#kore talks to the wall

[persephoniist]

am i the only one that’s getting absolutely destroyed by the first mini boss in the demo

[thewritingfairy]

↪ 03. To those that love you fully

inspired by acid-ixx, rizzanon and nikovraskol

PREV. PART trigger warnings: medical + emotional/physical neglect, filler chapter, gaslighting, enabling, talk about a deceased parent main m.list series m.list

Alfred’s panicking, (Name) had left to one of their friends houses without giving him the address! He gets that you feel quite resentful and unsafe around Jason and Dick, but to act like this when you’re almost 18 isn't acceptable! You weren’t even answering his texts, he should figure out where this Maria lives and drag you back home.

But if he did that, would the wall between you two only get higher?

When you were younger you followed Alfred around like a lost duckling, clinging to his warmth and affection as he was the only person who would give it to you. But when Jason returned, that bond started to shatter, it fractured with every visit he made to the manor.

Alfred doesn’t understand why, he doesn’t understand the anger you hold in your heart.

He doesn’t understand why your forgiveness has run out.

He doesn’t understand why you aren’t trying to bridge the gap between your family and you. He doesn’t understand that his behaviour is creating the rift between you.

He was the reason you were slowly breaking yourself lose.

He’s just as hated as the rest of the family.

However under the hate you have for him lays a bittersweet feeling of familial love. You love Alfred despite everything that he has done to you, you love Alfred even though you knew he didn’t love you like he loves your siblings.

He loves how easy you are compared to them, so please do not change now. You would just become another burden. And your mother would roll around in her grave you did that, now wouldn’t she?

Don’t you want to make her proud (Name)?

But you know better, you know that your mother loves you. Your friends love you, and that’s all that matters.

Love isn’t bound by familial ties, love shouldn’t be conditional. And here you are, loving your friends the way you wished your Bruce and his family would love you.

Here are your friends, loving you to the fullest. Adoring you as you show them how to bake, caring for you when your pain gets too much to handle, loving you as you cry because you just don’t know how to feel and sharing their good parents wisdom’s with you as you try and navigate adulthood.

You got your village, and Alfred's no longer apart of it.

NEXT PART

Taglist: @prettiest-thing-in-the-morgue, @shadowytravelerlover, @1abi, @leeiasure, @frank-vanderboom, @stove-top96, @amber-content, @lithiumval, @bunniotomia, @chericia, @marsmabe, @cssammyyarts, @lingxio, @foolishseven, @kore-of-the-underworld, @bunbunboysworld, @homeless-clown, @alwaysholymilkshake, @miashico

[nexility-sims]

𝐍𝐎. 𝟖 (𝟏/𝟑)   ❛ 𝐡𝐨𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐟𝐚𝐬𝐭 ❜   |   EARLY OCTOBER 1991

❧  𝐝𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲  /  𝐛𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠  /  𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬  /  𝐧𝐞𝐱𝐭.

→ 𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐍 Snap. Snap. Snap. Layered, fluttering, the cacophony was a descent of birds. Human voices echoing amid the shutters were less real than the possibility that, just over her shoulder, Leonor would find a menacing flock flapping madly. Some people harbored a deep fear of birds, but she had rarely given them much thought until now. Their talons and beaks never seemed threatening; even the crowds that took flight together and blocked out the sky were no more stirring than the trees where they would roost. She understood them to be stupid creatures with little to offer beyond their flesh—some could talk, but many were not even particularly pleasing to the eye.

❧ FINALLY !!! this took about two weeks longer than it was supposed to, but here we are. i think, in a way, this has become its own little conceptual detour, but it's also chocked full of narrative relevance, so ... enjoy the ride :^) part two is where it really sings, imo, but tbh i’m just relieved to have this first part finished lsdjfsf [the full scene and transcript below are in large text, also ! hopefully that's easier to read for anyone who's been squinting and straining with small text.]

𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐬𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐞 & 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐩𝐭 ↓

Snap. Snap. Snap. Layered, fluttering, the cacophony was a descent of birds. Human voices echoing amid the shutters were less real than the possibility that, just over her shoulder, Leonor would find a menacing flock flapping madly. Some people harbored a deep fear of birds, but she had rarely given them much thought until now. Their talons and beaks never seemed threatening; even the crowds that took flight together and blocked out the sky were no more stirring than the trees where they would roost. She understood them to be stupid creatures with little to offer beyond their flesh—some could talk, but many were not even particularly pleasing to the eye.

In this moment, a sudden case of ornithophobia beset her. Leonor crouched in the alley with her back to the flock, covering her ears to block out the sound of their inevitable approach. Did she expect to be pecked to pieces? That wasn’t it. As she listened to the screeching flutter of wings with its interlaced shouting, what she feared was suffocating in a mass of feathers. Her mind flashed to beach fronts littered with bedraggled plumage left behind by the coastal birds who walked along the shore, who fought over detritus in the foam, who hopped away begrudgingly when approached. Sometimes they congregated on the sand, but they were never so deafening as the flock that had converged now. Across from where she hunkered down, bright lights flickered against a brick wall. Leonor watched it with wide eyes and waited for a flood of feathers to take her breath away. 

The flood never came. Instead, Kore’s face set like the sun in front of her, staring with a look of bewilderment reflecting Leonor’s own. Kore yanked her to her feet before she could, with a cautiously raised hand, caress her cheek; she pulled her further away from the flock and toward an open door. Black and magenta amid the flashing white lights, this portal beckoned. Leonor was out of her arms and scrambling toward it while Kore followed close behind. The door closed and cut off the flickering lights. Ambient music, rendered indistinct instrumentals and indistinguishable voices as it pulsed through the walls, replaced the noise of birds. Leonor sighed and leaned against the wall. With her eyes closed, she could see the sound pulsing, rhythmic and thick like smoke. Her shoulder left yellow smudges on the paneling. 

“What happened?” Kore was demanding. “Why were you out there? Are you okay? Are you crazy?”

Leonor had no answer for her. She scrunched her features together, thinking hard about the sequences of events that had carried her outside—out of The Den into the alleyway where the birds, the photographers with their shuttering flash lenses, appeared.

“They weren’t supposed to be there,” she finally offered. 

Kore grimaced. “Yeah, I know.” 

“Do you think it was—” Leonor paused as Kore shook her head in disappointment. She, too, shook her head, then continued, “I bet it was that weasel behind the counter.” 

Leonor flashed back to earlier that week, where she could see the department store salesgirl. She suspected she had told someone about the party happening at The Den. Although almost certainly a fool’s errand from the beginning, Leonor truly believed they stood a chance of keeping the whole thing under wraps. Reporters lurked outside like clockwork, knowing when any given night’s activities began and ended. Sometimes new faces followed their favorite subjects there; usually, however, it was a predictable group. Still, they didn’t actually know what went on inside. Occasionally, guests let details slip during interviews—asides, a wink and a nod, divulging, an unearned taste. Renzo did it. Leonor didn’t talk to the press so casually but, if she did, perhaps she would’ve, too. 

Dedicated tabloid reporters worked with more grit and creativity than some seasoned criminal investigators; they monitored license plates and store inventories, they prioritized the most unassuming witnesses, they collected evidence from bribable photographers and public garbage cans and service workers on smoke breaks. Leonor put more effort into accounting for those tactics. She purchased the garden of live plants with four degrees of separation, and they arrived in a routine liquor delivery truck borrowed for that purpose. She had even gone to the stores incognito on the day in question, hoping to prevent inquiries into the costume shopping excursion. Renzo did his part in asking the tightly controlled guest list to stay quiet. Everyone seemed more than happy to comply, for their own privacy if not his or hers. The theme was the tale of the moon rabbit but, more exciting still, it was debauchery. 

But, she had told the salesgirl why they were there in a few words—discretion was why anyone who mattered shopped there, after all—and she had probably jeopardized their assurance of secrecy when she reacted poorly to the customer service. ‘I said white, not cream,’ came from her lips with condescension. That was easy to confuse with venom. Worse, it hadn’t needed the tacked on, ‘They just hire anyone these days. We shouldn’t even come back,’ but she had said those words, not as a whisper, too. Now, it appeared the chickens—metallic and screeching—may have come home to roost. 

“How did you end up out there?” was Kore’s next question, and Leonor followed her big gesture toward the door. Outside, if she strained to listen, the commotion was still audible. Perhaps the flock would circle the place and levitate it, either by force of wings or the oceanic lightness of their feathers. The squat, square buildings would yawn apart and crumble like a slice of cake cut too thick for its spatula. 

Leonor gagged, then replied, “So, before—first, I was on the roof.”

“By yourself?”

“Well, no.”

“Okay, then—?”

Just as vivid as the feather-strewing birds on the beach, Leonor recalled the pantomime her parents performed on the roof. It had paralyzed her until, with her mother’s great splash over the edge, it galvanized her into action. She was going to barrel headfirst into the water to save her, but someone intervened. She hadn’t bothered to see who it was. It wasn’t her father. What else mattered, then? She certainly hadn’t bothered to thank them for saving her from, not lapping ocean water, but hard asphalt. She flew down the stairs with such force that she tripped and stumbled into the walls as she went. There was someone on their way up as she descended; they just stepped aside and complained about their drink sloshing. There would be tender spots on her arms tomorrow. For now, the only sensation remaining was the residual adrenaline. 

“I was frightened,” she concluded. “I needed to leave, so I did.”

Kore sighed. “Where’s Renzo?” 

Someone else standing behind her piped up in a neutral tone, “Unreachable. Dead to the world.”

“Of course.” 

Distracted, Leonor asked, “Is he singing again? He really doesn’t sing enough.” 

Pushing herself off the wall, she added, “I should apologize to him.”

Leonor bumped into Kore as she tried to pass her, but Kore held her in place. “Hold on,” she said. “I think you might need to tap out for the night, Nora. But, okay, I have to ask: apologize for what?”

Leonor turned fully, placing her hands on Kore’s shoulders. Her expression was grave, so full of abrupt remorse as to be almost mournful. “I said I wasn’t his baby,” she confessed. “He took such good care of me, and that’s what I said. Can you believe it?” 

At this, Kore laughed. It didn’t faze Leonor. Her thoughts had gone back to the beginning of the night.

TRANSCRIPT:

[Birds flapping and screeching]

[Cameras flashing, paparazzi shouting]

[Shouting, flashes continue]

KORE | What happened? Why were you out there?

KORE | Are you okay? Are you crazy? LEONOR | They weren't supposed to be there.

KORE | Yeah, I know. LEONOR | Do you think it was—I bet it was the weasel behind the counter.

LEONOR | I said white, not cream. They just hire anyone these days. We shouldn’t even come back.

KORE | How did you end up out there? [Leonor gags]

LEONOR | So, before—first, I was on the roof. KORE | By yourself? LEONOR | Well, no. KORE | Okay, then—?

LEONOR | I was frightened. I needed to leave, so I did.

KORE | Where's Renzo?

SYBIL | Unreachable. Dead to the world.

LEONOR | Is he singing again? He really doesn't sing enough.

LEONOR | I should apologize to him. KORE | Hold on. I think you might need to tap out for the night, Nora. But, okay, I have to ask: apologize for what?

LEONOR | I said I wasn't his baby. He took such good care of me, and that's what I said. Can you believe it?

