#its for hair dying consultation

[oh-gh0st]

ouggghh why must i get up early....

[daisybell-on-a-carousel]

The first villian jason fought as robin was the joker,, hello,,,

[steddietogo]

Made With Love

Part 3 of Steddie Tik Tok au: The Halloween Vlog

Read part 2 <<here

———

Robin is in a pinstriped three-piece suit, her short brown hair dyed black and slicked back, with a badly drawn moustache on her face. “Unhapphy, darphling?” She speaks around a rose stem she’s holding between her teeth.

“Oh yes,” The camera pans to Eddie lounging on an armchair. He’s ditched his usual band tee and ripped jeans combo for a tight black dress with the deepest neckline known to man, the long black fabric pooling around his feet. He raises his arm, bell sleeve flaring, and flips his straightened hair behind his shoulders with red painted nails. “Yes completely,” deep red lips curve into smile and he bats his eyes, heavily lined and dusted in smokey grey eyeshadow.

———

“Originally, we were supposed to be the Sanderson sisters for Halloween but someone—” Robin looks at something pointedly off camera, “—decided to go off and commit to a group costume with his long-distance babysitting wards without consulting us,”

“This—” Eddie strikes a pose as Robin gestures to them, “—was supposed to be a revenge costume but now we feel kinda bad because—” the camera flips around to show a pile of blankets on the couch, “Dingus is now down with the flu,” A hand emerges from its depths and flips them off.

“I think he’s going as The Thing,” Eddie says and they both snicker.

———

Eddie is in the kitchen using Steve’s recording set up. “My darling Gomez has gone off to party, it’s just me and Steve at home now,” he sighs dramatically, “Alas, I knocked him out with cough syrup so he won’t be up for a couple hours,”

“And I found this recipe for chicken noodle soup and I, Eddie Munson who cannot cook to save my own life, am going to put it to test since Steve keeps saying ‘anyone can make it’. Were gonna find out today baby,”. Eddie’s reading off of a book as he lays out everything he would need on the counter, announcing each item as he takes them out. “I hope I’m using the right pot and Steve won’t kill me,”

———

Eddie is slow dancing to Lady Gaga with a plastic skeleton meant for decoration, his dress swishing around him as he twirls with his inanimate dance partner. During a particularly enthusiastic dip, the skeleton’s skull breaks off from the rest of the body and rolls away.

“Betty! Noooo!” Eddie cries, falling to his knees.

———

��No one told me how sweaty cooking can make you,” Eddie’s twisting his hair up in a bun, “But I’m committed to it now, I will not be bested by soup,”

“Look at this, my make up isn’t the only thing melting in the heat,” He holds up a bent looking plastic spatula to the camera. “Its totally not because I put it too close to the stove but we’re going to hide the evidence so Steve doesn’t find out,”

———

“I accidentally added too much salt, went to the Internet for help and a lot of people say that adding a potato will help fix it,” Eddie explains as he is chopping one. “There are no potatoes in this recipe, so if Steve asks, I’m gonna tell him I have no idea how they got in there,”

“Here goes nothing,” Eddie shoves both sleeves all the way up his arms before dropping all of the potato pieces in at once, making a little bit of the boiling soup splash out of the pot missing him by inches. “Oh shit, that was close. Don’t try this at home kids,”

———

“Moment of truth people,” He’s ladling soup into a bowl. “Personally, I’m just surprised this came out edible, but let’s see what the chef has to say about it,”

The clip cuts to Eddie shuffling away from the camera that’s now facing the sofa where Steve is taking a nap. Eddie kneels before him, a gentle hand on Steve’s face as he nudges him wake. Cut to a bleary-eyed Steve sitting up and waving at the camera.

“Just know that if you give me food poisoning on top of the flu, I’ll never forgive you,” he says as Eddie is handing him the bowl. “Why’re there potatoes in here?”

“No reason,” Eddie smiles back innocently at the look Steve gives him before he takes a bite, and then another. Eddie watches, nibbling in his fingernails.

“Oh shit,”

“What?”

“The potato actually makes it better,” he looks like he’s trying to sound annoyed but the smile on his face gives him away. “I’m gonna have to add potatoes to the recipe,”

“Wait. Does that mean my soup is better than yours?”

“It’s still my recipe, Munson,”

“You’re avoiding the question, Harrington,”

“…Maybe?”

Eddie throws his hands up whopping and his sleeve smacks Steve in the face.

———

“I was standing there, Morticia-less,” Robin is back and the three of them huddle in the sofa in the darkness of the living room, the only source of light is the movie no one is actually watching.

“—and she’s was wearing that Kate Bush bat dress and we were like ‘that’s close enough’ and then we completely winged a little dance and I only tripped on my own shoe once, you should be proud of me,” Robin is wearing a sash that says ‘Hideout King’ and is going a mile a minute about the party she came back from.

“And then she kissed me when they announced us as the winners, she kissed me Steve!” Robin shakes Steve and then high-fives Eddie so hard he almost falls off the couch.

———

Robin is filming Steve launching candy corn from the couch and Eddie, now in his jammies, is on the other side of the coffee table trying to catch them in his mouth. Steve’s laughter is getting increasingly hysterical and his aim is getting poorer while Eddie practically dives left and right trying catch the candy. Steve looks like he’s going to fall off the couch in stitches. The video ends as three are celebrating a complicated twist dive Eddie executed and successfully caught the candy with in mouth.

———

Caption says:

@_eddie_munson who do you think edits all the footage?

———

Comments:

user80085: who else questioning their sexuality rn?

Dustin H: RIP Betty, you will be missed 😔

Reefing Rick: Why tf don’t I have an Eddie Munson in a Morticia Addams costume cooking in my kitchen? God really has favorites huh

spring roll: So no ones going to talk about how Robin basically came out?

Gayby replying to spring roll: good for her

———

Part 4

———

A/n: it’s so funny to imagine Steve sitting in his room alone and reviewing an hour-long footage of Eddie messing around in the kitchen. And it cracks him up that every time Eddie messes something up he walks up to the camera and whispers ‘don’t tell Steve’

Steddie tag list: @deehellcat @eddiemunsonswife @missarte-beltane @grtwdsmwhr @kit-means-death

[thenightfolknetwork]

There are… strange things happening to my body. I heard from some of my friends that I should come to you for things like this. Sorry if it’s a bit oddly worded, I’ve had to rewrite this quite a bit.

You see, I’m used to having the ocasional astral spell, leaving my body from time to time while I nap and waking up an hour or so later to find my body right where I’ve left it. But recently, these spells have been getting quite a bit longer. And someone has seen fit to move into my body while I’m out.

I’ve heard of this sort of thing before, shared vessels and all that. But I never asked for a bodymate, let alone gave them permission! You see, my new bodymate is a refugee from their dimension. They jumped into my body since it was the first they could find unoccupied at the time, and apparently it’s rather similar to the one they used to have at home. I’ve left notes around, and they’ve written back, and for a while we had a somewhat tedious agreement over who could control the body when. I control it during the daytime, and them at night, simple as that. We both take frequent naps as our schedule allows, so our body doesn’t get too exhausted.

However recently, they’ve been a bit of a “controller-hog”, so to speak. I’ll settle down for a nap in my bed, only to wake up on the couch watching some bad medical drama. I hate medical dramas. But the worst thing by far was when I woke up three days ago with blue hair. Blue HAIR. My hair has never been blue, nor have I ever dyed it, or even had hair dye in my home!

I immediately wrote several very stern letters to my bodymate. I had hoped that maybe over the next few nights, we could have hashed something out together. But today I woke up with a NOSE RING. What’s next? Some cheap tattoo?!

I’ve tried writing this letter SO MANY TIMES, but each time I’ve been “dozing off” and waking up with my finger pressed conveniently to the backspace button. I’ve tried so hard to get them to leave, but they simply refuse. What do I do?!

Reader, this is absolutely appalling behaviour. It is never acceptable for a bodymate to make changes to the shared vessel without the permission of all inhabitants, and their blatant disregard for your wishes proves them to be as unscrupulous as they are rude.

The fact this person is a refugee from another dimension does not give them the right to treat your shared body with impunity. Quite apart from the violations of changing the body's appearance without your agreement, there are the very real health risks involved.

After all, if your body doesn't get enough rest because one of its occupants sees fit to sit up watching medical dramas, you will both suffer the physical consequences.

Usually I am the first to advocate for communication and compromise. But in this situation, I think your bodymate has shown they are not interested in negotiation. The time for rationality and reason has passed. You must take direct action.

There are two options available. If you are not particularly attached to the body itself, you could always cede possession and take up residence in another vessel.

Many people consider such a change to be a refreshing change of perspective. You might choose a vessel at random, find a volunteer online, or indulge in having a custom body created for you by a professional matter consultant.

Just be sure to update your identity documents and paperwork before making the jump. There are ways to prove your identity in the case of corporeal eviction and so on, but it can be a lengthy and uncomfortable process and is far best avoided.

Alternatively, if you have a particular affection for this vessel, I'm afraid you're going to have to put your foot down. At a time when you are in full control of the body, speak to a trusted friend and establish a way of communicating to them whether or not the person in control of the body really is you. A code word will do, or a reference to a shared memory. Anything your new bodymate will be unable to guess.

Then, you need to call in the professionals. Exorcism has an understandably poor reputation in the community, but it remains the most effective way to handle unwanted guests.

Find a licensed practitioner to perform the ritual, and book them for a time and place of your choosing. You'll also need to give them the contact details of your trusted contact, to check whether the ritual was successful or not.

Finally, at the allotted time, tell your bodymate that you are ready and willing to take drastic measures to protect your boundaries. There is a chance they will take your threat seriously, and agree to either vacate your body of their own volition or to treat your shared space with more respect.

Given their behaviour during the writing of this letter, however, I think it far more likely they will respond with aggression. Brace yourself. They will very probably try to wrest control of the body and suppress your influence entirely. Let them – your exorcist will be on hand to manage the situation.

Once your bodymate has been safely transferred into temporary storage, the rest is up to you. The most ethical choice is to find a willing alternative vessel and having your bodymate transferred to them as soon as possible. Alternatively, safe release into a crowded public area is often included in the price of an exorcism, with a small surcharge if you want to choose the target area yourself.

Banishment to another realm entirely will cost significantly more. Besides, even without the concerns about keeping them from accidentally going back to the realm they just left, crossplanar banishment is considered rather gauche.

You don't need to decide right away. Once your headmate is removed, they will be able to remain in the storage container for up to a week with no harmful effects. It will be rather boring for them, but frankly I'm inclined to think they deserve a little time to sit on the mantelpiece and think about what they've done.

[For more creaturely advice, check out Monstrous Agonies on your podcast platform of choice, or visit monstrousproductions.org for more info]

[serickswrites]

Make Me Your Villain character bios

Masterlist link here (has summary and all chapters linked)

Here are the most developed characters of the series. If I add or further develop any characters, I will add them to this sheet.

Liam Ward: at the start of the story, Liam is a young eighteen year old apprentice to Hiraethian’s superhero, Jude. By the conclusion of the story, Liam is thirty-three and no longer the apprentice he once was, but the Hiraethian’s villain. Liam is tall, sometimes described as gangly, and lean. He is not physically imposing, but he is strong. Liam is often described as pale, with a sprinkling of golden freckles across his skin. His longish blond hair is something he uses to hide behind at times, retreating from the world behind his curtain of hair. He has the palest of blue eyes, like the lightest shade of blue in the sky at dawn. His eyes are the first thing anyone notices about his face. Liam’s powers include teleportation, both of himself, others and objects, and controlling/manipulation/wielding of shadows. While his greatest strength is his combination of powers and he can also physically overpower his opponents, Liam thinks through his actions very carefully. When in doubt, he consults the research and archives to gain the information he knows. Liam’s home and work space is called the Haven and is about an hour’s drive outside of Hiraethian. Liam is the story’s male lead.

Jude Morse: Jude is about 30 years old—Liam is never quite sure how old his mentor is—at the beginning of the story, and by its conclusion, he is about 45. He is the town’s much beloved superhero. Jude has mud colored hair and eyes and is very tan. As he ages, his hair becomes streaked with grey. At the beginning of the story, he is in peak physical condition and is very, very muscular; but by the conclusion, he has begun to go soft around the edges as he can’t maintain the body of his youth. Jude is a siphon of sorts—in the series the power is called a soul-sucker—in that he can take on other powers. Powers we see Jude manifest throughout the series include: flying, super strength, super speed (can appear to teleport but does not actually teleport), electricity, fire, ice, manipulation of time, and being able to cut/wound from a distance/without touching his opponent. Jude is willing to research, but his go to is to delegate and integrate the information he is given with what he already knows. Jude’s home, Sluagh, is located at Hiraethian's center, not far from city hall or police headquarters. Jude is the story’s antagonist.

Henry Harlin: Henry is 18 at the time of his first appearance, and is 31 at the story’s conclusion. Henry keeps his black hair short and cut close to his head. His eyes are brown. He is shorter and stocky. He is very, very strong. While Henry isn't gifted with any super powers, he has had family members have powers. Henry becomes Liam’s best friend and lives at the Haven with Liam. Henry is Liam’s eyes and ears about town. He is more than happy to join Liam and Nova researching how to defeat their opponents, but he is also happy to see to the runnings of the Haven instead. He oversees any and all missions that Liam or Nova run.

