#her unofficial name is Lilac :)

[httyd-art-requests]

Ooh, could you draw a Light Fury please?

Of course I can :3 I had a lot of fun with the posing here, hehe

Dragon #25 - Light Fury

[yelena-bellova]

Twenty Years Later: Joel Miller x F!Reader - One Shot #1

The Little Things

Plot: Joel and Y/n reminisce on life before Cordyceps

Word Count: 913

Warnings: language, loss of a child (16+)

A/N: Welcome back, folks! I feel like I’m stretching my Rosebud/Joel muscles after a long break, but hopefully this is a good way to dive back in 🏊🏻‍♀️ I’ve always thought that in an apocalyptic setting, eventually your mind would have to drift to wondering what things in the world you’d missed out on!

These one shots/chapter will vary in length, but the majority of them will be set in Jackson. I’m planning a few flashbacks (where to, I’m keeping a secret 🤫) but it will mostly be Rose, Joel and Ellie adjusting to life together. I’m excited to keep this lil’ world going 💜 Enjoy, my loves!

——————

“Big Macs.”

“Ugh.”

“Why ‘ugh?’”

“Because Big Macs were disgusting.”

“Says you.”

Joel and Y/n were laid in their bed, one elbow bent towards the ceiling, their hands intertwined. It was late, they both knew they should have been asleep an hour ago.

“Whoppers were better,” Y/n mused, sticking to her fast food opinions long after the chains were gone.

Joel scoffed, “Okay…”

“What was the name of that place by the fire station?” Y/n asked, lightly slapping her flattened palm against Joel’s.

“Mmm,” he thought for a second, “Mimi’s?”

“Yeah,” Y/n nodded, “That place was good too.”

“It was,” Joel smoothed his hand against Y/n’s before threading his fingers through the gaps between hers.

In the two weeks since they’d been married, both officially and unofficially, Joel and Y/n’s excitement to share a bed hadn’t wavered. Neither one of them could get home fast enough to one another after their mutual shifts in various parts of Jackson. Retiring to each other’s arms at the end of a long day of work was the sweetest reward to be earned.

“I’ve got a stupid one,” Y/n spoke up.

“There’s no stupid ones,” Joel offered back, his eyes were closed in relaxation.

“No, you’ll definitely think this one’s stupid.”

Joel smiled, “Hit me.”

Y/n inhaled deeply, sighing as she released the breath, “We never found out how Star Wars ended.”

To his credit, Joel tried to contain the laughter bubbling in his throat. But the pressure became too great to suppress and he snorted, rolling on his side and pressing his face to Y/n’s shoulder.

“You asshole,” Y/n joined in on her husband’s laughter.

“It’s not stupid,” Joel said with a contradicting smile, “It’s just that we already knew how it ended.”

“But we didn’t know how we got there,” Y/n gestured with her free hand to the ceiling, “We’ll also never know how Friends ended or if there would have been another Pirates of the Caribbean movie…”

Joel snickered into Y/n’s shoulder once more. Where Y/n would have once jokingly pushed him away, she let him stay. After two decades apart, no intimacy between them was ever rejected.

“I miss music shops,” Joel added once his laughter had ceased, “Can still remember the smell of all the guitars and the polishes.”

Y/n hummed, nudging her head closer to Joel’s till the tips of his curls were tickling her face.

“Maybe it’s just the playin’ I miss,” Joel continued, getting settled in Jackson was their top priority, but he was itching to find a guitar.

“I miss that perfume I used to wear,” Y/n added another entry to their game.

Joel’s head tilted in attention, “The lilac one?”

“How do you even remember that?” Y/n chuckled, their hands had separated and she was absentmindedly combing her fingers through Joel’s hair.

“I bought it for you for Christmas,” Joel replied, the heat of his breath fanning Y/n’s shoulder, “‘Member?”

The memories came flooding back from the dusty attic she’d hidden them in. “Right,” Y/n recalled.

“You said it was too expensive,” Joel added to the memory.

“Because it was.”

“You said you only bought yourself a bottle every few years,” Joel continued.

“I did.”

Just like every other time they talked about the little parts of life they missed, the conversation would inevitably hit a stopping point. A space where the memories of what once was began to press down on their chests, sometimes out of sadness, sometimes out of anger.

Joel could distinctly remember the scent of the perfume Y/n wore, how it would linger on his sheets long after she rose in the morning. All of Y/n’s memories of getting ready for date night involved spritzing the floral spray on her neck and wrists. It was the trivial things like it that represented a chapter of their lives they could never go back to.

The silence took over and Y/n’s fingers stopped their soothing motions. Joel craned his neck to look up at her, his emotions mirroring hers perfectly. Melancholia mixed with nostalgia and resignation.

This was the part of the night where they settled into each other’s arms and drew comfort from their mutual presence. It was all still so new, despite their history, and the simple act of holding one another was something for muscle memory to recall. But it was better to have the sting of what was lost soothed than to yearn in solitude.

Y/n dug her nose into Joel’s chest. Reminiscing on the past had once been a choking stab, now it was more like an ache. Ever present and ever painful, but bearable. Joel was making everything feel decent again.

Joel settled his chin on top of Y/n’s head, inhaling the scent of the simple soap they both used. Only upon Y/n and Ellie’s entrance into his life had Joel began to truly remember his past, both consciously and unconsciously. It was a whole new world to navigate, balancing his memories and building the future he thought he’d lost. But, much like Sarah’s memory, they were beginning to morph into something he could handle. He could even smile at most of them. And the ones that left him feeling hollow were filled by the embrace of his wife.

They were learning, Joel and Y/n, learning how to function as one again. If one stumbled, the other was there to pick them up. If one broke, the other was there to put them back together. It was beautiful and battle-scarred and above all else…it was safe.

————

TYL Taglist: @bachiracore @stolenxkissess @kayleezra @the-wistful-reader @allthesesonsofbitches @goth-detectives365 @trippovert @rh1nestonecowg1rl @emiliaserpe @khaleesihavilliard @frietiemeloen @gracie7209 @dorck26 @thegirlnextdoorssister @alanis-altair @mariwinns16 @whosscruffylooking @endofthexline @alexiaricciardo @eonnyx @pedrosmexicangf @scarlettequinn @ao-sleepy @toinfinityandbeyonce2 @deanlovescassie @turmoil-ash @sorrowjunky @kpopslur @xxlilyxx90 @midgetpottermills @presidential-facts @scoopsnini @tubble-wubble @jamesdeerest @burninggracesandbridges @star-wars-lover @lucyhotchner @cococola-cocaine @witheringhqarts @fall-writes @alwaysdjarin @xxmoonn @emilia-the-artist @wand-erer5 @boneyarrd @lizard-zombie @themultifandomofmadness @cassidylea123 @paleepeaches @mxltifxnd0m @kettlekatie @ultimate-cinephile @gloryekaterina @caramelkatsukis-bitch @whovianayesha @memeorydotcom @deadunicorn159 @get0ut0fmyr00m @siriuslymooned @emmyeed @superbreadsoul @hellu-people1 @ourautumn86 @inas-thing @noraapple05 @givemylovetoall @luvwanda (tags cont. in comments)

[achy-boo]

Nyx 'Keket'

1.Neka

Jeanne's unofficial sister and night side

A girl with an injured eye and psychotic mindset

Never Triggered Her Inner Mirror Demon

Name: Nyx 'Keket'

Romaji: 'Keket' Nyx

Quote: "Why my eye is injured? You really do not want to know~"

V/A: Kafka from HSR(English), Female Rover from Wuthering Waves(Japanese)

Gender: female

Sexuality: polyamorous biromantic

Age:17(Same as Jeanne. Age like a normal human being but never grow old)

Birthday: Feb 10th

Zodiac Sign: Aquarius

Eye color: It is a mixture of lilac, dark purple and dark crimson red(Just an the open one)

Hair Color: dark purple with dark plums ends

Height: 5'6(Just few inches taller than Jeanne)

Weight:109lbs

Race: Mirror Demon/Curse

Homeland: South Korea

Family:July Keket(Mother/Victim of the Keket Curse), [redacted] (Bio dad, murdered by Zephyr) Zephyr Keket(Step Father), Kenichi Keket(First older brother), Hyun Lamya Keket(2nd older brother), Jeanne(Her day half and 'sister')

School Status and Fun Facts

Dorm: Sapphire Lake Dorm

School Year: 2nd year

Class: 2-B

Student Number: No.21

Occupation: A waitress and a information booker

Club: Gossip Club

Best Subject: Flying

Favorite Color: dark, mute colors

Favorite Food: Mainly homemade meals by the girls

Least Favorite Food: It’s the same with Jeanne but for some reason...certain food from China makes her mouth feel weird

Likes: minding her business, mirrors, learning new things and meeting new people, Yuuken(She teased them a lot), animals, Sapphire Lake Dorm, girls' coffee and tea, alone time

Dislikes: People asking her about her closed eye, being called fake Jeanne(She kills a lot of people for that), Sapphire Lake Dorm being insulted or mocked, loud noises, her alone time being interrupted

Hobbies: watching from the sidelines, reading, sipping tea during the rainy days

Talents: Breaking free from her 'cage' with/out Jeanne's help, causing Derealization when her closed eye is open, sensing a lie, mirror traveling

Nicknames: Nyx, Nxie

Other Nicknames: None at the moment

Appearance and Personality

Appearance:

- Nyx looks like Jeanne but with a few differences. Her hair is light purple with dark purple ends, her eyes is a mixture of lilac, dark purple and red and one of them scars on it(it’s the closed on), she is the same height as Jeanne tho a bit taller in few inches. She wears the gothic dark academia style outfit due to the Sapphire Lake Dorm’s No same outfit rule.

Personality:

- Nyx is what everyone would called her the danger side of the mirrors. She is more cunning and manipulative than Jeanne when it came to anyone outside of NRC, RSA or Mystery Haunt. She is more cautious due to her history and experience with toxic people or people with hidden intentions. Towards strangers: Nyx is more wary a bit blunt and dismissive but towards everyone she cares about: she is a doll, playful and honest gal even if the truth and honesty is harsh.

