#i get that she didn't want to talk to the dragon trying to kill her but come the fuck on it was pretty clear it was a loophole

[fullmetal-angelgrace]

damsel 2024 was pretty good, i really liked the setup of the elodie's increasing horror as she gets further into the dragon cave, but really I'm mostly annoyed because the ENTIRE movie i was just yelling at her to tell the dragon it was being lied to, they really spent for fucking ever dragging that out

[cosmerelists]

Pros and Cons of Hiring These Cosmere Characters to be Your Dog-Walker

Looking for a new dog-walker? Well, you could hire these Cosmere characters, but please make sure you carefully weigh the pros & cons first!

1. Kaladin

Pros: This man can handle SO MANY dogs at once! You were worried about adding your husky to the mix, since Huskateer isn't the most well-behaved dog...but this man seemed so confident that you let your husky join his group of dogs. And you know what? Huskateer has been so much more disciplined since he started following this Kaladin guy...

Cons: You know, in your deepest heart, that Huskateer respects and loves Kaladin more than you now.

2. Sebarial

Cons: Sebarial makes it clear that if you hire him to be your dog-walker, he will NOT walk your dog.

Pros: However, he does have a team of professional & highly trained dog-walkers who do the dog-walking for him, and honestly, they're the best around. Reasonable prices, too.

3. Ranette

Pros: She said she'd walk Stinky for free if she could use him to test out some dog-friendly products. Free service and supporting a woman in business?? Hell yeah!

Cons: It's weapons. It's all weapons. You don't WANT Stinky to have a rifle that even a dog can fire! What the hell, lady?

4. Vin

Cons: The first thing she said was, "Don't worry. I would never let someone else's dog get killed OR eaten" which was...perhaps not as comforting as she intended it to be.

Pros: She actually seems to be pretty good with dogs and when you pointed this out she said, "Yeah. It's because I had a dog assistant for a while" so at least she has a sense of humor?

5. Dedelin

Pros: He volunteered his eldest daughter for the job and spent a lot of time talking about how caring and professional and responsible she was. It all sounded great!

Cons: And then...he sent his other daughter? Like, it'll probably still be fine but that's weird, right?

6. Ulaam

Cons: When he saw how many dogs you had (five), all he said was, "Two arms isn't enough" and left. Which, I mean, it's fair if he doesn't feel comfortable walking a lot of dogs, but it felt a little bit rude.

Pros: Well...he came back. And he has five arms now. And you WOULD be freaked out if it wasn't so darn effective.

7. Adolin

Pros: The INSTANT he saw Mr. Waffles, Adolin complimented his excellent sweater. You knew that dog sweater would be a hit.

Cons: You saw Adolin showing Mr. Waffles some sort of dog fashion magazine and, uh, those outfits looked EXPENSIVE. Y-You're not made of money! Even if Mr. Waffles sure would look dapper in that suit...

8. Leshwi

Cons: Her first question was, "Does your dog like heights?" and you, trying to stay calm, were like, "How...is that relevant...for a dog walk?" And she was like, "So...only walking on the ground?" Anyway you didn't hire her.

Pros: You now know that you like it when tall women look at you with disdain, and self-discovery is always good, you know?

9. TenSoon

Pros: Who better to walk your dog than a big talking dog, am I right? Ha ha!

Cons: Shattered. Your worldview. It's shattered. Forever.

10. Dalinar

Cons: He was just a little, uh, too serious? "Every journey is important." "I am prepared to help your dog take his next step." "Even kings must walk their dogs." Like...Cheesecake just needs to pee during the day? It's not that deep?

Pros: Actually...Cheesecake has seemed wiser lately. You know that sounds crazy, but...

11. Allomancer Jak

Pros: Daffodil is always happy and sleepy when she gets home! You can tell she's getting great exercise with Allomancer Jak!

Cons: Y-Your dog didn't REALLY help stop a runaway train full of robbers, did she? Your pretty sure that those newspaper serials are embellished, but you are a bit worried about what exactly your Daffodil is doing on those walks...

12. Hoid

Cons: The first thing this guy said when he saw Duke Fluffington III was "Well, some dogs want to be a dragon, but your dog clearly wants to be a slug!" which was rude because Duke Fluffington III is only a LITTLE lazy!

Pros: He did a good job, actually....at least until he disappeared suddenly one day without warning. And he used to compliment Duke Fluffington III a lot, which was nice, saying how he was so nicely "fluffy" and not at all "crablike" or "slimy."

Wait, are these even pros?? That guy was just weird!

[vyoleya]

hihi here's some more stuff of my complicated DR au!! here's a big ramble + a doodle of their designs

annd here's a more detailed + more dramatic version of them :)

okay.. huge ramble/lore dump under the cut. you have been warned

all parts of my au

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

in a desperate attempt to find his parents, arin ended up joining ras and becoming shattered. arin justified everything that he (and ras by extension) was doing all in service to reverse the merge. his last mission was supposed to be killing lloyd that way ras could become the new conduit, only for arin to discover what ras's true intentions were with his master. (which was nothing short of a celestial takeover.) arin never wanted to kill anyone, especially not lloyd, and feeling very ashamed of his actions, he purposefully attempted to rile lloyd up and give him clear openings for lloyd to kill him instead.

lloyd, not really wanting to kill arin & not taking the bait, kept trying to get him to come home. arin's whole plan backfired as arin got more and more desperate and riled up for lloyd to kill him, and ended up doing object shatterspin which killed lloyd .

in his last moments of consciousness, lloyd clung to the fleeting life inside of himself and (somewhat) merged with his element . due to being a conduit and having carried divine energy by not only the source dragons, but also the FSM, lloyd was able to sort of become a divine guardian . (ill talk more about him later but this is just a summary lol)

lloyd then used his power of life to protect arin, essentially making arin (very reluctantly) immortal. (the drawing of arin is what he looks like when he's close to death, as lloyd expends a lot of energy to keep him alive, and his 'guardian angel' wings become visible, and everyone can kinda feel lloyd's presence watching everything. hence the eye)

sora, after finding out that arin was responsible for killing lloyd, who she saw as a father, she began to believe that the arin she knew died once he became shattered. eventually, after many encounters where she'd beg for him to be 'good' again, she began to search for ways to kill him and free lloyd's spirit.

they both started wearing these wooden masks with painted moons on them, very much inspired by the whole 'the fool who let the moon go' post. arin started wearing his first after he first started getting serious injuries that weren't being healed very quickly. arin found that sora preferred him wearing it, bc then she didn't have to see her best friend's face in her enemy.

arin goes by the name 'z' whenever he can, based on the scar on his cheek that actually looks like the letter z in ninjargan! (he also does because he believes that going by arin is an insult to who he used to be.)

sora, with the help of jordana, ended up tracking down the reversal blade. because if she can reverse lloyd ever dying and arin becoming immortal, then with lloyd's conduit powers, they can stop ras's plans and Everything Will Be Okay Again!

she was planning on taking both herself and jordana to the past, but due to the merge being reversed sooner than planned, sora didn't have time to take jordana with her, leaving her behind.

after… a lot of nonsense on z's end (like the world ending, but him being the sole survival due to lloyd's energy… yikes) (oh and also him recreating the merge despite everything thanks to lloyds conduit-ness + the oni and dragon in him) and he also ends up in the past. now both sora and z are wandering around in the past trying to stop the world from ending :)

(to make it more dramatic, neither of them knows that the other survived. it's a very big jumpscare when they run into eachother.)

anyway. i may draw them more + post drabbles about them on ao3! so .... consider this your backstory guide to my overly complicated au . if you read this far then congrats !! (because yes, this is just the backstory)

(also if anyone has any questions feel free to ask .. . it'd be fun to answer them)

doodles and jokes here !

[lillotte17]

I think it is important to remember, when sifting through lore for facts and fic reasons, that the memories of Solas' regrets we see in the Lighthouse are not going to be the Exact Truth about what happened during these events.

This is how HE remembers those things happening. And memories are not always reliable narrators. In DAI, Solas gives us the example of the memories he witnessed at Ostagar, about Loghain as both the power-mad villain, and the veteran commander trying to save his troops from needless death. And they are both true for the people who lived those experiences. But they don't tell you what ACTUALLY happened.

Solas is dragging around thousands of years worth of regrets and mistakes. He focuses a lot of blame on himself, even beyond what was actually his fault. And he is reluctant to admit that Mythal was anything other than 'The Good Evanuris.'

The most obvious example is the last panel, where he kills Flemeth. The conversation that Rook and Co. hear is NOT the one that happened. Mythal did not argue for the fate of the world. She didn't ask him not to bring down the Veil. She made no protest beyond saying that he shouldn't have let Corypheus find his orb. She did not sound indignant or angry with him at all. She LET him take her power, even knowing it would kill her. (which was why I was honestly expecting her to have some Big Plan where like...her power let her take control of him and even if you talked him down, she would force him to tear open the Veil herself, but...whomp whomp)

Flemythal had the same amount of power that Solas had in Trespasser, and Solas' magic at the time was about the same as any talented mage of the modern age. She could have wiped the floor with him. She could have called a dragon or turned him into stone.

He didn't take her life, she gave it to him. She forgave him, and then she died to give him what he wanted.

And oh boy, that is so so SO much worse than her still being angry and arguing with him and telling him he was wrong. He does not know how to handle that At All.

It's also interesting because that is the only memory where Mythal DOES sound sharp with him. Every other time she is trying to talk him into something and he is the one arguing against it, she is remembered as being calm and rational and patient. Soft-spoken and almost motherly. Which...after meeting the fragment in the Crossroads, I kind of doubt was her typical MO. Even Morrigan says that she is 'prickly.'

Solas remembers her as kinder than she was before her death, because grief softens a lot of rough edges when we love someone. And afterwards, he thinks of her as someone who is still angry with him. Who will never forgive him. Because he is still angry at himself for 'getting her killed' the first time.