Nova Ambrose: Nova is 22 at the time of her first appearance, and 27 by the story’s conclusion. She is taller with golden skin and amber eyes. Nova is always dying her hair bright colors and her hair color will be different at each chapter. Nova has a rare ability as a healer, and she is a very powerful one at that. Not only can she heal herself of any wound with her healing light, but she can also extend her healing to others. She can sense if someone needs to be healed as well. Nova has a quick reaction time and usually follows Liam’s lead. She is the story’s female lead.

[ga-yuu]

I Love You, Even If You Forget Me Part 2 Morinaga Story Summary

Story starts with our beloved Yoshino going to the woods to pick up some medicinal herbs. Due to her bad luck, he encounters an almost dying low-level demon. The demon sees her, says something weird, breaks and disappears. At that moment, Yoshino also loses her consiciousness.

Morinaga's pov. Morinaga waits for Yoshino to wake up while calming himself down. When Yoshino wakes up, she doesn't recognize Morinaga. Morinaga went and consulted with Tamamo and after analyzing the situation, Tamamo told him the same thing about the demon that eats memories.

The next day or night to be exactly. Morinaga and Yoshino was just chilling in their room. Now I don't know if Morinaga and Yoshino are engaged or married, but the Morinaga told her that they have 'tied a knot'. But let's just assume that they just lovers. Anyways, he does reveal to Yoshino that they are together and Yoshino, although looking confused, accepted it.

Yoshino was acting all shy in front to Morinaga. Whenever Morinaga smiles at her or pats her head or holds her hand, she blushes instantly. Morinaga loved looking at her like that. But he still had to hold himself back from doing anything more. Morinaga tells her that they have all the time in the world and that she can take it slowly.

They decide to try various things they used to do together so that maybe it would trigger something inside Yoshino's mind. Yoshino also nodded. He started by combing Yoshino's hair, which he does almost every night. While combing her silky smooth hair, his knuckles or fingers sometimes brushes Yoshino skin and her shoulders jump slightly as if she was feeling conscious of him. Morinaga was smiling seeing her like that but then, he saw her pale skin on the back of her neck. Morinaga remembers that whenever he finishes combing Yoshino's hair, he would drop a kiss on her pale neck. But today, he cannot do it.

He held back his feelings and smiled bitterly. He tells Yoshino its over and Yoshino turns and thanks him with an angelic smile. They decided to go to sleep for the night and again Morinaga remembers that they usually go to sleep while hugging each other. But tonight, they won't be hugging each other and there would a small distance between them. At the very least, Yoshino agreed to hold hands with him while sleeping. Okay I think they are married.

Next day, Morinaga went to the Shogunate for work. He meets Tamamo and Tamamo asks how Yoshino was doing. Morinaga tells him that nothing as changed. But Morinaga was pretty optimistic. If Yoshino's memories comes back, it will be great. If they don't, then he will just create new memories with her. Hearing this Tamamo felt bitter. He understands that Morinaga has a very positive personality all the time, but he advices him that there will surely come a day were he will mourn over the loss of something important. Morinaga has been a very lucky person since he was born and has almost never had to suffer. Living a life like that can sometimes make a person a tad bit cocky about everything. Morinaga is a kind man but when it comes things that depend on luck, he is a bit cocky. Anyways, Morinaga will remember Tamamo's words later.

A few days have passed and yes, Yoshino still didn't regain her memories. Morinaga comes to their bedroom and sees Yoshino. He tells her that he will be away from home for a while because he was ordered by Yoritomo to participate in war. Usually, whenever going for a war, Yoshino will always accompany him as a pharmacist. But this time he cannot take Yoshino with him because she lost her precious memories with him and majority of those memories are of fighting the great war with him. During that time, they shared many moments and motivated each other to get through rough times. Since she doesn't have those memories now, Morinaga thought that maybe Yoshino would be nervous.

But Yoshino is Yoshino and she begged Morinaga to bring her along. She wanted to do her work and make sure that Morinaga is safe. Morinaga was surprised, but he knows that Yoshino is a stubborn girl. He sighs and nodded. He also told her that no matter what, he will protect her and patted her head. Morinaga was happy that in their current innocent relationship, he was at least allowed to do this much. Normally, at this point they would have been making out. Yoshino nodded and shyly takes his hand that was patting her head. Morinaga tilted his head while he sees Yoshino staring at his hand. She then out of nowhere kissed it. This surprises Morinaga. Yoshino looks back at him and blushes. She tells him that she simply wanted to do it. At this point, Morinaga wanted to have sex with her because she is so cute but he had to calm himself down.

A few days later they reached the warzone. Yoshino was with Morinaga on his horse. While fighting the enemy, both Yoshino and Morinaga were having small talk. Morinaga could see that Yoshino's face was slightly stiff. He told her that she can close her eyes if she feels afraid, but Yoshino says she doesn't want to. Seeing this, Morinaga talked about a scene in his main story where they both teamed up to beat Kurama. Yoshino was surprise to hear that she protected Morinaga from Kurama's magical powers.

Then an enemy came from the side and tried attacking them. When Morinaga raises his sword, it shined under the sun light and Yoshino uttered the words "--------sword" (referring to the Ame-no-Murakumo sword). Morinaga hears her but before he could ask what she just said, another enemy attacks again. Morinaga for now decided to focus on the battlefield and ask her later.

The war ends with Morinaga's victory. While everyone was celebrating outside, Yoshino and Morinaga go inside their tent. Morinaga thanked her for all the treatment she did for the soldiers. Yoshino look depressed for some reason. Yoshino asks if she could touch him and Morinaga curiously says yes. Yoshino touches his chest and Morinaga's heart was pounding. He then could see tears running down her face. Yoshino tells him that no matter how scary the battlefield was, she couldn't close her eyes because she cannot look away from Morinaga who was in the frontlines protecting his men.

Morinaga hugs her tightly and asks if she was okay. Yoshino looks up at him and confesses her love and that she is starting to remember everything. Morinaga gives a heartfelt smile. Before Yoshino could apologize for forgetting her memories, Morinaga started kissing her. He then puts their foreheads together and told her that instead of apologizing, he wants to hear something else. Yoshino smiles like a flower and says "I'm home!" and they both hug each other tightly. Morinaga was so glad that now he gets to hug her. But that's not enough for him.

Also I didn't buy the epilogue because you guys look like you can't wait any longer!

[im-a-matt-girl]

in honor of the new video, matt fic where his gf helps him dye his hair and its a cute moment between them!! (can't help but think black hair would look great on him)

"Dye"

"Okay, hold still," I say, getting ready to put the dye in your hair.

"Do you think this is gonna hurt?" you ask.

"Pft, no," I chuckle. "Why are you just asking this now?"

You shrug. "I dunno. It didn't occur to me until you were about to put it in my hair."

"You're ridiculous," I roll my eyes at you. "But no, I promise it won't hurt, even a little bit. If it does, it means you're having an allergic reaction, and we'll have to stop and take you to the hospital."

"Can that really happen?" you ask me, your eyes wide with worry.

"I mean… probably? But don't overthink it. I'm pretty sure it won't happen to you. Just let me do this; I'm tired of having this dye in my hands."

"Okay, okay," you say, finally stilling yourself.

I carefully start putting the dye in your hair. It instantly turns your hair black. For some reason, I didn't think it would have such a drastic effect, since your hair is already dark brown, but the difference is startling to me. "Oh, my gosh…" I gasp.

"What? Is it bad?" you ask me.

"No," I answer truthfully. "It's just… surprising. Let's keep going."

You wiggle around a few times on purpose, causing me to smear some dye on your ear. We both start laughing. "That was your fault," you tell me.

"You wish!" I say. "Totally your fault."

You grow contemplatively quiet for a while. "Do you think my brothers are going to like it?" you ask.

"They'll love you no matter what," I reply.

"I know," you say. "But does it look good?"

"I think so, but it's kind of hard to tell for sure until it's rinsed and dried," I say.

"How long do we have to leave it in?" you ask me.

"Let me consult the box," I tell you.

We follow the remainder of the instructions on the box, and your hair looks amazing. "It feels soft," you remark, running your hands through your fluffy, wavy hair.

I reach up to touch it. "Ooh, yeah it does," I smile. "That's because of the conditioner."

You look at yourself in the mirror, and I can tell that you like it.

I actually love it, too. It contrasts so nicely with your pale skin and blue eyes, adding an air of mystique to your already attractive looks.

"Ready to show my brothers?" you say.

"Yeah, let's go," I say, taking your hand in mine.

When we enter the living room together, Chris is the first to notice. "Oh, my God…" he says.

Nick looks up from his phone. "What the fuck!?" he exclaims. "What did you do to your hair!?"

"I dyed it," you say, smiling. "Actually, she dyed it," you add, pointing at me.

Nick touches your hair and sucks his teeth. "You're just trying to be hotter than me," he jokes.

Chris and I burst out laughing.

"Shut up, Nick," you tell him, swatting at his shoulder. "I'm already hotter than you."

Nick makes a silly face at you. "Whatever," he says.

You're right, but I don't want to add fuel to the fire, so I say nothing.

"What do you think, Chris?" you ask him as he approaches us.

"I like it," he answers you, also touching your hair. "Makes me wanna kiss you so bad."

You immediately turn away from him and towards me. "Okay, I'm done," you say, throwing your hands up. "Can you dye my hair back, now?" you ask me facetiously.

"Aw, but I love it," I tell you honestly. "Makes me want to kiss you, too."

Chris giggles while Nick makes a retching sound, pretending like he's about to puke.

I am glad that we dyed your hair, though.

[ineffable-baker-street]

little PSA to any hairstylists put there. just because someone has curly hair doesnt mean its permed. just because they have tight curls that not many have doesnt mean its had treatment done. went in today to have a consultation about getting my hair dyed, and this woman refused to believe that my hair wasnt permed, and that it had never been dyed. my hair lightens in the sun, so the bottom where it's less dense appears lighter. doesnt mean its been dyed. i have completely virgin hair that had never touched a treatment of any sort but she refused to believe me, and ultimately told me she couldnt dye it because of its condition. i get it if its an actual quality of hair issue, but please actually believe your clients, and if you dont, then have them sign a waiver, because now i dont have fun blue hair, all because some lady wouldnt believe me.

[liebgotts-lovergirl]

Fire On Fire: Chapter 27

(Ch. 26.2) ... (Ch. 1)

II Gallery II Symbol Guide II

Summary: "I can accept the idea of my own demise, but I am unable to accept the death of anyone else." - Maya Angelou

WARNINGS: Death, Espionage, War, Survivor's Guilt, the usual

Taglist: @latibvles @softguarnere @brassknucklespeirs @mccall-muffin @lieutenant-speirs @bellewintersroe @emmythespacecowgirl @holdingforgeneralhugs @parajumpboots @hxad-ovxr-hxart @sleepisforcowards @suugrbunz @ax-elcfucker-blog @chaosklutz @mads-weasley @vibing-away @eightysix-baby @ithinkabouttzu @emmylindersson

Contemporary: 11:30 PM, December 2nd, 1944. Liart, France.

“You do know where Liart Station is, right Nix?”

As the pair crept through the thick trees, Alix's whispers were underscored only by the subtle crackling of the frosty ground beneath their feet.

“You’re not going to get us lost agai–” 

“Oh Jesus Christ, let that live forever,” the intelligence officer griped in mock exasperation but even among the chirping chorus of crickets and the occasional crunch of dead leaves, Alix could hear the wry laughter in his voice. 

“How about next time, I complain and you can navigate. How’s that sound, Runt?”

Alix made a vague noise of acknowledgement as they trudged onward, her heart already beginning its heavy drumbeat as speckles of gold began to appear just beyond the treeline a few yards ahead.

The train station.

“Oh ye of little faith,” Nixon remarked dryly and if it hadn’t been for the thick blue lenses, she would’ve rolled her eyes and come up with a snappy retort.

But her mouth had suddenly gone bone-dry, all mirth dying in her throat.

She had bigger problems now.

Under the unforgiving glare of the station lights, there would be nowhere to hide. 

She would be a sitting duck.

It was a spy’s worst nightmare.

Alix’s joints seemed to lock for a split second but she forced herself to catch up with her case officer, slowing only when the hem of her dress snagged on the extended arm of a nearby tree.

“Cazzo!” 

Muttering more expletives under her breath, the spy undertook the arduous task of prying the delicate blue silk from the bough’s stubborn grasp.

The tree's taller branches rustled above her as she worked, showering her in puffy golden blossoms like tiny comets raining down onto her newly-auburn hair as Nixon snickered. 

"Less laughing, more collecting, wise-ass," Alix advised with a cocked eyebrow as she tossed a couple starry blooms in his direction and managed to ease the rest of the gauzy material from the gnarled bark. 

"Saves Donovan some cash on my funeral arrangements." 

“Don’t even joke about that,” the intelligence officer snapped before turning his attention back to the compass in his hand. “You’re going to be fine.”

 Alix would have rolled her eyes but the uncomfortable blue contact lenses stung enough as it was so she settled for an impetuous toss of her hair which launched a few more flowers into the chilly night air. 

“If you say so,” she mumbled but after hiking the skirt of her dress up to her thighs, she forged ahead, trying to ignore the nagging doubts dogging her every step into the night.

No one had told her anything about her mission partner except that they were a floater but that fact alone was enough to fill her with dread.

More of an asset than an agent, floaters were just temporary consultants with highly-specialized skill sets. 

Codebreakers, forgers, interrogators, radio operators, explosives experts, floaters hired by the OSS had talent on top of their respective training, of that she was sure. 

But they weren’t spies and that caused Alix serious trepidation.

