#it shouldn't be snowing this far south...

[tea-stained-tabby]

tillandsia usneoides in snow

[grugruel]

Stop me if it hurts.

Pairings: dbf!Joel Miller x f!reader

MDNI/NSFW

Masterlist

Summary: A supply run goes south, and Joel has to save you. The damage done brings you closer.

At the end of the day, you're belly up on the bathroom floor with joel on top of you, sweaty and panting.

Word Count: 4.1k

Warnings: soft!joel, pinv sex, oral sex (f recieving), fingering, creampie, "I love you", cum eating ish, pet names (sweetheart, baby, girl), slight overstimulation.

AN: I've laboured guys. I might have cooked. The end is sloppy in more ways than one😼 I'll fix it up, though. I've still got to proofread. But until then, ENJOY.

Reliable arms carry her far. Bloodied and torn, but she's still alive. By his virtue alone.

He'll glance down at her from time to time, whenever he can spare vigilance from their surroundings. There's worry sharpening his eyes. Yet, the edges dull when their eyes connect and he finds hers glinting with gratitude.

Disconnected by shock, but safe in his embrace. Fatigue from the day's horrifying events take over, and the girl doesn't reflect before caressing his neck.

Joel smiles, it's quick and sweet. But it falls as reality floods the pair, drowning them in consequences. The softness she values disappear from his eyes, seamingly reminded of the dire situation they find themselves in.

She shouldn't have, she knows it. His divided reaction lurches in her stumach while the question festers in her mind. Which situation was it? Emotional or physical–Infected or her father. One wedging between them while the other forces them closer.

Her thoughts become muddled, she doesn't know. The girl's adrenaline drops and she struggles to keep her eyes open as her subconscious is assured of safety in his embrace.

Worry furrows his brow once again. Snow crunches underfoot as his pace picks up, desperate to get you to safety.

The bright blue sky and light snowfall encapsules the determination in his features. Her eyes are drawn to his strong stubbled chin as fingers sink into her skin.

Then it goes black.

—

Her father's worried face and relief washing it clean as he catches sight of his girl. He knows she's in good hands, he knows she needs to be taken care of. She gets snippets of their conversation while swaying in and out of consciousness. "Take care of her, Joel." And "Get her warm." Among a few. In the back of her mind is an image, her father's eyes relenting to a friend. Admitting that his grown daughter would rather have Joel's help in such a delicate situation. Then, his parting words comes rushing back. "I trust you."

—

Coarse fabric strokes her face, stinging shallow wounds. Wincing at a particularly nasty cut, she opens her eyes to find Joel's face inches from her own. "It was the best I could find," he murmurs, a damp towel in hand.

She sighs in with relief, happy to see his face again and the girl gets a sudden urge to stroke the grey strands at his temples. "At least it's clean."

Joel smiles, the dent between his eyebrows loosening. He's relieved by her light mood. It's a good sign. "Not anymore," he jokes.

The girl blinks, noting that the brownish red towel had once been white. It doesn't worry her, the cuts she can feel are mild. It's the pain she cant see that alarms her, a dull ache haunting her muscles. She tries to move, but a blinding pain shoots through her and she groans. "Mggh-- Fuck. Is it bad?"

"I dont know, I'd have to see for myself." He sits back, eyes searching her body. "Your face took the worst of it. I can't find any blood apart from the cuts on your face." Joel rubs the towel over her forehead, his thumb soothing the skin as he moves along. "But, I expect there'll be a lot of bruising."

"Will they scar?"

Joel's gaze flick between the wounds, assessing them. He doesn't say it, but he's apologetic.

She nods, putting on a facade of indifference. "Cool, cool." She feels her face. The skin on her forehead, chin and cheek have split. A few scars are little to trade for her life, but it sucks either way.

"You're not gonna like it, but we need to get you walking–figure out where it hurts."

The girl nods again. She takes a moment to catch her breath, then sighs, "let's get it over with."

Joel ditches the towel and kneels beside her, circling an arm around her back to get a steady grip on her body. "Ready?"

She puts an arm around his shoulders and braces a hand against the back of her chair. "Ready," she exhales.

It hurts less with his help, but the side of her abdomen wails in protest. "Oof-" Worn floorboards creak as the girl takes a few steps without a limp. That's good news. "Mhh-- Its my side," she huffs. The room seems to warp around her, blurring her vision. "Feels like my waist 's gonna snap in half."

"Alright, alright," he exhales, relieved by the miraculous steps as she is. "We'll have to take a look, got a bath running upstairs," he begins, bending down to slip an arm beneath her legs. He smells of leather and pine.

The girl stops him. "I can walk, Joel." Pushing him away by the chest. "Promise," she says, but the dizzy spell lingers and the force from her own arms make her stumble.

Joel hauls her into his arms, shooting her independece down. "Now's not the time to be stubborn," he chuckles.

She wants to protest further, but there's immediate relief along her midriff as he takes the weight off the damaged area. She didn't realise how her body strained, but once gone, a relieved tear rolls down her cheek. "Thank you," she whispers.

Glancing down, Joel has to swallow unwelcome emotions. The tear has streaked dialuted remains of blood. She's strong, but hurting. Three words want to slip by his lips, but he swallows them too. He doesn't dare answer at all.

They journey the rest of the way in silence. Once arrived, Joel nudges the door open with his shoulder and steam swarms the pair. Gently, he sets her down on the tiled floor.

It's dark as little light seeps in from the hallway. But it's the heat that presses her mind, making it hard to focus on anything else. She's overdressed, sweat already coating her skin. Unzipping her jacket, she strains to pull it off. Hissing as she's forced to move her side.

"Gently," Joel calms her, stepping in to help and slides it down her arms. Without another word, he sinks to his knees and starts untying her shoes. Joel looks up, there's devotion in his eyes. Kind and unyielding. He cares for her like she cares for him, but this isn't news. It's hazardous however.

With their eyes locked, the girl carefully bends forward to brace a hand against his shoulder, aiding Joel in the removal of her shoes. He slides a hand behind her calf while the other grab the heel of her boot, pulling it off. It pains her, and he notices. "Just one more," Joel reassures her as he switches legs, making quick work of the second to spare her the pain. "Well done, sweetheart."

The pain affects her less than his words. Joel straightens out and looks her over. "Still need any help with that?" He nods to her hoodie, hands on his hips.

"Please." She's never enjoyed the feeling of helplessness, but if someone has to save her–she'll ways choose Joel.

"Raise your arms," he instructs, and gathers the fabric into his palms. She wears a t-shirt beneath, and as he begins to pull, it catches on the hoodie and hikes above her abdomen. Joel gets an involuntary glance of her exposed skin, and duty catches him in the act. He's quick to grab the shirt and pull it down as he slips the hoodie over her head. "Alright," he clears his throat and discards the hoodie. "Want to sit down for this?"

She shakes her head.

"Stop me if I hurt you."

She nods.

"Hey, look at me."

Doe-eyed, she faces him.

"Say it."

The girl's gaze flick between his eyes. Stubborn versus stubborn. He desires to strengthen her autonomy–by doing as he tells her. It's contrasting. And the thought of his hands on her body was a remedy of its own. Yet, she relents. "I'll stop you. . . If it hurts."

There's the beginnings of a smile, proud in it's curve as he hitches the t-shirt on his thumb and lifts it enough to inspect her side. A tall bruise stretches up her midriff, darkening her waist and ribs. He plants his hands around her ribcage to feel for breakage, and her breath hitches as he gets to the bruise. Joel lock eyes with her, ready to stop. But the 'stop' never comes.

The girl rolls her eyes. "You're not hurting me," she reassures him.

Joel nods slowly, inspecting the purple skin. "Nothing seems broken," he says, softly tracing the length of her ribs. And his thoughts take him elsewhere.

It was supposed to be a supply run. Ordinary and well-practiced. She wasn't supposed to come, but Joel had allowed it. She wanted to, he tells himself. But deep down, it was because of his own slefishness. He wanted her by his side, unsupervised by her father for few hours. Just the two of them.

