#idk how else to tag this so reader it is

[mochinomnoms]

i understand the simping for the fashion dilf believe me i do

but i come offering other non simping thoughts for now

i can imagine yuu just casually braking into other dorms to sleep when it rains bc their dorm is still…extremely broken (because the BIRD MAN WONT FIX IT)

so their friends (and possibly lovers depending upon your preference) just wake up the next morning to see yuu on on couch in their common area with grim sleeping on them

-🐝

I love this alot but especially if it's a case that no one can figure out how the hell you're getting into their dorms. Even though they're easily accessible through the mirrors, the dorms are probably locked from the outside for safety reasons.

At my dorms and for most of the buildings, they were open during the day and at night they would only be accessible though student id/key cards. I think the students at NRC maybe could use their wands as their key cards, but you don't have a wand, just Grim with his stone. And people forget that Grim, even though he's just a lil ceacher....is still technically a student that can get into buildings lol.

Heartslabyul is the main victim of your sudden appearances, which makes Riddle a bit conflicted, as he understands Ramshackle is desolate, and the roof might cave in on you while sleeping... But there are RULES, and you're not supposed to leave your dorm after a certain time, AND you need permission from your housewarden to sleep in another dorm. But technically you're your own housewarden...and you did come into his dorm right before the deadline (Idia can pull up the timestamped camera footage to prove it if you ask). Ace and Cater get a kick out of seeing you in the lounge and may or may not have the urge to draw silly things on your face in marker. Trey and Deuce feel a bit bad since you are using the couch pillows to cover yourself, so they start leaving throw blankets for you to use. Riddle will get over it, eventually, and will start involving you in the dorm's morning routine and chores if you're there often enough.

The next most common is Scarabia, mostly because their lounge is super luxurious and Kalim doesn't care that you sneak in. In fact, he starts anticipating it (he can be perceptive if he really pays attention) and will sit in the lounge waiting for your arrival for an impromptu sleep over! It only becomes a problem when Jamil wakes up and goes to get Kalim up for the day only to realize that he's gone and oh god where is Kalim did he get kidnapped oh shit Jamil is gonna get murdered by Kalim and his own—WHY ARE YOU SLEEPING IN THE LOUNGE—PREFECT????? You promptly get banned for a few weeks before the cycle continues again.

For the next dorms, it's a tie between Savanaclaw and Diasomnia. Mostly because they're not as comfortable, like yeah Savanaclaw has a pool in the lounge and Diasomnia is a cool gothic castle but...they're not comfy to sleep in. Scarabia gets hot, but at least the lounge is comfy, Savanaclaw doesn't have loads of cushions, pillows, and blankets. Leona doesn't care much though, and he had you over once before, so as long as you don't disrupt his sleep again, do what you want. And Diasomina, while you'd be welcomed with open arms by Malleus, is kinda creepy...especially in the lounge....and you've woken up with Malleus or Lilia hovering over you, unblinking, staring until you wake up. They just want to greet you good morning! It's...sweet...but unnerving. But if you can't go to Heartslabyul, and you've been banned by Jamil from Scarabia for a while, then it's a toss of a coin between those two.

Your last options, in order, are Octavinelle, Pomefiore, and Ignihyde. Octavinelle, well they have a very lovely lounge with lovely ambience and quite comfortable couches! But, last time you got found by one of the students, you got reported to Azul who promptly made you work in exchange for sleeping in the dorm without reserving a room. Yeah, you forgot that Azul has rooms available to rent out, you can't get around that by sleeping in the lounge, work off your debt! It becomes a game almost, to see if they can find you before you sneak out of the dorm. You've been unsuccessful, as Jade and Floyd has an uncanny ability to find you no matter where you are. Once, as a joke and in retaliation, you managed to sneak into Azul's office and sleep on his couches. You'd planned to wake up and sit in his chair so that you could turn around with Grim in your lap like a James Bond villain (Grim asked what a James Bond was), but you ended up passing out for a solid 10 hours from how comfortable you were. You woke up to your head in Jade's lap, petting you like a cat, and legs over Floyd's lap, as Azul worked on paperwork. When you woke up, very confused and groggy, he asked how you would like to split your ten owed hours of shifts.

Pomefiore, while lovely, is not your favorite choice. Mostly because you don't want to deal with Vil. He's actually the most concerned out of everyone that you've resorted to sleeping in lounges, it's not good for your health. And as we all know, he is very concerned with his dorm members maintaining a good health and general wellness. So the moment he hears that you are sleeping around in the lounges, he waits, even puts Rook on watch for you. The moment you pass out in his lounge? He's snatching you and nearly motherhenning you. He's pushing you to sleep in one of the dorms, most likely Epel's room, since you're familiar with each other. And now, you've also been tied in with the same routine and rules as Epel. You appreciate the concern, but you don't know how to tell Vil that you kinda like the fun of running around between dorms and freaking people out. He probably wouldn't be amused, so you manage to escape his grasp and stay at Ramshackle for a while to let him cool down (he's a bit offended that you wanted to escape, so now he's biding his time and waiting for you to eventually crawl back when the other dorms are occupied.)

Ignihyde is last because, quite frankly, that bish look cold! And uncomfortable! And a lot creepier than Diasomnia!!! And also, Idia and Ortho have that dorm covered in camera and security measures, so you're not getting in. Sorry I don't make the rules, Idia just really doesn't want to deal with you in the lounge, especially when he runs out for midnight munchies and has to hold back his scream when he sees a random person in his dorm and oh no it's just you. Prefect, what the fuck?

