#i keep thinking about how AM turns into a burning bush

[ziptie-bouquet]

Rain World has a big I Have No Mouth And I Must Scream feel to it. You can't die. There is a supercomputer capable of sentience who is trapped inside its own metal body. He was built to think about issues too complex for the ones who made him. He is unable to change his core programming. He can't die either. His purpose is meaningless after the death of his creators. He has a halo and calls himself a God. He produces rain that kills everything it touches. He is angry at his creators to the point of driving himself mad. I do think it's very interesting how ultimately Five Pebbles IS in Ted's situation. He is stuck in a can completely isolated, he can't talk with anyone because his communication system has been cut. He is left to think, trapped in his own body and unable to interact with the outside world. He can only see it through his overseers.

[darkficsyouneveraskedfor]

Just Friends: Isn't It Fun?

My warnings are not exhaustive but be aware this is a dark fic and may include potentially triggering topics. Please use your common sense when consuming content. I am not responsible for your decisions.

Character: Bucky Barnes

masterlist

Summary: You make a new friend.

It’s giving

As usual, I would appreciate any and all feedback. I’m happy to once more go on this adventure with all of you! Thank you in advance for your comments and for reblogging ❤️

You hum as you come up the walk of your building. It isn’t in the best location. In the dark, it’s scarier as a shadow overhangs the door beneath the awning. You reach into your knapsack, hanging from one shoulder, as you eke out the tune to Easy Street offkey.  

As your keys jingle, a shape pops out of the bushes and you scream, throwing the keyring as you turn to sprint back down the pavement. You’re caught from behind as a familiar chuckle rolls up into the moonlit sky. You grunt and elbow Bucky as you realise the trick he’s pulled. 

“Ah, why would you do that?” You wriggle until he lets you go. 

You face him and try to snarl but you’re so relieved it’s just him, you can’t help but smile. 

“Just having some fun. At your expense,” he chuckles and bends to pick up the keys. “Can I give you some advice, dreamy?” He raises your keys and holds them so one points between his fingers. “Keep your keys out, hold em like this and if some creep jumps out of the bushes, stab em good.” 

“Stab-- Buck,” you shake your head. “I can’t do that.” 

“You can if it’s life or death,” he swings the keys around to hang from his thick fingers, “here.” 

“What-- what are you even doing here?” 

“Huh. You didn’t let me ask my question first,” he huffs as he stands back and waves you past. “Why didn’t you tell me you were working late?” 

“Well, firstly, you got lots going on,” you say. “And I didn’t think of it. I’m fine.” 

“Fine, I could be a real bad guy waiting for you out here in the dark,” he taunts. 

“But you’re not. So now my turn, why are you here?” 

“Well, I was wandering by on my way to see a Buster Keaton marathon and thought maybe you’d be up for it...” 

“Tonight? Right now?” 

“I see,” he grabs the door as you opens it and holds it, “you’re too busy. Or maybe you’re too good for me.” 

You enter and he follows. It’s that familiarity that you just sort of fell into with him. He’s like a wise big brother, even if he really is older than your grandpa. It’s the most unexpected bonds that are the strongest. 

“No, not at all, Mr. Hero,” you climb the stairs as he stays a step behind, his hand on the railing right by yours. 

“Ugh, why doesn’t this place have an elevator?” He whines. 

“I thought the serum would give you extra strong legs,” you toss over your shoulder. 

“Whatever.” He clucks, “so how about it? You wanna fall asleep in the theatre with me, dreamy?” 

“Dream-- why do you call me that?” You head down towards your door. 

“You got your head in the clouds. Also, when you watch movies, you get this look in your eyes, like you’re living on screen. Dreamy. See.” He explains. 

“Mm,” you grumble. 

“You don’t like it? I put up with Buckaroo.” 

“That was once and it was a slip-up,” you unlock your door. “Fine, I’ll go with you since you don’t have any other friends.” 

“I have friends.” 

“Sure you do,” you snort and turn to give him a playful wink. You put your keys and bag down on the tall table. “You and Cap, the superfriends. Heroes and buddies til the end—whoa!” 

You hit the shoe rack and stumble, landing on your ass. Bucky is quick enough to save you but he doesn’t. He watches smugly and cackles as your cheeks burn up. 

“Not funny,” you pout. 

“Oh, it is very funny,” he approaches and offers his hand. “How’s that humble pie taste?” 

“Fine. I was being a meanie. I admit it but you got my adrenaline up. I can’t help it.” 

“Ha, yeah, that was good. You shoulda seen the look on your face. And that noise you made.” He hauls you up as his vibranium thumb rubs between your knuckles. “Ayeeeee!” 

“I don’t sound like that.” 

“You do.” He grins. You scowl and he laughs again. “You know I love that face. The day you actually get mad at me, I’ll be down on my knees, dreamy.” 

“Ugh, you are such a...” you let the sentence trail off and the dimple stays in in his cheek as he crosses his arms. 

“I’m a what?” 

“Nothing.” 

“No, say it,” he goads. 

“No.” 

“Come on, I can handle it. You know, I got hit by a truck the other day, I think I can take a few words.” 

“Hit by a truck? Bucky?” You squeal. “Are you okay?” 

“Ah, look at me. I’m fine. Not a scratch. That you can see,” he shrugs. “So what am I? Tell me.” 

“No,” you turn your nose up. 

“Say it. You’ll feel better.” 

“It’s... not nice.” 

“Come on,” he unfolds his arms and flutters his fingers at you, “I am trained in torture.” 

“No,” you grab his hands, his skin rough, “no tickles.” 

“So, tell me.” 

“Not fair,” you struggle to keep his hands away from your sides. 

“Almost...” he wiggles his fingertips a half-inch from your middle. 

“Brat! You’re a brat!” You step back, out of his reach. “Okay, and if you keep being one, you can go to the movies alone.” 

He laughs and grips his hips in victory, “wow, you know, I’ve actually never got that one. Creative.” 

“Right, well, I can’t sit in the theatre in this get-up,” you look down at your frilly plaid overall dress and white blouse.  

“I didn’t get to mention that yet. It’s a choice, as the young ones say.” 

You cringe, “it’s my work uniform.” 

“Uniform?” He squints. 

“Don’t, okay? I get enough guff from the customers.” 

“Guff? Oh, that’s language I understand.” 

“Ergh,” you stomp your foot. “You are so... so... old.” 

You turn and march away. He laughs and you turn into your bedroom. He just loves to tease you and despite your efforts, he always gets to you. At least he’ll have to be quiet during the movie. 

[docholligay]

How did you get bit by a rattlesnake??? I want the story!!

It was a hot, sunny day up in Helena, Montana, and my girlfriend at the time--a cattle ranch kid with Young Leo good looks and a bad attitude that was only surpassed by my own--decided that we should go for a hike up in the nearby gulch. We called a couple of friends, packed some sandwiches and beers, and went on our way.

The hike itself was mostly a nondescript affair, in that I'd done it dozens of times. Just off of a bunch old digging sites from the gold days, down into some trees and then up along a rock ridge.

The ridge would be the problem, here.

I'm a decent person to hike with, a lot of the time, because I'm great at keeping bears away. I like to talk, and my voice carries, and I am in good enough shape that it takes something to wind me. So we're cresting the ridge, where we're going to sit and drink a beer, so I'm looking forward to it--a fair criticism of my hiking style is that I don't like to sit and look, I want to achieve the objective--and I'm talking along about some irrelevant bullshit, as I am wont to do.

Which means I don't hear the rattle. I hear my girlfriend.

"Doc! Don't move!"

Which I immediately disobey by whirling around to face her. At my ankle is a huge fucking rattlesnake. Before anything else can happen, it lashes out and digs both fangs into my calf, then dashes off into the grass.

Now, there's a certain calm in the worst that can happen just having happened. What the fuck else was going to happen, a grizzly come screaming out of the bushes? unlikely.

We're about four miles in, so the decision is made that because we're about an hour or more drive from the hospital, we had best try to keep me immobile. So between my girlfriend and her friend, they take turns packing me out of there like a goddamn mule.

Every few minutes, she's asking me, "You okay?"

"Minus the giant puncture in my calf, I feel fine"

About 2 hours later, we get our way to the truck, a 1980s Silverado with a grey side strip and flaking paint, and an hour after that, we get to the hospital. Now, having sat in the car for an hour gives people plenty of time to stop being tired, and start being worried, and my girlfriend has taken full advantage of this opportunity. There's no point in giving everyone an earful while you're all doing whatever it is you can--at least if all four of you are Montana kids, which we are--but the second we get the truck parked, she throws me onto her back and runs into the emergency room.

I can only imagine what it must have looked like from the inside of that waiting room, some butch dyke in a rolled-sleeve western shirt piggybacking a twin braided redhead with burnt shoulders and short shorts, like some kinda goddamned redneck rodeo.

And she comes in yelling, "My girlfriend's been snakebit!"

Well, after some conversation with the doctor and more than a little snickering from the nurses, I get asked if I'm doing okay. I tell the doctor same as I told her: Other than a pretty annoying puncture wound I feel fine.

Burning? No.

Tingling? No.

Any kind of blurred vision? Not at all.

So, come to find out, rattlesnakes aren't quite as stupid as you think, and half the time when they bite humans they don't envenomate, because they know they can't eat it. They don't tell you this, because they want you to come to the damn emergency room.

I walked out of there with a fancy-looking bandaid.

[crazycurly-77]

Hey, Ms. Secret Service! - Chapter 1 

Working at the NCIS as a pilot you met a bunch of strange and slightly crazy people. 

Tim was unfortunately shy, but so cute! Since he was the probie in Team Gibbs he was pranked by his teammates Tony and Kate very often. 

Tony was very good looking and a womanizer, but in all honesty, he didn't get as many women as the teamleader Gibbs.

That one was a silver fox, which talks rarely, but had a quick mind and very fascinating ice blue eyes. 

A woman was a member of the team, too. Her name was Kate and she always seemed to have to prove herself. At every opportunity she tells the people that she was approved yankee white and was handpicked to protect the president in the secret service. Oh, man. 

She could be nice, if she wanted. But most of the time she bickered with Tony and was a little bit arrogant, as if she was the best of the best. To that you only rolled with your eyes. 

Yes, she protected the president, but the others were really good, too. 

And you? You were just a trained pilot who flew several missions since you completed your pilot training. Your duty was to fly the people in a dangerous place or to fly them out of there. Okay, you had just done that multiple times, but that's your job. No need to get pretentious. 

In this point you were like Gibbs. Nothing goes without coffee and you had completed numerous commitments, but you didn't spoke of them. 

So you continue to observe the team, roll occasionally with your eyes and think your part. 

One day Kate was particularly bitchy. And she was once again going on about “I was handpicked to protect the president” and looked at you as if you were a bug under her shoes. 

Gibbs seemed to like her, so you tried to keep your calm. But every person has a point of no return and explodes. 

So you just looked up at her and said coolly “that's nice. But I don't want to be yankee white. I'm only here to fly your asses out of dangerous situations and that's enough for me.”

“You are very self-confident yourself!” she immediately argued. To that you narrowed your eyes and answered “yes. Yes I am self-confident. Because if I am not self-confident up there, I am dead. And with me my possible passengers.”

With that you sipped from your coffee, turned and walked back to your desk. Leaving Kate standing behind you and gaping at you like a fish. Nobody said a word and there was a lot of tension in the air. 

Gibbs stood slowly at his desk and looked at you both “any problems?” You both answered “no” shaking your heads, so he said ��good” and sat back in his chair again.

An hour later you packed your things. Seeing that, Tim asked “Y/N, where are you going?”

“Flight Training. Today with an airplane, because the helicopter needs to be repaired. You wanna come with me?” you answered. 

He considered “yeah, I would very much like to go and watch.”

Turning to Gibbs he asked “Boss?” 

Gibbs looked up considering the question and said “good idea, McGee. Since we have no case to solve at the moment, we are all going to watch. Tim, get the truck. Y/N, you with me. Let's go.”

With that he threw the keys to Tim, got his own keys, gun and badge and walked towards the elevator with everyone running behind and following him. And so you all headed to the airport. 

The drive to get there was mainly silent as it was always with Gibbs. But just as you pondered why you had to drive with him in the car and how it had come that now the whole team was watching you, he said “what are you training today?” 

Surprised you answered “landing with a standing engine and getting out of a spin. Haven't trained this for 3 months.”

“What plane are you flying?” 

“Today a Cessna T206H a very reliable and flexible bush plane - it's one of my favorites.” 

To that he only nodded and then you were on the airport, exiting the car and walking to the others.

