#i'll be real i have THOUGHTS on the lords of fortune

[alongtidesoflight]

OH AND YEAH I FORGOT HE REJOINED BEST GIRL FOR A WHILE

look at his doe eyed ass GO

[titania-sleeps]

could we have more of depraved angel? 🥺🙏 Pleaseeee Dom him hard already

hiii ty for loving him, he loves you back sooo much :D i'm glad you're so eager cause he's already begging for it (if you squint hard enough precum is already there and you haven't done anything yet!)

this is coup de grace from his pov so you get to see all the thoughts in his silly head. (there are none. head empty no thoughts he just wants you.)

i'll release other content later :3

Coup De Grâce (Angel!Yandere x Nun!Reader) His POV

this is the continuation of this post

if you want to see this from your pov, click here (i recommend reading from your pov first)

warning: nsfw, dom reader (implied afab), dacryphilia, implied somnophilia (but it's like,,, not real cause you're awake), minors DNI pls

The curtains parts, moonlight trickling through the cracks. You lay in your bed, breathing steadily. Your eyes are closed. Not a single eyelash moved.

He swallows air. He is the angel, but he is convinced that there exists a halo around you. He pauses his movements, taking a second to take in the breathtaking scene.

Slowly, he drifts over your hardwood floor and lands on your bed. A soft thump echoes as he finds his spot next to you, as he does every night. His fingers dance around his cock, bringing it out from his robes. A smear of wetness accompanies his hands. Truly, he is enamored.

He shifts closer to you, using his hand to guide his head to where your ass is. He shudders in anticipation, allowing his hips to move against your form.

The initial feeling is grasped in sin. His body fills with a warmth far greater than that he could find in the embrace of the divine Lord. He muffles his whimper. There exists a ring in hell for individuals such as him, in the Second Circle, but perhaps he belonged in the center of hell. He is a heretic, yet he is fortunately not favored. He would not be cast down to pay Lucifer companionship.

Mikhael clutches your hand, his body shifting closer to you. He gasps, his cock sliding against your ass clumsily. He moves languidly, cautiously, afraid you will wake up. You are an unwilling partner in his sin, and all that he can do to absolve you of your guilt is to ensure you stay like that.

He moans softly into your ear, his hand tightening around your hand. His fingers slip through yours as he shivers from the stimulation. His hips stutter against yours shyly, though his tiny gasps and breathy moans betray his desire to do more.

He wants to melt into you, but before he can, he is flipped over by you. His eyes were closed, and now they open to perceive you. He blinks in confusion and wonder, the pupils of his eyes dilating. Then heat creeps up his face and overtakes it in a blossoming pink.

"Y-You can see me?" His mind buzzes in giddy joy. No human has been able to see him in the past, even those who proclaim themselves prophets. For you to see him, it must mean that his perverted love has been accepted. Then, just maybe, his love for you is holy, and you are his true god.

You don't respond to him; instead, he notices you lean down. Panicking, he closes his eyes before he feels your tongue on his lips, as though silently asking for permission to enter. He responds promptly by opening his mouth, allowing you to slip inside and envelop your tongue around his. He moans into the kiss, a wanton sound parting from his devoured lips.

He feels you pull away from him and he bites back a sad whine. You sit atop him, pushing your hair back. Your piercing eyes glare into his; that is how he knows you can genuinely see him. Your eyes look right into his soul.

"What's your name?" you ask. He jolts from your fingers folding into his.

"Mikhael," he replies, heart pounding. "How... can you see me?"

"Perhaps we're meant to be," you respond, leaning down to give him another peck. His organs flutter. So you are his destined god.

He whines when you pull away again, his hands reaching and wrapping themselves around your neck. He pulls you in for another kiss, submitting himself to your whims. Take control of him, take all of him, he is yours to consume and devour.

He is focused on your presence in his mouth until his body freezes from the feeling of your hand on his exposed cock, your fingers tickling his head. His hips buck and he groans; he smiles to himself as it seems to motivate you. Your slow strokes elicit moans from him.

"Mikhael, why do you follow me?" He whines when you pull away again. How cruel of you, to give him paradise to then cast him back into limbo. Your grip tightens on his cock.

"Love... you..." he mumbles quietly, averting his gaze.

You squeeze harder.

"I love you!" He gasps, his back arching. He feels your hand quicken its pace. You are smiling not unlike a goddess, especially with the moonlight hitting the gleam in your eyes. His heart is full, and he wishes he can present it to you fully.

"I've never had a celestial suitor before," you muse.

He is reduced to a whimpering mess, needy moans and groans escaping from his parted lips. His cock is angrily red, matching the hue of his face. His chest heaves as he closes his eyes, drops of tears falling from the corner of his eyes.

You lick his tears. He shakily breaks into a smile, knowing that you are now enamored with him as he is to you.

"I want to... finish..." he pleads, drunk on his perverted love. His cock throbs and his vision is dizzy, but you glow effervescently and he can only focus on you.

"Guess you're my guardian angel now," you laugh, your pace increasing. Mikhael moans, his body shuddering as his hips lift.

Bright halos of light convulse around you, your tempting smile nearly personifying agape. That is how he knows that you are the true being he is meant to serve. His body is absolved of his human sin, and his body experiences the weightlessness of a freed soul.

His cock trembles in your hand as it spews out cum. Minutes later and he is still cumming; he mutters incoherent noises. He is begging, pleading, imploring that you allow him the gentle presence of your lips on his, but you don't hear him.

As he comes down from his high, you peck his nose gently. His eyelids move slowly, staring at you with worship.

"I'm your guardian angel..." he repeats, humming softly to himself. He is more than your guardian angel now. He is your sole protector, a sworn fealty laid beneath your feet. He huddles closer to you, enjoying your warmth.

Perhaps he might be punished by his false gods.

But already his desire and his will were being turned like a wheel, all at one speed, by his Love which moves the sun and the other stars.

if anyone catches what the last line is i'll be happy

also i'll drop him trying to clumsily seduce you another day :D

-> masterlist

[tinylongwing]

Music recs list for my fellow Vide Noir-heads

(And everyone else too)

I've often seen, and even echoed the sentiment, that Lord Huron's album Vide Noir is completely unique. Nobody else is putting out big concept indie rock albums about existential dread in an uncaring and horrifying cosmos when you're just trying to look for the girlfriend who ghosted you and you wind up deep in a Los Angeles neo-noir involving eldritch space drugs and hallucinations from across time and space, okay? That's fair.

BUT.

While none of the below are the same, I do think they're likely to scratch some of that itch while you wait for more. Please check them out! You might find something you like. All of the below are bands that release concept albums meant to be listened to from start to finish, so I'll be recommending whole albums, not singles. Also these are youtube links because that's what I use but you can for sure find all of these everywhere you get music.

Typhoon

Criminally underrated for way too long. Huge sweeping orchestral indie rock sounds that would be right at home if a movie was made of one of their albums (what a dream that would be). Most of their music is inspired by a combination of the works of David Lynch and the frontman/writer's personal battles with Lyme disease and his subsequent near death. Listen to EVERYTHING they have put out ever, but especially:

Offerings (2018): According to the band, "It's a record from the perspective of a mind losing its memory at precisely the same time the world is willfully forgetting its history. The urgent question becomes: without causality, without structures of meaning, without essential features of rational thought, is there anything that can save us from violence/oblivion?

With no past and no future, there is only suffocating, annihilating, present, looping on and on ad infinitum (to me, one plausible definition of hell) and the best you can hope for is that somewhere in the void there exists some small, irreducible certainty—a fragment, a kernel, something—that you may have the good fortune to stumble upon before it's all over.

You know, a boy/girl-meets-girl/boy-everyone-dies-in-botched-attempt-at-neo-pagan-sacrificial-ritual-on-global-scale kind of thing."

White Lighter (2013): More directly inspired by Morton's survival of Lyme disease and organ failure, about finding hope when things feel utterly hopeless, and his gratitude toward his father for saving his life via kidney donation. (There is a 10th anniversary version of this album that includes some unrelated singles that were never released on albums, fyi - I find they interrupt the flow of the original intended release).

Arcade Fire

Oscillating between dance pop and indie orchestral folk-rock-baroque pop, these guys are pretty well known (The Suburbs won the Grammy for best album of 2010, after all). But! If you haven't heard them, or if you forgot they existed, this is a really really excellent time to listen to their work.

The Suburbs (2010): If you're going to start anywhere with this band, start here. Stay here a while. Inspired by some of the band members' upbringings in suburbian Texas, the album is an apocalyptic journey through end-stage capitalism and it's fucking jawdropping.

mewithoutYou

Post-hardcore/art rock band that incorporates spirituality and religion-as-myth and history from viewpoints around the world in order to write incredibly moving music about the human condition.

Ten Stories (2012): Inspired by multiple similar real world events from the 19th and early 20th centuries, this album is about a traveling circus on a train that crashes in 19th-century Montana, and the journeys of the circus animals as they flee the wreckage, or try to rebuid their own societies. Gorgeous, desolate, heartbreaking.

Pale Horses (2015): Visions of the apocalypse from the perspectives of multiple world mythologies as well as from the personal perspective of the narrator observing the ruin in his own life and the city around him.

Freelance Whales

The greatest tragedy here is these folks no longer make music - one member left the band, another has passed away. Thankfully, they put out two gorgeous indie folk-pop concept albums first that I think any Lord Huron fan should listen to. Read the descriptions, you'll see why.

Weathervanes (2010): While not all songs on this album are directly linked, many of them are, and those songs follow the narrative of a boy whose family moves into an old house that turns out to be haunted. He falls in love with the ghost who lives there, and winds up killing himself to be with her - and finds he has no regrets, for life is short anyway.

Diluvia (2012): Heavily inspired by Battlestar Galactica and stories of ancient aliens, this is the tale of a distant civilization which collapses from a combination of natural disasters and perhaps their own hubris. A few of them manage to escape on a starship, and eventually discover Earth and its ancient pre-humans. The dying aliens seed the Earth with their own DNA in order to preserve the genetic traces of their once-existence.

[redbatchedcumbermayned]

Dopamine Week fic recs - all Rogue Trader gift exchange fics!!!

Because I'm short on time this week, here's a link list to all the fics that have been written in the two Rogue Trader gift exchanges so far to celebrate the awesome people in this fandom and the great work they create!

First RT gift exchange May 25th*:

A smuggler and a thief by nikozaur - Jae x m!Rogue Trader

Some masks are borne of convenience, some of of necessity. Sometimes, it is difficult to distinguish which of them is the real face.

The last dance and the first by @theevilscribbler - Xavier Calcazar x f!Rogue Trader

After a successful meeting with the Lord Inquisitor during her Magnae Accessio, Cesselie von Valancius is surprised to find that Xavier Calcazar has lingered to enjoy the party a little longer. Will a less formal encounter pave the way to something more?

