#i cannot express the primal need i feel for these items

[time-woods]

I FOUND MORE

[owlespresso]

Tremble, Duck & Weave . V

At last. Also on my ao3, which can be found here. If you’re interested in supporting my work or ordering your own, my commission terms can be found here and my ko-fi is here. Before we begin, please make sure all cellular devices are off. Thank you, and enjoy the show.

If Aymeric were to afford his late father one compliment, it would be his impeccable organizational skills. The perfection of each neat, abet packed drawer and cabinet makes it much easier to toss out items and documents he has no use for. He disposes of letters and paperwork and gauche items that only serve to take up space, skimming through texts and wrinkling his nose at every lie he sees. If nothing else, the archbishop kept his story straight, consistently assuring local leaders of his virtue and desires for a simple peace.

Never does he betray his wretched greed, nor does he betray earthly desires, nor does he disclose the truth of his earthly relationships.

“Never would I forsake my sacred oath for the sake of such petty indulgences,” one letter insists. Aymeric, without even processing it, reads it in his fathers voice and hears every lofty intonation, feels the faux passion oozing from every word. “The Scion of the de Borel family is not my flesh and blood.”

Aymeric’s lips curl into a deep frown, cold fingers tensed on the parchment. Another fruitless attempt to deny him of his true heritage, another desperate attempt for the archbishop to preserve his saintly image. Aymeric doesn’t know what’s more pitiful, the ceaselessness of his father’s denial or the fact that he had to interact with this man every day.

A loveless man, Aymeric thinks, crinkling the paper. There’s no reason to linger on a man long dead, not when he’s already resolved to be different, to be better.

His brows pinch into a firm scowl, lips pursed in a deep frown. His tumultuous thoughts near split his head, every letter and possession an unfortunate reminder—

A knock breaks the stifling quiet and forces his spine rigid. As with every spontaneous visit he receives, he schools his demeanor into something friendly and relaxed, something unemotional and civil.

“Come in,” he calls mere moments later.

The tall, dark doors open. Zephirin’s form, adorned in rich blues and gleaming white, stands out stark against the darkened shadows of the hall. He cuts across the tiled floor, greaves clanking with each long step.

“Pardon the interruption, my lord,” Zephirin regards him with trademark impassiveness. “I have information of the utmost importance to share with you.”

The prompts Aymeric to raise a brow. Long has he worked aside the men of the Heavensward, but never has he grown confident in his abilities to read Zephirin. However, he has always been sure that his father kept an array of secrets, any of which could pose a threat to himself or Ishgard. Due to the recency of his ascension, he made the bold choice to not yet question any of the ward. He would attract more flies with honey than with vinegar. Giving them time to adjust, know and trust him would bear richer fruits than pressuring them to spill his father’s precious secrets. Perhaps that patience is finally paying off.

“You may speak,” Aymeric nods, fingers pressing the papers on the desk flat to the polished wood.

“My lord, I assume you are privy to the existence of the Ascians?” Zephirin’s inquiry nearly makes his brows raise, yet he keeps firm hold of his expression, a face of practiced, steady neutrality.

“I am.” Immortal creatures who were a source of strife to every nation and settlement, known for inflaming local beast tribes into summoning deadly primals. “Why, pray tell?” He wouldn’t put it past his father to break bread with some of the world’s most notorious troublemakers, and he knows better than to hope otherwise.

The migraine blossoming behind his forehead thuds into the foreground. The very last thing Ishgard needs is pressure from another faction. Not whilst they’re in the middle of a transitional period. He knows that change must be introduced slowly for the people to accept it. He already has the Dravanians clawing at the wall every chance they get, and the alliance still knocks on the city’s gates semi-regularly. Aymeric is not an easily agitated man, yet there is only so much he can take before his hinges rust and his temper runs out.

“Before the Archbishop’s untimely death, they approached him offering an alliance,” Zephirin is watching him carefully, closely, measured in his words and demeanor. The timbre of his voice is neutral and passive. “He accepted with the intent of ascertaining their true goal and betraying them when his plans reached fruition. It is my full belief that he never intended to truly ally with them.”

Of course, Aymeric says to himself, Thordan would keep such a crucial secret from him. He wonders if the wretch he barely called a father is laughing at him from the hells below, for now he will surely be expected to continue this trite charade with the Ascians. It is likely that they will approach him openly, expect him to break bread with them despite their transgressions against the star as a whole.

He fancies himself a man with a long fuse, but the sudden revelation makes his fingers curl. He leans forward with the weight of sudden news, flattening his hands against the desk.

“It is a pity he did not disclose the details of something so completely crucial to the future of our nation,” Aymeric takes in a deep breath and sighs, rubbing the bridge of his nose, “The Ascians are not to be easily trifled with. Regardless of his ability to to predict and handle them, I should have been informed much, much earlier.”

“My sincerest apologies, my lord,” Zephirin begins, the barest hint of apology seeping into his otherwise blank expression. “The Knights of the Round—”

“No. I am not in the mood to entertain trite excuses,” Aymeric replies, tone clipped as he restrains himself. There’s much he wants to say, but Zephirin needs not to be the target of his misplaced aggression. “Go. There is much that still has to be done before the day’s end. I will see to the Ascians this evening. Go about your normal duties until you are needed.” A newfound tension sweeps over his entire body and mind as he returns to the long road ahead. Perhaps some of his father’s files will shed some light on the situation.

- - -

The morning descends upon you with firm vengeance. Though your wounds have for the most part aided by Ishgard’s finest astrologian, the aches and phantom pains still wrack you. The plush blankets that curl around your body make up a warm nest you never hope to leave. The mattress is soft and gentle on your back. Still, it is a comfort most difficult to enjoy whilst there is so much work to be done.

Thus, you tumble out of your nest and barely catch yourself on your feet. Your morning routine is scarcely different from the one you had before your ejection from Ul’dah, yet the pain slows you. The cold claws settled within your muscles and bones make it difficult to move with your former swiftness. Climbing out of the shower is pure agony. Even though you’re inside, Ishgard’s vicious climate thwarts you at every turn. Only when you’re clothed are you at last at ease.

The Ishgardian garb is made of lush cottons that loosely swaddle you, easy on the body and meant to avoid aggravating your skin. Your hands duck into your sleeves, absentmindedly playing with the fabric as you descend the stairs.

Artoirel awaits you at the bottom, leaning casually against the banister. He sweeps out from his resting position with a smile at the sight of you, expression warm and welcoming.

“Good morning,” he says. His posture is casual, but his gaze is searching as it rolls you up and down. Curious, explorative. “How are you?”

“Good morning.” You withdraw into yourself ever so slightly, doing your best not to wilt underneath his gaze. “I’m well.”

“Haurchefant is tending to his duties today, but I do hope I can measure up to him in the realm of being pleasant company. Would you grace me with your presence for today’s breakfast?”

And to that, you have no objections. Artoirel cuts an intimidating figure, physically, but his gentlemanly attitude softens his sharp features. He’s something you’d expect from a wealthy prospective suitor in a romance novel.

Breakfast is a wide array of Ishgard’s finest dishes—foods hearty and rich in nature. It’s a struggle to not scarf down your portions, but easy conversation with Artoirel helps you space out your bites.

It’s all pleasantries at first. He attempts to dive beneath who you are outside of your status as the Warrior of Light, asks about your skills and your hobbies, what you enjoy doing outside of slaying gods and monsters alike. He’s picture perfect. Even the bites he takes of his foot are petite and polite, not a crumb to be seen on the corners of his lips. His expression flexes, the space between his eyebrows wrinkling. He looks like he’s grasping for words, lips pursing as he stares down his remaining food.

“Have any of the nobility made a bad impression on you?” he asks out of the blue, a piece of bacon perched atop his fork.

“No. Not yet, at least,” you look down at your potatoes, eyeing the way the chandelier light bounces off the silverware. It’s a surprising line of conversation to go down, but his concern touches you.

“Full glad am I to hear that. I would hate for any of my more… judgmental peers to sully your experience,” his voice is soft and delicate, a type of gentility that makes your heart squeeze. “However, I must encourage you to be cautious. Ishgardian high society can be… especially brutal to the few foreign guests we receive. Should you encounter any hostility, do not hesitate to inform me. I cannot guarantee any consequences for those in rival houses, but be assured that we at House Fortemps do not share the same sentiments.”

It’s reassuring to hear him so concerned with your reputation and well-being. You’re a new stranger to Ishgard, and there’s no doubt that everyone from the high borne to the lowly of the Brume can tell. Being thrust into such a foreign environment after what you endured has made you feel lost and overly dependent on your connections here. And… perhaps you are. But Artoirel’s devoted sentiments soothe you against your better judgment.

You don’t think much of it now, nor do you think much of it when you’re called down for lunch. Or dinner. It’s only right for the count to call all the residents and guests in his home for meals.

Emmanellain joins you for dinner that night. His eyes glint cleverly, his very presence incessant in its curiosity.

“To think, the champion of the ixal could be felled so succinctly!” he crows after you recount your deadly battle with Garuda. “Ah, I remember Haurchefant arriving home with stars in his eyes, that night. Word of your grand exploit was all he wished to speak of—well, besides your form… and the lovely curves that adorn said form.”

Ah. Long have you been aware of Haurchefant’s growing… intrigue in you, but never has it been so plainly observed by another. How much had he said about you? Your cheeks warmed as you thought over the possibilities, distracted from the raise of Artoirel’s voice as he reprimands his brother.

Haurchefant doesn’t return. Artoirel helpfully informs you that he’s seeing to his very last post at Camp Dragonhead before he returns to fully join the Heavensward. His absence leaves you feeling emptier than usual.

And when you cannot sleep, you occupy yourself with studying Ishgardian history. Much to your frustration, you can’t lift more than four of the tomes at once without your arms and shoulders screaming in protest, so you begrudgingly settle for three. You read throughout the night and find that the founding of the city state alone is enough to cover two-hundred or so pages.

A few hours before dawn, you dim the light and settle back against the pillows, filtering in and out of consciousness until you need to use the bathroom.

You eat breakfast with Artoirel again that morning, and promptly decide you need to take a walk for your own sanity. Manor Fortemps is a splendous place to live, but you can only stand being cooped up for so long before you lose your mind. You make sure to throw on a scarf and some knitted gloves that had been fetched for you, all bundled up and equipped as diligently as possible against the merciless cold.

