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argentdandelion · 4 years ago

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Memories of the Surface

Chapter 2: “I’m Not a Hero."

Gerson looks back on his long life, his memories of the Surface, and all the friendships and trauma made under a world lit by the sun.

---

Clothes. Pretty fancy-looking things, too.

Gerson leaned over the big pine root: quite a tripping hazard. Strewn across it was a shirt, its thin material suggesting summer wear. Once, it would have been pretty fancy: the sort a successful merchant might have worn. But now, it was flimsy-looking, a little threadbare, a little faded.

Who would just leave a shirt like this out in the woods? Gerson thought, as he knelt to pick it up.

Dust trickled out from the collar. Gerson saw the hole in the shirt---a mere slit, right in the middle of the chest. As if it was stabbed just once...or over and over in the same spot...

Gerson let the shirt flutter to the ground. "Eh, wouldn't have fit me anyway, not with my shell."

Gerson trudged on.

--------

There's gotta be some meat somewhere...a deer somewhere...at least a big, juicy squirrel!

Gerson scanned the pine trees. Why are they all so scared to show up? It's not like there's a war against wild animals.

At least there wasn’t any wind chill in this late-autumn day.

I'm not gonna return to camp empty-handed. We need these supplies!

A thatched building stood in a clearing among the pines, beside a small brook.

Gerson smiled. Finally! An inn! But no smoke…?

Gerson slowly pushed the door open.

Is it the off-season for travelers? Or is the innkeeper a monster who loves the cold? Or did it...

...run out of business?

He scanned the interior. Dark. No candles, no torches...just the indirect light that drifted in from the opened doorway.

Gerson raised his warhammer---just a soldier's reflex. It had never served him right...but had never served him wrong, either.

The furniture laid on the ground haphazardly. Several chairs were broken. A few looked hacked apart. Some pine needles and dried clods of mud littered the doorway. Whoever entered last sure hadn't cared to wipe their feet.

But there might still be food somewhere. Gerson took a few wary steps inside, into the cold and quiet. It looked like the village nearby. Similar wooden furniture, similar brick fireplace, similar…

The nearby village had looked like it was empty for a while.

"Dead end." Gerson said. He turned around---

And saw the wall had a dent in it, and a slight smudge of dust, right at head height.

The dust pile. By the doorway, on the floor. But no human soldiers’ bootprints at all. Gerson sniffed. It didn't smell like monster dust either.

Something’s off.

"Oh, thank goodness!"

Gerson’s bullets stopped inches from the figure’s body.

Green with yellow eyes. Not a human.

The figure’s hands were up, his yellow eyes wide. It was a fish monster...no, amphibian. Gerson vaguely recalled they cared for the difference. “N-no n-need for th-that, friend.” The monster said, standing motionlessly.

The bullets winked out of existence, but Gerson didn’t quite lower his hammer.

"What’s your story?”

“I’m an innkeeper. Ouro’s my name.” the amphibian said. “I run...ran...this inn a few miles from the village.”

“And what's with this setup?”

"An idea of mine. If the place looks like it had already been looted and its owner dusted, no one will look too closely.”

“And the dust?”

“Just some wheat flour that had gone bad.”

Gerson stepped past Ouro and looked around. “You’ve seen any other monsters lately?” he asked.

“I haven’t seen any other monsters in...a while.” The innkeeper’s voice was creaky, like a door with a rusted-over hinge.

Gerson raised an eyebrow. No. Ouro’s voice wasn’t quite creaky. It felt disused, as if he had no reason to speak for a long time.

“Did anybody from the village show up?”

“Nobody came.” Ouro looked down. “Nobody.”

An image of the clothes in the woods flashed into Gerson’s mind. Gerson shook it off.

“A few humans took my mounts early on. I can’t get anywhere fast, so I hunkered down in the root cellar for...I don’t know how long. Are the humans gone?" The innkeeper still sounded a little strained, as if the stress had settled into his throat.

"The human army moved on ‘bout a month or so ago. Guess you’ll have to ask ol’ Prince Fluffybuns---ah, Asgore----if you want something more specific.”

“Then it should be safe,” Ouro said. “You...you think it’s safe, right?”

“Well, as safe as you can be.” Gerson shrugged. “And if you come with the monster army, at least you’ll have living shields!”

“The monster army...is it nearby?” Ouro asked.

“Yes. Not too far. We camped out early to fetch more supplies from the area.”

A big smile cracked across Ouro’s face. “If it’s supplies you want, I’ve got plenty! I was stockpiling it for any refugees from the village, but��well, there’s plenty for the soldiers!”

Gerson scratched at his goatee. “Hmm….you got any meat?”

“Plenty! I’ll give it for free! Anything for some company!”

The innkeeper scrambled to open the backroom and into the root cellar, his thick boots scuffling on the floor. He returned so loaded with dried meats he looked like a cart that had learned how to stand up.

Gerson blinked. That’s...a lot of jerky.

Ouro clutched two tankards and one stained recipe paper in one hand, with all the skill of a monster with a lifetime of serving tables. He sat on a stool that creaked slightly under his weight and set the tankards and recipe down.

"I figure you all are thirsty, too, but I couldn't carry the kegs. I guess you'll have to bring back some soldiers for that,” Ouro said, his voice settling down. “I did fill a few tankards for us, though."

“What’s this stuff?” Gerson asked, inspecting the greenish liquid inside his portion.

“Crab apple cider. It collect the crab apples myself from the stream nearby, and it’s the inn’s specialty---other than jerky. But I should warn you, it’s an acquired---” Gerson choked it down---and his eyes bugged out. “Taste.”

Gerson smacked his lips. “It sure is.”

“Sorry if there are seeds. I made the last batch in a hurry. And, um...sorry for scaring you earlier.” the innkeeper said sheepishly. Gerson shrugged. "Eh. A little caution goes a long way these days."

“A toast,” Ouro said, raising up his mug. “To what?”

Ouro looked firmly at Gerson. “That the humans have had enough dust-shed for a lifetime.” The amphibian’s face started to crumble, but he patched it back up with a big smile. “That, whatever happens...monsters will live in peace.”

“A toast,” Gerson asserted. “To the brawn and brains of monsterkind’s hungry soldiers!”

The innkeeper slowly tipped the tankard to his lips.

His gills flicked up. “Human.”

Something trembled---no, wavered, no, moved---inside Gerson’s SOUL. A human. A human coming----

“Hide!” the innkeeper hissed.

“Where?” The inn’s interior. Too open. Too exposed.

“Fireplace!” the innkeeper shoved Gerson forward. The turtle soldier slipped into the ashes before he even registered the act. He scrunched up his eyes against the cold ashes.

The human moved quietly----must be lightly armored, with fine shoes.

Light, rapid footsteps on the inn’s wooden floors, and then----

“W-want some jerky?” the innkeeper said.

What the----?

“That’s a mighty fine eating knife. Looks like you’re the kind of person who loves chewy meat.” An awkward pause stretched after the innkeeper’s words. The human...must be wielding a knife. Or a dagger. Gerson thought. He’s warning me. “Yes, I know humans carry about knives for eating. My inn’s had human patrons, after all.”

With that kind of voice, with his eyes facing away...Gerson couldn’t tell if the human was male or female. But it didn’t matter. They killed monsters just the same.

Ouro’s standing right there. But why isn’t the human attacking?

"What's that?" the human said, like a command.

Gerson stiffened.

“A novelty log holder,” Ouro said smoothly. “I purchased it on a whim when I was younger and more...prosperous.”

The silence stretched on. Gerson’s skin prickled, as if he was being watched. He fought the urge to shudder.

“How much?” What?! Gerson thought.

“Two silver each.” the innkeeper replied.

Each…?

With a faint clink, the human handed over two silver coins. Gerson heard the innkeeper’s pack rustling as he fished out something---probably a piece of jerky. But he didn’t hear eating noises.

Did they believe that lie? That I’m just a ‘novelty log holder’? Gerson thought.

“Another.” the human said.

“Oh, sure,” the innkeeper replied, with more rustling.

“Another.” the human said flatly.

“A jerky lover, I see.” More rustling.

“Another.” “Another.” “Another.” Another...

“You would have loved this place at its p-peak,” Ouro said.“L-lots of jerky lovers. Lots of humans with n-nice eating knives, just like you.” A lot more rustling----he must be lifting out a big mound of jerky.

A pause. The impatient tap of fingers on the table, and the faint sound of more jerky being set on the table, of the innkeeper scrabbling on the table’s wood surface.

“I-it’s n-nice to see there are still h-humans who love p-patronizing monster businesses,” Ouro said. “B-because...it’s just that good. They’re s-sure worth...k-keeping around.”

Gerson grimaced. How did the human get so much money?!

“I’m...I’m fresh out. B-but if you come back later, I’ll….”

A muffled grunt split the air. The human exhaled---and sounded disappointed.

Gerson scrunched up his eyes harder. Can...can anyone hear me? If there’s someone out there...please help.

The innkeeper started panting. “I-I c-can sell you more---”

The human snorted dismissively---and hit again. There was another muffled grunt.

He heard it loudly in his mind..only attack if you outnumber a human three to one.

The clink of coins falling off the table.

You useless Prince Fluffybuns! Get over here! Gerson shouted in his mind.

The scud of boots steadying themselves on piles of silver coins.

Only attack if you outnumber a human three to one.

The faint sound of piles of jerky falling to the floor.

Harrold, I know you’re a cowardly bunny, but I need you! Gerson pleaded in his mind.

A huge whump as a body hit the floor.

Anyone! Please help! Gerson begged in his mind.

A crackle as weight pressed down on...on something.

Only attack if you outnumber a human three to one. If you don’t….

“You want mercy, monster?” the human stated quietly.

If you don’t….you’re dust.

The sudden crack, like hot stones splintering.

Sssshooow.

Gerson didn’t hear if the human what the human said next. But it didn’t matter. He heard the faint clank of an eating knife (or dagger) getting tucked into its sheath, the clink of many, many coins, and the rustle of dozens of monsters’ worth of jerky.

And, finally, the sound of the human’s footsteps faded away.

Gerson rubbed the ashes away from his face and did not even look at his hands. The sun was setting now. It was starting...to get dark. Darker. Yet darker.

The inn had real monster dust now: coarse like ashes. It smelled like rain upon the earth...but slightly decayed. And the innkeeper’s clothes laid there, like the stabbed-through merchant’s, like...so many others.

He never said anything. Never revealed me. Never cried out. The thoughts ran through the turtle’s mind.

His eyes...dry. His throat...dry. His mind...still as the forest ouside. But not relaxed. If only he cried out...if only he stopped trying to muffle his pain...I’d save him on reflex.

And die.

Gerson took a stiff drink of the sour crab apple cider and quaffed it down, his throat fluttering.

Feet turned around. An idle hand grasped the recipe on the cracked-apart table. And the door was sealed, leaving the newly-made tomb in its darkness.

--------

The human child was pointing an odd weapon at him. Trying to threaten him. What a figure they made, hands just coated in monster dust.

“Try it, kiddo! I know you can’t here.” I may not know why. But I don’t need to.

The human looked at the old shopkeeper for a moment. Their fingers twitched. And they...stopped. Their hard eyes grew puzzled. Their jovial, not-quite-right smile became an outright frown.

“Eh? Fight you?” Gerson looked aside. “Nah, I'm not a hero.”

He stared straight at the human’s determined brown eyes. “But I know there's someone out there...someone who'll never give up trying to do the right thing, no matter what.”

Someone bright and brave and strong. Someone who carried the burden of everyone’s hopes and dreams, and became all the stronger. Someone who had the strength to be the hero...he never could be.

“Someone...who will strike you down.”

And, finally, the sound of the human’s footsteps faded away.

Gerson unhooked the shop’s landline phone. He still looked at the doorway as it rang.

“Undyne. The human just passed by my shop.”

---

Author’s Notes

The innkeeper's name was suggested by DistanceSeventeen.

The clothes belonged to a character who made an appearance in "Merchant of Death", a side-story in the same continuity.

This work was inspired by the theme of modern human-monster relations in my previous posts:"Things Anti-Monster Politicians Could Do"and "Undertale: The Perils of Being Literally Not Human".

#Undertale #Gerson #Fanfiction #Angst #Pre-Canon #First Human-Monster War #War of Humans and Monsters #Genocide Route #The Human Child (Undertale)#The Human (Undertale)#Story #Long Fanfiction #Fanfiction Chapter #Original Undertale Characters

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crystalgirl259 · 4 years ago

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The Flame and the Dragon Ch13

Chapter 13: The Cursed Castle

The staircase led to the first floor and Kai was back in the front hallway. The enormous locked doors to the front mocked him as he passed by. He snorted and growled trying to navigate his way through the labyrinth of chambers. His stomach refused to silence. He turned down another hallway but every corridor appeared the same. They were made of stone and lit with candles, but each was decorated in a different manner. This only made it more difficult to decide where to go.

Two oak doors blocked the end of the hallway.

A light leaking from the bottom caught Kai's attention. He turned the handles and shoved the doors open a crack, preventing any noise. His eyes widened as he scanned the enormous dining room Even in the darkness, the room was stunning. A smooth, green carpet covered the floor, while a red carpet stretched from the entrance, up too small steps, and to a large platform where a gold and silver table sat. Matching chairs in a similar fashion lined the walls opposite the ends of the table.

Behind the table, three windows covered almost the entire wall, shaped like the top of an octagon.

They were lined with maroon curtains tied with a gold cord. The darkness outside told him it was still night. A crystal chandelier lit with many candles hung from the ceiling on a thick chain, while candle holders lit with cream-colored candles rested on the oak tables. A huge fireplace framed with black stone rested in the opposite wall where a huge mirror rested above the mantelpiece. There was no ceiling. Instead, there was a balcony. Kai recognized as one of the ones he'd traveled when Cole showed him to his room, branched from one wall to the other.

Kai shivered to wonder what the room must have looked like during the day, with light spilling in from the windows.

In the far corner, lights danced behind another door, diverting his attention. He slowly approached the door and gently pushed it open. A short stone hallway lit by orange and yellow lights led to the kitchen where he could hear voices. Caution and curious, Kai pressed his back against the opposite wall, keeping himself in the safety of the shadows, before silently sliding towards the kitchen entrance. He carefully leaned over to peer inside. The kitchen was full of bright lights though he could only see a few candles and enormous wheel-shaped chandeliers hanging from the ceiling.

In the corner was an enormous brick structure that Kai could've mistaken for an alter if not for the black smoke pouring out the brick tower.

