#i doubt it but that small chance someone might feel the same if i went through with it did have me reconsider

[surreal-duck]

been in kinda a weird spot regards to my own art lately where nothing seems good enough or i feel like ive been on a downhill streak that ive barely touched my tablet since the year started except when its school related..,...., probably burnout from an entire year interning for animation and concept work i feel a bit lacking and falling behind wjhdhfjehd

[dragon-kazansky]

The song in our hearts

Lestat De Lioncourt x Female Reader

A musician with a heart that sings and an admirer who wishes to see his songbird thrive. Two beings in different worlds get caught up in each other when someone threatens to steal his songbird's spotlight. Loving Lestat isn't simple, and your life will never be the same again. What is eternity without chaos?

{Masterlist}

{Previous Chapter} - {Next Chapter}

Chapter Eight - Deep into the hole

“I can't believe this is happening. What do you think happened to him?” Amelie asks, looking more than a little worked up.

“I really don't know…” You lie. It feels awful lying to her, but telling her the truth would be far worse. Why did you ever have to cross paths with Lestat?

“I can't believe it.” She says again.

You focus on making the coffee. There was very little chance of you getting any sleep right now anyway. You pour two cups and hand one to Amelie. She takes it with a soft ‘thank you.’

“You know… you were the last person I saw him with…”

You look at her. “Please tell me you're not accusing me of anything. Amelie, I don't know where he is.” 

“I know. I was just saying…” The tone of her voice leaves you a little unconvinced. There's doubt lingering in your mind and for the first time ever you're left wondering who your real friends might be.

“I'm a lot of things, but a murderer ain't one.”

Amelie seems to realize how her words had sounded and moves closer to you. She reaches out for your hand and sighs loudly. “I'm sorry. I didn't mean anything. I've just been thinking too much.”

“I know. I'm sorry. Please don't let whatever is happening come between us. You're one of the few people I have.”

Amelie puts down her coffee so she can hug you. You return the gesture, but doubt is still eating away at your mind.

‘Come to me, Chéri.’

You hear him in your head. He was probably disappointed you had left. You needed time to think before you went back. There was too much going on.

You wake suddenly. Light is illuminating your room through your curtains. Amelie is fast asleep on your couch and you're curled up in a chair beside her. Two forgotten cups of coffee sit on the table.

Your head pounds as you get up out of the chair. You take a few moments to gather yourself and then start cleaning up. Amelie only stirs after you start filling the sink with water to wash up with.

“What time is it?” She asks, stretching.

“Noon.”

“Oh no! I'm supposed to be at the theater to answer questions about Noah. Damn it. I have to go.” She scrambles to get up.

“Wait a minute.” You wipe your hands and walk over to her. “What do you mean?”

“The police were going to go back to the theater today to ask questions. I promised Jack I'd be there.”

You feel an uneasy feeling in your body. “I'll take you.”

Arriving at the theater, you only see one police car parked outside. It gives you a feeling of dread as you look at it. Amelie leads the way inside.

All the performers are gathered in the lobby. They're all talking amongst each other. Through the commotion you can see Jack talking to two officers. After a few moments he turns to everyone and steps up on a chair.

“Quiet!”

Everyone falls silent. Jack turns to the officers. The tallest of the two steps forward. “We're here to enquire about Noah. It would seem his disappearance holds more questions than answers. One by one we're going to take you into the theater and ask you questions. If anyone knows anything about where he may be, dead or alive, please come forward.”

It feels like it gets harder to breathe.

The shorter officer steps forward and calls the first name. While they go inside, the rest of the crew all begin talking again. They're all trying to figure out what's happening. Jack gets bombarded with questions.

You take a seat on one of the small couches in the lobby. Amelie turns and looks at you quietly. She walks over and takes a seat beside you. “You okay?” 

“Yeah, just… can't believe this is happening. Do they really think something happened to Noah?”

“His sister certainly thinks so. She went to his place and all his stuff was still there, but the door was locked. Reckon he was taken or something before he even got home.”

Shit. Shit. Shit.

Was Lestat even going to do anything about all of this? He knows what's happening. He surely knows how much trouble you're in. Then again, can the police even connect you with Noah's disappearance. No one actually saw you with him alone. Lestat came in quick at the time and took him just as fast.

There's no evidence you were with him after the show.

One by one more performers were called into the theater. The ones who have been questioned already get asked to leave immediately. You watch each of them head on home.

Jack comes over to you after half the lobby is empty. He sees you with Amelie.

“I didn't realize you were. You don't need to be here.”

You look up at him. “Don't they want to question everyone?”

“Yes, but you're clear.”

You furrow your brows at him. “What do you mean I'm clear?”

“I already told the police that after the incident on stage, you left and Noah came to me. You were gone before the end of the show.”

“What?”

“Noah came to talk to me after you left the stage that night. I don't know where he went after, but when I came to your room, you were already gone.”

Jack doesn't know about the brief altercation in your dressing room. It really did happen too quickly for anyone to notice.

“Oh, I see.”

Jack places a hand on your shoulder in support. “You look tired. Go home.”

“No, let me stay.”

The short officer comes out to call for the next person when he sees you and Jack. He walks over and checks his list. “You're the pianist.”

“That's right.”

“Jack has already cleared up your whereabouts, but may we ask you some questions?”

Jack goes to interfere, but you're faster. “Of course. I'll come with you now.”

Jack looks at you with a column expression and watches you go with the officer.

Amelie looks up at him. “She'll be fine. She always is.”

“I know.”

Inside the theater you make your way to where the tall officer is. He's writing some things down. As you approach he looks up.

“This is the pianist Jack mentioned,” the other officer said.

“Oh. Wasn't expecting you here today.”

“I want to help if I can.” You tell him.

He nods. “I'm officer Michaels. That's officer Jackson. Take a seat, ma'am.”

You sit down beside him.

“Did you know Noah?” He asks.

“Not very well. He came to the theater to perform. Jack had suggested we do a duet, but I declined.”

“Yes, I heard as much. May we ask why?”

“I perform alone. I play solo.”

Michaels nods and makes a note of that. He looks at you again. “What happened that night?”

“I was performing. Same as I do every Friday. I was only just into my first song when Noah stormed the stage singing his heart out. I was furious, but only because he ruined my music. Not that he was a bad singer, just that I like my music to speak without the need for words.”

Michaels nods again. “Then what happened?”

Lestat happened. But you can't tell him that.

“I left the stage, ending my performance early. I was not in much mood to be made a fool of. I retreated to my dressing room to gather my things.”

“And then?”

“I went home. I was too embarrassed and furious to talk to anyone. I was gone before the show was over. Didn't even say bye to Jack.”

It wasn't a complete lie. It wasn't the whole truth either.

“I see. Jack said as much. He spoke to Noah briefly and then went to check on you after he had the next performer on stage. Your dressing room was empty. No sign of Noah either. You did not leave with him that night?”

“Not at all.”

Michaels makes a note. “Understood. Thank you for your time, ma'am.”

You nod and rise from the seat. However, before you get too far, you turn. “May I ask, what do you think happened to him?”

“I can't say for certain, but it is likely he disappeared after leaving the theater, but before reaching his home. Rest assured, We will find our answers.”

You nod and leave quietly.

By the time you're leaving the theater, Amelie is going in for questioning. You don't stop to talk to anyone, just like the others did before you. You're on your way home when someone comes up beside you.

“Hey there.”

You turn and see Eleanor has joined you. You had just wanted to go home.

“Hello.”

“May I join you for a moment?” She asks kindly.

“Sure.”

You walk in silence for a few moments before she talks. “My brother wrote about you in his letter to me.”

“He did?” You ask, almost worried about what he had said. You felt too involved in something you didn't actually do.

“He said he had the most beautiful piano piece he had ever heard in his life. He had said to me that he was going to sing to that piano one day.”

You look at her. “He really wanted that?”

“Yes. My brother is an admirer of the arts. Music is his passion.” She smiles. “He used to sing to me all the time.

“I see…”

“It's a shame I didn't get to see him sing with you. You'd make a good pair.”

Her comment makes you feel rather sick. You can feel your stomach turning as you walk. You just wanted to go home and disappear for a few days.

“Are you okay?”

“Yeah, just… tired.”

She seems to fall for your lie and loops her arm around yours. “Let me walk you home.”

You decide to just let her.

As you walk you drift away with your thoughts. It's still day, so Lestat will be asleep. Should you go visit him at nightfall? Should you just leave him be? Lestat seems like more trouble than he's worth.

Yet, the way he looks at you. The way he held you in his arms and kissed you. You can't deny your attraction to him. Lestat was like a drug you couldn't get enough of. You wanted to see him again.

Though he is still the reason this whole mess has happened.

You were confused on what to do.

Before you know it you're standing on your doorstep. Eleanor lets go of your arm and smiles kindly at you.

“Take care.”

You find yourself smiling softly. “I'll try.”

She walks away slowly, clearly lost in her own thoughts. You can't help watching her go. She shouldn't have come here. Everything would have been fine had she simply not come here.

Too late to do anything about it now.

@awanderingghost @theprettiesthead @cosmixstar @theblueslytherin @katherine2098 @sawendel @floofdeloop @sitkafay @bigbaddie45 @bluscryn

@secretisme4 @darkqueen1995 @bridkesby @caribbeangal @sarcasticandfangirl @missjadesfics @kaybart19 @whereismymindnow @chauchirem @angelrenee239 @ppureheroiine

[cod-dump]

I have a little funny question

What dogs would you think the 141 + Laswell, Graves, and Nikolai would be?

-🫠

Hmm… interesting question. I don’t exactly have particular breeds in mind for everyone but I have some that feel right.

———

Soap is a labrador retriever (or at least mixed with one). He’s energetic, very smart, a great family dog but also protective. Definitely was trained to sniff out bombs and after he was retired he went to a home with a big family with tons of kids who love him to pieces. He sleeps with the family’s four year daughter and is her constant shadow. He loves to go camping with his family, run around in nature and get filthy… then he has his humans chasing with him to try to get him clean.

Ghost is a rottweiler. Gets a bad rep for being dangerous (and he is, don’t forget that), but he is also very sweet and playful. Was in the dog fighting ring for a couple years before it was broken up, then he was bounced between shelters and foster families until he was adopted by a veteran who needed a companion. That man became Ghost’s entire world. He brought out the sweetness, the playfulness. During thunderstorms they cuddle and wait it out, and when it passes they step outside to breathe in the air.

Gaz is a Belgian Malinois and he was given to a college girl by her parents so she wasn’t alone when she moved out. He is very protective of her and very judgy of any new person she introduces him to. Without a doubt Gaz is her best friend and has been her rock for years. When her wedding day came, he was there. Best man? No, best boy. Her fiance worked on winning him over since day one, and it paid off because now Gaz has two people that he loves fiercely.

Price is a live stock guardian of some kind. Was born on a farm and given to a family friend who just lost his old guardian. Price was raised with a small herd of goats and they became his world. The family who owns the farm he lives on has a couple kids who come out and spend time with him. There are plenty of pictures of Price laying around with baby goats running around and jumping on him. He has jumped the fence more than once to chase off anything that might be a threat to his family.

Laswell is a mixed breed between a German Shepherd and a standard pitbull. She’s scary smart and very protective. She’s lived with the same old couple since she was a puppy. Laswell is very laidback at first but she’s very anxious and constantly moving between rooms to check on everything. She loves when her owners’ grandkids come over and latches onto one of them until they leave.

Graves is a pitbull. He’s big, scary, and a dork. Very protective and sassy. He’s owned by a police officer and that man is his best friend, Graves wouldn’t hesitate to fight someone over him. He has fended off an armed robber, getting stabbed in the process. But he did not stop fighting until he knew his human was safe. He has a gnarly scar as a reminder of that night but he doesn’t have any care. Though he’s much more jumpy at night, his human doesn’t mind it, he feels safe when Graves is on the job.

Nik is a mutt. He’s big, fluffy, and very laidback. He was passed around for a few years before a teenager bought him on impulse. His parents were very nervous about their son bringing home a huge dog whose history they had no knowledge of, but they quickly got over it. Nik is their gentle giant who loves to nap all day, though he is known to have occasionally zoomies that rock the house. He loves his family and would fight for them is the need came up… but he hasn’t had the chance to. One bark and anyone or anything that was suspicious tends to run off.

[misguidedasgardian]

Wild Cats (Part XII)

XII. Hardhome

MASTERLIST

Summary: A ray of hope after weeks of… darkness

Pairing: Daryl Dixon x Fem!Reader

Warnings: Zombie apocalypse AU, living dead, zombies, guts, blood, guns, injures, cannibalism, they eat dogs :(, might miss some warnings but you know what this is about, right?

+18, MINORS DNI

Notes: Sorry for the rambles, In this chapter i break the remaining ice and the doubts of reader, she had been getting too much into her own head… you know? weeks on the road not knowing what they were gonna find, going hungry and walking all day, one tends to get in their own heads… anyways… things finally get to a halt here…

You were near Noah’s place.

According to him, it was a safe community, with gates and all, and if we played our cards nicely, we could all stay there, he was over excited and Beth was too, and you had a sinking feeling on your stomach you couldn’t quite identify, you didn’t know if it was because you were nervous about going into someone else’s community, or for imminent danger.

You had found two cars, both runned down and in the brink of exploding, one of then was an old chevy SUV, and the other was an even older van

Only the SUV was working, Abraham insisted he could fix the Van, and as he, Rosita and Eugene did, Rick went forwards and formed a group, which was going to be the advanced group. Those were Rick, Michonne, Tyresse, Glenn, Beth, and Noah. And they left, starting driving north, you were shy of 200 miles from reaching Noah’s community

You stayed back with the rest

As the mechanical team tried to fix the van, you set guards with Daryk and the others

Carol and him went first, and you stayed back with Tara.

Maggie stayed inside the warehouse with Carl and Judith. 

You took turns to mount guard, and now, it was your turn to go inside with the rest, the sun had already set, and it was pitch dark already outside, a cold lingering in the environment. The Warehouse was nice, very modern, it had a hard cement floor and a floor and a half of height, no rooms but a small office. You had lit a fire inside of a cut out oil drum, and all of the giruo gathered around it.

