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marjiandco · 4 years ago

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Prompt 29: Paternal

Raido Manudo stared down at the crumpled paper in his hand. He held the edges of it with the tips of two fingers, as if afraid the more he touched the more dirt would rub off on him.

He frowned beneath his mustache, the corner of his mouth twitching. It's a new tic he can't seem to shake, not since his middle child ran off to gods knows where to meet that miqo'te girl. Despite his investigators best efforts, nothing seemed to stick to this girl beyond the well known run in with a primal. She just materialized out of thin air in Limsa as part of the arcanist guild, but other than that her background is a mystery.

It irks him to no end that his boy was running around with someone so suspicious. Perhaps she has seduced him somehow, though he hopes its not through sex; he really wants some good round lalafellin grandchildren to continue on their family legacy. He frown deepens as the same unbearable thought crosses his mind: lalafellin children perfect in every way until they turn around and reveal ratty tails. He'd be a laughing stock, his families price lowered just because of some offbreed children. To call her his daughter....

He shook his head as if scrubbing the thought away. Raiku Honaku was a smart boy, but rebellious. If he ever thinks his father wouldn't approve of their togetherness he'd run straight into her arms. He paces back and forth in his parlor room, the paper tightening in his grip. His other son is out of the question as a successor, but perhaps if Raido Manudo continues on he could wait for his children to grow; perhaps brains would skip a generation with him and he'd make fine strapping young children. His daughter, bless her boldness and following her mother's botany was a perfect child. He's sure the his wife's business' will be safe in her hands. She's shrewd for someone so young, even thinking of marriages for the business. He teases her about it, but he's sure whoever she picks will be a fine person to bring into the fold.

He glances over his shoulder, as if remembering the investigator was still standing there.

“This is not enough information.” he stated. “What, pray tell, am I supposed to do with his answer?”

He knew better than to ask the hyur in front of him but still he could not keep his annoyance in check. He really is getting old.

The investigator shrugged. “He was not keen on sharing any more than what I persisted him with; your son is not happy to be followed.”

“Surely there were ways to get him to elaborate, even a strongly worded letter would be more than this.”

The investigator shrugged again “I do not go beyond talking. You'll have to hire someone else for that.”

Raido Manudo read the note again before tossing it to the ground.

Leave me to my work.

His shoulders sagged as he found a plush seat in an armchair, rubbing his eyes roughly.

“I wish he knew I was only worried for his sake.”

The investigator announced he was leaving and his bill would be in the mail before following one of Raido Manudo's handmen out the door.

Surely his son is only acting out, he wouldn't leave his family, his life behind for a dangerous woman. He was smart yes, but mayhaps he was not wise in common sense. If only he'd talk to his father then Raido Manudo could pass down the wisdom Raiku Honaku craved. Yes, maybe it would be best to talk in person. Raido Manudo steepled his fingers together, dark thoughts swirling in his mind. What do you do with a wild child but to punish them so they'd sit still and listen to reason. Perhaps he was being to kind to his son, perhaps what he needed was a good smack in the face to stop his nonsense and listen to his father. He would not listen otherwise. Maybe he should hire people of different abilities to bring his son home.

#ffxivwrite2020 #raiku #the timing is nebulous cause im not sure exactly when his dad would be fed up #overall though raikus dad is kind of a racist dick #which is why rai has to unlearn alot from his upbringing #I think its also close to what I want #but maybe a different direction somewhere #hmmmm

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apotheosic · 2 years ago

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The existence of handmaidens and footmen implies two lesser known classes: handmen (handymen?) and footmaidens (soulsborne characters)

#dark souls #bloodborne #elden ring #soulsborne

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ink-vax · 5 years ago

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True, what do you usually do?

True: I'm one of Skys right handmen. We do have a good relationship, I main gather info about things and being a supportive friend

#my art #sketches #teamcrafted #minecraft #truemu #ask tag

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longsightmyth · 6 years ago

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Queen of Glass, Chapter 3

All of these posts are typed up as I go with no forethought or planning and only a quick go-over for typos and clarity. The exception is this post, where I ran into the use of a slur that was upsetting to me personally and definitely more upsetting to a lot of people, especially non-cisgendered folks. I am uncomfortable putting it out in the open without a warning, and I’ll warn when I get to that point too. TO THE READ THROUGH.