Mythal herself says that these memories are things he has 'cultivated like a tree reaching for the sun.' He has twisted these memories within himself into the shapes that they are, regardless of 'truth.'

That is NOT to say that he is absolved of guilt for the things we saw in those regrets! Or even that he's less guilty! But perhaps more along the lines of... 'It's important to remember that Solas was not the only person involved in a lot of these events, and therefore is likely not the only person blame should fall on.' However, Pride that he is, Solas is the one who remembers all of these things as being entirely his fault.

[freddleafton12345-blog]

PLATONIC! Flightmare & female reader! (You meet your dragon)

Arvandil's fire. It was in the sky.

And when that happened, it brought along the vicious Flightmare. A dragon everybody feared since it overpowered Fearless Fin, the uncle of your childhood friend.

But you? You wanted a closer look at the dragon. You thought it's banshee-like scream and blue glow was gorgeous and scary, all at once.

That's why you were went along on Toothless, with your two closest friends of Berk.

As you, Astrid, and Hiccup took off on Toothless, you spoke. "So, I'm very glad you guys let me come along, but, I'm sorry I didn't borrow a dragon from the others. Hope Toothless doesn't think I'm heavy!"

Toothless grunted and gently snacked your head with his tail, almost as if he was telling you 'I can handle three vikings!'

Hiccup chuckled. "Oh don't worry, we don't mind. Astrid, maybe we shouldn't kill this dragon though? I get you're upset about your uncle, but we stopped killing dragons, remember?"

Astrid gritted her teeth, but once she felt your hand on her shoulder, she calmed down. "You're right, Hiccup. I...I won't kill the Flightmare. I just wanna get it off of Berk so it stops hurting others."

"That's the spirit, Astrid!" You smiled.

Pretty soon, you guys heard a loud screech accompanied with a bright blinding shine coming up over the hills. Hiccup made Toothless stop and hover.

"Olay, there it is! Maybe if we stay still it won't attack!" He suggested.

The Flightmare flew closer and closer until it was inches from Toothless. The Nightfury growled as a warning, clearly not frightened by the glowing dragon.

The Flightmare then made its body shine even brighter, and that's when things took a turn for the worst.

"GAH! TOOTHLESS!" Hiccup screamed as Toothless shut his eyes and fell close to the ground from the shock of the bright shine. Astrid held onto Hiccup and you as you all plummeted towards the ground.

Unfortunately, you fell off the saddle from how rapid Toothless was falling, and in that time, the Flightmare targeted you.

Astrid panicked. "HEY! LEAVE HER ALONE, SHE'S MY FRIEND!" She quickly threw her axe at the dragon, but it simply dodged the attack as it dove down and grabbed you in its claws.

You flailed and panicked, trying to escape the clutches of the vicious dragon. But it was far stronger than you were.

