#ic tag tbd

[umbra-domini]

| @unforgivenn plotted a starter!

It wasn't often that Zed had sought someone out to join his order. More often than not, those who he welcomed into his ranks were those that had nowhere else to go. Those that were willing to do whatever it took to keep Ionia safe. Those that - no matter the consequences, or the stigma that may come with it, were doing whatever it would take to gain that power and strength. People who, like him, were fractured deeply - ones that did not mind being seen as a traitor a monster for the path they were taking. That did not mind the dishonor it would bring them, the isolation.

But with their isolation, there was solidarity within those that were training beneath him. A found family of sorts. A refuge for those who wanted to do better for their nation. For those who did not conform to the rules set by the Council. Rules that, Zed did not find himself all too fond of. There was fault in the way they did things, in the way they sat idly by dictating things without getting their hands dirty. Order and abiding by the rules was something he had once strictly followed in life, but upon finding the strength that came with forging his own path, there was no going back from that.

That was why, when he had heard of man who wielded techniques that were only given to a select few. When he had heard of this man who he believed to have the same deep beliefs as him - who he felt held a darkness within him as well. He had to pursue it, seek him out and demand ask him to join his order. It was a shot in the dark, but having a powerful ally like that would certainly make others take the Shadow Order more seriously. Would fortify their place as defenders for Ionia and enhance the chances of success in the case that Noxus were to step foot into the nation once more.

There was always a chance that the man would refuse his offer - a risk Zed had been willing to take. Much to his pleasant surprise though, Yasuo had agreed.

Agreed to be a part of his order. Agreed to work with him. Things were going good. With some training, things would be even better. Get the man used to the way things worked around the temple, get him used to working with the others, and things would go smoothly. That was the plan at least. There was a first step that would be taken in ensuring that things were to go smoothly and work how he had planned it meticulously; See his combat capabilities. And what better way to do that than a good old fashioned spar?

Zed shifted his footing, squaring his stance with his shoulders, and he would flex his muscles in his wrist and hands just a bit. His gaze settling on the man before him. His arm blades glimmered in the light of the mid day sun, and he let out a soft breath before he spoke. " Let's see how capable you are with that sword of yours. "

It wasn't that he doubted his abilities - but he was rather more curious about the extent he had perfected them.

[shadowdavutoglu]

What would it take for you to betray the Jolly Rogers?

Having to choose between them and my siblings.

[avengerang-archive]

@nameaprice asked: The cards were held near her person, careful that he didn't see them "Go on then, it's your turn."

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⚜ 𝕌𝕟𝕡𝕣𝕠𝕞𝕡𝕥𝕖𝕕 𝕀𝕟𝕥𝕖𝕣𝕒𝕔𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟𝕤 ⚜

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       𝖧𝗈𝗐 𝖽𝗂𝖽 𝗁𝖾 𝗆𝖺𝗇𝖺𝗀𝖾 𝗍𝗈 𝗌𝗍𝗋𝗎𝗀𝗀𝗅𝖾 𝗐𝗁𝖾𝗇 𝗌𝗍𝖺𝗋𝗍𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝗐𝗂𝗍𝗁 𝗌𝗎𝖼𝗁 𝖺 𝗀𝗋𝖾𝖺𝗍 𝗁𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝖾𝖺𝗋𝗅𝗂𝖾𝗋   ?     After observing Sivir's last move, the Shuriman begins to sweat. She placed the cards between the pair, the number on them clearly taunting him. It was more than clear he had trouble keeping a straight poker face. Akshan's brows furrow, his index finger idly pinches his bottom lip. Shit.

It would be all fun and games if the man did not bet half of his monthly earnings on that stupid round.     ❝ Are you shitting me  ?   ❞     The underlying chuckle was more of a frustrated nature than offering a playful exchange.     ❝ I'm never going to play with you again. Seriously. This is nuts. ❞     Fingers nervously brushed through his hair, pulling the loose strands back while trying to figure out what to do. 

Yet, this was a clear defeat. His hand was full of nothing that could beat the bounty hunter. The sentinel rolls his eyes arrogantly.