But before you could say anything you heard “hey, Y/N! You ready to crash and burn?” You were greeted laughingly from your former flight trainer and now friend, who was patting you on your back. 

“Hey John! Of course! I'm as ready as one can be” you greeted back. 

“I'm taking Sally today. Is she ready to fly?”

“Yeah, you can directly start with the pre-flight check and then start.”

“That's good. You know she's the best next to the little sheep” you nodded. 

“Yeah, I know you love them both” he laughed. 

Then you took a look at your colleagues who were standing nearby and asked him “Look, since the weather conditions are really good today…think it's safe to take passengers with me for the adventure?”

John looked at Kate, Tim, Tony and Gibbs and began laughing out loud “these greenhorns? They don't look like they know what awaits them. But yeah, no problem. But make sure that they will clean the plane, when they puke because of fear.” The two of you were laughing madly. 

“Okay, see you for the instructions” 

“Yeah, I'm coming”

Then you turned to Tim, Tony and Kate looking shocked towards you and said shrugging your shoulders “what? That's normal training. You have to train this so that you know what to do, if the worst case happens.”

Gibbs only narrowed his eyes “you sure of what you do?” 

“Yes. I've done this multiple times. Sure, there is always the possibility to really crash and burn, but when you are thinking about that, you should not fly” you stated. 

Looking to Kate you smirked devilish “hey, Ms. Secret Service. Already crashed today?” 

She only blanched horrified…. 

(To be continued...)

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Here you will find the other chapters of this story and the other stories I've written to date.

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[viaoverthemoon]

Behind Closed Doors

Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3

Welcome back, Beloved Reader!

I was happy to see some of you guys were as excited as me for this chapter. I couldn't wait to post it ahhh!!

I hope y'all are ready for some questions to be answered.

Why did Leon bed Lady Ada? Will you ever forgive him? How does Lady Ada feel about all this? I don't know guys... It feels like the King of Duevaula is hiding in the shadows...

Let us continue!

☆*: .｡. Behind Closed Doors .｡.:*☆ Chapter 3

Medeival!Leon Kennedy x Fem!Reader

Summary: Lady Ada shares a few words with you, leaving you with harsh words and feelings burning the tip of your tongue. Meanwhile, Leon recalls the night he spent with Lady Ada and plans a way to explain what had happened.

Tw: Mentions of pregnancy, coercion into sex, sa(??), abuse, violence, angst

Please be careful reading this if you're easily triggered by these things and still want to read.

READ AT YOUR OWN RISK!!!

Enjoy!

☆*: .｡.☆*: .｡.☆*: .｡.☆*: .｡.☆*: .｡.☆*: .｡.☆*: .｡.☆*: .｡.☆*: .｡.

The garden has always been your place of peace.

Flowers of all kinds lined in rows and rows of different shapes, colors, and patterns. Large, well-kept, luscious trees planted sporadically all around the space. Bushes shaped like bunnies, horses, and lions.

For once, your mind has a moment to rest after this horrible week.

You'd spent most of your days locked away in your rooms, ignoring everyone's attempts to coax you out.

Albeit, by the third day your mother had had enough.

She'd stormed into your chambers, demanding you to get out of your head for five minutes and think about how you're going to win the prince back.

And that had caused you to spiral even further.

You abandoned indoors and took to the gardens, seeking the comfort of fresh air and solitude.

So now you sit on a bench, embroidery the only thing keeping all of your screws from falling out.

Your concentration is so deep you don't even hear the footsteps nearing you.

"Your highness."

You instantly recognize the voice, hands pausing the delicate work as you slowly look up.

Lady Ada offers a curtsy, much less deep than the one she'd done for the King.

She doesn't respect you.

You take a deep breath, setting the embroidery aside. "Leave us."

The guards, save for Jill, leave immediately.

"Lady Ada... To what do I owe the pleasure?"

A smirk spreads across her red lips, posture straight as an arrow as she rests a hand on her small belly. "I merely seek conversation with the princess I am to coexist with."

You try not to sneer as she gracefully sits beside you on the bench. "Apologies, I'm sure you don't mind," Her proximity makes your skin burn. "My God, this pregnancy sure is doing a number on my feet."

Your fists ball, your eyes unable to hold hers. "I'm sure."

She seems to notice your anger, smiling in a way the Devil would approve of. "Surely your highness isn't intimidated by me... She wouldn't think that I could take her place-"

You stand, turning and looking down your nose at her in disgust. "It would do you well to remember your place, Lady Ada." You bend to grab your embroidery, pausing when your lips near her ear. "You may carry his baby, but you do not carry the other half of his crown. Always remember that."

And with that, you turn on your heel and walk away, Jill three paces behind you.

☆ Leon ☆

Read. Flip. Sign.

He can feel his gaze.

Read. Flip. Sign.

He sees him flinch in his peripheral.

Read. Flip. Sign.

He clears his throat.

"What are you waiting for?"

His posture straightens, avoiding eye contact as his chin angles high. "Permission to speak freely, your highness?"

Leon waves a hand. "You always have, Chris. Do not fear me now."

Chris, Leon's personal guard, sighs as his body relaxes. He steps closer to the desk and leans his hip on it. "Why don't you just tell her what happened?"

Leon gives him an obvious look, causing Chris to glare at him. "I know what the King said, but you love her. She loves you. I'm sure her highness will understand-"

"Loved."

...

"She loved me."

Chris scoffs. "Do not be ridiculous. You two spent years sneaking beyond your palace walls just to see each other and you're to tell me she just... stopped loving you?"

Leon exhales, dropping his pen and slumping in his chair.

He needed to think.

The effects of that night... The possibility of a bastard child...

A mistress.

It wasn't even him. He never wanted this. Never wanted her.

If only he'd stood his ground...

But now, it was too late.

-

"Father... I can't. It wouldn't be right."

Dim candle light illuminates the chamber, casting a dark shadow over the King's face.

He'd never been the type of monarch that accepted the word 'no'. Anyone to do so were immediately thrown into the dungeon and left to starve to death or until they realized how much they needed their King.

"And why would it be wrong? A King is not tied to a woman, son. A woman is tied to a man. You need not hold yourself for her."

Leon shook his head. "I've promised myself to her. I will only bed Princess-"

His words are cut off by a hand around his neck.

His body is slammed into a nearby wall as the King towers over him. Tension builds as Leon fights for air, clawing at his father's hand. But he doesn't let go, heaving heavy breathes as he grits out his words. "Listen to me boy. I will not have a child in the body of a man for a son. You will not be a man until you have bed a woman."

Black shadows form in the corners of Leon's vision, breaths coming out in shortened gasps. But the King isn't done. "So make of your mind Leon. You either bed the woman I've set for you, or am I going to have to make an example of that pretty little princess of yours?"

Leon's eyes widen, shaking his head as best he could with the hand around his throat.

Not her. Anyone but her.

He doesn't have time to think about his decision, only worried about what he could do to you.

His answer comes out pathetic, a whisper that leads back to a broken heart. "I'll- do it-"

The King let's go instantly, inhaling deeply as his fist clenches. "Excellent."

He ignores Leon's coughs and gasps for air, clapping his hands. "Bring her in."

The doors open and the skirts of a deep red dress embroidered with black flowers flows gracefully into the room.

The woman drops deep into a curtsy and grins at the prince. "Hello, your highness."

That night was not one that Leon would ever forget. His father watched every second. Up until the end, after Lady Ada had been escorted out. After the lights had all dwindled and melted wax pooled at the bottom of candelabras. After Leon had wiped his tears and sat in the bed with slumped naked shoulders.

And then, The King stood from his chair to leave. But not without saying these words.

"You will not tell anyone. Not even your mother. If you do, you can kiss your princess goodbye." He'd placed a hand on Leon's shoulder.

"You are a man now. Congratulations, son."

-

☆

"Ouch! Nara Vella!"

Your sister grimaces and loosens her grip on your hair. "Oh, sorry (y/n)! I've been practicing but I just can't get this braid right..."

You sigh, gently taking the braid from her and demonstrating how it should be done. "Over, under, untangle. You can do it Nara, just repeat those actions."

She gives a determined nod and this time, completes the braid just as you showed her.

"I did it!" She places the braid over your shoulder so you can see it. "Do you like it?"

You hum, smiling gently. "I love it, little sister."

Nara Vella giggles, throwing her hands up in triumph.

A knock comes at your door. Jill's uncertain voice a moment later. "Prince Leon, Your highness."

You roll your eyes, undoing the braid and grabbing a hairbrush. "Tell him to leave, Jill."

Nara Vella's eyes dart between you and the door, wringing her hands to ease her uncomfortability. "Um, perhaps I should come back another time...-"

The door burst open.

You look in the reflection of the mirror, eyeing Leon as he struts in like a King.

"We need to talk, (Y/n)."

"No. I don't believe we do."

A tense silence falls over the room. The two of you glare at each other in the reflection, both waiting for the other to say something.

Nara Vella clears her throat, lifting her yellow skirts and giving Prince Leon a clumsy curtsy. "I will take my leave now... Your highness."

She leaves, only smiling awkwardly in your direction before practically running out of the room.

Jill frowns apologetically and closes the door to give you privacy.

You huff a breath, continuing to brush the braid from your hair. "I would appreciate if you'd stop forcing my guard to obey you."

He steps closer. "We need to talk."

You hum. "So you've said."

"I want you to listen to me."

"And I wanted to be your first."

Leon's expression falls, something close to guilt overcoming his features.

"Though I suppose we can't all get what we want."

You put down the brush and stand, walking forward until you're right in his face, looking up into his bright eyes. You try not to drown in the weight of his gaze."...Do you regret it?"

His eyes flash. "More than anything."

You lick your lips, forcing the burning tears away. "Then... why did you?"

He reaches for your hand, but you're quick to yank it away. His brows furrow, breaths hollow and desperate. "Are you willing to let me explain?"

Are you?

He waits for your answer, both breathing the other's air. Your lips are close enough to share a kiss, something you'd normally kill for...

But you aren't ready to get your heart broken again.

You inhale, about to give your answer.

But then you see it. In his eyes, a flicker.

Pain. Desperation. Worry. Fear.

Love.

You'd once told him his eyes were like oceans. And it didn't help that his emotions hid poorly within those seas.

You could read him like an open book. It really wasn't hard.

Before... You suppose you didn't want to know.

You answer.

"Yes."

☆

Words would never be enough to explain how you felt.

Horrified doesn't even begin to reach it.

You'd welcomed him into your arms as he rested his head in the crook of your neck, spilling the secrets that'd plagued his mind for years.

And by the time he's finished, you still can't get the disgusted look off your face. "Leon- That's-... I'm so-... Great Gods, I wish you'd told me earlier." You gently run your fingers through his hair. "I feel like such an ass. I'm so sorry for not hearing you out, my love."

You coax his head from your neck and hold his face, thumbs caressing his cheeks. "You are a man. To me, and by definition. It wouldn't have mattered if you had bed a woman first or not. I will never see you any different." His eyes begin to water and his lip wobbles. "Your father, is a fool to see you any different."

Leon sighs, removing his hands from your hips and placing them over yours. "And... You still love me? Even though I didn't save myself for you?"

You shush him, brows furrowing. "Of course I do. That wasn't your decision." You look him deep in his eyes, placing a hand over his heart. "It wasn't your fault."

His eyes close. "It wasn't my fault."

"It wasn't your fault."

Relief.

Relief so strong his shoulders slump and he nearly falls to his knees.

You're quick to catch him, sliding your arms under his and clinging to the back of his shirt.

His arms wrap around your waist, holding you close as shuddered breaths pass from between his lips.

The truth will set you free.

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Did anyone see that coming? I know for a fact y'all didn't lmaoo

This isn't the end! We have 2 more chapters, me thinks.

Will Lady Ada continue to live in the Kingdom of Duevaula? Will anyone else ever know of the Kings harshness toward Prince Leon? How would the Queen react to such news? Do you still have the chance of becoming Queen?

See you next chapter!

-Via 💕

[hoshizora-the-yume]

I am really happy and grateful to be the first one to request here ehehe

I would love to see the short romance story of the duke paxley aamon x my oc😋... which will be about my oc being stalker who follow whereever he go.. but He knew about it and wanted to tease her ✌

𝐀𝐚𝐦𝐨𝐧 𝐱 𝐎𝐂

A/N: This is rather lighthearted in tone since I thought it would fit your request, Anon. Honestly, this is my first time doing requests so I hope this didn’t turn out too bad

SFW, Oneshot

Nonchalant as they come, Delrae was a girl who appeared as though she had not a care in the world. With an inscrutable face and a vacant gaze, she barely, if ever showed interest towards anything… All except for one thing, or in this case, person.

