#i figure mercy's first sacrifice when they started doing it

[dark-dragon-8]

A Supernatural × Batman crossover where the Batfam are actual cryptids and the brothers are sent to hunt them, only to find out that these guys are pretty much immortal, god like beings whose only weaknesses are each other, the sun and some weird sentient manifestation of their home city that they seem to care about, and most of them already grew out of the second one, since, apparently, the sun only affects them when they're newborns/newly transformed/changed.

The whole reason they ended up in Gotham in the first place was because of some online rumors saying that there is a demon cult in the city, as well as Blüdhaven [it's true, partially, the Bat clan has had several cults and/or religions painting them as godly beings/saviours of Gotham throughout the years, still do (imagine the colonies from F'ing Demon Bats, only this time the cryptid part of them is actually real)] along with shrines for human sacrifices.

At first they thought the locals sold themselves to a Pagan God in exchange for their safety, that the shrines and "holy grounds" spread throughout the city were for blood and human sacrifices and the creatures were feeding on the souls of their followers or something.

Turns out, that couldn't be further from the truth. Yes there were bloody sacrifices at the shrines, but most of the time those were just grieving kids bringing their dead pets to silence's holy grounds for them to be healed, or taken care of, by the spirit and have their souls at peace. But, again, that was rare, and only occurred at the holy grounds themselves rather than the shrines people attended to daily.

Majority of those shrines were filled with books, art supplies, music boxes with ballerinas and, sometimes, you could even find a few trinkets and computer parts, as well as the occasional plates and plastic boxes filled with home cooked meals, sometimes they even put pots and kettles filled to the brim with savory goods and nice tea. Nobody ever touched the food, not even the poor and desperate, when asked why all the brothers received were looks of horror and hushed whispers about how "The bats don't like thieves" and "They'll stop coming by the shrine, maybe even destroy it if we do that"

Dean didn't like it, neither did Sam, they didn't like how the locals, people who barely even bat an eye when they see a dead body on their way to work, get so scared and terrified as soon as they hear of something that might displease the Bats. They tried asking around, trying to figure out what is it that makes them so scared of their dearly beloved deities, after all, they talk about them like such a wonder, like they're the best thing that ever happened to them. Hell, one of them is named Mercy and was revered for its compassion and understanding of those around them.

They only got their answer when investigating a place called Crime Alley. They locals were all the same, if not even more reserved than their city's counterparts, but there was one person, a young girl who couldn't be older than ten that said she'll be willing to answer their questions in return for some money and stories from their time as hunters. They were reluctant at first, but seeing as they haven't had much of an option, they agreed.

"So, Masey" Dean started

"Missy" she corrected

"Right, sorry, Missy, you said that you could tell us what's up regarding those demons"

"Deities" she said sternly, the man simply nodded "And yes, I can do that, but you'll have to do something for me first"

"And what would that be?"

"You said you were a hunter, right?" He nodded "And you also said you have some money. So I want you to give me two hundred dollars, cash, and a written story containing at least three of your adventures with your partner. You can't use big fonts, lie or omit any details from the story, it needs to be one hundred percent real and legible and needs to be at least fifty pages, understood?"

Dean was confused, confused and worried. Why would this child need a story about them hunting monsters? And why did she need it to be so long and accurate? Was she trying to sell them out to the Bats or something? Why was this so important?

A million questions flooded his head and looking at Sammy, he could tell the feeling was very much mutual.

"Um Missy" it was Sam talking to her this time "Why would you want a story of us hunting like that? We could tell you about our time together on the field, if you want, but why do you need that written so meticulously?"

The little girl shook her head before he even finished speaking "No, no, I need it written"

"How so?"

"For Passion, of course"

"Passion?"

"Yeah, Passion, the component watching over Crime Alley, it loves reading stories but only when they're worth it. It doesn't like when people give them stories only to please it or for it to give them undeserved attention. It needs to be good and interesting, a story about two hunters will definitely do that"

The two hunters met each other's eyes, both their expressions filled with worry, apprehension and suspicion.

"And why all the other rules? Why does have to be so long and accurate?"

The girl tilted her head, looking at them as though they've said something stupid "Because you're introducing yourself, maybe"

"I can't just tell you guys all there is to know about the Bat without at least one of the components acknowledging you guys and giving me permission to share that information with outsiders"

"And what makes you think it won't just kill us as soon as it realizes what we do for a living?" They might've been desperate, but that doesn't mean they're going to give an essay about their weaknesses and hunting methods to a freaky, probably homicidal spirit on a silver platter

"Because they like people like you, people who put their lives on the line in order to help those around them. Also" she leveled her gaze with Dean's, which was pretty impressive considering she barely reached his hip "Had it wanted you dead, you wouldn't have been able to take two steps inside Crime Alley without having a heart attack, or your head magically disappearing"

The two brothers tensed, the taller's eyes rapidly scanning their surroundings, hands fishing out a weird cellular device, probably an EMF reader or maybe a bottle of holy water, as the shorter failed to keep up his confident facade in front of the (probably) ten year old (because Dean isn't going to be spooked by a kid that hasn't even reached the double digits yet, he's 𝘯𝘰𝘵)

The little girl laughed, completely ignoring their - very justified!!! - panic "Relax, would ya? Passion doesn't kill people unless they feel like it's necessary"

They didn't seem to be very relaxed, she didn't care, she just told them to meet her again on the border of Crime Alley and its neighbor city in a week, before leaving.

Two hours later, Carrie Kelley was skipping into the main living room of Wayne Manor, where several of her siblings played video games and with their father reading the newspaper on the side, the perfect illusion of a normal, happy, completely human family.

She walked up to Bruce, sitting on the arm of his sofa as the last of her illusion magic slipped away

"Did you do it?"

"I offered them the deal, still not sure if they'll end up actually agreeing to it"

"Mn. You did well"

The young teen preened under the praise, thanking her father before going off to boast and scheme with the rest of her siblings, they were up planning contingencies and devising plans until Sundown.

[in1-nutshell]

Hi, it's me again and I have another request.:

This is a continuation of the story of Captain Ace.

It seems to me that everything could have started with a simple task to protect the UN Assembly from a group of nationalists.

And everything was fine, the attack was prevented.

Until Captain Ace saw one of the attackers wearing a bandage with a familiar symbol (a skull with tentacles).

In short, please write a story about how, after many years of hibernation, Hydra returned to the world stage to create chaos.

And how Captain Ace is trying to explain to her teammates that this organization is not just a group of supervillains, but a real Nazi cult striving for world domination and who committed an untold number of horrific war crimes during the war.

Introducing DC Hydra!

Hope you enjoy!

Captain Ace finds out about Hydra

SFW, Angst, Mention of Hydra, Platonic, Super Soldier reader

YOUNG JUSTICE

There were a few things that Ace wished had stayed in the past.

Not too many things.

But there was one word that she wished that she would never hear again.

Hydra.

The evil Nazi organization that was fixated on world domination.

The same organization she and the Justice Society had once fought.

The same organization she lost her dear friends to.

The same organization that was responsible for the sacrifice and mourn the life she lost…

Ace remembered asking Batman and some other Leaguers about the organization during the first days out of the ice.

Ace: “Are you sure?” Superman: “We haven’t heard anything about them since your time Ace. Its safe to say they are gone.” Ace turns to Batman for reassurance. Batman: “It looks that way.” Ace sighs in relief and offers the men a soft smile. Ace: “Thank you for letting me know Batman. Mr. Superman sir, are we still going to try those corndogs later?” Superman affectionately pats Ace’s head. Superman: “You better believe it Ace.”

The organization lingered in the back of her mind still, but it was less of a burning presence now a days.

She had her team to thank for that.

Finally, a temporary state of peace.

A peace that would soon shatter after a UN mission.

Ace didn’t remember all the details of what happened during the mission briefing.

All she knew was that the team was supposed to be guarding some important political figures.

Glorified babysitters was what Wally once called it.

It wasn’t long before trouble reared its ugly head.

Ace was walking around the building when she noticed a familiar looking bomb under some stairways.

She hadn’t seen one of these models since her first years with the Society.

Thankfully the rest of the team got the ambassadors to safety while Ace carefully defused the bomb.

Jay would be proud of her for how fast she defused it.

Ace through psychlink: “Bombs been diffused. I’ll be out in a minute.” Connor: “You need help getting it out?” M’gann: “I can fly you out if you want.” Ace hoisting the dead bomb on her shoulder. Ace: “Nah, I’m fine. See you eager beavers outside in a few minutes.” Out of the corner of her eye, she spots a black cloth. Ace picks it up. A burning red Hydra logo was stamped on it. Ace: “Oh sweet mercy no…”

The Justice League came as soon as they heard word about the bomb and was helping the team with ground control.

The team notices that Ace is a bit tense when she comes out of the building.

Even more so, when she was seen talking to Batman about something and leaving with him and the League.

Not even saying anything to the team!

It was something so obscure that Conner didn’t understand.

It was something about calamari…

At the Watch Tower… Flash: “Hey so why’s Ace here?” Ace: “The better question is…” She pulls out the cloth with the Hydra logo on it and tosses it onto the nearest table. The Leaguers look at it, most with faces of confusion. Ace: “Do any of you know what this logo is?” Green Arrow: “Something from that one store the teens go?” Green Lantern: “No that looks a bit like some street art.” SLAM! Ace slams her hand on the table and angrily stares at Batman on the other end. Ace: “This is the logo of a dangerous Nazi organization from the past. My past! These are the same people who are responsible for horrendous acts on humanity! The people who have murdered for less! People who put those nukes were in that plane. The same one I flew before going under!” She pauses, takes a shaky breath and continues. Ace: “I was told that the organization died off. So, tell me, why in the name of Uncle Sam’s short’s is still alive!?” There is a heavy silence in the room. Ace suddenly feels ashamed for the rude outburst. Most of these people don’t even know Hydra anyways. Ace: “I… I’m… I apologize for—” She stops when a hand is placed on her shoulder. It was Flash’s hand. Batman broke the silence. Batman: “The organization has been on the Leagues radar since your sacrifice. The former Justice Society members kept it updated until they couldn’t give anymore. The organization has been dormant until now.” Ace: “Why didn’t you tell me they were still around? Why?” There is silence. Ace: “This is the Leagues business then? Then count me in.” Batman: “No.” Ace: “Why not? Are you going to give up the last source of information about Hydra? As Robin said one time ‘Fat Chance’.” Flash: “I don’t think he—” Superman: “Don’t try.” Ace walks straight up to Batman and crosses her arms in defiance. Ace: “I Will be on the team whenever Hydra is even mentioned.” This wasn’t request. It was a demand. Bruce’s lenses squinted a bit. More painful silence and some sweating leaguers. Bruce: “… You will be acknowledged and called in when needed.” Ace: “No alternative secrets on Hydra?” Bruce: “No alternative secrets.”

So many leaguers had to breathe a sigh of relief that Batman wasn’t going to throw hands with a super soldier.

…It would be interesting to see but still that’s a child!

Well, the child was technically older than most leaguers but that’s not the point!

It was agreed within the Justice League that the news of Hydra would be kept a secret.

Especially from the Young Justice.

It didn’t sit too well with Ace… but she also didn’t want to drag her new family into anything related to Hydra.

