#like seriously though thomas the dragon loves her

[greyias]

I'm sorry Gale, but I think Ari might have just found her soulmate in this red dragonborn music shopkeep:

For the first time in the entire game, she is allowed to geek out over music for literal hours (it's fine, it's fine, it's not like we were in the midst of trying to rescue a beloved companion who'd been kidnapped by a murderous cult).

I'm pretty sure Astarion is ready to start chewing on the expensive and rare instruments by the time hours later the two melophiles stop jabbering about the intricacies of worg hair and its vibrational qualities. On the plus side, now that Ari and Thomas C Quirkilious are basically besties for life, he gave her the friends and family discount on the Faerun equivalent of Stradivarius he has behind the counter:

What do you think? Does she need the canonical MUSICAL BANK HEIST fiddle?:

[cairavende]

Worm Arc 16 second half thoughts (after Defiant interlude, 16.7 to end):

I'm very glad I split this arc where I did cause WHAT THE FUCK

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!

WHAT THE FUCK WHAT THE FUCK WHAT THE FUCK

Tattletale . . . the entire time . . . in secret!

And Coil's whole crazy plan at the town hall debate!

And and and Rachel held Taylor's hand and it was gay BUT IT WAS SAD GAY!

AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And the bug box (I'm sorry, "The Famine Engine") what the fuck

And Taylor was shot and almost lit on fire and she become a fucking terror demon scary bug monster and got away from all the people and set off some grenades and and

passes out

...

ALSO MY DAUGHTER KILLED COIL! SHOT HIM RIGHT IN THE HEAD!

Taylor sees her dad and argues with his friends a little and realizes that things aren't as clear as she thought they were maybe but whatever I just want to get to know Lacey better. For reasons.

I knew something would happen at the town hall. Once Dragon was taken care of I figured it would be Coil but I wasn't sure what he would do and I didn't expect this. I thought he would mostly be trying to take out Skitter or something.

Happy to see Uber and Leet again, even if they are working for the asshole. They are fun.

Getting more info on Leet's power and I'm even more fascinated then I was before. He couldn't make the teleporter work if it was putting the target into instant danger, like a bomb or a vat of acid. Wild. I wanna know more.

ALSO COIL LEGIT CONSIDERED DROPPING SKITTER INTO A VAT OF ACID!

He really did go full supervillain right at the end. Monologuing, using cheesy lines, stopping the execution of his enemies when one of them yells "Wait!" and letting them talk. Crazy elaborate plans. Good for him I guess.

The Wards new "teleport without swapping matter" tech is quite fancy and it can apparently do a heck of a lot of people at once! Which I could see becoming a big deal. I had initially assumed it was Kid Win who made it (since he did the same with is guns before) but with how stuff has bounced around I'm legit not sure.

OH AND I KNEW I LOVED CIRCUS FOR A REASON, WHAT A WONDERFUL LITTLE GENDERQUEER! THEY GET A PASS FOR STABBING SOME PEOPLE CAUSE THEY DESERVE TO GET TO STAB A FEW PEOPLE.

I had fully called Coil being Thomas Calvert by now, so that itself wasn't a surprise. But I hadn't expected Thomas to have gotten back to working with the PRT. Makes sense if he can make it work, that is a wonderful source of power.

Too bad Tattletale pulled the fucking rug out from under you Thomas!

Taylor leaving her dad at the hospital without stopping to see him is unfortunate I guess, but not really unexpected. I've kinda given up on their relationship getting repaired. Besides who needs Danny when shes got me!?

Oh and I guess Taylor can't really see now. Cool. I'm sure that will just get better right away with no issues! /s

I mean it isn't really a huge deal for her vs most people. But still.

OH AND SKITTER'S DEAL WITH COIL WHEN HE WAS GOING TO KILL THEM ALL INCLUDED "Ta

Oh and Skitter's deal with Coil to turn off the dead man's switch included "Take care of Bitch's dogs!" GAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!