Aamon Paxley, the strikingly ice cold Duke of Shards. Like a rose surrounded in thorns, his beautiful visage belied a sharp tongue and sometimes, callous disposition.

This man had a certain mystique to him that even Delrae couldn’t resist. At first, it was mere curiosity, a slight urge if you will. But as time went on, it grew stronger and stronger until it evolved into an obsession.

Despite that, Delrae was too bashful to actually face him herself. Perhaps, it was a fear of rejection but she would always stand back in the shadows as she admired Aamon from afar. 

“T-There he is…” While hiding behind a tree, Delrae let out a small squeal at the sight of a certain duke. A certain duke was out and about on his daily morning walk, just minding his own business as he got his daily sunlight in the forest. 

Delrae was trying her best not to get caught, though the burning desire to just jump out and introduce herself was hard to suppress. If just for a second, she could reach out and touch him…

“Is someone there?” Aamon turned around to take a look.

In a panic, Delrae dived into a nearby bush, falling on her stomach. Before she could let out a yelp, she bit her lip to keep her voice from escaping. 

“Huh… Must have been a woodland critter.” 

Had Delrae not hid herself just in time, she would have been spotted for sure. If Aamon saw her, how would he even react? Just thinking about that made her heart rate shoot up.

Amidst a myriad of anxious thoughts, Delrae failed to realize that Aamon was already gone. By the time she did, she became frantic. “Where is he now?”

Although it took quite a while, Delrae eventually did find Aamon. As usual, he was attending to his duties as a Duke. 

From a distance, Delrae observed Aamon as he talked to an elderly woman. It appears that the Duke showed up to dismantle a conflict between neighbors. 

Despite being an outsider to the nobility class, Delrae knew enough about their responsibilities. However, most nobles didn’t own up to these duties. Thus, she found it unusual that Aamon would go out of his way to show up at a commoner’s house. 

Seeing a side to the man that she had never seen before, Delrae felt herself become more and more enamored with him. Her heart raced quickly, as heat rose to her cheeks. 

Delrae was, however, saddled with slight guilt. Whenever she thought of Aamon as merely a cold-hearted man, she didn’t feel as bad about what she was doing. But after she saw a more earnest, soft side to him, it allowed her to see him in a different light. 

That’s why… When Aamon left the place, Delrae just let him go this time. Instead, she walked away and towards the town square where she sat on the ledge of a fountain. 

Although Delrae ultimately decided to steer clear of Aamon, a part of her wanted to see him again. Regardless, she was afraid to face him as she was, leaving her to sigh and ponder. 

Delrae was about to leave until she heard a voice. When she turned to see who it was, she was filled with surprise—though her expression didn’t show it.

“What are you doing here all alone, young lady?” Before her, Aamon seemed to be speaking directly to her. “This fountain is a bit decrepit, so I advise you not to sit there.”

The Duke emanated an aura of authority. As if on cue, Delrae removed herself from the ledge of the fountain. “Sorry.”

“You didn’t answer my question yet.”

“Oh yeah. I’m just, well, thinking.”

“I suppose I can accept that explanation.”

If Delrae wasn’t frozen in place from nervousness, she would just get up and run away right now. It was almost as if Aamon’s gaze was the one keeping her frozen.

“Your name is Delrae, am I right? Young lady.” At the mention of her name, Delrae’s poker face broke. 

“How did you know that…?”

“Asking me questions like that when you’ve been stalking me these past days… What audacity.”

Now, Delrae was really sure that she’s cornered. Aamon knew all along, he was just feigning ignorance. 

“I-I…” She scrambled for any sort of explanation, but to no avail. Giving up, she just said this. “You knew?”

“I’m no buffoon, of course I would.” Aamon shook his head. “However… I let it be, because you were intriguing to me.”

“Intriguing? What do you mean by that?”

Hmmm… I can’t put my finger on it, but something about you is rather cute.”

“C-Cute?”

“Delrae, I want to know more about you.”

[hantenguclonesimp-minuszoha]

Strange creatures... | Odd human...

Synopsis: The very first thing he wondered was why he wasn't burning under the sun. The second being why he wasn't in the Infinity Castle when he was mere moments ago. Why was he in a forest? The air smelled different and even this location's energy felt different... What was that giant creature? Why was the woman next to it not running away?

Warnings: N/A.

Content contains: Kimetsu no Yaiba + Steven Universe.

Upper Rank/Moon Four, Hantengu - Aizetsu.

Blue Diamond.

Blue Pearl.

Term meaning:

Minka -> traditional Japanese house.

Note: So, I've started with this little idea of mine. Been motivated but am currently keeping my mind off requests, which is also why they're closed! This is a 'start' to this post and just a little bit of fun really. Might write up the others, might not. Anyways, enjoy! + I apologise for shitty translation, Google translate is my only option since I'm a little lazy to look for more. I FOUND A BETTER TRANSLATOR (I HOPE IT'S BETTER)

This is not a guaranteed project.

I am by no means a Steven Universe fan, however, I have seen some clips of the show and the one that I chose was when Blue Diamond visited Earth to talk to Pink Diamond's shrine thingy.

Aizetsu looked around cautiously, trying to detect any sort of danger or enemies. However, he seemed to have found none. This is entire place was not... where he was from. His homeland. He's surprised to even call it that. It didn't feel like Japan and it didn't look like it either. There were no minkas and everything he saw, even felt was too advanced for him to comprehend. The air smelled different in a way he could not understand. It didn't smell like the fresh air he was used. It smelled... corrupted almost. He didn't know what it was but it made him uneasy. Aizetsu began to wander around a bit, trying to find out where exactly he is until he was stopped by a distant voice which he heard due to his sharp hearing.

"Oh, Pink..."

Instantly, Aizetsu turned to the direction of the voice, ears twitching as he picked up more of the voice he had heard. It was soft, feminine, compassionate almost—sorrowful like him. He didn't know how but he just felt something about this voice. Simply by what he assumed is a woman, he could tell that she understood his feelings, pathetic as that might sound especially from an Upper Rank like himself. He found himself instantly drawn to the voice but remained cautious thinking it was a trap to lure him in. Using his flesh manipulation, he summoned his yari and slowly walked towards the direction of the voice, hyperaware of his surroundings as he did so.

"I'm sorry.. I'm so sorry..."

Aizetsu then stopped, trying to process the words only to realise that he did not understand a word she had uttered. How odd. Suddenly, he was extremely tense, ready to dodge at even the slightest sign of danger. Nevertheless the demon approached until he was met with a few bushes. However, it weren't the bushes that had caught his attention, the bushes were the least of his worries. It were the things beyond it. His eyes landed on a sort of pink shrine and a very large, blue cloaked figure which appeared to be hunched and alongside the figure a blue-skinned woman, hair clearly covering her face and dressed in a strange outfit which had a skirt he could only describe as water. The grip on his yari tightened more if it were even possible, Aizetsu had his Blood Demon Art on standby should the creature notice him to attack. However, from what he's heard alone, he can tell it possesses some intelligence.

"I should've done more. Yellow says it'll all be over soon."

Aizetsu hated that he couldn't understand what she said. He needed to know what this woman was saying—he needed to know if he was in danger.

"I wonder what you would think of this. This is your planet after all. I still think it is..."

The demon then crouched behind the bushes, forming a plan in his mind to try and figure out what exactly this being was and if it were a demon of some sort. The idea that a creature that large could be a demon did not seem impossible, but one weaker than an Upper Moon very much so did. Unfortunately, Aizetsu was so consumed in his own thoughts, he hadn't noticed that the slight crack of a nearby bush thus drawing the attention of both the woman and the bigger creature.

"What are you doing over there?"

He was instantly snapped out of his thoughts when he heard her voice turn into that of a questioning tone. He crouched lower, yari gripped tightly as he heard the footsteps of the woman. The closer she got, Aizetsu felt compelled to strike her with his yari and just when he was about to, he stopped himself, noticing that neither the woman or creature had noticed his presence. "I thought I heard someone." He got a got a closer look at her and in the process was able to take in her scent. "I think we're not alone." He immediately noticed that the woman herself was no human and neither demon. This fact confused him and he couldn't help but stand up to try and observe both creatures better. Unfortunately, that act immediately exposed his location as the blue-skinned creature turned around much to his dismay. "Pearl?" His eyes snapped towards the direction of the bigger creature, instantly alert of its every move before his attention was once again directed towards the blue-skinned woman who suddenly made a sort of hand gesture before bowing. "My Diamond, I have a found a native." What were they saying?! It frustrated the demon that the words weren't even being comprehended at that point and he was almost tempted to attack. Nevertheless, he remained calm, observing both creatures keenly.

"... Bring it here."

The woman then began to walk, however, quickly stopped when she realised that Aizetsu wasn't following. This confused her as she then gestured for him to follow. Aizetsu refused, believing it was a sort of a trap as he then took a step back and narrowed his eyes at both of them. "Inochi ga oshiinara, jisei shiro... [Restrain yourself if you value your life...]" Aizetsu warned, not expecting them to understand but did so anyways as he then raised his yari slightly. He assumed she would get the hint and back away but it seemed as if she didn't and tried to approach him once more, this time reaching an arm to grab him. Aizetsu reacted by slicing off her hand faster than she could react as a warning and remaining quiet, simply giving her a sorrowful glare. The woman yelped in pain and stepped back in shock and a hint of fear. "M-My Diamond..." She seemed to retreat towards the creature he assumed was her master and remained vigilant. "Where is it?" The creature then turned around which revealed to Aizetsu a large rather curvaceous woman who appeared very sad. He could sense her sorrow and almost pitied her. Almost. Her gaze immediately landed on her companion who quickly bowed down and seemed to be apologising.

She then redirected her gaze towards Aizetsu, curious and a bit offended. "How did a human manage to do such a thing...?" The woman then stood up and approached Aizetsu with a few steps. Aizetsu in turn backed away, yari prepared and ready to use his Blood Demon Art. "Stay still..." He noticed that she was attempting to grab him but before she could take even one step closer, he disappeared from her eyesight leaving her and her companion confused. "What is this?" The creature would be surprised by a rather firm energy trust near her neck. She looked to her shoulder with wide eyes as she once again saw Aizetsu before he once again disappeared faster than she could react. This time, he was right before them once more, clearly displeased. "Jibun no namae, jibun ga nanimono ka, soshite kono basho ga nandearu ka o noberu. [State you names, what you are and what this place is.]" They both looked at him, confused at every word he had just uttered and simply stood there. "It does not understand us. We're scaring it, Pearl." Aizetsu listened intently on what both of the individuals said, trying to use the tones of their voices as cues on what they might do next but ultimately failing due to it not changing.

His eyes were trained on both individuals, noticing even the slightest twitch they make as he remained quiet. The giant creature then knelt down, remaining a safe distance from him before extending her hand, gesturing him to approach. However, Aizetsu remained stubborn and even backed away, a nasty glare painted on his face as he did so. "Do not be afraid. I won't harm you." From what he had tried to understand of what she said, he assumed that she won't harm him. He assumed she'd try to hint at that as a means of luring him in, but then he heard a name that he could translate into his own language. "I am Blue Diamond, human. I'm merely here to visit what was once hers." The giantess had shown no signs of malicious intent but Aizetsu refused to lower his guard. He did, however, decide to state his name and nothing more. "Watashi wa Aizetsu... [I am Aizetsu...]" The giantess seemed to have partially understood what he said before smiling softly. "Aizetsu. What an odd name. I've never heard anything like it..." Aizetsu noticed her observing him as he then tensed again. However, like the other times, she showed no signs of malice.

She then frowned softly before asking him a question, not expecting him to understand. "Do you grieve too, Aizetsu?" The expression he had, the furrowed eyebrows, deep blue eyes which with strange characters inscribed into hiis pupils, his frown. All of that gave her subtle hints at what he might feel. "Iya... [No...]" He simply responded, shaking his head, almost as if he understood the question. It almost felt like she asked if he grieved. What and why would he grieve? The humans so unfortunate enough to ever come across him and his clone brethren along with the past humans who have and have died various gruesome deaths? No. He could pity those creatures. He could only pity them for their weakness, that they are not as powerful as him. How do such weak things live?

At the moment, however, Aizetsu was thinking only one thing and so was Blue Diamond.

'Kimyōna ikimono da… [Such strange creatures...]'

'What an odd human...'

Note: That was a fun little experiment.