Part of the trial by Hackinslash - Marazhai x Sister Argenta

Enjoy two characters at their lowest ebb, fighting against the odds to get a taste of redemption and freedom.

Radiance on the bridge by @captastra Heinrix x f!Rogue Trader

Heinrix van Calox gets lost in thought as he watches Isidora von Valancius on the bridge of her ship.

A leap into the void by myself XD - Heinrix x f!Rogue Trader

Heinrix van Calox and Lethyan von Valancius spend a quiet evening in the observatorium. Things turn spicy fast and Lethyan finds out that even a Biomancer's willpower has its limits.

Second RT gift exchange August 17th:

Systematical; Sacrificial by @vossprime - Pasqal x f!Rogue Trader

The Rogue Trader and Pasqal discuss their blossoming entanglement, life after Commorragh, and Pasqal's mechadendrites. A strange ritual ensues.

Storytime by @holylustration Heinrix x m!Rogue Trader x Jae

Cassia's heard a tale from some midshipmen - and as everything one hears from the crew must be true - she's invited the Lord Captain and some friends to share the story. Not everyone is impressed.

We're tender mammals mostly by @gravelorded Pasqal x f!Rogue Trader

Mercy. Von Valancius knows it, even if she refuses to speak its name. A tech-priest knows to excise it to better understand the Omnissiah’s directive, but for her- for this moment only, he assures- he will try.

Closed Impetus by @vossprime - Heinrix x f!Rogue Trader

Rogue Trader Elena von Valancius and Inquisitor Heinrix van Calox find themselves at a spontaneous ball. Between investigating noble intrigues and fast dances, they have to ponder the status of their relationship since the Magnae Accessio.

A sound strategy by @theevilscribbler - Heinrix x f!Rogue Trader

As the siege on Eufrates II draws close and their future hangs in the balance, Inquisition Agent Heinrix van Calox is determined to ensure that all their plans are flawless, even at the cost of his own well-being. Fortunately, his beloved Rogue Trader is on hand to assist with his preparations… and even has a few interesting suggestions of her own!

Tender by @vitanithepure - Heinrix x f!Rogue Trader

Sometimes Heinrix van Calox needs a reminder that those that play with fire often get burned.

A Tech-Priest's heart by @captastra Pasqal x f!Rogue Trader

Pasqal slowly starts to learn that the heart, machine or not, still has a way of falling.

Down the line by Hackinslash - Marazhai x m!Rogue Trader

Marazhai Aezyrraesh wishes to taste some of Seth von Valancius's psyker powers, and his little pet doesn't dare refuse.

A rare flower amidst Chaos by myself - Heinrix x f!Rogue Trader

Lord Inquisitor Heinrix van Calox had always loved Lienna von Valancius. Yet duty had kept the lovers apart until now. Heinrix has been summond to Lyxus to attend a picnic, and he has a confession to make.

*if I missed a fic please send me a message and I'll add it promptly.

Now go and spread the love and discover some hidden gems!

[takamiwife]

song quotes that remind me of you and keigo’s relationship

DISCLAIMER: i am not supporting/endorsing any artists on this list who may be problematic, nor am i trying to erase the original meaning of any songs

💌 if you’d like another one of these pls lmk!! <3 💌

—————————————

“good little girl

always picking a fight with me

you know that i’m bad, but you’re spending the night with me

what do you want from my world?

you’re a good little girl.”

- good little girl ; adventure time soundtrack

“i was all on my own

almost glad to be alone

until love came in on time, on time”

- loving is easy ; rex orange county

“spending the years together

growing older every day

(every day)

i feel at home when im around you

and i’ll gladly say again

i hope the encore lasts forever

now there’s time for us to spend”

—

“this right here still feels like the honeymoon

when you say my name,

nothings changed

i’m still a boy inside my thoughts

am i meant to understand my faults?”

- pluto projector ; rex orange county

“honey i belong with you and only you, baby

only you, my girl, only you, babe (you)

only you darling, only you babe (you)”

- dark red ; steve lacy

“oh, oh, oh, i, i was a city boy

right into danger’s where i’d

always run, a boy who had his fun

but i wouldn’t have done all the things that i have done

if i knew one day you’d come.”

- if i knew ; bruno mars

“when my time comes around

lay me gently in the cold dark earth

no grave can hold my body down

i’ll crawl home to her”

—-

“my babe would never fret none

about what my hands and my body done

if the lord don’t forgive me

i’d still have my baby and my babe would have me”

- work song ; hozier

“hey, hey, hey, lover

you don’t have to be a star

hey, hey, hey, lover

i love you just the way you are

for love is just the same

without fortune or fame

just give me true love and understanding

true love and understanding.”

- hey lover ; the daughters of eve

“my baby here on earth

showed me what my heart was worth

so, when it comes to be my turn

could you shine it down here for her

‘cause my love is mine, all mine

i love mine, mine, mine

nothing in the world belongs to me

but my love, mine, all mine

nothing in the world is mine for free

but my love, mine, all mine, all mine”

- my love mine all mine ; mitski

“all those days chasing down a daydream

all those years living in a blur

all that time, never truly seeing

things the way they were

now she's here, shining in the starlight

now she's here, suddenly I know

if she's here, it's crystal clear

i'm where I'm meant to go

and at last I see the light

and it's like the fog has lifted

and at last I see the light

and it's like the sky is new”

- i see the light ; tangled soundtrack

“and oh, we started

two hearts in one home

it's hard when we argue

we're both stubborn, I know

but oh

sweet creature, sweet creature

wherever I go, you bring me home

sweet creature, sweet creature

when I run out of road, you bring me home”

- sweet creature ; harry styles

“you’re making me crazy

really driving me mad

that’s alright with me

it’s really no fuss

as long as you’re next to me

just the two of us”

- my kind of woman ; mac demarco

“you're afraid to meet someone

'Cause you've been burned, you've been burned, you've been burned

love is good until it's gone

that's what you learned, what you've learned, what you've learned

you don't have to hide your love away and

i know that i'm gonna make mistakes, but

leaning on somebody isn't easy

i'll do what i can to make you see that

this is not a temporary love

this is not a temporary love

now your heart is in my hands, i won't give it up

this is not a temporary love”

- temporary love ; ben platt

“i will not ask you where you came from

i will not ask you, neither should you

honey just put your sweet lips on my lips

we should just kiss like real people do”

- like real people do ; hozier

“oh, won't you kiss me on the mouth and love me like a sailor?

and when you get a taste, can you tell me what's my flavor?

i don't believe in god, but i believe that you're my savior

my mom says that she's worried, but I'm covered in this favor

and when we're getting dirty, I forget all that is wrong

i sleep so I can see you 'cause I hate to wait so long”

- sailor song ; gigi perez

“she is the sweetest thing that i know

should see the way she holds me when the lights go low

shakes my soul like a pothole every time

took my heart upon a one way trip

guess she went wandering off with it

none like most women I know

this one will bring it back whole”

-

“that every night i'll kiss you, you'll say in my ear

oh we're in love, aren't we?

hands in your hair

fingers and thumbs, baby

i feel safe when you're holding me near

love the way that you conquer your fear

you know hearts don't break around here”

- hearts don’t break around here ; ed sheeran

[alystrin03]

For the Rook Kiss Game: Dealer's Choice for my Horrible Spoilt Princess, Cara Hawke-Laidir, if you would like?

Well, this got REALLY interesting. @lottiesnotebook says her Cara is a horrible and spoilt princess, let's see if they can share an underwater kiss...

[Will add the pics later]

If anyone could get on her nerves, it was Cara Laidnir (she claimed to be Cara Hawke, but Alecto wasn't sure if it was one of her eccentricities or if she was the daughter of the real Champion).

They had met on a ship (if that piece of wood could be called that) in Rivain, while Alecto had been looking for a more or less decent place to settle after her banishment. The Crow had wandered here and there, looking for an occupation that would give her enough income to provide for herself somewhat comfortably, and that was precisely what had led her to seek out the Lords of Fortune who, she supposed, would surely be interested in her skill at sneaking into places: a good marauder can be quite expensive. One who also knows how to defend herself? A small treasure.

But there she was, with her arrogance and her smirk, looking at her as if they were lifelong friends. She wouldn't say "intimate", because the truth is that they had been quite intimate during that hell of a boat trip. 

"If it isn't sweet little De Riva," Cara's mocking voice was as irritating as ever. She was looking her up and down, undisguised. And, despite herself, Alecto was doing exactly the same. "Are you looking for a place where your skills are valued? You're in the right place, I'm sure we can make use of them. All of them."

The last sentence made it clear that she wasn't exactly referring to stealth. Alecto couldn't help but let out a devious chuckle.

" They could always ask you for your opinion. I heard you make it clear last time that there are a few things I'm particularly good at," she narrowed her eyes, pursing her lips. Cara might be cheeky, but she was Alecto De Riva and allowing herself to be played with - and not in the fun way - was not in her plans.

The young mage looked amused at her response. She shook her head, laughing, and Alecto couldn't help but let her gaze stray to how that chest was rising, which Cara barely covered completely intentionally. "Too bad for you that Isabela hasn't returned from the last foray yet, but don't worry, pretty eyes," her voice went from teasing to silky, velvety, "you can stay here until she comes back. I'll show you the little wonders the Rivain coast has to offer. I'm sure we'll find something to do.”

She grabbed her by the shoulders, making them both leave the place. Alecto glanced sideways at her friend's hand - if she could even call it that - resting on her deltoid as she stroked it absently. Cara exasperated her, but she certainly knew how to get on her nerves, in a good and bad way. In the Hall of Heroes they must have been used to her dalliances, because seeing the two women like this didn't arouse a single curious glance. 

Cara took her to one of the nearby beaches. The breeze was pleasant, and the seagulls seemed more focused on fishing than on them. Alecto couldn't suppress a smile at the sight.

"I thought you were a homesick crybaby" Cara continued to tease "but I see you appreciate the good things"

She gave her a sidelong glance. Yes, she was homesick, but after all, she no longer had a home. "Fucking Crows and their bullshit plans" she thought angrily.

"We should swim in the bay", oblivious to everything, her companion continued the chatter, with a certain provocative tone "I wonder how a little crow like you behaves underwater"

Alecto had to swallow. She wasn't about to admit that she couldn't swim and water terrified her - not for nothing had it been one of her instructors' favourite punishments - but she wasn't about to go into the sea either, of that she was absolutely certain. 

"You'll just have to keep your doubts to yourself, I hate sand. And salt, for that matter." Scowling, she turned away from the crystal clear water. Cliffs loomed a little further on, and the ruins above them seemed much more interesting, as well as reasonably far from the sea. She was assessing where to climb when that spoilt brat pushed her straight over a small waterfall she hadn't been paying attention to.

