#it shows clearly that. he's skinny mage guy

[meownotgood]

did you see that they’re reworking viktor in league to make him more like his arcane version?

I did..... it's been leaked / discussed for months now that he's going to get a vgu, I hoped they wouldn't change much because I'm already a fan of his design and gameplay in league. it's been leaked that his gameplay won't change much (which is good) but uh.... yeah I've seen his model and it's pretty. interesting

[lesetoilesfous]

Tales from the Scrap File

I was tagged by @barbex to post something from my scrap file and that’s just, delightful, so thank you

I don’t, exactly, have a scrap file but I do endlessly regale my partner @sewertwink with whatsapp fic outlines, so here’s one of those translated into bullet points. I...got carried away. I won’t be writing this out properly, so figured I could share it as it is. Here we go!

I’m tagging @fairandfatalasfair, @wanderingnork, @midnightprelude, @pinkfadespirit, @cartadwarfwithaheartofgold aaand @hollyand-writes!

Fandom: DA2

Ship: Fenris / Anders

Characters: Fenris, Anders, Marian Hawke, Bethany Hawke, Varric Tethras, Isabela

Tags: Modern AU, still magic mages and elves, Homelessness, reference to prostitution, reference to past abuse, reference to past rape/non-con (not explicit) bigotry, canon-typical violence, unsubtle references to detention centres, shitty governments and shitty police

Rating: M

Anders in a ratty t shirt and old jeans and sneakers with holes on them and a ponytail and earrings (and nipples piercings owo) and tattoos and they meet at a laundromat

Fenris black skinny jeans and band t shirts and won’t talk about Tevinter, was a refugee and got out and now works in a record store and is friends with Hawke and the gang and anyway one day this guy shows up and chats him up, this guy in a thin t shirt with bright clever eyes

Anders is just like hey that wouldn’t be so terrible

Every time Fenris goes to the laundromat this cute guy is there, yawning like a cat and pulling up his t shirt and revealing that little v and a freckles back and a ginger blonde happy trail

And Anders notices him looking and winks and grins and anyway they fuck and Fenris’ bed is tiny but so soft and Anders just wriggles into it and lets himself sleep in because it’s been so long since he slept in an actual bed

Fenris meanwhile, whilst he can have casual sex, is a considerate lover and noticed the way Anders’ ribs were sticking out and cooks him breakfast and Anders wakes up and bats his eyelashes and is like “you know for that I could be convinced to go for round two” and Fenris kinda flushes and is like “some of us have to go to work” and Anders pouts and sighs and leans back and stretches out, arching his back and noticing the way Fenris’ gaze flickers to the piercings on his nipples (rose gold) “fine fine fine”

Because Fenris goes “what do you do, anyway?” And Anders grins and his fingers spark as he drags his hand up his bare chest and he’s like “take a wild guess” but Fenris is staring at him because he suddenly feels sick because that’s a mage, in his bed, who he just - and he gets up and all but snarls “get out!” And for a second Anders flinches and Fenris almost regrets it’s but then Anders is pouting and sighing and pulling his clothes on (it’s not exactly the worst way he’s been kicked out and maybe if he’s quick this one won’t rough him up) and he’s gone

So Anders is back on the street. And at first it’s fine - Fenris doesn’t see him at the laundromat again (which sucks for Anders because that place was bright and warm and mostly safe and smelled nice) - and he just. Moves on with his life. Doesn’t tell anyone he slept with a mage, hopes he can forget it

Meanwhile the police commissioner is calling for more and more severe measures to identify and take in mages - Fenris’ friends hate commissioner Meredith and he’s had enough loud arguments with Hawke about her apostate sister that he knows not to bring it up now

People in the city are getting tense but Fenris mostly just keeps his head down and volunteers at a centre for Tevinter refugees where he helps new refugees acclimatise to Thedas and speaking common

Meanwhile Anders is back on the street and mostly trying to keep his head down. He’s high one night though and making out with some guy in an alley and kinda hoping this one will take him home because it’s been getting cold when he breathes a little magic into the air  and the guy, turns out, not a big fan of mages, and Anders still high on the drugs and dizzy with it and the guys ends up kicking the shit out of him and Anders passes out in a gutter

So Fenris is at work and taking a delivery when he sees a body in the alley and he just kind of drops  what he’s doing, and then he gets closer and realises it’s the blonde from the laundromat. And Fenris just states and he’s kneeling in the trash and this guy’s clothes are torn and his face is a mess and his wrists are bruised and his makeup is smeared  and for half a second Fenris thinks about leaving and just pretending he hasn’t seen this. But he can’t and he wouldn’t be who he is if he did this. And despite everything it’s one thing to think about calling the police and seeing this man taken off to a mage detention centre and another to actually do it to the person who’d been blushing at him in his bed a few weeks ago

So Fenris doesn’t call the cops or an ambulance, he picks up the man and carries him ton the store room and calls Hawke and has a very quiet nervous breakdown

None of this is helped by the punters who keep trying to strike up conversation with him in the shop when they hear his accent “you’re from tevinter right? You of all people must understand why we need stricter regulation on mages” and on the one hand Fenris does and on the other hand he has an illegal mage sleeping on his sofa

Hawke’s sister Bethany knows some first aid and presumably knows Magic Stuff so she brings her round and Bethany confirms that aside from broken ribs, a sprained ankle and some nasty bruising Anders is going to be fine (though she’s hesitant to search for signs of sexual abuse without his consent). She confirms that his magic feels like healing magic though, which is a relief for Fenris because hey hopefully that means he can fix himself and Leave

Anders wakes up on a sofa and is Very Confused and then Fenris comes out and Anders kinda pulls up the blanket, realises he’s wearing different clothes (his old ones had been covered in trash and blood and infections are a problem) and kinda nervously scans Fenris’ face and is like “hey you haven’t decided I’m your one true love have you? Because things didn’t go well with the last guy who did that”

And Fenris is just confused and like “no you were injured I found you can you leave yet” and Anders immediately gets to his feet - everything hurts - and he makes it about halfway across the tiny living room before collapsing and he’s going to catch himself but Fenris is there and Anders gets real tense and is nervously chattering like “hey listen look if you’re the kind of person who’s always dreamt about have your own personal mage I get it, I really do, but we’re so much less fun in reality - we have this nasty habit of exploding into rage monsters if we get too scared and neither of us want that - so how about you just let me go and I’ll go find a different neighbourhood to sleep in and we’ll both forget this ever happened ok?”

And Fenris is just very confused and then horrified and let’s go of him and is like “I’m not planning to - I have no intention of keeping you here against your will.” And Anders’ whole body relaxes but he’s still nervously looking at the door and he’s like “ok great so can I go now?” And then suddenly there are footsteps on the stairs and Anders flinches back and is like “you didn’t - did you call the MDC?” And Fenris scowls at him and is like “should I have?” And Anders shakes his head and the footsteps fade away and Anders is shaking now and is like “did you - have you told anyone?” And Fenris is trying not to be frightened of a clearly very out of control, very frightened mage but he backs up a bit and is reaching for a phone and Anders holds his hands out and there are scars and track marks up and down his arms and he’s like “no don’t! Ok! Ok I’ll do anything you want. Come on. There’s got to be something you want from me. Name it. Want me to do some kind of roleplay? Pretend to be a templar catching the nasty mage? We can do that, you can even rough me up a bit if you want just. Don’t. Call them.”