There is a royal bathing chamber at a salt mine. I don’t know why I’m surprised anymore. Or did they leave and go to the palace when I wasn’t looking?

Celaena demands if she’s supposed to bathe herself. I would assume she was capable of applying soap to her body and rinsing it off, but I haven’t seen her use any of her actual talents yet just brag about them, so who knows? I am glad this part was cut, however, because it adds another layer of brattishness to the character:

Weren’t they supposed to have maids to do this? Or was she not esteemed enough to receive maids?

Maybe the maids don’t want to bathe me.

I wouldn’t want to bathe you either, Celaena. She further complains that the bath might be cold, and that cold or hot the water will be hell on her back (…?). Then she gets in the bath (which is an actual pool with steps and there are gold faucets and gold hooks and stuff seriously did they go to a palace or noble’s manor or Dorian’s private hunting lodge or whatever when I wasn’t looking?)

Never fear, Celaena, Chaol says her handmaidens should arrive soon. Why though?

While the Crown Prince had the voice of a celestial being, this man’s voice was filled with spite and grounded strength.

Glad that got dropped. Also glad this whole scene got dropped. It adds nothing but a royal bathing chamber in a salt mine (seriously I’m going to read back again and see if I missed something).

No? They don’t appear to have left. Skimming AHEAD to see if they leave. Okay two chapters later it says they departed at dawn, so I guess they’re still at the salt mine at this juncture. I can’t promise not to comment on the royal baths in a salt mine again, but for now we’re moving on.

As opposed to the published work, this one is definitely pushing the romance from day one. I mean, the published draft was pushing the romance from day one, but not quite this obviously:

If he hadn’t been a royal guard and she hadn’t been a great criminal, would they have gotten along? Perhaps even been friends? She suppressed a grin.

Perhaps even more?

At least in the published work Celaena is mostly still on board the hate train at this point. Even if she’s remarking on the good looks of both men, she isn’t contemplating their personalities this quickly.

I can’t believe I just typed that like it was a good thing.

There’s still a weird focus on breasts, but at least here it’s Celaena taking stock of how her body has changed I guess? It’s still a weird focus on breasts vs being able to see her ribcage or whatever. That doesn’t really change in the published version.

Okay, apparently the water is herb-filled, which does explain why it stings her back so badly. I’m not sure how Celaena knew it before (she specifically mentions that there isn’t any steam or scent in the room?) but okay.

Not okay: this entire next part. This is the part I warned for at the beginning of this. Some people may say I’m overreacting There’s a whole lot of insulting women by saying they look like men, for instance, and at one and I don’t care. I am unclear whether the author knew the connotations, but she still damn well knew it was a slur since she used it as an insult.

By the time her “handmaidens” arrived, Celaena Sardothien had washed herself using the soap and was in the process of drying off. Her back was as close to being clean as she could manage without suffering, so naturally there was still a bit of grime coating the skin around her wounds. The servants came in a group of four—and instead of being the delicate and quiet women that Celaena had expected, these handmaidens were more like handmen. They were all much taller and heavier than Celaena, with biceps that were nearly as large as her waist. They wore crisp white dresses that did not compliment their broad frames and their hair was drawn back so tightly that their brutish, hairy faces were stretched out. If it weren’t for the massive breasts that seemed on the verge of bursting out of their dresses, Celaena would have thought that they were actually men.

They took one look at the naked Celaena and rushed at her.

The poor assassin yelped in terror as the she-men dragged her back to the pool and threw her into the cold water (by now it had turned quite icy). Chaol Wydrael turned in time to see a pair of flailing legs and arms be tossed beneath the surface with a huge splash.

Honestly this is proof that SOMEONE, SOMEWHERE, read over all the terribleness in later books and decided it was fine, because this got removed. Don’t get me wrong - I am so glad this got removed. This should never have been written in the first place. I kinda want to see the comments from where this was originally posted because SURELY someone went ‘hey maybe that’s not cool’ so that I can retain my faith in general decency. What the fuck.

That being said, this did not make it to the published version, so it’s entirely possible that the author herself learned better. I’m not sure it’s likely, given Dorian’s comments in Empire of Storms, but it’s possible.

How the fuck did I ever forget that bit?

Wait it’s not over. Celaena continues to vocally doubt their femininity to Chaol (echoes of her comments about Kaltain a little? Even though Kaltain was TOO feminine for Celaena. Nobody can win, I guess). Chaol takes her to a room where “three very gentle-looking women” wait for her. These are her actual handmaidens, apparently. They are gentle when dressing her and dressing her wounds.

