#i am normal about the dragon prince i PROMISE -> liar

[stuck-in-jelly]

Happy Festival of Milda Valentines Day!

I've been thinking a lot about the human kingdoms and decided they need a little bit more love in more ways than one and what better way to do it then trying to make it look like the Xadia Handbook!

Hopefully these memes make way more sense now.

And a special thank you to @youruinedmylifebynotbeingreal for letting me show them and helping me with beta reading!! 🫶

Image IDs Under Text:

Cover Page:

Image ID: on the left side of the page a sketch of Janai and Amaya embracing in a dance after Janai had proposed frames the text. Janai’s eyes are half lid and she is smiling. Amaya stares back at her with a pleased expression as flower petals rain down around them from Janai’s proposal outfit. On the right is a sketch of their 3-tiered wedding cake decorated with flowers and a figurine of them embracing. End ID.

“What message do you think it gives the people if you choose to marry a human?”

“There is no message. The only message is that I’ve chosen this amazing woman as my wife.”

Prince Karim to his sister, Queen Janai. Book 4: Earth, Chapter 2: Fallen Stars

Image ID: in the background Callum and Rayla lock hands. End ID.

A Simple Guide to Human Courtship.

The people of the Human Kingdoms are vast in size, to assume all Humans preform the same courtship rituals would be a bit of an insult. From the proud and plentiful Katolians of the East to the humbler and a wise Evenerans of the South each Kingdom host its own unique style of Courtship and Marriage.

Image ID: To the left of the paragraph there is a sketch of Terry and Claudia embracing in a dance both of them lovingly gazing at each other. On the right is a sketch of young Callum and Claudia. Callum blushes with a small bundle of flowers in his hand, Claudia next to him smiles with a gap tooth as she places the flower in her hair. End ID.

This guide aims to give a quick and simple breakdown of the human kingdoms for those lucky in love looking to court a human. Just remember, all humans are different and some are more traditional than others, some may even wish to abandoned tradition all together. What is important is your intentions and how clear you make them.

CHAPTER INDEX

Page 1: Katolis

Page 2: Del Bar

Page 3: Neolandia

Page 4: Duren

Page 5: Evenere

Page 6: The Festival of Milda

Image ID: To the left of the text is a sketch of Soren and Corvus over looking Katolis from the ramparts. To the right Sara and Harrow sit on the stairs of Katolis Harrow offering up a flower to Sarai as she leans forward a hand on her chest and a large smile. Below the text Allen leans forward his eyes closed and a soft smile as he holds out an extremely large flower to Lujanne in her human disguise much to her delight. End. ID.

All of the page are divided into two Columns.

Page 1

Column one:

Katolis Courtship:

Image ID: to the left of the text the red and gold Katolis Flag Displaying the Uneven Towers hangs off the margins. End ID

Birth and local raised Katolians have the longest courting rituals of all of the human kingdoms, it can take anywhere from a year to two years for a couple to begin ‘officially’ dating even during active courtship.

When a Katolian wishes to court a partner they begin with flora. Paying close attention to ‘flower language’ they select a single flower that best expresses how they feel towards their partner. Although they may need to be extra careful, if their intended partner is not originally from Katolis, their flower language may differ, causing some confusion, or at the worse, offense.

Image ID: A smaller text box is bordered by thin gold lines. Inside the box the text reads: “The flower Viren gifted to Lissa, a lily, was meant to symbolize her passionate knowledge of music and the arts as well as ever lasting love. However, being from Del Bar, a lily symbolized death and the severing of an innocent soul from its body. Luckily for Viren, Lissa had known what he meant.” After that the box a drawing of Viren’s hand holding a white lily in his hand End ID.

The offering of the flower can go several different ways: if placed on the right side of their body it is an invitation to continue courtship, if placed on the left the person declines, and if the flower is returned or otherwise discarded well, the message is rather clear.

If the flower offering is accepted the Katolian will then begin the first of many many dates. An old wives tale says that a couple must first have exactly a thousand dates before continuing courtship, however in modern times most Katolians will call it on the 100th date.

Mountain Regions:

The people who have made their homes along the mountain ridges and cold peaks of Katolis are among the loudest of Katolians when it comes to courtship. This is largely in part of Del Barians who find themselves feeling homesick drifting down West, where the weather is cooler and the culture more like home.

Here, courtship tends to be shorter and bolder with the offering of a flower being accompanied by lavish gifts of furs and displays of courage and strength.

There is even a specific Courtship Tradition native only to the people along the edge of the Cursed Caldera in which to show a partner they truly wish to be with them, will scale the mountain and pluck a blue rose to bring back down to their lover.

Image ID: Blue Roses hang along the margins of the page. End ID.

Colume 2:

Image ID: The shillotue of two dragons flying in the sky looms over the text. End ID.

Border Lands:

The people of the border lands to the East differ the most from their fellow Katolians. Being along the border their communities are not as large, their fields not as ripe, and dragons threaten at the edge of the border.

As a result Katolians of this area are far more reserved, their courting rituals being as subtle as they are. When a Border Land Katolian wishes to court they will bring offerings of food; oranges already peeled and cut, apples sliced and displayed neatly, cool drinks after a hard days work, and sometimes if one is feeling bold a full meal cooked and prepared.

A local ‘Whistle Song,’ can also be performed. It begins with one of pair whistling a song to the other, if the other joins and whistle together in harmony, the feeling is reciprocated. This is sometimes done with an ocarina or another wind instrument.

Image ID: A sketch of Claudia’s Ocarina. End ID.

Wedding Traditions:

It is believed to be bad luck for the soon to be newlyweds to see each other even up to a week leading to the wedding ceremony. However, some Katolian will participate in something of a teasing game, sending friends and family in their stead to tell give their partners playful messages.

On the wedding day the couple are both blindfolded and escorted to the front of the chapel by a specially selected somebody often called their ‘Honor Guard.’ At the alter the blindfolds are removed by the partners together after exchanging vows. Once the blindfold is removed they are handed two porcelain bells that are shattered on the alter scattered apple seeds that are tossed in the air.

After the ceremony the couple will preform what is called “The Uneven Dance,” in which the pair dance on one foot at all times, as the dance goes on, the music becomes faster and the couple must keep up till the end of the song.

Another common wedding game is “The Scale Game,” the partners sitting on kneeling pillows will attempt to balance both sides of a large scale using a variety of items provided by guest. If the couple is successful in using all items to balance the scales good fortune is said to come their way.

Page 2.

Column 1:

Del Bar Courtship:

Image ID: to the left of the text the brown and gold Del Barian Flag Displaying the Serpent of the Mountains hangs off the margins. End ID

Del Barians are among of the craftiest and loudest of the Human Kingdoms when it comes to courtship, there is nothing subtle about their attempts to woo each other and it often becomes subject to public affair.

When a Del Barian wishes to court someone they will invite them to a series of challenges called “Trails of The King,” named after The First King of Del Bar who famously courted his husband by challenging him to a series of competitions including Match Crossbow, a Gladiatorial Duel, Weapon Forging, and Throat Singing.

The trails are tests of strength, wit, creativity, endurance, and craftsmanship. These challenges can range to anything from metal-smithing to a good old fashioned race but either-way the outcomes of the test aren’t as important as how the pair feels after them. If both are satisfied and happy they will begin to officially date.

Image ID: A smaller text box is bordered by thin gold lines. Inside the box the text reads: “Soren squirmed. His pauldrons clanked as his shoulders slumped. “They aren’t games. They’re test. Ugh...I’m really messing this up.”

Reflections: “Changing of The Guard” Next to the box is a drawing of Soren in his pajamas, one foot on a wooden box, one hand on his hip and the other raising up his sword in triumph. End ID.

When a couple wishes to wed they will either craft or commission ‘Engagement Daggers.’ These blades are often engraved with family crest or meaningful symbols and are displayed at the front entrance to their home to ward off evil.

Serpentongue River Region:

Serpentongue Del Barians are mostly similar to their mountain dwelling kin; however, these Del Barian show more interested in poetry and song then test of power and strength. River Del Barians will write songs and/or poems to either preform themselves or gather a group to help them preform the piece for their potential partner.

If the person decides they would like to reciprocate they will later bring their own piece to preform in turn, however if they do not, they will leave in the middle of the performance. A more aggressive way to decline is by shooting an arrow from a crossbow at their feet.

Another smaller tradition in the rural regions involves a Shawl Exchange, in which the couple will exchange handmade shawls to each other, the designs include intricate stories woven into fabric.

Image ID: On the right to the paragraph is a sketch of Corvus’s Cello. End ID.

Column 2:

Wedding Traditions:

Del Barian weddings themselves are a huge affair. Once a couple is in engaged, both sides of the family unite to plan the event after which they will join each other on a hunt to bring back the pelt of their kill. The united family will decide on what to turn the pelt into; blankets, clothes, and rugs are most common. After it is made, the item is given to the couple as wedding gift.

Image ID: grey, slightly pink in hue Trysting Stones of Various sizes hover over the next paragraph. End ID.

Once the exchange of the Engagement Daggers is done through a Trysting Stone guests will erupt in a traditional throat song, and imminently afterwards lead into a dance/game called “The Silver-Tongued Serpent Dance,” in which wedding guests will gather in snake formation with the lead of the group wearing the head of a dragon. The ‘Serpent-Dragon’ will encircle the couple in a dance and the pair will attempt to escape the serpent’s dance by ‘slaying’ the beast.

However, in the Serpentongue Region, instead of slaying the serpent the couple will play tug-a-war with the serpent’s tongue till they can pull it loose from the head and escape.

The rest of the night is a celebration that many non-Del Barians joke is, ‘loud enough to wake the ancient ones’. Friends, Family, and even strangers are welcomed to join in the festivities. Sprawling tables of feast, echoing drums through the night as guest partake in games like Match Crossbow, Wrestling, Chess, and Storytelling. The celebration tends to lead well into the night with the couple welcoming dawn unified.

After the wedding many couples can choose participate in “Wind Elk’s Retreat” where the couple spends a few months traveling together searching for adventures to one day become tales for their family and children if they wish to have them.

Page 3

Column 1:

Neolandia Courtship: Image ID: To the left of the text the grey and black Neolandian Flag displaying a Neolandian Elephant hangs off the margins. End ID.

The people of Neolandia are straightforward with their courtship, if someone wishes to woo a partner they will outright express their intentions, being people from a harsher climate they would rather cut to the chase, though of course this isn’t without romance.

To being courtship Neolandians start with clay, with it they craft whatever item they wish; vases, bowls, figurines, etc. These items are extremely diverse, with some being simple and others extremely complex.

Image ID: three different styles vases in a need row. The first is a black and purple vase, it is short and has horn like handles near the bottom. The second is a taller more traditional brown case with cracks. The last is a wide light brown vase with cracks. End ID.

When the item is fished the Neolandian will approach their potential partner and offer the item. It is encouraged for the receiver of the clay creation to barter with the gift and bring something of equal or greater value in a show of resourcefulness. This practice is called “Barter For The Beloved.”

Image ID: A smaller text box is bordered by thin gold lines. Inside the box the text reads: “A Peanut for a place brings a home but a Barter for The Beloved will fill the rooms.” Prince Kasef’s Grandmother, Queen Yara. End ID.

When the pair decides to date they spend their time living with each other first. Their days spent in a shared space will show if they are truly a good match and still wish to start a home together.

Central Eboreus:

The world renowned Jousting Tournament held in Eboreus invites Neolandia’s strongest warriors, and these competitors may were a cloth from their lover tucked into their armlet as a show of devotion.

Otherwise, if not entered into the competition most pairs will simple invite each other out for the Tournament Festivities and treat themselves to Chocolate Cardamom Cupcakes.

Rural Region:

For those who reside in the barren lands of Neolandia, pairs who decide to wed will choose a spot where they work together to build a home from the ground up. These homes stay in the families for generations with children adding onto the home when they choose a partner in life.

Image ID: Stone formations. End ID.

Column 2:

Wedding Traditions: Image ID: a sketch of an ornate box with intricate carvings and jewelry. End ID.

When proposing Neolandians will get down on their knees and bow their head while lifting up a “Matrimony Box.” These ornate boxes are family heirlooms full of precious gemstones and inheritance passed down generation to generation. Most families regardless of status have these.

The wealth of the families will decide heavily on how extravagant the wedding is. Nobles from Eboreus will include a parade of Neolandian Elephants accompanied with music and showers of poppies through the street. The common Neolandian however, will have a smaller ceremony with friends and family.

On the night before the wedding both partners will have their faces and arms painted with dye made from flowers and spices. The designs are intricate and many will choose to paint Neolandian Elephant tusk on the sides of their face for good fortune.

At the ceremony a large garland of poppies is draped over the shoulders of the lovers, and in between them the ornate boxes lay open. After giving their vows and placing their own personal jewels into their partners box are officially wed.

The party afterwords consist of a night full of entertainment held at the “Lovers Stage.” Despite the name, the Lovers never once step onto the stage, instead it is reserved for guests. Entertainment is very important in Neolandian weddings, guests and family members will come with all sorts of trinkets, musical instruments, talents, and trades to show off to the newly joined family.

Two common forms of entertainment are: “Skinks Illusion” and “Wrath of The Bumblescorp.”

Hiring Dark Mages for weddings used to be a common practice, these mages often would preform The Skinks Illusion; a memorizing performance of lights and glitter that cast beautiful stained-glass figures in the air. Though after the passing of Prince Kaseef the practice has gone down drastically.

Wrath of The Bumblescorp however, is a highly customizable and fun experience. The performance is a non-verbal comedy play full of music, dancing, and exaggerated hjinks meant to show the couple they will always be safe from harm (Bumblescorps) when they have each

Image ID: A sketch of a singular bumblescorp threatens. End ID.

Page 4:

Column 1:

Duren Courtship: Image ID: To the left of the text the blue and gold Durenian Flag displaying a closed flower hangs off the margins. End ID.

The people of Duren have a laid back way of courting and in general dating. A playful way many Durenians will flirt is by taking a small bundle of wheat and dusting both of their intended partner’s shoulders, this often indicates interest and invites the other to join in if they wish to.

Most dates for Durenians involve the couple venturing on long picnics and walks into one of the many sprawling stone gardens. Berylgarten’s most famous garden has ‘The Wall of Lovers’, where hundreds of couples have visited to etch their names into the stone walls with the encouragement of the groundskeepers.