And Fenris is Overwhelmed but he drops the phone and Anders nearly crumples in relief and he’s like “thank you” and then he kind of takes a deep breath and shakes it off and runs a hand through his hair and is like “ok alright how do you want to do this?” And Fenris is like “I’m not going to abuse you” And Anders looks like he’s about three seconds from falling apart so Fenris clarifies, “I’m not calling the MDC either. Despite my better judgement.” (And also several loud threats from Hawke.) and Anders just stares at him and is like “ok, alright. So what do you want? I don’t do blood magic.” And Fenris nearly punches him but there’s enough space between them and he’s like “I don’t want you to do blood magic” and Anders relaxes a little more and is like “so what is it?” And Fenris is like “nothing. I just. You looked like you needed help.” And Anders scoffs and Fenris is like “what?” And Anders is like “what I’m supposed to believe the man who kicked me out of bed for being a mage three weeks ago suddenly decided to go out of his way to take me in and not report me, with no conditions attached?” And Fenris is so frustrated and so confused and is like “yes?” And Anders just kinda looks at him steadily for a moment and just goes “ok.”

Fenris has to go to work and when he gets back Anders is gone. He made himself a sandwich before he left and leaves a couple dollars on the counter for it with a note that just says “thx :) “

Except now Fenris Knows that there’s an apostate mage on the streets who’s unreported (and homeless) and possibly dangerous because of him personally

So he asks Varric to help him find him and insists that it’s just because he wants to see if the mage is alright (and maybe he is haunted by the mental image of him unconscious in the gutter and the fingerprint bruises on his neck, and maybe he has started to notice how all the people who try to him about mages are born and bred in Thedas and well fed and, well, bullies) - when he gets a lead Hawke insists on coming and Fenris can’t figure out if it’s to protect the mage from him or him from the mage

But turns out the mage runs a back alley clinic - for other mages, for refugees from Tevinter, for anyone who needs it.

It’s not a home exactly - more of a back room in a garage he gets to use but not sleep in, and the clinic has irregular hours, because it’s whenever Anders is able to get there. But whenever he is there the doors are open 24/7

And on the inside are posters, the walls are wallpapered with them, manifestos and protects and graffiti calling for the rights of mages. Behind Anders on a counter two kids are playing with magic. He’s tending to a pregnant woman from tevinter, speaking to her in Tevene. When they come in he looks up and freezes, and calmly asks his patients to leave. More than one volunteers to stay for his protection but Anders convinced them it’s alright and as soon as they’re out looks at Fenris “this is a place of healing. I don’t know how you found me, but whatever you want, I’ll give it to you. Just please leave me alone.” And Fenris frowns and feels Varric and Hawke watching him and is like “I don’t want anything. I just wanted to see whether you were ok.” And Anders spreads his arms wide and is like “ok, I am. Happy?” And Fenris sees the bruises on his wrists and arms in the shape of fingers and he’s speaking before he’s thought it through and he’s like “do you need a place to stay?” And Anders frowns and is like “we’ve been over this I neither need nor want your hospitality held over my head” and Fenris can feel Hawke and Varric watching him still and he doesn’t even know why he’s doing this but he goes “reading lessons. I could. Use some help reading in common. Healing is an academic discipline, right? Help me practice my reading and I’ll consider it your rent.” And Anders frowns and is like “I’ll consider it@ (it’s been so long since he had a hot shower) and Fenris realises he’s seeing whether he’ll take no for an answer and is like “ok. You. Know where to find me.”  And they leave and Varric and Hawke are both staring at him like he’s grown a second head and Varric is like “so uh what’re your gonna do with an apostate fugitive? You’re really going to take him in for. Reading lessons?” And Fenris is like “he won’t accept if I don’t name a price.” And Hawke is like “not the most pressing part of that question” and they walk down the alley and away from the clinic and Fenris is like “I know”

So Anders finds Fenris at his store a few weeks later and is looking kind of nervous and waits till it closes and is fiddling with them hem of his shirt and is like “if we’re going to do this I need ground rules” and Fenris wonders again why he’s doing this and goes “name your terms” and Anders is like “we sleep in separate locations” and Fenris is like “obviously” and Anders just Looks at him, “I have my own keys” and Fenris kinda hesitates and Anders lifts his chin and is like “I need to be able to get in and out on my own” and Fenris figures that’s fair and goes on and then Anders goes, “no matter what, you don’t call the MDC. If you get tired of me, I’ll leave. But you don’t call them and you don’t get to hold it over my head or threaten me with it. Because if you do I’m gone and I will set fire to your underwear when I go.”  And he’s kinda joking but he’s kinda serious and Fenris wonders what’s happened before and wonders what it would have been like if someone had found him fresh out of Tevinter and held it over him

fenris' rule is no magic and anders is like ok no magic In The House and Fenris is like Fine

and at first it works - turns out anders is hella smart and grew up in a detention centre and the fact that made him academic irritates fenris and makes him think anders had a Good Time but he doesn't argue it, just watches. and anders is really helping fenris and then the people at the refugee centre ask if fenris can write a course for them and fenris can't and he hasn't brought anders there because tevinter refugees and mages, and also anders is an unregistered mage, but anders just. agrees to write the course

and they've found an awkward peace and bethany and hawke and the others have been befriending anders. fenris has noticed anders staying up late now he has somewhere to sleep working on his manifesto and decides not to stop him but also doesn't know what to do about it because he Can't publish this they'll both get arrested but anyway right now it's the unaddressed unexploded bomb

anders decides to build the course around traditional tevinter texts to make it easier and does his own translations and fenris comes home one night and sees him happily translating and is real Soft for him but then he realises the book is magically floating

he's furious but then anders gets scared and for a secnd they're just, stalemate and then anders is like "ok fuck this" and he challlenges fenris to boil an egg with one hand behind his back and fenris is like "what" and anders is like "i bet you can't" so fenris does it

and he triumphs and anders just watches him and he's like "what was the point" and anders is like "you asking me not to use magic is like making me not use a limb. all the time. and demanding that i never show any feeling at all. do you have any idea what that feels like?" and fenris glares and is like "i was a slave, anders" and anders kinda gets quiet and goes, "i'm asking you, please, just give me  a chance. i'll make cookies. you watch. if you think my magic is so ugly and demonic and horrifying, we'll go back to the way things were. but just give me a chance." and fenris is like. "...fine" so anders does whilst fenris watches and he realises anders is stirring and is like "wouldnt it be easier to use magic" and anders snorts and is like " i like stirring, besides i dont use magic for everything, that's a bad plan in general

and as he bakes, occasionally using magic to lift thing s or adjust temperatures, fenris sees him relax and relax and relax, until he's humming softly under his breath, and fenris realises how stiff and unhappy and awkward he'd been even when he'd thought he was comfortable, and realises how much he's been demanding of anders - and anders presents him with a plate of fresh cookies and his eyes are bright and he's grinning and flushed as if he's been dancing and is like, "well?" and fenris is like. fine. but only when we don't have visitors. and if you ever, ever use it to harm me or anyone i care about, you're gone

and anders kinda shrugs and is like yeah ok i mean i feel like that would apply whether or not i used magic (sees the look on fenris' face) but yes! i get it

so then anders starts using magic! and he sees the way fenris flinches and is careful and after a couple days fenris starts asking questions and anders answers them, explaining to fenris the different forms of magic and skills and schools and how they work and stuff

and at some point in this time anders tentatively suggests treating fenris' tattoos and to fenris' own amazement, he agrees

so now the assholes in the shop yelling about evil mages are seeming. much more annoying to fenris than they had before, and he's starting to see the holes in their arguments. and anders keeps staying up till 3am writing his manifesto and fenris is a little worried and tries to convince him to sleep more. one night fenris gets back from a gig with isabela and hawke to find anders asleep on the table and he hesitantly carries him to the couch and tucks him in and in the morning he makes him breakfast and is like "we should really get a sofabed"

