#just need better insoles lol

[semiotomatics]

😭 once again i come out of therapy feeling 20 (psychological) pounds lighter

[istherewifiinhell]

Order i made with moreee joint braces and other stuff. Well u know how it is when u wanna by 4 things and ur like. Thats one hundred dollars what the fuck. So i didnt get an ankle brace even tho the bitchs been hurting hoping that if i focus on the knee and food shit. Itll just kinda. Be okay. But hey this hikeing boots that are like. Annoying inflexible when laced up all the way. Seems like it maybeeee. Evens out? Okay?

[nmakii]

THE GIRL IN MY STORY HAS ALWAYS BEEN YOU!

— in which alastor’s dear is ridiculed. he’ll take care of those insolent wretches later… comforting you is much more important

— lol a little drabble bc i j found out one of my former friends called me ugly last school year and i kinda get it cause i had a huge forehead (i got bangs to fix that) but i just feel a little insecure rn

you hit your head on the pillow, your smile faltering as soon as you were alone. what an awful day… today was exhausting, being ridiculed by those demons in the carmine district was hurtful, to say the very least. most especially when they poked at your looks.

appearance was always a taboo subject to you, all that anyone ever wants is to be beautiful.

creak…

“darling, what are you doing back here so early in the day?” alastor asked, walking over to you as he put his face near your’s. “don’t wanna talk about it…” you frowned, turning away from him.

alastor’s curiosity grew as he turned you back over. “is something wrong, my dear?” he asked, a soft smile on his face. “what is it that happened? c’mon, tell me about it, love.” he said as he sat on the bed, pulling you onto his lap.

“am… am i pretty, alastor?” you sniffed, eyes growing wet with tears. “my dear, of course you are! what makes you think otherwise?” alastor raised an eyebrow.

“uuh… some demons were kinda…” you started, leaning your head on his chest as your tears stained his coat as he waited for you to finish speaking. “t…they were calling me ugly…” you finished, a hiccup interrupting your breaths.

“my love, don’t let those wretches’ blind comments plague your thoughts. you’re beautiful, i promise you that, on my own grave!” he quietly laughed at his own joke. it didn’t seem to calm your thoughts though. “dear, trust me, you are gorgeous. you would not have any idea how many other demons i had to fight off to earn the right to court you!”

it made you feel slightly better, the thought of it making you smile a little. “come now, smile, my dear! you know you’re never fully dressed without one!” alastor’s smile growing wider as he pointed to his own grin.

alastor’s trademark motto making your smile grow wider as he wiped your pearly tears away. “don’t cry anymore, darling. your pretty face is meant to smile.” he said, kissing you on the head. “say… what are the names of these demons?” he asked.

“aah… i don’t know… it was when i was in the carmine district…” you said, looking at alastor’s eyes. “don’t go after them.. you’ll start some sort of overlord war with ms. carmilla…” you frowned at his clear murderous intent

“i wouldn’t care for that at all, darling. a war with carmilla is the very least of my worries right now.” he rolled his eyes at your worry. “not when there are sinners who need to be taught a lesson.”

you leaned into alastor’s touch as he stroked your back comfortingly. “thank you, love…” you sighed. “i’ll always come through for you, darling. don’t ever question that.”

[molinaskies]

What do you think about people saying “Sonic is too nice.” While I do like him to be a bit sassy from time to time and can even see his “jerkiness” as one of his flaws, I honestly would like to know your thoughts. I’m personally neutral and can see both sides of the argument.

Hmm… I’m not super inclined to go into too much detail because I think I’ve said a lot of this already, but there are two ways to speak to this.

For one, I think what most people mean when they say Sonic’s too nice is that he’s been too lenient with his enemies, but I kinda don’t agree with that.

In the case of IDW, his leniency is a moderate-to significant talking point in the comic that ultimately serves to make the point of “everyone deserves a chance to change.” There’s a purpose for it. And tbh, I think Sonic’s actions are sufficiently punished in that comic when they ought to be! Remember how many times Sonic’s been proven “wrong”? Remember when Surge legally killed drowned electrocuted hurt him really bad because of a chain of unfortunate decisions? Lol

On the other side of the coin, there are also people who just miss when Sonic was a dude-attuding prick (affectionately). And to be fair, if we’re speaking strictly is terms of personality, when you compare current-era Sonic to, say, Archie, SatAM (the 90s Saturday morning cartoon for tweens), or even AOSTH (the 90s Saturday morning cartoon for kids), it’s a very stark contrast. Sonic may still be sassy and insolent, but he once had the propensity to be a straight up asshole lol. It’s for that reason I don’t think I can say that anyone is wrong for wanting what once was—or something like it. If that’s what you grew up with or what you’re accustomed to, then I get it 🤷‍♀️

As for my brass tacks, though, I don’t think Sonic’s too nice. I don’t think he’s soft. I think he’s realized that he doesn’t need to be an official authority of justice and knows when to pick his battles. Sonic sees bad, says “no stop that,” and does anything from shoot you a dirty look to blow up your space armada—but he’s not gonna call GUN on you.

His attitude and self-confidence are a huge part of his character that I’d never want to see completely go away, but it also leaves a taste in my mouth when he’s just an asshole because I don’t like lanolin assholes lmao. I don’t think this happens too often in older media, but it’s a slippery slope.

I prefer when Sonic is defiant but not full of himself—when he’s more emotionally and morally dynamic—because I think that makes him more complex.

Sonic fights for freedom, not for his version of freedom. And as long as he believes there’s hope for something better, he’s not gonna take that chance away. There’s a reason that eggman, merlina, knuckles blaze, silver, shadow, and surge and kit (of the top of my head) are “redeemable” but the zeti, erazor djinn, mephelis (a technicality, I’m aware), and starline are not. Sonic walks away when he feels it’s deserved and punishes when it’s not. He’s willing to “fight another day” about it because it’s not supposed to be work for him. He’s just vibing!

Overall, his personality comes down to a matter of preference, but I don’t think all that much has changed when it comes to his morals. If anything, I think we’re just beaten over the head about it a touch too much in current media—hence why we’re talking about it.

[thegamingcatmom]

Would miranda be jealous if the MC had a lil plushie that's dressed up like her

I'd imagine miranda ignores her for some time or something too distracted in the lab or something, so MC just crafts up a lil birb mama plushie for comfort

Miranda eventually comes back and sees MC snuggled asleep with lil birb mama plushie

Jealous?like in a there can be only one?idk

That´s...

That seems alien, somehow. LMAO.

Not your ask, goodness no! But just...Miranda and "plushie" in the same sentence sent me. 😭

Okay so, as with pretty much everything else, let me take things way too seriously:

First of, MC would need the materials to craft smt like that. Somehow, I don´t think Miranda owns anything besides jars and scalpels and books and...more jars. And some more scalpels.

(God I love that nerd.)

Which means:

MC either has to ask her roommate/master/abductor/lover/smt for those materials (good luck) OR-

...She has to flirt like her life depends on it.

Which...it probs does:

.

Mother M.: *working*

MC: *sneaks up (we´re not gonna talk about the fact that there is no sneaking up on someone like Miranda)*

Mother M.: *working*

MC: *reaches for those massive wings, fully intending to give them the world´s best TLC-*

Mother M.: "Dove."