However, above all else Durenian’s value honesty and truth, through all stages of courting and dating Durenians will check in with each other to see if both are still happy and fulfilled in the relationship, hashing out any issues and quarrels where they can. To non-Durenians this may come off as them not wanting to be in the relationship anymore and cause some misunderstandings.

When Durenians are becoming more serious in their courtship however, they switch tones drastically going from walks in the park to long discussions of their future and assets. Since many Durenians are farmers and live a pastoral life it can become difficult when pairs with their own separate farms and livestock wish to come together. Whose land will they end up on? Will they live separately? What if their livestock do not get along? These are just a few of the many situations the average Durenian must consider before committing themselves to marriage.

Image ID: A smaller text box is bordered by thin gold lines. Inside the box the text reads: “Bluebell, Bluebell! Fly over my head, And you shall have a crust of bread; And when I brew and when I bake, you shall have a piece of my wedding cake!.” Local game song from Duren Children.” To the left of the text is a sketch of Terry and Claudia dancing in bee costumes. End ID.

Eastern Duren:

A local sweet called ‘Sweet-Hearts Seed Bomb’ is a simple but delicious treat comprised of a variety of edible seeds and nuts rolled into a pastry ball, coated in powered sugar, and baked! Durenians will make a batch and decorate a cornucopia-like basket to give to partners on the holiday, “Sweetness Day.”

Column 2:

Image ID: A sketch of Rayla’s bread being pinned to a tree by an arrow hovers over the text. End ID.

Wedding Traditions:

When a Durenian wishes to propose marriage they will spend anywhere from months to years growing out their hair to chop off and bundle in an offering to their partner. This practice is called the “Mane of Hair Exchange.” The longer the bundle of hair the more significance it carries. The hair is often worn as an accessory or displayed.

The weddings themselves tend to be modest in size and primarily hosted outdoors, many rural Durenians will even have their weddings in their backyard among their fields and flowers. Before the ceremony couples will first eat two spoonfuls of honey before having any wedding cake or food.

At the Ceremony a crown of thorns called “The Crowns of Abundance” is worn by the couple and as they exchanges vows they will place flowers and leaves into the crown softening the thorns and shielding the lovers. To prick one selves during the ceremony is not a sign of bad luck but rather a sign that through it all the couple will prevail. In the end guest will toss rise grains along the couples path.

A common wedding game is called “Pluck The Chick,” A Innena chicken with a blue ribbon is placed inside of a pen along with several other chickens. The game has the player wear a blindfold and enter the pen to try and find up the Blue Ribboned Chick based on instructions and shouts from onlookers. There is usually a prize at the end of this game.

Image ID: A sketch of a Innena Chicken with its wings puffed out and head raised up.

The family of the couple before the wedding both make a wedding gift called ‘Harvest’s Luck.’ It is a broom made of a variety of dried herds, flowers, fruit skins, and grass. The specific arrangement can mean several things: Fertility, Abundance Luck, Joy. These bundles are often put on display at the wedding and afterwards mounted in front of the house to grant protection.

Image ID: A colorful array of potatoes, fruits, flowers, and breads in baskets and buckets. End ID.

Page 5:

Column 1:

Evenere Courtship: Image ID: To the left of the text the black and green Evenerean Flag displaying a Dragonfly hangs off the margins. End ID.

The people of the South are the humblest of the human kingdoms when it comes to courtship, marriage, and overall festivities. It isn’t uncommon for members of a family to be unaware that their relative is even dating anyone up until marriage is being discussed with how private they tend to be.

As such romance in the swamp-lands is full of hushed sweet-nothings, soft fox kisses behind the arches of trees, and subtle gazes from across the small communities along the waters. Wood carving plays a deep role in the beginning and end of any Evenereans courtship, when an Evenerean wishes to court someone they carve the person’s favorite animal into a figurine. The type of wood used in this carving have their own significant meanings and these carvings are often decorated with paint.

Image ID: On both sides of the text two bottles of perfume frame the paragraph. End ID.

If the feeling is reciprocated the pair will being dating, the time being spent crafting oils, candles, and perfumes for each other as well and teaching their partners their on survival skills for swamp-life the two gaining knowledge, skill, and companionship with one another.

Image ID: A smaller text box is bordered by thin gold lines. Inside the box the text reads: “Do Evenreans even have weddings?” “What kind of Question is that?” Many Non-Evenerans have no idea what a Evenere wedding looks like and some even assume they have no ceremony. End ID.

Willow’s Blessing:

Evenere has a creation myth. It is said Willow was once a renounced carpenter, who spent their time aiding the people in their community; reinforcing boats, fixing shoes, building homes, and patching walkways. But one day a great flood took their community, homes that once stood proud had been swept away within an afternoon, boats rocked so terribly not even they could salvage it, and precious supplies needed for survival lost.

With the weight of the loss upon their back Willow ventured into the woods to harvest what they could but they knew the damage was far too great. To rebuild would be a heavy cost to the woods that sheltered them. Willow began to cry, at the base of an ancient tree. The tree hearing their cries and their plight offered them a choice, to join them and become part of the woods.

Column 2:

Willow wept, thick heavy tears of joy and the bog welcomed them, turning them into a vast groove of Weeping Willows so that their friends and family can rebuild. It is tradition to wed in the shade of A Weeping Willow, for Willow weeps happy tears for the couple and promises to shelter them and their families for years to come.

Wedding Traditions:

When a Eveneran wishes to propose they will take the wooden carving of the animal crafted in the beginning of their relationship and turn it into a set of wooden spoons called ‘Love Spoons’. This practice is not disrespectful in the slightest and is a grand gesture of love. Rather than the spoons being mounted or displayed Evenerans will use these spoons often if not everyday.

Image ID: A colored Lantern hangs off the margins, it is made out of wood, covered in vines and fireflies hover around the light. End ID.

Eveneran weddings tend to be small, private, events hosted at night as it is seen as a special time for the couple to be alone. Before the couple ventures to their chosen spot they will have dinner with the shared family called ‘Homecoming Night’. This dinner is small gathering of intimidate family and friends, unity candles are lit and they all partake in well wishes and blessings for the next time they met the pair will be married.

Once the dinner is over the couple will retreat to a spot they’ve set up earlier in the day. Typically underneath a willow tree where they’ve hung wind chimes and lanterns along the branches and cleared a spot for a fire. The pair wear a set of matching bell bracelets, light the fire and toss in oils, then dance together as they preform the Hum of The Dragonfly, a song comprised of only dragonfly-like humming their palms pressed against each other as they glide around the fire. It is seen as great fortune if the song draws Dragonflies to their ceremony.

After words the couples return home where family members out of respect have left small red boxes full of wedding gifts.

Image ID: A colorful sketch of a Lilac Willow Tree. End ID.

Page 6:

The Festival of Milda: Image ID: The text is frame by a thin golden box and mirror each other on both sides of the page is an ornate red heart covered in spiraling gold and more heart motifs. End ID.

Column 1:

The Silent Priestess.

Legend says long ago there was a wandering Priestess of Lady Justice named Milda, sworn to an oath of silence. As such Milda spent her days listening and observing the people around her. One day, on a several month long stay in Del Bar, Milda noticed a Leather-smith utterly enamored by a valiant warrior. For weeks she watched the Smith admire the Warrior, but never make a move.

One evening, when the Warrior road into Hinterpeak upon her horse, Milda hatched a plan. While the Warrior was busy resupplying in town Milda snuck to her horse, cutting a slit into the leather hobble strap of the saddle. When the Warrior attempted to mount her horse next the strap snapped.

The Warrior approached the Leather-smith in a huff, hoping for a simple fix. The Smith, although flustered, make quick skillful work. In awe of the Smith’s swift craftsmanship the Warrior begun to visit often and it wasn’t long till she begun to court the gentleman. By the eve of the following year the two had wed.

It is said Milda went on to successfully match make over 1000 couples in her lifetime with her mischief before peacefully passing away of old age the 2nd week of February.

Image ID: A sketch of a Priestess to Lady Justice stands with her arm slightly reached out, she wears a Litham and has a bored expression. End ID.

The priestess never married, uninterested in such affairs, but took pride in her work. Now she is honored as a symbol of Love and Mischief with a Festival held the 2nd week of February in her honor called ‘The Festival of Milda.’ Originally a Katolian Holiday, it has since spread throughout the Kingdoms.

Milda is most commonly represented with a Horse Skull, Ribbons, and Bells but festivities themselves vary region to region.

Katolis:

Katolis has the largest celebration, with a dedicated full week to the holiday where townsfolk and nobles-alike dress in white and take a silk golden ribbon that they will try to pin it to single friends and family without them noticing. The person then needs to keep the ribbon on that spot through out the week and find someone whose ribbon is in the same spot as them and share a dance at the Festival’s Square. It is common for pairs to conspire with each other to match-make friends.

But in recent times it has become more of a Festival celebrating all kinds of love with friends, family, and even couples partaking in event as a lighthearted game of sticking ribbons to loved ones. A carnival is held in the town where vendors, flowers, heart shaped pastries, games, and music fill the street.

Duren:

“Sweetness Day”- Being heavy suppliers for the Katolian Festival of Milda, they were the first to begin their own version of the Festival, theirs being a three-day event hosted in Eastern Duren.

This event however, focuses more on pastries and sweets! Braided-Bread shaped like a heart, chocolate rose bouquets, heart honeycombs, and Sweet-Hearts Seed Bombs. This atmosphere has caused many bakers throughout the land to visit in hopes of bringing home high quality ingredients and exchange trade secrets. Barius himself attends the festival.

Image ID: A gold box of sweets with a red ribbon lays slightly open. There are chocolate roses, a peanut butter cookie and a chocolate ball with white icing. End ID.

Del Bar:

“The Feast Of Lovers”- Young Del Barians will take a Pilgrimage up Hinterpeak to visit the Statue of The Goddess of Hunt. Superstition says if you leave offerings at the shrine she will bless you with luck. After the young Del Barians return, well after nightfall they attend the Feast.

The Feast of Lovers is a Musical Chairs-like event, when the music in the hall stops Del Barians scramble up from their seats and rush to a new spot to rotate the energy and meet more people.

Neolondia

“Gala of The Unwed”- Hosted in outskirts of Eboreus, Galas for of-age and unwed Neolandians are held all over.

The 2-day gala consist of elaborate costumes, bizarre fashion, and mask.

Here guest mingle in the comfort of their costumes, an added layer of mystery making the night all the more exciting. The Galas have even inspired many stories of a lovely masked woman who charmed a Duchess before fleeing, leaving behind her slipper as the only clue to find her again.

Evenere:

“Day of Love”- large boats carrying guest float out in the water on the boats songs play through the evening and the people dance in celebration of love. Couples arm in arm, children swinging with their parents, and friends tossing each other around. All are welcomed in this event so that love can warm their community.

Image ID: A sketch of Terry on a boat in a Gondala get up. He smiles widely as he rows. End ID.

Page 7

CREDITS

Image ID: A sketch of Esmeralda skall with her dragon parrot hangs to the left of the caption. To the right of the caption is a sketch of Soren elbowing Kasef with a playful smile. Kasef has his arms crossed. End ID.

Artist Credits: Hanna Hofer, Dorothy Yang, Hanna Hofer, Rebecca Blessing, Grace Kim, Josh Bangs, Alice Cho, Sara Landsdell, Koko Liem, Dafne Martinez, Rocky Chen, and Wonderstorm,

Image ID: The stone entrance to the Pentarchy. Each of the kingdoms flags fly on the top of the stone structure and two warriors are carved into the stone looking towards the opening. Inside of the opening the text reads: “This is purely a fan-work inspired by the works of 2025 Wonderstorm, Inc’s “The Dragon Prince” Series. End ID.

[ochrearia]

I dont know a lot about your other interests buuuuut maybe your favorite dragon prince character for the character ask thing, if you want? :]

Stares at you with the biggest eyes ever I'm picking RAYLA BECAUSE SHES SO FUCKING DUMB AND I HATE HER BUT NO I DON'T

Favorite Thing About Them: Can I be so damn honest. We share trauma. Like okay not like 1:1 but her parents """died""" when she was young and she had to deal with that. I had to deal with death early too. Not a family member but a friend and her entire family. And like. That's still rather traumatizing for an 8-9 year old kid especially because it was a fucking PLANE CRASH but yeah. Death trauma early on where the person dying had a really fucked up death. Rayla kind of runs away from her problems and so do I. Puts it all on herself and doesn't think that she matters at all so "doing the right thing" gets in the way of staying alive and she's fine with that but doesn't really clock that dying for the cause is going to traumatize someone else. But that's so like... me. I talk about seeing myself in Pico but Rayla steals the similarity contest from him easy. Also elf but like come on DSFDGF Rayla is to blame for my elfsona and my continuous use of pointed ears in my sonas ever since

Least Favorite Thing About Them: Girl you're an asshole. Like I'm sorry she can be a wonderful person but oh my god I am never forgiving her dumbass for doing what she did to Callum in Through The Moon. Dawg. Fucking idiot. I dislike liars man I already got trust issues but this BITCHHHHH she tells Callum they will go find Viren together and then she turns around and leaves in the middle of the night without him and only leaves him a NOTE to wake up to. On his BIRTHDAY BY THE FUCKING WAY ON HIS BIRTHDAY. ARE YOU DUMB??? ARE YOU DUMB. She's gone for 2 years. Girl what the fuck that's your boyfriend. Or you know was lol what is your issue. Like I know, you've got trauma and you believed that you were protecting him by going alone so he wasn't in danger but hoLY SHIT YOU DID SO MUCH MORE DAMAGE TO HIM THAT WAY. Christ. You would think that him jumping off the Storm Spire to catch you and save you from a splat death would tell you his damn dedication to you Rayla. Rayla. Look me in the eyes Rayla you cannot keep thinking in this mentality. I fully understand the idea that you think leaving someone would save them because I've considered that too but NO!!!! NO GET A GRIP OHUHUH I HATE YOU FOR DOING THAT RAYLA

Favorite Line: "Callum, you may be a dummy but you're not a fool!" ("Am I supposed to feel flattered about this?") Rayla is the reason "dummy" is in my vocabulary. Like dummy but in an affectionate way because that's the only context she uses it and it's always with Callum.

brOTP: Rayla and Soren <3 Rayla being the completely fucking done with this bitch adopted sister and Soren being his normal stupid himbo ass self. I love Soren ??? But like that's for another day to talk about

OTP: Rayllum, lmao, because I am in fact basic as fuck and am shipping the thing the show is handing to me. Honestly though pre-season 4 I was lowkey fucking with Claudia and Rayla in fandom context bc realistically they would. Never. Rayla would hate her ass. And its not elf-human racism because Claudia's dating Terry it's just Rayla would HATE HERRR

nOTP: Man I don't even wanna talk about it I've seen some weird shit but I genuinely think I have seen at least one instance of Viren x Rayla and absolutely the FUCK not. But I guess for one that's not just weird as fuck Soren x Rayla because they're not romantic to me in any context ever sorry to the people that do consider it though

Random Headcanon: Hitting this fucker with the bigender beam I do NOT care. She's bigender and uses she/he pronouns like me because I SAID SO

Unpopular Opinion: sighs... I'm no Callum guys. I think she deserved to suffer in the consequences of her actions more. 2 years with nothing but a note and a broken promise. Callum's stronger than me dude like I get it you love her and I like love but god that would break my trust for way longer. They never even really talked about it either. He just kinda forgave her after awhile. And yeah Rayla throughout the seasons shows that she knows it's on her but I THINK SHE DESERVED TO GET YELLED AT AT LEAST ONE TIME OKAY

Song I Associate With Them: Mama's Gun by Glass Animals and I am going to REFUSE to explain why because it's a years old thing and I'm not changing it. But just. Yeah that one

Favorite Picture Of Them: I could be mean and say the one where she's staring at the metal flowers in Ethari's pond and obviously about to cry but I won't. I'll be nice.