So things continue, Anders really helps Fenris’ chronic pain and they’re. Getting along. Almost friendly. And then the prime minister is killed by the qunari, Meredith declares a state of emergency and stuff gets real scary real fast

Anders’ clinic is more busy than its ever been and Anders just, basically sleeps there

Most of the gang helps out and Fenris hates, really hates being at his shop and thinking about what the hell could be happening at the clinic

After the first wave of attacks on the city and the people who turn up at the clinic, there’s a steady trickle of folk getting attacked - police brutality and extremists, and Anders just yeah. 24/7 there whilst Fenris eats himself alive trying not to worry about him and what will happen if either these thugs find him or worse the MDC

And then extremists do find Anders clinic, and he gets the crap kicked out of him, and when it’s 3am and he still hasn’t heard from him Fenris goes to the clinic and finds Anders and Anders wakes up and is like “we’ve got to stop meeting like this” and Fenris just sort of laughs and sort of cries and holds him close and Anders gets real quiet and then folds into him and there’s just this deep gentle intimacy for a second

A week later Anders wants to go back to the clinic and Fenris just.  Refuses to let him go alone and takes time off work and goes down to the clinic with him whilst he works and keeps an eye on the door

And a week after that, they get home and before they go to bed Anders is like “I need to talk to you about something” and Fenris is like “can it wait?” And Anders looks at him with this tight, exhausted expression (the people he’d treated today had been kids. They’d nearly been beaten to death) and is like “no” and Fenris stops in the door to his room and Anders gives him the manifesto and is like. “I need you to read this. Please. And if...if it moves you at all. I have something I need to ask.”

For a week Fenris doesn’t read it. But then some tevinter mages turn up at Anders clinic, and he just. Can’t keep running away. So he reads it and he takes it seriously and he makes notes and annotates and at the end he finds Anders a fortnight after that request and he’s like. “What would you ask of me?” And Anders says “I need you to help me publish it.” And Fenris stares at him and tries to figure out how the hell this happened. And then he says yes

[incomplete-nano-stash]

Princess Eighteen Wheeler - Chapter 3

           “This is dire, sir.” The general stood at the foot of a great wooden table, his voice echoing through the huge chamber, off the hewn stone walls and back toward his companion. “Empirial forces are pursuing us in every corner of the Realm. We are running low on men to confront the danger.”

           At the head of the table, a young prince stroked his chin, nodding at every word. “I see. Can we re-shuffle our forces to meet the buildups around these areas?” He pointed at two corners of the map, covered with small wooden chips to represent the enemy.

           “I’m afraid not, sir, not without compromising our current defenses. If you would allow me to conscript more forces, we could …”

           “Absolutely not!” The prince stood up. “I will not force my people to fight this menace. If they fight, they do so out of their own voluntary action, not because their lord commands them to.”

           “As you wish, sir, but I warn you that at the rate we are losing our forces, we will have no forces left within a fortnight. We must find a solution.”

           The prince narrowed his eyes at the general. “Then find it. Is that not why I placed you in command? Defend your homeland, general.”

           The general stiffened. “I apologize, my prince, I did not mean …”

           “Of course not. Dismissed, general.”

           The general curtly bowed, turning on his heel and striding quickly out of the hall. As he left, a young woman walked in, making a beeline for the table.

           “Ed, what did you say to the general? He looks like someone forced him to drink water from the Jari Swamp at low tide.”

           The prince, relaxing in the presence of the woman, put his hand on his chin. “I wish I had better things to tell him, but he wants to run conscriptions through the Realm, and I absolutely cannot allow that.”

           The woman smirked. “Well, you know, it might help.”

           The prince groaned. “How are you my sister again, Makeli?”

           She came around the table to place a hand on the prince’s shoulder. “Same way you’re my brother, Ed.” She looked over the map the general had left behind, the markers still remaining in the places he had said the enemy was stationed. “We’re really surrounded, aren’t we?”

           Ed sighed and nodded. “He says we’ll have no army in two weeks. Should I believe him? What’s your assessment?”

           Makeli stood upright and crossed her arms. “Well, he’s not far off. The soldiers we have left are the best we’ve got, but it’s limited to five companies of Rangers, a couple of cavalry patrols, and our full complement of guerrillas.” She leaned against the table. “It’s not enough to mount a defense against this many.”

           Ed’s eyes darkened. “I miss Dad. He would know how to do this, he wouldn’t second-guess himself as much as I do myself.”

           “I miss him too,” Makeli offered. “But you’re running things in his place. You need to show strength.”

           Ed looked up at his sister. “Will you help me?”

           “Anything.”

           Ed stood up, and on his feet he towered over his sister by a foot. “Can you take direct command of the Ranger companies? I think they could use a steady hand at the helm.”

           Makeli smiled. “You got it, Ed. I’ll go ahead and …”

           “Your Highnesses!” A guard burst into the room, panting. “Your Highnesses, we have a situation outside.”

           Ed turned toward the messenger, as Makeli fell in behind him. “What is it?”

           “Ranger squad eleven is returning, and they come accompanied by a strange beast of smoke and thunder. Ranger Silv’s adjutant has just reported in that the prophecy may have been fulfilled.”

           Ed and Makeli looked at each other. “The Queen of Peace?” Ed’s voice quavered.

           “No way, that prophecy’s just superstitious garbage.”

           The messenger, clearly a believer, pointed to the ceiling. “Your Highness, what of the silver sun? The adjutant also says there is a woman with them bearing the marks of dominance!”

           This gained Ed’s full attention. “Very well, we must investigate this. Summon Mage MakModeille, and have him await the squad’s return. He will vet this potential Queen of Peace, then we shall make our introductions to her.”

           The messenger nodded. “Yes, Your Highness, right away.” He turned and left.

           “You can’t be serious,” Makeli groaned. “How long are you going to put faith into that stupid scrawl?”

           “As long as it takes until it is fulfilled, sister.” Ed’s voice took on a cool, noble tone. “Now come, we have preparations to make, Rangers to command, and a potential Queen to greet.”

           Logistical problems were quickly showing why it would be difficult to drive an eighteen wheeler through a medieval setting; the road Anita’s escorts led her rig down was only wide enough for either the horses or the truck to traverse, but not both at once. After a brief conference, it was decided that half of the mounted soldiers (or Rangers, as Anita learned they were called) would ride ahead of the truck, while half would ride behind it. She almost apologized for the stench of the trailer, but stopped herself when she considered that these mounted forces probably hung around horse crap all the time, and might be desensitized to bad smells.

           She was mildly surprised when one of her doors opened, a Ranger standing on her running board. “May I board your beast, milady?”