[duskier]

Invisible man but it's toxic Ghoap x reader ...

cw: this is literally just ghoap mentally torturing reader and there are mentions of them intending to kill the reader 🫶

Them having access to fictional sounding levels of military technology and getting two suits of their own that allow them to go completely invisible- suits designed to even erase their shadows via a complex system of reflections and lights.

Of course, you're the first thing to come to mind when they put them on. You were their favorite barista at a café close to base. You probably didn't remember them out of your sea of regulars, but they never stopped thinking about you, a mutual fixation on you blooming between them. They start out small, breaking and entering in the middle of the night. Unplugging your phone from the charger so you wake up without an alarm, the battery long dead. Turning off power to your fridge and leaving the doors open, the food spoiled by the time you wake up.

The best part of the suits is they get to stick around and watch your devastation. Scrambling out of bed with a panicked, half asleep noise, putting on the first set of work clothes you can find. Soap leaning against your fridge so he can get a full look at your face as it crumples at the sight, your vegetables wilted and your meat already smelling.

Ghost takes it a step further after nights of keeping you awake with strange knocks around the house or precious items crashing to the floor. Soap has to bite his lip to keep from giggling as they take turns whispering your name in the night. They wait a few minutes between while they watch you peer into the dark, breath shaking in your chest in fear. You look so adorable with your eyes wide and darting about, like a pretty little thing of prey in your thin tank top and comfy panties. Like you're just waiting to be eaten.

Ghost brushes by Soap, hands reaching out purposefully to give his hand a squeeze. A silent command to stay. Soap is left waiting with you, continuing to admire how vulnerable you look. All it does is leave his cock swelling in the pants, fantasizing about ways he could get you to make that pretty frightened face for him more directly. Soap couldn't wait to get his hands on you, make you feel real weakness under his grip. They weren't going to fuck with you forever, this was just them playing with their food. A sort of foreplay. He wonders if you'd cry, if you'd beg for your life. Or would you try and play along, in hopes they'd spare you? Would you try to fight back, could you maybe land a blow on him? Soap palms himself quietly, careful to not let your now focused hearing catch him in the act. He really hopes you can split his lip or something, leave a scar to remember you by.

The both of you startle as suddenly you hear Ghost bellowing your name from somewhere on the first floor. His voice is so loud, so angry, it barely sounds human and is left ringing in your ears for a full minute after. You're paralyzed with fear, hyperventilating now. Before you could snap out of it and reach for your phone, you screamed at the feeling of a hand gripping your ankle and yanking you to the foot of the bed.

There was nothing and no one there. Even in the limited light you could tell that you were alone. This must have been a break in your psyche, you reassured yourself, just because you haven't been sleeping well and things have been going wrong in the house. No matter how you reassure yourself, you still creep down the stairs to look around for any signs of intrusion.

Every step, you pause and listen around for something, anything. Maybe a bear broke into your house for food or a thief was rooting through your office for your safe box. Maybe it was something as small and harmless as mice knocking over furniture. Every second feels like an eternity, your heart racing in your throat.

"Hello? I know there's someone here. Just leave, and I won't call the cops."

Ghost sneers at you behind the suit. What a stupid thing for you to do and say. He considers jumping the gun, ruining the mystery by revealing himself and teaching you a lesson. Soap inadvertently stops him, setting off your security alarm.

The high pitched alarm rang out, making you wince and cover your ears. Your house phone starts ringing, you scramble to pick it up. Backing yourself up against your living room wall to stare wide eyed into the darkness.

"Knight Security. Please provide your security code." The voice on the line said. The man sounded calm, kind, certain. It somehow helped to make you focus, take a deep breath. Probably why the guy worked there.

"CL-NG-8675."

"Alright, got you. The alarms were tripped at your property. Everything alright?"

Was everything alright? Now talking to another living being, you weren't so sure. You tried to put everything you were experiencing into words but found you sounded incredibly silly... or one foot into a mental break.

"...Yeah, I'm alright."

"That's good. I'll get those sirens turned off for you and call off emergency services. Now, procedure does require me to have you walk through all possible entrances and exits in the home just to verify security. Would you mind checking the front door, love?"

Blissfully, the alarm turned off. The ear piercing sound finally gone, you let out a sigh of relief. The handsome voice on the phone asked you to check the front door, so you did. Confirmed it was locked and secure, just as you left it before bed.

He had you do the same with your garage door, the side door to the yard, and the back door.

"Perfect. You did a great job. Best customer of the night, if I may say," You could hear the smile in his voice.

"Why, thank you. You may," You quipped back, smiling to yourself in the darkness of the living room.

The man on the phone sounded like he was going to say goodbye, but he paused and made a small sound. "Oh! Before I let you go, I have one more question I have to add to the report."

"Of course, anything," You say, eager to please now that your heart had stopped racing.

"Are you alone in the home?"

Your response was immediate. "Yes."

The line went silent for a few beats. "...Are you sure?"

You could still hear the smile in his voice, but these words were spoken softly, dangerously.

"...What?"

"Turn around."

[moncouerbrise]

Fyodor X Reader with Wings

Smut, Suggestive, Degrading, Angelwings, Teasing, etc.

You've been very useful to Fyodor for the last few months.

Even if it meant having to be apart of his plan, you've shown how truly powerful one with abnormal features can be.

You've gotten close, quite close actually.

Every now and then going from place to place, as Fyodor uses your true potential to its max.

All he wants to do now is just return the favor, he insists. Especially for how good you've been to him.

“Ah~ S-stop!” He teases your clit with his thumb.

Brushing against it, in small circular motions.

Back arching at the sudden touch of his fingers from his free hand, caressing across your skin.

You can feel how cold they are. how cold he is in particular.