"Y/N!!!" Hiccup screamed, reaching out towards your direction until they hit the ground. All of their visions started to get black as they passed out.

~~~

The Flightmare carried you through Berk, it's glow still bright, but not so much that you had to shut your eyes.

"Um...hey!" You spoke up to it. "Where are you taking me? I promise I'm not a threat!"

The dragon suddenly hovered and looked down at you, grunting curiously. Almost like it was asking you, 'are you lying?'

"I'm not joking. I'd never hurt a dragon as gorgeous as you..I really just...I don't know, I wanted to study and observe you more. You know? Get to see you up close. Oh great maybe the twins were right. I am almost as crazy as them. I'm talking to this thing like it understands meEEE!?"

The Flightmare snorted and dove down into a nearby forest, then it set you on the ground. Giving you a look of 'follow me,' before it started walking off.

"Hey! Where are you going now!? Wait please!" You followed the dragon, looking all around. "I hope no Whispering Death's decide to come out and join us..I hate those things."

At this, the blue dragon nodded with a snort.

"Hold on...did you understand that?"

Another nod.

"This is incredible! I thought dragons had to be trained to respond to certain words but you're clearly very smart! Um..I'm y/n!" You smiled at it.

The glowing mystery class dragon brought you to a glowing river that was just as gorgeous as the dragon was.

You stood in awe as you saw the Flightmare drink from the river, causing its body to shine brightly for a moment. Then you put the puzzle together.

"I get it. This trail of glowing algae attracts you. This is the route you always take into the village, because it's your food source. And with the town growing bigger every year, you fear we're gonna take your food source?"

The Flightmare snorted with a nod, licking its lips.

"Well..." you hesitated, then started inching closer with your hand out. "I promise you that'll never happen. I'll help you protect your precious glowing algae, and I'll tell the chief that this area is to be respected and not touched by humans."

The dragon stared you down as you crept closer. But then, it too, started taking smaller steps towards you.

And soon enough, you guys were just three feet apart. With your hand still out, you turned your head away and waited, eyes screwed shut incase the dragon decided to eat your arm.

But it didn't. You felt smooth scales against your palm, along with a low, rumbling purr.

"Wow..." you smiled in shock and fascination, looking at the Flightmare as it kept its nose in your palm.

"It's nice to meet you." You said, scratching it's chin, making the Flightmare purr even more.

Wait till Hiccup and Astrid hear about this...

My writing is garbage and it's 12AM but whatever))

[im-a-ramblr]

Some random thoughts on Nezha 2.

I might post a more comprehensive review/piece later. Putting it under read more

Love how literally no one reacted to Nezha jumping his teacher, shaking him down and demanding he find a solution.

Nezha still just wants to play and be a kid. The townspeople's reactions to him asking were heartbreaking. His parents stepping up was sweet, though I will admit I spent the whole time going 'guys you are on a time limit'

The solution to the dual souls in control of a body cracked me up.

I loved Xiaobao, and it broke my heart that he died. I also just loved all the emphasis put on the relationship between older and younger brothers

Ao Bing trying to reassure Nezha went he was about to meet his brothers was sweet but also cringy. Like please, never try to give a pep talk again.

Nezha just, casually takes out the pills and downs them on his second trial and Deero (which is.... a choice. Can I please get his actual name? I've seen Lu Tong, but I'm not sure if that's right.) didn't notice?

The sheer grief and rage Nezha felt at learning his parents and his family were dead was heartbreaking.

The mirror scene was pretty funny. As was Taiyi trying to cover for Nezha's obvious demon aura.

Ao Guang's complete and total focus on Ao Bing being safe was very sweet. Even if it led to him making horrible decisions.

Ao Bing and Nezha care about each other so much, it makes me feel a lot of things. Like, Nezha didn't even hesitate to body share with Ao Bing, to let him fully possess him. Ao Bing had to be locked up to keep himself from chasing after Nezha, even if going killed him. He was hurt by Nezha's reaction to learning the dragons attacked, but he never blamed him or made excuses.

Nezha 1V1 Ao Guang was incredible.

Love how much of a role the water demon from the first movie played. Like, good for him.

The scene where the boys took on the uncles was great. 100/10, no notes. Just two powerful toddlers having fun while fighting.

Lady Yin's death made me cry for real. I have no idea if they can bring her back after everything but I hope they can. If they can't then... okay this might sound weird, but I hope they treat the pill she became like it's a pearl and make either a necklace or bracelet with it. So that no one can ever try and use it.

Nezha literally ripping his soul and body from each other and reforging in the cauldron was awesome. But uhh, Nezha seems to have a lot of conflicting feelings about being the demon pill. He swings between being fine, insecure about it, hating to, to embracing it.

What was the pillar they knocked down at the end of the final fight? If it was explained I missed it. (Edit: Got confirmation it was the as of now unnamed Ruyi Jingu Bang, I had a hunch it was. I just also missed it getting all the gunk scrubbed off it)

Love that after the final battle, the boys are scuffed up. Ao Bing has a cut on his cheek, Nezha has dirt/ash on his face. It was a nice touch.

We don't talk about the mid-credit scene enough. It was amazing. I was so scared at first, thinking Wuliang was going to put a spell on Jinzha and Muzha, but he couldn't because he straight up couldn't get out of the cell.

Deero and Crana get some points for enjoying beating him up. I hope they stay trapped in there, just ragging on him 'trying to get a match' for a long long time.

Also the way Muzha walked in the ending scene. Bud, what were you doing?

[glitchy1938]

May i request a Equal Dragon Weapon(You can look up that if you wanna get more info)Y/N Cookie and the 5 Dragons thoughts on them?

But basically,Y/N cookie was created by an Ancient Civilization that hunted dragons (maybe they could be from the Nova cookie planets?👀)that used 30 dragon corpses in order to create Y/N cookie.

_And it(aka EDW Y/N cookie) is out to complete it's goal._

The Dragon Hunter...

You were the Equal Dragon Weapon, you were created to hunt all the Dragons on your way, even if you look like one... But the more dangerous is that you weren't just created by dragon corpses, oohh no, you were almost INVISIBLE !! And the Five dragons weren't gonna take their life's to a fight with you. Not after the first fight they had with you.

Pitaya Dragon Cookie

When they heard about you, he didn't think you were a dragon, like he know some dragons want to fight because they're bored or something... But hunting your own kind !? That's a first.

They tried to fight you just to see your strength... And they almost go himself KILLED !!! They can't believe you're THAT powerful, if Hollyberry and Sweet Bleu Chocola didn't came, they would be dead by now... They doesn't want to fight you again after this ...

Ananas Dragon Cookie

They heard about you from some if the villagers, they was at first curious. How can a ancients civilization actually managed to create a dragon ??

But they didn't asked more questions when they first meet you, they first order you to go back to where you came from, and that they doesn't want for his villager. But you didn't care about that.

They didn't think you could be so powerful then them, how is this even possible ?!... Even when they transformed into their dragon form to defeat you, you managed to take them down.

The Gingerbrave team was the one who saved them by distracting you from afar, they asked from the Deliciousland (my cookie Kingdom) Kingdom if that's possible if they take the best magic shelled speles to protect his kingdom and them. They reserved them a day after.. they won't risk the life of their citizens... Not with how powerful you are...

Lotus Dragon Cookie

They reserved the warning of you coming to Hunt them down by Sweet bleu Chocolat's kingdom, so they took more measure to fight you.

They were disgusted by your ancients civilization, using dragon corpses to create their own Equal Dragon Weapon ? Just thinking about it makes them feel sick....

They'll try to talk to you at first, saying that she's not attacking any villages, but they see how futile it is to try and talk to you. So they try to fight.

They managed to take you down by bringing Red Chocola in the fight.. If not, they would have been the first one of the five to be killed.

Red Chocola cookie managed to pull you out of the place and waning you to never come back or she won't be so mercyful the next time you'll come back here.

Lotus Dragon was impressed to your strengths, she never seen a dragon having much power then her, but they won't want to fight if it means getting killed...

[raayllum]

The thing (or one of the things) about Ezran in early S7 is that while he's not being unreasonable, he is being hypocritical and unproductive ("You forgave Zubeia"). 7x01 is his breaking point after seasons of trying to keep everyone else together and weathering each conflict in as most an unaffected manner as possible, and he quite simply couldn't do it anymore.

Zubeia sent an assassin to kill your father? You long for your mother so deeply, you don't know your dad is dead yet, you do everything you can to get Zym back home because you love him (you can literally see through his eyes) and because it's the best chance for peace. Forgive her for killing your father and trying to kill you because she was grieving and Zym's dad for killing your mother because he's dead and they miss him. Put all your anger in a box at the one person who actually did kill him, because Zubeia saw her baby and changed her mind, and your found family sister (who is also missing) defected and spared your life that night, and he didn't.

Deny the ugly truths as long as you can by focusing on peace ("I ignored something that was true. I denied something that is undeniable"). Why should you have to acknowledge anger? Can't you just get past that? And then you can't, with the picture. (Then you can't, later, with yourself.)

Rayla comes back and Callum is fighting with her? Forgive and welcome her back unconditionally and try to counsel Callum through his big feelings. Rinse and repeat when Soren and then Zym goes missing. Advocate for and refuse to give up on Rex Igneous until he sends you sprawling into a wall.

Take on the responsibility of negotiating with the dragons. With Finnegrin (you offer up your hand, and so do your friends, your family). Talk your brother out of a more violent solution, and Rayla sides with you. She does again about hiding with the pearl and you save each other's lives. You look after home while she and Callum leave to save the world, and tell Soren the hard truth and deal with Viren till you don't. You try to spare Karim and his forces. You believe in peace. You believe in breaking the cycle.

"I am a king, and as a king, I choose love over strength."

"King of what? King of ashes?"

Ezran looks at what two years of trying to do the right peaceful thing has earned him — a destroyed kingdom while he was away — and he desperately, angrily, grasps at any semblance of control. This can't be all it was for. He feels like he's failed as a king, and is therefore a bad king. He needs to punish Sol Regem for it, but he can't. It needs to be Runaan's 'fault' because Runaan made him a king, even though keeping Runaan chained up in the Banther Lodge basement doesn't do anything but keep another family (Rayla's family) apart and make him feel in control. His pendulum swings so hard and strong, the target of his anger constantly changing to the most recent wound stacked upon themselves. After 7x02, he's not visibly angry at Runaan again until the finale; he's angrier at Callum than he is at Rayla because he thought he had control over his brother ("Callum. High Mage. We need you at this council meeting") even if that shouldn't be the goal or the focus at all anyway.

Callum doesn't betray him just because of Rayla, but because Ezran is perpetuating the cycle in a way that is antithetical to everything all three of them have striven to break, which is exactly what Callum points out to him. (If Rayla had surrendered or Callum had stayed, they just all likely would've been arrested, as it's unlikely Rayla and Runaan would've made it in the boat with Callum's magic, either. Would that have made Ezran, or anyone, feel better, hunting down his brother and friends, bringing them back in chains? No, and only Aanya is brave enough to say it out loud after Ez proves he values his bond with his brother / Callum's life over destroying Runaan's and Rayla's by proxy.)

"Because pain and loss feel so terrible inside, you want to hate. You want to hurt someone else."

What would killing or imprisoning Runaan (again) really have done?

