#have a fic teaser

[asukaskerian]

#1 N°1 Eternal War God

Feast your eyes on the most badass cosplay you have ever seen! The font of manliness, the peerless master, the only rival Bing-ge will ever have...!!!

liuqingge_1.png ; liuqingge_2.png ; liuqingge_3.png

#2 N°1 Eternal War God

Perfect replica of Cheng Luan, I pumped iron for six months for the all-natural chest muscles hahaha, and there's even a little sword charm matching little sister Mingyan's for the gege appeal! This cosplay will be debuted in full during the next great Shanghai convention, come and get your photos after the contest! 

#3 Littlest Cutest YingYingYing

Awww the little charm is so adorable!!!! Secret brocon Liu-gege~¤* 

#4 Cang Qiong Mountain Stair-Cleaning Manager

The all natural chest is also cute >:3c

#5 Peerless Cucumber (Expert)

... Is that a repurposed Japanese kimono? Are you honestly saying that covering the sober, dignified, strong-and-silent Liu Qingge's body with fancy belts and embroidery to break up the outline of *the wrong garment entirely* and distracting the viewer via slutting it up is good cosplay?

My apologies, I have unfairly maligned you -- it's a YUKATA. For those who don't know the difference, it is exactly that of silk versus cheap cotton. 

Just like the difference between an actual effort-grown chest and one shaped with badly blended makeup. There are still fingerprints in the hollow by your left lower ribs. Tssk.

#6 grass your mother and fuck your horse

Everyone pack it up, the quality check expert has shown up to close the thread 

#7 Peerless Cucumber (Expert)

#6, I have no issue with the cosplay itself but don't present it as the best and manliest when you can't even be bothered to source a local hanfu. The cosplay contest judges will laugh him out of the lineup. 

By the way, regarding the charm... Tyrian does not mean *green*. You might assume this is Airplane's lackadaisical approach to continuity but out of seven color references to Liu Mingyan's sword charm, six were synonyms for purple and amethyst and other lazy bullshit, and the seventh was a reference to her veil, which is, let's consult the database... lavender!

#8 N°1 Eternal War God

Someone looked at my abs reeeeeal close there... Jealous??

You keep going about quality control like we could actually source authentic materials, you remember we're in real life? Who cares if it's not real so long as it gives the right feel? Spoken as someone who's never gotten off his gamer chair and can only piss on the efforts of others, do better if you can

#9 The People's Daily Salute To The Heavens

/eating popcorn by the bucket

(things are heating up in the war god fandom!!!!!)

#10 Peerless Cucumber (Expert)

You know what, I think I will. See you at the contest.

#11 The People's Daily Salute To The Heavens

:O GASP

#12 Littlest Cutest YingYingYing

#11 ditto, :O GASP

#12 Little Sister Connoisseur

#11 #12 ditto ditto, :O GASPGASP

#13 grass your mother and fuck your horse

Yeah ok i'll also give it a gasp.

[lululawrence]

You Should Be Here With Me

A 2024 Advent Fic by lululawrence

The festive period is a traditionally hectic one in the world of Premier League football, and this year is no different. A lot is riding on how Manchester United is able to come through the fixtures in the coming weeks.

Louis and his teammates know all too well the pressure that is on their shoulders. They need to prove, not just to fans of the club but the entire league, that they still have what it takes to be a team worthy of fighting for the top of the table.

Throw in the fact that Louis is all too aware that he's not getting any younger in a profession that demands your peak physical fitness year round and the incredibly fit Harry Styles, who is part of the club's social media team, and this year's festive period might just be the most important one yet.

🎄Coming December 1st! 🎄

[kinardsevan]

fuck-it friday

tagged by my beloved @perfectlysunny02, and I'm currently working on a lil somethin' somethin' for y'all based off that "baggage". this floated into my head today, so this is what you get:

-

“Maybe he just needs time,” Tommy offers, lifting a hand to gesticulate at the invisible offer. 

Eddie narrows his gaze at Tommy, giving a slight scowl. “What time? He’s had months of time.” 