His face not even showing the slightest amount of heat trapped in his face, yet still remaining that sly smirk on his face.

The long amount of time its already been, of him just toying with your body so far. Its got you all worked up. “Please- Please F~Fyodor!”

“Hm…?” He comes close to you, facing and looking at you straight in the eye. Amused, he pats your cheek before grabbing it “Use your words darling. Or we'll be here all day.”

“Please, I need it… I need you! Touch me please-.” Your sudden pleads get interrupted once Fyodor decides to flip to you over.

Causing you to let a whimper as you lay flat on the bed, with your ass facing him. “Arms.” He boldy says.

Reaching for both your hands and holding them down in place behind your back.

Not before he finds something to tie them with. Restricting your movements.

He soon begins to align himself with your entrance, feeling the wetness of his tip against your skin.

His voice is heard again, except this time much more quieter, stern, much more darker.

“You've been such a good girl, you deserve all of this”

He slaps your ass, allowing you to arch your back at him before he grabs ahold of your sides, instantly pushing himself in.

“Ah- Mphm”

Biting down your lip, making sure the others that are outside can't hear the lewd noises.

You start to feel Fyodor begin to move. Reciprocating the same actions.

As he buries himself deep in your pussy, not going fast but rather at a normal pace. Really making sure you take all of himself.

Just as he starts to get more ruthless, his thrusts getting more vigorous every second, he lets go of your hips and hair, and instead holds onto your wings.

Shrieking in arousal, as he continues to pump himself in and out of yourself.

His long hands running through your wings, along your spine. Before giving your ass another slap, resulting in thrusting harder down onto him.

“A-Ah… Im-a close-! Fyo-” He grabs ahold of your wings, making you shut up in an instant.

“Do you want the…-others to hear, is that it-?

His voice can be heard more raspy, as he gets closer to his release as well.

And so is yours, you feel the tightening in your chest and stomach start to form a sensation of pure pleasure.

Ecstasy, that's what it felt like once you felt Fyodors seed all over your back and shooting inside your cunt.

Along with yours, causing a squelching noise as he continues to ride his high.

Your left breathless, panting.

In need of air.

You turn yourself over again, this time your stomach facing Fyodor.

Laying your head to the side, catching your breath.

Eyes fluttering and closing slightly.

It all feels too much.

Like It's all been undone.

“What are you doing?” You feel a grab at your ankle, pulling you to the front of the bed.

He looks at you with his violet eyes, pure lust. That's all he had behind those eyes.

“We still have more to go, dear.”

He gets up from his position and goes over to the door, hearing the small ‘click” as he unlocks it.

He grabs ahold of your shoulders, making you look at him.

“Let's try something different this time.” You try to move from his grip but he doesn't budge at all.

“W-wait what-!?”

“Something more risky. Shall we?”

Requested by Anon

[luci-z-wont-shut-up]

I'd like yalls help w something, please

Regardless of its intelligence level, how many non-human creatures have Arthur and John had an emotionally positive experience with?bc I am wracking my brain and the only ones I can come up with are the lamp-eft, the buopoth, the cana, and the owl (I have yet to figure out if cana is a species or a job title but yall know who I'm talking about)

If anyone can fact-check/correct/update me on this I'd appreciate it so much 🙏

[clover-46]

the writers on here making the miguel fics need to remember his fangs inject paralytic venom hes not a real vampire it was just a joke in the movie 😭

oh but i still want him to bite me don’t get me wrong idgaf if they have venom 🤷🏾‍♀️🤷🏾‍♀️

[anoncryinginthecorner]

TL: You are Her Most Loyal Child (13/?)

TL notes before we get started: This is the 13th chapter in a series, but is good enough to be read as a oneshot. Despite what the author says about this being very fluffy, it is just unmitigated angst. Some context: Reader (Name: Peruvie) is an orphan of a fallen royal family from Natlan, who inherited a lost forbidden art that offers their entire being, soul included, as a sacrifice to gain its strength. Reader used this forbidden art in the fight against Celestia and the Heavenly Principles to sever Arlecchino’s curse from said Heavenly Principles, assuring Arlecchino’s survival and subsequently Teyvat’s victory. In true Shaoji fashion, Reader dies in Arlecchino’s arms after, exchanging their final goodbyes in silence. The original text heavily implies that Reader and Arlecchino never really had a relationship of Father and Child, even though technically Reader is a child of the House. More of this in post story TL notes.

EDIT: I have forgotten to include: Reader set up her own force, The Sixteenth Battalion, based in the Northern Wilds. In summary, they are a Battalion of Knights that are really strong combat wise and are loyal to Reader [There is a LOT of context in the original story that I am not shortening because I will not do it justice]

Reader here uses female pronouns. Not sure if the raw has AFAB. My brain was fried when I wrote AFAB.

Original here: https://hechushishen.lofter.com/post/74d05c86_2bbdd892b

53

The next time Arlecchino looked up, the aurora was dancing in the Snezhnayan sky.

Clervie… Peruvie[i]… One she tried to hold onto, one who tried to hold onto her. Alas, she lost both.

Arlecchino is tired.

She was taut as a bowstring, not really sure when she would snap. She never had the time to mourn your death, even five days later. There were too many losses made for the victory, too many sacrifices.

To The Knave, you were just one of her dead subordinates. To Father, you were just one more grave in the graveyard.

Handling the intelligence networks, placating the Sixteenth Battalion, expanding the influence of the House of the Hearth… Even with Lyney’s help, the workload was still taxing on Arlecchino.

She was nothing more than a robot, obtaining information, processing information, writing orders and giving orders.

Arlecchino really did want to turn into a machine.