           Anita sighed. “Sure, come on up.” She motioned to him, and started chuckling as the Ranger struggled to climb up, his armor weighing him down so much he could not lift his weight. She clicked on the cruise control and reached over with both hands. “Here, let me help.” She yanked the Ranger up by his shoulders, from which position he was finally able to get in the seat.

           “What a magnificent creature this is.” The Ranger looked around in wonder, the climate controls creating a more perfect temperature than he may have ever been used to.

           “Ahh, it’s nothing, it’s a few years old. Give it about two years, then I’ll be in the market for a new one.” Anita sighed. “Damn it, this load was supposed to pay it off, too …”

           The Ranger flashed an expression of confusion. “’Pay it off?’”

           Anita grumbled. “You won’t understand. I don’t think I do sometimes.” She rolled her eyes. “Banking stuff.”

           The Ranger made an understanding grunt, although his eyes belied the fact that he didn’t understand any of it. He turned his attention to the landscape.

           “Here’s a question I’d like to know,” Anita began. “What exactly are you guys doing out there in all the armor?”

           The Ranger looked uncomfortable. “It’s war, milady. We’re at war with an enemy that threatens the Realm, that’s all we need to know.”

           “Good little soldier, huh?”

           The Ranger sighed. “We must be. It is the only existence we have known, the only way we can earn our keep in this land. Our lives are sworn to our lord and king.”

           “And I suppose the lord and king is why you’re bringing me home? Is he single?” The last question chilled Anita’s blood.

           “What? Oh, no, no, he has a queen already. What we don’t have is a savior, and …”

           “Tacom, that’s enough!” The gruff voice of the Ranger commander filled the cab, from where he was barking up from the door, which Tacom had left open. “Return to your mount, go to the back, stay at your position.”

           Tacom looked downcast. “Yes, Ranger Silv.” He drooped his head, sliding slowly out of the seat and down all the way to the ground, where his armored boots made a loud clanking noise, before he continued pacing the rig.

           “You don’t have to be so harsh, you know.” Anita gave the words a more annoyed tone than she intended. Silv glared at her, his hand on his weapon.

           “If I’m not harsh with the men, they don’t obey. If they don’t obey the Realm is lost. It’s a simple thing.” He growled softly at Anita. “I don’t buy that you are the Queen of Peace, woman. I don’t care what those stupid slangs think, until someone proves to me that you are who they say … or you do … then I will not buy into it. I’m watching you, girl. Always.”

           The scarred face narrowed his eyes as Silv lowered himself back down, pushing the door shut. Anita shivered at the interaction. “What a wonderful guy,” she muttered as she returned her efforts to the drive. The castle came into view shortly afterward, which took Anita’s breath away. Her eyes traveled up the side of the great structure, the stonework rising high against the silver-blue sky.

           “Oh shit …” The reality of the situation finally sank in. For the first time, Anita had the sinking feeling she wouldn’t be going back to the freeway.

           “Lower the bridge, Rangers ahoy!” Silv’s voice boomed through the air, echoing against the stone walls of the castle. Anita noted the horsemen ahead of her slowing, and matched their pace, coming to a halt behind the front group.

A higher pitched male voice called in response. “Rangers of the Realm, welcome home. Stand ready to cross!”

           Slowly, the castle’s drawbridge clacked down into position, pivoting on its hinge and lowering into position, bridging the man-made creek that surrounded the structure. The front group of Rangers kicked their steeds into action, moving slowly across the bridge. Anita locked her rig into the lowest possible gear, pressing down on the accelerator and slowly creeping the rig across.

           The drawbridge was clearly not built to handle a loaded tractor-trailer. Loud, ugly creaking met the truck’s effort, as the drawbridge strained to hold the rig’s weight. At alternating intervals, Anita swore she felt her Peterbilt begin to drop, afraid that the bridge was giving way. The front wheels hitting solid ground was the only point in the adventure of crossing the bridge that Anita finally allowed herself to relax. Once she felt the rear tires grip land rather than bridge, she accelerated slightly, to make sure the trailer didn’t drop.

           Silv jumped up to the driver’s window. Anita rolled the window down. “Bring your beast toward the stable.” He narrowed his eyes toward the destination. “Looks like someone has been expecting you.”

           Anita looked in the same direction and spotted an older, skinny man, dressed in what appeared to be a short-sleeved bathrobe. His hands were held out at his sides, palms down, parallel with the ground. His eyes’ focus was unbreakable and unblinking as he stared down the rig, awaiting the arrival. The intensity was palpable.

           “Mage MakModeille is apparently going to talk to you.” Silv placed a hand on Anita’s shoulder suddenly. “Good luck, girl, you’ll need it.” Silv dropped down off of the rig’s running board.

           “Thanks,” Anita’s voice dripped sarcasm. She brought the rig up as close as she dared to the stable, slowing and finally stopping her trek. She shut down the cab, removing her keys from the ignition and opening the door.

           “Watch her!” Silv commanded his men. “Make sure she does not leave your sight!” He put his hand on the hilt of his sword, his eyes never leaving the woman. Anita recoiled under the threatening scrutiny, but dutifully exited the cab, approaching the unusual man who had yet to put his hands down at his sides. He took a deep breath and approached the woman cautiously, his fingers weaving through nonexistent tendrils as he walked.

           “What is your name, woman?” His voice boomed more than Anita was expecting.

           “Anita Jimenez.” She cleared her throat nervously. “If you don’t mind, there was a problem with my … er, ‘beast,’ and I need to check on it for a second. Is that okay?”

           The older man scanned Anita with his eyes, then came to her side. “I must come with you, Anita Jimenez. I must investigate your beast, it is my duty.”

           “Okay, I guess. So what do I call you …?”

           The older man bowed deeply. “Milady, you may refer to me as Mage MakModeille. I am the court mage of the Court of the Realm.”

           The bow caught Anita unprepared, and she had to stifle a giggle. “All right then. Come with me, let me show you around the rig.” She motioned for MakModeille to follow her. He was instantly back upright, walking alongside her, the palms of his hands still maneuvered to be constantly facing the ground.

           “Something the matter, milady?” MakModeille finally asked after noticing Anita’s stare.

           “Oh, it’s nothing, it’s just … um … what’s the deal with your hands?” She pointed down at the extended fingers, the full hands held at the awkward perpendicular position to his arms.

           “Oh this … many laypersons do not understand, but mages need to absorb our power at all times. The palms of our hands do this, drawing strength and magic from the very land of the Realm.”

           “Oh … kay … so your hands are kind of like solar collectors?”

           MakModeille smirked. “I suppose that would be an accurate description, would that I knew what this ‘solar collector’ thing was.”

           “Right. My bad.” Anita cleared her throat, motioning to the rig as they approached. “Well, you were curious, and here you go. It’s a 2001 Peterbilt 387, 470 horsepower diesel powerplant, aero package with raised-roof sleeper, about 287,000 miles …” She bent over slightly, squinting. “… aaaaaand one flat tire. Crap.”

           MakModeille raised an eyebrow. “Is your beast injured?”

           Anita smirked. This was going to take some getting used to. “In a sense. Let me show you.” She put a hand on MakModeille’s shoulder, helping him bend down to the level she was at. “You see through there? The rear wheels, they have two coverings on them that we call ‘tires.’ They get filled with air, but one of them looks like it’s got a puncture in it.” She pointed toward the problem tire, on the cab’s third axle inbound position.