[olgadealexandria]

🏺THE MYSTERIES OF ISIS: SYNCRETISM IN ANCIENT ROME PT.2🏺

Left: Priestess of Isis,John Cheere (18th century), National Trust Collection. Right: Priestess of isis, Museo Archaeologico Regionale, Palermo, Sicily.

As we've seen in the previous post, foreign gods made their way into Roman culture. In the case of Egyptian gods, they were usually adopted by the Greeks before arriving to the Italic peninsula.

In this post, we're going to talk about the mysteries of Isis. Unlike typical religious practices, which were often public services, mystery rites promised their followers a closer connection to a particular god.

Isis wasn't the only nor the first god to have a mystery rite. In fact, it surged as a way to honour the foreign godess in a somewhat "familiar" way.

The Eleusinian (honouring Demeter and Persephone, also known as Kore) and the Orphic mysteries (Orpheus) had an earlier development in Greek culture and would become the most famous mystery rites.

Wall painting depicting Isiac rites.

The practices of the cult was, as the name suggests, a mystery. Participants had to swear a vow of secrecy, and, as a consequence of its private character, many things are unknown to us.

The rites heavily focused on death and belief on the afterlife, and also recreated the myths surrounding the godess Isis, like the murder of Osiris.

One of the only accounts of the mysteries of Isis is depicted in The Golden Ass. In Book 11, Lucius, the protagonist, is transformed back into a human guided by the Egyptian goddess. In return, Lucius becomes part of the cult.

As other pagan cults and worships, the mystery rites died out when Christianity rose to power.

[yukidragon]

Hi yuki!

I have to ask your thoughts on this idea of mine!What if jacks sunshine had a familiar connect to the show he was on due to a member of their family working for the show…like a script writer..

It’s not as if I have anything planned like this for my oc’s *wink-wink*

Hmm... it really all depends, I think. Jack shows no hesitation to talk to his sunshine about the SunnyTime Crew Show... at least in terms of it being a real place because he is totally the real Sunny Day Jack. However, we don't know how much of the 4th wall he accepts. Some kids show hosts break the 4th wall and talk to the audience all the time, knowing they're on a TV show.

So if Jack, as a character, is aware he starred in a TV show, then it might not be too bad if his sunshine was related to someone who wrote scripts for the show.

Then again, LambsWork Productions did tend to overwork its employees. Not to mention employees would probably know about [Redacted]. He might not have good thoughts about that company as a whole, which may bleed into anyone working for it...

Really, I think it all depends on the context of the reveal and if it forces Jack to break his delusion that he's the character he's convinced himself to be. After all, judging by the worst end to the froyo mini game, being reminded of his past self seems to be something he simply can't handle.

@channydraws @earthgirlaesthetic @sai-of-the-7-stars @cheriihoney @illary-kore @okamiliqueur

[astoldbyaja]

His Soul Ch.9 ~Wakanda Forever~

Attuma’s lips were soft for someone capable of taking life. This kiss had a mixture of power and tenderness in it. The feeling that surged inside me was intense yet controlled like a surge of energy, like the ocean itself was holding me in place. I could feel the duality of fierce protection and gentle affection all in one. Everything inside me was telling me I was safe with him and yet I couldn’t explain why.

It was strange, the last time a man tried to kiss me, I was a teenager and M’Baku pulled him off me immediately.

“What are you doing eh! Kissing my sister! You are not courting her, and you are definitely not marrying her!”

Why was I even kissing him? I was a tad inexperienced when it came to romance or even actions of lust due to my brother’s protection over me. What was this deep exploding feeling inside the pit of my stomach? Was I in love? Was it lust?

I can feel his mouth trying to deepen the kiss by his tongue trailing across my lips. Finally, I leaned back with a gentle gasp looking up at him stunned. He looked at me with a mixture of confusion and worry. I shook my head immediately moving to grab my dress and wrap it around my shoulders.

“I’m sorry.” I whimpered quickly before hurrying around him leaving the enclosure.

I returned to Kore and the girls and bathed with them. They could see the concern on my face and tried to press me about what the matter was, but I just told them I wanted to talk to them and be near them. They weren’t convinced but did not press the matter.

Once everyone was dressed in formal clothing, we were escorted by Namora down another hall. She was in a bright strapless dress, breathing masks hiding her mouth and gills to her neck as she spoke about the food that is to be served. The hall cleared out into a large room with a table in the center surrounded by a wall of magnificent paintings. Our eyes moved all about the room, as if we were in some kind of painting come to life.

At the table was Namor who sat at the head with a white cape wrapped around his shoulders, the hem had many different patterns etched into them. On his right were casually dressed Attuma wearing robes himself and his hair was pulled back, and Namora as she finally sat down. Attuma looked at me with distant eyes and I just looked down then at Namor. He smiled at me and raised his hand for me to take the golden chair to his left.

“Welcome to my dining hall. Please sit.” he said. I nodded and we all moved to sit at different spots at the table. Of course, Zion sat beside me, and the rest followed. Namor smiled at everyone and now the doors opened again and Talokanil women and men brought in large trays of food. Numerous fish and squid and other colorful foods along with fruit.

“It’s strange I do not use this hall very much. I am glad I could share it with you. Please help yourself.” Namor said. We all looked at the food that was brought to us and slowly eyes were coming to me. It was Wakandan culture for royalty to be served first. I looked at Namor nodding at him.

“You are King, Namor. In our culture the king serves himself first.” I replied. His generals watched the interaction looking from me to Namor who shook his head.

“You are my guests and as Princess of Wakanda, you should have the first choice of food.” he said. I looked around the room before looking at Zion who smiled and I felt mild encouragement since I was near someone of my tribe. I hated having eyes on me. I looked at the numerous plates of food before grabbing the closest fish and fruit and now numerous hands shot out to grab different foods. Namor watched with pride as everyone began to eat and talk. Adan and Zion held up some squid and showed it to me and I laughed taking one of the tentacles from Zion’s squid and ate it. Zura and Hibo sat opposite from us talking to a Talokanil servant trying to learn some of the Talokanil language.

Even Namor and his general spoke and slowly joined in the conversations of us all.

“Princess Ansara, what are your thoughts on our city?”  Namora asked and I looked at her before looking at Attuma who avoided my eyes and then Namor who also looked curious.

“You have a lovely city. I know we have only scratched the surface of it, but I thank you all for showing us your world. I understand why you’d go to great lengths to protect it.” I explained. Namor nodded, pleased at my words.

“I should have you to thank for starting all of this. You are the second Wakandan woman to show kindness to my people by watching over my children while they came to your beaches. I am grateful for their protection.” he said. The first being Shuri, I was sure. I nodded gently.

“I had never met a Talokanil before them. My brother kept me in the mountains mostly when doing business with Wakanda. Children should not be punished for the sins of the adults in their lives.” I said. Namora gave a gentle wince and Attuma watched me now with a deep gaze as Namor spoke.

“You lived in the mountains? I have always wanted to visit the mountainous region of Wakanda. Would your king allow me such a visit someday?” he asked. I looked down in thought wondering if it was wise to speak on decisions such as this.

“If we are able to finalize an alliance, I think he would be opened to the idea.” I replied with a smile. Kore smiled as if pleased by my words. Namor chuckled.

“I’ll take it.” he said. Further talks went on about bringing the swimming technology with us to Wakanda for our scientists to examine. Zion was picking at my food with his fork, and I gave him a playful pout and gently nudged his side.

“Stop.”  I said lowly in Igbo. Because we had agreed to courting, it was allowed for him to act in such a flirtatious way even in my position as princess. It was still Jabari custom. There was a firm pound on the table that made us both jump as I looked at Attuma to see his fist on the table, and with his other hand he was raising a large cup. I noticed the sharp glare from Namor as his general stood up.

He began to speak.

“A toast, to our new allies. We had our difficulties, but I have seen how honorable of fighters you all are, and I would be honored to go into battle with you all any day.” he said with a nod.

Namor nodded and raised his glass, and I did the same. Everyone followed my lead, and we pressed our glasses together. The cups and silverware were jade, and gold and I knew there was vibranium in them. I glanced at Attuma as I sipped my glass and he looked at me now with a look I couldn’t quite describe. I couldn’t tell if it were genuine or not. After about forty minutes of eating and talking, Namor allowed everyone to walk about the halls with one Talokanil servant. I asked about Talokan beads so there was no language barrier, but Kore and the others were more than happy to move about without speaking. She wanted to talk with Namor and his generals about the specifics in our alliance on behalf of my brother.

Namor agreed to this, and I sat in this meeting listening only. I wish it was that easy, for Attuma’s gaze was drilling into the side of my head. He must be upset about that kiss. Oh, it should have never happened. I should apologize or something. What, no he kissed me! Oh, but I replied to it. It was obvious I offended him. Namor explained his expectations of what an alliance should between our nations.

“Wakanda has no real reason to be alliance with other nations outside our borders. In the end the surface dweller’s greed will always win over them and they will come for your vibranium labs.” he said.

“For now, King M’Baku has taken your advice and closed our borders for the time being while we rebuild our home. We have much to do and are not concerned with our other allies at the moment. But we need them in case any other threats not of this world come for the planet.” she said. Namor looked down curling his hands over the table.

“Your former king had no right to expose your country to the world. In doing so it put Talokan in danger. We will not aid anyone who is not Wakandan. If the planet itself is under attack, our armies together can stop them.” he said. He sounded like a controlling partner honestly, only rely on him for everything we need. Who needs friends? Kore shook her head.

“King Namor, to ask Wakanda to stay within its borders forever is very limiting no matter what is outside. Your very own children repeatedly continued to visit Princess Ansara. What will stop them from growing curious of the many vast cultures aside from Wakanda? Will their parents stop them, will you stop them?” she asked. I winced looking down now. Namor gave a stiff stare.

“I will ensure their curiosity does not go beyond Wakanda.” he said. She nodded.

“But you can imagine how limiting them will eventually make them more and more curious. If you would at least hear one of our better allies out, I think-”

“No.” Namor said bluntly, and now Kore and I tensed some. “My people will never endure the hardships we had to face before acknowledging Wakanda again.”

I bit my tongue in anger. I could only imagine what Shuri would have gone through had she felt she had to marry this man. I stood up now, causing all eyes on me again.

“If you would excuse me, I am not feeling well.” I said swiftly. Namor nodded in understanding.

“Of course, Namora will escort you to your chambers. We will bring you refreshments to help you sleep.” he said. I nodded my thanks before walking from the room. I have been in other meetings when discussing peace talks, but even future allies saw reason. But they only saw reason was because they got something out of it.

Namor did not need something out of this except Wakanda. He didn’t need money or weapons. He only wanted his people safe and in order to do that, that meant his allies had to be loyal to him and him alone. What if we could not make peace with Talokan? Maybe they would just leave us alone… or maybe Namor would do something sinister. I knew better than to think he would not stoop low if it meant keeping his people safe.

I was brought back to the caves and this time I noticed numerous blankets and hammocks and the lights were dim above us. Namora pointed over to a large area with blankets. I walked over noticing the beautiful stitching on it. She spoke lowly.

“Royalty sleeps in the larges bedding.”

I noticed Hibo was fast asleep on one of the hammocks. She seemed knocked out. I smiled and looked at Namora and whispered a thanks to her and she bowed and departed from me. I gently sat on the blankets noticing how soft and warm they were. I looked over at hibo noticing her blanket was halfway off her body. Quietly, I got up and moved over to her placing the blanket over her body. She hummed gently rolling on her side.