My current one methinks. She's pretty :] Shakes her by the shoulders I wanna loOK LIKE YOU

[imma-potatoo]

I love your writing so much???? Omggg it's absolutely amazing. Feel free to not accept the prompt, but how do you feel about hurt caretaker with Logan being the caretaker? (Bonus points if it happens right after the "Promises" fic you wrote)

Aww! Tysm for the compliment! (I am so so sorry it took so long-)

@badthingshappenbingo

Send me a prompt and a character! No romantic prinxeity, r*mr*m, U!Janus, U!Logan please!

Warnings: blood, U!Patton, U!Virgil, graphic abuse, ask to tag

Masterpost

Takes place after this fic

Tarnished Gold

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

Unlike Janus, who was sleeping peacefully against his chest, Logan didn’t relax. Thoughts of anger and betrayal flooded his head, Janus was just as much a part of him then Remus was to Roman. Janus was his other half, granted Janus was his romantic partner (not his brother, besides, any such actions with one’s sibling is unethical, wrong, and frankly disgusting) but Janus completed him.

Without the sarcastic liar by his side, he was empty, nothing, a void of empty logic.

Logan rubbed Janus’ back up and down, the shorter side clinging to him with a tight grip and small hiss like snores leaving his lips. Logan chuckled and brushed the curls away from his boyfriend’s eyes as he curled in tighter to him. Logan smiled. Logan never showed his smile openly, but no one was around to mock him or poke at sore spots.

Logan’s smile broke quickly though, what was he going to do about Virgil and Patton? There was no way he was going to let them get away with this… even if he promised Janus.

But for now, he was going to cuddle his boyfriend. Thinking of how he could tell Thomas of Morality and Anxiety's wrongdoings without his center accusing him of setting up the cyan and purple sides.

It was hours later before the yellow side loosed his grip and turned to face the door. Logan snuck out of the bed, keeping his steps light to not wake the sleeping side. Janus was bound to wake up any minute and was definitely going to be hungry, so he was going to the kitchen to make his lovely scaled boyfriend some ramen.

Logan stopped at the doorway and looked back towards the sleeping side, he took small steps back towards him, leaning down and pressing a small, barely noticeable, kiss to the yellow side's forehead, the skin was slightly cool to the touch. Logan raised a small grin as Janus poked his tongue out slightly through his lips and turned to the other side of the bed.

Logan shook his head with a huff of laughter and left the room.

The hallway was quiet, no music, no singing, no footsteps, other than the ones that belonged to the logical side. Logan felt the urge to keep his breaths slow and hushed, he continued down the hall nonetheless. Down the stairs, through the living room. The house was dead quiet. Logan could hear his heartbeat drum repeatedly, he could now understand the man in the Telltale Heart, this would drive him insane after a while as well.

Logan stepped into the kitchen, finding a note with green and red ink dried onto the paper, Logan picked it up, pushing his glasses up as he began to read.

EY NERDS!! Me and Roman went to go kill the dragon bitch again! There better be a dead body by the time we get back or else I’ll be very disappointed!! ~Remus

Don’t kill anyone ~Roman

 Logan huffed a small laugh before turning to dig out the pots, the Dragon-Witch had always been a returning foe for the twins, but then again… what the point of having a defender of a city, if there’s no-one to defend it from? So the twins created a huge ass dragon with a witch-hat, they were eight at the time which would make sense for the ridiculous name.

But a small part of Logan wondered if the twins went to the imagination so often to escape the torment of Patton and Virgil. The two of them disapproved whenever any of them stepped out of line, even if it was something minor. They had never physically harmed any of them-- until Janus, but the abuse was still very much present. Janus and Logan would typically only come back for meals and then leave to the house for the rest of the day.

But Patton and Virgil putting a side in danger? Logan had never expected that.

Adding water to the pot, Logan wondered what the Dragon-Witch did this time. Terrorize a town? Kidnap a prince? Well, it certainly made the mindscape quieter with everyone go- Logan stopped in his tracks, just before turning on the stove. He gritted his teeth and pulled a cold expression before sinking out.

“-did this to me! Janus is a horrible threat to everyone her-”

Logan rose up, eyebrows furrowed in frustration, anger, and confusion. “Really Patton? That’s not what it looked like while I was disinfecting a week’s old infection and a twisted ankle that was just as black as your morality.” Logic hissed through his teeth, he looked at Patton and Virgil with hateful eyes. Patton’s “terrible injury” was something that you could get by bumping into a table

Thomas watched as his three sides glared daggers into their chests, “Woah Woah Woah! Guys! What’s happening here?!” Before Patton and Virgil even got a chance to speak, Logan took charge and nabbed the speaking spot before anyone else could.

“What is happening Thomas, is that your Anxiety and your Morality are attempting to fool you into believing that Janus is the villain, while these two have been abusing sides and misusing power since we visited the courtroom.” Logan drew a small hushed breath, “ I will tolerate a lot of things, but my partner refusing to tell me when they are in pain because two idiots told him not to, is not one of them.” Logan barely had to repress his empathy as he glared at the other two, they barely even flinched at the cold glare from someone who used to be so close.

Virgil merely raised an eyebrow as he leaned against Thomas’s banister, the wood groaning and creaking in the process. Patton however had eyes full of crocodile tears. The light blue side was a surprisingly good actor when he wanted to be.

Thomas gaped his mouth open and closed, “Guys.. is that true?” eyes wide as he stared in shock.

Virgil sneered, arms cross against his chest. His gaze shifted towards Patton briefly. “No, the nerd is making things up to protect his boyfriend.” Virgil locked eyes with Logan, “why he would want to date a villain is beyond me.”

Logan’s mind lagged as he processed the words. He went to rebuttal when Patton let fake tears roll down his cheeks while nodding.

Thomas’s eyes widened, hands starting to comb through his hair as he started to pace back and forth in the living room, “... Logan?” 

Logan snapped back to attention, looking at his center’s surprisingly tear-filled eyes

“Summon Janus for us.”

The tension in the room increased tenfold, Patton and Virgil shot Logan a dirty look as the blue side smiled and agreed to Thomas’s demands.

Logan stepped aside to make room for the yellow side, prepared to catch him when he inevitably fell, and then raised his hand to summon his boyfriend.

Janus rose in his, now crumpled, outfit.  A sleepy haze still clouded his mind as his ankle gave out. Falling against Logan’s chest with a groan. His hat and capelet were missing, revealing a head full of messy curls. Clearly just awoken from his slumber.

Patton and Virgil exchanged a plan through looks, giving each other a small nod as Janus pulled himself upright. The yellow side leaned against Logan’s chest as he drew heavy breaths, small beads of sweat dripped down his face, his hands twisted tightly on Logan’s tie.

Logan rubbed Janus’ back, he wasn’t normally one of PDA but he didn’t overly care about that. He was comforting his boyfriend. “As you can see Thomas, I didn’t lie. Janus is very clearly injured and it is all to the fault of Patton and Virgil, who pushed him down the stairs.” Logan held himself higher, his voice clearing of all threats of breaking, “I am demanding that you deal with this issue immediately. Or else your Logic and Deceit will be leavi-” Logan choked on his own words when Virgil pulled him backward, causing Janus to collapse without Logan holding him up. Patton swooped in behind Virgil and held Janus’ wrists in an ironclad grip.

Patton and Virgil sank down with the couple, leaving Thomas standing there in shock, unable to process what had just happened.

Patton rose up first, throwing Janus to the floor as soon as they arrived back at the mind-palace, soft warm brown eyes were replaced by cold angry ones. Janus’ breath increased as he backed up, hitting the wall with a thunk and wide scared eyes. His pupils dilated as he pulled his body in. 

Patton kept his same blank expression as he stomped towards the cowering side, pulling Janus from the corner and pinning him to the ground, facedown with Patton sitting on his lower spine as Virgil rose up with Logan struggling in his grip.

“You need to listen and stop getting in our way.” Virgil growled lowly into Logan’s ear, the blue side barely held in a shudder as he locked eyes with his beloved. All Logan had to do was stay calm and not anger the twisted sides. Patton had his cheery smile plastered to his lips, although his eyes were apathetic. The cyan side grabbed Janus’ wrists and held them above his head, giggling when the side below him whimpered in pain but started to fight; to get Patton to loosen his grip

Logan continued his struggle in Virgil’s hold, looking at Janus with wide eyes as the purple side restricted his movement even more, “you can’t bend the entirety of Thomas’s mind to your will. That's not how it works. You, Virgil, should know this” Logan was buying time, he couldn’t summon either of the twins since they were in the imagination. A plan started to work like gears in a machine, twisting and turning in the side’s head. All he had to do was wait for Virgil to get distracted.

Virgil sneered, his lip twisting upward in a mocking fashion. “We can”t? Oh no! Whatever shall we do!?” Patton chuckled as he whispered something in Janus’ ear, watching as the shorter side paled slightly and started to struggle even more, “It’s not like you’re physically restraine-” Logan threw his entire weight against Virgil’s chest, hitting him in the nose with his head and pushed himself out of the side’s grip.

Virgil’s eyes started to water immediately from the hit as he went to hold his nose, he stumbled backward and hit the side of the staircase. A stream of blood starting to drip down and land on the wooden floor boards. Logan ran to Patton and hit him square in the temple, a thunk was heard as Patton fell off of Janus and held his head, hissing in pain.

Logan pulled Janus upward, being quick as he grabbed his boyfriend’s hand. The floors let out loud cracks and creaks as two sets of feet hit the ground. They got a headstart as Virgil recovered quickly, starting to chase after the couple.

Janus had tears leaking down his face from the pain. His ankle could barely hold his own weight, let alone run. But he kept pace with Logan anyway, knowing that if either of them were caught it would surely spell serious injury for them.

The duo could hear the fast steps of Virgil behind them, breaths heavy as they turned the corner. They had one goal in mind. The imagination.

At least that was where they were heading, until Janus could feel his ankle start to collapse. “L-Lo, you have to go on without me.” The yellow side stopped and braced himself against the wall. Breaths heavy. Virgil was maybe five minutes away from them.

Logan walked hesitantly up to Janus, both sets of eyes filled to the brim of fear. “I’m not leaving without you-”

“You have to” Janus moved his gaze to the ground. Keeping his heterochromic eyes trained to the withered wood.

Logan steeled his expression, “No! I promised you a long time ago that I’m never going to leave you! And that promise applies now!” four minutes until Virgil caught up.

Janus sank to the ground, resting his head against the cool plaster. He couldn’t make himself meet Logan’s eyes. Janus shook his head, “Starlight…” Janus gulped, his Addam’s apple bobbing, “you and I know that if they get us both, we are never going to be free again. If they only get me, then-” Janus took a breath, repressing more tears. “Then we have a chance. And a chance is all we could hope for.” three minuites

Logan didn’t know when he started crying, words refused to comply with the blue side as he shook his head. His hair was a mess, hands scraped and slightly stained with red, glasses covered in sweat and filth. “I love you.” Logan spoke hushly, “I love you Janus. I love your smile, I love your scales, I love the way you make coffee, I love how you curl into my chest at night, I love how you drag me away from my work at three am to go to sleep with you, I love how you steal my NASA shirts, I love how when I’m gone; you put on one of my ties and read my favourite novel, I love how you can charm a room with nothing but a grin and a subtle wink. I love you.” Logan sobbed into Janus’ chest, clenching his wrinkled shirt with desperation as tears fell and stained the fabric. Two minutes

Janus let the tears flow freely down his cheeks, clenching to Logan as if he would dematerialize from his fingertips. “I love you too, Logan.” Janus’ scales glistened under the tears, he didn’t want to let the blue side go. But sooner than they would’ve wanted, Janus pulled Logan’s face from his chest and gave him a bitter, tear-filled, hopeful smile. Janus leaned forward and pressed a chaste kiss to the side’s lips, there was passion behind it but there wasn’t time to continue it.

The duo broke apart, Janus traced Logan’s temple with his fingernail, “Go.”

It broke Logan’s heart to stand up. He gave one last tearful gaze to Janus before continuing his flight. If he stayed longer, he never would’ve left. Thick globs of tears fell from the side’s eyes as he got further and further from his love, hiccups escaping his lips from the tears. The time was up.

Logan could hear Janus’ pleas from down the hallway, his heart ached as he heard Janus scream in agony.

But he continued running. He ran until he got to the red and green swirled door to the imagination. He barely looked through the door as he threw it open, slamming it shut behind him.

Even after he made it through the door, he still ran. He ran until his lungs ached for a break and his feet bled. Logan stopped against a tree, falling to the ground.

And Logan cried. He cried lung racking tears, covered in dirt and blood, Logan sobbed, glasses fogging.

A long time ago, Logan made a promise to a yellow side.

And he had just broken it.

[xlehukax]

Start of Something - A Single Snare (Pt. 7)

-Writing a little series on here as a warm up! In accordance to @orangelegs‘s Hogwarts AU! Updates won’t be on a set time, but they’ll come eventually-

Oh, here I am! And not super late! How peculiar! Sorry to Logicality shippers- Logan is... well, you’ll have to read. Sorry in particular to @patton-cake! But also- Remus warning. He is Remus, and writing him makes me laugh and cringe all at once. What a beautiful character. 

