shoved down her annoyance, and her panic, and mostly just wished she’d suffered the damn Bénédictine after all. Maybe it would’ve been strong enough to chill her out.

That wish doubled in on itself when she noticed Groves weaving his way through the crowd, and Elizabeth murmured.

“I suppose I’m not the only one who needs to put on a show of not feeling spurned. Although mine may have been rather more truthful.”

Theo said nothing. At this rate, she’d be checking to see if Amelia was stocking vodka.

[skekdris]

Sketch of my OC/Species graciously brought to life by @aryeonos , The Arhulian. Needless to say, a huge, six-eyed, badger-centipede is both intimidating and hard to depict visually. Thanks to Ary again for assisting me with editing and proof reading. I don't think my story could have reached this level of polish if I did not have my love to bounce it off of. <3 Down below is a short story of them meeting the Amaranthine characters by @kwillow and @chocodile . They are in for a surprising house guest, that's for sure! Seems like a good way to get a feel for a character is to put them up against some "knowns" to see how the character would react in those circumstances. Acts as a good backdrop to flesh them out from there. As for right now, I'm still 'sculpting' out a lot of the Arhulian lore and worldbuilding. Initially the story was supposed to be with Hyden, Alex, and Theo, interacting with my Arhulian character 'Niadris' - but the way things were written out and flowed - it turned out to be Alex, Theo, and Ridge instead. I really wanted Hyden to meet them in this story, but then again, Hyden being deadass asleep while all the interesting stuff happens sounds like a pretty Hyden-y thing to do. Anyways, onto the story. It's somewhat of a long read, at ~7k Words. There's a lot of character interaction, so I hope stayed close to how the three would react in such a situation!

The Visitor

It was an afternoon in middle spring - which for this area of the continent meant that if the weather was good, temperatures would rise above freezing. The cool air with the humidity of melting snow seemed pleasantly mild compared to the long, bitter winters. In the study of a large manor on the outskirts of a town called Northcrest; an older, corpulent, Rabbit with a cracked gem embedded in his forehead was gripping the sides of his hair in frustration. "A person of my mind, MY intellect should have solved this weeks - no - months ago!" Hyden snarled to himself. 

"You sure you aren't just stalling for time to enjoy your little 'vacation' here?" A Bat leaning in the doorway chided. 

Hyden put on a despondent look. "I am trying, Ms. Solokov. Really, in earnest. The faster I can put an end to this disaster, the faster I can rebuild my oh-so woefully maligned reputation!" He said, crumpling up another paper of scribbled equations of arcane theory, tossing it into a waste basket. 

Alex wanted to retort, but it would just be another fight, another exchange of barbs like all the other times before. She rolled her eyes, then stood up to wander out of the office. "Hopefully Ridge gets back soon. I want someone I can actually talk to." She thought, returning to her room to take stock of her things.

Hours later, as the sun was setting - casting the hillsides in an amber glow, a brawny teal Shark bundled in a heavy coat returned. In both of his arms were large crates, as well as canvas bags hooked around his arms. The door was opened by a short, roundish fancy Rat. "Oh, do make sure you remove your filthy boots at the entryway, I don't want any melting slush being tracked all over my estate." They sneered in their shrill voice. 

"Yes, of course Theo. I wouldn't want to sully your pristine hardwood floors." Ridge responded dryly. Before the Rat could retort, the large Shark added. "Anyways, here's everything you had on your shopping list, these supplies should keep us stocked for a few weeks before another trip." Preemptively cutting off Theo again, Ridge blurted out: "Oh, and I trust 'ya have the perfect spot to put everything. I wouldn't want to scramble 'yer pantry, after all." 

Theo scowled at the bulky outsider, their constant pokes and attempts at wit got under his skin. He knows Ridge was trying to get out of putting away the groceries after a long walk - but he was also right. "Yes, of course. As the sole keeper of this venerable estate, it is my duty to tend to all it's functions, right down to it's inventory." Theo stated. There would have been more words to shoot back, but Theo's duty as a host kept him from slipping any further into banter with his guest.

After dropping off the groceries for Theo to tend to, Ridge went off to search for alex. The manor contained more rooms and floors than any “house” he had ever set foot in. It irritated Ridge to no end that the little rich Rat insisted that the doors remain closed at all times, so he had to peek into half a dozen rooms and three closets before finding the reading room his friend was residing in. The weary Shark entered, flopping down on a chair; glad to be able to finally sit down on something soft and cushy after his trek. Alex smiled, welcoming him. "Your shopping trip took a long time Ridge, I know he asked you to grab a lot. Is everything alright?" The Bat queried.

Ridge sighed. "Yea... well maybe. Just some things 'goin on." He added before continuing. "I know you don't get out much since you 'gotta keep an eye on them two, so I figured I'd go around town and pick up a little news for ya. See what's happening. There's been talk of some strange things going on. Livestock vanishing, hunting season has been looking a little sparse, and strange tracks out in the snow. People said they look like ski pole marks, I dunno what to make of it, I figured you uh - you have gotten out more than I have, so you'd have an idea."

Alex frowned. "Well, unless we are dealing with a roaming pack of wolves with skis, it's probably another one of those magic, twisted monsters that appeared ever since this whole catastrophe began." Alex sighed, rolling her eyes. "Yet another thing I ought to give that fat Rabbit a piece of my mind about." She said, her voice lowering, oozing with contempt. 

Ridge gave Alex a concerned look. "Yeah, well, if it was just that, that wouda have been one thing. But I saw those funny tracks near the path to the mansion... I don't have a good feeling about this."

Alex nodded. "I see. As much as I want to see that guiltless loaf ripped apart and eaten like cheap, stale bread by the very monsters he's created; we need him. I'll keep my eyes and ears out for anything strange." The following nights were uneasy for Alex. Each night, she'd take station and perch herself on one of the roofs accessible via a second story window, scanning the horizon for activity. Her large ears would catch whispers of something roaming in the distance, but she never could locate the source of the sound or what direction it was coming from. It always vanished just as she felt like she was homing in on her target.

She felt an uneasy tingle in her veins as her frustration mounted. If it was just wildlife, or even a monster, she surely should have spotted something by now. "Is anything really out there?" She thought to herself. After another uneventful evening watch, Alex swallowed her worries long enough to get some rest. She already has Hyden to keep watch over, she doesn't need whatever this is stealing her attention.

During the late evening; an hour past midnight, the manor was quiet, save for the crackle of the evening fireplace, as well as the stirring of but a single person; Theo. Between his duties as host, the sole caretaker for an entire servant-less manor, as well as his intense suspicion of everybody - save for his living historical idol Hyden - Theo was often the last person to go to bed, and the first to rise. This truncated sleep schedule, the bags under his eyes; they were merely the cost of business to keep everything in order. During the final rounds of his estate, a knock came from the door just as theo entered the foyer. The ears of the diminutive Rat twitched, his shoulders jerking at the sound of the knocking, which in the dead of night was as clear as his crystal wine glasses.

Tap tap tap. Another knock came. Theos' ears were not deceiving him. "Who in their right mind would visit at this godsforsaken hour?" Theo thought to themselves. This was abnormal. Tap tap tap. He rarely had visitors, ever. Let alone at a time like this. As he neared the door, he hesitated. The magical crystal embedded in his left hand felt strangely warm, and his hand was flush with blood flow. This was never a sensation he had experienced before - something was off. Tap tap tap. Before Theo could ponder any further, the fancy Rat scrunched his nose and bared a snarl as they heard more knocking pickaxing through his inner monologue. Whatever was going on, it was a terribly rude hour to be disturbing anybody, let alone him. Arming himself with some choice verbal barbs for his unwanted visitor, Theo opened the door.