“Thank you, sister.” she said lazily, eyes not even opening. I smiled warmly. Obviously, she was used to her sister’s gesture.

“Of course.” I said gently. I leaned up looking at some of the shimmering rocks. I thought I saw movement or at least the reflection of movement. I swiftly turned and saw no one was there. I shook my head. I have done a lot today I was obviously exhausted and was seeing things. I moved back over to the blankets and quietly sat on them before lying down. These blankets were thick, and I loved that. I did not fall asleep until Kore and the others all returned which was maybe an hour or so later.

“How did it all go?” I said softly to Kore. She looked at me with a light stare.

“It went well princess. Do not worry we will be going home tomorrow, and I will tell the king what was discussed.” she said. She did not have to tell me twice. I was out like a light.

By the next morning, or how my body told me it was the next morning due to its sleep schedule, we were all dressed in fresh new Wakanda robes. Servants came in with fruit and we gently talking amongst each other.

“These blankets were very cozy.” Adan said.

“Yes, I wish I could bring one back with me.” Zura replied. I smiled at them and when we were all packed, we were lead down the hall. Zura and Hibo were excited about the new technology they had in their bags.

“The king will be very pleased with these necklace e samples given to us.” Hibo told. However, Kore was quiet, not looking as upbeat as yesterday. I grunted at her.

“What is the matter, Kore?” I asked. She looked at me quickly smiling.

“Nothing, princess. Just ready to be on land is all.” she replied. I looked her over with some worry before nodding. We were now back in the cavern where the sub was floating in the water. The same guards from before were standing in their usual place. The servant pointed to the door that was being opened by another warrior who waved us over.

“I guess Namor, and his generals will not be seeing us off.” I replied lightly.

“Shocker.” Kore said lowly. As we moved toward the sub, I noticed my Talokan bracelet was still on my arm. I was stunned that no one asked for it back. It is laced with vibranium. As I was getting closer to the ladder, violent splashing shot from the water. I yelped as I found myself suddenly surrounded by Zion and Adan, their guards up. We all huddled together as now we were surrounded by Talokanil warriors, their spears pointing at us immediately. My heart was pounding now as we all looked around.

“What is the meaning of this!” Kore snapped. I heard heavy footsteps and turned toward the side of the cave to see Attuma and Namora approaching with more servants behind them. Attuma began speaking.

“Personal belongings to K'uk'ulkan have gone missing and an investigation is underway. You will all be stripped of your bags and searched.” Immediately, warriors grabbed at our bags. My bag was violently jerked off me, and Zion pushed the warrior male away from me after he got the bag.

“This is insane! We would never steal from Namor or anyone or thing in Talokan!” Kore said. One by one our bags were emptied and searched. The warrior who took my bag rummaged through it before calling for Attuma. The large warrior approached, and the man gave him my bag. What the hell was going on! Suddenly, Attuma looked at me with a frown holding up a pearl necklace with black beads on it. I whimpered some shaking my head as I had never seen that before in my life.

“I did not take that!” I stated, and Kore stood beside me with a firm stare.

“The princess has been framed! She would never jeopardize such an important mission between our countries over some trinket!” she snapped. Attuma approached us with a stride of power holding his large axe over his shoulder before speaking.

“You all will be held while we investigate this matter. Usually, the punishment for stealing from us is either imprisonment or death. Take them.” he commanded.

Zura and Hibo were grabbed first, and we all shouted in protest. Kore and I were grabbed next, and our legs were kicked from behind us forcing us on our knees. Immediately, Zion was there, with a large rock in his hand and he bashed the male who held me, and Adan fought against the warrior who held Kore.

I fell to my hands and looked up noticing Attuma approaching with great speed holding his axe out. My eyes widened as I looked at my tribesman in utter fear.

“ZION!” I screamed. Both Jabari warriors turned in one mighty swish, I watched Attuma’s blade slice across both Zion and Adan’s chest. Blood sprayed onto the ground quickly, and their bodies fell back effortlessly. I screamed violently as my tribal brothers fell back to the ground not moving. I panted heavily as Kore, Zura and Hibo screamed in utter pain.

“OH HANUMAN NO!” I screamed grunting heavily in sadness before crawling over toward their limp bodies. I grabbed Adan’s face. This wasn’t happening. “Oh, great father of all, no, no, no! Please!”

Tears streamed down my face as I looked at my country men. Zura and Hibo cried out deeply as they were restrained, the pain evident in the way they screamed.

“This is not happening Kore… this is not happening Kore!” I screamed placing my hands on both their chests. I was hyperventilating now, and I shook my head touching their faces. I heard Attuma speaking now.

“Take the scientists and the ambassador to the cells. Bring the princess to my grotto.”

“No, you can’t do this!” Kore yelled as she was being lifted off the ground while Hibo and Zura were being dragged away down different halls, their arms reach out for each other violently, their screams playing in my ears.

“No Hibo!” Zura cried.

“SISTER!” Hibo screamed.

I was still on my knees looking at the dead bodies before me. This was a trap, all of it. Namor never planned to let us leave. I felt my arm being grabbed and I tore from the hold and looked up at Attuma’s face. He looked very content, very pleased with the sight before him.

“Look at my face,” I said with a quivering tone and he did, “Look at my eyes… Wakanda will never forgive you for this. My brother will never forgive you for this… I will never forgive you for this.”

He raised his head some as he watched me before speaking.

“We have all the time in the world to get past this.”

I was grabbed by my arms and forced to my feet before being taken down another hallway, the sub growing smaller and smaller.

[ffxiv-f13ndish]

To Paint a Picture

Collab. drabble w/ @sorrel-haven [Kore] and @ro-valerius [Tofu].

Kore attempts to paint a portrait of Miyu. Hijinks ensue. Tofu brings a gift.

After Kore had offered to paint their portrait, Miyu eagerly awaited the day she was open to do so. Kore, needing to unwind, decided today was that day. Miyu had propped themself up with extra pillows and a nearby snack, prepared to sit for as long as needed. They were going to have to be still for this, after all.

And they were – for the most part. 

Some time had passed before a flicker of mischief lit up in Miyu. They turned their gaze away from the wall, instead choosing to meet Kore’s eyes with an unwavering stare. Kore looked up from her easel and noticed Miyu’s stare. She raised an eyebrow and smiled at them.

“What are you doing?” she said with a giggle.

Miyu’s expression was wide eyed and innocent, as if they couldn’t possibly be up to any sort of no good. 

“Why, me? Just sitting pretty, as usual,” they responded with a coquettish bat of their lashes. “Why do you ask?”

Kore shook her head with a chuckle and went back to painting. She didn’t need to look over to know they were still staring right at her. She could feel their eyes on her. She tried to suppress the bubbling giggle, which only served to make it worse. 

Seeing as Kore fell victim to the giggles, a sly grin crossed Miyu’s features. They attempted to keep blinking to a minimum. She spared a glance at Miyu when she needed to check the shape of their brow. That was a mistake - they cheekily winked when Kore had to meet their gaze. She couldn’t hold back the giggles any longer!

“Y- you’re ridiculous!” she managed to get out through the bubbly laughter.

“I’m only admiring the art,” the Miqo’te playfully purred back.

“What are you talking about? You can’t see it from there!” she laughed, confused.

“Oh, I wasn’t talking about the painting, lovely.”

Kore blinked, what was that supposed to mea- The realization hit her and her cheeks flushed immediately. She tried to hide her face with one hand as she looked away from Miyu. 

The impish grin on Miyu’s face only grew. 

“You know, I don’t think it will be easy to paint me if you aren’t looking at me,” Miyu further teased.

She looked at them through her fingers. “I can paint you easily!” she said with a huff before reaching over and dabbing a splotch of blue on the miqo’te’s cheek.

An incredulous gasp sounded from Miyu after Kore’s paint attack. A devious look flashed across their features before they lunged forward towards Kore’s paint palette. They swiped their fingers across it before aiming to mark her forehead with the painted digits.

She grabbed their hand saving her forehead, but the paint caused her grip to slip and they got paint all down her arm. She let out a high pitched scoff and smeared a glob of paint on their shoulder.

Miyu very nearly apologized, upon seeing the paint that stained Kore's arm. However, the urge to apologize was quickly withdrawn when Kore retaliated further. This was war. And fighting fair wasn’t essentially Miyu’s style. They turned their head toward their shoulder, to get a bit of paint on their own nose. 

The Miqo’te placed both hands on either side of Kore’s face and leaned in, lips pressing to Kore’s as the tip of their paint smeared nose butted against her own. Kore made a small noise in surprise, but leaned into the kiss.

When they pulled away, Miyu flashed a wicked grin. “What’s wrong? Do I have something on my face?”

“Hmm yes let me get it.” Kore laughed and smeared some more paint on their cheek. “There. I think I got it.” 

Miyu’s relentless stare finally broke as they averted their eyes to the floor, their paint covered face touched by strokes of warm red. 

“You know, this isn’t quite what I meant when I asked to get my face painted,” they said, wiping the paint off their shoulder with the palm of the hand. They then proceeded to press their hand against Kore’s cheek, leaving a palm print in the wake of their painted destruction.

Kore laughed and brushed some hair out of Miyu’s face. She leaned forward and pressed her forehead to theirs. Giggles were still subsiding as she let out a content sigh. She took Miyu’s hand and rubbed her thumb on the back of it. A small knock at the door caused her to jump and bonk her head on Miyu’s. Miyu blinked and rubbed their forehead with their hand — inadvertently smearing the paint further.

Kore rubbed her head as she called, “Come in?”

Tofu poked his head in and paused at the sight of…paint everywhere. Just. So much paint. A neutral expression turned deadpan as he examined the two of them. Miyu beamed, wiggling their fingers as they greeted Tofu. With a sigh, he stepped fully into the room and closed the door behind him, keeping a hand behind his back so they couldn’t see what he had just yet; he wanted to explain himself before they laughed. Miyu’s fingers stilled when they picked up on the curious sight of Tofu hiding something behind his back, the Miqo’te leaning to one side in an attempt to catch a glimpse.

“I see you two are having fun,” he said, his tone not giving any indication of his mood. He cleared his throat and averted his gaze. “I uh…made some good luck charms for everyone…” 

He mentally smacked himself. Good job explaining first, bozo. Still not looking at either of them, he held out two hand sewn charms, one in a dark pinkish red, much like Kore wore, and one with a light purple and seafoam green coloured pattern. Miyu's eyes gleamed with Tofu’s presentation, and they darted forward to check out the good luck charms. Kore smiled as she remembered Tofu mentioning good luck charms before.

“Awe… thank you! This is lovely,” Miyu cooed, beginning to reach for the good luck charm. With the sharp points of their nails, they carefully picked up theirs. In thanks, Miyu snuck in a hasty peck on the cheek. A blush crept across Tofu’s cheeks as he stubbornly kept his gaze averted.

Kore wiped her hands on a paint rag before going up to take her charm. “This is lovely Tofu, thank you!” She held it closer to her face to look at the detailing.

Tofu saw Kore from the corner of his eye as she held the charm very close to her face to see and gave her a look before going over to the shelf where she’d placed her glasses ages ago and forgot about. Still giving her that look, he grabbed the glasses from the shelf and walked back over to her, pushing them gently onto her face. 