𝑻𝒓𝒊𝒗𝒊𝒂

Her UM is Derealiaztion Madness World

She become The Keket Family's unoffical daughter due to her look, act and behave very differently than Jeanne(despite of her being Jeanne's mirror persona)

One of her eyes is closed and scarred but she stills sees well

Her mirror/cage is a large dancing mirror with purple roses as the designs

She is Crewel's favorite along with Kianisha

She had beef with Subaru Sakamaki and Yuma Mukami

She watches anime and read manhwa with the girls

Her main aesthetic themes are gothic and dark academia

She teases Yuuken since she found theme more interesting than the other boys

Her theme songs is Revolver by Luz in Royal Scandal and Monster by KIRA

She never open her closed eye(There is a reason why)

Derealzation Madness World

This Unique Magic of Nyx’s involves someone or a group trapped into her world. The world is peaceful and calm until it’s get disoriented, unreal and distant. The longer the person is in that world, the more mental damaging the effect can get. You have to found someone or something that is not disoriented but you have 20 minutes to find it or you are forever a part of her world...her unreal, distant, disorder world

What it involves: For Nyx; it’s her closed eye(her eye is a totally different color) and the person’s mental health and will to be mentally better

Songs: If I had to pick two songs that might fits Nyx's UM are Lavender Town Syndrome and Bad End Night both are vocaloid songs

@yukii0nna @writing-heiress @yoghurtsan @fair-night-starry-tears @yumeko2sevilla @queen-of-twisted @txemptress @httpghostface @lxdymoon0357

[hantengus-fuckass-clones]

yet another ds oc, this one is more of a insert

kny self insert

General

Full name: Hannah no last name, later changed the Hannah Rengoku after Shinjuro’s blessing

Nickname(s) or Alias: ‘Problem child’ (Shinjuro), ‘Big Sis’ (Senjuro, Kyojuro, Kamaboko squad)

Gender: Female

Species: Human

Age: 23

Birthday: 16th September

Sexuality: Pansexual

Nationality: British

Religion: None

City or town of birth: wouldn’t you like to know weather boy

Currently lives: Rengoku estate

Languages spoken: English and Japanese

Native language: English

Relationship Status: In a relationship with Himejima Gyomei

Apperance 

Height: 5’5

Weight: idk

Figure/build: relatively built

Hair colour: Oak brown

Hairstyle: Shaggy and slightly below shoulder blades in a low ponytail

Facial Hairstyle: none

Eye colour: slate blue with an outer ring of dark blue

Skin colour: pasty white

Tattoos: none

Piercings: tongue piercing (Gyomei found out he likes it 🤭)

Scars/distinguishing marks: Burn scar tissue on forehead that goes into her hair line slightly

Demon Slayer Mark: (if Yes describe looks); Yes, North star shape on front of her neck

Scent: Hyacinth and sweet potatoes

Preferred style of clothing: similar clothing style as Senjuro when not in corps uniform

Health

Smoker? No

Drinker? No

Recreational Drug User? Which? No

Addictions: no

Allergies: no

Any physical ailments/illnesses/disabilities: no

Any medication regularly taken: no

Personality and other bits

Personality: very quiet and mellow, loves to watch over the kamaboko squad and even invites Genya, Muichiro and Senjuro to hang out.

Likes: drawing with charcoal, reading to Gyomei out loud, petting the stone estate cats, her little brother

Dislikes: Demons, Kaigaku, Abusers, Akaza especially

Fears/phobias: imperfection

Favourite colour: Lilac and pastel lime

Hobbies: killing demons and training with Gyomei and Genya

Talents/skills: can sing kinda well, very good at cuddling

Favourite food(s): Sweet potato miso soup

Favourite drink(s): Raspberry tea

Significant/special belongings: a very tattered picture of Ross. The brass knuckles she used to fight Akaza with

Combat

Peaceful or aggressive attitude? In the middle but easily aggravated

Breath Style: Breath of the dragon

Branch Off: Branched off of Flame breathing but each form encompasses each breathing style slightly

Style List:

Dragon breathing, first form: Dragonic blaze

Dragon breathing, second form: Ocean dragoon

Dragon breathing, third form: Wing beat of the nimble dragon

Dragon breathing, fourth form: Thundering roar of the sky dragon

Dragon breathing, fifth form: Clangorous scales

Dragon breathing, sixth form: Red hot serpent rising

Dragon breathing, seventh form: Amorous fangs of dragons in love

Dragon breathing, eighth form: Tough as scales

Dragon breathing, ninth form: Poison sting from fluttering wings

Dragon breathing, tenth form: Sky shot second launch

Dragon breathing, eleventh form: Fanged ambush from the fog

Rank: Hashira

Fighting skills/techniques: Hand to hand combat, tag teaming with Gyomei and Genya

Special skills/magical powers/etc: Dragon breathing

Weaknesses in combat: breathing style strains the muscles after a while

Strengths in combat: fast on her feet, quick thinker, knows her limits

Stats

Health: 4/10

Stamina: 7/10

Strength: 5/10

Endurance: 8/10

Agility: 7/10

Intelligence: 6/10

Common sence: 7/10

Wisdom: 4/10

Relationship 

Parents: dead, (Shinjuro is adpotive father and Ruka is adoptive mother)

Siblings: Little brother

Other Important Relatives: Step brothers (Kyojuro and Senjuro)

Partner/Spouse: Gyomei Himejima

Unofficial siblings: kinda thinks of the Kamaboko squad, Muichiro and Genya as her little siblings

Best Friend: Obanai, Mitsuri

Other Important Friends: Giyuu, Shinobu

Acquaintances: Sanemi,

Pets: none

Enemies: all demons

The Demon Slayer Corps

Tanjiro Kamado: Sees as a little brother

Zenitsu Agatsuma: Sees as little brother

Inosuke Hashibira: Sees as little brother

Genya Shinazugawa: Sees as a slightly older little brother

Kanao Tsuyuri: Gets along well with but they don’t talk much

Murata: Hasn’t really met but the Kamaboko squad speaks well on him

Hashira

Giyū Tomioka: A good friend, she understands his awkwardness

Shinobu Kochō: Not as close as the others but still on friendly terms

Kyōjurō Rengoku: Best (unofficial) little brother ever, they hang out a lot outside of missions

Tengen Uzui: Hard not to be close to him, he enjoys dressing her up to be ‘flashy’

Mitsuri Kanroji: Literally platonic sun and moon, they both enjoy each others company

Muichirō Tokitō: She reminds him to do things and take breaks, she accompanies Kyojuro when he gives Mui food

Gyōmei Himejima: Love of her life, their soft and mellow personalities mesh well together, it’s a shame they never got to have a family together

Obanai Iguro: Very close, thanks him profusely for taking in her little brother and making him his tsuguko, she gets updates through him

Sanemi Shinazugawa: Not as close but they spar often, she reminds him of his mother sometimes, not that he’ll admit it

Butterfly Estate

Aoi Kanzaki: Aoi begs Hannah to become a permanent resident of the butterfly mansion as she often helps deal with rowdy patients

Goto: Never really met but Tanjiro speaks well of him

Sumi Nakahara, Naho Takada, Kiyo Terauchi: Adores playing with the butterfy triplets,the girls always sneak extra rice balls to her

Swordsmith Village

Hotaru Haganezuka: Has put herself between him and Tanjiro before, slightly annoyed that he chases Tanjiro but respects his love and dedication to the craft

Kozo Kanamori: Only really met after the sword-smith village arc as she continues Kyojuro’s habit of bringing Mui food, she respects his more patient attitude

Demons

Nezuko: Adores her with all her heart, prays that Tanjiro and the others find a cure

Muzan Kibutsuji: Hates, actively prays on his downfall

Spider Family: Never met them but the Kamaboko squad mentioned them in passing

Twelve Kizuki

Rui: Never met

Kaigaku: hates him

Nakime: Never met

Kamanue: Never met

Enmu: Annoying little roach

Akaza: Actively hunting him, prays on his downfall

Daki: Only heard of her after the fight, she sounds like a spoiled brat

Gyutaro: Only heard of him after the fight, pissed that he almost killed Tengen

Gyokko: Vile creature that almost killed Mui

Hantengu: The most annoying to fight, hates the young one for what he said to Mitsuri

Douma: Never met but hates him for killing Kanae and Shinobu

Kokushibo: Despises him for killing Mui and Genya, glad he’s dead

History : TLDR; parents were abusive and died of tuberculosis so she and her brother stowed away on a ship heading to Japan. When they got off Akaza found them and tried eating her little brother to which she immediately threw hands with him (she lost), Akaza respected her attempt and offered to make her a demon so he could train her, she did not accept but got lucky as the sun started to rise. Shinjuro found her after she got separated from her brother and he took her in, raising her alongside Kyojuro and later Senjuro and Iguro. She trained to be a slayer alongside Kyojuro and was disheartened when she couldn’t learn flame breathing, Eventually created her own breathing style after trying to learn every other available style there is. Each from embodies a style, her very last form embodies mist breathing but it hasn’t been perfected

Taisho Era Secrets:

Hannah loves cuddling up to Gyomei, he’ll stroke her head as if she’s a cat.

Both Hannah and Gyomei treat Genya like a son which the boy secretly likes, she was the first to figure out that he likes watermelon.

Hannah activated her mark at the same time Gyomei did but hers wasn’t on purpose.

Hannah and Gyomei died in each others arms after the final fight, Hannah dragged her body over to where Gyomei was propped up even though she was blind in one eye.

Theme Song: Skyrim main theme

[astra-galaxie]

“An elephant?! That’s so cool! I like penguins!” - Milagros Santiago

Biographical information

Full Name: Milagros Santiago

Nickname(s): Mila

Gender: Female

Status: Alive

Age: 6 (season 3)

Birth: 2010

Race: Human

Nationality: Puerto Rican-American

Origin: Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.A

Residence:

McMurdo Station, South Pole

Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.A (formerly)

Profession(s): Penguin Enthusiast

Family:

Alondra Santiago (mother) (deceased)

Unnamed father

Camila Martinez (adoptive mother)

Unnamed grandparents

Carmen Martinez (aunt)

Sanjay Korrapati (cousin)

Affiliation(s): McMurdo Station

Profile

Height: 3’5”

Age: 6 (season 3)

Weight: 40lbs

Eyes: hazel

Blood: A+

Hailing from Baltimore, Milagros Santiago is a young girl with caramel skin, hazel brown eyes, and bouncy curls of long black hair. With her favourite colour being purple, she wears a dark purple parka with matching boots, black snow pants, a lilac hat, scarf, gloves and darker lilac earmuffs.

Synopsis

McMurdo Station’s unofficial penguin expert, Milagros, is the adopted daughter of Camila Martinez.

She is a curious young girl who loves asking questions to learn about new things. She loves science and learning about biology, physics, chemistry, and weather patterns. But she's also a big fan of fantasy novels and can easily get lost in an imaginary world as she reads her favourite books.

Milagros lost her mother at a young age. She doesn't remember much about Alondra, but she remembers her singing lullabies to put her to sleep and having princess tea parties with her and Auntie Camila. She's lucky to have recordings of her mother, and her favourite ones are the videos of Alondra singing and dancing with her as they reenact the dancing scenes from fairy tale movies.

After Alondra passed away, it was just her and Auntie Camila in their little apartment. The place seemed cold and empty without her Mommy, but soon, their family became bigger. She and Camila moved into a rental house close to Camila's parents, and Milagros loved visiting her new grandparents. Her Mommy's parents also visit from Puerto Rico, and while she only sees them a few times a year, she still treasures their time together.

A few weeks after her sixth birthday, Camila announced that she had been offered a job in Antarctica and Milagros was invited to come along. Despite the cold weather, the girl was ecstatic to move to the South Pole. She couldn't wait to see her newest favourite animal, penguins, and make lots of new penguin friends.

Several weeks after moving to Antarctica and befriending the penguins, Camila informed her that Auntie Carmen and her team would be visiting them. Milagros was excited to show Carmen and her friends around the station and penguin reserve but was even more excited to meet her new cousin Sanjay.

After Camila had been cleared of murder, she and Milagros took the Bureau out to visit the penguin reserve. Milagros introduced the penguins to the team by name and taught the humans everything she knew about the animal. While she might still have a lot to learn, she felt proud of herself as she saw everyone smiling and listening to her ramble.

But after a few days, Auntie Carmen, Sanjay and the Bureau needed to leave. Milagros didn't want them to go, but she knew there were bad guys out there they needed to take down, so she didn't try to stow away on the plane. But she still made Auntie Carmen and Sanjay promise to take pictures and get her souvenirs from everywhere they visited.

Months later, near the end of The Darkest Hour, Milagros and Camila returned to celebrate the defeat of SOMBRA alongside the rest of the Bureau's family and friends.