Maggie walked towards you, with baby Judith in her arms.

You didn’t want to sound dramatic or even paranoid, but they were all looking at you, seemingly watching your reaction, as they had been talking about you

They had been, but you didn’t know that, they had been talking about how you had become distant, and they wanted to change that.

“Here, hold her for sec”, said Maggie, handing you Judith over

“Oh no…”, you tried to deny her, but it was useless, you took the baby girl into your arms, as you looked at you with her big eyes. You were not a monster, and, she was so sweet. 

The only babies you had ever held were your nephews and nieces, all of them far away from now. Rick had neve asked you to hold his daughter, and you believed that it was because he didn’t trust you with her.

But this… you looked at Maggie as she gave you  reassuring smile, and you smiled back at her

She trusted you, so did Rick, so did Daryl…

You accommodate her more into your hip as she seemed contented as she smiled at you, she was so small, a year and a half maybe, but she was a sweet baby

“She likes you”, said Carl with a soft smile, nodding at you, you smiled back

It felt nice, to hold a baby in your arms, like you said, it's been a while, and her very existence was the irrefutable proof that the world might be healing… that there was a chance for human kind.

You started rocking her, cooing at her, making funny faces until you got a couple of giggles out of her. 

“Who is the sweetest girl in all the land?”, you asked teasingly. She reminded you so much of the babies in your family you felt your chest tightening. But at the same time, it felt kind of comforting. “You?”, you teased, tickling her with one of your hands, she giggled even louder, “is that you?”

Daryl entered the room at this point, the scene made hims top on his tracks, looking at you wide-eyed

“Look who’s there, uncle Daryl”, you teased, turning around

Oh this was doing things to him

But he smiled softly, as he was watching you finally clicking inside of the group, as the past few weeks you had been drifting a bit

“She tends to do that,”, Maggie whispered in his ear making him jump on his spot, “cheering people up”, she said, referring to baby Judith.

How could you ever think about leaving the group? Daryl had said it, and you now were believing it.

You were aprt of the family

And together, with this strange group of different people

You could do anything

You were going to face DC and whatever lies within

You were going to make it, you were going to face whatever it came, and someday, hopefully soon, you were going to find a home in which you could settle, maybe lay on some roots, and grow.

You didn’t return Judith to Maggie, that night, she curled up against you, you cuddled her against your chest and she slept in your arms until you placed her in a wooden box you found in the office, of course made comfortable by a bunch of blankets the team carried with them

Only after you had made sure she was fast asleep, you dared to found a comfortable spot and remove your boots

Your dirty socks were now bloodied, and take them out had ripped off the thin layer of a new scab that was forming, making the small wounds on your feet to bleed again

“Here, I found this”, muttered Rosita, giving you a small first aid kits

“No, what if someone needs them?”, you asked her

“You need them, those could get infected, and that will be an issue”, she said, you nodded, “need some help?”

“I think I’m fine”, you said, you had to bite your own lip not to scream at the sharp pain, when you cleaned them with alcohol, you felt a bit cowardly, but those motherfuckers stung!, but you managed to patch yourself up pretty decently

“Ya’ alright?”, asked Daryl, sitting by your side

“Yeah”, you muttered, with a soft smile, “just a couple of blisters exploded inside my thick boots”, you said crudely, you had to let the wounds “breathe”, so they were going to heal better and faster, tomorrow you’ll apply some more alcohol and that…

“Wanna sleep a bit?”, you asked him

“Ya’ go to sleep”, he said a bit defensively 

“Fine”, you said with a smile, you watched around, Carl was asleep with Judith in the office, Abraham and Rosita had taken the van, you tried to ignore the wobble of the whole thing.

Maggie was on watch duty too, with Tara

You went to sleep that night, in turns, with a smile on your face, feeling safe, like they have your back, because they did.

You had to keep that hope up, no matter how you were hurt. 

No matter also that the very next day Rick hit you up in the walkie talkie, as you just went into the rute with the freshly fixed Van

“It’s gone”, he said over the radio, and everybody could listen it, “all of it, it’s gone”

There was a silence on the vehicle, you could actually hear dreams breaking, hope being destroyed, and you could only think about Noah, as you cradled Judith, although you were not specially excited about becoming her primary caretaker right now…

But anyways

It was something that had been on your mind, Noah’s community being runned, but it was a reality now.

“What are we gonna do?”, you asked, Carol looked back at you

“We meet at the “rendezvous” point”, she said firmly, “we go from there”

“What the hell does that mean?”, asked Daryl

“it’s french, it means meeting”, you said softly, he frowned at you

“Ya’ speak french?”

“I just know the more popular words”, you answered with a soft smile

You felt a lump in your throat, the reality hitting you in waves, the fact that you didn’t have a safe place to be yet, and you were on the wind… once again.

And the worst piled up, as you received new that the team’s SUV didn’t work anymore and they were on foot, as it was magic, your own van dropped shortly after, leaving you roughly a hundred miles separated from your friends.

What a shitty situation

But you were not going to let go of your new found hope so easily, if everything was happening, is because you were certain there was something betterfor you all, you had to believe it.

So you were on your feet again, walking and then walking some more.

You walked in the rearguard, hand in your holdster and the other in your ax, you had come across some fuckers, but nothing you couldn’t handle

Eugene and Maggie with the kids were walking in the middle of the group, flanked by Rosita and Abraham, Tara and Sasha were walking behind, Carol was leading the group, followed closely by Gabriel, 

It’s like everybody took their spots naturally at this point

Daryl always disappeared in the flanks, appearing after a couple of hours with a fresh hunt

And when he was near you, he was walking by your side. You looked at him and smiled softly, you enjoyed his company, always a soft and comfortable silence as you were

“Tell me something I don’t know”, you invited him, he looked at you and raised one of his eyebrows in question

“wha’?”, he asked

“Tell me something about you”, you said, “did you have a family?”

“I had a brother”, he said shortly, “i lost him a year back”

“I’m sorry”, you said

“He was a prick, but he was still my brother”, he said lightly, he looked back at you and seemed like he had so much to say, a story behind it, but he didn’t say a anything else, “got a dad when this shit started too”, he kept drawling, with his accent you liked so much. You just looked at him in question, “I ain’t sad he is gone though”, he said shortly

And you understood it

“He was more of a prick uh?”, you asked

“Yeah”, he said lightly, “How ‘bout you?”

“I had a mother, a stepfather, two siblings and nephews and nieces”, you said, “and many more before this started… I don’t know if… I still have someone out there”, you said, trying not to think about it, in our mind, they were all fine, together, on an island.

The uncertainty would have killed you if you didn’t have to fight for your life every day, distracting you. 

“DId you live in Atlanta?”, you asked then, he looked back at you

“Yeah”, he said simply, “you?”, you smiled at him, and the name of your country just flew out of your mouth like it was nothing, it seemed so foreign, you didn’t think you had said it since this started, and it sounded weird

You miss it, you miss the world as it was, but, who didn’t?

“What were you doing after this?”, you asked him, you remembered that night and conversation with Abraham, how tense he got, he hadn't answered, and know you felt like you were in prison, nobody asked you who you were “before”, is not how things worked anymore. But you really wanted to get to know him better, and for that great rewards, you had to take some risks 

“I…”, he seemed to doubt, to think about it, “didn’ do much”, he said, “just going around with my brother, up to no good”, he seemed conflicted at his confession, and then he raised his eyes from the road ahead of him and looked at you, frowning

Quick! change the subject

“When did you met Rick and the others?”, you asked

“First I met Carol, and Glenn of those who are left”, he said, “of a trafficjam outside of Atlanta”, he said softly

He didn’t have the heart to tell you that he and Merle decided to camp with the others to rob them, but then he decided against it, despite Merle’s protests and insults.

It had been so long ago

He was a different person now.

“How did you found RIck and Carl?”

“Carl found me on a roof”, you said with a smile, “decided to take me in”, he chuckled

“He asked you the questions?”

“He did”, you said with a soft smile, he nodded with a soft smile, “great kid”, you admitted, looking at wearer of the sheriff hat walking in front of you

He wanted to ask you back more questions, but you walked on silence, one step at a time

It took you two days to meet Rick’s gorup again, and their tiredness and hopelessness was evident.

Contrary to what you believed, the soldier trio as you called them were not the first ones to break, it seemed like Eugene had squashed whatever hope they had the hardest, so they now were hopeful to anything they could find, so they were the pens who kept it together.

You had formed a friendship with Rosita, Tara and Maggie, the former teaching you so many cool survival stuff, like how to create a water filter, with just different kinds of rocks.

You kept walking towards DC, now wordlessly, you didn’t even know where to start.

The group was crumbling, but you tried to keep it together, taking care of Judith, mounting guard, helped to keep the hunter of the group more comfortable, making sure he stayed hydrated and took some decent hours of sleep each night, as he slept by yours or Carol’s side. 

It was sad to say, that you were getting used to being in the wild

That is, until resources started to be dangerously scarce…

Starting by the water.

You were starving, you were dehydrated, and you felt like you were about to collapse

“What this it?”

You looked back at the small horde of walkers that were coming after you, like vultures, hoping one of you lost the footing and fell, for you to make a mistake

It was until you were on a bridge that RIck decided to command you to take care of them

It wasn’t confrontational, but you were to push them down towards a ditch.

You were so tired you didn’t think you’d had the energy for anything else.

You let them reach you and you grabbed the first one and threw him off the bridge. the second one proved itself more feisty, so you had to take out your axe

You did not believe in letting them “keep walking”, you were more into eliminating them permanently. 

You did that until all of them were gone, and then you kept walking 

“I’m starting to think we should have stayed in those houses”, Daryl muttered hopefully, looking at you, you looked back at him. 

“Mee too”, you admitted

“We are close to DC”, Rick said out loud, “we need to keep going”

Yeah, we needed to keep going

A big city meant there were more places where you can find food, canned goods, supplies, they might all be sacked, but in this big world, there were still hidden places with useful things on them.

“Say nothing”, demanded Daryl, as he walked by your side, “I think someone had been following us”

“Really?”, you asked

“Got nothin’ to show for it”, he said, “but yeah”

“Friend or foe?”, you asked

“Don’t know”

But if someone was indeed following you, and you trusted Daryl completely, nobody showed themselves to be. 

And the fact that you had to eat wild dogs to survive the very next day made you hope those who were watching were deterred from doing something to you…

You didn’t feel great about it, but this was about living, surviving, and you hoped you didn’t have to do it again.

The very next day, as your eyesight was tunneling, you found gallons of water on the road, apparently, laid down for you to take

“From a friend”, it read, you watched Daryl carefully, who seemed mistrustful of it

To the surprise of all, Eugene took one bottle, ready to try it, but Abraham slapped it off of his hands.

“We cannot trust this”, said Rick angrily

You were going to take a bottle and drink it yourself, but Daryl grabbed you by the hand the second you were going to move, preventing you from doing so.

But as you were going to protest, you were interrupted by a lightning, sounding far away, but with it, came rain.

It hit you from one moment and to the next, you were soaked 

You actually cheered when you felt the liquid of life hitting your face, you spread your arms wide and enjoyed it. Everyone in the group were so excited, except JUdith, who cried as she didn’t like it at all, but it was still a very enjoyable moment

“Grab what you can! with whatever you have!”, said Rick and he was right, you needed to gather it. You used a trekking water bottle, those with wide necks, to gather some water.

But the joy suddenly turned to worry, as darker and darker clouds were on the horizon.

“I know somewhere we can go!”, said Daryl, leading you away from the bottles and into the woods 

You saw a small barn where you could seek shelter, and the rain started to become more and more intense.

A whole storm broke out, as you took a walker that was in the small room in the back of the barn, a woman, who couldn’t take it anymore. It was sad, really

“She had a gun, she could have shot herself”, muttered Carol, watching the scene

“Some people can’t give up”, said Daryl, “like us”, he gave you a look and returned to the main space

The night quickly fall over you and with it, a full storm started to rage, to shake the barn to its core. 

Carl had fallen asleep like a log, after eating the squirrels Daryl had hunted for you.

You curled up on the floor, the archer by your side and Rosita on your other side. Rick ont he other side of Daryl

They had managed to set a fire, and you tried to relax, but the storm raging outside was proving to be difficult to that endeavor 

“I used to feel sorry for kids that have to grow up now…”, said Rick, as he was talking to Carol, but now he was talking to the rest of you, “In this.. But now I think I got it wrong… Growing up is getting used to the world, it will be easier for them”

His words weighed on you, and what they meant, Rick looked positively feral, he had been through so much, twice as much because of the weight of his children on him.

“This isn’t the world”, said Michonne, the ambience was tense, many had gone to sleep, you couldn’t hold yourself up any longer and leaned into Daryl, he didn’t seem to mind as he relaxed his stance, ”this isn’t it”, said Michonne

It was idiotic to think you were going to live long enough to see the world back to the way it was before, eliminate the virus so the dead didn’t rise again? reinstate governments? start to create infrastructure again? you didn’t see it

“It might be”, said Gleen, looking at the flame in front of him

“That’s giving up!”, continued Michonne

“It’s reality”, he said back

“Until we see otherwise, that is what we have to deal with”, the sound of the storm was lulling you to sleep, going completely slack against the archer, who seeme to mold to your comfort.

“When I was a kid… I asked my grandpa once if he ever killed any Germans in the war…”, Rick’s voice felt further and further away, “...he wouldn’t answer, he said that was grown up stuff… so i asked if the Germans ever tried to kill him, but he got real quiet, he said he was dead the minute he stepped into enemy territory…”

You took a long breath, breathing Daryl in, the warmth of his skin against your cheek

“Every day he woke up and told himself… “rest in peace, now get up and go to war”, and then after a few years that he pretended he was dead… he made it out alive. That’s the trick of it, I think”

His rambles made more and more sense into your head

“We do what we need to do and then we get to libe… but no matter what we find in DC, I know we’ll be okay… because this is how we survive. we tell ourselves… that we… are the walking dead”, just as you were embracing this new reality, point of view, or whatever it was, Daryl whole body shook softly with the rumble of his voice

“We ain’t them”, he said decisively, he accommodated you even more against his side, placing his arm around your shoulders, and you finally fell asleep, cuddled against him.