As the door swung open, he was greeted by a silhouette of something massive - even taller than Hyden - though much of it's form was obscured by the evening darkness and their ebony fur, but what could be seen was not the body of a person. It was of some kind of beast. The fuzzy forelimbs of this creature ended in large, gently curved, off-white spikes, similar to that of a praying insect that Theo had only seen depicted in a historical encyclopedia. He looked up; his eyes met with the pairs it had on their badger-like head. The creature's triangular ears flicked, then it looked down at the Rat; the creature's three pairs of eyes were arranged above one right after the other - like the pips of the six side of a die. The eyes were pure black, save for the iris that shone like a purple ring in the light of the lantern. The words Theo had prepared found themselves lodged in his throat.

Aghast, the fancy Rat stumbled backwards, but his heel snagged on the edge of a floor rug, causing the Rat to land on his posterior, painfully pinching his tail. "Eek! M-monster... Gnnnk! Demon! Hng Aberration!" Theo exclaimed in a shrill voice as his rapid breathing caused him to fumble over his own words. He wanted to call out for help, to Hyden; even to the outsider, Alex. But he could not utter anything beyond sharp gasps as his breathing went to disarray.

The imposing creature looked at the panicked Rat and spoke to them. "Oh? Is that so? Would a monster choose knocking over divorcing your door from its frame?" The creature's voice was deep, coarse, and multitudinous as if three separate beings were speaking in unison. The creature remained in the doorway, peering at the quaking Rat, examining them and their actions closely. All six eyes were locked onto Theo, and the gaze made his fur stand on end. Theo already hated being stared at by just one pair of eyes. 

Theo sat on the floor, his whole body feeling flushed and trembling from his pounding heart. That thing had just spoken to him. In fluent dialect no less! Theo had heard of monsters before, but never an intelligent one - let alone one capable of speech. Something about this creature disturbed him to his core. His mind raced at kilometers a minute trying to process just what he was witnessing.

The creature's lips tensed as if it were about to speak; but then it stopped, before looking to its left. "It seems your sentry has been roused." The creature spoke aloud.

"Ess... Sentry?" Theo questioned. Then it clicked; it was referring to Alex. She always kept watch. How did they know about her? "Was this thing spying on us?" Theo exclaimed in his mind. The Rat felt dread bubbling up within him.

In one of the manor's guest rooms, Alex was sleeping. The tension of the last few nights had made deep sleep an impossibility. Thus, when the sound of Theo's raised voice came from downstairs, it was enough to wake her. She rubbed her eyes as she rose from the bed. "Was that Theo shout-" Her large ears flicked as they heard the sound of something unearthly and her fur stood on end. Without any further thought, her body reacted and she grabbed her hunting rifle, sprinting to the location of the sound. Fortunately, her eyes were fully adjusted for the night, and she made it to the foyer without a stumble despite her scramble. 

She sprang into the foyer, stopping herself with the guard rail of the grand staircase. Alex laid eyes on the huge beast in the doorway, it's six met with hers. Alex was prepared to shoot, but the violet irises of the beast were staring right at her the instant she rounded the corner into the foyer; as if it already knew she was going to be there. The sight made her freeze. "Theo! What in the hells is that!?" Alex exclaimed.

"A monster!" Theo shouted.

"A visitor." The creature stated, it's baritone, stentorian voice matching Theos' shouting in volume.

No longer half asleep with no obstructing walls to deaden the sound, Alex heard the creature's course, multitoned voice clearly. "Did that thing... just speak?" She said aloud.

Before either Theo or Alex could interject, the creature filling the doorway spoke to the two startled people in the foyer of the manor. "Yes. I did. Your language is relatively simple compared to my native tongue." The beast stated flatly. 

"Meh Ms. Solokov! It's egk dangerous! It's bee been spying on us!" Theo said, his chest still struggling to steady itself. 

Alex kept her rifle leveled at the beast in the doorway. She wasn't sure if Theo was speaking the truth, or was just in shock. "Okay, who and what the hell are you?" The Bat said, keeping her focus on the creature.

They replied. "I am Niadris. I am what your tongue would call... an Arhulian." 

Alex looked at Theo in bewilderment. Theo glanced back at the Bat. "Are-rule-lee-an?" Theo said aloud, sounding out the word by each syllable. "In all my eghk studies. I've never heard of such a species!" Theo said. The Rat's eyes glanced back to the creature in the door with fear and revulsion. "More like 'arhulian'." Theo muttered under his breath. One of the Arhulian's pairs of eyes shifted it's gaze back to the Rat.

"After knocking on your door and introducing myself, you suggest that I am a feral beast?" Niadris queried, in their deep, hellish voice causing the Rat's fur to stand on end as they swallowed nervously. The 'Arhulian' did not just speak their language, but had an advanced understanding of their grammatical structure. The implications of this rattled Theo as he shuffled back to get further away from this creature.

Alex took a deep breath as she maintained composure, interjecting before the situation escalated any further. "Alright, 'Niadris', why are you here? Theo said you were spying on us." She questioned, her rifle planted firmly in the direction of the unplanned visitor. The Arhulian was unfettered by her brandishing a gun right at them. Did it really not know what a gun was, or worse - did it not care?

"Spying? Given that your kind have responded to me with either fear or hostility on sight, I must carefully select when I reveal myself and to whom. It is no act of subterfuge. It is a necessity. Even now; you have your armament at-the-ready just from me knocking on your door and speaking to you. I wanted to speak to an individual, then have them inform the rest of my presence. Do you really imagine this going any better if I had been more bold in my approach? Depicting myself as non-threatening would be an order of magnitude harder with gunshot wounds." Niadris snorted, all three pairs flicking their gaze to Alex before one of them returned to Theo. The multiple pairs of eyes looking in different directions at the same time perturbed them both. 

"I eghk do agree that your appearance ehm elicits revuls-" A second pair of eyes locked onto him again. " -ghn a response." Theo said, catching himself. The Arhulian did not speak a word, yet the message was clear; it tore Theo up on the inside to even dare admit, but so far this 'visitor' has shown themselves to be quite capable of not letting verbal barbs go unnoticed.

Alex lowered her rifle, still keeping both hands on it. "I suppose that's... a pretty good point actually." She sighed. "But still, why are you here?"

Niadris spoke calmly. "We share a common enemy. Despite my imposing stature and prowess, physical might is all but meaningless against a foe that subsumes and absorbs all flesh that it touches." Alex's eyes widened as the creature continued explaining. "All my strength and ability are merely tools to avoid becoming a hearty meal in the wake of such a lurid foe." Both Theo and Alex became less defensive as Niadris continued. "...It is a terrible entity that digests without need or moderation. It is a blight upon this world."

Alex and Theo knowingly looked at each other. 

"Yeah. We call it the Shadow." Alex said. Her mind feeling a slight amount of guilt over her hostility, her rifle lowered completely. 

"Hrm Yes. In that regard we do have a commonality..." Theo relented, stopping before adding too much.

The fancy Rat composed himself enough to stand back up, and brush himself off. "So, that brings us to the matter at hand. How did you find out about our mission? I don't think anyone would have snrk told you about Rising Dawn."

The Arhulian stared with no reaction. "Rising Dawn? Is that a title?" They paused before adding: "No, I sensed that this place had an anomalous aura, so I studied you from afar before approaching." 

Theo raised an eyebrow. "What is this urgh 'aura' you speak of? What do you mean by sense?" He asked, his voice dripping in incredulity.

