#if the red silk returns PERIOD i'm going to just

[saltpepperbeard]

Seeing what could potentially be the Return of the Red Silk moodboard

[iamyoubutcuter]

keep silent // Kylian Mbappe

warning: english is not my first language, im so sorry :)

Kylian returned from training in a bad mood. It was obvious from the expression on his face. "Hey!" – you said and smiled at Kyky, he silently took your face in his hands and started kissing your lips. You didn't have time to react properly and enjoy the kiss, as he picked you up in his arms. Your legs are positioned on his waist so as not to fall. Kylian is moving towards to your bedroom, and you are thinking about how to stop him, since you had been on your period for several days, but you never told him about such things. Also, he was busy all this week, so he was really tired. Kylian always noticed a package of tampons in the bathroom, which you pulled out and put on a shelf in the closet to make it easier to take from there. You grew up in a fairly strict family where you didn't talk about natural things. But this time you decided to move the packaging to another place where it will not be visible.

Kylian put you on the bed in front of him and took off his t-shirt, but as soon as he freed his head, he saw that you weren't lying down, but standing next to him. He raised his eyebrows and looked at you, thinking about saying something. "I don't want this today, Kyky," – you looked at the floor and went to your side of the bed, where there is a nightstand. "Why?” – he was holding a t-shirt in his hand, showing with his whole appearance that he was dissatisfied. "Not today. Something happened? Why are you angry and upset?" – you sat on the bed with your back to him and you bit your lip, hoping he wouldn't ask any more questions. He didn't answer you. Mbappe dropped his t-shirt to the floor with a sigh. He slammed the door behind him. You shuddered, closing your eyes.

You have already changed your clothes and were lying under the blanket. You heard your boyfriend take a shower, eat in silence. It was difficult for you to say something to him, because you needed time and an explanation of why everything happened the way it did. Kylian came, undressed and got into bed next to you. He just turned his back on you, you turned your back too, and so both fell asleep.

The next morning you woke up alone because Kylian had a football training and then a massage. Since yesterday, the burden of this situation has been on your shoulders. During the day, you went to the shower and noticed that your period was over. You were glad of that, because you couldn't keep quiet anymore, and you did whatever you wanted with Kylian.

16:50

You opened the door: "Finally at home," – you said and tried to kiss him, but he just smiled and turned away, just hugging you. You frowned, but you didn't say anything. "I'm really hungry," – he put sports bag on the floor by the door and went to the kitchen. You followed him. "I'm hungry too," – you came closer to him and put your hand on his chest. You looked into his eyes, and he understood what you needed.

"Then let's go somewhere and have a delicious dinner. Get ready." - he hugged you again with one hand and went to the shower. You didn't know if he was offended or not. After he went out and took a shower, he noticed that you were not preparing, but just lying in a nightgown and watching videos on your phone. The towel was hanging on his hips, he began to look for clothes. Suddenly you started pulling him by the towel, he grabbed it and turned to you. You were sitting on your knees on the bed. Kylian looked down at you, and you untie your silk nightgown, looking into his eyes. He saw your body in gorgeous red lace underwear and on these garters that hung around your thighs. Kylian quickly turned away from you. You didn't understand this move. Then he turned to you, coming closer, and you were already excited. He leaned into your ear and said: "Get ready, let's go eat," – and he tied your nightgown. You were just shocked by what just happened. Kylian has never given up on you. "I haven't even kissed him once today," – you thought. You are ready, wear a short black dress with long sleeves and a square neckline. You gathered your hair and applied a minimum of makeup. Kylian stared at you and smiled. You were looking in the mirror, but you felt his gaze and looked back at him with a brief smile. He didn't even take your hand when you left the house, as he did before.

You've already sat across from each other in a restaurant, although Kylian has always tried to sit next to you until today. You watched him eat, and at some point he felt something under the table. You moved your foot up and down his shin. All the while watching Kylian's expression. He was surprised, but didn't show it. Of course, there was a desire inside him to just go home and show all his feelings, but he couldn't. You decided to go further and have already touched his knee. He put his hand under the table and gently removed your leg. You looked at him, and a veil of tears began to appear in your eyes. But you decided not to show it to him, so you smiled, looking down.

You didn't say a word to each other in the car. "What happened? Are you offended by yesterday?" – you said as soon as he closed the door behind them. "No, not today," – he took off his outer clothes and went to your bedroom. "I've had enough of this," – you ran your hands through your hair, taking off your shoes. "And what? if you didn't want me to touch you anymore, you would just say so," – he said and went to the bathroom. "You didn’t understand me. And tortured me all day, Kylian," – you sighed. He rolled his eyes in the bathroom and started searching in the closet to find a replacement razor attachment, and found an open package of these tampons. Then it dawned on him this was the reason. He immediately felt guilty about you.

When you got into bed, Kylian moved closer to you, hugged you and kissed the top of your head. He covered you with short kisses all over your face. You giggling because he moved to your neck and you're always tickled. "I'm sorry about today. Yesterday I had a fight with Hakimi and sought solace in you." – he said and kissed your lips. His tongue found yours and you rolled your eyes with pleasure, because you really missed him. – "All day I just wanted to kiss those lips and touch you. I swear, today I felt like a virgin who went on a date with a girl for the first time." – you laughed together. "I should have told you right away, but we never talked about such things, so I felt ashamed," – you looked into his eyes and kissed him on the lips again. "Next time we both need to say it all at once," - Kylian really couldn't tear himself away from you, especially when you were under him.

[alpydk]

Red on You (Part 3) - "Little Piece of Flesh"

RuganxGale - Despite the interruptions, I got the chapter done! I'm just fucking loving this. (Going to warn: not really edited because of time. Will do that tomorrow but want it off my mind.)

Ao3 Link

Gale had spent time cleaning the tower before he slowly drifted towards Blackstaff Academy. The cool evening breeze was a welcome distraction from the heated anger that seemed to cling to his chest. Glasses had been washed and put back in their respective places, a knowledge that only one would be needed on future nights rather than the two during the previous year. The bedsheets had been changed from the deep blue cotton that smelt of ale, the scent too much of a reminder of long nights of embrace and what-ifs.

The library of Blackstaff would be a welcome distraction from his thoughts, he confirmed to himself as he passed the empty shop faces. Waterdeep was quiet for once, unusually quiet, he noted as his footsteps rung through over the cobbles. The City of Splendours usually had some hustle and bustle even during the later hours, the taverns spilling out onto the streets, the odd couple laughing as they returned home from an opportunity at courtship, but tonight there was little of it. There was only an eery silence hanging over the cold stones of the Street of Silks.

Alone again, after a year of joy. What fools these mortals be… The words had come to him as naturally as they did in the past. A fool to be in love again and again. A fool to think he could be loved. The courtyard of the academy lay vacant as he approached, its walls high and imprisoning. Gale remembered the events of a year ago, as he’d watched Rugan be dragged away by the dark-haired Zhentarim. Why was it so much easier to fight for love a year ago than it was now?

The dancing lights shone above as he walked the empty corridors to the library, passing by a classroom that held too many powerful memories for him to want to stop. He’d find a copy of A Dove at Dawn, sequester himself away to an alcove and while away the hours until morning, possibly conjuring a cushion or two for comfort if the mood took him.

“Gale, a bit late to be perusing the literature, is it not?”

He smiled to himself, the soft voice of the half drow pleasant to his senses. “Lissa, my dear. There is no period of time, too early, nor too late when it comes to the matters of literature.”

Lissa stepped forward, the dancing lights reflecting on the white of her hair, her lilac eyes twinkling. “Spoken like a true wizard. So, I guess the real question I ask is, is it only the books you are here to see?”

“Aside from the wonders of fantasy and imagination, you mean? Maybe I could be persuaded to enjoy some kaeth with an old colleague.”

She smiled, softly linking her arm with his, her hand delicately clutching to his forearm. “Kaeth it is.”

---

“Stop being a pillock and keep your head down, will you?”

“Watch the hair!”

Rugan and Astarion hid behind a stack of crates, a small group of undead shambling past their location. They had run north under darkness along the streets, losing both Friol and Darnys in the chaos, their plan of going back to the tower ruined, as the horde had blocked the paths to the west.

Holding a palm across his mouth, Rugan held his breath as best he could, the sounds of his panting muffled from the creatures which hunted them. Sobering up had happened surprisingly fast with the flood of adrenaline to his system, but he wished he had a bottle at his side now to drown out the nerves. Dying in this way had never been part of his plan. Gnolls in caves, Guild or Zhent interference, hells, even by his own hand; those had been the expected methods. Dying to zombies in an alleyway with a vampire a few days before a proposal to a wizard was just insane in his mind.