MC: "...I was just-"

Mother M.: "Do you wish to lose it, little bird?"

MC: "..."

MC: *wisely drops her hand again*

Mother M.: *still working*

MC: *awkward shuffling*

...

Mother M.: "Have you finished the tasks I´ve given you?"

MC: *hasn´t*

MC, stupid bold af: "Of course!"

Mother M., who can smell lies: *stops working*

MC: *starts sweating*

Mother M.: *slowly turns her head to face her*

MC: *swallows*

Mother M.: *stares*

MC: "..."

Mother M.: *stares*

MC: "...Technically."

...

Mother M.: "How can one technically sacrifice someone?"

MC: "...I'm-"

Mother M.: *stares*

MC: "..."

Mother M.: *stares*

MC: "...not sure."

Mother M.: *stares*

MC: "..."

Mother M.: *stares*

MC: *panics*

MC: "You look-"

Mother M.: *stares*

MC: "...plush."

...

Mother M.: *...stares in a mix of irritation and confusion*

MC:

YES THAT´S WHAT FLIRTING LOOKS LIKE WITH THEM I´M AFRAID. 😭

But also: Did yall catch the reference to my other post that was all about pampering Birb Momma? The one that turned into the 1st part of (hopefully) many of my planned series?👉👈

(I guess this just goes to show that Miri isn´t always so...tame. 🤭)

Honestly though: I think that´s as close to a plushie as MC will get. ���

LISTEN-

miranda ignores her for some time or something too distracted in the lab or something

I mean...duh. That´s like...her default mode? I´d say? MC will have to wait her turn, as per usual. 😅🤷🏻‍♀️

so MC just crafts up a lil birb mama plushie for comfort

Listen...comfort ain´t the first word that comes to mind when it comes to Miranda, lol. That´s why I can´t really see MC crafting something that resembles the very being which keeps her locked up and away from the world cause MC belongs to her and her alone for comfort.

If anything, MC would probs try and use it as a voodoo doll, LMAO. Our girl does love pushing buttons and testing boundaries, after all. 😉

(Better not let Birb Momma catch you though. 👀)

But also, rather than a plush!Miranda, I think a 🐦‍⬛ plushie would be more likely. Or, hell, perhaps even the real deal?? Miranda frequently transforms into a bunch of em, so I can see this being her way of shutting MC up for a while, lol.

...Whether MC is aware the crow that´s been visiting her for the past few days is one of Miranda´s is another question. 😏

...

We´re also not gonna talk about Miranda giving the crow - a part of herself - the stink eye.

No, we´re not.

Mother Miranda doesn´t get jealous, you insolent wretch.

.

.

.

Thanks a lot for your ask! 💋

[romaritimeharbor]

This isn’t a very coherent or thought out idea, but I can’t get the idea of a sinister and visceral Yaoshi that, after one of their darlings (reader) lies broken at their feet, they begin to cry both out of empathy for their loved one, and out of the knowledge that their mere tears will shatter the will of armies, crying to make their enemies feel the agony they bestowed upon one of their favored. And maybe, some of this anger, resentment? Possibly is directed at their oh so foolish children that dared to not only abandon such a benevolent god, but to hurt one of their still devoted siblings. Reader being a little bit freaked out by their parent’s tears, not that they aren’t accustomed to Yaoshi as a whole, but it’s rare to see an Aeon be overcome by human emotions translated and warped by something divine. Being accustomed to your divine parent as an infallible and pure being of love and life, does not prepare them for witnessing what are, undeniably the same emotions they feel to those who wronged them.

I assumed Reader is at least, a pathstrider, although an emanator may honestly fit better. And I may have given too many bullshit specifics lol. Love you, and thank you for putting up with all of my awful ideas

bug. bug. you drop this in my inbox and expect me to be normal and okay? you drop this in my inbox and expect me not to want to write a fic about it? bug. Hello? expect a fic soon. 🤭

crying because their darling little one (regardless of their age, yaoshi's child is just that to them—a child) is so, so wounded at their feet, weakly clinging to one of their many wrists as their hands all claw at their body, frantically rushing to heal the damage that has been done to their sweet. "frantically" is subjective, really. sanctus medicus is an aeon and doesn't experience the same things humans do, but this... this feels frantic. urgent. though the emotions yaoshi experiences as an aeon are far beyond what their child can comprehend, this feels weirdly human. and in a way, it is strangely comforting.

...but they also weep because they know it will destroy the bastard traitors who did this to their dearest. they know their tears will make all of their child's siblings feel the agony that was bestowed upon them... because let's be fr here, it was probably the xianzhou alliance that did this. crying because they know it will make their foolish, traitorous children kneel. they've tolerated the insolence for far too long. it has gone too far this time.

remember, xianzhou natives. you all were yaoshi's first.

yaoshi's favored child is comforted, but terrified (and the effect of "crying because the aeon of abundance cries" extends to them as well, so as yaoshi weeps, they do too, held in the aeons arms and experiencing the pain of their wounds combined with yaoshi's despair). not because they can feel the aeon's rage rolling off their being in waves that could drown entire societies—though they can feel it—but rather because a fucking aeon is weeping right in front of them??????? what the FUCK.

look what you've done, xianzhou alliance. you've made your parent cry. you should beg at their feet for forgiveness if you know what's good for you, yes? how dare you lay hands upon your sibling. how... utterly disgusting. but it's okay, because the merciful one knows that you all are just children, and you still need your parent's guidance. they'll forgive you all, of course...

...once you've been thoroughly punished, that is.

I LOVE YOU TOO RAHHHHH your ideas are all so so so wonderful i promise 🙏🙏🙏

[vulture-jack]

been fishing around half my life to see if the amount of pain im in is normal and finally at 30 having a doctor be like "no, and im sending you to a specialist because you're young and thats abnormal" almost felt like I was getting something I didn't deserve

all i ever got from family members was "lol wait till your're older", "welcome to getting old", or at best "it runs in the family" without a word that i should maybe seek help instead of just gritting my teeth and bearing the agony i was in because THEY never did anything about it. nobody was curious? like god if a friend told me they were feeling what I'm feeling I'd tell them to bring it up to their dr at least. Why did it take me so long to think this was important? I felt like such a baby. Other people have it worse. Maybe everyone is in this much pain and can just. Handle it.

why didnt anyone see me wincing, limping, and looking for anywhere to sit down 3 or 4 hours into a day out at 14 years old and SAY SOMETHING other than "have you tried insoles" like YES. IVE TRIED INSOLES.

I will say in the last year I have had at least one or two family members be like "yeah it might be That and you should go" and that. Meant a lot. At the end of the day I had to learn that I'm an adult and I have to advocate for myself now, and I don't need permission from the people in my life to be in Enough Pain to ask for help. But like god if they took me seriously when I was a kid maybe I wouldn't have spent so much of my life in pain wondering whether or not I'm just a baby and everyone else is handling it better than me. Because thats how I was made to feel.

At a certain point I stopped telling people how much and how often it bothered me. It became a Me problem and something I had to put up with. If i didnt, I was disappointing people. I felt shame every time I tried to see if others my age shared my experience. Like I was revealing that I'm actually this weakling who cant handle Normal Pain.