"Maker's fucking cock!" she screamed, indignant. She was completely soaked, her clothes weighing her down every time she tried to move.

Not only that, but Cara's bloody laughter added even more rage to the anger she already felt. The young woman jumped up beside her, letting the water run down her body. Alecto didn't want to look, but watching it seep through her clothes, wetting her skin, was something she couldn't help but notice

"Poor little wet bird, are you cold?"

Without any delicacy, Cara pressed her lips to her own, sliding her tongue into her mouth. Okay, she was angry and the water was freezing, but that damn girl knew just how to warm her up.

[wabart]

hi!!! i just wanted to say iLOVE OCTAVIAN he is such an interesting character with such a cool design!! have you ever thought of what he would be like in other factions? ♥️♥️

Thank you very very much!! This is such an interesting question!!!! I think SD and LoF are the closest to what he's like atm...

Shadow Dragons (for real this time)

Option 1: Octavian's life is basically the same, but he joins the Shadow Dragons through Dorian/Maevaris instead of doing vigilante shit on his own. He and Neve would probably get along better at first meeting. Octavian doesn't join the SDs in my story because he's too busy pushing everyone away and wanting to keep everyone else out of the danger he's causing. Plus (minorly) he doesn't like being told what to do/who to kill. He's terrible to manage.

Option 2: the Shadow Dragons are in some way able to free Octavian from imprisonment. (This one's a little tricky because of the timeline; he was in prison for over a decade and his identity would not have been widely known or publicized outside of being a bit of a religious icon for Not Dying multiple times over. If I could scrunch up the timeline for him to have been near-executed while the SDs are running, maybe they'd scoop him up to help with a religious rebellion. Idk!)

Lords of Fortune

Octavian's life is the same up until breaking out of prison with the two Antivan smugglers he was stuck with. He works as a smuggler for a few years, then gets hired as a LoF and does that for a while to accrue wealth. He would be good at it, given he's able to be a solid leader, he's smart, he's persuasive, he's brutal, etc. But he would get too hung up on his revenge (still) to be good at actually making money. He'd probably end up being forcefully retired because he's losing coin rather than making it, screwing up Venatori/relevant shipping connections in any way he can.

Grey Wardens

Since the Wardens will recruit prisoners, IF there were someone nearby who could take him (doesn't seem to be much of a thing in the Imperium lol) I expect shipping him off to become irrelevant and die fighting darkspawn would be something his judge/jury/executioner would be fine with. Octavian would be a terrible Warden, though. It would get him to a similar place to how he is 20ish years later, between a) being hardened to violence/combat b) still having his unprocessed grief c) wanting to get revenge. He just wouldn't be in much of a position to get it. He'd be a lot more like his original self in appearance/presentation, though. A farm boy. He'd probably be a lot meaner too because he would not have had the same outlets and chance to change himself (in some ways) for the better, like reading 500 encyclopedias back to back until he feels something.

Antivan Crows

I considered an option where, for Vibe reasons, Octavian could be born in Antiva/living in Antiva when his whole revenge story happens and he drags himself to the Crows as a naive, penniless nobody and begs them to train him and hide him from the law so he can get his revenge. I don't see him getting with Lucanis bc of the difference in power dynamic, but who knows, if they were to ever interact (doubtful), they might be friends in some capacity. But all this sort of loses the whole conceit of his story imo (class struggle in the Imperium/what it means to be born Soporati/exemplifying the "pull up by bootstraps" story but not in a good way/becoming like the people who hurt him, to hurt them back) BUT it would probably be a neat story. Maybe I'll make a new character for that.

What keeps with Octavian's background better is that he gets poached by the Crows through Lucanis by working with him for a longer time. I don't know that Octavian would normally say yes (given he doesn't accept joining the Shadow Dragons even though it wouldn't really change anything about his situation), but if he didn't have Dorian to help him, and he was really struggling, and maybe if he had to fake his death and flee the country or something, he would join. I expect he and Lucanis would need to be much better friends first. It's a tight balance though, because Octavian doesn't care for the Crows as an organization and wouldn't want to be associated with them. (So would need them enough to join, but not so much that Lucanis thinks he'd be a liability) He'd probably get into one (1) screaming match with Caterina and be forcefully retired lol, they are far too similar in some ways and he hates that.

Mourn Watch

This and the next one are a little more difficult for me to sort out I think...

Option 1: I could maybe see Dorian putting Octavian into contact with Emmrich in the same way Bellara does in Veilguard if Octavian needs help trying to singlehandedly take down the Venatori. Especially for something like reviving corpses (of Venatori/their victims) to speak to them. Dorian would help and then go "hey I know a guy" lol. But this wouldn't get Octavian to join the MW so hhhhhhrrmmmm

Option 2: After the attempted execution/before imprisonment, Octavian makes a break for it and gets south of the border in the hopes that he can't get caught. He has nothing and no-one and can't go back. Might join the Mourn Watch and like... sweep the halls in exchange for a place to sleep and some food to eat. If he met Emmrich or any of the other big guys, they might be able to help him bring out his very very very very deeply seated latent magic, but I don't know that he'd ever have the same ability to fight or be hardened to it. He might not even think to get revenge, just be guilty for running and want to go back to see his family again.

Veil Jumpers

Like the one above, maybe if Octavian gets the chance to run away from his execution/imprisonment (which would suit him), he'd end up in Arlathan and be found by Veil Jumpers. Again, timeline messiness, since that was almost 20 years ago. Maybe he falls into a rift and through time. Who knows. Octavian would join them if they were helping him to survive, but as he learns to fight, he'd feel himself being pulled back to his old life so he can find his family again. He'd feel a lot of guilt for running away.

[enrychan]

so I finally beat DATV and I guess I'll write something about it while downloading BG3 (an early Christmas present from my best friend, a couple of days ago <3)

light spoilers under the cut

my main thought at the moment is just "meh". Thankfully DATV isn't a trainwreck like Andromeda, but it never exceeds the 6 or 7 out of 10 that I gave it while I was still playing it. The ending is good, but the results of such world-shaking events feel too rushed and not completely earned.

That's far from my main issue with the game, though. I don't think I can put all my thoughts in order at this time, so I'll just make a list of things that stood out to me, in a semi-random order.

I feel like I'm beating a dead horse at this point, with all the people already talking about it, but this story is completely toothless. In previous games Thedas felt real because of all the different struggles between its factions, and even many in-group rivalries/prejudices. But in Veilguard Rook's allies are all completely devoid of conflicting characteristics or problematic aspects. The Crows are fearless freedom fighters without a trace of all the very dark traits they had in the previous games. The Lords of Fortune are Good Pirates that raid in a 100% culturally conscious way. Even giving Minrathous to the Threads - a literal crime syndicate - has no major impact on anything, not even your own relationship with Neve. You don't even see any trace of slavery in the literal capital of the Tevinter Imperium.

On the other hand, the Wardens still retain at least some of their most "problematic" aspects, for which I was grateful. They were a small pinch of salt on an otherwise very bland meal.

Rook's companions were for the most part treated the same way, devoid of any real conflict whatsoever. I was hoping to see some fights between Lucanis and Davrin, or between Taash and Emmrich. but everything solved itself very easily in the space of like. one conversation, maybe. And I'm not even mad about that, specifically. In Mass Effect, Shepard solved some conflicts by just inserting themselves between the two bickering companions and telling them to shut the fuck up. Rook doesn't have that kind of charisma, though. Luckily for them, their companions apparently don't have strong enough opinions to sustain any kind of serious discussion. I mean, I always thought that one of the most interesting aspects of this series was having strongly opinionated companions, each representing a certain way to see the world and its problems. but maybe I'm wrong.

I'm not saying that the companions were bad. actually they were nice (a little too nice tbh) and sometimes some conversations rang true and heartfelt. Which frustrated me even more! At least I just disliked the Andromeda companions. These though... they had so much potential! Urrgghghghghhh

The Rivaini/Qunari and non-binary stuff about Taash was painful. It was written so badly. I could almost hear Bioware asking if it was politically correct enough from behind the courtains. And I was like. Man idk. Aren't these pirates? Why must you defang and declaw them to this point? It sounds so fake.

Isabela, my beloved, what have they done to you? like 99% of the pirate!Isabela headcanons that you see on tumblr is better than this. I could cry, but I'll just pretend that that was a lookalike. The real Isabela was out there on the sea, pirating with her crew. And a really big hat.

To steal Hbomberguy's words, "it's a smooth and palatable pebble that isn't particularly disagreeable, but slides out the other end completely undigested". He used this phrase for Deus Ex: HR but I think it fits DATV perfectly.

On the same topic, I romanced Lucanis, because of course I did. A dark, deadly, tortured spanitalian assassin abomination? That's basically My Trash(TM). Unfortunately, with the exception of a single moment where the whole thing risked getting almost interesting, for the rest it was a pretty boring romance. Which is INSANE to me. How?? How do you screw up something like that?? Where's the drama?? The passion??? Anders was a sad wet man from the sewers and he managed to be more passionate than this???

Some conversations between him and Rook were still cute, though. I just wish there was more to it.

I loved the environments, in general. They were very beautiful, sometimes even stunning. I didn't particularly like Arlathan, it felt cramped and it was excruciating to explore with all those doors and barriers and magic bridges. But the other maps were lovely. My favorite were the dark and creepy ones, of course. I loved the Grand Necropolis, and also everything relating to the Wardens.

On this note, I loved IN THEORY the idea of bringing back the darkspawn hordes. I've always loved those, they remind me of Origins, which is always a good thing.

I said "in theory" because in practice I HATED the new combat system. I can live with the Mass Effect-like combat, but the fact that the two companions are immortal while the only one to take damage is Rook is just complete bullshit. My squishy mage was constantly bombarded by enemies' attacks on every possible front, to the point that in the tougher fights she could only run around and sometimes give orders on the fly so her companions could maybe kill the creatures in her place (and they were bad at it). I tried for many hours to make it work, and I did get pretty good after a while, but I HATED every single minute of it and in the end I lowered the difficulty level just to get to the end more quickly. Just awful. I'm guessing that's what remains of a previous "live service" version of this game. Ugh.

The music was another complete disappointment. This series had an incredible record of banger after banger ever since Origins, and I'm one of the like. Five people that actually loved most of Inquisition's soundtrack. But this time it's just generic_RPG_music.mp3, apparently. Hans Zimmer my FOOT.

I'm a fan of Hans Zimmer, and that's NOT him. Or maybe it's him when he has 0 ideas head empty idk.