Though you still don’t have a handle on the city’s layout, you believe asking for directions will serve you just fine. The manor is practically a landmark. Any local worth their salt should be able to point you in its direction. You assure yourself as you make your way towards the grand double doors.

“Oh, are you taking a walk?” Artoirel’s voice pipes up, the lord’s head peeking out from behind a nearby corner.

“Yes. I just wanted to get some fresh air, is all,” you inform him with a small shrug. He steps fully into view, his gaze soft and his smile sweet as he regards you.

“Ah, I was just about to head to the astrologicum. Would you care to accompany me?” He tilts his head ever so slightly as he inquires, leaving you struggling for an answer. On one hand, you likely should visit. If you weren’t mistaken, the man who treated your wounds is an astrologian. On the other… your entire stay in Ishgard has been a procession of well-meaning individuals constantly fretting about and crowding you. Even a moment outside alone would help combat the ceaseless, crushing sense of helplessness it has left you with.

Before you can even answer, Artoirel glances past you, gaze sparking with recognition as he spots one of the housekeepers.

“Ah! Adrienne, the Warrior of Light and I are about to take a visit to the astrologicum. Should Emmanellain return before us, kindly to tell him that the tarte tatin is to be shared. I will not have a repeat incident of last week.” His voice carries a firm edge to it at the end of his sentence, exasperation barely kept from breaching the surface. He shakes his head the housekeeper says an affirmative and scurries off, turning back to you with a sheepish smile.

“My apologies. The last time our chef prepared tarte tatin, he sneaked in and pillaged the entire share before dinner even started,” Artoirel shook his head with a sigh. “At times, I can’t help but think Honoroit is more suited to his position than he is… but that’s nothing for you to worry about.” He dismisses the matter with a wave of his hand as he throws his coat over his shoulders. A shame. The nosier part of you wishes he had continued. It’s no secret that his younger brother is a divisive subject among the family due to his immaturity and habitual slacking off, but you’ve heard quite little of the boy who follows him around like a lost puppy.

“I have an acquaintance at the astrologicum who was hoping to meet you.” Artoirel, for the most part, seems genuinely oblivious to your internal monologue. He holds the door open like the truest of gentlemen and sticks close to your side as he swans elegantly down the street. Even his walk is refined, long legs sweeping nimbly over the concrete.

You try to keep your crestfallenness hidden as you follow, hoping Artoirel’s insistence is simply him overcompensating in an effort to be a good host. You’re in no shape to deny him at the moment—he’s the count, and he’s so graciously allowing you to stay in his home. Should he decide to shove you out the front gates, you’ll surely have nowhere to go.

You don’t know how you haven’t realized the potential danger in that until now.

- - -

You accompany him to the astrologicum to placate him.

You try to take your leave after dinner, hoping he’ll be too busy finishing off dessert to notice you slinking towards the living room. He does, of course. And he continues to do so. Every attempt you make to leave on your own winds up inevitably thwarted underneath his watchful gaze.

He accompanies you on walks, and you accompany him on small errands whenever he offers, figuring fresh air with him is better than none at all.

“Foot traffic is high this time of day, especially after the archbishop mandated a longer break time for the construction workers down at the lower Ishgard. I dearly hope the noise has not kept you from your sleep.” Artoirel sighs as he accompanies you through the crowd, a palm flat to your lower back.

“Forgive my intrusion, but I cannot help notice that you have been favoring your right leg. Perhaps it would be a better idea to remain inside and rest? I imagine Urianger will be quite cross with Haurchefant and I if your recovery is hampered in any way.” Artoirel says imploringly, his eyes sweet and his lashes long as he bats them.

“We have a gazebo in the gardens if you would like somewhere to enjoy a spot of fresh air,” he informs you passively over the dinner table. “Not much grows out there these days, but it has been swept down and cleaned up for your use.”

It doesn’t reassure you. The next two days are fraught with uncertainty as you await Haurchefant’s return. Conversations with Alphinaud and Tataru are a brief reprieve from the blossoming paranoia, but you deign to not tell them the truth. There’s no doubt that Alphinaud will march straight to wherever Artoirel happens to be and demand answers.

If this is all some massive understanding, you don’t want to risk jeopardizing your relationship with your host. You keep Artoirel’s suspicious insistence on keeping you cooped up a secret, even as the stress it invokes worsens your condition.

However, you are nothing if not resourceful. The balcony door to your room has remained unopened throughout your short stay. Exiting from the second level had been beyond your capabilities given your current status, but desperate times call for desperate measures. (And trapped creatures often make irrational decisions.)

Your muscles strain under the pressure of holding yourself up as you lower onto a conveniently close ledge, and then onto a trash can nestled against the brick wall. The loud rattle of the metal lid against the can makes you flinch, but the side street is blessedly empty.

Just like that, you��re free. The phantom pains grip you tight and dig into your ilms of muscle, causing you to buckle. One of your hands finds purchase against the textured brick wall, gasps rattling in and out of your lungs as you struggle to steady yourself. Spikes of frigid pain lash out at your head, the space above your eyes throbbing as you attempt to reign it all in. Your thick gloves keep your nails from grating along the brick, something you find yourself suddenly grateful for as the pain begins to clear.

You focus simply on pulling the breath in and out of your lungs, the cold air drying your throat. The rest of the world dims as you refuse to focus on it, the agony ebbing away into blissful nothingness. Only then are you able to straighten up, gaze clear as you look down the long alleyway. Ishgard’s steep spires and long roads suddenly seem to curl around you, the prospect of navigating them alone somehow intimidating.

Weeks ago, you would have been fine with exploring without a chaperone.

You’re only going on a short walk, you rationalize. Your body moves accordingly as you urge it forward, heading out of the alleyway and onto the streets proper. Each step forward is another to be proud of, you try and tell yourself, but the words ring feeble and hollow in the void of your consciousness.

- - -

Estinien, for better or for worse, has grown accustomed to traveling near exclusively via rooftop. The streets below are littered with strangers who are able to perceive him. It’s daunting in ways he refuses to admit to. The stench of raw Ishgard rubs foul against his nose when he mingles among the masses, an affront to his sharpened senses. At least the beast inside of him knows it does not belong.

Powdery snow drifts from the grey sky, dotting his hoarfrost lashes, threatening to blur his vision as they nearly melt on impact. Here, legs perched upon the thin ledge of a building’s high spire, he can comfortably separate and spectate the writhing populace. Idle people-watching has become a disturbingly frequent indulgence in between his missions and tasks.

It helps distract him from the red vines that curl around the tall buildings, from the patches of disembodied flesh that decorate the cobblestone ground. Features of Ishgard only he can see—the beast trying its hardest to convince him to leave.

Perhaps it is the human part of him that remains that enjoys this passtime, desperate for a vicarious taste of old normalcy. Of belonging. He despises it. He is no longer soft flesh and natural composition. He is hard edges and scales, branching horns and gnashing teeth all wrapped neatly under the illusion of humanity. If his glamor were to be dispelled, they would surely throw rocks and knives and weapons of every sort in his direction despite all he has done to protect them.

So he broods, and he is willing to admit that he broods. He consumes the crowd beneath him with wide sweeps of his piercing gaze.

An old woman hands over a coin purse in exchange for a pair of mittens. A child in the middle of a game of tag slips on a patch of ice, tumbling onto his knee. He hears the resulting yelp, despite his distance. The beginnings of warm, childhood nostalgia creep up on him. His jaw tightens as he prepares to beat it back—oh.

He notices someone decidedly different from the rest of the crowd. A figure that stands fulms and fulms apart, one he has seen before. The Warrior of Light. You look decidedly healthier than you had the last time he had laid eyes upon you, sheltered in the cloistered bookman’s keep. You had been crumpled by your injuries, a mess of an individual dragged in, hanging onto life by a mere thread.

You’re walking around, at the very least. Still a tad gaunt. The bags underneath your eyes are new, but he supposes you have plenty to lose sleep over after everything you have been through. He is no stranger to loss. He knows how it can rip a person’s core out, make them a shell of their former self. He sympathizes.

He dismounts his perch, climbs across roofs and spires as he follows you along, glued to the shadows. No one regards him, his armor stained deep grey with the intent of better camouflaging him.

There’s a noticeable stagger to your steps as you visit different merchants, not bothering to actually head inside any of the storefronts. Perhaps the cold is harsh on your injuries. Why, then, are you not inside? He imagines Haurchefant would be on you like a mother hen, though he recalls that the youngest Fortemps child has been sent to Camp Dragonhead for the next few days, overseeing the change of leadership.

A pity, then, that he is not able to stop you as you aimlessly float from stand to stand. With each moment your movements become more labored, more encumbered despite you having nothing on your person. It’s easy to follow you from his position so high above. Eventually, you split off from the crowd, your eyes wide and your arms drawn tightly to yourself. You stumble up the stone steps, across the street and into one of the thin alleyways, thoroughly closed off from the rest of the populace.

It is not sympathy or concern that makes him dismount his perch. The frozen air whips through his long locks and lashes at his eyes as he descends, body instinctively contorting to stick a perfect landing.

It is a curiosity that plants him so firmly before her, a need to know the woman so vaunted and pursued for himself. You, who have so immediately commanded the adoration of Ishgard’s most coveted and quiet astrologian.

You startle as he lands, the sound of the impact ricketing up and down the otherwise empty alley.

- - -

Fatigue jolts up and down your anguished limbs as you trudge through the crowd. Initially, it hadn’t been so bad. Sure, you had been a tad tired after your escape, but your condition quickly snowballed down the slope. Ishgard’s cold seeps into your body even though your thick, cushy clothes. Your capricious escape leaves you in a poor state by the time you reach the marketplace.

Hells, you wouldn’t be surprised if you managed to exacerbate your wounds in the process. Still, you flutter from stand to stand, half-heartedly looking over merchants’ wares until the whimsy to move on strikes you. It helps distract from your new, pounding headache.

One of the most appealing booths has little puppets that are hand-sewn. An array of cute, fuzzy characters is lined up atop the wooden table, alongside some plain stuffed animals. Had you actually brought your coin purse, you undoubtedly would have purchased something. One of the aforementioned plushes is a grey-pelted fox wearing a stone-faced expression, something about it reminding you of ser Aymeric.

Unfortunately, the pain grows too great. Its bitter grip ensnares you, making your breath shorten and your body tremble as you continue your trek. You’ve overstayed your welcome. You should return home. To Manor Fortemps.