           MakModeille felt himself shaking. Why was this woman touching him, and what was this effect she was having? His heart was palpitating, more out of nerves than anything. He wrung his hands gently. “May I be of assistance to you, milady?”

           Anita sighed, standing up. “Well … only if you can fix a puncture in a tire and fill it back up with air with magic.”

           MakModeille smirked this time. “It is simplicity itself, milady. Allow me.” He stood up to his full height, raising his hands over his head. A gentle glow swirled around the mage’s body, his lips moving wordlessly as he began his incantation. Those fingers that had never stopped moving, never stopped absorbing the magic of the Realm, now stood perfectly still on his hands, aiming the power where he needed it.

           He had nearly built up the whole spell, but for the entry of a man in an everyday wear Ranger uniform, who clapped MakModeille on the back. “What’s happening, friend?”

           MakModeille yelped. The spell released, blasting toward the rig. Anita ran over to the side with the punctured tire, watching raptly as the tire regained its shape, inflating to full size. The brake hose, hanging listlessly from the rig’s back end, found its way to the trailer’s hookup.

           Then the engine started. Anita’s face dropped. She reached into her pocket and pulled out her key. “What the hell?!”

           Before she could do anything else, the truck shifted into gear and began to drive off. By itself.

[hartlessfiction]

can you rec me some good stuff??

Oh boy! I’m not sure what you’re looking for when you say ‘good stuff’ but I’ll do my best!

Supernatural- Destiel

Anna’s Dad by @mscaptainwinchester​

Raiting: E - Word Count: 35,000When Charlie talked him into joining the prom committee, Dean was not happy about it. He’s not even interested in going to prom, let alone planning it. But a meeting at committee chairman Anna Novak’s house changes all that. When Dean meets her smoking hot dad, a punk gothic god covered in the most alluring tattoos, it alters his entire perspective. Now he’s hanging out with Anna all the time and finding every excuse to flirt with her gorgeous dad.Castiel Novak swore off romantic relationships when his mate died a decade ago. Now he writes novels, throws lavish Halloween parties, and drinks with his fuck-buddy, Meg. When he meets Anna’s stunning friend, Dean, all his determination to keep emotions out of the equation goes flying out the window. Now it’s all he can do to keep his hands to himself in the face of relentless temptation.Will Dean ever get to see how far down Mr. Novak’s tattoos go? Will Castiel get over his hang-ups and let Dean in? Or will they both go their separate ways without ever knowing if their explosive chemistry could be more than just a tryst behind the pool shed? Featuring sexist classmates, a champion robot named Leia, growly alphas, and a prom theme from Hell (er… Hogwarts).

One Thousand and Ninety-four Days Verse by @envydeanwrites​

Rating: E - Word Count 3,313 - Series w/ 3 fic’s still growingIn which Dean and Cas are in prison. Castiel Novak, murderer, cell mate and servicer. He doesn’t do it because he has to, he does it because he loves it. Nobody makes Castiel Novak do anything. Not in this joint.

Queer Eye for the “Straight” Guy by JessJesstheBest

Rating: G - Word Count: 6,945“Hi, and welcome to Queer Eye for the Straight Guy: celebrity edition. Where instead of the Fab Five, who are all experts in their fields, you have me, Dean Winchester, a bisexual hockey player who is slightly above average at these things.”

“Today’s victim is Castiel Novak: world renowned etymologist specializing in honey bees. His latest research publication is receiving all kinds of awards so he’s going to have a little celebration tonight. That’s where I’m here to help.”

Good Hands by aileenrose

Rating M - Word Count: 13,238Cas is the owner of a failing—and falling apart—B&B.

Dean might be able to help with that. Dean’s good with his hands.

Unexpected by @bloodandcream​

Rating E - Word Count: 3192Grunting, Castiel squirmed, pulling at the handcuffs until they hurt. Flinched as Dean stroked a hand gently down his thigh, took him into that lying mouth, soft heat and wonderful pressure as he sucked down, down.

Somehow, this was the most unexpected turn of the night yet.

In It For The Long Haul by @ltleflrt​

Rating: E - Word Count: 25,495Long haul trucking can be a lonely business. Sure, Dean can chat up other drivers on the CB, and when Sam’s not in class or drowning in homework he’ll let Dean talk his ear off on the phone. But it’s still hours and hours of staring at the road and scanning the radio dial for local stations because he’s too lazy to upgrade the truck to satellite radio. And then a flirty waiter in a 24 hour truck stop restaurant sits down with him to chat while he eats his dinner, and suddenly his life no longer feels quite so empty.

Photography doesn’t pay much, and insomnia is a bastard. Which is why Castiel accepts his cousin’s offer of employment at the truck stop restaurant. The graveyard shift is perfect for his fucked up sleep schedule, and Gabriel doesn’t mind if he sneaks a free meal now and then. Besides, all the most interesting people come into the restaurant in the middle of the night. Including the gorgeous man with the sad green eyes that makes Castiel want to pull out all the stops to make him smile.

The Dic Pic Verse by @dangerousnotbroken​

Rating: E - Word Count: 67,550 -Multi Fic Verse CompleteIn which Dean Winchester gets an unsolicited dick pic from an unknown sender which is both totally not disappointing in that it’s a really nice dick pic, and incredibly disappointing in that it’s clearly a downloaded picture of his favorite porn star.

There’s absolutely no way it’s actually this porn star sending it to him, right?

Right?

A Flash of Black and Gold by @osirisapollo​

Rating: G - Word Count: 2,094Gabriel is acting very strange when Castiel gets to the Great Hall for breakfast. It’s easy enough to ignore, until Dean Winchester starts acting strange as well.

Wisteria by @unforth-ninawaters​

Rating E - Word Count 3,379Tumblr ficlet written in response to the prompt: So what about witch or mage dean who accidentally enchants his plants in a spell gone twisted. So what about witch or mage dean who accidentally enchants his plants in a spell gone twisted. The kinkier the better.

The Guy by @mscaptainwinchester​

Rating: E - Word Count 2,803Castiel’s boss is convinced that he would be perfect for her son, and is determined to get him to come to the Christmas party so they can meet. Castiel is still hung-up on his first and only one-night-stand. Or more specifically his dick.

The Unspoken Rule by @spnhell​

Rating E - Word Count 14,205Dean’s just a boy the first time he travels, wrenched through time and space only to be found by a strange man, one that never seems to age no matter how many years pass. He grows up with Cas, with their snatched moments in the spiral of time, and what starts as friendship eventually starts to grow into something more.

Revealed by Valinde (Valyria)

Rating: E - Word Count 10,822When a ritual backfires and Dean ends up with wings, they reveal things that he’d much rather keep hidden. Prompt fill.

And Cause After putting this whole list together I’d like to think you’d want to read my fic’s too… so:

Magical Misconceptions by @hartlessfiction

Rating: G - Word Count: 7,991This came about from the following prompt on Discord, which was then playfully dubbed the ‘NotAWitch!Cas’ Verse: “Me, in my cottage, in front of the wood stove, sipping tea. Looking outside, my bees are pollinating my expansive garden. My goats and chickens and cows are happy and safe. I feel content with my choices and my future. I unconditionally and recklessly love myself. The local children believe I am a witch"  The prompt is in first person POV but the fic is not written in the first person, it’s from Cas’s pov. I hope you enjoy this warm and fuzzy holiday season themed fic with so much beautiful art by FoxyMoley.