Bioware should have just asked Trevor Morris again. The only times in Veilguard where the music tugged at my heartstrings, it was Inquisition's soundtrack. It's a real shame, because a good soundtrack can really elevate even a mediocre experience.

The result of all these factors, is that in the end I didn't really care much for these characters, so I wasn't that worried to lose them. This version of the "suicide mission" was rather relaxed for me.

(In ME2 I thought I would panic and die IRL at some point)

There were a couple of moments near the end where I actually Felt a lot of Feelings, not because of Veilguard, but because of everything from the previous games. Nevertheless, they added something to a generally dull experience, so those were good.

I loved Assan. I loved griffons in general. They reminded me of my dogs, and i live for my dogs.

Also I loved the hair physics. My Rook had beautiful red curls. And freckles <3

[lehdenlaulu]

Okay, 40h in, some stray thoughts:

I keep going back and forth between 'oh it's not really that bad after all' and 'ugh why' basically. Every time there's actually a nice bit of writing etc. the frustration at some other aspect soon takes over.

I'm particularly not fond of the random faceless mook hordes that keep respawning in certain locations (seriously, DA2 was bad enough). Or the dumb pointless boss battles you have to do in order to unlock new areas in the Fade where your reward is... another boss battle. And more faceless mooks. And maybe some gear. And maybe more of Solas's tedious sob story if you're lucky. The ghost of the live co-op thing really keeps quite literally haunting the narrative.

Oh, and there's even a fucking gladiator arena. I'm guessing that was originally for PvP. And now it's just there just in case you didn't already get your fill of combat elsewhere. And wanted to ogle Isabela who now inexplicably wears only a bikini and thigh-high boots. Because apparently that's Rivaini cultural outfit now or something? Some pseudo-Aztec thing? Sure. Whatever.

Honestly, just imagine if they'd put as much time and effort into making sure the story is narratively sound and makes any kind of sense as a sequel to its predecessors as they did into crafting the combat system and the needlessly byzantine combat skill tree. *sigh*

I do really like the new exploration mechanics though. I like that I can strafe on narrow ledges and vault over fences and through windows and such. Not super fond that I can magically just use my absent companions' exploration abilities because of my mystical magical all-powerful MacGuffin, though. Guess some people really don't feel like changing their party composition ever. 🙄

And that's another thing. This game coddles the player way too much to the point of treating us like particularly dense toddlers. Not only are there tons of visual options that basically guide you by the hand and point out everything relevant (all of which I obviously immediately turned off) but the dialogue also will very unsubtly tell you what to do at every turn. Like... Taash, babe, we're both Lords of Fortune, I don't think I need to be told to check out if there's something behind the waterfall. And if someone is so new to RPGs to not know something that basic, they need to discover it for themselves, not have it spelled out to them. Honestly, I thought this game's age limit was 18, not 12.

Speaking of Taash and all things unsubtle... I feel like there was a way to introduce their struggle with gender identity in a less... anvilicious way. And maybe come up with some in-universe lore and terminology instead of just defaulting to modern real-world vocabulary. The codex entry in particular frankly felt like breaking the fourth wall and talking directly to the player. And I say this as someone whose own gender identity is pretty nebulous.

Frankly, I'm surprised someone hasn't already literally told Bellara she has ADHD. Yet. I'm guessing she and Taash are relatable to some players, but to me they feel... vaguely insulting, honestly, because it really is about as subtle as a brick in the face. I'm also getting the vibe they're both someone's self insert to some degree at least. Which isn't new for DA, but... yeah.

What else... Oh. Yeah. The less said about the main plot the better. Varric, this really is your worst book yet.

Speaking of Varric, it's pretty funny how he keeps telling Rook to please get some sleep. Sure, mate, would love to but a) all I get for a bed is apparently a bare divan in a room with a massive glowing aquarium b) every time I try to sleep some smarmy elf keeps mansplaining at me in my dreams. Which, you know, is something I shouldn't have in the first place as a dwarf. Maybe I should just start chugging coffee with Lucanis. (But honestly, only Taash and Davrin get to have actual beds, everyone else has to make do with cots, bedrolls, divans, and... an embalming slate??)

Oh, and I'll be really surprised if Varric survives this story. I mean, he's barely there in the first place and keeps talking like some ailing relative who secretly has consumption in a Victorian novel. I mean, his writer was laid off after all.

The pacing and structure of this game is extremely weird. The beginning was particularly rough, then it got better, but it's still a bit all over the place.

Oh, right. I'm fairly sure we were promised cool bard songs at some point. I haven't heard a single one yet. Unless that one street performer in Treviso strumming Enchanters counts, which I don't believe does. It was nice to hear it, though, as much as it was a bit contextually odd to choose that song in particular. Ah well, I guess Empress of Fire would have been even odder.

This is also the most forgettable Hans Zimmer soundtrack I have heard in my life. I can't think of a single theme or leitmotif off the top of my head, but the Inquisition theme on the other hand was instantly recognizable. I might say he's just new to writing video game soundtracks, but... dude's famous for his highly catchy, recognizable and evocative themes. Weird.

But hey! As much as I don't like the cartoony character models, the game is actually otherwise really pretty and has some really lovely visual designs in environments and architecture etc. It's also very stable and smooth for a brand-new game, I've only had one crash and two obvious bugs so far. That's always a big win for a studio. Too bad its actual problems are too baked in to be fixable with some patches.

Anyway, that's it for now. Lots of negativity, I know, but I actually do like playing this game for the most part. I just have to... not think of it as a Dragon Age, basically. Because for all the bells and whistles, or maybe because of them, it really doesn't feel like one. There are glimpses here and there of a great DA game it could have been, but unfortunately, the final result is a bit of a Frankenstein's monster of different and largely incompatible concepts hastily sewn together.

[gaymingbinosaur]

Treasure Hunt

Well, this was supposed to be a prompt, but it went way off course so holding off I guess, it's fine. Kills time during kids' nap time. And of course, I'm lowkey proud of this so meh can't use it. In the notes I'll put a link of ao3 when I get it posted. Also Max's name may change because I hate naming things

Until today, if Evie was asked who her nephew’s favorite person was, she would say she was.  Max was obsessed with The Lords, wanting to know the story of every scar and piece of gold she had. Which made getting him a tenth birthday present easy to get. 

She recruited Taash to help clear out an old ruin so it was safe for Max to explore. His first Lords of Fortune Mission. And that was how Evie became the second coolest person Max knew.   Every breath Taash took made Max look at them like they just hung the stars in the sky for him.  The ring Taash found and gave to him as his first piece of gold he got as a Lord of Fortune, it might as well have been a proposal.  Evie swore as soon as Taash’s fingers brushed against his hand, he was planning their wedding. 

So Evie shouldn’t have been surprised when Max saw the axe, Evie planned to give Taash as a thank you present for helping keep Max safe and letting him be a treasure hunter for a day. That Max would also want to give them a gift. Just to celebrate a successful hunt, he says.  Which anyone with half a brain cell knows was a bold face lie.

So here they were watching Taash unwrap their present. Max looked ill as their fingers tore away the newspaper covering the box.  The gift was a dragon carved and painted by Max.  It was painted with gold scales and eyes red as rubies. “Wow” Taash stated, obviously surprised by the gift.  Evie couldn’t tell if it was the fact that the kid made something for them or the skill it took to make said gift. 

Taash walked over and gave him a quick pat on the head, “Thanks man. I love dragons.”

“I know Aunt Evie, told me. That you love dragons and I love dragons because who doesn’t and I thought hey, I carve dragons all the time.” Evie decided to keep to herself that she never saw Max carve a dragon before as he continued to prattle on about how much he loves dragons. 

“I could write to you about dragons if you want.  It’s useful to know about how to approach certain dragons as a Lord of Fortune”

“YES!!! I mean if you want or have time. I don’t want to be a bother.” Max said, leaving Evie to wonder why the Maker was so cruel as to give Max his mom’s flirting skills. She supposed it doesn’t matter as she watched Max give Taash a quick hug, leaving him as red as the eyes of his little statue. His little heart isn’t going to last that long leaving Evie to wonder how she will explain to Nichole and Thom that the ruins didn’t kill him. But hugging the Lord’s dragon expert was the real threat.

[eraepoch]

TIL that AWS CEO Matt Garman is an unrepentant moron.

"Coding is just kind of like the language that we talk to computers. It's not necessarily the skill in and of itself," the executive said. "The skill in and of itself is like, how do I innovate? How do I go build something that's interesting for my end users to use?" [1]

I have never read an utterance more disconnected not just from the practical realities of development work, but from the very idea of materially productive work in general. These are the words of a chronic "ideas man" who has managed to delude himself into believing that labour does not exist, or at least holds no real value.

After all, his *very important* job does not require any amount of actual consideration or understanding of reality, so naturally he assumes that those of us with menial jobs where we actually have to *do things* are, I suppose, just making it up. Obviously our thoughts are equivalent to (and probably lesser than) those of the shiny new Ideas Machines that coincidentally don't come attached to a human body with pesky things like needs and limitations and rights.

(They also don't come attached to a source of Thought, but this will surely be patched into the next version.)

Fortunately for Mr. Garman, he lives in a walled, gilded village where things like quality and outcome and result don't need to matter.

"If you go forward 24 months from now, or some amount of time — I can't exactly predict where it is — it's possible that most developers are not coding" [ibid]

Yes of course, my lord. Whatever you say, my lord. If that is all, I'll be back to my desk, now.

---

[pardi-real]

Tarot of Destiny / Chapter 2 - Tarot Reading

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Hanamaru: "So, what's Maginaria like?

......Any famous local alcohol or something?"

Teddy: "Mr. Hanamaru! We're going there on business, don't forget."

Hanamaru: "I know what you mean, Teddy. I'm just asking."

Berrien: "I'm not sure about the local alcohol, but… as I mentioned earlier, this town thrives on fortune-telling. They value spirituality a lot... Anything disruptive to the ambiance is frowned upon. Particularly during the festival, they prefer more dignified attire and behavior."

Yuhan: "I see… Dignified behavior, huh.... Then, I guess Mr. Hanamaru can't come."

Hanamaru: "Wait, wait, wait, wait. If you leave me here, I'll cry for real, okay?"

Flure: "Speaking of which... What's dignified attire?"

Berrien: "Fufu... Don't worry. I mean the kind of 'proper outfits' that Flure always makes for us."

Lono: "I see... Then I guess I'll be fine in this tailcoat."

Flure: "What– no way! You can't wear your usual clothes for a festival. I'll design something suitable for the festival in the city of fortune-telling!"

Lono: "Oops… Looks like the fire in Flure's soul is burning again."

Haures: "I'm looking forward to your designs, Flure, but... don't push yourself."

Teddy: "Let me know If I can help!"