As the world grew quiet around him, he peered over the wood behind him. “I think they’re gone.” His breath was heavy, a year of the simple life taking its toll on his physique. “Come on, if we can get back on to Warrior’s Way, maybe we can get close to the fort and slip through to the tower before dawn.”

Astarion dusted off his trousers, frustrated at the situation he’d suddenly found himself in. “And head back through those things? Are you mad?” He looked up and down the alley, trying to work out exactly where he was, the brown and red stone of each building giving him no real landmarks to navigate from.

“Clam it. Those things are out there, and I don’t know about you, mate, but I’d rather have a wizard with a fireball or two than follow after Friol and her lackey.”

 “And what if we’re caught? I may be undead, but at least I’m not undead.”

“Look, you coming or not?”

A not-too-distant scream could be heard, signalling to them it was time to move again. Rugan peered out, looking south down the darkened street. Shadows danced from the entrance of a nearby store, the clang of a lute ringing out before being met with the groans of death. Even if they moved quick enough, they’d run straight into the lifeless beings that now roamed most of the Dock Ward. “Fuck,” he whispered to himself, realising his options were limited. “West… Maybe we can get down by the coastline.”

“And do what? Take a swim?”

“Astarion, you’re being a prick right now.”

“Well, excuse me for seeing flaws in your plans.”

The groans grew closer towards the alleyway, the smell of rot and decay spreading quickly through the streets. Rugan lowered his head, the knowledge of no easy way home becoming clearer to him. Sighing, he spoke, “North it is then…”

---

Andora placed the cool compress over the brow of the high priest. For some time, they had been trapped in the small scriptorium; the door barricaded with a bookshelf pushed diagonally across the exit. Moonlight shone through the one available window some feet off the ground, and she tried to imagine a path up to it should the door be broken down. Use the desk, sandals into the stone cracks, pray the window can be opened…pray…

A hacking cough erupted from her superior, one that had grown over the time they’d been trapped. He had no sign of injury upon his body and none of the undead outside the door had got close, yet still he had fallen ill.

“Let me get you some water, father.” She stood from the cold floor and found the jug upon the desk, her eyes glancing over at him as she poured into a small silver cup at its side.

“I fear water will not fix my ailment, my dear,” he sputtered, his hand grasping at the symbol of Ilmater that hung around his neck. “Come, pray with me.”

She approached cautiously. She could not help but notice the sweat that beaded on his skin, the pale complexion under the dim light of the room. An odd smell permeated her senses, a reminder of the gnome she had tried to save: rot and corruption. She knelt by the side of the priest, taking his cool, clammy hand in her own, closing her eyes, prepared for his holy devotion.

“Dearest Ilmater,” he whispered, a faint thud from the door interrupting him. “Your burdens are my own and for that I thank you. For with those burdens, I have found the strength to aid in those less worthy.” With his words, he glanced at Andora, who sat quietly, eyes still closed. “It is now that I beg of your help to save me from the horrors that have been beset upon me. I, who have been so faithful and pure of heart and-” Coughing interrupted his prayer, fluid from his lungs forcefully expelled onto the floor in front of him.

Andora was quick to pull her hand away, rising to her feet with open fear in her large, dark eyes. As she looked at him, she could see the veins in his neck bulging, a purple black trail risen over the pallor, pathways of the disease’s command throughout his body. She wanted to save him, wanted to help him as she had tried to the gnome, but she knew what was happening and she knew how it was going to end. Backing up towards the desk, she wordlessly went over the plan again. Use the desk, sandals into the stone cracks, pray the window can be opened…pray…

The high priest’s body jolted and twitched before her very eyes, a spattering of blood from his lips dripping onto the floor beneath him. She backed up further; the desk hitting behind her legs, but she could not turn and take her eyes from the sight. The hissing of his lungs as his last breaths whistled through cracked lips filled the air, merging with the dull thuds of the door. Her own breath stuck in her throat; her legs frozen to the ground as his own snapped around him, trying to find a footing on the floor as if he were a newborn to the world. His head jerked up, eyes bloodshot and pinned on her presence. Again, she was the prey to the wolf that hunted her, but it was as she realised this that she found the strength to move, turning on her heels and climbing onto the desk. …pray the window can be opened…pray…

---

“And then I told him: Then let us hope I never wake.”

Lissa had sat for some time in the small alcove of the library, listening to Gale unload about the relationship issues he had been struggling with. Kaeth had been passed between them, topics of poetry and the arcane discussed at length, and often they had found each other’s gaze. Neither could deny the chemistry between them, the static that seemed to sit in the air as their fingers met.

She could see the glow of the Weave in her eyes, reflecting her own, hear the magic he commanded simply in the way he spoke. “Sounds like quite the exciting relationship,” she commented, sipping from her mug.

Gale chuckled. “An understatement, my dear. Rugan and I are as if one were to add water to an oil fire. We act and react upon one another. What some may see as exciting, others may see as reckless and dangerous.”

“And which do you see it as?”

He sighed, the light conversation now having become deeper than he had wished. He had only known Lissa for a short while; her joining the academy as a professor, only a recent addition in the last few months. Getting to know her had been easy, though. She was open, positive, and quite the beauty, even he had to admit. Maybe in another life or time, he would have fallen for her. He considered his answer for a while, watching as she drew small circles into the table with her fingertip. “If you had asked me a week ago, I would have responded that it was exciting.”

“But I ask you now.”

“Hm. That you do.”

The flickering of unexpected torchlight from the window was a thankful distraction from the weight of his thoughts, the orange glow quickly growing in the courtyard as more torches lit up the area. With the flames came the sound of voices, commanding bellows from a small group of paladins. “Into the tower! Quickly!” Silver armour and swords reflected the light, glowing beacons of justice marching upon the academy without remorse.

Gale and Lissa rose to their feet, confusion shared between them at the potential attack that was under way. Without hesitation, kaeth abandoned, they ran from the library, neither knowing what they would come to find with the might of Tyr now on their doorstep.

---  

Darnys panted for breath under the lamplight of the store. Under different circumstances, she considered robbing Sorynth’s, but tonight would not be that night as the sounds of spreading fear echoed to the south. “We could have used them, Friol.”

“They’ve had their use. They were a distraction to help us escape.” Friol rubbed at her knee, the dull ache now a pounding reminder of how she’d wished to kill Rugan herself. She caught her breath, leaning on the cool glass of the shopwindow. “Fucking wizards.”

“What do they have to do with anything?”

“It was their magic item that caused this. If Tib’s hadn’t grabbed it, we wouldn’t be in this mess.”

All Darnys wanted to do was run, to keep running and get rid of the memories of what had happened at the base out of her head. She watched as those she had once called friends had clung to their stomachs, as their flesh had torn, and they had turned on one another. Mads had tried to get out the protection ward as they rushed him, a single bite to his eye enough to have him on the floor spasming and screaming before he soon clawed his way up the staircase towards her. She was a coward, though, not like him. She had run, and she had kept running, just like her so-called leader. “So, what are you suggesting we do?” Following orders was the one thing keeping her sane right now as her hand clutched to the hilt of her sword at her waist. Can’t think if you’re following orders.

“Same thing you were tasked with doing a day ago. Find me Tibs and find that artefact.”

---

The undead had stumbled from the temple to the Halls of Justice, confusion breaking out as paladins and clerics turned on one another. Though their spells could break through the walking corpses, what was one spell when a single bite was enough to spread the corruption so quickly? Swords met armour, war cries met screams and soon they were changed, mutated soldiers of an army that could only ever increase.

A small party had banded together and escaped the chaos of the temples, their desperation taking them to the academy to seek further aid. Tibs watched, the flesh of his chest now nothing but bone under the amulet, a dark ooze running from an eye socket that held nothing. He no longer thought, no longer felt. He was simply commanded by the magic around his neck, magic that had only one calling. Death.

[jortschronicles]

Eclipse Coronation Ottoman

At the start of the reign of Gabriel III and Sonja III, I made them a promise. During their reign, in honor and imitation of all the fancy and beautiful clothing they produce, I would cut into a fabric that scared me and attempt to make something wearable.

