#i. ( ooc ) — secret santa 2019

[whorunthewcrld]

Never forget some of the best edits I ever made. Kaede and Totosai as star crossed lover. One of the most hilarious ships I've ever seen on Tumblr.

[iamsosmaug]

Miraculous Fic Recs

Recently I've been complaining a lot on the internet how sucky the recent seasons of ML have been, and how much better the old fanfics are; I'm going to prove my point by sharing my tried-and-true rec list. Here we go.

Back To Us - Written in 2017, so some things are inaccurate. Basically Marinette, as Ladybug, kills Gabriel Agreste on accident by pushing him off the Eiffel Tower and Adrien moves to Milan. Seven years later Marinette is a rising fashion designer, her long-lost partner comes back seven years later but hot, and a new Hawkmoth shows up on the very day Adrien comes back. Suspicious. INCLUDES: Antihero!Chat. Alternate superhero names for Alya, Nino + there are only seven miraculouses which honestly I like a lot better than Ladybug just busting another one out whenever she feels like it. At one point, it was the longest fic in the fandom but now it's not even close. 446k. Requires an Ao3 account to read.

Second Chances- Again, written fairly early in the fandom. Adrien is a single dad and Alya volunteers Marinette to be his daughter's nanny - the premise sounds like it could turn out really weird but I promise it's not. Adorable adorable. INCLUDES: Past ChloexAdrien and MarinettexNathanael, and Adrien never went to school. Reverse best friends (Alya + Adrien, Mari + Nino). 105k.

Whose Woods These Are (I Think I Know) - Ladrien Cinderella AU. Super well-written in a kind of fairytale style. I honestly love this fic. 105k.

Spotty Connections - Adrienette texting fic (no miraculous AU, but does incorporate LadyNoir). Tikki & Plagg are M&A's cats. One of my favorites ever. 66k.

Film It - Adrien is a youtuber! Soon all of Twitter ships #adrienette. INCLUDES: Gabriel Agreste's A+ Parenting. Endgame Adrienette. Superheroes exist, but LB & CN aren't a huge part of this. Also worthy of note: #thatfoursome and a decent amount of Twitter formatting. This has pretty much everything I want in an Adrienette fic. 56k.

Chasing The C/h/atwalk - Project Runway AU. Marinette is a designer and Adrien... is her model. Shenanigans ensue. INCLUDES: Some LadyNoir, mostly after the identity reveal. #MarinetteInDenial. 100k. I love this fic.

Lucky Us - No Miraculous email AU. See Spotty Connections: LadyNoir incorporated without the actual superheroes. Fluff with a tiny bit of angst but still happy ending. 136k.

Secret Santa - fluff. Pure fluff; classic in the fandom. A bit cheesy and very outdated but very nice. Time for a reread. It has a sequel called New Year's Ball. 52k.

Être Majeur - horror, AU, fairly short, creepy and strange but really well-written. 24k. M for horror elements.

La Pucelle Et La Coccinelle - Absolute favorite. Explores Joan of Arc (Jeanne d'Arc in this story) with the Ladybug Miraculous. INCLUDES: Actual historical references, lore for the miraculouses, and a flashforward to the future at the end with Marinette. 38k. I have it printed out, I love it so much.

Pray For the Children You Lost Along the Way - Silent Hill AU (Emilie Anderson from the arcade game is Adrien's mom). It has been on hiatus since 2019, but is still worth a read because so many things tie together in a satisfying way. 86k. Rated M b/c of Silent Hill-type things.

Under Lock and Key - Huge classic also published on Wattpad. Author/artist collab with Maerynn & EdenDaphne - Maerynn passed away while the fic was being written and ED finished it. Very nice art by ED. I view this fic as the quintessential 2017 era Adrienette fic. Very sweet and fluffy. 34k.

Tripped at Fencing - Gabriel hits Adrien. INCLUDES: Gabriel Agreste's A+ Parenting. Accidental identity reveal (Marinette finds out first). Only 5k but a classic.

The Butterfly and Her Brother series (Generations Past and Future) - written c. 2016. Gabriel is NOT Hawkmoth; Gabriel is not a villian in the least so technically OOC. First couple are set in the 1990s, then a couple in ~2016 and the latest in like 2044. I haven't read the last one in the series but WHATHGAWAATG (Europe gets taken over), featuring the next gen of Agrestes, is really good as well. Many things are outdated/false as this was written based off of s1, but I honestly like this interpretation of the Miraculous much better than how the show does it. Mama Agreste's name is Adele (again, s1) and I quite like her character. I freaking LOVE this series. I have it downloaded to my phone and I reread it when I'm feeling sad. 340k in total, but the longest work in the series is about 166k. SO many kudos.

a fight that you were born to lose - "Adrien finds out that Gabriel is Hawkmoth, and Gabriel gets to bring his long-waited plan into action." TW abuse, emotional manipulation, forced dieting. Gabriel Agreste's A+ Parenting. Fairly short for how well-rounded it is - 17k.

An Impromptu Proposal - what it says on the tin. Reverse love square kinda: Ladynoir requited love bc Adrien never went to school. Includes identity reveal and Hawkmoth!Lila takedown. 33k.

On The Prowl - Criminal CN. Also on ffn.net. Good story and TOTALLY a classic, but also uses 'ravenette' and 'sapphire orbs' unironically. The writing is okay if a little melodramatic. 53k.

Chat Noir's White French Man Hit List For Feminist Purposes - pretty much what it says on the tin. Sentimonster!Adrien. 7.8k.

i think it's time i told you (i'm a fan of your universe) - ladynoir proposal. v v nice. Just 5k. Smidge of angst.

The Ladyblog Comment Section - what it says on the tin. 27k. Hilarity and crack.

spark - Tinder AU. Lots of Marichat. Angst with a happy ending. 49k. Slow burn w/ eventual identity reveal.

all dressed up and nowhere to go - No Miraculouses modern royalty AU - human Tikki and Plagg. Mostly DJWifi but a mild amount of adrienette and a smidge of chlogami. Includes arranged marriage Adrien x Alya but they don't end up together. "Twenty-five-year-old Marinette is a wedding dress designer, business blooming in her trusty shop, Ladybug Bridal. When the engagement of Prince Adrien Agreste and Ancient Princess Alya Césaire is announced, all she expects is an influx of work. What she gets instead is... a bit different." 35k.

tangled ribbons - Ao3. ballet/dance AU (no miraculous). Adrienette with some DJWifi and human Tikki & Plagg. "Marinette is a small studio dancer who wins a scholarship to a summer long ballet intensive. Adrien is a famous ballet dancer who would rather be at home than at said intensive. The end of the summer will bring about a showcase that could make Marinette's career, if she can ignore Chloé and focus on something other than Adrien." 82k. The slowest of burns.

Where timing is kind to us - Ao3. marichat discusses quantum physics. 4.3k. This is a beautiful one-shot with a one-sided reveal.

[tacticalvalor]

«────── « OOC » ──────»

GETTING TO KNOW YOU — answer the questions below, then tag nine others that you would like to know better.

tagged by: @mayxthexforce , tyvm!

tagging: you!! if you would like to do this, or haven't, then feel free to tag me when ya do ♡

𝐅𝐀𝐕𝐎𝐑𝐈𝐓𝐄 𝐂𝐎𝐋𝐎𝐑(𝐒): blue, pink, and black

𝐅𝐀𝐕𝐎𝐑𝐈𝐓𝐄 𝐅𝐋𝐀𝐕𝐎𝐑(𝐒): salty & sweet (one of my fave things is sea salted caramel)

𝐅𝐀𝐕𝐎𝐑𝐈𝐓𝐄 𝐌𝐔𝐒𝐈𝐂: rock & metal; favorite bands at the moment are Grandson, Rammstein, and Slaughter to Prevail.

that said, i am absolutely an "all genres" guy, i'm just going through my "loud noises" phase skdjdkdkdk

𝐅𝐀𝐕𝐎𝐑𝐈𝐓𝐄 𝐌𝐎𝐕𝐈𝐄(𝐒): Boondock Saints (1999), Hitman: Agent 47 (2015), Anastasia (1997), Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988), Inglorious Basterds (2009), Attack of the Clones (2002), and Revenge of the Sith (2005)

𝐅𝐀𝐕𝐎𝐑𝐈𝐓𝐄 𝐒𝐄𝐑𝐈𝐄𝐒: His Dark Materials (2019-2022), Better Call Saul (2015-2022) & Breaking Bad (2008-2013), Hannibal (2013-2015), Love Death + Robots (2019-2022), and The Clone Wars (2008-2020)

𝐋𝐀𝐒𝐓 𝐒𝐎𝐍𝐆: Give it to Me // Northern Boys

𝐋𝐀𝐒𝐓 𝐒𝐄𝐑𝐈𝐄𝐒: M*A*S*H (1972-1983)

𝐋𝐀𝐒𝐓 𝐌𝐎𝐕𝐈𝐄: Resident Evil Death Island (2023)

𝐂𝐔𝐑𝐑𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐋𝐘 𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐃𝐈𝐍𝐆: nothing; finished Fahrenheit 451 and haven't thought about what to tackle next.

𝐂𝐔𝐑𝐑𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐋𝐘 𝐖𝐀𝐓𝐂𝐇𝐈𝐍𝐆: The Spiffing Brit (YouTube)

𝐂𝐔𝐑𝐑𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐋𝐘 𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐎𝐍: GTA Secret Santa fanfiction 🙂

[knightsdeath]

regrettably i do want to write on here more so. starter call?

[snlightovrdrive]

my second @jjba-secret-santa gift for @s3lene!  you mentioned you enjoyed coffee shop au for bruabba so i decided to make a moodboard! i hope it looks okay!

[smallvxlle]

secret santa wrote to the editor :  Hello, good morning/afternoon! Here's your Secret Santa wishing you a very good start of your week! I've noticed you like HC's and you love Dad Clark (we all do as well) so I was wondering if you could talk a bit about Clark's reaction to finding out Lois' pregnancy and how/if Jon being born changed Clark?

CAPE ! — SANTA!!! Thanks so much for stopping by, and for your CRAZY sweet message last week! I laughed out loud at this message, because “I’ve noticed you like HC’s” just got to me, man! I definitely love my HCs! Even if I don’t have a thread going ( or, more often, I do have a thread going but I just have to post something real quick! ), I just like talking about my boy. Since he’s still a comparatively young blog, my HCs are helping me ground the characterization that is forming as well! 

This is such an awesome question, so thanks for asking it! Now, I don’t know if there’s any comic stuff that goes over this, so this will all be HC based and based off of Smallville’s Clark, obvi. If this flouts Comics canon... ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ The only thing I know is that the Convergence run says that he was conceived while Clark’s powers were suppressed??? 

So Clark wasn’t sure that Kryptonian/Human procreation — at least naturally — would work. If he and Lois decided they wanted to have kids, he’d assumed that there was going to have to be some intervention by science. Even when his powers are suppressed, his genetics are still Kryptonian, and he wasn’t sure that they were going to be capable of a natural pregnancy. They both knew that merging Human and Kryptonian genes was scientifically possible, thanks to Kon-El’s existence, and so it was always in the back of their head that... they could have a family, even if they had to take unconventional means to get there. 