“Dork.” 

Kore blinked as she was suddenly gifted vision. She adjusted her glasses and stuck her tongue out at him. He returned the favour.

Miyu emitted a faint ‘oh’ in surprise when a pair of glasses were placed on Kore’s face.

“Maybe. But a pretty dork,” they hummed in approval. “How come you never wear them? Do you just call me ‘rainbow’ because I look like an obscure blob of colors to you?” Miyu giggled.

“...” Kore blushed and deliberately looked at the ceiling. “Maybe…”

Tofu cleared his throat and brushed his hair into his face more, as if to hide a little. “W-Well, it seemed like I interrupted something, so I’ll let you both get back to it,” he mumbled, turning towards the door. 

Kore grabbed his hand before he could leave, with Miyu simultaneously making a grab for the other. Tofu felt the paint from Miyu’s hand transfer to his own and gave them a brief look.

“You don’t have to go,” the two said in unison. Their pleading looks almost mirrored each other.

In the face of their expressions, he couldn’t say no to either of them. 

“R-right…” he mumbled. 

Kore smiled as she walked over to her paint case, and pulled out two more paint rags to hand to the other two. She sat back at her easel and checked it over to see if the paint fight affected it. Luckily, it was unscathed.

Once Miyu’s hands were cleaned up with the rags, they got to examining their new charm with ease. Miyu grinned and gave the little charm a peck before they tucked it away into a sewn pocket in their dress.

“I was trying to paint Miyu’s portrait, however they decided to get cheeky,” she explained. “So I had to punish them, you see. And well… We got a bit carried away.”

“Punish?” Miyu gasped in disbelief. “If I remember correctly, it was you who attacked first! All I was doing was sitting, swear it!”

“Sitting and making comments!” she said in a lighthearted protest.

“Well… am I ever wrong?” Miyu quipped, the deceitful veil of innocence falling from their expression with a roguish smirk. “Besides, it’s just about lunch time. Perfect distraction for a break.” 

Tofu watched the exchange as he wiped the paint off of his hand, hoping that Miyu hadn't gotten any paint elsewhere else on his person. As he checked over to ensure that he had gotten all of the paint off of his hand, he remembered that he had been out of practice sewing, and while the pinpricks weren't super noticeable, he was quick to close his hand and keep it at his side sheepishly. 

"Did you…want to keep painting or did you prefer to get lunch and come back…?" he asked softly.

“I think we should take a break,” Kore said, putting her paints away. “Have you eaten yet?”

Tofu caught sight of a disgruntled Chauncey and gave a small wave in greeting before turning his attention back to Kore. "...I haven't," he said, having forgotten the whole day to stop working on the charms to do anything to sustain himself. 

“Easy fix. Let's all go to lunch,” Miyu enthusiastically proposed, hopping over to Tofu’s side to hook an arm around his. They started to reach for his hand with their other hand, only to pause. 

“Ouch. How long have you been working on those charms, dear?” they remarked, lifting up his hand to inspect it. He shrugged, as best he could with their arm around his.

"I think I woke up a couple hours before the sun came up because I had that dream again. Worked on those to have something else to think about," he murmured.

“Ah, I’m sorry,” Kore said with a small frown. “You can always come sit with one of us if that happens. You don’t have to talk about it either, we don’t mind being a distraction.”

“The door is always open for you,” Miyu agreed with a nod. 

“A-ah, right…” Tofu muttered as he averted his gaze. 

Kore sighed softly with a fond exasperation. He’ll get there, someday- hopefully. Today they were getting lunch. She walked over and took Tofu’s other hand and guided them both out the door.

[an1d10t]

Posting this because Kore didn’t want to listen to me talk about an angsty scenario🙄/lh

So I was listening to daylight (the song) and at the last minute of the song I saw Halt and Crowley fleeing something (I forgot what) and they had to get over a wall or something. So halt helped Crowley up the wall. That wall was quite high btw so they had to climb like 30 seconds. So Crowley then was ontop of the wall with, I’m pretty sure it was Rodney, and he held out his hand for Halt to grab. All good, all well.

The wargals came. Halt was only half way and felt something hit him. So obviously he looked down to see what it was, he lost balance and fell right in the circle.

Halt got caught off guard and couldn’t really move for a second. And knowing the wargals, it’s too late.

So Halt got killed while Crowley and Rodney were allowed to watch in horror.

Even better, Crowley had to be held back, sobbing, by Rodney.

So just imagine that scenario playing at the last minute of the song Daylight

[ro-valerius]

Fatewalker

Inter-dimensional traveler comes to take care of Tofu's little condition.

collab write with @ffxiv-f13ndish [Moxxie, Miyu] and @sorrel-haven [Kore]

Tofu stared at the woman with the piercing violet eyes as she looked around the yard. She walked up to the entryway, almost not even acknowledging the au ra child as she held up a hand. It was as if she were reaching out to touch something only she could see. And perhaps, she was. Her brow furrowed as a frown played across her features. 

“Iziel, you said he hadn’t made contact yet,” she stated, turning to look at Daen Lad. Daen Lad planted their hands on their hips and scowled. 

“Well, he hadn’t by the time I left!” they proclaimed. 

The woman turned back to examine Tofu, though she didn’t move closer just yet. Footsteps sounded from the stairs, a breathless purple haired woman stopping at the bottom with her hands on the walls on either side. For a moment, she stared at the new arrival with surprise, though not the unpleasant kind. She stepped forward with hesitant steps. 

“You… you’re back… Ro,” she said. Tofu looked between them in confusion. The woman gave her a gentle smile. 

“Indeed, it is good to see you well, Umi. And in the presence of the Warrior of Light, no less,” the woman said softly. 

Moxxie stared at the new arrivals with a stunned – and particularly confused — silence. She took a step away from Tofu, holding her hands up. With a nod towards Tofu, she wordlessly signaled that this was for him to take care of and backed out the door, awkwardly stepping around the two who remained standing at the door. Ro moved out of the way of the young girl, offering an apologetic smile as she left. 

Kore rushed down the stairs to find the source of all the commotion, followed closely by Fiora and Miyu. Kore cautiously eyed the strange woman at the doorway. She focused on her and let her Echo connect with her memories. The simultaneous flood of memories and resistance to her probing caused a backlash that she hadn’t felt in some time. Kore clutched her head as her knees buckled under the pressure. Tofu rushed over and put his hands on her shoulders, the ringing in his ears ignored in the face of her pain. 

Miyu’s brows furrowed as they studied the new arrival. Seeing Daen Lad was a relief, but who was it they had brought with them? They hastily drew closer to Kore’s side, an arm around her protectively.

“...Hello?” they greeted wearily. Ro regarded the viera woman and the miqo’te with calm eyes and a patient expression.

“I understand your distrust, but you would do well to have care with whom you open your mind to. Some individuals house secrets that the universe may not deem your mind ready to witness. I mean you no harm,” she said, focusing back on the shimmering magic across the door. “Before aught else, let me alleviate the ringing in your ears, Warrior of Light.”

She reached out and grasped at the woven strings only she could see, clutching them tightly in her grasp before pulling harshly. The threads snapped, and the rest of the enchantment faded. Tofu let out a breath he hadn’t realized he had been holding as he nearly slumped over in relief. 

He didn’t know who this woman was, just that Ro had called her ‘Ro’ as well. Which meant… He looked up at her.

“Thank you,” he said. She was someone they could trust. 

Umi looked down at Tofu for a moment as he remained knelt by Kore’s side before turning her attention back to Ro and Daen Lad - no, Iziel. 

“If you are here, then…?” she started. Ro smiled gently and shook her head.

“No, fate walks as it should. However, there is someone here who should not be, and I must apologize. He is here because he seeks to draw me out. I did not expect him to cause such issues for you all,” she said with a slight bow. 

Umi looked relieved, but Tofu had no idea what they were talking about. Fiora regarded the woman carefully; her aether… it was nearly blinding. Kore pushed her hair back as she tried to recover, leaning into Tofu and Miyu. Ro walked towards the three of them, placing a hand gently on Kore’s head. 

“Apologies again for the…backlash,” she said as a faint white glow surrounded her hand - Fae healing magics, and no consequences for Ro anymore. She was more Fae than human at this point, and getting further from human by the year. She stepped back and looked at Tofu, gesturing for him to stand. “Let me get a good look at you.”

Tofu stood hesitantly, his hand lingering on Kore’s shoulder before he stepped towards this strange, violet eyed woman. She examined him carefully, eyes landing on the sigil in his chest, and the mess of aether that accompanied it. A thoughtful frown graced her features as she tilted her head.

“That is indeed forbidden Fae magic… When I get my hands on that guy I swear-” She caught herself and straightened, smiling to cover for it. Tofu gave her a look. Her smile became sheepish. 

“Anyway!” she continued, dropping the ‘infinite wisdom’ act with a nervous chuckle. “That guy left a mess in there.” She pointed at his chest, her fingertip barely pressing against the fabric of his shirt. She looked back at Iziel with a frown, though it could have been closer to a pout. 

“You said a mage from here placed this, yes?” she asked. Daen Lad fluttered over, hand to their chin in thought.

“A mage who learned from one of yours,” Fiora answered, almost bitterly. The journal entry still brought a rage bubbling in her chest. 

Ro looked over at her and tilted her head. This woman held a mess of curses, though none were of the Fae variety, for a blessing. A thoughtful hum escaped her as she nodded briefly. 

“Yes, yes… the sigil is one of ours, though ancient and forbidden. The man who taught it may be Fae, but he is not one of ours,” she said thoughtfully. “However, I ask because his traces are all over this spell. Given the state of the house upon my arrival, it seems he has found you, Warrior of Light-”

“Tofu. Just… Tofu,” Tofu interjected. Ro paused and nodded.

“Right, Tofu. He must have found you and taken a more personal interest. Most likely to draw me out sooner. Have the symptoms been worse of late?” she asked. Tofu glanced at Kore and Miyu, then at Umi, none of whom had he admitted it to.

“Uh…on occasion, yes,” he muttered, averting his gaze. 

Miyu’s eyes quickly fell on Tofu, the hand which brushed through Kore’s hair going still.

“On occasion? For how long now?” Miyu interjected. Kore gently pressed the back of her knuckles to Miyu’s cheek and shook her head as if to say, ‘We can talk about it later.’ Miyu relaxed with a faint sigh. Tofu, having not caught their exchange, had no choice but to answer.

“...Since before I had Dolly accompany me to the Library,” he murmured, not looking at them. He cleared his throat and met Ro’s eyes. 

Her gaze flicked between him and the two behind him, clearly discerning some kind of connection between the three of them that felt… romantic. She had to hide a smile behind her hand at the revelation. She, too, cleared her throat, meeting his eyes once more in return.

“I can remove that curse,” she said, noting a glimmer of surprise flash across his eyes, a hope she wasn’t sure if he was used to expressing that was quickly buried. She sighed. He’ll learn, in time. Hope is good, actually. And he’ll understand that soon. “It’s tangled up in your aether in messy little knots, so it might not be the most… comfortable of experiences. But you’ll be free of it after, and I know that will be a huge weight off your chest… pardon the analogy.”