How could she put her whole life in the hands of someone who'd never even been in the field before?

What if they froze when she needed them most? Then what?

How did she know they wouldn't sell her out to the Gestapo as soon as they got the chance? 

How did she know they hadn't already done so? 

She didn't, Alix realized as ice seemed to run through her. She didn't know a damn thing. 

What if–

“Knock it off,” Captain Nixon interrupted over his shoulder as if reading her mind. “I can hear you worrying from here.”

“Easy for you to say,” she muttered, tugging the thick mink wrap even closer around herself protectively. 

“You’re not the one walking into a trap, Nix." 

"And neither are you," her handler retorted testily.

“He’ll be there. Just remember the recognition phrase and look for the ring. You'll be fine." 

The notorious skull ring. 

The identifying symbol of a Werwolf Kommando, only gifted to the most dangerous of combatants. 

Alix didn’t even want to know how the OSS had managed to get one for her partner. 

“Hey Runt,” Nixon interrupted her musings once again but his expression was one of slight concern, though his usual laughter still put a lilt in his tone.

They were almost there now.

 “Loosen up, will you? Jesus, you've got the same expression as Dick going on and he usually looks like he’s being marched to the gallows.”

“Well that’s what it feels like,” she grumbled, her stomach churning at the thought of being in plain sight of the Gestapo with a 1 Million Franc bounty out for her capture.

“Hey.” 

Her handler gave her a light smack on the shoulder. There was a brotherly concern in her handler’s eyes but he tried to summon a lackadaisical grin anyway, which she appreciated.

“Relax, 'kay? It’s a mission, not a death sentence.”

The shriek of a train whistle cut off her reply.

It was not her train; she still had plenty of time but she still needed to get to the agreed-upon meeting spot before someone else. 

Hurriedly smoothing some fallen pine needles from her dress, her muscles tensed with anticipation as she made her way beyond the treeline and to the station door, leaving her handler behind in the shadows of the forest.

Alright, she said to herself, forcing an imperious posture as she tugged open the door. Let’s get this show on the road.

∆∆━━━━∆∆━━━━━∆∆━━━━∆∆

If anyone had asked, Alix would’ve told them the worst part of being a spy was the waiting. 

Bathed in the yellow glow of the station lights overhead, she remained frozen on her solitary island, the few passengers in sight hustling past like a flock of seagulls without so much as a glance in her direction.

With every light puff of breath, Alix noticed her fingers twitch slightly with the urge to reach for the rosary that no longer resided there. 

Alix may have been Catholic, but "Tanya" was not. 

Her Nona Lucrezia’s rosary was stuffed into a tiny pouch buried at the bottom of one of her many suitcases, which had already been shipped ahead to Paris. 

In its place around her neck was a weathered golden medallion bearing the icon of Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker, a popular Russian Orthodox intercessor. 

The patron saint of deliverance from misfortune.

She could certainly use some of that right about now.

Feigning boredom, the young agent casually reached into her silk purse and retrieved an ornate silver lighter and her half-smoked pack of Herzegovina Flor cigarettes. 

Instantly, she felt nearby eyes on her. 

Locating the closest reflective surface, Alix clocked the observer: an elderly Frenchwoman in a patchwork skirt who was gaping at her as she shuffled her way past to the fourth bench. 

Of course people were going to stare, Alix reminded herself, trying to focus instead on the lime-green packaging in her lap, the name embossed in glinting gold Cyrillic font.

After all, she was covered from head to toe in diamonds, fur, and silk, not to mention she was smoking the priciest cigarettes in all of the Soviet Union. 

Remembering what Nix had taught her, Alix was careful to pinch the cigarette between her thumb and forefinger instead of how she would normally hold it– casually propped between her first and second. 

"It's always the little things, Runt," the intelligence officer had commented around noontime as he'd adjusted her grip on one of her beloved Chesterfields. 

"The stupidest little things can make or break an op." 

Making a mental note to thank Nix when she got to Paris, Alix took a long drag off her cigarette, enjoying the rich, earthy flavor. 

No wonder it was reportedly Stalin's favorite brand, she mused. The tobacco was of superb quality. 

Noting the time– twenty minutes till midnight – Alix scanned the scene as she awaited the arrival of her contact. 

Liart Station wasn’t very crowded at that hour of the night so he should’ve been easy to spot but none of the men in view wore the distinctive skull ring of the Werwolf Kommandos.

They're going to be late, she thought, gritting her teeth with irritation. This is why I don’t work with floaters.

She could practically hear her handler’s teasing sing-song in her head:

“One-time assets are just as necessary as full-time operatives, Runt."

Only the ones that take the job seriously, Alix thought bitterly. Which this one clearly didn’t, seeing as they had not received any word from them and it was rapidly approaching midnight.

With a huff of irritation, the spy went back to surveying the scene around her.

The gray-haired matron was now hunched over a book whilst a pair of businessmen stood nearby, commiserating about the late hour.

Moments later, a small gaggle of young women bustled past, causing one of the men to let out a rude wolf whistle.  

Clearly working girls, there were about four or five in the bunch, all with tousled hair piled high and splotches of rouge coloring their gaunt cheeks. 

Three were her own age, the other two a bit older, but they all had the same rings of exhaustion around their eyes that even heavy makeup couldn't camouflage.

No doubt, their workday was just beginning but the windy French night had no pity, battering them with icy gusts that their flimsy chemises and torn stockings couldn't hope to combat. 

The call-girls were shivering uncontrollably as they reached the 4th bench, the older two gathering the younger ones to them in a futile attempt to ward off some of the chill. 

A pit formed in Alix's stomach as she watched them.

It was a miserably cold night, the bitter wind nipping at her face, and she had a luxurious coat to protect her. 

The call-girls had nothing, nothing but each other.

How could she help them while still maintaining her cover? 

Hearing raised voices, she glanced toward the sound, where a harried-looking teenager in an ill-fitting blue uniform was scurrying two stairs at a time down to the platform below while an older man in the same uniform was shouting after her, shielding the edge of his coffee cup to prevent spillage as he made his way down the stairs.

The poor girl looked scared to death, nearly in tears, and seeing her supervisor bellowing at her over what was the most minor of mistakes was really pushing Alix's buttons.

Taking a languid puff of her cigarette, the spy yawned and nonchalantly stretched out a leg at the last minute, just as the supervisor was hurrying past her bench to no doubt continuing bullying his employee.

 

The Three Stooges could not have timed it better. 

The man's boot caught the hem of her dress and he stumbled forward, accidentally releasing the cup into the air like a baseball. 

The container’s soaring arc gave Alix ample time to briefly flee the bench, ensuring that while the occasional droplet sprinkled down on her coat like a soft rain, the supervisor was completely doused in his own coffee.

Howling, an expression of confusion and outrage flashed across the middle-aged Frenchman’s face but before he could get a word out, Alix seized the opportunity to round on him first, stepping towards him and snarling expletives in Russian with such vehemence that spit practically flew from her red-painted lips. 

"You idiot," she hissed, switching to heavily-accented French as she examined her clothing with melodramatic horror. "My favorite coat-"

"Madame, I-"

The supervisor had reached out, presumably to assess the damage, but Alix slapped his hand away with a glare so scathing that it would've made even Lady Macbeth run for the hills.

As the spy tore off the offending article, she muttered expletives in Russian before hurling the mink coat to the cobblestones and taking an intimidating step closer to him with a shrewish stomp of her foot. 

"The station will receive bill," she intoned with a final sneer before smoothing off her dress and stalking back to her bench, leaving the priceless mink in a heap on the cobblestone and the station supervisor fuming behind her. 

Noticing one of the shivering women inching her way toward the coat, small puffs of breath escaping her chattering teeth, Alix glanced away at the giant clock mounted on the wall. 

Ten minutes till Midnight. 

She had time.

Affecting boredom, Alix took a long drag off her cigarette and rose from her seat, heading toward the tiniest, most decrepit-looking newsstand she’d ever seen to give the callgirl an opportunity.

Keeping an eye on the last remaining travelers trickling their way into her periphery, the spy flipped through the latest edition of Le Figaro for the benefit of whatever prying Nazi eyes might be watching.

5… 4…

As she counted down in her head, Alix fought the urge to turn around and check.

Pick up the coat, she urged the prostitutes silently, still keeping her eyes trained on the newspaper in front of her as she loitered. Take the damn coat.

3… 2… 

She couldn’t wait any longer without seeming suspicious. 

1…0…

When she began to head back toward her bench, just as she’d hoped, the coat was being used by the older women in the group to shelter the others, all huddling to take advantage of the fur's warmth like chicks under a mother quail’s wing.

One of the callgirls–  was gazing over at her with tear-filled eyes, seemingly unable to find the words to express her gratitude.

Chewing on her bottom lip to avoid smiling, she let her eyes flicker away just as a couple sailors hurried through. 

The thin gold rings encircling both sleeves marked one of them as an Ensign, a junior officer probably just graduated, and Alix felt as though a boulder had been dropped onto her stomach.

╔══ •🖤🖤•🖤🖤•🖤🖤• ══╗

5 Years Ago: 30th Street Station, November, 1939. Philadelphia, USA.

"You're going to send Helen Astor into fits, you know," the eighteen year old teased as she jogged after her brother. "Leaving without saying goodbye when she's been pining after you for years." 

"Well I've been avoiding her for years," Giovanni countered, slinging his canvas knapsack over his right shoulder with a grunt, causing his uniform to rustle. 

"It's Dad who wants me to go steady with her, not me. She's not my type." 

"Have you told him that?" Alix inquired as she wove through the onslaught of servicemembers and their families, all crying and hugging as they said their final goodbyes. 

"Right," Gio snorted skeptically.

"Because that would go over so well. What would I even say?!

'Sorry Pops, I know you had big plans for me but I'd rather get eaten by a shark than marry any of the Astor girls so I’m going to run off to the South Pacific instead! Take my inheritance and shove it! Sincerely, your firstborn’.

Yeah, that’ll go over splendidly.” 

“You’re still the favorite,” the girl reminded him doggedly, a tinge of resentment creeping into her voice.

“Between being valedictorian, track team captain, and an altar boy, I think you could start robbing banks and Dad would still say 'Alix, why can't you be more like your brother?'"

She had expected a breezy chuckle and one of his usual witticisms but her brother let out a long exhale instead.

"I’m sorry about that, Passerotta. I know it can't be easy–”

“Don’t worry about it,” Alix interrupted, her tone sharper than she’d intended it. 

Gio raised his eyebrows but acquiesced and continued the dutiful trudge ahead. 

Jostling past a cluster of other officers, Alix gave her brother a wan smile as she tried to lighten the mood.

"Don’t let this go to your big head but we’re all gonna miss you.”

“Don’t I know it,” Giovanni remarked with a grin. “Between your crying and Mom’s, I thought we were all going to drown before we even got here!”

“Can you blame us?” Alix retorted, trying to keep her voice light. “You are going to be over 4,000 miles away.”

“Yeah, in Hawaii.” Her brother barked out a laugh. “Do you know what happens at a duty station that nobody's ever heard of?” 

Alix shook her head and her brother readjusted his grip on his knapsack, heaving the canvas bag over his other shoulder.

“Exactly,” he grunted, dark hazel eyes twinkling as they continued their walk.

“Nothing happens. I'll be bored to tears."

Alix quickened her steps to keep up with Gio’s long strides.

“You’ll have liberty though, won’t you?” she asked and he shrugged. 

“Once a week supposedly but how many times can a guy watch the same four pictures? Benji says-" 

Alix cocked her head inquisitively.

That was a name she hadn't heard before.

"Benji?" 

"A friend," Gio replied too quickly and Alix swore she could see his cheeks reddening slightly. "At OCS. He was…We were–" 

The train’s piercing whistle cut him off. 

“Well, that’s my cue!” he piped up with a tone of false confidence but she could see the sadness just behind his eyes. 

Noticing her expression, he gave her a light smack on the shoulder and yanked her into a tight hug.

Alix wished she had hugged him for just a little bit longer... But before she knew it, her brother was boarding the train.

Hanging his head out the window, he shot her that trademark million-dollar grin of his, and called out a joke that would still haunt her even 5 years later:

“Relax, 'kay? It’s a three-year contract not a death sentence."

╚══ •🖤🖤•🖤🖤•🖤🖤• ══╝

[1800suggo]

CW: Sickness, vomit mentioned

astarion trying to figure out what to do when tav is sick would actually be so funny because there's no reason he would know the first thing about what to do. he knows they aren't dying but can't decide whether to stay as far away as possible or...help? mortals can be disgusting sometimes but he feels some pity because its tav ofc

he'd hate to ask somebody else for advice and admit ignorance. whatever tav asked for he'd probably try to be of some help but end up consulting a book for guidance then pretend he already knew everything about everything when it comes to mortals being sick.

he's not thrilled by any of this, he might even be irritated not because tav got sick but because he can't just let them suffer. can he? ugh. okay he is now their very reluctant nurse for the time being.

if they start throwing up though he's not going near that. never. if he braced himself enough to even hold their hair for them you know he'd be twisting around to avoid the visual the entire time and making a giant stink face that they can't see.

[onyx232323]

An Adeptus' Last Wish- Zhongchi fic

(2/30)

Summary-

After the Gnosis incident, Childe decides to take a much-needed break away from Zhongli.

However, how was he supposed to react, when all of a sudden Lumine showed up outside his apartment sounding terribly mortified, "Childe......Zhongli.......Zhongli....is in grave danger."

Of course, he was going to do anything to help the dying man.