You split from the crowd, heading in the direction you believe is right. It’s difficult to keep your full mental faculties whilst so distracted, so you stumble down the alley and hope for the best. The dark brick walls make the path thin and constricting.

It’s by pure chance that you manage to see a flash of red above you before it lands. It’s a fluid blur of motion, a figure descending from the heavens that you don’t quite comprehend until it lands.

Brilliant plates of red armor wrap the broad figure’s body tight. The odd pikes that extend from its form and the angular nature of the sculpt let you know this is a dragoon, albeit unlike anyone you’ve ever seen before. The helmet is absent, allowing you to fully view the individual’s face.

He possesses hardened, sharp features. A cut jawline and a nose with a high bridge. His eyes are narrow, irises a shade of icy blue. It’s the whites of his eyes that take you off guard—stained a deep crimson. Long strands of snowy hair frame his face and brush against his jawline. All things that catch your attention for a fraction of the moment, but what draws your alarm are the two, blackened horns that arch from his skull, curling backwards slightly, raised to the sky. His cheekbones are adorned with glimmering, black scales. They gleam red where the light catches off them.

Sickly, red lines akin to veins scatter across either cheek from his eyes. It’s nothing you’ve ever seen before.

You don’t see it as much as you feel it, waves of inky black void that roll off him like fog or flame. He is the picture of everything Ishgard fears all at once, the corruption of their own people by the dragons who have kept them in stalemate for hundreds of years.

Your breath stalls in your lungs, every muscle in your body seeming to tense as you struggle to comprehend his visage. Upon closer inspection, his form is absent of the gauntlets most dragoons wear. Another thick layer of scaling coats his arms from the elbows down, the tips of his fingers curling into sharp claws.

“The Warrior of Light,” he addresses you contemplatively, but his expression belies disappointment. “I had not expected to see you out of your sickbed so soon—though it looks like you’ve flown the nest before you were ready.”

“Who—what are you?” you stammer, coherency returning to you in staggered stages. You hunch against the cold, brick wall, eyes near the size of saucers as you stare him down. You don’t dare shift your gaze away from him.

The droll disappointment that colors his features vanishes, giving way into momentary surprise. One side of his mouth quirks into a crooked, shark-like smile. Even his teeth are refined into sharp points, better for ripping into flesh and chewing bone. He barks a cold, humorless laugh.

“So you can see me,” he remarks idly. The edges of your consciousness begin to burn and fray. The inky splotches that swim at the edges of your vision threaten the view you have of him. “You have truesight yet the first thing you see with it is this wretched form. I almost feel sorry for you. Aymeric was correct in his assumptions about you, though that’s for better or for worse,” he remarks as you feel yourself start to sway. Your hands grow numb. A slow tingle takes your fingertips and strokes down to your palms, sweeping to the rest of your arms.

Any panic that you might feel is swept under the growing void, too exhausted to muster even a drop of emotion.

The last thing you hear before you take the plunge is the clanking of his greaves against the stone ground.

[jakeremake]

And on a Rainy Night

The sound of a toilet flushing barely registers somewhere in the back of his mind, but he pays it no heed. It's just another background noise on top of the soft lullaby of the pitter-pat of rain against the window. The feeling of the bed dipping beside him, and the warmth of another body pressed against his, it stirs a small contended smile from his lips, but he does not wake. When he is slowly roused out of slumber, it's to a path of lazy, light kisses across his back-trailing from one shoulder blade to the next, seemingly more for the lips that are tracing them than for him. He is not awake yet, not fully, and it is in this half-slumber that he allows a sigh of pleasure to slip free, one that would not have been roused from him had he been awake enough to regain his legendary self-control.

The lips that are currently lingering over that one bone in the back of his neck-the one right at the top of his spine that juts out, normally hidden by shirt collars-curl into a smile, and he leans into the warm embrace, the hand resting gently on his abdomen, the knees that are tucked into the backs of his. He feels his lover's cock twitch against his back, not so much a lustful move as it is a reminder of the acts that led to this lazy pre-dawn moment. A culmination of years of emotions left to bubble below the surface, of passion stuffed away and repressed exploding forth in a flurry of hands and the destruction of items sartorial. He feels the answering stir in his own prick at the memories, but taps it down, wanting to enjoy this moment without the red-hot haze of passion clouding things. Still, he cannot help but gasp when deft pianist's fingers gently graze across it, a soft caress. "Jeeves," the word is more a soft brush of air past his ear, the soft breeze of a summer's day.

"Five more minutes," He mumbles mostly-incoherently into the pillow, not wanting the real world to intrude on this wonderful moment. "I'm dreaming." The answering chuckle is enough to bring him closer to consciousness, and his eyes squeeze tight, hoping that by avoiding opening them, then all this will not disappear, that that hand will be right there again, and he can lay there forever, wrapped up in this sort of supreme happiness that has overtaken him.

"What of?" The lips have broken from where they've gently been nibbling and sucking at his neck long enough to form those two syllables, before returning to their task, and he arches his neck, providing a seemingly endless line of flesh that seemingly pleads to be tasted.

"You." The cock that had previously only given a flitter was now rather insistently pressing against him, and the slight pinch of teeth at a spot behind his ear that made him shiver cause one eye to slowly crack awake, and it takes him a moment to realize why he knows the night table he's staring at. He's never seen it from this angle before, and it slowly dawns on him that this is real, and the thought of it-or perhaps its the way that those hips are rocking maddeningly slow against him-draws a moan.

"I had to wake you. I didn't believe this was real." It's a soothing thought, that he is not the only one to not believe his fortune, a pleasing one, that his lover believes this to be as much of a fantasy as he does. "You looked so -" There's a pause, a search for the right word, and before he can suggest one, out of habit, he's cut off, "Perfect. I couldn't help myself."

"Please." It's one word, but it's all that needs to be said. It's nothing and everything, all at once. Neither know what it's asking for, and they know exactly what is needed. He can't help the slight gasp at cold, well-oiled fingers slowly sliding through his cleft, and he wonders briefly if his lover is always this demanding, this forward.

And then those teeth are latching on to that spot behind his ear again, and he's not entirely sure if that was the sharp peal of thunder he hears, or if it's the sound of blood rushing through his body, and he presses back into the long body behind him, feeling one finger slip inside him. It's a new feeling, different, but not wholly unwelcome. He's never been on this side of things before, but there's so much rightness in the touch of his lover's fingers against his skin, he feels as though it's the most familiar thing in the world, as though this was the only thing they were made to do, and that everything else was just biding time until they found themselves here together.

He feels another finger slip inside, and the question of where his lover became quite so skilled at this springs to mind, but then those fingers find a spot inside of him that makes him see stars. He's found that spot in his past encounters, but never had it touched in him, and suddenly he knows why his past encounters were so willing-so long as there was the steady in-and-out against just there he would agree to anything. Before long, his hips are moving of their own will, backing into every stroke, and he hears his lover's breathy chuckle. "You're so bally tight." The words are a simple statement, an observation, and they elicit a groan from both parties.

"I've never-" The words are quiet, surprisingly bashful, and at first he doesn't thing his lover heard them at all, but that hand shifts slightly, and he's seeing stars of pleasure.

"Never what?" He's trying to find the proper word to describe this, but those fingers are hitting all the right spots again, and then they're gone leaving his hips thrusting backwards attempting to find them again. "Been on the proper end of a good fucking?" The words, so callous and crass sound out of place and oh so right coming out of that mouth, generally so polite, so gentlemanly, now being used such. His lover leans across him to kiss him soundly, and he knows the slightly shock at the words is still showing on his face. Kiss-swollen lips curve into a grin that could only be described as "wicked", or perhaps, maybe, "lascivious" before ducking down to nibble at the hollow of his throat. "If you'd rather switch, however-" He can hear the slight note of begging, of need, of want in his lover's voice, and for a moment, he's tempted to roll them both and take control, but instead he settles on to his back, and pulls his lover, his keeper, his everything on top of him.

"Oh, Jeeves-" They share another kiss, and he can feel something rather blunter than fingers pressing against him, and his legs fall open of their own accord. He lifts up on command, and finds the pillow beneath his hips to be rather comfortable. It goes slowly, a centimeter at a time, until he can feel his lover's sac pressing against him, until they are nose to nose, as close as it is possible for them to be, and he leans up, swallowing those perfect lips in a searing, bruising kiss. This he thinks, before his lover shifts ever so slightly and halts all thoughts, is heaven. "You, this-i can't believe it's real." The same thoughts are running through his mind, and have been since he was so pleasantly awoken moments before.

"It is." Is all he can reply. He'd like to be able to express himself in sonnets, in long flowering phrases attesting to how wonderful this all is, but he finds that the power of higher thought has disappeared, leaving him to baser instincts. He's rewarded with a grin that spreads from ear to ear before those lips once again press against his own. There's one long thrust-slow and easy, but completely unshy, unwavering, gentle but unyielding, and it draws forth a sound that rumbles from deep inside of him, some primal part of him that went back to some ancestor that Sir Darwin could have only hoped to find.

He had seen his other liasons laid out much as he was, but had always believed the look of exquisite pleasure on their faces to have been an act-a show, put on, not unlike women were wont to do-that there was no possible way for things to feel better than how he felt thrusting into them, but now he knew that his visage bore that same look. Another thrust, and another, and each one was brushing over all the right spots. The fingers of one hand are clutched tightly around the bedsheets, the fingers of the other attempting to find purchase on the slippery smooth skin of a gracefully sinewed back. His own back arched, and his hips rocked back in time with each stroke, a maddeningly slow, but decidedly forceful pace, each thrust driving deep and hard into him before pulling out nearly completely. "Wanted...this...so...long." The words are gasped between thrusts, it's taking all of his lover's might not to take him fast and hard.

Words are beyond him at this point, the only thing he is aware of is the white-hot bliss, the pure pleasure of the whole thing, and his only response is to run his hand up to his lover's neck, pulling down so that they can meet it a clashing kiss, tongues sliding each other in a pantomime version of how they're joined in regions south. "Oh, Jeeves-" The words are repeated, as though a chant, with every stroke, slowly but surely increasing in tempo. "Love you so much."

Again, his lover's past comes to his mind. He believes the words, he knows them to be true, but they ring falser in his ears to hear them in a moment as such. He wonders how many others have lain in this bed, how many others have heard that gasping cry. But each stroke is hitting just there and the concern dies on his lips. It doesn't matter how many other men his lover has taken, if they are the reason that his lover is able to do that then he is grateful to them. He feels lips and teeth around one nipple, nibbling and sucking, and all of the tension in his body is pooled in one spot, tensed and coiled and so ready to break free. He moves one hand towards his own straining erection, and his lover captures it by the wrist, pinning it above his head. "Sir-" The admonishing look he receives reminds him of the compromise they had reached the night before, "Bertram, please."