He squared his shoulders as he kept his eyes to hers steadily, a determined fire flicking behind them as he nodded. She smiled, and then held out her hand. With a serene smile, she closed her eyes, focusing on the aether of the sigil, and on his. From her hand came tendrils of pure white light, though if one were to look more closely, it shimmered with every colour of the rainbow. 

It enveloped Tofu, seeping into his chest as it carefully slipped between his aether and the sigil. The added aether from her magics sent a wave of pressure and a shooting pain through his chest and he winced, but remained calm and resolute. The tendrils worked to untie the knots that bound his aether to the curse that had plagued him for so long, the serene smile that she had been wearing slowly fading into a furrowed brow and a concentrated frown. That man sure had tightened the knots when he found this loop’s Warrior of Light…

And, shortly after, the white magics brought the writhing, dark purple mass from Tofu’s chest out into the air between them. Ro reached out, grasping it in her hand and squeezing tightly. In one fell swoop, the curse was shattered. 

Tofu staggered slightly, the sudden rush of relief catching him off guard. He didn’t realize how much he had been burying the discomfort until it was no longer there to torment him. Kore shook away the remaining discomfort she had and quickly stood to go put her hand on Tofu’s shoulder. Miyu followed close, though they stood behind the two of them with a hand on Tofu’s back – as if preparing to keep him standing, in case he fell.

“Tofu, how do you feel?” she asked, giving him a once over. Tofu gave them both a soft smile.

“I’m fine, just light-headed,” he said.

“Well, Gods, if you were simply brushing aside all of that, no fucking wonder,” Ro commented before snapping her mouth shut. She cleared her throat once more, crossing her arms and averting her gaze. “I suppose that speaks for your strength and your willpower. This loop is in good hands.”

Fiora stepped towards the woman, though she had to keep her eyes to the floor or she would be blinded - more so than she already was. She knew that this woman had just helped her brother, but she couldn’t help the anger that had formed. This woman was the whole reason Tofu had to suffer.

“It is good that you arrived to clean up your own mess,” she stated through clenched teeth. Her hand gripped her arm tightly as she crossed it over her chest. “You achieved something that I, after countless sleepless nights, could not. Thank you, but know that if your involvement endangers my family again, I will not forgive you.”

“I can…cure you, too,” Ro said softly, undaunted by the other woman’s biting tone. Fiora looked up at her, the bright aether causing her to squint. 

“Explain.”

“Every curse you house, I can undo. There is…one that is linked to another, yes? It would undo the other’s curse, too,” Ro elaborated. Fiora’s eyes narrowed. 

“...There are two you are not to touch. The women inside me, and the one that sustains me, I have use for them yet,” she said. Ro smiled, though she knew that the au ra could not see it yet. 

“If you are prepared, once the cage is unbound… It might be overwhelming for a bit,” she warned, keeping her tone gentle and patient. Fiora pried her hand from her arm and let it rest on her chest. The heart that had been sealed so long ago…

“...Please. I want Hana to be able to experience the beauty of this world,” she whispered.

“Very well.”

And so, Fiora was, too, enveloped in a pure white light, this time as a thick mist that permeated every inch of her body. Fiora closed her eyes, as if she were afraid. Ro was very careful to avoid the unbreakable and the voidsent women, though the request required intense focus. One by one, curses were shattered. A small drip of blood traveled down from her nose to her lips before pooling up slightly and cresting over. She ignored it; it was to be expected. So much for “no consequence Fae magics” after all. 

At last, the cage that had been around Fiora’s heart burst. All at once, she felt everything. Tears began to well up, then stream down her cheeks from closed eyelids, a gentle sob breaking through her lips as she sank to the floor. She held herself as she gave herself a moment before opening her eyes.

The rug beneath her was such a beautiful shade of purple. 

The detail was blurred by her tears, and the freshness of her vision. Kore knelt beside her. She gently brushed her bangs aside as a silent offer of support. From upstairs, there was a crash, the slam of a door, and thudding footsteps before a cry of “Nana!!” As the footsteps made their way down the stairs, a mantra of repeated “Nana, nana, nana, nana!” could be heard as Hana nearly tripped down the stairs. 

As her feet hit the ground floor, surprised eyes landed on Umi, no longer clouded by blindness, though tears were another story. All else faded away as she darted towards her, wrapping her arms tightly around her waist.

“Nana…You’re just as beautiful as I always knew you were,” she whispered softly as Umi embraced her in return. 

“Please, all these flowers, and you could only see me?” Umi said lightly. Hana nodded, face still buried in Umi’s chest. “Come now, I know you’d love to see your beloved brother, too.” 

With a gasp, as if she had forgotten, Hana pulled away and looked around, stopping as she found Tofu staring in confused shock at everything that was happening. Joy lit up her face as he finally shook himself out of it enough to look at her. There he was. A long gasp escaped her as she examined him. 

“...a prince…” she murmured. 

“P-pardon?” he stammered. 

“My…MY BROTHER IS A PRINCE,” she shouted, pointing at him. Ro hid a laugh behind her hand and stepped over to the kitchen, in case the laughter could no longer be contained. His expression was just too good.

“Well she’s right, you are very gallant,” Kore said as she looked up at Tofu. A baffled and confused Miyu snorted and erupted into soft giggles. They nodded in agreement.

“Certainly! I thought he quite handsomely threw that book when I first met him,” Miyu giggled, holding a hand to their lips to try and withhold it. “My, I do hope I haven’t lost my nose for candle shopping, I fear she may wander off when seeing something more interesting…” Miyu jested with a sigh. Tofu held up both hands, taking a couple of steps back, a look of confusion on his face.

“Wh-what are you… I’m not-” he tried to protest, but his words failed him at that moment. 

With a start, Hana turned her attention to Miyu and Kore, having almost forgotten that they were there. And Fiora was with Kore. She trotted over, cupping Miyu’s face with both hands, a bright smile on her face. She squished their cheeks lightly and giggled. 

“How dashing, as well!” she said, though she didn’t await an answer before she was off and kneeling on the floor in front of Kore. She reached out and brushed her fingers over Kore’s lips, nose, eyebrows, and her jaw. 

“A princess,” she stated with a nod. “I have a prince and a princess for a brother and sister.” 

“Yes, that is factually true. I am a runaway princess,” Kore said with a smile. Hana’s face lit up.

“Really?!” she exclaimed. A sniffle and a chuckle from Fiora caught Hana’s attention. 

“Hana. I want you to be the first person I see,” she said, reaching out with one hand to touch Hana’s knee gently. Hana nodded with a soft ‘mhm’ and scooted closer, cupping Fiora’s face in both hands and tilting it up to meet her eyes. As Fiora took in her baby sister’s features, a smile graced her lips, a rare, if ever seen, sight. 

“Fiora, you’re just like a glittering gem,” Hana whispered. Fiora cupped her face with one hand as tears continued to fall down her face. 

“Look at you, all grown up. Like a fully bloomed flower,” she said, leaning forward and wrapping both arms around Hana. The action brought tears to Hana’s eyes, as well. With a start, she returned the embrace tightly. Her sister had never hugged her before. She didn’t think Fiora knew how until then.

From the kitchen, Ro cleared her throat awkwardly. 

“Apologies, but I have a little bastard- I mean. I have a man to capture. He must atone for his crimes. I promise, he won’t bother any of you anymore,” she said, bowing deeply. As she straightened, she smiled brightly. Umi drew in a quick breath and made her way quickly over to her.

“You are…leaving so soon?” she asked, her voice shaky. Ro gave her an encouraging smile.

“What is that look for? You have done wonderfully, Umi. But…you seem tired. Iziel says you’ve been working hard to… ‘uphold my legacy’. Please, do not trouble yourself so. So long as you are safe and happy, you and your family, then my legacy is just as it should be; forgotten with the past, but keeping you safe, as a warm blanket on a cold night,” she said softly. Umi drew in a breath to protest, but Ro shook her head, placing a hand gently on Umi’s cheek and caressing her softly. 

“As I said, this loop is in good hands. With you and Tofu here to watch over things, my legacy is immortal. Do take some time for yourself, would you?”

And with that, she made for the door, tossing a wave over her shoulder. 

“W-wait!” Tofu called. Ro paused and faced him with a curious expression. He walked over to her, an expression on his face that she knew well, for she had worn it plenty of times herself, and bowed deeply. “Thank you. For everything you have done for me and my family, thank you. I promise I will keep this world safe.” 

She smiled gently; she knew how hard it was for people like the two of them to accept help, especially from a total stranger. How much easier it was just to bury all of the pain away, and continue on so that no one would see even a single moment of weakness. She knew that feeling all too well… But regardless, help will find even the most stubborn. 

“I have no doubt you will.”

[kore-pythia-hayashi]

[standing before Kore’s door, on his own this time, Ethan feels his soul pouring to the corners of his being. his fingers tap nervously on the tip of his sword, unable to find their peace. his eye feels like it’s burning, and the empty socket of his sacrifice itches with fire-like tension as well. he cannot find the courage to knock]

Ethan: Kore…?

[silence. the boy can already feel the fire in his temples being drowned out by tears.]

Ethan: Kore, I’m so sorry, I don’t know how to tell you. Kronos… he shouldn’t have… you… I’m so sorry.

Ethan:

Ethan: I don’t know if you’re there. But I want to know that you’re safe. Because, because I… I think I might have made a mistake, something that it’s eternally unfair to you. Really ironic coming from the son of justice. Kore?

[more silence. ethan, struggling to listen, manages to distinguish a few whispers and a… sort of meowing?]

[the door opens suddenly]

Ethan: *wide eyed* Chris? What are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be at camp?

Chris: Shouldn’t you be serving your Lord, Ethan? Come inside. Kore is here. I thought it would be bad for her to be bothered, again, but she wants to see you.

Ethan: Thank you, thanks, I have to-

Chris: At least we’ll have you say your apologies to her face. I’m afraid I might suspect what you tried now.

Ethan: Don’t tell me you spoke to him! Did Lee tell you what we… talked?

Chris: I know you meant well. But you have to come inside, theatrics serve no one, especially not Kore.

Ethan: *nods and gulps*

[Kore was sitting on her bed, gently playing with her new kitten, Rachel, who was gently biting her finger. She looked fragile and vulnerable, she looked like an ordinary girl... A finger-shaped bruise burned like a brand on her neck]. Hi, Ethan. [Her voice was soft and affectionate, despite her hoarseness, she still looked at Ethan with warmth and a smile on her face. Even if Ethan couldn't protect her, he couldn't help her]. I'm not mad at you, and please don't be mad at yourself, Ethan...

[It was really too much for him - Ethan took a step towards her, his gait was shaky and uncertain, as if every step hurt him. Halfway there, he couldn't stand it and fell to the floor right at her feet]. Oh, Darin*. [She tilted her head to the side, a veil of long hair hid her face, including the silvery streaks of salt that shone on her cheeks].

[Ethan was crying against her knees, his tears soaked into the fabric of her dress, his cold face pressed against her warm skin. He mumbled words of forgiveness and blamed himself endlessly for his inability to help her. He couldn't stop Kronos, he couldn't persuade her brother, he couldn't help her himself, and he couldn't find someone who could...

Chris was standing by the door, leaning against the wall and staring at the floor]..

ダーリン (darin) – “darling” ••• @catihere

[r0yalgrimmartz]

The little shit bags- I mean darling cherubs💕

I never intended on making designs of Chazz and Kore's little crotch goblins. But uh here we are.