Sure, he still felt a lot of contempt for him, after what he did, but his heart still loved him.....

But, what he hadn't expected was the sudden wisp of golden light that somehow transported him during the times of the Archon War?!

What the FUCK?!

_________________________

Chapter 2: A New, Ancient World.

“Who are you?......And why are you in my house?” asked the pair of eyes, that almost seemed to pierce through the darkness around them. 

The voice sounded familiar but Ajax was too groggy from sleep and the strange tiredness he felt to answer the voice or even discern who it belonged to. So, he just grunted in reply, causing the person to continue to stare at him. 

They were cold and distant, a sharp contrast to the usual warmth he saw in eyes like those.

Eyes like Zhongli. 

Was that even Zhongli? 

His vision started to fade out as the darkness around him closed in, and once more, he could no longer see the pair of eyes staring back at him. 

He only woke up a while later, being carried on the back of a man in what appeared to be a dachang; where was he? And why was this strange man carrying him? 

Was that really Zhongli? 

‘Zhongli’ must have heard him calling out to him and said, “My name is not Zhongli.....I am....Morax.” 

Morax? Where had he heard that name? 

He thought about it for a while, before it finally clicked. Morax was the name Zhongli was given by Celestia when he was born into the world as a newly formed archon, it was his prior name. His previous name before he knew Childe, the name that evoked fear and authority. However, Childe was still not certain as to why Zhongli was dressed up in a dachang….what exactly had happened. Was he dreaming, or did he manage to go back in time by some miracle..? Or was he just hallucinating? 

Morax shook him lightly and asked in a rough voice, “I said....Who are you, and why were you in my house? And, who is this Zhongli person?” 

Childe paused before he finally decided on a vague answer, “I got…lost. And…he's an old friend...you just reminded me of him, sorry.” 

Morax huffed, likely not pleased by that answer and muttered something about, ‘promising to be gentle with mortals,’ before he continued to walk up a set of stone stairs? 

Where were they going? 

Childe cleared his throat lightly, the realization that he was being carried by Morax fulling dawning on him; embarrassment hit him in waves, “Umm…If I may ask, where are we going?” 

Morax glanced to look at him, and undoubtedly…it was the face of Zhongli. Although this ‘Zhongli’ had no fondness or warmth in his eyes, in its place was a strange out of place serious look on his face. He also looked younger, no blemishes and smile lines yet to have marked up his perfect face. And, he also had a curious pair of horns made of what appeared to be cor lapis…..was that how Zhongli used to look like during that era? Or did he just hide his appearance? 

Morax’s hair was also let down, a very rare sight to see in Zhongli back in the present. The consultant wore his hair in a neat ponytail and never let it down, unless he had too. But, this version of him had his hair down in a carefree manner, like he did not care what happened to his hair or not. 

“You-” Morax stopped mid-sentence, and before Ajax could ask why, he was met with the sight of a worried looking woman. 

She looked vaguely familiar to the lady in his dreams, the same lady that had presumably sent him back, however when she looked at him, there was no clear recognition in her eyes. She did not know who he was. 

Her eyes were as beautiful as a starry sky, so much that they seemed like galaxies. Her hair was long and brown and was held up in a fancy assortment of hairpins and ornaments. She held a small fond smile and looked skeptically at them, vague exasperation in her expression, “Morax, what did I tell you about carrying injured mortals in that way?”

“‘It is not the best method and can cause further harm.’ But, he is no mere mortal,” Morax replied, earning a curious look from the lady. 

She looked back at Ajax and stared for a few moments before her eyes widened ever so softly, “What good news! I'll inform the others!” She walked away hurriedly towards what he presumed to be where the ‘others’ were. 

Now, Ajax was really confused. What was going on, and what was good news? 

__________________________

Not even a few seconds later, he had been carried to the nearest chair by Morax. Who did his best to place him down gently but, if Ajax was a normal human without the resistance to pain he had, he would have likely suffered from a broken bone or a sprain from the amount of force Morax exerted on him when placing him down. Ok perhaps he was exaggerated a little bit; but it still hurt.

Soon enough, familiar faces started to stroll in one after another: the 2 bird adepti, a deer-like one, and a young woman with turquoise hair.

Some whom he had briefly met and someone whom he he did not know nor recognize. 

They all surrounded Ajax at once, and looked at him up and down.

After an awkward while, he finally heard the blue adeptus yell out “This is clearly a human pretending to be an adeptus!” 

The brown haired lady shook her head, “But Shigu, he clearly has a set of horns and his meridians are overflowing with adeptal energy! Besides, he was found where the rest of us were, down by the mountain!” 

Cloud Retainer huffed and pressed her wings to his head(?), before she carefully inspected him, coming close to check his eyes and horns before turning back to face Guizhong, “This one supposes you are correct..” 

What does she mean horns? 

What the hell happened to him? 

He felt the urge to touch his head; to find out if there really had been horns there, but stopped when the woman smiled, “What’s your name....child?” 

Well shit, he can’t say his name is Childe, or else that would be too weird. And using Tartaglia would be too lengthy and strange since he had grown to associate such a name with the Fatu, and it would probably be too difficult for them to say....Celestia knows how much Zhongli and Xiangling struggled to say that name since they heard it....and how much so many others in Liyue struggled as well. 

So he decided to use his birth name instead, and as uncomfortable as that was, it was the easiest sounding name without sounding strange, , “My name is.....Ajax.” 

The lady sounded out his name with her lips before she smiled, “Ajax, what a strong name! I suppose you are a foreigner, correct?” 

He nodded, her eyes widened exponentially and she looked amazed, “That’s so interesting, a foreign adeptus who was once a human! I have never seen such a strange occurrence in my life!" 

She reached out to touch one of his hair strands, “Your hair is as red as lava, and the texture is quite unique! And what are those brown speckles on your face? They are so cute!”

Her hands retreated from his head and he touched his hair self consciously before he decided to change the subject, “Ah. May I ask what your name is, Miss?” 

“Oh! I have almost forgotten! Please do not mind my manners, my name is Guizhong, but you can call me shijie! ” 

He smiles before he gestures towards the other adepti, “Nice to meet you, but what are their names?” The bird huffs and eyes Ajax in a way he could only presume to be irritated, “How insolent! You should respect your elders....One's name is Cloud Retainer….But, you may call this one Shigu.” 

The other bird looks at him and snappily replies, “Mountain Shaper.” 

Was that where Xiao had gotten his attitude from? 

Where was that bastard anyway?

The other deer-like adeptus isn’t any nicer and rolls his eyes at Ajax before saying, “Moon Carver.” 

The last turquoise haired lady is much nicer than the rest and smiles kindly towards him, “Nice to meet you Ajax, you may call me Madame Ping.” 

Wait! That was Madam Ping when she was younger! 

He did not have enough time to swallow this fact before he got interrupted once more, this time by Guizhong, “Ah, little one, how come you are bleeding so much, where do you have injuries?” 

What injuries? 

He looked down at himself and nearly wanted to smack himself when he realized that he had retained the same state he was in when he got transported back; he was covered in blood, and half of his shirt was exposed. 

He scratched his cheek, “Oh…um…the blood isn’t mine..” 

A long pause ringed out throughout the outdoor pavilion, and he could swear he heard the occasional flutter of hair clashing against clothes. He almost thought he said something bad before he heard a soft laugh coming from Guizhong who slapped the back of Morax in a manner too light to be threatening, “Shizun, it seems like we have one more trouble maker. From now on, you won’t be the only one anymore.” 

Morax huffed and pried her hand away from his back, “Don’t say such useless things.” 

Guizhong did not seem at all offended and just continued to laugh, “Ah, shixiong I’m sure you’ll get along fine with your shidi~” She teased, only causing further annoyance to Morax. 

“I’m your Shizun and you’re my disciple, it is not impossible for me to be your shixiong,” he said, his tone being too serious not to make fun of. 

Guizhong laughed and patted Morax's head, careful to avoid his horns, “Only teasing Shizun!” 

He huffed and swatted her hands away gently, looking strangely pleased? 

It was quite a sight to see, and yet it caused a strange feeling to arize in the pit of his stomach, fleeting jealousy.

He knew he shouldn’t but the way she was so carefree with Zhongli and the way that even though he looked annoyed there was clear fondness in his eyes. Even when he was starting to grow closer to Zhongli, he had never gotten as close as he saw those two, which oddly made him feel out of place. Almost as if he was watching something that was not supposed to be seen. 

Something private and intimate. 

Guizhong finally stopped her antics and turned her attention back to Ajax, “So! Now that you are an adeptus, there are basic ground rules we should discuss.” 

Ajax nodded and waited for whatever rules were about to go on. He was not sure if his dream or whatever this was would ever end but he hoped it would, or at least he hoped to find out what he had to do. 

She cleared her throat before continuing, but was interrupted by Cloud Retainer, “Rule 1: You must never under any circumstances take our lord’s gnosis. If you do attempt to do such a foolish thing you will be executed immediately.” 

Ajax paused and almost wanted to laugh at the irony of the whole situation. What he could gather from his short time in the new world (ancient world?) was that he absolutely without a doubt needed to take away Rex Lapis’ gnosis. But, with such a rule being implemented, he was not sure how he would retrieve it from him. However, he was not sure how to take away from someone so powerful even without that rule being stated, so he guessed it did not matter.

Cloud Retainer eyed him suspiciously before she continued on, “Rule 2: You cannot…injure or kill mortals....no matter what,” Cloud Retainer sounded disgusted when she said ‘mortals’ but

Ajax guessed he would as well, if mortals had done such disgraces to his entire kind and the world he was in charge of taking care of. 

“Rule 3: You may not form a romantic relationship with any of the other adepti or any mortals, you are here to complete your duty, and the responsibilities that come with it. Do not fool around.” 

Ajax almost cringed when he heard that sentence; was that why so many adepti were so solitary and did not have descendants? 

Then, did Zhongli go against the rule he formed himself in order to be able to love him…that was new information he did not know. Or perhaps they had ended those ridiculous rules ages ago? 

But if he had those rules, then why did he still kiss him on that mellow day on the beach? 

________________________________

Zhongli had brought him to the beach in order to collect starconches!  

According to Zhongli, he had never heard the sounds of waves crashing when you placed a starconch to your ear. And in order to remedy that, Ajax insisted on bringing him to hear them. Zhongli had at first politely declined (if not a little insistently) but Ajax kept asking and soon enough he begrudgingly agreed to it. 

Ajax immediately swooned over when he saw the bright blue colored waves and the gorgeous clear white sand, not to mention the almost painting-esque sunset. It was a gorgeous sight, so gorgeous that he ran immediately into the inviting water below. 

Ever since he was small, he had loved oceans, lakes, and small creeks. Back in his small town of Morepesok, all he had to entertain himself with as a kid was either to go into the woods or to have fun fishing or swimming by the lake. Every summer, when the ice and snow was not nearly as cold; which meant that you could swim in the lake without catching hypothermia or frostbite almost immediately. He had learned not to swim in the fall or winter, when he had almost lost his leg to frostbite. 

So every summer, he took the opportunity to swim in the clear waters at every chance he got. Every time after school, every time before dinner, before bed, before breakfast, any spare time he got he spent in the lake. 

In hindsight, a hydro vision is the most suitable element he could have gotten. He loved the water, and that feeling only got enhanced when he got the vision. It was almost as if he became almost one with the element, so much so that he felt like he could fly through the water’s waves. 

It was a very pleasant feeling. 

And so, he immediately tore off his shirt and dived into the water below. He swam through the water for a few minutes before he came up to the surface, only to see a very fond-looking Zhongli staring down at him, “Care to join me Xiansheng?” 

Zhongli looked slightly alarmed, but quickly calmed it down and replied, “I am fine, thank you Ajax.” 

Ajax laughed and splashed around the water, making small ripples in the clear waves with his motions, “Aww, c'mon Xiansheng! The water's just fine.” 

Zhongli shaked his head, and took a seat on a rock, “I think I will pass for this one, Ajax.” 

He laughed and finally decided to spare Zhongli from his apparent fear of water (or was it the ocean that scared him?) and got out of the water. 

And he will admit; although he loves the water, he hates the way his entire body and clothes feel 10x heavier when he gets out. So, he slightly stumbles a bit before he’s finally out of the water; not missing the way Zhongli’s eyes raked up and down his torso. 

One of the other things he had trained in the fatui as a harbinger was noticing the signs of attraction and repulsion. Most of the time he had to utilize his charms and use his beauty to get what he was after. Which often than not meant having to make out or even get into bed with other people in order to complete the missions (although the latter missions were rare, he had only done 1 so far). Being the Tsaritsa’s Vanguard meant that although he had to appear threatening he also had to appear completely irresistible.  

So, he could tell what that look in Zhongli’s eye meant, he was attracted to Ajax. 

Normally, he would have ripped out the internal organs of those who had looked at him in such a way (unless it was necessary for a mission). 

But, since this was not a mission he decided to allow Zhongli to feast on his beauty. And besides, it was not like he wasn’t attracted to Zhongli either. The man was absolutely beautiful, after all. 

And, well, it was no secret that the both of them knew of each other's attraction for the other. If the many nights spent together in bed, down by the beach, eating a meal in Wanmin Restaurant, the loving touches that were given by the other, and the many sweet words exchanged weren't enough of a sign to indicate the obvious attraction.  

He walked up to Zhongli, trying to subtly lower the hem of his pants to accentuate his v-line, it seemed to work since Zhongli’s eyes immediately averted their gaze and his cheeks flushed a delicious shade of cherry pink.