That’s Why I’m Your Sweetheart by @hartlessfiction

Rating: T - Word Count: 2,839Dean didn’t think his life could get any better. He had the mate of his dreams, a really nice apartment in the heart of the city, and a comfortable position at one of the leading architectural firms. At least that’s what he thought when he stepped off the elevator after a long, late shift at the office. The smell of cookies baking is supposed to make a man feel happy and hungry, but to Dean’s sensitive nose it sparks a warning bell. There’s no other explanation for it, Cas is stress baking.

The Battle by @hartlessfiction

Rating G - Word Count: 770The silence should have been Gabriel’s first sign that something was off. When you have two six-year-old boys in the house, it should never, ever, not even for one moment, be quiet.

Teen Wolf -Sterek 

(only cause i’ve been really into this recently)

Parallels by inatshej

Rating: E - Word Count: 21,299Stiles slowly pulls in a mouthful of curly fries, dumbly focused on the task.’'It’s weirdly homoerotic how you do this,” muses Derek, eyeing him.Stiles chokes and Derek’s lips curl up into an almost smile. It’s so easy to get the reaction he wants from Stiles.“Yeah, it’s disgusting, Stilinski,” says Jackson, looking at the boy with distaste.Derek turns to him, letting his eyebrows rise. “And who asked you, Whittemore?”Jackson glances at him, surprised. “I’ve just agreed with y-”“No one cares,” Derek interrupts him. “Fuck off.”

Love Runs Wild by DevilDoll

Rating: E - Word Count: 9,494“You’ve got a hickey on the back of your neck!” A Neckz 'n Throats story.Or the one where Stiles shows up fro work as a model for Neckz ‘n Throats with a hickey on his neck and Derek doesn’t take it well.

Free Consultation by DevilDoll

Rating E - Word Count: 12,691Stiles Stilinski, professional knotting surrogate. Derek Hale, lonely Alpha.

Hunger by DiscontentedWinter

Rating: M - Word Count: 55,382Beacon Hills.Two lost souls.A homeless boy, a lone wolf, and people who will stop at nothing to destroy them both.

Do Not Go Gentle by MojoFlower

Rating: E - Word Count: 195,867Derek Hale, Beacon Hills Alpha and Dom, wakes up in a dark cell already housing another captive – a mute, traumatized sub with a cruel collar around his neck. His only goal is to get them both free of their brutal circumstances; but even as he tries to get his young companion home, a bond between them grows. Nothing comes easily: danger and harrowing echoes of their ordeal shadow every step they take.

Red Witch by rootbeer

Rating T - Word Count: 34,271The red hair of a banshee. The red eyes of an alpha. The red hoodie of a mage. The red of fire burning.Derek Hale has been a prisoner to the hunters since they burned his family alive. But now someone has come to save him: skinny, defenseless Stiles–147 lbs of skin and fragile bones. Turns out, sarcasm isn’t his only weapon.

The One with the Mail-Order Brides and A/B/O Dynamics by Stoney

Rating: E - Word Count: 16,149Wolves aren’t meant to be alone. Laura tells Derek this repeatedly. Which… is why Derek knows he’s losing his mind, as Laura has been dead for more than six years. Wolves aren’t meant to be alone.And so he sends away for a companion. JUST for a companion, not for a mate. The universe, however, has a different plan in store for him.

Ok Nonny, I hope that tides you over for a while…. 

slinks off back into the bowels of the internet.

[visceralcoma]

COCK AGE: THE MEASURING

Some friends of mine were asking how big certain characters were as I’ve seen my fair share of dicks. Big, small, long, thin, bendy, straight, floppy, stumpy, girthy, micro and oversized, and all soft and hard.  I’ve seen a lot of dicks.

So I give you my personal headcanons of the range of length for each character. I based it on their country of origin in comparison to the real world counterparts’ average dick size. I also took into consideration certain habits and behaviors that stereotypically indicate either a smaller or a bigger package.  

Disclaimers:  These are what I extrapolated based on my OWN experiences. Not canon. These guesses are purely my own fanon. 

COCK AGE: ORIGIN OF THE WEEN

Unfortunately I cannot even remotely guess any of the measurements for Alistair, Sten, or Oghren as they used default models DAO with no special outfits per character.  I even investigated King Alistair in Inquisition, but unfortunately, crotch flap prevented me from looking too closely.

ZEVRAN: 6 to 7 inches / 13-17 cm

Reasoning: This is based on my experience with men who were above average, knew it, and were kind enough to offer massages to help relax certain muscles. But that is personal preference.  And given Zevran grew up in a brothel...

Plus: average Penis length for Spanish men is 5.5 inches/13.97 cm.  And for Italian men it’s  6.2 inches/15.748 cm.  

Lay Review: 9.5/10 would recommend. Really great at sex, he was raised in a brothel of course he will be! But also really great at foreplay.  Just be careful as he was hired to kill you. (Unless you’re kinky and like that, then 10/10!)

COCK AGE: TWICE AS THICK

ANDERS: 5.5 - ? inches / 13.97 - ? cm

Reasoning: He wears a freaking Mage robe half the time. He’s known for his electricity fingers from the Pearl in Denerim, which means he knows his way in the bedroom better than most of us.  You can basically say he has any size you want and it works.

Lay Review: 9/10 Would recommend - Sorry you can incorporate SEX MAGIC into foreplay? Uhh yes please!  But be careful of his nosey asshole roommate who likes to pop in unannounced.

CARVER: No.  Okay by popular demand here is Carver’s dick size. -sighs-

5.5 to 9 inches / 13.97-22.86 cm

Reasoning: The average penis length for people in the UK is 5.5 inches. And I personally headcanon, that much like being bigger than Hawke, I think Carver is bigger in other areas as well. It’s why he gets to be so cocky and such a shit to Hawke because he knows he has at least something over his brother. 

Lay Review:  10/10 Listen, the man had a favorite whore in the Blooming Rose that even Isabela knew it and could catch him.  And he flirts easily with Isabela. He’s cocky but he’s not insufferable about it. 

SEBASTIAN:  6 - 6.5 inches / 15.24 - 16.51 cm

Reasoning: The average penis length for people in the UK is 5.5 inches, but the UK did their own review and said with “stretching” it was closer to 6 and up. I say that’s cheating, but whatever, we’ll give it to them. They do say that the Scotsmen are bigger than average - with stretching. 

Given Sebastian spent his youth chasing after the skirts of all the noble ladies, and many of them gossiped that he might take interest in them, I’m willing to bet he has above average length but also knows how to bloody well use it.

Lay Review:  5/10 would recommend, because you’re going to catch SOMETHING from this manwhore but you’ll have a damn good time of it. If you can pull him away to break his vows of celibacy that is.

FENRIS: 5 - 6 inches 

Reasoning: He’s from Tevinter, and which has some inspirations from Central and Western Asian influences with Roman cultures.  But he is also an elf and was a slave that was likely well fed as he was the “favorite.”  His armor is fairly form fitting so he’s not overly big as to be noticeable. Heck, he probably has a crotch armor for protection, but nothing too constricting as he needs to move.  