She already lost too much to that organization…

Captain Ace enters the base’s main room. A blur of yellow and red sweep her off her feet as she is transported to the couch with the rest of her team watching her. Ace: “Wallace! You can’t just pick people up like that!” Wally: “And you can’t just disappear with the Justice League like that.” Ace was about to retaliate but opts to just remain silent. M���gann gently takes her hand. M’gann: “We were worried about you when you left without saying anything.” Ace sighs a bit. Ace: “I apologize for that one Cookie. I’ll do my best not to do that again.” Connor huffs. Artemis playfully ruffles Ace’s head. Artemis: “You better.” Robin sits down next to her. Robin: “So what did you talk about?” Connor: “And what did you talk with Batman about calamari?” Ace looked a bit nervous with the sudden questions. Kaldur noticed it. Kaldur: “Perhaps we ask questions another day. It has been a… rather eventful day for everyone.” Ace sends Kaldur a grateful look as the guilt racks up in her. Maybe she would get to tell them one day. Just maybe once Hydra has been fully taken down.

[quaelgeist333]

Now that the ithaca saga has released and so the complete concept album

My interpretation/explanation for every tiresia prophecy

"I see a song of past romance" while many have said this is about the siren, I disagree. He knew that she wasn't penelope and just went along, and until the ithaca saga he called her his wife, meaning a current romance. What do I think this actually references? "Would you fall in love with me again", the last song in the musical.

Ody claims that he's not her husband anymore, because of the terrible things he's done. There's a major theme of falling in love *again*. So them singing this can be considered a song of a past romance as they're singing about who they were as couple as they fall in love all over again.

"I see the sacrifice of man" scylla, zeus, even poseidon take your pick

"I see portrayals of betrayal" once again, my goodbye, scylla, mutiny, zeus, take your pick

"And a brother's final stand" mutiny, he calls the people on the ship brothers, but specifically Eurylochus is seen as his brother because they're brothers in law

"I see you on the brink of death" while I can argue if thunderbringer or get in the water makes more sense I'm specifically choosing thunderbringer because of

"I see you draw your final breath" Many assume this means he sees when ody dies but I disagree again. If we look at the animations in the (live) parties which are made with direction from jalapeno man and so one of the highest tiers of canon, we can see ody stop breathing at the end of get in the water, we cut to 600 strikes with his red eyes, we never see him with blue eyes again. When he said "My mercy has long since drowned, It died to bring me home" he meant it literally, his mercy drowned down there and the monster "rawr rawr rawr" could go full force and decimate poseidon followed up by skewering poseidon (if you pause at the right moments you can see he was stabbed in the throat and left eye) which let him get back home.

The last two of the first line are self explanatory, ody gets home alive but the person he was at the start is dead, as is the second but I wanna do that as well

"I see your palace covered in red" suitor killing, both figuratively and literally because the ways he was killing were not made to make as small of a mess as possible (he literally sliced a dudes head off to intimidate the others whom he then killed)

"Faces of men who had long believed you're dead" suitors

"I see your wife with a man who is haunting

A man with a trail of bodies" it's him! For the haunting part see the first lyric.

[bigmacari]

Carnations

Chapter one

Cassandra Jones x Fem Pregnant Reader

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⚠️ Warnings ⚠️ Mention of feeling sick, puke, mention of weapons, use of weapon, mention of death.

!Slow burn!, angst, blah blah blah, I'm still figuring it out 😓

⋆.ೃ࿔:･💮⋆.ೃ࿔* :･⋆.ೃ࿔* :･💮⋆.ೃ࿔* :･⋆.ೃ࿔* :⋆💮.ೃ࿔* :･

Carnations are said to symbolize devotion, love and fascination. They can be used for any type of love, romantic, familial, or friendship. They are also one of the longest lasting flowers, with a lifespan of 14 days. Maybe 21 if you know what you're doing while taking care of it.

You didn't really understand why you still remember this out of all the things you learned in school. Maybe it was the diversity of it, the love of the flower reached deep into historic and cultural roots.

Or maybe you thought that if a flower can hold so much love, people can too.

Even if they were all trapped in a hellish apocalypse.

-

"We're losing more people than we can spare, we can't sacrifice anymore."

"If we make this deal with the Resistance then we won't have to lose anymore-"

"I've been hearin' that the leaders were the reason the Krang invasion started in the first place."

"You're not helping."

"Sorry."

"Enough." You let out a deep sigh and reach a hand up to your temple. Your head was starting to burn and you could feel your breakfast starting to come up. This isn't the way you wanted to spend your morning.

"March, Mercy and I will go out on a supply run in an hour, when we come back, I expect we can talk about the deal like mature adults."

"(Name)... I really don't think thats a good idea with your condition right now."

Elizabeth Riley, or Dr. Riley as most people call her, is a woman somewhere in her 40's, with brown skin and grayish dark brown curly hair, always tied into a bun. Usually a kind woman, but protective. You can feel it right now with how she looks at you with a mix of concern and motherly care.

"I'll be fine. Besides, I really don't think we have many options left."

You all really didn't. With the Krang becoming more prevalent in the area, people were starting to get more and more angsty. Supplies are getting low and people are hurt. You were hoping Nixon would pull through but apparently, they're busy with the same as well. Seems a little too coincidental honestly.

It doesn't help that Riley was right, you felt like shit and you can't really do much about it. It wasn't like medicine was really common in the apocalypse. You were just hoping whatever this was would go away soon.

God, you were too stressed for this.

You stand up from the wooden chair, trying not to make it so obvious that you were probably about to puke. As you walk out of the room you can feel three pairs of worried eyes.

...

"She looked pale the entire meeting Mercy." Riley whispers.

Mercy, like her wife, was in her mid 40's, she had pale skin and short natural orange hair. Her build had muscle and freckles were scattered across her body. Marcy sighs as she reaches for Riley's hand.

"I'm sure she's alright, there's just a lot going on right now."

March, who was pretty much quiet until now, gets up from his chair.

"I'm going to check on her before we leave, Mercy can you get the supplies ready?"

Mercy nods her head, and squeezes her wife's hand.

-

Currently, you were sitting on the floor in your bathroom, hugging a trashcan as you puke into it. Taking a deep breath, you close your eyes and lean against the wall.

Maybe if you talked to the resistance yourself you arrange something to get some kind of supplies. Or at least some medicine. You know they're tight in that area, but they were better off than here. The people of Anastasia can hardly ride out of the territory without getting slaughtered. Nevertheless trade right now.

Knock

Knock

Ugh.

You don't wanna open your eyes.

"Yeah?"

"Can I come in?" March's muffled voice comes through the door.

"Might as well"

The door opens and he steps inside, closing the door behind him. He goes to sit next to you on the floor and leans against the wall.

"Did Riley and Mercy send you?" You ask, voice barely above a whisper.

He shrugs his shoulders "kinda, they're just worried. You feelin' better?"

"Yea, I think its just a weird stomach bug or something"

Still keeping your eyes closed, you put the trash can next to you and move to put your head on March's shoulder. Feeling his shoulders move a little bit every time he takes a breath. He reaches his hand up to move a piece of hair out of your face. You let out a sigh of contentment.

"Mmm...I was think of going to talk to the resistance myself. Of course I won't make any deals without you and the others, but maybe I can just see what they're about?"

March shakes his head, "You can try, but you know Mercy will have some words with you about it. "

"Well she's gonna have to deal with it. I don't know why she has such a hatred for them. I mean, there's always a risk with trading and joining groups, but they seem like our best bet. We've made deals with worse."

March cringes, seemingly in agreement.

You let you a grunt as you sit up from March's shoulder, finally opening your eyes to look at him. His tanned skin looked a bit warmer with the lighting and his hair was a mess of curls, showing that he obviously just got out of bed before the meeting started. Poor looks like he hasn't slept good for a while.

"Do you always look at people this long, or is it just becuase its me?"

"...hush."

March let's out a laugh and pushes himself of the floor. When he's standing, he reaches out a hand to you, signaling for you to take it.

"You wanna go get the horses ready? I'll take care of the trash in here."

You wrap your hand around his, then you're brows frown in disgust and honestly, a little bit of embarrassment.

"You don't have too, I can take care of it."

He looks at you softly, "My mom got sick all the time, I'm use to it remember? Plus, the horse like you better, they have some kind of grudge against me."

You let out a small laugh at the idea, "Alright, thank you."

He smiles, leaning in to give you a kiss on the forehead, then on the cheek, then on the l-

You pull back and cup your hand around his mouth, "Not until I brush my teeth."

"Ah, of course"

-

You swing your leg over the horses back, careful to put your feet in the stirrup fully. Looking back too see March and Mercy following closely behind, you see March give you a little thumbs up. You settle on the back of the horse and grab the reins, using the lead rope to turn on the main road. The hooves hit the cracked concrete in a rhythmic way, which relaxed you a bit.

It was always a little nerve racking going out on these missions, no matter how many times you've done it. Even more so with the recent increase of the Krang zombies or Krombies, as March likes to call them. The fuckers just won't go away no matter how many times you and Marcy clear out the area. They were like roaches.

Reaching your hand up to your shoulder, you adjust the machete sheath, making it more comfortable. Then, reaching your hand back even farther, you make sure the actual machete is good, just in case you need to take it out in a hurry. The machete itself was pretty basic, besides the wooden handle having, "(Nickname)" carved on it. It was a gift from Mercy a couple years back on your 18th birthday.

You smile at the memory.

Other weapons that are on you at all times are a simple folding knife, and a handgun that has a silencer. That was only for emergencies though.

About three hours in, you starting getting deeper in once use to be New York City. Now, it was more a wasteland. The buildings around you were crumbling, and the terrain was getting a bit more unstable to ride on as you go farther in. A couple minutes later, you and the others approach a large metal gate, with chains wrapped around the part where it was supposed to open.

When the apocalypse started, you guess the people of New York tried to protect themselves by building shelters and gates. It didn't work, with this area at least. You heard a just a few years later that this area got swarmed. You can't imagine how many Krang zombies are in there now, but there should be some good supplies.

You hop off your horse, using a rope to secure it comfortably to a pole. Not too tight of course, just incase she as to run off. You reach up to the horses head to give her a scratch and pat on the head. You smile when she nudges against your hand letting out a soft whine.

"Good girl, Willow, stay here and be safe."

March smiles at you while finishing up tying up his horse. "I told you the horses like you more."

You role your eyes playfully as Mercy starts to speak.

"Alright." She says with a stern voice, "When we cross this gate, We. Are. Quiet. There are way more Krang deeper inside the city, and we can't afford to use our guns if we fuck up."

March stands up straight and salutes her, "Yes ma'am"

She rolls her eyes as you let out a giggle.

"Get your weapons out, and get ready. I need to get this shit open."

She walks up to the gate, taking a hatchet out of the holster on her belt. With one hard swing, she gets through the metal chains.

You cringe at the noise, tensing a bit.

"Yea okay... quiet she says" you mumble.

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Writing this has made me gain all respect for writers, especially slow burn writers. I'm stilling learning so this was pretty challenging, but I'm very excited to continue this. If you have any constructive criticism, I would love to hear. Thank you for reading 🙆🏻‍♀️

[cherrycola27]

Father, Forgive Me

Warnings: Religious AU! Preacher Jake. Cult activities and dark religious themes. Blood, gore, violence, language. Minors DNI. 18+

Masterlist Next Part

...........................................

Prologue: For I have Sinned

There are a few defining characteristics that one must have to be considered a good leader.