When Lois found out that she was pregnant without any extraordinary means, Clark was floored. And nervous. He wanted children — he wanted a family so BADLY — but there was also a fear that this could hurt Lois, which was something he would never, ever do. They had really long talks, and brought in every scientific friend they had throughout the League to ensure that the pregnancy was as smooth as it could be, considering it was entirely unprecedented. They didn’t know what to expect. Clark also didn’t know how to raise a Kryptonian child, if those abilities manifested. He knew that no matter what, if the baby was more Human than Kryptonian, more Kryptonian than Human, or a perfect mix of the two, or anything in between... he would love that baby. He just wanted them in his arms. 

Jon’s birth DEFINITELY changed Clark! As an adult, we got to see that Clark has a very natural, very paternal side to him. He loves very easy, which is one of the reasons why he makes such a Super hero: there is no one who is beyond redemption or unworthy of love. Clark even tried to redeem Earth-2′s Lionel Luthor; his heart is so stupid big that it is sometimes a challenge for me to write! But anyway, he is definitely nurturing and caring. When Jon is born, he has somewhere to channel that dad energy that had been getting thrown onto everyone. 

Now, he still naturally dads pretty much anyone; it’s just who he is. But after Jon is born, it’s very easy to tell that the bulk of his dad energy goes into his son and those who actually need it. Those who just want to be his friend are probably really relieved that Clark has someone to focus on! 

Clark also becomes a bit more cautious, though cautious is a relative term when it comes to someone being, in most situations, totally unbreakable. But if there is something Big happening, he no longer runs headfirst without talking to Lois. Even if it’s something that he knows he has to do, he’ll still pause and let her — and Jon — know what’s happening. It reminds me of 10.19/Dominion when Lois tells Clark that if there’s ever a time when he even suspects that a mission won’t bring him home, that he isn’t supposed to try to protect her from that information, because she’d want to know. After Jon is born, he really takes that to heart. He can’t stop being Superman — too many people need him and he can’t turn his back on them — but he does take the time to hold himself responsible and accountable ( even more than he had been ) to his family. 

Clark as a dad is basically him evolving to the being that he was always meant to be. Clark as a dad just makes sense. To him, it’s the ultimate protector role and it’s a way that he can nurture and love those around him. 

[fraulinekritzkrieg]

I AM SCREAMING!! SHE LOOKS SO GOOD OMG! I AM IN LOVE WITH EVERYTHING ABOUT IT! thank you so much ❤❤❤!!!!!!

Secret Santa gift for @fraulinekritzkrieg. Her TF2 OC Maddy, not a nurse! But as much ready to prepare you for the examination >:3c

[eirist]

A Taste of Winter: Snowflake

Disclaimer: One Piece (and its characters) belongs to Eiichiro Oda-sensei. Neige is a borrowed French word, so I can’t lay claim to it.

Reminder: I have no beta-reader. Any grammatical and spelling errors are solely mine.

Warning: OOC possible. One shot.

Rating: T

Note: Written for my secret santa: @ravenandcat for the ZoNa Holiday 2019 event in Tumblr. I hope you enjoy it as I did. Merry Christmas!!!

Summary: The warm feeling spreading from your face down to your toes… Along with that tingling sensation you can’t even begin to describe…

Everything in the winter island of Neige was blanketed in soft, fluffy white.

But despite the almost ethereal-like quality the sea of white was exhibiting, the whole place was buzzing with activities from the excited townsfolk as they rushed back and forth in preparation for the celebration that was about to take place tonight.

Perched silently and contentedly on the railing of the Thousand Sunny, two figures watched the whole scene with quiet interest.

“What are you two up to?”

Nami and Chopper simultaneously turned to look at the owner of the voice. Zoro was coming down the stairs with his brows furrowed together in question as he studied them. He most likely came from the galley, given the three steaming mugs in his hand.

The reindeer perked up at the sight of his favorite swordsman. “What is that Zoro?” He gushed curiously, jumping up to stand on the railing as the green-haired man approached them.

“Ero-cook told me to give this to you.” He motioned to the drinks he was holding.

Nami raised an eyebrow at that as she leaned back at the railing. “And you just like… conceded to his request without any fight?” She asked, exchanging surprised glances with Chopper.

Zoro shrugged. “Robin declared a ceasefire. Said something about different balls hanging on the Sunny’s Christmas tree.” A frowned appeared on his face as Nami laughed and Chopper innocently blinked at him.

“Balls?”

Zoro grinned and patted the reindeer’s head. “Never mind it, Chopper.”

That was when realization dawned into the cute doctor. “Oh, he giggled as Nami laughed harder, recalling the events in Water 7. “Robin can be really scary when she wants to.”

“Yeah…”

“Hey,” Nami retorted with a chortle. “In Robin’s defense, if not threatened you and Sanji-kun would not stop fighting.

“Tch,” Zoro clicked his tongue against the roof of his mouth. “Point taken,” he muttered handing her one of the mugs.

The navigator pursed her lips at him. “We did agree to spend today as peacefully as possible right?”

Zoro shrugged in a non-committal manner.

“Zoro!”

“Yes, alright?!” The swordsman looked like he was pouting. “No fights. No bickering. No grating the cook’s nerves…”

“Very good!” Nami said with a nod as Zoro handed Chopper the other drink.

“That includes us woman,” Zoro suddenly muttered. “That means no shouting orders or just plain shouting at me today.” He smirked when she scowled at him.

“Ooooh!” Chopper suddenly exclaimed as he stared at the mug in his hand. His sensitive nose caught whiff of the minty sweetness from inside. “This smells delicious!” He brought the mug closer to take a whiff.

“You are right Chopper!” Nami inhaled deeply and immediately warmth spread across her cheeks. “Sanji-kun’s awesome as always.”

A faint snort came from Zoro’s direction and she decided to ignore it as she and Chopper continued to bask in the smell of the cook’s latest concoction.

“Look!” Chopper pointed out. “It’s even got crushed candy cane on it!”

“You’re right!” Nami smiled as she swiped a small amount of whipped cream with her finger, bringing it on her lips. “So good!” She enthused, studying the drink. “What a perfect holiday drink… and it’s pink!”

“Yeah!” Chopper agreed, delightfully taking a sip from his drink to taste it. Nami followed suit.

“I knew the stupid cook had it in him,” Zoro mumbled from the side.

Nami glared at him from over her mug.

“Wow! It tastes really good!” Chopper announced, immediately loving the pink drink.

“True!” Nami said licking her lips after she tasted it.

From the corner of her eye, she saw Zoro cringe. Probably from imagining how sweet the beverage is. It was no secret that the katana wielder was not a fan of anything sugary.

She stared at him as she took another drink from her cup, savoring the warmth it was spreading all over her. Beside her, the reindeer was enjoying his drink as well.

Nami noticed that the ex-pirate hunter was holding a mug of his own.

“What’ve you got there Zoro?” She asked, wondering if he was drinking the same sweet pink concoction as they were.

“Coffee,” the tall lad answered curtly.

“Spiked?” Nami grinned, knowing the his preferences.

She got a chuckle from guessing correctly.

“Yeah…” Zoro half-smiled. “Though if you ask me, I could go without the coffee itself.”

Nami rolled her eyes at him before swiveling to observe the milky white town again. Chopper did the same while still engrossed with his saccharine drink.

Zoro moved to set his mug down the railing just beside the navigator. Nami did not missed the way he purposely stood behind her, close enough for his arm to brush against hers. His winter jacket made a rustling sound as it rubbed against hers.

She tilted her head a little to look at him as he smirked at her before slyly planting a kiss on her cheek.

Her brown eyes immediately shifted towards Chopper, who was luckily, still too engrossed with his own drink.

The mapmaker looked at him in a chastising manner.

Zoro just grinned impishly at her. With the reindeer doctor just near them, there’s no way Nami can reprimand him for stealing a kiss… or two.

He bent down again to kiss her, letting his lips linger against her flushed cheek longer while keeping an eye on Chopper.

Nami pouted as she elbowed him on the ribs. He bit back a chuckle and caught her elbow when she repeated the action again.

“What are you two doing anyway?” He asked as he released her, moving to grab his mug to take a drink. “What’s in that town that’s got you both occupied?”

“We are waiting for the festivities to start,” Nami answered with a sigh, a bit relieve that Chopper wasn’t able to see her swordsman’s antics. After all they did agree to keep things under wraps for now. But as of late, Zoro seems to be tempting fate by randomly stealing kisses behind their nakama whenever he wants.  

She reached out to tug at his earrings as a sort of retaliation and smiled sweetly when he scowled at her.

“And we are also waiting for the snow to fall,” Chopper added in an eager tone. “Nami said it could happen before night time. Luckily, it will fall just in time for the festivities!”

Zoro raised an eyebrow at her. He pondered for a moment before grunting out, “I see.”

“Anyway you should join us Zoro!” Chopper invited. “It’ll be fun! We can catch snowflakes with our tongue!”

“Uh, that is something Usopp and Luffy would want to do.” Zoro drawled, unamused.

“Oh, you are right.”

Nami narrowed her eyes at his unenthusiastic response. “Such a spoilsport Zoro. Even snow doesn’t get you excited.”

Zoro snorted. “Are you saying, you’re gonna join Chopper and catch snowflakes with your tongue?”

She pulled at his cheek. “Maybe not my tongue idiot!”

“Ouch… then what?”

Nami released him with huffed. “Maybe I just want to feel one on the tip of my nose.”

“Huh?”

“Oooh!” Chopper’s eyes twinkled at that. “That is nice Nami!”

The orange-haired girl winked at him. “I know right?”

“Wait I‘m a bit confused,” Zoro held up a hand to stop them. “What’s a snowflake on your nose gonna do to you?”

Nami and Chopper looked at each other, astounded. They both know Zoro is kind of on the serious side of life but surely… he must’ve been a kid once?

“You don’t know Zoro?” Nami looked astonished.

“No.”

“He doesn’t know,” Chopper whispered.

“Poor Zoro…” Nami murmured with a hand on her cheek, feigning a sad expression on her face.

Zoro looked uncomfortable under their sympathetic gazes. He glared at the two. “Oi!”

Nami suddenly grabbed his arm. “We should let him experience it Chopper.”

“Uh-huh, I definitely agree!” The Mugiwara doctor nodded in agreement. “We cannot let him go on with his life without knowing how significant it is!”

Zoro growled. “What’s the big deal with it anyway?!”

“It’s no big deal Zoro,” Nami smiled at him, patting his arm. “It’s just that it feels nice.”

“Feels nice?”

“It does,” Chopper concurred with a smile of his own. “I like the way it spreads this warm feeling all over your face down to your toes…”

“Along with that tingling sensation you can’t even begin to describe…” Nami continued, laughing at Zoro’s blank expression. “Don’t worry. You’ll feel it when you experience it.” She smiled teasingly as he glowered at her. “If you experience it.”

“I really don’t see—”

“Nami!” Chopper suddenly gasped. “It’s snowing!”

They all looked up as a flurry of white flakes that looked as soft as cotton started falling down from the skies.

A hush fell between the three of them. Likewise, all the activities in the town halted as everyone outside paused in their activities momentarily to gaze at the falling white wonders.