He strokes the purple skin, transfixed by it's blotchy pattern. He was the cause of her pain. "I'll wait downstairs," he breathes. Prepared to give her space. Yet, he doesn't move.

"I might need your help," she offers, giving him a reason to stay. But there's protest brewing in his features. She continues, "just turn around, Joel. It's not that serious."

His arms are crossed as he gages her. One would think it's the look of a man firm in his decision. But Joel sighs, and a moment later his back is turned, leaning against the doorframe.

He eyes the floor out of respect, but the day has taken it's toll. He's worn, and look up to stretch his neck. Too late does he remember the small mirror above the sink. Inside it's fogged up frame is the girl, half-naked and glistening from sweat. And Joel's consience fails.

She releases pained grunts pulling on the back of her shirt, hoping to avoid extra strain. "Oh for fu-- Joel?" She pants. The fabric had slipped from her grip, and the girl can't bother doing it all again. "Joel?" The girl repeats. Turning her head sideways, she catches his eye in the mirror. "Think 'm gonna need that help after all." She doesn't question why he's looking at her or why he hasn't refrained. She knows.

The girl turns around and lifts her shirt, revealing the small of her back. Joel moves closer until his lips are inches from her neck, their breaths come heavy and his hands slide beneath the fabric. All rational sense vaporize along with the steam as he pulls it off. "Want me to continue?" He asks, whispering over her shoulder.

The girl shivers. "Yes."

Rusty fingers unclasp her bra, snapping it open. Gently, he slides the straps down her arms. Thebra hits the floor, Joel grasps her biceps and rests his forehead between her shoulderbaldes. "Tell me to stop, baby." Lips brush against her spine.

She furrow her brows as the words cut through her. "I won't." She knows it's hard for him, how he wishes to be free of these feelings. But it's hard for her aswell–being told of his wish to stop.

Joel moves closer, pressing his chest against her bare back. His hands find the buttons on her jeans, undoing them one by one. Then, he sinks his knees once more, and their gazes meet over her shoulder. Joel focuses on her eyes as he hooks his thumbs into the denim waistline and pulls it down. From their restriction, her panties follow. And she steps out of them both before Joel stands back up and looks away, grabbing her waist. He helps her step into the bath without a glance in her direction. Duty outways lust.

The girl adores his display of respect. She always has. Sitting on the edge of the tub, his fingers sink deep into her untouched side. He holds her weight with one arm, enabling Joel to spare her bruised side. Her eyes light up. She adores how considerate he is. There are a hundred qualities most men lack, which all come natural to Joel.

Sinking into the water, her aching body sighs. It loosens the tension that constricts her muscles and allows the girl to move without much pain.

"Im always thanking you."

"You never have to," he says, then moves to leave. He has done his duty, lingering would be a breech of it.

But she grabs his hand. "I want to thank you properly."

He shakes his head, refusing to look at her. "Im not trading you for a few minutes of pleasure."

"Joel." The girl places his hand over her heart, coarse fingertips soaking up waterdroplets that glisten on her skin. "I'm right here," she whispers, leaning closer to cup his face, gaining no response. "Inches away, wanting you . . . Loving you."

That gets his attention. Finally, he looks at her. The gravity of their situation opening his eyes.

"You mean the world to me," she murmurs and slip his hand beneath the surface, guiding it atop her breast.

Joel inhales, fingers itching to move. To squeeze and massage. To give her everything she needs.

"I love my father, but he doesn't get to decide who else I give those words to." She beckons him closer. There's no force. Only slight pressure dimpling his cheek as she retracts her hand. It's the simple threat of her touch slipping away that makes Joel follow.

Their noses brush. "Tell me you love me too," she whimpers, squeezing for him, making his calloused fingertips dig into her breast.

Joel groans, chin jerking in chase of her lips. But he uses all the willpower he can muster to halt his urges, closing his eyes to focus.

"Tell me, Joel." She pecks the corner of his mouth, stubble prickling her lips. "Tell me. . ." Her hand squeezes harder around his.

"Fuck, girl," he groans, clenching his free hand. Joel tries to shake his fingers loose of restlessness, but it doesn't work. Enough is enough, he thinks. And puts them to use instead.

Joel rolls his shirtleeve up before softly grabbing her jaw. Slowly, his hand leaves her breast and dives beneath the surface. He leans closer, when an inch away he whispers, "I love you." Their lips connect as his hand slides down her abdomen. The kiss is considerate, and they're hungry. But this moment will weigh heavy in their memories, it would be a shame to rush.

Fingers slip behind her neck for purchase as Joel deepens the kiss. Yet, keeping the thumb on her jaw he applies a soff caress to preserve it's innocence.

The girl has never felt love this strongly before.

His hand sends shivers up her spine as jt dives between her thighs, cupping her mound.

She gasps and pulls away by reflex. Their eyes connect. Joel hesitates, his fingers pausing just as they reach her clit.

She shakes her head. "Dont stop, Joel. Dont stop." She had been entranced by the kiss, the sudden pressure caught her of guard. But her hand slips from his cheek to pull him closer by the shirt. "Please," she breathes, brushing her lips against his before inching back. Teasing him into action.

Luckily for her, it works. He slides two fingers between her folds before sinking into her core. She moans, eyebrows furrowing from the sudden pleasure shooting through her. "Yes . . ."

But as she leans in to kiss him, Joel pulls back. "Let me look at you, sweetheart."

The girl smirks and rests her cheek on the bathtubs edge, cushioned by the back of her hand.

Combing through her damp hair, he tenderly pulls it away from her face and gathers it in his fist. Joel simultaneously picks up the pace. He rubs his hand against her mound while thrusting his fingers, long fingers curling against her insides as his palm rubs against her clit.

He has experience, but that's to be expected. The girl was just in tatters by the raw talent he possesses. The knot tightens in her stumache, uterus roiling from the stimulation of her walls. She can only try to convey the pleasure he gives her. Her panting picks up, nonsense words falling from her lips.

"You're so beautiful," he says and strokes her temple. Gazing at eachother, his expanded pupils betray his thoughts.

The girl smiles, but the sweet moment passes as his fingers curl and her teeth sinks into her lip. "You-- Mhhg . . . You'll make me blush . . . Joel."

He smiles back, teeth and all. Those are rare. "You already are."

She can imagine. Rosy and satisfied by his hand. Her lungs strain as breaths expell in moans, high in pitch to signal her approaching climax.

"Jesus- 'm close," she cries, eyebrows creasing painfully. "You're s' fuckin good . . . Wanna be good, too." Her hand falls to his jeans, attempting to undo the buttons while she navigates through blinding pleasure, stars filling her vision.

"Let's focus on you, baby." The words push her over the edge and the pressure bursts like a dam, washing over- and filling her with ecstacy. "You're doing so good," he murmurs and levels his head with hers. The girl's fingers curl reflexively, sinking them into his thigh. Joel hisses, brushing his lips over hers. "Thats it . . . Good job, sweetheart."

"Kiss me," she whimpers and Joel obides without question–for once. Their lips meet again, comforting and soft. Joel's and leave her sex to move both into cupping her face, and the restrained her falls around her face. He pulls her closer

Tracing a nail up his thigh, she loops a finger through a belt hoop and tugs. "Need you . . . "

He disconnects their lips and sits back. Hand dripping of water and foam, he leaves wet stains on the fabric of his shirt as he undoes it's buttons. "Im yours."

—

The girl blinks and the next thing she knows–she finds herself on the floor. A rug pulled beneath her back and a large palm beneath her head, he lays her down.

Even though the air is warm and clingy, goosebumps cover her skin as cold tile stick to her ass.

Leather groans as he pulls the belt loose of it's constraints and denim rustles as his pants hit the floor. Then, Joel kneels before her.