Story Information

First appeared: Death Below Zero

Trivia

Inspiration for her came from Encanto. Her name means miracle (miracle candle), and her Puerto Rican heritage comes from one of the movie’s (also one of my favourite) music composers being of Puerto Rican descent (Lin-Manuel Miranda)

Her stuffed penguin, Pip, was a gift from Camila when she told Milagros they were moving to Antarctica. Milagros sleeps with Pip every night and claims he keeps her nightmares and the cold away

When living in Baltimore, Camila takes Milagros on weekly trips to the cemetery to visit Alondra’s grave. Milagros updates her mother on everything that happened during the previous week and sometimes brings along things to show the grave

Once they return from Antarctica, Milagros plans to bring her scrapbook to her mother’s grave so that she can tell Alondra all about her adventures and penguin friends

She loves dressing up as characters from her favourite movies, especially princesses. Sometimes Camila will dress in matching costumes

Mila hopes that she'll be able to convince Sanjay to dress up with her for Halloween so they can get extra candy for their matching costumes!

She enjoys visiting the beach to build sand castles, swim, play in the waves, and take the pets Camila fosters for walks

Whenever they have a new pet to foster, Milagros makes them a bow or bandana to wear. Each one uses a different combination of fabrics, so no two bows or bandanas are the same

Her favourite animals to foster are dogs, cats, birds, and lizards

She also likes when they get to pet-sit people's fish. It's fun to watch them swim around in the tank

She was born without the lower half of her legs from just below her knees. She has prosthetics to help her walk, run, swim and dance

Grandma Martinez makes her special socks/sleeves in fun patterns that fit over her fake legs to cover the boring metal and plastic

Her favourite ones are the flower pattern socks that make it look like her legs a wrapped in flowers and the sparkly ones because she likes the way they shimmer in the light

Disclaimer: Character design was created using Rinmarugames Mega Anime Avatar Creator! I have only made minor edits to the design! Background courtesy of CriminalArtist5

Links to my stories:

The Case of the Criminal (Ao3/Wattpad)

Killer Bay (Ao3/Wattpad)

Where in the World are the Killers? (Ao3/Wattpad)

[askthevampireoflove]

It's the start of the boo year, when I received a letter, hand delivered by a royal courier at my doorstep. The letter was addressed to me, from Elissbat, the addresses embossed in gold leaf. I carefully opened the lavender-colored envelope and removed the parchment from inside. It was scented with a lilac aroma.

"Dearest Valentine,

I do so hope that you would be available to meet with me for private conference. Despite my Uncle's abhorrence in well, just about every aspect of his unlife (towards you, me, the crown, all vampire kind, etc.) you do not share the same character. We are, in all technical respects, "cousins", and I may have a proposal for you. I look forward to your response, so that we may arrange a time and meeting place, either the nearest state embassy or Batsory Castle here in Londoom.

Sincerely,

Vampire Queen, Elissabeth Batsory"

I couldn't believe it! She wanted to meet with me and "propose" something seemingly crucial. Judging by her signature of her full royal name, this was a professional letter regarding the Crown. As soon as I could I wrote my letter responding that I would be willing to meet at her Castle. It had been ages since I had visited Londoom, and even longer since being in the Royal Vampire Palace of Londoom. I spent far more time in Castle Dracul in Transylvania.

I was flown out and brought to the Palace. Following guard instructions, I bowed and addressed her as "Her majesty", but soon after doing so, she pulled me into a hug and lead me into another room.

"I'm so delighted you made it! I just wrapped on my newest film a few weeks ago and it got me to thinking..." she started, "This new film is about the royal family many centuries ago and...in regards to my proposal, as my cousin.. though somewhat unofficial and unofficially adopted..." Stoker had never formally adopted me, nor would I EVER have wanted to be, but Elissabat and I had gotten along quite well whenever we met in Court events and happily agreed that we were cousins.

"I wish to bestow a Dukeship...if you would like that is." she offered plainly, as if she was simply offering me a slice of cake. 'Here's this on a plate, just take it.'

I was stunned, and asked why now, "Well, with Stoker out of favor indefinitely and from what I hear from Draculaura, you have turned over a new leaf. As queen, I would love nothing more than to give you a royal position proving that you have the Crown's full trust." she said cheerfully.

Well, of course I accepted and as the papers were processed, we discussed my title. I could have claim over nearly anywhere that I wished, Transylvania, New Goreleans, but ultimately, I decided to embrace my scaritage. My homeland that I had made forced to feel ashamed of, Direland. I nearly cried seeing on paper in bold dark red letters, "Duke Kieran Valentine of Monster (Direland)".

Together we spent time getting to really know one another; our likes, dislikes, hobbies, our current loves (ironically neither of us are in hetero relations as she was/is secretly dating her personal gorgon female makeup/hairstylist, and me a witch.) She expressed her concern and stressed that though shes happy to hear that I am happy with Spelldon, she urged that I be careful.

Getting off the subject of dating, we planned a grand party celebrating the new Dukedom. It will be held this Spring at the Embassy, friends, family, and other royals by invitation only.

The trouble will be...

Spelldon at the party...surrounded by Vampire Court members may be dangerous. I dont want him to be put at risk, but I want him beside me. I'm not ashamed of our relationship, and want to proudly show him off.

We'll see how this goes...

[emotiandon]

Day 4 Inktober

Day 4 2023

So it’s my OC, Dolores as an Idol… buts she’s 36 married 2 times divorced once and has two kids who are also in the idol industry. Other than that she’s Korean her kids are half Korean and half Korean and Filipino. She’s the lead vocal and I made her the visual because why not she’s beautiful (though not in this drawing) her signature is cute though. Her eye has a fish ( it’s doesn’t look like it, it’s looks like a bow) and the sun she has as her solo is Lilac by IU. The reason it’s her solo because one it’s a great song and two it’s about turning 30, even though Dolores is way past it (by 6 fucking years) but yk the message of being thankful and hope people will still supports her even past youth resonates with Dolores’s views and hopes idk. The quote is “Love me till this spring” which the unofficial meaning is that IU hoped her fans will continue to support her even when she’s growing old and how fans easily drop musicians and also it’s a cool as fuck quote.

Lots of changes were made. The tops is the idol and bottom is her normal design. I changed the puffed sleeves to a shawl to match her normal drip and than in the actual illustration I made her skirt/dress more full and more A line than a simple like ankle skirt. I accidentally made her chain? Go around her shawl (big mistake) should’ve kept it the same lol. Drawing was easy minus the shitty hands colouring tho- the first marker I used one bled through and was more green than blue so I whipped out my blue metallic marker but it made the lines look shitty lol.

Pose was cute lol.

Song-

Day 4 2022- Ft shit photo

The red bits are irl names because I don’t want to dox anyone but show my art. It’s my friends persona and she’s Anna and since she was my spiritual sister I would’ve been Elsa (because I’m dramatic though I have Anna traits too like falling in love easily) I don’t like it lmao- i don’t exactly remember why I picked the dress she wears for Elsa’s coronation (maybe because it’s the best outfit in the first film for Anna) I don’t like it lol.

Songs ref-

[minhosimthings]

Je Te Veux: A Jay Fic

Chapter 2: Cupcakes and Construction Sites

Important Note: This Chapter will be posted in two parts, which will be linked. A part of this chapter is also in screenshots and the very end. I apologise for the inconvenience because Tumblr has not been working properly lately. I promise I will fix the problem soon, but please bear with me for some time and enjoy this chapter.

Summary : Lee Y/N, youngest daughter of the Lee empire which rules of South Korea, meets a stranger one night at a Christmas party. Only fate knows what happens to both of them.

Pairings: Reader × RichHeir!Jay, includes rest of Enha. Mentions of Itzy, stray kids and other groups

Warnings: Mentions of food and alcohol, mention of dead bodies and blood, descriptions of falling and reader has an accident

A/N: second chapter yayyy. I know it seems kinda predictable from now on but I have something planned hehe

Part 1 ||| Part 2

Champagne is considered the most elegant of all alcoholic drinks because of its fine golden colour and it's sparkly little bubbles. But you disagree. You think that wine is the most beautiful alcoholic drink to ever exist. It was the first alcoholic beverage ever to be created in ancient history and there's even a colour named after it. The smooth blend of aged grapes with certain flavours to make this melancholic drink made you feel at ease. The colour was also such a calming one, one that could comfort you when no else did. Wine had different flavours which only a person with super taste buds could venture upon. Wine wasn't alcohol, it was nectar. And all of that came rushing into your brain as you came back home with Riki, Sunoo and Yuna,who were all oblivious to the current state of your very delusional brain.

Afternoon came surprisingly sooner than it had felt in the morning as you waited for Jay beneath the sycamore tree with a glass of red wine from Bordeaux, your favourite. You wore a simple lilac sundress which reached your knees with your favourite sandals from Spain. You always admired cultural art of different countries. Whether it be traditional leather puppets from India or Gothic wood carvings from Germany, your eyes always seeked out delicate pieces of fine art, usually made by families who had passed the tradition down from ancestors to ancestors. Those sandals you were wearing were a gift from your best friend Chaeryoung who also had a leather empire of her own in Spain and France. You admired her a lot, calling her your unofficial wife, and always supporting her even when she had nothing at all. After all female friendships are something that you had ways cherished your entire life, having grown up with six boys your entire life. You still had distinct memories of dealing with and period days, heart wrenching breakups, sudden thoughts about death and life and crackhead moments with Chaeryoung and your girl group which consisted of Giselle, Lia, Wonyoung, Gauel and Yunjin. You had obviously told them about your recent delusion with Jay to which Lia, Gauel and Yunjin added more to the delusion and Giselle and Wonyoung shook their heads.

Minutes turned into hours as you waited and waited for Jay to arrive. Horrible thoughts filled your head as to why Jay hadn't come yet. 'Does he hate me?' 'Did he ghost me because I'm not interesting?' 'Am I too ugly?' 'What if someone kidnapped him?' That last one felt unlikely because Jay had bodyguards much buffer than yours and he was with your family too. The heat from the warm afternoon sun sang you a lullaby as you slowly drifted off to sleep, dreams now flooding your brain.