And "Tattletale gets to live!" like ya ok sure it was all so she could get Tattletale here and such I get that but whatever, it is also GAY! GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY!!!!!!!!!!

But for real Tats has been coming in with the fucking long con OH MY GOD. I legit didn't see it coming. Coil losing this arc? Sure, maybe not likely but possible. Coil dying? Again, was surprising but not shocking. But Tattletale having payed off have the mercs in a carefully planned coup in the works since Arc 3 at a minimum? Blindsided me. Just hit by a bus. HOLY SHIT!!!

Fake Skitter shot Bitch!!!! AHHHHH!!! But she was ok. And the speed of her accepting that real Skitter didn't do it and not staying mad at her!!!! GAAAAAAAAAAAY!!!

Seriously though Skitter breaking out of the house she was teleported into and getting past all those troops? God. Using the swarm speech for physiological warfare? Chef's kiss

I wonder how Cauldron is feeling with Coil dead? I don't know exactly what they needed him for but he sure ain't doing it now.

And Dinah at the end!! Just me sobbing.

I'm sure the whole thing with Noelle (or should I use my cape name for her when she's on a rampage - Traveler in a Vault, or TiaV) will just blow over and won't be a bigger deal than arc 8 in the end. Everything is fine.

Marquis interlude thoughts:

TINY PRISON! I love tiny prison.

Look I'm sorry I don't make the rules but Marquis and Lung are totally gay for each other. They are both terrible people. I don't ship them because I want to, I ship them because there is no other option. I do what I have to do.

Glaistig Uaine is my new favorite. She is terrifying and I love her. Forget Bonesaw's passangers or Coil's agents, they're called head fairies now.

I'm sure Amy and Glaistig Uaine working together in the future won't be bad at all.

[secretkittywolf]

Zexal headcannons that appeared out of nowhere. (There's a lot btw)

Cathy and Shark bite people. Cathy mainly nibbles or nips you, whilst Shark will full on bite you. The Numbers Club are covered in nips from Cathy and bite marks from Shark. Cathy tends to nip Tori a lot on her arms and occasionally Rio too. Shark will just bite Yuma a lot and Rio to annoy her. Cathy only bites if she's in a bad mood (Yuma witnessed it firsthand) also Shark loves to bite shoulders. He sees a shoulder (mostly Yuma's) goes up behind them and bites.

The only people that Shark will ask to bite is Tori and Trey. Tori because he once bit her and drew blood which made him feel bad (he'll never admit to that tho) and Trey, mostly cause he's sweet and he doesn't want to hurt him (he will deny that too!) despite Trey telling him its fine.

Shark goes feral from time to time. He tends to growl and chomp people, but the worst he's ever done was to Vector, where he bit his arm hard, that he tore the flesh and didn't let go. Despite Vector wildling shaking his arm.

Yuma and Shark like to climb tall people (Flip would be included, but cause I don't really like him much, he doesn't get climbing people privelages) Yuma mostly climbs either Kite or Nistro whilst Shark climbs Chris and Thomas. Shark always kicks Thomas in the shins before climbing him, just to piss him off.

Yuma also likes to climb on Astral. He'll never forget the day when he climbed Astral, back when his friends couldn't see him, and they freaked out on how Yuma was floating. The only person Yuma never climbs is his sister because he accidentally kicked her and she flung him off her back.

Shark files his canines. He started when he first got the nickname "Shark" and still does to this day.

Astral collects shiny objects. Anything that shimmers and sparkles, Astral will pick up. There's a pile of shiny things in the Emperor's key where Astral keeps his treasures. It definately has gotten larger when he got a more solid form since he got Yuma to collect them in the past.

Mizar makes bird noises. Everytime a bird chirps or tweets, Mizar does it back. His favourite bird is the canary and one time, he squawked after Vector scared him and is not allowed to live that down.

Alito & Girag are bronies. They discovered the show whilst flicking through channels at the BARian and fell in love. They both cried like babies when the show ended. Alito's favourite pony is Rainbow Dash and Girag's is Fluttershy.