Evan clears his throat, pushing up off of the chair. “I-…I think he means more than just space, Eds.”

Eddie looks over at Buck, and then back up at Tommy, whose gaze is now on his watchband that he’s twisting nervously. Tommy looks up at him nervously. 

“Look man, I-..” 

“No that’s a terrible fucking idea,” Eddie retorts. “So not only is my son hundreds of miles away, but I should stop reaching out and let him think I’ve completely given up on him too?” 

“That’s not what-..” “He’s trying to suggest-..” 

“No!” Eddie growls. “He’s my son!  And beyond that, I don’t understand why it matters so god damn much if I want to be left alone for a few days. It’s not like anyone had a problem with Buck wanting to jump off the 118 a few weeks back.” 

Tommy’s gaze suddenly shoots up in Evan’s direction as his expression shifts from one of concern to one that…Evan’s never seen it on his face before, but there’s a definitive degree of pain in his eyes. 

“What?” He rasps. His breaths are shallower, quicker. “Y-you what?” 

Evan glares at Eddie. “That’s not what this is about right now.” 

“Seems like it is,” Eddie replies, tilting his head in Tommy’s direction. 

[arcanegifs]

[renthewerecatboi]

sometimes things will change, sometimes not, you'll never know until it's already happened

[orykorioart]

Don’t make that face Raihan, I’m sure you’re at least a little bit charmed by it.

(Click for better quality bc I cant tell if the qualitys a little cooked bc of mobile 🥲)

+ Based on this Rai-sand I made some time ago lol

[heavenlyraindrops]

♱Father Forgive Me (For I have Sinned)~ Teaser #2: Bitten the Apple♱

Lucifer Morningstar x Angel!Reader Teaser #2: Bitten the Apple Fandom: Hazbin Hotel

♱♱♱

You were the kindest, purest soul in Heaven. Even the Seraphim recognised your virtue, and adored you for it- more than any other angel. Your humility on the fact only made them love you even more.

Which is why your Fall from Grace shocked everyone more than any other Fall before.

♱♱♱

[Sneak Peek]

Why am I even here?

You were standing in a garden. A garden in Hell. A familiar building loomed before you. If you squinted hard enough, you could have almost spotted a broken window.

You didn’t know Hell had gardens- you’d expected it to be a barren wasteland, more or less, but the lush “greenery” (it didn’t look very green) seemed to be proving you wrong.

What you definitely didn’t expect at all, however, was the apple tree you were standing under.

The fruit seemed beautiful, ruby-red and delicious. You shifted uncomfortably from foot to foot, then glanced at the sky, praying the the exterminators weren’t worried about you or looking for you. You looked back at the tree.

It had caught your attention from above. It seemed so- so out of place from the otherwise hellish landscape that you just had to take a look. You frowned, recalling Sera’s words.

“Curiosity killed the cat.”

”But satisfaction brought it back.”

You shrieked and jumped a couple of feet in the air, feeling your wings burst out behind you as you whirled around. Lucifer crossed his arms, raising an eyebrow.

“What the hell?” You hissed, nerves frayed.

“That’s what I should be asking you. Snooping around in my garden.” His eyes flicked to the tree. “Ogling at my apples- alright that- that sounds weird when I say it like that.” He pinched the bridge of his nose. “The point is, you’re the one who’s out of place here. Couldn’t get enough of me the first time?

You hesitated. You’d never expect the King of Hell to fumble around with his words like that. Your muscles relaxed slightly. “That is far from the truth. The tree just… piqued my curiosity.”

You both stared at each other, silently. As if on cue, an apple fell off of a branch, straight into his outstretched hand.

“Have a taste, then.”

You stared at the shining red fruit in his hand, then looked at his golden eyes. His smile seemed surprisingly genuine.

“I…”

♱♱♱ A/N: Stay tuned!

Note: Posting Chapter One before the end of the week ! + didn’t know if I should include the taglist in this post since it’s just a snippet so I’ll just put it anyways

Taglist: @ica1, @boredlime, @tremendoushearttaco

Update: Chapter One out now! Here is the Masterlist.