The girl cant take her eyes off him, it's a sight she can never tire of. She's seen him shirtless before, but the circumstances were different. He looks different now–in the pale light, removing his clothes with intimate intention. Perhaps it's her view of him that's changed. He looks softer, somehow. She's noticed glints of it before, when they talk and in the way he looks at her. But it never lasts long. She imagines this version of him prominent before the outbreak. His default setting. But now, for the first time in a long time, his guard is completely lowered.

"Ready?" He asks and kisses her forehead, tip prodding at her entrence.

She nods eagerly, the need for him pent up and ready to release in tears unless she can have him soon. "Im ready." Her voice breaks.

Deleting the space between them, Joel drives forward and enters her. They gasp, then smile. Eyes connected as they explore the shape of one another. He's big, but the girl takes him perfectly. "Fuck," she moans.

"Stop me if i hurt you," he tells her again, always conscious of her well-being. But she realises late that it was more of a warning. Because Joel pulls out, pauses and thrusts back into her. He laces their hands together, move them above her head and then strike into her again.

"Holy shi-" she cries out in surprise and sinks her nails sink into the back of his hands.

Targeting her neck, he kisses the soft spot above her collarbone. " 'M sorry . . . Need you so bad." Laboured breaths and deep moans hit her ear. They're finally close in the way she always dreamed of.

His thrusts are deep and strong, but never forceful. Dull twists of pain go through her side with each thrust, but the warm water has limbered her up. They're barely noticeable. Besides, she would never let anything pull this man out of her. Joel had been so diligent at prioritising her that she never registered his own needs. "No It- 's ok." The stuttering of their bodies puts pause between her words. " 'S good, feels so good."

Sinking teeth into her neck, he leaves love bites that will let everybody know who she belongs to.

She nuzzles his profile and kisses his ear, attempting to grab his attention as her hands do little good. "Let me touch you, Joel . . . Please." She rocks her hips to meet his thrusts, it's all she can do.

His member twitches inside her, the actions getting to him. "Bad idea, baby," he grunts, then lowers his body what little there's left and uses his weight to thrust deeper, simultaneously pinning her hips to the tile.

Frustration bubble up as her walls clench around him. "Please, please," she whimpers.

Joel staggers, hands reflexively squeezing her as he push them hard into the tiles. "Cant . . . I won't last long enough for you." He gathers himself and trails kisses up her neck–soft and expertly–until he reaches her lips.

"Joel." His name is barely audible as it falls from her lips, her panting and pitched tone make words difficult to convey. "C- mmh, cum inside me for all I care." Her teeth sink into his bottom lip. "Just let me get you there."

He relents with a breathy groan, taking some weight off her hips as his hands slip to her wrists. He gives them a final squeeze of dissatisfaction before realeasing and caging her in with his forearms.

"Thank you," she smiles and pecks his lips. But she has a goal in mind. The girl puts her hips in motion then wrap her legs around the snall of his back, pushing him deeper still. She wraps a hand around his neck to pull him in for a kiss, while the other finds his back to claw.

"Fuck." Joel's thrusts falter as he pushes into her hard. "Feels so nice, girl . . . 'M- mhh, gonna cum."

She smiles against his lips, tongues dancing around eachother. "Good."

"Want me inside?"

"Please."

Joel's pace stutters and he slams his fist into the floor as he spills into her core. The pleasure overwhelming him. "So fucking good, I love you, sweetheart," he pants.

Satisfaction floods her chest, heart beating thrice as quick by his words alone.

"I love you," he continues, placing kisses down her throat. Hands slide down her sides, grabbing her ribs as his lips attach to her breast.

She gasps. "Shit-- Joel, it's alright. I dont have to-"

He sucks the plush flesh inte his mouth while kneading the other. Not taking no for an answer.

The girl moans, back arching. "Now isn't the time to be stubborn," she teases, using his own words against him.

He smiles around her nipple, biting it softly before he travels south. His fingers dimple her thighs as he hooks them over his shoulders and the pair lock eyes. Smug, he smirks.

She rolls her eyes and smiles back. "Go on, then. Big guy." One would think the girl has learned to control her tongue around Joel, because getting smart with him always end with a valuable lesson.

"Smart mouth," he exhales, damp breath fanning over her cunt. The girl swallows, and then he dives in.

She has no idea how many women he's been with, even though hes aware of her short history with one or two at Jackson. No matter how long it's been, Joel's tongue has kept its experience.

Lapping and sucking, he attacks her clit. Licking a stripe trough her folds just to tease her while paying no mind to the seed spilling out of her core. He might spit it out or use it as lube. She cant tell, because its all too much.

She topples over the edge quicker than expected. But he doesn't stop. He has a lesson to teach and she to learn. Tears roll down her cheeks as stars cover her eyes. "Fuck, Joel," she mewls. "I get it, I get it."

He let's out a throaty chuckle and slips his tongue out of her core. "Good."

Catching her breath, she heaves herself up as he crawls onto her. Joel braces his knuckles into the tile, keeping his arms straight to level his head with hers. Leaning in, they smile in unified satisfaction as their lips connect. He tastes of salt, a mix of their juices.

"I love you, too."

[hungriestheidi]

saw the moodboard you made and it was my turn to black out, i'll come back to appreciate it shortly

might i add... velaryon!williams. the greatest sailors the seas have known, the dark blue of their crest and sails whispering of legends as old as the world, a house once proud and tall, now succumbed to the power of the silver arrows. they say a curse has found its roots in the house of williams, one that sinks their ships whenever they dare to venture too far away. the young lord logan went missing years ago somewhere in the open sea, his twin sister lia, a sailor of unmatched skill, is adamant to find him.

the old gods of the north haven't spared the once powerful house of stark!ferrari. (i know, i know, ferrari is red and yellow and black for the horse, and stark is blue and silver but bear with me for a moment – the oldest house and the oldest team fit each other, no?). dethroned kings by the will of the dragons, they haven't forgotten where they came from. the crimson in their crest bleeds in deeper shade than the one of the lannisters – like blood on snow, like frozen memories of slaughter. people talk. they talk of the once unbending friendship between lord hamilton and lord rosberg and how its end almost brought the entire realm to war. they whisper of the youngest son, the predestined, the one who wields the ancestor sword of valyrian steel, prince lord charles, for whom deep in the mountains of the north the blacksmiths are welding a crown of silver, waiting for the day the north stands tall once again.

people talk. and in westeros even the walls have ears. the golden lion and the silver king also do. so maybe the house of ferrari shouldn't have been so surprised when charles was summoned in king's landing.

(THIS JS ALL RANTS I JUST NEEDED TO GET IT OUT OF MY SYSTEM also ruslestappen crumbs because i've been thinking about them for some reason)

this you

im reading this like YUP YUP YUP cant add anything else bc everything is just soooo accurate.

lia desperately searching for her brother only to end up in the westlands bc the williams household is split on where they stand, do they support george or do they believe the claim that kimi is the rightful heir (does lia believe is doriane's crown? do the women quietly look at the female dragonrider and find a semblance of hope?)

maya, the ferrari heir presumptive that the north doesnt want to recognize, and ollie, a twice removed cousin vying for her place, certainly have differing views on the south and its dragonriders considering there's an ever present threat up north, the wall where former lords and knights end up watching forever.

yup yup.

[ilargizuri]

The Long Night

What I really hated about the Show is that the so-called "Long Night" and the so-called "Long Winter" lasted a few weeks in the Show, when every person who knows something about winter told us in the Books, that it would be a long Winter. Like VERY, VERY Long.

I just saw a Video on YouTube that theorized about the period of the Long Night and they said that it is possible that GRRM actually plans a really long Night where his Characters will grow into adults and do some really important things. Rikkon could be a Man at the End of the Story, Bran be a real King at the Age of his Father, etc.

Now what annoyed me, again, about this Video, is that the Creator also thought that Daenerys and Jon would become real Lovers during that Winter. This is a possibility if Daenerys wants to sit out Winter with her Dragons in the North, sewing Clothes, Blankets and such Stuff near the Hearth with Sansa. And actually govern a community through this Winter, but Govern, is not what Daenerys wants or enjoys or even envisions when she thinks about her Future, because most of the time her "Plans" only include going to Westeros and winning the Iron throne with Fire and Blood!