((Bonus: Ekou with snazzy sunglasses))

Tbh I'm impressed how I have the energy to sketch all three designs, so either it's a sign I'm gonna burn out soon or what 💀

Anyways the kids.

Kenji: Fucking whore. Jk. Kinda. Big momma's boy, kinda had beef with Chazz for a little while when Kore and Chazz were separated for two years during his childhood years, but he speaks to Chazz more often now and has a better relationship with him. Literally is the embodiment of a gifted and intelligent student now is a severely burnt out and tired moody bitch. Has more fucking break ups because he literally doesn't fucking understand relationships well and has a lot of inner problems with himself. Eventually gets better, working on himself. Massive bipolar disorder. Is an asshole because...literally he is one, not because of his bipolar. Very confrontational and argumentative when he is being accused for shit he has never done. Can't see Duel spirits, but can hear them?? Assumed he was just hearing things. Also a big lover of dueling. Very competitive but can be hella petty if he loses. Hates the smell of hospitals and medial equipment, it makes him physically ill and very anxious (lore related lmao).

Himari: Resting bitch face 24/7, is genuinely very sweet and shy. Is she glaring at you from across the room in a terrifying manner?? Oh don't worry she's squinting her eyes trying to read the board behind you. Very passive, rarely loses her temper. Has the fucking literal patience of a Saint. Unless you catch her on a bad day and you set her off, don't be surprised if you find yourself smacked through the wall. Works out a lot, mainly to distract herself or pass time originally. Plus used to have trouble with carrying heavy shit due to her previous weak and frail physique, so wanted to be able to carry shit better (cough also to impress this crush she has on a girl cough). Loves to dress feminine and girly, tries to style her outfits a lot. Literal daddy's girl, yet gets embarrassed and shy when Chazz is kicking off with some kids or parents who might be mean or accusing Himari, and she has to physically remove him before she dies of embarrassment. Literally loves her dad but at times think he might go overboard, hence why she talks to her mom about certain issues and probably dating advice (don't even fucking say anything you seen that episode with Chazz tryna Duel Alexis to be his girlfriend, you should know why). Let's her emotions out when it comes to dueling, especially with how frustrated she gets or angry. Literally considered her Duel monsters her friends during her childhood due to lack of friends, only to look back and cringe. Doesn't realise her Duel spirits watch over her a lot and try to protect her.

Ekou: Accidental child. Literally was not fucking planned, he came as a fucking surprise. Yet was the most chill and easiest of the three to raise. Kinda. Despite how he was always found in odd places he shouldn't have been in. Definition of...that one weird kid in class you don't talk to but he is surprisingly chill af. Comes out with the most horrific and outlandish shit at times that everyone fucking turns and side eyes massively. Also, comes out with useless trivia about probably classic horror movie or slasher movies, adds nothing to the conversation. He just enjoys the cheesy block buster campy slashers and horror movies, no matter how dumb or ridiculous they are, he gets a laugh out of it. Also, attracts a lot of the evil and bad shit a lot. Like Jaden 2.0, yet no fucking idea why. Ekou tends to find himself in what seems to be friendly little duels only for it to be duels where he nearly dies (specifically these happen during his mid to late teens). At this point he's not phased anymore he's more so expecting it and is like "so what is it today, three monkeys trying to disguise as a man while standing on one another or some giant bulking cloaked mysterious man who threatens my friends and loved ones?" He just at this point tries walking away to avoid it yet his ass gets dragged in. Surprisingly fucking smart, he just can't be bothered to do the homework he gets given. Definitely collects magical girl figures. Mainly cause he finds them cute and adorable. Also owns a pet fucking fat tailed gecko he absolutely cherishes and adores. Takes care of it a lot, legit carries it everywhere with him, she just chills on his shoulder, in his jacket or on his head. However, like his dad, he can actually see Duel spirits. It kinda just happened one day when he was like five and he got startled when his duel monster was chilling next to him in bed. Actually treats his duel monsters well, talks to them a lot which...alarms people assuming he is just talking to himself. Also wears snazzy fucking sunglasses cause why not.

Will I ever post more about them? Probably not- I'll probably focus on the current cast etc. Unless I do post more about them then shoot me dead pls.

[theoceantot]

Chapter 7

"Wake up Mr Wayne we have much to discuss"

"Strange? You wont get away with this!"

"I already have"

More electricity passes through Bruce as he screames again

"I assume you thought of yourself untouchable. Well as you can see no one is untouchable"

Another shock passes through Bruce as he screams.

"Shut arkham city down. Its out of control!"

"Shut it down? By the end of tonight i'll be a hero just like you BATMAN"

(Meanwhile)

"Ms Perse is everything alright?" Alfred asked Perse who was biting at her finger nails her knee bouncing a clear indicator of stress and anxiety. What if he's really hurt? Or dead? The thoughts were beginning to be too much.

"I'm just scared" Perse said barely above a whisper. Shes not good at communicating how she feels and still doesn't speak that much. Of course she's gotten much better but not to the point to talking regularly.

"I assure you Master Bruce has everything under control so no need to worry it'll all be well"

Perse nodded and made her way to the bat cave. 'I don't care if he thinks i'm not ready I can't let him do this alone.

"What do you think you're doing young lady?" Robin came up from behind her.

Perse ignored him and started putting on her suit and mask. Robin couldn't lie she looked really pretty. gorgeous even.

"If you insist on going after Bruce i'm coming with you. Can't let you go alone"

"Fine, just keep up chicken tender"

Perse grabbed her hoverboard and started heading towards arkham city. Robin just stands there wondering why he let a little call him an item from kfc. He just sighed and started catching up with her.

Batman had just rescued Catwoman from two face and is now trying to figure out what protocol ten is until Joker almost sniped and killed her.

"You're not safe here no one is"

"Nine lives remember? And by the way who is the little one? Everyone is trying to figure out who she is. Especially Penguin. Saying that he wants her for his tacky collection"

"Kore is still in training shes not ready to fight alone. But when she is ready I doubt Cobblepot will giver her any problems"

"You sure do have a lot of confidence in her. Hope I can meet her soon" Catwoman smiled and went her own way.

'Where is he?!' Perse thought as she rode on her hoverboard. She continued to ride around until she found this building that said "Krank Co Toys" The word 'toys' made Perse want to slip but she had a job to do. no time for that. There were men blocking the entrance ready for a fight.

"Its the brat!" One of them yelled and they all charged at her.

'Theres water surrounding all over this place. Sucks for them'

Perse made a huge wave out of the water and crashed it into them.

'I AM ready. Papa doesn't know what hes talking about'

She made her way inside water surrounding her fist just incase anyone else tried to attack. There was a staircase that leaded down to a large room with a teddy bear in the middle of the floor and Bane looking at something on the wall. Perse knew she wasn't strong enough to take him in a fight but she wanted to ask if he'd seen her papa. So she confronted her fears and approached him cautiously.

"Hello?" Perse said.

Bane turned around and Perse jumped back a bit. She was scared and completely overwhelmed.

"Who are you child?" Bane asked

"I-I was wondering if you've seen pa- I mean Batman"

Bane started laughing.

"You must know we aren't on the best of terms right?"

"What happened?"

"Last time I saw him I was on the hood of his car as it crashed me into the water.

"Ohhhhhhh"

He didn't seem like he was gonna hurt her. But she wasn't for sure.

"So i'm guessing you're Kore am I right?"

Things spread quick didn't they?

"Thats me"

"Well its nice to meet you then Ms Kore"

"Likewise"

Perse didn't expect one of Batmans strongest enemies to be this chill? Maybe he wasn't such a bad guy after all.

"But to answer your question I have not seen the bat anywhere but I don't have a doubt he's here trying to stop Strange"

Perse was trying to keep it together she really was but she couldn't stop the tears that started flowing down her cheeks. What if he was dead? It would be all her fault. She could've been better, stronger, faster. Bane put his hand on her head in an attempt to comfort the now little Perse. Bane wasn't heartless he knew this girl meant him no harm. A part of him saw her as something to protect even though she was strong enough to handle herself.

"There's no need to cry little Kore you'll find the Bat i'm sure of it"

Perse only babbled and started petting his arm with her hand. Something she found comforting. Bane was beyond confused at this point but he just went with it. Bane didn't know what age regression was but he could tell She then hugged his torso and whined softly wanting to be embraced. Bane hugged her gently not wanting to hurt her with his strength.

"Kore, you know i'm your enemy right?"

Perse shook her head and hugged him tighter almost making it to where he couldn't breathe.

"You like me. Meanies did mean things to you"

Meanies? Is she talking about the people that experimented on him? Was she also experimented on? Or maybe just abused? He didn't wanna pry and make her upset. Bane picked her up and sat her on his lap.

"You need to be careful. Not all villians will be as kind as me. Just because someone has a tragic past doesn't mean they're kind"

Perse nodded in understanding and got up making her way to the exit. She smiled and waved to Bruce before continuing her quest to find Batman.

(Hope you all liked this part. I just thought Bane and Perse being friends because of their similar past)

[pechaberriesandsoju]

I'm gonna go ahead and warn yall that when I start talking more about Kore/Peach Punch, you're gonna hear a lot about the family, like rivalry dynamic with her and Red Rush. They don't like hate each other fully, but like....part of the background is when they first meet? When the Guardians of the Globe rescue her when she's still under a cult group's control? His reaction to her lunging at him to attack was to just kick her into a wall and knock her out. And she remembers it when she is freed and under care. SOOO YEAH, NO, THEY DID NOT HAVE A GOOD START AND IT'S GONNA BE TENSE. They see each other as family but FUCK IF THERE ISN'T TENSION.

Also, yes, he got yelled at afterward cause bro you can't just do that to a teenager under obvious mind control.

[madrabbitwords]

Hades & Persephone

My latest thing I cranked out since the writer's block settled in. Took me all day to write up 6 pages. At least I wrote 6 pages. :)

It comes up as they sit at a lesser god’s wedding, sipping ambrosia and observing the happy couple. Zeus looks pleasantly wistful, the wretch that he is; probably thinking of his latest ill-fated fling. Poseidon seems bored. After a while he is pulled off to the side by some of the minor aquatic gods present to mediate a dispute over a current passing through their territories. 

“It reminds me that you haven’t experienced the joys of marriage, brother,” Zeus says suddenly, gesturing vaguely towards the celebration happening. Hades just sits, nursing his ambrosia. A nymph stops with a jug for refills before bowing and continuing on her way through the crowd. He doesn’t bother responding to Zeus: the sky god has never needed a partner to make his way through a conversation, and Hades is not inclined to useless speech he can otherwise avoid. 

Indeed, Zeus goes on, rambling of the wonders of the flesh, of a devoted partner to bring liveliness to the household (here, Hades snorts, imagining Hera’s face as she follows her husband about their temple, shrieking of his many affairs. Lively indeed), having a beauty of your own to raise your spirits. Hades is unruffled by the thought, knowing he has managed so far and hasn’t noticed anyone willing to accompany him yet. The right one will come. Until then, why waste time and energy frightening other maidens? 

Then Zeus enters new territory: “What about one of my daughters?” While Hades is digesting this fresh idea and how many ways it can go wrong (Zeus has so many daughters), he snaps his fingers and adds with a flourish, “Like Kore! She’d bring some, heh, new life to the Underworld, wouldn’t she?”