"Hasn't he already been punished enough? Viren trapped him in a cursed coin for years. It's time to set him free." / "How much suffering is enough to pay for the mistakes we've made? No amount of suffering, yours or mine, will ever bring him back."

("As a father, I have a selfish wish, and that is for you and Ezran to be... free.")

"A life for a life. Is that justice?"

We also see that his scene with Runaan is one of the very last in the season. It's been months, if not nine, before Ezran was ready to have that conversation, ready to do with Runaan what he willingly did with Aaravos ("A king must look into the face and hear the words of those he judges"). A few days or a week by Callum's estimate wouldn't have been enough.

Ezran set Terry free to see if they could really trust him. He refused to do the same with Runaan even when it was causing clear pain and fracturing within his own family unit, nor did Runaan come to Katolis to face justice; it was just happenstance. But in Runaan being freed, he was then able to choose to come back to face Ezran's verdict. And then Ezran makes his own conscious choice.

"I'm going to forgive you. I don't know how, but I have to try."

He told everyone else that they had to acknowledge the weight of the pain and loss in their hearts while also holding love. It was hard before. It was hard now. But he has to try.

(Nor does Harrow being in the bird erase the two years of mourning hell that Ezran went through, remove the crown from his brow, make things with Runaan any easier tbh, or mean he's 100% getting his father back.)

[geekgirles]

Dardondakal: "You used your Dofus' powers to bring this psycho back to life!"

Not gonna lie, it is very satisfying to see somebody call Grougalorasalar out on the willing atrocity of his actions after he spent 95% of his screentime dragging Yugo and Adamaï for things that were either accidents or out of their control.

(Seriously, for all the things he blamed Yugo and his people for, he actually left out the only thing besides Qilby's actions to be directly caused by them—Yugo endangering the World of Twelve when he used the Dofus to fight Ogrest).

There's also the fact that, just like Grougalorasalar brought up valid points regarding the damage—intentional or otherwise—the Eliatropes have caused to their world, Dardondakal is also right in getting angry over the lengths his brother is willing to go to just to make a point.

Dardondakal: "You sacrificed a thousand innocent lives for her!"

After all, tragic as she might be, Julith is a well-known menace and selfish enough to sacrifice hundreds of innocents for the sake of her own family. And she would have succeeded hadn't Jahash acted as her moral compass. Which in turn suggests her husband was the only person she truly cared about, as not even Joris, her son, managed to talk her out of her plan.

With the added fact that she originally planned to destroy Bonta before falling for Jahash, then Dardondakal makes an excellent point on how bringing her along could do more harm than good. Combined with the fact that the Ebony Dragon kept preaching about how everything wrong with their world was the Eliatropes' fault while he, remorseful as he was, didn't hesitate to sacrifice a thousand innocent souls for the sake of his goals, let's just say it only makes Grougalorasalar look like a hypocrite and the only actual threat here.

Dardondakal: "We had a deal. I agreed to help you as long as you didn't go too far. And killing a thousand innocents to bring this murderer back to life is anything but not going too far!

As the Ivory Dragon says, he agreed to help his brother as long as he didn't go too far, and sacrificing hundreds of innocent lives in exchange of a murderer's is indeed going way too far. Especially when Salar makes it clear Julith is mostly a back-up. He killed a thousand people just in case Yugo and Adamaï refused to go along with his ultimatum.

Fella really knows how to put the crazy in "crazy prepared".

But let's be honest. The whole entire chapter is just Dakal spitting facts and bringing his brother's paranoia into question.

Dardondakal: "I told you I could go with you." Grougalorasalar: "You're too soft. We needed to be persuasive during a first meeting. If we want to save this world, Brother, we must be firm!"

Now, raise your hand if you think Salar's animosity against Yugo and his people and his actions are going to end up becoming a self-fulfilling prophecy that will result in the very catastrophe he was trying to prevent.

Grougalorasalar dismissed his brother as "too soft", but in doing so he has inadvertently caused more trouble for himself, because chances are Yugo and Adamaï will choose to hold onto their Dofus and the Eliasphere if it means they get a fighting chance of protecting their people against whatever Salar has planned for them if they don't comply.

Now, if he'd only brought Dakal along and they presented themselves before them without all the mind games and the attempted murder, chances are his more diplomatic brother would have been able to plea their case to Yugo and Adamaï and reason with them to hand over their weapons peacefully. Because as much of an emotionally-driven warrior as Yugo is, he is still deeply caring, empathetic, and prefers to use violence as his last resort. Alongside Adamaï's logical and cautious nature, and Amalia's understanding of their current standing in the World of Twelve, he would have most likely backed down a lot sooner and without collateral damage.

As things are right now, Yugo and Adamaï are equally likely to give in to his request, as they are to refuse him and to hold onto their weapons out of fear of Salar going against his word and hurting even more innocents regardless of what they choose to do.

Because let's not forget how he still wasn't above potentially killing Amalia when he also poisoned her glass. Or how he basically spelled it out for Yugo that he isn't exactly above killing his wife or his little siblings. That level of threat is sure to result in one very pissed off, very protective Eliatrope King. And we all know the things Yugo is capable of when it comes to protecting his loved ones.

(Thank you @cocogum for the screenshots).

And finally, we have this gem of a line that perfectly encapsulates how far Grougalorasalar really is going with his demands.

Dardondakal: "You're asking them for the impossible"

And again, cat boy aims his shot and hits all the targets.

Because Salar's demands are excessive! Not only is he demanding they hand over their weapons, which could very well be their only line of defence against a world that has made it clear time and time again that it won't accept them; but he is also incredibly hypocritical in his demands!

As @cocogum elaborated on in her review, while it could be argued that asking them to hand over the Eliasphere can be reasonable (it's not, and I'll get to that in a minute), asking them for the Eliatrope Dofus is not.

Because that's their Dofus. Powerful as they are, they undoutedly belong to their people, which was precisely why Adamaï was so incensed back in the OVAs when they were stolen or someone suggested they used them. Because it was not their decision to make, but of their people. Likewise, except for Efrim and Nora's, those Dofus house the souls of the remaining members of the Council of Six, of their siblings! He is basically asking Yugo and Adamaï to give their family up for ransom.

Not to mention, such demand is highly hypocritical of Grougalorasalar.

Last chapter he revealed he and his siblings were aware of everything that happened under Ogrest's control, and how much they resented being reduced to his pets just because he possessed their Dofus... And yet he expects Yugo and Adamaï to just hand over their Dofus to him even though they risk following a similar fate? Especially when they have always tried to keep them either hidden or in good hands while it's apparent the Primordial Dofus are basically up for the taking?

Now he really is crossing a line.

And, arguably, he is equally foolish to demand the Eliasphere and expect nothing bad comes out of it.

For all he ragged on about Nox, Qilby, and Oropo, and the damage they did with the Eliacube, he seems to be forgetting one crucial detail: even if the Eliacube and Eliasphere technically belong to the Mechasms, the only ones who can actually wield them efficiently are the Eliatropes (and Eliotropes)!

That's why Nox completely lost it. Because he couldn't handle or properly utilise the Eliacube's power. And Salar expects things to calm down just because the Eliatropes are no longer in possession of the Eliasphere? No! If anything, he's only risking further destruction and mayhem in case it falls into the wrong hands.

Given how Dakal is clearly the most reasonable and most principled of the two, I sure hope he goes behind his brother's back in an attempt to stop him. Who knows? Considering he chose Joris as his guardian, unless that changed in the centuries following his childhood, maybe he'll go to him to warn him of what Grougalorasalar is planning and that will be why Joris appears next chapter.

[yanderes-galore]

I'd really love if you did a concept of Aemond Targaryen if you're down! Thx! ^^

I'll try my best, sure! I just hope I get his character right. He's one of my favorites!

Yandere! Aemond Targaryen Concept

Pairing: Romantic

Possible Trigger Warnings: Gender-Neutral Darling, Obsession, Stalking, Possessive behavior, Forced betrothal/Marriage, Sadism, Potential Targcest mentions (Aegon/Helaena), Manipulation, Violence, Blood, Murder, Dark themes, Vague punishments implied, Isolation, Biting/Marking, Forced relationship.

Aemond is the more serious one out of Alicent's two sons (in the show).

He takes duty seriously yet doesn't participate in tournaments.

He actually believes himself more capable of ruling than his brother, which may not be wrong.

He tends to his duties as a prince much more than Aegon, often studying history and philosophy.

He's a capable fighter and at a young age managed to have Vhagar under his command.

So, imagine this... Aemond taking you as his betrothed once he hits a certain age.

It's natural his brother is betrothed to Helaena due to his duty as king.

However, Aemond isn't betrothed.

Alicent doesn't plan on marrying him off to anyone until Aemond meets you.

You could be a royal from another family, or maybe a servant he got too close to, either way now Aemond is smitten.

Which would lead to your betrothal, even if you don't even like the prince.

This concept is going to focus on how it's like to be betrothed to Yandere! Aemond.

Aemond is an intimidating man.

If the dragon doesn't scare others off, he will.

Aemond seems like he'd come off as cold most of the time.

There's times he's affectionate with you, but unlike Aegon he's no pathetic yandere.

He's possessive like most Targaryens and often hates others looking at what's his.

He's just more stoic about it.

If he catches eyes on you for too long, he'll squeeze your waist to show you're taken.

Aemond isn't afraid in the slightest to give others a message about taking what's his.

Between Vhagar and his blade, Aemond would shed blood to keep you as his.

He was willing to do it before you were betrothed, he'll definitely do it now.

I wouldn't put it past him to sacrifice others to Vhagar if they got too close.

Ah, it was just an accident.

Shouldn't have been so close to you Vhagar.

However, there's also times I can see Aemond getting personal and finishing off someone with his blade instead of dragon fire.

Blood coating his clothes is a common sight, especially during the Dance of The Dragons.

So why be so worried, dear?

He's a warrior... killing is something he's well accustomed to.

Of course, before he gets bloody he'll give warnings.

Although giving warnings is much less fun to him.

Now let's get onto how he is with you instead of others.

Before you were both betrothed he originally seemed cold and disinterested.

Yet talking to you at a few gatherings made the prince captivated.

He didn't think he'd need a partner, he was fine just performing his duties like usual.

Then Aemond kept finding himself tailing you around, the normally stoic prince itching to know more.

Alicent grew a bit suspicious when Aemond showed an interest in you.

She thought he'd have a similar interest in you that Aegon had... have a night in the bedroom maybe then it's done.

But... no, instead Aemond comes up to her months later and asks for permission to marry you.

Which leads to Aemond dragging you off for marriage.

Afterwards, when you're alone, he's affectionate and teasing.

He isn't cold all the time with you.

There's times he genuinely just wants to show he cares for you not just out of duty.

He also happens to have a twisted adoration towards you.

Your husband never leaves you out of his sight for long.

Aemond is manipulative towards you, often coming off as demanding towards you.

He wants you to listen to him and doesn't want you going off on your own.

Even a walk to the garden has to be accompanied by him as he keeps you attached to the hip.

His grip on your hand is unrelenting even if you just want to see the flowers.

Complain all you want, Aemond refuses to play your games.

While not violent towards you, this is the same man who would slaughter other men for looking at you wrong.