"My kind - Arhulians - have a 7th sense if you will. We can see the 'aura' of living things." Niadris explained. "This place caught my attention because I observed a strange aura much further than I would normally be able to; I was at the crooked sign above the red roofed well when the aura became detectable to me. My normal range is about three-fifths of that."

Theo and Alex raised both their eyebrows. "That's half a kilometer!" They both exclaimed in their minds.

"As I approached and could resolve things in detail, I noticed five distinct auras." Niadris raised their scythe-like forelimb and pointed in various directions. "Two crimson auras; one that luminesces brightly." Niadris pointed to Theo before continuing. "Crimson auras? Is it referring to our catalyst stones?" Theo thought to himself as the creature explained. The Rat was still skeptical, as him being a witch was public knowledge after all. As the Arhulian continued narrating, they mentioned: "The second crimson aura seems faint - as if it were hibernating or asleep." Theo's face twitched in shock as the creature pointed to the direction of the room Hyden was currently residing in - an interior room with no visibility from the outside, nevermind the fact Hyden's presence was supposed to be hidden. Niadris, still speaking: "Then there are two mundane auras - one of them with a notable a tendency to perch from a defensive vantage point." The Arhulian stated, pointing their bone-tipped forelimb to Alex.

"Is that how he snuck past me? He knew I was on watch and avoided me?" Alex pondered. 

"Then lastly, the fifth aura. A writhing, squirming mass of discordant signals, that seethe and roil like water itself harboring anger, yet cannot move freely. As if it were sealed away." Niadris pointed in the direction of where the shadow sample was.

Alex and Theo were at a loss for words. There was no way this thing could have such intricate knowledge of Theo's manor without ever having set "foot" inside. 

Before either could speak up, the Arhulian spoke again. "Another one of your kind has roused. It is the other mundane aura, and a voluminous one at that. They are to the northeast, and heading in this direction. Could you inform them of my presence before another outburst happens?" Niadris asked with a dry tone.

Alex was stunned in disbelief. They must be talking about Ridge!

Theo butted into the conversation: "I'm not sure what kind of feh fool you take me for, but I highly doubt you really have such a fantastical ability. Really, you can 'see' us through solid walls?" Theo's mind was a whirlpool of doubt and skepticism. The creature's claims seemed too extraordinary to be true. Theo was not sure how, but it has to be some sort of ruse! In the depths of the Rat's mind, the idea of this creature being able to observe him constantly, undetected was a soul-chilling prospect that fundamentally violated his privacy. It has to be a ruse.

"Yes." Niadris bluntly responded.

"Hmph Well, it was a cunning deception, but I'll have you know, our guest is residing in the southwest portion of my manor. And even if they were where you claimed to be, you aren't even looking in that direction..." Theo scoffed. As he was monologuing, the Bat's large ears flicked as she picked up the sounds of footsteps... coming from the northeast. 

Niadris did not care to let the Rat finish before speaking, their baritone, multitudinous voice overpowering the Rats' in the conversation. "You have previously admitted to having no information about my species, yet you are presuming knowledge of my capabilities?" 

Theo was incensed at being interrupted. "How dar-"

Ridge entered the foyer, scratching his back with a pillow in the other hand. "Hey, uh, is there a barbershop trio here, who are you talki-" The large Shark froze in place as his eyes met with the strange, badger-like creature filling the doorway. "Ah! uh! What in the goddamn...?!" Ridge dropped his pillow and adopted a boxing pose as best they could as their limbs still felt heavy from their evening nap. The Arhulian's eyes devoted a pair to focus on each individual in the foyer.

"Calm down, Ridge! This thing isn't... being dangerous. It wanted to talk to us." Alex blurted out with as much composure as she could muster. 

Theo's face was flush as he exclaimed. "What are you doing there? Your room is on the other side of the manor!" The Rat's entire body tingled as any shred of doubt he could summon was scalded away by the unfolding situation. 

The muscular teal Shark stammered, as so much was happening all at once for him. "Uh, well, I wandered around and dozed off in one of the book rooms. I got up because it was cold, then I heard this guy... thing?" Ridge said, glancing at Niadris, reluctantly dropping their boxing pose and grabbing their pillow.

"Well, at the very least, Niadris isn't lying to us." Alex said exasperated. Though she too, had her doubts about this 'visitor', she did not appreciate Theo antagonizing them openly. Theo glared at her. So far the Rat has shown hospitality to the outsider, but this jab from her really rubbed him the wrong way. In the uncomfortable silence of the foyer that was now getting cold due to the door still being open, Alex's mind sparked with an idea. "Wait a minute. Your special 'sense' is omnidirectional? And it works through stuff?" The Bat thought aloud, raising her voice as her ideas congealed before her. "You mentioned exactly where our sample of the Shadow was earlier too... Theo! They can detect the Shadow long before any of us can see it coming! Don't you realize how insanely useful that could be?"

The fancy Rat stammered as they choked on the shreds of their ego. "Hhhhnngh I'll... take that into consideration... Eugh if we are going to board this creature. I just hope it's civilized enough to behave as a guest." Theo sneered.

The Arhulian made a grin, showing off their sharp, carnivorous fangs to the Rat, as well as the deep plum hue of their interior flesh. "Considering your kind have reacted negatively to my being - often with violence - my exposure to 'civilization' has been quite limited. If my lack of knowledge bothers you so greatly, perhaps you could take some time to elucidate on the matter of guest-hood~" Niadris smirked. 

"Grrrr... Perhaps I will." Theo scoffed. “But I hope you know, we do not have the culinary erk inventory for something of your dietary needs.” Niadris nodded. “I am more than capable of procuring my own food, so you will not have to worry about my nutrition. In fact, I had eaten a deer a few days prior. I should be satiated for several days at least.” The fancy Rat raised an eyebrow. “You have, egh ‘eaten’ ’a’ deer? I think your grammar is a touch underdeveloped. Don’t you mean you caught a deer? hmph What did you do? Swallow it whole?” Theo sarcastically remarked. “I had to break off those meddlesome antlers, but yes, I devoured it whole.” The Arhulian responded nonchalantly. The foyer was stunned. “A-an entire deer?” Alex said incredulously. Theo’s face contorted with disgust. The thought of a creature this size ingesting prey whole - and possibly alive - summoned dreadful imagery in his mind. “So… that would uh... ‘splain the missing animals without a trace. Heh, we thought that was the Shadow ‘fer a moment there.” Ridge chuckled nervously. Theo did not relish being in the room with this lurid creature any longer than he had to. He turned up his scrunched nose before walking off. He was ready for this evening to end. “As I was stating; ehm your first lesson on etiquette will be on closing the door. You're letting all the warm air escape!" Theo spoke as he slinked to the other room, pulling out a cigarette and a lighter from his suit pocket, needing something to take the edge off. As he puffed on his cigarette, the tingling in his hand faded.

Niadris scuttled forward into the foyer, bowing their head to ensure they cleared the door. As the Arhulian entered, their full figure and size was apparent to Alex, Ridge, and a distant Theo peeking from a doorway. Though superficially resembling a badger from the neck up, from the neck down; the Arhulian had a long, Myriapodic form with six pairs of pointed, centipede-like legs. The limbs started off fleshy, covered in fur, then transitioned to softly curved limb spikes that were off-white in color, like bone or horn after the third joint. The Arhulian's body was long and arranged like that of a large, furry millipede or caterpillar, albeit with no segments. Despite their body arrangement, the Arhulian was mammalian - bone clad in flesh - yet clearly centipede-like in their silhouette and locomotion. Niadris closed the door with a light slap of their long, tapered, heavy tail.