You woke up startled, the sounds of wood crushing shook you to your core.

The doors of the barn threatened to burst open, and if the growling outside was of any indication, the storm wasn’t the only thing seeking destruction in the night.

Daryl was the first one to place his hands on the wood, pushing, perhaps that is why you realized what was happening

You were the second

“We need all hands in!”, you called, Rosita’s and Abraham’s hands were the next, and all of them followed, pushing the doors back to their place. 

The gods forbid you have one peaceful night. 

You didn't know then, then the very next day… you were going to find everything you were looking for. 

Post chapter notes: yeah didn’t kill Tyresse either, I’m a softie 

@crazyunsexycool

[drawnfamiliarfaces]

You remember that AF episode where Ben pretends to be evil (Above and Beyond)? What would happen if he pulled that with the HoMies?

It lives rent free in my head, anon. It was one of the better episodes in my opinion, because it showcases Ben in a different and much more favorable light!

Ooof, okay, it might not be the light-hearted 'haha ye he probably did and it would be epic/hilarious' answer you expect, but bear with me im trying to think of like in-verse situation here and honestly? I don't think it's gonna go over very well. There is potential that everyone can get very hurt?? And not just physically but emotionally.

You see I'm pretty sure almost all of the HoM-ies (going off my faulty memory here, sorry in advance if its wrong), at some point or another faced off someone who have turned sides from good to bad (or even themselves). So, all of them got kinda burned in that sense.

I'm not saying that they all automatically assume/believe that Ben really went Darkside, but they would certainly not dismiss the possiblity of it happening. I mean, they are those kind of people that would believe in the best of people/fellow heroes/misguided friends until the very end, but prior experience would mean that they also will take those sort of threat seriously.

And you know, to put such a doubt in a friend and teammate is terrible and upsetting imho. Because, you see in A&B ep. it was a controlled training exercise/graduation exam with people Ben sorta knows but is not exactly close with, and that setting kind of doesn't apply to HoMies?? So it would be either an incredibly mean-spirited prank or like a plot point to, I dunno, trick a villain into thinking Ben betrayed HoMies?? Very different end results here depending on a scenario lol.

But either way, if Ben does do something like that, I believe that he could be just as terrifyingly efficient in 'attacking' others, by playing their weaknesses and using his aliens smartly. Because we all know that there is a part of him that is like that, (terrifyingly smart and a bit mean i mean), however small it is and usually buried under his honest desire to be a hero and a good guy.

However if he does that, there is a much bigger chance that others would hit back. And hit hard. Because HoMies are not just plumber rookies in a training exercise, but experienced heroes and they know him just as well as he knows them. And remember that little fact about a lot of them being burned about people going dark side? Yeah, that means that they would feel very motivated to contain a friend who has possibly gone bad, if only to stop try and get him to see sense.

So I can see it escalating to a degree of serious injuries, because, well, Ben is versatile and strong, but going against all 8 of others, some of who match him, would be a very hard fight (certainly not like toying with rookies lol). I mean, he could separate them and fight mano-a-mano but it still would be a lot.

And like, oof, the emotional part of it is what getting to me in my head. Like, there could be a number of different scenarious where a situation like this could happen, but my mind stubbornly goes to 'mean prank' and 'for sake of mission'. In case of second one, others could be in on it from the start and/or they are not but figure out that Ben is doing it for a reason and they would understand, even if it may upset them he didnt trust them to help from the start.

(and in the end of that someone would absolutely joke, how terrifying of a bad guy Ben would make lol)

But, boy, in case of the first, Ben could burn some bridges and hurt others. Because, a prank like that with fellow heroes who experienced that sort of betrayal before??? like OOOF im getting sad just imagining it. ;(

but BUT!!!!! You know this ask gave me a much better happier idea???

Ben asking HoMies to help him do the same sort of training excersice/graduation exam for earth based plumbers, by playing the role of the bad guys with him!!!!!

God just imagine, all the bonding with Ben and others, 'fighting' against poor terrified rookies who are suddenly faced with a previously protector of Earth Robot XJ-9 turned bad, or a ghastly apparition from outer space that kinda looks like that ghost menace from Amity, or some weird robot guy with Big Fucking Sword and a freaking dragon???

All the shennanigans!!! And those poor rookies that graduate will have such weird freaking stories to tell other outer space cadets lol.

[mylittlediarys-stuff]

Bite Back Part 8

Part 9- https://www.tumblr.com/mylittlediarys-stuff/754787032385159168/bite-back-part-9?source=share

Well, the girl did hate dinner, but there was one thing she loved doing afterward. Ever since she got her power, she started playing around with it every day after dinner. Currently, she was jumping off walls and shooting webs. She was trying to perfect the act of shooting webs while swinging with them, which was pretty hard to do in her room.

Then a thought formed in her head.

What if I practice in the city?

More room, more space, more freedom to do whatever she wants. She went to her closet to look for clothes to wear during her adventure. As she looked, she thought,

There is always the chance that Bruce will catch me. If he does, I’m in deep shit.

She threw on a black jacket.

Matter of fact, if anyone catches me, I’m done for. They could sell me to some lab or something.

She found some black cargo jeans she hadn’t worn in years.

But this is the best chance to practice. It would be good for me to be good at the spider stuff before I tell Bruce.

Maybe he will be a bit proud of me then. I could join the family business.

She found some old red Converse she used to love to wear, but the material of the shoes might be too thick for her to use her powers.

She switched the Converse for ballerina slippers. The flats were thin enough for her feet to still stick to walls. She somehow found a face mask to cover her face with. She left her phone just in case someone decided to check her location but she doubted anyone would.

Instead of a phone, she brought her old watch that was barely working so she could read the time. She locked the door and put a chair right in front of it, just in case Alfred felt the need to come and check-in.

She opened the window in her room and looked back.

Is this the wrong thing to do? … Nah, I'm just gonna do my own thing.

She jumped from her window, hoping to land on her feet.

-

Amaka had been wandering the city for 30 minutes, trying to find a building she could climb. She had forgotten how scary Gotham could be at night.

That one looks good!

It was a medium-height building, not too tall, not too small. She easily started to walk on the walls, it was like walking on air. When she reached the top, she saw a somewhat beautiful view for Gotham.

Even an ugly city like this could look beautiful.

She sat down on the edge of the building, just taking everything in. If she had her phone, she would start playing some Lana Del Rey songs or something like that.

She had sat there for about 10 minutes when she got this feeling. The same feeling she got before the car crash and before Damian threw that knife. Like something bad was about to happen.

She got up and hurried to find someplace to hide. She found some boxes that looked like enough protection for her. She saw some kind of door open, and three men walked out, two of them pulling a lady by her hair and one with a gun. The men holding the lady kick her knees in, forcing the lady to kneel.

“Listen here, bitch, if you don’t tell me where that money is,” the man with the gun pointed his gun towards her head, “well, all I can say is I love the smell of gunpowder.”

Are they going to kill her? No shit, Sherlock, of course they are.

She reached into her pocket to pull her phone. This was the one time being Bruce’s kid was a good thing.

Shit. I didn’t bring it.

“Look, you know I can’t tell you anything,” the lady said.

Girl, you better say something, or you’re gonna die.

“Then I got no choice.” He is going to kill her. Amaka slowly got up from her spot.

I have these powers, I show put them to good use. I shouldn't sit around and be a coward.

Amaka slowly got up from her spot.

“First of all, put the gun down, and second, I call bullshit. Gunpowder doesn’t have a smell,” Amaka said, lowkey regretting the joke. Her stomach sank when the man pointed the gun toward her.

“And who are you?”

She took a deep breath in, she decided to be a funny hero person so she might as well stick with the act.

“Just a peaceful person who doesn’t go pointing guns at people,” she started pointing her hand at the gun. “I mean you should put that down. That could hurt someone.”

“Usually, when people see a gun, they put their hands up,” the man said.

Oh, I’m definitely going to regret this.

“I have the perfect names for you three: Stupid 1, 2, and 3.”

“Stupid?” The man holding the gun said, visibly angry now.

“At least you’re Stupid 1, not 2 or 3.” At that, she released a web towards the gun and got it. “Stupid for letting me get your gun.”

She took the bullets out and was able to bend the gun into a u shape.

“What the f—”

“Hey, Stupid 1, don’t curse. This needs to stay kid-friendly,” Amaka said. She was having a little too much fun with this.

The other two men let go of the lady and started to run towards Amaka. The man who was holding the gun joined the others. She was thankful to her past self for watching her family practice fighting for hours. She didn't realize she learned so much by just watching.

She mostly dodged most of their hits and gave a few back, (she realized how much she needed to hold back if you wanted to kill the men) and it helped that they were slow and she was just… Superhuman?

“You fellas need to fight over me, it’s enough to go around.” The more she talked, the more she felt like a different person. Sure, she threw jokes around once in a while, but not like this.

In the end, she was able to get them all to the ground and web them up. She grabbed the phone in Stupid 1’s pocket and called the police. She turned to the lady, who looked stunned.

“The police will be here soon, so stay here or leave, I guess.”

“Who are you?”

“Who am I?” She had to think about that. “I don’t really know. I’ll get back to you in two business weeks.”

And with that, she took a risk and jumped off the building. When the lady saw that, she rushed to the edge, thinking her hero just committed suicide. But no, Amaka used her webs to swing to a building.

I bet I look so cool right now.

Extra-

Lady’s POV

The minute the hero left, the lady who looked helpless turned into a different person. She pulled out her phone and called one of her friends.

“Nat, done with the mission that fast.”

“Nope, I got interrupted I’m gonna need to stay for a few more days.”

Nat started to look at the three men who were tied up by these white things. To the women, it looked like thick spider webs.

“Tony, we got a new player in Gotham,” and turned her head away the stupid men.

“What do you mean player? You mean some kind of hero.” Tony replied.

“Yeah, what do you think I mean? And I’m pretty sure they’re not working for the Bat… at least not yet,” she said.

“Really, a hero that isn’t with Bruce?” Tony said. “Nat I’m gonna need you to work your magic and track that hero down. I want them on our side before Bruce gets to them. S.H.I.E.L.D. needs a hero in Gotham that we can trust.”

[iamvegorott]

Magicians Don't Need Superheros Pt6

First: Link Prev: Link Next: Link

----------

Marvin still had some doubts about agreeing to go to this ‘House’ with Jackie, but with how exhausted he was, it was the best option at that moment. All he wanted to do was lay down in a bed and sleep. A brief coma sounded so wonderful right now. 

“I thought you said we were going to a house,” Marvin commented as he and Jackie stepped up to a building that had at least three floors, maybe more since there was a chance for a basement, and it sat in the middle of a field that looked like a small backyard compared to the apparent home. 

“It is, it’s just like, a really big one to fit everything.” Jackie weakly laughed as he opened the door, stepped back, and gestured for Marvin to go in first. There was a pause as Marvin just stared at the open doorway, wanting to go in but his legs were stiff. “There’s no boobytraps or anything.” 

“Yeah…” Marvin tried to make himself take a step, but still nothing. 

“Are you okay?” Jackie asked. 

“Um…yeah?” Marvin knew that as soon as he went into the house, there was likely no going back. He’d accept being this ‘Ego’ and that everything he thought was real wasn’t anymore. Would it be too bad if he turned around and took off? Being in denial wasn’t too horrible, was it? But…after everything Jackie’s done. He’s owed him to at least go in. 

So why couldn’t he move?

“I can walk in with you?” Jackie offered, holding out his other hand to Marvin and giving him a smile that he hoped would make his confidence contagious. 

“That might help,” Marvin confessed, placing his hand in Jackie’s. He hoped he wasn’t shaking nor had a sweaty palm. Either would make him want to throw up. 

Being anxious about things was so annoying. 

“We have a gym, well, workout center is what the others call it, but a gym in the basement, and the library is on the second floor.” Jackie started rambling as he walked into the House with Marvin and for once Marvin was thankful for it. “There’s a lot of comics and manga in the library cause me and Chase read a lot of those. There’s like medical books as well, and some mysteries and a good handful of horror. More books have probably appeared since you did so we’ll have to check out what’s new in there.” 

Marvin let Jackie’s voice be background noise that he was still listening to as he looked around. It really did just look like someone’s home. It was a home to a large family with how many pieces of furniture the room had and all of the photos hanging up on the wall. Apparently, he already had a room in this place. If going off the sizing of everything so far, it was likely plenty of space for him. And the library sounded nice. If it did adjust to whoever moved in, he might be able to find magic books and allow him to process the world's magic and get back to the full level of his abilities. 

“You must be Marvin.” Marvin hummed when he heard his name, seeing two other men walking into the room with him and Jackie. Just like in the pictures, the two look similar to Jackie and after a few blinks, they became unique. 

“Hello.” Marvin greeted, trying to not make it too obvious that he was looking them over in an attempt to get a read on them. 

One had a cap on his head, a T-shirt, and jeans. He had a short beard that looked pretty well-kept. A relaxed stance but still had a bit of an air of authority, almost like a parental figure would. The other had glasses, a turtleneck, slacks, and just a bit of scruff on his face. He seemed stiffer, more serious, and had that same authority feeling. Maybe the two worked together a lot, using their differences to cover all the bases. With how large of a home this was, there had to be more than just these three. 

“I’m Chase and this is Henrik.” The one with the hat greeted with a big grin while the other had a polite smile and held a hand out. 

“It is good to finally meet you.” The one with the turtleneck, Henrik, said. 

“I’m guessing Jackie gave you the story after every meeting?” Marvin asked with a soft laugh, awkwardly shaking Henrik’s hand. 

“For the most part. We are sure he left some details out.” Henrik chuckled. 

“He gets distracted,” Chase said, his grin turning into a teasing one to Jackie. 

“Like you’re any better.” Jackie huffed. 