Flure: "Yes! Thank you very much. Fortune-telling… I wonder what design would fit~…"

Berrien: "Ah, yes, speaking of reference... Lady Elvira gave me these 'envelopes', it might help."

> " 'Envelopes'…?"

Berrien: "Yes. It is addressed to all of us, including the lord. I've checked mine, and if my assumption is correct, the contents might give us clues for the costumes."

Berrien handed out the envelopes one by one to the butlers.

Berrien: "Three left... one for you, my lord."

> "Thank you"

Berrien: "Yes ♪ And this one... 'To Mr. Talking Cat'... It's addressed to Muu, isn't it?"

Muu: "What! There's one for me, too? Ehehe… This might be the first time I've received a letter addressed to me!"

Berrien: "Fufu.  The last one is for Haures."

Haures: "Thank you. Without further ado… let's see what's inside. Hmm... this is…  Some sort of a 'card' is attached to a piece of paper... underneath it, there are sentences.

'This is the tarot card that represents you.' 'I hope this card will guide your actions… Hence, I hope it will be a guidepost for your life.'

This card... represents me? What does that mean?  I know that what is pasted on the paper is probably a tarot card… and appears to be pasted upside down. Is there a meaning to this?

Hmm... I don't know much about fortune-telling…"

Teddy: "Me neither... I only know what my lucky color is today."

Yuhan: "I know a little about Feng Shui… but I'm an outsider to tarot."

Hanamaru: "I see... no tarot hobbyist among us, then. So, Fennesz. Over to you."

Fennesz: "Huh… M-me...?

Hanamaru: "Yeah, you know, the knowledgeable Fennesz. I thought maybe you knew something about tarot readings… My bad. Bit much to ask, wasn't it?"

Fennesz: ".............. Uhm… I can tell you a bit… The card Haures got... is 'Justice' in 'reverse'.

In tarot reading, there are different types of cards and the concept of upright and reversed positions. Even if you draw the same card of 'Justice'... the meaning of the card will change depending on its position.

For example... the meaning of 'the card of Justice in reverse position' is 'to judge others harshly' or 'violence'... also 'excessive harshness' or something like that…"

Hanamaru: ".......Wow.  How do you even know all that stuff...?"

Fennesz: "D-don't set me up and act surprised now… I just happened to have read about it in a book and remembered it…"

Hanamaru: "Hehe, my bad, my bad. Just honestly impressed."

Haures: "But still... It didn't seem to have good meanings.  So, the reversed Justice card represents me…? Err… but I don't understand why."

Fennesz: "Uhm… but tarot cards have multiple interpretations... I don't think what I just said defines you, Haures…"

Haures: "Phew… Thanks, Fennesz."

Fennesz: "No, really... There's more to you, Haures...."

Haures: "Anyway... tarot cards are sent to all of us. If we refer to the pictures on these tarot cards.... It could help design costumes, right, Mr. Berrien?"

Berrien: "Yes… that's the idea."

Flure: "I see… That's right… I keep coming up with new ideas. Alright everyone, if you don't mind... Let me know your cards later!"

Hanamaru: "Yeah, got it.  By the way… I wonder which card is in my envelope~ let's see. ……… Ergh. The heck is this… 'DEATH'... It says 'death'. It's obviously an unlucky card."

Teddy: "Hmm~... It is true that it has an unlucky vibe, but... this card is 'reversed', isn't it? Maybe it doesn't mean what it looks like…"

Fennesz: "Yes, Teddy is right, Mr. Hanamaru. Death in the reverse position means 'rebirth' or 'change'... a reversal of fortune.

You will be able to get out of the pain of not being able to move forward and move on.... I think that's what it means. 

On the other hand, when it is in the upright position, it can mean the end of something, or farewell… and there are also many other meanings…"

Hanamaru: "Hmm~ I see. Well, if anything, I'm glad it's not upright."

Muu: "Fufu, regardless.... It's the same card, but the position changes the meaning... Tarot reading is so interesting, my lord!"

> "Yes, indeed"

Fennesz: "By the way... Which card was in your envelope, my lord?"

Fennesz asked me, and when I opened the envelope addressed to me... there was… the same card I had seen earlier....

> "It's Death in the upright position...."

Fennesz: "What…"

note: at least in English-speaking tarot, reversed Justice card means "dishonesty", "denial", "be careful with your emotions", and "injustice/unfairness/bias".

Reversed Death card means "fear of change", "refusing rebirth", "inability to let go/move on", "decay". While Death in upright position would mean "rebirth", "new beginnings", "transformation".

Well, I can find what Fennesz said in several Japanese websites though.

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[survivalist-anon]

Log 8: Terms and Con-chickens

It feels like it has been over an hour since Sten's and Aldercon's private meeting, now I'm just waiting in a big room with Toke and Fjord. Just observing them.

Toke is a more relaxed individual, he isn't too curious to mess around in this room. I don't blame him considering there's just old magazines, a few old, over worn couches, and a TV with what looks like a rather obvious sign that someone removed one of the knobs.

Fjord has tried everything from carving on the metal wall, taking short 2 minutes naps every ten minutes and shockingly got bored of that, and accidentally breaking the on knob of the old TV.

For me, I was curious about why were there so many older items in this room. It's even more unnerving considering there isn't even a two-window. Just a 30×25 ft room, with old coaches, a broken TV and magazines that have been collected over the years. These were such a strange array of magazines too. It looked less like something from a hospital waiting room and more from a thrift store collection of random and likely defuncted magazines from as old as the 30s. The 1930s of all decades, I was careful in flipping trough the fragile pages. Old worn covers showing either home improvement, politics, cars... just the usual things one would assume that would interest these men. Than there was the more miscellaneous ones; cooking, housing, automotive, a magazine soley on duck hunting from the 80's, there was an old 1939 Fortune magazine with a cover of a train track.

I got curious on a Film magazine from a few years back, celebrating the silver era horror movies from the good old days. Bella Legosi, Boris Karloff, and oddly enough my favorite of the actors Lon Chaney Jr.

As I was flipping through the pages, Fjord decided his boredom was better spent watching me flip through the magazine. I let him know occasionally when to change the page. He would comment on each monster, letting me know his thoughts on them. Some were a little more concerning than others, but I found his inputs interesting.

"Oh, I see you're planet has some interesting mutants....he's all green, and sort of sad lookin.... reminds me of a servertor actually.... always hated them, I never understood using criminals for such things.....", he commented. I wasn't sure if he was joking about the movie make-up or he genuinely thought these were real... considering what I've seen here I wouldn't doubt the latter.

"Hehe, no. It's movie make-up. It's to make believe it's real.", as I passed an article about the Frankenstein movie, the next page continues to Dracula.

His eyes widen a little and he tilts his head, pointing to the long dead movie star, "Toke! Come're! It's one of those bloody Night Lords, I think it's that Jago bastard!".

"What? Night Lords? Is that what you call vampires where you're from?", I ask with genuine curiosity.

Toke skoots over to see the picture, "hmmm...aye no lad....too clean...and look at his eyes. Those are too unnerving to be Night Lord eyes.", he says with certainty.

Looks like even the theatrical, ghoulish glare of Legosi is intimidating to them in some funny way. "When we get home, I'll show you guys these movies, they're slow and little unexciting in some parts but the climaxs are always interesting."

"Movie? Yeh mean for entertainment? Ugh. Strange. Turn the page lass.", so far this has been the most interesting thing that's been happening for a better part of two hours for him.

As I turn the page, the image of not just Lon Chaney Jr appears, but several images of werewolves that had been inspired by the Wolfman, predominantly from the 80's, I look to see Fjord and Toke's reaction, it was a strange mix of confusion, bewilderment and some where deep down inside, some level of self reflection.

"what matter of madness is this?", as Fjord remarked, the both of them couldn't help but feel conflicted about the page.

"ugh, oh, these are werewolves. They're people who are cursed to turn into a half wolf by the light of the full moon." I explained.

Fjord's was a bit perplexed, "...ugh...we have wolves... just not these?"

"Hmf, thats a wolf? Ha, I've seen bigger horrors looking in the mirror in the morn." Toke was a little more stern with his opinion yet he could see that our idea of werewolves were pretty simple. "Ha I like this one 'ere, he looks a bit like Grimnar.", he cackles a little, pointing not to a werewolf on the page, but an old local town explorer from the 1800's name Rupert D. McCainel. All I knew of him was he was the werewolf equivalent to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle with this obsession with fairies. He wanted to prove their existence so badly, he had gone to places like Transylvania and Greece to prove their origins. He was considered a quack even for the time.

However it was Fjord 's reaction that fascinated me. I'm certain he had a more complex opinion about it. By the look in his eyes, he had to.

He looked closely at all the images, some horrific and bloody. Then he looked at one image of the Wolfman holding the actress Evelyn Ankers. I could tell something was going through his mind about it. "ugh...do.... mortals like you fear these...ugh...wolfmen?...or celebrate them?", I could tell he was a little confused, but I wasn't sure why.

"I'm not certain the word 'celebrate' would fit but there are people who like them. I like them too actually, I've always seen them as more sympathetic monsters than something like a vampire. Vampires just drink blood, go and hunt people and pretend they're big shit.... werewolves in fiction made more sense to me. Always have. Many centuries ago, one of the first stories of werewolves predates stories of vampires. Plus they're stronger. A silver bullet is one thing, the amount of weakness vampires have is too many to take seriously.", I felt like I outted myself as a huge nerd at that point.

Yet, I turned to see that both Toke and Fjord were absolutely fascinated at what I said.

Fjord just stared at me, "so...you like werewolves then...", his demeanor had changed a little, it was a little more pensive, "....would you...also like wulfen?".

I didn't know what a 'wulfen' was, but Fjord looked pretty serious asking me this, so far he's been rather playful. Yet something about his question felt he wanted a more genuine answer.

Toke nudged him on his unhelmated head, "aye yah dolf, wulfen are a serious matter boy...so lass...it seems you know a lot about these creatures...do you hunt them?"

Fjord rubbed his head a little, flashing his fangs with a side smirk.

I was a bit taken back and bit flattered by the question, "ugh...no...as I said, to us they're not...well ...real....or at least we've always found explanations for their existence....but I guess with guys here....I'm going to assume I'm going to have to be open minded..."

Toke shakes head a little, "I guess....I only ask is because we three types of blood suckers."

Well this was unexpected, space werewolves and now space vampires....I'm halfway expecting space wizards, robot mummies and killer cockroachs. "Really?....are they...well ....as big as you guys too?"

Fjord gives a grin, "aye, all of us are. Some are even bigger."

Toke scoffs a bit, "unless you're Maximmion Voss. He's a wee bit taller than you actually lass."

Considering I am 5 ft 11, that means this Voss would blend in perfectly in a crow of people and none would be the wiser. "really? That's hard to believe, anyone above my height is above average actually."