Prior to Pennsic, my lovely wife picked up some garb for us at a SCA yard sale. this included the following rust/gold ghawazee that a local of mine (recently laurel) informed me is about 200-300 years post period, but would be an OK time saver for garbing myself up for Pennsic. With that knowledge safe in hand, I planned and started to sew a gomlek, with the intention of creating a single-layer supportive undergarment to reduce the number of layers worn on hot afternoons at pennsic. This would be my first ever supportive garment! As you can see in the following photos, the supportive garment was a success.

I began my research with Ottoman Turkish Garb, An Overview of Women's Clothing by Baroness Katja Davidova Orlova Khazarina. This document was recommended to me by Baroness Dominique Michelle le Vasseur. With a bit more of an idea of what I was doing (but only a bit, I was roaring full speed ahead) I used the gomlek pattern found on Turkish Costume by Vanessa Giddings. I made the gomlek from a light-medium weight white linen from stash. I serged each edge of the pieces before pinning together to prevent fraying and to buy me some time to properly finish the seams when I got home from pennsic.

Notably, this is where I made my first mistake. After making the gomlek, I decided to attempt to make it supportive just in case I didn't finish a zibin before pennsic (reader-- she didn't finish the zibin). After making the gomlek according to the Giddings pattern, I then pinched and pinned along the seam between the front body and the front gore to force a little more lift and create a "shelf" on which the breasts could rest. Because I made t his supportive, I'm glad I used a just shy of medium weight linen rather than a more appropriate looser weave, because it gave the garment the body to support the breasts.

As I was in the last leg of time crunch before Pennsic, I wanted this linen to relax as much as it was going to as fast as possible. So i threw on the gomlek, some leggings, and a lazy turban, then did some intense yard work for ~2 hours. My breasts never moved from their assigned seats, the garment relaxed comfortably, and I could move just fine in it. I then finished the gomlek off with a quick button loop and faux-pearl headed button at the neckline, though it has no structural purpose due to how I altered the garment.

With a heart full of ambition and a head empty of reason, I attacked a plan to finish a brand new entari, zibin, and an extra gomlek prior to pennsic. I accomplished none of that.

The following picture shows how I wore this for Pennsic: Gomlek, the post-period ghawazee, lazy turban, some shalwar off amazon recommended by Viscountess Caterina Giovanni, my apprentice belt, and some Rus boots as I was advised to wear ankle support in the Bog.

Upon my return home, I started planning the Entari, with the goal of having a gomlek and entari to wear to Namron Protectorate for Domi's laurel elevation (reader-- she didn't finish any of it in time). I selected from stash a black cotton for the lining and a red and rust upholstery fabric for the outer layer. This was chosen for the similarity, to my eye, between the repeating pattern in the stripes on the upholstery fabric and the patterns present on some extant entaris and in court portraiture. ORIGINALLY I had selected a bright blue silk i was certain I had in stash but my box o' saris was nowhere to be found.

The above portraits, miniatures, and extants were accessed through the Ottoman Turkish Garment Database. The prevalence of red / blue color combos in the portraits and extants, as well as vibrant colors across the board, inspired my choices. As you can see in each of the extants as well as the art, the inside edge of the garment is faced in a color different from the lining and the outer layer. In many of the portraits, the bottom edge of the garment is turned out as if caught in motion, displaying this vibrant facing. The entaris come in different lengths but tend to be in the knee to floor range, while a hip to knee length undergarment appears to be worn as a middle layer.

The center bottom quilted kaftan in red and gold (belonging to Selim I, garment c. 1512-1520) inspired my choice of fabric, as seen below.

Fabric selected, then began the cutting. I used the pattern, cutting diagram, and notes from Kelebek's Persian and Turkish Clothes and drafted out onto my lining layer. Because the gomlek worked up so easily, I just used the black cotton liner as my muslin for this garment. As seen below, it fit pretty well from the outset and the notes and diagrams proved helpful in making sure everything lined up right. Gores are my nightmare. Seen below, the garment as it stood had REALLY prominent hip bumps.

We know that prominent hip bumps were part of the fashion just judging from the art and extant garments (including one amusing extant of Hanzade Sultan's zibins with an attached note deriding the poor quality of the hip bumps) but after repeating the pattern onto my outer fabric, they started bothering me. I was pretty sure I had them sitting too low, or some part of the slope wasn't quite right.

Protectorate was fast approaching, and I had little time to make major adjustments and fiddle with a lot of trial and error. I made some quick adjustments, smoothing the slope of the hip bums into more of a 15 degree angle than the 45ish degree angle they were sitting at prior. Around the same time i started fretting about the hip bumps, I realized my box o' saris was AWOL and began to panic. After fruitless hours scouring the house and workshop, no luck. For my own mental health, I put the project aside to handle AFTER Protectorate, but before Coronation. I had a promise to keep, after all.

I returned home from Namron Protectorate and got to work. With my silks still missing, I selected a soft but bright blue polycotton with a nice sheen from stash and made my bias facing.

It wasn't perfect, but time was short and the fabric was bright. You can also see from this photo the adjustments I made to the hip bump. I left the original shape intact, just folded and gently tacked down inside the body so I have the chance to fix it in the future, when I feel more able and comfortable. And so, the handsewing of the Entari began with Coronation just days away. I finished tacking in the lining, which is only attached to the outer shell by the facing, fun fact, and did a quick try on to make sure it all sat the way I wanted. I was very satisfied with the result. In the future, though, I would probably face the sleeves BEFORE I seam down the underside, because that was the only part of the facing truly miserable to line up and attach.

Then came the last minute fastenings. I'd wanted to weave some trim to make proper button / loop pairs down the front, but didn't have the time. Suggestions from my locals mostly relied on me having not yet put the body, facing, and lining together. I made do, dug through my ribbon supply, and grabbed some shiny polysatin 3/8" ribbon I usually use for making ribbon roses. I cut them into 9" lengths, folded in half, lined up with the yellow vertical stripe down the front, tucked the ends under, and tacked them down securely. For the buttons, I used some Vindheim buttons from Bad Baroness. For a last minute closure I literally finished 2 hours before driving down to coronation, not bad if I do say so myself.

On the day of, I added a long, sleeveless undercoat that for sanity's sake, we'll call a zibin. I need to make one of those rather soon, don't I? I received the coat second hand at Mooneschadowe Trade Days in exchange for a monmouth cap, with the encouragement of Viscountess Mama Cat. I wore a small embroidered hot pink hat over a pink-and-rust silk and pashmina scarf that my lovely wife got for me at Pennsic as a gift, with a veil pinned over the top. The veil is actually one of my spare white scarves, my big "floofy" one that gives my siblings in the order scarf envy. I ordered it from the same place I got my green apprentice belt sash, my wife gets cadet scarves, and both of us get a variety of veils. Mama cat helped me make sure everything sat right on the outfit and helped me get the veil just right. The peacock feather pin is from Sonja III's Queen's Champion tournament, the favor she gave to all the competing fighters. I am wearing the handwoven silk scarf I was made in, a twin to my Doña's and her Queen's white scarves, and it has a subtle Ansteorran Star woven into one end. The pin (hidden because the wind was fighting me while we watched the eclipse) is purple and gold (my heraldic colors), a twin to the silver and deep blue pin the Ansteorran Cadets got for HRH's Nicolette's gift, which she used to pin her Queen's White Scarf in place upon her ascension to the throne.

What feels most important to me, though, is this picture. The Order of the White Scarf is charged with protecting the Queen's White Scarf in the interregnum, with the newest white scarf present protecting it personally and the oldest white scarf present taking it from the arm of the Queen stepping down and putting it upon the arm of our new Queen. We pass it through the circle, some of us pressing it to our forehead or hearts, some of us giving it a good squeeze, some of us kissing it. To myself and much of the rapier community of Ansteorra, this is more than a scrap of fabric on a brass hat's arm. This is the memory of what Don Tivar and Countess Tessa of the Gardens did for us so long ago, legitimizing our community and uplifting us. This is the memory of brothers, sisters, and friends come and gone, of Queens who, for a moment or a lifetime, became one of us, became the head of our order. This is the hope of every cadet who dreams of bleaching their scarf, of every fencer who imagines themselves in the shoes of Errol Flynn or Cyrano. A good Queen inspires us to do better, do more, and reach further, and a great Queen makes our Order stronger with just her presence.