“Are there any more of you-um-us?” Marvin felt so weird saying that. That was going to have his tongue feel heavy for a while still. 

“Yeah!” Chase perked up. “JJ’s in the kitchen finishing up some dessert and Ant-where’d he go?” He turned around. “He was literally right behind us.” 

“He said he was excited to meet the, as he put it, ‘newbie’, why would he hide?” Henrik looked as well. 

“Your son doesn’t make sense.” Chase scoffed as he stepped away into the other room.

“My son? When did I become a father? I claim no ownership of him.” Henrik sounded offended as he left with Chase. 

“If I’m getting called mom, then you’re dad.” 

“I am not suited to have custody of any of them.” 

“I have several questions,” Marvin said as he looked at Jackie. 

“It’s…a lot.” Jackie rubbed the back of his neck. “And that’s just us, wait till you meet the others.” 

“I’m running away.” Marvin barely took a step before Jackie was in front of him, holding both of his shoulders. 

“It’s not that bad. It just takes time to learn all of the-um-the like quirks and stuff. You don’t have to worry about even meeting the others for a bit, they know to give you time to settle in, but Hen will want to examine you.” Jackie let Marvin go and kind of gestured at his body with his hands. 

“Examine me?” Marvin did not like having no context to that phrase.

“He’s a doctor,” Jackie said quickly when Marvin had a concerned look on his face. “He likes getting a baseline for everyone since sickness works really weirdly with us. Some of us can get the flu, some can’t, sometimes we’ll show symptoms for something and then it’s gone the next day and a bunch of super weird stuff like that. Like, some of us heal beyond fast, like a paper cut is gone in five minutes.” 

“Are you one of those kind of healers?” 

“Kind of? Like, I mean I heal pretty quick, few of us heal faster than me, but my body can take a lot of damage before it’s a problem.” Jackie slapped at his chest with a proud chuckle. 

“Need to be durable to be a hero.” 

“You get it!” 

“Sorry about that.” Henrik returned to the room. “It is hard to keep a single thought in this house.” 

“I’ve been here for a minute and I’m already dizzy.” Marvin sighed. 

“Sad to say that never goes away.” Henrik chuckled. “Now, if you are willing, I would like to take you to the infirmary for an examination. Nothing too invasive. Height, weight, basic health questions for me to note down and begin your record with us.” 

“Is there anything you don’t have in this house?” Marvin’s voice dripped with sarcasm.

“A pool,” Jackie answered. “We go to the Manor for that.”

“The Manor?”

“That’s where the Ipliers live.”

“They live in a-nope. Nope, I’m good. I can only handle so much at once.” Marvin rubbed at his temples with both hands. 

“Shall we?” Henrik started walking, showing that he was expecting Marvin to follow. 

“I could still run,” Marvin said out loud.

“I can steal one of JJ’s desserts for you to eat while you talk with Hen,” Jackie said. 

“What kind of dessert?” Marvin noticed that Jackie was using this conversion as a way to get him moving and he just let it happen. Sometimes embracing ignorance helped with the chaos.  

“Probably chocolate cookies, he’s known for those.” 

“Could you steal two of them for me?” 

“Yes, I can!” 

[shhh-secret-time]

Queen's Gambit

"Are you lost little bird? These aren't your woods."

Chapter 1

It doesn't take the voice of a king to silence a room, something you and the bard learned very young. A familiar glint of recognition shines in those earthy brown eyes of his, one that you mirror back. The fairy lights that drift around in the room swirl and coalesce around your form. The ball of light circles you once, twice, and then break off into a ray of colors. No doubt the magics of the brown-haired man who limps next to you.

Jimmy Valour, the only other man who you had ties to. A bard who had made a name for himself in the last war, a decade ago he was but a teenager who successfully played both sides of the war. You haven't seen him since your days at the College of Whispers, a school dedicated to the art of being...well a bard.

Now here he was, introducing you to the Elven and Fae nobles of the room. Listing off the titles that came packaged with them. The long and tedious courtroom etiquette would be just that if it wasn't the perfect time to get a feel for the room. First you went down the line of the lower nobles, the scribes and historians that were only there to keep a record of what was to happen today. Then it was the nobles who had stake in this war, families that you could only assume would see to gain. No matter the race, it was the same. You didn't need to be an expert in the inner workings of Fae and Elven politics to know that much.

Lastly were the knights, men and women alike who were donned in leather armor. Vastly different from the metal that the human knights wore. Each adorned with a sun that held their capes on their backs. Green cloaks with a golden symbol that looked like brush strokes, the flag of their King.

A king who has not taken his eyes off you since you entered the room. They're narrowed in just a way that it's almost certain that he's scrutinizing you, watching every little move you make.

No one would think less of a diplomat for buckling under the intense gaze of a King. Any leader worth their name would look at the enemy of his people like this. But you didn't come this far to throw in the towel before even having a chance to speak. Instead, you give him a small nod and a smile, with your lids lowered in just a way that tells him:

"The game has only just begun."

Kyle's brows bounce up for a moment, he covers his lower face with his hand. He rests his elbow on his armchair and leans down next to the stoic looking man next to him. He whispers something to him and try as you might it's impossible to hear from where you're standing.

Raven hair that comes down to the base of his neck, right where the spine connects, falls just above his furrowed brows. Bits of the locks poke out from under the dark blue helmet. Fit perfectly around his head, the front making an M shape. The design carved into the helm is almost as captivating as the Kings gloves. They're similar in the way they swirl and turn into branches and vines. Your eye for design tells you, they're made that way on purpose.

One of the first lessons you were taught when dealing with the Elven and Fae people was to never look them in the eyes. To them the eyes were windows to the soul, only those with a strong bond could cross that line. Even in the courtroom here, most stare at their conversation partner's nose. So, it's worthy to note when you see the King and the knight he's whispering to look each other in the eye. They stare at one another for a while, their whispers dissolving into a silent conversation.

The knight nods after a while and his body physically relaxes. A shift in moods, no longer on the defensive. All in time for Jimmy to wrap up his rambling.

"Thank you, Sir Valour. It's an honor to have such an introduction read by someone as esteemed as yourself, much less by a friend." You thank him, casting him a small side smirk.

"Th-... The pleasure is all mine, I assure you. It's been a while; I see you've made a name for yourself. Quite a few actually." Jimmy responds as he keeps his eyes forward.

"What? Did you think I was going to let you hog all the glory? Maybe we're not as close as I thought." You hum, that playful tone dancing on your tongue.

He escorts you towards the end of the table, down the line of the Kings vision. Ser Clyde follows with an amused grin on his face. The banter between you and the bard entertaining the young knight.

"If this court meeting doesn't tear y-... tear y-... tear you apart then it'd be nice to catch up." He matches your energy with his own playful wisp. Once you sit down, he gives you a nod, but you don't miss the smug smile on his face.

He got the last word for now. Making a mental note to get him back, you turn to the eyes of many. The room has gotten so quiet you could hear a pen drop from the other side of the castle. Ser Clyde shifts from foot to foot, his armor clanking ever so slightly. He stops when you shoot him a small glare, offering a nervous apology.

Your breathing slows to a steady rhythm. Each time you exhale you can feel the emotions in the room. You open yourself up to them and time seems to slow down.

The ebb and flow of unspoken thoughts flood your mind, voices that aren't your own. The people of this court room project themselves onto you like a sunset does open water. It feels as if a spirit passes through you, leaving you hollow to nothing but these feelings.

Sunset eyes stare me down. Spice on a spring day. A gentle breeze breaks the tension. Their lightning eyes shoot me down. They want me to drown. Hands grasping at my clothes to pull me back up.

But it's his that are the loudest. Not so loud that you'd find yourself clutching the sides of your head. Even in his thoughts he speaks with authority and confidence. The King that stares you down holds the voice of rulers long past. They speak together in balance with one another.

Silvered dagger rests in her mouth. With wit just as sharp. She knows not to look in the pyre reserved for Kings. Looking down my table, she stares me down...but she does not see me.

You don't linger on him for too long, you can't. Not when with every passing moment it feels like flying too close to the sun. You're starting to melt and burn. The man next to him sings a different song. The difference is night and day. It is ice and fire. It's the feeling only poets can put into words, but these absurd thoughts coming in would do just fine.

The pain in my back throbs. Flesh cut open and flayed out for my heart to bare. Remember why you're here. Less man than you are steel. I'd cut the throat of every man here if it meant the sun would rise again.

It takes everything to not physically shiver at that. Those blue eyes that you catch a quick glimpse of are shards of ice. Ice if it had lost the crystal colors and were laid flat. Yet there's something animalistic about them. Primal even.

It feels as if hours have passed since you sat down. Hours of these councilmen and women staring you down waiting for you to speak. Fortunately, it's only been a few seconds. Wading through the raw rivers of emotions will do that to you. A drawback to your little gift. But it was a small price to pay to level the playing field.

Pawn to D4

"Ladies, Gentlemen, and those who do not define yourselves as such, thank you for allowing me into your capital. With tensions as high as they are, you're taking a gamble on me. So, for that I thank you." You break the silence with a carefully constructed opening. "It's a shame we live in times where this is the case. Only a decade has passed since the war. Ten years and we can all recall it as if it were yesterday."

"It would not be like that if many of us didn't feel like it was yesterday." An older gentleman chimes in. Red hair like the Kings, but there are brushstrokes of white going through it. A thin mustache and beard that goes with it.

"And for that I apologize. I cannot speak for all of my people, to do so would be foolish and a waste of time." You waste no time with a response.

You predicted someone would come in with such a comment. The difference in the way humans and elves age is no secret. A fact Elves like to remind Humans quite often.

"Then who do you speak for Human? If a so-called diplomat cannot even speak for their people, then what good are you?" Donnel spears the question into you, voice dripping with malice.

"I am good enough for the Grand Wizard and enough to know my role at the table Ser Knight." You smirk down at him, tilting your head to the side just enough to dodge the spear.

His voice was the loudest amongst the people here. His thoughts were that of a cadence, marching soldiers gladly ready to die for their home. Fists pounding on shields taunting the enemy to come closer.

You wouldn't play his game. He's not even a player at the table.

"Then you speak for your King?" Kyle speaks as if he already knows the answer to the question, but he wants to hear you say it.

Pawn to D5

"I am both his mouth voice and my own your Majesty. The Grand Wizard trusts that I come here today with both kingdoms intentions at heart." As you speak your hands gracefully pick up the chalice.

They offer hospitality, it would be rude not to partake. Second rule of the Fae, a dry throat does no one good.

"To wet your tongue after spouting such blatant lies. Humans have never had anyone but their intentions at heart." A noble woman at the table snaps her fan. The blue and white fan no longer hid her angular face, or the birth mark directly under her eye.

"The same could be said about any living being when it comes to the tides of war. Do you not have you and your own best intentions?" You scoff a bit at her remark, but you don't offer much more. Before she can respond, you continue speaking. "But I'm not here to talk about history. I'm here to speak of the future. How to prevent another war."

Pawn to C4

Kyle's lips press together as he watches how you interact with his people. How you respond to every snide comment or glare, he notes how you walk the line of acknowledging them and refusing to give them your time. It's done so in a way that no one could call you out for being rude, you're following proper etiquette. He's torn between being impressed and frustrated.

Pawn to C4

"So, I come to you with everything on the table. My people cannot handle another war." You emphasize the word 'cannot' with your fingers pinched together and your pinky out. "We will not survive another onslaught from both sides. Your people outnumber us there's no questioning that, we're not able to ascertain the exact number of troops you have at the ready, but the number is inconsequential."

You can feel Ser Clyde shift again, his jaw tightens most likely, so he doesn't speak out of turn. To him you've just admitted defeat, shown that you and your people are weak, and he couldn't be further from that. He wears a red cloak for a God’s sake. The grip on his sword tightens, but as quick as he grips the leather, he lets go.

"Wise words. It speaks volumes to know when you're outmatched." The red head speaks again, stroking the ends of his mustache with his finger and thumb.

"Words are cheap. It is actions that carry! And every action the humans have taken has led to the suffering of our people!" Donnel scowls, slamming his fist down on the table.

"In a meeting such as this, words.are.everything." If he wants your attention so badly then he would have it.

You turn to him and stare him down, eyes trailed to the space between his eyebrows. There's not much space from how furrowed they are, almost connected in one thick line. Even if he does stand taller than Ser Clyde, compared to you he is a child. Out in the battlefield he would have you dead to right, there is no denying that, but here he is a victim.

"You bellow like a wounded boar when adults are trying to decide the fate of tomorrow. You have already made your intentions clear; you don't wish for peace so why are you still here? Why do you waste our time with your squeals and wails? If tomorrow comes and there is war know you had your hand in it. If it is peace that we decide I hope this memory burns into your mind forever. Ser Knight I ask of you, respectfully, to think - before - you - speak." Each word that spills from your lips is a dedicated strike. Unlike Donnel's sloppy swings, yours are honed. Trained to know where and how to strike to make it hurt.

You know you struck a nerve when you see the vein in his forehead pop, and his teeth grind so loudly that Jimmy stops playing that whimsical tune. Just as the final tune dies down in the room and your lips rest, he stands. He's taken the bait. Shown that he's not fit to be in this room.

"Ser Donnel. I gave you one, it seems you forget yourself still. Wait outside." Kyle's voice echoes like the roar of thunder. The storm is subtle right now, not yet at its full potential.

"But your Highness I-"

Kyle doesn't need to say more when a sigh escapes his lips Donnel stops. Freezes in place like ice was being directly pumped into his veins. From the way the knight next to him was glaring, maybe it was. Kyle waves his hand and said knight walks over to Donnel, all but grabs him by the forearm and walks out with him. The dark wooden doors behind you slam shut, muffling the sound of footsteps.

Jimmy resumes playing music like nothing happened. There was no fight, there was no look of disappointment. Just a council who took a second to breathe and the sound of his lute.

Pawn to E4

"Forgive me for calling recess early like this, perhaps we should all step outside and collect our thoughts. It would seem we were woefully ill prepared for your arrival." Kyle stands to his full height and addresses you with an even tone.