Celaena then deals with the bane of YA heroines the world over: corsets. Oh wait. We have to get some more fat-shaming in.

They had come into fashion, invented by some overweight fool from Belaegyr, just a few months before her capture, and the assassin had refused to buy one after going into a dress shop, trying it on, and feeling as if her rib cage were being broken in six places.

This isn’t limited to Throne (or Queen) of Glass by any means, but a corset is actually pretty comfy when it isn’t tightened to unreasonable lengths. They’re pretty supportive, and my back always feels great in them. Also I love how only naturally thin women are cool, but this is Queen of Glass and we knew that already. I do like the nod to fashions changing.

Chaol thinks she’s pretty.

His eyes widened as a grin spread across his face. Unlike the Crown Prince, his smile was not so seductive as it was foolishly amusing.

“Well, gods above! You clean up like a copper coin!” he laughed aloud. “My Lord will be very pleased indeed! I knew that there was something pleasant to look at underneath all that dirt. Now, my Lady, if you will take my arm, I would be more than happy to lead you to my Lord so that he may have a look at the princess we have created.”

He leads her off, presumably to see Dorian again. Celaena scowls the whole way, which I have to say is fair.

#myth reads queen of glass #myth reads #myth rags on Throne of Glass #bigotry #bullshit #slur #slurs #transphobia #I think?#just all the things

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smallestchances · 7 years ago

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1.0

Word Count: 2,170

Warnings: Language, sexual implications, mature themes, cheating/infidelity

Pairings: Steve Rogers x Reader, (eventual) Jay Gatsby x Reader

Summary: Steve took you in off of the streets after an abusive ex threw you out in the middle of the night. Since then, to pay for the protection that he provides, you’ve agreed to be a personal Exotic Escort for his personal guests, or for himself when his wife Natasha Romanoff gets on his nerves. Tonight, he forbids you from attending an important alliance that seals the fate of his mafia, as well as Don Gatsby’s. But with some passing words from your friends that day, you might just have to make an appearance yourself.

Dedication: @caplansteverogers because they’re an amazing writer and made me want to take a crack at this AU thing. This is for the Queen of Mob Au’s.

(gif cred)

Who’s in the shadows? Who’s ready to play?

(Y/N) (Y/L/N) wasn’t the type of person who liked to be told what to do. But during the moments when his hands descended on her body, when it was his voice panting heavily in her ear, God she’d do anything he’d ask her to.

And that’s probably why she was in such a fucked up situation.

Steven Grant Rogers owned her--literally and figuratively. Her body belonged to him, her heart belonged to him, and quite possibly, so did her soul. He was the devil that had ensnared her within his hell, and damn her she wasn’t so sure she wanted out.

There were moments like now, where in the echos of their own release she could pinpoint why she wouldn’t leave yet. The moments where they were mixed with each other’s sweat, with tongues grasping for the other, hands clawing at skin, groans and whimpers coming from both mouths at once. His hands grasped both sides of her face as she lay on top of him, and pulled it back to see in awe the flushed (S/C) skin, and glazed (E/C) eyes that focused on nothing and everything.

Steve blinked momentarily, and soon the haze that had clouded his thoughts of (Y/N) and only (Y/N) were pushed back to the far reaches of his mind. He shut his eyes to control his breathing, and without another thought rolled her off of him roughly. Before she could protest he sat up, leaning his elbows onto his knees.

(Y/N) watched the beauty of a man, focusing on the broad, pale plane of his back muscles that rippled with every breath. She focused on each scar that he sported, the longest one running from the bottom of his right shoulder to the top of the same hip. With caution, she rose herself on top of her knees, and slowly wound her hands around his shoulders so he wouldn’t be startled. Though he tensed, (Y/N) knew she got her way when he melted into her when she placed a kiss upon his shoulder.

“Give me a light,” he demanded, keeping his cold gaze ahead.

(Y/N) rolled her eyes at his tone, reluctantly reaching into the nightstand to her left where she usually stored packs of cigarettes for sessions like these. Instead she found a variety of dumdum lollipops, and she grabbed two. When she handed it to the mafia boss, he gave her an incredulous look.

“There’s enough risks in this job,” she explained, popping her own dumdum into her mouth. “I’d rather not have Lung Cancer be the thing to take either of us out.”