Chopper jumped down from the railing and ran towards the middle of the deck, laughing gleefully as more and more snow fell from the sky.

He looked up and squealed when a snowflake landed on his blue-colored nose.

Nami’s brown eyes met Zoro’s grey one.

“I still don’t—” Zoro started to mumble when a white flake landed on the tip of his nose.

The navigator watched him amusedly as he frowned until the snowflake melted away.

“So?”

“It’s… cold.”

Nami bit her lower lip. Then threw back her head and laughed.

“Oi, stop laughing crazy witch,” Zoro groused a bit sulkily. “It is cold!”

It was so typically Zoro. Just plain facts. There was no hint of any soppiness or sentimentality at all.

She continued laughing, even as she reached out to squeeze his hand. “Just like I expected.”

“What do you mean?”

She just answered him with grin and watched as Chopper ran towards the galley to inform the others that it was now snowing.

“Nami…” Zoro grumbled, getting impatient when she didn’t explain herself.

“Forget it for now Zoro,” she lightly tapped the tip of his nose. Then she stood on tiptoes and kissed the place where the snowflake landed earlier.

And that’s when he felt it.

The warm feeling spreading from your face down to your toes…

Along with that tingling sensation you can’t even begin to describe…

The snowflake on the tip of his nose.

Nami drew back with a smile. “Merry Christmas, Zoro.”

He stared at her for a moment, before returning her smile with one of his own.

He actually didn’t need to wait for the snow to fall. He already had his own snowflake with him all along.

“Merry Christmas Nami.”

[moongoddesslee]

At Last (Inu Secret Santa Gift)

Title: At Last

Pairing: Inu/Kag

Word count: 1,761

For: @inusecretsanta 2019.

I'm not sure who my giftee is yet but I hope you enjoy both the drawing and little story to go with it. This was fun to draw and write. Sorry if there's a bit of ooc bits, it's how I typically write o.o.

Enjoy and Merry Christmas!!!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The battle had been tiring and endless for days now. In the beginning, everyone was optimistic and full of confidence. But now out on the battlefield with the smoke clearing and the fires dying down.

Kagome wasn't sure how much more she could handle. She was sitting under some debris. Tired, injured, and thinking she was going to die soon; she just closed her eyes trying to get her bearings.

Coughing Kagome came out of her musings and tried to move and groaned as the pain hit her full force. Her leg was trapped under a rotting log. She hoped it wasn't broken but knowing her luck it was.

Sighing she took a few shallow breathes and tried to keep from coughing. The smoke had cleared some but not enough to allow her to take in as much oxygen as she wanted. Looking around she squinted her eyes and tried to catch the red of Inuyasha fire rat robe.

The last she had seen him he was back to back with his brother chopping off tentacle after tentacle that Naraku sent at them. Miroku had been standing over an injured Sango.

Before the rotten tree had fallen on her, Kagome had hollered at everyone and shot off a few purification arrows. Trying to help as much as possible but staying out of the way.

Closing her eyes again she tried to calm herself. A few moments went by and she looked around again. There was no noise, no fighting, bickering, just nothing.

Panic began to sink in. Kagome hoped she was wrong in thinking that everybody might be dead. Feeling trapped even more now she started to wiggle and drag herself backward.

Trying to free her leg from beneath the log. Minutes went by as she just kept trying. She felt her energy slowly leaving her body the longer she struggled.

Finally, she gasped as her leg popped free and she fell back on to the ground. Laying there for a moment she took a few quick breaths. Sitting up she got up onto her knees and winced as pain rippled through her right ankle. Kagome groaned in exasperation, at least it wasn't broken.

Grabbing a branch off of the tree to use as a makeshift cane she got up on her feet and started shuffling through the smoke aimlessly.

Kagome couldn't help the gagging feeling she'd get every time she would step in guts. She knew it couldn't be helped, but still, not everyone likes to have guts squeezing inbetween their toes. Moving along she kept her fingers crossed hoping none of the others were too injured.

If they were, well, Kagome was sure they were probably dead by now. Knowing Naraku, if he had won none of her family would be alive. She held back tears and kept limping along.

Sometime later she heard panting and the swish of a sword. She squeaked and dropped to the ground fast. Hoping the sword wasn't aimed at her. Then she heard the sword hit and slide into the earth and felt someone's breath on her cheek. Looking up her eyes went wide seeing Sesshomaru.

At that moment Sesshomaru looked so much like his brother. She had never seen this many emotions flitting across his face.

It seemed like something had rattled him so thoroughly that he was withdrawn into himself.

Taking a deep breath Kagome sat up and reached a hand out and cupped Sesshomaru's cheek. Regardless of the warning of possible limb loss comments a long time ago from Inuyasha. It seemed like he needed something to ground him back into the present. He seemed like he was so lost in that moment.

Slowly she watched as his eyes became less glazed. She moved her hand back to her "cane" as Sesshomaru composed himself. He was still kneeling on the ground by her. It was so out of character for him but Kagome knew there was more to Sesshomaru than just his cold stares. She shivered as he looked her over. Nodding his head he stood and waited for her to get up.

Standing she clutched her makeshift cane and hobbled up beside him. "Sesshomaru-sama, I'm sorry for touching you, I only meant to help. Though have you seen any of the others? I've been searching for all of you for a long time."

"Hn." It was the only reply he gave before he started walking. Though he could be pissed off she took it as a thank you and a yes. She sighed and followed him at a distance not wanting to get skewered on his sword.

She watched him as he effortlessly dispatched of the few remaining demons from Naraku's hordes. Kagome had a niggling feeling that Inuyasha, Sango, and Miroku might be nearby, hopefully alive.

She gasped as she bumped into the back of Sesshomaru. She looked up at him as he stood there looking back at her over his shoulder. Coming around him she gasped and dropped the branch and ran to Inuyasha's side.

Falling to her knees beside him she looked him over. He had blood splattered all over him. She couldn't tell if it was his or not right then. It didn't help when every time he seemed to move just a little he'd groan in pain. Kagome started to panic when she heard Inuyasha chuckle and he sat up.

Shaking his head at her he smirked, "You know it takes more than these few small bruises to knock me down."

Kagome started tearing up and wrapped her arms around his neck. Inuyasha winced and caught himself with his left hand on the ground. He wrapped his right arm around her and closed his eyes taking in her scent.

Too soon in his opinion, Kagome pulled away from him. She couldn't put her finger on it but it felt like someone was lurking in the shadows, watching them. Miroku and Sango were nearby being held up by Kirara. Shakily she looked around and spotted her bow and a couple of still intact arrows.

As quick as she could Kagome gathered her bow and arrows up. Quickly she readied herself and turned in slow circles sweeping the area. Her whole body engulfed in a blinding pink light. She shot a hesitant glance at her companions. Inuyasha was standing once again and both him and Sesshomaru had their swords drawn.

Then as if in slow motion, Kagome turned to where her back had just been facing. She could hear the others hollering her name. Her eyes widened and she drew her bow taut and closed her eyes for a brief second. Hoping to herself that she wouldn't miss her mark. Opening her eyes quickly, Kagome aimed and waited patiently.

Naraku was heading straight for her. Inuyasha and Sesshomaru darted forward towards Naraku. At the last second just as Naraku's hands were about to touch her, Kagome let her arrow fly. It engulfed the area in a blinding pink-white light as the arrow sunk into the bastard's chest.

Kagome yelped as she felt a hand on her shoulders. Inuyasha had turned her around and covered her body with his. The last Kagome saw as the light surrounded them was Sesshomaru kneeling on the ground covering his eyes and Naraku thudding to the ground screaming in pain.

Everything was silent as the light dissipated from the clearing. All that Kagome could hear was the beating of Inuyasha's heart. Feeling him move, Kagome looked up and surveyed the area. Naraku was no longer on the ground and nowhere in sight. None of the bodies from the slain demons were there anymore. It was as if no battle had even occurred.

Kagome watched as Inuyasha stood and offered her a hand up. She took his hand and laughed as he pulled her up off the ground and caught her. Kagome looked at Sesshomaru as he walked away. She grinned as he stopped at the sound of Rin's voice yelling his name. Kagome's eyes softened as she noticed the smile in his eyes as he darted off in the direction Rin was in.

Shaking her head, Kagome turned her attention back to Inuyasha and blushed. He was still holding her up with his arms wrapped around her waist.

Leaning down Kagome blushed even brighter while kissing him square on the lips. At first, Inuyasha didn't move, he was in shock for only a moment before he deepened the kiss. Gasping Kagome put as much enthusiasm as he did into the kiss.

It was soft and sweet but passionate and quick at the same time. She thought that it was about time he actually kisses her.

They both broke from the kiss panting heavily to take in some much-needed oxygen. Kagome leaned her forehead against his and smiled shyly.

"This ain't no time to be getting shy wench," Inuyasha whispered as he rubbed his nose against hers. "What was that kiss for?" He raised his eyebrows as he stared into her eyes.

Kagome sat back in his arms a little and grinned seeing the slight blush on his cheeks. Giggling she winked at him blushing an even brighter red. "Because..."

His ears were perked and aimed directly at her. She pecked his lips again and wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him.

Inuyasha chuckled and shook his head as he returned her hug. He buried his face into her neck taking in her scent.

"Kagome..." "Inuyasha..." They both laughed and sighed happily.

"I just wanted to say, I love you." Kagome hid her face against his neck. Inuyasha blushed and nudged her face up towards his.

"I love you too," Inuyasha muttered as he kissed her again while setting her on her feet. Kagome walked over to where Naraku's body had been, leaning down she picked up the Shikon Jewel. Taking Inuyasha's hand they started to walk out of the clearing. Miroku and Sango following behind them on Kirara's back.

As they all left there was a soft melodious laugh that filled the area. Then a soft blue light flickered out and disappeared just as quick as it came. It seemed the gods were keeping an 'eye' on them.

And as the tales say, they all went on to live happy, full, and exciting lives. Even with a few unwanted but happy curveballs thrown in by the mischievous gods.

[degenderates]

Renegades Gift Exchange 2019

Hi Haley @insomnia-sketch, I’m your secret santa!! I wrote a crossover one shot that was originally meant to be a post-supernova thing and kind of went from there, I hope you like it. It’s been awhile since I’ve read Six of Crows, so please excuse me if Inej seems a tad OOC. Also if it seemed a bit rushed, since I wanted to make this a one shot<3 Merry Christmas/Happy New Year/Happy Holidays!!

Grey skies and foggy windows were the icing on Nova’s imaginary cake on a dreadful winter day in Gatlon. The smell of rain was in the air, which sat heavily on her shoulders. She couldn’t wait to return to her new apartment.

Nova ran the back of her hand across her sweaty forehead and drummed her fingers against the railing she was leaning against. She wouldn’t be here at all if it weren’t for Oscar’s antics. He claimed that he’d ran out of diapers for Sebastian, his and Ruby’s second baby, so apparently, it became Nova’s job to rush to the store to grab some, with Ruby still at HQ.

But it was the holiday season, and there was a line. Nova frowned at the queue of people attempting to buy last-minute gag gifts, snacks, ingredients, and decorations. If Adrian were here, he’d tell her to lighten up. Adrian loved Christmas. But Nova shook the thoughts away. Adrian was gone, killed by Ace Anarchy in the Second Battle of Gatlon. She was alone.