So Daenerys won't sit at the Fire and wait until Springs comes and the Deep, Deep Snow will melt, actually, That deep, deep Snow will be the Reason the North won't be able to aid her in her War for the Iron Throne if that part is not already over. Because it would take months to get through this Snow, not to mention that the North is low on Supplies, so most likely the soldiers would starve to death, if they tried to march South. So if Daenerys comes North helping them to fight the Others, then it is very likely that the Armies of Daenerys, will starve and freeze to death.

Recently I discovered the explanation about Jon being the Mummers Dragon, which makes some Sense. And Quaithe warns Daenerys to not trust that Person. but so far those People she shouldn't trust were never actively against Daenerys. Tyrion (The Lion) comes to Daenerys's Aid, The Kraken wants to be Daenerys's new Husband, and the perfumed Seneshall is probably Varys, but he isn't planning actively against Daenerys, just not for her. So in general, it is possible that if Jon is the Mummers Dragon, he isn't even actively against Daenerys, so the stabby scene most likely won't happen. BUT Jon mentioned in his Godd Bye Scene with Arya, in the Books, when she gets Needle (I think it was there, but it could be earlier not sure) That they will find Arya in the Snow frozen to Death with Needle in her Hand. So the Picture he paints here, is that they find a Girl/Woman in the Snow, with her Weapon of Choice frozen to Death.

Let's just pretend the War for the Iron Throne is before the War for the Dawn, I mean the book series is not called "Game of Thrones" it is called: "A Song of Ice and Fire." So the War for the Dawn is probably more important than the Squibble-squabble over an uncomfortable Iron Chair. So the Big Final Fight in the Books is most likely against the Others. So IF Daenerys comes North because of Jon and he is the Mummer Dragon, then his Wish for her and aid the North in his War against the Others is what will be Daenerys's Fall. He doesn't even have to do much, all he has to do is win the War and stay in the North when Daenerys goes back too early because it is even colder than when they arrived, she may threaten Sansa and the Starks when they try to stop her for her own Good. But Daenerys doesn't listen, and freezes to Death on her way back to her Throne, And when Spring comes they find a Woman frozen to Death with the Weapon of her Choice, a Dragon. She dies without Issue and a Big Counsel is called to choose a new King, which then either results in the separation of the Seven Kingdoms and Bran becomes King in the North, and so on.

Jon can still become a Stark, still being together with Sansa, maybe even Married to her. They become Lord and Lady of a Castle and Rikkon can still become whatever he wants to be. It is a possibility. Also, Bran could be older than he was in the Show when Winter is over because the Winter in the books will last longer than one Night.

[xazz]

I just realized it shouldn't be snowing or be cold during the Dawning if the Last City is in South America. Especially that far south. It's literally the middle of summer.

Did I catch that before writing all my Dawning 'cold weather' fics? No. Am I gonna change it? No. Am I mildly annoyed? Yeah.

[flameraven]

Fuck, I feel this in my bones.

I am a gardener, so I pay attention to the weather. This year, everything was fully a month earlier than it should have been. Flowers and fruits blooming before they normally do. And when fall came, the summer lingered on. 80 and 90 degree temps into September. 70s in October. 60s into November.

Today the high is 67. It's November 19th. It should be cold. We're too far south to expect snow this early, usually, but it should be cold. Highs in the 40s and 50s. Frost on the car in the mornings. Instead it's raining.

In my yard a single confused coneflower is blooming. They should all be dead and gone to seed by October.

It feels weird. It feels wrong. The lizard brain part of me knows. It shouldn't be this warm. It should be winter.

it is november, and yesterday it felt like it was supposed to be snowing. in boston, november used a winter month, not a fall month. it is supposed to be chilly; rarely capping over 45F. it is a sweater-and-jacket month. it is a "maybe a scarf too" month. in my childhood, november meant blizzards and sleet.

it did not snow. tomorrow the weather predicts a high of 76.

i have spent so many years of my life studying the longterm possibilities of climate change - the culmination of capitalism wreaking havoc on the bodies of people, animals, plants - but every so often i am still shocked by something small and personal.

in a hundred years, when someone goes outside in boston - will they know the feeling of "snow in the air"?

i know it's a learned feeling, a sensation that maybe only longterm experience can teach. a few years ago, i was walking with my friend who had just moved up from the south. i said it smells like snow and she gave me this look like - what the fuck. i said it feels like snow too, which didn't help. she looked up to the bright blue sky and then back at me and then back at the sky. 12 hours later, we had 3 inches. you can just tell if it's going to snow.

except i can't tell, anymore. i stand outside in a tee shirt and watch my dog dance around a lake. we're in a drought and the skin of the water has peeled back twenty meters. the lake is tamed, quiet, puddlelike and sour. my pokemon go app warns there's a weather condition in my area.

my dog gets too hot from running and sits in the water and i want to laugh about his long frame and how awkwardly he sits - and i can't. some simian part of my brain is scratching the walls. it was supposed to snow. it was supposed to snow, but now it's warm instead.

during the last full solar eclipse, the dogs and the birds and the crickets went crazy under utter darkness. we laughed at them then, promising it will all be okay in a moment. but some part of me is still locked in that long night: some animal sensation.

something is wrong, my body says. i can't afford eggs or rent. i go outside to watch a sunset and listen to birdsong. i don't bring a jacket. allergies are killing me this season, allergies i didn't have as a kid. everyone comments that halloween has started to feel strange, offkilter. that it's hard having "holiday cheer." my body thinks it's april, and then it thinks we're in september, and then june.

something is terribly wrong, she whispers. go outside. it is supposed to be snowing.

[ace-nding-god]

D&D Campaigns and Characters

This one's gonna be long

The Delts / The Moorbright Rebellion

Dervin Aldermatch: Wizard/Paladin multiclass that sort of functions like a sorcerer due to having magic tied to his soul. Youngest and only full human of the party, still the party grandpa. Nobleman. Aggressively aro/ace. Has a fucked up gremlin owl thing named Lyn as a familiar and loves her more than his own life.

Erevan of the East: Ranger/Cleric multiclass. Depressed alcoholic bisexual disaster. Lost his boyfriend and faith in own gods, became a cleric of a foreign deity and now serves as a guardian of the forests. Half-elf, simultaneously a dumbass and the only grounded member of the party.

Lylah of the South: High elf cleric. Started the campaign with zero healing spells and a higher animal handling than Erevan. Tried to be a gold-digger to the BBEG, kind of succeeded. Ended the campaign married to the crown heiress of the country.

Taya of the West: Half-drow barbarian. Total sweetheart, but will happily cause problems. Braincell quantity is dependent on whoever's closest. Has a very small pet dragon named Amethyst.

Sorhul Brightgem: Eeunsun (genasi) rogue. Functionally immortal, started at level one with everyone else because of a 50 year grief-fueled depression nap in the desert. Canonically caused a massive plague prior to depression nap. Was a jewelry maker at one point. Touches things they shouldn't, despite experiencing consequences. Did not know what snow was.

The Horsemen of Death

Draven Stormsinger: Triton. Paladin of the Sea, Warlock of Death. Starts the campaign angry and confused, becomes a vengeance paladin, ends the campaign as a psychopomp and gets a wife. Has thirteen siblings total.

Echo Prohaska: Runaway nobleman. Necromancer/Bard multiclass. Constantly smokes fantasy weed, has a skeletal companion named S and calls up The King Below like he's got him on speed dial to tell him nonsense. Canonically allowed to live because Death finds him too amusing to kill yet. Didn't want to be recognized as a noble but went almost exclusively by his last name for 99% of the campaign.

Jacques / Žak: Changeling bard. Changed Jacques to Žak in the written version to avoid the implication of France. Chaotic little man. Childish and riddled with anxiety but also surrounded by at least four people who would happily kill for him at any given time.