"Y/N. Y/N wake up." You felt a gentle shake of your shoulders as you slowly opened your eyes and blinked twice to remember who and where you were. You hair was disheveled now and your dress covered with grass. Sitting beside you was a broad shouldered figure, clad in a tight blue shirt with white trousers. He had a greenish-black watch on which further accentuated his beautiful arms. Jay sat beside you and woke you up from your slumber. He was clutching a bottle of wine and a tiny pink box which had 'Minho's Bakery' written on it. You stared at him for a solid minute until you snapped back to your senses and blurted out "You look beautiful." Jay gave you that soft smile with his eyes and chuckled "You look beautiful too Y/N. I got a bottle of wine but it seems like you've already gotten one. And it's my favourite kind. Bordeaux does have good grapes. I also bought you this." He motioned towards the tiny pink box. "Sunoo told me you like this bakery a lot so I got a cupcake for you." The way he talked and the way he pronounced his words was so soothing and it made you want to sleep even more. Hearing the fact that he had gotten you a cupcake and that your favourite wine was also his favourite wine, fed your delusions even more and heart was doing gymnastics inside of your body. Slowly taking the box, you peeled open the pink stickers and opened the box to find two mint chocolate cupcakes inside. You smiled at the thought of Sunoo telling Jay all of your favourite things so that his OTP (which he is dying for) can be completed. You offered Jay one of the cupcakes but he simply shook his head. "I don't really prefer mint choco. Sunoo tried to get me into it, but I think there's room for only one mint choco maniac and it's already occupied by Sunoo. So go ahead and have both of them. I'm just going to enjoy this beautiful glass of wine." You laughed at his mint choco joke and helped yourself to the pretty little cupcake. It was moist and stuffed with chocolate inside and it slowly melted in your mouth as if it had been waiting a long time to meet your taste buds. Jay just simply drank his wine and you slightly admired him from the corner of your eye. How can this one man in just a basic blue shirt look more prettier than any other man in a basic blue shirt? "So how did the meeting with my family go?" Jay stopped his sip of wine halfway, turned to you and said in a buisness like tone "It was good. Your father signed yet another contract for five years stating that my family will be providing your family with weapons at a lower rate. Heeseung was against it but this has been going on for 16 years so not even fate could rewrite this event." "At a lower rate? That's weird. Usually dad pays a higher rate for friends and family. He considers it his own little 'gift'. You could have said something though couldn't you?" Jay gave you a sad smile and said "Well I could have. But who would listen to boring old me? I just run the money part of our company. Sunghoon does all the designing part. Businessmen like me aren't really that respected in this field of work. Even my parents rarely listen to the 'money talk' as they say in their words. All I have left at the end of the day is this glass of wine." He raised his glass slightly as the liquid inside splashed around gently. You stared for a while, yet again into his magnificent eyes, which held the moon and Venus inside of them. "Do you ever think about running away? Starting your own empire of whatever good you want to produce? It would be better than whatever we do now.", you questioned Jay. For a moment, Jay looked moved and for the first time you saw his eyes slightly falter. He composed himself again as he slowly said "I did think about it once. When I was 16. When I was young, dumb and stupid. I used to think I could become a billionaire with my sewing business.". You noticed as his ears became red as he said that so you asked "Are you quite good at sewing?" "I think I am. I used to embroider on handkerchiefs to give to the local orphanage sometimes."

I would once again like to apologise for this inconvenience. Tumblr hasn't been allowing me to post the full fic since a day cause this was supposed to be posted last night. If incase it does get better, I will probably edit this to remove the screenshots and just type the remaining part in. But this chapter will probably be divided in two parts forever. This my fate I guess. (Hehe fate)

[crumbly-apple-pie]

trying to convince you to read my favourite books by just their first lines

*this is by no means a comprehensive list of my favourite books but anyways. enjoy?? 

It was night again. The Waystone Inn lay in silence, and it was a silence of three parts. - The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss

Joost had two problems; the moon and his moustache. - Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

The stranger came out of the sea like a water ghost, barefoot and wearing the scars of his journey. - The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon

I had just come to accept that my life would be ordinary when extraordinary things began to happen. - Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

She had been running for days now, a harum-scarum tumbling flight through passages and tunnels. - Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman

Current theories on the creation of the universe state that, if it were created at all and didn’t just start, as it were, unofficially, it came into being between ten and twenty thousand million years ago. - Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett

It was a dark, blustery afternoon in spring, and the city of London was chasing a small mining town across the dried-out bed of the old North Sea. - Mortal Engines by Phillip Reeve

In the first place, Abigail Kirk was not Abigail at all. She had been christened Lynette. - Playing Beatie Bow by Ruth Park

Film legend and 60′s It Girl Evelyn Hugo has just announced that she will auction off 12 of her most memorable gowns through Christie’s to raise money for breast cancer research. - The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

When I was born, the name for what I was did not exist. - Circe by Madeline Miller

The girl in the torn bridal gown ran for her life through Central Park. - The Secret Runners of New York by Matthew Reilly

The studio was filled with the rich odour of roses, and when the light summer wind stirred amidst the trees of the garden, there came through the open door the heavy scent of the lilac, or the more delicate perfume of the pink-flowering thorn. - The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde

[pacificwaternymph]

Everyone meet Lilac, my second Empires OC!

Pronouns: She/her

Gender Identity: Transgender

Sexuality: Demisexual

Lilac is a bat hybrid originally from the caves of the Crystal Cliffs, but who moved to the Codlands after increasing pressure from her family.

She studied magic in Gem's Academy, mostly because her parents forced her to enroll, but decided not to pursue a career as a mage, or a medium despite possessing the talent to see and interact with ghosts, which the Crystal Cliffs were chalk full of.

Instead she moved and set up a coffee shop where she works magic into her drinks and pastries ^-^ usually by mixing potions into the recipes.

It's a hotspot for the living and dead alike, and because of this the cafe will always sound like it's full, even when it's seemingly empty. Music plays 24/7, although no one is sure where it's coming from, since there's no jukebox.

Her coffee is divine and the atmosphere is very peaceful, if a bit strange at times, and as such, it's a hit with all the rulers, who regularly travel to the cafe to shirk their responsibilities for a while and just relax.

Jimmy is her most frequent customer, and though Lilac wouldn't consider them friends, she has listened to several rants about how annoying politics are.

She has a mouse companion named Dash, because he's a very speedy little thing. She saved him from being eaten by Gandalf while at the Academy (I mean, he is a cat), and since then Dash has refused to leave her side. He's surprisingly helpful around the cafe, and has become the unofficial mascot.

The cafe is full of little hidey-holes, tubes on the ceiling, and tunnels underneath the floor for Dash to easily maneuver through the cafe without getting stepped on, and Lilac often relies on his sharp nose to help her find misplaced ingredients.

Also because she's a bat she can use sonar :D its what she grew up using since everything in the caves were dark and she couldn't see a thing, but she got glasses once she moved to the Academy, since turns out, her eyesight is trash.

@empiresonas

[squirrelcrow-po3]

so the part one of the story of the creation of my fanclans. this is just the essentials before i go more into plot details

in a huge city (basically nyc) during the 1920s, there is a huge feral cat population. the people of the city p much are used to it, it’s always been like this. it is referred to by the cats there as “the great jungle”. in a “tallnest” (apartment building), three kittypets are close friends. They are:

duke - a large ragdoll tom with an amputated tail and back left leg. he is a blue lynx point cat with fluffy cream fur and blue eyes. he was formerly a sire at a kitten mill/hoarding situation, where he lost his tail and leg to infection. he was rescued and rehomed with a loving family, but he never really trusted twolegs again.

dustbunny - a small, fluffy brown tortoiseshell and white molly with green eyes. she was originally bought by a twoleg family as a kit. but as she aged and was no longer a kitten, they didn’t care for her as much. she was abandoned on the street before being taken in. though, like duke, she never trusted twolegs fully after she was abandoned.

bodhi - a slender, fawn somali tom with yellow-green eyes. he has soft, plush fur. he was given as a gift to an elderly twoleg when he was a kitten and he’s been with her ever since. he doesn’t understand his denmate’s hatred for twolegs when they have good owners now.

however, a new family moves in with with their kittypet. she is hostile towards the others and claims her name is orchidpaw, and not the silly name the twolegs gave her (which is candy btw), though she notes she would have received her warrior name by now. orchidpaw is a tall, leanly muscled lilac tabby molly with blue eyes. she says she was kidnapped from her clan in the forest and now she’s stuck as a kittypet. the others think she’s crazy and blow her off. that is, until she mentions that she is planning to run away from her twolegs. duke and dust’s interests are piqued, but bodhi is unsure. he knows how devastated his twoleg would be if he disappeared

but, he comes along on the other three’s adventures through the jungle. however, they all return at night and plan what they will do when they actually run away. eventually, they do leave bodhi behind and flee, deciding to make their own clans as orchidpaw describes them. though, they p much disregard a lot of the forest clan culture in favor of what they want to do and don’t follow the warrior code. they also didn’t believe in starclan

they take leader names, despite not knowing what a star is, as the jungle night sky is completely black from light pollution. duke renames himself sludgestar, dustbunny renamed herself duststar, and orchidpaw obviously names herself orchidstar. they didn’t have nine lives. they slowly form their groups with feral and stray cats of the city

sludgestar’s group is almost entirely feral cats. as sludgestar enjoys dramatizing himself to make himself appear strong and powerful, the culture of the group centered around toughness. cute and pretty cats were seen as lesser, and status was gained through winning battles. they controlled most of the jungle due to their aggressiveness. they also didn’t have a healer or deputy at first

duststar’s group fled to the safety of an abandoned factory building. their culture was centered around individuality and self expression. unique looking cats were valued, and cats were taught to question everything, even the word of their leader. they slowly began to adorn themselves with scraps of twoleg clothing to make themselves more unique. their first healer was a tom named thistlefrost. their first deputy was a young tom named rubblespark, a lost apprentice-aged kit that duststar took in

orchidstar’s group, unofficially called jungleclan, settled in a large park, as it felt as closest to the forest. they dubbed themselves lost kits of starclan. they had a strict set of morals that could never be broken, risking death for some severe violations. they had a strong hierarchy based on honor. their first healer was a molly named duskspots. their first deputy was a tom named oakwhisker who had been living in the park before orchidstar arrived

bodhi eventually made his own group that consisted of kittypets. they essentially were all daylight warriors that returned to their twolegs at night. for this, they were seen as weak and cowardly by the other groups. but funnily, they lived much longer than any of the other groups due to their twolegs’ care. they didn’t necessarily need a healer, though the role took up more of an emotional healing role. the first cats for this rank in the group were a tom named alfie and later a molly named velvet. their first deputy was a young molly named belle that duke’s old owner adopted after he ran away

[jamespotterthefirst]

With all due respect to David Gandy but if you really make HC as a faceclaim for Lilac's ex, then I must strongly recommend her to reconsider her relationship choices and... you know... get back to him?

Jk, Lithan (Lilah? Ethac? Ramsende?) is an endgame but girl, Lilac is out there collecting hot boyfriends and making us all envy her lol

😂 😂 😂

That's the only reason I wouldn't make Henry a FC because who would leave that.

And also because, you know, he was my unofficial E fc long before I was this active on tumblr. Jdkdkd I remember he was for you too 💕

PS. Omg djdjdj I've never thought about a couple name! Now I can't decide on one lol

[good-rwbyaus]

Can we get Pyrrha's reaction to Professor Ruby?

Becoming AU:  [ Piece 1-5 ] [ P: Weiss ] [ P: Yang ] [ Piece 6 ]

logo-comics asked: What about an AU where everyone had somehow been under the mistaken assumption that Ruby was a professor at Beacon? For a laugh, Ozpin rolls with it whenever he's asked about it.

// Yes you can! Here ya go. Also, Happy Thanksgiving for those who celebrate it! Also Cardin vs Ruby. Yes. - lilac

Perspective : Pyrrha

The pairing system had picked Ruby and Cardin to fight in the sparring ring, which was a shame because she really wanted to give the guy a second beating today. However she wasn’t feeling too much loss, because she’d finally get to see how the girl who stole all the spotlight from her would perform.

Not that she was jealous or anything – well, a tiny part of her that had gotten used to the adulation might’ve been, but for the most part, she felt relieved and grateful. She wasn’t the one who had to carry the weight of people’s expectations anymore; it was Ruby who bore it instead. Despite how grateful she felt, she still wanted to fight the other girl – wanted to experience how the presumed professor-in-training fought.

Beyond their brief interaction in the Emerald Forest, she didn’t really know Ruby – the girl who’d been the center of rumors since her arrival, and it was hard to distinguish truth from lie. Maybe this spar, Ruby’s first public debut against another Hunter-in-training, would help elucidate things.