Be that for your honor or his own selfish reasons... well, it's hard to say.

Fire and Blood is the saying for Aemond's house.

Problems for him are dealt with using that phrase.

He isn't very merciful unless it comes to you.

Aemond even holds back during punishments if he's in a good mood.

Unless you wish to run away.

Then that just won't do, right?

Aemond is adamant on the fact he didn't marry you just for duty.

He's married you for personal interest.

Every bite on your skin is proof of such, he takes claim to you and wants everyone to know it.

He is adamant on having you tell him that you're his.

He wants you to say it often, to know you're just his.

He is a terrifying and serious man.

He takes his duty and his love seriously.

You'd be a fool to think you could escape him...

Escaping the one-eyed dragon's clutches is an impossible feat, especially with his brother as king.

[diminuel]

Stressful days suck, hope you're getting your energy back soon, take care of yourself! <3

Have few thoughts about timetravel!Xebec since I absolutely adore your version of him, those boots def can walk all over me OwO

the timetravel def wasn't planned, he had found the spell by chance and it never specified what would happen so he kept it as a backup just in case

during the God Valley incident he got cornered and used it when it became clear he wouldn't otherwise get out of the situation

He thought that his crew would keep watch over his child until he could get back to them since Crocodile was raised with them (looking at you Newgate and Linlin)

(You know what they say about assumptions)

Instead of landing near his little Pebble, he turns up in front of ASL and subsequently has to learn to live with the facts that a) he's def not in his original time anymore and b) that somehow the spawn of Monkey D. Garp managed to romance his Pebble

Xebec: This might as well just happen to me...I would love some spaghetti

ASL not taking him seriously (S: Should we tell baba or dad? A: nah, he's kinda pathic)

Would be kind of funny if Xebec is just laying head down on the table while Luffy pokes him (Ace and Sabo are judging Xebec...hard) when whoever is supposed to be watching them appears

People finding out in a ranking order of how hilarious I imagine it:

Makino (in the case that ASL are having their lunch in Party Bar) -> "Oh, who is your new friend? Rocks, I have never heard of that name but I can ask around Foosha? Oh, you mean Wani, they're currently on a work trip so I'm looking after the boys, do you want me to take a message? ...What do you boys mean he just appeared??" While Xebec is trying to impress on her the fact that a) he's a scourge of the seas, b) yes please, he does need to talk with his Pebble ASAP and c) no, he does not mean any harm and he's not some crazy stalker!! Ending with him nearly being run out of Foosha or Garp being called on him because he's visiting

Garp -> but in this case ASL already finished their lunch and went back to their tree house (still with the premise that Dragodile is gone for some reason and that they're currently babysat on Dawn), they decided to let that fancy guy follow them because Luffy likes him and they trust his intuition so, so it's just a row of ducklings with Ace and Sabo at the front bickering about Xebec while Luffy follows happily and Xebec is just trudging along, shell-shocked because his Pebble has children!! and being tired af after God Valley, they decide to park Xebec with Dadan because that's where they got left when their gramps didn't know where to stick them (Dadan: I am not running a charity or hotel!! ...fine, I guess he can stay), imagine Garp turning up a few days later and finding not only his grandkids but also that guy he and Roger tried their hardest to kill and who then seemingly disappeared from thin air, Garp and Xebec just staring slently for a moment with completely blank faces before Garp turns around and walks back into the forest, ASL are delighted and want to learn how to do that to gramps before a sudden ruckus starts and Garp comes charging back and just starts trying his best to kill Xebec, cue both of them just screaming at each other over perceived slights while everyone else is just absolute lost (X: My Pebble and your family?? G: And they also became a government sanctioned warlord!! X: NooOOO!!)

Dragodile -> "What do you mean a strange man just appeared and you fed him because he looked kinda pathetic?? Dragon, this is your fault, you and your bleeding heart, we should just remove hi- DAD??"

Thank you for this delightful ask! I do enjoy pondering this AU and you have great and amusing ideas! X'D I don't know which scenario I find most hilarious! Maybe Garp, because poor Dadan has to deal with another guy. But he's so wet and pathetic that she can't say no. She'll just make Crocodile pay for this freeloader since his kids dragged in this guy. And then poor Dadan almost gets her house destroyed when Garp and Xebec clash. (I assume Xebec is stronger than Garp if it took both Garp and Roger working together to defeat him. But maybe he's just strangely depowered from God Valley and the impromptu time traveling so he can't fight at full strength.)

I have some thoughts too but they might be darker than the comedy route we seem to be taking for this AU *lol*

I was imagining that Rocks vaguely knows what the spell does. That it connects blood to blood. Stealing from Supernatural some more, it's possible that he knew that it was going to activate the moment he dies - the energy unleashed in death can be harnessed and directed so that instead of the soul of the person going wherever it goes in the OP world it stays on earth, but Xebec doesn't know what exactly is going to happen. Will he just become a spirit? Fine by him, he's gonna haunt Roger.

It's possible that it was announced that the God Knights managed to kill Rocks' kid, WB believing it because he saw the familiar clothing (that Croc might have exchanged with one of the many civilian casualties because he heard that he was hunted. He's a tough, resourceful 8 year old.) but Rocks knows it can't be true. So he goes to fight, not caring if he dies. Because if he dies and his Pebble is still alive, blood will connect to blood with the spell. If he dies and his Pebble is also dead then it doesn't matter anyway.

And if the spell doesn't do anything or does something else, surely WB or Linlin will take care of his Pebble (who has to be alive.)

So for all Garp knows Rocks is dead. He killed him. And then a blast of energy hit them and they thought this was just some sort of self-destruction by Rocks so that the Government couldn't get his body. But nope. He's here eating Spaghetti with his grandkids. Still as young as he was that day. X'D

And I guess Crocodile would recognize his dad in this case. Because I've also played around with an idea that he, for some reason, doesn't recognize him, doesn't remember anything about his childhood before waking up on a random island, all alone.

But we can do funny/ silly for this AU, I don't mind! Plenty of other AUs I could load full of angst >:3

(Do I need a Rocks D. Crocodile tag or something...?)

[what-eats-owls]

It matters how you do it

I finished Dragon Age: The Veilguard and had some big feelings about it. Spoilers for basically everything under the cut, and frankly, it won't make sense unless you've finished the game anyway.

First of all: I had a blast with this game. I didn't find Act 1 slow, I did find Act 2 a bit of a whack-a-mole, and then Act 3 kicks you in the kidney (complementary) while insisting it's for your own good.

I've seen some recurring complaints: that it lacks depth/edge/darkness, that it abandons previous lore, that the previous choices don't matter. I don't entirely disagree. To me, it felt like a massive Dragon Age 4 game that pivoted to a different, tighter game after complaints about bloat in Inquisition. The key is that when editing down, there's such a thing as trying to trim the fat and taking a chunk of the roast with it.

I enjoy the concept of Lucanis's character, and the voice actor sold the hell out of him, but the storyline felt like being taken to a museum and allowed to see one (1) beautiful unfinished sculpture. Why did Spite, specifically, work? We know the spirit of Justice became Vengeance by abomination, we knew Solas was Wisdom before he became Pride, so what was Spite before, and why wasn't that tied to Lucanis's own personal arc? (Doubly so if you romance him!)

Similarly, Harding was a delight, and her greenhouse was such a lovely little haven. I would have loved to see more explanation of the connection between plants and the titans, and how Harding's own personal struggles with rage connected to that of the titans. She has every reason to be angry and scared, and the game tells us she pushed that away—but we don't actually see her toxic positivity manifest to that degree, until she abruptly has an angry clone.

On the flip side, I loved the other five character quests, and I felt they had solid, poignant arcs that delivered. I also adored their interactions with the codex—if anything, I wanted to see more of that type of interaction on the screen. You have to fill in a lot of the character work for Rook yourself; Rook has all these interesting potential backgrounds, but I think starting the game playing through those, a la Origins, would have gone miles towards establishing more personal stakes up front and made for a stronger start.

So that's all my nitpicking. But let's talk about the bigger theme: It matters how you do it.

In the first Fade conversation with Solas, he gets so mad when Rook refuses to let him DARVO them about the consequences of his botched ritual. This makes way more sense when you understand he's literally imprisoned by his own regrets, and he needs Rook to have that same kind of regret in order to take his place. His entire arc is about rationalizing binary choices and shitty actions that hurt others in the name of a hypothetical greater good that he wants.

Solas can't engineer every binary choice Rook's forced into, but he uses Varric to maximize Rook's regret. He is trying to quite literally mold Rook into him, and the game is great at presenting this both as a coldblooded manipulation and a broken plea for validation—if you let it. You don't have to give Solas a moment of consideration; you don't have to take time to view his memories, or kill his demons, or listen to those scraps of Mythal still holding onto the good in him. You don't have to do any of it.

But you can. And in the end, it matters.

It matters because for every companion, you can encourage them to either be more nurturing/compassionate or destructive/closed off versions of themselves, and that is frequently tied to continuing or breaking from a cycle. (The exception is either Neve or, presumably, Lucanis, who are forced into the Hardened version depending on which city you save.) These aren't presented as morally opposing choices, just who you want them to be. You can see how the Grey Wardens fucked up bad with griffons and decide they have a better place. You can help Emmrich face his fear by finding deeper meaning in life instead of indefinitely postponing death. You can help them do things differently.

So when you get to the final choice in the game, you may have two options: physically force Solas into saving the Veil, or trick him into it. The kind of binary choice Solas has molded you into making by pelting you with cruelty and manipulation.

Or, if you've taken the time, you can get him to understand he's wrong. You bring out the people who saw the best in him and speak to what he's had to endure, even as you're showing him there's another way. You reach him not as Pride, but as Wisdom. And he goes willingly.

Ultimately, I think DA2 and Inquisition grappled with big questions of oppression and violence, faith and authority. It makes sense for those games to delve into harder, uglier subject matter, and ask you to make binary calls.

But my read of Veilguard is that, at its core, it's about how those decisions are meant to trap you in regret at best, and numb you to rationalizing cruelty at worst. It's why the companion who loses their home city becomes colder, more isolated, in response—more like Solas.

That's why it offers you a third way at the very end, but only if you've worked for it. A better way is possible, yet it has to be more than words. You have to understand where the pain comes from, what maintains and is being maintained by the current cycle. Then, and only then, can you break it.

I can't wait to play it again.

P.S. Utterly obsessed with the Trevisan fish merchant.

[tanoraqui]

Dungeon Meshi Liveblog: Let's Eat!

(That is, let's live, want, connect... oh, you know what I mean by now)

I like how Yaad and the other living villagers can casually talk with the ghosts, because for all intents and purposes they were also ghosts... In fact, those who stayed and spent centuries going through the patterns of life even though all true meaning had been lost long ago were MORE "ghosts" than those who lost their corporeal forms because they wanted to escape so badly that they went wandering... That's so fuckin' good. I wanna eat this writing.

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Kabru just randomly walking out of the bushes the second Laios starts considering politics...love him. He was summoned. His PR spidey senses were going off.