Kind eyes, a bright smile, quick wit, a firm handshake, a charming personality, and a silver tongue that could sell ice to a polar bear. Most people only needed a few of these to be convincing enough for someone to blindly follow them.

But, if someone possessed all of these qualities and topped it off with a southern drawl and movie star face and the wrong intentions, well—they could be downright— deadly.

That's exactly what happened to the good people of Ginger Ridge, North Carolina. A devilishly handsome young reverend rolled into their town. Reverend Smith. He was young, mysterious, —different.

He fixed up the old white church at the top of Ridge Hill. He came to town and invited the people to hear his sermons. At first, he seemed amazing. Charming, caring, sweet. Everyone loved him. No— they adored him—especially the younger folks who seemed lost in their faith.

Soon, he started hosting "special" prayer groups for the lost teens and young adults of Ginger Ridge. Many of the older folks stopped attending after this. They felt like Father Smith wasn't preaching the word to them anymore. They felt like he had changed. His teachings became— darker. They townspeople tried to keep They young folks away from him, but it was no use.

The lost youth continued to flock to him like moths to flame. Blindly holding on to every word he said. In their mind, Father Jonas Smith was the mouthpiece of God, and they would do anything to please them. Maybe that's why after his disappearance, there were over dozen blonde haired, green eyed babes born to some unwed mothers in Ginger Ridge.

................

The full moon hung high in the sky that night in the sleepy mountain town of Ginger Ridge. It was peaceful as a warm summer wind blew in through the open windows of the townspeople's homes. That peace would soon be disturbed by the sound screams and cries for mercy as Reverend Smith's "lost youth" carried out his sinister plan.

When the local law enforcement from the next town over was tipped off, they immediately contacted the FBI. Agents came into the small mountain community and couldn't believe their eyes. Blood and bodies of men and women filled the streets and homes. The youth and children were nowhere to be found. Upon further investigation, they were found in the white church at the top of Ridge Hill.

All of them were clothed and singing a sermon in white robes that had been stained and splattered with the crimson red blood of their family and friends.

When they were taken in for questioning, each one said the same thing. "Reverend Smith preached the good word to us. He is truly a prophet of God. Our souls will be welcomed in the Great Hereafter now that the sacrifice has been given." What was even more disturbing than that were the roughly fifteen or so girls between the ages of eighteen and twenty-four who all claimed that they had been extra blessed because they had been selected by God himself to carry the child of Reverend Smith and raise the next generations of prophets.

The FBI attempted to locate Reverend Jonas Smith after that night, only to find that he never existed.

After months of searching for him, the trail went cold, and the case was given to you, Agent Y/N Walters. After a few weeks of digging you did stumble upon a similar case from Massachusetts, except the man believed to be behind it was someone named Father Jackson Simmons and a case from Texas but the person of interests name in that one was James Simon.

You read each file and realized that Jonas, Jackson, and James all had to be the same man. You just had to figure out who he really was and stop him before the events of Ginger Ridge were repeated.

..........

The windows were down on his beat up late eighties model pickup truck as Jake Seresin drove down the highway. He fiddled with the radio station landing on a Beach Boys song as he drove past the "Welcome to California" sign.

The sun was just setting as he pulled into the small seaside motel in the town of Del Angelo. He adjusted his tie and grabbed his duffle bag before exiting his vehicle.

"Good evening." The older woman at the desk greeted him.

"Evening Ma'am." Jake said as he walked up to the counter. He dropped his bag by his feet and set his worn Bible and keys on the counter.

"How can I help you?" She asked him.

"I called yesterday. I have a reservation for the next few weeks under the name Saunders." He said before giving her a wide smile.

"Ah, yes, I remember. Jason Sauders. I have the reservation right here. A room on the third floor, end of the hall, just as you requested." She smiled at him before handing him the key. Jake handed her a large stack of bills and gave her a wink.

"My name is Ethel if you need anything, and if I'm not around, you can ask my husband David or my daughter Mary-Ann." She told him.

"Thank you, Miss Ethel. You know there actually is something you might be able to help me with." He said.

"What's that?" Ethel asked him.

"When I was driving in town, I noticed an old boarded up church. Any idea who I could talk to about fixing it up?" Jake asked her.

"You'd probably need to talk to Mayor Andrews about that. Is there any reason you want to fix up that old place?" She asked him.

"Well, Ethel, my full name is Reverend Jason Sauders, and I was hoping to fix up that church so I could bring the word of God to the people of Del Angelo." Jake told her.

"A preacher? My word, we haven't had one of those here in years. Lord knows we need one. You might be just what we need around here, Reverend Sauders." Ethel beamed.

"I hope so. I know that after I'm finished, Del Angelo will never be the same." Jake smirked at her before grabbing his things and heading to his room. He chuckled to himself, knowing that the first part of his plan had already been put in motion.

Tagging some who might be interested: @thedroneranger @roosterscock @shanimallina87 @desert-fern @teacupsandtopgun @mayhemmanaged @lovinglyeternal @lovingbradshawafterdark @wkndwlff @roosterforme @daggerspare-standingby @dakotakazansky @startrekfangirl2233 @hecate-steps-on-me @cassiemitchell @na-ta-sh-aa @blueoorchid @milestellerlover @katieshook02 @mak-32 @je-suis-prest-rachel @soulmates8 @ohgodnotagainn @diorrfairy @eli2447 @xoxabs88xox @potato-girl99981 @djs8891 @roosterbruiser @roosters-girl @sebsxphia @roostette

Hope yall enjoyed my unmedicated ADHD filled dumpster fire

[beezonia]

Sentitwin Week - Day 3

Risk

(A little something for my 1920s au!)

——

“You’re taking a huge risk doing this.”

A hum follows, Félix knows his cousin is too absorbed in those papers that cover his desk to care.

“I’m being serious, has Plagg not told you the amount of danger you’ll get yourself in if you try to compete against your parents?”

A scoff.

He’s getting pissed. It has been about an hour since they started this conversation, the cousins against each other’s worst decisions.

“If I do this, they won’t have the right to try control me anymore Fé, I’ll be free!”

New money, if he made enough Adrien would be able to stand on his own two feet. The oh so beloved pair of the Pappilion Quarter (his parents) wouldn’t be able to touch him without damaging their reputation.

Which wouldn’t be good for them at all.

“Look cus, I’ll support you and you know my mother will do anything to get back at her sister. But are you willing to make this much of a sacrifice? You’re twenty one for christ sake!”

Felix thinks about Alya, thinks about how she continues to put herself in harms way trying to filter information through each quarter.

He thinks of Luka, one heir of Anarchy Quarters huge sum. He wants to be free, but god does that boy know he’s chained to the docks.

Felix thinks of himself, how he risked his life at the ripe age of 18 just so he could figure out what happened to uncle Beau.

All of them had made sacrifices.

Adrien hadn’t, and that’s what made Félix so wary about his cousin making a decision as bug as this, behind his parents back no less!

As always Félix would be there to support Adrien’s crusade for freedom, he had to be they blonde didn’t know the first thing about what the underground had in store for him.

What a fool, a stupid but loveable fool.

“Yeah Plagg told me jack, you know how he is. Fé I’m willing to risk a lot if it means they finally stop treating me like dirt, if it means I get my freedom.”

Shit.

Yeah, he was screwed.

“Fine. But god please be careful with how you go about this, the big bosses show no mercy when it comes to upstarts.” He knows about that spent a year with Mayura in the Le Paon Quarter. “You wanna be in with a chance of impressing them, you gotta pull out all the stops.”

Adrien nods.

“Tell me what I’ve got to do Fé.”

Well, here goes nothing.

——

I love anything 1920s themed and I’m super excited to write this au and share it bit by bit!

—-

[neverchecking]

Eye of the Storm

ITS HERE I DID IT

Y'all have been feeding me with your own OC's writing and I finally am returning the favor (If any of you are interested at all lmao). So here it is, Part 1 of Aaliyah's (And eventually Sage's) backstory.

CW: Mentions of childhood abuse including whipping, graphic depiction of death and resurrection, canon typical violence.

It’s never something subtle. 

If she ever had the choice between refusing the memories, as sharp and biting as they are when they appear, she would. If she ever had the choice between throwing away all that had bred her a title soaked in bile and blood, she’d do it. If she ever had any choice in this bittersweet life that was both simultaneously too long and yet short lived, she’d take it. 

But that was the funny thing about destiny, wasn’t it?  That you never really had any choice in the matter. Every choice you could’ve possibly made was made up for you already. It was all some sick cruel game that those in the heavens played in a form of twisted entertainment. Expectant that every mortal scurrying under their feet like ants would fall in line or be crushed for disobedience. 

She had disobeyed once. 

That was something, in a cruel twist of fate, with its dark humor and rotten jokes, that she remembered vividly. She couldn’t recall her mother’s face, or the way her father’s voice sounded, or if she ever had those in her life at all, but she could remember that start of the downward spiral. Of how out of control it had gotten. How the figurative hourglass they had given themselves shattered and sand slid through their broken and bloody fingers faster than they could cradle their broken hope to their chest. 

Her duty, first and foremost, was to the Crown. To King Rhoam and his daughter, Princess Zelda. The Sheikah were ever loyal followers, blind to a fault to their flaws, and she was trained to be the same. No, not the same. She was groomed and shaped to be their best. 

The prophecies in stories and carvings in loose stone portrayed a beast foul and relentless, power beyond anything this generation, not the one prior, had seen before. A power comparable to the ones the heroes of old had faced in their times; whether it be ones aiming to cast everlasting twilight over the world, shrouding it in dark magic, or ones trapped in demonic masks doing everything to bring their world, and moon, crashing down upon themselves. One that would soon be upon them.  

An older woman, Chief at the time if she remembers correctly, had successfully swayed the naive and arrogant king while he was still young and foolish. Persuading him that Champions, warriors blessed with gifts and abilities far more advanced than anything he would see in his life, were to be chosen. To fight for him like valiant sacrifices, piloting technology that not even the Sheikah themselves fully understood. He had agreed and on her third birthday, she was crowned the Sheikah Champion. 

In a small blessing, perhaps mercy, she did not quite recall all the ‘training’ they had put her through in order to hone her abilities for the role. In a mocking laugh, the scars on her skin spat back enough hints for her to guess. Lines upon lines painting her back and upper spine, thin lines that have long since dulled white. Swipes along her stomach and rib cage that have sealed, leaving only taught skin in their wake. Wide slits on her forearms, evident she did not go down without a fight before wilting into cries of sorrow for her pitiful soul. 

But the worst has to be on her chest. 

She remembered it. 

Starting at the base of the left side of her torso, it crawled up in a crackled line, leeching across sun-kissed skin, until meeting the edge of the right side of her collarbone. It was what kept her up at night, fingers tracing the raised edges as she clearly went through every play by play of that fateful night. 

How they had been caught so off guard, following the princess to another attempt of unlocking her powers. How her and the blond knight had accompanied the other, either in support or by duty she couldn’t recall. How nothing came of the wasteful trip.

She sometimes wondered what it would’ve been like, had she not been born Sheikah. She wouldn’t wish her position unto anyone else, but some days, when she had found a tree with tall enough branches and thick enough foliage no one could find her, she thought. Thought about being blessed a Rito, with feathers rich and thick-- mostly likely a white or brown color-- , free to travel anywhere her heart desired using only the wings on her arms. Thought about being graced with a Zora’s body, all lean muscles and smooth scales, flowing wherever the water decided. Thought about being consecrated as an unbreakable Goron with a body made of stone, steady and unyielding to everything thrown her way. 