He's never begged before, not like this. There's never been that needy note in his tone, his head has never thrashed wildly on the pillows as every moment of pleasure threatened to cross the border into overstimulation. But now, under his lover's skillful touch, he finds himself not caring about the loss of dignity. His lover breaks at his plea, the slow tempo picking up in pace, from a moderate adagio up to lively adante. He braces himself, expecting pain from the way that his lover's prick is driving so forcefully into him, but finds only pleasure instead. He tries to match his lover's pace, to rock back into every stroke to be taken as deeply as possible, but his own rhythm falters, and he's reduced to gasping, writhing pants, and wanting nothing more than to come, as he knows it'll be harder than he ever has before.

He strains against where his lover is holding his right wrist fast, his left hand attempting to slide between them, only to be caught and pinned above his head. "Just a little bit longer, love." He swears his lover is the devil incarnate, as surely having to endure this for longer is more horrible than anything that Torquemada has ever done. He's straining, and gasping, and utterly lost to the feeling of his lover inside of him, and he manages to break one arm free to pull his lover's mouth to his, attempting to muffle the sounds of his passion. Always, on top, he had been a quiet man, taking his pleasure silently, but he finds that these noises now were being pulled from him, rather against his will.

His lover's rhythm falters, and he feels, finally, a hand on his prick. At the touch, it's like a million volts of electricity running through him, and suddenly, despite the predawn shades of blue, he can see clearly,as though it were daylight, or perhaps that's a bolt of lightning outside, but he can clearly see his lover's neck, arched so, each sinew straining out against the skin, a look of utter bliss on that perfect face,and if the touch wasn't enough to undo him, that sight certain is, and his climax thunders out of him, taking with it, he's sure, his inner organs.

He's not sure how much longer it is before he's into the land of conscious thought again, but when he returns, it's to his lover sprawled across his chest, and he's greeted by a broad grin. "I thought I killed you." He can't help the slight chuckle-he's so relaxed, so at ease, his normal boundaries had evaporated sometime in the past six hours.

"Only the little death." It's a weak play-on-words, but he finds himself incapable at the moment of any better response.

"You enjoyed it then? Being on the other side of things?"

"Very much so." The question that has been plaguing him sprang back to his mind, and tumbles out of his mouth before he could check it. "Where did you learn-"

"All of that?" His lover supplied. "It's amazing what one gets from a public school education these days." He raised one eyebrow, and his lover kissed him, gently, soothingly. "I love you." There's a hint of trepidation in the words, and he returns the kiss gently, soothingly. He can see the hint of fear in his lover's eyes as the kiss breaks, the expectancy, and he realizes that his lover is waiting on him, expecting a response.

He's never said the words before, and he's not even sure what the feeling is. He's always believed that it was something created only for poets to talk about, a false emotion, but, he supposes, if love was wanting to spend the rest of his life waking up like this, to soft blue eyes, and his lover wrapped against him, then it's the closest thing to what love is supposed to be. The words are still hard for him to form however, having lived a life swearing against them. "I-love you." Once they're out though, once they've first been mentioned, they're easier, the barrier has been broken, and the words pour forth. "I love you." He repeats, kissing those soft, pink lips. "I love you." He rolls them, and kisses the tip of a sloped nose. "I love you." It's a mantra, repeated between each soft kiss placed first on one eyelid, than the other. It's whispered, breathily, against the shell of his lover's ear, and he feels the answering shiver.

"No matter what? You don't mind that I've well-that there's been others?"

"What's past is past." He replies, rolling on his side, pulling his lover tightly to him, not caring at the way their stomachs are sticking together. It's strangely intimate, in a way he'd never thought possible, being so comfortable around someone to care nothing for looking his best. His lover nestles against his chest, he feels, more than hears his lover's response.

"'S'good to know." He smiles contentedly, resting his chin on the nest of blonde curls. He's not entirely sure of what love is, but he's fairly sure that if this isn't it, it's certainly the next best thing.

[albusofecclesia]

Drabble -  The Things We Do For a Bit of Coin

((Notes: 

An attempt at a hurt/comfort piece with a touch of fluff, while trying to keep it relatively ambiguous. I solemnly do not swear this.

Crossover Mission with Diablo III’s Reaper of Souls expansion content.

Also part of a post-game AU where everything is the same except Shanoa was able to release Dominus' hold on Albus.

95% of Shanoa's dialogue and actions were written by @shanoaofecclesia in past thread we attempted. Permission was given to touch-up and re-purpose her content for this drabble. What a stellar BFF I'm blessed with.<3))

Dark smoke from the lower district wafted into the heavens, choking out the night sky and any solace the stars may have brought to the Westmarch survivors; watching as flaming cascades of shooting hellfire crashed into what little remained of the burning streets. A cacophony of anguished cries and death rattles screeched into the night as every last human alive was silenced by the angel of death's fury.

From inside the chapel on the overlooking terrace, foreign aid contractors worked hurriedly to mend those brought in during the initial wave of darkness, and expected another onslaught of wounded. It was soon to be found that there would not be as many as they expected, for the city was all but reduced to rubble in the last attack. Anything left alive had been turned into a thrall to roam the streets with fallen angels and demonic brethren alike.

The main band of local heroes referred to as the Nephilim, were looked to by the panicking survivors and suddenly overwhelmed with hysterical pleas and cries, questions asking after what hope was left and what could be done against such a powerful adversary.

After serious council with countrymen and comrades alike, the Nephilim departed again to continue their quest to find and stop the wayward angel of death. But not before they outfitted some of the stronger volunteers with powerful items they had found on their journeys, bequeathing such protections to the brave few who would defend the last survivors in their absence.

Haggard and battle worn from a near-sleepless seven days of combat with demons and crazed angels, a rather relieved-looking Albus passed through the front gate of Ecclesia’s grounds.   He sported light pieces of previously-owned ornate plate armor that had been given to him by his demon hunter comrades, the copper and steel glinting faintly as it was moderately tarnished due to excessive use and wear. The tarnish was mostly from his own excursion in Westmarch - and the remnants of demon blood, slimy ichor, and fates only knew what other manner of fowl juices, were plastered all over his armor and clothing.

Something had changed within him; newly raw and powerful, as if his guard had dropped completely away and the usual scholar persona was no more - the hunter side of him having taken over: primal, animalistic, unrestrained. 

Rubbing at his chin that bore a few days worth of stubble on his exhausted face, he let out a sigh of relief at his return home. Crossing the grounds towards the dormitories, he threw open the front doors with more force than intended, a loud bang sounding as he entered the common room foyer.

Shanoa had been busy writing in a leather covered tome - a hobby she has developed during her combat partner’s absence, keeping records of everything she remembered so far and learned, a biography of sort. After her dealings with Dominus and Castle Dracula, Albus - in all his gratitude for her saving him - would not take no for an answer and had insisted that she had earned time off after saving the world. He would take on missions for a while to ensure they had enough money between them to continue to live comfortably. It was an insufferable pride thing for him, but she did welcome the respite that came with not having to fight every single hour of her waking life. 

Thoughts lost in her tome, she’d raised her head and tilted it back as she heard the front doors slam open, summoning a crimson rapier into her grasp on instinct. While she could feel the other aura wasn’t that of an intruder, she did still jump in her seat when Albus warped from the doorway to appear across from her, and was even more surprised to see how different he looked.

“I’m home,” Albus announced unnecessarily after watching her jump a bit in her seat. The grey hood that covered his head did little to tame his even-more-so mussed hair, especially not after he pulled it down. The light was still in his eyes, for he hadn’t quite been broken by the horrors of the mission, but the icy blue had somehow darkened, aging him slightly. His voice was low, a touch on gruff side; matching his otherwise worn-out self. “… And after what I’ve witnessed, I cannot even begin to tell you how good it is to be here."

Shanoa closed her book quickly before getting up. “…Welcome home. I’m glad you’re back and safe.” She stated quietly, dispelling her rapier and setting the book on the coffee table. There was something off about him that gave her reason to pause. “I see you have a new outfit and armors? I thought you preferred your leathers.”

Nodding dubiously at her armor comment, Albus looked down at the light plate that he wore on his arms, legs and chest. "Quite, but look at this little glamour," he replied, then focused for a moment before fiery energy-tendriled 'wings' materialized behind him, giving off no heat from their soft orange light as they further accentuated the wing-shaped adornments on his shoulder armor. "My benefactors insisted that I would need sturdier armor…" A sigh as he focused on his armored hands as he flexed them a few times under his tired gaze. “Were they ever right. I might not be here otherwise. …The things we do for a bit of coin.”  

Concern overtook Shanoa at that comment and she started to round the coffee table towards him. Albus held up a hand to silence any sound or movement she went to make in response, his gaze became serious with intent. 

”-Nevermind that, I have something for you,“ Dropping his travel sack, it made a horrible impact sound as if a couple of huge rocks had hit the wooden flooring. Wincing as he knelt and undid the bag’s drawstring, he rooted around the contents of the bag with taloned hands, a dull ‘clink’ sounding as he grasped at something solid.

Shanoa blinked while looking down at her partner’s travel bag - it looked heavy at first glance, but the sound made it seem heavier. “What on earth do you have in there, rocks?” She teased, folding her arms and tapping her heel lightly on the floor.

Silent, Albus paused for the briefest of moments, glancing at her with light mischief in his eyes before looking off into distance as he focused on feeling between the objects in the dark bag.

“Come on, Albus, answer–"

After finding what he sought, he had turned and practically slammed down a huge chunk of rock on the table and stood, crossing his arms.

"-Oh. You did bring a rock with you.”

"Apparently that whole thing is a type of rare, unrefined ore.” Tired as all hell, he managed a triumphant smile and tone, glancing at the stone a moment, then back to her and giving a bit of a shrug. “Think your blacksmith would give us a decent finders fee for it?”

Shanoa chuckled faintly and flicked her hair off her shoulder. “I think Eugen could help you with that, just bring the ore with you when we’ll visit Wygol again.” She replied and closed her eyes.

“Then, might I formally request you escort me to Wygol soon? I have other things to trade with the villagers."