Kiragri: Half-Orc barbarian. Joined the party on accident, just wanted to sell her grain. Fought a god within about a week of meeting the others. Very sweet. Brutally murdered a minor bad guy that two other members of the party had bad history with.

Konura Tesumechi: NPC, Drakien soldier. Conceives of gender as what fighting style someone uses. Definitely a little depressed but still somehow the most emotionally mature of the group. Killed in an arena created by an antagonistic deity, prompted Draven's oath of vengeance.

V'Sharr: Yuan-ti warlock that acts like a rogue. Has too much access to glitter. Gender is dependent on the situation and how far away they are. Was raised in a cult, later joined the opposing faction, left the faction, became a warlock because they were desperate for parental approval. Technically the child of an apocalypse monster and The King Below.

Fire Bringer (current)

Bhalí: Pronounced "vah-lee." NPC Cleric, traveling with the party as part of her training so that she can get experience in the world before returning to her temple. Was the one who realized Thóm was a chosen one.

Nyainda: Drakien ranger, mercenary. Unofficial leader of the group and acts as liaison with their employer. Handles the money, definitely skimming a little off the top for themself. Fighting and flirting are the same thing. Very in tune with their shift. Canonically a twink by Drakien standards, not at all by literally any other standard.

Pontuhnel Tesumechi-Stormsinger: Legacy character, Draven's adopted Drakien son. Fighter. Not at all in tune with his shift, comes out in some unpleasant ways. Presents himself as a himbo because he doesn't want to acknowledge the other stuff. Food motivated. Does not enjoy combat or want to hurt people, regularly deals the most damage and has killed multiple people with blunt force damage alone. Built like a brick shithouse.

Rivari: Tiefling sorceress. Refuses to call the others her friends and has no qualms about electrocuting them if they're in her line of fire. Obsessed with history and knowledge in general, shows genuine excitement if promised ruins to explore. Currently being offered a position as an apprentice to the BBEG's right hand man.

Robert Johnson: Warlock/Bard multiclass. Just wanted to be a famous musician, currently being forced to participate in political intrigue and act as a double agent. Has turned to alcoholism to cope. Bought a mule, insists it's actually a horse and also his son. The mule is named Robert Jr.

Thóm: Pronounced "hum." Literal chosen one, not handling it well. Paladin, uses a zweihander that's almost as tall as she is. Did not know she was a chosen one for a long time, despite signs. Hears the voices of prior chosen ones and gets their advice, which varies in usefulness.

[redpenship]

sonic and tails one shot wip!

pending title: the sky is sick, and so are you

---

This hasn't been Sonic's best week. Not by a long shot.

For starters, he has a concussion. It's getting a bit better, but he hasn't had much time to rest and let it heal. The world is too weird for that.

There's a blizzard in the Mystic Ruins. It's December, sure, but the Ruins are usually warm year-round. It shouldn't be cold enough for snow to form in the first place, let alone get cold enough for a blizzard to ravage the region. Everything about it is strange and out of place.

Maybe he shouldn't be so surprised. Everywhere he goes, the weather is unpredictable. Nothing about the sky makes sense anymore. Where he expects sun, he gets snow. Where there is usually rain, he finds cloudless skies after weeks of drought. In some places, the stars don't shine at all anymore. That's just how it is these days, he supposes.

He wishes he understood why everything was so different. Nothing about it feels natural, but he doesn't know for certain what's causing it. It can't only be Eggman--Sonic and Tails are too good at ruining his plans for him to be the one who stole the stars from the sky. That means it's something Sonic doesn't know about, or something he can't fight as easily. The uncertainty frustrates him to no end.

Tails says it has something to do with the atmosphere. The sky is sick, he'd said. Science is Tails' shtick. Sonic should believe him. He tries to, at least. He just doesn't want to.

When he fights robots and gods that threaten the planet, his job is easy. He can touch them, feel them break beneath his quills. He can't do that with something intangible. This is what makes him so reluctant to accept Tails' theory: how is he supposed to protect him from something he can't even feel?

Sonic comes to a stop at the top of a hill. Visibility is low due to the heavy snow, and his hedgehog eyes are bad enough that he can barely see more than a few metres in front of him. His skull pounds in sync with his heart. He thinks he's already stopped on this hill today, but his memory is foggy and the concussion makes it hard to think clearly. As far as he knows, he's been running in circles trying to find Tails' workshop for the last five hours.

He's been gone for more than a day. He'd left to find food after the first few snowflakes fell, but his trip has been entirely unsuccessful. The cold killed the plants and scared away the small game in the Ruins, and no matter where he ran on the continent, he would find Eggman bases or human settlements. He knows better than to eat anything near the settlements--they spray all their edible plants with something that makes him sick. Anything within a ten kilometre radius is off-limits.

There might be more food farther south, but Sonic doesn't have time to go there and head back to the workshop anymore. He usually has a good sense of direction, but he keeps getting lost no matter where he goes, and because of his head injury and the storm it's been more than a day since him or Tails have eaten anything, and the workshop doesn't even have heating and Tails deserves more--

Sonic sucks in a deep breath. Only his brother is capable of stressing him out like this. If he's going to find the workshop, he needs to stay calm. He needs to focus.

Of course, that's easier said than done when you're Sonic the Hedgehog.

--

much more of this is written, i should hopefully be able to finish it relatively soon! thanks for reading <3

[forgaeven1]

it- it ain't always that someone takes whatever he's got to say with the level o'... of calmness, he could say.

no, usually, whenever gendry speaks the way he does, which he's sure isn't delivered fancily or anythin', just some bastard shootin' off the first thought that fleets his mind, people would either responded back in disdain. in arya's case, she would've ... she would've called him stupid. not meanly, or maybe not as meanly as other people would've meant it. no, with her, he knows it's almost purposeful; he knows it's their way of keepin' each other in check. he'd called her stupid too, for rushin' in too quick sometimes, for not always mindin' the fact she's a girl in a world where men would hurt little girls like her. especially those whose father was eddard stark.

this m'lady is playful; the kind of playful, gendry imagines, maybe he would've known more of had he been friendlier growing up. had he been more interested in making friends, in maintainin' them. it doesn't go over his head that they might be the same age, or at the very least, that their ages aren't far apart from each other. he couldn't remember spendin' time with someone who could be his peers without the tension of execution hangin' about like some ghosts, without any impendin' war over his head. her response makes her crack a small grin o' his head, which gendry redirects t' the floor of the snow-caked forest.

❛ yeah. ❜ he laughs a little, choked and short, though s' a laugh nevertheless. ❛ why not. not like we 'aven't seen worse comin' from the richmen, we did. ❜

and anyway, hadn't jaime feckin' lannister's hand made out of gold ? so really, the notion of it isn't too far off, he reckons. which gendry thinks is mad, anyways. like, fuck, the fucker probably deserves it, but t' give a former knight some useless heavy hand ? could it 'ven hold a sword ? gendry isn't sure. he didn't care enough to ask before, nor care enough t' have a discussion about it. there was no time, then. no interest. tha' was before the war o' the dead, though. s' startling, rememberin' all over again that he's not another corpse right now, ready for burnin'.

❛ well - you're a lady, aren't ya' ? and yer' da's a lord ? you've got land n' everything, i assume ? ❜ he doesn't know much about the houses, if he's honest. the boys and girls o' fleabottom, they don't learn this growin' up. they learn to scrap by, to find their strengths by fallin' mercy to the adults on their streets. gendry himself only knows the big houses : starks and lannister and tyrell and the like. but the vassals under 'em... that's trickier. he's lucky enough not to 'ave his tongue removed by the way he treated nearly everyone the same.

gods, his temper. davos said once it's so alike robert, the damn fat king.