Lay Review: 1/10 - Would not recommend because you’re sleeping with someone who is starting to remember and has not yet recovered from being a sexual abuse victim to the point even touch triggers painful memories. (0/10 if you’re a male mage, because that would likely be triggering for Fenris as a Male Mage was his abuser)

COCK AGE: INQUISIT ME

VARRIC: 4 - 4.5 inches / 10.16 - 11.43 cm

Reasoning: Look he’s a dwarf. They are smaller, but they are also denser and thicker. So Varric’s got a big girthy thick cock even if it is under average

Lay Review: 7/10 would recommend, you’re gonna feel some pain having to stretch for him, but what he can’t reach for in length, he can make up for with his wicked tongue.  Don’t under estimate a good “bed” time story. He may also accidentally call out Bianca’s name. 

SOLAS: 4.5 - 5.5 inches / 11.43 - 13.97 cm

Reasoning: Hobo Apostate Solas, his crotch area is baggy, much like Cullen’s.  Almost lumpy in some areas but usually smooth.  No excessive bulge anywhere or any sort of presenting.  However in Trespasser, his bulge is front and center, like it’s on display.  A nice packaged bulb right there. And I know what you’re think, BIG DICK-  saaadly no.  The men who have the neat bulge like that have basically fluffed themselves up to appear like they are packing some sweet long heat. Also, the Greek standard of beauty for cocks was with smaller lengths. And given Solas’s vanity, seriously look at him in Trespasser, I think he PRIDES himself on being quite gorgeous. 

Lay Review:  10/10 actually, even though I can’t stand him.  But all the fun in the fade, no actual touching in the physical world. He’s the safest one to have sex with, No STDs.  CAN’T GET PREGNANT IN THE FADE.  For women, we basically get to experience the female equivalent of the male wet dream. In the Fade, his dick can be any size - heck it could be vibrating (or a wolf dick that knots for all you furries).  He’s really wise so he knows ALL the tricks. Seriously, he’s probably the reverse of the Demolition Man. 

BLACKWALL: 4 - 7 inches / 10.16-17.78 cm 

Reasoning:  Average Penis size for UK men is 5.5 inches/13.97 cm 

Blackwall boosts that his sword is not compensation, but a counterweight.  Guys that usually brag, don’t have the equipment they boast.  (Sorry Bae!)  But if he DOES have a big dick, then that is his one trick pony.  He has the equipment but is shite at using it and probably jams it in with no foreplay.  Which given his romance scene....

In that case, Blackwall really needs to listen to Sera’s advice.Just the fact Sera even felt PROMPTED to give him advice, says something.  All the other sex talks he’s fine but it’s THIS one he felt uncomfortable: 

Sera: I'll show you. I just need a peach. A ripe one, because if you do it right? Ripe! Down there. 

Blackwall: Please, no peaches, ripe or otherwise. 

Sera: Well I can't teach you bananas! That would be like showing you swords! Oh! Remember, do not use it like a sword. 

Blackwall: How do I make this stop?

Lay Review:  6/10 Would recommend only if you don’t mind digging hay out of your asscrack. Or taking the time to teach him how to fuck.

DORIAN:  5 to 8 inches / 16.51-20.32 cm

Reasoning: Average Penis size for Pakistani men is 6 inches. 

The scene where Dorian approaches you in the chambers, if you look, he has a noticeable gap between his thighs, almost like he’s intentionally making sure nothing erm... rubs. And Dorian is no skinny mage, he’s well muscled and thick enough for his thighs to press together. Therefore, he’s tucked.  However a man can tuck and still walk fairly comfortably.  It’s only when they are a little bigger do they have to make adjustments. 

Lay Review:  7.5/10 would recommend (if I was masculine presenting).  Dorian likes to be served (Inquisit me) by you, but damn if his orgasms aren’t fantastic. Make sure to have a water spell on hand, or... take down the curtains before hand ;) you exhibitionist you. 

THE IRON BULL: 8.5 to 10 inches / 21.59 - 25.4 cm

Reasoning: Bull sounds overly cocky but NOT in his dick size, rather in foreplay. In my experience in alternative lifestyles, these men are amazing. They knew how to use what they had - and usually it wasn’t much. Barely average or even under. Now, you’ll note the size is still above average. Some of you might even be going ow!  But that range I gave is average, maybe even UNDER average, for qunari.  Add to the fact the size of Bull’s “black box” was appropriately sized for a big dick for HUMANS. Yeah... The Iron Bull is definitely average for Qunari. But he knows how to work it. 

Lay Review: 8/10 Would recommend. I mean... who turns down to ride the bull?  You WILL be sore, because... OW.  But eh, for the experience right? Plus all us alternate lifestyle folks would get along REAL well with him.

CULLEN: 6.5 to 7 inches / 16.51-17.78 cm

Reasoning: Average Penis size for men from the Netherlands is 6.248 inches.

Cullen’s crotch appears quite um... lumpy, if you can view him without the flap.  It’s not tight, but definitely snug and to the side a bit. He could be wearing some protective covering under that or nothing at all.  But it’s clearly that he’s got some huge schlong there.

Lay Review: 9/10 would recommend. He’s packing, is shy in public, but once behind doors... the man can pin you to his OWN desk and rail you and then carry you UP A LADDER?  Shit... sign me the fuck up. I mean you’re gonna be sore and worn out having used muscles you hadn’t thought you even had, but fuck what a lay right? Lets just hope he offers to massage your lower back.  Desks do not make for comfy surfaces to rut on top of.  Especially wobbly ones (thanks Sera).  

[unlikelystoriesofazeroth]

Ghorthas

                                               The Fel Engine

(This story was pre-written and was felt better expressed in this form)

I remember waking up to a voice, it was one that I didn’t recognize, but it felt… familiar? I don’t know, all I know is, it was talking in some kind of language that was more complex than anything I had even heard. I slowly opened my eyes, hoping to get a glimpse without getting spotted, although it didn’t help much since all I remember is black. At the time it felt like I was wearing a blindfold. Then the voice spoke in common.

“Ah, so the elf has woken up, we can continue.” The voice sounded like someone threw rocks in his throat, it was terrible. Definitely something that I would not want to go to sleep listening to. Then the blindfold was removed, what I saw was this red ass cliff with my allies sitting side by side next to each other, tied up. San, Fallon, that asshat, Darren, and Aernis. I really hoped whatever was in store wasn’t gonna hurt us TOO much.

“How does it feel, elf? To watch as hell descends upon you, one, last, time…” the voice, which I could see now came from a dreadlord. He didn’t look like the ones I’ve seen in the pictures, this one looked… skinny, his horns were not sharp at all, and his hair was incredibly grown out. His hair went down to his back, it was weird. And what the hell did he mean ‘one last time’? I feel like this dreadlord had a few screws missing, I mean, what demon actually grows their hair out? He continued to jabber on.

“The silent soldier, the innocent researcher, the annoying pest, and the hypocrite… All lead here by the elf who disregards his own existence, I think it’s time you were punished.” he said as he started to cackle like a chicken who poked some poor kid’s eye out. I swear, this guy made no sense, he talked in riddles and everyone knows I hate riddles. But, anyway, he continued on, he grabbed this weird green liquid with black moldy crap in it and kneeled down to San.