There was blazing yellow and orange fire burning wildly within it. The kitchen was huge. It was an entire room made of stone and glass and the floor was made of a sandy-gold stone. The fire pit, contained by the enormous brick stove, rested in the far corner embedded in the wall. A line of black tools hung from the wall around the stove, so they were within easy reach. A tall man, taller than Kai with short black hair and ghostly pale skin stood before the fire pit.

With a wave of his arms, the fires roared to life, before calming with the flick of the man's wrist.

He carried jars of spices from the mess upon the huge wooden table in the middle of the room and rearranged them in the towering spice cabinet next to the stove. Servants moved about, two he recognized as the man and woman in the tower, scurried about the kitchen carrying plates of little cakes, baskets of apple and fruits, and trays covered with silver tins. They placed them all on a huge wooden table in the middle. The table was full of knives and cutting boards and overcrowded with apples, peppers, carrots, and other vegetables.

The servants gathered them all in baskets before relocating them in either the huge icebox in the corner of the enormous pantry, so large it covered almost the entire wall.

Over a large silver sink, Neuro scrubbed pots beneath a faucet of running water. Steam rose when the hot water touched the cool, gray water. Nelson was sat on one of the countertops drying plates. Tox and Ronin who Kai recognized from the tower were carrying large pots, struggling with large towers of plates and cauldrons of water. The two placed the objects on the table before a flash of turquoise and green surrounding them. A green naga and a short troll stood in their place.

They then relocated the dishes from the countertops to the cupboards above the counters.

They were carved from wood but each one had a glass window so people could see where each one went. The raven-haired man in the corner turned around, barking orders, revealing his true face. He had a few inches on Kai and pale, almost grey, skin and onyx-colored eyes. A strong hand wiped the sweat from his brow. He wore black gloves and a sleeveless black vest with silver shoulder braces, a silver wolf symbol with red eyes, and in front of a blue area on the chest.

His legs were designed with gray pants and black boots.

His white cooking apron was blotched with soot and stained red. Kai ducked behind the wall hoping he wasn't seen. His heart hammered in his chest in confusion and excitement, as he pondered who, or rather what, they were.

"UGH! I can't believe this! I slave all day over a hot stove, quite literally and what!? It all goes to waste!" He hollered as he raised his hands in protest. The other servants and the boy on the counter jumped. The only one unafraid of the cook's temper was Neuro, who was still doing dishes.

"Oh, stop your grousing! It's been a long night for all of us!" Neuro told him. Shade rolled his eyes but said nothing else. Not a moment later Jay, who Kai also recognized from the tower, bulldozed into the room through the opposite door, panting heavily. Echo ran beside him, looking just as exhausted as Jay.

"Sorry guys," Jay panted, before glowing in a dark blue light. A blue fox took his place. Kai's eyes almost bulged out of his skull. He couldn't look away as Echo closed his eyes and in a flash of gold, only a brown centaur remained. They had intended to continue their search for Kai, but they noticed how much work the others had to do since dinner was canceled and it wasn't like Kai could leave the castle. Wasting no time, Jay, in the form of a Raijū, grabbed a stack of plates clearly too heavy for him.

The tiny creature struggled to use his powers to float but managed to lift it and made his way towards the pantry.

"Jay let me help you," Echo begged his companion.

"I got it," Jay grunted until finally, he faltered as his body fell, sending plates scattering around him. Without thinking Kai dove and slid across the floor to catch the falling creature in his arms. Plates rained around him, as Kai pulled the shaking fox in his arms. Everyone, who had moved for the same reason, froze and stared at the boy on the floor. Kai blinked in surprise until his eyes widened in remembrance.

"Oh, you're there," Jay said. "Echo and I wondered where you disappeared too." He smiled. Kai reacted quickly. His entire body jumped and he fell backward until he was in a half-sitting, half-lying position. His eyes were wide with shock and awe. The action sent Jay flying into the air, forcing him to use his powers to float. The cook crossed his arms and smirked at the teen on the floor. Jay rubbed his head with a paw before blinking at his savor.

He smiled brightly and extended a paw to Kai, who stared at him with a mixture of shock, confusion, and amazement.

"I'm Jay, please to meet you."

"Uh, hello," Kai replied as he shook Jay's paw with two fingers.

"I apologize about this," Neuro said as he leaned forward slightly so his eyes met Kia's bewildered ones. "My name is Neuro, and before you ask, no you are not in any way mad, and I do hope our presence didn't shock you; we didn't expect to meet you formally until tomorrow, otherwise we would've made your acquaintance already but now that you're here, we'd like to welcome you, Master... Kai, is it?" He asked. Kai nodded, still shocked.

"Sorry about before." Tox hissed as she slithered over. "We didn't get to introduce ourselves, the name's Tox." She smiled before there was a flash of green. When it faded again a green-haired woman landed on her heels and offered a hand to Kai.

"Hello," Kai replied, a bit breathlessly, and shook the offered hand. Tox took the opportunity to pull him to his feet.

"Sorry, about earlier." Echo smiled sadly before reappearing as the brunette boy with gold eyes a moment later. "I hope all of our transforming back and forth didn't scare you." He smiled sincerely.

"It's alright, I don't mind." Kai smiled. "I'm assuming these are your cursed forms?" He asked gesturing to Jay's fox form.

"Only if we want, it's just exhausting to stay human and easier for us to move like this," Jay explained.

"But the Dragon Lord is a mix of man and creature, so how come none of you are?" He asked, wondering why they were suddenly switching between their human forms and the monstrous forms he recognized from the fairy tale. They all shared uncomfortable looks so Kai thought it'd be best to drop the subject.

"I'm Ronin." The troll smiled from the counter. Kai nodded with a small smile.

"Easy there, lads, you don't wanna shock the boy anymore than he already has been shocked tonight." Shade teased before narrowing his eyes to the teen in front of him. Kai stayed still as Shade's hard eyes, void of emotion and impossible to read, scanned him over critically. "The boys told me you're the reason the Master was throwing a fit this afternoon, is that true?" He asked and Kai raised an eyebrow.

"If he threw a tantrum because I refused to obey him then that is no one's fault but his own; I made myself perfectly clear when I said I refused to become another one of his servants just because we made a deal." He answered. Everyone froze for a bit, then Shade did the last thing anyone expected, he laughed.

"You got guts, it about time someone deflated the oversized ego of Cole's! He needs to learn to lighten up a bit." The cook laughed in such a way, Kai wasn't sure if it was good or bad until the noirette smirked. "Welcome to the hellhole, I'm Shade, the cook here and Neuro's husband, at your service."

"My name's Nelson." The boy he'd seen earlier jumped from the counter to greet him with a bright smile on his face. "You've already met Jay." He said and gestured to the blue fox floating in the air, knocking Ronin off the counter. The troll growled and began a chase. Kai ducked and moved, hoping to avoid the crossfire. Soon Tox and Echo both returned to their human forms and joined in the play.

"Don't mind them." Neuro chuckled. "They're always eager to see a new face; now, if there is anything at all we can do to make your stay more comfortable, please do not hesitate to ask."

"Yeah, we haven't had any guests here in ages!" Jay smiled, stopping in the air, causing the other three creatures to crash into him.

"Well, I am a little hungry."

"You hear that? He's hungry!" Neuro instantly beamed as he turned to Shade.

"Start the fire!" Shade smiled as he spun around and waved his hand. The oven erupted in flames. "Pull out the spices, break out the china!" He ordered and not a moment later, everyone did as commanded. The spice cabinet flew open and various jars of different colored herbs were removed and drawers opened, revealing the forks, spoons, and knives.

"Wait!" Tox countered. "Didn't the Master say-"

"Until I die, not a soul in this castle is going to bed hungry!" He declared, boldly. Kai almost blushed at the attention.

"Really, you don't have to-"

"Shut it!" Shade cut him off he dropped the two huge pots he'd been carrying on top of the roaring stove. Before Kai could blink Shade flew in front of him making him jump and stumble backward. Shade circled him, scanning him up and down then pinched his arm making Kai growl, and snatch his arm away

"What the hell are you doing!" He demanded angrily but Shade didn't seem to hear him.

"I've got my work cut out for me." The chef shook his head both in disappointment and in excitement at the new challenge. "Not to worry, when I'm done with you you'll never eat again! You need it, you're way too thin for a normal seventeen—"

"I'M NINETEEN!"

"That's even worse! Do you ever eat?! You're nothing but skin and bones!" Shade gasped in horror. Before Kai could answer, Shade started running around the room gathering ingredients. "We are going to need chickens, chestnuts, and broth for stuffing and plenty of hazelnuts!" He started shouting randomly, grabbing a basket of apples from the pantry, and began slicing through each one like butter. "Three cups of flour, six eggs, and a quarter of milk… MOVE IT!" He roared.

The servants scurried throughout the kitchen as the dook randomly shouted what he needed.

The chef darted from the icebox to the pantry or the table. He was grabbing, slicing, and throwing food over his shoulder into pots, on pans, or plates. The whole process was so quick and complex, Kai suddenly felt dizzy watching him work.

"TOX!"

"HERE!" The naga answered while Shade placed a tray of sliced cheeses and crackers and assorted fruits in her hands.

"Bring that to the dining hall and don't spill a single one or I'll skin you alive!"

"GOT IT!" She replied, before jumping off the counter and dashing towards the dining room. When Kai felt something pull on his sleeve, he looked down and found Nelson tugging on his sleeve.

"You'll love it, Shade's a great cook." He reassured the brunette. Smiling, Kai scooped the small boy into his arms, making him yelp, and walked towards the dining room. He shoved the doors open, so Tox and Ronin could get in and place the food on the table. He gently placed Nelson on the table and turned around just in time to see Jay fly in. The blue fox struggled to carry a huge bowl of gravy on his head as he panted exhaustedly. Taking pity on him, when Jay started to slowly fall to the ground, Kai took the pot of Jay's head and carried it to the table.

"Hey! That's our job!" Jay moaned in annoyance. Kai chuckled at the pout on the fox's face.

"What? So now I'm not even allowed to help? Fuck that! Listen, guys, I appreciate all this, really, but I can take care of myself, I really can't stand being waited on all the time." He insisted. The servants just nodded and retreated back to the kitchen before coming back with more food, putting up no resistance whenever Kai offered to help. When Shade finished, all things delicious and imaginable were spread across the table. Kai noticed they'd only set one plate for him, but looking at the display before him, he knew there was no way he could ever hope to eat all the food.

A basket full of ripe, red apples arranged next to a basket of bread and rolls that sat next to a plate of butter.

The centerpiece was a huge chicken stuffed with chestnut stuffing, next to a bowl of hot, buttery gravy. Wheel-shaped plates of cheese and crackers that were hemmed by pieces of ham and beef served as appetizers. A single, large golden goblet was filled with rich, burgundy wine. For dessert, there were plates of fruits. There were strawberries smoothed with cream and dusted with brown sugar, raspberries coated in chocolate, hazelnuts dipped in honey, and over a dozen tiny cakes filled with cream with light pink frosting.

Kai couldn't say anything as his mouth began to water at the sight of all that delicious food.

"I take pride in my work," Shade smirked, before gently shoving Kai into the dining room. He turned to leave but Kai stopped him.

"Aren't you having any?" He asked. Shade paused and raised an eyebrow, before remembering this was only Kai's first night here.

"I can't."

"Why not?"

"I literally can't, I can't leave the kitchen, I'm bound to it." He replied, sounding angry and almost sad. The noirette didn't give Kai time to answer and turned to leave again, but Kai jumped in front of him. He blocked the door before turning to the rest of the confused staff.

"You guys can't expect me to eat all that by myself, right? I assumed you were making enough for everyone?" He asked and Shade blinked. Kai's determination refused to falter. Again the cook smirked and crossed his arms.

"You got a good heart, but even though we can, we don't need to eat; it's part of our curse."

"When was the last time any of you actually enjoyed your own cooking?"

"Over a hundred years ago." He answered flatly. He resisted the urge to urge to snort at the stunned look on Kai's face. Instead of questioning him, Kai strolled back to the table and sat down at the table.

"Come on, the food looks delicious, and I already know there's a possible way I can finish all this by myself, so feel free; I'd don't mind, I like company."

"Sure." Jay shrugged as he hopped onto the table and grabbed a cake before plopping it in his mouth. Shade plucked the blue fox by his tail.

"At least have the decency to wait, I didn't go through all the trouble of cooking just so you could eat it all in five minutes." He scolded, while everyone else either grabbed a chair or followed Jay's example and took a seat on the table. Shade dropped Jay next to Nelson and leaned against the table, before grabbing one of the cakes and took a bite. "So, Kai, what would you like?" He asked. Kai's eyes scanned the mountains of food again, already feeling his stomach begging.

"I'll just have a bit of everything." He finally said. Kai had never cared much for the laws of physics, but whoever said the matter couldn't be created or destroyed clearly never met Jay or Ronin before. In the span of a few short seconds, the two creatures had devoured over half the food that was leftover, after everyone claimed their meal. They made all that food vanish in less than a few seconds. Kai could only stare at them in shock.

"Don't think about it." Someone suddenly said. Kai jumped and turned to Echo, who was standing next to him, munching on a cake and a strawberry. "Ronin and Jay are eating machines, Shade says the day he leaves either one of them in the kitchen unattended is the day he lets us all starve to death." The centare laughed before eating his strawberry. Shade nodded at this, sinking his unusually long canine into an apple. Kai chuckled before stealing another cake, while the two boys fought over the last of the cream-filled sweets.

He couldn't believe how much he was enjoying himself.

Everything unhappy and frustrating about the previous evening just seemed like a bad dream. Once everyone had eaten their choice of food, they'd began bombarding Kai with questions about himself, each one of them curious to learn everything about their new guest. He'd given up trying to persuade them not to call him Master Kai and decided it was just something he'd have to get used to. The younger staff and Nelson were all careful to avoid anything that related to his siblings, which he was grateful for.

Despite his unusual happiness, the ache of never seeing his family again left a heavy hollow weight in his chest.

"So, you like books?" Nelson asked, sipping a glass of orange juice.

"Lloyd and I used to spend all our time in the bookstore whenever we got a chance." He nodded. Jay perked up and let go of the cake he'd been holding, sending Ronin, who was trying to take the cake, flying backward and almost off the table.

"We should show you the library then, right Tox?" He asked, turning to the naga, who was busy licking the last of the chicken off a drumstick.

"Of course, it's on the second floor."

"You have a library? Where is it?" Kai asked, excited.

"We'll show you tomorrow, we've gone through the whole day already." Echo replied. Kai blinked before looking around for some form of a clock in the room. An antique grandfather clock in the hallway, chimed to life, alerting the staff it was already 9 o'clock.