"aww such a wee bastard he is.... isn't he like... really fat or somethin?", Fjord turns to Toke for clarification.

Toke takes a few seconds to pause and actually think about that, even so far as stroking his beard, "hmmm.......I don't know...one of these fists probably knows him...I heard he is pretty stout."

The loud click of the door knob to the room sent all three of us in a jolt. Aldercon and Sten had probably taken a glance just as we all slightly landed back in our seats.

Aldercon looked at us, somehow sensed something was different about the room and saw the TV was missing a knob, turned to us three and pointed. "You, fuzzball, you owe us a new Television set. Toke, you're heading to Nevada for a retrieval mission with Sten and I want no yaps, yips or barks about it. Miss Drake, you're going home without any further inconveniences. Fuzzball over there will escort you off the premise and back to your domicil.".

"What?!", Toke protested.

"Oh, um...thank you Chaplain Aldercon.", obviously I wasn't too upset but now I'm wondering what was going on.

"HOW DID YOU KNOW?! Are you a psycher????", Fjord's mind was blown as to how Aldercon could have deducted that he was the one broke the TV.

Sten wasn't too pleased with the fact he had to leave for this mission. "It has been agreed upon that as part of our terms. We will have to subsequently pay for the damages caused by us, and our services of recovery have needed for some time."

Aldercon turns to Sten, "Just don't ruffle the boy's feathers ok?".

"Ah yes, I am aware of the Raven Guard's set of personalities.... although loyal...I can imagine that their position is more complex than our Chapter's role in the Imperium.", he lets out a sigh. "Come, we will head back to your cabin, Lorey."

"Wait I don't understand, when do you have to leave? Tomorrow morning? How long you will be gone?", I was genuinely worried.

Toke came in with a few questions of his own, "oh I'm sorry, I forgot the part where I agreed to dis wee adventure, specifically the part about agreeing in the first place.... I was here with Fjord and the lass for two hours having a lovely conversation. And well." He sarcastically turns to me and Fjord, obviously trying to make a more humorous objection to all of this, than turns around to Aldercon, "I don't remember you being our chaplain.", cocking a brow. Of course he was still going to go, but not with breaking Aldercon's balls over it.

"Toke, I specifically requested you join me. If this wasn't a retrieval mission, I would have suggested for Fjord to join, for him to gain experience. However, we will be dealing with likely an AWOL Astartes at worst, or a rather disgruntled and troubled individual at best. I do not know this 'Wicket', and from what I've heard....this will take some elaborate planning", Sten concludes with a mildly defeated tone.

Toke huffs and cups his hands together, "Great....the bastard flies?", he shoots a frustrated whine.

Sten nods reluctantly, "It seems his favorite pass time challenging the Air Force to aerial races. His preferred location being wide open plains and deserts. Wise choice considering there are not many civilians who live in these dry places."

Finally cupping his hands to face, "it's going to be hot too...."

Fjord wasn't sure if he was greatful for or jealous of Toke by this point. "...I mean....if you want to trade duties so much..?"

I was a bit amused by this, never would have seen these types of personalities in these guys before. I wondered if it was something cultural or tribal about their 'chapters'. I just have so little context, yet I'm getting to know a generous amount about them.

"well we shall return to the cabin. I would like to at the very least see to that Lorey is returned safely to her home.", the reassuring tone from Sten did make feel better a bit better.

Aldercon unfortunately gave the facial expression equivalent of "-but". "You will be escorted to Wicket's location personally through my facility effective immediately. You will be leaving as soon as Miss Drake leaves the premise."

A low growl comes from Sten again, the whole situation feels almost like punishment in his eyes.

"As for you fuzzball, I had your measurements estimated through our security cameras and hopefully some of these auxiliary clothes fit you.", he moves out of the way, revealing Bilhard who had brought a large box of what could only be described as old clothes, hand-me-downs and leftovers from over the years.

Fjord didn't even look into the box, he took a whiff of the box and could tell everything in it has practically never been taken out. Clean, but the clothes would definitely need to breath. "I swear if any of these have bugs in 'em. I'll comeback here and get you.... wait what cameras?"

Aldercon just patted his back hard, "I would like to see you try. Also they're everywhere and roughly the size of a glass marble...each...Anyways, these are your civilian clothes. If you're going to be responsible for Miss Drake's safety you have to look a part.", he than takes a few steps towards me.

"As for you, young lady. Now that you're aware of a few details. Here is a list of members of your community who are aware of my facility's existence. They are the only mortals I trust with the knowledge of our fort. They have assisted us in the past. However....you must never.... disclose this location to anyone else. This fort is one of only a small handfuls of Imperium standard safe havens like this one, our existence...must not be disclosed either. Yes, you will see some outliers, loners and...well...as you've experienced....rouges....these are far and few between. There are indeed forces and entities who will want to take full advantage of us Astartes...i have experienced this twice...one was enough, the second was poor judgement on my part. Can I trust you with this responsibility?", he concluded his speech with the first genuine smile I've seen from him.

Somehow I felt a very serious danger from his warning, I would have felt fear earlier too. Now, I can see that these aren't some hard asses who just moved to our world mysteriously on purpose at least.

"You can count on me, sir", I give a rather simple but genuine salute.

He let out a light chuckle, "Ah just like your grandfather. In fact just like your great father even more so. Both were stubborn bastards. But one was the best soldier I could had fought along side with back over seas. The other...oh by the Throne what did he called himself again? 'Explorador?', oh I'll remember it later.", he nodded with a much more different solute, he put his hands crossing across his chest, both hands open. I do the same in an act of correcting myself.

I could see the others in the room doing the same.

I know one this is for certain, I have no idea what I am doing, or the significance of what I just did. The men liked it, that's good.

Considering my track record of remembering a large sum of historical analysis, I feel like I'm going to regret doing that solute some way or another.

South Wall:

14:25 hours

By this point, I've had to say goodbye to Sten and Toke in the meantime. Lucky for them, they would be gone for a week according to Aldercon. But I could feel that Sten and Toke weren't too thrilled about it, seeing how dedicated they are to my family it seems based on the history alone, they probably feel they're being pulled away from their mission I assume.

As I said goodbyes to the both of them, Sten had given me one more gift. It wasn't a tooth, but a carved stone rune with a few bead attached to the cord.

"Remember, we won't be parted for long.", he gave me a gentle hug.

I hugged his as hard as one couple with a suit of armor. "I know, good luck out there and please both you take care of yourselves."

Toke instead pats me on the head, "don't worry lass, we will take care of it.".

I watched as they entered, ironically enough, into the same transport vehicle, now with a large panel of steel patched on to the side. It was a large, metal military truck. I could see little of what was originally an acronym on the side, it has been removed and painted over....all I could make out was the letter, 'P', the rest I couldn't make out. I could still see the both of them waving back in the truck. As per Aldercon's conditions, only when I leave, they could leave.

Me and Fjord were escorted out through a secret gate that had been hidden by foliage. I turn around and wave goodbye, interestingly enough, what the had not occurred to Aldercon was the possibility of a few individuals that I personally knew would be able to find his fort in absolutely no time at all.... mostly by accident.

A few minutes later, me and Fjord had been walking a trail that had been created by the vehicles at Fort Dorn, finding our way back through a long stretch of highway. Going further south, we're heading towards the direction of the cabin.

I hoped to at least understand a little more about their interests and history with my family. What or how did this all happen, how long had it gone?

Answers I would have to wait until Sten and Toke comeback, because I would find out that Fjord actually doesn't know anything about my family's history with them. Only that he's been around for as long as I wasn't in Pine Hills, I would occasionally visit Grandpa in the spring for a week or so for a better part of childhood, moved out for a few years, then moved back for two highschool semesters.

During that time I learned how to camp, fend for myself in case I ever got lost, and how to properly shoot a bow and arrow.

One day however, Grandpa for some reason had the bright idea to leave me by myself for three days out in the forested area behind the cabin. My mom found out about the whole thing and had a falling out with Grandpa, after that we moved away to a different state....never to see him alive after that.

As we were walking down the road, just a woman and a tall armored man, Fjord was telling me all about his life where he was from... before he came here.

"-And so then, I hoped off the Thunderhawk right into battle! Hordes of heretics and bloodletters were swarming throughout the mountain side, I took my trusty ax and sliced through the blood iron crowd, like a flaming chainsword to a block of ice! Ah good times, after that battle, me and my squad were headed to a wee planet in a Forbidden World way out into the Belt. There were a legion of bloody Thousands Sons," he leans a little closer for dramatic effect, "our sworn enemies and traitorus scum of the legions of Chaos. It was during a scuffle on a cliff range were a warp storm had brewed furiously. Just as I was about to land a strike on a Rubric marine, the ground beneath us gave way, sending me and that scum into a whirling tunnel. One moment I was facing against my fear enemy once more...than the next second I was soaking wet! I landed in a lake nearby. Had my fun a bit throughout the land....very nice hunting terrain here. Than I found Sten and Toke, they were mingling with a local tribe 'ere, than from than on its been great. Comparatively lass, this place is a paradise!", his voice echoed throughout.

"Wow ...ugh, if you wrote all that down and made it into a book, I think people would like it a lot. You know...like a heroic memoir?", obviously, everything he had said was completely insane and I am having the most incredible time trying to comprehend everything. A galaxy wide war? My near Apolloian levels of prophecy activity making a lucky guess about space wizards.... everything was overwhelming....

"A memoir? Ha, I'm barely getting started lass!", he glanced to me, he was happy I was curious about his life. "So then, what about you? I'm certain you have some tales of yah own?".

I perked up a bit, "Oh no, not as exciting as yours I'm afraid. If I can start... I'd say...well....I was born in the spring time during the exiting year of 1998, embassy bombings, the Japanese winter Olympics, John Glenn returns to space for... astronaut business I suppose....and... denim clothes....hmmm what else ....grandpa taught me how to shoot an arrow when I was 5, I was dangerously close to petting a wild grizzly bear when I was 10. I'm a self taught artist, I had taken many years of science class, too many math classes....and finally settled into studying history....far less complicated."

He was listening so far, "what was your first hunt like?"

"hmm...well ....my first kill ...hehehe, actually it's a little embarrassing from a hunter's perspective but from a learning experience perspective....my first kill was a chicken, from our neighbor's farm", I gave a crooked smile.

"a chicken? What is a chicken???", he urgently asked.

Oh to describe domesticated poultry to someone was easier said than done, "ugh ...ok ....you know what a bird is right, a beaked animal with feathers, usually bipedal, they can be colorful or natural looking?"

His face became stern, "yes...hmm...I do.", I could only fathom what horrors he was thinking...I was not going to ruin his walk with that.