Alas, she was none of these things. She was simply a Sheikah.

A Sheikah meant to be the picture of ethereal grace and terrifying prowess. A Sheikah with the ability to harness rune extraction and the consequent rune usage. But in a mocking turn of events, not even she could’ve prepared for the sudden laughter surrounding them. High chimed and insulting, echoing in one round after another. 

Training was a bittersweet memory to her. The muscle memory it had ingrained into her kept her alive, but it had taken something so precious in return. She had no memories of her childhood, because she simply didn’t have one. Any bits she scrumaged together were of early mornings, practicing swordplay in front of the rising sun. Of late mornings spent running along the village’s walkways while other Sheikah welcomed the start of their day. Of midday sparring sessions against teams of exponentially increasing numbers. Of early evenings spent worrying herself over languages that weren’t her own and history about wars she would never fight in. Of late nights spent in the dying light of an oil lamp, hands held in another set of calloused ones, that were scorchingly warm when compared to hers, too scared to speak above a gentle whisper in fear of being caught and torn away from the only worthwhile being in her life. Those memories, centered around flowers that shined the color of a cloudless sky and hair that put golden threads to shame, were her favorites. 

They made the harsh realities easier to swallow. He made it worth it. 

His eyes were wide with the fear of uncertainty, darting from where the Princess stood, paralyzed by her own terror, to the Sheikah, watching her every move. She could feel his eyes follow her hands as she grabbed at the stone tablet that rested on her hips. There were multiple options she was faced with here, especially with the skills acquired from years of practice, but only one option saved him. And, by correlation, the princess as well. 

He had made so much worth everything. Every scrape, nick, gash, burn, and bruise worth the hits that formed them. All the sleepless nights spent riding from place to place, offering deals or favors to placate the beings of Hyrule in return for their own share of rewards. The hours spent patching wounds, both her own and his, and handling the stress that arose with every battle they were faced with. 

Maybe it was the lull of his voice, harmonic and euphonias, that quelled her anxieties. Or perhaps it was the warmth of his soul, so hearty and full that it seeped out of him at any given moment. It could’ve been as simple as his touch was grounding and familiar, something she had become well acquainted with in both the dead of night, when their breaths were nothing more than sharp pants and sweat coated their bodies, and in the light of day, when they laughed in short bursts at the lengths he would allow her to go (Braiding flowers into his hair, a truly blasphemous deed). 

His hand had shot out for her wrist the second he clued into what she had decided on. She predicted he would’ve. It was who he was. She had planned for it, angling her body in a way she could push the slate into his chest, and him into the princess behind him, all while drawing her weapon with her dominant hand. Blue peaked in her peripheral vision before her focus was stolen by a flash of silver. It came down too fast for her to truly comprehend what had happened. 

The crack of her collarbone and corresponding ribs still haunted her dreams as she felt her entire torso crumble inwards. Blood immediately flooded where it shouldn’t, crawling up her throat and choking her in a gargle of misery. The burn of dirt crawling into her open wound lit her nerves on fire, adding gasoline to the spark when an outraged cry called out in pure pained disbelief at the image before him before it faded along with the rest of him.

She should’ve died there.

She sent him a silent apology. 

She promised him so much and it was all shattered in one fell swoop.

How Impa had known about her whereabouts that day remained a tight-lipped mystery to this day. Something she wasn’t even certain she wanted to know about. Not when every image of that memory was of those precious moments spent choking on her own blood, coughing it up and letting it cool on her chin only for it to clog once more in her airway. Of feeling the shards of her bones dig into her organs as that same laughter cried out victoriously around her. Of how empty she felt, laying there and waiting for her own, self-assigned, death. 

Come to think of it, she didn’t like thinking back to that aftermath either. How the agony of being moved was red-hot and molten, and how she would’ve preferred death. The feeling of no longer choking on blood but instead choking on something much thicker that invaded her nose and mouth faster than she could cough it out. Of hands pinning her in place as her vision blurred and her lungs screamed for relief before finally giving way. 

Fingers clawed at flesh in a desperate attempt at escape, warbled screams crashing against the walls of the underground hut. Whoever had a hold on her was stronger than she accounted for, squeezing against her windpipe hard enough to crush the vital organ while another hand pushed on her imploded ribcage. There were words being shouted above her, but they sounded far off and muffled. As if whatever was currently suffocating her was also making her deaf. Death would’ve been preferred. 

It would’ve been a mercy to her as years passed. Day in and day out of an agonizingly slow and searing pain as her bones rebuilt themselves. Minutes ticking by in hellish torture as skin stitched itself together. Seconds fleeting away, taking away her mind and soul with it and scattering it along the land she swore to protect, only for it to stretch her thin enough to snap and feast on her broken remains and-

“You okay, sunshine?” 

Blinking, she reeled her wandering mind back into its place, turning to face the concerned male. Those very same eyes watched her every breath, tracing her microexpressions and following her ques. 

A part of her wanted to deny him. Wanted to push it all off and lie, say she was fine. More than, in fact. 

But she had hurt him enough as was. 

Stepping closer, Aaliyah felt an easy smile twist her lips in the same way it did whenever he was there. Here. With her. Her arms wrapped around his waist as her chin settled on his own collarbone, topaz eyes looking up at him in pure adoration. One of his hands, calloused and scorchingly warm, cupped her cheek, thumb rubbing her under eye when she nuzzled into it. Every part of him fits with her. She was made for him no matter what they had tried pushing upon her. She hummed happily at his comfort, keening into the kiss he bestowed upon her forehead. 

“I’ll get there.” 

She’d make sure of it. No matter how many nights she spent stuffing her fingers into her mouth to muffle her sobs or how long she spent fighting long ingrained habits in an effort to fix herself into the most proficient version she could be for him. 

Because while her training deemed her loyalty to the crown, she gifted it to the knight who was once too shy to look her in the eye let alone make such common touches along her skin. 

He was worth it.

[lothirielswandc]

HOMEWRECKER (LOVE + FEAR)

Read on AO3 here!

— E P I L O G U E — 

— L E G I O N   O F   D O O M   H Q —

The ghostly pallor seared his eyes. Holograms hummed around him. They made it easier to pretend Lex wasn't there. 

“You won't let this go, will you?” Lex appeared spectral, bathed in the moonlike shine. An annoying figment of his imagination.

Conner ignored him. He continued to scribble physics formulas across the touchscreen table. That was one of the perks of being Lex’s spawn. The whole brainiac part.

“I can fix everything,” Conner murmured. It was more of a personal assurance than actually talking to Lex.

“Hmph.” Lex stared at the blue text. “I’ll admit, I see the potential. But it’s a total reset. You have to be willing to sacrifice everything to do it.”

Kon kept writing. 

“Not to mention, everyone else would have to start over, too.”

His pen flew across the touchpad, shrieking in protest.

“Which, I suppose, is the point. You and your fixations…you must acquire that from me.”

Conner focused on the hum of the screens. It was doable — with the right technology. It would cost a bajillion dollars, but thankfully Luthor genes were expensive. Kon could make blueprints easy —

Lex’s hand slammed against the table. He leaned over to be eye level with Conner. “Are you listening to me?”

Conner just nodded along. He already knew the warnings that Lex was throwing at him. He didn't care. “I know.” 

Lex looked away with a miffed expression. For a minute there, he almost looked like a father.

Mercy shifted from the shadows of the room. She put a hand on Lex’s arm and he shrugged her off. 

Mercy looked at Conner. Her lips parted like she was about to say something, but then sharply closed them. Her heels clicked as she left the room.

Conner kept writing. He stole a glance every now and then at Lex. Lex stood at the window, looking out. Lots of the headquarters were missing. It was more of a large, abstract art piece of workmen on wooden panels at this point. The drilling sounds from people putting the building back together were annoying. 

They’re still trying to fix the destruction from —

Kon flinched away from the thought. All of his focus went into the small, fluid movements of his hand. 

“I know you were infatuated with my assistant,” Lex said carefully. “But all of this, just for one girl. One dead girl…”

Small snapping sounds caught Conner’s attention. Tiny cracks bloomed across the stylus. Like wounds. Conner laxed his grip. 

That was the lie they sold to lex. Rachel Grey died by the hands of Raven. Ironic. What’s sad was how true it was.

Ray.

The love monster from her head shortly followed whenever Conner thought of her. He shuddered to think of that walking freakshow, but that was all the proof he needed that he was doing the right thing. Love wasn't monstrous. It wasn't supposed to be. 

‘Let’s just stick with being happy for now.’

That was the real lie. How could Conner make her happy at all, with things the way they were? How could Conner make Raven when it wasn't just Raven anymore? It was Raven and Da — 

No. Conner would only cause her pain now. He was sure of that.

Kon set the deformed stylus down and rubbed at his eyes. “If I could go back — even before then. To the minute we met…”

‘Sorry for crashing your party.’

‘Don’t apologize. I don't mind.’

No, even before then. Save Raven from all the timeline heartache. Terra’s betrayal. Trigon’s invasion. Azarath’s demise. 

If it was to preserve the most beautiful thing Conner had ever seen — Raven’s smile — it was worth it.

Lex turned back to him. His face was twisted…in pain. “I know I’m not the best father figure. But this comes from a place of love. Perhaps…it might be best to move on? I know you won't like that. But personality defects aside, you have good looks. You have manners. People like you. You’re…good. It wouldn't be hard to meet someone else.”

Conner shook his head. This wasn't some stupid crush. He owed Raven everything. She was the first to go out of her way and do something nice for him, no ulterior motive. The first to skate down the halls with him and not complain about scuff marks on the floor. Everything about her calmed his senses and made them all go haywire at the same time. 

And now she probably doesn't even want to see me. The way things are…she doesn't deserve that. It’s better this way. To start over. 

“No. It's the right thing to do.” Conner looked up at the blue screen. S.T.A.R. Labs documents were scrawled across every electronic surface. Detailing one theory.

The Flashpoint.

Clear the board. Start again.

THE TITANS WILL RETURN.

[liliallowed]

This is so frustrating! We reset because sans might have hated and killed Y/N, but even if he doesn't want to kill us he hates us now and is suspicious! We have to find some way to make him like us! I wish we never freed that demon, we should have just done whatever he said from start.

Okay damn that sounded desperate I think I might have gotten Stockholm syndrome from being kidnapped-

you want to make him like you you say?

a familiar voice echoed through your mind... merging with your strange feelings.

"I feel the same. though I have yet to win him over." they giggle, as they tilt their head.

"of course he wouldn't love you you ... you" your throat tightens.

"I... what? took away his freedom and choice? forced him into a corner for my selfish benifit? sounds like what he did to you and yet you LIKE it. don't you? you little freak hehehehe you're like me aren't youuuu? you LIKE HIM TOO DON'T YOU?"

their eyes glistened in the shadows their form flickering in and out of existence.

"what...? Not like that! that's not love. we're NOT the same. stop comparing your sick obsession to..."