But like tldr I guess if I could boil it down is, if a young person says theyre in a lot of pain, don't belittle it because of their youth, show concern BECAUSE of their youth. Don't laugh and tell them itll get worse. Don't dismiss them because they haven't "earned" YOUR aches and pains.

I don't know if the specialist I'm going to will be able to help me. I hope so. I hope its what I think it is. I know that its a good possibility that I won't get an answer. But man a doctor not needing any convincing, just listening to me and saying "Thats concerning for your age" and taking action to help me? Life changing on its own.

[bleue-flora]

I think the prison being a "just in case" for not having to do exile2 again it's a good theory. Like a theory or a thought of "what if" dont need to be in cannon exactly, just be based on it. And I can see it might be something it could pass throught cdream's head while creating the prison before thinking about locking himself on it. And now I've been thinking about the "what if he had this in mind too", so more thoughts about this "what if" below that might be wrong or not:

Like "what if someone who is ctechno level of powerful has to be stopped and teached to do better but you can just kill him for it bc 3 lifes system?" A place were to have them grounted sounds good, and like cdream is someone that thought exile and a bit of insolation can work. Like while exile was half cdream just taking his emotions on ctommy and the other half was him trying to lean him into his side, I personally vision he saw it as "teaching him to do better" in some way. So it's on his profile for me. Tho there's one thing that might contradict this, the revival book.

Why dont just let someone in limbo and bring them back, so why a prison? Well bc it's not secure. We dont know for sure if by this point cdream have made the death experiments with cpunz or not. When he revives ctommy he acts as if the first time he send someone to limbo. So why use something you are not sure it'll work? and even if he was faking it and he did the experiments before the prison. I dont think he would actually do that even if he threatened ctommy with it in the future.

And we know cdream nomally does not like to use limbo itself as a way to get things done. He could have killed ctommy and bring him back until he "learned the lesson" and joined his side in exile or do that to csam until he gives the keycards when was in prison but he does neither. cDream could have let cQ hurt/kill ctechno on the prison and later revive him like ctechno said, but he seemed worried about ctechno being on limbo in the prison podcast and not liking the idea of him being there. And i consider it's bc he prefers to not sent people there unless he sees it as necesary to knowledge or prove a point like in the revival experiments and when he kills ctommy and revives him those two time. He doesnt seem to ureally use limbo itself a weapon very often or ever. I think there's only two people he has let in limbo for a long time, cwil and cranboo. Without reviving the second one. But He didnt let them in limbo as way to get something from them exactly. Thought he did revived cwil as a way to gain his favour. He will intent to use killing as a way of intimidation like we saw in the ending with ctommy while making his act of being all evil how powerful his revival power is but not the limbo himself.

So what's the best alternative when you dont want to use the hell nightmare of limbo and want to lock someone in a contained place? A prison, a prison that's impossible to escape unlike exile. Impossible for others to go and force you out. That not even yourself ;) can break out of

I hope this makes sense 😅If I got something wrong im open to corrections. It's interesting to think about this and checking the wiki to remenber the exact time cdream had taken to revive people. Also sorry for any misspell

[context]

Well we do know definitively that Dream and Punz hadn't done experiments on Vikk and Lazar at this point before the prison, as seen by the map [post] showing L'manhole. But you are right we are not sure on whether that means they hadn't done any experiments whatsoever. I would say whether or not they have, it does seem to me that Dream seems afraid of death and Limbo, a reason for the experiments later, so he perhaps wouldn't want to depend on Limbo as the "time out" lol XD for "learning their lesson", limbo is also very much out of his control so there is no guarantee it would help someone (in the hypothetical of that being his reasoning of course). Time is really screwed in Limbo as well, so while perhaps other people need separate time from that person for whatever reason, their time in limbo is times 30 so just one day of them being dead is a month in limbo, which might be too extreme a punishment. And as you said, in general it doesn't seem that Dream uses Limbo just willy nilly for his point, where one explanation could be him not wanting to mess with death and the other of him knowing how painful and terrible it is so not wanting people to needlessly experience that if there is alternative ways.... um anyways what were we talking about?... I don't think that if he had planned to use the prison to make sure people learned their lesson it would be by anyway about learning through in the prison more of incentive to not make the same mistake. The conditions of the prison are hardly comfortable making me think it's more about a thing to avoid then a means to learn. Also, not to dive into the topic of Exile, but I don't think Dream isolating him was as much about isolation as it was removing Tommy from outside influences something I've talked about before somewhere. That if the theory is he was trying to turn Tommy to not be against him, having Tommy interact with Quackity constantly reminding him of how terrible Dream is, is going to kinda undo all that work and manipulation.... I'm not sure I'm making sense anymore but whatever, there is also something to be said that given the experiments on Vikk and Lazar being after prison kinda highlights Dream's fear that perhaps the revival book doesn't work on all deaths so that would be another reason he would be considering the prison not Limbo...

[uncannycerulean]

Day 13: A rarepair (for @hprecfest)

One of my favourite rarepairs is Remus/Severus (Snupin!), and now that I think about it, it's probably because I am a sucker for a redemption arc (who knew, lol).

The fic I'm recommending is set in the marauders times, and I loved it for many reasons:

First of all, what an amazing take on forced proximity -- Severus is invisible to all people at Hogwarts. Except Remus.

Second, I think the friendship between Lily and Severus is absolutely wonderful in this: nuanced and vulnerable and a lot more *real* than in canon.

And lastly, I love the way this fic plays with canon events, gives these characters time to be moping angsty teenagers and imagines other possibilities for them. That's what fanfic is about for me.

Not Really Here by OwlsWithFins (M | 55k words | Severus/Remus)

Summary: After the werewolf prank, Severus disappears. He’s still at Hogwarts—at least, he thinks he is—and he’s probably still alive, but no one can see or hear him. Except for Lupin.

Remus, meanwhile, is avoiding the other Marauders—as well as everyone else—and Snape becomes the sole exception to his self-appointed isolation.

As they work together to look for answers about Severus’ condition, the unlikely pair drift toward friendship. But building a relationship of any kind presents a challenge when neither of them is sure Severus exists at all.

Snippet:

Severus wanted to scream.  Then he realized nothing was stopping him.  Severus screamed.  No one noticed, of course, not even the owls perched or swooping around the Owlery. Apparently they could find him to deliver a letter, but they had no idea where he was when he needed them to take one from him. Against his better judgment, Severus was starting to reconsider the validity of [his theory that this might be a prank]. The idea that someone had managed to convince, not just the professors and students, but the fucking owls to ignore him was laughable, but he couldn't think of another explanation. Instead of laughing, Severus glared at the insolent birds in the hopes that they could feel it even if they couldn’t see him. He wondered if he could disintegrate them with his stare alone. At least then he wouldn’t be the only one not really here.  The birds didn’t disintegrate which meant Severus’ trip to the Owlery was a complete waste of time.