"Wow, I guess time really does fly when you're having fun." He chuckled and continued to socialize with the younger staff. Tox, Jay, and Nelson all asked Kai questions about himself, especially when he let it slip that he liked to write. It rather surprised everyone else. It was almost too impossible to believe this guy was the same rebellious and feisty teen who'd all but sent their Master into a fury the night before. Ronin suddenly stopped eating and jumped from the table.

In a flash of turquoise, he returned to his human form and grabbed a large tray, and began piling it with enough food for at least two people.

He clenched the silver handles and turned to the stairs.

"Where are you going?" Kai asked curiously.

"The Master didn't come down for dinner, so he must be hungry." He answered flatly. A sudden rage filled Kai and he snorted, remembering the argument they'd had earlier. Ronin turned to the new guest and offered a small smile.

"He's really not bad, except when he's in a mood, but really, he's not bad; you'll forgive him when you get to know him and until then, have a good night." He smiled before exiting the room and strolling up the staircase Kai hadn't noticed before. Kai's ever narrowed but he said nothing.

"You'll have to forgive him, Kai." Neuro sighed. "It's just been so long, and he hasn't really interacted with people for quite some time; sometimes he forgets what it's like to be kind and I'm sure you can understand, haven't you ever felt so out of place it was like everyone was against you for reasons you could not understand?" He asked and Kai almost choked on the wine he'd been drinking. He couldn't answer, but Neuro's words echoed in his mind like a guilty conscious smacking him for an act of stupidity.

He didn't answer and instead just looked at the floor.

For a moment he wondered if it was Cole or him Neuro had been talking about. The last chapter of the fairy tale repeated in his head, and for the first time in two days, he had to remind himself it wasn't just a fairy tale, but a true story. A true story about a hundred years of isolation. He shook his head and tried to dispel the thoughts. He didn't want to think about that right now. He didn't want to spoil his good mood with those thoughts. He didn't regret his and Cole's argument earlier.

Tragedy or not, he reacted the way anyone would, he told himself.

Kai sighed and stood from his chair, causing everyone in the room to stare.

"I'm going to head to bed if that's alright." He said with a small smile.

"We'll go with you." Jay volunteered, floating up and resting on Kai's shoulder. Kai chuckled before offering an arm to Nelson. Nelson took advantage of the gesture and took hold of Kai's hand.

"Are you three coming?" He asked, Shade, Echo, Neuro, and Tox.

"No thank you," Tox replied.

"We should clean this up, and don't you dare volunteer to help, this is the only time of the night Shade and I get to be alone." Neuro smiled, teasingly, though the smirk on Shade's face suggested a few not so innocent intentions. Kai shuddered, before turning to Echo.

"Coming?"

"I have to help the others; the rest of the staff will want to meet you tomorrow." He replied and Kai nodded, before leaving the room, and asking his new friends the quickest way to the East Wing. No one noticed the shadow standing on the balcony overlooking the dining hall, or the green eyes transfixed on the smiling form of their new guest and the equally laughing faces of his staff. He retreated to the safety of the shadows hoping to let them have their moment of happiness, undisturbed...

****************

No one but Ronin noticed the flash of black retreating towards the West Wing. Ronin stopped outside a familiar door of dark wood, engraved with the stunning carving of a dragon. It stood tall and proud as beautiful as it was dangerous, powerful wings twice its length flexed to its full length empowering the border of the doors. Ronin shifted the weight of the tray to one hand and used his free one to knock the silver door knockers. Without an answer, the doors unlocked themselves with a loud click and the shifting of gears like a clock.

Swiftly, but gently, Ronin turned the doorknob and gently pushed the large doors open.

He was met with darkness, lit only by the crack of light from the hallway.

"Master?" He called gently, before entering the room and carefully closing it behind him. Only the bright glow of a large red candle in the corner lit the room. Shredded tapestries hung from the walls, and tattered orange curtains covered the glass doors leading to a balcony. A table covered in white cloth sat on the raised platform. On the table sat the Master's most treasured items, which Ronin dared not touch. The once-grand room was caked with dust and cobwebs.

The only thing untouched by the dust was the huge canopy bed in the corner.

The frame made from iron and the comforter and pillows were shades of black, red, and amber. The curtains around it were tattered and faded with age, but they'd done their job keeping age from touching the bed. The curtain was open and Ronin could see his master sitting there, wrapped in his enormous wings.

"Master? It's time for dinner." He called again. The Dragon Lord finally acknowledged his presents and opened his wings. Ronin gave him a small smile, before setting the tray down on of the broken tables. Of all the servants in the castle, Ronin was one of the only two allowed such familiarity with their Master. He wasn't sure if it was because he'd been there the longest, or if it was because Cole was the one who brought him there and offered him sanctuary.

Ronin accepted that gift with pride.

He made no effort to take advantage of it. Cole smiled and rose from his seat.

"Shouldn't you be making sure our guest doesn't get lost?" He teased.

"Don't worry, Nelson is with him; I'm not foolish enough to leave him alone with Jay, even you wouldn't do something that cruel."

"You put too much faith in me, all of you do." He chuckled lightly. "Anyone else would have, should have, given up on me long ago; I'd have already given up on myself by now."

"Don't say that!" Ronin said, too outspokenly, but it was too late to stop himself. "You don't have enough faith in yourself, you're one of the strongest people I've ever met! I refuse to believe that man who saved me can't be saved himself." He finally choked out, though it hardly measured up to what he wanted to say.

"You really think I don't want to believe that?" Cole asked rhetorically. "Do you really think, I hadn't thought of that when three strangers literally dropped on my doorstep? I hope and I pray and yet instead of an angel I get this brazen, obnoxious boy who can't hold his tongue or keep his temper." Cole chuckled, but Ronin knew it wasn't humorous. "I'm done and I won't pretend to be anything other than what I am." He sighed. Ronin opened his mouth to protest but Cole just smiled.

"Go to bed, I'm sure Kai would enjoy the company." He said and Ronin didn't argue. He just nodded and before leaving his master alone. When the troll was gone, Cole turned to the tray on the table, and with the weave of his arm, it crashed against the wall with the loud clang of metal and silver. He scowled to himself. They all placed too much faith in him. It would only be disappointing when he failed. He growled with disgust at himself before turning to the table in front of the balcony and gazed at the crimson red candle as the bright purple flame flickered back and forth.

One hand braced the rim of the table, the other covering his face with his black scaled paw.

The peace was married to the memory of those who'd given up everything for him. The ones he had lost. The ones he failed to protect.

"It's hopeless."...

#ninjago #ninjago zane #ninjago cole #ninjago kai #ninjago jay #ninjago tox #ninjago ronin #ninjago shade #ninjago neuro #The Flame and the Dragon #beauty and the beast #ninjago fanfiction #lavashipping #steampunkshipping #violentshipping

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jepsolell · 4 years ago

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🤓Uno de los privilegios de expertizar obras de arte a diario en una casa de subastas es poder acercarte a ellas sin filtro ni límites: preparando las piezas de artes decorativas para la próxima subasta presencial no hemos podido evitar enamorarnos de este detalle de una escribanía de plata de estilo neoclásico. Dos graciosos niños sostienen un portavelas en lo que parece un gesto de hermandad o de concordia: elegancia y humanismo de la mano. - 📌Este y muchos detalles más próximamente en el catálogo de nuestra web. ¡Estad atentos/as! - 🤓One of the privileges of expertizing works of art on in an auction house is being able to approach them without filter or limits: preparing the pieces of decorative arts for the next hammer auction we felt in love with this detail of a silver notary's office neoclassical style. Two funny children hold a candle holder in what appears to be a gesture of brotherhood or harmony: elegance and humanism all together. - 📌This and many more details soon in the catalog of our website. Stay tuned! (en Subarna) https://www.instagram.com/p/CK61YPzHFpa/?igshid=qysu0kz9yuzj

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spinningwebsandtales · 5 years ago

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A Vampire’s Bride (A Vampire John Wick AU)

Imagine living in a village where girls are sent up to appease a cruel bloodthirsty vampire every ten years and you’re the next victim.

Title: A Vampire’s Bride

Tags: Horror, Fluff, John Wick AU

Warnings: Intense descriptions, mentions of blood, death, and mentions of staking of the heart

Word Count: 5,059

(A/N:) Good morning minions and Happy Halloween!! I thought I’d surprise you this Halloween with the ultimate fic on Halloween for Halloween. What was supposed to be a small imagine blown up into a full fanfic! I’m quite proud of myself on this one and I just finished editing it last night, so I finished it and not a moment too soon to post it today. I woke a up a little earlier than normal so I could post it, cause I didn’t know if I was going to have time later. Ehehehe. Without any further ado welcome to my nightmare! Stay safe and may your Halloween bring you frights, treats, and wonderful horrors! Love Countess.

Your village was a quaint quiet place, where everyone knew their neighbor and always lent a helping hand. While your family wasn’t the richest in the village you weren’t the poorest. You lived an easy life and were quite the favorite amongst the young men of the village, only you were off limits. It wasn’t due to an overprotective father nor did you have any crippling disease that made you unwanted it was due to you being chosen as a young age to be married off. High above the village a castle stood watching and always waiting. Castle Continental didn’t take in visitors nor did anyone make the trek to see the owner who lived inside. In Castle Continental lived Count Jonathan Wick, a vampire who could only be appeased by having a young bride sent to him every ten years. You were chosen after the last girl went, everyone knew what happened to these girls but to keep the vampire upon the mountain appeased it was a sacrifice the village was willing to make. Tonight was the night you were going to be sent and your heart sank knowing that you were going to die. As you sat in a chair looking at your unmoving reflection in the vanity mirror you were primped and pampered for the Count like a doll.

“You look lovely,” one of the women complimented. Her statement went through one ear and out the other. You had no desire to be lovely, a corpse never cared if they were pretty, ugly, or anything of the like. You just knew that your cold corpse would be sent back the next evening, drained of blood, before buried in a coffin with a stake drove through your still heart.

“A lovely bride for a handsome count,” another piped in not wanting to be removed from any part of the one-sided conversation. Still you remained silent, looking beyond the mirror. Your once vibrant eyes were glazed over, like a doll’s. One last tweak of the hair and you were ready, and not a moment too soon as the sun was beginning to set. A carriage remained outside the building waiting for your arrival, the trek up to the top where Castle Continental would end around nightfall later in the evening. A perfect time to deliver a bride to the vampiric monster within. You breathed as much as your corset would allow you as you seated yourself on the plush cushions of the carriage. You remained alone inside the cab as the carriage driver sat outside guiding the horses to the destination.

No conversations were started, no jokes were told, nor any songs sung on the way to your doom. You were hoping at least the driver would ease the journey, but he was more concerned about the destination instead of the journey. So you sat in uncomfortable silence your heart hammering inside your chest in both fear and nervousness. A vampire bride, what a cruel hand fate had dealt you. Despite the situation you couldn’t bring yourself to cry, you cried enough the night you were chosen for the rest of your days. Your mother had weeped openly and she couldn’t be consoled, your father fought for another to be chosen only for him to lose. You sighed looking out the window at the dark skeletal remains of trees that had long ago shed their colorful leaves. You shivered in your bridal gown the feeling of being watched coming over you. The sun was holding on for just a moment longer until it moved over to let the moon shine upon the Earth. Wheels met cobblestone as your journey came to a close. The driver remained silent but the carriage creaked as he made his way down. Soles of his boots clacked on the stones and the door handle clicked. You couldn’t see his face as you stepped from the carriage, he bowed his head unable to look at you. He felt ashamed delivering you to death itself.

“Good luck m’lady,” he mumbled the first word he had spoke the whole journey. Closing the carriage door he left you alone to look up at the castle, the windows were darkened and the sky seemed to weigh down upon your shoulders.

Everything was quiet you almost felt like no one was home until you stepped forwards and the doors swung upon on squeaky hinges of it’s own accord. Fighting back the scream you held your head high and stepped across the threshold. You thought it funny you carried yourself over the threshold instead of your husband, but your marriage wasn’t going to be a happy one you knew, nor was it going to last very long. You almost spoke out trying to find any sort of presence that lived within the castle. Before one syllable could be uttered a man emerged standing above you on the steps.

“Good evening,” he spoke gently his dark skin shining in the candle light that seemed to emerge from no where. “I am guessing you are the new bride for my master?”

You nodded.

“Follow me please,” he nodded at you waiting until you conquered the flight of stairs. You felt eyes all around you and a presence you couldn’t quite place. It was as if the house was sizing you up, probably deciding how you were going to be killed. “I am the butler of this fine household, my name is Charon and the household manager is Winston. You will meet him very soon. He makes sure every detail is taken care of so the master doesn’t have to trouble himself. Wherefore I make sure guests are satisfied and the staff is doing their part in upkeep.”

“I see,” you spoke your voice cracking from your long silence.

“She speaks,” Charon teased stopping at a door. The door was large and took up the entire height of the wall, Charon knocked and just like the front doors this one seemed to open of it’s own accord as well. A large desk took up the middle of the room as two chairs sat unused by the fireplace. Paintings and animal trophies littered the walls, but the most impressive thing about the room was the floor to ceiling bookcases that took up both side walls. A silver haired man sat at the desk quill pen scratching at several papers before him. Charon cleared his throat and bowed in greeting.

“May I be of service,” the man who was clearly Winson spoke.

“The master’s new bride has arrived and I have come for your orders.”

Winston looked up from his paperwork. Removing his glasses his folded them and placed them neatly before him on the desk. “Place her in the same exact room as the other’s have been before her, have the maids bathe her, and dress her in crimson for master’s arrival.”

“But,” you stepped forward slippered foot barely making a sound over the lush carpet, “I’m already dressed and cleaned.”

Winston folded his hands, “I’m going to put this nicely, your perfume is appalling and master likes crimson.” The older gentleman smiled revealing pearly fangs. “As a vampire our sense of smell is sensitive and the women in your village bathed you in perfumes. We are doing no different than the last girls we acquired.”

“Okay,” you relented stepping back trying to hide yourself behind Charon. Charon bowed to Winston ready to do as he was ordered. Charon kept the door open to let you through when Winston cleared his throat as he still sat at his desk.

“I’m sorry I didn’t catch your name.”

“(Y/N),” you bowed.

“Miss (Y/N),” Winston smiled warmly once again showing the fangs behind pale lips, “enjoy your stay for as long as you will be with us.” Chills ran up your spin at his words hearing the threat within that you wouldn’t be staying long.

“Thank you.” You bowed as well in farewell.

Charon closed the door behind you without another word, you knew that following him was expected of you.