Ajax parted his lips and said in the most flirtatious voice he could muster up, “Xiansheng, what’s wrong? Are you sick?” 

Zhongli’s cheeks paled and he looked almost ashamed, “Ah…no.....it is nothing. I am quite alright, don’t worry.” 

Ajax smiled and tried to not laugh at the flustered man before him. He sat down next to the stone before facing towards Zhongli once more, “Xiansheng , here I collected some starconches, would you like to hear one?” He took out a small starconch from his pocket and pressed it against Zhongli’s ear. Zhongli’s eyes fluttered shut and Ajax could see the way he seemed to noticeably relax when he listened to the sound of crashing waves inside the shells. 

Ajax's heart beat in his chest as he looked at the soft slope of Zhongli’s nose, his plump lips that noticeably had a small scar towards the end, the way his red eyeliner was slightly smudged, his strong broad shoulders, his nice high-cheekbones, the mole on his cheek, the way his bangs seemed to perfectly frame his face…he was...so fucking handsome. 

Zhongli’s eyes opened and they widened subtly when he noticed Ajax staring at him, “Ajax...” 

Ajax did not notice how close he was to him until he felt his breathing on his lips. Zhongli’s eyes fluttered closed. He started to lean in closer towards Ajax, his hand coming to rest on his jaw, absentmindedly stroking it. Ajax leaned into the pleasant warmth, causing Zhongli to lean closer. 

They were centimeters apart, and then….he felt a pair of lips against his own.

It was soft and warm, perfect. 

The kiss was chaste but it was all Ajax needed for his heart to soar. It felt like forever, but after a few more subtle kisses, and a pair of warm hands drawing small circles on his back, they finally separated. 

That was the last one they would share. 

It was the day before the Golden House disaster and Ajax felt his heart jump through the clouds when Zhongli smiled as warm as a summer’s sun, “Ajax…I am in love you .” 

It was the first day he had heard Zhongli say those words out loud, after spending many a nights together. But little did he know now that he would come to yearn for the warmth of Zhongli’s hands and his comforting words. 

“I am as well.”

__________________________

He figured that those rules did not apply to archons and shrugged off his stupid memories, ‘Focus on the mission, Ajax.’ 

Ajax smiled brightly up at Cloud Retainer before waving his hand dismissively, “Alright! I got it! I got it! So, what do I have to do in order to seal this oath?”

Cloud Retainer looked irritated, not so subtly tapping her legs in irritation, “This one is not the one you should be asking.”

“Aiyoh, Cloud Retainer, stop eyeing Ajax like an enemy! We are all adepti here, no need to fight amongst us,” Guizhong had side-hugged Cloud Retainer who definitely looked angry now, pecking at Guizhong’s arm. However, despite her irritation she did not say anything and just huffed and looked away. 

Guizhong laughed before she turned to look at Ajax, “You seal an oath by making a contract with our dearest Yanwang Dijun.” 

So, he had to make a contract with Rex Lapis….was she crazy?

That was one of the things he knew he should stay away from. From all accounts in prior historic texts, sealing a contract with Rex Lapis meant that you had to abide by the restrictions if you did not want to ‘suffer the wrath of the rock,’ or so the text had said. And, even if Ajax looked to fight, he still did not want to find out how Morax would react to his break in his contract. 

He shook his conflicting thoughts to the side (he would deal with them later), for now, he would have to accept; otherwise he would look suspicious. 

“...How do I do that exactly?” 

Guizhong smiles and drags Morax by the hand (who was currently in the middle of falling asleep on a nearby log). He snaps up into alert but once his eyes land on Guizhong he visibly relaxes and allows himself to be pulled along, “You just have to shake his hand!” 

She pulls Morax’s hand and Morax sleepily looks at Ajax. He comes to and quickly straightens out and stares deeply with glowing eyes as if he was looking right at his soul, “Do you accept the contract’s terms?” 

Ajax nods and stretches out his hand, “I accept your terms..” 

Morax’s eyes stopped glowing and he nodded, “Then, it is set in stone.” 

He envelopes the surprisingly cold hand and shakes it lightly; feeling a warm stream of energy flowing through his veins (was that a part of the contract?).....It continues for a few seconds before he looks down to notice a geo sigil engraved on his skin. It was only there for a moment before it faded in a wisp of golden light, not able to be seen again with eyes, but felt nevertheless. 

Morax eyes him and his eyes begin to glow once more; however, this time he even bared his teeth, showing off his sharp fangs, “Let our contract be honored, Ajax. If you go back on your word, you shall suffer the wrath of the rock.”

Ajax nodded, feeling the mood turn too sour and deadly serious. Apparently, he wasn't the only one that felt that way because shortly afterwards, Guizhong had come over to Morax and thrown her hand around his shoulder, “Celestia above Morax, don’t scare the poor man! You’ll scare him to death if you do that!” she looked towards Ajax and winked, “Don’t worry Ajax, you’ll be fine!” 

Morax shakes his head and even brings a hand to rub at his temples, “Guizhong, don’t cause trouble.” 

She laughs and unhooks her hand from his shoulder and raises them defensively, “I won’t, I swear Shizun!"

Morax sighed before going back towards that log he had previously been resting on (or attempting to at least). Which only earned another laugh from Guizhong, exasperated sighs from all of the other adepti except for Madam Ping who looked slightly amused by the entire display. 

____________________________

“Alright shidi, your shijie will show you to your living quarters!” 

Ajax nodded and Guizhong gestured to follow her. They didn’t have to walk for long as they reached a small abode near Mount Hulao. It was nothing fancy, just a small house made of wood, but it looked durable enough to last a couple of years, and it had a charming look to it. Surrounding the small cottage were sand bearer trees and glaze lilies, “Your shijie personally went out of her way to decorate your house! I hope you’ll like it!” 

Ajax nodded, “Yes, thank you…Shijie.” 

Guizhong brightened up immediately, “Aww di-di! You finally called me your shijie!" 

Ajax flushed and looked away. Something about Guizhong that he noticed was that she was the most incredibly aware unaware person he had ever met. She did not seem to realize the embarrassment he felt, judging from the weird proud look on her face. 

Her facial expression almost reminded Ajax of the look his father used to give him whenever they would ever go out ice-fishing and he would catch a big fish all on his own. His father would pat him on the back and commend him for his achievements. And, the twinkle in his eyes; it was proud. 

He looked so proud of Ajax. 

A face he has not seen on his father, not since he was 14 years old. 

Whenever his father would look at him now, it would no longer be a look of a proud father with his son but more of bone-chilling fear.

He missed that look dearly. 

He missed the way things were, the way things used to be; back when he did not have to worry about miniscule things like love, and could just enjoy his life as a carefree child. That was the irony of his name; Childe. He was nothing like a child, he was a monster in disguise of a young charming man. 

He was not a child by any measures; a child does not slit the throats of other people without batting an eye.

He was a monster.

An abyssal beast. 

“What’s wrong shidi, you look pale? Are you sick?” she pressed a warm hand on his forehead, attempting to detect any excessive warmth. 

He turned to look at Guizhong; she looked worried, the gentle curve of her lips curved down in a slight frown, her eyebrows were furrowed, and her eyes were full with endless sympathy. Ajax started to feel guilty that he ever felt any sort of negative emotions to a being so pure and empathetic.

He was even sure that she was the type of being to forgive those who had wronged her easily and even comfort them through it; that was the kind of god she was. A gentle and understanding god, with never ending sympathy towards her followers, non-followers, fellow adepti, even the dust that seemed to follow her: shining brightly like pure gold.

However, she was not only a gentle god, she was also incredibly intelligent according to the Liyuen history books Ajax had read before coming to Liyue. She had built many technological advances with the help of humans and had even constructed the Guizhong Ballista, a machine that fired autonomously; a great feat for the time. Her advances in technology even rivaled Khaenri'ah or Sumeru. 

A truly impressive genius of their time. 

Ajax was starting to understand why her memory was adored throughout Liyue. The goddess of dust, Guizhong was someone who was often mentioned along with other adepti through the early history of Liyue. 

She had sacrificed her life for her people, when Osial had gone mad; she had traded her life for the safety of mortals. Without her sacrifice, humanity would have not continued to exist. 

Osial would have brought destruction, not only to Liyue but to all of Teyvat, it would have been catastrophic. 

However, some say her sacrifice was in vain because all humanity did was just further destroy each other.

So did she really make the right choice? 

This was the sentiment that was uttered with many philosophers and skeptics alike. Many saw Guizhong’s sacrifice to be foolish.

Why couldn’t she just allow humanity to burn? It would have benefited her to do so.

Endless suffering was caused by greedy and selfish human beings, so wouldn't it have been better to wipe them all out? 

She did not however, she still had hope for humanity. 

However, another god wasn’t the same: Rex Lapis. 

She had tried to coerce her to let humanity collapse in itself, to stop devoting herself towards mortals if all they were going to do is kill and commit atrocities towards one another. But, she simply laughed and waved him off as if he was telling a humorous joke, “You still haven’t understood humanity, dear Morax. While that is true, you must see the beauty within….After all, there is beauty in all of us, if you look close enough.” This was her reply to Morax, who stood perplexed, wondering deeply what her words meant as he gazed into his cup of still tea. 

Ajax wondered if Zhongli had finally understood what she had meant. Was that why he allowed Ajax to hurt him so, because he saw the beauty within? Did he allow his people to nearly rip at each other's throats because he saw the beauty within it? Did he allow himself to grow as close as he did to Ajax because he understood the beauty within pain itself? 

He shook off his thoughts and reassessed his current situation. He was stuck in the past, and he had apparently turned into an adepti. And besides that, he had also been tasked to retrieve Rex Lapis’ gnosis from past Guizhong herself. But, on top of that he had to stay within the contract if he did not want to end up dead for committing treason. 

“Ah, I’m fine. I’m just tired is all. But, if you don’t mind me asking, where is the…um…bathing room?” 

Guizhong took her hand off of his forehead and smiled, “Oh, yeah that is right! I almost forgot you were covered in blood shidi! The bathing area is near the side of your house! Although, I should mention that it is public.” 

….public… 

He had to bathe in public…naked…with many other strangers around him…and possibly Morax. 

He nearly started to burst into tears when he learned that new information. While it wasn’t at all uncommon for fatui soldiers to bathe in public; often than not they had to be on missions that were time essential, so in order to not waste it, they had to bathe publicly. So, Childe had grown used to seeing others naked and had no problem showering in front of others. However, it had been a while since he had been in the fatui army, and…he had not conquered the embarrassment that followed with bathing with others yet. When he was still a young teenager, he didn’t have time for embarrassment and mostly just focused on climbing the ranks and becoming a harbinger by the time he was 19.

So now, at 24 years old, he was now used to a certain level of luxury that came with being a harbinger. Now, he had underlings who could acquire him time alone in the bath and do everything for him. And ever since he had gotten comfortable with such a simple lifestyle; his tolerance for embarrassment had dwindled down. An unfortunate side-effect he had not foreseen. 

So, with that being said, he was a little more than hesitant to bathe. However, he swallowed his pride, “Thank you, shijie. I appreciate your help.” 

Guizhong nodded, “Your welcome, shidi! I hope you’ll find your stay here comfortable! And although I do have questions for you, I’ll refrain from doing so until dinner. So, see you there!” 

He smiled and waved her off as he walked back up the mountain staircase with an elegance he was certain he would never be able to achieve in his lifetime. He sighed and hurried over towards the large steaming pool out in the open. He had heard of things like this before, they were called hot springs. He hesitantly took off his clothes before he went into the water; it was sublime. 

The temperature of the water was a comforting warmth, and it relaxed Ajax to its fullest potential. It was just what he needed, a simple relaxing time for himself. He needed a breather after all of that information was shoved down his throat; not leaving any room for him to get a word in. He sighed and relaxed his body into the clear warm water below…before he felt something against his leg. 

He was not initially alarmed, chalking it up to be an underwater plant of some kind, or even moss…however, those thoughts were immediately thrown out of a window when he saw a tail rising up from the waters…The scales were brown with golden accents, Ajax immediately jumped and was ready to jump out of the waters and retrieve his vision…when he noticed a head pop out from the waters. 

It was Morax; his dark hair was soaked and he was looking at Ajax curiously…

He did not know what to say. After all, he had to grow close enough for Morax to trust him enough to hand over his gnosis willingly; or Tartaglia needed to grow stronger in order to win in a duel with the Geo Archon himself. 

“It's umm, nice weather isn’t it?” 

He wanted to slap himself as soon as he said it. Out of all of the things he could have mustered up, he decided to comment on the weather?  

Morax blinked once, twice before nodding and fully pulling his head out of the water (Ajax tried not to stare at the gorgeous outline of his clavicle), “Yes, it does seem to be quite pleasant today.” 

Ok, that was a start at least. 

“Yeah…” Ajax did not know how to continue the conversation and continued to bathe in the waters. He tried his best to avoid Morax’s presence and scrubbed at his blood-stained cheeks and hair (careful to avoid his new found horns). When he had killed all of those hilichurls, he had managed to get blood soaked into his hair. Which was only a further annoyance and inconvenience to him. 

He roughly pulled at his hair; using the soap he had received from Guizhong moments before. Apparently, he had been too rough since a hand reached out and stopped him from washing his hair. 

Ajax paused and looked up to see Morax staring deeply into Ajax, “You are hurting yourself.” 