"to? what? fairytales or romance? or is it the THRILL? or guilt and pity? there's something wrong with you buddy. I knew you had a loose screw too. you're like me. he USED you silly~ did you actually think he loved you because you're that special someone?"

you shake your head. it was just them playing with your head. you weren't like them... were you? of course not. you wouldn't lie, manipulate or... would he kill you if you told him the truth? maybe it wasn't too late... you wouldn't just use this power for evil.

if they thought they could corrupt you with this then they had another thing coming. you wouldn't let them.

you were going to stop this demon and... maybe help him.

"oh... how cliche and predictable. wow playing the hero are we? okay I'm picking up on what you're going for! I tried the same too but he saw through it when I split myself from frisk... hehehe he's smart. don't assume you'll be granted mercy if you play nice or he'll kill you if you're compliant. think outside of the box. he won't fall for it if you're TOO nice. just conveniently TOO PERFECT and kind."

you ignored their words.

"he likes ketchup.... reading... hes pretty quiet and distrustful." they suddenly spoke again, listing more information that felt personal. how long had they known each other?

"he also loves to plan ahead to a ridiculous extent." they rolled they're eyes.

"I don't need your help I'll figure this out on my own." you glare at them.

"I'm sure you will." they disappeared from your sight leaving you alone with no direction or guide.

GOOD.

you make your way around going about your day, they way you'd normally do... ignoring the HEAVY lingering sense of dejavu.

same faces same voices same vague conversations as you bypassed an exact copy of a moth long forgotten...

/keep it together. you got this./ you tell yourself taking a deep breath.

he hadn't made any moves to show himself to you yet... how could you make things better?

the question remained...

why DID you feel for him? was it guilt for releasing his enemy? or betraying his trust? was it even a betrayal if he never intended to get you involved in the first place?

it was too convenient.... why you? was it REALLY just for this demon?

...

it was fine. you just had to return him this demon and then he'd... /he'd kill you anyway dumbass/

"stop... he won't. "

/you don't know him like I do. he'll still kill you even if you're on his side./

"then why did he let me leave?"

/cuz you weren't worth the attention. he's dangerous and even if you win his favor... who's to say he won't just add you to a part of his exp as a sentiment to keep your sacrifice on him? he's unpredictable. if you want to keep yourself alive you'll have to be smart./

he...

/he's killed everyone. all his friends family and loved ones. what makes you think YOU'RE so special to him? people have tried saving him. old friends... his brother, even colleagues. all dead. betrayed. do you REALLY feel confident your love is stronger than those bonds? main character syndrome much?/

...

*your will wavers.

[ungrateful-cyborg-moved]

Happy birthday!

💬 (what is this about DA characters I'm hearing? Can you show/describe them and their personalities?)

In order: Armin, Lancelot and Amaya. Hawke is just Hawke so I didn't put him here.

I'm sorry, this is... long :'D

Armin Surana

He's my mage Warden. Born to a Dalish clan, he developed his powers at an early age. Unfortunately for him, his clan already had a few mages so they gave him to another clan living nearby. Being a young boy who very much didn't understand why his people didn't want him anymore, he decided that he didn't like his new clan and ran away. Eventually he found himself in a village where Greagoir discovered him after he set his own hair on fire out of anger. And Greagoir being a Templar, he brought the kid to the Circle of Magi where the story starts when you chose that origin.

Honestly his life in the Circle was actually pretty good. Past the few first months, he managed to find his place and didn't particularly want to leave after his Harrowing. If not for Jowan, he was mostly set on becoming First Enchanter at some point in his life.

And I think Alistair was very lucky that the only surviving Grey Warden save for himself actually enjoyed leading and already had a strategic mind.

Though mostly Armin is fairly diplomatic, merciful and patient. He does have strong opinions about certain things, but is careful about which ones he publicly expresses and which ones are for his inner circle only.

I do think though that not a lot of people figured him as the kind of people to become Zevran's fuck buddy... and to eventually settle with Morrigan (and their son).

By the time Awakening happened, he was a changed man. More military leader than idealistic Grey Warden, still driven by the will to help others, but as you can imagine, having to sacrifice the citizens of Amaranthine didn't help him sleep at night. Although I think that knowing he'd do it again if the need arose was really what made him look at what he'd become and decide he needed to take a break from that kind of responsibilities.

Hence why he purposefully doesn't return in Inquisition. He didn't trust himself to not be more ruthless than actually needed.

(Please don't pay attention to the tattoos, I didn't know he would've needed to be an adult in a Dalish clan to have them since it's not explained in the Character Creator. Also he was meant to look East Asian but the CC is... well, it exists.)

Lancelot Cousland

My second Warden, a Warrior this time because I wanted to replay all three games as pro-Templar this time. And what better for this than to start with a young and charming noble who mostly succeeded in everything he attempted, except for, you know, saving his entire family.

I'm not yet done with him (currently nearing the Landsmeet) but he's grown more serious, albeit still joking and occasionally teasing people, and also increasingly interested in having a say in how Ferelden is ruled. I'm still not entirely sure how to go to make him marry Anora but that's the plan XD

Overall, he's charming, smart and resourceful man, albeit still a bit entitled as you'd expect from a handsome and rich young noble (though he's not exactly rich at the moment).

He believes in Andraste and the Maker like Armin does, but while Armin wasn't much of a practitioner outside of asking for a Blessing from time to time (never hurts when you need to save the world), Lancelot is more devoted overall and also a lot more wary of magic and mages. He doesn't hate them, however, and always tries to treat people fairly. His upbringing just occasionally gets in the way and blinds him, and he's more likely to seek to maintain the statu quo.

Also Loghain won't survive this play through (he did in my first and Alistair didn't forgive Armin for this, but Armin figured that killing a National Hero wasn't the smartest political choice. Especially not when you're trying to marry your friend to his daughter.)

Lancelot is romancing Leliana, because I want to see what she'll say in Inquisition—and it was the most ic choice for him.

Hawke

I won't go into too much detail about him considering he's a lot more fleshed out in the game than the Warden or Inquisitor. But I chose to play a mage again, and he took the mages' side because really, much as there is a blood mages issue in Kirkwall, the Templars were completely off the rails.

And he's an apostate.

Anders survived my first play through because you don't erase 6 years of friendship this easily, and contrary to Fenris, Anders didn't force him to kill him. They've lost contact since, however. Hawke couldn't forgive him.

He died in my Inquisition playthrough to help Loghain and the Inquisitor get out of the Fade, and it broke my heart. And Varric's.

And Isabela's.

But mostly mine.

I even took a screenshot to whine to one of my friends about it

Amaya Lavellan

A confident young woman, proud of her heritage and the mission of her people to preserve as much of their history as they could, Amaya was never one to entirely reject Humanity but never really trusted them either. Which is, in fact, specifically the reason why she never completely rejected them: she prefers to not blind herself willingly of what humans are doing in the vicinity of her clan.

I purposefully made her less diplomatic than Armin and Hawke, especially in the beginning because she wanted nothing to do with the Inquisition. Once she became the official leader, however, she took her role seriously. But even though she'd been trained to become the next Keeper of her clan, she never felt completely comfortable in her role as the Inquisitor.

Part of that is simply that Amaya wanted nothing to do with anything related to the Maker and the Chantry. Being called the Herald of Andraste kept irking her until the end, though over time she became less vocal about her disliking of the title and more pragmatic about it. She even gave more space to the cult of Andraste in Skyhold, as she figured, with a little bit of Josephine's nudging, that one of the strongest common point between Orlais and Ferelden was a powerful tool to wield to unite both countries against Corypheus.

The other reason why she didn't feel comfortable in her role was simply that the Inquisition grew too big too quickly, and the fallout in Trespasser was honestly not a huge surprise to her (she opted to disband the Inquisition rather than risk corruption again).

But because she has impeccable taste in men, and a purposefully made a female elf to romance Solas, she hm... she couldn't pretend to be surprised that the Inquisition was crumbling onto itself but she was not prepared for him to be the main culprit.

She's still hoping she can make him change his mind.

I also used a mod to be able to romance several people. And she does have impeccable taste in men, so obviously she also romanced Blackwall. And dumped him after learning the truth, though she chose to let him truly become a Grey Warden instead of letting him die or making him lie. Again.

Fortunately, Cullen proved more reliable than her other partners. They eloped in Trespasser.

(She also became a Red Jenny. An excellent way to deal with her anger while still being useful to the people.

It took me a while to figure out while she kept Sera in the Inquisition, considering that Amaya didn't consider her really fit for the job even though she does see Sera as her friend, but eventually it became obvious to me that what made Sera so important was how she never let Amaya lose sight of her priorities. She kept her down-to-earth, and with the power Amaya had at her disposal, someone not afraid to tell her when she started to lost herself in politics was truly precious.)

I'm sorry this is so damn long, but I hope you enjoy learning about them! And thank you so much for the ask, @confusedtia!

[scary-movies-on-netflix]

OUT OF DARKNESS (2022)

When horror movies makers try to set some horror in the past, they usually go to the 1990’s or 1980’s, maybe even the 1970’s.  Rarely do they go back 40,000 years into prehistory.  Were our distant ancestors prone to being spooked?

This is about a band of wandering humans.  We have, for lack of better names, Chief-dude, Pregnant Woman (with Chief’s child), Chief’s Young Son, Chief’s Brother, Old Dude, and Stray Woman.  They’ve apparently sailed to a new area, but there’s not much food so they’re slowly starving to death.  Chief decides to lead them to a distant mountain, where they will surely find a cave to live in.  On the way there, the Chief and Brother find a dead mastodon, which has already been stripped of its flesh!  Chief says they will avoid the forest on their path to the mountain, because forests are scary.

That night they hear screams and moans from the darkness (and the dark is really dark).  Something snatches the boy away from the fire.  Chief tries to run after him, but his brother convinces him that would be folly.  The next day they’re tracking the boy, and they head straight into the spooky forest!  They are suddenly surrounded by spooky screams and moans, and someone tells Chief, “You’ve led us into a trap.”  Night is falling, but Stray Woman manages to light a fire.  Chief runs into the forest to battle the monsters, but Brother has to go out and drag him back.  Thing is, Chief’s jaw has been ripped off.  Stray Woman mercy kills him (after his brother declines), and they eat some of Chief for strength (but Brother declines).

Next morning, Brother tries to lead them out of the forest, but they end up back where they started!  Mediocre!  Old Dude and Pregnant Woman decide to sacrifice Stray Woman to the monsters.  Brother is knocked over and hits his head on a rock.  The duo drag Stray Woman to a pile of refuse, but Stray Woman escapes.  Old Dude stabs Pregnant Woman, to sacrifice her instead, but Pregnant Woman knocks him over so that he impales his leg on a tree, and then she dies.  Night eventually falls, and something drags away the Pregnant Woman’s body.  Stray Woman is lit up by a greenish aurora borealis, and she stares at the Old Dude for a bit. 

After yet another morning, Brother is finally up and about.  A heavy mist lays upon the land, and he and Stray Woman watch a figure looming over the Old Dude.  Stray Woman suddenly whistles, drawing its attention, and as it approaches Stray Woman circles around it and tackles it!  She rips off its reed mask, and it’s just a woman!  She flees, and Brother and Stray chase after her, out of the forest.  Brother stops the chase.  Stray says, “She’s a monster!”  He says, “She’s just like us.”