He took a moment to eye the candy, before snatching it from her grip and fiddling with the wrapper before popping it into his mouth.

“I need you to do a job for me tonight,” He said around the lollipop, and the words twisted her stomach into something nasty. “I’ve got alliances to patch up on the upper side of town, and Rocket’s requested you for the night.”

(Y/N) squinted her eyes, watching the criminal closely. “I don’t mind doing a job with Rocket tonight.” And she didn’t. He never requested anything from her besides her company, and to essentially be his sugar baby. He was a strange man, smaller than average with features that made him look more animal than human---and with a foul mouth that would make even Bucky Barnes cover his ears. But he was secretly the nicest patron she’d ever experienced since she became Roger’s “Candy-Girl”, and a friend she was almost certain she had outside of the Grant Mafia. “But I usually go with you on Alliance meets, to smooth things over.”

She felt him grimace, and he untangled herself from her hold,stood up, and removed the dumdum from his lips. “Well I don’t need you tonight. I’d rather not have you fuck this up for me, so I need you away.”

(Y/N) swallowed down her pain at his words, and instead turned it into anger. “Don’t fucking do that.” She shook her head, scoffing while curling her knees to her chest. “Cut the bullshit Steve, and tell me it straight.”

A loud CRUNCH from Steve’s mouth followed her inquiry, and while he finished the candy he strolled over to the window’s that looked over a body of water. (Y/N) made sure to keep her patience in check as he seemed to mull over her request.

“Nat’s comin’,” he said, the words ringing into the air. “She doesn’t want you anywhere near this, and frankly, I don’t either.”

Seeing her turn her face away from him, Steve retracted his words. “We’re meeting with Jay Gatsby.” (Y/N)’s face whipped back to him, her eyes opened wide with fear and surprise. “We’ve decided this feud has gone on for too many generations,” Steve continued before she could say anything. “So we’re willing to make amends before we lose anyone else.”

“This could be a trap,” (Y/N) snapped. “Steve---he could kill you, he could attack the Estates while you’re looking the other way--”

“Don’t you think I’ve thought of that?” He retorted, running a hand through his hair. “That’s why I need you far away from me, and far away from home too.”

For a second, (Y/N) was stunned. Steve has never been so vocal about wanting her away from the line of fire, and the lump in her throat made it obvious that she didn’t know what to do with that information. She cleared her throat, and tried to find her voice. “I-i owe you my life Steve, I---”

“And that’s exactly why I’m keeping you away.” Steve reluctantly pulled himself away from the window, scouring around for his strewn clothes. “I’m not finished with you yet.”

The underlying threat of his words smacked (Y/N) in the face. She forgot for a moment that she wasn’t special to him---she wasn’t his wife like Natasha, or his handmen like Wanda and Bucky---she was just a woman that he chose to spend his lonely nights with.

Not before long (Y/N) found her clothes too, and walked into her adjoining bathroom. By the time she walked out, Steve was gone.

That night, (Y/N) found herself all dolled up for a charity gala from an outfit chosen by Rocket himself. He had a style just as loud and dangerous as his personality, and (Y/N) couldn’t help but admit that she looked fucking good. The (F/C) dress’ slit went all the way to an inch or two below her hip, showing off a silky, diamond-studded garter that accompanied the array that adorned the almost-too-tight-choker around her neck. The dress hugged her body like silk despite the velvet design, and (Y/N) had to pry herself away from the mirror to make her way downstairs.

Everyone was bustling as she strode down the stairs, and she was proud to say she stopped more than a few people in their tracks as they took in every inch and every curve on display. A loud wolf-whistle caught her attention, and before she knew it Sam Wilson and Bucky Barnes flanked her on both sides with their arms out to escort her down the rest of the stairs.

“The bad things you make me want to do to you Doll,” Bucky chuckled, a large smile on his face.

“And all the good things I want to do too,” Sam chimed, and (Y/N) beamed as they all made it to the bottom of the stairs.

“This Candy Store is closed today boys,” she teased. “I got myself a date tonight.”

“With the Racoon,” Bucky raised an eyebrow, smirking. “You’re a little out of his league Doll.”

(Y/N) glared at him, and his smirk slowly faded. “Rocket is an amazing companion,” she defended. “Take some notes Buck, and maybe I’d be at you beck and call just like I’m at his.”