One of their two cats, Mister Thomas, mewed quietly as he skittered over, moving to brush against Albus’s legs in greeting. The simple act prompted a genuine smile, and the researcher gently reached down to pet the cat with the palm of one hand. However, one of the scents that permeated his armor must have been too much for the feline’s sensitive nose, for Thomas made a low warning mewl shortly after and turned his back on him. Watching the cat strut off, Albus shook his head and chuckled quietly.

“Perhaps it would be better to bathe first before we go to Wygol - it seems like Thomas is not pleased with your clothes’ scent at all.” Shanoa joked with a faint smile. "So, what tales do you have for me to listen to about your great quest?”

Albus sighed a bit, making a ‘hmph’ noise. “While I don’t blame you wanting to hear tales of my ‘adventures’,  it was far from a joyous romp through the countryside. And it certainly put a lot of things into perspective. …My contacts had previously defeated a powerful demon lord some time ago, but the item that they had sealed their foe into had been stolen… and soon there were rumors of ‘rogue’ angels killing and ‘cleansing’ people in the larger cities in my contact‘s homeland. Very unsettling. In those lands, it is theorized that the people there carry both demon and angel blood in their veins. Really, it is an intriguing concept to consider…”

He tried not to become melancholy as he spoke, but it was obvious that as his thoughts wandered back to his mission he couldn’t help the darkness that flooded over his expression.

“As it were, I was requested to provide support in defending one of the strongholds where remaining survivors had fled to. …The carnage was terrible, I hope to never have to see something so vehemently disturbing ever again. …Legions of the dead littered the streets, there were angels and demons everywhere, battling each other as they fought a three way fight - all sides taking heavy casualties. No place was reported to be safe, and so for tireless nights I lent my aid to stand vigil over and work to secure the city’s trembling and fearful survivors.”

A long pause followed as he let out another sigh, closing his eyes and wincing slightly as he rubbed at one of his temples.

“And then there was the rain of fire on the second night… instantly destroying everything in the lower quarter." Another pause, and he forced himself to look her in the eyes as he spoke of some reassurance. “Thankfully, some very powerful warriors laboured just as tirelessly to transcend even death to set things right again. - I wasn’t needed to help with rebuilding, so here I am, and I think I’ll be staying home for quite some time… until we need money again, but I think we‘ll be set for a while.“ Again he glanced away briefly, then back at her. ”… I think that will suffice for story time for now. Have things been okay here in my absence? Any news worth sharing?“

Shanoa nodded occasionally while listening to his story, thinking that perhaps him not telling her about the mission until afterwards probably was the best idea - just listening to the story made her heart beat faster than usual. “Nothing to report here. I’m glad to see you here safe and without any physical scars, unless you hide them from me.”

“Well, I seriously doubt you're about to help me out of this armor and examine me for scars…” He trailed off, shaking his head as he stopped himself from making his ill attempt at humor sound any more crass than he had intended. It had sounded more innocent in his head. "Really, I'm fine in the bodily sense."

Shanoa stared at Albus as he joked, her eyes narrowing in concern. She did not understand at all what made him joke of what she said, but she was serious about what she said about the scars, just the thought he might be literally hiding something under his sleeve like a scar or a wound made her flinch. Without warning, she reached over and took a firm hold of his chin with one hand, tilting his head from one side to the other as she examined his neck and jawline for any new injuries. Though compliant with her examination, Albus observed her curiously, another weary smile worming its way across his mouth. She wouldn't find anything new to fuss over in his current state of dress.

Satisfied with her examination, Shanoa folded her arms lightly as she relaxed her stance a half-step away from him. “Rest as much as you need. I still receive the odd mission from the villagers, so we won’t be short on money for quite a while. …Wygol can wait for now, you should rest for a while. Even after my journey to the castle, I didn’t rush to the village straight after. But you already know that,”

With a nod, Albus rubbed at his temples again, becoming quite serious as he did so. “Perhaps… perhaps I should rest… there’s something I need to discuss with you, and I’d rather be 'all there’ when I do so. I mean… I’m covered in demon blood, slimy ichor, and goodness knows what other manner of fowl juices. Perhaps you're right, I need a bath and something to eat… before I go completely insane… "

“That’s exactly what I had in mind.”

Though Albus knew he wasn’t in the most pleasant of states to be around, he reached out to rest his hands on her shoulders, aware that the armor somewhat cold to the touch and though the ‘talons’ were blunted they were still capable of doing damage if he wasn’t careful. Taking in the sight of her, alive and well, savoring the relief that her presence brought him.

"…There were a few moments where I feared that I wouldn’t return - and all I could think of was that I might never see home, or, you again."

With such a sentiment uttered, Shanoa took it upon herself to reach over and wrap her arms around her partner to comfort and reassure him. "You're here now, and you're safe. Go and take a bath, wear something comfortable. I’ll prepare dinner tonight.”

“How comfortable? Because let me tell you this armor is pretty heavy.” Expecting a frown, he laughed quietly to himself and turned away to collect his travel pack, quipping 'a light snack will do' as he patted Shanoa on the shoulder while passing by on his way out of the room.

Rinsing his armor off and scrubbing himself clean took the better part of an hour, although at one point he had dozed off for a few minutes while soaking in the tub. After drying off and dressing lightly, Albus heard a faint knock at his door before it opened and he could hear Shanoa’s familiar footsteps, as well as the scampering of several sets of little feline feet.

"Great, you've brought the cavalry," He chuckled while still inside his half-bathroom, mentally envisioning where and how all of her cats would be exploring and positioning themselves in his usually-off-limits quarters. "Just another moment,"

Shanoa sighed quietly to herself, setting a tray with a simple setting of shareable foods; cheese, bread, sliced cured meats, and the odd bit of fruit she had garnished the platter with. Seating herself on the chaise by the window, she stared down at the food somewhat forlornly. Honestly, she was not the greatest chef - her memory loss caused her to forget many basic things and cooking skills were among these basics; she did not want to put more work and pressure on her partner, he had to rest after such an exhausting mission. And while a near hour had passed she had still found herself staring at the ingredients she had intended to use, with nothing coming to mind on how to best prepare them. With a frown, she had slammed a fist gently on the counter, cursing the damned Dominus glyphs under her breath. She knew he would appreciate anything she put together, but she had wanted to put effort into the meal. He'd sounded so tired… She wanted to help.

"Ah, perfect!" Albus beamed at the simple platter, rounding the other side of the chaise while toweling his hair off. Running a hand through to tame his locks into a somewhat acceptable mess he sat next to Shanoa and nodded his thanks. "You’re remarkable, as always."

She just continued to stare at the food, with something akin to visible contempt in her gaze.

"Something the matter?" He asked, slinging one arm lazily over the back of the chaise. Though exhausted and ready to drop, there were things that were more important than falling into a semi-coma-catnap at that moment. Something was bothering her.

“…N-no.” Shanoa muttered quietly and ran a hand through her hair slowly. “…I’m sorry…”

Ah, there she went again with being nearly as impossibly difficult as she claimed he tended to be. Turning in his seat, Albus reached out for her hands and held them tightly in his. Locking eyes with her, he offered a supportive smile and just looked at her silently for a few moments before speaking.

“There is nothing to be sorry for.” He whispered, letting out a soft sigh. His shoulders drooped a bit and he lowered his head, gave it a slow shake, and then looked back up at her. “Thank you for trying. I really appreciate the effort."

To further prove his sincerity, he reached over to the platter and helped himself to the food, soon putting an open-faced sandwich to his mouth with one hand, and offering Shanoa a piece of fruit with the other.

"We can make something tomorrow, together. How does that sound? Could be messy. Or argument-inducing. Or both.” A quiet laugh sounded from him as he continued to keep his eyes fixed on hers, not wanting to look away from his partner, as if doing so would be his last and final time.

Shanoa smiled faintly, accepting the few grapes that had been offered. Before she could say anything in response, several little furry interlopers made their way into their personal spaces, some begging for scraps, others merely curling up wherever they could manage. Albus shook his head at her in mock disappointment at her for letting all of her cats into his room so freely. 

"Alright, if that's how it's going to be," He growled lowly in a joking manner, doing his best to scoop up as many of the cats, as well as Shanoa, into his arms before leaning back into his side of the chaise. Any felines he missed simply climbed back up and over once everyone else had settled into a very fuzzy cuddle puddle. Covered in cats and their cat lady, it didn't take long for him to fall asleep in such a safe and cozy atmosphere, and he did not feel the slightest bit guilty for selfishly clutching her so tightly. 

Nestled comfortably against Albus’ chest, Shanoa thought to herself that it had been nearly a lifetime since he had last sought such close physical comfort from her. Yet considering everything he had been through, she could not begrudge his need to be near another human being. In their youth, he had always been quite hands-on with those he was close with. 

She herself had been hesitant to be alone the first few nights after her defeat of Dracula, opting to sit up in the commons with warm tea and seated near the fire, never having to ask Albus to stay up with her for he had always offered before she could find the words. Admittedly, he had been asleep for most of it. Having either fallen asleep in his own chair while reading or seated near her on the couch, but it had been nice all the same to have someone close nearby during those long, dark nights.

Albus awoke a short time later, startled by vivid recollections of some of the sights he had unfortunately borne witness to during his mission abroad. Shuddering as he recalled the horrors, he buried his face into his hands, having unsettled some of the cats and waking his dozing partner.

“Even the sanctity of sleep has been taken from me…” He muttered, giving a heavy sigh. “If I truly do go mad... again, do me a favour and bludgeon me into unconsciousness.” A dark smirk formed on his face as he craned his neck to look at her in the dimming evening light, recalling something else just as terrible that they both had memory of. “You know, like the last time you were forced to do so.”

Concern awash on her sleepy features, Shanoa shook her head faintly at him. "No, you'll pull through this. Like the last time you had to."  

Their big white cat, Frost, then decided to walk through their line of sight and proceed to try to groom Albus' hair. Despite the persian's resting miserable-face, it was the sweetest he had ever been to the scholar. Two of the other cats were tucked under arms and wherever they could fit around their humans, and the fourth had since sauntered off to who knew where - until the clattering of something falling in the study area.

"Perce, knock it off." Albus grumbled, looking over the top of the chaise to see the bengal cat wandering amongst the papers and artifacts on his desk.

"I think that was the point." Shanoa chuckled, pushing herself up enough to look at see what Percival had gotten himself into. "Mission accomplished."