Dumon curses people in Latin. Not "fuck you!" or "You asshole!" in Latin, I mean actually CURSING people. He only does it if he's extremely pissed off and Alito once got cursed by Dumon, he had the aboslute worst day ever and nearly died on 5 separate occasions.

The Tenjo brothers have one secret: Kite doesn't read Hart bedtime stories, Hart reads them to Kite. Ever since Hart got sick and Kite dying on the moon, the older Tenjo brother has nightmares, so Hart reads to him every night before bed.

Ever since "Sharks" by Imagine Dragons came out, Shark became obsessed and Rio is already sick of it.

Despite being the biggest klutz, Yuma is a pretty good baker. He learnt from his grandma Haru, and tends to bake for his friends and when he stressed, since it's the only thing that calms him down. The whole kitchen became a bakery once the Barians started attacking and even more so when he lost Astral.

Even though he's seen as the sweetest Arclight sibling, Trey loves to wear leather and is a heavy metal fan. The only one who knows of his secret is Shark.

Rio hates flowers, especially being gifted them because of her allergies. Due to her being popular, she's had many guys confess their love to her, shoving flowers in her face and it makes her furious and sneeze a lot. She now carries around a pair of scissors so if someone gifts her flowers, she can cut them.

Quattro is a botanist. He found various books on plant life and decided to learn everything about them. He takes it very seriously (a shock to the rest of the family) and if being a World Duelist fails, he plans on taking his studies further.

Dextra gives up dueling full-time to be a Lepidopterist (someone who studies butterflies and moths). It was a shock but Kite, Nistro and Hart fully support her and do whatever they can to help her out with her career change. She still duels, but it's sparingly due to her new career.

Quattro & Dextra are besties. It was the biggest shock but there was a reason behind it. Dextra was at the library, looking for books on butterfly anatomy and bumped into Quattro as he was looking for more books on plants. The two became fast friends after Quattro helped Dextra out with some of her research. They both are planning on opening a butterfly sanctuary where Dextra can let the people of Heartland City know about various butterfly species and Quattro on the various plant life. Quattro will continue on entering tournaments to provide some of the funding for their project.

Nistro owns a café. He opened it once Mr. Heartland left since he is a big fan of cosy cafe's (he'll deny it but Dextra has seen his browser history)

Shark has an alter ego: Yumi. Yes, he loves to crossdress. He wears a pink wig, green contacts and has a hidden box full of girl clothes. He's even trained his voice to sound like a girl. The Numbers Club have met "Yumi" but are stupidly oblivious to not realise that Shark hasn't met her face to face but Rio is suspicious tho.

Bit of a dark one but Shark hates the cold. Mostly because when he was looking after Rio, he got snowed in their house alone since Rio was visiting Tori and he nearly died because the power went out if Yuma didn't show up for a random visit. Because of this, every winter, he never steps foot outside and makes sure he has everything he needs in case something like that happens again. (Heated blankets, candles, hot water bottles etc.)

(There will be more added so do keep an eye on this because it will be expanded whenever a headcannon forms)

[forthegothicheroine]

Horror novel recommendations

@allthestoriescantbelies​ asked for horror novel recommendations, so I thought I’d throw one together to post on the blog! Largely focused on non-gothic stuff since I’ve already made a gothic lit list over here.

As a general warning, all horror books listed here will have potentially triggering material. If you want more specific trigger warnings, you can ask me or see if people have listed them on goodreads or storygraph.

My Best Friend’s Exorcism by Grady Hendrix: I know you’ve read this, but I’m putting it on the list because it is one of the scariest books I’ve ever read, about a teenage girl in trouble and the only other girl willing to help her. I’m told the movie makes it much more straightforwardly comic rather than horror-with-jokes, which disappoints me. I’m a big fan of Hendrix in general, though I know you (and plenty of others!) find him hit-or-miss.

Red Dragon by Thomas Harris: Another one I believe you’ve read, but for reference, it’s the best serial killer thriller I’ve ever read. Francis Dolarhyde is a much more interesting character than Hannibal Lecter, I will die on this hill.