None can compare with bright honor rare We go as the swift arrow flies To stand in the strife, to hazard our lives For a glance from Your Majesty’s eyes

There are certainly adjustments I would make if I were to do this again, notbly find my box o' saris and use a silk facing, among others. I would like to make some non-supportive gomleks in a much lighter fabric and some supportive zibins as well. I would prefer in the future to attach the facing BEFORE i sew down the underside of the sleeve so i feel SLIGHTLY less murderous while sewing. And because of how I roll, in the future I would definitely add a pocket or twelve. I intend to replace the ribbon button loops with some woven trim loops, or at the very least add some matching ribbon bars to the button side for a little more visual balance.

This project would not have been possible without the support of Baroness Dominique Michelle le Vasseur and Viscountess Caterina Giovanni, and the inspiration of the lovely and kind Countess Jacquette d'Anjou, whose conversations and costuming at Gulf XXXI finally kicked me into high gear on this.

[the-fiction-witch]

The highway Girl

Media Bright Star

Character Samuel Brawne

Couple Samuel X Reader

Rating Smutty

Concept Highway Robbery

Smut Riding / humping / Sexy / Fondling/ semi non consentual

I was fearful sitting in the small black coach on the plush red seats, my bags all close to me.  I should be happy after such a good season of performance and my wages in hand enough to last me until our performances spark up once again once summer is over. Even though we were far into spring it was still dark, stormy and grey causing the sky to loom low often letting loose small showers. And of course that caused what little roads we had to fudge up with thick cakey mud from the periods of spring heat and spring storms constantly wetting and drying the dirt and clay. There were times between here and home that had cobbles or stone and that was, believe me, a welcome change even if it made the bumps much harder to sit through. It wouldn't be long till I was home to see my mother and my sister's as well as the house. Especially after the long season in hotels and small apartment rentals it'll be nice to be at home in my own bed. 

However being so close to home meant what little sunlight we had was gone, the roads nothing more than muddy paths lined on either side by thick unforgiving forest. 

And that's what caused my fear. I knew of those who linger in the dark to cause chaos by the time you saw them it was already too late. So I kept my valuables close and my eyes peeled. Just as it began to rain again, suddenly we stopped and I assumed we were once again stuck in mud but the door to the coach opened to a figure all in black pointing a pistol at me immediately I put my hands up to surrender they forced me out to stand beside my driver in the thick mud and I got a better look.

They had tall black boots, black tights, their body hidden below a black cloak and hat but a long braid of y/h/c hair came far down their back. A black horse stood blocking our path.

they pulled back their cloak and I was in utter disbelief it was - a woman! And she was pretty damn beautiful. In a tight black dress short enough that it didn't even hit her knees, with a leather corset around her waist, A silk violet mask across her eyes concealing her identity with a dark purple lipstick to match. "Your money or your life empty your pockets" she demanded holding out her hat upside down offering us to fill it my driver did as she asked handing over some coins he had "both of you" she demanded turning her attention to me I sighed and emptied my pocket of change "all of them" she ordered I really didn't want to simply emptying another pocket of my pencil and odd little trinkets but she was smart, smart enough to know I was holding out on her. "You must think your coach needs a new set of paint, I'll be happy to send your blood all over that nice red interior. Now I'll ask you again empty your pockets and I'll let you live" she says 

I sighed and emptied my pockets of my watch, my coins and anything else I had rattled around. Which seemed to please her and I was happy she didn't want to look any further given I had a year's wages in my bag.

She counted it all up from her hat and smiled returning the hat to her head "thank you very much gentlemen, I'm sure you understand I can't lingerie all day" she smiled coming closer giving my cheek a kiss leaving a kiss of her violet lipstick there before she climbed on her horse and scampered away into the woods. 

"Well congrats Mr Brawne, you just got robbed. By the violet highway girl too" my driver chuckled

I was beyond fearful, to be honest I was kinda shitting myself. But also kinda excited. It's a weird emotion. Like I had vampire bats in my stomach. I had to go to the nearby town to do some postage and such but there was only one way in and one way out meaning I had to take my horse alone down that same road I was robbed on mere weeks ago. And just in time a storm had come over creating a dark misty day. I was scared of being robbed, especially alone but part of me was kinda excited to see her again. 

I made sure to step carefully through the trees watching all around me in hope to keep myself alert while also watching to make sure nothing spooked the horse. I jumped suddenly as I headed a pistol shot echo across the sky the horse got scared but luckily I managed to keep him settled 

"Whoa whoa whoa" I told him "it's okay, probably just a farmer" 

"Guess again" her voice smirked as I felt the cold business end of a pistol against my temple. It was still warm against my skin meaning she was the one who just fired. She wore the same as last I saw her "Hummm I believe we've done this merry dance before. Your money or your life if you'd be so kind"

"No. You just fired. So you don't have a shot in there" 

"Don't I?" She smirked moving her pistol away and firing up into the air she did in fact have a shot and that scared my horse so much it threw me off into the dirt and bolted back towards town she climbed down from her own horse which a sly smirk she got a knife from a holster on her thigh and pressed it to my neck "your money or your life, please" 

"I don't have any money." I told her 

"Don't you? Let's just see about that" she smirked forcing me up and my face into the tree she took a tie from her dress and bound my hands behind my back so I had no hope of escape or of resistance. She kept me there as she searched my pockets. I had to admit as demoralizing as it was to be restrained and forcefully searched. It was… kinda fun. Feeling her hands slipping in my pockets and digging around for anything she could find often rubbing on the cotton fabric that concealed our skin from connecting, especially when she did the front pockets of my trousers given at points her hands were pretty dangerously close to … intimate areas. And she found my new watch.

"What's this then?" She smirked

"Fine but that's all I have on me" I told her 

"I'm not sure I should believe you. You'd be surprised where people hide things" she Cooes pinching my butt 

"Madam!" I yelped in shock 

"Your adorable Samuel" she giggled

"S- how do you know my name?"

"I know more than you think" she Cooes "where is all your money then?"

"On the horse that just bolted" I sighed 

"I see. And we both know one little watch isn't enough for my trouble" she warns turning me to face her

"Please. Please. Please don't hurt me"

"you have very nice clothes Samuel" she Cooes "remove them" she demanded 

"W-What?" 

"Remove them If you'd be so kind" she smiled holding the knife to my neck and untiring my hands I knew I didn't have a choice unbuttoning them and stepping out she happily took them and folded them over her arm "your jacket too" she demanded I sighed but did as she asked slipping my jacket off and handing it over immediately I tried to use my shirt to cover everything of me given I had my shirt and my long John's and that's it I was already getting very cold "very nice thank you" she Cooes 

"Their hardly worth anything it won't be worth selling" I told her 

"Hummm… your right" she smirked "well then it seems we so have a lot of options"

Why did I say anything I could have just shut the fuck up and this could have been over by now, she forced my arms behind me again and forced me to walk into the woods away from the road tugging her horse behind her I was convinced she was walking me deeper to the woods to shoot me and leave me for dead and soon enough we reached and clearing and I felt her pistol on my shoulder "sit" she demanded I did my best not to panic doing as she asked sitting in the grass 

"Against the tree" she says 

So I moved back to lean against the tree, I'm going die. She's gonna shoot me. Or hang me. Of knife me. I don't wanna die I had some much stuff I wanted to -

She came over pistol in hand but she kicked of her tights then sat on my lap her legs either side of me her pistol still in hand as she moved closer and pressed her lips to my own at first I was in utter shock as she pulled back 

"Uuuuuuuhhh" 

"Stay quiet or I'll blow your brains out" she warns 

"Uuuuuuuhhh okay" I nodded 

She smirked and began to push herself Against me hard grinding on me intensely so much so my eyes rolled back and my jaw dropped feeling her moving so harshly on me as soon as I got hard she used it to her advantage riding on me with the fabric between us until she smirked and gave my cheek a kiss “Pleasure, we’ll have to do it again sometime” she smirked before she got up took my stuff got on her horse and headed off into the woods 

“Uhhhh….fuck” I sighed 

[natvienacho]

Fireworks

Natasha Romanoff x fem!reader

You have heightened senses and superhuman abilities after having an accident in your mother's lab and even before that you were already a strong Empath, what made your life rather difficult when it came to socializing. It was New Year's Eve a friend of yours dragged you to one of Tony Stark's infamous Parties. Being at the party makes you uncomfortable but a certain redhead comes to your rescue.

When I had arrived at the party there was barely anybody there except for a few friends of my friend that they met during their internship at Stark International. I didn't know any of them and neither them nor my friend paid any attention to me so I decided to leave them alone.

I made my way over to the bar and ordered a few non-alcoholic drinks.