Each step he takes off his throne demands your attention, no spell on this earth could put you in a trance quite like him. The bright green healthy leaves beneath him float around the unseen gust of wind. They spiral around him before fluttering away to the patches of soft grass that make up the floor. The gold that flickers off his wings creates a light wherever he goes. You watch as it brightens and dims in time with his breathing, fading in and out but never fully going out. To call it a candle would be an insult.

When you don't stand like the other council members Clyde puts his hand on your shoulder; the iron gauntlet rests heavy. If it was one thing Clyde was, it was bold. You look up at him and offer a smile, the polite one that is expected of you. It's when he sees that dangerous glint in your eyes that he pulls back and offers it out to you instead.

Of course, you take it and bring yourself to your feet, straightening out your dress as you do. Patting down the fabric of your dress, you collect yourself. Regain composure and try to smile again. "Apologies Ser Clyde, thank you."

"You're fine, I just didn't want to be the next target of that tongue of yours. I thought when the Grand Wizard sent me here to escort you, the only thing I'd have to be on the lookout for was the occasional bandit. I didn't think you were actually going to make me do my job." He jokes to ease the tension.

While you don't find it funny by any means, you can appreciate the effort. "I thought I caught you in the corner of my eye dozing off, figured I'd wake you up a bit." The innocent tone in your voice does not match your smile.

"Madam you wound me. To imply that I, the Grand Wizard's one and only Red Cloak, would fall asleep in a meeting so very important. Why I'm hurt. I think you might need to step outside and remember yourself." He smirks down at you, bringing your hand up to his lips. "Perhaps we could go together? Enjoy the scenery?"

You laugh, it pulls an actual laugh from you. Again, it's not his joke that's funny but the fact that he's trying. Your laughter is brought to an abrupt halt as you pull your hand back. "No. It's adorable that you are trying though, I think a few lessons on how to court a woman and you might be in league well enough to try again."

Clyde feigns a pained look, but he lets go of your hand and that smirk returns. "Suite yourself, you know where to find me if you change your mind. Gods know I cannot say no to a beautiful woman."

"I know Ser Clyde. Many know."

"You're better off trying to seduce a vi-... a vi- ...a snake." Jimmy cuts into your conversation, ambulating over to where you stand.

"Ha!" Clyde doesn't bother to watch the volume in his laugh, fueling the bards stupid grin.

"Oh? And now two grown men must team up to try and attack me? Jimmy, my dear friend, I always said that someday you would go far. I only wished you had stayed there" You purse your lips at him and for the first time since you walked through the double doors you feel at ease.

"Oh~!" Clyde exclaims, bringing his fist up to his mouth. Of course, not to muffle the sound, but out of shock.

"It's funny you say that...I'd love to see your point of view, but I can't get my head that far up my ass!" Jimmy grins at you and your brow twitches, visibly bounces in annoyance.

"It's good to see you again too darling." Your frown breaks and turns into a smile, laughter rings out like the sound of bells. Jimmy joins you in that and memories of better times come flooding back to you.

"Wait...so you guys are actually friends?" Clyde looks between the two of you with confusion on his face.

"So, where'd you find tall, dumb and ha...ha...handsome?" Jimmy asks as he rests back on his crutches, ignoring Clyde.

"The Grand Wizard sent him with me, he's been dutifully escorting me through the lands." You gibe with an eye roll.

"Hey! .... You think I'm handsome?" Clyde seems to reject any form of insult; it slides off him like a blade would a shield. Maybe you really were no match for this man.

After a moment of staring up at Clyde, Jimmy goes back to his conversation with you. "I see. Well, they say the dumb ones plow the-"

"Do.not.finish that sentence Valour. I swear on all that the light touches I will tell this courtroom of that night you drank Dragon's Fire and Elderberry Mead."

"Yo-... You wouldn't dare."

"Oh? You have little faith in those you call your people. Think they would listen to a viper?"

"They'd sooner listen to a viper than a human it seems."

You sigh and cross your arms over your stomach. Even if he is joking, there's truth to those words. A man would rather get himself thrown out than to listen to you, even if he was like a child, it still hurt. However you had a job to do, you'd come too far to let a tantrum stop you.

"Well maybe not all of them." Jimmy breaks you from your thoughts.

Your brows knit together in confusion when you see him turn and walk away again. No goodbye, no indicator that he would return, not even a snarky remark. From the corner of your eye, you see Clyde bow his head and put his arm over his chest, his fist knocks into the opposite shoulder.

It isn't until you feel a warm light on your back that you piece together who could get both men to act accordingly. Kyle stands towering over you and Clyde; it makes you wonder if that warmth is coming from his wings or the small smile on his face.

But even caught off guard like this you wouldn't allow yourself to panic. You turn back towards him and bow as you had when you first entered the courtroom. His hand comes down next to your face, offering it out to you with a silent nod.

He wouldn't make you panic, but he would catch you by surprise. You stare at the hand for a moment before taking it. You damn the hesitation in your movements, but he doesn't seem to notice; and if he did, he's courteous enough to not make a deal of it.

"Might I borrow her for a moment? I wish to speak with your diplomat a bit before we regather." He's addressing Clyde when he speaks.

Pawn to E6

"I um...I'm not really supposed to-"

You cut him off, as Kyle pulls you up from your bow. "I will be fine Ser Clyde. If his Highness wanted me dead, we would not have even made it into this room. I'd be honored to accompany you."

Queen to A4. Check

Kyle smiles again, this time it reaches those greens in his eyes. There's a little spark behind them, this silent game you're playing with him is entertaining. He can't recall if he's ever been this entertained with a headache, but it's impressive. Every part of him needs to know more about the source of both.

Bishop to D7

"I will return with her shortly, worry not." There's something in his tone that almost sounds like he's trying to be playful. If a fire could be playful, you'd think this is the closest it would sound like.

"Uh...yeah okay. I mean, of course Y-Your Highness!" Clyde stands there and watches as Kyle moves your hand to his arm. How small you looked next to him, and how the large robes he wore engulfed your hands.

The mask is quickly put back on, it was nice to breath while you could. Silence falls over you two as he escorts you through the castle. You catch glimpses of decorations and paintings hung high on the beautiful walls. Vines of ivy and grape leaves wrap around the columns in a tight hug. Passing art pieces that you would most likely never see again, yet all you can seem to focus on is the direction he's taking you.

Queen to C4.

Tucked in the corner of the board, Clyde stands there waiting for you to come back. He looks to the bard who simply offers him a friendly shrug. Jimmy gestures for him to walk over, making Clyde look behind him. The bard rolls his eyes and points to him with the crutch. Then to the spot next to him, in his corner of the board.

So far, two pawns have been removed.

But the games only just begun.

Prologue | Chapter 1 | 2

[lasandra]

How My favorite 2 Lavellan Inquisitors Feel About Solas: Pt 2 Assana

Under the cut like Pt 1 because, also long. Pt 1

Assana Lavellan: For context, though Assana is the First of her clan, just like Eowynn, they couldn't be more different. Where Eowynn was a dutiful leader, Assana never wanted to lead. Assana had many doubts about what she was taught by the keeper and the elders of her clan. She had always been a curious youth particularly when it came to the past. She was curious of Fen'Harel in particular. How could she not be? He was not trapped in the Beyond or the Abyss like the others. That meant there was a chance (albeit small) that she could one day encounter him. She wanted to be prepared for that. Assana's curiosity of the man Solas began the instant he started telling her about the mark on her hand, so you know, basically immediately. Who was this man who knew so much about the mark on her hand? And just HOW did he know so much? He was fascinating to her. He was no Dalish, and yet he didn't act like your typical run of the mill city elf either. This of course led to her pestering him with all her questions. She was surprised when he seemed to enjoy her pestering. Most had always gotten annoyed with her "ceaseless questioning." His answers were delightfully unexpected. Conversation with him was the first time she'd heard so many of her own opinions coming from the mouth of someone other than her. It was as though she had found a kindred spirit. He even introduced new ideas she had never considered before that all sounded rather amazing. His flirtation caught her off-guard, because yes, he really seemed to flirt with her first. She was surprised but both receptive and reciprocal. Any time she went out, she brought him with, always seeking his advice, always listening to the conversations he'd have with the others. She realized not everything was as it seemed with that man but kept it to herself. After the destruction of Haven, when Solas told her of the Orb, that was the moment she felt like he trusted her and her affection for him grew. She had not accepted the idea that he might feel the same affection for her until... "And right then, I felt the whole world change." "You change... everything..." Kissing him felt like a no-brainer until she was actually doing it. Quickly doubt flooded her mind and she pulled back. Maybe it had been a mistake. Maybe he didn't really see her like that. Maybe... Or maybe he did. Maybe things were even more complicated than even she had begun to suspect.

The further along into their relationship they went, the more certain she was of her suspicions. She theorized that he had been hurt in a previous relationship. He had a hard time trusting, spoke often of betrayal. She was saddened by this, wondering just how badly he'd been hurt. She was determined to do everything in her power to help him not feel that way around her. In the Crestwood scene, she allowed him to remove her vallaslin. When he suddenly broke off the relationship, she was somewhat flabbergasted. She was quick to believe it had something to do with whatever he was hiding, as well as his past experience. "I'm not giving up on you, Solas." "Whatever you need, we can find together." She isn't mad at him or even painfully hurt on her own behalf. More so, she is sad FOR him. It's obvious to her that he loves her and she knows enough about him to believe that it scares him. She tries talking to him about it but he's evasive, of course. She is willing to give him time though, if that will help him. It's not until after the battle with Corypheus that Assana is really and truly hurt by Solas. She really thought that after the battle, they would be able to talk, and she could show him that he didn't need to be afraid with her. How could he just… leave like that. Without even so much as saying goodbye? She thought she meant more to him than that. During Trespasser, she was too worried about saving him from the Qunari to worry about reading anything on her way. So unlike Eowynn she got to hear the truth from Solas directly. To say she was surprised would be an understatement. She had been romantically involved with the member of her pantheon that she had been obsessed with since she was a small girl and she hadn't been able to put 2 and 2 together?? She doesn't dwell on the fact though. When he told her of his plan, she understood. She wanted the same world as him, after all. She begged him to take her with him. That she could not stand the idea of him being alone. Learning his fear of dying alone had left a lasting impression on her. Long story short, the girl is desperate and determined to save him, to be by his side.

[theangrypomeranian]

Fic authors self rec! When you get this, reply with your favorite five fics that you've written, then pass on to at least five other writers. Spread the self-love ❤

I'm sorry this is so late orz life has been pretty crazy this past week lol.

Baby Steps

Summary:

After going through a terrible break up, Tina is left trying to pick up the broken pieces of her heart and life. Luckily, Zeke is there to help her with his tried and true method: touch therapy (literally). Through many trials and tribulations, they slowly learn how to grow and move on...together. A story of healing, friendship, and falling in love.

i doubt anyone is surprised by this choice lol. this fic is my pride and joy, i worked on it for a year and kept up a consistent update schedule for it. it's a story that is very near and dear to my heart and helped me start to heal my inner teenager.

2. i hate accidents (except when we went from friends to this)

Summary:

Best friends Louise and Rudy get married for tax purposes. No, really, that's totally it, honest. No way are any actual feelings gonna form. No way... ...unless...?

the fic i wrote for Roudise week 2023. this story was SO MUCH FUN to write omg. the whole premise started as a joke between my beta reader Red and I about these two getting married for taxes and the prompts for the week were announced i knew i had to use the idea. it was a huge hit with the Roudise side of the fandom and i'm so glad that they all loved it so much.

3. Safe and Sound

Summary:

When Tina Belcher is reaped for the Hunger Games, she's sure that her life is over. But when Zeke Tisdale volunteers as the male tribute and promises to protect her in the arena, she realizes that she might have a chance of surviving this...if she can avoid falling for him.

the Hunger Games AU i wrote for Zekina week 2023. as most of my followers probably know by now, i freaking LOVE the Hunger Games series, both the movies and the books (though I lean a lil more towards the books lol). the prompts for the week immediately made me think of it, and since i'd already had the first 2k or so words typed out already i figured why not finish it for the week? it was also written as the week went on because it was a last minute decision lol.

4. Long Way Home

Summary:

After Zeke leaves for three months to work for a logging company in Alaska, Tina receives a call telling her that he passed away in an avalanche. Devastated but determined to stay strong for her loved ones, she must learn how to live without the one that got away. ...or does she? Because unknown to all, Zeke survived - and he is fighting with the Last Frontier to get back home.

my current WIP. this one started as a weird ass dream i had about my otp and i told Red about it, then she proceeded to pitch a reworking of it for a fic and i was instantly in love with the concept. it's very niche so i don't blame anyone for giving it a pass, but i love it and that's all that matters. and for the fifth rec i'm putting down two because i genuinely cannot choose between them (and since when do i ever follows the rules for these kinds of asks XD):

Meet Me in the Afterglow

Summary:

Three months after she's peer pressured into breaking up with Henry, Susmita gets a call that her grandmother has died. Henry offers to take her home for the funeral and she quickly realizes that she's made a huge mistake. Can she sort through her feelings and win back her man? Or is it too late for them?

i LOVE this fic. normally i hate break up fics but i worked very hard on this one and did SO MUCH RESEARCH for it. overall i think i did really good with it and i'm always thrilled when someone reads it.

you better leave (it's not safe in here)

Summary:

Tina lives an idealistic life in the small community of Victory. Every day is the same, structured, secure. All of her neighbors know and like her, and her husband Jordan is a quiet unassuming man who works hard so that she can stay home and be a good housewife. Life is good and peaceful. However, sometimes she can't help but feel as if she doesn't belong there, and her nightly dreams of a tall and handsome man with an accent make her question if her marriage is really as happy as she's been led to believe. But then strange things start to happen and Tina starts to wonder if something more sinister is going on in Victory...

the Don't Worry Darling AU that no one asked for lmao. i was so let down by the movie but still loved the concept, so i decided to use it for a fic and loved the end result. just like with LWH, this one is very niche so i understand why it's not more popular. but i really love this fic and hope that one day it gets the recognition it deserves.