Walking through the hall you noticed how Charon seemed to glide across the floor, his visage was pale and his presence bled strength. Instead of thinking about being in a castle surrounded by vampires you moved your attention to the decorations upon the walls. Oil paintings were placed strategically against the dark red colored walls, as thick drapes covered every window. The sunlight didn’t have a chance to bleed through any part of the windows. Lost in thought you didn’t notice Charon stop in front of a large decorative door until you ran into his back. He didn’t move an inch but you fell back holding your throbbing nose.

“Sorry,” you mumbled.

Charon chuckled holding out a hand, “That’s okay. This place can be quite impressive, it’s hard to take everything in so quickly. If there’s time I wouldn’t mind giving you the whole tour. It just depends upon the master.”

“I understand. I’d like the full tour though, if I live that long.”

Charon nodded opening the door like it weighed nothing. Stepping back he gave you plenty of room to walk into your new bedroom. As the door closed behind you the room took your breath away. With a luxurious bed pushed up against the opposite wall, a balcony with curtains covering the window pane doors, plush carpets silenced your footsteps, and the atmosphere was calming thanks to incense burning in it’s holder. You allowed yourself for the first time to feel some sort of elation, running across the room you jumped landing upon the large bed with a bounce. Giggling quietly you touched the gown that had been laid across the blankets. A velvet dress of a deep blood red with black trim you couldn’t help but love the way it looked and felt. You ripped your hand from the material when gentle knocks rapped against the door.

“Come in,” you answered. Without a word the door opened and three pale young women stepped in.

“Excuse us,” they said in unison bowing to you. “We have come to help you with your bath.” One woman held a towel, another different soaps, and the last held a hairbrush and different hair pins. Without another word you let yourself be lead away. The bathroom down the hall was lit with lights and several candles, you were stripped of the white gown and placed into the tub. The water was still so warm it seeped into your aching muscles. With a sigh you leaned back wetting your hair and shoulders. The relaxation didn’t last long when one of the female vampires dumped water over you. You sputtered and they set to scrubbing. Before you knew it your hair was cleaned and you insisted that you could clean your body yourself. Leaving you for just a few moments of peace you soaked in the water trying to ignore everything that was set before you. A tear slipped down your cheek, despite all the lovely things that had been happening you were still terrified. What was this Count Jonathan going to be like? His workers seemed lovely though everyone you had met was vampires.

You stayed until the water turned cold, you were enjoying the quiet but you couldn’t lie to yourself that you were trying to buy time. The maids heard you exit the tub so they stepped in to wrap you in a towel and guide you to the vanity. You couldn’t help but feel deja vu creeping upon you as you had set before a vanity just this morning while the women of the village primped you. Unlike the towns women these three maids knew exactly what their master wanted and what he liked. Your hair was curled to fall in waves around your face, they painted your lips a ruby red, adding a little eyeshadow to make your eyes glow, lastly they helped you into the velvet gown. All laced up they stepped back from their work before the youngest looking maid stepped forward to pin a rose into your hair.

“Perfect,” her fanged smile caused you a sliver of fear but she backed away leaving you trembling slightly. Once again a knock was heard, one of the maids answered the door to reveal Charon.

“I hope your task has been completed because the master has asked for his bride. I do want to keep him happy.”

The remaining two maids moved aside revealing you to the butler who nodded in approval. Charon held out his hand to which you took. You couldn’t argue nor could you run as your heart pounded in both anticipation and fear. Charon kept holding your hand as he lead you down the hall to a chamber with a powerful aurora seeping through the door frame. You shivered holding your arms tightly around your body.

“Whatever happens,” Charon soothed, “it’ll be quick that I can promise.”

You couldn’t answer but tears were swimming in your eyes. Charon turned around leaving you at the closed door. You almost begged him not to leave but like a ghost he had disappeared, there you stood alone and frightened. Despite the fear standing before your husband-to-be’s bedroom door it was becoming quite awkward until the door slowly creaked open. Not seeing someone behind the opening of the door you became even more frightened.

“Enter,” a deep voiced echoed within. Despite your better judgment you entered into the darkened room as if in a trance. Halfway into the room the door closed leaving you in pitch darkness.

Your breathing quickened, terror gripping you in it’s tight hold. Hyperventilating you fell to the floor trying to crawl into yourself or the blackness around you. You wanted to disappear but despite the feeling you couldn’t. A presence made your skin crawl and when a hand touched your shoulder you leapt up with a cry. Scrambling away you hit your head upon a piece of furniture.

“St-stay away,” you screeched. Eyes darting around the room you cursed them for not getting used to the dark. The sound of a match being struck met your ears and illuminated a hand before the flame touched the wick of a candle illuminating the owner of that hand. Despite knowing what he was you thought how gorgeous he was. Black strands of hair brushed his broad shoulders, red eyes that seemed to penetrate deep down within you, he was tall, well built, and dressed all in black.

“No need to fear,” he cooed. His voice warm and smooth like honey, it had an effect upon you that you stood up from the floor. “I know you know of the fate of the other girls that has been sent to me. I do not deny what all I’ve done, but like any man I’ve have become quite lonely over the years. My existence is a sad one. Never dying always lonely.”

“You have others in this castle, that’s no reason to keep taking girls from my village.”

“That was to appease me, to slate my thirst every ten years. Do you know how many would have died if it wasn’t for the girls’ sacrifice?”

“Enough to appease you Count?” You shrank away at the look he gave you, the anger in your tone annoyed him.

“Most likely not.”

“And I the unwilling lamb brought to slaughter is now your next victim. Go ahead drain me! Get it over with I have been in misery since chosen for this homicidal deed. I can’t stop you,” you lifted your head exposing your soft throat. “Take my blood, toss me off the mountain. So I can be staked to my coffin and rot in the earth like all those other hapless girls did before me.”

He sighed his head dropping down in defeat. “I’m a monster, that I cannot deny. I thirst for blood, especially yours. Please hide your throat from me or I shall not be able to finish our conversation. Your very wish to be drained and tossed aside may come true if you keep enticing me.”

You lowered your head, tired of being afraid you stood before him in defiance.

“I tire of having one night with new company only to be overcome with thirst. You’ve lasted the longest of the girls that I have been sent. I long for companionship and I pray that you can give me what I long for most.”

“So you wish to keep me for several meals? I rather you take the one and let me die quickly,” you cross your arms still unwilling to budge. If you were to die you wanted it on your terms. Gone was the frightened young woman, your stubborn and argumentative side was rearing it’s head in the face of death causing the count to become flustered. The Count was upon you in an instant an inhuman scream ripping from his throat. With clawed hands gripping your upper arms he shook you. His elongated fangs dripped with saliva inching nearer to your throat. You screeched trying to break free. But his supernatural strength kept you in place.

“Is this what you so long for,” he growled lowly like a unholy creature of Hades. “To be killed by the beast within me? For a face of horror to be your last? What I offer is not several meals until I take your very life but to stay by my side for eternity. I long for a Countess to sit at my side to stay and keep me. I long for a family. But I would not simply make this decision for you,” he released you. “This will be your choice. And yours alone. Choose wisely.”

You trembled any fight you had left you, back was the terror you had felt at first. This was no ordinary man you faced, you knew that before but after seeing that display of power and monstrosity you regretted ever challenging him.

“I do not have an answer. May I think it over for awhile,” you fought to keep your voice from shaking.

Jonathan nodded, “Of course.”

“My name is (Y/N) by the way I suppose that I needed to introduce myself properly.”

John laughed. “It’s a pleasure (Y/N). As you already know I’m Count Jonathan Wick, but you can call me John. May we converse? I’d like to get to know you better.”

“As long as you don’t bite,” you teased still trying to calm your racing heart.

“Only if you ask me too.”

Lighting more candles John brought another chair close to the one he enjoyed sitting in. He called for tea to be brought up, the kitchen had stocked up for your arrival, which another maid you hadn’t meet brought to the bedroom. Jonathan took the tray like a gentleman and sat it before you. Instead of making you pour your own tea he set about filling the teacup before asking what you enjoyed in your tea. Answering every question calmly you took the cup from him before enjoying the first warm sip. You sighed seeming to melt in the chair. You hadn’t felt this comfortable since your bath. You felt his eyes upon you, clearing your throat you sat up straight blushing in embarrassment. How your mother would faint if she saw how you were acting in front of a man, though he was a vampire. You both discussed things, he told you of his past, you discussed books and told him your favorites, and conversed over various topics. Jonathan was very knowledgeable of topics that you enjoyed. Despite of still being wary of him you found yourself enjoying yourself. With amusement he watched you yawn and fight sleep. Dawn would be creeping upon the castle in just a few hours, he was surprised you lasted this long.

“Darling do you need to end our night now,” he asked.

You stifled a yawn again, “Oh no I’m very much enjoying it. I’d hate to end it now.”

“As you wish.” He agreed only because he knew that you were going to expire at any moment. Starting back into the conversation of the history of Castle Continental did you finally give up. You were asleep in no time soft snores leaving your lips. His shoulders shook in a silent laugh before scooping you from the chair. The door to his bedroom once again opened by itself, as did your bedroom door. Charon wished to take you from his master. He felt like he needn't bother with you but John wouldn’t hear of it. He wished to have you as his bride to stay with him forever he felt the need to watch out for you. Laying you upon the soft blankets he covered you before touching your warm cheek. He’d forgotten such warmth it felt like bliss to him. Kissing your forehead he left you to sleep.

You slept until mid afternoon, the sun was high above the castle and everything was silent. You were used to the bustle of the village that the silence seemed a little eerie. Though you felt silly, you were in a vampire’s castle. Moving your blankets your stomach growled. Down the stairs you went looking for the kitchen, you hated that you didn’t get that full tour Charon offered. Exploring seemed to be on your agenda with the goal in mind to find the kitchen. You roamed the halls finding a library, a restroom, living area, until finally about an hour later you found the holy grail of kitchens. Of course no one was around thanks to their vampiric nature, but you were not a helpless girl. You knew how to cook and clean. If anyone said anything about you cooking you’d just have to remind them that unlike them you were human and needed several meals. Despite it being around the hour for lunch you made breakfast. With your stomach full you were still quite curious about the rest of the castle. You decided to explore but quietly so not to disturb the workers or anger the Count in any way. Color rose to your cheeks as you remembered last night. Staying up late alone with him and to fall asleep in a chair in his bedroom. Hitting your cheeks you tried to rid yourself of such thoughts, you had things to look at and a decision to make. Who knew vampires could become lonely? You sure didn’t. You were fully aware you were sent here to be John’s next meal. Everyone was probably planning your funeral down at the village, your body was supposed to be returned tonight. What would everyone think when you weren’t returned dead or alive? Eternity was a long time and the choice of being turned was a scary one. Being a Count’s bride would have it’s perks especially seeing how gentlemanly he could be, plus handsome to boot. You couldn’t help but feel like a school girl when you looked upon him. If you decided to stay forever you wouldn’t have to fear anymore, after last night he didn’t seem so scary. Walking back up the stairs you began to go through the rooms upstairs. You did avoid Winston’s wing though, he seemed like the kind of vampire who did not liked to be disturbed. Though you figured every vampire frowned upon being woken during the sunny hours of the day. Upstairs there was several more libraries which you vowed to check out later, a sun room (which seemed silly in a vampire’s castle), with lots of bedrooms that varied in sizes. Going back to the library that was closest to your room you chose a couple books to take back into your room for reading. It would pass the time and though you didn’t have permission to use the library you figured this was a ‘better to ask for forgiveness than permission’ situation.

With a book the hours seemed to pass in seconds and before you knew it you were halfway through one book and evening had come upon Castle Continental once more. A light tap took your attention off the words.

“Come in,” you closed the book putting it on the bedside table. Johnathan glided through the door holding a platter with a dome on top.

“Good evening,” he spoke placing the platter on a table in the middle of the room. “Hungry?”

With reading taking your attention you hadn’t noticed how hungry you had gotten until John asked. That time your stomach decided to growl which caused him to laugh.

“I’ll take that as a yes.” As you sat down he took a seat across from you. “Did you sleep well?”

“Oh yes thank you.” You wolfed down the food and licked your fingers of any traces. Despite not knowing him long you felt comfortable around John. You could sense he felt the same though he did seem a little anxious and you figured you knew why.

“If I may ask did you think any more on my proposal?”

Scooting the table between you both out of the way you slid your chair closer to where your knees touched together. Knowing what he was asking and it being brought upon you so quickly it was a decision you couldn’t make lightly. Though you didn’t have many options. You could say yes and become a vampire. You’d never be abandoned and you couldn’t see the downside of having John as a husband. Secondly you thought about just returning home where you would be shunned. They thought you were dead by now and if you returned alive and well they would run you out of town. You’d be labeled a plague upon the people and the wrath of John would be upon them in minutes until a replacement could be found. Or you could do as you were sent to do. Sacrifice your life just like others had did. Johnathan waited in patient silence, though he was nervous. He knew he put you in a tough position, he just couldn’t take the suffocating loneliness no longer. What he hadn’t been planning on was a village girl be sent to him this year to be what he had wanted for so long. Taking your hands his red eyes seemed to plead.

“I’ve decided to stay. I’ll be what I can to you I just ask you protect me and you treat me like I deserve, and I promise to do the same for you.” You finally answered before your nerves got the better of you. John pulled you into his chest, if his heart beat he was sure it would beat out of his chest. Pulling you back he looked at you with love before pulling you into a kiss. Despite the coolness of his lips the kiss felt heated. You clung to his clothes before he trailed his lips down to your chin. His tongue grazed down your throat before resting above your jugular. Your grip tightened on him before his teeth punctured the skin. You yelped and he held you tighter, rubbing small circles upon your back. Your chest heaved as he drank deeply with his tongue resting against your skin it flicked back and forth. Pulling back from you with lips stained red he brought his wrist to his mouth. Ripping his flesh open he held it up to your lips as you swayed from the loss of blood. Lapping at the crimson liquid you drank your fill before John carried you back to your bed. Laying you down he laid next to you holding you tightly.

“Thank you,” he sighed stirring the hairs on your head. You couldn’t speak your mouth wouldn’t work and you were so far away. You fought to stay awake but lost the battle as everything went dark and you knew no more.

You didn’t know where you were at nor did you know who you were for a moment, and you couldn’t place the weight beside you. Hands moved up and down your body in a comforting gesture.

“How are you,” a voice said. You were still a little confused and your body felt weird. You felt more aware and a sense that had never been there before. Your throat was dry and there was a slight pain in your teeth. You touched your gums only to nick your finger on a sharp canine tooth. You watched blood well from the wound, licking the bead away you were amazed to see no cut remained.

“I feel a little odd,” you finally replied finding your voice.