❛ then yer' a highborn, no ma'er what people call ye'. ❜

the south, the lady speaks. right. they've got to do that. when yer under a banner, you follow your lord liege, ain't it. gendry had sworn himself to jon, to the north really, when he arrived here, but it all seems - pointless now. jon snow's besotted with the foreign dragon queen, and gendry trusts her as much as he trusts any o' the baratheons, had they still live - which isn't much at all. he can't imagine goin' 'ven if jon asks, or arya does. why should he ? he'd done his fight, hadn't he ? and, anyways, he didn't want the throne. other folks could spill blood for it, though. he's seen the devastation, and gendry doesn't think it's worth that much.

although —

❛ isn't- isn't yer da' alive ? then, shouldn't they send only men ? ❜ he asks aloud, confusion marring his questions, as he takes the damp cloth into his own two palms, sighing in relief at the warmth of it.

GENDRY’S OUTBURST MAKES HER GRIN. It’s absurd and rude and Meera quashes it before it can get too big. Not that she delights in his anger. She’s just surprised, is all, at his intensity. All this trouble to make a fire, when really she just had to ask him about home. Meera watches him speak in rapt fascination. After the blandness of the caverns, after the blankness in Bran’s eyes, she’s forgotten what it’s like to witness passion.

She leans in, sheltering close to this new kind of fire. It’s nice.

“Thousands?” Meera repeats. The warmth of the flames seeps into her voice, her smile. She ignores the direction his words were going before he trailed off and spins her own a completely different way. “How could someone even use all that gold? Smelt it down into a golden anvil, maybe?” There’s a sparkle of mischief in her eyes. “Or a golden frog-spear? There’s some fish that like the glint of shiny things, you know. Makes them curious. Easier to catch.” A pause; for a moment she seems like she’s genuinely considering this. “Not unlike us, I suppose.”

Meera’s gaze drops to Gendry’s hands, and she thinks she begins to understand. They’re still ash-black from the battle. No wonder it won’t leave him. He’s brought it all the way out to the pond. She reaches under her furs to pull out some of the bandage scraps she got from the healers. For when it’s time to change her dressings, they’d said. This is more important.

She reaches out to press the cloth into perfect, untouched snow. The cold bites at her fingers; she wrinkles her nose. When it’s drenched through and through, she picks it up, gives it a slight shake, then holds it next to the fire. Cradles it, really. Not close enough to burn out the wet, but enough to soak up the ice.

“Greywater Watch,” she says at last. The browns of her eyes begin to melt. “It’s a castle. Nothing so grand as Winterfell, but it’s home. You’re very kind, you know, to call House Reed highborn.” She flips the cloth so the fire can warm the other side. “Most anyone else would say mudmen.” A glance down at her attire. “I suppose I can’t blame them.”

Meera frowns, thinking.

“I — I’d like to go home.” Bran doesn’t need her anymore, it’s true. But. “House Reed is sworn to the Starks. And the Starks are marching south.” She gives Gendry a rueful sort of smile and tries not to think of her bruises. She is a hunter, not a soldier. The battle for the living had been close. If she goes south, she isn’t hopeful she will come back. “Maybe it won’t come to that. King’s Landing will see the dragons and surrender, I’m sure. They have to.” An undercurrent of terror snaps at her throat. Her eyes go distant for a moment. Then she refocuses.

“Here.” Meera tosses another log on the fire, then worms her way around to sit next to Gendry. Out of habit she reaches for his hands, but then she remembers he’s not Hodor, or Bran, or Jojen during a fit. An awkward moment passes; she tries to figure out what to do with herself. She settles for extending the damp cloth instead. “To clean off the dead, if you’d like. Don’t worry. It’s warm.”

[nightingaelic]

Companions react to the time stop glitch.

Bruh

The courier gritted their teeth. "I shouldn't have taken this job. Johnson Nash is crazy, there's absolutely no way someone could deliver a package from Goodsprings to Nellis in less than a day, especially if they keep shelling everyone who so much as pokes their head over this ridge!"

They pulled the map up on their Pip-Boy and scanned it, desperate for any path that might take them into the air force base without being blown to bits. Finding none, they groaned and smashed buttons in frustration, then suddenly vanished altogether.

Their companion looked around in surprise, only to find the artillery barrage had stopped completely and the courier was now standing on the other side of them, holding a grenade rifle with an arrow drawn down the barrel, a snow globe and a few new strings of caps. They were also chewing on their lip. "Ummm..."

Arcade Gannon: "Hold on." Arcade squeezed his eyes shut, shook his head a bit, then reopened them. The courier was still there, looking concerned.

"I think I've been drugged," the researcher admitted nervously, standing up from where he'd been crouching. "You were just taking cover next to me."

Rather than attempt to explain what had just happened, the courier played along. "Really?" they said, stuffing their latest acquisitions inside their pack before Arcade could get a good look at them. "You're losing time? Damn. We should get you back to Freeside and check you in at the clinic for observation."

"What about your delivery?"

"Don't worry about it."

Craig Boone: "Don't do that," Boone said sharply.

"Do... what, exactly?" the courier asked, with mild panic in their voice.

"Disappear on me," Boone replied, gesturing toward the hill that Boomer howitzers were guarding. "Snipers and spotters have to keep track of each other, just as much as their target."

"Oh." The courier's shoulders relaxed a bit. "Okay. Sure. Come on, we should go. Screw Johnson and his impossible deadlines."

Lily Bowen: Lily blinked rapidly. "Are you okay, pumpkin? Did those nasty Boomers knock you out of your hiding place?"

"Ummm... yeah," the courier replied, nodding in bewilderment. "Yeah, I just got kicked back a bit by that last blast. Don't worry, I'm okay."

"Let me look you over, sweetums," Lily insisted, rising from her crouched position. "Poor child. You moved so fast, Grandma missed it. Even Leo missed it, and Leo doesn't miss anything."

Raul Alfonso Tejada: Raul's eyes narrowed. "Did you accidentally turn on a Stealth Boy for a second there, boss?"

"Yes," the courier lied.

"Oh, okay." Raul's eyes went to the gun they were holding. "Nice iron. Haven't seen that one before."

"I, uh, picked it up in Goodsprings," the courier said quickly, stowing it away. "Chet was running a special. Come on, we should get going."

Raul cleared his throat when they turned to the south. "You're forgetting about your package, boss. Should we just leave it here?"

The courier froze for a second before replying. "Nah. I'll report the delivery unsuccessful and pay Johnson back."

"Then can we open it up and see what it was?"

"... No."

Rose of Sharon Cassidy: Cass rubbed her eyes and shook her head slowly. "Shit. I think last night at the saloon is coming back to haunt me. Could've sworn you were... ah, never mind."

"Maybe don't take Trudy up on her challenges the next time we see her," the courier offered, with a reassuring slap on her shoulder. "Come on."

"What about the delivery? Johnson's gonna be pissed."

The courier grinned. "I chucked the package as far up the ridge as I could get it, and I'm not going up there to see where it landed."

Veronica Santangelo: "I... might need a nap," Veronica admitted, looking between the courier and the spot they had just been occupying. "Screw the delivery. You're way past needing to work as a courier, and I'm starting to see things."

"I don't need to, I like to," the courier replied, taking the opening they had been given. "But I do intend to give Johnson a piece of my mind, next time I see him. I'm beat all to hell from those Legion assassins outside Novac, and you're clearly dead on your feet."

They moved to put the snowglobe away, but Veronica held a hand out. "Can I see?"

The courier handed the knick-knack over. Veronica turned it around, watching the faux snow fall over the Vault Boy in an air force uniform, a plane in flight and some background hangars. She snuck a look at the courier, who looked positively nervous. "Cute."

ED-E: ED-E beeped in confusion, turning between the courier and the cover they had just been hiding behind.

"No idea," the courier replied with a shrug.

They turned south, retracing the road that had brought them up to the air force base in the first place. ED-E ran diagnostic after diagnostic, but strangely, nothing out of the ordinary was flagged.