So she wouldn’t feel the dull ache at the bottom of her heart reminding her – the person she had lost was important to her.

When you were around, she never felt that the (now suddenly) empty table was in her way. When you were around, she would never feel that her office was too quiet.

Sometimes, Arlecchino would fall into a daze. She would look at that table, seeing you fail to make sense of the intelligence reports, pout, and sneak a glance at her. And when you realised she took notice, you would turn beet red and mumble something trivial from the current report. When you sighed, Arlecchino would feel her mouth curve slightly, a curve that she would wipe from her face when you turned over and stare blankly at you instead, her concern remaining unsaid. Arlecchino’s heart melted from your antics, your small bursts of emotion washing away all her woes.

But when she comes to her senses now, the only thing that greets her is emptiness.

…

Right. You’re not alive anymore.

You died in that fight.

She buried you with her own hands.

She sealed your sword[ii], The Hearth, and sent it to eternal slumber with you in your coffin.

…

Time to wake up, Arlecchino.

Nobody will remind you that you’ve worked yourself to the bone, or ask if you want company on the way home anymore.

Nobody will remind you to eat regular meals anymore.

Nobody will stay with you on the nights your curse flares up anymore.

Nobody will risk everything just to love you anymore.

Arlecchino, night has long since fallen. Since you won’t dream, face your reality.[iii]

54

Lyney and the rest of the children stayed by Arlecchino’s side worryingly.

Arlecchino knew, even without anyone saying anything, that everybody thought she would not, cannot, accept your death.

After all, they were the ones who saw how she soullessly carried your body away from the battlefield into your coffin. They were the ones who saw how she emptily lowered your coffin into your final resting place. Her stare remained hollow and blank, a shadow of who Arlecchino was.

The children agreed – it was her grief. Her grief had brought her to her knees. The passage of time now only served as an exacerbating factor, one that would bring her closer to her breaking point.

They worry that Arlecchino would implode one day. Like a lover woken from their sweet dream to find that their love no longer existed in reality.

Even if Arlecchino never admitted that she loved you all this time.

But that never stopped the children from acknowledging that Arlecchino was just forcing herself to stay functional.

Because she is Father, and she needs to uphold the House.

Arlecchino doesn’t explain herself, letting the children’s thoughts run wild. Once enough time passes, they should forget. And they would learn how The Knave, Arlecchino, is an emotionless, cruel and bloodthirsty machine, one who would sacrifice anything and everything to achieve her goals.

“Father…” Lyney hesitated. He handed another stack of documents to Arlecchino, who worked over her ever-growing pile without looking up.

“Speak.”

“Would you like to take a break?” Lyney inquired hesitatingly, but honestly.

“Our comrades who sacrificed themselves have been cared for, and we have distributed the reparations to their families. The Sixteenth Battalion has returned to the North, and have settled there. Peru- She… She handed over everything before leaving for the battle, so there shouldn’t be any problems with succession.”

But to put it simply, everything has been settled. You can take a break now, Father.

“Excellent job.” Arlecchino praised. But she glossed over Lyney’s suggestion. She doesn’t want to stop working.

If she stopped, she doesn’t know what she would do. Or what she should do.

Lyney sighed internally. With Arlecchino’s response sidestepping the issue at hand, he had to raise it directly. Even if it was rude, trespassing on Arlecchino’s – on Father’s - boundaries, he had to make it said. You were dead, and Arlecchino cannot continue on like this, unless she wanted to work herself into her grave right then and there.

“You need rest, Father. The House of the Hearth is in good hands with us, you can rest assured while you take your break.”

Arlecchino looked up to face Lyney for the first time that week. “Perhaps you also feel that I cannot accept that Peruvie has died, and am using work to numb myself?”

Lyney’s silence proved his agreement.

“Grief, anger… These emotions will never affect me, Lyney. Your concerns are appreciated, but unfounded.”

~

Now that Teyvat’s crisis was over, the colored lights made the Snezhnayan sky their permanent home. They waltzed through the night sky, a stunning dance that served as a subtle reminder of the paradise Teyvatians were denied until their blood cleansed the Heavenly Throne.

It also served as a reminder to Arlecchino how half a decade ago, when you first came to her side and finished your first mission, you had wished for her company under the same night sky. Under the same dancing lights.

“I wish that you would be able to spend my birthday with me!”

A lifetime ago, she agreed. That day, she bought a cake and accompanied you on a stroll through Snezhnaya’s streets. That day, you gazed longingly at the products the different shops had to offer, living the life that you should have led.

That night, you were happy, and that brought joy to Arlecchino. As a prank, you spread some butter on her forehead, only to be met with a small smile instead of disapproval.

That night, she read your lips as you mouthed your wish.

I wish for Arle to remain healthy, happy and safe.

That night, the sky came to life with gold, a rare sight under Celestia’s watch.

“Arle, look! It’s the aurora!” “Looks like my wish will definitely come true!”

That night… how did she respond? Right. She patted your head softly. “I’ll try.”

You never heard Arlecchino’s response properly, and looked softly at her, a silent plea to repeat what she just said. But she never repeated it, and you decided to leave it there.

A lifetime later, she buried her feelings under the snow. The red, green and blue lights in the sky the only witnesses to the unspoken regrets left behind in Snezhnaya’s cold.

~

Lyney caught Arlecchino recovering from a daze again. And again, her eyes had a tinge of sadness hidden deep beneath the surface.

“Father. You need rest.” He emphasized. “This is Her Majesty’s order, too.”

“Noted. I will finish these documents first and hand them over to you.”

Arlecchino dropped her façade of strength, if only by a bit.