They track the woman all the way to the mountain they were heading to in the first place.  They each enter a different cave entrance.  Stray eventually encounters a big dude with a heavy brow, much like the woman, and so I assume that they are Neanderthals.  He chokes her out, but she’s only pretending to be dead and she stabs him with a little stone knife she carries.  She then stabs him with a spear.  She heads deeper into the cave and discovers a sleeping area, where she finds Chief’s Son!  The Neanderthal Woman appears, and there is much yelling and shouting.  Boy seems to think that she is a friend.  Brother appears, and Neanderthal Woman caves in his head with a leg bone.  A fire has started, and Stray and Boy climb up a tunnel to the surface.  Neanderthal woman follows them.  Boy tries to help her, but Stray kills her instead.  “She was a monster,” Stray says.  “They were just like us,” Boy says.

Boy repeats that Neanderthal couple were nice.  They were trying to save him from starvation.  Stray and Boy return to the cave, where they find that the couple had performed some funerary rites for Pregnant Woman.  They had food stored.  They had painted their handprints on the walls.  Stray Woman feels bad, but she claims the cave anyway and says, “we’ll try again.”

This was fine.  There were some decent spooks, with dark nights and spooky forests.  The “monsters,” such as they were, were more or less effective, but there was a distinct disconnect from their earlier superhuman speed and strength, and then the final third, where they were just people.  For the ending, I was sort of hoping that the monsters would be real monsters, but I wasn’t that surprised when they were just misunderstood Neanderthals.  Also, the Neanderthals’ motivations were a bit weird.  I mean, they kidnapped the child of another tribe.  Even if their motivations were kind, what did they expect the rest of the homo sapiens tribe to do?  Perhaps…the Neanderthals just viewed the world differently than us.

So, I have seen some consistent complaints from the internet about this movie.  First, “the cavepeople are too well-groomed!  Their haircuts are too nice and they have good teeth!  GRR!”  My response: who cares.  Maybe they carved some super-sharp rocks to shave?  We don’t know, and we probably can’t know.  Also, they used a completely fabricated language for this movie.  Are you bitching about that, too?  When you sit down for a movie, you have to accept a certain level of ahistoricity.  Turn off that part of your brain saying, “THIS ISN’T HISTORICALLY ACCURATE!  GRR!”  You’ll have a better time.  Second, “this movie is shoving contemporary issues down my throat!  I hate it!  GRR!”  To this: shut up.  Just shut up.  We live in world where, if someone has a slightly different skin color than you and worships a different imaginary sky-spirit, you hate them and want them to stay away from you because they’ll “pollute the blood of the nation.”  People now are nasty and xenophobic.  It’s highly likely that there were violent interactions with other hominids.  This is just a tale about human nature.  Finally, “Stray is just a FINAL GIRL GRR!”  Ok, maybe that’s valid, but the point is just tired and irksome when it veers into incel-speak “I HATE WOKE MOVIES.”  Dude, calm down.  This isn’t about you.  It’s just a movie.

[kneelbeforeclefairy]

So I haven't done like a huge study of it, but I think the short answer is there isn't any practiced religion.

So in the first episode, Arthur says "god have mercy" when looking at Morgana, "thank God" when he finds merlin again, and Huniths note to Gaius says "May God save you both." I think these are the only references to a single god in the show, though I seem to remember one time when Gaius says "thank God," in a very casual way, the same way one would say thank goodness or something. The first references in episode one you could chalk up to early installment weirdness, which there is a lot of in episode one (Merlin's Anxiety Time Stop ability never appears again, a guy has a last name, Arthur has cronies who disappear etc) and the last one seems like just a common figure of speech that some writer forgot wasn't used and stayed in. But it looks like the show was intentionally avoiding references to religion and especially singular god. But, for the sake of world building, let's assume they have meaning.

In verse, gods are literally real. Off the top of my head is Merlin's summoning of the White Goddess who heals Gwen, and the Triple Goddess is mentioned more than once, though she never appears. There are other spiritual creatures as well, (the Disir, Merlin himself) , that are literally real as well who aren't necessarily worshipped as gods. The afterlife is known to be real. (Lancelot coming back as a shade, Arthur immediately accepting as fact he can talk to his father, references to the spirit world, the weird spirits whose names I can't remember who came through during Samhain.) Uther may consider these things sorcery, but he doesn't disbelieve their existence.

Of course, there's constant talk about the Old Religion, which sometimes seems to be a euphemism for any sort of magical practice, but does sometimes seem to have been a semi-organized religion with High Priestesses, who served the Triple Goddess, and who performed at least some rituals and rites that had to do with gods, though ancestors and spirits are referenced too. The druids seem to have their own practice and culture, and it's possible other magic users have some sort of nature religion, or worship of magic itself, that isn't necessarily tied to whatever the High Priestesses have going on. From how Gaius describes their rituals (human sacrifice, blood magic, summoning the dead, and at least one made an ARMY of the undead, creating lamia) it's possible the high priestesses were not ...popular ..among the people, as their rites were dangerous and violent, and they were a closed society limited only to very powerful, female, magic users, which suggests ordinary people did not participate in the old religion in an organized way. One of the reasons I think Uther was able to carry out his purge so successfully and with so much popular support was he started with targets that people actually did fear, and removed some genuine problems. Then, of course, while the people were celebrating the destruction of evil magic, he was able to frame ALL magic as evil, and destroy everyone who had magic, weather they were good bad or indifferent.

Gaius is an interesting case. From his name I always assumed he was Roman, perhaps coming to Albion as a child, or, more likely from his extensive knowledge of Albion's history and legends , is of mixed Roman and Brittanic heritage. The ikon in his rooms suggest that he, at least at some point, was Christian, as Christianity was the official religion of Rome, which is supported by his use of the singular god a few times. Hunith saying "may god protect you both" in her letter may not necessarily be a reference to the god she believes in, but to the god Gaius believes in, as a polytheist may see the Christian god as just another god that some people worship. However, Gaius knows a lot about the Old Religion, and speaks of it with respect, though he speaks of the high priestesses with some scorn, suggesting that he may never have followed their brand of it. Perhaps he's culturally mixed in religions as well, and the icon doesn't necessarily represent his personal beliefs, but is culturally significant to him rather than religiously significant.

So here's, going off of all that , what I think is going on in Merlin. Before Uther's reign most of the inhabitants of Albion practiced the Old Religion, which could mean different things to different people, but largely worshipped the Triple Goddess. The High Priestesses were the direct servants of the Goddess, but they may have been feared more than loved. Ordinary magic users may have had a more benign practice that didn't have much to do with the High Priestesses, more like a nature religion. Magic users may have had a special place or role within the old religion, and It is possible ONLY magic users practiced the Old Religion, with ordinary people being more secular, but they seem to know OF it.

After Uther conquered Camelot and made magic illegal, the old religion was similarly abolished, and all it's practices. Gaius, out of obedience to this decree, may have given up any worship of either or both of his religions. Uther does not offer a replacement for the old religion, but seems to mandate secularism and atheism.In the 20 years since the end of the purge (and who knows how long the purge took, we know Arthur's birth kicked it off, but we don't really know his age, though it's been 20 years since Kilgarrah was imprisoned, which I think was the END of the purge, since Uther declares it a holiday to commemorate Camelot being "freed" from sorcery) it seems that Uther's anti religious beliefs have taken off, to the point that most people don't practice any religion, and don't seem bothered by that. Festivals that were once religious (the high priestesses had rites to summon the dead on Samhain) have now become secular celebrations, and the upper classes, at least, have no organized beliefs or practices. Most of them still seem to believe in the EXISTANCE of the afterlife, or spirits, but they'd be stupid not to, as these things are literally real, they have just reframed them as Sorcery, and thus evil, or, at very least, to be avoided. Arthur himself never references gods, so his exclamation of "god have mercy" and "thank God" seem to just be figures of speech, perhaps picked up from Gaius, or leftover from influence from the Romans. He doesn't say "god have mercy" again, and I don't THINK he says thank God again, but I could be wrong.

Its a little harder to tell what's going on among the lower classes. Uther's purge of magic users seemed pretty thorough, and it looks like belief in the old religion went with them. From the scene where Arthur stops a group of peasants from burning an old woman in season 5, it seems his propoganda against magic has spread enough that many non magic users fear magic, if not hate it out right, and they probably no longer practice any religion they might have had. If you assume the practice of the Old Religion was limited to those with magic, as most of them are dead, the common people without magic now don't think much about it, as it was never much a huge part of their lives. If they practiced at all, perhaps they were content to give up religion as long as sorcery went with it, an acceptable sacrific. To go even further, it's possible that because the high priestesses were genuinely a problem, their religion was never popular among non magic users at all, and if they practiced it at all, it may have been more out of fear that love, and they were glad to be rid of it . What does survive of the Old Religion seems now inextricably tied to the practice of magic, and seems to have gone completely underground, but survives as a more benign version of nature worship, and the Triple Goddess seems almost forgotten.

Essentially, Uther killed religion and no one minded too much.

(I admit to zoning in on the upper class' world more, and their beliefs, so if anyone has anything to add about the common people, which seems more complex, please add it. )

Christian iconography? in my Merlin??

[bleedfaithar]

[    STRONGARM    ]    for    your    muse    to    use    force    to    make    my    muse    do    something  /   @bleedsin

†            ⋯            ROMANS  13  :  9    THOU  SHALT  NOT  KILL.            words  she  was  raised  by.  drilled  into  her  head  at  every  mass  in  the  convent  and  now  those  words  were  being  questioned  in  her  mind.  it  is  but  for  the  will  of  GOD.  if  it  were  god  telling  her  to  do  these  things,  would  it  not  be  a  sin  to  disobey?  she  had  heard  the  words  of    '    god    '  since  she  was  a  child  and  even  now  the  voices  of  an  '  angel  '  comes  from  gabriel  every  morning  when  she  wakes  to  confess.  wide  silvered  eyes  looked  up  at  the  one  person  in  this  life  she  trusted  (  albeit  blindly  )  above  all  else.  his  fingers  curled  almost  painfully  around  her  delicate  wrist  before  he  shoved  the  ornate  dagger  into  her  hand.  "  you  were  chosen  by  god,  my  mercy.  "  the  words  he  spoke  eased  her  mind  as  her  fingers  gripped  metal    tight  enough  that  she  could  almost  guarantee  her  hand  would  be  cut.  the  body  on  the  altar  was  one  she  didn't  know  --  some  passerby  who  sought  refuge  in  their  small  town  but  the  angel  had  chosen  him  for  sacrifice.

"  the  blood  of  the  lamb  will  wash  us  clean.  "

the  words  fell  from  her  lips  like  a  hymn  and  the  fight  in  her  eased  as  atticus  urged  her  hand  with  dagger  wielded  and  once  the  tip  slipped  past  the  skin  it  was  mercy's  own  will  that  drove  it  home.  she  knew  that  the  angel  in  which  she  heard  was  no  angel  at  all,  but  her  will  would  be  done  regardless.  her  whole  body  leaned  into  the  effort  to  make  sure  the  dagger  did  what  was  intended  and  soon  a  fine  tremble  began  in  her  hands  and  travelled  up  her  arms.  it  was  a  rush,  that  was  for  sure.  she  figured  the  first  was  always  the  hardest,  and  mercy  looked  up  at  atticus  with  a  wanting.  for  approval,  for  praise  of  something  well  done.  something  --  anything  to  show  that  he  was  proud  of  her.  