Meanwhile, Roman is out of his gear and preparing to leave the pitch. Out of the corner of his eye, he notices a certain bespectacled commentator. 

Logan, that’s Logan, right? The one Patton told me about, Virgil’s friend, Patton’s crush, yadda yadda yadda. 

I hope that’s Logan, or else this is going to be idiotic. 

“Hey, Loganberry! Come over here!” Roman calls out. The other players of the Gryffindor team smirk and twitter about, wondering what the star chaser wants with the nerd. Roman silences them with a hand. “I’m going to walk and talk with Specs over there, alright? Don’t do anything stupid now,” 

“Can’t promise it, soon to be captain,” one girl purrs. She’s been flirting with him for the better part of a year now, but Roman will never give her the time of day. There’s no attraction, none whatsoever on his side, and why would he get into a loveless relationship like that? He’s waiting for true love, something that makes his heart sing and stomach flutter. Love at first sight, right?

“Aww, you flatter me. Some of you know the way to my heart, hmm? Either way, see you,” Roman casts them a sultry wink, and then waves for Logan to follow him. Logan adjusts his glasses suspiciously but obliges.  

“Roman. What do you need?” Logan gets straight to the point. Roman smiles wide. 

“Do I need to want something from you to talk to you?” 

“Usually, yes,” Logan answers astutely. Roman blanches. It’s true: they always want something from him, whether test help or pointers, never to actually talk. 

“Poor chap! I wish only to speak with you about your friend, Virgil. He’s tutoring me you know, and I heard that you two were close, so I was wondering-” 

“If you could learn about him by pestering me,” Logan sighs. 

“Uh, yeah?” 

“My response is no. Apologies,” Logan shoots him an indescribable look and continues his brisk pace across the field. Roman dashes forwards to catch up. 

“But why? Is he hiding something? Is there something I should know? Why are you not telling me?” 

“Because I respect Virgil’s privacy. He can tell you when he wishes,” 

“Oh. Well. Hmm,” Roman ponders. He makes a good point. “That’s fair enough, I presume. You’re a good friend to Virgil,” 

“You think so?” Logan squints, looking towards the castle longingly. There’s something in that sidelong glance that Roman can’t place. Something about it that makes Roman sad, that reminds him of being younger and desperate for love. It’s disheartening to try and understand, so he stops. 

“Yeah, totally,” Roman says, casting him a thumbs up. Out of nowhere, a large green putrid cloud appears. Roman groans: Logan looks incredibly befuddled as he coughs with the gross stench that fills the air. Manic laughter from inside the cloud only confirms Roman’s suspicions.

“Remus, what in the good name of Dumbledore are you doing?” Roman demands, unsheathing his wand to point it at Remus as he approaches from the cloud of Dungbomb smoke. 

“Making an entrance, what else?” Remus cackles. Roman rolls his eyes, putting his body slightly in front of Logan to protect him from Remus’s unpredictable antics. 

“Does it have to be so-” 

“Stinky??” Remus shrilly cuts in. 

“No, I was going to say so untimely. I’m trying to have a conversation with Logan, I have no time for your oddities,” Roman waves him away. Remus pouts.

“You never have time for me anymore, bro bro! Don’t you love me??” Roman coos, pressing up his own cheeks in a nutty way that Roman rolls his eyes at and Logan looks at curiously. 

“Who are you?” he questions, blatant and robotic. Remus turns his attention to Logan. Logan has no clue what’s going through his head: he presumes it’s either dirty or violent. 

“The name’s Remus Prince, at your service, nerd,” Remus extends a hand to shake with a goofy smile. Logan’s about to take his hand when Roman slaps it out of the way. 

“There is no way you’re genuinely going to shake his hand,” Roman hisses. Logan sighs, already knowing that this is going to be difficult. 

“Uh, yes way, dick-suck,” Remus sticks his tongue out. 

“Bitch, please, the last time you did anything genuine to anyone besides Janus you were too young to understand what the word genuine meant. And even then, you never wash your fucking hands!” Roman scoffs. 

“I’m sorry, do either of you have any sort of need for me or can I go to Transfiguration homework now?” Logan adjusts his glasses, perpetually tired. 

Both twins chorus in with a chirpy “Yes!”. 

Then, “Why do you need to talk to him?” 

Logan feels odd: is this emotion what being wanted feels like? Roman glares at Remus, Remus smiles a wicked sharp-tooth smile at Roman. 

“Both of you, state what you need. In an orderly fashion, please,” Logan instructs. 

“You already know,” Roman sighs dramatically, still giving his twin a side eye, “I came to you to ask about Virgil.” Logan’s eyes narrow. 

“What about Virgil?” 

“His motivations? Passions? Hobbies? Anything, really. All I know really is that he enjoys making fun of me, watches my games, and wicked smart. Oh, and that he’s friends with both you and Patton but not Janus and Remus. Besides that, nothing!” That is a lot more than nothing, Logan thinks to himself drily. 

“Falsehood. And once more, perhaps engaging in a conversational interaction with Virgil will provide more enriching than pressing me for information,” 

“But-“ 

“Next,” Logan adjusts his glasses. Roman huffs indignantly. 

“Oh, oh, that’s me! Hiya! I wanna ask about Virgil too!!” Remus squeals. Logan blinks. Why is Virgil so popular these days? Because of Roman and Patton?

Is he going to forget about me? All these people fawning over him...

No, no, don’t be ridiculous. 

“What do you want with Virgil? The both of you, answer honestly. I do not appreciate liars.” 

“I’m asking because he’s sooooo cute!!!” Remus’s voice is too shrill, too much for Logan. He winces. Roman gapes at Remus. 

“Whaaat? You and… dark and stormy? No, you don’t even know him!!” Roman accuses. Remus bats his eyes at Roman. 

“I think I know more than you do anyway- I know he’s gay, and I know he’s adorable and don’t you just want to eat him up? I could gnaw on those fingers for weeks on end, oh yes Daddy-” 

“How- what- Remus-“ 

“I have never seen you and Virgil together, much less heard him talk of you!” Logan glares. Remus shrugs, smiles maniacally once more. He’s insane, Logan thinks. A complete madman. 

“Just because you can’t see me doesn’t mean I’m not there~” he sing-songs. Roman gags. 

“You’ve been stalking Virgil??” Roman accuses. Logan goes white: So creepy. 

Remus grins widely. 

“Oh gods, Remus, the poor stormcloud- you worsen his anxiety, you know that?” Roman reprimands, protecting Virgil and his security. Logan’s eyes widen, and he looks to Roman. 

“You know about Virgil’s heightened anxiety?” he asks. Logan, before now, had thought he was the only one trusted with that information. He thought he was special. But this reminds him, starkly, that he is not the object of Virgil’s affections. That he is ‘just a friend’. It is infuriating, and stifling. If Virgil could only see that Logan had been there for him all along- 

“Yes, of course. He told me today. A good thing too, I’ll be more careful when I serenade him as payment for tutoring!” Roman booms a laugh. Remus mimics him mockingly, to which Roman casts a glare. 

“No, no, no, you best not, Roman,” Logan’s words come out of his mouth before he can bite them back. Surely, if Roman starts singing to Virgil, he will fall deeper in love and-  Roman and Remus both look at him confusedly. 

“Whyever not?” 

“He… he won’t like it,” Logan feels a bit idiotic with the lacklaster explaination. He’s sure that if he was given more time he would do better but- Roman isn’t exactly the fastest broom in the locker when it comes to intelligence. 

“Why not, Logie?” Remus purrs, inching closer to Logan, who grips the strap of his bag worriedly. “Virgil would looooove it if Roman sang, right?” Roman pulls back Remus from harassing Logan. Remus giggles at Logan’s blush. 

How in the world does this boy who looks like he just crawled out of a trash bin know that Virgil likes Roman? Who told him—

It comes to him instantly: Patton. Patton probably told Remus, because if he’s friends with Janus he’ll probably be close with Remus. Anger flares in Logan’s chest: how could he betray Virgil’s hard won trust like that?? 

No, think logically now. Separate emotions from thinking. Remus mentioned that he has followed Virgil around in the past, so perhaps he overheard our conversations? 

Besides, Patton would never do that. He is... kind. 

“Hey, don’t listen to my imbecile brother, dear Logan. He’s talking out of his ass,” Roman assures Logan. 

“I wish,” Remus snorts. Roman whacks him above the head, to which Remus yelps. 

“Why can’t you be normal? I told mom and dad we should just leave you in a ditch with the other wild animals but nooo, he’s your brother, you have to watch out for him at Hogwarts and make sure he comes home for holidays and summers- honestly, ridiculous. I don’t know why I try: You’re going to fail out any day now anyway,” Roman bemoans. Logan is still deliberating on the mole who knows of Virgil’s budding romance, and coming up only more confused. 

Remus giggles, “I can’t help it if salamander blood and dragon liver is a delicious combination.” 

“Ugh, gross! Now I know why the potions professor is terrified of you! How are you not dead?!” Roman exasperates, looking to Logan for backup. Instead of assistance, he only gets Logan’s intense scrutiny from behind glasses. 

“Are you aware of who Virgil fancies?” He asks sternly. Roman does a double take, dropping his brother, who scurries away like a rat after release, cackling all the while. He’s far away before Roman has a chance to ensnare him once more. Logan blanches, realizing his mistake. 

I am the one that has betrayed Virgil’s trust. I just… I just let it slip that Virgil has a crush. Only a fool wouldn’t realize that it was Roman I speak of, only a blind fool-

“Oh my stars, really? How incredible!” Roman gushes, face flushed with excitement. Logan frowns. 

“You do not find it off putting?” 

“No! Rather, I’m flattered that you’re reaching out to me! I’d love to help Virgil,” 

“You… you would?” 

“Oh, definitely! What are we thinking? A song? A dance? Ooh, flowers?”  

“Excuse me, what are you talking about?” Logan asks, confused all too much. 

“The method of confession to his crush, but of course! I’m quite fond of romantics myself, though I get all clammy when it’s directed towards me. They don’t know me, you know? They only see my outwards appearance and attitude, not the real stuff. I want true love and a prince/princess worth fighting wars for. Like Helen of Troy, or like Sleeping Beauty,” Roman laughs. Logan internally thanks science that Roman is so unprecedentedly unintelligent. 

And then… the thought appears to him, clear as day. Roman would tell him what sort of romance he likes, to get closer to Logan and learn more secretively about Virgil, and in turn Logan can share the knowledge with Virgil. Virgil would be ecstatic… but it would mean that Logan would lose any chance he has by his own hand. That would be illogical, wouldn’t it? 

Instead… What if he gives the wrong information to Virgil? It would mean purposefully masterminding the termination of any budding love but it would surely be in both of their benefits, wouldn’t it? 

Seeing how Roman lacks any true perceptive ability, he could never truly care for Virgil’s many anxieties and triggers. He wouldn’t be able to tell like Logan. He can easily assure himself that he is better for Virgil, whether the object of his affections realizes that or not. 

That’s it. He’ll extract the information from Roman, and give it misleadingly for Virgil to clip this in the bud. He’ll simply share safe things about Virgil, like his favorite things or passions, in exchange for that valuable knowledge. Though a bit complicated, Logan is sure that his plan is foolproof. And… Logan is certainly no fool. 

“Roman,” Logan starts, adjusting his glasses nonchalantly. Roman smiles at him. 

“Yes, dearest nerd?”

“As it appears that you are in fact going to be in close relations with Virgil in the near future. Perhaps it would be for both our benefits to relate to you all things Virgil. And in turn, you can tell me about yourself. For example… your romantic interests?” 

“Ooh, are you hitting on me? I’m flattered-“ 

“Merely an example, I would not sink to your level,” Logan rolls his eyes. Roman scoffs in disbelief. He is clearly not used to hearing that. 

“Ouch, how rude, but otherwise sounds fun! I’m looking forward to getting to know the acclaimed angst-adhered anxiety-stricken stormcloud better,” Roman looks… excited? It is worrying, surely, for Logan’s selfish ideals but he pays it no mind. 

This is merely the first step amongst many in a grand plan. He is simply placing the first pawns to capture the king. With a wave to Roman and a promise to send an owl, he heads to his evening study date with the king himself: lovely Virgil. 

Taglist (Ask to be added if you’d like!):

@justabsbutler @shaded14space @patton-cake @mycatshuman

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[sentimental-bottlesnake]

I’ll edit links for previous chapters later but you know how Tumblr feelse about links but they’re all in the zs tag

Set in a fantasy world of the semi socialist society Fey Alliance with magic, dick head dragon riders, benevolent necromancers, and even bigger dick head gods of mischief. The Zealous Servant is the story about a guy named Spayar who, has to keep his crown prince of a bff from being murdered by his entire family by murdering them first. Though Spayar just wants to take a nap and find a cute boy to kiss and not have to worry about his corpse potentially being dragged through the street after a war. Better win that shit then.

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@deadpool-scar-bro @starry-ampelope @golden-lionsnake @massdestructionn @frxemriss

Finally y’all get to meet Diylan, the last pretty major character of the story. He doesn’t have a super lot to do right now but in future things he is SUPER important. Also he’s basically the boy version of Tassa: a real slut and I fucking love him

It was pouring out. Not exactly surprising. Spayar had his rain coat hanging on the back of a chair just outside the family shrine. In the Alliance most Feylon went to temples to pray. Spayar was the first born of immigrants and hadn't been raised the same way. He knew the process of going to a temple and leaving offerings for all the gods, like he'd taken his siblings to yesterday but it wasn't how he worshipped, not how he'd been taught by his parents.

In Dirin everyone had a patron god that chose them at a young age. Sometimes in a dream or in an event in their life. While free worship of the other gods awas encouraged most Dirinians primarily worshipped only their patron god. They kept shrines to their gods in their homes. He had older aunties and uncles from Dirin who had their gods tattood or branded onto their bodies as a form of constant worship. 

The family shrine had six statues, one for each of the children, and one for their parents, in an elaborate alcove his father had added onto the house when Spayar was small, when Calli was but an infant and Spayar was just starting to really talk. He'd built it around the same time they both stopped talking in Dirnine exclusively around him so he'd learn Feylian better and without their accent. The shrine was a gilt table covered in Dirin motifs: palms, hyenas, crocodile, and great sand dunes that cupped the western part of the country. A sphinx sat with raised wings in the backdrop. The statues of the gods were arranged by size with the largest being Spayar's and his parents and then his siblings’ being smaller.