55

Her Majesty gave Arlecchino a summons to her Palace and let her off on long break.

The Tsaritsa still commanded an overwhelming presence, but her gaze was no longer cold. The warmth in it reflected the warmth that was now allowed to spread across her land.

“Peruere.”

Arlecchino was taken by surprise. She had not used that name in years. She knelt.

“Your Majesty.”

“My condolences.”[iv]

See? Even The Tsaritsa thinks that you’re grieving. But, other than the ache in your heart that permeated the numbness, you do not feel anything.

If Arlecchino had as much grief when every single child died, she would not be able to do anything but mourn. So why would this death be any different?

“I humbly thank Your Majesty” “Do you have any plans?”

Plans? Arlecchino does not. She was not supposed to be on holiday.

She only accepted the offer to put the children at ease. To show Lyney and Lynette that she is fine, when they inevitably watch her from the shadows.

She would show them that she was not heartbroken, was not grieving, was not… was not mourning the death of you to the point she forgot that she was human, too.

“Then walk in her footsteps.”

Neither party needed any hint. Much less Arlecchino, who knew who Her Majesty was referring to.

Walk in Peruvie footsteps? She never went to many places to begin with. Just a couple. Fontaine, Natlan, the Northen Wilds…

“I will.” Arlecchino agreed.

Silence hung in the air. Just before Arlecchino could excuse herself, The Tsaritsa spoke again.

“She loved you.”

Silence again. Arlecchino nodded. “I know.”

It was obvious.

She didn’t even need to look hard to know. Your eyes lit up brightly whenever she was around.

No matter how hard you tried, you were never able to hide it from her.

“Someone like her is difficult to find. When she established The Sixteenth, she wrote to me. She explained why she set it up.” “This is a force that is loyal to Arlecchino, and only Arlecchino. Its existence is to protect Arlecchino and her safety, and it will never be an aggressor.” “Perhaps The Captain has already known this, from the Sixteenth’s movements in the North. The Doctor did say that it was named after you. They are your battalion of knights.” “I approved this force’s existence in my land, because of her plea. For her sake, Peruere, travel in her footsteps. See the marks that her love for you has left behind.”

“You have done enough in these years. Put down your mask as Arlecchino, and live your life as Peruere.”

“This holiday will have no set length. The House of the Hearth will be under Lyney’s control, and he will take over the duties of The Knave in your place.”

Do not run anymore, Peruere. Accept your love for her. Accept Peruvie’s love for you. There will be a soul crushing sorrow awaiting you when you do, but then, and only then, will the past and its regrets stay there, where they belong.

56

After leaving Her Majesty’s throne room, Arlecchino took a small stroll through the vast hallways of the Palace.

The Sixteenth Battalion… Her name?

Arlecchino knew not where “Sixteen” came from. She mapped out all possible connections the number had to her, Her Majesty’s voice playing in the background.

No wonder The House of the Hearth did not have much movement in the Northern Wilds. No wonder her investigations into ‘Peruvie’ were always unsuccessful.

Many questions were answered, but many more arose and left unanswered.

For example, her grief. Her eyes went dry long ago. They cried for nobody. Her heart was cold and numb. The only emotion she could squeeze out was a small hint of sadness.

Song made its way through the halls.

It was the Damselette. Colombina.

Arlecchino followed the song to its source, finding the girl sitting on a windowframe, singing an old tune.

“A surprise seeing you here, Arlecchino.” “It has been a while, Colombina.”  

Outside the window, Arlecchino could see the sky’s colors.

That aurora again. Just like that night.

“Thinking of that child again?”

Colombina smiled softly and warmly. You had left your impression on her even in the few years you were around.

“No.” Yet the speed at which Arlecchino denied it all but proved that she was.

Colombina giggled. “Arlecchino, admitting that she is your weakness is nothing to be ashamed of.” “She was a girl worthy of such praise after all.”

Arlecchino leaned on the windowframe next to her. “I was not aware that The Damselette was this acquainted with my subordinates.”

The sudden quip of jealousy caught Colombina off guard, but it made her smile even brighter. She couldn’t resist teasing Arlecchino.

“Weren’t you the one who wanted to transfer her over to me, then wouldn’t stop talking about her?”

There was nothing Arlecchino could say in response. She did do that.

She did think of transferring you to Colombina’s forces many times. When you finished your competency test as an agent, when you came back injured on your first mission, when you were pursued by The Narzissenkreuz Ordo, when you came back from the Northern Wilds…

But not once did she succeed. How could she, when she saw your love for her in your eyes.

“Someone like her, who loved you so much, who dedicated her entire being to you… Is such a rare find…” The Damselette sighed. When you were alive, she had her gaze on you many, many times. Yet the only person whom you truly looked at and served was Arlecchino.

She knew. That your feelings for her ran beyond that of an orphan and their caretaker.

“But I lost her.” Arlecchino’s eyes darkened, her voice soft and low. “I shouldn’t have hesitated.”

Arlecchino regretted many things. She should have known that you would have put yourself in harm’s way just to ensure her safety. She should have sent you away from the battlefield much sooner. But she couldn’t bear to.

The ache buried deep in her heart morphed into a knife stabbing pain, one sharp enough that her eyes felt wet again.

She thought that she would be by your side, protecting you from danger. She was overconfident. And now, the only thing she has left is regret.

“But you know she’ll do whatever it takes to remain by your side, right?” Even in death. Colombina shook her head, the smile never leaving her face. Even she knew that you would never leave Arlecchino alone to face reality, regardless if you were dead or alive.