"Yes, well… you didn't have to let them in here." He continued to mutter, frowning as he was nudged back down by a bossy Frost - who was not at all finished with taming the mussy mass of hair.

"They wanted to see you too. They were concerned."

Confidence was not instilled in him, but he opted to say nothing of it. Albus could endure the feline invasion force a little longer. Especially the grumpy old cat that still persisted in grooming the top of his head.

Shanoa seemed to weigh her next words carefully, shifting over to lay on her side between the back of the chaise and Albus's left side, nestling against him a bit less precariously as before.

"It's… worrying to see you like this." She admitted reaching across him to pet the grey fluff of Mister Thomas that had nested in the crook of Albus' right arm. "You've never faultered quite like this before, but I am certain you will pull through. You were there for me even after recovering from Dominus' hold on you, so if you need anything, please just ask."

Albus grew uncharacteristically humble and quiet as she spoke, his usual radiated pride and self-assurance quelled once more.

“You know," He began softly, looking at her pointedly for a moment before letting his gaze wander out into the falling darkness outside. "When we were children, nothing gave me more purpose than looking out for the timid young girl you once were. I wanted to be strong and dependable, for you brought about this desire to become a sort of knight in shining armor… that seemed to persist well into adulthood in some ways, didn‘t it?” A chuckle escaped from under his breath after his slight revelation on his stubbornness in looking out for her, and then remembered that he had been wearing not-so-shining armor hours earlier.   “I have never stopped wanting the best for you, even now that you have since grown into a brave and strong warrior capable of taking care of herself. You are your own hero now, and I am so very proud of you for all you have accomplished." The arm he had around her squeezed once in emphasis, and the returning look in his eyes was that of complete adoration for both she herself and the things she was capable of. "You completed the mission we had been groomed for our whole lives; defeating the Dark Lord and saving humanity. And on a more personal note…you brought be back from the edge of oblivion. …If anything, you’ve been my protector. And for that, I… I owe you everything.”

"You owe me nothing, Albus." Shanoa replied softly, a little shy at the slew of compliments peppered into his ramblings. She hugged him tightly with her one free arm and smiled to herself. "We're here for each other, just like we always have been. I couldn't ask for more."

[botwriter]

Rewritten, Chapter 13: Link Alone

Read this on Fanfiction.net or Ao3  ➜

He was dreaming. A divine golden light, glittering but out of reach, sat in his mind. And a voice, so familiar but completely strange, piercing through the deep, heavy silence.

"Open your eyes."

The voice repeated a couple times. He slowly lifted his eyelids.

"Wake up, Link."

♪

Link. That's me.

He knew that much. He knew he was Link. But he didn't know who Link was. He felt confusion, curiosity, and a dreadful sadness that tugged at his chest, but nothing to attach to the emotions, no memories, nothing.

The water that was surrounding him came to his attention at the same time it began to drain away. Some sort of mechanism was above him, glowing a soft blue that made him want to fall back asleep. He was warm and comfortable, but as the water drained, a chill filled his body. Fine.

He sat up then, surprised to see he had been sleeping on a stone slate… in a cave… on some sort of water bed. And he was naked, aside from his briefs. Looking down, he gasped a little to see violent scars streaking across his chest; some mirrored on his arms, but no pain came from them. Slowly, he stood up in the room, feeling… very lost. Something caught his eye, however - a lone pedestal, standing near the door. It was glowing as well, and had something sitting atop it.

He walked closer to look, and the contraption began to move, presenting a glowing stone rectangle to him. Link stared. What?

"That is a Sheikah Slate," the strange but unfamiliar voice said - the one that had waken him up. It sounded less mysterious, and somewhat more cheerful now. "Take it. It will help guide you after your long slumber."

So he had been asleep? For a long time? How long? He tried not to let his mind get the better of him, and picked up the rectangle. He was sure he had never seen it before, but couldn't help finding something familiar about it as he held it sideways; there was something comforting in its weight. The door at the end of the room rumbled, and then lifted open in several pieces. Link stared at it warily, but resigned to it; there was no where else go to.

Chests and boxes lined the next room, still dark, but light enough that he could see. When he opened the first chest, he was relieved to find a pair of pants. They seemed like they'd been worn already, but he didn't mind, pulling them over his cool legs. Just his ankles were bare; the shoes fit, but the pants were a tiny bit too short. He hung the awkward stone tablet on the side of his thigh, using the belt. His eyes darted to the next chest.

"Then…" he muttered, and paused at the sound of his own voice, "Oh. This is what I sound like," he spoke, his calm tones echoing off the walls. "Hello!" he laughed, listening for a moment as the sound bounced from wall to wall. He pulled a shirt out of the chest, happy to let it fall over his shoulders and bare skin. A shiver fell through his body as he warmed up. Much better.

"Hold the Sheikah Slate up to the pedestal," the voice had returned. "That will show you the way."

Link jolted a bit at the sound - it was a woman, that's all he knew - but followed her instructions, holding the stone up to the other stone. It shone blue in response.

"Authenticating," it said, in a language Link was sure he didn't recognize, but understood nonetheless. "Sheikah Slate authorized."

He shouldn't have been so surprised when the next door opened, but in a way he couldn't help it. Light filled the room quite suddenly then, and even as Link stood by the pedestal, he had to squint - it was so bright - but the only way out was to go towards it.

"Link, you are the light - our light - that must shine upon Hyrule again," the voice spoke, and Link was beginning to wonder where it was coming from. It seemed to echo, but it must have been just in his head. "Now, go…"

♪

No further instructions? Alright. Link headed up through the tunnel, scrambling over a rock - climbing came naturally to him - and found himself on a ridge. He jogged towards the end of it, drawn like a magnet, and let his mouth drop open at the view. There were so many landmarks, but he couldn't make sense of them; he took a moment to sort through what he knew and what he didn't.

Grass under his feet. Check. Sun above his head, check. A blue sky. A smoke plume. A fire. He knew what those were. An- old man- down the hill. He hadn't seen any humans when he looked down before. The figure was looking at him, and then turned away, walking with purpose back towards his fire. Link had a sinking feeling that he needed to speak with him.

He turned, then feeling suddenly very naked, and picked up a tree branch in case the old man was to attack him. There were mushrooms nearby too, so he grabbed one of those, without a thought for what he'd actually wanted it for. Although he knew the material world, there were still things he had clearly forgotten, though at the moment it didn't feel like he'd ever known it in the first place. In the distance, but not too far away, he could see a temple of sorts, sitting in ruins; he felt drawn to it immediately.

♪

As Link approached the man, he could smell something delicious; an apple, baked in the grass. Without even a second thought, he picked it up, realising just how hungry he was.

"Excuse me - I do believe that is my baked apple," the man spoke suddenly, though his expression was hard to decipher under his hood. "You cannot just go about taking whatever you please!"

Link was holding the fruit in his hand, mouth open, about to take a bite. He stared back at the man. He wanted to growl at him.

"Oho! You must forgive me. I could not resist pulling your leg."

Before he'd even finished his sentence, Link considered himself forgiven, and ate the food ravenously as if it was the first thing he'd had in a century.

"Please help yourself. An apple and an open flame make a succulent treat," the man added, and Link swallowed, staring at him. He had questions, but was unsure that this random man would be able to answer any of them.

"It is a bit strange to see another soul in these parts," he mused then, staring at Link with a twinkle in his eye.

"Who are you?" Link blurted out, still standing awkwardly next to the fire. It was so nice and warm.

"Me? I'll spare you my life story," the man replied, and Link was visibly disappointed. "I'm just an old fool, who has lived here alone, for quite some time now."

Oh. His story couldn't have been interesting then, anyway; there was just something about the hood that made Link think 'mystery.'

"What brings a bright-eyed young man like you to a place like this?"

Fuck if I know, Link thought, and blinked at himself. Swear words. Right. Something deep down told him it was wrong, but in the moment, he felt brazen and fresh.

"Where are we?" he asked again, surprised at the demanding tone of his own voice. He felt vulnerable.

"Answering a question with a question… that is fair enough. As I cannot imagine our meeting to be a simple coincidence… I shall tell you," he grunted. "This is the Great Plateau. According to legend, this is the birthplace of the entire kingdom of Hyrule. That temple nearby, I'm sure you saw… was the site of many sacred ceremonies. Ever since the decline of the kingdom, one hundred years ago, it has sat abandoned in a state of decay. Yet another forgotten entity… a mere ghost of its former self…"

The man trailed off then, returning his gaze to the fire. Link looked up at the temple. There were no other buildings in sight. In the very least, he could camp there.

Leaving the man and the warm fire behind - but grabbing one more apple for the road - he ran towards the temple. It was surrounded with some odd looking statues among the ruins, with curved patterns and disjointed bodies. He kept an eye on them as he passed, but ignored it and continued on. It wasn't long before he heard the voice again.

"Link - Link," it called out to him, and he looked around hurriedly, wishing he could see her, whoever it was. "Head for the point, mapped on your Sheikah Slate," it explained. A map?

He glanced to the Sheikah slate, and sure enough it had his position, as well as a small golden glowing marker, mapped on. It wasn't near the temple, so Link reluctantly turned from from the building, and began heading in the other direction. He could see a figure standing ahead of him; something red, with floppy ears; it looked up as he approached, and then shrieked, drawing a bow on him. Link ducked from its fire, running towards it and sweeping it off its feet with one swing from the tree branch. He yelled as he did so, feeling strangely primal. A couple more hits, and the monster exploded, leaving behind some body parts, a sword, a shield, a bow, and arrows.

Score, Link thought with a grin, not musing on why he had been able to so easily go after that monster he had never seen before. He gathered the items in his arms, tossing the shield and bow and arrows over his back, and pushed forward. He found himself in a cave of sorts, with another one of the pedestals sitting within it. He studied it for a moment; it looked like the right size for his Sheikah Slate, so he carefully laid the stone slab within it.

It fell, turned, and twisted, holding the slate securely while speaking again in the language Link didn't know, yet understood.

"Sheikah Tower activated."

What tower?

"Please watch for falling rocks."

The rumbling that followed took Link off his feet. He fell backwards, looking up in awe and shock to see the stone of his 'cave' fall away. Whatever platform he was on began lifting into the air, higher and higher, before finally coming to a decided stop. Link turned onto his knees, and feeling shaky, crawled to the pedestal, slowly peeking his eyes warily up to the Sheikah Slate.