[b-theone]

Setting: Predebut, 2017

Starring: B:ONE, Ad Astra ex trainees ( Jeongwon, Beomseok, Jisung), staff

Word Count: 3.1k

Before B:ONE there was ASTER, but for the first to exist, the latter had to fall apart.

Being a group of nine wasn't easy, at least not when you're supposed to be debuting at any minute, but any minute turned into months and no one debuted, nor changes were made for the lineup. Luck seemed to be running out in ASTER, and the group was starting to wonder if the project was about to be discarded to leave space for the next girl group. However, destiny has dealt its cards a long time ago, and only a few ones were destined to make it.

“I'll be leaving the dorms on Monday, I'm leaving the company and going back to Wonju. My father fell sick, so I doubt I would've been able to make it knowing that.”

Everyone knew that Jeongwon only had his father in life, and it had been hard enough for him to leave Wonju, even if it was near Seoul and he could just come and go for practice, everyone knew he wouldn't want to even try as he'd want to be with his father as much as possible, just in case it got worse. It was a hard hit, since Jeongwon had quickly assumed the position of leader since ASTER came to be as the nine member group eight months ago, rather than just being just Ad Astra's predebut team. Now someone else would have to take on that spot, and pray that this small change wouldn't be the end of ASTER.

“I think Beomseok would be a good leader. He might not be the oldest but he has been here for a long time, so he deserves it.” Jeongwon spoke again, earning a look from everyone.

There was a clear Hyung line, and it was made, now without Jeong, had three other people and Taeseok. Beomseok was part of the maknae line, one of the oldest, but not old enough. No one really cared about it, since he had more experience, and Jeongwon regarded him as a second in command.

“We can always go visit you after practices, and when we debut, we can go when we're free. This doesn't have to be the end of our friendship.” The youngest one spoke hopefully.

No one really looked at him, but everyone shared the same thought. He was too hopeful, and too naive. Jeongwon would probably fade into a memory, and even past that, and would be probably just another man from Korea, and millions of Korean men. They hoped one day their paths would cross, but it was highly unlikely, and no one dared to tell that to the maknae.

Being back at the practice room was hard, even if they were now eight, which means someone else could get a new chance to shine. Jeongwon didn't have any main position, or at least, no staff had positioned as such, so his place could be easily filled in, but there was something that made his absence feel like they had lost half of the group. He was someone who led the group through thick and thin, and now their worst moment was without him.

“I think we should do our best to debut, for Jeongwon hyung. I know it seems like we're just... Further and further from it, but we have to push harder to make them realize we're here to stay.”

Even though Beomseok was trying his best, no one felt moralized enough to do anything that day, having lost someone so important for the group in the middle of the uncertainty of debuting or not... It felt like hell. It felt worse for Jongbin, who shared a room with Jeongwon for six years,  and now he had to start again with other people.

It didn't help that the company took the news as an opportunity to experiment with the lineup. Sometimes it was  four, sometimes they added people to the point they were eleven, and so they went back and forth, further destabilizing the groups morale.

“I don't know if we're even debuting.” Kohya said to a fellow foreign member of Aster.

“I think they're going to move us around until we get tired and we quit. Maybe they were building the group around Jeong-ssi.” The other man said from his place on the bed.

Kohya, who was crammed on a small desk with all his strings for bracelets, let go of it just to look back at his friend, who then looked back at him.

“It could be but I'm not sure, wouldn't it be easier if they just kicked us out? They could clean up the building and give it to more girls and get more trainees in, and that way they'd be able to fit more possible future idols.” Kohya said after a while of careful consideration.

His friend seemed to think about it carefully, trying to find any problem in Kohya's logic, only to be met with nothing. “You're right” the older one ended up saying.

“What do you think they're doing next? They tried already many things and it's been barely a month.” Koya then asked again, sparking a new debate about what would and what should ad astra do next, as if they were debating a strategy for a game.

In the company, Taeseok, Kyungmin, Beomseok, and Kohya were just taking a break from the practice, as they were picked for the new pseudo lineup. In that break, the four guys were discussing the same question, what would ad astra do with them?

“I think with Jeongwon going, they're just doing time until they see who else will leave before doing anything else. You know, it was a hard blow, so it's expected they'll just go playing around until things settle.” Taeseok spoke, trying to settle down the anxiousness that had settled over the group lately.

The room was almost clinical, with the cold white lights illuminating the room almost in a blinding light, and the lack of windows made the place feel like a room like an underground place from those scary movies his dormmate loved. All trainees had to practice there, only debuted groups had the privilege to get a nice room, and it was probably because they had to upload their dance practice.

The room full of mirrors and grey walls and floor, making it feel almost like they were being watched. Taeseok didn't like it, but he didn't have to, he just had to get through it long enough to have a pretty practice room like those girlgroups he saw.

“Do you think they're just waiting? That we're not going to be kicked out of the company if we don't get out on our own?” Beomseok asked, playing with his water bottle.

“If they were planning to debut us then why are they changing the lineup so much?”

“Maybe they're going to debut us as subunits? Like that NCT group.” Kyungmin offered as an alternative, something that no one else had thought about it.

The group looked at each other, thinking about what Kyungmin had said, wondering if they were planning to debut them in some new way that wasn't used before.

“Doesn't seem like it, it seems too out of the pocket for a company that's debuting their first group, I think they'd play it safe."

It was hard to know what was going to happen, but Taeseok and Kyungmin quickly found a pattern. They were put together, no matter how the group was changed, they came and went as a pair. To them it joined a man by the name Jisung, born in 1994.

Jisung was a nice person, he was in the room next to Taeseok's, and they were both introverted people, so they glued to each other in practice while the others ran around and played. It could be said that they became friends rather quickly, like a fire started by thunder, and as such, it was bound to die soon.

“I've been kicked out of the company.” The man said one day,  coming into the practice room he was supposed to be in an hour ago.

He was about to get inside the room an hour ago, he was even with his arm around Taeseok's shoulders as they spoke about the latest drama they were watching, and then he was taken away by staff telling him he was requested into... No one was sure, he was too far by the time they told him why he had to follow them.

Apparently, it was to get him out of the company. And the question was hanging right in the tip of their tongues, why was him, the always honorable Jisung, being kicked out?

“They didn't give much of a reason” Jisung spoke, knowing what everyone thought, wanting to clear out any possible misunderstanding. “They just said they didn't think I'd fit Aster, and the higher ups didn't think I'd make a good fit on the company any longer, so they're ending my contract.”

It was definitely strange, even more when it came to a man who did nothing wrong. No one could believe it, not because they thought he was a bad man, but because the company was acting in strange ways. Maybe it was a way to kick him out of the company and slowly dismantle the group without raising suspicions.

Or maybe they were all putting their faith in a man who wasn't worth it, and he was lying so no one knew what he had done to get himself kicked out. No one could be completely sure anymore.

“Then what do we do from here?” Taeseok asked, not to Jisung in particular but to everyone in the group.

With Jisung gone they'd be down to seven, and now another reorder would happen. Once again the dorm arrangements would change, and then they would be subjected to a new restart full of lineup changes. But it didn't, once again it was the seven of them together, practicing as they always did, though this time there was a small change.

They were now given a song, a brand new song, an original. The only changes made were on positions, or who had to sing which lines, but the group stayed the same way.

It brought some relief that they were finally moving together in the same direction, further solidifying the idea that Jisung hadn't been the man they thought to be. It didn't help that Jisung seemed to have banished from earth, not even trying to communicate with them as Jeongwon had done on a few, scarce times.

It didn't matter, no one really cared, they were to busy to even do so as lately they had to train more and more to learn what they were given, and change what they were told. It was a hard time for everyone, but the promise of debuting soon made everything worth the hardships. All they hoped was for it to be worth it, and not end up disbanding after the numbers didn't go as high as staff hoped for.

Everyone was putting far too many expectations on them, the creator of Aster was even overseeing their practices, and choreographers started to press them harder. They tried different concepts, different songs, different everything and they didn't seem satisfied. They seemed to be waiting for the pressure to be too much.

Until it calmed down. It felt like the calm before the storm, as if they were waiting for the last jumpscare, but nothing was coming. They decided on a rather cute concept, almost as if they suddenly decided on them being the boys next door, the kind of sweet guys girls could fantasize about being their girlfriends and getting sweet dates under the moonlight.

No one complained, no one knew what to say, they were happy to have a debut set, one that they liked... More or less. There were some complains, some who would've preferred other things but after not knowing if they would even debut, anything was a good idea. Everything was good if their name was in the teasers. And soon, they were getting ready for it.

The name was announced to be changing to B:ONE, something about unity, and being the one group fans should love, none of them were really paying attention, at least no one but Beomseok, who should know because of his role as the leader. Fittings started, trying to see what would go for the MV, what would go for the teasers, what would be good for the member reveal, and so on and on with songs, clothes, and stage names. It almost felt like they were becoming a product more than the idol version of themselves.

And then, a call was made from the office of the creator himself, but it wasn't for the leader, but rather for Taeseok. Obedient as ever, Taeseok didn't question it before heading to the office, spending a total of an hour before getting back to the dorms, forgetting about the practice and all schedules. It was the creator who went to excuse him from it.

By the looks of it, Taeseok was the next one to go, being cut off so close before making it. No one could even go and comfort him, and neither did they know if they wanted to, after all there was a chance that he had been just as guilty as Jisung, and no one knew about it either.

Beomseok went to his room at night, when they had gotten back from the practice and the rest of the group was fighting to get to the shower first. They spend a long while speaking, long enough for everyone to settle who would shower first, and for each of them to shower. By the time he got out of the room, the sweat had dried up, and he had bloodshot eyes and a barely contained fury.

No one knew what happened after that, as Taeseok came behind him, with his head hanging low and unable to look at his groupmates, picking the skin of his hands apart as he walked to Beomseok and gently grabbed his arm, telling him in a hushed whisper to let it go, while the leader shouted that he wasn't going to let it happen.

No one knew what was going on, but they all heard the strain in Taeseok's voice as he pleaded their leader, and said leader seemed to grow more agitated, until the door was slammed and they all heard the sound of Taeseok trying to hide his cries. The first one to get out of his room in aid of the older was Hao, who got closer to him and hugged him, not saying anything and neither asking for anything. He was followed by Kohya, and who had been followed by Inwoo and Sanghoon just standing and watching. While the Japanese boy hugged Taeseok too, the English man went to get some water for the crying man.

Sanghoon wasn't good at emotions, but he understood the importance of showing Taeseok he was there for him too, so he got closer and awkwardly caressed the patch of black hair that wasn't being crushed by the heads of the two foreign members. Kyungmin, who was the last one to shower, got out of the bathroom to find the scene unfolding, couldn't do much more than just turn around looking for both Beomseok and Inwoo, just to find the English man getting out of the kitchen.

After a brief talk, Kyungmin went back into his room, getting out a few minutes later completely changed.

“Taeseok, do you want to talk?” He asked once he finally got closer to the group.

By then Taeseok seemed to have calmed down, with him only sniffling and drying his tears. Inwoo took his pale yellow handkerchief and gave it to the man, who dried his tears and cleaned his nose on it, before being told to keep it as Inwoo was gifting it to him.

“No, it's...” He seemed to choke up, and the group prepared for other round of tears, yet they never came. “I'd rather not talk about it.”

Everyone understood the best they could, and Inwoo went on to prepare mandu and tteokbokki, knowing Taeseok loved that. Sanghoon went on to help him prepare the food for the rest of the group, while Kohya, Hao, and Kyungmin decided to get Taeseok out of his gloomy mood again.

Dinner went by, and there was food untouched, making them remember that Beomseok had left a while ago and he was yet to get back. They all waited, using different excuses to keep themselves awake, until they all realized that it was most likely that he wouldn't go back to the dorms that night. For the group, it showed the seriousness of whatever he was told, for Taeseok, it was pure terror running through his veins.

Beomseok wasn't there either when they all got up, and he wasn't at practice either that day. And when they went back to their dorms, every trace of Beomseok ever being there was erased, as if they had imagined him. Now, they were six.

Everyone knew Taeseok would blame himself, that whatever happened to him and Beomseok would live forever in him and the guilt would eat him, they knew him that well. So they spent their time trying to cheer him up.

That was, until none of it worked and Taeseok wasn't there in the morning. But he was there when they got to the practice, already thinking they were five set to debut.

“Hey guys, I spoke with the staff. Beomseok decided to leave the company as he didn't agree with some stuff going on. We are still debuting, but, until the company is sure we are debuting as six, there won't be any new leaders."

“I wouldn't mind if we didn't get a leader, I'm happy you didn't get kicked out Tae, we thought we wouldn't see you again.” Kyungmin said, palming the back of the dancer.

“Alright then, let's practice?”

“Totally! We gotta show the company who's the boss!” Hao quickly said, putting his cap backwards as a sign of getting ready.

[dumbfinntales]

I recently completed a game that caught me completely by surprise. My Friendly Neighborhood. On the surface you might look at it and go “ugh another yucky mascot horror indie slop?” and trust me, when I initially saw the game I thought the same thing. I’ve fundamentally grown to dislike mascot horror, or kid friendly horror. So few games actually get it right, and most are really dumb. I’m not gonna name any so I don’t upset people, but imagine if you take Bob the builder. Okay, now he’s Frank the breaker and oh he has sharp teeth and red eyes. That’s how these types of games seem like to me.

So I kind of dismissed MFN when I first saw it. But lo and behold, a few days after the games release I saw a tweet on twitter of someone calling it a “survival horror” game and I couldn’t believe my eyes. I looked into it and by god, it really is one, and inspired by classic Resident Evil titles too. A fucking RE clone with muppets? I gave the game a chance and it blew me away. MFN is a genuinely fun and competent survival horror game with great atmosphere, fun combat and intriguing puzzles to solve.