Now Cardin wasn’t a bad fighter by any means – a bad person, yes - but he knew his strengths and could leverage them well. However, her own strong points coincidentally met Cardin’s strong points perfectly; his strength and tenacity might’ve matched hers, but she had far more agility and flexibility. Combine that with subtle uses of Polarity to magnify the strength of her strikes, it was easy to turn a parry into both a disarming blow and quick surrender.  

However the strong points that served Cardin well countered Ruby’s strongest point, her speed. And the sparring ring was not suited for long range combat; it would be a tightrope walk if the younger girl wanted to employ guerilla tactics.

Yes.

It’ll be interesting to see how Ruby would approach this.

-----

“Are you sure you’re a professor?” Cardin taunted as he swung around aggressively, Ruby darting side to side to avoid his crater-creating blows. Their chase had lasted for over several minutes now, neither gaining much ground against the other.

“Are you sure you’re not an idiot? Weren’t you there when the Headmaster made the announcement?” The girl growled back at the clearly touchy subject as she fell back, creating distance and retaliating with sniper fire. The bullets pinged off Cardin’s armor for the most part, and the ones that headed for his uncovered extremities were deflected by his mace instead.

“The school’s still talking about you being one. And well I’m not impressed,” he posed with his mace on his shoulder. Several quiet cheers came from the audience. An inevitable thing honestly. Cardin was the perceived underdog in this situation, a student versus a professor-in-training. The only odd thing was that Professor Goodwitch hadn’t told the class to quiet down.

Ruby’s reply was a shot to his nether regions, one that he quickly deflected but the resulting clang still made a good portion of the class wince.

Incited, Cardin charged forward with a rage-filled yell, and their game of tag begun once again.

Ruby’s movements were always efficient and purposeful. Instead of constantly stepping back, she staggered her motion diagonally, never allowing Cardin to fully use his gathered momentum. However, the rare times she’d be forced into melee combat, they’d exchange a couple blows, never actually hitting each other, but then Ruby would always be the first to disengage, limbs trembling.

For a while, she thought the trembling was due to Cardin’s blows being heavier than what the younger girl could handle. But that wasn’t right. Ruby would never fully block a hit; she either parried a blow cleanly or avoided it entirely. If she were forced to directly block, she didn’t resist the blow’s momentum at all and allowed herself to fly away like a petal in a breeze.

It was those rare blows that made it seem like Cardin was winning, even though their Aura levels were equally low. She couldn’t help but feel like the younger girl was holding back some, though that didn’t make sense. Ruby didn’t like Cardin, especially after he messed with Jaune a couple times. Of course, Cardin didn’t do these things where Ruby could see him; Cardin was after all a bully and still afraid of the girl’s potential authority.

In any case, holding back was only if you wanted to spare the person embarrassment or if you wanted to hide your trump cards. But from the irritated look on Ruby’s face, she clearly didn’t want to do either of those. So why hasn’t the younger girl won yet? Everything was in her control, so why did she continue dragging things out?

Cardin cornered Ruby again, and it looked like they were again going to physically clash. Cardin swung for the girl’s shoulder, but Ruby had already swung to parry like everything was preplanned.

But what would happen if she….

… if she took away that control for just a moment...Pyrrha’s finger twitched.

The swinging mace suddenly acquired a slightly higher, slightly faster arc, enough to bypass the scythe that was swung to meet it. The young girl’s silver eyes rose in panic, and her feet were already pivoting and stepping back in an attempt to absorb the bl-

Crack.

...That wasn’t what she intended.

The blow struck the young girl cleanly against her shoulder, her red aura flickering as though it were about to disperse. She could see Cardin’s lips open to declare his triumph, but the younger girl swiftly spun with the momentum Cardin imparted to her. The moment Cardin finished out his swing, the muzzle of Ruby’s weapon already slammed straight into his throat, silencing whatever he was going to say.

That wasn’t what caught her attention though. It was Ruby’s eyes, previously angry and colored with emotion – now calm and calculating and empty. Were they always that cold shade of silver?

She saw Ruby’s finger press against the trigger of her weapon.

There was about to be an accident.

No. What has her meddling done?!

But the gunshot she expected never occurred.

Instead, Cardin stumbled backwards onto the ground, his mace clattering by his side. Choking noises came from his figure. His hands were clutched around his throat as he struggled to breathe, eyes bulging out in pain.

Ruby meanwhile shakily stood, her entire body trembling and barely keeping herself upright using her weapon as support. She kept her head lowered as she panted, her eyes covered by her bangs. No one could see the girl’s expression.

Cardin’s fear-filled eyes said it all though. Pyrrha wasn’t the only one who knew how close he came to dying; he also saw how close Ruby had been to pulling that trigger. Cardin might’ve still had Aura in reverse, but after a blow to the throat like that, even if the subsequent sniper shot didn’t outright kill him, it likely would’ve left him hospitalized for months – if he got out all.

Professor Goodwitch’s voice broke through the sudden chatter that erupted in the classroom.

“Miss Rose’s aura is in the red zone. Mister Winchester is victorious.”

================================

================================

The fight haunted her. Not only did she nearly cause an accident, she led Ruby directly into a loss against someone she didn’t like. All she wanted to do was make the younger girl panic a little to see what’d she do, not directly take a mace strike with her body. For over a week, she saw the girl tentatively rub her shoulder on occasion and even wince when accidentally jostled.

Maybe that was why when the Weapons Club started, she volunteered to be Ruby’s assistant as a means to atone, and it was through this that she got to truly know the other girl. First of all, Ruby knew her stuff when it came to weapons, even more so than fighting. The girl was a genius in this area, able to figure out how a weapon generally worked within a few seconds of manipulation and then determine the areas where it needed improvement a couple more seconds after that.

Honestly, Ruby outperformed most diagnostic machines in both time and accuracy, and that expertise really cemented Ruby’s reputation as a professor despite all her vehement denials.

It also rooted the impression that Ruby, despite being bubbly and generally friendly, was a strange and weird girl. For one, she rarely remembered people’s names, but she’ll remember your weapon down to the type of metal, its style of smithing, and whatever dust options it had - oh, and the name you gave it too. Also when she thinks no one’s paying attention, she’ll talk at the weapon she’s holding as if it were alive.  

She couldn’t help but feel that Ruby was lonely at Beacon. Apart from team JNPR and RWBY, she didn’t really have anyone else. When she spoke to her team about it, Ren had put it quite nicely. The girl’s perceived position made it hard for her to have friends outside of those who already knew her well: you could certainly be friends with a teacher, but there are always something things you’ll feel more comfortable telling your peers than an authority.

And the more she interacted with her, the more she felt like Ren was correct. Ruby denied being a professor so aggressively because the girl clearly knew this reasoning deep down inside, and all Ruby wanted to do was to live a normal student life. And it was sad because if there wasn’t this rumor going around, a lot more people would be unofficially adopting an adorable younger sister to their team.

Pyrrha glanced over at Ruby, sleeping over a bunch of well-marked papers and documents: books on leadership, documents on practical marksmanship, and pamphlets on basic dust usage. A hint of drool was hanging by the corner of the girl’s lips.

“Why do you try so hard?” she couldn’t help but ask to the sleeping girl.

What made a fifteen-year old work this hard? Maybe only Ruby knew the answer to the question. 

...All that hard work that she nearly managed to completely sabotage. Guilt struck her once again – she’d been meaning to apologize, but she just didn’t know how. How could she explain it to her friend now?

‘Oh sorry Ruby. I manipulated things to make Cardin win. But I really don’t hate you at all. I just wanted to see what would happen.’ Ugh. She guiltily glanced over the sleeping girl – Pyrrha still couldn’t figure out what had gone over her.

She probably would’ve cared less if she didn’t like her – she’d still feel guilty, yes, but it’d bother her less. But now that she’d gotten to know Ruby – became close friends with the lonely girl that’s always full of bubbly energy and the occasional snarky comment – she could feel the guilt eating away at her inside.

She’ll atone. Even if she couldn’t bring herself to tell her, she’ll pay the price through her actions instead. She’ll stand by her side no matter what, because in the end Ruby was one of her best friends. She owed this much to her.

Speaking of, it was getting late, wasn’t it?

Shaking her head free of the morose thoughts, Pyrrha smirked mischievously and quickly pinched the girl’s cheek before pulling.

The younger girl immediately woke and yelped, hands flailing and sending papers askew.

“whatthehellareyoudoing?!gidoff!”

================================

================================

They were alone now. Jaune had cut down the Ursa and in the process saved Cardin; with any luck, the bully would stop bothering Jaune about his transcripts now. 

But in the process of doing so, she revealed her Semblance to both Weiss and Ruby. And from the way Ruby stayed back, she was now going to pay the piper.

“So you did it,” Ruby said quietly, “You were the one who interfered with my fight.” The girl turned around with a betrayed expression on her face. “The Executioner didn’t move that way on its own.”

“I…I’m sorry,” Pyrrha quietly said, hand against her arm and slightly squirming against the shorter girl’s laser-like gaze, “I’m really sorry. I-“

“Do you know what could’ve happened?” the girl cut her apologies off, throwing down her arms angrily.

“I…yes.” Pyrrha nodded her head, looking straight at the ground and unable to meet Ruby’s eyes. She couldn’t help but wonder if Ruby gained that oppressive demeanor from Professor Goodwitch.

“Then why?” Ruby nearly all but screamed. It was then she knew that day had left its mental scars on the Huntress: how close Ruby came to ending the life of a fellow student, both of them knew. It was clear the girl wanted an explanation now, and she definitely deserved one. The only question was if she could accept it.

“I was stupid,” Pyrrha admitted. “I saw you were holding back. You kept the fight completely under control to the point no one in class noticed… And I wanted to see what you’d reveal once you lost that control.” She shook her head, “I never... expect all that to happen.”

“You. Just for that stupid reason.”

Ruby was right. It was a stupid reason. She kept her bowed down low, the guilt weighing her down. “Yeah, I was being stupid. I promise you it had nothing to do with you specifically. I just wanted to see how well a good fighter would adapt.”

“…I’m sorry that I put you in that position. I’m sorry that I got one of my best friends hurt,” Pyrrha sobbed, “I…”

Ruby glared at her and then shook her head. The girl turned around and started walking away, the sight leaving Pyrrha cold inside. She lowered her head once more, watching her tears fall to the ground. She’d just lost a good friend this day. She wanted to say more things, but it was clear that Ruby had nothing else to say to her. 

The younger girl didn’t want anything to do with her now.

---

Tap. Tap. Tap. Tap.

Huh?

Pyrrha lifted her head. A crimson blur was the only thing she registered before it slammed straight into her. Immediately, she bowled over and cut a course through the dirt. Her body felt sore after the collision, and she managed to get enough of her bearings to see the younger girl that just slammed into her stand up.

Stepping to the side, Ruby crossed her arms with a frown and declared, “Okay, I’m still mad at you, but now we’re even. ” Ruby paused briefly, probably having noticed the confusion in her face, as she further explained, “We weren’t friends then, but we’re friends now…”

“Right?”

Pyrrha, slowly sitting up, nodded her head, “I… Yeah.” Her tone became more confident and empathetic. “Of course.”

Ruby offered a hand to her, the corners of the girl’s lips curling up slightly despite her clear intention to maintain her frown.  

“So yeah, we’re even,” the girl repeated.