[dabiscarpet]

Idea based on an afternoon nap high on meds and full of wet dreams

Warnings: piercings, body modification, suggestive themes.

fem reader ^^ (cuz it's based on a dream I had)

.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

- suguru, leader of a cult (nothing new here)

- he has right hands, his most loyal followers, who have earned his respect, attention, and are now the object of his lust

- suguru with a split tongue, and only his most loyal followers get to have that too (their tongue split, and Suguru's)

- the cult barely anything spiritual, let's face it, just a space to justify raw lust running wild to cleanse thy souls

- newbie comes in. The current favs, Suguru's three wives, have to introduce her to all the pleasures and practices of their cult.

- they get to the point where they tell newbie about the wonders if split tongue for the soul, but newbie seems a bit skeptical

- one of wives tries showing her what does it mean, but newbie refuses and prefers to talk to the leader, because "she's not understanding what's so great about it. Might have the leader explain me better"

- y/n, another of the three wives, looks for suguru to inform him about this new rebel girlie.

- suguru is roaming around the ethereal gardens, whole head of luscious black hair tied together in a messy low bun, little hairs sticking to his forehead and neck because of the humidity and sweat after his long walk. He looks just... Godly

- y/n talks about newbie, clearly annoyed, and more that just relying the message of "wanting to speak to leader", talks to him about how this newbie "needs correction" and its still clearly unworthy of even crossing paths with him.

- suguru quickly catches on to the annoyed tone, and seems entertained by all the trash talking lol.

- "don't you worry my love"

- suguru traps y/n between his body and a wall after she's done ranting, a playful smile on his face. Sticking his tongue out, silver ball shining under the droplets of humidity surrounding them

- "this remains only yours. Let that woman come to her senses, or-"

- "please sir, she's not worthy of your precious time and word-"

- y/n is immediately silenced by a tongue down her throat. Grabbing Suguru's man bun rather rashly, she quickly hooks one leg around his waist, long dressing garments with a side slit allowing her leg to come through.

- "oh my oh my, you seem a bit insolent today, y/n"

- "I'm so sorry, it wasn't my intention to interrupt-"

- "yet you're doing it again. Now... As i was saying, let that woman come to her senses, or she can leave on her own. I already did more than enough by allowing my three most precious girls talk to her and even demonstrate the wonders of our group"

- istg this man has both honey and venom spilling out of his mouth

- y/n can only be reminded of why she chose to follow this man, completely infatuated with his speech, his face, his body, his self... eyes staring needy at his eyes, and his tongue as well, moving so entrancing with each word he let out, like a snake wrapping around its victim's body slowly but surely, steel grip forming around them.

- "now, it seems it's my job to help you, my wife, to get back in track and repent for those insolent moments you had five minutes ago"

- as to not interrupt him again, y/n only nods, tears pooling her eyes in repentance.

- a burning hand closes against the back of her neck, and another one squeezes her tight around his waist.

- "now, that's a good girl... my favorite wife. Come on to our repentance room, I'm sure you didn't mean any harm, but i just need to make sure, right?"

...

To be continued?

[honeymochibubbletea]

So, basically someone sent me an ask and when i was going to respond them i accidentally deleted the ask😳😅😭

Sorryyy! But as an apology, i will write what you sent! (Whoever you are…)

They asked for a Dr. phantasmo with a party animal reader, buuuut… i’ll also write Dr. Phantasmo stuck in a children’s party! :D (why you ask? Well, it’s because i am STUCK in a children’s party. More precisely, my cousin’s party. And it’s HELL, i mean the noises and the other children, not my cousin: i love her greatly🥰 but as someone who’s autistic, being in a children’s party is a hellish nightmare😵‍💫 and i wanted to share my suffering with Phantasmo haha! >:D)

☆~Dr. Phantasmo with a party animal darling~☆:

You two have met when you were getting out of a club and you were drunk. You were staggering to one side to another until you fell against a certain mad scientist’s chest: the doctor himself, Phantasmo.

At first he was very irritated that you fell on top of his chest and you were now giggling and flirting with him. But then he soon saw this as an opportunity to take advantage of you: he would take you to his mansion and experiment on you!

And that’s pretty much what he did: he brought you over his shoulder and carried you without too much trouble.

Although… T-oby would not be very happy with his dad taking advantage of someone who’s intoxicated by alcohol and would try to convince him to take care of you until you were sober and better:

T-oby: Hi dad! How was your day? :D

Phantasmo: . . .it was very shitty but now i brought someone to run some tests on~ so let’s just say that it wasn’t a completely useless day~

T-oby: …Dad… is this person drunk?

Phantasmo: . . .

T-oby: . . .

Phantasmo: . . .

T-oby: …answer me.

Phantasmo: …They may be just a little itty bitty drun-

T-oby: Alright then, that’s all i need to know: YOU are NOT going to take advantage of this person like that.

Phantasmo: and how exactly are you going to stop me from doing so~?

T-oby: *smiles smugly* you won’t have energy for your experiments~ without me you are basically a mad scientist without experiments~

Phantasmo: ……I fucking hate you……

And so Phantasmo took care (much to his resistance and displeasure) of you: he gave you some hot soup and cookies; he forced you to drink a very disgusting medicine to make you feel better of your drunken state; he checked your temperature and did other things of what usually someone would do to take care of someone drunken.

At all times you were flirting a lot with him: you would call him handsome; big marshmallow and your “boo” (he would slap hard his face on that one, lol). Hell you were even politely trying to “steal” a kiss from him (of course, that wouldn’t happen: he would place a finger on your lips to stop you from doing something you would soon regret if you did that… of course, that didn’t stopped you from sucking his finger teasingly gfhgfhfghfgf his will was of slapping you for such insolence, but T-oby stopped him just in time hggfhfggfhgghfg)

After you have finally fallen asleep, he would admire you in your sleep:

Phantasmo: huh… even if they are a little TOO bold… they certainly are quite attractive… wonder if this will… wake them up…

And then he kissed your forehead and caressed your cheeks…

On the next morning (after you have woken up with a hangover), you worriedly looked around and wondered where you were until you saw Phantasmo floating closer towards you:

Phantasmo: gooood morning sleeping beauty~ did you sleep well~?

Y/n: …i… t-thank you for taking care of me… did i gave you any trouble…? I usually tend to be a little… bold when i’m drunk…

Phantasmo: ohoho yes, you were a headache to me… but also~ *lifts y/n’s chin with a finger* you were also really flirty with me~

Y/n: o-oh…! S-sorry about that… did i make you uncomfortable with my comments…?

Phantasmo: nah, at first i was annoyed but… then i started to enjoy it~… say: may i have your number~?

And after that you two exchanged a lot of messages and video calls. And slowly, were falling in love~ ;3

When you both started dating, you would always drag Phantasmo to the billion of parties you were always invited… and of course, Phantasmo always hated going to every single one of them…

He would soon notice that you could get easily high with the alcohol and that it was a very frequent occurrence too every time you went to a party. He was starting to grow worried about you and decided to set some boundaries to stop your alcoholic addiction:

Phantasmo: y/n… we need to talk.

Y/n: urgh, here it comes the alcohol specialist…

Phantasmo: hey, don’t act so stupid with me! I am only looking out for you! You should be grateful to have someone who cares about you! Unlike your so called frien-

Y/n: HEY, don’t you DARE shit-talk about MY friends! You don’t know what they have done to help me get through!