Relora’s goddess had one eye in the middle of her forehead and was shrouded in veils that concealed most of her body. Her name was Dehvonokoz, she was a seer, a counterpart to the Feylon Belldha. Spayar Sr.’s statue belonged to the god Enko, the god of fire and willfulness. He leaned against a long spear, balanced on one leg, the other foot resting on the calf of the standing one. Enko had no true feylon counterpart but seemed to be a male version of Galaia.

On one side were Anora and Duren’s personal gods. Duren’s was the Feylon god Maldrin, god of makers and a bit of a trickster. He had a wide, grinning, mouth, and balanced a knife on the tip of his finger. Anora’s statue was to the Feylon goddess Pacia, goddess of mercy and was always depicted as a young woman wearing full plate armor. To the other side where Calli and Spayar’s gods. Unlike their siblings Calli and Spayar had Dirin gods, as they were more Dirinnan than their little siblings. Their parents had decided it was better this way. Calli’s statue was of the goddess Nuvokon, goddess of wells and springs and held a jug that poured ever flowing water onto a parched earth. She also had no true Feylon counterpart but Calli hardly ever prayed to her either.

Then there was Spayar’s. Densinn, or as his mother called him: Sevok, the lying crocodile. No matter what pantheon he resided in Densinn always looked the same: an iconography that spanned the continent. He was a young man with a charming smile, mouth sewn shut, hands cut off at the wrist and wrapped in golden fleece. Densinn was not a god most people wanted to associate with. He was a trickster godmwho would lead you down a path you didn't want to go down if you weren't careful. Spayar had dreamed about him when he was a boy. A haggard man with eyes like fire, bloody stumps for hands, still trying to open his mouth despite the stitches. 

Densinn was not a benevolent god but appeared in many stories of the gods especially around the brothers Lemp and Anceion as one of the first gods they wove into being along with Can'dhe, Perunez, Galaia and Tipal. Densinn was the god of language and had been the first one to utter a word and whisper it into a human's ear. He'd taught humans to speak, write, and create sign language. He had a gold and poison tongue that spoke truth as often as it spoke lies. He'd been the first thing to lie as much as the first to sing and orate. Once he'd been a powerful god like the other first borns but earned his fathers’ ire because of his lies and tales, and his promises to teach dogs and fish to talk like he had their precious humans. So the brothers had ripped out his tongue, sewn his mouth shut and chopped off his hands so he could never speak again.

Mostly under protest Spayar worshipped Densinn and called him that out of spite. He might have a personal god like a Dirinnan but he wasn't and knew he wasn't going to give Densinn the satisfaction of using his Dirnnan name. He also didn't pray often but he'd been meaning to lately, especially after what had happened to him lately. Talking like a man possessed. Like a man unafraid of death.

“You did that when I saw Teldin, didn't you?” he asked the statue. “And with Pale Cross. You're going to get me killed at this rate.” Densinn was a liar but great at saying whatever he needed to get the job done. “I’m not a use to you dead.”

The statue was unmoving. Spayar sighed and looked up at the ceiling in annoyance. “You’re not even listening are you?” he huffed softly. He'd seen the statue move once or twice as a boy. He'd told his mother and she just said his god was watching him, which with a god like Densinn was not always a good thing.

Spayar went to his rain coat and grabbed his coin purse. He found a golden atrin and brought it back to the painted wooden statue. He made a slight face as he bent the atrin and pulled it with his mattallurgist magic. Elemental magic wasn't a weave or a spell, it was just an extension of being and Spayar was not very good at it. The trick back at King’s Casket where he'd pulled Pale Cross’ knife out of his belt had been a fluke and a lucky one at that. Even he'd been surprised it had worked. Not cutting himself hadn't been, but his ability was limited. He fiddled with the soft metal, shaping it in his hands before he got it to look approximately like how he wanted. It was a pair of roughly made golden hands. He added a spike to the end and lifted the little statue to pin them into the wrists. He put the statue back down.

“Don’t ignore me, Densinn,” he said seriously. “I’ve seen your shrine on Swan Island; I'm your only worshipper. Don't ignore me.”

“Spayar, mazuk, the cabbie is outside,” his mother called from the door.

“Coming!” he called back. “Don’t let me die, Densinn. You need me,” and he went to grab his rain coat. As he pulled it on he glanced back at the statue. He wasn't sure if he was happy or sad the statue was different. Densinn was winking at him. “Great,” he muttered and grabbed his hat from the chair seat and went out to meet the cabbie who was standing at the doorway with an umbrella ready for him.

—

The sand the wyrm landed on was warm even though Spayar’s boots which he was grateful for. He was cold! After the all day flight up north on wyrm back at high altitudes he was close to shivering despite purposefully layering up like he was going to Surassa for the winter. Being a fire warlock Von had been a blessing as he was able to keep them warm for a while but even he had difficulty with the high cold winds. No wonder flighters wore such thick jackets and pants all the time.

The sun was just starting to set when they arrived and were given over to a man who gave them a room and meals and said the Wyrm Lord would be alerted they'd arrived but were free to do as they pleased.

The room they'd been given was a shared room which Spayar did not like. He hadn't slept in the same room as Von since he'd hit puberty and wasn't looking forward to starting now. Von was just busy stuffing his face. They'd stopped once briefly for lunch but normally postal flighters even ate their meals awing if going across the country. Spayar couldn't say he was particularly hungry. The height and motions of the great wyrm had made food the last thing on his mind.

“Are we just going to see him tonight?” Spayar asked, picking at the steamed fish seasoned with more lemon than Spayar knew was possible. 

“Yes. We aren't staying long,” Von said. “Teldin has the cooperation of the White Foot so there is nothing north or west of use to me.”

“The Norths,” Spayar said.

“I think they've had their share of war for a few more generations,” was all Von said. Spayar didn't disagree. “I want to get in and out of here.”

Soayar finally ate some of the fish. It was good, very sharp, which he wasn't expecting. “This isn't about the Wyrm Lord is it?”

“It is.”

“You just want bully him into giving your Diylan,” Spayar said, seeing through him.

“Okay maaaybe I am,” Von said with a slight grin. “But he has no alligence to my family other than that my mother is Asuras. There's no Conflicy yet so he hasn't picked a side.”

“That you know of.”

“Well are you not sharing information, Spayar?” Von gave him an annoyed look.

“No. I haven't heard anything either.”

“Exactly. Which is why I'm here now before my siblings show up. Once they learn I have the Rosalia they will try for the Drake just because the Drake hate them and want to fight them.”

“Which is stupid,” Spayar said blandly.

“Yes,” Von agreed. “Now are you done? You know how Diylan is. The sooner we see him the better we'll find him in his room.”

Spayar ate four more bites, which was about as much as he could stomach. “Okay, let's go.” He made sure to take off his coat before following Von. 

The Wyrd was an old, mostly dormant, volcano. Most of the mountain was in some way hollow and the central cone was a great shaft that ran up through the entire mountain to the sky. When they left the tunnel it was just barely still light out and Spayar glanced up, the circle of sky was starting to turn indigo as night approached. At the bottom of the cone was a large grounds filled with hot sand, warmed from underground to help keep the Wyrd warm even at this altitude. A ring had been cut around the bottom of the cone for foot traffic and two long, spiraling, staircases ran up the entire length of the cone in opposite directions with damaged landings at regular intervals. Down on the first floor the walls were covered in mosaics of orange groves and the sky, the ground paved in circular designs. Spayar had to admit, though there were no real buildings in the Wyrd the place was still beautiful and covered in the wealth of the Drake.

"So, Diylan?" Von asked as they stood for a moment under the cut overhang of the central cone, both trying not to gape at the magnitude of the Wyrd and failing a bit. "Which staircase is he again?"

"The red one I believe," Spayar said. The staircases had the front facing side of each step painted red or blue and where they  overlapped was purple. "Two curves up?"

"Why don't you just stop acting like you don't know exactly where he is?" Von grumbled, Spayar grinned, "You're completely insufferable."

"Come along my princeling," Spayar chuckled and started for the red stairs. At each landing there were huge grooves cut into the rock and Spayar knew they weren't there for decorative purposes. Climbing stairs sucked even for Von, who lived five floors up, so it was just much easier to get your wyrm to fly up to your landing, grab on, and climb off, than to have to walk up the stairs to your landing.

They were both out of breath and Spayar's legs were sore when they reached the proper landing. No matter how in shape you were stairs were still rough, especially with how many they'd just climbed. "Show off," Von grumbled as across from them on the blue staircase a wyrm landed on the wall, great claws digging into the wall, and their rider sliding off and onto the landing without incident. They then opened a portal and the wyrm crawled in and was gone.

Spayar chuckled, "C'mon, we're almost there," and he went into the tunnel on the landing. Here the lights were magical in nature, growing brighter as people neared them. They walked down the hallway, along the curve of the mountain, to a door. Spayar knocked. No answer. Spayar knocked again, louder this time. Von gave him a look and Spayar traced a new weave into the door to check to make sure he was at least in there were magic, just giving a brief courtesy inspection of the room and yes, Diylan was indeed in there.

"Well?" Von asked.

"He's in," Spayar banged his fist on the door. "Diylan, open up, I know you're in there," he yelled.

There was a moment and then the door opened. "Who the hell is- oh... you two," Diylan wasn't wearing a shirt and barely wearing any pants, which were holding onto his hips for dear life.

"Did we interrupt?" Von asked though with the air of someone who really didn't care.

Diylan gave Von a look, "Yes actually, you are," he said irritably. "But the royal family doesn't care if they bother the common people do they?" Diylan was the only one of their friends who gave Von the same amount of shit Spayar did. Diylan wasn't afraid of Von like most of their friends were, even if they didn't realize they were. 

"Nope," Von said, "We require you now and they can wait."

Diylan gave Von a look, "You know when people normally tell me that sort of stuff they're usually promising me more than a hard time. Unless you're up for that," and Von rolled his eyes even as the tips of his peaked ears turned pink. "Didn't think so," Diylan looked at Spayar, "What about you junior?" he asked.

"I'm far too good for you Diylan," Spayar said. Not that Diylan wasn't nice to look at without a shirt on. Diylan was hot, tall and huge with pale white skin, green eyes with gray scleras, short, messy copper hair with a silver streak along one side and more freckles than you could count. Too bad he was a bit of a man whore and even for Spayar that was too much.

Diylan leaned against his door frame, Von now completely forgotten. "That so?" he asked, his green eyes gleamed with challenge. "And who's to say that, hmm? Too good to lower yourself to some flighter?"

"More I don't like easy men," Spayar said.

Diylan smirked, "I can be hard for you Spayar-

"You two," Von interrupted, mortified as he realized what his friends were doing. "Can you not?"

"Awww? What's wrong Gard? Don't like me encroaching on your territory?" Diylan asked.

Von actually flushed a little, "I don't need to watch you two flirt," he said irritably. Spayar rolled his eyes a little.

"Ah... seems your lord doesn't like the idea of you having any fun, junior," Diylan said.

"Oh lay off Diylan. He's only sixteen and still a boy.” He and Diylan laughed. "Okay that's enough fun at our prince's expense," Spayar said.

"Yeah yeah, come in, I'll get dressed," Diylan moved out of the way and they went in, Von trying to control himself better but it was nice for Spayar to see Von actually get flustered. It also made him glad Von seemed so against Spayar getting with Diylan. There was a small sitting room in the front and half a wall between it and the bedroom. "Get up love, got more pressing things to attend."

"What? But we were-

"I'm quite aware what we were," Diylan interrupted her, "But I have important guests. So get dressed a see yourself out," and Diylan was pulling on clothes. Spayar and Von sat while he was talking.

A minute later a woman came out from behind the half wall, dressed, and glared at the both of them. She wasn't really pretty but had huge breasts. Diylan was way too predictable. She left the room in a huff, slamming the door after her. "You sure know how to pick 'em Diylan," Spayar called.

"She's not my wife, so why should I care?" he called back and Spayar heard leather moving against itself.

"She could have been," Von said, drumming his fingers on the arm of the chair.

Diylan came out from his bedroom, "Please. I might be easy but I know how to keep myself sonless if at all possible."

Von looked him up and down, "Quite a thing that. A flighter who doesn't want a son. You sure you're a Drake?" he asked.

"Children are horrendous little monsters. I'll gladly save myself the trouble of ever having one," Diylan made a face and finished buckling his thigh length flak jacket before falling into the remaining chair gracelessly. "So, what do you two want? You didn't come all the way from Assarus for a personal call. If you had I would have gotten a letter demanding I come to the capital," and Von smiled a little. At the very least Von didn't make friends with idiots, say what you wanted about their habits in bed.

"One is I need to speak to the Wyrm Lord-

"Good luck with that."

"It's important."

"Yeah, what about?" Diylan said and picked at his nails. "Jollen doesn't make idle chatter with princelings."

Von scowled at him, "A Conflict is coming. I am trying to get ahead of it," Von said.

Diylan stopped picking his nails and turned to Von. He put his elbows on his knees, face serious. "Come again, Gard?" Diylan said.

"I know you're not a fool, Diylan. I'm sure you've heard an inkling of a Conflict," Von said, "Teldin and Tallalsala and Dellin are also making preparations. Forces are being mustered. If I wasn't here one of them would be. Unless they have been?"

"No," Diylan said, "None of your siblings have come to the Wyrd."

"Good. Then I need to speak with Jollen."

"About what?"

"A mutually benefitting alliance for us," Von said.

Diylan leaned back in his chair, looking huge and menacing with his flak jacket and steely grey eyes save for the circles of pale green. Diylan was not a skilled fighter, instead his skills were in desk work, which he gladly did. Diylan was one of the apprentices of the Overseer and a potential successor. A man who obeyed only the Wyrm Lord they knew everything about everything in the Wyrd. As a junior overseer that meant Diylan knew more about everything than a normal flighter. "What did you plan?"

"I'll discuss that with Jollen-

"You will tell me," Diylan said. "The Wyrm Lord only meets with people who have been cleared by the overseers. Prince or not you are still a man."

Von scowled, "I want his assistance in my coup. For his cooperation I'm prepared to make all sorts of promises for when I'm Asuras."

Diylan looked at Von, then Spayar. "You know about this?" he asked Spayar. Spayar nodded. "Who else is on your side?"

"Galinsum, the Shade, praetor X'vazior and his army, as well as a smattering of lower lords."