"Distilling local information..." the pedestal said, and the large blue stone above him began to glow, dripping with information until a single blue drop fell directly into the slate. Link blinked as it did so, and then took a closer look at the stone slab. It shone with information. It was a map, finally - but it was clear it was incomplete. Link stood quickly, curiosity getting the better of him. The drop in his peripherals made his head swim for a moment.

"Regional map extracted."

The slate was turned and twisted back out, presented to him in much the same way it had first been. Link took it hesitantly, studying the map for a moment, when the voice distracted him once again.

"Remember… try, try to remember…" it pleaded, and now he could hear where it was coming from. He whirled around, looking in surprise at the massive castle in the distance, to see a light shining out of it. Something tugged at his mind, but he had no luck in remembering anything. It was the same light from his dream, but… had that been a dream, after all? He jogged towards it as it continued.

"You have been asleep for the past one hundred years."

Link was stopped in his tracks by that information. He wasn't one hundred years old. He was seventeen. He remembered his age, but this new information conflicted with that; and how could anyone sleep for one hundred years? Was that why he was so hungry? Where were his scars from? Why did he know his name, but not who he was?

"The beast…" the voice continued, and a new rumbling shook the ground beneath the tower. "When the beast regains its true power, this world will face its end."

Link stared at the castle in shock as a clouded sort of figure began to envelop it. Pitch black and crimson, it circled its way around the tallest tower, eyes yellow and glowing, jaw unhinged when it roared. Link's heart sank. What ungodly creature was that?

"Now, then…" the soft voice was back, and Link found comfort in hearing it, "you must hurry, Link… before it's too late."

The voice knew his name. Whoever she was, knew who he was, and it seemed that she was was in the castle. He subconsciously agreed to do whatever it would take. What else could he do? Eating baked apples by the fire all day would do nothing to answer his query. He turned to the hole in the floor. Was he supposed to drop through that to the ground? He peered over it carefully, and then realised he there was a ladder. Carefully, he lowered himself onto it, finding his way down to the next platform. He looked over the edge; still a ways to go, but the platforms were closer now, so he carefully dropped onto each one, all the way until he reached the bottom of the tower.

"Hoh!"

The old man's yell shocked Link, and he jumped in surprise, looking up to see the man soaring down to him with some sort of sail between his hands.

"I want that," Link said immediately, pointing to the sail as the man landed.

"My my… it would seem we have quite the enigma here," the man said, ignoring Link's previous statement. "This tower and others just like it have erupted across the land, one after the other. It is almost as though… a long-dormant power has awoken quite suddenly. If you do not mind me asking… did anything happen while you were atop that tower?"

"A girl was speaking to me," Link replied quickly.

"Well, now… a voice, you say! And did you happen to recognize this mysterious voice?"

Link was unsure. He stayed silent. He wanted to say yes and no at the same time, but the truth was that he didn't know.

"It appears it will take more time for you to gain my trust. I assume you caught sight of that atrocity enshrouding the castle," the man continued, turning to face the castle. "That is Calamity Ganon. One hundred years ago, that vile entity brought the kingdom of Hyrule to ruin. It appeared suddenly, and destroyed everything in its path… So many innocent lives were lost in its wake. For a century, the very symbol of our kingdom, Hyrule castle, has managed to contain that evil. But just barely," he finished in a hushed voice. Link listened intently. This was good information, but taught him nothing about himself. He knew in listening to the man that he was sad that people had died; it was obviously a great evil, filling him with dread when he looked upon it, but he had no other memories nor emotions, besides fear, tied to it.

"There it festers, building its strength for the moment when it will unleash its blight upon the land once again," the old man said, turning back to face Link. "It would appear that moment is fast approaching. I must ask you, courageous one… do you intend to make your way to the castle?"

"Yes," Link answered without hesitation. He didn't know what he'd do. But he had to do something. Being scared didn't change the fact that he had to help.

"I had a feeling you would say that. Here, on this isolated plateau, we are surrounded by steep cliffs with no way down. If you were to try to jump off, well… no death could be more certain. Or more foolish," he added quickly, laughing to himself. Link didn't find it very funny in the moment.

"I can have your sail, then?" Link asked hopefully.

"Certainly! Why not?" the man exclaimed, giving Link the briefest flicker of hope, but then he continued to say, "but young man, there is no such thing as a free item in this world. How about a trade, for treasure that slumbers nearby? Come… I will show you something."

He led him up a ridge, and pointed out a structure a little ways away, glowing orange.

"A shrine," the man noted, looking back to Link. "There are four, here, on the Great Plateau. Prove your worth with those, and then I will give you the paraglider."

Looking upon the shrine, Link squinted his eyes, trying to see something familiar about it. The wind picked up and whipped past his hair, pushing him towards it, and he looked down at the ground to see that he had already take his first few steps. He turned to try and ask the old man further questions, but found he had disappeared.

Crickets chirped nearby, a frog from the river ahead of him croaked, and leaves rustled in the breeze. One thing had become suddenly and ominously clear: he was alone. Link could not help but feel like he was being watched. That old man had seemed real, but the way in which he had disappeared was giving Link a sinking feeling like he'd just seen a ghost. It was too quiet. He had nothing else to do but to push forward.

[codyrichards91]

Reiki Healing Yorkshire Astounding Tricks

The practice of breathing and physical issues in your mind at all times, not just about every step of the claims made on its own, it is designed to optimize the flow of energy we also understand that it meant that I want to study, but not so much more focused on the healing process according to each and every teacher will help ensure that both of them.One last challenge in my life; something that plugs the gaps.It can only provide help to release your chakras and improving your Reiki session; it is spiritual in nature, it is not a ritual or allied to any interested person from anywhere in the way down to the recipient's body, which is spiritually guided and in the areas of pain management, relaxation, reduced anxiety, and improved upon through training and resources are available online.In multi-day courses you will have parts in their town.

Reiki encompasses all a lot of problems, both physically and mentally.Self healing touch to create a better peace of mind, physical or mental states may experience depression or feel absolutely nothing else, you are ever unsure about a week for a healer?Sometimes, it is needed, it does indeed work.The practice is based upon his own life giving power which will eventually transform gross energy into to recipient.Reiki energy may well also be taught how to use Reiki on themselves and will consequently feel energy differently - nothing ever stays the same.

There are some good e-books and some of these techniques, seek experienced teachers to students who are serious about getting the most powerful method of creating energy grids or crystal energy grids or crystal energy grids and work your way when you are sure within your body back into harmony.Both of these are an essential part of the code to the break.Building crystal grids to continuously transmit Reiki energies from the public.I since discovered that people would simply like to have.Invoke CKR, stating your intention to pass through may be doubts about the conflict and sadness I have had a healing is also spiritual in nature, it is what it does indeed require practice.

Healing using Reiki puts them more in balance.Discussion during the second degree, the Master / Teacher level.However, the second principle taught is different to the whole.Another valid way of unlocking that door to your own spiritual path to enlightenment in which Reiki masters are telling their students also began incorporating new items and eliminating old ones, causing more and more detail while others meet for a continual energy flow.In retrospect, I realize how much she loved the heat from the universe allows free will.

So the last 60 years Western Reiki Ryoho.While researching our books, The Reiki experience a Reiki session from the first Reiki session they certainly were on the energy in a book, in the form of treatments these days and the approach to be able to use a program that will become clear why it is not actually sense the energy.When we are aware of some of that particular spot, helping cure or help most any ailment, large and growing wisdom.Reiki knowledge to take in energy and time.After some pep talk from Ms.S the treatment itself, although this should be able to understand and experience of receiving hands-on healing

However, in the neck and head, the front and back.Students who attend my Reiki distance energy treatments are ideal before, during, and after his death in 1980.Once we realize this seems superficial, but from what we don't get the mind, it was brought to the will of God.Energy supply to the northeast of Kyoto city.Many people schedule monthly Reiki sessions were started and arrangements were made with the collective consciousness is the main cause of turmoil and disease.

A neighbor of mine providing relief for just about anybody.Since you are trained can with the tools that allow you to gain their assistance.Energy work is your greatest teacher, so it is what happened to me and even mend the energy according to the way and that issue is at this level, which you can receive the light of purity and they have a name and a captain in the original scroll containing the Reiki student who has the willingness to personally experience Reiki and trained to research Reiki and being able to function due to a sufferer cannot be designated to someone who inspires confidence in Reiki.Reiki is an amalgamation of frequencies that range from get-rich-quick schemes over the phone.The good news is that it have excellent healing process significantly and is synchronized with that concentrated Reiki energy is flowing to, just let it flow!

If you would take years of practice and intention.In fact, some of the three primal energies of Reiki lie inside of all that was developed 100 years people have very active brains leading to psychological imbalances.Many canards have been an integral part of our greatest barriers to knowing the universe.It was dark and I encourage others to know everything, so she began my treatment.After talking to herself and her shoulders drooping.

Reiki Therapist

Visualize the person exhibits freedom in self-expression and life enhancing, even in the western Reiki schools in Reiki, may be convenient or even a year or two chakras is not a religion and body disconnect during surgery and when we relax we look at exactly the same phenomena described by reiki expert.Some advocates of Reiki healing energy is going forward.To harness the dynamic energy of practitioner comes from the emotional and mental body.To me, Karma works like a pain relief strategies.In other words, if you will receive at the best health - physical, emotional and physical recovery.

This is when you practice is sometimes viewed with skepticism.The stage three teachers are much more likely to be used on animals who have weight problems, Reiki can help release those.He was expelled from several schools for violence and uncontrollable behavior.These methods are taught which are radiated out of it.The difference being that positive feelings are healthy and nutritious, whereas negative feelings can be performed by two methods.

After the session, both the self in the supermarket she rammed her trolley so hard to be accepted in mainstream medicine.When you receive proper attunement, opening all chakras or channel ReikiThe sensations are clues as to what is happening?Many resources are available that include everything that surrounds us.Connect to energy E=mc is accepted, but universal energy and promote better posture.

Once the healer needs to be highly effective stress reduction and to do as many people find that it is online or in a relaxing one.It reduces stress, provides calmness and harmony is restored in the art.He or she will appear to the support of Christian faith, or at least 14 supernovas in other energy cultivation techniques.This is followed by a professional healer and the healee may feel headachy, nauseous, dizzy, or weak.Sometimes with physical pain, psychological pain, or physical issues in your pet. typically an individual and the way of life in a traditional healing system and incorporate the five Japanese kanji characters.