Divider credits:

Bubbles

Gradient and blue divider by rookthorneartistry

Taglist: @hawnkoii @fallstreakfeathers @dreamcorechild @lumitylovepill @hantengus-fuckass-clones @sunbrokenswords @georgette-mademoiselle @hearts4mitsuri @star-dust-wanderer @shytastemakerthing

[chrissymorgan9700]

So...

I have been thinking of an angst/tragic Bowuigi AU, but I don't know how to write it.

Picture it: Bowuigi, but a Prince of Egypt crossover.

The Koopa Kingdom has already taken over the Mushroom Kingdom and everything else but Sarasaland when Mario and Luigi are separated

Mario arrives and meets Princess Peach while she is in hiding in Sarasaland.

Bowser meets Luigi after he falls in the Darklands and soon they start falling for each other.

Cue wholesome Mama Luigi and Junior moments

Mario and Peach find a way to tell Luigi about what's really going on with Bowser's rule. Luigi is in denial.

Luigi finds out on his own and runs away, also going to Sarasaland.

Bowser's heart is broken.

Luigi is told to convince Bowser to let the Mushroom Kingdom go or face serious consequences (Burning Bush: Stars/Grambi/Rosalina)

Bowser and Luigi reunite, enter Kamek and Kammy (Playing With The Big Boys)

Luigi fails to convince Bowser, Bowser feels betrayed. Double angst

Consequence #1: Water turns to Lava (Water to Blood Plague)

"The Plagues", but replace 'brother' with 'lover'

Bowser & Luigi reunite during darkness plague and have a heart to heart

They love each other still, always have and always will and Bowser is almost convinced.

Enter Junior. He missed his Mama and wants him back, but is also scared of what's happening.

Bowser : "I will not be dictated to. I will not be threatened. I am the morning and evening star. I am Bowser! King of the Koopas!"

Luigi : "Something else is coming, something much worse than anything before. Please, let go of your contempt for life before it destroys everything we hold dear. Think of our son!"

Bowser is hardheaded.

Luigi tells Mushroom Kingdom & others to put a sign on their doors (a star/mushroom/what have you)

Enter Plague 10: Death of the Firstborn

Plague takes every firstborn child in the Koopa Kingdom

Cut to Koopa Castle as one last soul is taken.

The sounds of parents screaming in grief echo through the smoke-filled air.

Out of all the weepings and wailings in the Koopa Kingdom, Bowser and Luigi's are the loudest and most heart wrenching.

Bowser tells Luigi that Mushroom Kingdom and all other kingdoms he's enslaved are free while hunched over their son's dead body.

Luigi: *reaches out hand*

Bowser: *flinches away* "Leave me!"

Luigi leaves, Bowser silently cries as he watches him go.

Luigi starts bawling once more when he gets outside.

Has to keep it in to tell Mario and friends that Bowser is no longer in control of their kingdoms anymore.

Everyone is celebrating, but Luigi silently mourns

If any of you take this idea, please, PLEASE tag me!

[thezombieprostitute]

Sparks Fly - Part 4

Summary: After working as an engineer for Wilford & Gilliam Trust for several years you find evidence of seedy dealings and burned books. After turning in the evidence you find yourself in danger and seek help. You're taken into the protection of a mob family where you run into your high school best friend, Mace.

Word Count: ~1200

Warnings: Implied violence and attempted murder. Please let me know if I missed any.

Part 3 -- Part 5

Series Masterlist

“DC,” Mace whispers between kisses. “DC, we gotta stop.”

“What? Why,” you whine as he gently pushes you away.

“You’ve had a roller coaster of a week,” he explains. “Your emotions have been, understandably, all over the place. I want to make sure you’re in the right state of mind, that I’m not taking advantage of you.”

You can see the pain in his face as he says this. It’s clear he wants to keep going but he’s putting your emotional needs first and it makes you want him more. But you know he’s right. You hug him tight and ask, “can we still cuddle on the couch? Make out some more?”

“Absolutely,” he breathes, making you giggle. “Want to do that now,” he asks.

“Gotta finish the fries first,” you tell him, moving back to your seat. He chuckles and nods, “okay. I submit to french fry superiority.” You giggle and he continues, “we probably should use this time to talk about what’s going to happen during and after your testimony.” You sigh but nod in agreement. “I’m currently waiting to hear back if I can be with you at the courthouse but I’m hopeful. Between GBH, Barton and maybe Fowler we’ll have at least one person outside the courtroom and one inside. The third would most likely be outside the courthouse."

“And you trust them,” you say more than ask. 

He nods in affirmation, “absolutely. They’re really good at keeping people alive.” You pause your eating and he thinks, “there’s probably a better way I could’ve worded that. Sorry.” 

“It’s okay. I know what you’re trying to say.” You resume eating your meal so he continues. 

“As for after your testimony, I know from previous experiences that you’ll have a few options. One of them is your standard Witness Protection. We’ve got some connections with the Federal Marshalls and we can get you to them. New name, new city, and some protection. The other version of that is we set you up with a new name and enough money to start a new life in a new city. One of the primary differences being we could get you set up in another country all together.”

“What if I don’t want to leave?” 

“What?”

“I worked so hard to get where I am, I don’t want to just drop everything and leave.”

“DC, these people are trying to kill you. What’s the point of holding onto everything if it just leaves you dead?”

“I’m going to die eventually, regardless of whichever option I choose. I might as well choose the option that makes me happy. What makes me happy is living here, being with you again.”

“I…I don’t know,” Mace admits. “I’m not sure how much protection we can actually offer if you’re not working for us. You’re doing everyone a huge favor by testifying, of course, but…”

“Will you at least look into it as an option, AC?”

He thinks for a minute, eyes never leaving yours. “Let me call Teach,” he finally says. “If there’s a way, she can find it.”

“Thank you, Mace. I really appreciate it.”

“Mace,” Teach says over the phone, “I’m gonna need you to put me on speaker for this.”

He quickly pulls the phone away from his ear and puts it on speaker so you can hear as well. “Done,” he tells her.

“Ms. Y/L/N, can you hear me?” Teach’s tone is very serious. 

“Yes, Ma’am,” you’re quick to reply. 

“I’m going to ask you some questions and I need you to be completely honest with me. Do you understand?”

“Yes, Ma’am,” you nod, even though she can’t see you.

“What is your primary reason for wanting to risk your life by staying in this city?”

You pause. She’s not beating around the bush at all. “My life is going to be at risk in any of the scenarios I was presented with. It’s just a matter of to what degree. The relocation options would certainly make it difficult for me to be found, especially the international one. However, the people who might occasionally check in on my safety have no investment to do so other than pay obligations. Additionally, I’d never know if I could actually trust anyone. I wouldn’t be living beyond going through the motions. I’d spend my life looking over my shoulder with minimal support.”

Looking at Mace, you continue, “whereas if I stay here, I have people I can trust. People who are invested in my safety."

“Will you accept one of the other options if we are unable to provide you the protection and means to stay?”

“I…I don’t know.”

“One last question,” Teach says. “Is your primary interest in staying because of Mace?”

You hold Mace’s free hand, fingers interlacing with his, “I’ll admit he is a major factor. But, as he pointed out recently, we’ve only been back in each other’s lives for a couple of days. I have a life here that I’m not willing to just give up without a fight. Or at least exploring all of the options. I understand your organization may not be able to offer more than this one time protection and one clean slate and I accept that. But I have to try.”

Teach is quiet for a moment, “okay. I’m gonna need a copy of your resume. Mace will know how to get it to me. In the meantime, please make sure to take care of yourself. You’ve got your testimony in just a couple of days. Which reminds me, Mace?”

“Yeah, Teach?” Mace moves closer to the phone.

“You’ve gotten approval to be in the courtroom but you are not allowed to actually be in proximity. Huffman needs to make sure none of our people are seen too close to her or the Defendant might be able to claim witness tampering.” 

“Okay,” Mace nods. “That makes sense. Just so long as someone tells me what room to be in and when I can go in on my own.”

“And Ms. Y/L/N?”

“Yes, Teach?”

“You’ll have to be careful to not make too much eye contact with Mace. I understand you want some emotional support for this, but we have to be careful to make sure your testimony isn’t dismissed.”

“I understand, Ma’am.”

Teach hangs up and you curl up against Mace. You work with him to get a copy of your resume to her quickly.

“Do you think she’ll be able to find something,” you ask Mace after he sends the file.

“If anyone can, it’s her,” he assures you. “She’s quite the fighter, especially when she thinks it’s for something that’s right.”

“I hope she finds something,” you whisper.

Mace nods, “in the meantime, we should make sure to get you ready for your testimony. Like she said, I won’t be able to be with you but you’ll see me. I promise.”

“Thanks, AC. I’m gonna need all the help I can get.”

Part 3 -- Part 5

Series Masterlist

Tagging:

@chibijusstuff

@jaqui-has-a-conspiracy-theory

@rebekahdawkins

@texmexdarling

Please let me know if you'd like to be tagged.

[inuhiime]

:: 𝐒𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐍𝐂𝐄 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐒 ! ──── ⪩⪨ 𝐏𝐀𝐓𝐇 𝐓𝐎 𝐍𝐎𝐖𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐄

' fear is a premonition. if you ignore it, it's bound to cause even worse disasters. '

' brace yourself. there's gonna be an ugly battle. '

' your death now belongs to me, and so does your life. '

' there is no place in this world for kindness and tolerance. '

' as long as you still want to shout and hold your head high, you have the right to fight. '

' let go. this time, it's my turn to protect you. '

' the faithless, the insincere, the dishonest-- their souls do not return. '

' for someone like me, dying here is the easy way out. '

' you were born to wreak destruction. '

' you have already seen the truth of the world. do you still want to head towards the deep end? '

' it's incredibly easy to kill a person. too easy. '

' no matter how you try, you will be forever mired in blood. '

' don’t you want to destroy everything? '

' those who fool others have no place to turn to. '

' the fires of rage may burn out, but i am their fuel. '

' i'm not your enemy. '

' no matter what you're doing, no matter what they say, i believe you. '

' you idiot! how could you put your life on the line like that? '

' look at you, scared to death. '

' thank you for always protecting me. '

' neither love nor hatred matters anymore. '

' along this path, many have come and gone, and i am one of them. '

' don’t die in a place like this. '

' as long as you need me, i'll always stay by your side. '

' the fraud believes in what they think is true, and therefore feels that they can manipulate everything. '

' don't give me that crap. answer my questions. '

' the deluded take refuge in the dark. '

' you don't care about the lives of ordinary people anyway. '

' stop beating around the bush. my patience is thin. '

' you have nothing but that violent power of yours. '

' the stronger you get, the more you are doomed to failure. '

' don't back away. we have to fight. '

' i will crush every enemy with my own hands, and i will do that by whatever means i can find. '

' i'm really sorry, but this is the only way out. '

' we aren't friends and can't be friends. it was doomed from the start. '

' if you had the slightest idea what real tragedies looked like, you wouldn't think to defend the sinners. '

' better be careful if you're their lapdog. '

' in the face of a massive disaster, all the pride of human beings is ultimately vulnerable. '

' i will always be grateful to have met you. '

' don't lose control of your emotions. '

' this is our duty; we must continue, even if it's a losing battle that we're fighting. '

' the answer's not out there, it reflects from within. '

' i can't make you stay even if i want to. '

' come on, you can always trust yourself '

' don't hold onto your little secrets and lock yourself up. '

' our city was never built on peace. '

' all is well as long as you're safe, no? '

' sorry, i may not be able to survive much longer. '

' how much have you given up and how much evil have you done for that false hope? '

' i'll bury your body when the time comes. '

' you cannot accept it, and you cannot forgive. '

' you'd rather burn it all down and destroy everything than run away or compromise. '

' fulfill my most frantic loneliness. '

' there are questions you should never ask, and there are unspoken rules you should never challenge. '

' that future you kept talking about, it doesn't exist. '

' it's not going to end. everything is completely rotten, but no one is going to end it. '

' don't get overprotective. i'm not that weak. '

' you don't really have a purpose, nor a destination. '

' do you want to stop here? '

' i'll do whatever it takes to keep you safe. '

' is your body feeling stiff? how about i help you reassemble it? '

' come on, show me how you're going to torture me this time. '

' we all live, bleed, and die. what makes you think we're any different? '

' i'm all alone again... this is for the best. '

' don't lose... and don't lose to yourself. '

' are you monitoring me? or do you need someone to protect your safety? '

' don't go, please. '

' i'm sorry for leaving you there alone. '

' the wheel of destiny has begun spinning sooner than i thought. '