     ❝ M-Maybe we make a best of three . . . ? ❞

[dramatisperscnae]

@hubrisse from [x]

The flippant response earns Jason a glower, Kyle only maintaining his own mask and uniform out of sheer spite stubbornness. This is Jason's apartment, it's not as though anyone's going to see and recognize him in here. More importantly, Jason s purposefully ignoring the question.

Which in itself is probably an answer, isn't it?

So Kyle folds his arms, drawing himself up to his full height - and ignoring how that still leaves him a couple inches shorter - and snorts. "Oh, I've been flirted with plenty," he says easily, "just never by you. And as to pretty boys around here, I'd think people would be used to seeing at least one around given you live here."

[fleshcarverfugitive]

Name: Puck :~)

Age: Uhh... I've gotta be at least 30, right? Maybe even in my 40s? Not sure. Will ask Iago.

How well do we know each other?: You know me just as well as I know myself. Which may not be saying something, but you've been around since as long as I can remember. Gods, that's also not saying something, is it? Fuck.

Do you have a pet name for me?: Not really, but I like saying just your name. It's pretty :~)

Do I have a pet name for you?: Not one I'm aware of.

Are you attracted to me?: Do I have a nevendering supply of knives in my boots? (Yes.)

Why do you want to marry me?: How much time do you have?

Big wedding or small wedding?: Just go to the courthouse Whatever you want ❤️

Do you see children in our future?: Babygirl, I get baby fever like you've never even seen before. Sorry, I don't know why I said it like that. Yes, I'd like kids.

𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝 <𝟑 | 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬

"I suppose I'll have to come up with a pet name for you, won't I? It's not something I've really considered before."

"Any suggestions?"

".....You really do say some strange things, don't you?"

Said with utmost affection, of course.

Oh boy, Jaheira was gonna have fun reading this one.

[prctectedlegacy]

A small smile on her face, a softened predator's smile. Matronly concern, wrapped in a garrote wire. A wolf hidden in sheep's clothing - she was all of it and more, and yet she found this Assassin fascinating in a way she can't yet describe.

"Do you think they will let you live after this?" She asked him quietly. "You have encountered a Sage, boy. They will have questions. They will hunt me to the ends of the earth. And you will not be allowed to live - to spread what you have learned here."

She paused, a small frown replacing the smile on her face. "You have a choice to make here, one that will change history. And I will not stand in your way." She walked up to meet him and tilted her head, looking into his eyes, before moving to go around him.

@prctectedlegacy

Cont. from here

Lips purse into a tight line. All that worry and uncertainty he has gathered throughout the months he has spent looking for the artifacts comes back stronger than ever.

They will not trust you, and deep within he knows that. Yet, here he is, still wanting to prove himself to Achilles so he can see that he is trustworthy. But it has been years, and nothing has changed. His behavior hasn't been the best, but again--how could the Assassins claim and fight for freedom but be against the liberty to speak and think differently than them?

He follows her with his gaze, not saying a word for the moment. However, her last statement leaves him perplexed.

'' Wait…what are you talkin' about? ''

[pavlovianpanic]

To Nathan: "You think you're cool because you're rich? Well, you're a fucking loser. Look at you, taking all those fuckin boring pictures like a nerd. You think they're gonna make your rich daddy love you? You can pretend you're cool to your friends because you get them high, but I know what you are. You're just a little art geek who gets high on his own fucking shit. Somebody really oughta teach you a lesson, junkie."

what the fuck, what the fuck, what the fuck?!

❝ oh-ho, @waylonpaced, you just crossed my fuckin' RED LINE. callin' me a junkie? talking about my dad like you know anything about my family? who the fuck do you think you are? you wanna give me this psycho-babble bullshit? i pay people for that. ❞

why are all these people named max coming for him?! what the fuck is going on?!

no way, no way, no way. keep it cool, nate. this guy is just trying to fuck with you like everyone else does. don't let him see you sweat, bro. own his ass. remind him just who the hell he's messing with. nobody fucks with nathan prescott. nobody fucks with me.

that, and he's a little sensitive about his work. he only lets the other students see the things he submits. to show them anything else is personal, trusted, private. but sometimes things slip out in the open, and people pay too much attention to the photos on his wall, and he ... ah, fuck this guy!