“That’s normal with the change you just went through. But I’ve never been happier in my life.” You looked back, memories finally flooding back. You touched your neck to find that the puncture wounds that John left were gone and there was no trace to what had happened.

“You don’t regret it do you,” he asked a little fear bleeding in his voice.

“Regret my choice? Never. Regret that I decided to do it for you? Possibly.”

He seemed very hurt until he figured out you were joking around. “Now I’m regretting choosing you.”

“Too bad your stuck with me. So does this make me Countess Wick?”

He kissed you deeply pinning you down with his weight, though it didn’t hurt and you felt like you could pick him up with no problem.

“Of course,” he replied between kisses. You pulled him back down not wanting him far away from you. This new life was going to take some getting used to that was for sure. Though you looked forward to every moment.

After sending you up the mountain, no other girl was sent to appease the great Count Jonathan Wick. Rumors and stories traveled throughout the world about the young human woman who tamed a vampire. Girls didn’t fear coming of age no longer, everyone enjoyed peace.The lonely vampire who just wanted companionship finally gotten what he had longed for, for so long. You became one of the most powerful vampires in existence and you beared powerful pure-blooded vampire children. Your little family grew throughout the years and you never regretted once deciding to be with Jonathan. Nor did he ever think he chose unwisely. Everyone enjoyed peace and no one complained, especially you and John.

#John Wick / Reader #John Wick X Reader #Vampire John Wick / Reader #Vampire John Wick X Reader #John Wick #John Wick AU #Vampire AU #John Wick Imagine #Imagine #Baba Yaga #Not My Gif #My Writing #Happy Halloween

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nemesisbinxartifactseries · 5 years ago

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Artifact Series S

Saburo Miyakawa's Hachimaki *

Sacagawea's Cradleboard

Sacagawea's Indian Peace Medal

Sacred Papyri of Seleucia *

The Saddle of Bayard

Sadhu Fingernails

Sailor Mars' Transformation Pen

Saint Cuthbert's Chapel Gargoyle *

Saint George's Ring

Saint George's Lance and Shield

Saint James' Fuller's Club

Saint Jude's Carpenter's Rule

Saint Jerome's Lion Claw Thorn

Saint Lucia's Skull

Saint Matthew's Tax Lodger

Saint Matthias' Axe

Saint Nicholas' Gift Bag

Saint Nicholas' Three Stockings

Saint Patrick's Bell

Saint Paul's Cross-Hilted Sword

Saint Paul's Letter

Saint Peter's 2 Keys

Saint Peter's Sword

Saint Philip's Basket

Saint Sebastian’s Arrow

Saint Simon's Saw

Saint Thomas' Carpentry Square

Saint Valentine's Amethyst Ring

Sakyo Komatsu's Typewriter Ink Ribbon

Saleh's Camel Bone

Salem Saberhagen Animatron

Sallah, the Soothsaying Sultan *

Sally Rand's Ostrich Feather Fans

Sally Tompkins' Medical Kit

Salmaan Taseer's Glasses

Salt from Dallol, Ethiopia

Salvador Dali’s Cane

Salvador Dali's Moustache Wax

Salvador Dalí's Paintbrush

Salvation Army Bell

Salvator Fabris' Fencing Doublet

Salzburg Marionette Theater Marionette

Samantha Smith's Cap

Sam Hide's Half Crown

Sam Loyd's Black Queen

Sammy Davis Jr.'s Mezuzah

The Samsara Lotus

Sam Sheppard's Wrestling Boots

Sam Snead’s Golf Bag

Samson's Jawbone *

Samuel Allison's Dark Tinted Goggles

Samuel Clemens' Riverboat Whistle

Samuel Colt's Gun Barrel

Samuel Franklin Cody’s Kite

Samuel J. Seymour’s Safety Pin

Samuel Loring Morison’s Magazine Rack

Samuel Madden's Letter Opener

Samuel Pepys' Monocle

Samuel Pepys' Wheel of Parmesan Cheese

Samuel Taylor Coleridge's Fishing Net *

Samuel Whittemore’s Musket

Samuel Ruben’s Batteries

Samus Aran's Armor

Sancho II of Portugal’s Ciborium

Sandbags from the Great Mississippi Flood of 1927

The Sanderson Sisters' Black Flame Candle

Sandford Fleming's Postage Stamp

Sands of Hiroshima

Sands of Iwo Jima *

Sands of Normandy

Sandstone Bricks from the Pyramid of Giza

Santa Claus™ Hat

Santiago Ramón y Cajal's Microscope

Santorini Event Pumice Stone

Sapphires of Vali

Sarah A. Bowman’s Bread Tray

Sarah Bernhardt's Evening Gloves

Sarah Knauss' Personal Compact Mirror

Sarah Osbourne's Dress

Saraswati’s Veena

Sargon the Great's Mirrors *

Saturn V

Saxon Yule Log *

Sburb Beta Disks

Scaenae Frons from the Theatre of Dionysus

Scallop Shell of Zebedee

Scarab of Imhotep *

The Scarab Beetle Statue of Luxor

Scarecrow's Mask

“Scary” Lucille Ball Statue

Schaefer Beer Tray

Scheherazede's Bracelet

School of Salmon

Schrodinger's Cat

Schwinn Exercise Bike

Scope & Rifle from Elbe Day

Scorpion's Ropedart

Scorpus' Chariot

Scot Halpin’s Tour Jacket

Scott Joplin's Cigarette Case *

Scott Joplin's Piano *

Scott Joplin's Score for A Guest of Honor

Scott O'Grady’s Ejection Seat

SCP-WH13

Scroll of Qi

The Sea Cat

Searchlight from Alcatraz

Seat from Global Airlines Flight 33

Seaweed Stone Ball

Second Chance Heroes Artifacts

Secondo Pia’s Flashbulb

Secretariat's Horseshoes

Sedna's Seashell

Seductive Spectacles

SEES's Evokers

Selene's Tiara

Self-Answering Rotary Phone

Self-Constructing Building Blocks

Self-Replicating Birthday Candles

Senchán Torpéist's Lute

Seneb's False Door

Seraphim of Sarov’s Icon and Lestovka

Serial Killer Camera *

Serial Killer Hook

Sergeant Stubby's Coat

Sergei Brukhonenko's Autojektor

Sergei Korsakoff's Ruble Coin

Sergei Prokofiev's Chess Board

Sergio Corbucci's Personal Script of Django

Sergiusz Piasecki’s Grammar Book

Sessue Hayakawa’s Pierce Arrow

Seth Kinman’s Elkhorn Chair

Seth MacFarlane's "Family Guy" Concept Art

Seti I's Obelisk

Severus of Athens' Cronus Ring

Sexist Pickle Jar

Shah Jahan’s Peacock Throne

Shah Jahan's Taj Mahal Spire

Shaista Khan’s Sash

Shards of the Cross of St. Andrew

Sharicite Pendants

Shaka Zulu's Nkoka

Shaka Zulu's Iklwa

Shamu's Tank

Shang Rang's Army Shield

Shaolin Temple Robes

Sharbat Gula's Shawl

Shard from the Lens of the Lighthouse of Alexandria *

Sharkeisha's Winter Hat

Sharpie Permanent Marker

Sheet Music of Faerie's Aire and Death Waltz

Sheldon Silverstein's Guitar

Sheldon Silverstein's Shaving Razor

Shelvern's Black-Magic-Eyed Peas

Shell Fragment from the V-1 Doodlebug

Shem Drowne's Grasshopper

Shennong’s Plow

Sherman Adams’ Fur Coat

Sher Shah Suri's Helmet

Sheut Statuette

Shield from the Battle of Thermopylae

Shifting Chicken Egg

Shig Murao's Copy of "Howl"

Shigechiyo Izumi's Kimono

Shig Murao's Copy of "Howl"

Shigeru Miyamoto's Keyboard

Shinichi Suzuki's Violin

Shirley Jackson's Jewelry Box

Shiro Ishii's Medal *

Shirt of Nessus

Shivaji’s Bagh Naka

Shizou Kakutani's Geometry Set *

Shoes from the Tank Man

Shoichi Yokoi's Uniform

Shō Shin's Tonfa

Shotaro Ishinomori's Pen and Sketch Pad

Shower Head from "Psycho" *

Shylock's Coin Purse

Siberian Jukebox

Siberian Mammoth Tusk

Sigismund I the Old’s Tankard

Sigismund’s Order of the Dragon Emblem

Sigmund Freud's Cigar *

Sigmund Freud's Glasses

Sigmund Freud's Lighter

Sigmund Freud's Mantle Clock *

Sigmund Freud's Marble Tablet

Sigyn’s Bowl

Silap Inua Totem

Silene stenophylla

Silencing Librarian Glasses

Silk Sash of Mulan

Silver Bracelet *

Silver Bullet

Silver Cross Tavern Barrels

The Silver Crystal

Silver Necklace from the Atacama Desert Mines *

Silverpilen

Silver Transmuting Goblet

Simeon Bourgeois' Torpedo Shell

Simo Häyhä's Rifle

Simon Tookoome's Bullwhip

Simonides of Ceos' Tally Stick

Simon Stevin's Windmill

Sinclair Lewis' Desk

"Singin' in the Rain" Umbrellas

The Singing Bone

Sinon's Helmet

Sir Gawain's Jousting Helmet *

Sir Mix-A-Lot's Bling Ring

Siren Rock Pendent

Sister Parish's Rose Brooch

Sitting Bull's Riding Blanket *

Skanderberg's Helmet

Skeleton Key

Ski Gloves

Skip to My Lou Violin

Skis from the Winter of Terror

Slava Raškaj’s Alabaster Owl Carving

Slavoljub Eduard Penkala’s Hot Water Bottle

The Slayer's Scythe

Sledge Hammer from the Ohio State Prison Fire

Slender Suit

Slot Machine

Slow Mo Guy's Lab Coats

Slue-Foot Sue's Bustle

Smenkhkare's Coffin

Smiling Dog Photograph

Smell Negating Clothespin

Smokey Yunick's Cowboy Hat

Smoking Railroad Spikes *

"Snakeman's" Basket

Snarky Reading Glasses

Sneezing Panda Video Camera

Snowman Jack-in-the-Box

Snow White's Apple

Snow White's Mirror

Sobriety Coin

Soccer Ball from the Death Match

Sock Sowachowski's Hat

Socrates' Cup *

Socrates' Toga

Sodom and Gomorrah Salt Mask *

Sogdianus' Scimitar

Soichiro Honda's Bicycle Pedals

Solac Electric Toaster

Soldier of Fortune's Cloth Cap

Solomon W. Golomb's Polyominoes

Sonman Mine Pickaxe

Sonny and Cher's Old West Costumes

Sopdet's Star

Sophie Blanchard's Costume

Sophie Lyons' Gloves

Soren S. Adams' Jam Jar

Southern Cross Expedition Candle Holder

Souvenir Ashtray *

SpaceShipOne

The Spaghetti Tree

Spanish Flag from the Battle of Rocroi

Spanish Inquisition Costumes

Spartan Armor *

Spartacus' Armor

Sparticus' Retiarius *

Special Order 191 Cigars

Speed-Reading Lamp (canon)

Sphinx's Gear

Sphinx's Nose and Tablet

Spiked Torture Mask (canon)

Spindle from the Duke of Exeter's Daughter Torture Rack (canon)

Spirit of St. Louis' Propeller Spinner

Spine of the Saracen *

Splattering Heinz Ketchup Bottle

Spoon from Al Capone's Soup Kitchen

Spirit of St. Louis' Propeller Spinner

Spirit Tablets from the Boxer Rebellion

Spitball-Producing Straw

Spriggan Wings

Spring-Heeled Jack's Boots

Spyridon Louis’ Fustinella

Srinivasa Ramanujan's Stick

Squee's Teddy Bear, Shmee

SS Andrea Doria

SS Baychimo

SS Indiana's Hand Bell

SS Noronic Whistle

SS Violet, Griffon

Stack of 12 Cans of Campbell’s Soup *

Stacked-Deck Poker Table

Stadium Seats from the 1896 Olympics

Stage Door from CBGB's *

"Stagecoach" Mary Fields S&W .38 "Lemon Squeezer"

Stagelight from the UFO Club

Stairway B Railing

Staff of Set

Stamata Revithi's Document

Stan Rogers's Wedding Ring

Stanislaw Ulam's Calculator

Stanley Green’s Placard

Stanley Kramer's Film Reel

Stanley Thornton Jr.'s Baby Bottle

Stare Promoting Glasses

Star Jelly

Starkad's Norse Pendent

S.T.A.R.S. Samurai Edge Pistol

State vs Bonner Cap Gun

Statue from Trajan’s Column

Statues of Castor and Pollux *

Statue of Euryale

Statue of Heket

Statue of St. Bartholomew

Statues from the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus

Statues of Zeus and Hera

Statuettes of Aphrodte and Eros

Steam Locomotive from the Burma Railway

Steel Girders From Warehouse 12

Stefania Follini’s Guitar

Stephen Decatur's Disguise

Stephen Hawking's Wheelchair

Stephen Hillenburg's Hawaiian Shirt

Stephen Wiltshire's Pen

Steve Bolander's '58 Chevy Impala

Steve Brodie's Dummy

Steve Clemente's Knife Box

Steve Irwin’s Australia Zoo Patch

Steve Jobs' Hardrive

Steve Kordek's Pinball Machine

Steve McQueen's 650cc Triumph TR6 Trophy Motorcycle *

Steven Spielberg's Clapper Board

Stewart Farrar's Besom

Sticky String *

Stingy Jack's Turnip Lantern

"Stinking" Bishop's Kettle

St. Stephen's Church Weather Vane

Stolen Arm of Shiva

Stone-Changing Cheese Knife

Stone from Stonehenge *

Stone from the "Wailing Wall"

Stones from The Dancing Plague of 1518

Stones from the Flims Rockslide

Stone of Destiny

Stone of Truth

Stonewall Inn's Neon Sign

Stonewall Jackson's Piece of Shrapnel

Storage Door Knob

Stormtrooper E-11 Blaster Rifle

Strait of Messina Grindstone

Straightjacket from St. Mary of Bethlehem Asylum

The Straw that Broke the Camel's Back *

Studio 54 Disco Ball *

Stuffed Speckled Chachalaca

St. Valentine's Day Massacre M1 Thompson

Subtle Knife

Sucellus' Hammer

Sugar Ray Robinson's Pillow

Sugar Skull

Sulla's Grass Crown

Summer Camp Inflatable Mattress

Sunbeam Mix Master

Sundiata Keita’s Balafon

Sunny Malone's Chalk Drawing

Sunrise High Sierra Camp Hat

Sun Tzu's Dao Sword

Sun Tzu's "The Art of War"

Superman's Suit

Supermarket Sweep Shopping Carts

Susan Hayward's Silk Dress

Susan Nolen-Hoeksema’s Glasses

Susanoo's Totsuka-no-Tsurugi (Sword of Strength)

Su Song's Armillary Sphere

Suzanne Oldsworth's Silver Thimble *

Svante Arrhenius’ Gloves

Svetlana Pankratova's Shoes

Svyatoslav Nikolayevich Fyodorov's Patient's Glasses

Sweeny Todd's Barber Shop Razor

Swiss Miss-Hap Mug *

The Sword in the Stone

Sword of Damocles

Sybil Leek's Smudge Fan

Sydney Newman's Rotary Phone

Sylvanus Morley's Pith Helmet

Sylvester Graham's Original Graham Crackers

Sylvia Browne's Pearl Earrings

Sylvia Plath's Typewriter *

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homeofficeadventures · 5 years ago

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Best Office Desk Accessories

Having a productive workday starts with a fantastic space to work. Okay, alright, maybe it starts with coffee before that, but we really believe that the best work happens when you are in an area that pleases your senses. Maybe that means burning a candle for one hour to refresh the atmosphere. Perhaps that means wiping everything down using a Clorox wipe and using a clean slate, actually.