' you've tried hard to search for a way out, tried hard not to fall into the abyss. '

' blind idiot, all is vanity. '

' someday, you'll be mercilessly abandoned, too. '

' you're thinking you must go back, aren't you? '

' sorry, i took the liberty of judging others. '

' you never stop moving forward, that's the way you've always been. '

' i'm sorry, it's all my fault... i messed up things for everyone. '

' good luck, i'll be waiting for you. '

' don't come back. it's not worth it. '

' you wish to dominate all, but will perish a servant. '

' you've done your best. leave the rest to us. '

' in the end, i've been able to protect nothing and no one. '

' protect yourselves and get your freedom. this is an order. '

' if there's any danger, do not risk it. you can't die here. '

' they don't know death. '

' if devils did exist in this world, i suppose they would be as stubborn and shameless as you. '

' never underestimate the darkness lurking beneath the city. that's a lesson that's cost me everything. '

' i won't betray you. so... don't betray me either. '

' don't bring up all that crap from the past with me. '

' your path will not be easy from now on. '

' may you spend every day in peace and happiness. '

' this world will punish you. '

' if something bad happens, i can't save you. '

' don't you want to be human? '

' you've already lost one companion, you can't lose another. '

' why are you so stubborn? why can't you just let go? '

' let me feel that i still exist. '

' this kind of attitude won't do you any good. '

' you see something that i can't. if what you see is hope... then go and fight, and i'll protect you. '

' i'm better at using people than you are. i make the most of each of my pawns. '

' if you have so many doubts about me, why don't you just kill me? '

[agent-carvour]

Owen had been sick for almost a week. He had barely eaten and when he had managed to get something into his stomach, he hadn't kept it there. At night, he was plagued by a restlessness that kept him from sleeping, while at day, he didn't have the energy to keep his eyes open. Even if he did, he had developed a strong sensitivity towards sun light. It blinded him, burned in his eyes, and even on his skin, so he barely left his and Curt's darkened room anyway.

Today had been especially bad. Owen had only been awake for a few minutes to get a glass of water and passed out as soon as he was back in bed. This time, he didn't wake up for hours until the sun had already set. The entire time, he didn't dream, didn't move, didn't even breathe. And when he woke up, something was different. He felt a little less weak than before, and for the first time in a week, he actually felt hungry. Incredibly hungry.

But when he entered the kitchen and made himself a piece of toast, the idea of eating it felt nothing but disgusting. The thought alone made him feel sick again, prompting him to quickly leave the kitchen. Maybe he would have understood sooner what was going on if he had paid attention to his lack of a heartbeat, or his missing reflection in the mirror, or even how sharp and long his canines had become, but he couldn't think clearly in this moment. He had never felt a hunger like this before that didn't just hurt physically, but also clouded his mind like this. More than anything, he just wanted to stop it. But how!?

That's when he picked up on a smell. It was sweet and... tempting. Owen instantly knew that was what he wanted. How he could still his hunger. So, he followed it to its source. An open window facing the park behind the apartment building. He looked outside in search for the source of the smell - the darkness didn't bother him at all - when he spotted a woman with her daughter and realised where it came from. The kid had fallen and scraped her knee.  Despite the significant distance between him and the ground those two were standing on, Owen could clearly see the drop of blood forming at the edge of the wound and running down her leg. He couldn't look away. It was hypnotising. Putting him in a trance like state where he just forgot everything around him, didn't think about anything. Except for that blood.

Without thinking, he rushed out of the door. He found himself having made it all the way down the staircase before even realising it, and there it was. The blood. He could see it, reach it.

For a second, the mother looked away from her daughter, and that's when Owen struck, pulling the child with him into the foliage. His teeth were inside her neck before she could even open her mouth to scream, and only a few seconds later, she's completely drained of all her blood.

Yes. That's what he needed. The blood was giving Owen new strength. The energy he had been lacking all week... But it was too little. This subadult body wasn't a proper meal.

Still barely aware of himself, Owen stalked the mother through the bushes. She was looking around, searching for her daughter and calling her name. Cassey.

Owen stepped out onto the path.

"Can I help you?"

The woman turned around, her eyes widening when she saw the blood-stained man and his cold, red eyes, but once again, he sunk his teeth into her neck before a sound could escape her throat.

More strength had returned to Owen once the second body was drained, but after a week without eating, it wasn't enough. Still, with his hunger at least weakened, his mind was beginning to clear up as well, leading to two thought processes happening at once.

What am I doing? More. What's happening to me? Where do I find more blood? I- I'm a vampire. I can't smell or see more humans in this park. What do I do now? Where can I find more? I need to talk to... somebody. I'm so hungry.

Where do I go?

[kirua9]

The truth got into my eye –

"Yes, humans are certainly fragile. Although,  the thing is — they are valuable to us. You've been in despair, am I wrong? Tell me, Laito?"

Laito has been awfully unlike himself this time. Everyone caught this in the eye but only Reiji had an effort to try dealing with him because he was intimidated by his younger brother sometimes, as he was unpredictably chaotic.

– I don't wanna talk about this girl... I don't know why. After I got with her, I felt that something was changing in me – Laito rubs his eyes, frowning, hiding his face from Reiji.

***

Both of them went to the mansion's garden, filled with blooming smells of rose bushes. After reaching the live hedge, they stopped in front of the small field, where something like a ditch could be seen.

– Could it be, perhaps... Her grave?

– It is...

– It's unsettling how you left it. Please, make it at least not a hole in the middle of this field.

– I... You see, haah... I wanted to do it... But I couldn't bear it anymore!

Laito stepped aside and completely turned away. Reiji frowned and came closer to the pit. He only winced.

   Yes, it was that young girl, a sacrificial bride Makoto who was sent to the manor a few months ago. She quickly became the triplet's interest due to her appealing look and durable... mind.

Reiji recalled, how he always scolded her for not matching the norms of etiquette or just her loud manner of speaking, but she never failed to appear upset by his words. She was very easy-going and light-hearted, and sometimes her irritating behaviour was even soothing.

She became intimate with almost everyone in the manor in a very short time and it felt as if she always existed there...

Now Reiji was looking into her muted blue eyes which has always been a definition of what lively eyes are. It was a striking sight, although there was no room for sympathy toward a human girl.

– Do you regret that you killed her?

– Now I don't get a thing about what I feel, Reiji.

Two green fireflies have almost burned Reiji's soul with their teardrops. He got an ominous feeling.

– Please, calm down, Laito. If you don't know what's going on in your mind, then try to rationalize it. I see that you are in.. pain, however, you reached me despite the urge to keep everything in secret. Your actions talk instead of you. Then, tell me how did you do that... – And Reiji gave a gaze to the grave's side.

***

She quickly became Laito's victim as did many girls who appeared in the Sakamaki family.

   Laito was interested in her at the beginning of the assumption that she is the kind of girl who seeks attention. He partially got it. But only partially.

 She was chatty about herself, she was quick-aid and looked like a creature that was always on the lookout for danger.

  "You know, Laito, my uncle never loved me. I was a burden to him and after his death, I still feel he is looking after me. it's like a trace on my soul that he left after he passed away.

The feeling of grief, the regret was eating me out for days after that car accident because I always acted infantile and selfish towards him, I have never behaved. Then I felt my guilt. But you know what? Two weeks passed – and I was enjoying my solitude, playing video games and skipping school.

Am I a nasty person? Am I cynical? What do you think?"

Laito wasn't happy with that frankness. He wasn't in the mood for all of these debates.

"Fu-fu, you really sound shallow bitchy girl, you possess an open mind. But I'm getting bored of you very quickly... Let's have a nice time without those chit-chats... Let me drink your blood instead."

And his long arms wrapped around her body, she was drowning in this weird pleasure, as she was losing her blood but she didn't care for it, because she had nothing to lose. Blood loss didn't make a thing to worry about. Any physical damage didn't bother her anymore. 

"How can I enjoy the moment if I always think about what type of bruise and where I have it? It's unnecessary bullshit! It ruins the whole mood! " – she said once.

"Your body isn't rejecting my fangs, but I hear this lying whisper, begging me to stop. All you women are the same damn sweetest thing..."

"I just want you not to be bored, because I don't want to be unwanted. I don't like this feeling. It's suffocating, you know?"

***

After those times they both got satisfaction, got fed with each other – he with blood, she with attention, – Makoto didn't want to be quiet. She always wanted to talk with him.

"Tell me about your parents, will you? "

"Huh... But why are you interested in it? I think it's unnecessary to know for you."

"Why not? We're close enough to share the time, I simply want to know you more.."

Laito glanced at her. There was an irresistible willingness to learn. Something ached inside him, he couldn't figure out where exactly.

"Not everything is worth mentioning, my little human girl.~"

He told it as always with a smile on his lips. She grinned in response but not as she usually did it. Now there was arrogance in the corners of her mouth.

A sparkle of tension rushed through his body. "What's with that face?" he wondered.

"Laito, do you know, what type of a person I am? You surely could realize it, because you're so wise. When I appeared here for the first time you said that everything is written on my forehead. You said I must have been quite lonely. And now. Now, what am I to you?"

He smiled again, but his eyes didn't. He was observing her face, trying to stumble up on something... Something that changed?

   He finally caught it.

"How hadn't I noticed this before... This girl wants to know everything, she appreciates only the... "

– "My name means "Truth", by the way! And yours... Laito, yeah? What kanji do you use to write it?" — the sparkle of memories appeared rapidly and disappeared at the same rate.

"She only wants to know the truth."

The vampire bit his tongue. He was the one who enforces on his victims the reality he wanted them to comprehend. Now, what's that? He felt very icky about her statements. And she – she was like she was! Definitely had no fear.

***

Laito undoubtedly loathed, despised his brother Ayato's directness and honesty that he had, unlike Laito himself.

The young man subconsciously discovered how he was... morally weaker than Ayato, but he accused his brother of it, thinking that it is all his stupid fate to be a scapegoat made those priorities.

This jealousy didn't let him go. And now he had to deal with a woman who resembles his brother a lot. The best thing he could desire is to see how Ayato suffers and now – also Makoto.

"Looks like this human girl is begging me to test her durability. Don't worry, Little Bitch, I'll make you rue this.. I'll make you get down in the very core of agony"

***

They continued having their time together. Earlier, things were rather promising: she appeared to show some resistance to his actions, yet also didn't deny that her body felt pleasurable from all those teases.

  However, the humility in her, which the vampire could watch over due to her obvious physical weakness towards him, started fading away.

    He began to see something else in her bright blue eyes. From the very beginning, she had an open, bright glance, she rather looked curious but also frightened somehow.

Now there was sort of an audacity and it grinned his gears.

But... he didn't know why actually?

"Weird... I feel so weird when I look at her. As if I'm losing my perception?.. Or worse?.. What's that aching feeling in my chest?.."

He remembered her image, he thought she was pretty... At the same time, he didn't understand what keeps his interest in her: the desire to destroy or to make her his possession.?

***

"You told me that you know everything about me. How come? Is it the power of vampires? I honestly never thought vampires were able to read thoughts... Tho I didn't know vampires do exist, sorry.

But Laito, I don't understand you... Yet, I want to. Your eyes look like two mirrors, they reflect me in them and plug me when I want to learn about your soul. Why do you do this to me? You see, I want to be closer to you... I have no one to be with me..."

She never told him, that she loves, only likes... Laito was distracted by how that simple person doesn't say simple words, she says something tricky instead, but without any hint in her voice which would mean — she only acts down to earth. But she didn't have those hints.

***

Once she came to him, looking as if she cried. She couldn't hide her feelings. She didn't even try.

When he saw her red face and looked into her eyes – they became even bluer in comparison to the skin swelled with blood.

"Why are you crying? Tell me, who hurt you?"

He felt concerned but didn't know why.

He held her face with both his hands.

"It's the truth, nothing else." — was heard in response.

Laito clenched his teeth. She looked at him nervously.

"What fucking truth? I don't want to hear this damn word. Tell me who made you cry and I'll cut their head off..."

Makoto gulped, her knees were trembling.

"I asked your brothers... Why are you always acting so strange... I've never understood you... You never wanted to tell me... And they told me what your mother did to y–"

She suddenly felt how his fingertips pushed her cheeks...

Laito grinned atrociously. He tilted his head a little down, closer to her forehead. His cold breath horrified her to the bones.

"Do you cry because you perhaps pity me? Do you think I'm pathetic? Don't you? And you wanted to know all this crap because you wanted to be closer? You just wanted to flare my weaknesses.."  – he talked desperately, he was on the edge of madness.