Rex: Rex sniffed the courier over. They smelled odd, like they'd picked up new scents in the last few seconds that previously hadn't been there and weren't anywhere in the immediate vicinity either. He whined.

The courier shook their head. "You wouldn't believe me even if you could understand me, buddy."

[fleurcareil]

Going for the next adventure!

Hi all, after a year of Tumblr absence (my last post was from March 2022 when my Nature Interpretation course finished), I've decided to have another go at blogging, partially because multiple friends have suggested to do so but mostly because I realized during my course that I really liked it. I was horrible as a child at keeping a diary, so we'll see how it goes but am going to try to write once a week.

So why now?? Because I've finally made the first big step towards my next adventure; I resigned from my job and gave notice to my landlord last week, so by 1st June I'll be home- and job-less... I can't wait! 😜

After a lot of time figuring things out & making a plan during 2022 (more about that some other time), I'm really excited to start a new life and career in southern Chile, hoping to fulfil my dream of working in conservation management at a private park. Have no clue where exactly I'll be living or which job I'm going to have, but that's ok as it's still quite far out. First, I'm going to take some time out of work to capture that true feeling of freedom in which I don't need to do anything except the things that I want to... I felt it during my 3-month sabbatical in 2004 when I was traveling in South America, and I hope I will find it again this year!

The plan is like this; drive off into the sunrise on 1st June and do a big au revoir - farewell road trip through Canada, going back to places that I cherished and exploring new areas that I haven't been yet. I have some ideas where I want to go; Haida Gwaii in the west and Labrador in the east are definitely on the itinerary, however as you can see below that's over 7,000 km apart, so I have some choices to make in between!

There are many more important things I need to sort out before I leave so creating that plan will have to wait for now. I'll have my camping gear with me, so between campgrounds, motels, hotels & AirBnB I should be able to find a place to stay each night. I'll go back to the GTA mid-September once the rain starts and temperatures drop; by then I'll likely also be tired of traveling... selling the car & organizing my last things shouldn't take too long and then I'll be off to Europe to spend the last months of the year at my parents and reconnecting with long-time friends. I left Europe in 2006 so it will be good to be back there for a while and ground myself in the past before embarking into the unknown future. And then once I've obtained a visa, I'll be off to Chile in the new year in search of my destiny!

That's it for this week... I want to include pictures in all my blogs, so I thought of sharing pics of my front yard just two weeks apart; the top one was taken on 10th March and the second one on 26th March. It's amazing how quickly things can change once the wheels are set in motion (e.g. melting snow by increased sun energy) ... I believe the same applies to me; after having thought things through for a long time, now I've actually made the decision, I'm certain that things will go very fast & I'll be on my way in no time!

[princessmacedon]

"Brrr..."

DC 14 athletics check! Roll: 6; fail. -2HP ( Maria 8/10HP )

Before she even opens her eyes, Maria feels the bitter sting of winter, curling into herself. Hugging her arms, she cracks an eye open, only to be met with snowy mountaintops. In fact, the only glimpse of warmth anywhere is far down the unfortunate side of a sheer cliff.

At least she's not alone. Though it's rather unfortunate to be stuck in the ice and snow while wearing a swimsuit, she feels much safer with someone beside her.

"H-Hello, Miss!" She grins through chattering teeth. "I'm M-M-Maria! Let's... try to find somewhere warmer...!"

Moving her hand as little as possible, she points questioningly to the south. Though both viable directions are shrouded in mystery, she knows heights tend toward chilliness, so it should be safer to move down than up, shouldn't it?

It isn't. Not terribly long into their trek, a half-frozen lake reveals itself. If there's anything they should avoid, it's getting wet.

"Should we turn--" Eyes widen; she points again. "Look! Is that...?"

Maria & Ivy have encountered a creature! Roll: 2 Wildness, 2 Wariness.

@lindwyvrm

unfortunately being allowed to make decisions

[faust-and-furious]

New character: Johanna Thane

Old friends(and Lucio) call her Jo.

The drawings and photos ended up not quite right but hey that's her general look! Perpetually messy black hair(it's kind tied back in the second but it doesn't like to say that way), and hot pink lips very much on purpose. I figure she's got magic make-up cause how cool would that be.

This is the one I made specifically for Lucio's route, so, assuming each route as a parallel timeline, this is just a line/world where Layla kept traveling with her dads and never really settled in Vesuvia.

Pronouns: She/her

Age: 28 at game start

Height: 5'7"

Favorite colors: gold and blue(esp royal blue). Also enjoys purple or violet.

Personality: Proud and outgoing, but typically slow to form attachments. Not very trusting, especially of authority (not that she remembers why).

She also has a maddening attraction to danger and adventure. Words like "forbidden" will always catch her eye.

She's doesn't do Layla's "jump off a cliff for fun" thing but she likes to hang around in shady areas and generally stick her nose where she shouldn't.

Alignment: Probably chaotic neutral, maybe chaotic good. She thinks the law is so often wrong and corrupt and each case is so subjective that she has a lot of distain for even the concept of it.

As for morality, unless something obviously horrible is in front of her, she tends to lean toward "not my problem." She'll be kind and helpful if she likes you but she doesn't feel it's ever her responsibility.

Fears(that she actually won't run toward): Vast, dark spaces. She hates the idea of something being able to see her when she can't see it.

The unknown makes her nervous but that's usually just motivation to find out more.

Magic: No particular affinity, but alchemy fascinates her, and she uses different forms of ice magic almost constantly cause she's from the far south and it is Too Damn Hot Up Here. For example she'll often cool down the air around her and when she walks past it's like she's a ghost.

Also, on sunny days, she'll have a dark cloud follow her everywhere. She'll tell people it's for aesthetic or mood or something but really it's cause she burns in 0.000003 seconds and won't admit it.

Loves: Snow, dancing, excitement, shiny things.

I'll do a part two for her backstory

[froggybangbang]

A whole 8 inches? 🙃 Geez.

[dawnedon]

UMBRELLA :  for one muse to share their umbrella with the other on a rainy day. [ potentially with the "stranger" offering dawn their umbrella when its raining strongly ]

a comprehensive list of scenarios | accepting!

Pastoria was a city of perpetual rain, humidity, and overall swampiness. While most of the region was still seeing snow this time of year, Pastoria was far enough south for said snow to turn into torrential rains.

Dawn liked to visit the Safari Zone to check up on it whenever she was in Pastoria chatting with Crasher Wake. The skies above were gray, clouds heavy with rain. Dawn could smell the rain in the air too before it even fell. Of course, the Champion didn't have an umbrella on her. She didn't anticipate being in the city for so long, but she was.

Fat droplets of rain began to strike the earth, drumming up into a heavy downpour as she stepped outside. Her hands moved over her head to act as a makeshift shield, though it was superficial at best. There was no blocking out a rain this intense. It was cold on her skin, seeping into her coat almost immediately.

Maybe she could hunker down in the Pokecenter for a while, or figure out something else... Lake Valor wasn't too far - maybe Azelf would have her for a while-

Her thoughts were interrupted as an umbrella was soon held over her, heavy drops pattering noisily against the fabric.

"Oh-" Dawn starts, turning to look at the stranger, "that's nice of you. But you really shouldn't - you're going to get soaked too. I can just like... hold my bag over my head or something. I think it's waterproof."

[freshtrackstransportations]

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Colorado's second-biggest city has developed a heavenly standing, constantly acquiring a spot on the U.S. News Best Places to Live to the position. It's additionally notable for being a focal political and strict center point, yet over the recent years Colorado Springs has backed off on the strict way of talking, in any event, receiving a trace of the laid-back vibe that Colorado guests typically partner with Stone or Telluride (to encounter this side of the Colorado Springs region, head to close Manitou Springs). Fresh Tracks Transportation provides transportation services all over Colorado to tourists at affordable rates.