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look at my boy, establishing his own authority.

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Lol this was me when we moved house last month, and my job was to just stand in the new living room and tell people where to put which box or piece of furniture. It's an important job in a task with a lot of people!

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FUCK YEAH, THAT'S MY MAN! HE LOOKS GREAT!

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fucking love the trope of "one savvy friend in the crowd who deliberately gets a supportive chant going." Of course it's Kabru.

Though it's important to note that the first thing someone called was, "The demon-eater's here!", and there was muttering while no one was entirely sure if that was a good thing or not... Kabru didn't start the rumble of the crowd; the rumble of the crowd is unavoidable, and you have to be aware of that. Laios has always been aware of that, he's just never known what to do about it, and so tried to avoid it. But he's not avoiding it anymore - so Kabru started the hype of the crowd.

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They're both right! In order to eat, you need to kill! A memento of a meal IS a spoil of war!

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They're unhappy bros... /laughing

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Shown: man desperately reassuring himself, and psyching himself up to eat this stupid dragon meat

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DADCHUCK. Istg my father has said the same thing to me.

p.s. oh thank god he's fully dressed again. it was indecent.

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Marcille is so resigned to this, and so...determined to see it as her own choice. "We all agreed", "I've got to go" - and I'm sure she does see it as her own choice, in a way, because this is how the world has always worked and she knows that. She knew that going in. Those who do ancient magic are arrested by the Elves of the West, that's just the "natural" consequence. She might've gotten away with it if she'd gone undiscovered, or if she'd stayed in the dungeon forever, but she didn't - she chose to pursue her craft, to save Falin, and to do everything after that, too, and so she implicitly chose the consequence with it. If it's unfair, well, thinking that changes nothing, so it's better not to think it.

Until Laios is like, "Actually, I might have political power now? And I'm SO goddamn tired of myself and people I love being punished just for being different, and interested in unconventional things. Let's try something."

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WELL-FUCKING-PLAYED! GET THEIR ASSES, LAIOS! It's especially great because I'm pretty sure he knows the answers to all of this by now? Power move!

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Is she sitting there completely nude except for jewelry and a short robe. Icons only, honestly. Though "we have the luxury of time" feels like so much of a threat from an elf.

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Hey, you did objectively defeat him! Okay arguably the Lion did but Laios did it first, he just also then talked to him, and got grabbed by friendly vine-tentacles. You didn't kill him, but that's not what Delgal asked for anyway!

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thinking about that post that observed that Thistle's driving madness was specifically getting Delgal home for dinner, to eat all together as a family again, and he wakes up to the sound of the people of the Golden Kingdom eagerly inviting the (new) king to eat, and him responding...crying... What is lost is lost, but life will go on.

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The moment when a character decides to lie to another character for their own good is always so compelling. The little moral quandary microcosm.

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So Yaad did know something of what passed between Delgal and Thistle, that drove Thistle down the path to dark magic. He know what it was his grandfather blamed himself for.

This is SUCH A GOOD AND QUIET-SAD DEATH SCENE, but as a consummate fan of 'actually, living is much much harder than dying, and much more interesting too', I do like to think Thistle lives and has to...figure out what to do with his life. And that 'what to do with his life' ends up including ancient magic mad science with Marcille.

...But honestly, even though that'd be fun for me, it seems almost cruel to Thistle. He's been alive for so long. Those he loved most are gone. He held the demon back from the surface, trapped in those books, for so long, even if it was in no way whatsoever with the good of the world in mind. If anyone deserves this peaceful death in (what he thinks are) his brother's forgiving arms, it's him.

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Unfortunately, my love, as has been ceaselessly proven in this story: that's life.

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Marcille has caught onto one of the major themes! However, this story still isn't in favor of afternoon special Moral of the Story - not of letting the characters wrap things up with a bow, at least. You just go on living and wanting and learning about and connecting with and killing new things, forever! That's how it goes! You never know everything and you're always a little bit starving!

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I really love this grumpy old man, and I want him to stick around and be one of Laios's advisors. He's an old gnome, he'll die as soon as an average tallman would anyway.

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This is a) very touching coming from Mithrun, who is only just regaining his own will to live, and b) almost tautalogical in this story EXCEPT that it is also clear that merely "wanting" doesn't mean you get to continue to live, it only means that you're alive in this moment - you also need to want to live MORE than whatever's trying to kill you wants to live.

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GREAT VISUALS!

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And then it's so small, so small that she could leave it behind entirely but Falin is still so kind that she picks it up anyway! Falin who looks at everyone and everything - ghosts and brothers and mad mages and dead dragons, the latter of whom were both violently oppressing her soul - and thinkgs "I gotta help." She's so good!

I'm really going to need to write a like 2k post-canon character study about how Falin has part of the spirit of a dragon in her chest which unfurls while she travels abroad and curls up again and hides when she's home with Marcille and especially with Laios, and how it's a metaphor for her own independence but also literally there is the spirit of a dragon. At the end of it she figures out how to nurture and commune with the dragon enough to have her own flight-capable wings.

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THIS IS SO FUCKING COOL-LOOKING. AUTOPHAGIC SELF-CREATION FOR THE FUCKING WIN!!

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YYEEEAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!

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fuck it, have a collage, because this bitch-ass website is about to cut off my photos-per-post. It can't HANDLE the sheet joy of Falin resurrection reunion hugs!!

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so many people love her, or at least are really emotionally invested in this now!! /sobs

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Lmaoooo

Laios: wracked with food poisoning because he ate raw walking mushroom Falin: great distress! Marcille: trying very hard to help, also thinking sooo hard that He Is An Idiot. [btw I love how it looks like she takes up holding her hair back with a band] Kabru: having his weekly moment, as he has for the past many years and will continue to have until he dies, of wondering if he shouldn't really have just killed this guy rather than let him become king

Kabru definitely wrote this whole ending narration btw. This is his press release from like 40 years in the future. And those kids! An orc kid and a kobold kid, and zooming out to show kids of other races, all playing together and going to lunch together!!

And then they all lived, and hungered and ate and killed and wanted and sought understanding and connected with one another and were part of the great circle of life, as happily ever after as one can get.

This story truly was delicious...in dungeon!

[fuji-sen]

Is it possible for you to do a Xiao and female Dendro yaksha reader?

Reader was alive during the Archon War and originally served another God, a cruel abusive one who was killed during the war. Having no where to go, she simply traveled across Teyvat visiting different nations trying to find an quiet and isolated place to call home. She avoided humans due to unfortunate encounters with them in the past. (Mostly being mistreated and attacked by them)

During the Cataclysm, she had to fend for herself since she wasn't a part of any nation nor have any allies and she refused to serve another God. She was gravely injured forcing her to hide underground and fell into a deep slumber to start recovering.

Now to the current time, an unusual amount of flora has been growing around certain areas in Wuwang Hill. Xiao is sent to investigate with the Traveler (and Paimon). They find a hidden tunnel that leads to underground with massive amounts of flora growing inside.

From there they find a large beautiful closed flower bud with something hidden inside. Without hesitation, Xiao slices it open and they instantly spot our sleeping Dendro Yaksha, who slowly awakens due the process of recovery being interrupted.

Her first meeting with Xiao is silent as they just observed each other but then gets triggered into a violent reaction after seeing the Traveler.

As for how this meeting ends is up to you. I'm sorry if this is too long and complicated.😅 I wanted to give a bit of backstory about reader 😣 I got the first meeting idea after watching How to Train Your Dragon; Hidden World, with Toothless and the Light Fury.

Journey of a Yaksha; Queen of the Night!

Queen of the Night! Is a flower that blooms once a year!

[ prev. part ] [ masterlist ] [ next part ]

dividers by @enchanthings

content warning: they/them traveler (I won't be using lumine or aether specifically, you can imagine who between the two you want to be part of the story), Female reader, post war trauma in the last part.

timeline is before Sumeru update/or middle of Sumeru before the conclusion in regards to Eleazar! anything else is just random like banners.

Reader is a yaksha, meaning she is also an adepti/adeptus. (I just learned it today, apparently yakshas are under the umbrella term of Adepti or smth), more on it at the bottom of the page! ( ^ ^ ) <3

˚˖𓍢ִ໋🍃✧˚.💚⋆

"Finally another quest" the traveler muttered to themselves after looking at their wallets, noticing the sad reality that they were broke! 'Just when Albedo's banner is coming back' putting their wallet back in their inventory, the golden haired traveler turned to paimon and, surprise surprise! Xiao! Resident Yaksha of Wangshu inn!

"It's been awhile since we went on a mission together." They offered to the silent golden haired man. "It has." he nodded in response as Paimon commented, "Xiao is still the same as ever." she wondered if it would kill the demon slayer to talk for more than 5 words!

"To be honest I thought we wouldn't see each other about a quest." The traveler sighed.

In actuality, the traveler had received a mission to investigate the source of minor tremors and sometimes earthquakes that seemed to have been caused from somewhere in Wuwang hills. On their way their, crossing Wangshu Inn they bumped into Xiao who was also heading there.

It didn't take long for the group to realize that Aether's quest concerned Xiao's who had gotten reports about strange adepti energy coming from Wuwang hills, it was at the request of Sky Retainer that he checked it out as the others were busy with the preparations of the upcoming Lantern Rite festival.

"If it's just adepti energy, it's probably one of the other adeptus like that Moon craver!" Paimon floated between the two duo.

Xiao sighed, correcting her "Moon Carver."

"Right, right, Moon Carver."

The young looking adeptus then explained "Adepti energy has a certain signature to it." "Then I'm guessing since you were sent to investigate it, it wasn't a familiar signature?" The traveler asked as he nodded in response.

"Do you think it's an enemy? or maybe one of your old friends. . Like Bosacius."

He shook his head, "Although before we weren't sure about Bosacius, but I'm sure about the others." considering he buried their bodies, Bosacius was the only one who was MIA, no body found in every surface of the region, it was a shock when he found out his friend had died underground.

The traveler and their emergency food remained silent, a thick and awkward tension surrounding them for the majority of their travels to Wuwang hills.

˚˖𓍢ִ໋🍃✧˚.💚⋆