"If I don't drink I can at least drive home tonight and don't have to walk all the way back to Brooklyn or take an Uber." I thought.

A few hours later, it is around 8 p.m. now, the guests slowly start to fill the room as the volume of the voices starts to rise and the thick cloud of a mixture of cheap and expensive perfume grows with every person entering.

I can feel my head starting to pound from the increasing volume of the people talking and I curl my hand into a fist, burying my already shortened nails in the palm of my hands. The sting of my skin cutting open underneath my nails is only able to distract me for a short period of time and it doesn't take long for the ringing to return to my head.

I order a few shots for myself and throw them back all in a row to drown out the noises.

When the first few shots are slowly starting to make their way into my system. I look around the room and start to plan my route of escape. All that matters is to get out of this room as soon as possible and as fast as possible.

I push my way through the crowd and over to the big glass doors that separate the ballroom from the balcony.

Pushing open the glass doors I take in a deep breath of the cold and refreshing night air that this cold last night of december has to offer. I close the door behind myself and make my way over to the railing of the balcony.

These have to be some hella good doors because there is not a single noise that is able to follow me outside and I close my eyes in relief. The constant ringing in my ears starts to fade and all I can hear are the silent sounds of the night and the rhythmic sounds of the traffic.

After a few minutes the silence is disturbed, first by the sound of the door opening and then by the sound of Heels clicking against the tiles of the balcony floor. I decide to ignore it and keep listening to the sounds of the night and block out the traffic as I look up to the stars.

I can hear the heartbeat of a person coming closer to me, so I turn my head into their direction.

It's a woman with medium red hair and she's wearing a black silk dress with two high slits on the sides, a very low cut cleavage and small shoulder straps.

I recognize her from earlier. She's one of the Avengers. Well the only female Avenger, Natasha Romanoff. But I don't say anything.

"Are you alright?" She asks me.

"Yeah… I'm just not the type of person to go to parties. It's just all too loud for me…"

"So that's why you're outside… but if parties aren't your thing… why are you here then?" She asks me, a pint of curiosity in her look.

"My friend is an intern at Stark International and literally dragged me here because in their eyes I don't socialize enough."

"And where's your friend now?" She asks, letting her eyes wander over the crowd of people behind the glass doors.

"Somewhere with the other interns. Probably talking about work stuff. I was with them earlier but to them I was basically air so I did what I thought was best and found myself a quiet place." I say as the liquor is slowly starting to take control over my tongue.

She gives me a sad smile and leans onto the railing next to me.

"Can I tell you a secret?" I lean over and ask her, whispering into her ear.

"Sure" She turns her head into my direction and now our faces are only inches apart so I can feel her breath on my lips.

"I've been an Empath for as long as I can remember… but a few months ago I had an accident in my mother's lab and now I have superpowers…But they're not cool in any way. I have heightened senses and physical abilities…"

"Well that explains why you don't like socializing… It makes you uncomfortable, am I right?"

I nod, not backing off for a second.

Her fingers gently wrap around my chin and she turns my head, first looking at my right ear and then at my left ear. What is she doing?

"It must've been pretty loud for you in there. Your ears must've started bleeding earlier. There's blood on your ear… But it's all dried now…"

"Oh really? I only had this ringing in my ears and immediately started making my way outside because I felt like passing out." I say more to myself and look at the ground.

"Does this happen often?" She asks me.

"Not if I don't go outside. But the bleeding? That happened at least 3-5 times until now. Most of them shortly after the accident." I tell her and look up at her.

"How about we go to the restroom and I'll help you clean up the blood…"

I turn around, lean my lower back against the railing and cross arms in front of my chest. I look across the crowd across the room, my eyes scanning for the door of the restroom. I sharpen my ears and push my senses further until I can hear what's behind the door. I can hear pants and lustful moans, which is something that I really did not want to hear.

"Well you don't want to go in there… someone's having sex in there."

"Wait, you can hear that?"

"Yeah… with a little bit of practice and concentration… but I'd rather not push my vision any further and see who exactly that is…"

"That's probably for the better…"

"I think I'm going to need a drink to forget what I just heard…" I push myself away from the railing and turn my head into her direction. "...are you coming?" I ask her and she smiles, extending her arm for you to link in.

"Sure, let's go…"

We both return into the giant ballroom and make our way over to the bar where we both sit down.

The barkeeper greets them.

"Ahh Mrs Romanoff, back already…" He smiles. "...and I see you've got company. What's your Name Mrs...?" The barkeeper asks.

"Y/L/N, Y/N Y/L/N…"

"What can I bring the two ladies?"

"Martin, shaken, not stirred…" I say and the redhead raises an eyebrow at me and whilst I try not to laugh.

"You're joking, right?" She asks.

"No, I'm not… What are you drinking, Mrs Natalie Rushman?" I ask her and she looks at me with wide eyes but then her Lok softeners and she smiles.

"Vodka, please… You can put both of the drinks on my tab. I'm paying for the lady…"

The barkeeper turns around and busies himself with making our drinks.

"How do you know my undercover identity?" She asks in a low tone so only I could hear it.

"Well...I met you at the Stark Expo when you were Mrs Potts' assistant. We actually met several times. First I bumped into you on your way to the Hammer Industries performance and then I sat next to you because my mom took me there and her seats were next to yours."

"That explains why you looked familiar earlier." She smiles.

"Probably…"

The barkeeper places both of our drinks in front of us and we raise our glasses in a toast.

We both raise our glasses to our lips and take a long sip of our drinks.

A few many drinks later my main focus was on the beautiful redhead next to me. Something about her feels different and I am able to block out everything that's happening around me.

She puts down her glass and looks at me.

"By the way… My name is Natasha Romanoff…" She smiles.

"I know…"

"Huh…"

"And you're the infamous Black Widow…"

"Well…" She laughs. "You can just call me Natasha… or Nat…" She says, slightly intoxicated.

"Okay, Nat… It's getting closer to midnight and I'll need to find a quiet place when the fireworks start… I should probably go home…" I give her a sad smile.

"Or… we could go to my apartment and watch the fireworks there. My apartment is soundproof and only a few floors up. We can go there and I can clean the blood off your ears if you want…"

"I… This is really nice of you… but…" I sigh, not knowing how to get myself out of this situation, even though I didn't even really want to get out of it.

She puts her hand on top of mine.

"Please… stay…" She says with a sad smile. "I really enjoy your company… and besides… I don't want this night to end yet…"

I sigh again.

"Alright…" I give her a soft smile.

We both finish our drinks and get up from our seats. The barkeeper walks over to us again.

"Already leaving Mrs Romanoff?" He asks.

"Yeah… but you can make Tony pay for the drinks."

"Of course…" He smiles. "It's always a pleasure doing business with you Mrs Romanoff."

Natasha takes my Hand and we walk over to the elevator together before we both get in and make our way up to her apartment.

"Make yourself at home sweetheart…" She says and I make my way over to her couch and sit down.

Natasha vanishes into a room that I assume is the bathroom.

I lean back my head and put it on the backrest of the couch as I close my eyes. The loud music of the party is coming through the ground of the apartment even though there's several floors between the ballroom and the apartment.

I groan in pain as the loud music keeps crashing in on me, holding me down like I'm under water. The pressure on my lungs is too strong.

"I can't breathe…" I croak and the ringing returns to my ears.

"Jarvis, turn on noise cancelling." A muffled voice says in the background.

"Of course Mrs Romanoff…" A mechanic voice with a British accent answers immediately and suddenly the pressure and the loud music are gone.

I take a deep breath, panting from the sudden absence of the pressure, and open my eyes. Natasha is leaning over me, dangerously close to my face.

"I'm here Y/N, I'm here…" She whispers and caresses my cheek. A single tear escapes my eye and she wipes it away.

"Thank you…" I whisper.

"What happened?" She asks me with a worried expression on her face.

"The music from downstairs… It suddenly got louder and I felt like I was drowning and my ears started ringing…" I slightly touch my ear and feel the warm blood on my fingertips. I show it to Natasha and she just wipes it off with a wet cloth.

"I got some warm water and q-tips to clean the blood out of your ears… Do you need an aspirin or something?"

I nod and she gives me a soft smile before getting up and walked to the kitchen island, where she fills a glass with water and grabs a package of pills from the cabinet.

She hands me one of the pills and the glass of water before sitting down next to me. I quickly swallow it and wash it down with the water.

I put down the glass on the table and when I lean back again Natasha softly takes my chin between her fingers to hold my head whilst she started cleaning the blood off my ears.