[libra-cant-just-dance]

Trying not to rant too much on here and be really dramatic but I’m so upset.

I know it’s ridiculous to get this upset over a silly little dancing game ship, but that’s not really the main issue for me. I’m more mad because I’ve been writing Wanderrose fics for over a year. I did the math, I have over 130k words written of just JD stuff. Is it ridiculous to have put that much time and effort into a silly little dancing game ship? Absolutely, I’m not gonna pretend otherwise, but the point is I did. And now because of one decision the team made, I’m basically gonna lose all that work.

If they actually confirm The Dad Situation, I have to leave Mirrored Walls unfinished. I’ll probably take all my stuff down too (partially cuz it feels weird to leave it up and partially cuz I just know some people on here are gonna tear me to shreds if I leave it up with a “written before the reveal” warning). I don’t usually get into fights online but I swear to god if someone tries to hit me with the “it’s just a ship” line I’m gonna lose it. Yeah it’s just a ship, I don’t really care about the ship. But I happen to have made the mistake of investing way too much time and energy into it and I can’t get that time and energy back. Plus I’m having to scrap a bunch of work that I’m actually kind of proud of.

Not saying this like it’s the JD team’s fault or anything. They have zero obligation to cater to this little corner of the internet that got super invested in a silly little dancing game ship. It’s their story and they can do whatever they want. I’m just really upset about it. This is the only fandom that’s somehow given me the motivation to write a bunch of fanfiction, so I’m pretty much losing a whole hobby along with it.

[voxofthevoid]

Teasers for this month's planned updates! They're 200–300 words each and also unedited. I'm also queuing this up while exceptionally sleepy, so if anything's mixed up, welp in advance.

Chapter 6/9 of everything burned, as promised

He turns around. Yuuji doesn’t flinch.

Satoru crosses the distance between them, slow enough that Yuuji has plenty of time to retreat. He doesn’t, of course. He doesn’t move at all, not even when Satoru comes to a stop within breathing distance of him. He does tilt his head up, meeting Satoru’s eyes through a few inches of heavy air and thick fabric.

Brave, beautiful fool.

Satoru curls a hand around his throat.

Yuuji still doesn’t flinch.

Under Satoru’s palm, there’s a soft, steady pulse. No fear, no arousal. Only a flesh mirror of the dead-eyed serenity on Yuuji’s face. Satoru tightens his grip, and Yuuji’s eyelids flutter slightly. It’s almost beatific.

Satoru considers it.

The finger is there, waiting, and Yuuji is here, also waiting. Maybe Satoru was also waiting—for this day, this date. There’s a seductive appeal to ending this on the twenty-fourth of December, a day that’s already witnessed so many endings and beginnings. It’d be poetic.

Satoru could confine all his grief to one single day.

Fingers brush the inside of his wrist, the touch unspeakably gentle. It grows bolder, firmer, but Yuuji doesn’t pull Satoru’s hand away from his throat. He only holds it, with a care that says he’s afraid Satoru might be the one to break.

He says, “It’s alright, Satoru.”

Satoru lets him go as if burned.

Chapter 3/7 of for granted, in vain, i took everything i ever cared about

He tugs his hand gently free from Yuuji’s grip, raising it to the boy’s face. His knuckles brush the edge of a jaw. His thumb finds a mouth—and the scar thickening the edge of it. 

“This,” Satoru says, “is new.”

Yuuji swallows thickly. “Yeah.”

Satoru’s hand easily spans the length of Yuuji’s face. Hot puffs of breath warm his palm, Yuuji’s breathing speeding up. Satoru’s fingertips curl into another line of scar tissue, cutting violently across Yuuji’s brow.

“Do they hurt?”

“No,” Yuuji whispers, lips brushing Satoru’s skin. “I don’t feel anything.”

Satoru slides his fingers into Yuuji’s hair; it’s as soft as ever but a little longer, filling his fist a little easier.

Yuuji makes a gutted noise.

“Say, Yuuji, are you angry at me?”