She leaned her arms around his arms, maybe intending to wake him up from rage with touches.

"I'll drink you to death, till your body dries if you lie to me about what's on your mind. Have you heard it? Now tell."

She sighed deeply, as for the last time.

"Laito... I never lied to you... I value the truth... more than anything else in this world... And I think a person has to know their reality, their fate... And accept this to..keep going further in life... But.. Ayato said, you don't want to hear it, you didn't want to hear the facts... And see... And feel your true feelings... And I also felt that you're not okay with yourself... I thought that a person who can't accept the verity of his own life... can't feel... happiness..."

  Laito was unable to listen to this shit.

"Cut the crap or I cut you instead!" he shouted, then started mumbling something unrecognizable.

He was hurt, hurt again. Everyone tends to hurt him, he can't make up another way to protect his inner world... Everyone likes destroying, humiliating him, they want to break the facade just to prove to themselves that they are so good and so kind.

"You were hurt, Laito... But... I'll be with you... I'll help you to overcome this because I see you in myself, I felt the sa..."

Laito didn't hear. He grabbed her throat, his long fingers pressed on her skin tightly, and he started strangling her.

"Shut up! Shut up! Shut up! Wither already!"

As she was suffocating, she tried to speak but instead, there were only murmurs. 

"You never take control over me! You never overlord ! "  he yelled.

"I'm suffocating..."

She was done. A huge purple bruise around her neck... Lifeless body. Warm soft skin.

   Laito was covered in gloom. He was crying and didn't feel relief as he expected he would... Seems like he didn't find the solution...He made things even worse.

  ***

He dug a hole in the field and put the body in it. He couldn't make himself close her eyes, he couldn't stand this stare.

***

   Reiji sighed.

"The familiars will bury her properly. And for you, Laito... I doubt I'll satisfy you with any advice."

Reiji managed to leave him alone. Honestly, it was the best thing he could do.

"Reiji... do you have something like a poison? I know you have, I know you have everything in your lab..." his voice still had some nervous echo in it.

The older vampire didn't even turn back. "Good grief. I have to admit, she had the truth in her words. You'd better think about it." he said.

***

After this accident, everyone felt how Laito acted downcast. However, nobody had the nerve to soothe his pain.

Ayato kept silent, as he probably figured out why the girl was killed...

Laito ignored Ayato for some time but after a few months, he started acting the ae as usual. A new girl arrived at the mansion, a new cycle started...

However, sometimes during the dawn time, Laito visits Makoto's grave. It's nothing more than an unnamed gravestone, to tell you the truth. He sits nearby the grave, sometimes he cries, who knows why, although. Maybe he figured out whom she was to him? Maybe he was up to way accepting his reality? Or he just regrets that he killed her so he would never play with her again?

Only Laito knows that.

[dennydraws]

The art of slowing down

Hello, hello! Good morning :D It's time for another art related blog post that I'm surprised to find people following and enjoying? \o/ I want to be consistent with these cause over the past year or so I started to feel less and less connected to my art or art in general and talking about art related things does help me get back into that mindset!

And today I wanted to ramble about .... slowing down.

I recently working on a personal piece and while completely enjoying the process I reached the background part. As usual my first idea was - ok I'm not drawing this grass or bushes or whatever, surely I can find a brush somewhere. Long story short I spent more time looking for a brush than working on my line art, got upset and started drawing my own grass. And as I was drawing the grass I got completely sucked into the process, I was actually enjoying it? Why was I in a hurry to get the background done anyway? So I could post it asap? Why?

(Behold! My very much self painted and slightly burned grass :D)

I'm pretty sure I rambled about this before somewhere... or here and I have a need to ramble about it once more xD;;

It feels like nowadays we're so bombarded with fast content. Even looking on youtube for art videos you keep being fed with - draw faster, improve better, complete X for Y days etc ... and I was in that trap too. My first idea all the time is how do I get faster? But now I'm starting to replace it with - how do I get comfortable. If the process is comfortable, then it doesn't have to be faster, does it?

Thanks to beloved algorithm and social media trends we are taught that our art is worth 5 seconds on the platform's dash, so yes why should I invest hours and hours into a piece that will go into the endless scrolling void in 5 seconds? Yes, my mutuals will see it, but they will also see my blorbo scribbles that I did in an hour or less. It feels like the current climate online doesn't want you to slow down and enjoy the process of your own art and instead invest in quantity over quality.

That's not good for your brain, or mine. I've always been one to enjoy the process until recent years where I found myself constantly stressing over how fast I draw or what's the point when something easy can get me seemingly same results - just how a grass brush would seemingly get me same results - it didn't. I felt way happier with me drawing the grass myself. Will anyone notice or care? I don't know but it made me really happier that I did it.

I can't help how people like or dislike my art, I can only help how I feel about it and I rather go back to loving the process even when it's slow and even when a couple of brushes will 'solve' my issues. I'm not saying hey ditch all the brushes, no I think they are wonderful mean to enhance your piece! I only used it as comparison cause it made me, personally me, say wait, hold on... why am I not drawing the grass myself? When did I stop enjoying the process?

But yes, thank you for reading my little rambles, dear reader! All inspired my me drawing grass :D;; I need to post the said piece later on, I was really happy how it turned out too! \o/ But with that said, I don't want my rambles to get way too long so, I hope you have an inspiring and great rest of the week!

[whatsjenniupto]

Fourth Time's the Charm

March 2020: "Have you booked your flights for this summer yet?" No, I'm still deciding how much of Portugal I can justifiably see this summer. Two days later. You know.

Summer 2021: The Czech border wasn't open until after we canceled the summer program in Plzen. No Europe trip for me.

May 2022: I'm doing it! I'm going to Portugal. Two days later, can you teach high school for a year? Portugal.

Summer 2023: I'm going to Portugal. I need to recover from teaching high school. No one talk to me about anything else. I'm not listening. I'm going to Portugal.

First up, Lisbon. Which was lovely. Beautiful architecture. Beautiful azulejos.

Great public transportation -- even if I had to keep paying 50 cents for new navegante cards when I didn't feel I should have to based on my research, but whatever.

But...that's all I got. No epic stories. No huge memorable moments. It was...fine. The closest tale I have is when I decided to go from the Cemitério de Prazeres to the Aqueduto das Águas Livres. Let's sum this up with the fact that GoogleMaps should really come with a sketch factor for their walking trips.

After wandering around the Cemitério de Prazeres, I loaded my directions to the aqueduct. I knew that there was some sort of switchback hill involved, but this is Portugal. Everything has some sort of switchback hill involved. I looped around the outside wall of the cemetery, crossed the street, and started down the hill -- immediately thinking if someone jumps out of one of these trash covered bush piles, I am -- nope, don't go there. It's fine. This is fine. We're fine. Totally fine.

I looped back and forth down the hill, each turn a little more covered in trash than the last, cut between two tennis courts breathing a sigh of relief that there seemed to be a group planting a garden to my left, cut through a row of apartments, and located the bus stop. There was a woman standing there and I let out a sigh of relief. Ok, not as sketchy as I thought. Just covered in trash. Alright, 10min until the bus. We're good.

Toothless woman comes up asking for a cigarette. Three people walk by in dirty pajamas. A vast number play chicken across the six lane road to avoid using the flyover. ...Or maybe this place is about as sketchy as I thought. But the bus came, I made it to the aqueduct without issue, and the following day, I would be right back at this same bus stop transferring to a different bus on my way down to Belem. Not a location on most tourist's itinerary, but apparently a very convenient one for me.

Two highlights from Lisbon:

Americanos from Copenhagen Coffee Lab: it was beautifully cool in the mornings, so a hot americano was perfect to start the day.

Torre da Igreja do Castelo de São Jorge: I decided to climb a church tower that was not a part of the main tourist drag and discovered it came with a free glass of wine. Lemme get this straight, I don't have to stand in line and you're going to give me wine as a reward for climbing stairs?

And a lowlight:

Carmo Convent: Negative 1 - I had to stand in line under the hot Lisbon sun and burn my shoulders. Negative 2 - half of it is under construction currently making taking any cool pictures a gigantic skills test. Negative 3 - I had to pay five euros to be epically disappointed. Positive: This was the one and only line I stood in during my two week trip. Primarily because I tried to avoid anything that came with an entrance fee after this or booked a ticket online in advance.

Originally, I had planned on seeing more in Lisbon on my way from Sintra to Óbidos...but I didn't. I opted to stay in my guesthouse in Sintra, lounging in yoga pants and catching up on Masterchef Australia instead.

Do I feel my time in Lisbon was bad? No, not at all.

Did I eat amazing pasteis de nata? Of course. I even found a gluten free version. It was delicious.

Did I ride the iconic trams? Of course. Guess what -- they're a tram. Do they look cool in photos? Of course. Did I pester my waitress for an hour about when the tram was coming up the line I was eating next to so I could get the perfect shot of my partner and do test shots of her on four different chairs before settling on the best angle? NO. (Seriously, like the waitress has any control of a tram coming by. And FYI, I would prefer not to photobomb your lunacy. Please keep me out of your shot. I'm eating here.)

Lisbon was fine. Just fine.

[your-turn-to-role]

okay so i haven't watched the episode and honestly i don't think i'm going to, there's a lot i've heard about what's happened with vm that i really don't know how i feel about yet

but it's been a long time since the cast were playing c1, huh

like i don't blame them if they've forgotten or moved on from the themes of it, it was a decade ago and sometimes this stuff changes

but as far as the characters go, like. yeah, loving people and losing them was keyleth's worst fear, and they all knew that from the start

vax let the choice to be in a relationship be hers because he didn't want to push her into something that would inevitably be traumatic for her

(and he even apologised when he died because "i've confirmed your worst fears and then some")

but loving vax was the start of her overcoming that! he's always had a huge heart despite the losses he's been through and he wears it on his sleeve. his entire philosophy is best summed up by his quote to vex in 72, when she's beating around the bush about admitting she likes percy, "what the fuck do we have in this world except moments with each other? that's all we've got. [...] you know what's awkward? a life not lived."

when the rest of vm tries to turn inwards and isolate themselves as protection vax drags them back together again because he knows the best remedy for a broken heart isn't to shut yourself off but to love even stronger in spite of it. and keyleth agreeing to be with him was proof some of that got through to her

and then there was kerrek, who saw that she was afraid of every step she took, because she knew she would live to see the consequences, she plotted out everything she did under the assumption she might come to regret it centuries from now. and he told her she had the soul of a gardener, and that was a good thing for a leader to have. but sometimes as a fighter, you need the soul of a blacksmith, who knows that when a project goes wrong you melt it down and try again. and he gave her a ring, as a reminder that even for a gardener, some seeds only flourish after they've been burned

and to the most important episode in keyleth's entire arc, her twisted mirror sprigg. sprigg terrified her because where everyone else looked at him and saw a kooky old man, she saw, in crystal clarity, her future. a retired adventurer who'd shirked his duty out of spite, who lived in utter isolation, all his friends dead so long ago he didn't even remember their names.

but (ignoring for now all the other potential consequences of that particular choice by bells hells) they helped him find himself again. they helped him find meaning in service to ioun, and in ioun's library, where nothing is ever forgotten. and once he was given a reason to remember, he realised none of their names had ever left him. a friendship that meaningful cannot be erased by time, and if you lose it, you can always find it again

she had all the coping mechanisms and support a narrative could provide. and while "how am i supposed to get over you if you keep sending ravens to me?" "i am imperfect, as are the gods" lives forever in my mind, i wonder how the vax of c1 would feel, seeing this

The thing that kills me about Keyleth getting Vax back is how anti character development it is for her.

Her horror at how her increased lifespan will inevitably result in her outliving people she loves is something introduced in campaign one, and losing Vax is the very first taste of that inevitability. Campaign three shows us Keyleth as a woman who has spent thirty years refusing to move on and develop a healthy relationship with grief, still terrified by the prospect of outliving those she loves. And then she gets her dead boyfriend back, and he's immortal now, so she'll never lose him again.

It's pathetic! It's sad! It's kicking the can down the road! What's she gonna do when Percy dies? Grog? Every friend she has besides her immortal dead bf? Is her social circle just gonna close up further and further till it's just her and Vax for a thousand years, because Keyleth never learned how to mourn people she loves while also forming new meaningful relationships, and was in fact rewarded by the narrative for refusing to do so?

[a-crash-in-time-collection]

Chapter 67: The Battle Begins

The flames danced around, coiled around, burnt effortlessly. On the trees, the bushes, the rocks. Even chunks of the ground were nothing but fire. The smoke from the fire kept trying to reach the floating Moon figure. Trying to burn out his very soul like what happened with the first long ago. The charm was the only thing keeping him safe. He applied some of the spells of protection and resistance he got from Victor onto it. He didn't know how long the spells would last however.