Sam chuckled at the spreading blush on his friend’s cheeks, stepping in front of him to offer his arm to her again. “Her tongue is as vicious as she is beautiful,” he mumbled to herself. “To the bar, Milady?”

Rolling her eyes, (Y/N) accepted his offer and he escorted her to the on-sight bar that was in the center of the beautiful mansion. After a few minutes of silence, Sam spoke up. “I am only just asking for one night Honeybee,” he half-teased. “I’ll make every penny worth it.”

They stopped at the entrance to the bar, which was unusually bare that night, and (Y/N) gave him a tight-lipped smile. “Ask Grant about it, and he’ll set up a date for you.”

Sam rolled his eyes, leaning against the wall casually while grazing his eyes over her body. “You know for a fact he won’t let me touch you. He’s barely let any male near you for weeks Honeybee.”

Cocking her head to the side, (Y/N) wracked her mind and found that the statement was true. “He’s had me so busy lately,” she mumbled, before shaking the thought off. “Ask him anyway. He might be letting up considering I’m with Rocket tonight.”

“The Raccoon is our highest patron with both legal and illegal activities,” Sam sighed, flinching when you smacked his bicep at the Billionaire's nickname. “I doubt Grant’s going to deny him anything, even if it is you.”

(Y/N) trained her gaze to the floor, shuffling her feet as his words flooded her mind. “Thanks for getting me here,” she mumbled, before turning and walking into the Bar, straight to the counter-top.

“Bourbon please,” she asked the bartender, who raised an eyebrow. “I need to start my night off right.”

“I thought I started your nights off right,” a voice behind (Y/N) claimed, and against her better judgement a smile slinked its way on to her face. Wanda slid into the seat next to her, resting her cheek against her fist as she leaned on the counter-top.

“You’re leaving me behind, just like the rest of these guys,” (Y/N) reasoned, picking up the glass placed in front of her by her fingertips. “So you’re a part of my woes.”

“How can you be full of woe when your Sugar Daddy has literally pimped you the fuck out?” Wanda teased, snapping her fingers and soon a virgin martini was placed in front of her.

“As much as I love Rocket, I’d rather be doing my job.”

“You mean you’d rather be with Steve.”

The words that left Wanda’s mouth made (Y/N) still for a quick second, but was still caught by her keen eyes.

“Look, regardless of what anyone said,” Wanda whispered, her tone more serious as she leaned into her. (Y/N) shot back the rest of her drink, beckoning the bartender over for a refill. “I believe you should be right next to us. No offense to Natasha, because she does her job as well as you do yours, but Don Gatsby won’t exactly take a liking to her as much as he would’ve to you.”

Turning her head to face the Scarlet Witch, (Y/N) raised an eyebrow. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“It means,” Wanda mumbled, taking a sip of her drink. “That Don Gatsby likes women very much. And while I’ve been scouting him for all these years, there’s no woman he loves more than one with curves, tiger stripes, and thighs that could suffocate him for days.”

(Y/N) choked on her drink, coughing violently as she shook her head. “Wanda what the fuck?”

The brunette shrugged, wiping some of (Y/N)’s saliva off of her red leather jacket. “All I’m saying, is that despite how dangerous tonight is going to be, you would’ve quieted everything down a lot quicker than legs-for-days Natalia.”

(Y/N) rolled her eyes, pushing the rest of her second drink away as she stood up. “I don’t have anything to say to that.” A quick buzz in her black clutch alerted her, and after peeking at her phone, (Y/N) sighed. “My ride’s here.” As she walked out of the room, she heard Wanda call after her.

“Oh, and remind Gamora I want to her see her fine ass tomorrow at noon!”

“She’s with Quill Wanda!”

“Tell him he can come too!”

Walking outside into the brisk October air, (Y/N) cursed herself for not bringing something heavier than a shawl to cover with. She stood at the top landing of the mansion steps that overlooked the large circular driveway with a running fountain in the middle, spotting both Rocket’s limo driver, and Steve’s.

She found her gaze lingering on the latter’s vehicle, Wanda and Sam’s words echoing in her head about tonight. There was something telling her to go with the original plan and go with Rocket, but a smaller part of her tugged forcefully toward’s Steve’s ride.

With a final breath, she found herself:...

Going to Rocket’s Limo

Sneaking into Steve’s Limo

Stay Tuned!

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