Her movements were gentle and at some point it started to feel really relaxing. I put my hands onto her thighs and close my eyes.

She softly turns my head so she can clean the other side too. When she moves her head over to the other side her soft breath brushes over my face and a soft smile escapes my lips.

When she's done she takes away the bloody stuff and I take a quick look at my phone. I've got a few missed calls and texts from my friend, asking me where I am and if I'm alright. I decide to ignore them and put away my phone. It wasn't long before Natasha comes back and smiles at me.

"Hey, it's almost midnight… Do you want to watch the fireworks? From inside of course…"

"Sure!" I smile at her and we walk over to the window together.

We both look up to the night sky, not a single firework lighting up the sky. Just stars and planes. I can feel her reach for my hand and I take it. She intertwines our fingers and it wasn't long until the millions of fireworks shoot into the sky to welcome the new year and cover every single room in the city in the colorful lights.

"Happy New Year, Y/N…" She whispers and turns into my direction.

"Happy New Year, Natasha" I turn around to face her and our eyes meet. We look each other in the eyes and it feels like time stopped turning just for us. I close my eyes as we both lean in and meet in the middle for a soft and slow kiss.

They say when you kiss the right person for the first time you can see fireworks exploding behind your closed eyes. Turns out the fireworks outside weren't the only ones I was going to see tonight.

[randomrosewrites]

Bittersweet Dreams

Every night, your mind is plagued with visions of an old Liyue. She blesses your nights, like a guardian angel, but you never remember her face or name when the sun rises again.

Pairing: Ganyu X GN reader Words: ~5K Warnings/ tags: Memory loss, reincarnation, blood and injury, death, fluff and angst, happy ending, implied sexual content a/n: I never thought much of Ganyu, until I dreamt of her one night (which unspiringly inspired this fic) and now I'm hooked. Patiently awaiting her rerun.

She comes to you in a dream.

You can tell it’s her from the feeling of it. Warm. Comfortable. It loosens your muscles (if you even have muscles in dreams) and puts your mind at ease. It makes you sleepy, wanting to lie down on the soft hills of grass under the shade of a tree to take a nap.

You don’t know exactly where ‘this’ is, whether or not it’s in the fields of your home, Liyue, or some other place. It looks like Liyue, with the craggy mountains behind you, and the bubbling stream running down the hill. But it feels different.

Then, you see her.

You don’t know what – or who – she is exactly, because you can never get a clear view of her. Everything blurs around her body. But you know she’s there, know she’s waiting for you. Sitting in a pocket of empty grass, sounded by glaze lilies, feet tucked underneath her as she naps.

She starts when you approach, uncurling herself to sit up properly. She smiles. She says your name – at least you think it’s your name, it feels like your name – and pats the spot beside her.

You wade through the flowers and sit down, so close to her that your legs are touching. It’s rather close even for friends, but with her, it feels right. How it should be.

She never talks much. For a dream or a vision, she never has much to say. Only whispering in a soft voice about how pretty the flowers are, or how beautiful the day is. The silence is good. A brief period of peace.

(Peace from what? You always wonder when you wake, but no matter how many times you re-enter the dream, you always forget to ask.)

This dream always ends in the same way.

“You should get some rest,” she says.

“What about you?” you always respond, the words feel foreign in your mouth – like they’re not yours.

She shakes her head. “I’ll be alright. Rest, and have peaceful dreams.”

You rest your head in her lap, as you’ve done a thousand times before. Her hand cradles your head, brushing through your hair lovingly.

“Who are you?” “Why are you doing this?” “What is this?” – You always want to ask, but no matter what you try, the words never come out, tongue glued to the roof of your mouth.

Just like every time, your eyes grow heavy, your body grows weak, and you close your eyes, falling asleep once more.

…

..

.

When you wake, you’re never in the flowery fields anymore, but in bed staring at the ceiling. The hum of noise vibrates through the wall, employees at the Inn already getting up to do their daily tasks.

You sigh and rub your eyes, rolling around for another ten minutes before finally getting up.

By the time you dress and leave your room, you’ve forgotten all about the dream.

---

“Good morning, Mrs. Goldet,” you great sleepily, rubbing your eyes.

Verr Goldet looks up from the counter and nods. “Good morning, sleep well?”

You give the cat laying on the counter a few scratches. “As good as always. I had a nice dream.”

She blinks slowly. “What did you dream of?”

You turn away, heading out of the doorway to start your chores. “Her. As always.”

As you disappear, Verr Goldet’s brows furrow and she frowns. It dissolves the second a customer walks into the lobby, ready to check in.

---

You’ve been working and living at the Wangshu Inn for a while now. Free room and food for helping out every day, with Sundays off. It’s a good deal.

You do odd tasks around the Inn, helping out in the kitchen, moping the floors whenever travelers track in mud from the marsh – things like that.

Days are spent polishing the balconies, evenings are spent wiping down dinner tables, and you when the moon is high in the sky, you sleep.

And dream.

---

There are many people in the crowd, packed tight together under the hot midday sun. Guili plains is alive in celebration. Booths are set up on either side of the streets, the smell of delicious food wafts through the air, and colorful decorations hang everywhere. You push through them, scanning the sea of heads for a particular person. She’s not hard to miss, but everywhere you turn, she evades your sight. Anxiety begins to bubble in your stomach – the speech will start soon, and you want to be with her when it begins.

A cold hand falls on your shoulder. Turning around, you sigh with relief.

“There you are,” you yell over the noise of the crowd. “I thought I’d lost you.”

She smiles, showing off fresh Qingxin flowers in her hand. “Sorry, I was distracted by a stall. Would you like some?”

You take her free hand and kiss it. A red blush forms on the apples of her cheeks. “They’re all yours.”

Hand in hand, the two of you make your way towards an elaborate stage, raised high above the people, crafted out of rock and decorated with gold. Many people are gathered around, waiting patiently, holding umbrellas to protect from the sun or fanning themselves off with whatever they have. The two of you take your seats just as the theatrics begin.

There’s a cry, and a point of fingers as the audiences’ attention is turned towards the sky. Hailing in rays of light are two of the Adeptus, taking the form of cranes. One of them a gold and orange, the other blue and white.

Cloud Retainer, you’ve heard (?????) call her Adeptus.

They land on stage and spread their wings out in a flourish.

“People of Guili,” Cloud Retainer begins. Her voice ringing out like a crystal bell. “On behalf of all the Adepti we would like to welcome you here.”

“We hope you have all enjoyed the festivities,” the gold and orange bird speaks next. “Today’s celebration marks not only the anniversary of the creation of Guili, but to also pay homage to the warriors that have fought and are still fighting in the ongoing war. Because of the date’s significance, the Lord of Geo and Lady of Dust have decided to bless all of use with their presence.”

The two birds spread their wings once more. Cloud Retainer raises her head high in the air. “People of Guili, I now present to you, the Lord of Geo – Morax and the Lady of Dust – Guizhong.”

At the mention of their Gods, the people break into a round of applause, this only increases when a man and woman appear onstage, and everyone rises to show their respects. They’re both dressed beautifully, in fine silk-robes, adorned with smears of make-up around their eyes. Your goddess looks divine, accepting the praise with a warm smile. Morax, on the other hand, gazes out towards the crowd, sharp gold eyes piercing anything in his sight.

Morax – though you have nothing but respect for him – has always been a bit enigmatic to you. You can’t imagine what your Goddess sees in him. But their companionship has what lead you to become acquainted with her, so you’re not complaining.

Morax steps forth on stage, raising a hand. The crowd goes silent instantly.

“Thank you for the warm welcome,” Morax’s voice is rich and calm. Beside you, your companion is sitting at full attention, gnawing on her bottom lip in anxiety. She startles as you place a hand over hers. She smiles thankfully, some of the tension leaving her, before returning her full attention to the couple on stage.

“This land has seen many years of fighting,” your Lord’s words are wispy yet firm, just like dust being blown through the wind. “Many, many people have suffered at the bloody hands of war. Such heinous acts stain the land red, spreading sorrow on every inch of the earth.”

She gathers a breath, and when she speaks again, her voice is strong, that of a warrior who has fought in battle. “But not here. Guili will be – is – a place where there is respite. It’s the beginning of the future, a future where the monsters of today are nothing but a kids-bedtime story in the future.”