Taking up the offered hand, Pyrrha felt herself being lifted up before Ruby’s grip suddenly slackened, and she fell back down on her behind with a plop.

Somewhat shocked, Pyrrha looked back up at Ruby and couldn’t help but choke at the sight – whether it was a laugh or surprise she didn’t quite know.

The younger girl was hobbled over, holding onto her now red hand and opening her mouth in silent agony.

Before she could apologize, Ruby was already speaking.

“Ow! Ow. Ow. Pyrrha, how much milk do you drink to make your shoulder so hard?” the younger girl accused.

“Uh. Sorry, Ruby. But after working with Pumpkin’s Pete’s, I don’t really drink milk anymore.”

The affronted look on Ruby’s face was priceless.

It was there that she knew that everything was going to be okay.

Everything was going to be okay.

[annoyinglyjovialbird]

Voltron: Next Generation

Wavering Objectives: III

Word Count: 2990

Kova padded into her attached ensuite bathroom, sighing and rubbing the back of her neck. The makeshift arm sling was starting to make a rash and the bandages were much too tight. As carefully as she could, Kova removed the bandages and rolled them into tight balls of cotton. The water ran cold, then warmed. Steam came from the top of the shower, filling the room. 

Emerging from the shower, Kova wrapped her hair in a fluffy white towel and dressed in her purple pajamas. Her eyes were closed the entire time, enjoying the quiet, steam-filled room. The mirror was completely fogged up. Kova reached up to wipe it away with one hand, using the other to unwrap her hair from her towel turban. Slowly, she pats her hair dry starting from the roots to the ends and back again.

She opened her eyes, seeing green on the once-white towel. Confused, she looked up. 

"CALEB!" Kova screamed. Caleb, on the other side of the door, covered his mouth to stifle his laughter. It failed. 

The door opened to a furious Kova with neon green hair, clashing with her dark eyebrows, bright amber eyes, and dark purple pajamas. Caleb couldn't stop himself from choking on his own spit from laughing so hard. Kova's anger stewed while Caleb attempted to catch his breath, wiping away tears. 

"What's wrong?" He managed to say, taking deep breaths. "Thought this would be the highlight of your day." Caleb's body released an unholy wheeze at his own joke. Kova, ever the lovable hothead, glared at Caleb even more than before. Her hands balled into fists at her side, shaking with anger. 

"Caleb." She said, grinding her teeth. Caleb looked up, covering his mouth to restrain his laughter. "I. Am. Going. To. KILL. YOU." Kova shouted the last two words of her threat, lunging forward to grab Caleb's scrawny neck. Caleb stumbled to a stand, then ran down the halls of the Coeus. Kova ran behind him, screaming in frustration as she ran into walls, clipping her shoulder on a corner. The pair chased each other, the distance between them growing. 

The other teens ignored the screams, continuing their meals. Allie stood from the lunch table to stop them when Cake placed a hand on her shoulder, sitting her back down. He shook his head, and she looked on. Eventually, she turned around, doing her best to ignore the screams.

Kova ran until the air in her lungs evaporated and the only sounds coming from her were raspy gasps for breath. Caleb stopped at the entrance to the next hallway when he realized Kova was now leaning on a support beam. 

"Kova?" He asked. She gave no response. Her wheezing became more evident as the seconds passed. Caleb was going to help her when Shiro pushed past him to get to Kova. 

He heard the screams and watched from the camera footage to see if they would exhaust themselves or actually kill each other. Glad it wasn't the latter, or Shiro would never hear the end of it from Curtis. 

"Caleb, you know better than to prank your sister," Shiro scolded. He was holding Kova like a princess, shushing her as he strode to the med bay. Caleb ran to stay behind them but didn't say a word. 

This happened before, but way more serious. Like, Kova ending up in the hospital for weeks on a ventilator serious. She had to have an oxygen tank for months afterward. No one expected it, but it happened. When she returned, the teachers started failing her without proving it. The looks on their faces when Aunt Veronica confronted them was priceless, according to Kova. 

Shiro sat Kova on the edge of the bed, letting her try to catch her own breath while he grabbed the oxygen tank. It could only be assumed Kenny replaced the original oxygen tank and all its attachments, but again, it's only an assumption. The green strap was around Kova's head, clashing with her new hair color. The clear mask fogged up as Kova continued wheezing. Shiro turned it on, letting it run until Kova's breathing normalized. She reached out to turn it off when Keith barged into the room. All three Shiroganes stared at the confused Kogane, who stared right back. 

Keith had his own individual observation room with shatter-proof windows, a bolted-down bed, and a door that can be opened from the outside. Kova was sitting on a small cot in the open space of the med bay only several feet away from the window to his observation room. He wondered why Kova deserved a cot while Keith had a cell. 

Kova didn't pass out and wake up with murderous tendencies. No one tell him. I don't want to be thrown out. 

"What happened?" Keith finally asked, shaking his head, approaching a kneeling Shiro. 

"Nothing major." Shiro turned forward to turn off the oxygen tank. "Just a disagreement between siblings."

"She's wearing an oxygen mask."

"Disagreement between siblings."

"She said she'd kill him." Keith pointed at Caleb over his shoulder. 

"Disagreement." 

"Her hair's green." 

"Are you done stating obvious facts?" Kova snapped, pulling the strap over her head to fully remove the mask. "I want to sleep now." 

"Of course." Shiro stood up, holding a hand out for Kova to hold. She took it, trying not to focus too much on the swaying room. He led her to the outermost wall of the hallway, letting her hold onto the wall. The men watched her stumble towards her room until the neon green left their eyes. They returned to the bridge, busying themselves with potential plans. Caleb unofficially grounded himself, sulking in his room. 

Allie and Cake approached the entrance to the bridge, where Liz was peeking into the room, completely entranced by something inside. Cake quietly approached her and blew on her ear. With a jerk of her knee, Liz rammed her knee into the metal wall. 

"Quiznak!" 

"Sorry!" Cake reached out to grab her before she could fall onto the metal grate floor. He didn't. Liz fell onto the metal grate floor, causing more curses to fall from her mouth. "I'm so sorry!" 

Allie approached the door, peeking her head inside the doorframe. Caleb and Kova were at Caleb's chair. Kova was leaning on his desk, and Caleb was using the back of his chair for support. The most noticeable difference was Kova's bright green hair. It was hard to miss. Kova's hair was loosely braided down her back. 

"Hey, look." Caleb's eyes met Allie's, and he stood to full height. "They're here."

"C'mon in, team." Kova walked up the few steps to her console. "In positions."  

Liz limped inside, Cake creeping behind her, pushing Allie into the bridge much more forcefully than intended. The teens sat at their respective chairs, waiting for the adults to join them. They sat for a few minutes in silence, hoping someone would ask. 

"Uh, why is your hair green?" Liz turned her chair to ask. 

"It was the first box I saw on the shelf," Caleb answered casually. Kova scoffed. 

"You really expect me to believe that?"

"You don't need to believe it." Caleb turned his chair, propping his chin on his fist. "You just have to accept it."

"You could've gotten firetruck red, or poopy brown, or even lilac purple!" Kova slammed her hands on the console. "But neon green and highlighter jokes were your go-to?" Caleb shrugged. 

"Oh, please." Caleb waved off her concerns. "It's not /that/ bad."

"My hair is bright, neon green, Caleb." Kova aggressively pointed at her hair. "How is it not that bad?" 

"Uh, Cap," Liz said. "Stop talking." 

"Why?"

"Next time we go to the space mall," Kova began, studying her nails. "Maybe I should grab some platinum blonde. Ooh, no. How about some rusty copper?" Caleb physically shrank into his chair as Kova thought aloud. "Hm, Nah. How about highlighter yellow?" She smiled, staring at Caleb's retreating head. 

"Try that, and you'll never see Peaches again." 

"You don't like Peaches!" 

The others sat confused about peaches, assuming they're Kova's favorite fruit or something when the saviors finally walked in. Kenny had foregone his cadet jacket, leaving him in a green t-shirt and black slacks and ugly brown sneakers. Keith looked more cleaned up, wearing a sleeveless gray vest with a hood, a black t-shirt, and gray pants lined with red ribbon and black combat boots. The Colonel wore his officer jacket rather than the white t-shirt he always wore around the ship. The three adults descended the staircase. As they passed, the teens sat straighter in their chairs. Shiro stood in the middle of the floor as Kenny and Keith took a space on the walls closest to Cake and Allie respectively. Allie scooted her chair closer to Caleb's line of sight and the staircase. 

Guess she's still afraid of Keith. 

"Alright, team." Shiro began. "We've been out here for a while, and with the latest development," He met Kova's eyes. "It's time to review, or at least, make a plan." 

"A plan?" Kenny asked. Oh. I guess the other adults didn't know what the meeting was about either. 

"The Lions have selected their respective pilots. The paladins have successfully formed Voltron. It's time to make a decision." Shiro met the eyes of each individual team member. "Do you want to continue fighting here or do you want to return to Earth?" 

The teens sat in stunned silence. They have a choice to make. They're being allowed to make a choice? 

"Caleb?" Shiro called, and all eyes landed on the Red Paladin. 

"Return to Earth." He said immediately. No gasps, no pomp. Just a fact. "We're not ready for this. This is a war waiting to happen. We can't do this alone." Shiro nodded, ready to say another name, but Liz beat him to it. 

"I'm sorry. I know I'm on your team and I'm supposed to agree with you, but I don't." She was looking at Caleb, turning her attention to Shiro. "If we return to the Garrison, we'll be shut out. We're dumb, undertrained kids who control Voltron. The council will put us on the frontlines without a plan." 

"What she said." Cake agreed with her, pointing his finger up at Liz. 

"We have the firepower. We can do more than just sit still and wait to be given orders." 

"We're also undertrained," Caleb argued when Shiro held his hands up to silence the two. 

"Allie," Shiro said. "What do you think?"

"I agree with Caleb," She said. "We can't fight in a war. We would be better off with help than without. I only spent a night in my dorm before all this. I can't do this again."

"Keith, Ken, I'm guessing you both agree with your respective sides." Kenny approached Cake's console, arms crossed. Keith stayed in place, hands on his hips. 

"We fought in a ten-thousand-year-old war with Allura and Coran, the only surviving members of Altea. We had advanced alien technology. Our goal was to return to Earth and the Garrison." Keith stated matter-of-factly. He gestured widely to the teens in their chairs. "They're kids. They don't have what we did." 

"Liz is right," Kenny spoke up. "The council won't touch them. They'll put Voltron on the frontlines without a plan, hoping that will be enough to scare off the enemies."

"They're undertrained!" Keith turned his attention from Kenny to Shiro. 

"They're resourceful!" Kenny argued, getting Keith's attention. 

"Alright, you two." Shiro stepped in between them to break their intense staring contest. "Kova." 

"Yes, sir." 

"You were the one kidnapped by the Fire. You met with their leaders in person. You're also a top student at the Garrison." He didn't have to say it. This was all on her. 

"What about you?" Kova asked, gripping the railing around her console. "What are you leaning towards."

"I'm siding with the most reasonable plan." Keith scoffed, interrupting Shiro. "It's not my team anymore. It's yours." Slowly, Kova released her hands from their tight grip on the railing and let them fall at her sides and closed her eyes.

"She'll totally agree with me." Caleb had turned his chair. 

"Uh, she's her own person." Liz crossed her arms. Caleb scoffed in response. 

"We've been attached at the hip since we were kids. She's taking my side."