Just then, a lithe woman with dark braids and a purple cloak swept by, a crazed expression on her face. Nova gave a huff and turned away, but something caught her attention. Cloak? What century was this? She must have been freezing. The woman’s whole outfit, in fact, jolted Nova to a past she didn’t quite want to remember, her past alter ego, Nightmare. With the beautiful woman’s hood pulled to cover her face, harnesses and knives strapped to her body, she was a reminder of the struggle Nova had once faced.

Before she could hesitate a second longer, Nova stepped out of the queue and chased after the purple-cloaked figure, calling for her to wait.

The woman spun around, and Nova could finally see her face clearly. She had dark skin, strongly defined cheekbones, and the most beautiful eyes Nova had ever seen. “Yes?”

“I--” Suddenly, Nova couldn’t think, much less speak. Her tongue was a solid rock that refused to move. Her mouth opened a few times before it snapped shut. She swallowed. “Who are you?”

“I am Inej,” the woman replied, shifting a strap that encased one shoulder. “Have we met?”

Nova shook her head. “I just--you seem familiar. But also not.” She paused to breathe in once and out. “You’re not from here.”

“So glad you noticed,” Inej intoned. “Now, if you are working for any of the Dregs, please tell them to leave me alone.” She turned, adjusted her hood, and ran off.

“Wait!” Nova called behind her. She ran to catch up, but her days of working for the Anarchists were far behind her, and she found that she couldn’t reach Inej. “Please, stop! I’m not working for any ‘Dregs!’” She skidded to a halt, panting. “Please.”

Inej paused, turning again to look at Nova. “Can you help me, then?”

“Yes,” Nova breathed, taking Inej’s hand, callused, as Nova’s once had been. “I was affiliated with the Anarchists for ten years, but all that’s done now. Come on, I’ll take you to my apartment, and you can explain to me what’s going on, why you’re here.”

Inej pursed her lips and pulled her hand from Nova’s quickly. “Please, do not touch me unless I say.” Nova nodded. “I’m sorry.” She beckoned to the sidewalk. “Come on, this way.”

They walked in silence for only a few awkward moments before Inej broke the tension. “What did you say your name was?”

“I’m Nova.”

Inej sighed. “Nova, I do not know how I am here. But I come from a place called Ketterdam, or at least, that was my home for most of my life. Recently, I have taken to traveling the world, finding and destroying slavers, but this city, it seems stranger than any place I have ever been.”

Nova’s head was spinning. Had Inej said slavers? “I’ve never heard of Ketterdam,” she commented. “Is it far? Overseas?”

Inej nodded. “I sailed here across two seas. The True Sea, past Novyi Zem, and across an even larger ocean that I had never heard of before. It was so expansive, that at one point I thought of turning my ship around. But my first mate told me to keep going, so I did. And there was this great storm a few days later. There seemed to be this shiny barrier and I ordered my sailors to go in the opposite direction. But we were too close, and we went right through this layer, and on the other side, the skies were grey but not stormy, it was much colder, and I saw land where there was not before.” Inej turned to meet Nova’s eyes, her gaze, though confused, filled with ferocity. “Then I arrived here. My crew guards my ship at the dock, and I made my way to the city.”

Though her expression and tone were calm, Nova could feel Inej’s panic. It seemed, though impossible, that Inej was from another world altogether. Although, perhaps, it wasn’t impossible. Certainly, there was a prodigy out there who could jump universes. Only improbable, this feat was.

“You’ll have to stay here for a while, I’m guessing,” Nova told Inej when they reached her apartment. She fumbled with her key before inserting it into the lock and creaking open the door. It was a shabby place, the most Nova could afford. But to Inej, it seemed to be not a problem at all. The woman flounced down on Nova’s sofa, running her hands over her face and breathing a deep sigh. “It has been a long time since I have sat on land,” she mumbled. “You do not know how good this feels, to leave the swaying sea waves behind for a bit.”

Nova cautiously sat beside her, their thighs brushing. To her surprise, Inej did not slip away, but instead turned to her. Nova could feel her breath on her skin. “Why are you helping me?”

Nova shook her head softly, her breath erratic. She swallowed and pulled away from the intoxicating beauty of Inej’s angular face, standing and pivoting so she would not be tempted. Just because she was lonely for love didn’t mean Inej felt the same way. Besides, it seemed as if Inej was much more reserved with her affections than Nova was.

But Inej stood, closing the space between them, and placed a trembling hand on Nova’s cheek. “I know what you want,” she whispered. “I see it without a doubt. You are not very good at hiding your thoughts, Nova.” Her beautiful dark eyes blinked once, twice, her dark lashes fluttering. Nova’s heart skipped a beat. She was frozen to her spot in her living room, unable to resist the pull of Inej.

“No one,” Inej continued, “has ever wanted me wholeheartedly, without barriers, without armor, without hesitation. I admire that.” One side of her mouth quirked. “Perhaps, then, I will allow you one kiss.” She leaned forward towards Nova, who was still rooted to the spot, her heart racing faster every moment. Their lips brushed lightly. Inej’s were chapped and dry from many days at sea, but Nova did not care. She leaned into Inej, but Inej stepped back. “No. I do not know you, Nova.”

Nova sighed and looked down at the carpet, over at the archway to the kitchen, anything to distract her from Inej’s eyes, her lips. “Of course. I’m sorry.”

Inej’s mouth hinted at the ghost of a smile as she sat on the couch again, crossing her left leg over her right. “Maybe one day, Nova. When you know me better. When I can let down my guard. But as of yet, you are a stranger in a strange city. When I discover the secret of how I came here, when I find out why the Saints let that happen, we can perhaps finish our kiss.”

[ao3feed-royai]

A team-building exercise

read it on the AO3 at https://ift.tt/39DasXp

by puste_blume

Team Mustang wants to do some team-building by shooting paint at each other, Edward basically invites himself and drags Alphonse and Winry along. It starts to rain and it doesn't even take 75 seconds for the first person to go down. Who could it be?

Words: 5248, Chapters: 1/1, Language: English

Fandoms: Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood & Manga

Rating: General Audiences

Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings

Categories: Gen

Characters: Riza Hawkeye, Roy Mustang, Edward Elric, Alphonse Elric, Vato Falman, Kain Fuery, Heymans Breda, Rebecca Catalina, Jean Havoc, Winry Rockbell, Team Mustang

Relationships: Edward Elric/Winry Rockbell, can be read as royai, and mild havoclina

Additional Tags: Post-Canon, One Shot, it's a silly story about them playing paintball, FMA Secret Santa 2019, i hope you like this, you said you wanted shenanigans, i hope this is shenanigans enough :D, might sometimes be a little ooc, i tried to give Roy and Ed a parental bond here in the broadest sense, some mama Hawk also in there

read it on the AO3 at https://ift.tt/39DasXp

[radical-rad1986]

ESS sign-ups

Mmm... maybe sideblogs don’t show up in tag searches?? Because my key chain post does?

So the Escaflowne Secret Santa (ESS) is a gift exchange that’s going into its fifth year. If you love Escaflowne you should join! We love new blood people. Please follow the @esca-ss​ blog for information and updates!

Thanks @drkstars-art for reminding me! Omg it is almost the end of October isn’t it? :/

Yes I’mma still use this sideblog for sign-ups bc it functions. Sign-ups end 11/16, partners will go out 11/20. Please post gifts by 1/11/2020. (Cannot type ‘2019′ for that ha.)

Sign-up form is here, send your info to icm.9302014 [@] gmail.com to sign up. FAQ is here, if you can’t find the answer holla at me.

Remember that I ignore time zones; if your time zone is right then you’re good!!

Anyone who loves Esca and wants to participate is welcome!!! Reblog and tag!!

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If the blog doesn’t work, here’s the FAQ/Information and the Sign-up form:

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Don’t see your question here? Just contact Rad via any method (email: icm.9302014 [@] gmail.com). [Heeeey, that’s a different email…. Yeah I don’t mind that the internet can see it. Responses will come from my primary email.]

What is the ESS?

The Escaflowne Secret Santa (ESS for short) is a fan-created holiday gift exchange to promote friendship between those who enjoy Escaflowne and to create new works for the fandom.

Who runs the ESS?

radicalrad-1986, call her Rad, hosts the ESS exchange. So far we’ve got four! wonderful years under the belt!

Do you need help organizing/running the ESS or working the Tumblr site?

At this time, no. If help is needed there’s already a list going. If there arises a situation in the future where Rad needs help she’ll ask. Thank you!

Who can join/participate?

Anyone and everyone who loves Escaflowne! You don’t need to be a part of the location we hang at or our little usual group on Tumblr. If you love Esca then come have fun, meet new people, make stuff for the fandom! It does not matter how old you are* or how old a fan you are; come join! (* = Please be 18+/local age of consent to participate in the NSFW exchange.)

How does this work?

1) Sign up by filling out this form and emailing it to icm.9302014 [@] gmail.com.

2) Receive your recipient’s name. 3) Create! (Keep it a secret!) 4) Check in at the requested times. 5) Post! 6) Have fun!! – Each year there will be someone helping Rad give out a set of names - including hers! Please check in with Rad, not the secondary person. Generic questions about the ESS should be directed at Rad. If you receive Rad’s name and have a question about her gift please contact the secondary person OR if you directly ask Rad be sure you’re anonymous.

When are the sign-up dates / posting dates?

These dates will change as the years go by so they’re not set in stone. If Rad is on top of things (haha) sign-ups will begin early October and posting week is mid/late December or early January. For the posting week you have the entire week, you’re not late if you post on Wednesday or Saturday instead of Sunday! :)

What can I do as a gift for my recipient? What quality does it have to be? How much time should I spend on it?

Whatever you want! If you’re a writer, write! If you’re an artist, draw! If you like making animated images, animate away! Music videos, fan soundtracks, manips, whatever your talent is. Please make something for your recipient to enjoy; if they don’t like Dornkirk don’t draw or write something elaborate based on him. Quality and time spent are hard to quantify. No one expects you to spend years on it or break yourself over it. “Please spend more than five minutes and don’t gift a rush job,” goes without saying. Surely no one will give a rushed gift but so it’s been said. Don’t compare yourself to another gifter and feel bad; know that your gift will be loved by the recipient and the fandom for the care and time you put into it.

Can I gift something NSFW or state that I’m fine with receiving it?

Yes! There is a secondary swap for those who are alright with NSFW. If you’re not into NSFW no worries! Must I gift something NSFW if I’m in that group? No; if your inspiration does not lead down that road that’s alright. It’s a way for people who are comfortable in the area to give/receive NSFW while those who are uncomfortable don’t have to worry.

Can I do BOTH swaps if there are two swaps?

Sure! The point is to have fun, so why not double it?

How/where should I post my gift?

Wherever you want; Rad is primarily linking to things on AO3 due to Tumblr’s 12/2018 stupidity.

– NSFW entries that are SFW: Please comment in the post that they are SFW as Rad will tag them that way for the filtering/block systems.

– NSFW entries that are NSFW MUST be under a cut!