“You should rest for a bit, Arlecchino. You’re too tired.” The children in The House were not the only ones who were aware of this. The Damselette, too, was well aware that the best phrase to describe Arlecchino as she is right now would be “precariously dangling off the edge”.

Take a break. Embrace your new life after you come back. By then, everything would be set in stone.

“I will be leaving Snezhnaya.” “On Her Majesty’s orders?” Arlecchino nodded; Colombina understood.

“Do you know what the word, ‘Sixteen’, has to do with me?” Arlecchino quipped suddenly.

“Sixteen?” “The Doctor said, The Sixteenth Battalion was named after me.”

“Sixteen…” Colombina sunk into thought. “I remember you mentioned, she likes Liyuean culture?”

Arlecchino nodded.

“Write your name in Liyuean?”

Arlecchino drew upon her flames, and traced her name in embers in the air.

“Yanre[v]… No wonder…” “Yanre?” “It’s your ‘no’.” Colombina smiled softly, pointing at the character floating in the air. She silently thanked Regrator for going on his endless tirade about the history of Liyuean characters for the first time in her long life.

“Yanre, her alias in Fontaine.” “Similarly, sixteen… Happens to be the number of strokes in your ‘le’ too[vi].” “That child really, really likes you, don’t you think?” “Oh, and Peruvie… When I first heard that name, I had assumed that you were the one who thought of it.”

Arlecchino ended that conversation there. She bid Colombina farewell, and returned to the House.

57

Yanre… Sixteen… Peruvie… Hearth…

Her mind travelled back. Back to a lifetime ago, when you gave yourself a name you chose. Your first name was bestowed upon you by her, so Arlecchino hoped that you would choose a name that fit you best in Fontaine.

You had stood outside her door for a long time before mustering the courage to tell her.

“Yanre? Why this name specifically?”

Caught unawares, you stumbled on your words, only mumbling broken phrases under your breath. She frowned. “Are you sure?”

You nodded, without hesitation.

“Then it is settled.” Arlecchino did not prod further on your nervousness and your beet red face. There was nothing suspicious going on since before that, there weren’t many times where her presence alone didn’t turn you into a freshly ripe tomato.

Were you scared that I would notice, and disagree with your choice? Arlecchino thought.

You had let her into your daily life in many ways. Even your personal sword, The Hearth. And she had questioned you before, a lifetime ago.

~

“Why this name? Not much why. Arle, I was really happy when I came back. Home is where you are. This name makes me feel at ease, just like… just like you Arle, how you stand by my side and protect me! Holding Hearth makes me think of it, and makes me fearless!”

You had answered back then.

The Hearth’s sword flames surrounded you, and under its soft glow, your smile struck Arlecchino’s heart.

She never asked you why you named your force The Sixteenth Battalion. Much less thought of how the force she thought was for your way of protecting yourself, was actually set up to protect her instead.

And only then, did Arlecchino finally, truly, understand the meaning behind Lyney’s words.

…

It was the night before that fateful battle.

She had ordered Lyney to take you away from the battlefield should the opportunity arose, by whatever means necessary.

Back then, Lyney hesitated before agreeing.

“Is there a problem?” “After Peruvie’s return, I did ask her why she came back. She said she wanted to leave a normal life, one with domestic bliss, without the worry of dying the next day.” “She had already achieved such a life in the Northern Wilds. She had no need to come back.” “But she said – ‘Brother Lyney, it’s because Arle is here. I need to make sure she is safe first.’” “‘Because before I learnt how to protect myself, I learnt how to protect Arle.’”

“I will follow your orders and make an opportunity to bring her away from the battlefield, Father. But I cannot guarantee that I will be able to do so.” “Because when it comes to matters regarding you, Father, Peruvie’s concerns were never about herself.”

…

‘Because before I learnt how to protect myself, I learnt how to protect Arle.’

Arlecchino found herself lying on her bed, holding The Sixteenth Battalion’s Seal of Authority[vii]. Her tears fell slowly, making small drops on the red gloss of the wood.

The color came from the rivers formed from bloodshed. There was your blood, your enemies’ blood, your comrades’ blood. The Seal only became more meaningful once one understood the sacrifices made to ensure its existence.

And you gave it to her, to Arlecchino.

This was your biggest strength, as it was your greatest show of love.

Arlecchino will only ever weep for two people. The first was Clervie, her comrade in arms in her youth. The last was Peruvie, her lover whose love went unanswered until it was beyond reach.

And now, Arlecchino has truly understood the love she has lost. Her realisation tastes like salt and tears.

TL Notes I thought this was going to be a relatively short translation, until I got to the 5th page and realised that I just read things really quick. That and Chinese is a much, MUCH more complex language than English (am a native speaker in both but it feels like I’m just dumb in two languages).

Thought this was a really good standalone even though it’s actually part of a longer series. My own writing style is similar to the original author’s, more fast paced if anything, so I found translating the style a bit easier.

According to the author (istg they’re like shaoji), there will be a continuation to this where the Arle isn’t left alone anymore. There is a chapter after this and I don’t doubt them after reading it. It’s just that I want to send them a flower bouquet of fake guns just for this angst. It had me sobbing the first time I read it. There is a LOT of two sided pining.

On the part of their relationship, Reader is indeed a child of the HotH but has never considered themselves as a child of Arlecchino. In the raw, Reader has always referred to Arlecchino as 姐姐 (jiejie), which means older sister. Similar situation to the Onii-chans you always see, just make it gay and turn it Chinese. Essentially she has never seen herself as being below Arlecchino but rather views Arlecchino as an equal generation wise. Reader's generation is also quite awkward, she refers to Lyney in a similar way that Lynette does but Lyney calls Arlecchino "Father". Granted, this can be excused because even in game, Arlecchino actually isn't that old. The age gap between her and Lyney is actually closer to a sibling age gap than a parent/child, it's just that Arlecchino has gone through enough that she's mentally a 40YO Dad.