Ajax was about to shake his head in denial and yank Morax’s grip from his hands, when he felt a slight sting on his scalp. He touched it and brought it up in front of his eyes; along with the glaze lily soap there was blood. He had scratched his scalp too harshly and had ripped the skin on his scalp to rip open. 

He almost sighed but Morax came to touch his hair instead causing the sigh to become trapped in his throat, “Is that why your hair is red?” 

Ajax raised an eyebrow, “What do you mean?” 

Morax paused and seemed to be deciding his next words. When he finally came to a resolution he continued on, “Did you rub your head so harshly when bathing, that overtime your hair  has become red?” 

Ah, so that was what he meant.

Ajax almost wanted to laugh at his adorable naïveté. For a god he was still so terribly new to the world around him. He guesses that this is the case, Morax at this point had only lived a few hundred years, so he was still relatively new to the world. He had only recently found what gentleness had been just a few years before Ajax went back. 

From what he had gathered, it was a few hundred years before the Archon War, so in other terms, he had a long, long, long time in order to gain Morax’s trust and find out what his weaknesses are, as well as gain more battle experience. 

So, he had to utilize his time wisely.

“Ah, no, I was born with my hair like this. It’s more common back in my country than here I presume?”

Morax nodded and touched a strand of Ajax’s hair carelessly, staring at it fascinatingly, “Yes, it is not at all common here. Do the rest of your family have this hair color as well?” 

“No, only my younger brother, my father, and I have red hair. The rest of my family has brown or blonde hair.” 

Morax nodded and pointed at the freckles that covered his shoulders, “Then, what are those spots? Are they some sort of disease?” 

‘He certainly is full of questions today,’ Ajax thought. 

“Those are called freckles and they are not a disease. Think of them sort of like moles.” 

Morax nodded and stepped back from Ajax, “I see. Well then, I....will....allow you to continue your bath.....Please excuse my interruption.” 

He walked away to the other side of the hot spring and continued his own bathing, calmly washing his own hair out and scrubbing at his body with a small cloth. 

Ajax looked away sheepishly and continued his own bath, trying to erase the memory of Morax being as close as he was to him, while they were both entirely naked. 

____________________________

Thankfully, Morax had spared Ajax and exited the bath shortly afterwards (Ajax tried not to scream as he saw Morax’s entire body exit the water). He tried to push out the way his muscles contracted and the way his hair seemed to pass all of the way towards his lower back and how beautiful he looked. 

Ajax got out shortly afterwards, getting into a bathrobe (one that Guizhong had handed him earlier) before making his way towards his house. 

When he got it he noticed it was bigger on the inside than it looked on the outside. It was intricately furnished with several elegant decorations. The walls were wood, and were polished to the point where he could swear he could see his own reflection in them. The furniture was perfectly placed and polished which gave off the vibe that it was not habited but gingerly cared for. Everything was too clean, too preserved, that he almost thought someone lived in the spacious home when he first arrived. 

However, upon closer inspection, amongst the tidiness and cleanliness of the house; it had absolutely no personal items. And, it was almost eerie in that way. It was entirely desolate and far too quiet for his own liking. 

Every step he took on the wooden floors resonated within the very walls of the house.....it was too lonely. 

He almost hated it in a way.

Now, he was not in constant company back in his apartment in Liyue harbor, however he could still make out the hustle and bustle coming from the streets of Liyue. And since the city was always teeming with riveting conversation and lively debate, the noise still managed to make its way into his closed apartment. However, he had somewhat come to enjoy the muted murmurs and laughter coming from his locked door, it was almost slightly comforting in a way. 

Back home, in Snezhnaya everyone was too quiet. To the point where people’s every breath could be heard from nearly 6 rooms down back in the Zapolyarny palace. Even in his small town of Morepesok, everything was always so quiet; part of the reason he did not want to stick in the small town any longer than he needed to. Everyone in the town was highly judgemental and did not shy away from telling you what they really thought. It was a brutal environment, and the fact that the corrupt officials and higher ups did nothing to stop the endless violence and brutality, only made it worse. 

In fact, Childe clearly remembers that a fatui soldier once got paid off and turned a blind eye to a child getting half way beaten to death on the cold streets by a classmate of his. If it wasn’t for his recent experience in the Abyss, he would have never been able to ward off the attacker on the innocent kid. However, even the kid who was getting attacked just shoved Childe off for helping him or in his words, ‘making him seem like a pathetic weakling.’

So much for thanks, he guessed. 

That was just the kind of environment he was subjected to both in Snezhnaya and in the Abyss.

Environments that were cruel, horrific, and unforgiving; one wrong move and you’ll wind up as another missing poster on your town’s noticeboard. It was nothing new in fact, Ajax’s parents had already moved on when they saw their son missing for 3 weeks. They had just presumed he had been eaten by wolves, and held a small funeral outside of their house. It was normal to do so in fact, he remembers his aunt had lost one of her daughters and she didn’t think twice before already starting to build her coffin, in grim anticipation of when her corpse would eventually float down the river, decomposing and partially eaten by the various insects and animals. 

So, they were nothing short but flabbergasted when their ‘dead’ son showed up with blood covered all over him, with a dazed look on his face. Of course they were relieved, what parent wouldn’t be? However, their relief was quickly dried up when they realized what he had become.

Soon enough their perception of him shattered completely and in their eyes, he was no longer human but a sadistic....creature. 

__________________________

It was about 2 days since he had come back, and he had grown significantly and even had more muscles than his 2 older brothers.

It was quite the shocking development.

And even if it was all strange, nobody seemed to believe him when he said it had been 3 months for him. He was no longer the carefree and slightly gullible ambitious son they had; one that made his mother exasperated and his father proud once proud.

He was a shell of his former shell, he no longer cared about anything else; he mercilessly killed whatever he could lay his hands on. 

It was about the time when his family hurriedly searched for him in the forest. They found him covered in blood, blade in hand. His parents had freaked out, and checked him all over for injuries. However, their concern had come to a complete halt once they realized the bloody display in front of their eyes; a little ways into the forest, they laid the bodies of about 20 wolves or so, all dismembered and horrifyingly discarded about the forest.

His mother gasped and nearly vomited, while his father’s eyes widened with horror and he paled significantly. 

They slowly turned towards Tartaglia, who had a nonchalant expression, “They were bothering me....so I killed them....It really was no big deal.” 

His father raged, fear that desperately turned into anger, “What the fuck do you mean that it’s no a big deal, Ajax!"

Tartaglia almost wanted to laugh when he heard his father whisper that name.

No, he was no longer Ajax. 

Ajax had far since been killed in the abyss, by those monsters. 

He was no longer present. 

Ajax was now just a name, his birth name.

But, it wasn’t who he was anymore. 

He had vanished. 

However, he didn’t say anything and instead replied with the same nonchalance as before, “I said, it's no big deal, Fath-” 

His father had effectively shut his mouth by slapping him across the face, with a force that did not even push him back all that much, much to the horror of his father. He touched his stinging cheek, and for a moment everything seemed to click. He wanted a challenge, he wanted to have the same adrenaline rush. The same he got when he had to fight the monsters of the abyss. 

He put his best mask up and lowered his face, “I am....sorry father, I won’t do it again.” 

His father did not seem to buy his act whatsoever, since he only continued to glare at Tartaglia. However, even his own father wanted to desperately cling onto that false hope that Ajax was still the same. That he hadn’t been permanently scarred and changed due to the abyss. 

And it was his false hope that nearly landed several people onto their deathbeds. 

_________________________

In the pursuit of a new challenge, he provoked many fights in his school. At first, it was kids the same age as him, who got insulted at the slightest word about their appearance. Of course, with all of his battle experience he easily won that fight. The next one, it was with an older kid, nearly an adult. He also easily won that fight as well. Even though he didn’t have height, he had speed and agility which he used to effortlessly win. 

And so, it carried on for a while. He looked for a tougher and better opponent until their small town could not take it anymore and his father had come to a decision. He pulled Ajax aside one day and asked a simple question, his eyes boring holes into Ajax, in desperate search for his son, “Ajax! Either you pick up your act and return to normal or you will join the Fatui! Which will it be son?” 

“The Fatui,” he replied, almost immediately causing the hope to burn out within his father’s tired eyes, like water to fire. 

The fatui wasn’t all that bad, in fact he sort of enjoyed the challenge to climb the ranks and go from soldier to harbinger in less than a few years. It gave him the challenge he craved and he got to soothe his insatiable bloodlust even if just for a while. It was a good change for him, and in all honesty, it was the only thing that prevented him from becoming a complete and utter abyssal monster. 

It kept him humane and under Pulcinella, it helped him stay sane.  

And, after a few years, he could finally keep a lid on the other side of himself; the bloodlusting and monstrous side of himself.

And over time, his family had started to tolerate him back into their group slowly. Deceiving themselves further by saying that everything that he had done was just a ‘silly stage’ in his boyhood, and not something else, something deeper that gnawed at him at every turn. He could finally return back to his role as that ‘ambitious and carefree’ child and occasionally could lose himself too much in the part, that even he himself started to believe it…...if only a little. 

He would only let go completely on missions or spars. He could indulge the part of his mind that he desperately wanted to erase, and let go. 

__________________________

He settled down pretty easily into the house and had even gotten the much needed rest he desired. He hadn’t bothered to change out of the bathrobe yet, and instead just fell asleep that way. So, when he woke up, he had to face yet another challenge. 

He had to figure out how to wear the pair of blue shuhe on his nightstand. It was most likely a gift from Guizhong judging from the nice note attached to it which read: “For my dearest shidi. ” 

Guizhong had surprisingly easily accepted him into their society, which gave him subtle whiplash. Everyone else seemed wildly skeptical and even aggravated that a stranger else was joining, and seemed to give off a very unwelcoming aura. However, she was eager and enthusiastic to include him in their society, and had even vouched for him when they were discussing what to do with him (he had overheard earlier). So with that note, he was starting to further realize why she was so beloved by all living creatures. 

She just loved, no matter what. 

And although that was a very admirable trait, it was also a very foolish one to have. 

He grabbed the several layers of the hanfu in his hands and attempted to piece together how it went. He had not worn shuhe or other types of ancient traditional Liyuen clothes personally ever before during his stay in Liyue, but he had seen how other people had worn it before during Lantern Rite. 

The innermost layer was usually a simple white undershirt with subtle designs; that was easy to put on. However, the problem was knowing which outer layer to put on first, and which one to put on second and in what direction. Although he had seen people wear them before, he had never stopped to consider how they put them on in the first place. 

So, with the undergarments on, he was stuck a little on how to put the rest. And so, he did what any other person would have done in his position; he threw them on randomly and hoped it would be the right way to wear them. 

______________________________

He made his way up the various gray stone stairs and made his way towards the presumed location.

And in that location, in the middle of Hu Lao mountain there was a small table, which he had laid his eyes upon on his way down the mountain with Guizhong moments prior. 

And surely enough, on the table was the rest of the adepti, looking terribly impatient.

He shuffled towards them as silently as possible but they all turned to look at him. Cloud Retainer looked as irritated as usual if not more, looking as if she wanted to poke out his eyes. Madam Ping just looked slightly amused and waved enthusiastically at Ajax. Moon Carver and Mountain Shaper preferred to pay him no mind. Guizhong’s smile grew bigger as she spotted Ajax and she even shook Morax up who was sleeping on the table. He opened his eyes and yawned; Ajax won’t admit this but it was one of the cutest things he had ever seen.

But amidst them, there sat another adeptus he had never seen before; he was a blue adeptus and he had gold horns. He looked at Ajax with a much more gentler curiosity, than his other colleagues. 

He made his way towards the table, and Guizhong gently opened up a chair for him, “Shidi! You’re finally here! I was starting to get worried about you!” 

Cloud Retainer huffed and crossed her (wings?), “All of us have been waiting for you, insolent child! You are far too late, all of the food is cold by now.” 

“You can not blame him, dear Shigu, he must have been tired. After all, we all remember when we became adepti ourselves. It was quite an exhausting and lengthy process, was it not?” Guizhong asked. 

Cloud Retainer huffed again, but begrudgingly nodded, “This one…guesses that you are correct…again.” 

Guizhong laughed and patted at the empty chair beside her, “Well then, hurry up shidi!...What Shigu said was true! Your food is getting colder by the second!” 

He nodded and sat down besides her. He attempted to pick up the chopsticks, before he shakily brought a piece of steamed vegetables to his lips. But before he could eat it,  he was bombarded with a load of questions by Guizhong herself, “So then, shidi! Where are you from? Shizun has told me about how your hair color is quite a common sight in your village, and how those brown speckles on your face are called freckles. Are they also a common thing in your village? How did you manage to become an adepti? How come you speak Liyuen so well? How-”

Madame Ping intercepted and brought a hand to Guizhong’s mouth, “Now, now, shijie please give him some room to breathe. Like you’ve said before, he must be tired and hungry from his journey. So please, allow him some time to eat before he could answer all of your questions, dearest.” 

Guizhong nodded and gently lowered Madame Ping’s hand from her mouth, “I’m terribly sorry di-di, it seems like my curiosity and excitement for your arrival has far exceeded my restrain. I’ll give you some time to rest.” 

Ajax shook his head, attempting once more to pick up some steamed vegetables once more with his chopsticks (and somewhat failing), “It’s quite alright, shijie. I understand that you must be excited to see a new adeptus, especially since you know little about me. However, to answer your questions, I am from....somewhere that is quite a bit ways from here. And yes, freckles are a pretty common thing in my village. I don’t remember when I became an adepti exactly; I just woke up and I was in the mountains. Also, I can speak Liyuen well, since I’ve studied it before, back in my homeland.” 