If it was even possible, Wuwang Hill seemed more eerie than the last time they had came to the area. The mist was thicker than usual, and the golden light from the lanterns seemed to only add to the off atmosphere.

Something was different however, it was how the ground seemed dried and lacking of nutrients, as if it had been leeched off. "This reminds me of something. . but what?" The traveler frowned as they looked around.

They crouched down by some plants, staring long and hard, they gasped as they began to wither.

"Look out!" Paimon yelled as the traveler turned to find a rifthound ready to strike them!

"Hmph!" Xiao was quick enough exterminate the beast with his elemental skill. "Thanks Xiao!" the traveler gratefully said as they gave him a thumbs up.

"What are rifthounds doing in Liyue? They're usually at Inazuma or near Wolvendom. ." Paimon frowned, a hand stroking her chin.

"No, not just there, we can find them in sumeru too. . near withering zones." The traveler equipped their weapon, a serious expression on their face as Xiao asked them to explain.

"it's a type of illness in Sumeru, it basically kills off the plants and the area, sometimes, it affects people too in the form of a disease." The blond explained, Paimon gasped "that's right! Eleazar disease! This is pretty bad, what is a withering zone doing all the way out here in Liyue??"

Activating their elemental sights, the traveler looked around, "it's probably related with the earthquakes around here. . not sure if it has something to do with an Adepti though."

"It'll have to wait, how do we dispel withering zones?" Xiao's polearm had a dangerous glint to it, which matched his sharp eyes. "We'll have to find the withering branches and destroy them with dendrograna but. ."

there were none, at least, none based on their elemental sight.

"I can see a trace though, lets follow it."

Following the trace of elements, withering and dendro, as well as apparently it had the trace of adepti energy according to Xiao. . they found themselves at the entrance of a cave that was situated at the side of Wuwang Hill, "this wasn't here before." the traveler frowned, they were dead sure of it considering they spent a lot of time around liyue to get all the primogems they could.

"It looks natural, maybe it opened up due to the earthquakes." Xiao said, placing a hand on the rocky surface. The entrance of the cave looked like it was formed due to an earthquake, it was shaped like a crack and was big enough for people to pass through thankfully.

"Lets go."

The entrance was empty, there were a few bugs and shrubs but as they got deeper and deeper,, more underground, the path became filled with flowers and fauna. It was lit up with glowing plants that seemed the same like the ones you found in the forest near the Kamisato Estate back in Inazuma, vines and moss covered the walls and ground, hanging flowers bloomed above them.

It was a beautiful sight, one that made them relax and let their guards down as they continued their exploration.

They could hear the sound of running water, an underwater river or water source perhaps?

Their questions were answered as they found the other end of the path, it led to a large cavern, there was a hole above letting the moonlight and water from a river pour in.

Beneath the hole was a small patch of land surrounded by water, there a large white bud sat at the center.

"This looks like a scene from a fairytale! or at least, something you'd seen in the Aranara village" paimon commented which the traveler couldn't help but agree.

Numerous crystalflies and butterflies flew about, leaving when they got close to them. Circling around the cavern they find no trace of a person being here, so they turned their attention to the ginormous flower bud.

"You think this could be causing all the tremors?" The traveler turned to Xiao who was silently observing the plant. "But it's a plant- I thought they were the ones stopping earthquakes and landslides?" Paimon frowned at their travelling partner, "Well, unless it's a evil magic plant!" they argued defensively.

"It doesn't even look like a regisvine!"

The duo began to argue as Xiao began to walk towards the bud, it did not bother him when the water seeped into his shoes, or even if it was cold.

Something felt familiar about the flower, the energy it exuded. . yes, it was adeptal energy. But something tainted it, something sinister, something rotten.

As he approached it, various vines grew at the bottom of the white bud, it swirled threateningly at him making him stop in his place.

He could hear the traveler unsheathe their weapon, Xiao frowned. "Let me handle this."

The traveler hesitated but they relaxed their posture "fine, but I'll attack it if it attacks you."

"I can handle myself perfectly fine."

Golden eyes careful observed the bud at a much closer angle, from afar it looked beautiful, but being near it, he could see the tips of the petals were wilting an ugly black color, then it faded to brown, then white and green when it neared the stem of the bud.

"It's dying." he stated as he approached, one hand began to glow with power as he began to harness his adeptal energy. "I'll try to give it some energy." he told the others.

"What? what if saving that flower is a bad thing?"

"Then we'll kill it."

'That's easier said than done!' Paimon and the outlander thought! Of course Xiao wouldn't be too worried, he's very strong, but they'd rather avoid any more uneccessary battles!

The vines swooped down, entangling one of xiao's wrist and pulling him close to the bud sensing the delicious energy he harnessed. Which made his job easier as he began feeding energy into the flower.

He watched as the erosion seemed to disappear as the flower became much more lush and vibrant. Soon the petals began to open, blooming under the full moon. The vines of the bud let him go, as if satisfied with the energy he had given it.

Stepping back he watched as the flower bloomed into its full glory, a light coming from its center.

"Oh my god!" Paimon screamed in fear as a hand popped out of the center, it nearly gave her a heart attack! It was almost like a scene from a horror play without any blood!

Then another arm popped up, stretched as it tried grabbing the petals for support, nearly tearing them off from the flower. Xiao approached, he didn't know why he began to act careless and without much thought, but he found himself grabbing the hands gently and pulling the person or whoever it was up.

Sharp golden eyes meet with sleepy [ eye color ] eyes, which quickly widened in shock. The person with [ color ] hair took back their hands, jumping back in a cautious manner resembling that of a wary stray cat.

Her stance was tensed, cautious and untrusting as her eyes became clear, finally fully awake as she observed the man before her, an adeptus no doubt, she could feel the energy in his body, similar to that of her own.

˚˖𓍢ִ໋🍃✧˚.💚⋆

You felt tired, sleepy as you woke up from a long sleep, the first thing you saw upon waking up was the brilliant moon that shone down up you, bathing you in its gentle light. Your stretched your arms up high, hands grabbing at the moon as you relaxed, you were relieved to find your body no longer rotting, turning stiff from the withering.

Still you could feel it in your body, you were still sick.

So quickly you tried to get up, trying to use the petals as leverage but alas the petals were to delicate, they began to tear as you tried to hoist yourself up.

You froze as a pair of hands grabbed your own, easily pulling you up. Then there it was, the first person you saw upon waking up.

A man with a mop of dark hair and small patches of teal that reminds you of a particular grass you had once slept in during your travels, golden eyes that swirled like nectar and honey stared back into your own, with pupils like that of an avian.

You instantly jumped back, feeling goosebumps from his touch.

An adeptus was in front of you, but who were they serving? Was it a rogue one? or one loyal to Morax? His energy was as strong as yours, albeit more refined.

"Who" you coughed, feeling your throat dry as the desert, still you persisted, raising your guard up around the man "who are you?"

You two observed each other, one pair of eyes filled with distrust, the other filled with awe and shock.

He observed you, your hair long and untamed due to the long sleep, the smell of flowers radiating off you and the specks of pollen that clung to your skin.

Another adeptus, a Yaksha no doubt as well.

He was speechless beyond words, all he could do was stare as he began to process this shocking revelation. There was another Yaksha, he wasn't entirely alone.

"Who are you?" you asked again before going into a horrible case of the coughs, you crouched down, hand covering your mouth as he stepped closer, your eyes glared at him, warning him not to approach so he raised his hands, showing he was unarmed before going to grab his water jug that was attached to him and threw it to you.

You caught it with ease, opening it before taking a tentative sniff. Deciding it was safe you began to drink. The ache in your throat disappeared as you felt your lips no longer dry or crack with a slight lick from your lips.

"Thank you.." you hesitantly said.

Standing up again you tilted your head at the man who was still speechless, then you heard a crack, a branch had been broken, being stepped on by another person. It wasn't just the two of you.

You turned to the source of the sound, finding not only a flying fairy, but also a blond haired weapon wielding person. The metal weapon was the only thing you could focus on, and suddenly it felt like you were back in the war. Your breath hitched.

Sensing your worries, your apprehension, and the fact that you had been set off, Xiao made the mistake of trying to approach you, to calm you down, immediately you equipped your weapon.

Fuck.

˚˖𓍢ִ໋🍃✧˚.💚⋆

Xiao and the traveler, along with paimon, were huddled up around a fire as they began healing eating some sweet madames. Having been set off, you violently attacked them before making your escape.

It was Xiao who suggested not to follow you quickly less they make you even more enraged or afraid of them. The moon had long since passed the hole, it was no longer at its full height so the cavern was dark except for the few crystalflies and fireflies that stuck around as well as their small campfire.

"She was so strong!" Paimon gushed, ignoring the traveler who gave her a stink eye. "So she's an adeptus huh?" the traveler sighed, turning to Xiao who nodded. "A yaksha too?"

"It seems so. I should inform the others about this, but someone should track her down..."

Reading Xiao's inner plights the traveler sighed before offering "I can tell the other adepti about her and you can track her down, I'm pretty sure you're excited about the possibility of another Yaksha friend right?"

"Thank you."

˚˖𓍢ִ໋🍃✧˚.💚⋆˚˖𓍢ִ໋🍃✧˚.💚⋆˚˖𓍢ִ໋🍃✧˚.💚⋆˚˖𓍢ִ໋🍃✧˚.💚⋆

It is in Mondstadt did you learn that you can also fight for something other than Power, you can do so to obtain freedom, to protect others.

It is in Inazuma did you learn that there are things you can learn outside of war, that even learning what a friend likes or dislikes was just as important as learning how to defend yourself.

It was in Sumeru where you were able to remember the beauty of nature and life, how it makes you want to protect in from war and illness.

It was in Liyue where your life started. it was in the nation of contracts were you were enslaved, it was the nation of geo where you made the important choice to heal.

but what about now? What will you learn now upon returning to Liyue who had faced numerous changes? What will the people here teach you next?

I didn't know how to smoothly transition this into you and Xiao meeting again and becoming friends, so there will be another chapter!

full blooded adepti are able to shift into a human form like Madame Ping and apparently Xiao, I haven't decided if Reader is a full blooded one, if ever, what do you think would be her animal/beast form?

a reader from the previous part commented about her/reader being a fawn and I absolutely adored that idea!

[agalychnisspranneusroseus]

Maybe a bit of a weird question, but which of the "duo becomes a trio" version do you prefer the most with sashannarcy?

Not a dumb question at all! I've actually been thinking about this ask a lot because I can't come up with a conclusive answer. I think all three possibilities are interesting, each bringing something different to the table.

Marcanne + Sasha puts Sasha in the uncomfortable initial position of being the third wheel for the first time in her life, kinda like in The Dinner, and I just know it would either drive her up the walls (if this is like... pre-redemption) or she'd be the biggest most supportive bestie who 100% wants her girls to be happy (post-redemption) even if the denial is killing her. Think... her behavior during Commander Anne, gritting her teeth and smiling and insisting on Anne being in charge. That's her here. It drives Anne and Marcy crazy when she makes excuses to not hang out because she doesn't want to get in the way, it's like they need to trick her by having one join the two later on in the outing, and even when she's having one-on-one quality time with one of them, she can't stop talking about their love life, as if saying, wouldn't you rather be with your girlfriend right now? Because I can leave. I can drive you to where she is and leave. I can pay for your dates even. And they're sick of it because they don't know how to let her know they're in love with her and want to date her too. She barely lets them get a word in, as if she's already made the decision for all three of them.