We Will All Go Down Together by Gemma Files: Centuries ago, the Five Family Coven made a deal with the Fairy Queen, and their descendants have been doomed ever since. I could have just as easily recommended Files’ book Experimental Film- if you like one, read the other as well.

The Drowning Girl by Caitlin R. Kiernan: A schizophrenic woman has two different memories of her ex-girlfriend and the horror that followed her- was she a werewolf, a mermaid, or were both memories wrong? This is Kiernan at her most heartfelt and most accessible; if you like this and want to try her grosser stuff, read The Very Best of Caitlin R. Kiernan.

House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski: A haunted house in a haunted film in a haunted memoir, written in a work of visual art. I won’t blame anyone who bounces off this, but give it a try!

Carrie by Stephen King: If you’re only going to read one Stephen King, make it either Carrie or Misery. I don’t feel like any film adaptations have captured all the aspects of this tragedy about a girl who deserved a better life and the town who didn’t save her while there was still a chance, including the epistolary format.

Rolling in the Deep by Mira Grant: This novella was followed up by Into the Drowning Deep, but I found Rolling in the Deep much scarier. It’s brisk and high-tension to watch a semi-fake documentary team put together, piece by piece, just what the monsters are that pursue them.

Dark Harvest by Norman Partridge: The Great Pumpkin, but scary! Seriously, though, if you are willing to accept the concept of a boy with a pumpkin head and a knife and a yearly child sacrifice, this is short and a lot of fun.

The Only Good Indians by Stephen Graham Jones: Just an elk killed when some kids were blowing off steam. Just an elk damning the rest of their lives. (Jones’s My Heart is a Chainsaw was too sad for me to recommend as a favorite, but I am curious about the sequel.)

The Wolfen by Whitley Striber: I wanted to include a good werewolf novel on this list, and The Wolfen wins by far for interesting creature design. (The runner up was The Last Werewolf by Glen Duncan.)

The Auctioneer by Joan Samson: A very atypical entry on this list, closer to Twin Peaks than your average thriller. A rural town is turned into a capitalist police state when a slick salesman comes to see what they’ll allow him to do. It turns out, it’s a lot.

The Drive-In by Joe R. Lansdale: The only “splatterpunk” I’ve ever loved, this is an absurdist nightmare about a southern drive-in crowd who get stuck in a world with only the movie screens and each other, turning into literal and figurative monsters. Usually published with the sequel, since both are short, though I didn’t like the latter as much. If you like it, read one of Lansdale’s short story collections.

As always, reblog with suggestions of your own!

[luckyduckydyke]

The Seer: Part 1

Hey, guys! This is my Storytime Big Bang 2023 (@tss-storytime) submission! It was a lot of hard work and fun to get this done, and I'm really super proud of it! Mind the tags, stay safe, and enjoy! I was partnered with @creative-lampd-liberties, an amazing artist, for this event. You can find the art they made here. They also made the cover below!!! I'm putting this fic on Tumblr (even though I hate posting fics here -_-) because I have it set to registered users only on AO3 to help avoid bot AI scraping. That said, here's the AO3 link for those who are registered users on AO3:

[AO3 Link]

Summary: After spending most of his teenage years pretending to be something he’s not (a girl), then spending his adult life so far pretending to be something else he’s not (a clairvoyant), Janus is caught off-guard when he is granted real powers. He is the seer that predicts the downfall of the kingdom, as well as the potential salvation. The problem? The kingdom’s hero is Roman, Janus’s best friend’s brother, who… dislikes Janus. A lot. Now Janus is stuck going on a quest to destroy the source of The Dragon Witch’s power with a ragtag band of adventurers, and he has the unfortunate task of making sure they all survive. The forest is dangerous. So is their enemy. Janus hopes his friends are even more formidable.