She nodded and greedily soaked up the information before,“That’s very interesting, thank you di-di,” before she turned around towards the rest of the adepti, “Sky Bracer, this is Ajax! He’s a new adeptus!” 

Sky Bracer laughed before nodding; he seemed very fond of Guizhong (but, then again, it seemed like everyone was), “Yes, I’ve heard. Nice to meet you, Ajax. I’m Sky Bracer.” 

Ajax nodded, “Nice to meet you too, Sky Bracer.” 

Sky Bracer nodded, but Ajax suddenly got yanked away by his clothes. He turned alarmed and was ready to slap the hands away, but then he saw warm eyes, and all of a sudden his hands lowered. No matter what form Zhongli was in, he would always warm up to the man no matter what. He was like butter in his warm hands; he melted. He was easily swayed by the man’s soft words and even softer eyes; and although these eyes of his didn’t exactly portray warmth, they were still so captivating. Perhaps his eyes were a big part of the reason why he always seemed to agree to whatever he wished (was that something all archons had?). 

Morax’s hands started to take off his shuhe, and tugged at the belt causing the shirt to slip off. Causing Ajax to snap back into reality and swat at Morax’s hands, “W-hat are you doing?!” 

The god blinked before he looked calmly at Ajax, “You....are not wearing it right.” 

Wearing wha-oh.  

He looked down at his extremely messy and disorganized shuhe and flushed, “Oh…”

Morax nodded and continued to organize it the right way, “This one goes on this way,” he added one of the outermost layers and placed it over the layer he had on top, in a different way he had. He tied the belt once more and organized the pendant so that it was precisely on the left side, making sure the jade pendant faced the correct way. He also organized the sleeves and made them much neater then Ajax could ever hope of doing himself. 

This continued on for a few more awkward seconds, but he’d be lying if he said that he did not enjoy the attention given to him by someone else. Yeah, his feelings for the archon in front of him were complicated at best, however, he couldn’t deny that he could not appreciate the eyes and hands that seemed to glaze up and down his form; diligently organizing the messy shuhe. Every once in a while, he would look up to meet the curious gazes from the rest of the adepti. They seemed to have a variety of expressions ranging from mortified to shocked and to amused. Everyone’s reaction was completely different from the next, Guizhong was a little taken aback herself but other than that she seemed amused. 

Amused by his suffering; maybe she wasn’t a god of kindness and mercy after all…

Finally, after a few minutes, he was finally done. Morax took off his hands, checked the shuhe once more before he nodded, “Now.....it is right.” 

Ajax was still in the middle of processing what had just happened, so he let out a small, “Thanks” before he turned the brightest shade of red Guizhong had ever seen, “Woah! Di-di, you’re glowing red like jueyun chilis!” 

Ajax wanted to crawl into a ball of self-pity again, for the third time in his life. 

__________________________________

Dinner went by in a flash, and all Ajax remembers from it (besides the absolutely mouth-watering dishes) was the utter embarrassment he felt throughout the entire exchange. The other adepti did not bring it up (thank Celestia), but the awkward encounter did seem to linger throughout their minds as their eyes darted from Morax to Ajax respectively. 

Just what was on their minds? 

He decided to ignore them, and kept eating (as well as he could anyways) with his chopsticks. However, he mostly stuck to using the spoon to scoop things up, which thankfully did not cause any further stares. 

After dinner, Ajax was escorted to his room by none other than Cloud Retainer and Guizhong. A rather odd duo. Guizhong had wanted to escort Ajax back with Morax (muttering something about ‘making her lousy Shizun more sociable’), but Morax had managed to slip by her. And besides that, since Cloud Retainer was still highly distrusting of him, she offered to lead him down the mountain. The only reason she hadn’t done so the first time, was because she was busy with other duties and because Ajax seemed too tired to hurt even a fly. So, he went down the mountain with the two adepti. 

Guizhong was as chatty as ever, talking to Ajax about her new ideas for new projects involving new secret technology she was developing; only to be hushed by Cloud Retainer who told her, ‘It can’t be a secret if you are blurting it out so much.’ 

Guizhong was the one who huffed and decided to talk about other topics, such as new villages in the middle of construction, new flowers she had encountered, stories about Morax and the other adepti. But amidst all of the topics, one specifically stuck out to Ajax. 

“ -shizun never has let me into his house ever since. Besides that di-di, there has been a rise of rift wolf sightings since the week before.” 

“Rift wolves?” 

Guizhong was taken aback, but was delighted all the same that he had said anything at all, “Yes, we have seen them a while ago. Have you ever seen rift wolves before di-di? ” 

He had more than just seen rift wolves before. Back when he was in the abyss, he had to fight off those annoying things at every turn he got. They smelled abyssal energy from a mile away and had been known to come directly to places where it was in an excess. The bad thing about that was that, ever since he had adapted to the energy down in the abyss, everytime he killed any monster down in the abyss he had to swallow all of their energy in order to not catch the attention of a rift wolf.

However, even though he had adapted to the abyssal energy, it did not mean that it still did not affect him in any way. When he swallowed too much at one go, his bloodlust and the need to eat up more energy poked at his very soul. It was almost like an addiction; however the more he ate more of the energy, the more he himself exuded that energy and the harder it was to keep a lid on it. 

Skirk had warned him from consuming too much at a time; she herself had told Ajax about the horrors she had seen of those who have had too much. They mostly ended up going through a slow metamorphosis, where they would be gradually transformed into the very monsters they once killed and detested. It was a painful process and it was not preventable once it happened. And since, it was not something he himself wanted to go through, he tried to limit the amount he ingested. 

“Yes, I have,” he said, rather simply. 

Guizhong nodded and looked solemnly downwards, “I feel quite sorry for the creatures.” 

Sorry?  

Why would she feel sorry for the beasts? 

“Don’t be. They are worthless and helpless creatures, no need to waste time on them,” Cloud Retainer replied, looking irritated at her words. 

Guizhong sighed and gave a small smile, “That’s precisely why I feel sorry for them. They do not have any meaningful existence and are just going through the motions or their circumstances. They are quite......pitiful, and I feel sorry for them.” 

They didn’t say anything else for the rest of the walk, and bid Ajax farewell before going towards the direction of their own living spaces. 

______________________________

Ajax drifted off to sleep and dreamed about his past memories: times spent with Zhongli by the harbor, his mom’s warm pirozhki's and the comforting smell of silk flowers. 

However, his sweet space was quickly disrupted when he was awoken by the shaking of his shoulders. He swatted them off and buried his face deeper into his pillows, but the person kept shaking his shoulders, this time saying his name, “Ajax....wake up.” 

He opened his eyes begrudgingly and saw who it was….Morax?!

What was he doing in his house?!

[flavica-exports05]

"Unlocking the Secret to Luxurious Natural Hair Extensions: Quality and Services"

When it comes to achieving that dreamy, voluminous mane, natural hair extensions have become the ultimate go-to solution. But not all extensions are created equal. If you're on the hunt for the best quality hair extensions and top-notch hair extension services, you're in the right place. In this blog post, we'll dive deep into the world of natural hair extensions, exploring what sets the best quality hair apart and the essential services you should look for. Let's embark on this journey to transform your hair game!

The Best Quality of Hair for Natural Hair Extensions

Virgin Human Hair The foundation of a superb hair extension lies in the quality of the hair itself. The gold standard for natural hair extensions is "virgin human hair." Here's why:

Untouched Beauty: Virgin hair is completely unprocessed, meaning it has never been chemically treated, dyed, or altered in any way. This ensures the most natural and unspoiled look.

Longevity: Virgin hair extensions tend to last longer because they haven't been exposed to harsh chemicals that can weaken the hair structure.

Texture Variety: Virgin human hair comes in various textures, from straight to wavy to curly, allowing you to choose the perfect match for your natural hair.

Remy Hair Remy hair is another top-quality choice for extensions. It refers to hair that has been carefully collected to preserve its natural alignment from root to tip. Here's what makes Remy hair special:

Tangle-Free: Remy hair is known for its tangle-free nature, thanks to the intact cuticles that prevent hair strands from catching and clumping together.

Smooth and Shiny: Remy hair extensions boast a natural sheen and smoothness, making them virtually indistinguishable from your own hair.

Long-Lasting: With proper care, Remy hair extensions can maintain their luster and quality for an extended period.

The Essential Hair Extension Services Once you've secured the best quality hair for your extensions, it's equally important to choose the right hair extension services. Here's what you should look for:

Professional Consultation A reputable salon or hair extension provider should offer a thorough consultation. This step allows you to discuss your desired look, the best extension type for your hair, and any concerns you may have.

Customization One size doesn't fit all when it comes to hair extensions. A skilled technician should customize the extensions to match your natural hair color, texture, and length seamlessly.

Proper Installation Proper installation is critical to achieving a natural look. Whether you opt for clip-ins, tape-ins, sew-ins, or fusion extensions, a trained professional should handle the installation process.

Maintenance Guidance Maintaining your natural hair extensions is vital for their longevity. Your chosen provider should educate you on how to care for and style your extensions correctly.

Quality Assurance Ensure that the salon or provider sources high-quality hair extensions and uses the best techniques for installation. Ask for referrals, read reviews, and inspect their portfolio.

Conclusion Natural hair extensions can be a game-changer in your hair journey, but quality and services are the key ingredients for a successful transformation. By choosing the best quality hair like virgin human hair or Remy's hair and partnering with skilled professionals who offer essential hair extension services, you'll be well on your way to achieving the luxurious, natural look you desire. Say goodbye to bad hair days and hello to the hair of your dreams!

[thehoppost]

Things To Know About Keratin Hair Treatments

Keratin hair treatments have gained immense popularity over the years, promising smoother, shinier, and frizz-free hair. Whether you're considering getting one for the first time or simply curious about how it works, this guide will help you understand everything about keratin hair treatments, from their benefits and risks to maintenance tips.

What Exactly Is a Keratin Treatment?

A keratin treatment is a chemical process that infuses the hair with keratin protein to create a smoother, sleeker, and more manageable texture. It helps to eliminate frizz, reduce curl, and add shine to the hair. Keratin treatments typically involve applying a keratin-rich formula to the hair, which is then sealed using heat (usually a flat iron). The results can last anywhere from a few weeks to several months, depending on hair type and aftercare.

Can Keratin Improve Hair Growth?

While keratin treatments do not directly stimulate hair growth, they can contribute to healthier-looking hair. By reinforcing the hair shaft with protein, keratin treatments help reduce breakage, which can create the illusion of longer, fuller hair over time. However, they do not affect hair follicles or stimulate new hair growth.

Is a Keratin Treatment Suitable for Curly Hair?

Yes! Keratin treatments can be particularly beneficial for individuals with curly or frizzy hair. While the treatment does not completely straighten curls (unless specifically designed to do so), it significantly reduces frizz and makes hair more manageable. If you prefer to maintain your natural curls but want a smoother appearance, ask your stylist for a customizable treatment that enhances your curl pattern while controlling frizz.

Can You Get a Keratin Treatment on Dyed Hair?

Yes, keratin treatments can be applied to color-treated or chemically processed hair. In fact, they can help protect the hair and lock in color by sealing the cuticle, preventing fading. However, it’s best to consult with a professional hairstylist to ensure your specific hair type and color treatment can safely undergo a keratin process without damage.

Keratin vs. Japanese Straightening: How Do They Compare?

Both keratin treatments and Japanese straightening techniques are popular hair-smoothing solutions, but they differ in their approach and results:

Keratin Treatment: Temporary, lasts 2-6 months, smooths hair while maintaining some natural wave or curl, contains proteins that condition and strengthen hair.

Japanese Straightening (Thermal Reconditioning): Permanent, completely straightens hair by altering its internal structure, requires touch-ups as new hair grows in, can be more damaging due to harsh chemicals used.

If you want a reversible treatment that smooths and strengthens without fully straightening, keratin is a better option. If you want permanently pin-straight hair, Japanese straightening is preferable.

What to Expect During a Keratin Treatment?

A keratin treatment session typically lasts between 2-4 hours, depending on hair length and thickness. The process includes:

Washing: The stylist washes your hair with a clarifying shampoo to remove buildup.

Application: The keratin solution is evenly applied to damp hair.

Processing Time: The product sits on the hair for about 30-60 minutes.

Blow-Drying: The hair is blow-dried to remove moisture.

Flat Ironing: A flat iron is used to seal the keratin into the hair cuticle.

Post-Treatment Care: Some treatments require waiting 24-72 hours before washing hair, while newer formulations allow same-day washing.

How Frequently Should You Get a Keratin Treatment?

Keratin treatments typically last between 2-6 months, depending on hair type and maintenance. Most hairstylists recommend waiting at least three months before reapplying to prevent excessive protein buildup, which can make hair brittle.

Tips to Extend the Life of Your Keratin Treatment

To maximize the longevity of your keratin treatment:

Use a sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner to avoid stripping keratin from the hair.

Wash your hair less frequently (2-3 times per week) to maintain smoothness.

Avoid swimming in chlorinated or saltwater without a protective cap.

Use a silk or satin pillowcase to minimize friction and frizz.

Limit the use of heat styling tools to prevent unnecessary damage.

Why Do Some Stylists Avoid Keratin Treatments?

Some hairstylists choose not to offer keratin treatments due to concerns over formaldehyde and other chemicals found in certain formulas. Formaldehyde, a common ingredient in older keratin treatments, can release fumes that pose health risks. Many salons now use formaldehyde-free or low-formaldehyde alternatives to ensure safer application.