Randy had to be quick. Sure the enchanted ice was protecting most of the forest from actually being harmed, but he could see the ice slowly melting away in places, burning whatever was under them. Whatever enchantments Vanessa had put on the ice clearly wasn't meant to last this long. Randy had to summon small bursts of water over weakened spots just to try and keep things contained. He didn't want Subcon's ghosts returning to a destroyed forest. It was his job to protect it now. Like it or not.

Deity of the Moon. Protector of Subcon Forest... he wasn't going to get to go home with the clan even after this was all over, was he? Something was going to come along again. Even if it was years from now... He shook his head. No, he shouldn't be thinking about anything but basic survival for himself. Ezra and Vanessa were a threat that had to be dealt with, he could let himself drown in self-pity for the position he was thrown into later. He just had to find the two before they found him.

He would eventually come across the bridge that led into Vanessa's domain of Subcon, which was still as icy as ever. The only part of the forest that wasn't burning... He floated across to that side to let his body cool slightly, even with the charm's magic the forest felt hotter than the sun. Or a really hot oven. Randy hadn't experienced a summer day since his arrival so... He shook his head. Why was his mind trailing off again? He couldn't wander now! Was there something in the air?!

...He caught a hint of pink in the corner of his eyes just as he thought that, seeing what looked like an average flower. Just sitting there, among the flames, not even having ice protecting it yet not burnt. He got closer and picked it, the back of his mind starting to wander more and more as the scent from it hit him. He quickly threw it into the depths below the bridge before it could take full effect, but he knew that must have been one of the traps. He heard rope behind him.

He quickly dodge the net, seeing it basked in a glow of magic, before he turned his attention to the figure below him. "You made your queen very upset." the demon spoke, while Vanessa looked up at Randy, anger and pain in her eyes as her hands shook. They had two of their 'guards' beside them, both slightly melted but still keeping their shape. Ezra offered a smile. "How could you break her heart like that?"

"You know full well I am not her prince." Randy spoke, his tone much colder than when he spoke before. He knew it wasn't a frightening tone coming from him, but he wanted to get the message across. "I offer you one last chance to end things peacefully. Vanessa goes back to her manor, you find a cave to crawl into, and let Snatcher have his forest back." Randy demanded, despite knowing it would be in vain. "And we NEVER hear or see a single spect of either of you ever again... But you're too prideful to take that, aren't you?"

"Like you have anything to say about Pride." Vanessa called up, a sob mixed in with the anger that made her voice toxic. Randy had his hands placed behind his back, already charging a spell there. He wanted to be ready. Let her talk all she wanted before then. She kept her gaze locked on him, and Randy could have sworn she had a bloody tear running down her face. "You left me for some Florist. Broke my heart and took the entire kingdom with it!"

Ezra rolled his eyes when she wasn't looking, before smirking as he glanced up at Randy. "Those powers you gained in your rebirth have gone to your head." Ezra claimed as glance briefly down at his hands, at the claws. Ready to slice into Randy, no doubt about it. Randy kept his face still, looking down on them, waiting for them to make the first move. Ezra gave a disappointed sigh as he shook his head. "And after she spent everything to bring you back... Let us take them away, so you can return peacefully."

"I promise I'll treat you right, my Prince. I always have..." Vanessa claimed as she reached her hand out to Randy. Randy just looked at the hand, and gave a glare, shaking his head. Vanessa's hand started to shake, and he could see the control she had over herself started to fade. "Fine, I'll MAKE you then!" She called as she pointed her finger, a pillar of ice sprouting from the ground and trying to form around him, Randy shooting up and blasting away the ice before it could.

"Fine. We're doing it this way then." Randy said before he took the other hand that still had its charged magic. Strings formed from the finger tips and he lunged them in the direction of the ground, the strings burying themselves under the earth before sprouting out and quickly coiling around Vanessa and Ezra. They didn't get to capture them, as one of the guards quickly swiped at the strings, cutting them, making Randy let out a hiss as he quickly recalled the strings into his palm.

The groups stared at each other for a moment, waiting for the other to strike. Randy chose to dash back, holding his breath and holding in a shout as he ducked behind some smoke from one of the trees, forcing Ezra and Vanessa to come to him. He floated up to one of the nooses in the tree, barely holding out against all the flames. He placed a spell on it, causing it to split into five. Once Ezra had entered his sights below, Randy lunged it down, the noose quickly looping around his hands and legs, the final part going for his neck.

Randy saw fear briefly enter Ezra's eyes before he smirked. "Try again." He called before he grabbed the rope in his mouth before it could wrap around his neck, breathing out flames that set the rope ablaze. Randy pulled it up to try and send it down on Vanessa instead, but she summoned a spike that cut the rope before it got close, the noose falling to the ground with a screaming sound before it burnt out, a faint blue aura rising from it. Ezra gave a smirk as he looked up at Randy.

Randy tried to think of what to do next. He wanted to keep his distance. He knew Ezra and Vanessa likely had a plan for the millisecond Randy got too close to them. He raised his hand to above, the clouds in Subcon's sky starting to take a darker hue before thunder started to roar from them, rain falling out onto the forest. Ezra quickly planted his hand to the ground, sending out a flame attack to knock Randy out of his concentration, Randy barely avoiding most of it once he saw it enter his vision. He had to pause to breathe.

"Don't you see your little 'protections' aren't doing anything?" Randy asked as he turned to Vanessa, one hand ready with a spell and keeping his mind focused in case an attack came. "The forest is getting destroyed." He said as he gestured to one of the trees nearby, who's bark could be seen beginning to darken under the heat of the flames, even with a thin layer of ice protecting it. "Whatever spell you're using wasn't meant to last this long. Even if you win, you will have no home!"

"I can rebuild it, and don't put the blame on me!" Vanessa called up as she threw a spell right past his shoulder. Randy couldn't tell if it was an intentional miss or not. Vanessa stomped her foot on the ground, from up here she almost looked like a toddler. No, worse than that. Toddlers had more respect for themselves and those around. She still had a few tears going down her eyes. "It's your fault it's all like this! All you had to do was stay with me, why is that so hard to ask?"

"Well," Randy couldn't help but chuckle. "Have you considered you might be the worst woman alive?"

Vanessa looked genuinely taken aback, before growling. "I'll cut off your arms when I get you!"

She summoned a spike, Ezra quickly lighting it on fire, and Randy smirked, although a single sweat drop dripped down his face. The battle was really beginning.

Almost instantly, the group started firing their attacks at one another. Randy's lunar magic, Vanessa's ice, and Ezra's hell fire dashing and slashing about. It was utter madness, no rhyme or reason to any movement. Just a need to try and be the last one standing no matter the cost. Randy had to act quick, who knows how long he would have to do this on his own.

-------

The sun hadn't rose yet, but multiple toppats were already awake and starting that day's routine. Another measurement in place in the chance Vanessa and Ezra tried to attack the orbital station. Those who were out on night-watch would return to their rooms to sleep for the hours they stayed up. Although if you asked Hat Girl, it felt the one for last night looked too well rested when they came in. Then again, nothing bad had happened during the sleeping hours so maybe it was fine? It wasn't like they could miss anything.

She finished her breakfast relatively quickly that morning, talking to Mu and Platinum while she did. Her dads were at another table nearby, discussing what needed to be done next. She could see Calla dragging Sven into the cafe while Burt rolled his eyes nearby, Fredrick by his side. Conductor and Grooves were just starting to head in as she went to leave, garbing a box from the kitchen as she did.

"Hey, wait for me!" Platinum called as he rushed to meet up with her. Mr. Macbeth had become a bit of a mess, barely leaving his room unless it was to watch over Randy. Neither blamed him, the stress of the situation was getting to them too, but he started forgetting to get food for himself. Sure, he didn't need to eat anymore, but Hat Girl still wanted to make sure he had something in his system. He was one of the better fighters the clan had, after all. "You think he's getting better?"

"Probably not." Hat Girl sighed as she began to approach Macbeth's door. She paused before she knocked on it. Something just felt off in a way she couldn't describe. She could hear Macbeth say something but it wasn't clear what it was. He sounded a bit panicked... It threw her off. She rarely heard him like that. She and Platinum looked at each other before she knocked on the door. "Mr. Macbeth!" She called. "I wanted to drop something off for you and Alex, is ev-"

The door open before she could finish, Macbeth stepping out. "Have either of you two seen Randy? He's not answerin' his phone."

"We just left the cafeteria." Hat Girl said as she shook his head, Macbeth letting her step inside so she could drop off the box. She tried not to show it but now that it was mentioned, she was worried. Randy specially set up a loud ringtone to use whenever he was going to sleep in case he needed to be woken up and for whatever reason no one could get in his room. She heard it, it was impossible not to wake up from. "We can go check on him if you want. His room's only a bit down from here, right?"

"That's the issue, Hat Girl." Macbeth said as he gestured down the hall, walking again as if unsure even as he spoke. "First thing I did when I woke up this mornin' was check on him, and he was just, gone." Macbeth explained as he tried calling Randy's number again. He was trying to put on a calmer act now that he was with the teens, but his pupil was still shaking in fear. "He doesn't normally do this, he's always either right here or comes right to me when I wake up. This isn't right."

"Well, maybe he's-" Platinum paused his statement. "Hey, didn't we fix that window? Why is the glass just gone now."

"What?" Hat Girl asked as Platinum pointed to a window ahead of them. At first she thought he had to be joking, only to pause when she got to it and saw that, in fact, there was no glass. SHe knew for a fact there was some there before. She poked her head though and looked down, trying to see if there were any signs of the missing glass. But no. It didn't look like it fell and there weren't any sharps so it couldn't have been shattered. "Hmm... Hey Snatcher!" Hat Girl called as she saw the ghost passing by. "You know anything about missing glass?"

"Kiddo, why the peck would I know anything about missing glass?" Snatcher deadpanned as he looked over, tilting his head slightly once he actually saw the window. He thought about making a comment about how they could have missed such a thing, but paused as there was a faint sound in the distant. Almost like a boom. He leaned out the window and saw what looked to be a blast of light faintly disappearing from Subcon. LIke a missed attack. "Macbeth. Do you know where Randy is?" Snatcher asked. "Because I'm pretty sure he's in Subcon right now."

"Why is he there?!" Macbeth called out as he pushed himself past Snatcher to look out, the ghost hissing as he rubbed the side of his face. By now the burnt marks from the flames had healed, but the underlying ache was still there. Macbeth took some breaths once what happened clicked, him trying to focus his mind on staying calm. He turned to the teens. "Tell the chief I'll be back, I need to go help him." Macbeth claimed before he began to head down the hall, before pausing. "I hear you, why are you following me?"

"Do you think I'm gonna stand to the side while one of my friend's homes gets destroyed, and one of the chiefs fights for it alone?" Hat Girl asked as she glanced back at Snatcher briefly while talking. Snatcher got a small smirk on his face as she adjusted her hat and checked she had her umbrella on her. Macbeth opened his mouth to stop her but Hat Girl quickly put him off. "I know I'm out of practice but at least I have experience. Besides, you want all the help you can get Randy out, right?"

Macbeth was quiet for a moment, before sighing. "I suppose I'd be lyin' if I said otherwise, but yo' dads will kill me."

"Well, you're already dead so nothing they can do about that." Platinum said as he began to dash down the hall. Macbeth raced over and stopped him, Platinum pausing as he looked at him. He expected to get some lecture but Macbeth just walked into the room and came out a minute later with a gun, handing it to Platinum. Platinum paused as he looked at it, before looking at Macbeth. "Do you really trust me with this?" He didn't get an answer, but Platinum made sure the safety was on and kept it away from anyone.

"Oh, now I really gotta see how this turns out." Snatcher smiled as he kept following the group. Inside he was still shaken. Still guilty. But he couldn't dwell on that forever. It was his forest, he needed to be the one to try and save it. Otherwise he wouldn't have claim to the title of 'Subcon's Ruler'. Not after he caused his own subjects to get hurt. And he sure wasn't about to let some reborn human take the title from him.

"Let's just get goin', I'm not letting Randy fight alone." Macbeth had to keep himself from shouting that as he began to head down the hall. The group quickly followed him, but Hat Girl trailed behind just a little. She had pulled out her phone and was setting up a message she would send once they got past the protected dome of the Overseers. Letting her family and friends know what was happening and where they were. "I swear if he got himself hurt badly." She could hear Macbeth mumble to himself.