I might translate the rest, but only if I can eke out the time between HSR, Genshin and touching grass

There were some subtleties I couldn’t really translate to begin with… They’re explained in endnotes below.    

[i] Reader being named Peruvie. The name for reader in the raw is 佩薇儿 (pei wei’er). The 佩 comes from 佩露薇利 (Peruere) and the 薇 can come from either 佩露薇利 (Peruere) or 克雷薇 (Clervie) since they both share the same character. The 儿 is usually what you put behind shortened names, and it’s usually used by (older) family members or close friends.

So I just went ahead and named reader Peruvie.

[ii] Swords are a huge thing in Chinese culture, and in situations like this where the parties actively use their swords as weapons for combat, they would have a personalised sword. One crafted for them and suited for their own needs. It’s essentially an extension of your body. In fantasy, high quality swords have been depicted to have their own consciousness, making for some interesting interpretations. 封剑 AKA sealing the sword usually happens when the owner intends to never use it anymore either through giving up combat entirely or when the owner dies.

The most well known one in the fandoms I’ve been to would be MDZS’s Suibian (随便), where after the death of its owner, the sword sealed itself in its sheath and never allowed anyone to use it.

[iii] This line is an absolute PAIN to translate. There are quite a few different interpretations to it, and the structure itself is impossible to bring over to English.

阿蕾奇诺，长夜已深 既然不睡，就该清醒

A lot of Chinese idioms come in fours, and there are a lot of things that you can explain in four characters. You simply don’t have this complexity in English.

阿蕾奇诺: Arlecchino, this one’s simple enough.

长夜已深: Here, 长夜 refers to a long night, which can be interpreted as an unending night too because the theme here is Death and Heartbreak, which usually is irreversible. 已深 means that it’s already quite deep into the night, which reflects the passage of time. Usually the time would be midnight, or sometime in the witching hours like 2-3am but the translation will not fit here.

‘The never-ending night has long since fallen.’ But translating this would break the writer’s style, which tends to be short but sharp.

既然不睡: 既然 has a meaning similar to “since”, which is why it’s translated as such. 不睡 , translated literally, means that one won’t sleep. But here, sleeping is dreaming, is falling into the delusion that reader is still alive and well, and that they are just away on a mission. Arlecchino knows that Reader has died and will no longer return to her, but she has not fully accepted the fact yet. She is not sleeping or dreaming to delude herself (which suits her character, see Arle’s story quest RE: Clervie), but she is not fully awake yet - ie she has not fully come to terms that Reader has died.

就该清醒: 就该 in this context sounds like a very harsh “you should, because that is what is expected of you”, which lends to the accusatory tone that the rest of this scene has. 清醒 literally means to be alert, and when seen next to the 不睡 of the previous line means that one should be awake AND alert. In this case, alert wouldn’t mean up and about, but refer to being accepting of reality and Arlecchino acknowledging the fact that reader is, well, dead.

Put together, it can refer to a monologue Arlecchino tells herself, or it can be her conscience hounding after her and denying her true rest. When seen in context to the rest of the scene, it sounds very accusatory. I’m inclined to think that this is her conscience (which is also seen in italics in later portions of the fic) bashing her, but this being her actual monologue would also be very in line with her character (accept the harsh reality and not sink into sweet delusion)

[iv] The raw here used is 节哀 which is a polite way to respond to someone who has a loved one who died. It has the politeness of ‘condolences’ but also has the double meaning of ‘don’t be so sad/cheer up’ albeit in a subtle and polite manner. Here it’s used to imply that even the Tsaritsa thinks Arlecchino is very upset, which is the case, only Arlecchino herself has not realised it yet.

[v] Oh boy. Yanre. The raw for this calls reader 言若. Arlecchino’s name in written Chinese is 阿蕾奇诺.

The last character, 诺 (nuo) has two parts. The left and the right. Think of it like a prefix, only this one is usually used in words that refer to speech or spoken language. 言 (yan) is used to describe that portion of the word. As for 若, it can be read two ways. One is ruo, which is used in a similar way as “like” in English idioms. It is also the most common way you read the word. The other one is re, which is used for nouns (though for a character’s name both would technically work). There are characters that use this word in two ways in different fandoms, like 若邪(ruoye) from TGCF and 阿兰若 (a’lan re) from Eternal Love of Dream.

Think of it as reader taking a portion of Arlecchino’s name and claiming it as her own! Which is why reader was so worried about Arlecchino finding out upon questioning (lol)

[vi] I am not translating this accurately here because the original character used is 蕾(lei). Le will not flow as smoothly off the tongue, so a character that pronounces as lei was chosen instead (is what I am inclined to believe). But yes, if you write this properly, it does contain 16 strokes, hence the Sixteenth Battalion. Reader is really smitten to see this, I bet she writes the name when she’s spacing out. Almost nobody in their sane mind would count the strokes unless they were really, really obsessed.

[vii] Seal. Seal in Chinese is 印 or 玺 (though the latter refers more to that passed down by the royal family). Generals tend to pass down 符(fu) which tend to be intricately carved objects. The raw here uses令牌, which is a flat piece of carved wood/jade/metal/(insert material). It’s not a seal per se. But the meaning is still similar, all individuals in the group must swear allegiance to whoever has possession of the item, in this case, Arlecchino having the authority over the Sixteenth whether its knights acknowledge her or not.