Guizhong touches her chest with one hand, the other extending out towards the crowd. “I make this vow to you now – my precious people – we will fight to protect the lives of each and every one of you. I promise you security, prosperity, and peace. One day, the bloodshed will end, and I promise you, when that time comes, when the dust has finally settled, we will lead you into the new age of Liyue. To this, I swear on the very ground I walk upon.”

There is nothing but pride, joy, and determination emanating from the crowd, applauding the Lady’s finest speech. Even Morax is smiling at her, the small corner of his mouth quirking upwards.

Cool fingers squeeze yours. Looking over, there are tears in your friend’s eyes. She blinks them away, the wind tousling her blue hair.

She’s beautiful. Your heart squeezes painfully as you fight the urge to lean over and kiss her.

You squeeze her hand back, letting all of your hopes, feelings, and things unsaid pool between the two of you.

---

There is an Adeptus at the Wangshu Inn.

You know little of the Adepti, but seeing the boy (being?) in front of you, there’s no doubt in your mind that he is one.

His sharp eyes slide over to meet yours, run up and down your person, before returning to your face, then back to staring at the marsh.

“Sir Xiao?” you ask. “I’ve brought you dinner.”

Xiao doesn’t say anything, he doesn’t even acknowledge your presence. You were warned he would be like this - bitterly stubborn and unresponsive.

You settle the plate down by your feet. “It’ll be here if you feel like eating.”

You wait a minute longer, but Xiao doesn’t make a peep. You sigh and turn to go back inside.

“Do you remember Guili?” he whispers suddenly, so quiet you nearly mistake it for being the wind.

You spin around. “Do I what?”

“Guili. Remember Guili.”

“…Remember? It’s an ancient ruin,” your brows furrow as you frown. “I’ve only been there maybe once or twice, passing by.”

A painful second goes by.

“Why, am I supposed to know something about it?”

From what you can see of his face, Xiao grimaces. “Nothing, just – just forget it.”

“You can’t just-”

“I said forget it,” he snaps, his voice cracking at the end of his words. “You don’t – I thought you – ” He rubs his face with his hand, breaths deeply. “It’s nothing. Please just leave.”

He gets up suddenly and leaps from the balcony before you can even speak. Leaving both the tofu and you alone on the balcony, a cold ache spreading through your heart.

---

She’s nervous, you think. Abnormally so.

Jueyun Karst is safe, kept watch over by Morax’s Adepti and the Qilin in the clouds. Only select few are allowed up where you are – (There was a smug steak of satisfaction when Cloud Retainer begrudgingly let you traverse her abode atop the mountains, Ganyu smiling gleefully as she held your hand.) – and even less are allowed to set foot on the sacred lands.

She’s been shifting for the past hour, unable to focus on conversation and jittery. Ever so often, she rubs her hands over her horns in a pacifying motion, then as if realizing what she’s doing, abruptly tears her hands away.

“Is the upcoming battle bothering you?” you ask, finally, not being able to stand her fidgeting much longer.

She stiffens, surprised that she’s been found out, and dips her head in embarrassment. “Oh. No, it’s not that…”

“…Ok. If not that, then what?”

She swallows thickly. She turns to you, taking both of your hands in hers, refusing to meet your eyes.

“I was wondering…I mean I hope,” she starts, nervously. “That after this is over…all of it…that maybe…you’d, um…”

You’re patient, gently prompting her, “I’d?”

“W-well, that we could…?” she trails off, squeezing your hands again. “That this…could be s-something more.”

Oh. Oh.

Your chest heats as you lean forwards, whispering her name to the wind. She squeaks raising her head.

“I like you,” you sigh, unable to stop the loving cadence in your tone when you say it. “A lot. So whatever concerns you have just know that…anything you want is…it’s all good.”

She’s silent for a moment as your heart pounds against your ribs. Slowly, she tilts her head towards yours, resting your foreheads together. Her cheeks are so hot, unlike the cryo vision strapped to her side.

“I like you a lot, too,” she says. “I don’t really have…any…experience with something like this but um…I’d like to try.”

Your heart soars, leaps, and does a flip twice over. You smile so hard your cheeks hurt. “Can I ask you a question, now?”

She blinks, nodding her head.

“May I kiss you?”

She wets her lips with her tongue and nods again, vigorously.

You close the distance, firmly kissing her lips. They’re soft and plush, warmer than you’d imagined. (Because you have imagined this, many, many nights before.) A mix between a gasp and a pleasured sigh escapes her, the noise only heating you up further.

When you pull back, she’s turned three different shades of pink and her eyes are glazed. You rest your head against hers and wrap your arms around her waist, feeling the curves and dips of her body, squeezing at the skin there.

“Good?” you ask.

She nods, tucking her head onto your shoulder. “Mhm.”

At some point, you lie down together, tangled in limbs, listening to the sounds of each other’s breathing and heart beats as Liyue’s night sky sparkles with constellations.

It’s only much later, when you hear the screams, that you realize peace is fleeting in this world.

---

You pant heavily, setting the last box down on the ground and flop on the stairs. Five in total, weighing gods know how much. Each one filled to the brim with legal documents from Liyue Harbor. You had suffered through carrying them one-by-one up the stairs as the elevator had conveniently decided to break this morning.

You push the box with your foot, sliding it with the others against the wall. If this is how much paperwork the Inn gets, you don’t even want to know how much paperwork the Qixing have to deal with. (Then again, it was the Qixing that dictated the laws, so perhaps it was well deserved.)

Verr Goldet had taken one look at them and called it an early day, leaving you to handle closing.

At least your day is done now. You hang the keys up in their proper place, pet the cat goodnight, and begin blowing out the lanterns.

“Um…excuse me?”

The sudden voice startles you, turning towards the entrance. A figure stands in the doorway, silhouetted by the moonlight. You can’t make their identity out.

“Could I speak to Mrs. Goldet? It’s about the recent delivery of paperwork.”

“Mrs. Goldet is away right now; I could take a message?”

The person nods, steps through the threshold, and your mouth goes dry.

She’s tall. Eloquently dressed with hair the color of Glaze Lilies. It frames her face, falling down her back in delicate curls. As you stare, stary eyes blink back at you in shock.

She seems familiar.

“I’m…sorry…” she says, turning away quickly. “I-I’ll just come back tomorrow-”

The tassel of her outfit swings as she does a complete 180. Her hair is furled out, exposing the smooth expanse of her back. The sight sends a throb to your temple, the scene feeling reminiscent of…something.

Your head is aching.

“W-wait!” you reach out and grab her arm, catching on the cuff of her sleeve. The motion rattles the necklace around her neck – no, not a necklace – a bell. The chime crisp like morning frost, soft like the way she feels, like the way she-

Pain bursts from your temples, piercing both sides of your head. You cry, loosing your grip in the process. There’s a muffled yell before the world blurs, spins, and sends you tumbling down, down, down, into the dark.

And then, there’s a hallow nothing.

---

She comes to you in a dream, but Liyue is not as it once was.

There is fire everywhere you look, the ground scorched by flames or destroyed in the aftermath of intense fights. The air is thick with smog, choking you with each gasp you take. One of your legs isn’t working and blood pools through your fingers pressed tightly against your side. You don’t know how much further you can make it.

You hobble through destroyed fields, corpses littering the ground, blood seeping into the earth. All of the glaze lilies are gone, wiped out in the destruction.

You cross the river on one leg. You slip on a rock and lose your footing, collapsing into the water. It’s freezing, the sensation colliding with the burn of your wound. You shiver and suck air through your chattering teeth, dragging yourself using your arms. Your side screams in pain at every pull, black spots dance in your vision. You grit your teeth and dig your fingers into the dirt, pushing forward.

Not yet, you can’t die just yet.

You exhaust yourself at the edge of what used to be the flower field, rolling onto your back and wheezing at the sky. This is as far as you’ll go. Mud soaks through your clothes. You dig your fingers into it, grounding yourself from the searing pain.

You hear the chime of her bell before you see her, crisp and pleasant, soothing your mind. She cries out your name, fear and desperation in her voice. You call back, a cracked, soft groan.

The bell draws closer and she rushes to your side, kneeling in the dirt. Her hair’s a mess, dirty and singed. Her sleeve is torn, blood dripping down her pale forearm. She pulls you onto her lap and rushes to tend to your wounds, pressing a hand to your side. She’s never been a healer, only a fighter. A strong fighter. Stronger than you could have ever hoped to be.

“You’ll be fine,” she says to herself more than you. She nudges you gently. “Please stay awake just a bit longer.”

You take her hand and squeeze it tight. Smiling takes all of the will you have, and even then, it’s weak. “It’s alright.”