"Holy shit. That's... not somethin' you see everyday." A tired Ridge said, not entirely sure if they were still dreaming or not. 

Alex looked at Niadris and saw that they had the strap of what appeared to be some kind of homemade rucksack across their chest as their only article of clothing. "Yeah, I was about to ask about the lack of clothes... but I guess there's nothing in your size." She remarked lightheartedly, trying to break the tension in the air.

"No. There is not. My metabolism can vary to maintain body heat relative to the environment, so clothes would be unnecessary. In addition, they would both limit my range of movement, and be unlikely to hold up to the kind of abuses my hide experiences." Niadris responded earnestly.

The teal Shark spoke up once there was a gap in the conversation. "So, uh... How do I say this? I don't see nothin' down there, and yet your voice is deeper than an Ironfrost coal mine. What are ya? A guy or girl?" The Shark asked. 

Alex's face went wide with shock before scrunching back down into a glare at the Shark. "Ridge! That's terribly rude to just go and ask someone a thing like that!"

Niadris interjected. "There is no need to chide him. It is a perfectly legitimate question. After all, that den keeper did state there appears to be no documentation whatsoever of my kind in their knowledge base - and given the encounters I have had - neither do the rest of your kind for that matter. To answer the first question, my reproductive organs are housed internally to protect them from the rigors of life. Likewise, the answer to the latter question is that your binary terms are insufficient to describe me. Arhulians possess both the ability to fertilize a mate, and sire children. We are hermaphroditic." Niadris explained. "Your language is... limited in expressing my form, so gender neutral terms will be adequate."

Ridge's face was flush with embarrassment as he realized how personal and blunt his question was. "So yeah, on that... if 'yer talkin' about mates; doesn't that mean there are more of 'you' out there?" The shark said sheepishly, trying to adjust the course of the conversation away from his prying faux pas. He clutched his borrowed pillow tightly. Talking to this thing still seemed like a surreal dream to him.

The Arhulian was silent for several seconds. Up until now, they had been immediate to respond to questions. Alex and Ridge glanced at each other. "My kind are not native to this land. In addition, I have traveled a substantial distance. It is highly unlikely you will encounter another Arhulian." Niadris stated, with a briskness to their voice. 

Alex looked down at Ridge from the second floor and gave Ridge a gesture to "Cut it out." Ridge gave a small nod. Alex sighed. "Well, it's safe to say your arrival has been quite a surprise. I think we all should get some rest and continue your introduction properly tomorrow." The Bat said, waving her arm for Ridge to come over to her.

Ridge added: "Oh, uh, I don't think we have any beds that'd fit you. 'Fer now you'll have to stay in the reading room I was in. Theo's got a big cushy rug in there. The fire is dyin' down, but I'm sure it's better than out there, heh.``

Niadris gave an acknowledging nod while their triangular ears perked up. They then pointed in the direction of the room Ridge came from with their uppermost arms, that had regular - albeit large, clawed - hands instead of a fang-shaped spike like the rest of their limbs. The shark raised an eyebrow. 

"Hey, uh, how do ya know what room I came from?" Ridge asked, confused. 

Alex sighed and rolled her eyes. "Yeah... I'll explain that in a minute, Ridge. I think Niadris here wants some space, they need a moment to relax after the 'welcome' we gave them." She said, physically pushing on the Shark to usher them out of the foyer.

It was true that they wanted to be left alone. Niadris had little experience dealing with people. They felt exhausted having to keep their composure on total lockdown to appear as non-threatening as possible. Niadris was eager to find this "reading room" Ridge had mentioned. Spatially, they knew exactly where it was based on the Shark's location in their mindsphere. On the other hand, their mindsphere did not consider walls, thus the Arhulian had to take a few moments to figure out how to navigate the interior of the manor to the reading room. 

Despite their size and bulk, the sound of the Arhulian's centipede-like legs scuttling across the floor were much quieter than one would anticipate. Niadris made it a point to take light steps, and maneuver on rugs and carpets to minimize sound. Not out of etiquette, but as a means to hone their stealth. Never before Niadris had such an opportunity to interact and maneuver around people in close proximity in a safe environment.

The Arhulian noted a single aura tailing him; it was the bright, crimson one of Theo. Not desiring further drama, Niadris elected to ignore the Rat's presence as they made their way to the "reading room" Ridge had spoken of. The comforts of fire and shelter were secondary to the Arhulian; what had piqued their interest was the very title of the room itself. Alex and Ridge were returning to their rooms, trying to process the evening's events. "They were... quite the visitor." Ridge said, his tone unsure. Alex looked down at the floor as she walked. "Yeah. Something about them makes my fur stand on end. It's like a creeping feeling going up my back." The tall Shark looked down at his troubled friend. "Are... are ya afraid? They give me the creeps somethin' fierce too." The Bat exhaled. " I... I don't know Ridge. I had my gun pointed right at their head, but they were unfazed. Niadris seemed to know what guns are, yet they treated me like an afterthought. They don't seem dumb either; they gave Theo a good run for their money in a debate. So either they got a damn good poker face, or... this 'Arhulian' might be even tougher than it looks." Alex trailed on, the confidence in her voice gone now that she was in private with the one person here she could truly consider her friend. "...I'm a soldier. A hunter. I've had scraps with big game, I've fought people bigger than me. Even gave ol' lard chops a bloody face." Alex said, referencing her brawl with Hyden. "But that creature, it isn't like anything my training could have prepared me for. I don't fancy getting into a fight with them." Ridge scratched his fin. "So, was letting 'em in really a good idea?" "Personally, I think their alibi passed the sniff test. They could have attacked any time and hit us when we couldn't see it coming. If they wanted to make a move, I'm pretty sure they wouldn't be playing mind games like a certain someone I know. We have that going for us at least." Alex paused. "Even so, I feel like they aren't telling us everything." Ridge nodded. As they reached their bedrooms, the two parted ways, then closed the doors to their rooms.

In the other portion of the manor, the Arhulian arrived at the reading room; their three pairs of eyes widened in delight. Wall to wall shelves lined with books! Niadris had very limited experience with books from their fleeting encounters - or spoils - from outsiders. Most of those books contained relatively uninteresting data like logs or journals, or completely fictitious tales. Here however, had an assortment of books on a large variety of subjects and organized quite neatly. The Arhulian removed their handcrafted backpack and pulled something out. It was a thick leather-bound book. It was plainly covered, with the sole word "Dictionary" for the title. 

Niadris' chest seemed to squirm and writhe all on its own, followed by the faintest of popping and cracking of stiff joints. With a sound of flesh being pulled taught, numerous pairs of spindly arms came slinking out from in between the creature's ribs on the sides of their chest! These arms were very thin; near-skeletal in appearance. The hands on them were clawless, and consisted of three vaguely conical digits - two fingers, one thumb. These limbs were much slower and deliberate in their movements, and the leathery skin they had was a very deep plum color, almost black. In their travels, Niadris had quickly learned that the pages of books often were too delicate for their stronger, clawed, "normal" arms.

After tenderly putting away their dictionary, the creature's three pairs of eyes darted all across the room, scanning the spines of each book for topics of interest. The low-light conditions of the dying fire was more than enough for the Arhulian to discern the titles. Then, the Arhulian scuttled across the perimeter of the room, picking out a dozen books before returning to the center of the reading room by the smoldering fireplace. The huge, badger-centipede-like being then rested their long form on the floor, their body and abdomen landing on the carpet with a plompf. Niadris laid out three books with the covers open, while each pair of eyes scanned it's own book.