“Wh—” He can practically hear Yuuji try to compose himself. “No. No, why would I—”

 “For all the promises I couldn’t keep.”

“I don’t know—”

But he does. And Satoru can tell the moment Yuuji realizes it—a sharp exhale that shudders through the whole of him.

It wasn’t just his teen self that offered Yuuji safety. Satoru did it first.

He drags his nails along Yuuji’s scalp, down the back of his head, and grips the delicate flesh of his nape.

Yuuji bows his head.

“No,” he says. “That’d make me…one hell of a hypocrite. And just—no. I don’t hate you. I don’t want to hate you. I just wanted you back.”

Chapter 11/18 of (let me be clear) every version of the story ends with you being slaughtered

“Did you really bring me here for the curse?”

“Oh?” Gojou turns his head fully to face Yuuji, his eyes hidden under his sunglasses but the sharp arch of his eyebrow no less expressive. “And why else would I do it, you think?”

“This,” Yuuji mutters, gesturing widely at the ocean, the sands, the people, themselves.

Gojou’s smile grows teeth, as familiar as it’s haunting. “You’re sharp when I least expect it, you know.”

“Why?” Yuuji asks, and he’s not talking about Gojou’s dig at his perceptiveness.

“I figured I owed you an apology,” Gojou says, “and some uncomplicated fun.”

“This is a lot of trouble for just an apology,” Yuuji points out, tugging at his hair; the dye stains his fingertips, but he knows from his early-morning shower that there’s enough of it in his hair to keep up the disguise.

“You don’t expect much from me, do you, Yuuji?” Gojou asks, with a surprising lack of petulance or accusation. “Or do you just not expect much from life?”

“My expectations are fine,” Yuuji says stiffly. “Answer the question.”

“You didn’t ask one, technically,” Gojou says. “But fine. Call it sentiment. Some of the best times of my youth were spent on this beach.”

“Oh.” Yuuji stares out at the ocean—the deep-blue water and the burnt-orange sky. He looks at the people laughing in the water and sprawled in the sands, before his eyes return helplessly, inevitably to Gojou; he’s sitting hunched, arms loosely hugging his knees. Yuuji can see the knobby line of his spine pressing up into skin. “That sounds…nice.”

Chapter 3/24 (this is also part of the story) how the story changes

He starts with the scar on Yuuji’s left, tracing the underside of it with a single finger. It really does look so violent. And he doesn’t think it’s his imagination, the way Yuuji’s cursed energy seems to pulse in a frenzy at the almost-touch. Then Satoru does touch it, sweeping two fingers swiftly along the curve of it.

Yuuji makes a strangled noise.

Satoru cups the matching scar on Yuuji’s right side with his other hand, teasing the tissue with his palm. Yuuji’s reaction is a lot more restrained this time, probably because he braced for it, but his breath still shudders in the space between their bodies. Satoru tightens his grip, squeezing the scars the way Yuuji squeezed his pecs earlier.

“Satoru.” It’s a low, throaty growl—pretty sexy.

“Sensitive?” Satoru asks innocently.

Yuuji’s hand curves along his left hip, nails digging into skin. But that’s all he does.

“There are things in me,” Yuuji says very softly, “that want out.”

Satoru swallows, a pleasant burn. “Seems unhealthy. You should let them out.”

“You…really haven’t changed.”

“I resent that,” Satoru says. “I’ve matured and shit. I’m legal too, but I guess that doesn’t make much of a difference to you.”

“It’s the least of my sins,” Yuuji agrees placidly. “How long are you going to stay like this? Little Satoru seems neglected.”

“Little?”

Yuuji snorts, reaching for Satoru’s dick with his free hand. But like before, he doesn’t really touch it, only the pad of a finger tapping the wet slit. “Calm down. You’re proportional all over, we both know that.”

Chapter 4/7 of i can offer you a black-lit paradise

Itadori isn’t cleaning him up anymore; he’s just eating.

“Breathe, Megumi.”