The best part to me is that the game isn’t trying too hard to be scary. Sure it’s called survival “horror”, but it feels kinda light hearted and does parody of popular horror tropes like a bathtub with a body in it that you have to drain for an item. The puppets themselves are really charming and I enjoyed their demented rambles. My favorite line went something like “My friend recently really upset me. So you know what I did? I SHOVED them into the ground and STOMPED their face!” and they say all this in a very muppety voice which is hilarious. The point is that they’re not giving the puppets sharp teeth and demented lines like “I’ll eat your flesh” in order to be “scary”. The devs knew it would be impossible to make the muppets scary, so they leaned more on a parody.

Being inspired by classic RE games the game has a lot of familiar DNA like obscure puzzles, doors that require specific keys, backtracking, inventory management and even limited saves. Although on survival difficulty there was more than plenty of resources and save points so I never felt like I was running out of saves, or ammo or even health. The level design was also great and the world looped on itself in interesting ways and backtracking wasn’t as tedious and there was always some surprises waiting for you.

The game also seems plenty replayable and you can unlock different cheats by finding collectibles around the world. It isn’t overly long, which to me is a plus especially in a game that’s meant to be replayable, so I’ll definitely play through the game again on harder difficulties and maybe chase after some achievements.

But do I have anything negative to say? Well mainly nitpicks. The game could have benefited from more basic enemy types than just the puppets that chase after you and the small hand puppets. There’s also level specific “hazard” puppets, if you can call them that, but I dunno. It would have felt a little more interesting with some variation in what enemies you normally encounter. There’s also only two proper bosses in the game and the first one is way too easy as it goes down with just two grenades. I genuinely thought it had a second phase or I’d encounter it again, but nope. The last boss was alright, although really easy to avoid. At least it took a fight.

So yeah. How’s that for an indie surprise? There’s a lesson to be learned, never judge a book by its cover. But can you blame me for doubting? There’s way too many kiddie horror games trying to have deep lore and be all spooky and failing horribly. But MFN is a genuine gem, if you enjoy classic survival horror games do give it a try!

[coughdontfeelwellcough]

Sicktember - The only place we're going to is the pharmacy

Fandom: my own ocs Sophie and Casper.

Words: 1225

Author's note: Let me introduce you to my latest ocs, Sophie and Casper. This will be the first part of a trilogy with these two as they get to know each other and suffer (just a little bit.)

Part two will be posted on Sep 14th and part three on Sep 21st.

Hope you enjoy!

Part 2 Part 3

The Wildcraft Bakery sat in a quiet corner of Notting Hill where it had been run by three generations of the Morales family, Sophie Morales was the youngest and current owner at just 27 years old, having inherited the business from her Abuela. Sophie’s mother had shown about as much interest in baking as she had in raising her daughter so Sophie had  been left to continue the family legacy alone. 

The sun had barely risen when Sophie arrived at the bakery and It didn’t take long for the smell of freshly baked bread and cake to fill the premises, a small queue of people forming outside ready for their fresh loafs, warm from the oven. It always made Sophie feel like what she did mattered, that people would willingly queue outside in the cold for a chance at her baked goods. 

“Morning,” she greeted as the first customers filled into the warmth of the shop. 

“Morning Sophie, got you any sourdough loaves today?” asked Mr Donald, a man in his seventies who came in every day and always asked for the same thing. 

“Yes, I’ve just cooked up a batch this morning. How many would you like?” 

“Two please, and throw in some of those delicious churros of yours,” 

“Of course, coming right up.” 

The early morning rush never lasted long then there was a lull before the real morning rush began. Casper who worked in the bookshop next door was usually one of the first ones in but it seemed he was running late. Sophie tried to ignore the niggling feeling in her gut when he didn’t appear. She’d grown so used to seeing him, they’d actually become quite close in the two years he’d been coming in. He was easy to talk to and seemed to genuinely care to hear about her day, unlike most customers who only cared about catching their next train. 

Sophie was brewing a fresh pot of coffee when she heard the door squeak open, she looked up to see Casper walk in. He was almost an hour later than normal, he was also bundled up in more layers than was necessary for the October weather, wrapped in a thick coat, hat and scarf. 

“Good afternoon,” she teased. 

“I don’t know what’s good about it.” 

His voice sounded like his swallowed gravel, raw and painful. 

“Oh no, have you got a cold?”

Casper shook his head, swallowing painfully. “Just a sore throat, I’ll live.” 

He sounded like someone had taken a lawn mower to his throat and judging at how pale and clammy he looked it properly felt like it too. 

“Do you want your usual?” Sophie asked. 

“Could I have tea instead? Think I might need it..” he said, breaking off into a few hoarse coughs. 

“Of course, I’ve got some honey in the kitchen, would you like some in your tea?” 

Casper nodded, not trusting his voice. 

Sophie quickly went about making his drink, adding a few good helpings of honey. She hoped he would take it straight back to his flat and get some rest, she couldn’t remember the last time she’d heard someone sound so unwell. 

“There you go, and I didn’t forget your croissant,” she said. 

“Thank you,” he croaked, his voice getting weaker by the minute. “I guess I should go and open the shop.” 

“You’re planning on working? If I were you I’d be going straight back to bed,” Sophie said. 

Casper shrugged, coughing dryly into his fist. “It’s just a sore throat.” 

Sophie doubted that, she could see his swollen glands from across the counter and it was a mystery he’s breathing at all judging by how scratched up and swallowed his throat sounded. Not to mention the way he’s clinging to his tea like it's the only thing keeping him warm. 

“Are you cold?” Sophie asked, it was as hot as it ever was inside the bakery but still Capser stood trying to suppress a shiver. He opened his mouth to speak but only a croak escapsed, he tried to clear his throat but it just made him cough. Each one sounded like they were tearing at his throat. 

Sophie didn't understand how he was still standing. If she was in his place it would take a nuclear explosion to get her out of bed, and maybe not even then. 

“Should probably get to work,” Casper wheezed, there was an audible crackle to his breathing that Sophie didn’t like one bit.

“No, the only place we’re going is to the pharmacy,” 

“We?” 

“Yes, you obviously can’t be trusted on your own and I don’t want you infecting all my customers.” 

Casper looked like he wanted to protest but was overtaken by another coughing fit, leaving him weak and dizzy. 

“I.. I don’t feel great,” he admitted. 

“I can tell, at a guess I’d say you’ve got strep in which case you need some drugs so let’s go.” 

Sophie placed the ‘back in ten minutes’ sign in the bakery window and together they started down the street. 

Luckily the pharmacist was only a few streets away as Sophie didn’t want to leave the bakery for long plus Casper was looking dead on his feet as he slowly shuffled along beside her. She couldn’t fathom what had possessed him to get out of bed, he clearly felt miserable and was no doubt running a fever. Was he trying to infect half of London? 

They arrived at the pharmacist, Casper coughing into his sleeve as they entered the building. 

“Now, what do you need?” Sophie asked. 

Casper shrugged. “Medicine, I guess? I haven’t taken anything.” 

Sophie had to resist rolling her eyes, how could someone be this useless at taking care of themselves? 

“Okay, let’s get you some help.”

After a quick visit to the pharmacist on duty and a rapid test it turned out Casper did not in fact have strep throat but he did have laryngitis. As well as having a fever of 102.4, his vocal chords were so inflamed she was amazed he could still talk. 

“Well this sucks,” Casper rasped, clinging on to his bag of antibiotics. 

“You’re lucky it isn’t strep, I’d have killed you if you’d gotten me sick.” 

Casper tried to glare at her but he looked too pathetic to pull it off and Sophie laughed at him. 

“At least you’ll feel better in a few days,” she said. 

“Sophie.. Thank you. I wouldn’t have gone if it weren’t for you and then I’d be even more miserable.” 

Sophie felt her heart swell, a tiny crack in her armour. “You’re welcome.” 

They walked back toward the baker until Casper stopped outside a Chinese restaurant, pulling a set of keys out of his pocket. 

“This is you?” 

Casper nodded. “My flat is above, nice place if you don’t mind the smell of noodles.” 

Sophie laughed, it was the first mildly funny thing he’d said all morning. A little bit of the normal Casper peaking through. 

“Get some rest, I don’t want to see you until you no longer sound like a member of the undead.” 

Casper chuckled, coughing lightly. “Okay, thank you again.” 

“My pleasure.” And it had been, the chance to spend a few extra minutes with her favourite customer was always a joy. She just wished it could last a little bit longer.

[voraciousvore]

Bucky's (6/44)

***This chapter contains some gore, and some soft vore***

Chapter 6: The Next Day

Patty had nightmares about being violently eaten, having her limbs ripped off, one by one, by huge white teeth, her blood spurting like a fountain from the severed stumps. Giant fingers squeezed her body with unbearable pressure, crushing her ribcage and causing her organs to pop out. She saw a Giant laughing, red rivers running down his lips and chin, before he went in for the kill, shattering her vertebrae with a hard crunch between his incisors. She awoke with a start to thunderous banging on the ceiling. 

“Rise and shine, my little bipedal sausages! It’s time for the breakfast shift!” Bucky’s voice rumbled overhead. Patty groaned with despair as her memories from yesterday came flooding back to her. She didn’t want to be here. She wanted to be safe at home. She hauled herself out of bed, with the knowledge that Bucky probably wouldn’t be too keen on having stragglers. She prepared for the day as best she could, shoveling in more leftovers for breakfast. As she ate, Little Debbie nudged her to get her attention and handed her a new nametag. 

“Put this on,” she whispered. “You don’t want Bucky to see you without one.” She motioned to a stack of nametags, so Patty would know where to get a new one in the future. 

“Thanks,” Patty mumbled back, sticking the tag to her chest. She thought to herself what a sweet and thoughtful person Little Debbie was, to care about others as she did. Patty didn’t know if she could be capable of the same generosity herself, especially considering that her survival might be better served throwing someone else under the bus rather than cooperating as a team. She realized, with how frantic she had been yesterday, she had stuck out like a sore thumb. The others, excluding Little Debbie and Slim Jim, had purposely refused to help her because she was an easy target, and if she was selected to be eaten their chances of not being picked themselves increased. These thoughts filled her with disquiet, but she couldn’t really blame them for looking out for themselves. She doubted any of them had much control over their fate as it were.  

She recalled Little Debbie’s missing fingers and cringed internally. She didn’t deserve such cruel treatment. Patty discreetly glanced around and noticed some of the other humans were missing fingers and toes as well, forms of mutilation subtle enough that restaurant patrons wouldn’t notice the blemishes, with how small the humans were. She comprehended, with a creeping tightness in her chest, that those were merely the punishments for disobedience that she could physically see. Bucky probably did other things, just as bad, that didn’t leave physical scars. Patty knew she needed to stay on Bucky’s good side. 

The ceiling lifted, and Patty experienced a surge of frightened electricity in her gut at the sight of Bucky looming over all the humans. “Line up for inspection!” he commanded, and the humans scrambled into rows. Patty caught on quickly and fell into line. Bucky leaned forward and studied each human carefully, occasionally lifting someone up in his hand and turning them over to get a closer look. Patty drew in a sharp breath when his huge sapphire eyes scanned her, but after a moment of scrutiny he passed over her without incident. Even so, she didn’t feel like she could breathe easily even after. 

“Graham!” Bucky bellowed, snatching up the tiny man in his fist. “I told you before, you can’t wear your glasses in the dining room! They’re not digestible!”  

Graham Cracker squirmed uselessly against Bucky’s tight grip. “S-sorry! I’ll go put them away! I just can’t see without them!” he gasped, clearly straining just to breathe with the pressure on his chest. Bucky narrowed his eyes at him. 

“I’ll give you one more chance,” he growled. “No more excuses. Next time this happens, I’m smashing those glasses.” He set Graham down and he sprinted away in terror. Bucky ignored him and looked over the rest of the group, gruffly telling two of the ladies to restyle their hair and reminding another to put on a nametag. Once he was satisfied, he released the group and nudged the tiny humans into the tunnel that led to the tank in the dining area. There was a shuttle that resembled a big capsule that shot along a cable, that had to be operated by a Giant on the outside. Patty observed these details warily as she thought about ways to escape.  

The humans were brought to their transparent prison, where they reluctantly filtered in. So far, Patty had not seen any way out. She considered her options if she was chosen to be eaten in a meal. She seriously doubted she would have a good chance of escaping from the Giant cooks, especially if she were high up on the countertop with no way to get down. Last time she was brought to the table, her arms and legs were constricted, so she couldn’t run, but she might have an opportunity to jump out of the dish under different circumstances. She remembered seeing Little Debbie sitting on a pile of chicken wings covered in sauce, but unrestricted. Even so, the woman hadn’t bothered to run, and Patty could see why. Even if she scampered off the plate she’d be trapped high up on the table, with no way to get down that didn’t involve breaking bones or dying. She couldn’t exactly jump into the lap of a Giant eager to devour her and climb down. 

Patty looked down at her wrist, with the tracker firmly clasped on. She tugged and clawed at the thick band of metal, but couldn’t get it to release. If she miraculously managed to get away from the restaurant, Bucky would still be able to find her, no matter where she ran. She couldn’t outrun a Giant. And where would she go? She was a criminal on the human side. Living like a rat in the streets of a Giant city sounded like a frightening and awful existence, particularly if she were caught and eaten without a pill to prevent digestion. Patty couldn’t see any way out of her predicament. Despair and dismay crawled into her chest, constricting and suffocating her. 

Slim Jim, watching her tug on her bracelet, shook his head despondently. “Trust me, there’s no point,” he mumbled. “We have no chance of escaping.” He leaned against the glass, lost in thought, and folded his arms. Patty recalled what he had mentioned earlier, about stealing to feed his family, and wondered if he was thinking about his kids. She sighed. She wasn’t ready to give up so easily. Even if there was no hope, she couldn’t stop her brain from scheming. She knew she at least had to try. 

Bucky’s wasn’t as busy for breakfast, but some of Patty’s human compatriots were still selected for food. Patty observed with trepidation as one man was served wrapped up in bacon, and promptly swallowed whole without a second thought. Another woman was toyed with as a Giant hooked her by the bra with his fork and dragged her across his plate, covering her in maple syrup and butter left over from his pancakes. The Giant lifted her up and licked her body off with pleasure, then dumped her back on the plate and dragged her around again until she had soaked up all the syrup on the plate. The poor woman looked sticky and miserable as her messy hair clung to her face. He sucked her into his mouth and slurped her around in his cheeks for an agonizingly long time before finally gulping her down. Patty hated to watch, yet she couldn’t tear her eyes away from the morbid, revolting spectacle. 