"How about you let her talk first?" 

"Why don't you shove that opinion up—"

"Enough!" Kova said, rubbing her temple with a hand. "You're both annoying. And right." Kova looked up at Shiro, who raised an eyebrow. She raised her arm to her right. "We are severely undertrained. Not as a team, but individually. If we have the same goal in mind, we work well together. There's going to be a point where Voltron can't be formed and we're going to have to fight as individual Lions." Putting it down, she raised her arm to her left. "If we return to the Garrison, the council won't touch us. We're liabilities. None of us joined the LDP. It was our choice."

"The what?" Keith interrupted. 

"You would've called it the Vehicle Defender Unit," Kenny answered. "It was the defense program Pi- er, Mom, helped start." 

"And now it's—"

"The Legendary Defender Program. I'll catch you up later." Kenny turned to Kova and nodded his head for her to continue. 

"Our curriculum was updated to include battle strategies. As pilots, we learn how to gauge our enemies' strengths and weaknesses, multiple defensive, offensive, and evasive maneuvers, and different wind speeds. As engineers, we're taught the inner workings of warships, raw materials and how to use them. As programmers, we can disable entire structures by taking out large chunks of code."

"The point?" Keith asked annoyed.

"The point," Kova glared at the man. "Is we're prepared for a war, but we haven't used those skills. Besides, even if the council includes us in their plans, they'll give me the plan to execute. I'm the head, I'm the leader, and I'm the top student. If the plan fails, it'll be on me." 

"Kova, that's not—"

"If we return to Earth, we won't be given a second glance, by the council or anyone else in the universe." Kova gripped the railing again, her tirade coming to an end. "We should stay, fight and learn as much as we can before we return to Earth and deal with the council." Caleb's eyes widened, and Liz looked surprised. Did Kova really choose left? 

"Alright team," Shiro said, climbing the stairs. "Get ready to travel through a wormhole." Kenny climbed the stairs after Shiro and walked out of the bridge to head down to the engine room below. Keith stared at Shiro's retreating back. Keith chased after Shiro, maybe to argue his point. The teens didn't care. They followed their orders. 

As the wormhole opened before them, a heavy blast rocked the Coeus. The ship's inner alarm system went off as the teens tried desperately to right the Coeus. It had gone off its directed course, heading for mere feet away from the wormhole that had opened up. 

Down below in the engine room, Kenny was trying to override the alarms. It was refusing to shut off, citing critical damage on the left side of the ship. Kenny tried to turn on the particle barrier around the ship, receiving an error message instead. Kova's face appeared on the huge screen on the engine room console. 

"Kenny!" She shouted to be heard over the blasts. "Where's the particle barrier?" 

"There isn't enough energy in the reserve to power it!" Kenny yelled back, being shaken like a ragdoll. 

Up on the bridge, Kova stared at the small fleet of ships firing incessetnaly on the Coeus. There was no way the Coeus would survive if they didn't activate the particle barrier. A million thoughts raced through Kova's head, then she took over.

"Shirogane, Griffin, Smythe," Kova barked, earning their attention. "Report to your Lions. Garrett, report to the engine room." The teens didn't say a word, doing what they were told without a second word. Allie went along with them, sparing Kova a second glance. "Holt, transfer all remaining, unused power to the particle barrier."

"But that will shut off the lights!"

"Afraid of the dark?" Kenny groaned in annoyance, doing what he was told. The firing stopped as the Coeus went dark, becoming an empty shell. Up on the bridge, Kova steered the Coeus toward the wormhole, still open in the sky. It was hard. It demanded much from Kova's body. But it got the job done.

Red, Blue, and Green fired on the fleet of ships, hitting many in wings and thrusters. Blue fired several blasts, encasing ships in ice. Green flew around them, getting fired on while Red cut through them like butter with their blade. 

"Everyone through the wormhole!" Kenny shouted over the earpieces. Red, Green, and Blue stopped their attacks and flew towards the closing wormhole. They weren't going to make it. Pushing their Lions even faster than they have ever pushed them, the trio raced each other to the wormhole. 

They cut it close by a tail, but they made it through. The teens cheered, thanking Allura they made it through. One by one, they reentered the bridge to celebrate. They stopped at the entrance.

Kova was kneeling on the ground, holding her arm. In front of her, Keith was redirecting the console, traveling to Earth. That was in the opposite direction they were heading. Caleb, furious at seeing Kova hurt and on the ground, held his bayard up to point the barrel of his weapon at Keith. Keith turned, face-to-face with it. 

The map on the screen was beeping, finding the nearest geolocation. 

As Keith and Caleb faced off, the beeping grew louder. 

"What is that?" Keith all but shouted. Kova looked up at the screen, still holding her arm. 

"We found Pidge."

[themuffinbee]

Lore Olympus Novelized, Chapter 3

First Chapter - Previous Chapter

This chapter was a challenge for me since we see Persephone wake up three different times in chapters 4, 5, and 6. So, to keep at least some form of chronological sense, I'm taking parts of the chapter 6 scene and splicing them into chapters 4 and 5. Otherwise, the events would have been all out of order. Hope you all still enjoy it!

Again, this is merely an unofficial fan-adaptation. All plot and dialogue belong to the talented Rachel Smythe :)

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“I need to talk to her,” Hades announced as he straightened his cufflinks. However, his confidence faltered just as quickly as it had appeared. There was one problem with that plan. "But, she's with Artemis--" 

"Who passionately hates you!" Poseidon laughed, clapping Hades on the back. 

Hades glared at his brother. "Wow! Really, Poseidon? I hadn't noticed!" 

Looking back into the crowd, he found the Goddesses of Spring and the Moon laughing and dancing out of time with the music. Somehow, Persephone looked even more radiant when she smiled, the sight of it almost enough for him to feel slightly less sour towards her surly companion. Almost. Two hundred years of Artemis' unjustified grudge had cemented his poor opinion of the Huntress. After all, the whole Orion thing wasn't his fault, he was just doing his job. If she wanted someone to blame, she should look to that asshole brother of hers. Of course, she hadn't taken it too well when he had raised that very valid point. 

Yeah, she was going to be a problem.

"Okay, okay, okay.” Zeus sent a smirk in his direction. “I've got a plan."

Hades kept his eyes on the rosy goddess. "Hit me." 

"I'll distract Artemis. While I'm doing that, you go talk to Persephone." 

"Perfect." 

Oh, that was right. There was a reason why he put up with his youngest brother. It was for times like these when Hades required a more…crafty...solution.

"What do I do?" Poseidon asked, pointing at himself.

Hades cast an uneasy glance at Zeus. Poseidon tended to have good intentions most of the time, but his help was often anything but helpful.

"Errrr…stay here and drink a beer?" Zeus suggested. 

"I'm on it."

Oh, thank the gods.

----------------------------------------------------

"... And so I punched him in the face, and that was that!" Artemis finished her story with a proud grin and Persephone hid a laugh behind her hand.

It had taken a while, but she was beginning to feel a little more at ease among the crowd. She was just another face in a massive swarm of people, which wasn't so bad. Back when she had that accident earlier with the guy and the drink and all that, no one had pointed or stared. Hardly anybody had even spared a glance at her. Everyone here was too focused on having a good time to take note of her, which, you know, made total sense at a party. It had been a relief at the time, but being invisible to everyone around her wasn't great either. 

"Hello, Artemis. You're looking splendid, as always," said a voice smoother than silk. 

Persephone looked up to see Zeus, King of the Gods, standing behind her friend with a hand on her shoulder and a smug smile on his face. Persephone nearly choked on her drink, she hadn’t expected to see him so soon.

Artemis smiled. "Hey, Zeus. Great party!" 

'Zeus?' She called her father by his name? It wouldn't be entirely out of the ordinary with Artemis' personality, but Persephone wondered if it had more to do with Zeus' preferences over those of her friend. 

Weird.

Zeus' smile became an irritating smirk. "Word on the street is your marksmanship is excellent, but your brother's is second to none."

"Says who?!" Artemis' eye twitched and she jabbed her father in the chest. "I want to settle this right now!"

Wow, Persephone had known the Goddess of the Hunt was competitive, but she had never seen her so fired up. Still, this didn't seem like a good venue for an archery competition. Persephone would just have to wait for Artemis to calm down and then...go back to not talking to anyone else, she guessed.

Just then, she felt a hand on her own shoulder as a voice said close to her ear, "Hey, kiddo. Wanna have some real fun?" 

----------------------------------------------------

Hades stalked back to the glassed-in suite, fingers fidgeting like mad with the scrap of paper in his pocket. He should have known. He should have known. The Fates must had decided this would be a shitty night no matter what he did, and for him to have tried to change it was a stupid move on his part.

What was even more stupid was how angry he felt about the whole damn thing. The red hue gathering around the edges of his vision and the bluish glow of his reflection told him his control was starting to slip. All those crystal-clear windows were liable to start cracking from here to Tartarus if he didn't get his shit together. 

"Yeesh, that's a mood," Poseidon said as Hades pushed through the door. "Strike out already?" 

Hades crossed his arms and glared down at his brother. "Worse! I couldn't even find her, it's as if she vanished into thin air!"

He had looked among the throngs of people for a good ten minutes for a glimpse of pink hair or skin, but she was nowhere to be found. The universe could have at least given him the chance to screw things up on his own. Then he would know what her voice sounded like, or if she were as stunning close up as she had been at a distance. Maybe he could have even found out how, in that one moment, she had managed to look even more miserable than him when she had been surrounded by so much merriment. 

And now he might never know. The chances of running into the Goddess of Spring in the Underworld were below zero, and it wasn't like Artemis or Demeter would let him anywhere near her when he was topside on Olympus or in the mortal realm.

Gods, he needed a drink. Where had he put that scotch?

----------------------------------------------------

Persephone's head felt…heavy. She leaned against the back of the couch, her empty champagne glass rolling out of her hand and onto the cushion. The darkened room seemed to spin around her, the music from the dance floor now somehow muffled, yet still pounding against the inside of her skull. 

Where did Artemis go?

Persephone wasn't sure if she had said the words aloud…or even if she had meant to? Wait. Artemis…she had been with Zeus...and he had said something about…archery? And Artemis' brother? And then that was how she ended up here, with…with Eros. Because he was an archer too…and he was telling her about all the couples he had hooked up while she waited for Artemis. But it had been a while, wouldn't Artemis have finished whatever she was doing by now? 

I guess I don't want to be clingy… 

"Another drink?" Eros asked with a smile, holding up a glass. His hand seemed to shift from side to side without ever moving. 

"I feel…I feel awful." Oh, she heard her voice that time, a dragging sound that was too rounded at the edges. That meant she had said something…right?

Parties were supposed to be fun, but this…this wasn't fun. Eros had seemed nice at first, but now Persephone wasn't so sure she liked him. She wasn't sure if she liked any of this. The crowds, the noise, getting ditched by her only friend...she had thought meeting new people and dancing and drinking would make her feel happier, but now… 

Now she felt lonelier than ever. 

Persephone shifted deeper into the couch, her foot knocking over one of the several glasses littering the floor. Maybe...maybe if she propped her head on the cushion and closed her eyes, the room would stop spinning. Better yet, maybe she could just take a nap until Artemis was ready to go home.

Home...

I want to go home. 

But which one? The one on Olympus she had only lived in for two days? Or...or did she mean the one in the Mortal Realm? The one that was so safe it was suffocating?