– Tagging: Please @-tag this blog, esca-ss. In the tags section please tag it “ESS(space)[year]”. For example, “ESS 2017.” For the NSFW please tag it “NSFW(space)ESS(space)[year]”. Example, “NSFW ESS 2017”. Rad uses the Tumblr Search function to make sure she doesn’t miss postings. If this blog, esca-ss, doesn’t reglog your post within 48 hours please contact either this blog or RadicalRad1986 and nudge me.

Where do I sign up?? How much information should I provide? May I ask for an extra personalized gift?

Please email your form toicm.9302014 [@] gmail.com.

You can provide as much information as you want! Don’t write a book but don’t submit a single sentence either. :) — An ‘extra personalized gift’ means you’d like something based on fic you’ve written or art you’ve drawn or if you really like someone’s headcanon and you want your gift based on that. A generic request is alright but not specific (example of specific: fic A, chapter 2, lines 12-54). You must also include at least three generic likes as well. [If its longfic you can point to a chapter or two because yeah we may not have time to read 500,000 words.] Etc; it is not limited to fic, art, or headcanon. —— Example: “So I’d really like art based on this fic (URL link) that I/someone else wrote.” Or “I’d love to see a story based on this art (URL link) that I/someone else drew.” Or “Xyz posted this headcanon and I’d love to see this explored.“ As well as “I enjoy the VH dynamic, Folken intrigues me, and what the heck was Dryden doing for his five years abroad I mean how did he build his merchant empire-ish thing?” — URLs MUST be included, not just links. Links disappear as things are copied/pasted.

Can/should I message my recipient before the posting date? Can I post a teaser of some sort?

If you want, certainly! Remember though, it’s a secret! Don’t let your recipient know who you are or exactly what you’re making! If you’re having fun that’s the goal! (Example: Message your recipient as anonymous or Submit/send Rad or the ESS a teaser and she’ll post it, that way the original creator is temporarily disconnected from the teaser.)

What if I can’t post my gift on time or I have to duck out due to real life?

This is alright and totally understandable. There is a week’s time in which you can post your gift so don’t feel rushed. No one will look down on you because life happened. You have to take care of yourself first. Being a little late is obviously undesirable but understandable. If you’re going to be late or sadly must duck out please let Rad know asap. There are back-up gifters in place for this reason.

Deadlines and time zones

I try very hard to ignore timezone s. I live in Michigan, USA, so when I say a date/deadline I’m referring to my time zone of Eastern Standard. However, I try to allow twenty-four hours to go by before no longer accepting sign-ups or calling deadlines. If it’s the stated date in your timezone, you’re on time. :)

You sure link to your personal blog a lot… Just sayin’.

While I have notifications turned on for the ESS blog, Tumblr conspires against me and I don’t get the notifications. Notifications usually DO work for my personal blog. Therefore you’re more likely to get a faster response if you contact my personal blog. (Blame Tumblr.)

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The form must be emailed to icm.9302014 [@] gmail.com. This form is to indicate what you want to receive as a gift; NOT what you don’t want to gift to someone else.

.

1) Screenname: 2) Places on the internet with URLs**: 3) Likes: – Esca universe: – Genre/topics/etc: 4) Dislikes: – Esca universe: – Genre/topics/etc: 5) SFW, NSFW, or both? 6) Does #3 and/or #4 change in SFW vs NSFW exchange? Is something alright with you in one exchange but not alright with you in the other? 7) If needed, are you available as a back-up gifter?

**: Please copy/paste or type out the URL on the form. For example: (radicalrad-1986.tumblr.com). When Rad receives sign-ups and their information she copies and pastes them into a Word/GDrive document. Text links usually don’t/sometimes carry over and thus your locations are lost! (This is an example of a text link.)

——

EXAMPLE:

1) Screenname: Rad (variations apply) 2) Places on the internet with URLs: http://www.radical-rad1986.tumblr.com https://archiveofourown.org/users/rad http://www.deviantart.com/rad1986 http://www.deviantart.com/rad-destiny-arcs http://www.fanfiction.net/~rad

3) Likes: – Esca universe: If you know me at all you know that the Series is my only focus and Eries and the Astons and Dryden are my peeps. I’d LOVE to see more Marlene/Mahad! Love the girls x their men too. ^.^ I do love the Movie and if you want to do my gift in another universe, any universe, that’s totally fine. The usual/standard is also enjoyed but it’s nice to have a larger variety. I’d love to see more of minor characters or pairings. I can be tempted with rairpares if they’re not terribly OOC. :D I would super enjoy fanart of anything I’ve written too, iffn you feel like it. Fanart of anything I’ve written would be wonderful! (My Aston girls fic is in the reworks but the gist is the same.) – Genre/topic/etc: I don’t follow really in-depth things well (like murder/mystery or politics) but pretty much anything. While clearly there won’t be any long-haul in a Christmas gift I am all for the in-depth, long journey instead of the immediate dessert. 4) Dislikes: – Esca universe: Not a fan of Dornkirk. That’s pretty much it! – Genre/topics/etc: Whump, infidelity, gore/extreme violence, unnecessary/extreme ragging on a character/topic. 5) SFW, NSFW, or both? SFW 6) Does #4 and/or #5 change in SFW vs NSFW exchange? Is something alright with you in one exchange but not alright with you in the other? I’m not a fan of Dornkirk but in a NSFW gift his thought process could be explored and while I dislike detailed violence, test subjects could be shown with minor details. 7) If needed, are you available as a back-up gifter? Yup!

[exydays]

Events & Highlights

Halloween Event  2019 -   The Devils have become slightly infamous for their often elaborate, and usually out of control parties.  This year’s Halloween event was no exception.  Hosted at the abandoned campsite,  the team was separated into groups, in order to complete a complex scavenger hunt. Each team was paraded through the abandoned cabins, tasked with solving riddles, codes, and mini-games meant to put their mental and physical tolerances to the test, all for the sake of gaining entrance to the main event - or party, as it were.  There were 21 cabins overall, and a staggering number of puzzles to solve in nearly all of them.

Sam dutifully shepherded the team by providing jump scares around nearly every corner, and the team, in addition to competing for their right to party, also indulged in a little friendly competition, in the form of an IC costume contest.  The party went sour with the arrival of Cecil Elledge, the notorious captain of the Sirens, who first debuted in Chapter I. Most of the team voluntarily decided to pack it in shortly after, ushering in the close of Chapter I. This event ran from October 31st, 2019 - November 25th, 2019.

Interstate Team Partnership Program -  Due to growing tensions among several Class I Exy teams across the state, the ERC has taken it upon themselves to implement an experimental exchange program. For 1-2 months out of the year, two teams will be drawn at random by a board member of the ERC. A member of that team will then be selected to serve as their team’s ambassador, by actively attending classes, practice, and participating in the games of the opposite college or university.  Volunteers may not opt out of the program, and participation is mandatory.  It is the hope of the ERC that this forced cooperation will foster good will among teams who may be struggling, performance wise, or simply teams who have a documented history of (public) team-to-team hostilities.

The Tasmanian Devils and the LA Sirens were among the first chosen to pilot the program, with Nick Raegan and Cecil Elledge being selected to represent their team, respectively.  This partnership for this season began October 31st and concluded  December 1st, 2019. It will resume next season.

Winter Banquet 2019 -  The 25th annual winter banquet is less than a week away! Slated for December 9th this year, the Devils will be traveling to the Ritz Carlton hotel in New York to usher the season -and the semester - to a close.  What delights (and drama) await the team at this year’s banquet? Only time will tell.

Secret Santa Exchange 2019 -  The admin team is pleased to announce our first annual Secret Santa exchange! This is an OOC event. Sign ups officially opened for international and domestic server members 11/25, and will close at 12 AM EST on December 4th.  Assignments will be given to all participates by no later than December 5th.

End of the Semester -   As the semester draws to a close, the time for finals approaches.   Finals will be held December 6th.   All current team members will be required to pass their final exams in order to earn or keep a spot on the team. Failure to pass will result in academic probation, with the ultimate consequences involving removal from the team.

[nickfraworld]

El desafío.

@l-e-i-n-t-h yo soy tu secret santa! :D

Querida compatriota, te deseo lo mejor para este 2019! me disculpo por lo tarde que comparto mi regalo. La carga académica finalizó recién este viernes (y podría haber seguido hasta este lunes pero por suerte me eximí de un examen xD wii) Deseo con todo mi corazón que mi regalo sea de tu gusto. Sé que te gusta mucho escribir y pensé que sería bonito entregarte algo escrito también :) Fue todo un desafío salir de mi zona segura (los dibujos) jeje pero aquí está. 

Advertencia: Es un escrito largo, puede tener personajes un tanto ooc y eso. Ojalá que esto pueda crear una versión de cierto personaje para ti que no odies :3 <3</p>

Se acercaba una fecha realmente crucial para la diosa. Era momento de defender con todas sus fuerzas, cosmos y voluntad a aquella ciudad que estaba bajo su protección. Toda la tierra estaba bajo su protección. Sin embargo, el peligro en esta oportunidad se concentraba específicamente sobre Atenas, emblema de la deidad. Cada cierto tiempo, todos los dioses que tuvieran bajo su protección a alguna ciudad debían enfrentarse personalmente en una competencia -ya fuese combate cuerpo a cuerpo, o habilidad con algún arma- contra la Diosa de la destrucción de ciudades, Enyo. Aquellos que perdían, se veían obligados a renunciar a la protección que brindaban, y debían mirar cómo ella llevaba a cabo lo que mejor sabía hacer, derramar sangre y derribar la ciudad junto a sus Makhai. Era una prueba de fuego para los dioses, para probarse a sí mismos y a su propia divinidad, y por lo mismo, ninguno podía renunciar a dicho enfrentamiento. Se había consolidado como tradición.

El día anterior había sido demasiado tenso. Todos los dioses se habían reunido, listos para esperar el dictamen de aquella cuyo nombre significaba “Horror”. No era habitual tenerla en el resto de reuniones que se realizaban, pues no eran de su interés. Para alguien sedienta de sangre y que amaba el calor del combate, la diplomacia era una verdadera pérdida de tiempo, y los buenos modales nada m��s que una hipocresía. Para ella, el único interés era sentir el aroma y calidez de la sangre fresca sobre sus armas y su cuerpo. Por fin, tras un remolino escarlata, apareció.

Atenea pudo volver a conocerla en persona entonces: Ojos intensamente rojos y mirada fría, cabello corto y del mismo color furioso que sus irises, piel bronceada y llena de marcas negras que creaban diversos patrones sobre su piel. Sobre su cuerpo una pechera muy bien elaborada, mas un cinturón donde colgaban espadas, una a cada lado. Cuchillas en sus muslos, protecciones en sus piernas, y más armas en su espalda. Una verdadera diosa guerrera, un verdadero desafío.

Uno de los presentes quiso acortar la distancia abismal que podía sentirse entre ellos y la recién llegada, con un pobre intento.

-Enyo, bienveni…

-Corta ya con eso. No me interesa su absurda formalidad. Estoy hambrienta de caos. Veamos quién me cederá una ciudad esta vez.

Tras un muy pesado silencio, mientras la recién llegada miraba a todos los presentes, Enyo finalmente tomó su espada y apuntó a la dama de largos cabellos lila.