Diylan appraised Spayar, "That's all?"

"So far," Spayar didn't mention the Rosalia. No need to start an argument.

"You're lying about someone," Diylan said, narrowing his eyes a bit, "You're a good liar Spayar I'll give you that but I'm supposed to tell the good liars from the bad ones. Who else have you gotten?"

Spayar thought quickly, who the hell could he say instead of the Rosalia? If the Drake knew Von was already friends with Helida not only would they not agree to joining with them but they might also get thrown out. "Lord Addling," Von said, and Spayar didn't look at him until Diylan did.

"Why would you omit Lord Addling?" Diylan asked.

"It's not official," Von said. "He has agreed to nothing, so we aren't counting his number, but we want him."

Diylan looked contemplative, steepling his fingers, and looked at Spayar again, Spayar made his face unreadable. "I'll get you a meeting with Jollen," he said.

"Thank you," Von said.

"Don't thank me yet. Jollen likes your mother. He might not take kindly to your proposition."

"How's your crop this year?" Von asked.

Diylan blinked slowly and looked suspicious, "Why do you want to know?"

"You know my mother isn't going to help you," Von said. "Trade is still regulated to the normal limits on importation across our borders. Your oranges looked lackluster this year. I've heard from other cities that their harvests are so bad they'll have to ration it this winter if they want get food imported in the quantity they need. My mother needs to die, the sooner, the better, for the entire Alliance. If I don't do it my siblings will. We won't let our people starve because of our mother."

Diylan gave him a look, "... You have a point," he conceded. "Was that all you came to the Wyrd for?" he asked.

"Haven't seen you in a year or so," Spayar put in.

"Well, two years on you," Diylan said to Spayar.

"I was serving time."

"And you didn't even write. How rude," and Spayar laughed.

"I wasn't going to waste ink on you," Spayar said.

"That hurts junior."

"Hurts what? That icy thing in your chest you call a heart?"

"I'll have you know my heart is the only thing that is icy," Diylan gave him a look.

"Ahg! Stooop," Von cried and covered his eyes. "Anceion's gaze above, please stop flirting," he said miserably.

Spayar and Diylan laughed, "I think your little princeling needs a taste of what its like," Diylan said.

"What? What what's like?" Von demanded.

"He's really rather stupid sometimes isn't he?" Diylan asked Spayar.

"He’s still got his virtue what do you expect?” he teased Von a bit.

“Spayar!” Von cried, a flush high in his cheeks.

"What?" Spayar asked him, grinning, sometimes it was too much fun to have a laugh at Von's expense, especially with Diylan around. It was, effectively, like having two of them around and while sometimes Diylan annoyed the hell out of Spayar they were very alike and both of them knew how to poke Von without actually pissing him off. Von frowned deeply at him.

"And what I meant was," Diylan continued, having the decency to at least not laugh, "that Spayar has to suffer through all your flirting, I don't see why you can't suffer through his," Spayar gave Diylan a dark look for that. Spayar wasn't sure if most people were just stupid or obvious but of their friends Diylan was one of the only ones who really noticed Spayar had a thing for their prince. It would be just less painful for everyone if Von didn't know though since he'd make it weird and awkward. "Unless, you know," Diylan quirked his head at Von, "you're some sort of homophobe."

Spayar barely reacted fast enough to grab Von's arm when he lurched out of his seat. Diylan jerked back, pressing into the back of chair when Von stood up and looked ready to strike him across the face. "I can take a lot Diylan," Von said, voice hard "But don't ever insult me like that again," and he tugged his arm out of Spayar's grip. "Now go get me that meeting with Jollen," he ordered. Diylan swallowed a little, looked over at Spayar and then got out of his seat. He'd never seen Diylan slink in his life, but Diylan positively slithered out of the room, just to get away from Von.

"Von-

"Can you believe him?" Von cried once Diylan was gone and turned to Spayar. "Accuse me of being that. You're my best friend," his voice quieted quickly after his initial outburst. Spayar just looked up at him, honestly he didn't know what to think himself. Diylan had been pretty out of hand there. "And I don't care who the hell you, or anyone takes to their bed. But by the gods there is nothing worse than watching Diylan flirt because he's a slimy creep when he does it."

Spayar grinned a little, "I'll agree with you on that," he said.

“That's the part I forgot with him,” he sighed. “He's better not doing that.” Von looked contemplative for a moment, "You-" he paused, hesitant. "Would you? With him?" he asked awkwardly.

"Uh..." Spayar said, "No, he's not really my type.”

Von deflated a little, "Okay," and he sat down abruptly.

"You alright Von?" Spayar asked him.

Von looked at him, "I just... don't think you should sell yourself short. You're too good for him."

Spayar laughed a little, "Von, the last thing you need to be worried about is my love life-

"Well I do! Sometimes," he hunched a little, "I just want you to find someone who makes you happy," and Spayar was so stunned he couldn't speak. "You don't really... like anyone and sometimes I get concerned."

"Neither do you," he pointed out.

"I'm a prince," Von said, "and... too young right now to think about that," he swallowed. "No one wants to be with a prince.” Everyone attached to princes or princess were usually cast aside after the coups, the ones who didn't die fighting for their prince or princess usually never dealt with politics again, or went near the capitals. It was better, because they would never bend to another Asuras . Some of them went to a temple of Lemp in their grief and shame to be brought to the Shadow Lands. "You could still be something without me," Von said.

"No," Spayar said, "I couldn't. Because if you go to the Shadowed Lands I'd be in front of you. Because to get to you, they'd have to get through me first," Spayar said in a hard tone. He wasn't fooling around. Whoever wanted to kill Von would have to kill him first, because he wouldn't let any harm come to him so long as he drew breath.

Von sighed, "Thanks," he said quietly, not smiling but looking at Spayar gratefully. 

—

When the Wyrm Lord agreed to see them Spayar was cautious. Of course he was. It was no secret that Jollen liked Virilia, and at least thought her competent, or perhaps more he thought her benefitting. He was waiting for them in his office but didn't stand when Von entered. He had one of the few views in the entire Wyrd with his office having an open air window to the volcano cone.

"Your highness," Jollen said when Von stood before his desk. There were no chairs, everyone who came here was expected to stand.

"Wyrm Lord, I trust your fairing well-

"I didn't agree to a meeting of pleasantries, boy," Jollen said harshly. "I am a busy man with a busy house and many things to do. Get to what you want and then you may be on your way."

Von swallowed, he hadn't been expecting Jollen to be so harsh. The man was like a wolf, his hair a shimmering silver with black shot through it and his eyes ice blue inside black scleras. Every feature on him was sharp and lean and he didn't have a scrap of fat on him. Sitting down he didn't look too big but like most flighters Jollen not only reached six foot, he exceeded it by far. "I'm sure you can hazard a guess why I'm here," Von said.

"The same reason Dellin wanted to speak with me."

"Dellin's here?"

"No. But he tried to speak with me regardless. Then he insulted me and made me very upset."

What was with the Le'Acard children and pissing off noble houses lately? Spayar didn't understand. They should know better, but it seemed like all they were doing was misstepping. He hoped Von didn't misstep. Spayar also wasn't sure Jollen wasn't lying. Diylan said no other princes had come through here. Unless it was earlier. Or maybe Diylan didn't know. "I'm not my brother," Von said.

"Well I certainly hope so," Jollen said, leaning back in his chair and folding his fingers together.

"Do you like my mother, Jollen?"

"She has her uses," Jollen said.

 "And what are those?"

Jollen smiled a small, wolf, smile, "That would be between me and the Asuras, your highness."

"I want your help Jollen," Von said, "You're not stupid, I would never accuse you of that. You know why I'm here and what I want from you."

"The Drake are not interested," Jollen said.

"I can offer you things Jollen," Von said.

"And what when you die, little princeling?" he asked. "I was a boy when your mother took the throne and I saw what siding with the wrong side did to my father, to my house. My father sided with her brother-

"Who should have been Asuras and you know it," Von said.

"Of course he should have,” it came out as a snarl. “Only the weak take the leftovers. But your mother is Asuras now. I like your mother, because she is weak. The Drake offer nothing in these schemes. We want, nothing."

Von bit his lips, he sucked his teeth a moment in thought and then said, "Not even be on the same field as the Rosalia?" he asked.

"What do those bitches in the west have anything to do with it?" Jollen growled.

"Helida is on my side," Von said. "She doesn't back the weak either. When I win she'll have played a valuable role in helping me claim my throne. Do you want to be cut out by them?" he asked.

Jollen's eyes narrowed, "Tell that slut of Lemp to go to do us all a favor and kill herself,” Jollen said.

"I'll be sure to. And maybe when she retaliates against such slander I'll just... look the other way," he turned his head a bit like he was thoughtlessly averting his eyes.

"Are you threatening me, boy?" Jollen asked.

"Of course not, Jollen," Von said. "But when I am Asuras it will be Helida with me. I've never known a Drake to let a necromancer get one up on them," he said and Spayar didn't look at Von, though he wanted to. Von was out of his mind right now. He'd just threatened Jollen, one of the most powerful men in the Alliance. And he was baiting the man. Not even Densinn’s influence would have made Spayar say something so wreckless. Right? He was starting to regret asking Densinn to pay attention to him. Jollen wouldn't hurt Von but Spayar was a commoner despite his position as d'aelar and easy pickings for a Governor. "You've been rough on the Rosalia since my mother decided she liked you better than them. I doubt Helida has forgotten, or that she'll be kind in her retaliation."

"You'd threaten me with civil war?" Jollen said.

"Unlike you, Jollen, my accenion is not given to me in the Book of Bloods. I don't plan on dying," Von said cooly, "I am not my siblings. I am Vondugard Le'Acard and let me tell you; I live up to my name," now Jollen swallowed. The hero of old, Vondugard, had been Archon and personally led every battle of the Asuras that had claimed most of the eastern provinces. He'd been relentless, ferocious and showed no mercy to his enemies. Most eastern provinces, like Dodorum where the Wyrd resided, had many tales of Vondugard both good and had. "You are either with me, Jollen, or you are against me. Which is it so I know if I need to keep wasting my time in this tiny province out in the middle of nowhere. If so, when I'm Asuras you can stay here and rot for all I care. So what is it Jollen?"

Jollen stared angrily at Von, "If I join you I want assurances," Jollen said.

"Name them."

"We'll think about them," Jollen said. "When the time comes you'll have your answer. In the meantime I want you out of my Wyrd."

"Fine. I want one of your flighters to accompany me home," Von said, Jollen's eyes narrowed.

"Fine I'll assign-

"I want Diylan Rastin," Von said, "a junior overseer, you won't miss him."

Jollen's mouth went thin. "Fine," he said through grit teeth. "He will be ordered to stay out of the affairs of the Le'Acard," though Spayar knew Jollen saw what Von was giving him. With Diylan with them he'd have a constant eye and ear on Von to report his doings, and Von would gain a protection of a flighter. Diylan wasn't a good fighter, but most people didn't know that, all they'd see was a flighter, a warrior mounted on wyrm-back, standing at Von's back. "Take him and get out of my Wyrd."

"We'll be in touch Jollen, I'm sure," Von bowed a little to him. Spayar was caught off guard enough do that as well. Then Von turned on his heel and walked out. Spayar took one last glance at Jollen and then followed after his prince.

"Have you lost your mind?" Spayar hissed once they were outside Jollen's office and headed for the offices of the Overseer.

"I got what I wanted," Von said dismissively. "I don't care if Jollen does or doesn't back me," Spayar grabbed Von's arm.

"Excuse me?" he asked, turning Von to him. He lowered his voice, "You don't care?"

"I wanted Diylan, that was all. And I wanted Jollen to know that he'd better start picking sides. The Drake can't afford to be bipartisan," Von said quietly.

"And you thought the best way to do that would be to piss him off?" Spayar rubbed his forehead.

"He told me everything I needed to know, and got me Diylan. Everything went exactly as planned," Von said, pleased with himself and started to walk towards the Overseer office.

"Yeah, plan you didn't tell me," Spayar said, watching him go but didn't follow.

Von stopped and turned back to Spayar, "I don't tell you everything Spayar. Just like you don't tell me everything."

"Not about this," Spayar hissed. "This is our lives. You tell me everything." Von was being unreasonable and just now he'd used Spayar as nothing more than a show of force. Jollen knew Spayar was d'aelar and despite saying nothing that entire time him just standing behind Von said enough. Spayar had never felt so used. Von was his friend but in that moment all he felt like was a prince’s primary vassal. He didn't like it at all.

Von looked at Spayar, "I do what I have to." Spayar glared after Von as he continued towards the Overseers offices. "Come along Spayar, we need to tell Diylan the good news." The words from his mouth didn't even sound like his friend. Either he was just barely keeping it together or instead of Spayar Densinn had indeed decided the best way to pay attention to Spayar was through Von. Neither option was pleasant and it didn't make him feel better either.

Spayar grit his teeth and followed after Von because he was too good a friend to keep this up. And what else could he do? Nothing.  "And what's that?"

"That he gets to go to Assarus, and," he added this with a devious look, "he gets to go to my sister's naming day," he grinned a little. "If we're lucky he'll get into her bed and give her some vinerial disease-

"Von please, have some class," Spayar sighed. "She's more likely to give him one," and Von had to cover his mouth so he didn't laugh too loudly.

[graveyard-in-the-void]

---- Giants ----

(Was dared to put up some more of my writing, the stuff I wouldn’t consider all that good- so I picked this one. But I mean, who wouldn’t like to read about two kids slaying a giant?)