Megumi breathes on instinct, and then he snarls, prying his hand off his mouth to try prying Gojou’s hands off his chest, except it doesn’t matter how roughly or meanly he tugs, they don’t budge. He rakes his nails over veiny knuckles and bulging forearms and even tries to lever the fingers off one by one, and all it does is make him feel like a child, grappling with beasts shaped like men.

The entire time, Itadori goes at his ass with a madman’s fervor—another kind of beast.

He’d eat you alive, Gojou said.

If Megumi let him.

Except Megumi is letting him, his lips sealed against any protest that might slip out, and what’s Itadori meant to think about his writhing and squirming when Megumi’s shoving back against his mouth half the time, like he’s eager for the tongue taking him pieces?

His hands clench on Gojou’s forearms, the angry scratches he left already fading.

Thumbs slide over his nipples, a humiliatingly absent motion.

“It feels very good, doesn’t it?” Gojou asks softly. Megumi doesn’t even worry Itadori will hear him, not when he seems to be trying to shove his entire face into Megumi’s ass. “Do you like his mouth?”

“Stop it,” Megumi grits out. “Just stop talking.”

“That’d be boring,” comes the answer, predictable and infuriating.

Chapter 4/5 of your resistance, prophetic self-destruction

Under his lips, Chōsō’s flesh is starting to knit back together. Yuuji licks at it, blood wetting his tongue, and Chōsō squirms on his cock, scrabbling at Yuuji’s shoulders as if that will give him any leverage. Yuuji bites deep into the healing flesh.

Chōsō gasps his name like a curse and a prayer.

“Well,” says a voice that is distinctly not Chōsō’s, “this isn’t what I was expecting.”

Yuuji freezes, but so does Chōsō, and that’s a bad idea given the position they’re in. His dick doesn’t care that Yuuji’s veins just iced over; the blood fattening it up is as hot as anything, as the blood still slicking his mouth.

He lifts his face from Chōsō’s mangled shoulder, staring over it at the dark room. The only illumination is the faint moonlight from the open window, but Yuuji’s eyes adjusted to the darkness long back. He can see all too well the figure slouching in the darkness by the door—the still-locked door, which sure as hell didn’t open and close without either Yuuji or Chōsō noticing it.

But when has a paltry door ever stopped Gojou Satoru? How many times did Yuuji wake in his dorm room to find a body looming over him, a mouth stifling his shout before it could rend the air and probably bring Fushiguro running?

“Gojou-sensei,” Yuuji chokes out. “What are you doing? Why are you here?”

[bellaxgiornata]

I'm contemplating sharing the series masterlist with its summary and banner for a short 3 part Matt series today. Just to give y'all a feel for it. I was waiting for it to be partly written before I shared anything!

Which is true of another series I'm working on for Matt that's a bit darker, but so far I'm just writing it for myself because I want a few parts done before I share too much. But I'm already dying to share the banner and summary for it so bad.

[hijinks-n-lowjinks]

third teaser for the final chapter of my itafushi fic and i've been tryin' not to feel it

[alexis-royce]

Some say that if you fall asleep in that theater, you might never wake up...

NonPlatonic Forms is a horror romance about a tricky human and a hungry storytelling god. Can you help Lee separate matter from myth, and navigate his way to freedom? Or will the dread deity scoop out his free will, and make Lee into a sycophantic member of his eternal audience?

The first teaser demo for NonPlatonic Forms is up! It's available for PC, Mac, Linux, and you can also play it in-browser on a computer or on your phone!

[danadaria]

The Words Between Us

@steddiebang2024 Project #095 Posting on October 02, 2024

Author: @DanaDaria l Artist: @cemeterylight | Beta: @altbadumm

Summary:

Eddie discovered he was in love with Steve Harrington years after he lost contact with him. It's fine, that’s just life. 

But all he needed was a postcard, a couple of letters, and some calls to fall for him again.

And magazines. Don’t forget the magazines; after all, that started it all.

↳ Keep reading below for a sneak peek!

The elevator stopped at floor 20, opening the doors to a lively place. 

The first thing he saw was “BEGINNERS MAGAZINE” in silver letters attached to a wall. He walked a little and then arrived at the open floor.