-Es tu turno, Atenea.

La aludida permaneció con un rostro sereno, dio un paso adelante y mantuvo postura firme. Como era la tradición, la diosa de la destrucción escogería también el tipo de enfrentamiento que se desarrollaría. La diosa de la sabiduría esperó paciente el detalle.

-Sin tu báculo con luz parpadeante, dudo que sepas hacer mucho más. Este es mi desafío: Tiro con arco. Escoge a uno de tus guerreros. Intentaré matarlo con 3 tiros. Si logras desviar mis tiros con tus flechas, tú ganas. Pero si una flecha logra derramar aunque sea una gota de su sangre, pierdes.

Ante la mención del peligro para alguno de sus amados caballeros, tanto la diosa como la mujer en su interior sintieron un inmenso temor. Necesitó de mucha fuerza de voluntad para no demostrar ningún tipo de debilidad o inseguridad ante todos los presentes, y en lo que fue menos de un segundo, pensó en sus opciones. Suplicar por la vida de ese caballero no era opción. Cuando toda una ciudad llena de vidas inocentes estaba en peligro, la diosa no podía apelar por clemencia a una sola persona. Ella debía ser capaz de protegerle a él y a todos. Tampoco era una opción pedir otro tipo de desafío, pues sería admitir la derrota de inmediato. Ella no era experta en tiro con arco, pero se perfeccionaría. Nadie pagaría por su inmadurez de nuevo. Saori Kido, reencarnación de Atenea, lucharía hasta el final. La diosa de la sabiduría no huiría.

-Acepto el desafío, Enyo.

La de ojos rojos le regaló una sonrisa burlesca.

-Tienes tres semanas. Y ahora ya no puedes usar tu carta de damisela en peligro… Ah, cómo gozaré con los gritos y el olor de la carne quemándose ese día.

-o-

-Mi señora, necesita comer algo. No tendrá suficiente energía si solo bebe su té.

Tatsumi. Como siempre muy atento y protector con ella.

-Por el momento no tengo hambre. Muchas gracias Tatsumi. Debo comenzar pronto a perfeccionar mis habilidades, de lo contrario, muchas vidas inocentes sufrirán.

-Pero mi señora, usted es la protectora de la tierra. ¿Acaso no puede simplemente ignorar ese descabellado desafío? No sería la primera vez que se enfrenta a otro dios para salvar a la humanidad. Y jamás ha perdido. Los caballeros siempre logran triunfar gracias a su ayuda. Y a la mía por supuesto. Nadie puede salir victorioso al enfrentarse al gran Tokumaru Tatsumi.

Una suave risa escapó por los labios de Saori. Es cierto, siempre ha tenido a fieles guerreros a su lado, y a Tatsumi. Pero esto era distinto.

-Esto es distinto de los eventos a los que te refieres, Tatsumi. Aquellas amenazas que regresaban cada cierta cantidad de siglos, eran por la codicia y ambición de dominio hegemónico de los dioses. Pero han quedado por fin en el pasado gracias al pacto de paz. Sin embargo, el desafío contra la diosa Enyo escapa de cualquier intento de tregua. Es una prueba para los propios dioses, para demostrar su valencia y poder para ser considerados como tales. Mi voluntad de ir contra dicha tradición solo reflejaría que no soy apta para ser el recipiente de Atenea, que no soy apta para velar por lo que está bajo mi amparo. Es lamentable para mí decirlo, pero en este desafío, las personas solo pagan porque su dios protector falla. Si ella pierde, no lastima a nadie.

La dama del vestido blanco respiró profundamente, y se levantó de su asiento.

-No puedo quedarme de brazos cruzados mientras el tiempo transcurre. Yo soy Atenea, y no fallaré. No tengo tiempo que perder. Dime, ¿Seiya regresó de su viaje a Japón?

Seiya había salvado su vida muchas veces en el pasado, y lo había hecho disparando una flecha. Era una poderosa opción para considerar como maestro.

-Por desgracia, aún no regresa. Tengo entendido que regresará en dos semanas, tal vez un poco más.  ¿Necesita que le contacte?

Seiya había salvado su vida disparando flechas. Pero esas flechas no pertenecían a Pegaso, sino a otra armadura que llegaba a dar vuelta la balanza a favor de la vida de Saori.

Sagitario.

Sonrió de nuevo, esta vez, más amplio.

-No. No te preocupes. Creo que es hora de visitar a un buen maestro, y volver a ver a un querido amigo.

-o-

-Eso es pequeña, ahora solo tienes que levantar un poco más este brazo y… ¿sucede algo?

La pequeña de cabellos castaños dejó caer al pasto su arco y flecha hechos a medida, apuntó con su índice hacia la figura que se aproximaba a donde estaban, y partió corriendo a toda velocidad a su encuentro.

-¡Tía Saoriiii!

Saori se arrodilló para quedar a la altura de la menor y recibió el impacto de la alegre carrera. Los tiernos brazos de Dione envolvieron cuanto cuerpo pudieron.

-¡Has crecido mucho desde la última vez que te vi, querida!

Aioros acortaba la distancia a una carrera mas lenta, con una gran sonrisa en su rostro. En lo que llegaba, Dione hablaba a una velocidad superior a cualquiera conocida por la humanidad. Cuando llegó por fin con ellas, tocó el hombro de su hija y habló con tranquilidad.

-Princesa, ¿por qué no vas a avisarle a mamá que la tia Saori llegó de visita? Tal vez podamos comer algo rico, jeje.

Con el brillo del entusiasmo en su inocente mirada, Dione soltó el abrazo y partió corriendo hacia la casa. Saori se puso de pie y cuando iba a hablar, Aioros entonces cambió su expresión a una mas seria y se arrodilló haciendo reverencia.

-Es un honor tenerla en mi humilde hogar, Diosa Atenea.

Cierto. Ella es la reencarnación de una deidad y sus caballeros mostrarían sus respetos primero. Pero por un momento que fuera, necesitaba dejar de lado esa relación asimétrica y tener un reencuentro más humano. Extendió su mano para ayudarle a levantarse.

-Por favor, Aioros. No es necesaria la reverencia. Menos en tu hogar.

El arquero levantó su mirada hacia la mano en espera de ser tomada. Accedió al contacto y luego de ponerse de pie -y superar por varios centímetros a la mujer- le entregó una expresión muy cálida. Cerraron la distancia con un afectuoso abrazo.

Cuando deshicieron el humano recibimiento, el mayor habló.

-Hace tiempo que no venías. Los asuntos diplomáticos te han tenido bastante ocupada, ¿no es así?

-Así es. Y lamento mucho que esta ocasión de reencuentro tenga un objetivo específico de fondo por mi parte.

-No pasa nada. Al menos sirve para volver a saber de ti fuera del santuario. Tanto protocolo genera demasiada distancia. ¿Qué necesitas?

Inevitablemente, la expresión de Saori mutó a una donde no había espacio para la tranquilidad.

-Vine porque necesito de tu ayuda, Aioros.

El castaño también se puso más serio, de nuevo.

-¿Es por el desafío de Enyo?

-¿Lo sabías?

Aioros respondió su pregunta con un intento de suavizar la tensión.

-Tatsumi ya perdió el entrenamiento, conservar información clasificada ya no es lo suyo. Creo que debería jubilarse o te podría meter en problemas. En realidad, no escuché mucho porque la señal durante el viaje no era buena. Alcancé a entender ese nombre y un par de medias palabras. Pero sé que si se menciona ese nombre, implica el desafío de los dioses. De algo me sirvió haber estado horas y horas sentado escuchando al patriarca. ¿Qué tal?

Saori guardó silencio unos segundos. Durante todo el viaje fue pensando en cómo explicar la situación de la mejor manera, y en un parpadeo, todo ya estaba más que claro. Jamás había dudado de la sabiduría de Aioros, simplemente al perderse en sus pensamientos, había pasado por alto la posibilidad de que ya supiera de qué se trataba todo. No por nada aquel hombre había sido escogido para ser el sucesor del patriarca.

-Así que es el turno de Atenea ahora, ¿no es así?.

La dama respiró profundamente y apretó sus puños, mirando al mayor con determinación.

-Exacto. Y necesito de tu ayuda para poder salir victoriosa. Necesito que el mejor arquero entre mis filas me entrene, y ese no es otro que tú, Aioros de Sagitario. ¿Cuento contigo?

El hombre entregó una amplia sonrisa a la mujer, orgulloso de la madurez que reflejaba; y luego el caballero respondió a la diosa. Su puño golpeó sobre su pecho. Expresión acorde al tipo de relación que ahora invocaba.

-Cuente con este fiel caballero, ahora y siempre. No le fallaré.

-Tampoco te fallaré.

Unos pasos aplastaban el pasto a lo lejos y hacían sonar el suelo con su rápida carrera. Dione regresó a ambos adultos y coronó el fin de su recorrido con brincos alegres.

-Mami dice que todo está listo y que ya pueden entrar.

-Espero que hayas traído todo lo necesario porque pasarás el próximo mes hospedándote con nosotros. Nada de ir volando todo el tiempo entre un lado y otro.

-Espero a Seika no le incomode. Puedo buscar otro lugar cercano para quedarme. Y de paso conversar con Tatsumi acerca de seguir planeando cosas sin mi consentimiento.

-Ya sabía que venías así que no habrá sorpresa con eso. Anda, vamos a comer. Luego me puedes hablar más de los detalles de lo que se le ocurrió a esa diosa demente.

-o-

El entrenamiento comenzaba bien temprano, cuando el sol recién comenzaba a bañar los verdes campos con su cálida luz.

-Muy bien. Para comenzar, necesito saber cuál es tu ojo director. Es importante saberlo porque en base a eso podremos partir usando un tipo de arco, diestro o zurdo. Si eres zurda de vista, deberás usar un arco para zurdo aunque no lo seas de mano, ¿entendido?

Aioros entonces recogió un papel con un orificio en su centro y se lo extendió a Saori.

-Sujétalo de los bordes y mantenlo extendido, deja tus brazos bien estirados, eso es. Ahora, mira por el orificio hacia esa botella que dejé puesta sobre la madera.

Saori iba obedeciendo cada instrucción al pie de la letra.

-Eso es. ¿La ves bien? Ahora, anda acercando el papel a tu rostro, despacio. Hacia tus ojos.

Después de realizar el ejercicio, el castaño tomó el papel y lo guardó doblado en su bolsillo.

-Ya está. Eres diestra. No será mucho problema entonces. Usarás un arco diestro y no tendremos que preocuparnos por fortalecer el otro brazo, porque usarás tu brazo dominante. Aprovecharemos la fuerza que tienes.

Ya estaba claro de antes que cualquier duda era bienvenida, así que no dejaría pasar la opción de preguntar todo lo necesario, aunque esto fuese recién el comienzo.

-¿Cómo supiste lo del ojo?

-Porque cuando te acercas el papel al rostro, para seguir mirando el objetivo, desvías el orificio más hacia uno de tus ojos. Es una forma fácil y efectiva de saberlo. Si lo hiciéramos más veces el resultado sería el mismo.

-Comprendo.