[mercymaker]

ok alright alright alright

i saw a lot of people complain about the meleys scene and i get where they are coming from with the whole “this was a pointless flex and she could’ve ended the war right there and then” but i don’t think it was pointless so i’m just gonna stream of consciousness my way through what’s going on in that noggin of mine

first, it was a show of power, of course. a dragon, the symbol of house targaryen on one side, against a hightower, clad in her house colors as well as symbols of the faith. it is a reminder that such things are a flimsy shield against the might of a dragon. it is saying “you’ve forgotten who’s in charge of this kingdom”. viserys may have been weak and allowed otto to usurp power and, in the end, the throne, however rhaenys is showing here that the hightowers have overreached. that the coronation and their machinations is just a mummer’s farce and their power is nothing when at a mercy of the dragon.

on another hand, it was the culmination of rhaenys’ conversation with alicent. it was very clearly stated that rhaenys is a hostage and so is her dragon. both of their lives reduced to an object. a bargaining chip. and that is the theme when it comes to otto, time and time again. people are nothing more than figures on his board. first he pushes alicent to achieve his ends. then the way he talks about his grandson’s mutilation, “winning vhagar” to their side. he doesn’t care about the lives nor the people. they are all tools to achieve his ends.

rhaenys interrupting the coronation with meleys is reclaiming the power as well as the way she is perceived. she is not a hostage. she is not a pawn to be moved around. she won’t quietly bow down and accept the terms she’s been offered. she is now the most important person in this war. and she knows it.

it’s the answer to not only underestimating her as a person, but also her family, the targaryens. it’s to make the throne that the greens usurped uncomfortable. their rule unstable. it’s to turn the tides in the favor of her side.

could she have roasted them right there? absolutely. but her choice not to do so is not insignificant (or illogical as some people say). i think the scene where she flees the red keep provides enough explanation. rhaenys sees two things before leaving the castle. the corpse of lord caswell and balerion’s skull.

the first is the symbol of otto’s cruelty, an obvious show and a reminder for everyone who dares defy the hightowers. and rhaenys is, understandably, horrified by it. to what ends the greens would go to seize power. where is honor? where is duty? where is sacrifice?

the second is pretty self-explanatory. balerion is their family. balerion is viserys. balerion is what they are. balerion is where they all started. and for a split second, perhaps, it’s a waking reminder of how it ends. 

so when rhaenys crashes the party atop of meleys, it is a show of power, of course. but it’s not a show of cruelty. it is not a declaration of war. it’s refusing to bow down and be forced to be something or someone she is not. she is not a hostage. she is not a bargaining chip. but she isn’t cruel either. she won’t stoop to their level. she won’t reduce their family to ashes (as the greens would do to hers). but she wants them to know that she could. and they messed up by underestimating her.

[fluxofthemouth]

Piter remains unmoved and agreeable. He's recognized that figuring out how to meet each other on this issue is critical to their cooperation, and he seems to listen to Thursday with his whole being. He is capable of being unsettled, even angered, even enraged. The rage he has accumulated throughout his past life will haunt him like a scar no matter how much better life can get in these changed circumstances. But his rage is not for an honest misunderstanding from someone who is trying.

"We'll go right away," he says pleasantly, nodding in understanding. "It's a good idea to check on them, and it is never my place to order you to handle yourself in one way or another."

As they head for the cryosleep bay, where the crew slumbers in pods: "We may learn something we will not like, though. In a worst case scenario, what if the whole crew is dead? In my mind, a well-prepared inner fortress is the first step of safety, because you are roped to your own emotions no matter what action you take. But to your point, of course, trying something new is best done with a clear mind. And since we are working together, we may rely on each others' skills; I will help you figure out what to do if something bad has happened to the crew, even if you are distraught. Hmm, I wish I had taken the risk of sabotage more seriously from the start. It would have been better if we had talked about this kind of thing and set expectations from the beginning. We are in a compromised position, to be figuring these things out as the situation evolves. It was an oversight on my part."

He suddenly laughs. "Thursday... I must confess, I was always seen as over-emotional in my home culture. Many treated it like a deficit, and it has strongly impacted my career. I think I did alright for myself, even rising to the highest levels of government; but to call that success in an uncomplicated way ignores the toll in pain and sacrifice I had to pay just to get in the room. And it was never my character that recommended me. Only my usefulness as a tool despite who I am."

Privately, he considers everyone else from his faction who now have to figure out new lives off of their isolated world, now that the rest of the galaxy felt forced to intervene before they destroyed themselves. He considers how the others and their pride will all now be at the mercy of people like Thursday, who do not face particular pressure to corral and control their emotions. How the ones who looked down on him will now be the strange ones, forced to choose between adapting or being targeted as dysfunctional or even malicious.

Please choke!!

If it's a prayer, he sends it to no god of love.

"It is not fair of me to ask you to feel sorry for me, though," he adds quickly, wincing. "If you knew the full story, which I am not going to tell you, I imagine you would be more scared of me than a strange note. I have no interest in sabotaging my new life that awaits me at the end of this voyage, and I have no interest in being dangerous to you, so we need not dwell on it. Forgive me for speaking of my past life at all, only to draw back like this, I... do so love to ramble."

When they reach the cryo bay, they will find the crew largely safe, asleep in their pods. Checking the records, however, will reveal that a number of people have been awoken prematurely and are not accounted for. Are these conspirators, arisen to sabotage and work mayhem? Or has someone been eating them?

Thursday listens as best as she can given not only the urgency she feels in the situation but also given her own frustration in the moment. It is extraordinarily difficult to listen to someone when you are not only frustrated and stressed out, but in particular when you are frustrated at them.

But... as soon as he starts to explain, Thursday feels a huge amount of her anger towards him drain away. Immediately flooding in to replace it is guilt. Of course. It was stupid of her to jump to the conclusion that he was judging her and patronizing her. They are from different cultures. She feels horrible for being the one to jump to conclusions herself now and that shows in place of her earlier anger.

And that's not the only thing that makes sense, not just the fact that they're from different cultures so of course they're going to approach things differently, but he said earlier that he'd been mistreated in his society and she'd listened to him then, and on top of that it does make sense to step outside of panic and get control of yourself in a situation like this in order to act sensibly. And not only THAT... but if whoever is doing this, if their goal is to sow discord, then she can't allow herself to let that happen by becoming upset with Piter already. What if that was their goal? Just like it was at ABC, the place she came from. And that literally led to her coworkers killing each other.

She can't let that happen again. She can't let that happen, and can't run away from that again. That's why she's here.

Finally, she breathes, and lets out a small laugh too. "Okay. Okay, you're right. I'm sorry, Piter, I'm really sorry. I am really stressed out and I shouldn't have jumped to conclusions or anything like that. And I didn't expect to get upset like this either. It's just that, ah... How do I explain it? This is very similar, scary similar, to something that I- something that happened where I came from and it's like, opening a box and having it all come back out at you. So- I didn't mean to get upset at you. Whatever is going on, we need to be on the same page, so if you want me to sit on the floor with you for a minute and breathe and calm down, I'll try, but I don't know if I can right this second because I don't feel safe right now. And I don't like the idea that there's someone else awake in here and that our coworkers are exposed and everything. Can we maybe check on them first, and then sit down on the floor?"

[sharkdream3421]

Garrus Vakarian X Reader - Deadly Love Triangle

That mission was so tricky we all kept running out of ammo, but thankfully Nihlus had extra thermal clips on him. At least we finally cured the genophage. Wrex was thrilled that his people would be okay now, and would finally be able to reproduce and have offspring so the krogan can shape their own future. Wrex told me that he plans to focus on rebuilding and no more war for them. That was a relief to hear, all war does is cause chaos, diversity, and hate. Reminds me of the first contact war, it was war between the humans and turians. All it did was help me to cause hate toward the turians. I mean the war caused my grandpa to die, I then hated turians from that point on.

Everything changed until I met Garrus. Nihlus was the first one to come aboard the Normandy, but even then I didn't even trust him. He was one cocky son of a bitch.

"I move faster on my own."

Yeah right he could have died if Kaiden, I, and Ashley had not interfered. I told Kaiden to use his biotics on Nihlus causing him to fly into a bunch of crates and pass out. Ashley just shouted "Gun!" which did not help what so ever. I sniped the other turian, I didn't kill him because it only hit his shields, but I did throw off his aim when he was pointing that carnifex on Nihlus.

When I met Garrus I still doubted I could trust him, he just seemed dangerous. I mean he almost hit the hostage when Me, Shepard, and Ashely were about to save the lady that was from the Med Clinic, as she was being mugged from some gangsters. After talking on the Normandy though I started to know him better. He was a C-Sec officer who was surrounded by regulations, and all he thought that mattered was getting the job done no matter who he had to sacrifice. His father said he was starting to become like Saren, and for the best part. His Dad wasn't wrong.

I suggested to Garrus that he should calm down and look at the bigger picture.

"Sacrificing civilians is not the right thing to do. You know Garrus, Shepard told me that she learned from Captain Anderson that all that Saren wanted to do was complete the mission no matter how many lives were sacrificed. So don't you see? Your acting just like Saren. You also don't have to be like Nihlus either." I sighed realizing that Nihlus was Saren's apprentice. I know that Nihlus is different from Saren, in terms of treating humans with kindness and not segregation. Although, his way of fighting is the same. Shepard told me that his goal was simple, "I don't care that your human Shepard, I just care that you get the job done."

After some talking with Garrus and helping him stop Dr. Heart. Garrus started to become a paragon and less of a renegade. That was good to hear, I'm honestly a paragon and shooting people isn't always the answer. If convincing is no longer an option, then I take out my gun and shoot. Shepard is like 60% Paragon and 40% Renegade. Meanwhile, Nihlus is...complicated. He is mostly renegade, but then sometimes he's just nice? Merciful? I don't know it's hard to figure out what happens in the turian spectre's mind.

I was starting to fall for Garrus probably after we picked him up on Omega. When I heard he was very injured I was having a heart attack. I felt like I needed him, I prayed so hard that he was going to be okay. When I saw that he was fine, and he was going to recover. I just gave him the biggest hug ever. Garrus was my best friend after all, it was very hard not to hate him. He just had a great sense of humor, which would always make the crew laugh and cheer up even in the most darkest times we were in. I trusted him with my life now, and I saw no reason to hate him. I loved him, but so did Shepard.

Shepard managed to reach Garrus first before me. Dang it! I should have told him my feelings sooner! Kasumi was like the rumor mill. She would always sneak around the ship and go into other people's business. I saw Shepard head into the elevator before the Suicide Mission, then not long after I saw Garrus go into the elevator. Neither one came out of that elevator until three hours later. Who knew what they were doing? Well I knew, it hurt me like a ton of bricks. Garrus belonged to Shepard. Not me, I mean who would want to date a nerdy girl like me? Absolutely no one. I talked to Liara on the phone, she was about another one of my close or best friends I've had in my life. She suggested that I could wait for Garrus and Shepard to break up, or go find someone different. I just plainly said "I think I'll just wait, but I doubt that Shepard and Garrus would ever break up. They are like two sides of a coin, their is no Shepard without Vakarian." Liara just told me that all you can do is just hope.

Not long after the suicide mission, Shepard was placed on house arrest for being associated with Cerberus. The alliance are pretty much good at being idiots. I remember Shepard making her point across and dang it was true, but of course Hackett is too dumb to even figure out it was true.

"I had to do something about the collectors, only Cerberus did something about it. The alliance didn't even give a shit about it!"