Pretty and stylish people were all around the room, some at their desks writing on their computers and others screaming on the phone. Some girls with robes and hair rollers were lounging around and some kind of assistants ran with their binders across the room. 

“Excuse me” 

Eddie stepped aside to let pass two giant clothes racks. So many clothes.

“Hi darling. Are you here for the photoshoot?” Behind the front desk an older woman who looked like Cher, smiled at him. “Because if that’s the case, let me tell you, you’re awfully late.” 

C’mon Eddie. You got this. Confidence. 

Eddie took a deep breath, stood up straight and gave her his most charming smile.

“Actually, no. I’m Eddie, and I’m here for the interview for Beginner’s new section.” 

“The new sec- Oh! Eddie, darling, you're awfully early. That’s next week”

“Yes, of course…” he continued smiling beatifically. 

Wait. 

“What?!” 

“Yes. Check my agenda.” Secretary-Cher raised a desk agenda that stated clearly and brightly in the month of June: “MON 4th, boys interviews 10am - 2pm” 

Eddie felt how the smile in his face became strained. This was bad. 

“I’m so stupid” he muttered, covering his face with his hands.

“Oh, sweetie, don’t beat yourself, it happens all the time.” 

“Really?”

Desk-Cher laughed hard, but looked at him with tenderness “No, sorry, but I wanted to make you feel better.”

Fuck his luck. This was so embarrassing. You can bet Eddie is not going to put a foot in this place again. Interview be damned. 

“Hey, Jules. Have you seen Luca? The bastard said he forgot his sunglasses on his car, and he’s not on the set yet.” A black man with pink pants and a golden shirt arrived. 

“If Anna it’s not on set, she’s doing her. If she’s there, then he’s doing some dust.” The secretary said sincerely. 

The man looked so done. 

“These brats, they never learn.” The man, then, noticed Eddie's presence. “If you’re here for the photoshoot, you are late.”

“Harry, no. This poor thing is early!”

“Early? Early for what?” 

“He mismatched dates and came a week early for the boy’s interview!” Jules said cheerfully.

Now the man’s gaze was full on Eddie. Judging his black jeans, his boots, and his jacket. Which, hey, it was a clean denim jacket, but you never know with rich people.

No. Eddie needed to get out of that place immediately. 

“Yeah. Don’t mind me, I’m heading out. And I’m going to be honest, I don’t think I’ll show my face in this place again, so you can reschedule the 12:30 slot.” Eddie’s instincts said he should shrink and run. 

And yes, this was an awfully embarrassing experience to start the week, but at least, he was going to leave the place with dignity.

“If you excuse me, Lady Jules and Lord Henry, this jester is going to abandon the palace.” Well, dignity under Eddie’s standards. 

Eddie turned around to leave the office when he heard:

“Kid, are you free for the day? If you can hold a pose and pretend to be a heartbreaker, you got a job for a day, and I can interview you at makeup.”

Eddie looked surprised at the man. He looked intimidating, but he could see it in his face… he wasn’t joking. He wasn’t joking.  

Eddie smiled wild. “I’m Eddie and I’m your man.” 

“I’m Harry. C’mon, this way.” The man took Eddie by the shoulder and started to guide him to the depths of the office. “If Luca arrives, tell him he can come back in 1997!” 

Julia gave her a military salute with her hand, but the man just rolled his eyes at her antics. 

“Hey, I’m not going to say I don’t appreciate the turn of events, but on a scale of 1 to 10, how heartbreaker do I need to look? Because I’m not going to lie, I’m super bad at that. 

The man snorted. 

“My gaydar can recognize other fairies in a fifty mile radius. Even if they are court jesters. That’s why I said pretend, kid”

“Oh” Eddie was speechless. It was the first time outside bars and clubs where a stranger admitted being gay to him. It felt weirdly empowering “Okay.” He smiled at the older man. “I can do that.” 

C’mon Eddie. You got this. Confidence.