Aioros se apartó unos metros hacia donde había depositado varios arcos, entre recurvados clásicos tallados en una sola pieza, y otros ensamblados de distinto material. También habían muchas flechas. Tomó un arco y se aproximó a la joven mujer de nuevo. Ambos se sentaron en el pasto.

-Este es un arco recurvado clásico, y será el que aprenderás a usar. Dudo que Enyo use un arco más complejo. Esta es por excelencia la forma del arco en las historias míticas y desafíos divinos.

Dejó a Saori sentir su peso y textura, apreciarlo por algunos momentos, y luego, lo retiró de sus manos para poder presentarlo formalmente.

-Necesitas conectarte con esto desde el origen, así que te enseñaré el nombre de todas sus partes. También te enseñaré a ensamblarlo.

Pasaron varios minutos en los que el caballero dorado expuso cada una de las partes del arco, indicándolas y explicando detalles. Luego, fue mostrando paso a paso cómo armarlo y revisando que ella lo hiciera correctamente. Después de un par de horas transcurridas conectándose con lo inicial de la arquería, y varios intentos, Saori logró armar el arco paso a paso ella sola, de manera efectiva. En ningún momento se notó impaciencia en su rostro, sino mucha entrega para entender y realizar bien cada movimiento.

En un momento dado, le surgió otra duda.

-¿Existe mucha diferencia entre ese tallado y este?

-La verdad es que sí. Por lo general los tallados en madera y sin cobertura de refuerzo son más frágiles. La tensión de la cuerda puede deformarlos y la fuerza podría incluso romperlos. Este tiene una cobertura que lo hace irrompible y, si te fijas, hacia el final de las palas la punta tiene más curvatura. Eso ayuda a dar más velocidad al tiro.

-Velocidad es una de las cosas que mas necesito. Junto con precisión, desde luego.

-Así es. Velocidad y precisión es lo que más necesitas para ganar. Pero creo que ya tienes algo de lo segundo. Si no me equivoco, acabaste con Hades con puntería así que no estás tan atrás. Comenzaremos a practicar la postura, pero después de comer.

-o-

-Ya es hora de ir a entrenar, ¡arriba arriba!.

Saori abrió los párpados con pereza y se encogió en la cama que habían dispuesto para ella. Aunque no entró al espacio, bastó con el toque firme en la puerta de Aioros para despertarla, al ritmo del universal “ta tacata-ta, ta tá”. Se tomó un momento para acostumbrar la vista a la luz matutina que se colaba por las cortinas, y luego de bostezar, se sentó y estiró para acabar con el embrujo de la cómoda cama. Ropa cómoda para practicar, cola alta para evitar que sus largos cabellos interfirieran, cara bien lavada para eliminar lo último de sueño que quedaba, y manos a la obra.

La reencarnación de Atenea alcanzó a su maestro tan pronto como pudo y esperó a la primera instrucción, como sagradamente lo había hecho durante la primera semana que llevaba aprendiendo. Durante dicha semana, además de aprender a ensamblar correctamente y en buen tiempo el arco, habían practicado ejercicios de respiración, elongación y meditación para el control corporal y de pensamientos, algo totalmente favorecedor para estar en armonía antes de pasar a la práctica como tal, para vincularse con la arquería completamente. También, el mayor instruyó a la aprendiz sobre la velocidad del viento, indicando valores estimados para que luego lograra distinguirlos tras sentir la corriente impactando su piel. Lo último que habían practicado era el cálculo aproximado de la distancia de algún objeto, solo con la vista.

No era sorpresa que ella mejorara rápidamente sus habilidades. La constancia y el esfuerzo que ponía a la labor, sumado a su realidad de divinidad, permitían un progreso veloz. Algunas cosas requerían más ensayo, pero algo que Aioros podía rescatar era la paciencia y madurez con la que procedía, sin perder la calma o tener una baja de autoestima por no lograr alguno de los objetivos. Ya no veía a una jovencita aprendiendo a ser una diosa, sino a una mujer muy empoderada con su rol.  Con aquellas cosas ya dominadas en tiempo récord, era momento de dar el siguiente paso.

-Practicaremos tu postura y comenzaremos a disparar flechas.

Aioros, al lado de Saori y con arco en mano, posicionó sus pies paralelamente, a una distancia adecuada y luego, con postura bien erguida y respiración profunda, levantó el arco y tensó la cuerda. Todo esto sin flecha ubicada para disparar. Finalizada la demostración sin palabras, procedió a explicarle a la pelilila cada característica de la postura, a la vez que ella repetía las acciones. Con distancia respetuosa y tacto específico, el santo dorado fue corrigiendo la altura de sus brazos, haciendo que uno se alineara correctamente con su cara y el otro al tensar, llegara a la distancia ideal, paralela a su perfil. Después de repetir lo que parecieron incontables y eternas veces el acto de levantar el arco y tensar, el profesor tomó una flecha y la acomodó.

-Dispara a la diana.

Tras un tiempo de concentración, Saori disparó la flecha, la cual pasó por un costado de la diana y se clavó en el pasto.

-De nuevo, otra. Recuerda tener en cuenta la dirección y velocidad del viento. Calcula la desviación por ti misma.

Tras 5 flechas que pasaron de largo, la sexta impactó en el borde de la diana. El rostro de la practicante se iluminó y miró a su instructor, el cual asintió con la cabeza y la invitó a continuar con un gesto de su mano. No faltaron muchos más disparos hasta que las flechas comenzaron a impactar en el sector celeste, cruzando hacia lo rojo. Hacia el final de la jornada de entrenamiento, por lo menos una flecha había impactado en el centro amarillo. El ejercicio de puntería se practicó los siguientes 4 días, y al quinto día ya todos sus disparos daban al centro. Durante todos esos días, Dione jugaba y corría a distancia segura, de vez en cuando colándose a los entrenamientos y entregándole a Saori la vista de Aioros como un cálido padre de familia. En una oportunidad cuando la nena se fue a jugar a otro lado, la diosa miró a Aioros, sonrió, y tomó sus manos.

-Me alegra mucho poder ver lo feliz que eres en familia. Después de todo lo que has pasado… mi corazón se alivia al saber que puedes disfrutar esa calidez. Y yo también pude disfrutar de la calidez del afecto humano durante mi niñez, gracias a que me salvaste cuando era bebé. Sé que fallé muchas veces, que pensaba y decidía cosas erróneas, y que mi inmadurez causó mucho dolor y sufrimiento a los que debían protegerme. Que muchas vidas se perdieron por mi tardanza… Pero hoy puedo hacer la diferencia, y eso es gracias a ti, Aioros. Muchas gracias por salvarme, por brindarle tu apoyo a Seiya mediante la armadura dorada para que lograra vencer y salvarme. Te aseguro que ya no más. Ya no tendrás que cargar con eso. Con mi debilidad e irresponsabilidad. Esta es la última vez que recibes ese peso. Lucharé al lado de mis caballeros hoy y para siempre, sin ser más un objetivo a salvar, sino una diosa a la cual puedan mirar y sentir que pueden dedicarse a su único real objetivo, defender el amor y la justicia.  Como diosa, no puedo mostrar favoritismo por ninguno de mis caballeros, pero, gracias por ser el héroe de Saori Kido, Aioros. Por ser su ejemplo de resiliencia.

-o-

El resto de días hábiles de entrenamiento hasta la fecha del desafío, ambos se enfocaron únicamente en disparar a objetos en movimiento. Primero, Aioros entregó todos sus consejos a la aprendiz para predecir la trayectoria, calcular únicamente con la memoria corporal la tensión y velocidad necesarias para acertar, y luego lanzaba objetos como tablas de madera, piedras o latas. Los platos no eran una opción, pues Seika se pondría furiosa si arruinaban sus sets. Ella había sido sumamente comprensiva y paciente durante esas semanas de entrenamiento. Entendía perfectamente la seriedad del asunto y colaboraba con lo que estaba a su alcance. Saori y ella también habían tenido la oportunidad de profundizar en muchas cosas cuando no estaban practicando, sobre todo en horas previas al sueño. El ambiente era muy ameno.

Cuando los objetos en movimiento eran completamente alcanzados por las flechas de la diosa, nuevamente, en un periodo de práctica mas corto que ningún otro, El heleno decidió que era tiempo del desafío final: Interceptar flechas.

-El movimiento será muchísimo más rápido que el de todos los objetos que arrojé previamente. Los arrojé con todas mis fuerzas y lograste dar con todos, lo cual es excelente. Pero no se comparan en nada con algo que va al triple de velocidad y cuyo cuerpo ocupa la nada misma de espacio en movimiento. Comencemos.

Acto seguido, ambos tomaron sus arcos y flechas puestas en un portaflechas que acomodaron en sus espaldas, y se prepararon para disparar.

-Intenta interceptar mi flecha.

De pronto el ambiente se puso increíblemente tenso. Pese a los intentos por relajar sus respiraciones y músculos, la invocación de la actividad real del desafío traía consigo el peso de lo que estaba en juego. La diosa comenzó a transpirar muy frío, por primera vez en días.

“ La mente en calma”

Una voz distante susurraba esas palabras.

Una flecha se clavó en el saco blanco puesto como cuerpo objetivo.

“Ni siquiera lo intentaste”

“He fallado”

“¿Hola?”

Gritos, fuego. Ríos de sangre, montañas de cuerpos. Podía verlo, estaba frente a ella. Podía sentir el aire hirviendo bañando su piel. La mujer iba a dar un paso atrás, pero cuando su pie estaba a punto de tocar el suelo, una fuerza más grande emergió desde su interior.

“No es real. Esto no es real. Y no lo será jamás. No lo permitiré. Ya basta de retroceder, ya basta de temer. YO DEFENDERÉ A MI TIERRA”

Al abrir los ojos de nuevo, se encontró con la mirada confundida de Aioros.

-Lo lamento mucho Aioros. No pasará de nuevo. Dispara de nuevo, estoy lista.

-Muy bien. Tomaré eso como que mi tiro fue demasiado fácil para intentar esforzarte. Lo haré más difícil entonces.

Agradeció ese nuevo intento de aliviar la tensión. Al nuevo intento, su cuerpo estaba mucho más relajado, y sus ojos llenos de determinación. Pese a observar e intentar predecir la trayectoria de la flecha, no consiguió interceptarla al primer intento. Tampoco al segundo, pero su mirada jamás abandonó aquel fuego.

Los días se destinaron solo a interceptar flechas. La vista de la diosa se agudizaba a cada intento, ojos bien abiertos siguiendo el objeto, cual lechuza sigue a su presa antes de cazarla. Finalmente, el tan anhelado logro llegó. La primera flecha interceptada con la propia fue una gran sorpresa para Aioros, quien iba a celebrar el mérito, pero al ver la concentración y entrega de Saori, sonrió para sus adentros y procedió a disparar otra flecha. Esa flecha también fue interceptada.

Después de varios intentos exitosos, Aioros decidió acercarse a su aprendiz para felicitarla, y decirle que podía tomar un respiro. Al ver sus ojos, parpadeó varias veces y luego, para sorpresa de Saori, hizo una reverencia.

-Sus ojos han despertado. Es un honor ser testigo de este momento, diosa Atenea.

-¿A qué te refieres? De pie por favor, Aioros.

Él hizo como se le pidió, volviendo a permitirse un trato más cercano.