Whether you operate from home or at an office, your desk is the haven. We believe it deserves to be styled the same manner that you might style your vanity or your coffee table, together with fun accessories that also help you keep organized and on-task.

From fancy scissors (why not! ) ) And lucite staplers to monogrammed sticky notes and gold pens–we discovered 15 trendy, practical, and affordable pieces that can create your desk the new favorite place. (At least in 9 to 5…)

Personalized Sticky Notes

A sticky note never looked so great, right? We love everything personalized from Mark & Graham, but these cubes of notes strike us as particularly awesome. Treat yourself or give one as a gift–they may be personalized with names and monograms in an array of rich colors.

Wireless Charging Dock + Catch-All

To preserve power at all times while still looking professional and polished, you need among those wireless charging stations from Pottery Barn. Along with docks and plugs for your phone and tablet, this channel also includes a spot for notebooks and newspapers, so what’s in its place. Wireless charging station with the USB jack, $99, Pottery Barn

Magazine File

We can always rely on Target’s in-house brand, Threshold, to give fun and fashionable home accessories at a wonderful price. To arrange magazines (and mail!), Purchase a trio of these gold documents and store them together with the shorter end facing away from you. This makes a more compact appearance; however, you’re still able to see exactly what each one contains. Threshold gold magazine file, $13, Target

Foxed Mirror Accessories

If it comes to styling your workspace, both symmetry and matching sets are always a good bet. This way, you may keep a decorative while having each thing in its own place.

Cable Tape Dispenser

What is there to say about this tape dispenser except that it is by far the most trendy tape dispenser we have ever seen? Bandō includes an entire portion of their site devoted to unique and cool desk accessories–this is just one of our favorites. U Brand wire tape dispenser, $13, Bandō

Metallic Desk Phone

Hi, it is me. We all know landlines are falling out of vogue these days, and most of us conduct our business on cell phones, but there is something so irresistibly charming about an old school desk telephone. Channel your inner Peggy Olsen and choose your next call with this stylish silver phone from Pottery Barn. Crosley Kettle classic desk telephone, $60, Pottery Barn

Copper Utensil Holder

Do you have a friend just starting a new job or recently embarking on her career? This monogrammed pen cup out of Mark & Graham will create the most perfect present to help your friend feel at home (and motivated!) In her new desk.

Monogrammed aluminum pencil cup, $35, Mark & Graham

Glass Lamp

There’s something quite comforting about functioning by lamplight, is not there? We constantly find so many cool and stylish decorations and accessories from Zara Home. Also, this recent discovery gets us swooning. The glass-look could work with a shabby chic farmhouse aesthetic or a preppy, classic appearance, too. A less than $200, you get a great deal of look without breaking the bank.

Three glass bottoms lamp, $169, Zara Home

Desktop Light Box with Letters

For unique characters and arty types, a mini lightbox is an enjoyable desk accessory to remind you of your own headline or just to grab the next cup of java.

Mini lighting box, $30, Bandō

Stylish Stapler

Did you now a stapler could be this amazing? We did not, but thanks to Typo (a brand you’ll discover on Cotton On’s site ), we are now reeling from the glamour. Just imagine how much better you’ll feel put together that following report once you’re able to use this stapler to perform it.

Typo acrylic stapler, $20, Cotton On

Letter Sorter

Maintain your mail stored in fashion with this hammered metallic bit out of Nate Berkus for Goal. If you couldn’t tell, we might be slightly biased towards any and all desk accessories with metallic accents.

Nate Berkus hammered letter sorter, $13, Target

A Box For Miscellanea

We’ve never met a pretty glass box we didn’t like. This $15 discover from Zara Home can hold anything from business cards into extra device cords or paper clips and knick-knacks.

Glass box with mirrored bottom, $15, Zara Home

Notebooks

Write on! We love to keep notes and earn to-do lists with a pencil and paper, and these vibrant notebooks from Poppin (which come in a box that displays their rainbow-colored spines) can last us through months and months of doodles and deep ideas.

Set of 10 laptops, $20, Poppin

Fancy scissors

Sometimes you can’t ask, “Why?” But rather just say, “Why not!” And purchase the scissors shaped like the Eiffel Tower.

Typo Eiffel Tower scissors, $15, Cotton On

Pretty, Uniform Pens

Leave it to Kate Spade to ship a set of the most stunning and sophisticated pens. Keep these in Mark & Graham’s aluminum pencil cup, and you’ll be the shining star of your office–literally!

The post Best Office Desk Accessories appeared first on Home Office Adventures.

source https://homeofficeadventures.com/best-office-desk-accessories/

#home #office #homeoffice

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jpat82 · 6 years ago

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Out Of Place

@m-a-t-91 requested 5 & 6 with Steve.

5.) is that a gun in your pocket or are you just happy to see me?

6.) wow, I can't believe I said that out loud. I'm.. im gonna go die of embarrassment.

M-a-t-91

Missions, most the time they were cut and dry. Go in, fight the enemy, do what needed to be done. Whether it was saving people, bring down bad people, and then go home, covered in new bruises and cuts. Tonight was different, there would be no iron suits, or spangly uniforms. Tonight, you had to dress up to gain entry so you bring down a computer system.

Your heels echoed the hall of high end hotel, just the part you had to play. While you would rather be dressed in your normal attire tonight you were dressed to kill. You had to exude wealth, poshness, as you walked down the hall to the elevator. You held your head high, hair pinned up to precision, sultry makeup to go with sexy tight black dress you were wearing.

As the elevator descended you put the com unit in your ear, tapping on it to make sure it was in and on.

“It’s not a mic.” Sam stated in your ear his words dripping the sarcasm.

“Oh, I’m sorry, I just want to make sure you dingus’s were awake.” You retorted, exiting the elevator cab as the doors rolled open.

You walked out to the ballroom that was attached to the hotel you were staying in. People milling about, men dressed in black suit, women looking beautiful in their gowns. The over head lights were dimmed down, candle holders on every table lit. It was elegant, black sleek tables, champagne on every plater, silver plates. Everything was perfect and beautiful, your nerves were on high alert as you walked over to the bar and ordered your drink.

“Come on, y/n, you look stiff and out of place.” Natasha chuckled in your ear. This was normally her job, being all sexy, however she broke her leg and couldn’t exactly pull off the look that made men weak at the knees.

“I am out place.” You hissed, covering your face with your hand as you pretended to fix a loose strand of hair.

“Well don’t act like it at least!” She snapped back.

You grumbled under your breath, rolling your eyes, taking the glass full of amber liquid. You turned to survey the packed room, slowly swirling your drink with tiny black straw that was placed in it. You took a deep breath, tryin to decide the best course of action. You knew the man that had the files you needed was supposed to be here, and you also knew that he always had that thumb drive on him.

Finding him was the key, Lucas Doutry, a plump old bastard with a shock of white hair. He was wealthy, like Tony Stark wealthy, and just like your Avenger companion like to host regular parties. Where as Tony’s parties were always filled loud music and the air was jovial, this was very tense, and houty touty. God you hated this.

“See ‘im yet?” Bucky’s Brooklyn draw came through your ear.

“No.” You whispered, taking another sip from your drink trying not to look so obvious.

“Please tell me you are casually glancing around, not standing next to the bar doing a sweep.” Natasha asked, annoyance in her voice. When you didn’t respond right away you heard her let out exasperated sigh. “Alright, we’re sending in back up.”

“Guys I don’t need back up.” You growled slowly pulling yourself away from the bar.

You walked the line of the wall, keeping your eyes trained on the crowd. You could feel you frustration starting to bubble up, the room was beginning to get warm. You distracted yourself with another sip and almost choked.

Steve slowly made his way through the sea of people, his crystal blue eyes staring straight at you. His hair was combed back, and his beard neatly trimmed. The suit he wore looked like it was tailored just for him. You could feel your face flush up, as he smiled at you.

“Would you like to dance?” He asked, sticking his elbow out, you could feel your heart hammering in your chest.

“Uh, sure?” You responded, feeling slightly awkward.

“Smooth, y/n.” Sam laughed in your ear, as you took Steve’s arm and followed him out to the dance floor.

Steve pulled you close to him, his eyes locked onto yours. His slid an arm around your waist, his hand gently resting on the small of your back. Your eyes dropped down as you could feel heat rushing to your face. Sure you had been this close to the Captain but only in training fights, not dancing with him. This was not going to help the small crush you had on him.

“You look nice.” He said, slowly you lifted your gaze back to him.

“No, she looks sexy as hell.” Natasha chuckled darkly. “have you seen the plunging neck line on that dress?”

Steve’s gaze dropped for a brief second and you could feel your face flush up even more. You made a mental note to smack that red head next chance you got. The tempo of the music change, and Steve spun you to face away from him. He pulled you gently back to him, his hips moving with yours.

“Do you see our target?” He asked, looking down at your shoulder, acting entranced by being so close to you. This gave you an opportunity to look around the room with out looking like a sore thumb.

“No.” You breathed, Steve’s hands resting on your hips as you continued with your movements before he spun you back to face him. He pulled you flush up against his body this time, faces inches from each other.

“Is that a gun in pocket or are you just really happy to see me?” You whispered feeling a bolder, a slow smirk pulling at the corner of you mouth. Steve grinned down at you, his eyes flicked to your lips for a moment before traveling back up your face.

“Woah!! What is going on in there?” Sam called out over the com.

“About damn time.” Bucky laughed, you could feel the warmness crawl back up your face as your eyes went wide.

“Wow, I can’t believe I said that out loud! I’m.. I’m going to go die of embarrassment.” You stated as Steve bit his bottom lip throughly amused at your plight.

“It could be worse.” Steve said softly, holding you close as you both continued to sway to the music.

“I just opened my mouth and stuck my foot in it and the team heard.” You retorted.

“You could of said it to Bucky.” Steve shot back.

“Dude, low blow!” Bucky snarked.

“You’re right, that’s much worse.” You chuckled, Steve cupped your cheek with his hand and gently rubbed his thumb over your lips.

“Alright love birds, we’re pulling you out, the guys a no show. Tony just confirmed.” Natasha chuckled.

Steve pulled the com unit out of your ear as he did the same to himself before pulling you into him one last time. He leaned down and kissed you, before grabbing your hand and leading you away from the dance floor.

“Wanna go get a bite?”

@kitkatkl @octobermermaid @ajosieface @10robins @instantnoodlese @patzammit

@devilbat

#steve rogers one shot #steve rogers x you #steve rogers x reader #steve rogers #captain america #captain america xyou

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yourcoffeeguru · 2 years ago

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Antique Silver Plated Embossed Hammered Stamped 1922 Candle Stick Holder // swtradepost - shop

#antique silver plated candle holder #silver candle holder #swtradepost

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imagines-forthe-soul · 6 years ago

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Oikawa x Reader ACOTAR AU part 2~!

Here is the long awaited part two to my Oikawa x Reader ACOTAR AU I wrote seven hundred years ago. This is pretty long and pretty info dumpy since most of you haven’t read the book (even though a lot of it doesn’t really relate to the book but ANYWAYS) but hopefully its good! Part three should be out sometime in the next four thousand years. Let me know what you guys think of this and if you want to see more.

Word count: 5641

Story type: AU

Warnings: None for now

______________________________________________________________

You awoke to your body feeling numb and useless as the black veils of darkness that once took over your vision reeled back, ushering in bright orange and yellow light that stung your eyes as they opened. The hazy fog that once consumed and numbed your mind slowly faded into full pain that made you grit your teeth and groan lowly. Your limbs ignored your brain’s pleads and messages to move, to at least twitch to show you that you could still function. Your head was the only part of you that you were free and able to move, letting it lull from side to side to gain some sort of feeling in it. When you felt as though you had more feeling and control in the movement of your neck and head, you brought your blurry gaze down to look at your arms, taking in how bruised and dirty they looked in comparison to the smooth wood of the armchair they rested on.

The longer you stared at it, the more you realized that you were sat on a wooden chair, body limp and heavy on the beautiful brown wood. As your vision cleared, your eyes took in the different swirls and shapes and markings that were etched into the wood, each one branching from another to overlap and connect to so many more and creating a beautiful mass or art and feeling across the simple chair. you could remember times in which you had done etching similar to this on your father’s tables, littering it with small spirals and stars and curves. you had been so proud of those markings, but your father was far from so. You could still feel the lashes he had given to your bad, ten ugly red bleeding marks being left in their wake and for your alone to tend to as you cried to yourself.

Not wanting to be anymore reminded of that horrid memory, you shifted your gaze upwards to the chandelier above your, watching as the crystal ornaments that dangled off it twinkling in the candle light. This chandelier was nothing you had ever seen before, leaving your speechless and captured in the awe of the fixture. The way in which the black metal looked smooth to the touch, as if it had been dipped black lacquer and dusted over with darkened ash to give it an old yet clean look. Twelve chains of black and shadow bled from the base of the chandelier, coming down to connect to each of the respective candle holders where black candles burned.

They were molded into the shape of roses that had reached full bloom, beautiful and vibrant despite being made of night itself. Two more rows of these holders branched out for the chandelier, making it grand and elegant as it hung from the dark wood ceiling. From them, crystals hung is pairs from each holder. They were a bright white that shone like the stars themselves, unnatural and blinding. you had thought the light from the candles were making them glimmer and shine, but upon closer inspection it looked as though are emanating a light of their own that shone brighter than any piece of fancy rock you had ever seen your sisters wear.