When things went wrong, they often sat out here, on the playground. Henry climbed on everything that wasn't meant to be climbed on, seemingly having a grand old time, but wordlessly waiting for the other person to unload their worries. As nothing happened, except his friend sadly letting his feet dangle from the swing, Henry jumped fearlessly from the edge of the metal construct and bounced beside him, giving him a bright smile, before trying to look more serious again. "So... those things..." Vaguely he gestured at his friend's body. "... those were from your dad, huh?" Scooting closer, he tried to get a look at the damage, but the other boy hid it, uncomfortable. Wordlessly he nodded, a clump in his throat. He couldn't take it anymore, he had to tell someone. A bit surprised Henry reached out, hesitant at first, but then clumsily petting over his arm. "That's... no good. That's not what a dad is supposed to do. No, the man who does this to you can’t be your dad." Convinced he nodded to himself. "Dads don't hurt their kids... and if he isn't your dad... then he must be something else!" Confused the other boy looked at him, uneasy. But the thought of the horrid person maybe NOT being the dad he knew and was supposed to love, it was... "... i-if he's not my dad, then... what is he...?" Again Henry smiled, as if he just had a genius idea. "So- you said your dad is big... and screams a lot... and is always very angry... and he stinks and falls asleep at random places..." Tipping his nose, his smile widened a little more. "You know what that sounds like...? That sounds like a giant." "A- a giant?" Quiet and confused the question came back. "A giant!" Excited Henry repeated. "A giant, evil fae creature, which hates humans- especially children! They always scream and are very stinky, spending most of their time in their giant houses that they guard fiercely! They are ruthless and feel nothing, all they do is eat and drink and gather treasures that they won't let anyone else have." Malcolm swallowed a little, his body shaking. "... sounds like him..." "That's okay! We can deal with him!" Motivated Henry took his hands, his smile and eyes almost glowing, despite being usually so dark. "Because I know the giant’s weakness! When does he usually sleep?” Oh, he felt so clever. So brave. “We must strike then!" Helplessly, the response came slowly. "It's- it's usually in... early- before noon..." "I will meet you tomorrow!" The Pink Boy stepped closer, cuddling into him. "No longer shall he have his reign of terror! Wait for me outside." Said and done. The next morning the two boys met. The friend looked pale and sickly, looking around terrified. When he saw Henry he waved half-heartedly, leaning closer to whisper to him. "... he is inside... he fell asleep already..." "Perfect." Talking at a normal volume, Henry made his friend flinch and wildly turn back, as though he feared his father would hear and come stomping out of the door. Nonsense. Henry smiled. "... you won't have to be scared ever again. We'll banish the giant back where he belongs! I promise." Finally Henry drew a small smile out of the other one. "... that would be nice. You... you really know how to make him stop?" "Yes." Confident Henry responded. "I am an expert on stuff like that! I was a dragon once, remember? I had to deal with those before and ALWAYS won!" Malcolm's heart sank a little, but he tried to keep his trust up. "... okay." Together they sneaked in. The curtains were closed; it was weirdly dark in the rooms... especially compared to the sunny day outside. It was oddly cold too. A cave, deserving of a monster like that. They sneaked past the kitchen, a slightly foul smell came from there, as Henry recognized something similar to dirty dishes laying in the sink. Then they spotted his rough shape on the couch. Deformed, slowly moving as it breathed in and out. Yes, yes, Henry knew what to do. Bit by bit he creeped up, Malcolm shuddering, but following up behind. He hadn’t promised too much, this monster smelled worse than the kitchen they had just passed. Now Henry was whispering quietly as well. “That certainly is a giant… hairy and disgusting.” His friend didn’t answer, instead he turned away to look everywhere else. It hurt him to see this. “No worries. I have the cure.” Finally Henry put down the small bag he had carried around, and began rummaging in it. “Giants are very resilient- nothing gets them down permanently if you attack them head-on. However…” He seemed to have found what he was looking for. “… if you get to one certain spot…” He looked up at the face of the being that was resting. Something in its face twitched, its eyelids fluttered for a moment. “… they never get up again!” In one swift move, Henry had taken out a large kitchen knife and rammed it right into its neck, the body under him spazzing out for a second before going limp, falling off the couch. Henry laughed. Then did it again. For good measure. “Look, LOOK!” The Pink Boy cried out. “We did it! Look at us!” Throwing the knife away, he took his friend’s hands and danced around with him, the other too shocked, downright paralyzed, to actually react to anything. “He’s gone! And he won’t ever come back again! We’re FREE! WE’VE SLAIN THE GIANT!” Something in his friend cracked. He wasn’t sure if he should laugh or cry. He couldn’t even comprehend what just happened. The man was really gone now. Henry continued, feeling utterly accomplished. “WE CAN BE AS LOUD AS WE WANT TO BE NOW!” Seeing that his friend seemingly still hadn’t grasped the severity of the situation, he pulled him closer to shake him gently. “And NOBODY will hurt you anymore! Ever! We’re heroes!” Yes. It was over. “But I haven’t even told you the best part!” Calmer he added, smiling wildly. When he had the other one’s attention, he put a finger in front of his lips and dragged him along, looking around. “Everyone knows giants always guard treasures beyond people’s wildest dreams. Let’s search for it!” The other kid wanted to argue, but couldn’t. So instead he quietly walked along, pretending to help, looking through cupboards and drawers that he knew to be empty. Up and down the house they went, but nothing. Much to Henry’s confusion. Returning to the living room, he picked up the knife and cleaned the blood off, before throwing it back into his bag. Malcolm sat in the kitchen, still seemingly unsure of what to feel, until Henry stepped closer, holding up some bandages and an ice pack. “… you still haven’t taken care of your wounds that the giant did to you, have you?” Together they carefully patch him up and made sure every wound was cleaned, not at the risk of infection. That was dangerous, Henry said. He read about that once and it hurts a LOT. Afterwards Henry opened the curtains and let the sun shine on his happy face. For a moment he enjoyed the warmth, but then slowly a thought seeped into his mind. “You know what, Malcolm? I think the reason there is no treasure here…” Slyly grinning he turned to other guy. “… is because YOU are the treasure!” Not allowing the other one to even voice his surprise, the pink kid turned and moved towards him, pointing his finger at him. “… makes a lot of sense too! Giants also steal very special people like princesses and princes. People that have hearts of gold and are really nice…” “That’s- that’s not me-“ “Well, the giant seems to have thought differently. And I do too.” Having backed him into a corner, all he could see was Henry’s weird look and unnerving smile. “… which means… since I’ve slain the giant… I GET TO KEEP YOU!” Lunging at him, he threw the other one over, now sitting on top of him, laughing happily. “I got myself a prince! I will take good care of you! We will be together forever and we’ll have lots and lots of adventures! You and me.” Why did this sound so terrifying? Gently Henry held his hand as he looked down at him. “You’ll see. From now on, we’ll only have good times. I can promise you that!” And he would hold his promise. He made sure that they didn’t get in trouble. After all, nobody except them knew he was a giant. Thankfully, he was an exceptional liar.

[exileseverafter]

The Exiles Ever After: Chapter One

This is the story of a giant baker down on his luck and kicked out of his home, a would-be Prince Charming with a pet bear, a curious scientist princess and a good-hearted liar in a world that’s a bit like our fairy tales, but also very much not. It also features toads, wolves, cakes, violent plants, commerce, trauma, and an uplifted moth. 

New chapters crossposted Tuesdays and Wednesdays. If you like it, please RT.

For Ezra’s 18th birthday, he treated himself to fresh pecan rolls and listened to a flute concert in the village square. For his 19th birthday he was exiled.

Likely nobody realized the significance of the day he was sentenced to gather as many of his belongings as could fit on his back, climb onto the back of a saddled roc and let the roc driver carry him away from the Cloud Island of Mielle. No one was that intentionally cruel. Even the judge seemed to sympathize even as she ignored his pleas and protests. The elderly lawyer arguing on his behalf had set a bony hand on his shoulder and sighed, shaking his wig-clad head. “It’s just how people are, Mr. Kettle. This sort of thing doesn’t happen here. People need someone to blame.” Ezra was prone to travel sickness and promised himself he would not mingle it with spite as the enormous, red-feathered bird sailed through the atmosphere. He would rise above this. It was nothing but a setback, one of many the brilliant and misunderstood were likely to face in their lives. The more he reflected on how gracious it was of him to forgive the angry citizens in the jury, the better he felt about himself. Anything was a comfort in a time like this, when the cold, thin air stung his face and left him shivering in his too-light coat. “Didn’t bring a parka with you, laddie?” The roc driver was far too jovial and friendly to have ended up in the position she had, Ezra thought. Sammie, as the woman called herself, wore the heavy leathers and hooded mask of one used to braving the chilly winds; only her eyes were visible. She had a rather deep and throaty laugh. “Lucky for you the spring’s coming down there. Wouldn’t want you to freeze.” “Wouldn’t want me to freeze, would they? No, they’re just content to let me rot.” Ezra imagined he had nothing to lose by talking with this woman; he certainly couldn’t make a break for it on the back of a bird soaring over a valley. “S’not so bad! Not so bad at all. I’ve driven exiles in far worse states than you’re in, and they always make it. Usually, anyway. Weather’s a bit harsh, what with the rains. Oh, and you’ll have to get your land legs; that’ll take a bit. And plants take much longer to grow. And then there’s the humans…” “I know! I know. Thank you, ma’am. I did my research on the Center of the Universe in the time I had.” It was, Ezra thought, kind of them to give him a few days to prepare before he was banished. Considering the charges, he knew they didn’t even have to offer him that. Perhaps the judge was more merciful than she revealed. “My husband’s brother had a friend whose grandfather traveled to the Center of the Universe. Willingly! Old Kentammenon just hopped off onto a mountain peak and made his way down from there. Drank from the streams and ate the creatures he could catch.” Ezra blew on his hands to warm them better than his gloves were doing, and looked back up at the driver. “Did he? Was he a humanologist?” “Nay, he was up to his ears in debts!” Sammie laughed again, steering the roc into a sharper turn than Ezra cared for. “Read about diamond mines in the Center and thought he could make his fortune that way. Funny thing about diamond mines; dragons love ‘em. One bit his hand right off.” Ezra paled, covering his mouth. “Was that meant to be encouraging, ma’am?!” “You didn’t let me finish, laddie! He knocked that dragon upside the head and took it down with one blow. The little human folk were so impressed, one of ‘em gave him a job with a traveling show. Kent made his fortune that way, and he didn’t have the sense The Sun gave a baby buzzard.” Sammie looked over her shoulder briefly, and he thought he saw her wink. “With all those books, I’d guess you to be a scholar. Am I right, laddie?” Ezra tugged the pack of books, jars and cooking pots tighter over his shoulder, even if it strained his back. “I’m a cook, actually.” “Then those are recipes?!” “They’re family heirlooms. The recipes, I mean.” Ezra now felt rather foolish having brought them instead of more important necessities, but he couldn’t abide leaving his pride behind with what was left of his family home. “It’s a way to make a living.” The pilot just shrugged. “Long as the humans know you don’t want to cook any of them. They get strange ideas in their heads about we Sky Folk. Comes from living so far from the sun. Makes the body puny and the brain odd.” She tapped the side of her head, and then whistled. “Alright, girl! We’re almost there, so time to bring her in!” The descent was far too quick for Ezra’s stomach; he barely realized what had happened until the bird reared back and landed in a cluster of great tall fir trees that towered far over his head and brought to mind thick hair brushes. They were standing at the bottom of a rocky cliff covered with lichens and green moss. Ezra wondered at first if Sammie had stopped here in order to let the bird rest and drink from a stream, but she looked expectantly at him over her shoulder. “Well, laddie? This is it!” “This…what? What do you mean, this is it?” “The Center of the Universe. We’re standing on it. It’s quite big, you know! A huge marble covered with things. You need help getting that down? Noticed you’re a little on the short side…” Ezra shook his head, dumbfounded. “No, I can get down just fine.” Despite his reassurances, he had to take a few false steps and then more tumbled than dismounted from the roc. His bag followed after, spilling cookbooks and pots all over the too-hard, too-damp surface of the forest. He scrambled to recover his belongings and save them from the mud before he continued, gesturing all around him. “I know it’s the Center of the Universe! I read about it, remember? So I know this is a forest. But I was told I’d be sent to somewhere I could make a living. Like a town, perhaps.” “A town? Full of humans? Can’t believe you’d take that kind of chance after what happened when you trusted one of them.” The memory stung, and Ezra sucked in a breath. Sammie continued, oblivious, as she dismounted the roc and landed with far more grace. “Doesn’t help that some of the Folk down here feel the need to throw their weight around and give us a bad name. You know what sorts get exiled and all. No offense meant to present company,” she added while ignoring Ezra’s glower. “Word of advice, stay away from the wee humans. They won’t trust you and you’d best not return the favor. Cook for yourself from what you can hunt and forage. Maybe sell some cakes to the local witches in exchange for charms and chicken eggs. They’re not afraid of anyone.” The last of the line of Kettle, chefs who shaped custards out of lightning and soups littered with stardust, and he was to spend the rest of his life in oblivion in the woods eating nettle stew because of some overgrown beanstalk. “Where am I to live, then?” he asked, no longer attempting to hide the defeat in his voice. “I was told I’d be given a place to live.” “And thankful you should be for that! Usually they just send you on your way with your belongings and let you do as you will. But I suppose you’re not yet two decades old so they had some mercy. You’re to live right there.” Sammie pointed to a path through the crooked trees. The canopy of the forest dimmed the sunlight even at high noon; what escaped fell upon a dilapidated, one-floor cabin with a tiled roof staying on apparently through willpower alone. The tiny shapes of birds nested in the windowsills, and an overgrown mess that might once have been a garden crowded around a stone well. “…Oh.” Ezra wondered if he shouldn’t be thankful it wasn’t a cave. “This used to belong to a fellow by the name of Chulainn the Great. Bit of a cranky sort as he got older, and the humans started calling him a wicked giant. Get used to hearing that, by the way. Humans think they’re normal-sized. Anyway, it’s got furniture and a stove; ought to serve you just fine, though I’d get it fixed up some before winter. Suppose you could find yourself another place if you wanted. The Center of the Universe is your prison, not that house. Well! I suppose this is goodbye…” Sammie moved to slap Ezra on the back, but then seemed to notice the way he was staring at the lonely little cottage. Her eyes creased in sympathy, and she gave him a pat on the shoulder instead. “You’re younger than my daughter. I think it is unfair what they did decide for you, laddie. But…” “It’s for the best, I know. Public good. People feel safer when there’s someone to blame.” Ezra sighed and started walking towards the cottage. “Thank you for the transport, ma’am.” “You’ll be fine. The young always thrive better. Just…do be careful who you open your door to, won’t you?” He looked over his shoulder with a rueful smile. “Oh, no worries. I intend to be very careful about that from now on.”

(Author’s note: If you’re enjoying, please RT! You can find the full story linked on the main tumblr page if you don’t want to wait for the Tumblr posts.

[ask-the-phan-site]

Phan Cam: Flaming Hearts

>Magix’s Mementos. Just me, Fox, Oracle, Sky, and Bloom came here. We came because a student of Alfea was being abused by her Red Fountain boyfriend.

That sounds like Clarista. She’s a student in the class we teach. She has been showing up lately covered in bruises and bandages. I try suggesting that she see the nurse or learn a few healing spells, but she said that everything’s fine and that she just ‘fell’. As if I haven’t heard that one before.