Potential Risks and Side Effects of Keratin Treatments

While keratin treatments offer numerous benefits, they also come with potential risks:

Chemical Exposure: Some treatments contain formaldehyde, which can cause eye irritation, headaches, or respiratory issues.

Hair Damage: Overuse of keratin treatments can lead to protein overload, making hair brittle.

Allergic Reactions: Individuals with sensitive scalps may experience itching or redness.

Cost: Treatments can be expensive, ranging from $150-$500, depending on salon and hair length.

Who Should Reconsider Getting a Keratin Treatment?

A keratin treatment may not be suitable for everyone. You should reconsider if:

You are pregnant or breastfeeding, as some treatments contain chemicals that may not be safe.

Your hair is extremely fine or thin, as the treatment may make it look limp.

You have scalp conditions like eczema or psoriasis, which could be aggravated by chemicals.

You are sensitive to strong odors or fumes.

Is It Possible to Do a Keratin Treatment at Home?

Yes, at-home keratin treatments are available, but they differ significantly from professional salon treatments. Home kits typically contain milder formulas that offer temporary results lasting 1-4 weeks. If you choose to do an at-home treatment:

Read product labels carefully and avoid those with high formaldehyde content.

Follow instructions precisely to avoid damage.

Use a low-heat flat iron to seal the treatment without excessive heat exposure.

Consider professional help if you have previously color-treated or chemically processed hair.

Keratin hair treatments can be a game-changer for those seeking smoother, frizz-free hair. Whether you have curly, wavy, or color-treated hair, these treatments offer temporary yet transformative results. However, it's crucial to weigh the benefits against potential risks, choose a safe formula, and maintain proper aftercare to enjoy long-lasting effects. If you’re unsure whether a keratin treatment is right for you, consult a professional hairstylist to determine the best approach for your hair type and lifestyle.

[balayagetreatments]

Can You Just Use Regular Hair Dye for Gray Coverage?

Gray hair is a natural part of aging, and many people embrace it beautifully. However, if you’re considering covering your grays, you might wonder: Can you just use regular hair dye for gray coverage? While it might seem like a straightforward solution, there’s more to consider than meets the eye. This article explores everything you need to know about using hair dye for gray coverage, highlighting what works best and what doesn’t.

Understanding Gray Hair

Before diving into whether regular hair dye works, it’s essential to understand what makes gray hair different:

Structure: Gray hair tends to have a coarser and more porous structure compared to pigmented hair. This can make it resistant to color absorption.

Lack of pigment: Gray hair lacks melanin, the pigment responsible for hair color. This means achieving a uniform color can be trickier.

Texture variations: Some gray hairs are wiry or frizzy, making them harder to coat with dye evenly.

The Short Answer: It Depends

The answer to whether you can use regular hair dye for gray coverage is yes—but with some caveats. Let’s break it down:

Pros of Using Regular Hair Dye for Gray Coverage

Accessibility: Regular hair dye is widely available and comes in various shades.

Affordable: It’s often less expensive than specialized products for gray coverage.

Variety: You have endless color options to experiment with.

Cons of Using Regular Hair Dye for Gray Coverage

Resistance to color: Gray hair’s unique structure often makes it resistant to regular dye, leading to uneven results.

Faster fading: The lack of pigment in gray hair can cause the dye to fade more quickly.

Coverage challenges: Regular dyes might not fully cover gray hair, especially if it’s coarse or stubborn.

Why Specialized Gray Coverage Color Works Better

If you’re looking for a reliable solution, opting for a product specifically designed for gray coverage can make a significant difference. Here’s why:

Higher pigment concentration: Gray coverage colors often contain more pigments to ensure better and more even coverage.

Formulated for gray hair: These products are designed to penetrate coarse gray strands effectively.

Long-lasting results: Specialized dyes are less prone to fading, offering a more durable solution.

Tips for Better Gray Coverage

If you’re set on using regular hair dye, here are some tips to maximize its effectiveness for gray coverage:

Choose a permanent dye: Semi-permanent dyes may not provide sufficient coverage for gray hair.

Pick the right shade: Opt for shades close to your natural hair color or slightly darker for better blending.

Pre-soften gray hair: Apply a developer to your gray strands before coloring to help the dye penetrate more effectively.

Leave it on longer: Follow the instructions carefully, but adding an extra 5-10 minutes may help stubborn grays absorb the color.

Use a color sealer: Seal the color post-dyeing to enhance its longevity.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Skipping strand tests: Always test the dye on a small section of hair to ensure it’s the right match and works effectively.

Using low-quality dyes: Cheap products may not provide the pigment concentration needed for gray coverage.

Ignoring aftercare: Use color-safe shampoos and conditioners to maintain the vibrancy of your dyed hair.

When to Seek Professional Help

If you’re struggling to achieve satisfactory results with regular hair dye, consulting a professional stylist can save you time and frustration. A stylist can:

Recommend the best gray coverage color products for your hair type.

Mix custom colors tailored to your preferences.

Use professional techniques to ensure even application and longer-lasting results.

Embrace Your Options

Whether you’re using regular hair dye or opting for a specialized gray coverage color, the key is to find what works best for you. Experimenting with different products and techniques can help you achieve the look you desire. Remember, covering gray hair is a personal choice—there’s no right or wrong way to go about it.

In conclusion, while regular hair dye can work for gray coverage in some cases, it’s not always the most effective or reliable option. Specialized gray coverage colors are often worth the investment for their superior results. Whatever you choose, prioritize products and techniques that suit your hair’s unique needs.

[elenagold236]

The Ultimate Guide to Hair Products Professional: Elevate Your Haircare Routine

When it comes to achieving healthy, shiny, and manageable hair, using the right products is essential. Explore the best hair products professional designed to meet all your styling and care needs. Professional-grade hair products deliver unparalleled results, ensuring your hair always looks its best.

Why Choose Professional Hair Products?

Investing in professional hair products goes beyond aesthetics. It enhances hair health, reduces damage, and offers long-lasting results. Here’s why these products stand out.

1. Superior Quality Ingredients

Professional hair products contain high-quality ingredients, such as keratin, essential oils, and amino acids, designed to nourish and strengthen hair from the root to the tip.

2. Tailored for Specific Needs

Unlike generic drugstore products, professional-grade options are tailored to address specific hair concerns like dryness, frizz, thinning, or color protection.

3. Longer-Lasting Results

Because of their concentrated formulas, these products deliver noticeable results while requiring smaller amounts per use, making them cost-effective in the long run.

4. Endorsed by Haircare Experts

Salon professionals recommend these products for their effectiveness and ability to maintain hair health between salon visits.

Top Categories of Professional Hair Products

To create the ultimate haircare routine, consider incorporating products from the following categories:

Shampoos and Conditioners

Choosing the right shampoo and conditioner is crucial for maintaining hair health. Opt for sulfate-free formulas to minimize damage, and look for products that cater to your specific hair type.

Hair Masks and Treatments

Hair masks and treatments provide deep nourishment. Weekly use can repair damage, restore hydration, and improve overall hair texture.

Styling Products

From volumizing mousses to anti-frizz serums, styling products allow you to achieve salon-quality results at home.

Heat Protectants

If you use heat tools like flat irons or curling wands, a heat protectant is non-negotiable. These products create a protective barrier, preventing heat damage.

Hair Oils

Hair oils, such as argan or coconut oil, add shine, reduce frizz, and protect against environmental damage.

Color Care Products

For those with dyed hair, professional color-protecting products ensure vibrancy and prevent premature fading.

How to Choose the Right Hair Products

With so many options available, selecting the right products can feel overwhelming. Follow these steps to make the best choice for your hair type and concerns.

1. Assess Your Hair Type

Identify whether your hair is fine, thick, curly, straight, or chemically treated. Each type has unique requirements.

2. Define Your Goals

Determine your goals—whether it’s repairing damage, enhancing shine, or adding volume.

3. Read Product Labels

Check the ingredient list and ensure the product doesn’t contain harmful chemicals like sulfates, parabens, or silicones.

4. Consult a Professional

A hairstylist can recommend products tailored to your needs, ensuring optimal results.

Key Ingredients to Look for in Professional Hair Products

Understanding the role of key ingredients can help you make informed decisions when purchasing hair products.

Keratin

This protein strengthens hair and reduces breakage, leaving strands smooth and manageable.

Argan Oil

Known as “liquid gold,” argan oil hydrates and adds shine, making it ideal for dry and damaged hair.

Biotin

Biotin promotes healthy hair growth by strengthening the hair follicle.

Hyaluronic Acid

This hydrating ingredient locks in moisture, preventing dryness and frizz.

Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil combats dandruff and soothes irritated scalps.

Benefits of Using Professional Hair Products

Improved Hair Health

With consistent use, professional products strengthen hair, reduce breakage, and improve overall texture.

Better Manageability

Professional formulas make detangling and styling easier, saving time and effort.

Enhanced Scalp Care

These products focus on scalp health, preventing issues like dandruff or excess oil production.

Safe for Long-Term Use

Free from harsh chemicals, professional products are safe for daily or regular use without compromising hair integrity.

The Role of Professional Hair Products in Salons

Professional hair products are a staple in salons for a reason. They allow stylists to achieve flawless results while maintaining hair health.

Salon-Quality Results at Home

With the right products, you can replicate salon-level hairstyles and treatments from the comfort of your home.

Support for Chemical Treatments

If you’ve undergone treatments like coloring, keratin, or perming, professional products help maintain and prolong the results.

Top Professional Haircare Brands

1. Kerastase

Known for luxury haircare, Kerastase offers solutions for all hair types, from frizzy to thinning.

2. Moroccanoil

This brand specializes in argan oil-based products, providing hydration and shine.

3. Redken

Redken’s science-backed formulas cater to a wide range of hair concerns, from damage repair to color care.

4. Olaplex

Olaplex products focus on repairing hair bonds, making them ideal for chemically treated or damaged hair.

5. Paul Mitchell

A pioneer in professional haircare, Paul Mitchell offers cruelty-free products that deliver exceptional results.

Tips for Maximizing the Benefits of Hair Products Professional

To get the most out of your professional hair products, follow these simple tips:

1. Use the Right Amount

Overusing products can lead to buildup, while underusing them might not deliver the desired results.

2. Apply as Directed

Follow the instructions on the product label for optimal application and results.

3. Combine Products Strategically

Layer products like heat protectants, serums, and hairsprays to achieve a complete haircare routine.

4. Stay Consistent

Consistency is key when using professional hair products. Incorporate them into your routine for long-term benefits.

Where to Buy Professional Hair Products

To ensure authenticity, purchase professional hair products from trusted sources like salons, beauty retailers, or reputable online platforms such as Clara Group.

Advantages of Buying Online

Wide product selection

Competitive pricing

Customer reviews and ratings

Exclusive Deals and Offers

Many online retailers offer discounts and bundle deals, making it easier to try new products without exceeding your budget.

Conclusion

Investing in professional hair products is a game-changer for anyone looking to elevate their haircare routine. These products deliver superior results, improve hair health, and cater to a wide range of needs. Explore the best hair products professional today and unlock the full potential of your hair.

[joyner111]

Some tips and steps to help you color a brown wig

If you're considering getting a brown wig or want to color a wig brown, here are some tips and steps to help you achieve the look you want:

Choosing a Brown Wig:

Select the Shade: Brown wig come in various shades, from light ash brown to dark chocolate brown. Choose a shade that complements your skin tone and personal style.

Hair Type: Decide between synthetic or human hair wigs. Synthetic wigs are more affordable and low maintenance, while human hair wigs can be styled with heat tools and offer a more natural look.

Style: Consider the cut and style of the wig. Whether you prefer straight, wavy, curly, or a bob cut, there are many options to choose from.

Coloring a Wig Brown: If you have a wig that you want to dye brown, follow these steps:

Check Compatibility: Ensure that the wig can be dyed. Synthetic wigs can be damaged by dye, so it's crucial to use a dye specifically formulated for synthetic hair if that's what you have.

Prepare the Wig: Wash the wig with wig shampoo to remove any product buildup and ensure the color adheres properly. Dry the wig completely.

Choose the Right Dye: Use a wig dye or hair dye that is safe for the type of wig you have. For synthetic wigs, look for dyes that are specifically designed for synthetic fibers.

Protect Your Workspace: Lay down towels or plastic sheeting to protect your workspace from staining.

Mix the Dye: Follow the instructions on the dye package to mix the color. If you're using hair dye, mix it with the developer in the ratio specified for the desired shade of brown.

Apply the Dye: Wear gloves to protect your hands. Apply the dye evenly to the wig using a brush or your hands. Make sure to saturate all the fibers.

Process Time: Allow the dye to process for the recommended time. This can vary depending on the dye and the shade you're aiming for.

Rinse Thoroughly: Rinse the wig with cool water until the water runs clear. Avoid using hot water as it can set the dye unevenly.

Condition: Use a wig conditioner to help restore moisture and smoothness to the fibers after dyeing.

Dry and Style: Gently squeeze out excess water and pat the wig dry with a towel. Use a wig stand to air dry and maintain its shape.

Maintenance Tips:

Wig Care: Regularly clean and condition your brown wig to keep it looking fresh and vibrant.

Storage: Store the wig on a wig stand or mannequin head to maintain its shape when not in use.

Avoid Heat: If you have a synthetic wig, avoid using heat styling tools as they can melt the fibers.

Remember, if you're unsure about dyeing a brown wig yourself, it's best to consult with a professional wig stylist to ensure the best results.