She felt a gentle pressure behind her back and under her legs, and soon she was moving. Like, actually moving, which was even worse than sitting still and only feeling like she was moving. She was too nauseous to speak, too tired to open her eyes, too dizzy to--

"I'm very sorry about all of this," she heard Eros say into her ear, yet he sounded so far away. "But, as far as I'm concerned, Aphrodite's word is law." 

After that, there was only blessed, lonely darkness. 

----------------------------------------------------

Petals sprang from Persephone’s hands as she splashed botanical colors across the hillsides. Roses, crocuses, narcissus, larkspur, lilies, all scattered in a beautiful, chaotic collage through endless fields of green.

“Persephone!” a familiar voice called. “Sweetheart, come here!”

“I’m just finishing up, Mama!” The last of the petals floated away on the wind, and Persephone wondered what would happen if she followed after them. Could she travel through the air like dandelion seeds, bury herself under the dark earth, and spring back up in a cluster of wildflowers? Over and over again? Drifting further away from everything she knew?

Persephone turned away from the hillsides and ran to her mother, a puffy laurel of dandelions forming on her head.

Demeter, tall and stately in her immaculate chiton, cupped Persephone’s cheeks and bestowed a warm smile on her daughter. “You’ve been working very hard, so I got you a present.”

“R-really?!” As strict and disciplined as her mother was, presents were a rare thing indeed.

Demeter put a hand on Persephone’s shoulder and turned her towards their home. “It’s this way.”

“Oh my!” Persephone brought her hands up to the sides of her face. Sitting next to their house was a massive, domed structure of curling wrought iron, whitewashed columns, and panels of gleaming glass. “Is this greenhouse really for me?”

“Absolutely, you’ve earned it.” Her mother leaned towards her with another smile, lilac strands of hair falling in elegant streams over her shoulders. “Don’t just stare at it. Have a look inside!”

Persephone giggled, unable to contain her overflowing joy, and ran through the doors. It was just as lovely on the inside with sunlight filtering into patterns on the ground and the familiar scent of damp earth filling her nose. She breathed in deep to savor the smell, then flung her hands up over her head in one swift motion. Vines of roses climbed up the carved columns, trees sprouted from carefully lined plots and pushed up against the inside of the dome, and blooming shrubs grew in every other free space in a crowd of colors.

Arms crossed in front of her chest, she cast an admiring eye over her work. There was nothing left to do, no more space for her plants to grow. She smiled. “I think I’m ready to leave now.”

She turned on her heel back towards the entrance and froze before she could even take a step. No…that couldn’t be right. Persephone glanced around as her joy transformed into dread. “There’s no door!”

A hot wind ripped through the greenhouse, bringing with it the smell of decay as the cheery, dappled sunlight turned crimson. Her mother stood at one of the windows, green skin bathed in scarlet, wringing her hands while dark shadows pooled under her eyes. She spoke, her tone coddling yet detached, “I took the doors away.”

“Mama, no!” Persephone ran to the window, fingers grappling for any catch or gap along the sill. She looked back to her mother, only to find she had grown to a titanous size, one giant eye peering in through the glass. Tears began running down Persephone’s cheeks as her knees buckled under her, hands going slack against the windowpane. “You don’t have to do this.”

“Persephone, I know this may seem cruel,” Demeter pressed her gargantuan finger opposite of her daughter’s hand, “but it’s for the best.”

“Don’t make me stay in here, I promise to be good!” Persephone’s plea ended in a strangled squeak as her mother’s irises turned dark, melding with her pupils in molten, shifting pools of black. Persephone took a step back, her hand clasped around her mouth so tight that it pushed int her teeth. 

“When you’re in here…” Demeter’s voice came from everywhere and nowhere all at once as it echoed off of the greenhouse walls, reverberated through the dirt, beat from beneath Persephone’s ribcage. Oozing blackness spread to cover the entirety of her mother’s eyes, save for bright, glowing pinpricks of ruby light at their centers, “...no one can hurt you.”

The blackness snapped into vertical slits as her mother’s voice exploded through Persephone’s brain, “NO ONE!”

----------------------------------------------------

A low noise droned in her ears, and it took a moment for Persephone to realize it was coming from her own throat. With another groan, this time intentional, she pulled the covers over her head. Gods, what a horrible dream. But that’s all it was, a dream. Just a dream. She wasn’t trapped in some inescapable greenhouse, her mother wasn’t a giantess, and she was safe and sound in her bed on Mt. Olympus. Everything was fine.

She curled her knees up to her chest and froze. No, everything was not, in fact, fine. Wrapped around her were not the comfy, worn covers she’d had for years, but sheets so smooth that they felt unused. She was also still wearing Artemis’ dress from the night before and not her soft cotton nightshirt. Afraid of what she might see, she peeked out underneath the blankets.

Oh no.

Persephone pushed herself upright and looked around with wild eyes. Shadows clung to every corner of the room, filled with dark, angular furniture and the occasional traditional jar or tapestry. The air smelled sharp and crisp like a clear winter’s morning, and the temperature felt almost as cold on her exposed skin. 

She drew the covers up to her chest. “W-Where am I?!”

Next Chapter

[thought-42]

Fictober day 2: That’s the easy part

Critical Role, 1351 words, ensemble, gen They make it out of Wildemount. They topple the Cerberus Assembly. Not with the drama or the fire and destruction that Caleb would like, but with the slow, inevitable landslide of political upheaval and the rattle of skeletons against closet doors. They make it out alive and intact and with no official prices on their heads. They make it out having spent their social and political capital in spectacular fashion, and with more people cursing their names than celebrating them, as the murky waters of gossip and misunderstanding and the feral terror of change swirl and eddy around the truth. They are not the monsters many would claim them to be, but nor are they without blame or beyond reproach. They never asked to be hero's. Actively rejected it over and over again, tore themselves free of the bonds of imperialism and nationalism with vicious glee, swore loyalty to truth and survival and vengeance and family and gods with no temples.

They make it out of Wildemount. Barely. That’s the easy part.

 Whitestone is cold and modern and fiercely defiant, but it's that same attitude that keeps the Mighty Nein at a metaphorical distance that keeps them safe from the political reach of the empire and Xhorhas alike.

"This is bringing up some disconcerting childhood memories," Caleb says, drawing the collar of his new coat high.

"You'd say that about literally anywhere with snow," Beau says.

Jester grins, boots crunching as she jogs alongside the wagon. "It's really different from home, but I like it!"

Molly's tail, hands, and horns are all wrapped in bright green knitwear, a rainbow of scarves layered over his coat and wrapped up around his face so only his eyes peer out. He's tucked into an uncharacteristically compact ball between Yasha and Essek in the back on the cart, and it would be adorable if everyone hadn't seen him shivering so hard after a nightmare that he could barely speak. The cold is a familiar companion for Caleb and a harmless playmate for Jester, but Mollymauk awoke in the cold and the dark and the dirt twice over and it will never let him forget how it feels to be a thing that thinks it should be dead.

Their apartments in Whitestone are centrally located, at least. It's a brisk jog for Beau to get to the newly established Cobalt Reserve each morning, and Jester (to her vocal relief) need only roll out of bed at the last possible moment to stumble her way across the road to the bakery in the early hours of the still-dark morning.

It's not the Xhorhaus, nor is it Caleb's magical creation, but it is safe and clean and dry and no one expects them to play hero or villain. They hadn't arrived hurting for gold, but the economy of Whitestone is startlingly booming, and the top floor of an old rooming house is the best they can do.

Caleb and Essek spend the first few days carefully considering the best method to open the space into something more welcoming to the Neins habituated appreciation of communal living. Three days in, Caduceus calls a flurry of insects to oh so gently soften the wooden walls, and Yasha uses her sword to knock them down. Fjord trudges up the stairway, shoulder slumped beneath the weight of another day of unsuccessful job hunting.

"You realize," he says, exhaustion dragging his words slow and resigned, "some of those walls were there for a reason."

"Huh," Caduceus says, after a long moment.

So the roof is probably going to collapse in on them all one day, which is something to look forward to.

Most of them arrive in the city on fake papers. Beau has no trouble-- there's a modern library failing rather spectacularly when they first arrive, and the cobalt Soul is delighted to expand beyond the tentative rebuilding in Westruun, particularly with a volunteer ready and pseudo-willing to head it up. Caleb, for all of his determination to leave his past behind him, is forced to admit that 'can perform and develop complex magic, and can extract information from challenging personalities' looks fucking excellent on paper; evil the Soltryce academy may be, but it's name still carries weight. Caleb doesn't discuss his work, but it pays well and he comes home with a bounce in his step and a gleam in his eye as often as he comes home unwilling to speak.

Veth and Yeza have little trouble finding work as alchemists, and Jester puts on her best dress and her best confident smile and walks into the best bakery in town, coming out not ten minutes later with a full time position. While there are those who will come just to stare at the tiefling decorating their cakes, she remains unapologetically thrilled with her choices.

The rest of them work when and where they can, Yasha and fjord mostly in construction or deliveries, Caduceus selling teas and flowers, Essek unofficially with Beau in the library. Mollymauk... struggles. He doesn't mention it to anyone, but there are only so many people interested in tattoo designs from a random stranger, or having their cards read in the marketplace, or sleeping with a tiefling for the fucking novelty. He's confident something will slip into place, but the liminal space between adventure and security is uncomfortable.

Yasha tries to grow flowers, but as they settle solidly into the deep chill of midwinter, with its endless nights and brief days of sharp, merciless sunlight, the cold slips through the floorboards and the windows and quite literally freezes the tiny shoots of new growth to death.

"The summer will be good for it," Caleb says, while Yasha carefully digs crackling brown husks out of the dirt and crushes them in her hand. "The days will be long."

Essek is pretending not to watch from across the room. There are no flowers in Xhorhas, and Caleb feels quite suddenly as if he is intruding on something sacred, a memorial he can neither understand nor appreciate.

A year later, ice and snow yet again thick on the ground while herbs hang in bundles from the rafters and Caduceus packs away seeds for the spring, Molly gives their Xhorhasians flowers. Lilacs that creep up the outside of Yasha's leg, their colour a shocking splash of joy against her skin. Iberis cascade across Essek's collarbone, delicate white and rich greens a reminder of growth and renewal.

For the first time, Caleb begins to truly collect a library of his own. Veth is a mother and a brilliant alchemist and the one does not negate the other; there is room inside of her for endless possibility. Luke grows older surrounded by love and wisdom and hands that will sneak him candy and books and knives and paint brushes at every turn.

Jester brings home loaves of hot bread and spun sugar sweets to pretty to eat, draws and sings and dances and if she reaches her hands out for a partner there will always be a pair of ink-stained, bruised knuckled hands in a blue robe, or calloused green palms and the faint smell of saltwater, purple skin and claws that match her own. And of course, delicate unblemished hands from beneath a green cloak, a sharp laugh turned kind only for her.

Mollymauk grows older and grows younger in increments, though he will never stop recklessly chasing experience and sensation and feeling in the same way he will never lose that inherent distrust of those who think they hold power over him.

Caduceus makes friends with a tree.

Fjord comes in the door far past the dinner hour, cold and aching down to his bones, steps in to the drafty chill of the main room where paint has spilled across the carpets and smoke still lingers in the air and every face in the room turns to smile a welcome, conversation and laughter and hot tea spiked with whisky drawing him in, welcome back, sit down, put your head on my shoulder and let your breath out. And he thinks, maybe this time he has brought his people home.