[ivoryghostyy]

the villain fell in love...

you're the war hero of the empire

the common folk chatter about you in the bustling streets, and the bards sing of your adventures

nobles whisper behind their hands, free of the crimson blood and guilt that stains your own

you've won the war, but at what cost?

the lifeless eyes of your comrades still prick your skin. screams haunt your dreams, their bloody hands clawing into your scarred flesh

the empire sees you as a pawn. your title is a glorified cage, and the land you are gifted is far from a reward—the walls have eyes

so, pray tell, how did this sly genius find his way into your room?

…and if it takes another war to get you, well,

nothing compares to a rose stained with blood.

[merchantarthurn]

remind me later (like send an ask in like 5 hours, idk) to ramble at length about Ambessa and Mel in Season 2, in particular how much Act 2 has flipped how I was initially feeling about the Black Rose stuff from "oh! a good reason to have Mel and Ambessa and their relationship front and centre? this is exactly what i want" to "i hate this. i would say i hated this more than anything in this Act but regrettably the bar is pretty high given what happened with vi and jinx and ~warwick~"

[thisisallthehattersfault]

Behind him, there is movement. The sharp, sudden clang of metal against metal. Lan Wangji glances briefly over his shoulder.

Perhaps predictably, Su She has decided to try and strike at his exposed back, like the dishonorable coward he is. A fool, as well, for having apparently forgotten the presence of the Ghost General despite insulting the man only a moment ago. The tip of Su She’s blade is trembling against one of Wen Ning’s chain-wrapped forearms, the trailing length of those chains pooling at his feet where they writhe like twisting like snakes, rearing to strike. Lan Wangji’s next breath brings with it the tang of resentful energy. He has already turned his attention back to the scroll.

There is more movement, though Lan Wangji doesn’t pay enough attention to discern what exactly may be happening. Wen Ning’s presence stays at his back, cool and steady as a fortress wall. “You!” Su She’s voice reaches an irritating pitch. “How dare you, you think even you have the right to look down on me?!” He makes a noise not unlike a wild boar before it charges. “You aren’t even human! I thought Lan Wangji was the most arrogant man I’d ever met, but you clearly outclass him there. You’re nothing but the Yiling Patriarch’s dog! Undead servant mutt!”

That, at last, gets Lan Wangji to pay more than a sparse fraction of attention. He has to peer around Wen Ning, who is still standing between them, a marble pillar separating Lan Wangji from Su Minshan. And, it would seem, the embarrassing clump of Moling Su and Lanling Jin cultivators slowly filling the cavern. “Dog?” Lan Wangji repeats, softly. Wen Ning does not visibly shift, but the black veins in his neck pulse, just once, ever so faintly. Resentment in the air smells like tar, sharp and thick.

Su She’s disciples pick up his call, loudly proclaiming the contemptible nature of the Ghost General, the Yiling Patriarch’s filthy, flea-ridden Wen-dog bitch, unfit to be even called a servant by way of his inhuman nature. Lan Wangji listens to very little of it. His eyes are on the part of Wen Ning’s face he can see from this angle, smooth and jade-pale as a porcelain mask, almost colorless in the low light if not for the yawning blackness of his eyes.

“You think he’s your dog, too?” Su She’s voice reaches a new and grating pitch, all inflated self-importance. “Hanguang-Jun, your arrogance knows no bounds! He’ll bite you the second his master has no use for you anymore. You’re not special, you’ve only fallen for the Yiling Patriarch’s tricks!”

Lan Wangji gives that statement exactly as much consideration as it deserves. Before Su She has even finished speaking, Lan Wangji is calling, softly, “Wen Ning?"

Wen Ning cocks his head to the side, bird-like, considering the embarrassment in front of him for a moment. Then he turns his face to Lan Wangji, looking at him with his big, dark eyes.

He answers: “Woof.”

Lan Wangji flicks a glance briefly at the advancing gaggle of cultivators. He and Wen Ning really are well and truly surrounded now. Then he turns back to the scroll, and once again lowers his charcoal to paper.

“Sick ‘em, boy,” he says. He does not raise his head again until the screaming has stopped.