She shakes her head. Her eyes – such pretty eyes – wide and filled with tears. “Please don’t go. I can’t…”

“Morax,” you croak. “There’s still him.” Your goddess, Guizhong might be gone, but he’s still alive. As enigmatic as he is, you know she’ll be safe in his care.

“I care about that!” she shouts, for the first time ever, her anger directed at you. “I’m not talking about a god to follow, I’m talking about you!”

She’s sobbing now, her eyes swollen red, teeth clenched tightly through her gasps. She curls around you, fingers grasping at your bloody clothes.

You lean your head into her, offering what little comfort someone dying can offer their partner.

“I’m sorry, Ganyu…” The life is fading from your body, your fingers and toes are so, so cold. “For leaving you like this…”

She gives up on the wound, wrapping her arms tightly around you, burying her head onto your chest, over her heart. Pitiful whimpers leave her mouth, awful sounds that make your heart ache.

“I love you,” she confesses, the words coming out as a sob. “I love you.”

Your heart squeezes. “I love you too, please…”

But the words don’t come. The ache in your side is almost unbearable, growing worse and worse with each shallow breath you manage. You fight to keep your eyelids open, but you’re so tired. And sleep has never been more appealing.

“Rest, now,” she coos, combing your matted hair from your face. You feel the small, delicate press of chapped lips on your forehead. “I’m not going anywhere.”

The void calls, gathering you into its arms, wrapping you in a warm bundle; warning you that your time’s up. You fight against it a bit longer, mustering up the last of your consciousness to tell Ganyu – you friend, partner, lover, one final thing.

“Forgive yourself.”

She bites her lip, fresh tears forming in her eyes. She nods. You’re relieved.

Her form wavers, and you know you can’t stay any longer. You let your eyelids close, your breathing slows, and you give yourself to eternal sleep.

…

..

.

“Sweet Dreams…” she whispers after a long while, in a soft, saddened voice.

---

You wake up alone, sweating in your bed, in tears, and remember.

---

The climb to Quicing Village is long and straining. You could have taken the path to the west, but stubborn as you were, wanted to save time by scaling the mountain.

You don’t know what drew you to this place, only a tugging at your heart forcing you forward. A firm belief that you’re heading where you need to go.

It’s easier the further up you go. You’ve done this before, in another life, as another person. You remember scaling mountains all the time, just to pick the freshest Qingxin petals for her. You used to eat them together, on the tops of Mount Azjong, legs dangling in midair, watching the birds go by, the wind nipping at your skin.

It’s not long before you reach the top, where the path dips to overlook the village. Fields of red, blue, and yellow stretching over the lands.

You let yourself wander, talking to the villagers as you go. Everyone is so nice, excited to talk to a new stranger in town. The air’s so fresh and the grass is so green, it reminds you of those days in the fields of glaze lilies.

You almost stop breathing when a familiar scent flows by on the wind. Sweet, fresh, cool. One you’re very well acquainted with. You rush forward, running towards the smell faster than your legs can carry you.

She’s sitting in a field of flowers. Just like the ones in your dreams, except there’s only one glaze lily, resting by her knees and cupped in her palms. You slow down and take the stone paths carefully, as to not to disturb the environment.

You stop just behind her, clearing your throat. She startles with a jump, turning around. Your face heats in embarrassment.

“Ah…I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to disturb you.”

Her lips, which are slightly parted, close. She shakes her head. “It’s quite alright…I was just enjoying the day.”

“Do you mind if I join you?”

She pauses, then nods wordlessly. You settle down in the grass beside her, a visible gap between the two of you. There are many things you are unsure of. Does she even want you here anymore? Does she just want to forget what happened?

“[First] is your name, correct?” she says eventually.

“Oh – yes, it is.”

She nods, staring out over the river. Another silence befalls you.

“I’ve dreamt of you,” you blurt. “For a while. It comes back in chunks. The memories of my past.”

“That usually happens with reincarnation. The soul is the same but the body and mind doesn’t remember, plagued by shadows of a past life.”

You swallow down your nerves, trying not to focus on how your voice shakes. “In that past life, were we…were we…lovers?”

Her fists clench on her lap. She takes a shaky inhale and nods.

“Oh…” Is all you can say. You knew – know? But to heart it out loud is…

“You look just like you did all those years ago,” Ganyu murmurs sadly. “I’ve never forgotten your face.”

A heavy, hot weight settles in your chest. “How long has it been?”

“Thousands of years…since before the Arcon war,” Ganyu rubs her eyes with her palm. “I thought I’d never see you again.”

You wait until she composes herself before you speak again. “I remember in the past, you asked me to share a future with you.”

Ganyu turns to face you, and desire flares up inside your chest. Dark and powerful, urging you to pull her close and into your arms.

“I did.” She says.

“I’m not…the same person from the past. I don’t know who or how I was, and I don’t know if I’ll ever return to remembering anything. But…”

Cool fingers rest on your lap, you shudder at the touch. Ganyu smiles gently, and there’s a feeling of deja-vu when she says. “But…?”

“But if you’ll have me, I would like – I’d really like to – to try. With you.”

Ganyu scoots to the side, until your thighs are touching, and hums softly. “I think I’d like that, too.”

You let out a shaky, relieved breath and squeeze her fingers tightly. She smells sweet and floral, the scent overwhelming your body, making your head drift and spin. You’ve never smelled anything more right.

“I hope this isn’t rude, but you’re the most beautiful person I’ve ever seen.”

She flushes deeply, smile spreading across her face. “You told me that before, thousands of years ago, when you first met me.”

You smile back, tucking a piece of stray hair from her face. “Well, it’s true.”

---

As much as two immortals (???) might have just rushed back into dating, neither of you wanted that.

You two talked. A lot. About your current lives and past. You talked about Wangshu, about your occupation, about Xiao. (“Don’t mind him,” Ganyu had said. “Xiao’s always a bit cold, even to the other Adepti.”) Ganyu talked about the harbor, about your past lives in Guili.

You might not ever get your memories fully back. But even if you don’t, you feel surprisingly calm and accepting of it.

At the end of the day, after both of your throats were hoarse from conversation and your eyes wet from emotion, you both decided to part ways.

She returns to Liyue Harbor. You return to the Wangshu Inn.

Temporarily, you promised, until you figured yourself out. Liyue Harbor is daunting, the populated streets reminding you too much of Guili, of memories you can’t remember, that make your head ache terribly.

You stay at Wangshu. In the mornings, you mop floors, dust paintings, and help fix the elevator. At evenings, you go to the top floor and eat plates of Almond Tofu with Xiao, staring longingly towards the Harbor.

And at night, when you go to bed, you don’t dream of the past, but of your future.

---

One day, when you return to an empty room, and your heart aches with loneliness and the desire to see her becomes too painful to bear, you decide it’s time to go.

---

Liyue is calm, today.

The clouds drift by idly, whisps of white against blue as birds soar on the random wind currents. The sun shines high in the sky, slowly making its way across the map.

“Stop moving,” you grumble, locking your arms tightly around her, burying your face into her chest.

Ganyu chuckles, carding her hands through your hair. “I’m sorry, did I disturb you?”

“Yes…I was having a good nap.” Which is true. Ever since your reunion, you’ve been sleeping more soundly than you ever have in years. Perhaps it’s because you don’t dream of the old anymore, don’t float through your memories like a puppet being pulled on a string.

“You’ve had enough time to rest, I think,” she says tartly. “Thousands of years’ worth.”

You lift your head and pout. “You’re so cruel,” But your words don’t hold any bite.

Ganyu smiles mischievously. Her hand trails down your spine, drawing a shiver from you. “Do you think it’s unfair? To not indulge me after I’ve waited for you all this time?”

You drag yourself up to be eye level with her. Your hand cups the back of her head, trailing up to the base of her horns. A gasp escapes her lips and her eyes flutter when you tenderly pet them.

“If you wanted my attention,” you whisper, lips an inch from hers. “You could have just asked.”

Ganyu pulls you down by the neck, sighs and gasps being lost to the wind.

---

Much later, when the two of you were sweating and grass was stuck in both of your hair, you lay together, dozing under the night sky. Ganyu lays curled to your side, feet tucked underneath her, a content purr vibrating from her throat. You wonder if all Qilin do that.

As you pet her hair, fingers rubbing curiously over her empty ring finger, a deep feeling of content seeps into your bones.

You’re home, at last.

You kiss her forehead, joining her into a peaceful dream.