Phantasmo: oh yeah? Well, they surely don’t seem to give a shit about you when you go drunk mode: i’ve heard them every time you get drunk, they mock you and say horrible things about you! They also say horrible things about me and you don’t even try to defend me!

Y/n: ohoho here it comes the victim blaming! Of course they would say shit about you: you’re a VILLAIN buddy! They just don’t know you well enough! And you sure are controlling man! I am a damn adult, I do what i want; when i want and how i want!

Phantasmo: *visibly pissed* ohohoho! So is that how it is?! Fine! If you think you’re SOOOO mature and that i am a pain in your ass, you can leave my home and never EVER come back! T-oby, show this imbecile the door!

And so, you two haven’t seen each other for months… you were really starting to miss him and regret all the horrible things you’ve said to him… and you were starting to realize how fake are your so called “friends”

You were slowly losing one by one until you had no one anymore: either because you were starting to become poor or because they just were growing bored of you…

You desperately trying to drown your sorrows with alcohol, you weren’t going to parties anymore… after all, you didn’t have friends to invite you… you started to sob and cry over the counter of a pub until a certain ghost patted your back:

Phantasmo: looks like you have became the very thing you said you weren’t: a secluded person…

Y/n: *sniffing* why didn’t you responded my messages! I was missing you! I regretted what i have said!

Phantasmo: because i asked T-oby to block you… i wanted to see how “well” you would be without me.

Y/n: then how did you find me…? And how did you know that i was at the bottom of the pit?

Phantasmo: your so called “friends” posted about how much of a loser you are and how stupid you were trusting them with your money… say: do you have anywhere to go now?

Y/n: *starts sniffing and sobbing* n-no… i am completely poor man… and my parents have expelled me from home… they called me many horrible things… i… i’m stupid… i’m an idiot… i’m useless…

Phantasmo: …alright, alright… let’s stop this self pitying and sulking… let’s go, i have forgave you.

You hugged Phantasmo really hard and apologized many times… he basically took you under his wings and now you felt even worse about everything that happened between you two…

It sure took a lot of time to heal: both your relationship with him and your alcoholism… but eventually, you two fell in love again!

Phantasmo discovered the reason why you had alcoholism in the first place: basically your life was a living nightmare when you were outside of the parties… your parents hated you; you were failing college because of your bad influences of “friends” and the cherry on top: your family had a history of alcoholic addiction… of course, none of that justified what you said to the scientist… but… it sure explained a lot…

T-oby and Viola were still a little angry at you because of what you said to their father… with time T-ob forgave you but Viola? She definitely rubs in your face every time you and Phantasmo have a fight. Not that you two fight that frequently anymore but…

After you have sworn that you would never drink anything alcoholic again, Phantasmo allowed you to go to parties again… now responsibly: it wasn’t a unhealthy coping mechanism anymore, you could really have true fun.

Phantasmo… he would accompany you because one: he’s jealous as fuck and two: he fears someone could drug you and take you away from him… but he STILL hates parties… (my guy is the type of ghost that prefers to stay at home, you know?)

Now here’s some headcanons about Phantasmo stuck in a children’s party, because i said so muahahaha! >:3

He would be only stuck in a children’s party because of one reason: he’s at the birthday of Cortney’s baby brother

And why would he be there if he hates being in parties? Very well, i shall give you the answer: he’s trying to earn Cortney’s trust so that way he can extract Charlie’s weakness out of her

But oh boy, he sure is regretting his life choices: to the infernal children’s loudly, obnoxiously and annoyingly screaming and crying and chewing food and laughing and- to the fact that he wasn’t feeling very welcomed there. All the parents were looking at him with suspicion and judgment and always warned their kids to not get too close to the “creepy old ghost man”.

Until he was starting to have a panic attack in the middle of the “happy birthday to you”: he was breathing rapidly and steadily and no one was giving a fuck about him… except Charlie, who noticed and quickly tried to take him out of the crowd:

Charlie: hey there buddy… you… surely don’t look so good… you want me to-

Phantasmo: *almost on the verge of tears* y-yes please… take me anywhere but this hellish nightmare!

After Charlie and Phantasmo were out of the building where the party was happening:

Charlie: so? How are you feeling now? Do you need anything?

Phantasmo: ……Why are you caring about me…?

Charlie: uh because you were having a full panic attack over there? Duh. You were scaring the children.

Phantasmo: oh? So i was being a nuisance to you all? Is that it? Was my panic attack a nuisance to you?!

Charlie: hey, hey, hey! Easy there! That’s not what i meant! The children were scared because they thought you were feeling ill! Cortney was probably the most worried about you! Jesus… you really take everything to the extreme and personal level, huh?

Phantasmo: …oh, I’m soooorry okay? I’m not used to people worrying about me!

Charlie: *sighs* alright then, i’ll head back there and-

Phantasmo: No! Please! Can’t you… stay with me for a while longer…?

And so, Charlie stayed with Phantasmo: these two would lay on each other’s shoulders and fall asleep after chitchatting with each other with a beautiful sunset warming them🥰🥹

Phantasmo isn’t the type of guy who likes parties, especially with children… he hates children… (except his own)

He probably has social anxiety and phobia but will never admit it

Every time Charlie notices that Phantasmo is having a panic attack, she brings him to a more calmer and secluded place. Without too much noise and people.

But if he’s all by himself in a party, he calls Charlie and asks her if he can stay at her place…

He feels drained out whenever he’s in a party… he hates interacting with people… unless if he’s asking them questions…

[kuroosdumbslut]

Hi, i love your blog.

Can you write plese some snape x reader… start with fluff but end with little angst. Thank you love.

Severus Snape x Reader: Not Quite Safe, but Never Alone

This one kinda sucks, but it's all I could think of, and of course I forgot you wanted it to end with angst, but there's a touch of it in there! I'm a sucker for fluff and I had 0 self-control lol

It had been six months by now since the war ended. Six months since you had nearly lost your husband. You still remember thanking Harry over and over again for finding him and getting him help so soon. Severus now stood next to you with his hair tied back and out of his way, a habit he kept since his recovery. You couldn’t help but smile up at him, just grateful he’s still here with you. “Where are we going today, my love?” Severus asked quietly, rubbing his thumb over the back of your hand he held. Since he’s been well enough, he’s made a point to take you out on weekly dates. Even if they’re smaller dates, he always takes you out to lunch or dinner. “We could try that new restaurant that just opened up next to Madam Puddifoot's. I heard they have an amazing menu.” Severus smiled fondly and headed in the direction of the shop, one of several shops the couple was hoping to visit. 

However, as you both knew this day would one day come, a few ex Death Eaters stormed through the doors and immediately started throwing curses at both you and Severus. Severus, thankfully, was still hyper aware of his surroundings and was able to throw up a ward around you to protect you from oncoming spells, but a particularly nasty hex caught Severus straight in the chest. Horrified, you let out an anguished scream and dove to his side, sending a few hexes of your own at the attackers and sighed in momentary relief as you saw Harry and Neville both appear just a moment later to detain them. 