“San, do you have anything to say to your friends before I begin with this experiment?” the dreadlord asked. Of course San didn’t say a word, the whole way up here, no words at all. But, finally he gave a look as if he was gonna bite the dreadlord or something like that. Then, before anything was said, the dreadlord poured this liquid down his throat. At first, he was kicking ass and spitting it out, but, the longer it went on, it was clear that the crap had gotten to him. Everyone just watched as our guardian, San, turned into some kind of super demon, I swear I saw green spikes comes out of his shoulders. The first sound I had ever heard him make was a yell after that and him snarling like a rabid dog constantly during this. The dreadlord turned to Darren and kneeled down to his level.

“How about you, pest?” the dreadlord said, almost as if he was laughing. Darren of course, being the asshat that he is, did have something to say. I couldn’t figure out which one I wanted to punch more though.

“What kind of asshole does this? Why not just kill us right here?” Darren asked. I swear the dreadlord looked over to me and said something crappy about how we were just test subjects. Before like before, he poured more of that sludge from a machine near him and drowned that asshat in it. Darren did similar things, but, his voice got deeper, like that was any better. He also had smaller spikes poking through his fancy mage robe, as much as I hated the guy, it was scary for us all to see. Aernis, our ranger of the group looked at me and then pointed to a knife wedged between two plates of her armor. But, the dreadlord walked over and asked his question to Fallon before we could do anything.

“The young researcher, you were not meant for this mission, were you?” the dreadlord asked like he already knew the answer. I completely thought at the time that Fallon was meant for this mission, but, the more I looked at this young guy, the more I realized he wasn’t. Aernis gave me this look that basically told me the exact same thing that I thought.

“W-Why should I talk to you, demon?” the poor guy asked. He was sweating so hard, I swear he was shaking. I felt bad for him, I couldn’t believe what had happened. Aernis continued to signal me to grab the knife, and I tried to move over and not get seen at the same time. I closely watched as the dreadlord got closer to his face.

“As heartless as you think I am, I’d like to know the story of my experiments before I possibly end them, now speak if you wish.” he said, I swear I wanted to cut his head off. I was getting closer to the knife. I had a hard ass time trying to grab it, I kept grabbing the wrong plate, it was terrible. I noticed though, Fallon had looked at both of us and then back at the dreadlord, maybe he knew what we were planning?

“Well, no… I wasn’t meant to join, I snuck away l-last minute… This was the best chance of seeing demons and their magic up cl-close…” he said, he was shaking so bad. I was ready to stab this dreadlord in the heart multiple times already. Eventually, I got a hold of the knife, sliding it slowly out of the thigh plate Aernis had. I handed it over to her instead of using it for myself since, I suck with knives. She was cutting as fast as she could, but, it was too late.

“Another scientist, like me, doing anything to get a glimpse of what would happen… You will be the most enjoyable of all the test subjects.” the cocky ass dreadlord said as he began pouring the sludge down his throat. To keep an eye off of Aernis and because I was done with the dreadlord’s shit, I yelled at him.

“YOU ASSHOLE! WHY?!” The dreadlord just laughed, his stupid laugh one of the few things I remember. Fallon looked almost as if he was choking on the sludge itself, but, we all knew better. He didn’t drastically change like San or Darren did, he only could’ve been eighteen. I was so pissed off, most of my team was being turned into monsters, one of which wasn’t meant to even be with us! Aernis seemed to almost be done with cutting the rope wrapped around her. The dreadlord watched Fallon longer than the other two, he was clearly enjoying this and all I thought of doing was stabbing this dreadlord multiple times. He eventually turned his head towards me and laughed.

“Enjoying the show, ‘Ghorthas’? How does it feel to watch as your companions soon become monsters, like you?” he said with this snarky-ass tone. At least, I think it was, his voice was so terrible that I couldn’t tell. He walked over to Aernis, his hoof steps were louder than I thought. He kneeled down to her and smiled. I looked over to where the tie was in her rope trap, and it was gone. I tried so hard to hold back a smile, I knew what this meant.

“Now, what are your last words, frail little elf?” he said in a mocking tone. This time, I knew he wasn’t talking about me, even though Aernis hid it pretty well, she was a high elf. I waited for the reaction, but it was almost like she was trying to calm herself down. The dreadlord about about to speak, but she interrupted him.

“Go back to the twisting nether, you waste of flesh.” she said as she spit in his face. He quickly held her down by the shoulder and poured some of the sludge into her mouth. Before anything happened though, she grabbed her knife and stabbed the dreadlord underneath his armor. Her rope had been cut, she was free. The dreadlord was not expecting this attack at all, hell he might’ve screamed, at least, that’s how I remembered it. He limped and moved over closer to the edge of the cliff.

“Orcs! Get her! She won’t hold for long!” the dreadlord pleaded. The red skinned orcs that we were ambushed by earlier began to show themselves and attempted to surround Aernis. But, before that happened, she cut my rope lose in seconds. If I knew it would take that long, I would’ve just cut it myself, but, we quickly got back on our feet. I had to fend off two or three red orcs, they began to overwhelm us, but that wasn’t the worst of it. Aernis fell to the ground, she was clearly sick. She wasn’t changing quite like the others, but she was coughing and was clearly unable to do much at the time.

“Ghor… Snake… head…” she said quickly with a long breath. I knew what it meant, it was a saying she loved to pass around during our mission in Hellfire. “Cut off the head of the snake, all that’s left is a squirming body,” was what she meant. It was clear she wanted me to kill this dreadlord. I picked up her knife and pushed through many of the red orcs, knocking them down. I got to the dreadlord in question and looked down at him, I was right there, gonna end his life. But, something felt familiar, I didn’t know what it was at the time, but, it was clear.

“Ghorthas, the most important thing in this world, is life. As easy it is to end it, as much pleasure you think it will bring, even to avenge dead ones, is not the way. Mercy must always be a option, even in the most dire of circumstances.” said the voice. I knew what it was, but, I ignored who it was. I instead lunged the tiny knife into the dreadlord’s hand. But, before any damage could be done, he grabbed my leg and before I knew it, I was upside down. The dreadlord was holding me by my leg like some kind of baby.

“I believed you still had use, but, it appears I was wrong. The first experiment of Arakkazul has failed, it’s time to dispose of the evidence.” he said as he began to dangle me over the edge of the cliff. I thought it was all over, with this pompous dreadlord, Arakkazul, if that’s his name, hanging me over a cliff. But, before I knew it, a large scream of pain came from him. He fell to his knees, dropping me near the edge of the cliff. I was surprised to see Aernis not only standing back on her feet, but had broken through the red orcs and stabbed the dreadlord in the back. The stupid dreadlord looked at me as if expecting me to help him. It was something that felt weird, but, I took a good look at Aernis. Her eyes had turned a dark green, some of the skin that was revealed had what looked like fel crystals sprouted from the skin. It was horrible. But, she seemed to be the same Aernis I met up with when this mission began.

“No… NO! I will not accept my research to end, it must… continue…” the dreadlord said as he collapsed, his body turned into weird bat things and flew off, leaving only the knife and his armor. It was clear we killed him, the fel orcs were in full retreat, the only thing left was our allies. San was growling loudly, Darren was yelling or something, I couldn’t tell. Fallon was the worst though, he was drooling and looked as if he was hit really hard with a rock, no signs of being human. Aernis picked up the knife and gave me a look I hadn’t seen on her before.

“I’ll take the big guy and the mouthy one if you take care of Fallon for me.” she said as she handed the knife to me. Maybe, this was mercy, live as monsters or die as heroes…