It was just then I realized I could actually help visualize chickens better. "Hmm... would you...like to see one?"

He turned his head suddenly, "YES! If we are lucky, I say we slay one for a meal.".

"ok, but don't be surprised if it is a bit underwhelming.", I try not get people too exited when it comes to some things, hopefully he gets a snack out of it. "I think one of my neighbor's property is here actually....one sec.", I take out my phone and call my neighbor (who's number I have to have in case of anything happens)."

The two of us wait on the side of the road waiting for a chicken farmer to answer his phone.

Luckily, he answered the call, "McGregor's Foul Farm, howdy we can be of assistance?", it was in all seriousness a terrible tagline for his business but it is his farm.

"Ah Mr.McGregor? It's me, Lorey, is it a good time to spot by and get some eggs something?", I did need some eggs, but considering I was going to have Fjord as a guest I suppose I was going to get some extra groceries. Ow my wallet.

"Ah sure thing Lorey, make sure you pop by soon. That Arlo fellow has been buying out my stock faster than my sweet gals can lay.", 'Arlo' was the current owner of the "Wonder Mart" store that was reluctantly built in town. At first it was a convenience, that is as soon as other businesses began to close, Wonder Mart was staying strong. The locals had made a campaign to shut it down but somehow the damn place still keeps going... likely it will still keep going until the sun blows up by this point.

"Thanks Mr.McGregor.", I hang up and look at Fjord. "Alright, we're taking a detour, this way!". The two of us head off into a thicket that leads right into McGregor's property, "hopefully his daughter, Anna, isn't around taking care of the fox population in "her side" of the property.".

"Who is this, Anna? Your enemy?", his question sounded like a joke, however remembering what had happened just a few hours ago was not....

"Ugh no.... buuuuut we do have a history. That chicken I killed? It was her pet.", it was one of my biggest shames.

Fjord nodded, "ah understood....do you want me to kill her?"

My blood went cold, "NO!", I wasn't too fond of her holding a grudge to the point of threatening to shoot me everytime I pass by but I would never ever consider the thought of ending myself.....at least not with my arrows....maybe hand to hand combat.