Theo had been quietly observing the beast from a hidden spot in another room through a peephole; and totally-not-a-hole that he had not gotten around to patching yet. The Rat monitored them carefully, shuddering at the sight of the numerous lanky arms protruding from the Arhulian's chest, and those arms touching his books. Yet, his attention was stolen when he witnessed this creature reading three books at a time! Was this creature really that capable of absorbing knowledge? Then, another thought crept into his mind. "Wait, who taught them to read in the first place?" As his mind contemplated, Theo's eyes widened when the creature looked up, and peered straight at him. Eye to eye contact, as if the wall parting them was not even there. Niadris gestured "come over here" with one of their their large, scythe-like forelimbs that were mounted below their exterior arms. Theo ducked down from the footstool he was standing on - nearly falling off in the process - then he covered his face in embarrassment. It seemed like there really was no hiding from this damned creature.

Letting out a sigh, Theo came to the reading room. The warm tingling sensation in his left hand returned. Was his catalyst stone reacting to this creature? The fancy Rat took slow, cautious steps forward. "It is remarkable. A wealth of knowledge at my fingertips." Niadris spoke aloud. They continued. "For so many years, I had to learn matters in direct fashion. I knew your kind stored information on physical documents, but I never could have imagined this place being lined to the ceiling with this treasure." When Theo was up close to Niadris, and composed enough to listen clearly, the Arhulians stentorian voice seemed to be composed of multiple octaves speaking in perfect unison. The scholarly Rat recalled the Arhulians' comment on their native language... “If the multiple octaves can be modulated separately, the grammar of this species could be phenomenally intricate!” However, Theo had more pressing things on his mind than appealing to his inner linguist, and set aside that tangent in his mind for later. The voice had strong projection, and the beast seemed to be making a concerted effort to whisper - which was speaking volume to Theo’s delicate ears.

Theo initially had some words for the Arhulian prepared, but the "treasure" comment gave him pause. The Rat stood there in silence for several minutes as the Arhulian continued reading what appeared to be volumes from an encyclopedia series, watching their thin ribcage arms turn the pages of each book. The hands were slow, deliberate, and delicate. Near by was a cloth that seemed to have been borrowed to wipe the oils from the creature's hands before interacting with his books. The rat let out a swift, small exhale. This monster treated his things better than some people he's hosted. Theo then spoke up. "At least someone else besides His Grace sees my library for what it is, and not eguh ornamentation. Though, I am surprised you would have any academic interest at all." Theo's words trailed on. Niadris shot a glance at him. "However, I presume it is not a completely irrational observation; a thing like you just can't sceh scuttle into a library. Which begs the question at hand, just who would teach you to read?"

The Arhulian paused, before giving Theo their full attention. "I... am not sure." They responded.

"What." Theo said, the word seemingly having spilled out of his mouth in disbelief. "What do you mean you don't know? How ek! How is that even a facsimile of an answer!? Didn't your moth-er well, parents teach you?" Theo said, his voice raised in frustration.  

Niadris explained. "I do not know how I came to this knowledge. My earliest memories were of me being carried in my brood lord's abdomen. In my cradle of flesh, I would see and hear the world as they would. They would make demonstrations for me to observe as I nursed inside them. Their past memories would come to me in my dreams." As the Arhulian narrated, Theo shuddered at the prospect of being entombed alive and conscious in writhing, moist, undulating flesh from all sides. The fancy Rat took a deep breath and persisted in wading through the graphic descriptions from the beast - he wanted answers for the trouble he had gone through this evening. 

Theo waited for an opening in the creature's explanation to jump in. "Your kind- urk Arhulians, have hereditary memory? If so, how is it you do not know where your knowledge came from? Perhaps a past ancestor?" Theo questioned, only half seriously.

The Arhulian shook its head in disappointment. "If only the answer was that simple. It is far more complex, and I am uncertain of the details. I will tell you what I know." Theo rubbed his brow, adjusted his glasses, and nodded. "When I dream, I see fragments of memories; but these memories are abnormal. I see... a settlement, a school, memories of a life not only not that of my ancestors, but not of my kind entirely... and our biology cannot interbreed. That I do know." 

Theo gestured for the creature to get on with it. It was unconscionably late.

"I do have one possible hypothesis. There is another way our kind can exchange memories and experience. A ritual called Arhel-vāl." The strange word was accentuated by the Arhulian's multitudinous voice. "In your tongue, the closest word to it and what it means is amalgamation. Two mature specimens of our kind, typically one larger than their partner, subsumes the other into their flesh..." Theo's stomach churned at the vexing, visceral, possibly even vulgar imagery the Arhulian had verbally illustrated to him. "...but unlike ordinary cannibalism, the subsumed being is absorbed alive, mind intact, and two, become one." Niadris described, sparing no detail, much to Theo's revulsion.

The fancy Rat's tail quaked as his analytical mind began to put together a picture his sensibilities did not want to see. "You're hnnngh suggesting you have Esss assimilated a person?" He said, his mind racing as fast as his heart. "Oh heavens! Is that why it is here? To consume our minds and seize our knowledge?!" Theo's mind screamed.

The Arhulian peered down at the Rat. "Your luminant aura is flaring and seething. Do you find this knowledge troubling?" Niadris asked. Theo looked at the beast glaring down at him, his eyes wide with terror. "I see. You imagine me as your would-be predator." The beast let out a hushed, hellish chuckle with their deep, multitudinous voice. "Worry not, Theo. The ritual of Arhel-vāl is strictly between my kind; the 'donor' in question must be of the utmost certainty in their union - lest their knowledge be torn apart in a maelstrom of panic and fear. Your kind were never even considered a possibility due to the mental fortitude required to uphold the ritual. The being that amalgamated with me - whomever they were - must have been exceptional in their conviction."

The trembling Theo swallowed. "Well, erf I suppose that is good to know. Hrf Well, if you'll excuse me, egk I need to be getting some rest.” He stammered. “It is dreadfully late. And do take care to return my books exactly as you have found them. hgn It was painstaking to order them all as I have." With an abnormal spring in their step, the fancy Rat wheeled around and left the reading room with haste. 

"By the gods, what is that thing? How does it exist? And why did it show up to MY manor, of all places?" Theo cogitated. Their attempt to seek out answers seemed to have only made the question mark hovering over this mysterious creature even fatter. Theo paced around the manor, and passed by the room Hyden was sleeping in; him blissfully unaware of all that had transpired this evening. Theo raised his gloved hand, as if to knock on the door, but he stopped himself. "I can't disturb His Grace during his rest... but I must inform him of this aberrant thing as soon as I can." 

Theo, anxious and jittering, sat down on a cushioned chair outside of Hyden's room, fumbling with a pack of cigarettes. Alone with his thoughts his mind began to wander; all trains of thought leading back to that enigmatic creature. A particular moment from the Arhulian’s behavior stood out to Theo. The way they retreated to the library, and found refuge in books where they were not judged for their appearance or the mannerisms that others found odd... Theo shivered as he felt what was quite possibly a degree of familiarity with this creature. He did not want to fancy such feelings. The Rat shook their head and calmed their mind enough for exhaustion to take its toll; his head bobbed down, and the unlit cigarette in his hand fell onto the floor beside him as he lapsed into sleep right in his chair. The heavyset Rabbit snoozing under their blanket on the other side of the door was the only person in the manor to have had quality sleep that evening.