"We would have done something if it weren't for Cerberus." Hackett defended.

When Shepard was on house arrest, I decided to hang out with Garrus and help with things on Palaven. I had never been on Palaven and yet it was amazing! The warm and sunny beaches, the nice alien like palm trees. Palaven's city's also looked nothing like I had ever seen before! I was surrounded by Turians, and some of them even gave me strange looks. Although, Garrus told me that humans do visit Palaven just not many of them do.

Garrus managed to become a "Expert Reaper advisor." I just became like his side kick or associate? Anyway, when we heard their was trouble on Palaven's moon we took a shuttle and made our way to the moon.

There we met Shepard, and Liara. Man it was good to see them again. I watched Garrus and Shepard shake hands, but their was like no kiss or anything? Maybe they accept that their relationship is finally done? This might just be my chance! I also met James Vega, and man he was just very handsome over all, but my heart belonged to Garrus. Not some muscular man, who swears f-bombs once and awhile.

Well I was wrong because after our mission on Palaven, I went down into the cargo hold, where the computer for our security cameras were. I looked at the camera that was in the Battery room and there was Shepard and Garrus kissing. I should have not gotten my hopes up. I have to admit, that Garrus and I don't belong together. He's just a friend and that's probably what he will always be.

Primarch Victus was aboard the Normandy and was hanging out in the War room. I needed some advice, and maybe Victus could have a good answer.

I walked up to him with a smile on my face, "Hey Victus!"

"Ah, Y/N. What do I owe this fine pleasure?"

I chuckled, man he was so polite and handsome. "Victus, I need some advice. I've been head over heels for Garrus for months now, but Shepard and Garrus are in a relationship right now. What do you think I should do?"

Victus sighed, "I'm not really an expert on relationships Y/N."

"Please Victus, I need your help. I'm going to lose my mind." I begged.

Victus sighed again, "I think you should tell Garrus how you feel Y/N, and if he doesn't feel the same then you should find someone else to be with."

Victus was right, there was no way Garrus and I could just become boyfriend and girlfriend if we never confessed our feelings for each other.

With me feeling super confident I thanked Victus and walked out of the War Room with me being head over heels to tell Garrus how I feel.

~~~~

Each step I took toward the elevator I got even more excited. I took the elevator one floor down, so now I was on the crew deck. I was just about to round the corner toward the main lobby where the whole crew hangs out until I hear some Human and a Turian laughing. I quickly hid around the corner and peeked to see the most surprising thing I have ever seen today.

There was Shepard and Nihlus slowly walking out of the Starboard Observation deck kissing each other with Shepard's hands on Nihlus's chest and Nihlus's hands on Shepard's waist. They walked into the elevator and then I hear the elevator door close. What the heck was that?! I ran to the front of the elevator doors to see that it was going to Shepard's cabin! What are they doing? Please don't tell me they are...no Shepard wouldn't.

I have to know, I know only one person who could find out what was going on in Shepard's room.

I barraged into Liara's office to see her looking at me with a confused look on her face.

"What's wrong Y/N? You looked panicked." Liara asked me looking worried.

I quickly ran up to her shadow broker terminal. "Liara, can you see what is going on in Shepard's room?" I asked.

"Yeah I can, why?" She asked.

"I think Shepard is doing something really bad, just please Liara, I need to find out what she's doing! I hope it isn't what I think it is." I said with worry in every fiber of my being.

"Okay calm down Y/N. I'm pulling up Shepard's room." I see Liara hitting the keys on her keyboard.

When we saw Shepard's room finally come up on the screen. Me and Liara looked at the screen very shocked. How...how...how could Shepard do this? Why? Why to Garrus?! Their was Shepard having...having sex with Nihlus. It was entirely disturbing to see. Their was Nihlus and Shepard naked and rolling in bed. It was very inappropriate to watch.

"By the Goddess." Liara said with astonishment in her voice and on her face.

Why did Shepard have to do this to Garrus? Garrus...never deserved this! Garrus never did anything wrong! Garrus was loyal to Shepard ever since from the very beginning and this is how she treats Garrus?! My hands curled into fists. I'm going to kill her!

Liara looked at me seeing the hate all over my face. She put her hand on my shoulder, "I'm so sorry you had to see this Y/N." Liara said with sympathy.

I looked down on the floor. "Why did she cheat on Garrus. Especially Garrus, why him? He's been betrayed, failed at his job, lost his own team, and now he's being cheated on over another handsome Turian. I thought Garrus was the most handsome person, his voice, his humor, he's perfect."

"I don't know Y/N, but Garrus definitely never deserved this." Liara said with sorrow.

~~~~

The next morning I had a plot for revenge! Everyone will know, because everyone will be there to see me expose Nihlus and Shepard. I woke up from my bed in the room where the crew would hang out. I took the covers off me and landed on the cold floor with my two cold feet. I slipped my jacket on, my boots, and a pair of jeans. With my anger in tow I opened the door and made my way to the lobby where breakfast was always served.

There she was. That piece of shit sitting at that table looking very happy to see Garrus, yeah right! Wait until I expose the truth.

Liara sat across the table looking at me with a worried look on her face. I looked at her, and she shook her head when I had my fist right by my side.

"Don't do it Y/N, if you expose the truth it's going to do more harm than good." Liara told me, she wasn't loud, but she wasn't quiet either.

"I have to do this Liara. It's the only way." I said.

I raised my fist and hit her really really hard, right in the jaw. Even a tooth popped out! Garrus looked at me very shocked. I mean I did just hit his ex-girlfriend.

"Y/N what are you doing?!" Liara had yelled.

"I'm doing what is justice! Hey everyone, I have something very important to tell you!" I yelled where everyone in the ship could hear.

Everyone gathered around, and I mean EVERYONE gathered around like in a giant circle with Garrus, Shepard, and I in the middle.

"What does (Last name), (First name) wish to tell us?" Legion asked with his head tilted as his optic grew even brighter.

"Shepard cheated on you Garrus! I saw it! I saw it all! Shepard had some really good sex with Nihlus over there!" I yelled as I pointed to Nihlus who looked completely chill.

Liara sighed, "I can confirm that Y/N, is telling you all the truth. I saw it with my own eyes."

Garrus looked shocked, no emotion, utter despair on his face, he didn't even move an inch. Several people gasped, several people looked at Shepard in disapproval, and looked completely pissed off.

"Not cool Commander." James said.

"You are no Siha." Thane blurted out.

"We find Shepard-Commander's actions unforgiving." Legion sounded displeased.

Garrus just walked away in depression. I looked at Garrus, he just showed no emotion, his heart was completely broken. Most of me feels like it was the right thing to do, justice was served. Although, a part of me feels like I did the wrong thing. What did I do to Garrus? Shepard looked around seeing everyone very pissed off. Shepard just ran away, probably to her little hideout, which was her cabin.

I ran after Garrus to see if he was going to be okay. "Garrus! Garrus are you okay?" I asked.

Garrus turned with sadness in his eyes, "No, I don't think I will be. I just need to do some calibrations." Garrus had said as he slowly walked toward the Main Battery.

I would have laughed at him because he said calibrations, just like every time I would, but this time no laugh came from me.

~~~~

Everyone had done their own thing for the rest of that day. Shepard just stayed in her cabin the whole time unless she was called to the War Room or had some matters to attend to. Today, I decided to visit Garrus and see how he was doing as yesterday must have been tough on him.

When the main battery's doors opened I found Garrus collapsed on the floor.

"Garrus!" I yelled as I ran up to him.

I helped him up and he looked at me with tired eyes. "Y/N, I had the most weirdest dream. You were there saying that Shepard cheated on me, and everyone else was so pissed." Garrus said.

I looked down in shame. "That wasn't a dream Garrus, it's true. I revealed that Shepard cheated on you with Nihlus."

Garrus looked down. "Oh, I see. I'll just work on some calibrations then."

I sighed. "Garrus, it's not your fault, I'm sorry that I was selfish and told everyone what had happened, I didn't think that it would affect you like this, I should have known better."

"That bastard Nihlus. Besides I felt like my relationship with Shepard was a bit odd after all. It's okay, I just need some time to move on." Garrus said as he took a small deep breath.

"Garrus, I...I love you, but I understand if you don't want to be with me. Your previous girlfriend cheated on you, and I should probably shut up now. I'll be in the shuttle bay." I walked out of the main battery with a lot on my mind.

~~~~

No, that part doesn't go there. I attached the modifier on the top of the carnifex. Ah, there we go! Now it can provide a little more damage. I also attached another modifier, which can allow some more shots to be fired so we have a less chance that we are going to run out of thermal clips. I grabbed the next weapon, which was the N7 Hurricane. Has a really fast rate of fire, but has very bad accuracy. I just probably set more modifiers on the stability and accuracy then.

"Y/N."

I turned around to see Garrus walking toward me. Looking scared? "Hey Garrus, what's wrong?" I asked my best friend.

"I had time to think, and I...love you too Y/N. All those times we had on Palaven, having dinner together, watching Turian films with each other, going shopping. I loved every moment with you. I didn't know if it was okay to abandon my relationship with Shepard, but I also felt something in me when I was around you. The truth is, I love you (First name), (Last name). I loved you for a couple months." Garrus then put his talons on my hands. "Is it okay if you can be my girlfriend?" He asked.

He asked...HE ASKED me! Oh my gosh, my dream has come true!

"Yes! Yes! You have no idea how long I've waited for this moment!" I cheerfully shouted as I hugged my new boyfriend.

"I love you Y/N." Garrus said with comfort in his voice, as I felt his talon going against the back of my head.

"I love you too Garrus, always have been, and always will." I said with the biggest smile on my face.

~~~~

"(Last name), (First name) we would like to ask you something."

I turned around to find Legion with flowers in his hands. It was strange seeing the innocent geth boy with flowers in his hands.

"Yeah what's up Legion?"

"We have researched some of Earth's culture and religion, and we believe that when someone wishes to show gratitude or kindness. Flowers are a good way to show it." Legion had talked like he was a calculator or something, which was like all the time.

"Who are you giving it to?" I asked with a smile on my face. It's hard to be mad at Legion. He is so good at acting innocent all the time.

"Creator Zorah. We calculate that giving Creator Zorah flowers will help increase our trust, and have less hostility towards us." Legion replied.

I smiled, he's so adorable. "Go ahead Legion, I think she will like it."

Legion replied with a nod and the flaps around his eye opening up. Legion left my cabin in search of Tali.

I smiled as I looked back at the datapad.

"Why was Legion holding flowers?" Garrus asks as he sat on the edge of my bed and gave a little kiss on my cheek.

"He was wanting to give them to Tali, I think he might just have a crush on her." I told Garrus as I smirked.

"So what brings you up here?" I asked.

"Oh, I just wanted to see the love of my life, and make sure she was okay." Garrus said as he gave a small chuckle.

I set the datapad down, and scoot closer towards Garrus. "I am okay thanks for asking, just looking at preparations before we land on Rannoch. I could use a break though."

Garrus put a talon on my face and gently played with my hair with his other talon. "How about we ease up some tension and test your flexibility?"

I smirked, " I would love too."

I read someone's story about Garrus and a Nihlus lives AU and then suddenly I thought what would happen if Shepard cheats on Garrus for Nihlus? Nihlus deserves more attention and should have survived Eden Prime. He would have been a great squad mate in the trilogy! Thank you for reading and have a awesome day!

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