-Podrás ver bien en el espejo del baño. Ya es hora de una pausa. Pero esto es sorprendente. No pensé que viviría tanto como para verlo, o más increíble aún, no pensé que ayudaría a que sucediera.

-No puedo entender a qué te refieres.

-Ya lo verás.

Dentro de la casa, en el baño, Saori observó sus ojos y parpadeó varias veces, sorprendida también. El color de sus irises había cambiado, ahora eran de un color gris muy especial, plateado más bien. Brillaban con una luz propia, y eran distintos a cualquier tono gris existente entre los humanos. Eran los ojos grises de Atenea. Los que habían despertado y le habían permitido interceptar todas las flechas. Miró por la ventana y fue capaz de distinguir cada singular pasto en el que se enfocaba. Su visión se había vuelto tan aguda cuando la destinaba a un objeto, como las aves asignadas a su divinidad.

-o-

El desafío era al día siguiente. Saori había interceptado todas las flechas, desde las que tenían varios segundos de separación entre uno y otro lanzamiento, hasta apenas uno o mucho menos de un segundo, pues Aioros era increíblemente veloz. La velocidad de la luz también le acompañaba en sus lanzamientos.

Solo quedaba un último pendiente.

-Yo lo haré. Yo seré ese caballero.

Eso cortó abruptamente los pensamientos y acciones de la diosa.

-No puedo permitirlo, Aioros. Tu familia…

-Todas las personas a las que defenderás tienen familia. Además, ¿No confías en el entrenamiento que te dio tu maestro?

La respuesta vino sin pensarlo un segundo. Le miró a los ojos. Los propios habían regresado a su color habitual.

-Por supuesto que sí.

Esto se sentía casi como una devuelta de favor. Aioros brindó su apoyo para salvarle la vida muchas veces en el pasado. Ahora, de todos los posibles candidatos que podrían existir para ser el blanco en el desafío, parecía que en realidad no había otra opción más que él. El destino tenía unas maneras extravagantes de hilar las cosas.

-De acuerdo. Te presentaré a ti, y saldremos victoriosos. Debemos prepararnos para partir lo antes posible. Pero me corresponde hablar con Seika también.

-Nada más espero que no me cueste el matrimonio.

-o-

Un fuerte abrazo a Seika y Dione marcó la partida de Aioros y Saori. Esta última tomó unos segundos extras y le susurró a la japonesa.

-Volverá a casa, Seika. No les fallaré.

-o-

Finalmente el día llegó. Atenas estaba en un peligro que solo podía ser evitado por su diosa protectora, reencarnada en Saori Kido. El desafío tenía lugar en el teatro de Orkhoménos, antigua ciudad que en la gloria clásica de Grecia realizaba festivales y homenajes a los dioses Zeus, Atenea, Demeter y Enyo.

Con algunas divinidades de espectadores, y sus soldados, se completaba la temática de espectáculo. Sin embargo para la diosa de la sabiduría, solo un lado celebraría. Ella, su caballero dorado, y sus protegidos. Apareció con paso firme y vestimenta ligera, consistente en calzas deportivas, zapatillas y una polera apegada a su figura, cola alta igual que en las prácticas de tiro. Nada de glamour divino ni modelaje de vestidos. Tras un remolino escarlata, apareció la desafiante, Enyo. A diferencia de la vez anterior que se vieron, ahora no lucía ninguna parte de armadura. A la par que Saori, lucía un look mucho más deportivo. Pantalones con estampado de camuflaje, botas de combate y polera blanca sin brazos, lo que permitía ver los trazados negros que adornaban su piel.

-Llegó el momento, niña. ¿Dónde está tu soldado?

Aioros se aproximó hacia su diosa, poniéndose a dos pasos tras ella, firme. Vestía la ropa de entrenamiento del santuario. La peliroja lo miró directo a los ojos, luego a Saori, quien tras unos segundos manteniendo sus párpados cerrados, los abrió para revelar que ahora poseían el color plateado. Los ojos de Atenea. Enyo alzó una ceja.

-Hmm, Eso es nuevo. De acuerdo, no perdamos más tiempo.

Ambas deidades caminaron a puntos estratégicos ya indicados dentro del teatro, mientras que Aioros se posicionó contra un pilar, conservando su serenidad. La distancia era similar a la del blanco con el que ambos practicaban, y no corría mucho viento, por lo que para el arquero ya existían puntos a favor para Atenea.

Enyo tras llegar a su posición, se volteó mirando directamente a Aioros.

-Solo por si acaso. Para que no esquives mis disparos.

Un par de las líneas de su brazo derecho se desplazaron y cayeron como sombras al piso, y se extendieron a una impresionante velocidad hacia el heleno. Se esparcieron por su cuerpo trazando nuevas líneas en su piel y dejándolo completamente inmóvil. Saori lo miró preocupada.

-¡Aioros!

-Relájate. Solo son Horcos y Alke. Se van a encargar de mantenerlo quieto. No queremos que se lastime, ¿o sí?

El juramento y el coraje guerrero, acompañando -aprisionando, más bien- a Aioros. El castaño solo podía respirar y mover sus ojos. Miró a Saori y le transmitió toda su confianza.

Vencerás.

Primer lanzamiento. Ambas diosas en posición. El público en completo silencio, expectante. Los ojos de Atenea resplandecían más que nunca, observando la flecha a punto de volar. Enyo tensó la cuerda, y la flecha retrocedió junto a su mano. El aire a su alrededor se contrajo de manera increíble. Ella era una diosa de guerra y destrucción. Saori preparó su disparo también, una sola gota cayendo por el costado de su cara. La gota cayó en cámara lenta y cuando impactó el suelo, ambas flechas salieron volando, por un imperceptible tiempo de diferencia. La flecha de Enyo se rompió a la mitad tras el impacto de la flecha de Atenea, a tres cuartos del trayecto hacia Aioros. La diosa sangrienta sin cambiar su expresión seria, miró a la de ojos grises, y luego cambió de ubicación. Saori lo hizo también. El público tardó mas tiempo en reaccionar, con un “¡Oh!” colectivo, lo que devolvió el aire que el disparo había absorbido.

Desde una nueva posición, prepararon un segundo tiro. Nuevamente el aire respirable se redujo a cero. Aioros no se había movido ni un milímetro. Tensaron cuerdas…

La segunda flecha fue interceptada, punta contra punta, cancelando la velocidad y cayendo al suelo ambas. Nuevamente, el público respiró. Solo quedaba un tiro.

Tras un nuevo cambio de ubicación, la diosa de la destrucción esta vez colocó tres flechas y tensó. Un dios espectador alzó la voz.

-¡Enyo! ¡Eso no es justo! No deshonres el desafío que tú misma impusiste.

La de piel tatuada con sus espíritus de batalla no quitó la vista de su objetivo, pero aún así respondió.

-Dije tres tiros. No tres flechas. No estoy modificando nada. Mis desafíos son lo único que merece mi respeto.

Era todo o nada, para ambas.

-Saori tampoco apartó la vista de sus ahora tres objetivos, y ubicó en su arco sus tres flechas. Tensó con toda su fuerza. Aioros y ella sabían de la posibilidad de que eso sucediera. La misión de la diosa de la sabiduría era estar siempre un paso adelante que sus enemigos.

Nuevamente un silencio abrumador. Incluso el tiempo se detuvo. Lo único que rompió por completo el embrujo de la incertidumbre fue el poderoso grito de guerra que Enyo lanzó. Alala, que se manifestó en su piel con un patrón único mientras que sus ojos rojos brillaban como fuego.

La flechas de ambas volaron, dos flechas de Enyo fueron impactadas de lleno y destruidas en el camino, sin embargo, la tercera solo recibió el aire de la flecha de Saori y siguió su trayectoria directo hacia Aioros. La flecha se enterró a milímetros del cuello de Aioros, en la superficie tras él. Enyo desapareció en su remolino color sangre y apareció al lado del arquero, mientras que las marcas oscuras abandonaban su cuerpo y regresaban a la mujer. Saori partió corriendo hacia ellos, sus ojos volviendo a su color normal. Enyo tomó el mentón de Aioros sin importarle el ruido que empezaba a inundar el lugar otra vez, y observó su cuello. Ni una gota de sangre. Lo soltó y miró a Saori, varios centímetros mas baja que ella, y relajó su expresión. No alcanzaba a ser una sonrisa, pero al menos era un gesto menos asesino.

-No pensé que ganarías. No suelen sorprenderme muchas cosas, así que siéntete honrada.

-Tuve un buen maestro.

-No, sentimentalismos no, por favor. No arruines mi día más de lo que ya está ahora. En fin, intentaré destruir tu ciudad en otra ocasión. Te pondré una prueba imposible la próxima vez. Y te ahorraré la pregunta que me haces en cada nuevo cuerpo de mocosa que usas. No dejaré de destruir. Existiré mientras los humanos existan, Atenea. Igual que tú. Te guste o no, los humanos son seres de conflicto, y lo que tú defiendes y lo que yo causo al final solo son dos caras de la misma moneda.

Finalmente, miró al público y señaló a un espectador.

-¡El siguiente eres tú, Poseidón!

Y en un pestañeo, la diosa de la destrucción había desaparecido.

-o-

Saori acompañó a Aioros en el regreso a su hogar. Aioros fue recibido con un gran abrazo y mucho sentimiento por parte de Seika y Dione, quienes también abrazaron cálidamente a la deidad. La ciudad y toda su gente estaban a salvo, y aquel arquero que le había salvado la vida incontables veces también. El día de reencuentro y reflexiones de lo ocurrido terminaron con un afectuoso abrazo de agradecimiento entre ambos, y una promesa de volver a visitar, ahora sin nada más que con el objetivo de disfrutar un descanso.

[ao3feed-fma]

you got me feeling like a psycho

read it on the AO3 at https://ift.tt/37H3BKs

by gladiolus (akamebae)

Words: 5907, Chapters: 2/3, Language: English

Fandoms: Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood & Manga

Rating: Teen And Up Audiences

Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings

Categories: F/M

Characters: Riza Hawkeye, Roy Mustang, Edward Elric, Jean Havoc

Relationships: Riza Hawkeye/Roy Mustang

Additional Tags: Alternate Universe - Modern Setting, Alternate Universe - College/University, a weird murder au that i didn't know how to write, honestly my first time writing a legit fma fic oof, everyone is probably ooc im so sorry, FMA secret santa 2019

read it on the AO3 at https://ift.tt/37H3BKs

[ao3feed-royai]

you got me feeling like a psycho

read it on the AO3 at https://ift.tt/37H3BKs

by gladiolus (akamebae)

Words: 5907, Chapters: 2/3, Language: English

Fandoms: Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood & Manga

Rating: Teen And Up Audiences

Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings

Categories: F/M

Characters: Riza Hawkeye, Roy Mustang, Edward Elric, Jean Havoc

Relationships: Riza Hawkeye/Roy Mustang

Additional Tags: Alternate Universe - Modern Setting, Alternate Universe - College/University, a weird murder au that i didn't know how to write, honestly my first time writing a legit fma fic oof, everyone is probably ooc im so sorry, FMA secret santa 2019

read it on the AO3 at https://ift.tt/37H3BKs