Fjord straighten up giggling. "I kid lass!"

~~~~~~~~~

Meanwhile, back at the cabin. Jeff...was waiting.

End of Log 8

@kit-williams @barn-anon @walking-natural-disaster

@egrets-not-regrets

[dgrailwar]

Further Servant details under the cut:

ARCHETYPE EARTH:

A beautiful princess of the Moon who hasn't yet tasted blood. In another world, her Class would be 'Funny Vamp'.

She serves as the soul of the Planet, and therefore possesses immense power and purity, raised as a delicate and well-mannered princess. As a Servant she is theoretically much weaker than she would be in her natural state, bound to a Saint Graph rather than the planet itself. Therefore, rather than being able to augment the Earth's rotation and treat continents like pinballs, she's simply only able to create destructive storms and earthquakes with a flick of her fingers.

A version of 'Archetype: Earth' that has retained her innocence, one that being bound to a world of 'Fate' has not met her own. A natural phenomenon in the shape of a girl, a soul who watches over humanity without understanding, an Archetype of the Planet that exists brilliantly and positively, with only the slightest curiosity of when her life will truly begin.

SESSYOIN KIARA:

A Buddhist monk of the Shingon Tachikawa Eiten School. A woman of calm composure and pure veneer.

She is a master Spiritron Hacker, a type of magus from the future that specializes in Code Casts. She thoroughly believes in the value of 'desire', and sees that as her own personal path to truth, making her an entity of unrelenting faith. However, as pure as she may seem, there are no truly perfect souls in the world, and those with seemingly no secrets to hide may hold the most sinister ones of all.

A precise woman, who can see those for who they truly are, while leaving herself an enigma. Like a hungry beast, she stalks her prey, slowly peeling away their layers and exposing their vices before going for the killing strike. While her style of battle is patient, it is exceptionally brutal-- but that's just how matters of the heart are, yes? Reaching that secret flower garden in order to sully it and claim it for yourself.

B.B.:

“Everyone’s favorite kouhai and little devil, B.B.! The beautiful black blossom of the Moon makes her debut, and she has a real nasty cheat skill in order to commemorate! What? There’s something dark and obviously evil mixed into my Spirit Origin? First off, I was already devilish enough, so it was really just a power boost, and also… do you really care that much? I mean, watching our enemies struggle will make any sort of mods worth it, right?”

"Anyways, do I really need to sell myself? Oh, well maybe there are a few people who aren't in the loop, and I'd hate for any potential fans to get FOMO! What do you want to know? My three sizes? My greatest fear? My one true love? Well, that's a big 'nope' to all three! I'm what some people may deem a 'rogue (and powerful) A.I', a scourge on the Moon. A 'Moon Cancer' (obviously), and any sort of digital, quasi-digital, pseudo-digital, or conceptually-digital space is basically my domain! So, you know, if you're looking for winners…"

"Anyways, you know the right choice (It's me, if you didn't realize). I'll ~ be ~ in ~ your ~ care ~! ♡"

GANESHA:

The Great Statue God. The God of Prosperity and Fortune. The Elephant-headed God of Overcoming Obstacles, Ganesha. A mighty Divine Spirit, distilled into a vessel that Ganesha himself thought was suitable- a woman who had her very fate changed on the surface of the Moon.

Vessels are chosen, and often don't volunteer, so this particular soul was rather surprised to end up a Divine Spirit. However, she's willing to step out into the world and give it 110% to represent Lord Ganesha! Do your best~!

"…eh? Seriously?!"

…This Ganesha greatly enjoys living the slow life, not having to worry about combat, danger, or fighting-- however, as a vessel for a god that also represents forward progress and overcoming obstacles, she can’t sit and bide her time forever (despite REALLY wanting to). Finding out when to rest and when to strike… perhaps that’s a lesson that both you and this god’s vessel can learn together.

[our-future-is-up-to-us-2]

I'll Think Of You

Fic number 3! And it's actually a Narcos fic @narcosfandomdiscord

Have fun with our favourite guy, aka "some guy", aka "my guy", aka "Walt Breslin" >:D

Prompt #25, Book Of Reciprocity: "Fine, I'll do it myself."

Word Count: 1.3K

Relationships: Mimi/Pablo Acosta, Walt Breslin & Pablo Acosta

Warnings: Mentioned character death, mentioned drug use (as per canon)

~ Read the fic under the cut ~

Fuck it . 

It’s a thought that Walt Breslin thinks on a daily basis. 

With Operation Leyenda well and truly over, Walt and his crew had to switch tactics, not without people like Ed Heath towering over them. 

Better yet, fucking asshole Calderoni lurks, with his helpful information at one point, and heavy insults at others. 

This team of theirs, a real ragtag bunch, can only do so much. 

Breslin inquires, one day, if his team has the strength to go on. He gives them all permission to leave: Some have better jobs than this to pursue, others are husbands, and fathers of little boys and girls. 

He gives them an exit route, a free pass outta town. 

Determination rouses inside him when none of them refuse. 

They’ll work, side by side, till the break of dawn, till the end of the day– If it means avenging Kiki Camarena, if it means bringing justice to his name! 

That’s all that matters. 

He’ll defy anyone that stands in his way. Well, as much as he can do so. 

And there comes a point where he’s the one making negotiations, compromises with a side that should be wrong. In all truth, the people he’s speaking to… They’re saner than he expected, especially for their profession. 

Before he leaves to meet them, he tells his team, “This one, I’m doing by myself.” 

He says it again, in a different way, when they don’t get the message. 

“Guys, look, I get it. I’m the leader here. But, damn that! I can only take you so far… You’re angry about it, yes, but let me go. I’ve got the information, the equipment, the leads– Now you’re angry at me. Got it. Fine, I’ll do it myself! You guys stick around, do what you can with what you know, and occupy the ground over here.” 

Because this mission is a suicide mission, basically. 

The rest of the special agents can know he’s out there, Walt Breslin’s on the case, he’s doing something , some solo mission. 

As he drives to Ojinaga, a heaviness settles in his gut. He is both free and chained, maddened and rational. 

His heart flutters when he spots a girl, tall, blonde and beautiful, standing around a house. She points upwards, and that’s when Walt is taken off-guard. 

Pablo Acosta, drug lord, cartel king, working on a roof. 

Fuck it , He thinks, once again, Whatever it takes to get him on-side. 

 

***

Pablo asks him to bring up a toolbox, and Walt Breslin can only oblige. 

They start talking about life, about change and simple things.  

There comes a point where Acosta pauses and cracks the toolbox open. He shuffles about, as though planning which tool to grab, when, in fact, there are no tools whatsoever. Just beer, bottles and bottles of it. 

It’s the American’s sign that he can relax, fortunately enough. 

“Do you drink?” He asks, a bottle outstretched in one hand. 

“Fuck, yeah, I do,” Walt replies, perhaps a little too enthusiastically, “As much as I can handle.” 

They clink bottles in acknowledgement and take long, slow sips. They relish the refreshing taste in the dry heat, the bitterness that sinks into their throats. 

“Hey, look, I can get you immunity, protection,” The DEA agent offers, “Whatever you need. As long as you cross that border with me, and tell me everything you know about Felix. Felix Gallardo. ” He clarifies, “I’m lookin’ to take him down.” 

“Why’s that? Who’s Felix to you?” 

Walt takes a swig of his beer and sighs, his eyes fixed on Acosta’s, “He killed a federal agent. Camarena, his name was. He was diligent, so I’ve heard, and he didn’t deserve what he got. So… This is to avenge him, I guess.” 

“So you’ve heard?” The other smiles, tilting his hat, “So you guess? Did you ever know him, Camarena, the agent that died?” 

As a DEA agent, he feels like he should’ve, but they weren’t in the same place, the same sector. Kiki was working for longer hours, harder than he ever could’ve… But he didn’t know the man. Not personally. He never got the time, had the connections, to find out who he really was, if he had a family, what he liked in the world… 

Pablo Acosta seems to appreciate the simple things. And if Pablo Acosta had met Kiki Camarena, maybe, pushing all the drugs and crime aside, they would have got along splendidly.

All Walt can do is shake his head, rather sadly. 

“You didn’t even know him…” Acosta tuts, as though to place blame on Walt. “And I get it, comrades, partners… You trust people who work the same way as you. I can’t do that anymore. All I can trust is Mimi,” He gestures to the girl with fondness, “Or, maybe you.” 

“You should trust me,” The DEA agent huffs, crossing his arms, “I’m trying to help you, here… As long as you help me back.” 

“I don’t know where I fit in anymore,” He segues, “There’s… A different feeling here, with the drug now, cocaine, the Colombians, fucking politicians… Everything is crazy. So, I might just settle down.” 

“Settle down across the border.” He pleads, “Help me out here.” 

Acosta stands up, drinks some beer, wanders around the roof aimlessly. Even while Breslin is angry, a part of him worries about the guy crashing and falling. 

He exhales and turns back to face the American, glad to occupy the higher ground. “I can’t help you out without knowing who you are. Don’t start… Listing bullshit things. What are you really doing here? That agent is long gone.” 

Fuck. Walt thinks, cracking his knuckles just to hear the sound. 

The thought is not fuck it , as it should normally be, but instead, total despair. A rock bottom. A weird type of guilt and defeat and admission that he absolutely hates! 

And to share it with a former drug lord? Dear god, did things really have to come to this? 

I could lie. He muses, staring at the surface below him, pondering, I could lie and cheat and steal to get him to trust me. It’s not beyond the cartels, and it’s not beyond me, is it?  

‘Don’t start listing bullshit things.’ 

Acosta seems like the type of guy to have a lie detector built into his body. 

So, Walt looks at him, squints, thanks to the sunlight, and goes for broke. 

“Three years ago, I was at home,” He begins, gripping the neck of his beer bottle, “And I was working a shift, everything’s cruisy. That’s when I get a call, for a one-eighteen, a gang-related shooting. But if it was located in the town over, why should I be called?!” 

Acosta just shrugs: A simple signal. He doesn’t know the story, so Breslin must tell it. 

“If I was called, I had to go… And I knew from that point forward that something was wrong. My brother was involved. Not just that,” A wobble emerges in his voice, “ My brother had died. Three shots to the chest, with an eight-ball of cocaine by his side.” 

Walt wipes a hand at his face. He’s vulnerable, he’s scared, and he’s not about to start crying in front of Pablo Acosta. 

He finishes his tale with his voice at a mere whisper, “So… Yeah. That’s why I’m here. ” 

When the drug lord sits down and lets out a slow exhale, he knows. The story, the truth, the emotions… They’ve all hit in just the right places. 

And Walt Breslin can be proud of that. Proud for telling the truth, proud for negotiating in a way that doesn’t involve trickery… 

Because Pablo Acosta reveals, just minutes before the DEA agent climbs down to the ground, that his brother was a junkie too. 

[deke-rivers-1957]

ECU High - Jodie's Deal

Jodie returns home after his interrogation.

"Jodie wha's got yer brow all furrowed?"

He looks up and sees Mrs. Tatum making him a plate.

"Ah saw a bad car accident. Mikey hit Mike leavin school."

She does a sign of the cross.

"Goodness! Jus how serious was it?"

"Bad. Mike went ta the hospital. Mikey's still in the holdin cell. Police done asked me what Ah've seen. So's Ah told 'em."

He shakily sits down at the table.

"We's best be sayin our prayers then. Yer friends need all the Lord's help."

"Yer right Ma."

They pray for Mike's health, mercy for Mikey and peace for Jodie.

"Ah woulda came home right away but the police done made me follow 'em down ta the station."

"Don't ya go frettin bout this no more. Ya said yer piece. If all 'em police took it down ya oughta be done."

Jodie sighs.

"Yer right, Ma."

He eats dinner and goes to bed.

"Jodie jus so ya know, Coach Wade called. He wants ya ta be in his office by 7."

Jodie groans.

"Ah got it, Ma. Thanks for tellin me. Night."

"Night, Jodie. May the Lord bless ya wit good dreams."

He sighs and settles in for the night. To his good fortune, he had a pleasant dream about having a date with a hot girl.

"Least Ah got somethin good before Coach kicks mah ass agin."

He gets through his morning routine and grabs a quick breakfast.

"Ah hope Ah don't have somethin happen ta keep me late agin, Ma."

"Ah'll be prayin on it, son. Jus like Ah been prayin for Pappy ta come home tanight."

Jodie kisses her on the cheek and gets in the truck. For a second he gets the shakes.

"Just gotta get ta school. Then ya can get yer ass kicked by Coach."

He makes the sign of the cross when he parks the truck safely. Once he's inside he heads over to Mr. Wade's office.

"Finally got here on time. I'm amazed."

Jodie just swallows.

"I heard bout what happened yesterday and Principal Gates got on my ass. So I gotta make you a deal. You help train the newcomers and I'll cut your training sessions."

Despite not wanting to admit it, Jodie feels relieved that he won't be getting scolded again.

"Who do Ah gotta train?"

"Got a sophomore in your weight class so you'll start with him now. I just got him cleared to train so he's pretty damn behind on his workout routine."

Jodie nods.

"Ah'll show 'em how ta train right, Coach."

"Good now get dressed and go to the weight room before he hurts himself."

"Got it."

He walks out of the office and into the locker room. By the time he goes to the weight room he's surprised by who he needs to train.

"Scalosis kid?!"

Toby turns around and waves.

"Hey, Jodie. The doc finally said Ah can wrestle. Ah brought mah papers ta Coach an Coach said, 'Well.... Toby. You get changed in your gym clothes and head down to the weight room. Don't go touching anything until Jodie shows up.' So Ah've been standin here waitin."

Jodie takes a breath.

"Coach told me yer pretty damn behind in yer trainin."

"Yeah. Ah can walk on the treadmill real good but Coach ain't let me use weights till now. He said he don't want me hurtin mahself if Ah lift 'em wrong."

"He's right fer it. Ya ain't gonna get all these muscles like me if yer form's all wrong. Specially when yer doin overheads. Yer form's wrong yer gonna drop a barbell right on yer head."

Toby rubs his head.

"That'd be bad. So what do ya want me doin first?"

"Here take this dumbbell."

There's a pause.

"Oh ya meant the weights. Got it."

He takes the dumbbell out of Jodie's hand.

"What ya thought Ah was callin ya a dumbbell?"

"Ah've been called worse."

Jodie pauses when he puts down his water.

"Yer a.... one a 'em slow kids?"

"Uh huh. Ah oughta be in the same class as ya. At mah old school Ah got held back twice. Gates told Pop Ah gotta have an IEP ta do better."

Jodie nods.

"And yer doin better?"

"Oh yeah. Rusty helps me out real good an Ah go ta the library ta get tutorin."

"Ok well let's get started before Coach kicks mah ass."

Toby nods as the two train. A couple days later they start to practice wrestling moves in the gym when Jodie notices something.

"Hey now who's that lil woman wit a camera?"

Toby sits up from the mat.

"Oh that's Margret. She's on the newspaper club."

"How the hell ya know that?"

Toby takes a sip of water.

"Cause she tutors me at the library when Rusty's at band practice."

"Hmm."

Jodie chuckles.

"Think ya can get me acquainted wit 'er?"

"Why? Are ya too shy ta talk wit 'er yerself?"

Jodie scoffs.

"No. Ah jus know ya don't go on up ta a girl an introduce yerself. Ya gotta get a friend of a friend ta do it."

"Ya think she'd trust me enough ta feel good bout it?"

Jodie sighs.

"Ah'll treat ya ta Whataburger if ya get it done."

Toby's stomach growls.

"Ha. Ah can't even talk bout Whataburger without ya gettin hungry."

"What? Ah'm hungry. How do Ah go bout this?"

Jodie chuckles.

"Least ya can do's ask 'er bout the camera. Ah wanna show 'er mah good side ya know what Ah mean?"

"Ah didn't know ya cared that much bout yer yearbook picture."

Jodie chuckles.

"If it means havin a lil woman like 'er hangin round."

"Ok Ah'll ask 'er."

Toby gets up and goes to talk to Margret. Jodie watches the two talk before raising an eyebrow when Margret hands Toby her camera.

"The hell happened, Toby?"

"She wanted me ta hold this cause she was gettin 'er backpack. Somethin bout needin a PDA fer notes on the wrestlin team."

Jodie shakes his head.

"She's gotta talk ta Coach bout that first. Ah mean Ah don't mind havin 'er check out the locker room, but we's both know bout Coach's rules."

"Oh she said she jus wanted pictures a us in the weight room, on the mats an a big ol group shot wit the whole team."

"Least it's somethin."

Once everything's settled, Margret starts taking pictures of the team. Then she gets to Jodie and Toby's mat.

"So Toby told me you're in the same weight class. Can you explain how that works?"

"Why course Ah can. See Coach has us all strip down so's we can get weighed."

Margret looks very disturbed.

"Yeah Coach don't want dudes like us beatin up on the freshmen cause we're too big. Clothes got weight so he wants ta make sure it's right."

She breathes a sigh of relief at Toby's clarification.

"Now Toby you're a sophomore. How is it possible for you to be in the same weight class if the other underclassmen wrestle each other?"

There's a pause. Even Jodie feels awkward about that type of question knowing the truth.

"Ah did a lotta sittin round when Ah had scalosis."

"Scalosis?"

"Yeah. Mah back was all crooked and broke for a real long time. Couldn't exercise much so Ah put on a lotta weight."

Jodie tries to hide his relief at Toby can somehow answer the question without telling her the whole truth.

"Oh you mean scoliosis. But treatments are so expensive. How were you able to afford that?"

"Pop kinda didn't. We had ta move here from Tennessee cause a somethin involvin no taxes."

Everyone around him just looks baffled. It's the type of bafflement where you're fully aware that someone is different yet you want to be polite by not mentioning it.

"So. You got treated."

"Yeah but Ah still got all the weight from it so Coach says Ah can only wrestle Jodie. Who knows maybe once Ah get in shape like Jodie it'll change."

Jodie clears his throat trying to get things back on track.

"What kinda pics do ya still need?"

"I just need a couple pictures of you and Toby pretending to wrestle. Action shots only come out blurry with this type of camera."

They nod as the two start pretending to wrestle.

"Perfect. All that's left to do is take the group lineup picture."

Jodie stands up straight.

"How's ya gonna do this?"

"Oh that won't be until your first match."

Toby stands up and grabs his water bottle.

"That's good. Ya don't gotta worry bout that till after Thanksgivin."

"Great. I'll see you both around."

Margret packs up her stuff and heads out of the gym.

"Hmm."

"What's wrong? Ah did what ya asked me ta do, Jodie."

Jodie sighs.

"Ya did. Ah'm jus figurin out how ta ask 'er out. Ah dunno how Ah'm gonna wait till the first match ta do this. Sides she don't seem all that 'mazed by me bein champ. Ah ain't smart so what do Ah got left?"

"How come ya didn't ever go ta the library ta get tutorin? Tutorin helped me get smarter. Ain't ever gonna be like most but Ah'm doin better."

That gives Jodie an idea.

"Maybe Ah oughta. Coach'll get off mah ass bout mah grades an Ah'll get a good connection wit Margret."

"Does that mean yer gonna get me Whataburger?"

Jodie chuckles.

"Anythang ya want Tobeh."

"Great!"

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