Why Travel To Telluride

The beginning of this Colorado town's extremely extraordinary name is obscure, however, there are two prevailing speculations. The first is that Telluride comes from "tellurium," the nonmetallic component (frequently connoting the presence of gold stores) that provoked such countless pioneers to advance toward the locale. In any case, numerous local people will disclose to you the name is only a simpler method of saying "to hellfire you ride" – an inventive clarification that features the executioner ski inclines that draw numerous a colder time of year traveler every year. This little ski town has for quite some time been a break for the rich and renowned, with top-of-the-line resorts like The Little Nell and Emissary Snowmass tricking celebs with the guarantee of sumptuous security. In any case, don't let the chance of sticker shock ward you off; all things being equal, you can counterbalance the significant expense of choice housing by basically partaking in your environmental elements. A portion of Aspen's most mainstream locales – like Maroon Ringers – come to us from Mother Earth, who doesn't charge admirers a penny.

Why Go To Rough Mountain Public Park

At approximately 265,000 sections of land, Rough Mountain Public Park isn't the country's biggest public park, nor is it the most-visited with around 4 million yearly guests (contrasted with the Extraordinary Smoky Mountains Public Park's in excess of 12 million guests). Yet, there is something absolutely supernatural about RMNP, which rises 14,259 feet into the Colorado sky at its most elevated point, Pikes Pinnacle. Powder dogs will discover 2,000 or more skiable sections of land ideal for tenderfoots, specialists, and everybody in the middle. "To hellfire, you ride" likewise alludes to the district's rambunctious climate. Occupants and guests the same consistently assemble around Park or Telluride's bars for a foot-stepping fun time. Eventually, it doesn't make any difference where the name comes from – all that truly tallies is the extraordinary experience you will undoubtedly have here.

At the point when it's an ideal opportunity to return to earth, or possibly down to a rise of 7,500 feet or thereabouts, guests can eat up some custom-made frozen yogurt, take a creepy visit through the Stanley Inn, or essentially wander through the superb town of Estes Park. In addition, adjoining Colorado problem areas – Rock and Denver – are each a short drive away.

To restrict the number of individuals visiting the recreation center, Rough Mountain Public Park carried out a planned passage framework that is in actuality through Oct. 11, 2021. Visit the Public Park Administration's site for extra data.

Why Visit Denver

The primary fascination is climbing the recreation center's 350-a few miles of trails that breeze through pine and tidy woodlands, sparkling high lakes, areas of wildflowers, and, in case you're fortunate, some elk or bighorn sheep. What's more, perhaps it's the more slender climate that goes to guests' heads, yet even the most boring report sensations of amazement and miracle following a little while of taking in that invigorating mountain air.

We're not saying you should give the chance to climb the Rockies' path or ski their inclines – simply that you shouldn't do as such without reserving a spot at a portion of Denver's diverse diners, investigating its exhibition halls, or testing a couple of its renowned blends. Working a portion of these more metropolitan temptations into your excursion will permit you to encounter the Denver that local people know and love. For a neighborhood's viewpoint, you might need to pursue a standout amongst other Denver visits.

People of Denver are considerably more laid-back than occupants of other significant American urban areas, advancing a functioning, outdoorsy culture that flourishes with great food and specialty lager. As far as winter wonderland status, not many objections can contrast with Aspen. This beautiful mountain town is straight out of a snow globe, highlighting pleasant mountain chalets embraced by the taking off Colorado Rockies. Obviously, the fundamental draw here is skiing and there are four head ski regions close by that oblige powder dogs, all things considered. Follow the city's inhabitants and go through your days in the Mile High City becoming more acquainted with its climbing ways, shopping roads, and brewery trails. As well as adoring nature, Denver's populace likewise shows enthusiasm for craftsmanship, culture, and food. In the event that The unstoppable force of life isn't your partner of decision, invest your energy meandering around the Denver Craftsmanship Exhibition hall or Larimer Square prior to getting a bin of Rough Mountain clams along with the Legislative center Slope area's Eatery Column. Furthermore, in the event that you end up having children close behind, you'll discover a lot of approaches to keep them engaged here, from a top-notch zoo to the intriguing part of the U.S. Mint.

Why Visit To Aspen

In any case, most guests don't come here to test the political and social talk – they come for the widely inclusive perspectives found at the highest point of Pikes Pinnacle, the transcending bluffs that make up the Nursery of the Divine beings and the reddening precipices at Red Stone Ravine.

However, there's a whole other world to Aspen than winter sports: With top-of-the-line shopping, entrancing exhibition halls, out-of-control displays, and fun celebrations, it very well may be a battle to make it to the slants. Regardless of how you decide to invest your energy here, it will be a getaway you'll always remember.

Numerous explorers consider Denver to be bouncing off point for a Rough Mountain escape, utilizing the Colorado capital for its air terminal and that's it. However, those people are passing up a great opportunity: The Mile High City offers a blend of metropolitan energy and regular environmental elements that other American urban areas can merely fantasize about. For a very long while at this point, this town has been the jewel in the Thundering Fork Valley, and we're not simply talking allegorically.

Why Travel To Breckenridge

Gotten comfortable 1859, Breckenridge holds a similar Victorian-time engagement it did during the stature of the gold rush. Its sensible and well-disposed environment has additionally persevered through its change from a silver-and gold-mining town to one of the country's most darling skiing objections. Additionally, Breck – as it's called by local people – is a fast drive from other famous Colorado objections, including Vail, which is 40 miles northwest, and Denver, which is 80 miles upper east.

Cold weather days in Breck are characterized by runs on the Tenmile Territory and evenings spent refueling at downtown cafés and bars – also an assortment of the bottling works and surprisingly a refinery. In the mid-year, winter sports are supplanted with climbing and cycling. In any case, regardless of the period, the greatness of a Breckenridge dusk and ritzy night sky is a marvel to see – and worth returning to a seemingly endless amount of a large number of years.

Why Go To Vail

Try not to allow Vail's little to measure or distant area fool you: This is quite possibly the most cherished chilly climate objection in the country for one explanation: skiing. Colorado Springs is likewise home organizations, for example, the Flying corps Institute and the Olympic and Paralympic Preparing Center. Also, throughout the long term, it's gotten a cross-segment of characters. Rampage and offer the walkways with maturing politicos, youthful families, workmanship darlings and that's just the beginning: All have a special interest in this part of America the Delightful.

Sandwiched between the Blood Mountain Reach toward the north and the Sawatch Mountain Reach toward the south, this thin valley is home to a few outstanding ski regions, including one of the country's biggest single-mountain resorts. Spiked pinnacles, miles of inclines, and amazing powder draw in the huge number of guests consistently, procuring Vail a vital spot among Colorado's other winter heavyweights, Aspen and Telluride. Truth be told, Vail's expertly manicured slants – just as its lavish lodgings, spas, and eateries – as often as possible invite Superstars like Will Smith, Cameron Diaz, and Justin Timberlake.

That being said, this is a hard city for those on a careful spending plan. The dazzling view is joined by bank-busting inn rates and lift tickets. The best way to keep away from these costs is to avoid the slants, however, that isn't really something terrible. Visit throughout the late spring and you'll find an assortment of approaches to partake in the mountains, from climbing and trekking to horseback riding and even whitewater boating.

Why Should You Visit Colorado Springs

It's not difficult to perceive any reason why Katharine Lee Bates was roused to compose the verses to the renowned energetic anthem "America the Delightful" from Colorado Springs. Glance in one area and you'll see the glorious "purple mountains:" the Colorado Rockies. Shift your eyes the other way to end up looking out at "golden floods of grain:" the Incomparable Fields. The lovely landscape isn't the lone motivation to go to this enchanting town. Colorado's grand landscape draws a large number of voyagers hoping to get cleared up in its regular quality. With a gathering of urban communities and towns, each with its own novel outside contributions, social attractions, and general Colorado enchant, it very well might be hard to pick the best spot for your next excursion. U.S. News considered various elements, including the assortment of attractions, just as the assessments of specialists and voyagers, to decide the best places to visit in Colorado. Have a top choice? Cast your vote beneath to help decide the following year's rundown.