❝ your first mistake was trying to get the fucking drop on me, dickhead. second? making an enemy out of the prescotts. we own this fucking town, dumbass. oh, but just you wait ... something big is happening here, and you're gonna get swallowed up just like every other fucking loser in this town. i don't give a fuck who you think you are or what you have to say to me. now, fuck off, freak. before i get nasty. ❞

[godzexperiment]

"Okay what is an candy corn?"

[umbra-domini]

| @flower-bites plotted a starter!

Zed was never the kind of person to be paranoid about things. He took most in stride and often times did not worry himself with matters that he didn't see worth worrying about. There wasn't much that bothered him, wasn't much that was enough to make him start keeping his guard up. He knew that he was powerful, that he was strong enough to hold his own in the majority of cases. Realistically speaking, there really wasn't much that should bother him, yet alone make him feel ebbs of … anxiety? worry? paranoia? Whatever it was.

But it was like a small lurch in his stomach that was eating away at him. Something that he refused to acknowledge. Something that, like with the majority of what he felt - he would refuse to acknowledge until it was too much to ignore. But it hadn't gotten to that point. So he would choke it down and drown whatever feelings that he was having. He was far too busy trying to look after his order and keep an eye out for any threats to Ionia to deal with it anyways.

Ironically, his keeping an eye out for threats was what had caused these feelings in the first place. It wasn't confirmed, no, but there had been some people talking about killings in the nation of Zaun that struck a chord within him. That seemed eerily familiar. Ghosts of his past that haunted him, shadows in the dark that kept him up at night. The horrors of what he had seen as a mere boy… things that stuck with him and shaped him into the man he was now. Shaped him into what could be seen as a ruthless killer, not wanting to simply toss a threat away in a prison but instead choosing to snuff them out with his own hands. He had reasons for what he did -- as much as he may be seen as cruel for it. No - he knew that it was the only right thing to do, that not bringing someone of the likes to justice was only leaving the door open for more harm in the future.

There was a bitterness within him, and he knew he couldn't change it. And yet he still fixated over it when things got too quiet, when he found himself with nothing to do. The thoughts getting far too much, regrets of the past. He was bitter that they had not killed the man who brought so much destruction to his beautiful Nation. That they had not brought justice to the man whose name still haunted him --- Khada Jhin.

That instead, he had been taken to rot away in stone walls. Something that had been ensured would be forever, that there was no chance of him escaping. But as he caught wind of more and more murders across nations far from here.. ones that were just as … gruesome as those years ago. There was a part of him that wondered if perhaps it hadn't been a set in stone guarantee, that perhaps, something had happened that resulted in that psychopath with a heart of ice being set free. Being able to slaughter men like cattle once more.

Of course.. that wasn't possible right? It merely had to be a coincidence… there was no way that Jhin could have gotten freed without an accomplice. But… the whole thing had put Zed on edge. He was more alert, more aware of the people that were coming in and out of Ionia. Anyone that seemed out of place, seemed a bit suspicious was someone that he would set his sights on and trail for a bit. Just to make sure there was no nefarious purpose. And so far, things were fine there wasn't anyone that he had deemed as too out of place that had raised any red flags after he spent some time looking into it. Things would be fine right?

But there was someone that stuck out to him, and he was quick to pull himself to his feet. A woman who looked out of place, someone who wasn't from here. It was not hard to spot someone who clearly didn't belong, who wasn't from Ionia. Between the ways they dressed mixed with looking out of place, pinpointing someone who wasn't local wasn't hard. Another person to follow, someone who, Zed was certain would end up like the others - of no interest. But it never did hurt to check, and so he was on the move yet again. Bringing himself closer to her, gaze narrowing slightly as he watched.

Then - after a few moments, he would approach. His gaze flickering over her as he tried to determine her purpose here. Then he would speak - " You don't look like you're from here. " there was no attempt to come off as friendly, if anything his tone was more like he was prodding for information. Trying to figure out where she was from. What her purpose was.

[shadowdavutoglu]

What was your first kill like?

I was mostly surprised by how easy it was. Nobody checked my bag, which is what my father had been the most worried about--that was why he couldn't do it himself. He thought they'd suspect him. But he didn't think they'd suspect a kid, especially since Onur and I had been friends way before our fathers fell out. All I had to do was wait for Onur to fall asleep and sneak out of his room.