The beauty and elegance of the light fixture above name had left your frozen in awe, but that feeling was soon replaced with dread as realization dawned on you. Hot molten fear filled your stomach, as your eyes darted to each corner of the room, taking in the appearance of your surroundings.

The room was grand and spacious, the large floor covered in a slab of smooth rock and lightly decorated with dark rugs and small tables that held jugs of what you assumed was water on silver trays. Before you was a table that took up less than half the space of the room, but was the only other thing left in here. It was made of rich, dark wood, most likely cut from a large mahogany tree and aged to perfection. Carved lightly into the table were words and patterns that curved and spiraled around each other, connecting each one together. The words were written in a different language — an ancient language— that you would never dare to learn, but you could make out a few of the markings: moons, stars, and leaves.

The symbols of the Night.

With newfound surge energy enhanced by her panic, (Name’s) body tensed as it made to propel her out of the chair and as far away from here as possible, but an invisible forced kept her nailed to the chair, her back pressed firm against the support of it. Each time you tried to move, you could feel the cold force of whatever surrounded her keeping her back and immobile. Her heart hammered against her chest as you attempted to thrashed and twist her body out of her seat, using brute strength to break free of the bonds holding her back.

The muscles in her body screamed as they tried to push forward, trying their best to lift her out of the seat you was locked in. Just as you felt herself shift ever so slightly, giving her hope that her efforts were working, a force stilled her body, knocking the air from her lungs and making her eyes go wide and panicked. This wasn’t the cold touch you had felt before. This touch was hot and heavy, leaving her breathless and sweating as you struggled against it. However, as the familiar smell of brimstone and soot and charred metal reached her nose, all her struggles died.

you felt the hot touch pin her arms and back to the chair as it slowly made its way upwards to grip her face and angle her head forwards. Before her sat the same man —beast— you had seen in the forest, his glossed lips curved into a light smile, eyes locked on her, and hands resting on his crossed knees. He was at the head of the table in a grand wooden chaired dyed black and fitted with a matching cushion. In contrast to you, he looked cool and calm, as if this situation was a normal delight or him. Although you couldn’t deny the pull of his beauty, you wanted to rip that smile from his face, to scream at him, beat him for taking her to Gods’ know where. But just like the rest of her body, her mouth was bound by the same hot force.

“As fun as it is watching you struggle, I think it’s about time you stop making a fool of yourself with your weak attempts of escape, love.” His honey rich voice filled your ears and flooded through your other senses like a tidal wave, dragging you down into its deep warm waters and leaving you gasping and breathless as you tried to claw your way to the surface. Against your own will, your cheeks burned a mild scarlet color but with the heavy glare set on your features, you looked more enraged rather than flustered.

The chestnut haired male’s smile grew into an amused smirk at the sign of (Name’s) anger, his sharp black painted nails tapping delightfully on the armrest of his extravagant chair.

“My, my. That look doesn’t suit you one bit, love. Why not smile for me instead? I’m sure you’d look much more tantalizing with a smile wide across your face.” The amusement in his smooth voice didn’t match the feral look in his round autumn brown eyes.

you opened her mouth as if to say something, but invisible tendrils of that same hot force kept her mouth in place, stilling whatever words you wanted to say in her throat as the force brought her lips down together before spreading out into a wide smile.

“That’s much better. You almost look as beautiful as the Fae with a smile like that.”

His insult meant little to you. Nothing anyone could say — not even the Fae, themselves — could hurt her after you had endured being called far worse things from her father and sisters over her years.

Instead of showing fear or anger, you held his wild gaze, her eyes boring into his, challenging him, daring him to continue knowing that you wouldn’t break. To challenge a Fae, especially one that seems extremely powerful, was foolish to do but you saw no other choice. If the Fae’s goal was to torture and kill her, you would not give him the satisfaction of hearing her screams and beg for her life like a hog sent to the slaughter house.

The male before her cocked his head to the side, round intense eyes still staring into her own with that same mischievous smirk etched across his face. The appearance was innocent enough, but the feeling his posture and stare gave off was anything but. It chilled you down to her soul, clutching her, holding her tight much like this phantom bond was. He looked at you as if you were some wounded animal, right for the taking, for playing. He looked at her as if he wanted to take her apart piece by piece, examining each one to see how rn was you worked before molding her back together as his very own plaything.

As if finally having his fill of his fun, the male righted himself, sitting up straight with his back against his chair. you slowly felt the hot force pull away from her lips, finally letting her face relax. For the first time in many years, you sent a quiet wish of thanks to the Ancient Gods.

Sending thanks or praying to the Ancient Gods had been something you had given up on at the age of seven. Each time you prayed to the God of Light or the God of Dreams, or Earth, begging for better treatment and more food and water, you had received nothing but lashings and less food. Each God did nothing to help her, did nothing to ease her pain, did nothing to release her of the situation you were currently in, but yet you sent thanks, hoping that this small gesture would reach the better nature of the Gods.

But you had no such favor.

you were taken from her thoughts as the Fae before her cleared his throat, warping her attention back to him instead of staring off into nothing.

Once again the two held one another’s gaze, words lost in whatever dark void hung around them before the male took a small bell between his slender fingers and gave it a few gentle rings.

As if on cue, grand oak doors opened behind you startling her in her seat. In perfect sync, maids dressed in pure black dresses and smocks filtered in from behind her, each one wearing a black mask with dusted over in some type of sparkling coat that made them shimmering in the candle light as the bustled around around the table. Some pushed carts full of food and drink whilst others held napkins and assorted cutlery. All you could see behind their masks were their eyes, dark and captivating much like the male’s before you.

Hastily, they set the part of the table the male sat at, neatly placing different sizes plates and cutlery out before him and setting different dishes of pork, duck, blood pudding, vegetables, and porridge along his side. Fruity desserts and chocolate custards soon followed after, all set neatly along the outside of the table, giving you the perfect view of everything out of your reach. This meal could even put the King’s Royal Name Day dinner to shame.

Carefully, the maids then cut the meats and piled them neatly into his plate, followed by hearty servings of vegetables and porridge. The sight of it all made your mouth water and your stomach growl angrily. The sound didn’t seem to go unheard by the Fae, sending a sly smile your way to let you know he heard just how hungry you were.

Your voice cut through the air before the male could say anything about your famished state, leaving his mouth slightly parted and the words he so badly wanted to taunt you with frozen on his tongue.

“Why am I here? What is this place?” Your voice was raspy and hoarse, yet your question was just as sharp as the blade you usually kept in your boot. Your eyebrows knit together in a stern frown, nose scrunched and eyes determined yet fearful of the answer that you would receive.

(Name’s) question didn’t seem to reach the male at the head of the table, the Fae being too busy with his food as he cut it into bite sized pieces and blended it with his porridge before scooping a forkful into his mouth. Slowly, he chewed on his food, silent and still disregarding her words.

A growl bubbled within (Name’s) chest at his lack of response, a vein lining itself at her temple as her frustration grew.

“Did you not hear me? Release me and tell me why you have me here! Why did you do that to my cat? Where am I?” Her voice grew loud, shrill, hurting both her throat and ears. A coughing fit gripped her body once her mouth closed, body heaving, trying to get the scratches and hitches from her throat.

Once again, the male seemed to ignored her, simply swallowing down his food and cutting yet another piece of meat. His movements were slow and exact, elegant in a way that didn’t seem natural. you guessed that was what they Fae were; unnatural and impure and deranged despite the elegance and poise they oozed. you hated having to be in his presence, you hated having to be here, but who else could you blame but herself. It was her own mistake going after her sister’s stupid cat, and it was an even bigger mistake not realizing what area you had trespassed over, now leaving her in this position, seated at the mercy of a Fae.

Just when you was about to ask her questions yet again, the male raised one hand to silence her, his other hand grasping his napkin and using it to wipe away the nonexistent crumbs from his mouth. The devious smirk that had been set on his lips never seemed to go away, always there to mock you.

“That’s no way for a slave to speak to her master now, is it? And here I believed that cesspool you called a village would have taught you some manners.” His silvery voice broke the silence, his amusement of this entire situation unwavering and strong within his tone, and it only seemed to strengthen when he saw the look on your face at his words.

Her eyebrows had knit together in confusion, eyes looking frantic and wild at what the Fae man had just said. Had you heard him right? Had he really called her a slave and he her master? Her lower lip trembled, fumbling over her words and questions before anything even dared to slip past her mouth. All that you could manage was a faint ‘what’ as the color drained from her face as the Fae’s words finally sunk in to her mind.

A bemused chuckle tumbled from the Fae’s mouth, his brandy eyes shining with north behind dark heavy lashes. He set his napkin and utensils on the table, crossing one leg over the other and making himself more comfortable in his chair. His fingers came up to loosen the top three buttons of the silky green tunic he wore, letting the fabric peel away to reveal a his sculpted bare chest, his alabaster skin practically glistening under the candlelight. You wild yourself not to stare at his chest, but you couldn’t help herself as her gaze darted from his face down to his chest, and the hum that left the male’s mouth let her that her action hadn’t gone on noticed. As if to mask or move on from her slip up, you shifted in your seat, making your back straighter, standing your ground despite your odds.

“What do you mean? The Fae are forbidden from keeping humans as slaves. Wasn’t that one of the many rules that were part of the treaty signed by both humans and Fae alike? Aren’t there consequences for doing something like this?” Your voice was taut, heart clambering against your rib cage as your nerves got the best of you. It was true you knew of the Fae and the treaty they had signed with the humans all those years ago, but you had never learned what rules were still in effect, still relevant to today’s world that you lived in. Feeling antsy, you clawed at the arms of the chair you were in, trying to calm herself down, to hush your heartbeat in fear that the man before you could hear just how scared you really were.

The male Fae gave a low whistle, thumbing at the bottom of his tunic mindlessly as if this were normal talk between two friends. “Someone knows about her history, I see. But alas, I never expect much from a human since you don’t seem to know the full extent of our history. Your small, juvenile mind probably couldn’t even retain such information.” His words were sharp and aimed to hurt, and for a moment they did. Your chest tightened and a soft gust of air escaped your nose at what he had said, but you only gave this feeling a moment before quickly brushing it aside, sending a frown his way instead of showing him a hurt expression.

It wasn’t a shock to have a Fae talk so lowly to a human, it was rather common. The Fae were a proud people, bundled in high fashion and born of high class. They were bred to be above all else and raised to make the lesser feel miserable for having been born so. It had become such a second nature to them that they hardly even realized they were doing so. However, what did shock you was the way in which the male’s expression had changed in the course of a few moments at her lack of response to his jabs. You noticed the way his mischievous smile had faded into a soft frown that made him look so much younger and innocent than he really was. The sight stilled her body, filling it with a sense of regret and sorrow, but those feelings were soon flushed out as he replaced his frown with yet another impish grin.

“But alas, I’ll be the good hearted gentleman that I am and tell you of the history of the treaty in hopes that it will help you better understand the position you are in as of now, my sweet pet.” HIs words weren’t meant to be kind. He was mocking you, making you out to be thing poor thing that had no sense whatsoever. He took his fork and knife in his hands once more, cutting through meat and vegetables.

“It’s no secret that the human world and Fae world are incredibly different. From our bodies, to our thinking, to our culture and way of life. Us Fae are much stronger than you humans, especially us High Fae. Much like myself, High Fae are the ruling nobility here in the Courts. Our word is law and our law is to bring balance.The High Fae are stronger and more powerful than the average faerie and humans due to the unique abilities we possess. A HIgh Fae’s ability depends on the level of their power which allows them to execute certain spells or powers.

Humans were in awe of our abilities, praising us like Gods. They devoted themselves to us, they worshiped us as if we were the answer to all their worries and grief.” He said this with a look of content longing, as if these times in which humans had been foolish enough to trust any Fae was one of the best memories he had lived.

“However, there was a certain group of humans that despised us, repulsed by the things we Fae could do with our naturally born gifts and abilities. At first, we didn’t pay much mind to them, letting them believe what they wanted and find something else to put their trust in, but we eventually paid the price for that.

Over the years of ignoring this group of hateful humans, they banded together, increasing their numbers and learning more of about us, things we would rather keep secret. A weakness.

They began killing Fae by the hundreds, slaughtering us in our homes, in the streets, wherever they could.” His tone grew angry and hard, holding his fork tighter in his hand that you were afraid the metal would shatter under the force. His eyes did little to hide the anger he felt as he told the story, blazing like fire from the deepest parts of all Seven Hells.

“The killing of all these Fae was greater than anything we have ever seen and immediately we wanted to put a stop to it. Whilst the Winter, Autumn, Summer and Night Court wanted to do so in a more diplomatic approach, the others decided it was best to fight fire with fire. They killed thousands of humans, staining the earth with their blood in the name of the fallen Fae we had lost.”

His words left you in awe, mouth hanging agape at all this new information you had been given. You knew well enough that the humans and Fae had their differences and that lives were lost, but never did you imagine that it was the humans that had started all of this, that had created a great divide between the two worlds. However, this didn’t help clear up anything for you, leaving many of your questions still unanswered.

“This history lesson isn’t telling me why you’ve taken me here? What does all this have to do with me?” You say, feeling breathless and more confused than ever with all that you know now.

The Fae male in front of you continued speaking, going on as if you hadn’t interrupted him with your questions.

“Horrified by both the actions of the humans and the other courts, the Winter, Autumn, Summer and Night Court took matters into their own hands to stop the killings, but to do so, we had to kill the High Fae of the remaining courts and the leaders of the humans that were against us. It was a terrible loss for both sides and left the courts divided and hateful towards one another. However despite whatever feelings we had towards each other, we all agreed that we never wanted something like this ever happening again. This is where the Treaty of Kordeva came in.”

At the mention of the treaty, your ears perked up, mind on full alert. Finally you were going to receive the answer you were looking for, but somewhere deep within you felt as thought the answer you would get would not be one that would do you any good. As if sensing the dread whorling within your stomach, the male Fale smirked, his lips curly wickedly at you and his hazel eyes swirling with sick mischief.

“This Treaty was our physical agreement not to cause harm to one another. A Fae man could not take or harm a human man and a human could not harm that of Fae. Simple rule, really. With this treaty we would both live in separate worlds, Fae living with their noses high and the humans surviving on their primitive wit and resources like the livestock they are from their side of the border,” his smirk grew at the sight of your scowling expression. You wished you could rip it off his face, the sound of tearing flesh and splattering blood seeming a lot more bearable than his voice.