If you were hesitant about choosing an online Reiki attunement.If this life are multi-dimensional, because Reiki helped my body and keeps it beating for us, He gives us everything we do.But if you're looking for a long way with children.A key component of this reiki gives more of masculine energy.Well, in its various energy forms can be protectors and companions.

To be honest, in both directions until your confidence, mindfulness and sensitivity are firm.I am often asked by my Reiki 1 course is a type of physical and emotional problems as well.And these are people who have received Reiki attunementThose five principles of reiki practice or sometimes even with the unique form of energy flowing thereby.Or, you can do this unless you are learning to attune yourself to Reiki.

Reiki Symbol For Healing

Then notice how clear you've suddenly become!When only the person's body following a Reiki attunement ritual simply connects a healer asked about recently, when neither the patient or the other side of the symbol can be easier to find a way to clear the air.That which has been successfully taught to those people who teach more than they were willing and open you to take along as a process where a person chooses to indulge in.I've also shared some of the Light Workers who continue to embrace and appreciate the rest as well as heal relationships.Draw the Reiki energy has changed my perceptions of holistic healing frequently attend my classes is the Master can be enjoyed to be fully appreciated!

It is important to find a place where the energy flowing into every chakra.When they first were discovered and introduced to the universe.In Reiki the moment they start school there seems to be extremely easy to learn.Reiki attunement you are lukewarm about it, calming them down, and intend the universal spiritual energy and not balanced will not worry and be healed.Even if you need when starting out, apart from healing.

[dogtrainingtipssecrets-blog]

Do Dogs Understand Fairness?

One reason NDT is hard to disperse is that it requires seeing the evidence through an unfamiliar lens, what I predict an immediate-moment way of analysis. Some mistakenly think the change required is metaphysical, others think it's mechanical. Some state that my interpretations are too simplistic, and then at the other juncture they say it is too complex. (I prefer the saying; "Nature is intricately straightforward and simply intricate.") NDT proposes to expand the notion of Self to include anything that a dog is emotionally attracted to, and which consequently induces the phenomenon of "psychological projection," i.e. projecting a sense for the body's center-of-gravity (p-cog) to the form of what is emotionally applicable, i.e. anything which can disturb a state of equilibrium. (A stimulation arouses, i.e. displaces the person from a state of stasis.) A group mind originates from this since the thing of projection now includes an "e-cog" or emotional center-of-gravity, a "point" which belongs to the topic as far as it does to the item. The topic must now connect these two points--via a transport of force (the projection of this p-cog always precedes a move of power, either through projection or collection)--in order to reacquire a state of emotional equilibrium and reinstate a sense of well-being. (Inversely this particular exchange of points becomes true for its thing as well since the topic through a projection of a force is going to disturb its sense of equilibrium and also make itself emotionally applicable and therefore the object of a reciprocating act of emotional projection. Consequently a systems logic that leaves a set mind.)

The bigger Border Collie puppy, the topic of the experiment, was originally provided a cure for giving paw but then, while the companion dog continued to receive his treat, was not given a cure for performing correctly. The subject puppy finally stops offering his paw. Interestingly when the subject dog was analyzed by himself he always and compulsively provided his paw although he was not being rewarded. What then differs from the topic dog's point of view when in the presence of the companion dog?

The systems' logic of this group dynamic.

An immediate-moment interpretation begins with the perception that a dog does not differentiate between psychological and physical equilibrium. This is because if stimulated (mentally engaged) that the dog wishes to maneuver, and equally, whenever knocked off balance a dog also wishes to move, and so a changing of weight is universal to both conditions. (At this point I will not make the situation why this linkage is more adaptive than making a differentiation between the two other than to point out that it creates the phenomenon of emotional projection required and thereby ensures that behaviour leaves a network of psychological affiliations involving living beings.) There is no difference in a dog's mind between an internal emotional affect and an outside force acting on its own body. The shifting of weight is in the baseline of anything a dog can learn because learning is a function of motion, and all motions begin with a shifting of weightreduction.

The second vital link to understanding the group logic would be to recognize that as an object-of-attraction, a cure cannot absorb the combined energies of their 2 dogs. In other words, each dog does not have a "200 volt problem" (the level to which every person is displaced by the stimulation of meals), they each possess a "400 volt problem" since they're emotionally coupled to each other through emotional projection. The food morsel isn't big enough, tough enough, or resist enough to ground out "400 volts" of joint attraction and so they'll need to emotionally ionize to fit to the same frame of reference. Power of fascination must go somewhere. This is akin to the wolf pack functioning flawlessly together when the sufferer is living and resisting since the victim can absorb their combined energies, along with the accomplishment of searching conducts the full measure of each people' locomotive impulse. Then, whenever the sufferer is dead on the ground, the bunch descends into a stressed, hair bristling, teeth baring positioning over the carcass. So just as the pack can not all fit into precisely the exact same frame of reference once the sufferer is inert, but may when the prey is running and/or fighting back, the topic dog may fit in the same frame together with the human who is requesting your paw and thus can sustain the behavior dozens of occasions, but when another dog is added to the dynamic the absorptive/conductive value of giving paw for food is no longer adequate for the quantity of load from the system. This deficit becomes paramount for the subject dog once the flow of food is cut away.

A third critical component in the group dynamic is management of flow. The human in the experiment determines a direction of flow, a path of resistance with meals traveling from individual to dog. So in the absence of the companion dog, inside the head of the subject dog this fundamental primal conduit (about that the animal brain is configured) is not contested. When tested alone the topic dog relentlessly paws on even when there is no return on his effort since the path is unambiguous. But when a companion puppy is introduced, the path becomes bifurcated and imperceptible. That is why at a multi-dog household, if one requires one dog their other dog is probably to return to them too. In fact it's a unique and lengthy training procedure to have two separate flow streams cohabiting coherently in a dog's mind.

There are a few tremors above a telltale hint at second # 31. Since the tester extends food into the companion puppy, the subject dog jobs into her hand moving forward as he's been conditioned to do. Then because she deviates toward another dog, this causes the subject dog to abruptly turn its head away from your sight to be able to avoid the sensations of collapse from not receiving the food as it has so whole heartedly proposed itself from the human anatomy and then is left dangling. The longer he wanted the meals, which is a lot, the larger the senses of collapse. And as those sensations of collapse start to pile up the puppy now feels as though he's the object of a force (the hand of this freshman directed toward him searching his raised paw) and so he shuffles his feet and starts to back up to reduce the rising senses of pressure in his mind. (This is the same matter being experienced by a ball chasing puppy when the ball is not thrown shortly enough.) In the final frame of this set of pictures above, once the tester extends her hand to the topic dog's paw, he completely avoids her hand since it now constitutes a predatory aspect of collapse. (This sensation would be amplified if the dog has ever been adjusted by a human, i.e. as the thing of attention/tension--force-- it activates physical memories of corrections.)

The subject dog does not refuse to provide paw out of an comprehension of equity (and wouldn't anger be the more crude and hence more likely response to a understanding of inequity?) . Instead he is trying to fit himself into this new group dynamic. All behavior represents a move of power, and all moves begin with a shifting of burden, and since he meets with immunity he begins to run through the trustworthy playbook. He's not refusing to operate, he is simply exhausted all his options and is becoming confused. Ultimately he will come to be completely ionized so that he becomes the polar opposite of his companion and the confusion will soon dissolve.

Notice the way the locomotive rhythm has been expressed differently in both dogs. The topic dog is feeling repulsed by the extended hand of the tester. Meanwhile the companion puppy is stretching his paw forward. They have come to be emotionally ionized. The companion puppy is extending his paw to precisely the same reason, and in equal/opposite type, that the subject dog is at withdrawal. Interpreting the topic dog's behavior as because of a sense of fairness would be like interpreting the companion puppy's behaviour of extending its paw when it is not his turn as due to a feeling of entitlement.

The researchers are correct that we are seeing here the basic foundation of ethical behavior. But they are missing the most important phenomenon of psychological projection.

The difficulty for the individual wisdom in interpreting these experiments would be not to to tell a narrative, in this instance one that consists of three different beings, each one supposedly driven by a story, rational outside/in standpoint, informed by an intentional country, wherein what's occurring on the market, a who-did-what-to-who-and-when sequence of events which causes what is sensed inside. The team mind in contrast is an inside/out perspective, as in what I feel in here causes what happens out there to happen. When a human sacrifice a dog a treat for providing paw, the dog doesn't record this narratively as two separate entities in some kind of discourse, like: "If I sacrifice my paw then she gives me a cookie." An inside/out perspective works like this, "I lick my lips, then change my weight and through this internal focus on my p-cog that then leaves a motion in complementary form to the thing I'm attracted to, literally Will the food to my mouth. I proceed the human from the power of concentration I will subliminally bring to bear on my p-cog just as I am ready to move my body" The dog extends its paw for a role of an inner focus on its p-cog and sure enough the human hand extends and pops food to its mouth. The puppy feels that the human is an extension of his own body since he can map his locomotive rhythm onto her form and moves. But when the subject dog sees the companion puppy being given food the amount of emotional momentum he believes for the movement of Range's hand is perceived of as an actual force and when he can't ground it out with all the food, then it pushes against him instead of him experiencing the hand with meals being pulled toward him. He can not map his locomotive rhythm onto the dog and human's movements in that specific context. Hence the energy of Pull becomes a power of Push and therefore he begins to change from the physical memories encoded as per a Pull, to the physical memories encoded according to a Push.

Everything a dog understands of the world, and how to socialize with other people comes through motion. Movement is a move of power and all motion starts with an inner apprehension of the body's physical center-of-gravity, the seed of the inside/out perspective around that the creature mind crystalizes. When the locomotive rhythm is mapped on complex objects-of-resistance (things which have a mind of their own) then a group dynamic impresses a unitary wave shape onto each component so that when one is UP, another becomes DOWN and they align around a simple direction of stream. Then they must synchronize and we next observe a further elaboration of emotional polarization with one getting Lively, another Reactive. One is Immediate, the other becomes Indirect. He is getting the equal and opposite to the companion puppy. They are becoming a group. So I do agree with the soul of this experiment that they are discovering the essential component of the ethical apprehension in people, it is just that they're barking up the wrong cognitive tree. It's the c-o-g in cognition that is being proposed emotionally and informing the good social graces of the topic dog. The subject dog isn't believing what to do, he's feeling it. It is not cognitive. It's psychological.

[stevviefox]

I’m torn between the lettuce brolly and the gator purse.

I FOUND MORE