I'd seen hits carried out before, so I knew what it might look like, but my father always told us, "If they're dead, they can't hurt you." So I tried not to be afraid of that. But I wasn't afraid to shoot, because I'd been shooting for years by then, and I knew I was good at it. I guess I just didn't expect it to work just like it did at the shooting range.

I made it out before anyone got there, too--my father and I had made a plan earlier, out the window and across the yard and through the hedge to the road where he'd be waiting to pick me up. He took me home, gave me my first taste of rakı, and sent me to bed. In the morning, he sat my brothers and sisters and me down and announced that I'd earned us a pony. (My mother had two horses at the time, and we'd all grown up riding, so there was context.) He'd always been into rewards being earned, not given, but that was the first time I realized how valuable a job could be. And it was the first time I realized if I did something well, I could change all my siblings' lives.

I missed being friends with Onur after that, though. That was the hardest part.

[avengerang-archive]

They left a battle victorious but not unscathed. Sivir was wounded as well but not enough to render her immobile. On the other hand, Akshan seemed much more unwell when she approached him after the altercation. Before he could fall she caught him and made a witty quip "Thought you'd be lighter. Can you walk?"

@nameaprice ⚜ Unprompted

It would not be the first time, with him being the more incautious fighter and taking more hits than necessary. Not one weapon he wields and masters is meant for close combat, but what fun is it to not get a closer look at your foes' shocked expression when they face the inevitable defeat they deserve for standing up against him and his allies?

❝ Walk? Can walk since I was, like, one-year-old...❞ Faintly smiling, the Sentinel turns his face, looking at Sivir with softer eyes than usual. The blood loss made him dizzy. Trying to get on his feet alone leaves him wobbling like a threatened stick bug. ❝ Maybe not-❞ Akshan breathes out, weight heavy against his partner. ❝ They got me good, kudos to them. Kudos to them, ❞ the shuriman mumbles under heavy breaths.

His arm wraps over the woman's shoulder, supporting himself in a standing position. Other than some bruises and light cuts, nothing severe was visible. His head was buzzing. Some people know how to fight dirty, knocking on somebody's head like that. ❝ Just gimme a second, everything will be fine. Always like that. Don't you worry, friend. Are you fine? You are bleeding, no? ❞

[shadowedresolve]

"Man, sometimes I wonder if it's what I really want to do..."

Ann sighs as she offhandedly remarks on something that's been bothering her today, though she doesn't think about it too often. Immediately after, though, she gives a sheepish kind of smile, looking at Makoto and abruptly apologizing.

"Ah, sorry! I didn't mean to unload on you. You're just really easy to talk to, you know?" ...But she doesn't want to bother Makoto with a stray thought like that. Modeling is what she decided to strive towards, after all, and she doesn't want to give up on that goal! Especially with Shiho counting on her... she needs to give her strength, just like she promised she would. It's not like she hates the work, either. Working hard on her appearance is tougher than Ann expected, but she's not going to give up on something just because it's hard work.

"I bet you're working hard towards your goal too, aren't you? You're really impressive, Makoto!"

@belovedblossoms ( starter for makoto! )

[prctectedlegacy]

"I've been called that before. Throughout the centuries, different names. Different people. All to see her again. My beloved, you see."

She moved between him and his quarry, tilting her head to the side as she appraised him. "Your Mentor has sent you to your death. Just like the one in Havana. He was so nice to me... But he did not listen. Refused to heed my warnings. Did they not tell you what became of Havana. I heard many lost their lives."

She turns around to face the artifact, tensing. "You claim to not come to harm me, but how can I trust you? It was one of you who killed me before. Your kind hunts me as if I am prey. Why should I trust you?"

"Now what are you doing here, in this old tomb?" The woman asks, stepping out from behind where the "apple" was, a small smile on her face. "In this place where millennia have passed without changing...are you here for my gem, perhaps? This thing that holds the world together?"

She looked at him, her brown and gold eyes meeting his. "I've warned your kind before, but no one ever listens to me."

" You are one of those who came before? " Shay asks, observing the woman with deep curiosity.

He has never been an overly religious person, but he could not deny that seeing something as this for the first time brought him a mix of conflicted feelings. But, conflicted or not, he was still determined to carry on the task assigned. He clears his throat.