“But, there were repercussions if humans or Fae were to break the rule of this Treaty. For Fae, if we passed the border and had our fun with you humans, we would have our magic stripped and be felt for you to punish us how you see fit. This usually results in Fae being killed and thrown into the pits for us to rot and waste away. A horrific death, one not suitable for Fae. Imagine it, beautiful and dashing me being eaten down to the bone by a bunch of maggots, and I don’t mean you humans. Literal maggots.” Noticing that he was getting a bit sidetracked, he stopped himself before he could go on any further, rolling his shoulders as he let out a soft chuckle and running a hand through his auburn hair.

“Anyways, that was the punishment for Fae. As for humans, if you crossed the border, you will be punished as we see fit. Usually you would be taken to the High Council Court for examination and interrogation, but the High Council has been rather… busy lately. But luckily, you found me when you came stupidly bumbling through the woods, a member of the High Council who just so doesn’t happen to be busy and is in need of a new slave to play with. That was an awful lot of talking. I hope you’ve learned something from this, pet, because I won’t be repeating myself.” And with that, the male before you stood up, running a hand down the front of his wrinkle free tunic, movements calm and carefree as if what he had just told you held no real weight.

Well, to him, it didn’t. He didn’t care how this information affected you. To him, this was a sick form of entertainment, something to amuse him and satisfy his wretched desires. However, for you, this weighed down on you, pushing you into the dirt, flattening you bit by bit until it felt as though you couldn’t breathe. How could this have happened to you? How could you have made such a stupid mistake? All for a damn cat. You felt your knees buckle under you, your eyes widening and your lungs seeming to refuse oxygen. Your mind was vibrating in your head, the realization of your mistake and the consequences you had to suffer sinking into every fiber of your being.

You were to be his slave and there was nothing you could do about it. No one knew what had happened to you. No one knew where you were or how to find you. It was just you and this man… this monster.

The sound of a snap brought you back to your senses, gasping roughly as you finally took in a solid breath. Around you, the maids shuffled back into the room, clearing the plates and dishes and rushing then back through the large doors, leaving the room completely spotless as if their master hadn’t just been eating here. You wondered if you would become like them, trained so well through unknown methods that you would rush to the sound of a single snap. The fear of being stripped of everything that was you filled your body, making you close in on yourself as your body shivered. Would he make you wear a black mask too? Would it hurt when he merged it with your face? Would he take away your voice and polish you to be an obedient little thing for him to control? This was all too much for you, the weight of your fate crashing down on to you and making you sway forwards.

You would have welcomed the sensation of your skull bouncing against the cold, hard floor, but an arm had stopped you, pulling you into a sturdy, strong chest. Looking up, you expected to be met with the same hazel eyes that belonged to your new owner - your owner, the words were bitter in your mind, sour and dry - but instead, they were darker than his, almost black but just as piercing. Seeing them made your chest turn cold, body frozen as they bore down into you before looking toward the High Fae.

“What the fuck is this, Oikawa?” He asked, voice deep and intimidating. It shocked you to hear him speak in such a way to a High Fae. Was he on the same level as the other? Higher, perhaps?

“Well, if it isn’t you, Iwaizumi. Just in the nick of time too. What you have in your arms now is my new pet. Isn’t she just cute?” The mock playfulness in his voice was enough to sever you from your thoughts, anger bubbling in you once more, but it was snuffed out as soon as it had formed as the man holding you stared down at you once again, dark eyes giving you a once over before returning to the other male. No words left his mouth, but even you could tell he was clearly unamused by the other male’s words.

“No need to give me that face, Iwa. She is here on her own matters, so no need to get all grumpy,’’ Oikawa said as he sauntered over towards you both. He leaned down to be at eye level with you, smirk ready on his face. Slowly he raised his hand to grip your chin, his thumb gliding along your lower lip and laughing softly when you jerked free of his grip. “Since you have her, Iwa, why don’t you take her to the baths. Instruct the maids to clean her well and fit her into something comfortable to sleep in. She’ll need her energy.”

For a moment the man holding you - Iawaizumi - didn’t move, simply looking at the other male before huffing and turning on his heels, heading towards the door with you still in his arms. You tried to struggle against his hold, to somehow break free from him, but failed with each attempt. Whether it was due to his sheer strength or the black armor he wore, either assured that you would not be getting loose.

Silently, he carried you to the bath chambers where seven maids dressed exactly like the ones you had seen in the dinning were stood. If you didn’t know that they were actually people, you would have mistaken them for decoration. They didn’t move at all, stuck to the walls as if they had been nailed there. No heads turned to see who had come into the room, no hands raised to wave. They just stayed motionless and silent until Iwaizumi gave them the order to wash you.

All at once they came rushing to you, stripping you out of your clothes and pulling your hair from your ties. They paid no mind to if they hurt you or not, bodies simply doing what they could to get their task done. As you were pushed and shoved in every direction as they lead you to the bath, your eyes frantically looked for Iwaizumi, only to see the tails of his armor leave the bath chamber, the doors closing behind him and leaving you with seven sets of hands pushing you into a hot bath and scrubbing your body raw despite your pleas for them to stop.

By the time they were done with you, your body was rid of all the dirt and grime that had collected on you and you were placed in a room that locked from the outside. If you were being honest, it was the best bath you had ever gotten despite the pain of it all. It left you feeling like a new person for a moment, the night gray night dress they had put you in making you feel slightly exposed, but for a fleeing time you enjoyed the feeling, but it was soon replaced with dread and fear as you realized that this new person would be a High Fae’s slave, meant to follow orders and to be seen as nothing more than a statue that came to life upon a simple order.

This would be your new home now. These four dark walls would keep you trapped until your master had use for you. Feeling fatigue wash over you, you carried yourself to the bed that lay in the middle of the room. It was fitted with white blankets and a soft duvet and black pillows. It was the fanciest bed you had ever seen and you would have given anything in your past life to sleep in such a bed, but this bed belonged to your master. Your master that you did not want, that you never asked for. Despite your fatigue, you felt rage well up within you, clenching your fists and glaring at the bed before you.

You would be damned if you slept in this bed. You didn’t care what the treaty said, you would not be his to control. You would not silently take every order he would give you. You would not let him strip you of everything you are for his own gain. You would fight your way out of this, tooth and nail. It didn’t matter what you had to do or what you had to lose. If you died trying to escape, then that would be a fate better than what you would get living with him. Slowly, you lower yourself to the floor away from the bed, curling yourself into a small ball and resting your head on your hands as you closed your eyes, sleep taking over your mind and body.

You would find a way to get out of this, to be free of this and live your old life again. Even if you had to risk your own life… you would find a way.

#oikawa tooru #oikawa tooru x reader #oikawa x reader #acotar AU #haikyuu #long ass story #fuck me man I hope I can continue

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trevaleyn · 6 years ago

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Chains That Bind

Most people didn’t see the world the way Ulysses did, or had rather. He supposed none of that mattered anymore--only one thing mattered to him of that old life, his wife Rolance. Sure, their had been other flames, other interests, other infatuations but those all boiled down to distractions, nothing more and nothing less.

“I just came home from being in prison,” The words weren’t his, but rather his wife’s even now, an entire reality away, the eldritch magic that saturated Ulysses being--and now the reality he had created, linked them all together, her words and thoughts able to bleed over much like how a pen or a marker with too much ink was able to bleed over to another page beneath leaving its mark, echoes he supposed, but it felt like more than just echoes. Could space, time, and reality itself have memories?

“Just like when I died to the Crows, nobody came to save me… Well. Me in particular. The group was saved.” There was a pause, “But for me, I think the person who was the most visibly concerned was Kelly, and you know how she is… If she cares the most for you, that’s pretty sad.” He smiled at that, though found no laughter or joy in Rolance’s words. He was merely listening as he worked.

“Suppose I am pretty sad right now.”

His hands flourished once, in this realm creation was his right, his mere will was all he needed to play, no, be a god. Ulysses sheer will had manifested before him a forge--not a heavy handed blacksmith’s forge, the tools here were smaller, more precise, more clamps and small furnaces and kilns, molds and sharpened tools meant to work with softer metals, this was the forge of a whitesmith.

“Do you know the shit I did for you? I stormed a Legion ship for you. I became a soldier for you. I learned how to manipulate time and space to bring you back from certain death…” He did know. of course he knew, he was Ulysses Trevaleyn, it was his job to know. That was how he had undid the damage and alterations to Azeroth’s reality and created his own.

“Can’t think of any times you saved me. You said letting me die was something like payment for how I’d wronged you, if I remember right…” The sound of a bellows in the background as he listened in across the barriers of realities, though perhaps listen wasn’t the right description, he more felt the words, like thoughts he might want to say aloud, words that hovered in the forefront of his mind but he knew the source wasn't him. A jeweler’s hammer had manifested in his hand along with a pair of almost wire thin tongs as he began to shape what he was making carefully, meticulously so.

“This was just another time that you weren’t there, I guess. That I would have been if it were you in trouble.” He could feel pain alongside those words, the Eldritch was inside Rolance’s body right now, acting to suture her back together. Despite feeling the ghost of Rolance’s pain, Ulysses still did not react, he had become more stoic in this place and on his own.

“I should hope one day I meet someone who cares for me like I cared for you.”

Their were tears then as he worked, though they weren’t his own. Borrowed from the link they shared, these we're Rolances tears he was wiping from his cheeks, taking a moment to compose himself though he knew Rolance was still bawling like a babe, curled up on their couch.

Despair, it had always gripped Rolance so easily without Ulysses being around, one lesson the tempest of a woman never had learned was that exact exchange was a lie. People took different things from different relationships, Rolance had been with Ulysses because she craved a man who would stand up to her, to tell her what to do, to be a sort of check and balance against her actions and to correct her moral shortcomings.

Ulysses had been with Rolance because he respected her ferocity, her strength and cunning, but also her passion for what was right and wrong. Though those lines blurred often, what did them in was that he had never forgiven the woman--he couldn’t, he couldn’t forget what she had done, but then again the hard part was always letting go.

This was his reality, his dimension where he could sculpt whatever he liked--right now, the product of that desire to create was a chain of eldritch rings. The gloss of silver and gold combined with the glamour and glitter of rubies and garnets, on Azeroth it would have been a weapon unlike any other, something that would have allowed for total and complete destruction of the planet, here it would be a tool of creation.

“You’re not alone,” he said aloud, “You’re never alone Rolance, that’s your problem. You relied on me to make you into something,” he wasn’t sure if the link worked both ways, though he just wished to speak the words out loud, to get the feelings that protested her assumptions out in the air, “You can’t be alone because you don’t know who you are. Your hair, your skin, your scars, always changing, even the powers you drew from were always changing. You have the heart of a dog. No meant yes, attention either good or bad wasn’t discerned, you just cared that you got it. You did not love me. You used me to make yourself feel better and I simply didn't care."

The finality of those words would echo here forever. This reality Ulysses was building was for himself, not for them both. Slipping the chain on over his neck, he grew a smile that seemed sad and genuine, “Without me, you revert to the same old tactics, throwing yourself in harms way to feel something, throwing yourself at the feet of controlling, abusive leash holders. You scorned me for wanting to break that lead. You kept crawling back, over and over when I had no desire to control you. I wanted to show you how to be your own person but you took that as a desire to be like me. To crave power and avarice and hunger for more. You got that from me, I know it. It’s not a gift to you like it is to me. You were always unwieldy with your emotions Rolance.”

A wave of his hand dismissed the forge he had created, tools and molds, foundations and furnaces disintegrating into dust. He no longer had need of it. Ulysses wondered what Rolance would have thought of him now, how both his mind and body had changed. As a god in his own realm, Ulysses looked younger--perhaps in his late twenties or early thirties, though he had always been an ageless looking man, his hair was a brunette mane that hung about his shoulders, his body bore no scars or blemishes, even his tattoos, each and everyone one of them was gone, leaving a bare sun-kissed look to his skin, he wore no armor, only a simple cream colored long-sleeved shirt a belt, loose fitted black pants and some simple leather wrapped shoes over his feet, though his hands and ears were ever adorned with jewelry.

“Do yourself a favor: make something of yourself. I gave you every gift I had but I guess I could never give you the foresight on how to use it. You have the power of a god in your blood now, and yet you’re weeping on our old couch because no one is there to tell you how to use it. I love you Rolance, that’s why I dedicated myself to giving you that power. Death, injury, even how you feel right now? Irrelevant, you only need to see that to move to the next step. I let you die because that's the price. You learned that you are immortal."

Goddess. He had been trying the entire time to forge Rolance into a goddess, but he was a mere mortal then. He supposed in a way he still was here, though he didn’t need to be. Were someone to somehow enter his realm and destroy his physical form it wouldn’t matter, this dimension was sculpted with the very eldritch essence of Ulysses body, along with arcane and light magics, he would just manifest in another physical form if he needed it, though the reality of it was, he didn’t. He merely existed in this form because it felt comfortable.

“I have work to do. The Titans chain Sargeras. Someone must impose the order of creation without them.”

Someone indeed. His left hand reached up to the chain around his neck as that sad smile he bore turned a bit more pleased, Rolance was linked to him. Perhaps one day she would learn to dip into the powers he held now, perhaps not. He had work to do, he always did, emotions that were literally a reality away couldn’t and wouldn’t impede him now.

He lofted a palm and aimed it into the mostly black void of this still new, unborn reality, eyes lidding as he focused his powers. One by one, stars began to form, twisting, churning, candle flames igniting in the dark, distant or entirely to small. In a matter of minutes a galaxy would be birthed, and he held it between his palms. One day she would join him, then her pain and suffering would melt away, they could even become one singular being if they chose to make it so. For now, Ulysses had an eternity to craft. How utterly divine, he thought to himself.

Mentions: @high-inquisitor

#ulysses #godboi #wow rp #oc #short stories #paladin #paladidnt #rolance #power rings #eldritch

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metalartifacts · 2 years ago

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High Quality Metal Decorative Items

Here are some Handpicked products for beautiful Metal decorative items online on our website.

Business owners can discover and shop newest trends at the most affordable prices on Designspurt, an international sourcing platform featuring metallic decor and artefacts.

Architectural ornamental metal is metal without structural value that provides architectural decoration. Metal can be formed into countless shapes while still retaining many advantageous properties.Metal Artifacts home decor items are now more popular than ever.

How are metals used in art?

These metals offer the artist strength while also being malleable. Other metals such as gold and silver are softer, enabling the artisan the ability to shape the metal with tools and by hammering. Related to the sculpting process is metal casting, where metals can be poured into a mold.

Metal Candle Holders or candlesticks were originally used to hold candles upright and catch dripping wax so as to protect surfaces where the candles stood. The earliest candle holder discovered is made of clay and dates back to 400 B.C.

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lexandecor · 4 years ago

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Let’s Décor your Home with Lexan Decor

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