He seems thrilled by this. Hades, unwilling to incite his wrath by refusing directly, takes a moment to mull it over. It isn’t an issue with Kore herself, or the idea, but rather: she seems happy where she is, standing by her mother shyly, gossiping with the dryads and other nymphs. Demeter also isn’t the type to dump her children in unfavorable situations like Zeus is, so there’d be a wealth of negotiations to get through with her as well. 

“Hm,” he hums thoughtfully. “If Demeter agrees to the idea, I’ll give the girl a tour of the Underworld and hear her thoughts on it. Then we’ll see.” Zeus grins slyly. 

“Don’t worry, brother, I’ll talk to her. This is a wonderful idea, you’ll see!”

Hades leaves soon after, tired after a draining conversation and needing some quiet.

It is some time later that he receives word from Zeus on the topic. He reads it at his table in the dining room of his palace. She has agreed, it says. I will arrange a meeting time for you and Kore. He hums, intrigued, but ultimately leaves the letter open on the table and goes back to his meal in silence. When he’s finished, he orders a room for a woman to be made up, clothing and any other necessities arranged (he leaves this in the hands of a female servant, seeing as he has not had much conversation with his sisters on the topic of their daily needs and doesn’t want to blunder something this small). Kore is a goddess of greenery and growth; he orders the gardens and orchard refreshed, that they might give her some respite from the endless darkness of the Underworld and its walls of stone. Beyond this, he tries not to let it preoccupy his mind, knowing it will either go well or awry and he must simply do his best when the time comes.

Zeus sends another message soon after, in a quicker form this time: she is waiting for him, alone in a field above. The second part of the message hastens him: has she no handmaidens to guard her, to protect her from the grasping eyes of the sun god or his numerous siblings? A young goddess, untested in her own defense, ought not be left by herself in this world. 

He sends her the Underworld’s brightest bloom, to show he’s coming to their meeting. He’s riding his fastest chariot through the cracking of the earth, hoping Zeus warned her he prefers not to stop until he’s reached his destination. She seems somewhat surprised to see him, perhaps she’d expected him to take longer? He grabs her gently, not intending to manhandle her the way he’d feared others doing before he could reach her, and as they pass back through the stone and earthy layers to the Underworld, he finds himself whispering soothing words in her hair. She seems panicked, fearful, but travel of this method (passing through the ground like smoke without substance) wears even on his brothers, much less a goddess so rooted in the surface of the world. It is expected she might be uncomfortable, but the other methods of reaching his kingdom are dangerous and unreliable; this is much safer than the other ways he’d thought of or having her traverse the same path as those of the dead.

It must have been more shocking than he’d thought for her, as when they reach his palace and the yawning cave ceiling of the Underworld opens beneath them, she is unconscious in his arms. He checks her health (simply sleeping off the fright) and hands her gently into the arms of her temporary servants while she resides with him, instructing them to let her rest and provide anything she might require once she wakes. They know she’s here to trial for marriage, and thus they’ll keep her here until Hades can meet with her and discuss the tour, but otherwise he has no intention of denying her anything she might wish for simply the attempt. It’s already more than any other maiden has done.

When she wakes, she is pale and wan, accepting the help of the handmaidens dully. When they lead her to his dining room it is set for breakfast, something light and easy after her rest in case her stomach is still feeling unsettled. She pauses in the doorway at the sight of him, and he glances up at her in mild confusion. He has redressed in something more casual, removed the armor he thought he might need to scare off any treacherous little upstarts taking after her father, and dons only one of his more casual wear. 

“Lord Hades,” she says softly. He nods, attention turning back to the many petitions laid before him, and absentmindedly gestures to her setting at the table, indicating she might help herself to some fruit, thin soup, or freshly squeezed juice. She sits and seems to gather herself for a moment, picking at the seeds from a pomegranate and watching him from beneath her eyelashes like she expects him to leap across the table at her. Surely, as a young lady, she is being appropriately wary of him, especially with such examples as his younger brother gallivanting about. He waves her handmaidens closer for her comfort, just in case she feels bereft of company. He hopes that, if she decides to stay, she might eventually take comfort in his presence rather than fear. 

“Lord Hades,” she says again, stronger this time. He looks up to see she’s put down the pomegranate and is clenching her hand into a fist on the tabletop. “I surely hope you know what will occur now that you have brought me here.”

Odd phrasing, but perhaps she is simply nervous? Of course he has planned an itinerary for her Underworld tour, but he had thought they might converse some first, let her finish what she can of her meal, hear what her mother had thought of the union (he knows Zeus would love to have some kind of leverage over him, but surely Demeter had some misgivings? It strikes him suddenly how odd it was for her to simply agree to this, without coming herself to vet him). Had she no questions for him herself?

“We could commence with the tour now, if my lady so desires. To see the realm you might claim for yourself?” He stands to offer her his arm but she recoils, eyes fluttering shut before she forces them open, and he steps back instead. “Would my lady prefer to continue resting today? I have a lovely set of gardens with plenty of benches and resting couches, the handmaidens could guide you to one of them?” He hadn’t meant to pressure her. Perhaps she simply needs more time, or the strain of being away from her domain had grown too great, worse than she anticipated? There is never an end to the paperwork he must complete, if she needs more time to grow accustomed to his home.

She looks down at the pomegranate on her plate, barely touched, and seems to gird herself once more.

“That would be fine.” 

And so he signals to the handmaidens, and they support her from her chair and gently lead her away, whispering softly to her all the while. 

She has been quiet and ill-seeming for days now. Time is not his strongest suit and the days fly by with little to differentiate them beyond the oddly voluminous piles of paperwork on the dead and their judgments. Eventually, however, she seems not to mind his presence so much and accepts his offer to show her the Underworld in all its quiet, understated beauty. 

They have toured his gardens and orchards, which did seem to revive her a bit. He gave her his solemn word that she’d have free reign of them if she’d like, and she smiled a bit at that. The pomegranate flowers, always blooming, looked lovely in her long hair when he set them there, delighting in the shine in her eyes. She let him hold her arm as they walked through the Fields of Asphodel, laughed aloud in Elysium, and entwined their fingers together as they looked down upon the Fields of Punishment. 

He felt that her eyes, when they looked upon him now, held curiosity and confusion more than fear. He had explained his desires of marriage, of a companion to break the tedium of his days, that she might come and go as she pleased so long as she returned to him, and she had confided her fears of overbearing control to him, of Demeter’s fears for her. He had quietly agreed, telling her of his haste to get to her in the field before another could stumble upon her so undefended.

She had pulled away from him then, looking at him oddly, and demanded to know how he knew she’d been alone when even she hadn’t known. Of course, he’d told her, Zeus arranged our meeting place, did he not? He told me you awaited me there alone. He’d shown her the letter.

He’d seen in her eyes then that Zeus had not told her of their meeting, or asked Demeter for her daughter’s hand in marriage to Hades. She had not known him, when he grabbed her in that field, when he’d dragged her through the earth. He had been unknown and frightening, a thief, every bit the rogue he’d thought himself her protector from.

He collapsed in his chair and she knelt beside him, holding his hand and reassuring him she didn’t hate him now that she knew the truth, and he’d searched her eyes desperately. He was fond of her, her fear now would crush him. Her hatred, her anger, her fearing him to the point of faking love.

That was it, he realized. He loved her. He would do anything to keep her safe, even if that was safety from him.

They sat together for a while, the servants pulling her chair up beside him so they could seat equal as they leaned on each other, thinking. 

“I must speak to Demeter,” he told her softly. “All this time she has not known of your safety. I doubt Zeus explained anything to her if she did not mention it to you. I should have known she’d never agree to the betrothal.” She hummed back.

“Write to her. I will add my own words to yours, to convince her you meant no harm.” 

And so they do. He summons Demeter to the Underworld, tells her he must confess he has done her a great wrong, and begs her forgiveness in advance. Kore adds to it, insisting she is safe and well, that there was a misunderstanding and begging Demeter to be understanding. They send it off with one of the Erinyes and settle in to wait. Hades sends a servant off for the books they’d been reading quietly together the night before and curls his arm around the woman he’d thought might become his wife, unsure now if that will ever come to pass.

Demeter swirls into the Underworld enraged, as Hades knew she would be, and terribly frightened. The servants had informed Hades and Kore of her arrival but she’d moved quickly on their heels and the two haven’t even stood from their chairs or straightened from their mutually-supporting lean before she’s through the dining room’s doorway. Thorny flowers and vines force themselves violently from the ground only to shrivel in the Underworld’s atmosphere. A servant with a broom and shears follows behind the goddess, clearing the path of the dead growth. 

“HADES!” She screams, nails sharpened into claws on her hands as she flies at him. She’s pale, he notices. Her hair is tangled and her eyes have reddened as though she’s been crying. It must be a fair amount for a goddess’ blood vessels to be visibly blemished in such a way. 

Kore steps between them quickly.

“Mother, it was a misunderstanding!” She beseeches. When she glances back at him for help, he shrugs. No matter what he thought was happening, it was a kidnapping of a young woman away from her mother and escorts. Demeter would be right to string him up even after he explains. He shouldn’t have trusted Zeus’ word and simply spoken to her himself. 

Demeter checks her daughter over as he stays sitting, giving her the higher ground. To his surprise, she isn’t so enraged as to ignore Kore’s fine dress, the attendants following her daughter’s every wish and move, the light in Kore’s eyes undimmed, and she sighs deeply and settles in another chair brought by the servants scuttling about. 

“Leave us,” he commands them, not wanting any gossip to escape his home about this and reach Zeus’ ears, and they leave them be. Demeter may be unmarried but with Kore beside her none will whisper that anything untoward is occurring in his dining room. Demeter watches with narrowed eyes as Kore comes to sit beside him again, allowing their hands to brush together and then lock. He breathes deeper with her touch, drawing strength from the idea that she chose to approach, she chose to touch him rather than keep her distance in front of her mother. It speaks well of her willingness to stay by his side. 

“Explain this.” Demeter orders, and while he would normally warn her against such a tone with him, one of the three ruling gods, he grants her this time now to be angry with him.

“I have wronged you, Sister,” he admits. “Zeus misled me. I meant you no pain.” He explains the deceit, how he shouldn’t have trusted his brother around the topic of women (even his own daughter), and due to that and his own natural quiet he simply didn’t realize there was cause for concern. 

She, in turn, tells them of the happenings on the surface. 

“I had thought there more dead than usual,” he exclaims, looking to Kore with realization. She giggles at his expression and he cannot help but smile softly. Demeter watches them with a milder look to her than before. Her eyes are not so narrow or hawk-like as when she arrived wanting to tear his limbs and liver from him. Kore smiles back until she falters suddenly, as though a thought has occurred to her.

“Dearest,” she tells him, “I would like to go back with Mother, to set the mortal world to rights. I don’t want to leave you forever, only until we can settle a system that allows me to spend time with both of you.” She seems worried about his reaction to this.

“My love, I would never keep you from the life you desire.” He raises the knot of their hands together to his lips. “So long as you return to me, you may go as you wish.” 

Demeter interrupts.