As he constantly seemed to be thinking ahead, Harry and Neville both had asked for a medi-witch to come on scene immediately before coming. Now, just a few hours and several visits from Neville and a few other Ministry officials, Severus was once again in a hospital bed. At least, this time, he was much more conscious. “Are you sure you weren’t hit, love? They were tossing spells around like insolent first years.” With huffed laughter and a gentle squeeze to his hand, you assured him once more. “Severus, darling, you’ve asked me that nearly ten times. I’m fine. That ward you put around me protected me, I’m more worried about you. Are you okay?” Severus sighed discontentedly and squeezed your hand back. “I’m sore, to be honest, but nothing I haven’t felt before. I’m angry those bastards managed to track me down and nearly killed you. I’ll be sure to plan, hopefully safer, dates for us once I’m out of here, I promise-” You cut him off by gently pressing your lips to his and hushed him softly. “My love, we can worry about date nights and other activities later. I’m safe. You protected me like it was nothing. We may not be entirely safe, but you know I’m never leaving your side.” You paused to press gentle kisses to the scars on his neck and another, even softer kiss, to the bandages covering his chest. “We’ll be okay, Sev. Don’t forget, you’re free from any previous obligations you had. We can leave or move out to a much more rural area. I’d be more than happy to help you start and work with you on your own potions business I know you’ve been dying to start since the war ended. We can make our own life, love. But for now, I need you to rest and recover so I can sleep in your arms again, alright?” Severus groaned quietly and lolled his head onto yours, taking a deep breath and whispering his agreement. “You’re right, of course. We can deal with life after I get out of this damn bed. Though, I will say, I…I think we should move. Move and start our own life, make a business…be happier.” You grinned and pressed your face against the back of his hand. “I love you, Sev. You better prepare to be housebound for at least a week or so, I have no intentions of not being cuddled up with you when you get home.” Severus snorted and ran his free hand through your hair. “I’d expect nothing less of you, my love.”

[return-to-twisted-wonderland]

🔆anon

I imagine that Epel and Kit became fast friends. Neither of them like Vil and don’t like the strictness of the dorm. While Kit, unlike Epel, doesn’t care much about the dressing fancy bit, he still doesnt like the dorm. That’s mainly because she doesn’t like Vil’s strictness and finds him stuck up. After she starts dating Kalim she does start wishing she was in Scarabia though. I want to imagine if Epel messes with her she uses her UM on him after she gets it to make him get in trouble with Vil (Same with Ace and Deuce because they have Riddle).

Also Epel immediately saw through Kit’s kindness and Kit decided to be, while not fully honest, more real with Epel since they were going to be stuck together. Though, to be fair, most people would understand Kit isn’t being fully truthful with her kindness. There’s only one person like that in the entire school is Kalim. So now her kindness facade is only completely on to outsiders. Though she is still more cruel and rude than even (most of) the student base knows. (She’s actually a lot like Jamil, no wonder they don’t like each other.)

Kit: Why is it a rule that all students must have a club?

Epel: It won’t be that bad. You just got to pick something good. I’m going to join the magishift team, you could definitely help out there.

Kit: That doesn’t sound like something I’m interested in.

Epel: That tall wolf beastman in our class, Jack, I think, is going into the track club.

Kit: Maybe?

Epel: Equestrian?

Kit: Are you only suggesting the sports clubs?

Epel: Of course! Sports are fun and they help with muscles.

Kit: I think I’m plenty strong. *looks over the list of clubs again* This one seems fun. The Board Game Club.

Epel: Board games? Really? No sports?

Kit: What’s better than a club that doesn’t require much effort?

—

While in the actual club:

Kit: HOW DARE YOU BEAT ME?! YOU INSOLENT SCAMMER AND SHUT IN!

Idia: Lol someone’s getting salty.

Azul: You simply need to plan your moves better.

Kit: I planned my moves perfectly fine! I bet you two used weighted dice!

Azul: A baseless claim. We all used the same dice.

Idia: Yeah, ur just unlucky. No need to get tilled at us for rng. Tho ez no re.

The Board Game Club definitely knows how prideful, spiteful, and salty Kit can be. Don’t worry. This is friendship for them.

Both Kit and Dusk are actually really strong though neither looks like it. Kit actually uses her strength to pick up Kalim.

Older Canis is buff while Domino is a bit lanky with average strength. (I imagine you can tell Deuce and Domino apart because Domino is slightly lankier and Deuce has slightly more muscles.)

Oh Kit, have fun with Idia and Azul. Also, the boys better watch out with Kit as well.

Domino out here being a bit of a twig.

[the-kr8tor]

⚠️CHAPTER 7 SPOILERS⚠️

KATY,WHEN I CATCH YOU KATY. KATY WHEN I CATCH YOU HOW COULD YOUU I FUCKING SOBBED AND UGLY CRIED WHILE READING CHAPTER 7.

THE NED SCENE GOT ME; I had to stop reading and do a lap around the house before continuing because WHYY MY POOR BABY😭😭.

AND FINN TOO WTF THAT WAS SO UNEXPECTED I CRIED SO MUCH.

I swear I fucking hate Mathias with all of my heart,I HATE THAT SNOBBY INSOLENT MAN SO MUCH I JUST WANNA MAKE R PUT THAT DAGGER INTO HIS THROAT WHY CAN'T HE JUST DIE ALREADY (I mean he probably died at the end but anyway) how does he dare talk about MJ after he killed her with his own hands,HOW COULD HE UTTER THE WORDS.

I KNEW THERE WAS SOMETHING IN THE WATER I KNEW ITTT, the dragons would look so cool irl to be honest,but also terrifying.

Hobie letting out all of his pent up anger and trauma on that men I sobbed so much,the way he couldn't stop himself from beating him even though he's beyond dead until R snaps him out of it😭😭Katy I swear you're gonna need to pay my therapy sessions from now on because this made me sob violently. YOU BETTER MAKE THIS END WELL OR ELSE

-🎸

It physically hurt me to kill em off when i first plotted it out but ngl I was cackling like a villain while writing it lol

So sorry for making you cry, angel!!

Snobby insolent man is the perfect way to describe the bastard 🤣🤣🤣 I made the 'dragons' look gorgeous but terrifying at the same time like some eldrich horror that you definitely shouldn't look at lol

You too?!! Man I have to pay for so much therapy for a lot of ppl now 😞

YOU GET TRAUMA! YOU GET TRAUMA! EVERYONE GETS TRAUMATIZED!

Love u thank you for reading!!! 😘

[killerandhealerqueen]

Another AU idea, you say? Hmmm, what's it about? Shout into the void for us hehe.

Also, the ideas switch in your brain seems to have been permanently left on. It could've picked a time you weren't so busy lol.

Haha, you a real one for this, bestie. And yeah, my brain could have picked a better time, but it always does this so I am...unfortunately, used to it.

Anyways. This is gonna be long, so it's going under the cut

So, the new au I originally had planned was an Android Au, sort of like Detroit Becomes Human, you know? Where Chen Yuzhi would be an android that has to work with Jiang Yuelou, who's a cop and hates androids. But then I realized I sort of already did that idea when I wrote The Demon and the Angel and I'm like...I don't really want to write the same story again and I don't know enough about androids/robotics to make the story...believable? Like, I haven't actually played Detroit Becomes Human, I just know about it from tumblr and from youtube gameplays. So...scrapped that idea.