" I have been sent here by my Mentor to retrieve the artifact so it won't fall into the wrong hands." He spoke loud and clear. He had no ill intentions and he wanted to prove her that. " I mean no harm, though. I promise. "

[dramatisperscnae]

@hubrisse

truth be told, jason had never expected to be given a ring. no one does, he figures, but it still happens. the one that latched onto his finger is red and felt like death for a good second; if he had to guess, he'd say it killed him briefly in the most excruciating way, blood turning into acid, until the pain in itself made him pass out. for a man with his pain tolerance, that definitely spells out a bad fate. when he comes to, jason finds himself on top of a burned out body, which by the items left behind by its bearer would likely be either a goon of the clown or the clown itself. the murder doesn't really faze him as much as the lack of clarity or recollection on how it happened. he doesn't like not knowing. he doesn't like feeling like a stranger in his own mind, but just like the fog settled, it vanished like magic. staring at the brilliant red band on his finger, he considers removing it as he gathers his bearings. his mind races through options as he distances himself from the crime, not quite digesting the sudden load of information thrown his way easily. by the time he's near his closest safehouse, he feels the bond tug. looking upwards, he sees a shock of green. it makes sense, in jason's head. lanterns must have a sensor or an alarm system for this sort of thing. it barely registers then that the bond itself had been the alarm in question. "hey, picasso. this is the bad part of the neighborhood. should be careful." speaking hurts a little, throat raw in a way he can't quite explain and, truthfully, isn't sure if he wants to.

Death is an eerie feeling no matter how it comes. Kyle wishes he didn't know that first-hand, but he does.

It's even worse when it's not yours.

There are few things that can break Kyle's concentration without effort, but feeling the sudden death of his soulmate has the young Lantern quite literally falling out of the sky for the handful of seconds it takes him to refocus his will and make a beeline for Gotham out of sheer desperation. As rocky as their relationship has always been, Kyle's grown far fonder of his soulmate than he's dared actually voice, and if something's happened to Jason…

Hs jaw tightens, his ring sending him moving even faster. The bond isn't broken, so Jason is still alive, but something major has still happened and for all Kyle knows his soulmate is now lying at the bottom of a sewer somewhere bleeding out, or worse.

It's only once he gets closer that he realizes it's or worse.

There's another Lantern here. His ring pings with the information. A Red Lantern, though why any of them would be here on Earth Kyle has no idea. The Reds usually don't go actively causing trouble, and it's pretty well known that Sector 2814 has a constant Green presence of at least one in-sector - and usually actively on Earth - which has been enough to keep most other Lanterns away. Maybe this one got lost, or doesn't care, or got bored enough, and oh god if this has something to do with whatever's happened to Jason…

Kyle's scanning, both with the ring and the bond, and quickly zeroes in on his soulmate's presence. Diving out of the sky he all but tackles Jason in a tight hug, relief pouring off him.

Prematurely, as it turns out.

"Oh thank god, the bond, I felt-," Kyle starts, knowing he's bordering on babbling but unable to fully help himself as he pulls back to take a better look at Jason. At Jason's new look. At the information his ring is currently screaming about. He's found Jason, right enough. But he's also found the Red Lantern. Kyle's eyes widen, face paling a shade or two.

"Oh no…"

[botanikos]

& this time, rather than pecking random passerby, he may gently lean and rest his head atop another's — or else their shoulder if within relative range.

[illlario]

        @7thtalon  liked for a starter

"teia," illario purrs, "it is always good to see your face." not a lie, but definitely flattery. illario's tone constantly makes him seem the very opposite of genuine, like he's prying for information and planning to do the worst thing you can think of with it. "where has dearest viago been as of late, hm?"

truthfully, illario doesn't give a shit; he just wants to know if the coast is clear for him to flirt further. it's not that he's afraid of the fifth talon, but ... well ... illario's always liked to do things in the most underhanded way possible. he'd rather not have the de riva talon get even a whiff of the dellamorte's intentions with the seventh.

"organizing his gloves by color, perhaps? or maybe poisoning his fledglings?" illario's brows rise, then he waves a hand dismissively. "whatever he is doing, it should be a crime to choose that over reveling in your company ..."