“Because of the fuss I made, Zeus is demanding you return Kore to the mortal world. He has bid it forbidden for her to be brought back here for a while yet.” His brother’s plan has backfired, or has it? He has gotten the upper hand he desired over Hades, and now gets to deny him the marriage with his daughter, whom he likely has better prospects planned for. They are quiet together, letting the words sink in, until Kore says:

“Then Kore will not return to the Underworld.” Demeter and Hades turn to her, surprised and hurt. She hastens to explain, “I intend to marry you, Dearest, and cannot remain a maiden if we do so. Thus, ‘Kore’ is no longer a good name for me. I propose that I return to the mortal world with Mother, announce that I have chosen a new name for myself, and claim that I must spend six months above with Mother and six months below ground with you due to our marriage.” She turns to Demeter. “We can rearrange the growing cycle to fit into that time, be together while I sneak visits to Hades every once in a while, and at the end of the six months I will make a big show of returning to the Underworld.”

“What name will you choose?” Demeter asks, considering this plan. Hades has already agreed in his heart, delighting in the cleverness of the woman he would marry.

“Persephone,” she says, and it is a good name. But there is one problem.  “My love,” he murmurs, “Allow me to send a servant with you in the shadows, to defend you in moments of weakness?” She smiles at his suggestion and he crooks a finger, willing one of the servants to wisp into being before them. “You will serve her in the shadows,” he commands it, and it hisses as it bows before them. “When addressing her aboveground,” he adds, feeling a little trickery wind through him, “You may call her Despoina, ‘the mistress’.”

[arts-and-chaos]

A Stranger's Offer - Part 3

Description:

Roxanne Stone, a Magi woman, has never left her hometown of Kore. Feeling trapped and wanting to look for something better than what Kore could offer, she starts to seek a way out.

Oliver Tull comes from the big city of Dorath, having left after his sister's death to become a doctor in the small town of Kore.

As Oliver and Roxanne start dancing along the lines of romance, Oliver needs to go back to Dorath for a family affair. Promising to return, Oliver leaves for Dorath. In his absence, Roxanne is offered an opportunity to leave her small town for an adventure.

A mysterious old man looks to recruit adventures to locate and obtain the Three Objects of Power, Roxanne quickly volunteers and is joined by her lifelong best friend, Azmi, and Oliver's clinic clerk, Petra. When Oliver catches wind of the journey, he comes along for the ride for himself.

The first Object of Power is located, but with it comes some serious family secrets for Roxanne.

Part One

Part Two

Brotherly Conversation - Oliver's POV

Length: 1590 words

With jaw and fist clenched tight, I sucked in a breath and flicked the light switch on. The gaslights bloomed to life, revealing my intruders.

At the small table sat Jackson and Darien. I slowly let out an uneasy breath. My guard wasn't relaxed as I looked over the two of them in my home. They may be some of the politer people in town, but that does not mean they aren't protective brothers. I have treated a few people in my clinic that have gotten into scraps with them.

"How can I help you two?" I said. I set my feet shoulder-width apart and right foot forward. I kept my hands neutral but up, ready to move.

"Relax, Doc." Darien waved his hand. Both of them were easy in posture at the table. Jackson, sitting sideways at the table, had legs kicked out in front of him and hands behind his head. Darien, had his head propped up against his hand and with his limbs spread this way and that.

"I am glad to see that you two have made yourselves comfortable," I attempted to keep my tone light, but my stance not changing.

"Why does no one appreciate dramatic flare anymore?" Jackson turned to Darien, who lazily returned the expression.

"I told you, knocking on the door when he got back would be more effective," Darien shrugged, and Jackson sucked his teeth at him.

"Anyway," Jackson said as they both returned their attention to me. "We just wanted to pay you a visit, returning the kindness you paid Rox by walking her home."

"Oh?" I said I felt almost all my muscles tense.

"Pull up a seat, Doc." Jackson invited me to the table. Darien looked around the room for a moment, finding an unattended chair. He curled in his fingers in a beckoning motion and the chair squeaked across the wooden floor as it dragged itself to the table.

"Sorry about the floors," Darien apologized as he dusted the seat and then invited me to it.

The two stared at me as I slowly made my way to the table. When I sat with them, we were almost elbow to elbow. Jackson gathered the paperwork sprawled across the table and stacked it on the side flush with the wall.

"Doc, you need a better system," Jackson said as he patted the stack of papers that bounced in response.

"I don't believe this visit was out of the kindness of your hearts ?" I said, trying to bring Jackson back to why he was sitting, uninvited, at my table at almost one in the morning.

"Would you believe that it is?" Darien smiled, he seemed slower than he normally is, relaxed and at ease. Darien, though, was never the brother I was very concerned about, he was almost always a gentleman and a scholar.

With a furrowed brow, I looked at Darien, his green eyes staring at me through his lashes. I felt my face drop into a stern look.

"What he means is, we wanted to talk to you about Rox," Jackson chimed in, his face a bit flushed from drinking tonight, his blond hair was freshly pushed back from his face and his brown eyes were just as relaxed as Darien's.

"What about Anne?" I said

"Anne?" Jackson perked up, "Did you hear that D? Anne?" Jackson laughed. I wasn't sure if this was a good or bad thing just yet.

"When did she make that change?" Darien asked his expression was softened even more so with a half-smile.

"Just now, when I walked her home," I admitted and both of them nodded.

"Well the thing about Anne, is that she falls too easily. The kicker is, she has been burned many times," Jackson's tone got serious, "We just wanted to let you know that you probably did nothing wrong if she backs off for a bit."

"What?" My forehead wrinkled a little from Jackson's comment.

"It's true," Darien nodded. "She tends to be a little... hot and cold. We have been rooting for you for some time now, but we worry that Roxanne may get up in her head about it."

"Rooting for me? I didn't realize I was a horse in this race," I laughed stiffly.

"Of course, we have been," Jackson smacked his knuckles on the table as he spoke with his hands, "You and Anne get along well, you get along with our family well, and most importantly you have never given her the reminder that she is different."

I didn't say a word.

"Anne has dated here and there in town, and most of the men, and some of the women frankly, that she has seen have either been fascinated with her, or our, power, the shop, or simply wanted her to become a housewife."

The thought of Roxanne with an apron on running about a home with a feather duster crossed my mind. I laughed wholeheartedly at the idea. Jackson and Darien have me a moment to gather myself, and I apologized as I took a breath.

"Most Magi women are seen as marvels and coveted diamonds. Magi men are seen as stoic and not to be trifled with. Magi don't tend to go towards outside interests due to how we are usually treated," Darien rambled,

"Here in Kore that isn't much of an option," I clicked together.

"Exactly," Jackson nodded, "If Anne kept in 'common convention' that would mean her options are limited to two."

"Azmi and the Count's Magi," I said as I remembered Azmi tonight. He had been gentle with Roxanne but a bit possessive. He was polite with me, though I would say his expressions would be reserved for entitled customers.

"Azmi is one of our own, but he is an interesting character in his own right but she has felt a sense of.... unspoken loyalty?" Jackson looked to Darien who nodded in response, "to him. They grew up together, it's the cliche that we all know."

"Then there is Kahlkeeriz," Darien wrinkled his nose at the Magi in the Count's court.

"Hard pass," Jackson ran his hand over his face.

I have not met Kahlkeeriz, or at least not that I remember, but I have heard the rumors - Long brown hair that was kept in a loose braid that was clasped in silver bands. His arrogance exceeded his height, and his long face was almost always scowling. I have no idea how accurate any of this description is, but it never sounded like I was missing much.

"So, essentially, we wanted to let you know that we are on your side, but everything is going to be up to Anne now. Most likely she is going to be freaking out tomorrow if she isn't tonight." Jackson said.

I thought back to how I left her, she was flustered and she ran back into the shop so quickly the bell almost didn't ring.

"Is there anything I can do?" I asked, my hands clasped together on the table now.

"Give her some time, maybe some space," Jackson listed.

"Don't overwhelm her right away," Darien added.

"Maybe come by the shop for a minute or two tomorrow, don't ask for her directly, just make your presence known,"

"Or maybe come the day after?"

"no gifts"

"don't be offended if she doesn't see you, or if she takes off when you visit,"

The two of them were ping-ponging their advice off of each other. Their tones were lowering, obvious exhaustion in their faces. Darien's love-struck expression had faded to attempted concentration as he was participating in the conversation. He had bobbed his head a couple of times while at the table, and Jackson was also starting to fade some.

I let out a big yawn I had been trying to hold in, my eyes watered with the exhalation. Darien and Jackson also followed suit.

"Jack, I think it is time," Darien said as he stood up and stretched.

"Yeah," Jackson stood up as well in response, "We hope to see you around again, Oliver." Jackson gave a firm pat on my back and the two of them saw themselves out.

I relaxed in the chair, and a thought crossed my mind. "WAIT!" I yelled, I turned and the two had reached the stairs. They looked back at me.

"What magic trick did you two do to even get in here? The door was locked," I asked. I could imagine them seeping through a wall or scaling the side like geckos, but I needed to know what they did for this kind of invasion of privacy.

"D was going to pick the deadbolt, but you left the window downstairs unlocked," Jackson said and the two of them continued to leave.

I smacked my hand against my face and dragged it across my skin as I groaned a little. I left the third chair at the table and walked to the single bedroom.

It was small, with a double bed in the middle of the room. I took off my shirt the rest of the way and flopped face down into bed. I lay there for a moment, my thoughts started running over the conversation with Jackson and Darien. Then my mind slipped back into the memory of tonight: watching Roxanne glide across the dance floor and following after her. Her green eyes glittered in the lights.

Next, my mind shifted to the feel of her pressed up against me as she was pinned against the wall. The warmth, the curves, the way her legs squeezed.

"Oh no you don't," I muttered to myself as I wormed my way under the covers and tossed myself to the side.

Before I fell asleep, my mind kept drifting back to her and the way she felt. I couldn't shake it, I wanted to recreate it, I wanted more.

[yukidragon]

I love RPGs and otome games so much! Will you make an Undertale and Deltarune comic book series based on these games? Can you draw Sunny Day Jack's own psyche (inner world) from the deepest depths of his mind?

Well, I haven't made a comic series, but I did create the art and half the writing on this ask blog for Undertale called @risenchild. Sorry to say that it's on hiatus and will remain so for the foreseeable future.

As for Jack's drawing Jack's psyche... that's pretty tricky. If we're talking about an artistic medium, then making representations of what's going on in his head are pretty subjective.

Personally, I think, given how warped Jack's sense of identity is, it might look a lot like a studio set, distorted like an old VHS recording and with static along the edges of that world. The sunny world of the SunnyTime Crew Show would be overtop things that represent Joseph and his world. Pieces of Cloudy Town and the other cast members, kids in the audience, childish crayon drawings for more distant backdrops or on walls.

Underneath the child-friendly brightly colored paints would be more messed up visuals, especially influenced by his death. Jacktor's death was clearly a very traumatic one, and the fact that Jack has convinced himself that he is the character means that there are a lot of negative associations with Joseph Cullman/[Redacted] Haberdae. I imagine once peeling back the candy coated shell, there will be some truly horrifying things underneath.

I could try to take a crack at drawing this. I mean, it's not the first time I've drawn a warped character's twisted mindscape, but sadly I'm not sure when I'll be up for drawing again. I hope this description I painted with my words will be a good enough substitute.

@channydraws @earthgirlaesthetic @sai-of-the-7-stars @cheriihoney @illary-kore @okamiliqueur