And then, and then! My brain was like...how about that Demon-Dragon King au you did a while back with Demon-Dragon King!Jiang Yuelou and God of Healing!Chen Yuzhi and I'm like...you fucking right. Except I changed it to where Jiang Yuelou is now just a dragon who offers protection over a land and so every year, the kingdom sends up a girl to act as a sacrifice so that the dragon will continue to give them protection.

However, that whole system is completely dashed when Chen Yuzhi, a humble doctor, actually finds a dragon in a clearing while searching for herbs and roots to use for his medicines and realizes that the dragon's wing is torn. He takes a step forward and the dragon tells him to go away but he offers to stitch the wing for him. The dragon allows him to do so and after the wing is stitched, the dragon leaves (without saying thank you because you know, dragons).

Anyways, Chen Yuzhi goes back to the kingdom after he gets what he needs, only to be dragged to the palace and told that the dragon itself wants him to be its sacrifice. Chen Yuzhi is a little shocked and everyone is just sort of...agreeing with this and he's like "Don't I get a say?" and an elder just backhands him for being insolent and uh...oof. The sky starts to rumble and the ground shakes and then a person appears and they are not happy. They're like "you dare hit my consort" and everyone's just like whom the fuck until they realize, oh shit the dragon. So the dragon goes over and helps Chen Yuzhi up and then glares at the elders, warning them that if they ever hurt Chen Yuzhi again, he's raining fire down upon the kingdom.

They then leave and Chen Yuzhi is like "you're not...actually gonna rain down fire, right?" The dragon just sort of laughs and says no, he won't, not if Chen Yuzhi doesn't want him to. Chen Yuzhi then asks his name and the dragon replies that he doesn't have one, so Chen Yuzhi gives him one: Jiang Yuelou. Jiang Yuelou is rather happy with the name, just as a mother with a sick baby comes running over to them and asks Chen Yuzhi to take a look at her child.

So he does and Jiang Yuelou follows, leaning against the frame of the door as Chen Yuzhi tells the mother to come back in an hour, that her baby will be better by then. The mother agrees and leaves, causing Jiang Yuelou to look at Chen Yuzhi in confusion and ask if it would have been better for the mother to stay. Chen Yuzhi just laughs and says he doesn't want the mother to see what he's about to do before he places two fingers to the baby's forehead and heals it. Jiang Yuelou is shocked and demands to know what he is, only to have Chen Yuzhi laugh and assure him that he's human. Jiang Yuelou just gives him a look and tells him that humans can't heal people nor can their eyes glow. So what is he. Chen Yuzhi smiles and tells him that he's a god, of sorts. A healing god. Jiang Yuelou is shocked before he smiles, rather happy, because he was afraid that he was going to outlive Chen Yuzhi but seeing as that he's a god, he's not so worried.

They have other conversations, like about the sacrifices that were sent every year (Jiang Yuelou tells him that dragons don't eat humans and that he sent the girls to live in other countries or other lands so that they wouldn't have to go home and face the shame from the elders as the elders would blame them for bringing misfortune upon the land because they came home), about Chen Yuzhi being his consort (Chen Yuzhi is his first and only consort and he won't take another), and other things.

And then shit starts to get angsty when a princess from another land comes to offer herself up as the sacrifice to the dragon, only to find out that the dragon has already taken a sacrifice/consort. The princess (Zhao Moqing because who else would it be) is not happy and demands to know just who the person is that the dragon chose and the king tells her Chen Yuzhi. She then orders her servants and guards to find him and bring him to her.

So the guards go and do that and when a guard finds Chen Yuzhi and Jiang Yuelou heading home for the evening, and the guard asks Chen Yuzhi if he's Chen Yuzhi, which he tells him that he is. The guard then tries to grab him (stupid idea, really), only to have Jiang Yuelou grab his arm and squeeze, shattering every bone in it (because dragon strength). Chen Yuzhi quickly heals the guard and tells him to get lost before Jiang Yuelou does something worse to him before he and Jiang Yuelou have a bit of an argument about Jiang Yuelou being a little too overprotective. The argument quickly ends after Jiang Yuelou admits that Chen Yuzhi is the first person he actually wants to take care of and protect so that's why he's being so overprotective and Chen Yuzhi's like huh...that's new (he's so used to protecting/healing others that he's not used to someone protecting him).

Anyways, I haven't finished outlining/writing the rest of the au but basically Zhao Moqing does end up kidnapping Chen Yuzhi and torturing him (because she's supposed to be the sacrifice, not him) and then Jiang Yuelou comes and saves him (because of course he does. No one kidnaps a dragon's consort and thinks they're gonna get away with it). Jiang Yuelou does destroy Zhao Moqing (I don't think I'm going to have him destroy the kingdom, too many innocent lives and Chen Yuzhi wouldn't want him to do that) and somehow I'll finish it off all fluffy and cute.

But yeah, that's the new au. I really hyperfixated on this one, which is why it's much more detailed than the Mafia au and the Soulmate au that you asked about before...need to jump back on those...after this one is done.

But thank you again for asking!

[all-the-dam-fandoms]

D&D OC Backstory

My friend and I made twin characters for our upcoming campaign because we wanted to be menaces lol. This is my OC’s (Delphine Azurewave) POV…I may have gone a ~little~ insane lol. The characters are sea elves, mine a ranger and my friend’s a fighter. Also, we used elven “baby” names for our child selves. Delphine = Talia & Atlantis = Thalia, DM, we regret nothing. If you read it, lmk what you think!

Here’s her character portrait:

Delphine Azurewave

The silent swish of our dresses was the only sound to be heard in the vacant hall where the library was. From experience, my sister and I knew a beating would come our way if we disturbed the dusty tomes with our voices. Thalia, the more outgoing and bolder of us, ran full speed ahead to the larger-than-life mahogany doors which guarded the library. 

“Thalia! Slow down and be quiet lest Father hear us and throw us out by the ears!”, I silently shouted. 

“Who cares? You’re no fun, Tal. Plus, don’t you want to know why Mother and Father are meeting with the high priest?”

“I-I guess so…I just don’t want to be caught,” I stammered. 

We slipped through the crack in the doors and paused to listen for our parents’ and the decrepit high priest’s voices. 

“I think they’re in Father’s study, let’s go,” motioning to Thalia for her to follow.

We found the study and then headed towards the bookshelf that shared the same wall. I hesitated for a moment then slowly opened the bookcase revealing a small room with a grate that allowed us to peer into our father’s study.

“Move, I want to see too!” Thalia whined as she shouldered her way next to the grate.

“Shut up or they’ll hear us,” I warned.

“…because of your insolence,” we heard the high priest spit.

“Please understand Father Albright, we are not trying to suggest our little ones are more important than the entire kingdom’s sake but that we simply want to protect our only children. Do they also not deserve to live?”, we heard Mother say.

Thalia and I exchanged frightened glances. Father Albright sounded angry and I still couldn’t understand what was going on. All I knew was that the ocean would freeze over before I let someone hurt my sister.