Bonus angst points if they think she's straight because they only ever saw her date boys and, you know, they don't want to gang up on their straight friend. Meanwhile Sasha never came out to them because she didn't want it to read as a romantic advance (-> a possibility that only exists in her head) and now it's too late because, well, obviously, they will think she's trying to get into their relationship or something. These three idiots, I tell you.

A younger Sasha would be a menace, though. Oh it would make her so mad. Biggest marcanne anti. She loves them too much to physically hurt them but she's get incredibly aggressive and keeps trying to exert control over them. Marcy reacts much more meekly than Anne, assuming Sasha just needs to be reassured she's not being left out, but Anne gets murderous like... she's had enough of Sasha's weird obsessions with power and control, and now she's trying to tell her fucking girlfriend what to do? She's always been protective of Marcy, and even if Marcy doesn't like it, it feels like she has to fight off a dragon for her with Sasha acting like this all of a sudden.

Angsty either way :D

Sashanne + Marcy is equally angsty for entirely different reasons. Marcy is a lot more passive, like, unless fffffucking Andrias outs her for shits and giggles during True Colors or something, I can see her keeping her feelings secret for years and years and years. She's just so happy to see Anne and Sasha getting along so well and being the best versions of themselves! Amphibia changed them for good. Her, though? She came back broken. She doesn't feel like a better version of herself, she just feels worthless. But it's fine! It's fine. Her friends still want her around, for some reason, even though she's so far away and they're dating and surely, they wouldn't want to spend every sleepover they have on videocall with her, right? Oh, silly Marcy, of course, they probably just have a lot of sleepovers they don't tell her about. Why should they, anyway? They're girlfriends. Marcy is... the old childhood friend who left years ago.

It IS a lot like her favorite mangas, though... her two childhood friends, turned hot (by highschool standards) popular girls... taking a liking to her? Nerdy little Marcy? She already lived through one anime plot and she barely made it out alive, she doesn't expect this to go anything like her fantasies. She knows better now. She'll just... love them from afar. They don't need to know.

Little did she know that Anne and Sasha spent one solid 1/3 of their time together looking at photos of Marcy and gushing over how cute she is. Admitedly, it took them a lot to admit to each other that they liked her. Like, surely that's practically cheating, right? It actually comes up after one of Marcy's visits to LA, in which she stayed in Anne's room for about a week, which pretty much meant a week-long sleepover to which Sasha invited herself to immediately.

It was a bit awkward. At first, Marcy found it cute that they didn't sleep together for her sake. They probably didn't want to make her uncomfortable. They were very thoughtful, but not enough to realize putting her in the middle only made it worse. The worst part is that all the cuddling was accidental, like, they were all pretty much turning their backs to each other when they went to sleep! Waking up all tangled up wasn't anyone's intention. Cue Anne awkwardly asking Sasha, as soon as Marcy is out of earshot, if it made her jealous that she's been spooning Marcy for the past few days, and if they should change their sleeping arrangements. Sasha is jealous but not for the reason Anne thinks.

Everything boils over... pretty much as soon as Marcy walks through the gates of the airport. They both feel like they're going to cause the end of their relationship right there and then but they just need to be honest with each other, and they're uttely delighted to learn they both feel the same way. That night, while on videocall with Marcy, cuddling together while seeing her get ready for bed in her cute little pajamas as she rambles about anime and whatnot, they fully admit to themselves how much they love her. It's an experience. Little whispers of "look at her!" and "she's so cute!" are shared.

They can't wait to have her back in their arms.

Sasharcy + Anne is an interesting case because I consider Anne a very good influence on the other two, and depending on the moment of their lives, they could be very very unhealthy and they may handle things terribly. Marcy would never think to speak a word of her feelings for Anne, and Sasha would overcompensate by being wayyy too possesive of Marcy. Like, she never had to manipulate or threated Marcy before, because she always went along with whatever she said, unlike Anne who tended to be more reluctant. Now though? There's no reason to boss Marcy around, but... but... no one can accuse her of being tempted to cheat if she accuses Anne of trying to steal her girl! Right? No one can accuse her of wanting to cheat if she accuses Marcy of wanting to cheat whenever she hangs out with Anne! She's looking deranged right here. Marcy freaks out when Sasha implies that, because she thinks she didn't hide her feelings well, she thinks Sasha saw right through her. Really, Sasha isn't seeing shit, she's just projecting. Anne, for her part, is incredibly turned off by these obsessive displays of possessiveness, like, jeez, if she ever thought she liked Sasha, this is making her change her mind. She's crazy. Dodged a bullet with this one. She still loves her but she's not even thinking about a relationship with this maniac atm. She does feel bad for Marcy - she loves her, and she doesn't want to get in between her and Sasha, but... but... this is her best friend. She doesn't want to see her like this. She ends up practically fighting Sasha over her, which makes Sasha's insecurity and Marcy's anxiety skyrocket. Oh no dear God, this is terrible, someone please stop them, they're eating each other alive.

If they're a bit older and healthier, the situation would be much different. I feel like Sasha and Marcy would understand each other in a way Anne might struggle a bit more to get, so they may actually confess their feelings relatively early, but they would also feel like they put Anne through soooo much already, that she doesn't deserve both her best friends lusting after her too. There's only so much Anne can put up with. Plus, they don't want to ruin things and lose her. They're happy together and they're happy to have Anne as their friend. It's okay. Even if they tease each other a lot whenever any of them has any one-on-one quality time with Anne. They like making each other flustered by bringing her up.

Anne starts to notice them acting weird around them, but whenever she asks if they're okay, they insists everything is fine, so she lets them be. She's relatively well-adjusted here, accepting her feelings while not acting on them because she doesn't want to get between them, but a lot of it is also just denial, y'know, it's no big deal. Okay, so she's in love with her two best friends, who are dating each other. But that's okay. They're happy. They're healthy. They're doing great. Both parties are in heavy denial and going nowhere. It's a mess.

Btw there's this wonderful fic by @glacecakes with a hanahaki disease premise about these three in this specific configuration, I highly recommend it!

Anyway yeah I don't know if I can pick one. The three possibilities are super interesting and they all lend themselves to different forms of angst and fluff and everything in between. If I HAD to choose... maybe Marcy joining sashanne? The idea of Sasha and Anne gushing over Marcy together is so endearing to me. But I love all three options. I need to find more fics with these general premises, damn.

[laswells-ashtray]

Your writings are so good that I’m entrusting you with this simple prompt: Dragon Hybrid Price and (Any Hybrid) Nikolai.

Do what you will dear wizard writer.

For the sheer sake of you never implied how silly I could get with this, I'm sillying it up:

Bear hybrid Nikolai [because it's too fucking good] and dragon hybrid Price standing about one day, the two sergeants and the lieutenant are training together while the older two men watch. They're on someone else's base, a hybrid-less base but they're making do with what the have.

John's leaning back against the wall, wings pressed up against the brick in a way that has to be uncomfortable or at least that's what everyone assumes. He's rubbing at the base of one of his horns as if trying to soothe a headache and he looks quite frankly exhausted when another Captain appraoches.

John decides that in comparison to this man, he looks like Marilyn fucking Monroe.

"Captain Givens, you look about as good as I feel." John is at least trying to keep a good relationship with the other team even if they have a habit of pissing off each of them.

"Too fuckin' right. Just got off the phone with the Missus and had to help her convince my little boy not to shove his Batman figure up his nose. It's exhausting." The man complains, running a hand over his face tiredly.

John makes a sympathetic noise but doesn't hide his amused look. "Oh, I'm all too familiar with that feeling." The other day he'd had to convince a group of rookies that Soap is indeed a liar and that oil paint is in fact not edible just because it has oil in the name.

"You have kids?"

"Yes." John should've been smarter than to think that Nikolai's silence was a good thing, he doesn't get a chance to correct the bear hybrid before the other Captain asks:

"How many?"

"Three." Nikolai tells him while watching the boys train in the distance.

For a brief moment, John wants to tug on one of his fluffy ears and tell him to quit it. On the other hand, fuck it, why not?

"Yeah, three over there are mine. Different mums but I was a bit of a tart back in the day." He's reliant on the fact the human knows nothing about hybrids, specifically dragon hybrids for it to work. It's no secret that dragon hybrids can live a lot longer than the average human if they're careful about it but to those types of hybrids, John is still a toddler, horns still in one piece with wings that are still vibrant and healthy.

He can see the amusement in Nik's big brown eyes, he likes it when John sinks down to his level of teasing humans. The only one exempt was Kate, they respected her too much and she wasn't an idiot, she'd never believe half of the stupid shit they've all told people throughout the years. Besides, Kate is family. She has five hybrids protecting her back and the average CIA agent is still more scared of her.

"Riley, MacTavish and Garrick? They're yours?" The human asks in disbelief. Simon was going to kill him for this later, Kyle and Johnny would inevitably laugh themselves hoarse.

"Aye. Didn't find out about Riley until he was a teenager and his Mum got in contact. Looks fuck all like me but he's certainly mine. Lad certainly wasn't a chipper wee thing but I managed to win him over, SAS was his choice, I just put him on the task force because I owed it to his Mum to keep an eye out." He's talking out of his arse now and he knows it but the captain seems to be hanging on his every word. Nikolai is making the conscious decision to look away from him but he can see the faint shaking of the bastard's shoulders, he's laughing.

"MacTavish was from an eventful night up in Glasgow one evening, we didn't know if he was mine or Nik's until we saw the little blighter's eyes."

Good on Nik for how quickly he sorts himself, turning around and nodding approvingly. "Ah, but young MacTavish has always favoured me. Would've been a good bear cub, very grizzly."

The captain looks over to the three men training with wide eyes, tilting his head as he stares at them all, surveying them before he looks back to John.

"And Garrick is yours too?"

Kyle had been ripping on him for being old earlier so maybe he plays it up just that little bit more.

He nods, looking over at Gaz with the most proud look he can muster, it's real but he can pretend it isn't just for the bit. "He was an angel when he was a tot, good sleeper and learned to talk quick. Was always a little grumpy that he didn't have horns too but he got over it eventually. Got him a blanket with a dragon on it when he was two and he didn't get rid of the thing until he was fifteen. Big Mumma's boy though, spitting image of his mother and more than proud of it."

It almost saddens him that the interaction ends when a sergeant whose name he can't remember calls over the captain about something but the sound of Nik's deep, gruff laughter is anything to soothe his short-lived annoyance.

Truthfully, he forgets about the entire interaction within a few hours until Soap barges into his temporary room on the base with a positively gleeful look.

"Price, I don't know what the fuck you did but Gaz is due to kick yer heed in."

"Excuse me?"

"Givens won't stop asking him about his dragon blankie."

Shit.

"And what's this about you and Nik playing who's the daddy when I was born?"

Shit.