[katsona-the-katsequel]

The fact that Elizabeth and Theodore can exist at the same time and place implies many things:

The Velvet Room is a place outside time and space where timelines converge (Most Likely and Basically Canon Answer)

The "Minato and Kotone are twins but one of them died" theory is true, with Attendants being assigned/created/hired from the moment the Wild Card is born or is very young (Lore Heavy Answer)

Actually, we have no concrete proof both of them exist at the same time in the main timeline (Boring Answer)

Theo had a different offscreen guest or will have one (Interesting and OC-Friendly Answer)

No one knows how Theo got here but the Attendants grew fond of him and adopted him (Fun Answer. Provides a reference for Jose's future)

[laceyhearts]

↻ LOLA BROOKE TANNER ; COLOR COMMENTARY !

about my oc, lola tanner, for my au, color commentary

↻ THE BASICS !

➪ her nickname is lols

➪ her birthday is august 29, 2004

➪ she's from chicago, illinois

➪ she's currently a junior at boston college where she's majoring in communications and minoring in journalism

➪ she also plays soccer

➪ her dad played for boston college before getting drafted by the red wings and retiring in chicago

➪ her mom played professional soccer until a cople years after she was born and now works as a reporter for the chicago stars

➪ her mom and dad had her when they were 20 and 21

➪ she has two younger siblings, theo and sadie, who are twins and 12 years younger than her

↻ QUICK FACTS !

➪ favorite color ; green

➪ favorite food ; dumplings

➪ favorite season ; summer

➪ favorite sport ; soccer and hockey

➪ favorite hobby ; journaling and making podcasts

➪ favorite song ; growing sideways - noah kahan

➪ favorite artist ; noah kahan

➪ favorite book ; where the crawdads sing - delia owens

➪ favorite movie ; the breakfast club

➪ favorite tv show ; gilmore girls

➪ favorite drink ; tropical smoothie smoothies

➪ favorite game ; connect four

➪ favorite social media ; youtube

↻ PERSONALITY !

➪ traits ; determined, quiet, opinionated, supportive, trustworthy

➪ likes ; sports, talking about sports, plants, journaling, putting the turf pellets on the field into a pile, long flowy skirts, collecting vinyls/going to the record store, tote bags, going on hikes

➪ dislikes ; presentations, starting conversations, people who can’t take a hint, tying her shoes, packing, asking people to hang out, phone calls

➪ hobbies ; journaling, gardening, podcasting(?)

➪ strengths ; her confidence when the team is in a tough situation, the tiny bit of leadership she has, knowing what is going on in sports at all times

➪ weaknesses ; always (tries) to see the best in people, gives people second chances, sleep

➪ quirks ; yawns when she’s rambling even if she’s not tired, pointing out a plant when someone even hints at wanting to know what it is, can name all the stanley cup champions and first round draft picks in order

➪ fears ; tearing her acl (on the other leg)

➪ phrase/word said too often ; can we go to the record store?

↻ MORE ABOUT LOLA !

➪ has a podcast called “color commentary” that she hosts with her best friend and teammate, maisie price

➪ on the podcast they break down all the bc sports, going into depth about how they’re doing before giving run downs and the basics of what’s going on in the professional sports world

➪ they have a section called “mic’d up” where they will have a special guest (could be her dad, a bc athlete or even a pro athlete)

➪ her favorite memory of when she was younger was going ot her dad’s hockey games and then sitting and talking about it with him afterward

➪ used to have mini sports commentator sessions with her mom watching her dad’s away games

➪ she loves to listen to podcasts, always has one playing unless she’s reading

➪ her and her friend made a podcast for fun back in high school, talking about movies they watched, and she fell in love with it 

➪ has a journal for every different kind of podcast she’s ever thought about making

➪ all of her journals sit beneath her bed in boxes, she has a journal for every situation (podcasts, bullet journaling, journaling her feelings, junk journaling, etc.)

➪ sometimes says out of pocket things while watching sports and they usually don’t pertain to what is actually happening (someone could say a word and she’d start singing a song or someone will say a last name and she’ll start talking about how she once new someone with that last name)

[sleepybeauxshifts]

hogwarts university script tour!

{i took a small break from tumblr and shifting in general but now i’m back with a new dr!! so here’s me rambling about it and there’s plenty more posts coming soon!}

plot things <3

so plot wise my dr doesnt follow the plot of the book or movies at all. voldy is dead bc i dont wanna deal with that. there is no war, sirius was never in azkaban, the DADA post was never cursed, all those things. remus is the DADA professor every year bc duh.

me!!

{i have updated this section as of march 10, 2025}

my name in this dr is Abigail “Abbey” Belladonna Lestrange. i'm a british-american witch that grew up mostly in america and now lives in london. when i shift it is my 2nd year. im a slytherin and a pureblood. i’m 19. the year is currently 1999 (two years after what would have been the golden trio’s seventh year at regular hogwarts, but its university now boys). my main focus of study is potions and divination.

my living situation

{this section has been changed as of march 10, 2025}

i live in a nice house in london, england with my family. {for a detailed intro to my family see this post}. each of my siblings has their own bedroom.

friends!!

so my main Slytherin friends are pansy, draco, theo, blaise, daphne and millicent!! pansy is my bestie and we share a dorm!! i also am friends with people in other houses like neville!!! the golden trio, remus’ son (his name is ethan btw), and CEDRIC DIGGORY (<3).

pansy is like my BESTIE like i tell that girl EVERYTHING.

ethan (remus’ son, an oc i made) is also on of my BESTEST friends ever. he’s the reason i started living with his dad and sirius bc we were good friends and i wanted to move closer to school so he made it happen.

im not super duper in it with the rest of the slytherins, they’re great, but they’re not my jam too much. i do vibe with the girlies (daphne & millicent and pansy ofc)! but i’m not like a draco girly. i just like making fun of him it’s really fun. i’m good friends with all of them i’m just much closer with people in other houses.

harry kinda gets on my nerves… like idk i dont love harry very much but he does feel pretty much like an annoying brother. ron is kinda the same except im less annoyed at ron bc his mom is nice to me.

idk how i feel about hermione. im sure she’s really nice but she also kinda seems like she would piss me off, i hope she doesnt tho.

i love neville, i’m friends with him. i will literally tell people off for talking bad about him. if ANYONE makes fun of this little herbologist in front of me i will throw hands.

cedric is my main love interest. he’s only a year above instead of two like in the actual plot. he’s one of my best friends but i never hang out with him in like a huge group, we both prefer to hang out with each other one on one. we’re not currently in a relationship, but we’re kinda talking and being silly little flirts. i did script he has a crush on me.

dorms!

okay the dorms in my dr are two people share like a college dorm situation. and there’s also a shared bathroom with a toilet, shower and a bathtub (i wanna take my bubble baths). roommates are assigned by gender (which is gender inclusive) and house, not necessarily by year tho, but most of the time you end up with someone in your year. you can also pick your roommate after your first year so me and pansy just planned to keep rooming with each other bc we’re both chill.

silly hogwarts things

there are a bunch of clubs to join!!

astronomy club

baking club

book club

chess club

choir

healing club

herbology club

history of dark magic club

divination club

dueling club

meditation club

fantastical creature club

international magical cooperation club (i came up with this one!!)

we dont have a curfew of any kind, we get treated like adults (bc this is literally college)

we can enter each others common rooms and have sleepovers in other dorms, guests of other houses are always welcome!

i might script out uniforms and just have us have to wear nametags with our house symbol/colors. if i dont script out uniforms then i’ll script that the uniforms look good.

my cat

her name is pippa she is very very cute!

my silly random extras i scripted

i cant get cheated on

cho doesnt look at MY MAN (this one’s a joke)

im good at tarot and divination

i can cook well

i get amazing grades

i never get lost

i can cast a patronus charm

i have infinite money

i scripted that molly weasley makes me a sweater for christmas….

i might do a series of posts about the different people in my dr and my relationship with them etc. in more detail. or just a bunch of posts going in more detail about anything.

if you guys have anything specific you want me to ramble about in this dr let me know! and i will make a post answering.