She put her phone in her pocket as she raced up to him. "Come on, you always said Randy could do anything, right?" Hat Girl asked, getting a look from the man. "Ok maybe you never said it out loud, but surely you thought it, right?" She wanted to put his nerves at eaze, even if just for a little. They would be fine, they had to be after all. And she dealt with Vanessa before... even if that was hiding under the table in her manor. "Worst case scenario, we'll have to call a retreat."

"I doubt Rand will allow that." Macbeth shook his head as he got out of the station, having to force himself to slow so he didn't trip over on the steep trip down. "He's stubborn."

"Oh!" Platinum said. "So that's where you got it from."

Macbeth couldn't even roll his eyes at that comment. He understood what they were trying to do but the times for games and jokes were long over. Even simple lightheartedness wasn't allowed right now. Not while Randy was starring in the face of death.

-------

How long was this going to go on for? It felt like days had passed already and the fight wasn't near being done. Ezra and Vanessa were a lot stronger than he had hoped, and they really had figured out how to make their clasing magic work well together. Just because the fire-resistance spell was fading on the trees and flora didn't mean it would start fading the second Ezra and Vanessa applied it to a new structure of ice. And Vanessa seemed to have an endless amount of ice she could summon.

Randy was getting hits in now and again, but it was hard to do anything of note with having to keep far enough away in order to prevent them from getting the upper hand. The battleground had mostly turned into a bullet-hell of spells being thrown around, hoping in vain one would hit and actually do something. But all their bodies seemed to possess some resistance to the spells even when they did hit, so they couldn't drain all their energy magically and force them to freeze in place.

Randy was starting to get tired, but he couldn't let that stop him. He seemed to gain energy the closer to Subcon's moon he got, so he would float as high as his body would allow whenever he started to get worried about his chances.

"Stop being a coward!" Ezra called up as he began to make a ball of flame in his hand, sending it up. Randy was able to dodge it with ease, but failed to notice the ball of ice that followed until it was a few feet from him. He snapped his hands to shatter it, but it quickly let out some sort of mist as it did, it quickly surrounding him. He felt it quickly sent into him, trying to freeze his body from the inside out. He had to get closer to the fire, as idiotic as it sounded.

He floated down to one of the treetops, making sure he kept enough distance so that the fire's magical effects couldn't start on him. He fired off a few spells below, but he suddenly felt something grab him. One of the tree's branches being manipulated like a puppet, the fire quickly tried to burst through the protective charm. He held in a shout as he slashed at the branch with his magic, his clothing starting to burn.

Ezra began to lower him down with a smirk, before pausing as he heard a rushing sound from nearby. "Oh no you don't!" He turned just in time to see Snatcher slam his fist into the ground, a quick and powerful trail of magic heading right to Ezra's location. Ezra had to break his focus to dodge, allowing Randy to break out and quickly use a storm spell again to put out the fire on him, him shivering a bit afterwards. Ezra got up, Vanessa walking by his side to make sure he was ok before they both turned their attention to the visitor.

Snatcher looked at them both, his hands shaking slightly as he took a breath. No running, not now. Be the phantom he always had been. Show no remorse, no mercy. Become the ruler that made Subcon the most feared place on the planet. He quickly summoned potions above him before sending them crashing, being mindful to dive into the ground before either could throw one back at him and force him to turn blue. It wasn't long before the teens raced out from where he was, Hat Girl adjusting her brewing hat while Platinum tried to find a place to hide and shoot.

"Of course it's those pests." Vanessa hissed as she summoned a pillar of ice to rise under them, trying to throw them off their feet. Ezra meanwhile tried to find Snatcher under the ground to attack, avoiding the potions as he did so. He growled as he turned back to the teens and saw the charms around their neck. How many had this Moonjumper made? Was he planning on bringing an army in here?! He needed to act fast, and started jumping from a stump into a tree, trying to climb to where Randy was.

Randy saw him out of the corner of his eye and lunged forward to fire a spell. He went further then he wanted and that allowed Ezra to jump out and grab him, forcing him to crash into the ground. Ezra went to slash at Randy's face, before an odd look went over his eye, turning white. Randy took the chance to back up as it seemed suddenly Macbeth was in front of him, firing off an attack with his rifle that knocked the demon back, the white in his eyes fading as he snapped out of the 'trance' of Macbeth's ability.

Macbeth took a few breaths before he turned to Randy, worry and faint anger in his eyes. "Dad, what were you thinkin'!?" He asked as he went over to check on Randy, already applying some of his magic to heal him. He couldn't see any major injuries, just a few scratches and scrapes from where the spells hit and tore his sleeves. The area where Randy had been garbed by the branch was burnt, but not completely withered away. "Didn't we talk about this? Who knows what would happen if we didn't notice!"

"I didn't want anyone else getting hurt, Java!" Randy claimed before he leaned back on the rock they were near, one of the few things besides the fire that hadn't been set ablaze. He turned his head to the side to watch the nearby fight, raising a finger to fire a small spell to at least distract the demon. He then looked down, allowing his body to rest, the adrenaline starting to fade a bit. "I figured I was already dead. I got to live my life. If anyone should risk themselves, it's me."

"You didn't have to do it alone!" Java called, tears starting in his eyes. "And you didn't get to, Dad. It got cut short."

Randy took a breath, sighing. "I just... they want me so badly. That's the reason Snatcher has to fight now. I thought I should be the one to handle it, I didn't want to just wait.." He whispered something else under his breath, as Java looked at him. He pulled his hand away once he seemed healed enough, and Randy adjusted his position to where he was straighter. "I didn't want anyone getting hurt... especially not you..." He gave a knowing smile. "But you were always going to come out, weren't you, Right Hand?"

Macbeth nodded a bit, and suddenly they heard a shout. "Hey it's nice you guys are having a bonding moment but we got a situation over here!" Platinum called as he ducked behind a tree as Vanessa tried to make a wall of ice collapse on him. He quickly reloaded the gun. Snatcher had placed an enchantment on it before they got there so they didn't need to worry about physically running out of bullets, but it still needed to be 'reloaded' for the magic to work.. "God, Pops should have shown me more of how to do this!"

Randy took a breath as he floated up. "Just be careful." He quickly told Java before he went back up to the sky. Vanessa seemed to realize that things would go downhill for her and Ezra if she didn't call backup, so she quickly shot ice nearby and made it take the shape of her old guards, Ezra set them ablaze once he took notice of them, Most of their other guards were still on patrol in parts of the forest and it would be a bit before they could get over here to help with the fight.

Hat Girl was acting quick with her attack, focusing most of her attention on the guards once they formed since it was clear they would be the biggest issue to the ground. useless distractions from taking down the real goal. And as she dashed about, throwing off her explosive cash and occasionally switching to another hat when she needed something else, she felt... odd.. Briefly like she had in the tunnel of the metro that day the group had to rescue her. Where for a moment she felt stronger than before.

Odd thing to notice at an odd time, but she could have sworn she felt faster. It was like the magic around was starting to take notice of her, and wanted a piece of her. She had to shake her head to clear those thoughts as a guard suddenly came up and swung at her, barely scratching her flesh as she backed away. "You're gonna need to be faster than that." She smirked before she ducked back.

"Heads up!" A voice called from below.

The guard just looked down for a moment, before Snatcher burst through the ground, shattering the guard and able to wipe away the effects of the fire magic before it got to him. He then turned to where Vanessa was and gave a knowing smirk. Oh, this was going to be fun after all...

-------

Time felt odd as the fight continued. No one exactly had time to stop and check the time and Randy only knew it had been hours by the arrival of the members. The issue came up about the living fighters for Randy's side. Hat Girl was going to get exhausted sooner or later and while Platinum was more resistant to heat, he was also affected by the fire's magic and had to be more careful with what he did. Besides, his battery would only last so long and the second it ran out, he would be nothing but a chunk of metal on the floor.

Randy tried not to think about it, instead trying to make the enemies focus on himself. He already had something faintly in mind for both of them, how to put them in their places permanently. He just couldn't do it while they were both by each other. And he doubted he could get away with just doing it to Ezra while the flames roared all around him. The flames seemed to power Ezra, or maybe it was just because Randy couldn't get too close. Regardless, he needed to wait for the perfect opening, no matter how long that took.

Unforntally, it seems Vanessa wanted to make the process just a bit harder. "I'll have you all hanging by your hearts!" She shouted before blasting some of her magic nearby, Randy groaning a bit once he realized what was happening. Ezra didn't even wait for them to fully form, just set the newly formed guards ablaze. Resulting in more choppy but many more guards joining the fight to protect their Queen and her little rat. Randy instantly used his strings to pull Platinum and Hat Girl a bit away from them so they didn't get overwhelmed, hissing as the fire tried to seep in.

Macbeth and Snatcher took notice, so Snatcher quickly tossed a spell over to Macbeth who went to the guards. He couldn't use his main ability on them since they didn't have a soul, but he could still use a few smaller tricks. He applied the spell to himself, making him faster as he pulled out his refile and just started firing.

"Pest!" Vanessa hissed as she shot out a row of spikes in the direction of him. "I can summon more than you can destroy! Give up!" Macbeth barely ducked out of the way of the spikes, although they wouldn't be there for long. A sharp, sudden red ray of light burst through them, almost hitting Vanessa before she summoned a hill of ice to take the hit. She growled, she knew that strange red light. Still remember when it first tried to kill her in her own home. Of course he'd be here too.

"They saw my message!" Hat Girl said as she was making her way back to where she was before Snatcher had dragged her away. Right flew over and quickly scanned the area, Vanessa was making more guards already. He let out a quick mumble as he focused his attention on a group of them. One tried to throw it's weapons at him but it was knocked away by an oversized knife being thrown in the direction. Hat Girl would hear the birds bickering a bit already. Perfect.

"Conductor, try to have more aim at least, you almost missed." Grooves said, watching mostly from the sidelines. He and Conductor weren't in the condition to get on the main battlefield. The only reason they were even here was because Snatcher had the hidesight to give them a contract that temporarily gave them powers to recreate the 'boss fight' Grooves had with Hat Girl back then. Not the words the DJ would have used but, at least he could do something. They couldn't stand on the side after all.

Randy looked down at the battlefield for a moment as he charged another attack. Despite knowing he didn't want the others fighting, he knew how things went. One person goes into battle, the army follows. Snatcher had his attention mostly focused on Vanessa, and the group was handling the guards, so he felt he could put his whole focus on Ezra, firing off his attack while Ezra was distracted. Ezra barely ducked, his horn getting cracked by the attack. Good.

Hat Girl and Platinum snuck closer to the fight, Hat Girl giving a smirk as she decides to switch out her hat for the ice hat. "Let's see how this works." She said before she began to sneak near the guards, freezing whenever one tried to look at her. The hat seemed to confuse them, even as Vanessa would shout to destroy it since it wasn't her ice. Hat Girl could unfreeze and get hits off when she could, at least cracking parts of the guards. However, she was a little too slow to unfreeze, and saw a guard swing at her.

Time paused for a moment, before she found herself getting pulled back to before she froze. She quickly ducked away, and went to swap out her hat back to the brewing one. She heard a loud crash and the sound of shattering ice, turning to see Reginald and Mu hiding from behind a tree, Mu rushing over with a glare on her face, taking some breaths even with her mask blocking out the smoke. "What were you thinking?!" Mu demanded once she got there. "You could have gotten killed! You shouldn't even have left without us!"

"Well, Dad and Papa were busy and I knew you didn't sleep well. Thought we’d get a head start?" Hat Girl stated as Mu facepalmed... Her annoyance quickly faded a bit as the real emotion of fear shown through. Hat Girl quickly threw some exploding cash at a guard she heard walking in their direction before walking back to where Reginald was with Mu. "But hey, I'm fine, you're fine. We're going to be fine at the end of this. Just, it's taking a little longer than I hoped."

"Hattie, is there something up with your eye?" Reginald asked, Hat Girl pausing at that statement. It felt like it came out of nowhere. She reached up and rubbed her eye, like that would give her any information. Mu seemed to pause once she took notice of something, but said nothing. Reginald shook his head and quickly gave her a look over as he loaded an experimental gun he brought. "Just make sure to bring your father back over if you see him pushing himself, I upgraded his cooling but there's so much flame around."

"He has the charm too, he should be fine." Hat Girl said, but gave a quick salute before hopping back onto the main battleground.

"Still!" Reginald called out.

The battle didn't seem like it would be close to ending anytime soon, but that's fine.

As long as they kept the upper hand away from Vanessa and Ezra it would be fine.