“Woman, the lives of two little elves are nothing compared to the fate of Lord Deep Sashelas’ realm, you will lose that bet. The reality is Talia and Thalia’s lives have never been their own. One is destined to save our people, the other to utterly decimate it,” said the combative priest.

“Tal, what are they talking about? I don’t understand, what are they going to do to us? Wha-”,

I cut her off with my response, “The high priest just told our parents that we need to die because of some stupid prophecy. We- are not safe.”

Hot tears rolled down my cheeks as I spoke. What am I supposed to do, how do I fix this? I can’t, I can’t, I can’t. I can’t sit here and do nothing. 

“Tal, where are you going, don’t leave me!” my sister pleaded while grabbing the hem of my dress.

My dress was ripped from her hand as I stormed out of the secret room connected to Father’s study. I bang on his door as loud as I can, no longer caring that I’ll get a beating for this later. Our father swung the door open to two angry little girls staring defiantly at him.

“Girls, what are you doing? You know this part of the library is forbidden,” Father barked, panic mingling with his anger.

“I-I, we-we heard…” my nerves got the better of me.

Thalia pushed her way past me and pointed a little turquoise finger at Father. She was shaking almost as badly as I was.

“You’re going to let us die! That old man said if we didn’t, bad things would happen because of me and Talia!”

Her lip quivered and tears threatened to roll down her cheeks as she screamed at our father. Before Father or Mother could speak, Father Albright snuck up behind Father and grabbed Thalia’s arm then yanked her into the room.

“Get off me old man! Get off! You’re hurting me!” she wailed.

I burst through the opening and tried to pull her back. We were both screaming and crying as the priest manhandled Thalia. Father drew up to his full height, his shadow almost swallowing all the light in the room. He grabbed Father Albright by the throat, and used his other hand to pry my sister from the high priest’s grasp.

“Leave. My. Girls. Alone. Or you will face the consequences of your disobedience. Leave my house before I decide to crush your throat here and now,” Father thundered.

Father Albright tried to choke out a few words while frantically grabbing at the hands restricting him but Father’s grip was too tight. Mother had her back against the wall, silently weeping as she watched her husband strangle this old man.

“Never come near my family again,” Father growled before dropping Father Albright to the floor.

He crashed with a thud and gasped for air.

“You…will…regret…that,” the high priest said breathlessly.

“You…will pay very soon and dearly,” Father Albright regained his composure.

He walked out of the room and made his way out of our home. Our father brought all of us-me, Thalia and Mother-into a hug and whispered, “It’s okay, it’s okay. I will keep you safe.”

***

“I wonder when the clouds will clear, it’s been raining for days,” I sighed.

“It’s not like you ever leave the library anyway Delphine,” teased Atlantis.

I stuck my tongue out at her and shifted my gaze back to the book in my hands. Even though my twin and I are polar opposites, we have been practically inseparable since we were children. Most of that is probably because we don’t have any other friends. We have spent decades in the grossly extravagant Azurewave manor, doing mostly whatever we pleased. I spend most days in the library, poring over any scroll or book I can get my hands on, searching for answers to an unknown question. Atlantis chose to spend her time pushing the servant’s to their wit’s end with her inane requests to run around with her outside while she swings around whatever pointy new toy she found or made Father buy for her.

She has always been more personable than I but it’s never really bothered me. I enjoy watching her as she trains and how she laughs when she bests someone in a sparring match. My greatest wish has always been her happiness and safety above all else. I’m not sure why but I have always had a weight in my chest that tells me to be prepared for a day when our peaceful life will be disturbed. A day when our peace will be destroyed. 

My eyes refocus and I realize I’ve lost my place in the book. “Damn,” I mutter to myself. 

I’ll have to reread the last page since I don’t remember anything I just read. This has been happening more often lately. Usually, Lantis will have to pry the book out of my hands before I even realize she’s there. I settle back into a reading position on the overstuffed chair I’ve perched myself on when I hear a terrifying scream. My book clatters onto the floor as I jump out of my seat and towards the library’s doors. 

I run into the hall and see servants running frantically every which way. Before my mind can make sense of the ensuing chaos I see an arrow zip past my face and thunk into the chest of a maid. She crumples to the ground instantly. Frozen in shock, I helplessly watch as a manservant dives to the floor towards the body and an agonizing scream escapes his lips while trying to shake the woman awake.

“Dead. She’s dead. I-I…” I stutter, trying to string together a coherent thought. 

Sister, my sister. I need to find her. My feet begin to run towards whatever opening I see and to where I saw her last. The library I just left was on the ground floor so the hallway’s “windows” aren’t covered by glass and just about chest height. I hoist myself through one of the openings and drop out to the courtyard. I have never seen a more horrific sight. I hear metal clashing against metal, the sound ringing in my ears. I see what I presume are soldiers wearing tunics with my family’s crest trying to hold back their enemies. The opposition wears a crest I have only seen a handful of times-that of the royal family’s. Before I can analyze the situation, I feel the wind get knocked out of me as a soldier from my father’s ranks crashes into me. His weight is crushing me, I’m stuck. 

“Well, well look what we have here. One of our marks, the Master will be pleased,” the opposing force’s man sneers. 

I try to slide the man on top of me off but before I can, the enemy soldier rips him off of me. I take a deep breath. I attempt to stand but the soldier pushes me to my knees before he shoves me against the wall.

“You didn’t have to get on your knees for me, darling,” he hisses in my ear. 

I cringe away from his hot breath and try to break free from his grasp on my shoulders.

“Get the hell off me you brute!”

He chuckles and says, “Pretty and feisty? I might have to keep you to myself.”

His grip on my shoulders tightens before I feel his fingers fly off of me. Bewildered, I look around to see where that disgusting excuse for a man went but my eyes unexpectedly meet Lantis’s.

“Gross, what a creep. C’mon let’s get out of here.”

My sister grabbed my hand and the rest of me followed. While we ran, I noticed that she was wearing an ungodly amount of weapons. Gods, where did she even get all those?

“Thanks for the save, sis. Now…where are we going?”

“Away from here. I’ll break it down later but now we just need to leave,” she said.

I scan the courtyard-turned-battlefield and I spot an armored black horse. I point my finger towards it and say, “Look! I think that’s our way out.”

“Hell yeah, Delphine! I’m always down for some petty theft,” Lantis said with a slightly concerning grin on her face.

“Yeah, we’ll discuss my concerns about that ridiculous look on your face later,” I say.

We sprint towards the horse and we hoist ourselves up. I grab my sister’s clothes to stay upright. Falling off of a horse right now would be inconvenient to say the least. Lantis smacks the reins and the horse canters away from the discord. We aren’t far from the front of the manor and have front row seats to the havoc that’s been wrought upon our childhood home. I start to feel tears well in my eyes when I feel my sister start to shake and choke on whatever she’s trying to say.

“Lantis, Lantis, what is it?” I shake her a little.

She yanks the reins up and the horse slows. Her face is frozen in pain and I see tears roll down her cheeks. I look at whatever she’s facing and I see someone I recognize from our childhood-Father Albright. The old priest, who looks just as he did on that day he paid us a visit, is looming over the two bodies on the ground with a vicious smile. The pieces of the sickening puzzle click in my head. I scream.