[vyesquei]

𐙚 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒎𝒂𝒈𝒊𝒄𝒊𝒂𝒏 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒍 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒈𝒆 ☆ (2/2)

❝ in which; the angel of opera epiclese meets the famed magician of fontaine " » includes: mentions of ocs, oc x canon (irene levasseur x lyney) » note: this is basically irene's pov of events. enjoy reading!

Hotel Debord was livelier than usual, even though it was evening. The moon glowed its serene light onto the stone pavements of the city. It was truly a night of delight.

“And for my next trick, I will give one of you lovely members of the audience your favorite flower!” 

The crowd clapped, chattering about as they watched the famed magician, Lyney, take the stage with his charm and skill. Beside him was a small table with his hat placed up. The spotlight was on him.

A black haired man with white highlights was seated near the corner of the room, checking his pocket watch, shifting his eyes to Lyney. It had been 15 minutes ever since the show started. The guest that the man had been expecting was late.

“Victor,” someone called out, going to the man’s side.

“Irene, it's a pleasure to see you, my dear sister,” Victor said with a small smile. It has been a long time since the two saw each other, since Irene had moved out of their family home. Naturally they missed each other’s presence.

Irene sat down, looking at her brother with slight guilt, “I’m sorry I'm late, rehearsals took a while today.”

“You had rehearsals? Aren't you tired, then?” Victor asked worriedly.

“Not at all,” Irene smiled, watching the show on stage. In truth, Irene was somewhat exhausted, but she didn't tell Victor the truth. Besides, she wanted to see her brother again, and she couldn’t pass on a chance to watch the allegedly fantastic magician, Lyney.

A young lady was called up to the stage, the spotlight shining on her now. She stood beside Lyney, smiling nervously.

“What’s your favorite flower, my lady?” Lyney asked, smiling gleefully. 

“Um… Cecilias from Mondstadt,” the lady replied, her hands clasped behind her back as she answered the question.

“A wonderful choice! It may be a foreign flower, but nothing is impossible with magic!” Lyney said, looking at the crowd, “Now, I would like to request you to take a good look at my hat. Take in every detail.”

Lyney showed the inside of his hat to the lady, then at the audience, “It’s empty, isn't it? Now, I’d like you to try pulling something out of my hat.”

The lady put her hand inside the hat, moving it around Lyney’s hat, then pulling something. She pulled a red handkerchief, tied to an orange one, which was tied to a yellow one, which was tied by a green one and so on.

The line of tied handkerchiefs was long—more than 15 must've gotten pulled already.

At the count of 25, at the end of the seemingly endless tied handkerchiefs was a beautiful bouquet of Cecilias!

The crowd gasped in adulated shock—how in Teyvat could a bouquet fit inside Lyney’s hat!?

Irene clapped her hands and smiled at the wondrous magic trick. She was amazed at Lyney’s trick. He was a marvellous magician indeed, an entertainer deserving of his applaudable reputation.

Irene glanced at Victor, who was uncharacteristically surprised.

Irene, being Victor’s sister, knew that Victor wasn't the type of person to show much vulnerability, may that be sadness, happiness, love, or shock. With that in mind, Irene was even more convinced that this Lyney is a great magician if he was able to get a flabbergasted expression out of her usually calm brother.

“That was a very good trick,” Victor said, taking his teacup and sipping on it, “I should thank Theo… Ahem, Monsieur Fletcher, for the recommendation. I might as well sponsor one of Mr. Lyney’s shows.”

Irene laughed softly, “So Theodore recommended this show to you... That explains it—although, I did guess…”

“What do you mean?” Victor turned to Irene, a red blush on his cheeks. It wasn't apparent, but it was there. He didn’t smile—in fact, he was calm.

“Well, it's not like you to go on shows like this. You're always working, and if not, you're resting, which is rare.” Irene explained, “When you invited me, I was surprised.”

“So then I guessed that someone must've given you free tickets, but that didn't seem right either. You don't take things for free, even if the person giving you something owes you.” Irene smiled at Victor, “So I figured that a special someone must've recommended this magic show to you.”

“Monsieur Fletcher is not special to me,” Victor denied, although Irene knew otherwise. In all honesty, their parents, their younger brother, Yves, even their grandparents, knew that Victor didn't fancy women. And the only one who didn't know it was Victor himself.

“But…”

“But?”

“He’s a great co-worker, a very fruitful employee.”

Irene smiled sheepishly, shaking her head, “...Not exactly the best wording, brother.”

**

The sounds of fast strings played and echoed in the Opera Epiclese. The voice of a boy echoed in song along with the tense music of the orchestra.

Irene was backstage, having her makeup retouched a minute before she got on the stage to sing one single song.

To be honest, Irene wasn't expecting to sing today. She was only an understudy for another famous singer and never really thought of the prospect of the singer being unable to sing because her lover broke up with her.

All Irene wanted right now was a break. She's been taking so many roles in musicals and plays, trying to climb to the top, but to no avail. She wanted an escape from reality for a moment.

Just a moment. A single moment in time.

That's why she ended up buying a ticket for Lyney and Lynette's show after this musical. This might be the 4th time she's watched their shows. Ever since she watched Lyney’s show with Victor, Irene took a liking to watching the fantastic performances of the great magician of Fontaine.

Philippe, Irene’s manager, teased her that it was some sort of coping mechanism, but Irene disagreed, saying that it felt unhealthy to call it a coping mechanism.

“There was wonder and comfort in Lyney's shows, somehow,” Irene told herself once. It made her feel like she was a kid again; singing along to the records that she loved, talking to her aunt again, and unearthing her passion for music.

It was too specific and so out of the blue to feel that way. Magic shows were not at all related to music, but that's how Irene felt.

“You look wonderful, Irene!” Philippe stated with awe.

“Thank you,” Irene replied.

“Are you nervous? Do you need to drink water?-” Philippe asked worriedly. He was like this before every performance. It was a bit too much sometimes, but Irene appreciated his concern. After all, they've known each other for so long. Even before Irene's debut into the world of theater, she and Philippe were already friends, always chatting about films and such.

“I’m fine,” Irene said, “I’m really not nervous.”

“Irene! You're on!” Someone exclaimed.

Philippe reluctantly stepped back, “You can do this.”

Irene nodded, getting onto the stage, beginning to sing a note, trying her best to get everyone’s attention.

As she sang, she looked at the crowd’s rather bewildered faces. They obviously didn't expect Irene, who you might as well mistake for a member of the staff, to sing onstage instead of a well-known prima donna.

Irene felt a bit anxious at their looks of confusion, but she held onto her remaining confidence, singing the song beautifully, her voice clear in the room…

**

The sound of an applause rang in the opera house as Irene exited the stage. It wasn't loud but she was grateful for it.

Irene walked backstage, to be met by Philippe’s flood of compliments.

“Amazing! I swear, you really captivated the whole stage!” Philippe exclaimed, clapping his hands.

“Thank you,” Irene laughed.

Philippe nodded, “Oh yes—your parents are here, by the way. They tried getting backstage to see you-”

“What?” Irene widened her eyes. Her parents only watched her shows once, never again. Irene’s mother was especially indifferent about her career.

“We should go find them,” Irene stated as she walked to the exit when suddenly she stopped, noticing that there were two familiar figures in front of her.