One saving grace that Bucky granted was frequent breaks to his human prisoners. Every two hours or so, he would allow them a brief rest where they could grab a drink of water, use the bathroom, or freshen up. Patty figured Bucky didn’t want his human entrees appearing unsanitary or disheveled. He wanted customers to see them as fresh and appetizing. Patty considered making herself look dirty or unappealing, but she was scared to anger Bucky. She would prefer to keep all her fingers and toes. 

Bucky was conscientious to keep his humans well fed, pressuring them to eat the never-ending supply of leftovers at every opportunity, in order to fatten them up for eating. Patty noticed customers seemed to prefer humans who were plumper or more muscular, with additional flesh on their bones. She was grateful in this instance to be thinner, but she didn’t know how long that would last. She considered refusing food, but she was certain Bucky would notice if she lost too much weight and punish her, or even force feed her, a prospect she didn’t find appealing to say the least. 

Over time, the number of humans in the tank dwindled as they were eaten. A couple hours after ingestion, the Giants would extract their humans, still alive, from their bellies, and the waitresses would carry each human in a bowl out of sight. The humans were allowed to shower and given time to recover before being thrown back into the tank. Patty recognized, with some consternation, that a human could end up being eaten several times in one day if they happened to be a popular choice. 

The day continued in this same manner for a while. There was a bit of a lunch rush, but then the restaurant quieted down before more patrons started coming in for dinner. Patty grew bored and restless in the tank, with nothing to occupy her mind except gloomy dread and anxiety. She understood now why most of the humans seemed just as weary and indifferent as afraid. The waiting, the constant tension, the Giant eyes roving over the group to find their next meal, was almost as bad as actually being chosen. She had to remind herself not to pace, yet she frequently found her legs moving of their own accord. She found it difficult to sit still. 

As Patty was observing one of her fellow humans getting chomped up in a sandwich, the mood in the tank abruptly changed. Several cries of fear arose and people began bouncing around and trying to hide behind each other, despite having no cover or place to go. 

“What’s going on?” Patty asked, following their gazes to the front entrance of the restaurant. Nobody bothered to answer Patty, as they were all stricken with terror. A couple had just strolled in, a Giant and Giantess, but they didn’t appear to be the typical Bucky patrons. They were very nicely dressed, for starters. The man wore an expensive dark gray suit with a matching tie. He had a chunky gold watch on his wrist that was probably worth thousands of Big Bucks. He was perfectly groomed, with immaculate teeth, unblemished skin, and short brown hair, not a strand out of place. The woman on his arm was gorgeous enough to be a supermodel, with a shimmering, elegant satin gown and silky blonde hair cascading down her shoulders. She wore fine gold jewelry encrusted with gems that appeared very pricey. The wealthy couple looked conspicuously out of place with the more plebeian style of the restaurant and the other customers, mere commoners by comparison. They didn’t seem to care, however, and even seemed pleased to be there. They went straight to the tank of humans and bent down slightly to peer inside. Sensing these customers would tip well, a waitress materialized next to them to take their order. 

Patty’s instincts were screaming at her to run, but her legs felt as heavy as lead and rooted themselves to the floor like anchors. She stared up at those vast, spotless faces, and her mind stopped functioning properly. The Giant man rubbed his blocky whiskered chin with an enormous hand, surveying the crowd of tiny people voraciously. He licked his lips and pointed towards Patty with a tree-sized finger. “That one. She’s got some meat on her.” 

Patty’s heart stopped, until she realized he was pointing at a woman behind her. She cranked her head around just enough to see the unlucky individual was one of the women she met yesterday, Apple, staring with wide eyes like a deer in headlights. 

“Which one would you like to eat, darling?” he asked the Giantess, pecking her cheek tenderly and brushing his hand through her luscious hair. She pursed her coral lips and looked over the scared humans with shiny eyes, blinking her long lashes. 

“Hmmmm… that human right there looks delicious,” she purred, tapping the glass with a manicured nail. A wave of humans parted away from the condemned man, Chuck Roast, who looked stunned, like he had just been slapped in the face. 

“Perfect,” the waitress acknowledged. She wrote down their orders on her notepad, opened the lid to the tank, and snagged the two humans, despite their desperate attempts to scurry away, clutching them together in her fist. 

“Oh, and don’t bother giving those two any pills,” the Giant mentioned with his rich, deep voice. “We’re choosing the option for fatal ingestion.” 

Chapter 7

Chapter 1

[xamassed]

⟬ @bucketfullofocs ⟭

[Sarah @ FatGum] Sarah was not known for her subtlety. If she had to be described, it would be 'about as subtle as an elephant in a strawberry field'. So really, no one should have been surprised that, a day after Aya had dropped off the flower crown, Sarah could be found reading a book about the Japanese language of flowers. Any time FatGum would walk by, she'd have that book out somewhere - either in her hands, on her desk, somewhere.

After a few days of this, she huffed, tired of waiting for him to notice and ask about it, and just put the dang thing on his desk with a note.

Hey I found this really interesting book the other day, you should TOTALLY give it a read. I've marked some of my favorite passages~ -Sarah

There. If that didn't get him to read the dang thing, nothing would. Now, she just had to wait.

Heroes were meant to be keen and observant, taking note of even the smallest change on the off-chance it meant something was wrong, and yet — there he sat at his desk, leafing through a book that had taken him days to notice.

He paid extra attention to the pages she had marked, the little strips of colorful and translucent plastic letting him know where he ought to read. Flowers were gorgeous, and he enjoyed looking at them when they were in full bloom, but it wasn't until he poured through the book that he realized they had a language of their own.

Each one had a meaning, and now he could hardly look at flowers the same.

"Oh, wait!" An idea sprang forward then, as did a gasp of pleasant surprise. "She made me that flower crown!"

He doubted that she had laced a message within it, but it would be fun to test his memory and all of what he had read only a few moments ago.

Book set aside, he occupied both hands now with the flower crown Aya had gifted him. He rubbed his thumbs against the silk, grateful that they weren't real. Glancing at it every morning, telling it goodnight whenever he left the office to go home — if they had been real, he wouldn't have been able to form those silly, lovestruck habits.

"Alright, lemmie see here. This is an. . . amaryllis. It means shy. That makes sense, she is pretty shy." He chuckled and felt his cheeks warm. He liked that she was so bashful, that she always seemed so fidgety even after knowing each other for this long.

The next flower, he brushed over with the pads of all his fingers.

"A yellow Camilla. This one means, uh. . . Shoot. Oh, no! Wait, I remember!" He puffed his chest with pride. "It means longing!" A pause, and he deflated. "Wait, really?"

He glossed through the book for a quick second and found he was right. Another burst of heat touched his round cheeks, and he swore he felt his heart do a flip.

"It might just be a coincidence." He forced another laugh. "Cause the next one is — is a gardenia."

Taishiro swallowed hard and stared at the silk twisted into a small, white petals. "Secret love. That can't be true. There's no way. I mean, she's — she's so nice, and pretty and really thoughtful."

And small. So very, very small.

She couldn't admire someone like him, not when he was so big. There were people out there willing to accept him in the shape he was now, but they always preferred his skinnier, more muscular form. It would be too much to hope that she wouldn't be like the ones before, the ones that made him feel less for being big and goofy and different.

He went on to the next flower, and the heart that flipped suddenly sank low in his chest.

"Yellow tulip. One-sided love. But she. . ." He caught his breath, felt the corners of his eyes grow damp. She knew the pain of wondering, of believing wholeheartedly that her affections weren't reciprocated. How it ached, how it made every little favor and sweet smile feel forced.

Perhaps the idea that she felt the same wasn't as silly as he had first thought.

Taishiro sat there in quiet contemplation, fingers drumming along the plastic stems that kept the flowers woven together. He knew he needed to thank her properly now, but it couldn't be as simple as the last thank you he had given her.

No, he had a plan, and he couldn't set it down now that he'd thought of it.

The hero abandoned his desk and popped open the door to his office, catching sight of Sarah at her own. "I need your help! I need silk flowers."

He rushed over, fingers jabbing at the pictures of the flowers he desperately needed her to find. Taishiro hated demanding anything of her, but she hardly knew how to make flower crowns. "I need white anemones, white chrysanthemums and forget-me-nots! And then ya gotta teach me down t'make one'a those flower crown things. Oh, third thing — ya can't tell Aya about it! Ya can't!"

[elemyah]

hello! im a recent follower of your blog, and i wanted to bounce a Ryuji fic idea! i wanted to write something angst or hurt/comfort with him, but im a bit dry as to what exactly can i angst or hurt him XD i was thinking about writing about his leg injury, but i wasnt sure if im able to write him right since ive never written him before can you give me a rundown of his personality? like, what are his key characterizations?

Hi, and welcome! Ryuji is my favorite, so I’ll try to help as I can.

Before anything, I just want to make it clear that much of how I interpret him is based on headcanons I came up with during the years, so it might not always be canon accurate.

That being said, I'll put some of my thoughts on him under the cut, since I'll probably ramble a bit.

If you don’t want to read my long ramblings about my favorite character, there’s a small list of key characteristics at the end. Anyway…

To me, Ryuji's main characteristic is that he's incredibly loyal. Be it to his friends, his mom, or his goal of being a Phantom Thief and do good. He can be pretty silly and dense, and sometimes his mouth goes much faster than his brain, but he's always trying to do what he thinks is best, and help those who need. He considered dropping out of school to help his mom financially, allowed his old team to (unfairly) let out their frustrations on him, was ready to sacrifice himself for the other Phantom Thieves, and is always willing to shield his friends, or fight for their sake no matter what. He has a strong sense of justice too, much stronger than his self-preservation and fear of consequences, as we saw with what happened with Kamoshida (I also don’t doubt he would’ve punched Shido’s face without a second thought if he knew who he was when they came across him… He’s the kind who acts by instinct before he thinks, and frequently get into trouble for it).

He’s someone who, despite his short patience, is also very forgiving. He was annoyed at Yusuke and Makoto at first, but didn’t think twice before helping them once he understood their situation. This is even clearer with Akechi, since Ryuji never trusted or liked him, but also had one of the strongest reactions to his story and “death”, even saying that he was more than special when Akechi had a breakdown after his fight in Shido’s palace. He’s the kind who takes no bullshit, and hates people who harm others and abuse their power, but is willing to give people a second chance if he feels they are willing to do better.

Since you’re planning to write about his injury, I think it’s important to keep in mind that not only did Ryuji lose something he loved to do and his chance to become a professional athlete when Kamoshida broke his leg, but he was also shunned by his team for it, and had to deal with the guilt of his mom apologizing for raising him on her own. It’s a bunch of terrible things happening at once, and I wish the game gave it all a little more attention, since people tend to forget about everything Ryuji went through because his personal drama isn’t as present in the narrative as other characters’. (There’s also the abusive father situation, which is something that doesn’t go away easily, but the game just mentions it and then forgets about it later…)

Ryuji was also probably pretty lonely before he met Joker, given how he was treated at school. That might be why he got so attached to Joker so quickly, since he was the first person in a long time to be willing to listen to his side of things and get to know him without the usual judgment. (Also, unrelated to Ryuji, but I feel like Joker felt the same way about him, since Ryuji was the first to listen to his side of things and be on his side. They were a good support for each other in their time of need, and that’s one of the reasons their friendship got so strong in such a short time). I also like how Ryuji’s emotional intelligence works, because he can be very dense for some things, but then there are moments when he’s the first to notice something is wrong with one of the PTs and tries to do something about it. Like when Yusuke mentions that people avoid him at school, and Ryuji immediately invites him to go out after that. He can be a little blunt, but he never tries to hide how much he cares about those close to him, and does what he can to help them when they need, or cheer them up when things go badly.

This goes more into headcanon territory, but I also think Ryuji is afraid of becoming like his abusive father. He’s constantly being treated as a “good for nothing punk” by teachers and classmates, was called a traitor and shunned by his old team, has a short temper, and often acts without thinking. It feels to me like he’s not only fully aware of his flaws, but also internalized this idea that he can do nothing right, so he (consciously or not) tries to compensate by being a hero as a Phantom Thief. Of course, he does care about the people they’re helping, but I think part of it is also him trying to prove to others and mostly himself that he can be good, and do good, and not just harm others like his father (or even Kamoshida) did. I can’t remember the exact words, but he mentions after Shido’s palace that he liked feeling like a hero, to the point he lost sight of what they were doing, and why. But, in the end, I think Ryuji put helping people who have no one to rely on, and no way out of a bad situation as his main goal, since I’m sure he often wished someone would help him (and his mom) when he needed, but ended up having to struggle on his own until he met Joker. So, in short, I think he has the best intentions and a willingness to do good things, but can easily get lost in his own problems and insecurities. His self-esteem is also pretty low, given how he often lets people treat him badly with little to no protests (some of it was for the sake of “humor” in the game, but it doesn’t change the fact that sometimes the group is unnecessarily mean to him).

TL/DR: to me, his main characteristics are loyalty, willing to do good (despite not always knowing how, or the best way to approach certain situations), and some pretty low self-esteem behind his confident and positive attitude. He’s a dork, but has a strong sense of justice, and often acts before he thinks. He can be dense, but is also openly caring and affectionate with those close to him, is always trying to help them, and tends to put their needs and feelings above his own (which can also be a flaw).

If it’s difficult for you to write him, it might be a good idea to read a few fics by different authors, and see which parts of their characterization feel right to you. I’m more of a P5 writer than a reader, so I don’t really have fic recs, but Ryuji is a fairly beloved character nowadays, so it should be easy to find good fics and rec posts around.

Anyway, sorry for the wall of text, I hope some of it can be of help to you. I love Ryuji, and it makes me happy to know you're interested in writing him. Good luck!