[babbushka]

I’m so excited to see all the lovely Moodboards you create! You’re so artistic! I would love it if you did one for an archaeologist or Egyptologist AU. Or even one with Adam and Harrison 💛

[puds-pudding]

Wrong Account— Ranpo x Reader SOCMED AU

[A/N: This is so short and random!! Dedicated to @soleelia !! Hope you all enjoy:DD]

Part 1

[eddiemunsonsmum]

Just saw this comment on a story posted a month ago.

*cries in Eddie Munson Solo Series no one wanted to read, interact with or request for*

No shade to the person that commented this on their own fic if you recognize it. It's not their fault. I'm not mad at them. More crying in the tags.

[junkissed]

😶‍🌫️

[someone-always-cares]

chapter 5, page 79

first - previous - next

[image description: an sac webcomic page. "hold on, stay still for a second". rami says, as he puts his hand close to lewis, the angle making him almost look like he's cupping lewis's face, as lewis stares back at him with very wide shining eyes. he then rips off the duct tape off, lewis jolting and making a weird face, the panel borders shaking from the shock, before lewis makes a different face like a grimace or like a cat would make after smelling something foul right before slapping the shit out of it. "sorry. you alright?" rami asks, holding a swiss army knife down near lewis's bound arm, the knife already out. "i- what- i will be? not important. what the fuck are you doing here??". lewis replies. "saving you, apparently. and your friend- sorry i'll get to you in a minute" "no really, why the fuck are you here? how did you find us? why did you come?" lewis says. this last panel is entirely black, aside from the speech bubbles. "you're the one that sent me the location. Is your friend concussed? They're not responding to me. Or you. And are either of you injured in general?" rami responds. "What? I don't think either of us are. And no, she can't hear you, just wave or something. Uh, not with the knife, like a friendly not about to kill you wave, like-" lewis's rambling is interrupted. "It's pitch black in here? Waving won't help?" end id]

edit: a bit late but forgot to mention: next con i have is on june 1st, at animangapop cardiff! feel free to say hi if you're going!

i've always gone back and forth internally if rami's supervision gave him better night vision or not but i'm going to go with yes, it does. lewis also has better night vision on account of his eyes being cat-like. jade has normal human vision unfortunatly. on the bright side (pun not intended), she can make her fingernails glow.

also, thought on book cover? tried a few ideas and this is what i came up with

[id: concept a book cover. mostly sketched, styalised like a corkboard with various photos, pins, ect. the front side (right) has a piece of torn paper with the title and a couple stickers, one star and the other rami's logo. below is a drawing of rami surrounded by eyes. the spine has a strip of washi tape, blue with star patterns, with the title and a "1" at the bottom. the back (right) has a few photos of various panels from chapter 1 and two, a top corner of a missing poster, a business card for iris's ice cream shop, pins of mindforce's eye, and pride pins of the asexual and transgender flags, and lastly a scrap of notebook paper with eye doodles (like iris's eyes), rami's logo, titled "blah blah blah" and placeholder text of the bee movie script opening. red string is scattered around. end id]

note: the panels featured will be redrawn (for the cover. the actual pages will not be) and the one on the front is just a placeholder. not sure what i'll change it to, but something with both rami and lewis.

so, this is fashioned similar to the back of the flyer i use to advertise my comic at conventions, it allows me to show off multiple things, allows me to put in easter eggs and similar, and it feels right, yknow? it looks like the same board i use for story planning, concept art, to do lists, and trinkets for conventions, ect.

i look up and i see my corkboard covered in all that, so it feels like me. like i'm already pouring everything i have into my comic, why not this? also, red string murder board. thematically appropriate, and similar to the one omen has. expecially fitting since they appear end of chapter two bonus pages, which is where issue 1 of the physical book ends (not including bonus pages)

anyway would love to hear your thoughts!

more rambling under the cut

keep jumping from task to task. eg started planning the cover. jumped from irl task to task and then got back but then needed to figure out 100% how big the book is page-wise, because spine width

so i go do the bonus pages first but despite me collecting all the stuff for that before i keep finding more. because i have been making pages for 7 years and worked on it for longer with just having them as ocs roatating in my mind

and, yknow, i am not an organised person at the best of times. and over the past 10 years, not much has been the best of times. so you can imagine the chaos i've gone looking through. most of it isn't too recent, because turns out i had a lot more time working to draw when i was still in school. and also right after school. also 2020.and most of it is bad due to me improving my skill over time! which is good but still. going to have to carefully pick out what to use

also unrelated but i want to make one of the exclusive kickstarter print rewards foiled because i just love how they look. specifically i want to do one of tsunami and the foil (silver or holo) being the sparkles his water does because it'd look cool!

[todayisafridaynight]

any hopes for kiwami 3? like things u wanna see added or changed stuff like that

if they dont keep kiryu's goofy walk stance and the hoof-like walk sounds i dont wanna play it

[destinyandcoins]

bruh idk what's the damage on all those spiteful writers who have to have a twist ending and change shit at the last minute when people guess what's going on. when someone speculates about an upcoming twist or catches on to what I've been doing I light up like the fucking vegas strip at dusk

[wibbley-wobble]

HOLY SHIT THEY MADE DARYL A PIG

[robyn-goodfellowe]

also sorry i know ive been incredibly autistic about twtt lately and like. im going to continue to be this is my blog i dont care LOL. but also im a little embarrassed. anyways i know theres a few people that have been reading since the original one in 2019 (or even the people that have been reading since the rewrite started!!) or OR honestly literally anyone who got to go into it blind. i really just want to sit them down and be like hey. what did you think was going to happen going into this. did you expect literally any of this

[twiptoe]