The Magician of the Stage and his assistant.

“Miss Levasseur!” Lyney exclaimed with a smile, “what a wonderful performance you had! I knew that the crowd had their hearts racing as you sang.”

Irene nodded and smiled, “Thank you, Mr. Lyney.”

Irene was taken aback. She didn’t think that she’d have the chance of meeting Lyney and Lynette out of the blue–not only that but Lyney knew Irene. Could Victor have mentioned her to Lyney before?

Victor started sponsoring Lyney and Lynette after watching their show once. Perhaps there was a time that they talked about Irene. However, it seemed unlikely to Irene since Victor rarely talks about family to strangers. If it was because of her career, that would be even more surprising, since Irene wasn’t exactly in the spotlight.

“I’ve been hoping to meet the two of you in person, it makes me very pleased to finally meet you two,” Irene stated. She was feeling happy about this encounter. It was practically like meeting your idols in person.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you too,” Lynette said, “you were beautiful onstage.”

“Thank you,” Irene responded, grateful for their compliments. That’s when she realized that she might have been bothering Lyney and Lynette.

“Are the two of you preparing for the performance you have after this musical? I'm sorry to have bothered you…” Irene asked, a bit embarrassed at herself.

Lyney shook his head, clutching his hat, “Not at all! Me and my sister were only doing prop checks before our show later.”

Irene sighed in relief mentally and smiled, nodding her head. The twins seemed like honest people, so Irene trusted his reply, “Good luck to you both on your performance. I’m sure you'll fascinate the stage.”

“Thank you, my lady,” Lyney bowed with a grin on his face. Irene smiled back and glanced at Philippe—she just remembered about her parents—

“I apologize if it seems like promotion,” Lyney had cut off Irene from her thoughts, which she obviously didn’t mind, “but I'm pretty sure we still have two tickets for our show. If you're interested in watching our show, we have two free tickets for you!”

Irene was taken aback. Was she just offered free tickets? Why? Was it because Irene’s brother was their sponsor? Either way, she’d have to decline since she already bought tickets for their show–she even donated with her own money.

“Ah,” Irene shook her head, “that won't be necessary. I actually already have tickets for your show tonight, so I'm looking forward to it.”

“Oh, I see, I see! Then me and Lynette are honored to see you in the crowd!” Lyney said, still smiling.

“The pleasure is all mine—” Irene smiled at Lynette and then at Lyney, then glanced at Philippe, deciding that they should probably go see her parents—“I’m afraid I must abruptly end our meeting, Lyney, Lynette. It was very nice meeting you both.”

Before Irene could say goodbye properly, Lyney took Irene’s gloved hand, which was a shock to her.

And when Lyney brought Irene’s hand closer to his face, leaning his head down to place a delicate peck on her hand, looking into her eyes as he did so—Irene was even more surprised. Then again, it must be a normal thing, since Lyney was known to be a romantic magician.

“It was very nice to meet you too, Miss Levasseur,” Lyney said, gently letting go of Irene’s hand. Irene didn’t really know what to say, since no man has ever done such a thing. She never really let anyone kiss her hand, anyway. “May fate lead us to meeting again on a beautiful spring day.”

Irene nodded, waving goodbye as she exited the backstage area through the hidden exit where only staff, actors, and actresses may enter.

“That magician truly knows how to flatter someone,” Irene thought to herself, smiling. She certainly wanted to meet Lyney again.

bow divider by @/florietas

[sloppypears-ash-sg]

Shrunken School Obby characters as SWBG objects! (Their names stay the same)

Cease - Tablet, Desist - Phone, Von Bootleg - Circuit board, DMCA agents - various electronics, students - various school supplies (Gwen - Marker, Harry - Pencil case, Linda - Pencil sharpener, Theo - Book, Derek - Eraser, and Harley - Crayon)

Von Bootleg's robots (including the Infridgerator) stay the same. Guest Star (my OC) becomes a human.

[vocesincaput]

Rearranged the muse page on the carrd.

PRIMARY MUSES:

Izzy.

Frenchie.

Alex (an OC).

SECONDARY MUSES:

Fang.

Lucius.

Lucien Morgan (an OC).

Theo MacNair (an OC).

REQUEST ONLY / GUEST MUSES:

Stede Bonnet.

Ed Teach.

(I will most likely be adding 2 muses to this one from other fandoms that I will have adapted to fit with OF.MD).

[greatestmatch]

AH, THE GUEST OF HONOR, THE DUKE OF TINTAGEL.   Eve's  Theodore, Duke of Tintagel  of  AppleTV's  The Buccaneers (2023-).   Canon compliant to an extent (we'll see after season 2 comes out), and headcanon / show based.   Exploring the themes of the burden of a title,  responsibility vs passion,  being a good son, falling in love with the wrong people, and  the tortured artist.   Please be at least 21 years of age to follow.   Personal blogs and minors will get blocked on sight.   THE  GREATEST MATCH  IN ENGLAND.

LINKS.   ASK MEMES.   PINBOARD.     PRIMARY BLOG.

BRIEF RULES AND EVEN BRIEFER BIOGRAPHY UNDER THE CUT.

RULES.

I'm not in the headspace to actually make a cohesive rules page, so please assume all the same rules as my OC's blog, which can be located  here.

I'm not interested in discourse or ship wars and will not be partaking in it.   As a writer, I simply enjoy most of the relationships represented in the show as material to dissect and study as part of human nature.   Or whatever.   With that being said, please do  not  come to my inbox telling me a certain ship is better than another.   I do not give a flying, driving, carpooling, bus riding, Ubering/Lyfting fuck.   Thank you so much!

Please don't be weird.   No force-shipping.   I will say I'm  very  open to shipping Theo with your muses but like, chemistry, y'know.   Anyway, feel free to send shippy ask memes/starters to test said chemistry and we'll go from there, thank you.

Given that this is a canonical character, I've refrained from really creating a lot of purely original content on this blog  aside from, of course, the actual in character writing and the headcanons on this blog.   You can assume most things are quotes from the show or another form of literature unless stated otherwise, with the exception of again what's written in a thread between my partners and I.   I did make the PSD I use, and I also made the graphics but obviously I'm not affiliated with the show or base images I used.   However, I did make the screencaps from the show as well.

That's really all I have to say for now.   Make sure you peruse through the rules on Olympia's carrd, thank you so much.   I promise we are so chill here.

BIOGRAPHY :  MAIN / PERIOD VERSE.

NAME.   Theodore  WhoKnows, only really goes by Theo or as Theo, Duke of Tintagel AGE.   He will be written in his early 20s, between 21-24 as the default of when I will be writing him. GENDER / PRONOUNS.   Cisgender man, he/him SEXUALITY.   Unlabeled. TITLE.   Duke of Tintagel LOCATION.   Can travel, but defaults to Cornwall, England. COMMON WHEREABOUTS.   His castle, his art studio on castle grounds, at the beach near the castle, can travel to other places depending upon plot and verse.

BIOGRAPHY :  MODERN VERSE.

NAME.   Theodore Pritchard, only goes by Theo or by his title, Theo, Duke of Tintagel AGE.   Will be written in his mid to late 20s. GENDER / PRONOUNS.   Cisgender man, he/him SEXUALITY.   Unlabeled. TITLE.   Duke of Tintagel LOCATION.   Can travel, but Cornwall, England is the default. COMMON WHEREABOUTS.   His castle, his art studio on castle grounds, at the beach near the castle, Oxford University in college plot lines, can travel to other places depending upon plot and verse.

I promise more information will come soon as I think of it.   Promise.