It sounds like her boyfriend is definitely mistreating her.

He has. Brian is Clarista’s boyfriend. It turns out he agrees with my father about refusing female students. However, Clarista’s in the other party. Brian says he’s just teaching her a lesson about being unfaithful to him. What a total liar! He’s hurting her.

We won’t let him get away with this. Oracle, where’s his Shadow?

I already got him. He should be right over there.

>We arrive at the entrance where Brian’s Shadow is.

Joker: You know I still feel bad we left everyone behind.

Oracle: Queen, Noir, and Crow have a lot of studying to do, Skull has idol practice, and Panther and Mona are at a photo shoot.

Sky: Wait, then who’s running the cafe?

Joker: I’ve got some people on it...

Even though one of them already has her hands full with grading papers.

Oracle: We’ll just have to hope things go smoothly there.

Fox: We will. Now, let’s get moving.

>We enter the portal and find ourselves face to face with Brian’s Shadow.

Shadow Brian: Why won’t she do as I tell her? I’ve given her everything she ever wanted and this is how she thanks me? What a pathetic fool.

Bloom: She’s just trying to do good for everyone in the Magic Dimension. Any real boyfriend would be supportive of his girlfriends choices.

Shadow Brian: Sure you would take her side. This was your idea. Heh, might as well be letting a witch become queen.

Sky: (angry) You take that back, you jerk!

Shadow Brian: You may be a king, but make me.

>With that, the Shadow changes shape.

Oracle: Persona!

>Necronomicon scans the Unicorn.

Oracle: Go it! He’s weak to Curse skills.

Joker: I’m not it.

Sky: Same here.

Joker and Sky: Persona!

>Sky summons Darkness Elemental.

Oracle: You best stay out of this fight, Fox. He can block Ice attacks.

Fox: This could be a problem.

Bloom: Then I’ll fight. I’ve been watching Panther’s Persona, Carmen, use her Fire skills and I think I can recreate them.

Sky: That’s great. Can’t wait to see what you’ve got. We’ll be counting on you, Bloom.

Bloom: I’ll be counting on you, too, Sky. You too, Joker.

Then let’s do it!

>We begin. First, Arsene uses Sukunda which lowers his agility. Then, Darkness Elemental uses Eiga. It knocks him down. We don’t do an All-Out-Attack this time, instead, Darkness Elemental uses Giant Slice. Bloom uses a spell similar Agilao. Unicorn gets back up and uses Kouga on Sky. It knocks him down. Unicorn then uses Assault Dive on the downed Sky. Arsene uses Cleave on Unicorn. Sky get’s back up and has Darkness Elemental use Eiga again. It knocks Unicorn down.

Sky: Alright, let’s do this!

>After the attack, Unicorn was still up, but slightly weaker. Bloom uses Agilao. It leaves a Burn effect. Unicorn uses Hamaon on Bloom. Luckily, a Homunculus takes the hit. The Burn takes its toll. Arsene uses Eiga. Unicorn gets knocked down again.

Joker: Now, let’s take our shot!

>After the attack, Unicorn was still up, but now getting more weaker.

Fox: My gun is ready, Joker. We can do this.

Joker: Then let’s get to it!

>After this attack, Unicorn was now really weak.

Sky: Looks like we’re almost done. Keep going!

>Darkness Elemental uses Megaton Raid.

Bloom: Now to finish this! Flaming Attack!

>Bloom shoots her spell and Unicorn is defeated, returning to his human form.

Shadow Brian: That really hurt. I guess this is how Clarista feels.

Bloom: You better it is. Clarista is falling behind on her classes because you keep abusing her. She even considered using magic on you, but she didn’t because she respects you... So why can’t you respect her in return?

Shadow Brian: I... I see what you mean. I’ll apologize to her. I’ll even get on my knees and beg. I just hope she understands how sorry I am and won’t do it again. I promise.

Sky: You better, man, or we’re going to find you.

>With that, the Shadow returns to his true self and I take his Treasure. It was an old Phantoblade.

Joker: I think Crow might like this actually. After we fix it up, of course.

Sky: I’m sure Timmy and Techna can deal with that.

Joker: Thanks.

>We left the area as Oracle checked her phone.

Oracle: It looks like there’s another one. Two witches from Cloud Tower came out as a couple, but one of their mothers is all hissy about it. She’s thinking of taking her daughter out of school for good and if her lover tries to look for her or talk to her, the mother will turn her into a rabbit. The poor girls are devastated.

Fox: We can do that. We know a thing or two about relationships like that.

Indeed we do.

Hmm.

Oracle: Let’s see. The mother’s name is Charlotte. She should be on the same floor as we are now.

Joker: Alright, let’s go.

>We begin making our way to where Charlotte’s Shadow is.

Bloom: Anyway, thanks again for letting me come along on this. I never thought such a place could be here on Magix.

Oracle: A lot of places have people who have distorted hearts. You just can’t tell who’s who.

Bloom: Actually, I can. Normally, I could use my Believix power, but it’s a lot more complicated than that. If someone’s heart is too dark, it’s going to have a hard time working. I hope that coming here would help me find a way to use that power on people with hearts like that.

Sky: But I’m sure you can do that anyway, Bloom. You’re more powerful than you think.

Bloom: That’s sweet of you, Sky. Thanks.

>The two look lovingly into their eyes.

Get a room already!

Joker: Come on, Oracle. Surely you can’t wait to find the one for you... I’ve always thought you and Crow were something.

Oracle: Only because he still owes me.

Sky: What do you mean?

Joker: ... It’s a long story.

Fox: Anyway, let us be off.

>We searched the floor until we finally found our target.

Shadow Charlotte: How could she betray her mother like this? I won’t let my daughter marry such a low class idiot. Particularly another girl. I expected her to use her magic on one of those princes at Red Fountain like a true student of Cloud Tower should. It would have been easy what with everything that’s going on.

Fox: You don’t have the power to control who her heart chooses. You daughter loves that girl, as any good mother, you should be happy for that.

Shadow Charlotte: You know nothing of how witches work. You are but a fool... Then again, I can sense your looks under that mask. Perhaps you would be interested in my daughter.

I beg your pardon!?

Shadow Charlotte: Ooo, touchy. Fine. I’ll cast my love spell on you, no sweat.

>With that, the Shadow changes her shape.

>Necronomicon scans the Shadow.

Oracle: Scan complete. She’s weak to Electricity and Bless skills.

Joker: I think I can handle the Electricity. Sky, think you can do Bless?

Sky: I won’t disappoint.

Oracle: Sorry, Bloom. But Rangda can block Fire.

Bloom: Don’t worry, I’ll help when I have to. Just like Fox did.

Fox: She’s right.

Oracle: Alright. Fox, you join in the fight. Bloom, be ready to assist.

Fox and Bloom: Rodger!

>I change Personas and Sky changes elements.

Joker, Fox, and Sky: Persona!

>Sky summons Light Elemental.

>Rangda uses Eigaon on my. Luckily, I dodged it. Baarong uses Ziodyne. It knocks her down.

Joker: Off we go!

>After the attack, Rangda was still up. Goemon uses Masukukaja.

Oracle: This one! Defense up!

>Necronomicon uses Marakukaja to raise our defenses. Light Elemental uses Kouga. It knocks her down.

Sky: Now, charge!

>After the attack, Rangda is still up, but slightly weaker.

Rangda: Try this on for size!

>Rangda uses Bloodbath. It made significant damage and me and Sky got hit with Fear.

Oracle: No, don’t be scared! I’m here!

Bloom: I’m here, too, Sky! Don’t run!

Joker: But we... Can’t...

>I’m too paralyze with Fear to act.

Fox: Joker, snap out of it!

Joker: Thanks, I needed that. And now for Sky.

Fox: I’m on it.

>Fox uses Relax Gel on Sky. It cures him of the Fear.

Sky: Thanks. Now to teach you a lesson. Go for it, Elemental!

>Light Elemental uses Kouga. It knocks her down.

Sky: Time to get going!

>After the attack, Rangda was still up, but now weaker. Rangda tries to use Swift Strike, but luckily, the defense boost helped. Barong uses Ziodyen again. But she dodged it.

Bloom: I’m ready to go anytime!

Sky: Then let’s do it together!

>Bloom and Sky combine their attacks together.

Bloom: Cosmix Magic!

Sky: Moon Khukuri!

Bloom and Sky: Flaming Hearts!

>A fire dragon comes out of Bloom and blows energy on Sky’s Moon Khukuri. Then he swings it and slashes of energy hit Rangda and finishes her off. She returns to her human form.

Shadow Charlotte: That was a powerful spell. I think you would turn my daughter’s girlfriend back to human if I transform her into a rabbit.

Bloom: You bet. But that may not happen if you let your daughter make her own choices. Let your daughter love whoever she loves the most.

Shadow Charlotte: ... I guess... There’s no arguing with you. Alright. I won’t control my daughter’s love life. If she loves that girl, there’s nothing I can really do about it. All I can do is be there for her.

>With that, the Shadow returns to her true self and I take her Treasure: An issue of Magix Monthly with a picture of princes.

Bloom: She must really like this magazine.

Joker: Well, it’s no Witch Weekly, but it looks interesting enough.

Oracle: Well, that’s pretty much all the targets we have today. I’d say this has been good training for us. Let’s head back.

>We agree and head back to the real world.

>The Heart Manor Cafe. When we arrive, we see Haru and Flora outside tending to the flowers.

There, that should help. The fertilizer I made in the potions lab should help things run smoothly.

I wonder if I can use these in my garden. I wonder how the vegetables or fruit will taste with it.

Flora: I’m sure they would taste fine. For delicious, that may take a little more work and time.

How are things with the plants?

Flora: Things are going fine.

Where are Makoto and Akechi?

Haru: They’re upstairs finishing up some class assignment before they get changed for work. I already finished mine. Flora and I decided to tend to the flowers before I get ready myself.

That’s good. I just hope the staff we hired did a good job.

We’ll soon find out. Let’s go inside.

>We go into the cafe. When we do...

Hi~! ♥

Oh my!

That’s a little too much “moe”.

(groans) How did I let myself get into all of this?

>A little later after some quick messages, Becky, Hifumi, and Lala met with us, including Makoto and Akechi.

Thank you for filling in for today. And sorry. For making you do this and the messages.

It’s not something I’d normally do, but I’m happy I could help.

Same here. Just try not to forget your studies while you’re away.

I’m more upset about why hardly anyone requested me.

I don’t think you’d like the answer, Lala chan.

Either way, we thank you for what you have done. We’ll repay as soon as we can.

Becky: Oh no, this one’s on us.

Hifumi: Just make sure Erendor gets what’s coming to him. Because I have a friend who want to attend Red Fountain but is afraid she won’t be able to if that king gets his way.

Don’t worry, he won’t.

For now, just be patient.

Hifumi: I will.

>With that, they leave.

Alright. Let’s get to work.

Should we fix you two anything? It’s on us as well.

Bloom: I guess we could use a bite. We’ve earned it and we haven’t been on a date in a while.

Well, my dad does keep me busy a lot. This might be our only chance.

Bloom: Good. We’ll stay.

Very well. Welcome home, my princess and master.

>While they’re busy, it wouldn’t hurt to return the the Velvet Room to restock on items.

>The Velvet Room. I come in and a bit surprised to see two new faces here.

It’s a shame he’s not here. I haven’s seen him in a long time.

If I ever see my master, I will be sure to give him your regards.

I’m sure Igor’s just doing what he does best.

Like helping my possible female self or possibly the protagonist of Persona 6 if Atlus makes one.

Headmistress Faragonda: Ah, Ren, here for business I see.

Ren: I am, Headmistress.

Headmistress Faragonda: I don’t believe you’ve had the chance to meet Eldora.

Ren: The famous Fairy Godmother who even rivals the Fairy Godmother of Auradon.

Eldora: Yes. I heard you and your friends stopped her from making the biggest mistake of her life.

Ren: Just wanted to keep Auradon what makes it... Magical.

Eldora: I can see that.

Ren: Anyways, I better go. I’m going to see if I can hassle with the seller to lower her prices... For once.

>The soon I said this, one of the cells turned into a sales booth.

?????????: Come one, come all to the greatest shop in existence! And just in time for the grand celebration of Red Fountain admitting female students!

Headmistress Faragonda: The vote hasn’t been made you, just so you know.

Lavenza: And it is not such a great shop since pretty much everything there is at a such an unfair high price.

Why sister, isn’t that how a contract works?

Lavenza: Our contract with him has already been completed. However, we will still be there for him when he needs it.

Elizabeth: Very well. So, what shall you have today?

Ren: 5 Medicine, 3 Beads, and 2 Bead Chains.

Elizabeth: Very well. Your total is...

>She tells me.

Seriously!?

After what I just said.

Eldora: Oh don’t worry, dears. I can handle it.

Elizabeth: Oh, you would pay for him? And how?

Eldora: How about this...

>Eldora whispers something in Elizabeth’s ear.

Elizabeth: (stunned) I see. That’s one way of doing it. Very well.

>Elizabeth gives me the items I requested.

Elizabeth: Thank you for doing business with you.

>With that, Elizabeth closes shop for now.

Ren: Thanks. My wallet thanks you, too. If there’s any way I can repay you...

Eldora: I have heard so much about your wonderful cafe. I wouldn’t mind going there.

Ren: I can do that.

Eldora: Faragonda, care to join us?

Headmistress Faragonda: You go on without me. I have work to do back at Alfea.

Eldora: Very well. I shall see you later.

Ren: See you tomorrow, Headmistress.

>With that, we leave the Velvet Room.

>Back in the cafe, we find Bloom and Sky on their date. Yusuke was serving their food.

Yusuke: Thank you for waiting.

Sky: I can wait. This looks good.

Bloom: This is good as well. (taking drink) Cheers.

Sky: (taking his drink as well) Cheers.

>They tap their glasses and sip.

Eldora: Seems like they are having a good time.

Erendor’s trying to keep them apart. This is their only chance to be together.

Eldora: But I’m sure you and your friends will be able to help Erendor see the error of his ways... Now, on to my order.

Ren: What would you like, my princess.

Eldora: ... Surprise me.

Ren: Good. I’ve been working on my spellcasting.

>I wave my hand and conjure a dish.

Futaba: (seeing the dish) You know I said not to make it too much like Leblanc.

Just this once.

>Eldora enjoys her meal as we worked through the night before turning in.