Rating: T

Word Count: 26,268

Ships: Janus/Roman, Remus/Patton, Logan/Virgil, Thomas/Remy, Prince/Anxiety (shorts), Dad/Teacher (shorts)

Content Warnings: fire, description of burnt bodies, description of corpses, minor character death, animal death, parent death, sibling death, blood, assault, description of being burned, main character disowned by parents, mortal peril, kidnapping, injuries, transphobia, alcohol use, deadnaming, swearing

[Fic under readmore]

Prologue

Logan took his job very seriously. Being the prince’s manservant on top of being co-leader of the servants was a monumental task, but it was also a monumental honor. Of course, it was hard to feel honored when he was in the middle of taking the prince’s now-dry laundry back to his room so he could hang it up in the wardrobe. One basket on his head and the other on his hip with a hand on each one, Logan balanced the large burden carefully. He was passing one of the guest bedrooms, of which the door was cracked open, when he heard voices. He wasn’t sure who was in that room. Guests were more Remy’s department, because Remy could be charming when he wanted to be. That wasn’t Logan’s department either. 

He slowed, drifting closer to the door to listen. 

“...illing him won’t be easy,” said a male voice.

“Please, with me on your side, we’ll have no issues. It’s the chaos after that we must worry about.” This voice was female. It was smooth and sweet, the definition of comforting.

“Still, we must be careful that no one guesses what we’re up to. We’d have to act fast to prevent anyone from stopping us.” Logan recognized that voice. It was Prince Eschive, the king’s brother. That couldn’t be right, though. He wouldn’t be conspiring like this, surely.

“You’re right, of course, Dear One. Caution is of the utmost importance,” said the female voice. 

Logan peeked through the crack in the door. He could see the woman, now, and was fairly certain that it was Duchess Adalinda Draco. She was visiting the palace because she was a childhood playmate of the queen. This didn’t make any sense.

“I’m glad we’re agreed, Darling,” said Eschive. “And when we kill my brother and his family, you shall make a lovely queen.”

Logan’s eyes widened. They wanted to kill King Marceau, along with his entire family. But that couldn’t be right.

Adalinda grinned and leaned in toward Eschive. “And you shall be a powerful, respected king.” She placed her hands on his shoulders and kissed him. Logan’s eyes were drawn to her shadow. It shifted against the wall, forming unfamiliar shapes. It took Logan a few beats to figure out what he was seeing. Then the shape came together in his head. Horns. A tail. Wings. Very draconic, indeed. He gasped.

Adalinda pulled away from Eschive. “Did you hear something?”

Eschive nodded, face darkening, and Logan took that as his cue to leave. He rushed the rest of the way to the corner and turned it quickly, then ducked into a servants’ kitchenette. He waited there, his heart pounding in his ears.

After a few minutes, when he realized they weren’t going to come after him, he left the small room and headed towards Prince Virgil’s room again. No one would believe him with his word against Prince Eschive’s. He’d have to take this into his own hands.

1: The Conman

Janus leaned forward, placing his chin on his folded hands with his elbows on the table. “Tell me, Ms. Fortuna, what can I do to help you?” He looked her over. Salt crusted her hair at the tips, her lips were dry, and she had a spyglass tucked into a loop in her belt. A sailor, then. Judging by the spyglass, probably a captain. Her clothes were fine, too, so probably a merchant, especially when considered with the lack of scars. A pirate would have more scars, and any other kind of ship’s captain would have plainer clothes. “Business, or personal?” he asked.

“Business,” the woman across from him answered in a deep, sonorous voice. “A friend recommended I come here, because I’m worried if I call my fleet back from Hertland they’ll be lost to the storms. Can you tell me whether to wait or to call them back?”

Janus was surprised. If she was, herself, a sailor, she should know that there was a fleet of pirates going up the coast of Hertland, probably toward her ships. He hummed and made his usual show of looking into his crystal ball. His brow furrowed. Then he looked up suddenly. “If you don’t call them back now, they will be taken by pirates. Do they have a mirror you can use to speak to them?” 

Ms. Fortuna nodded quickly. “I must go tell them. Thank you so much, Janus.” She reached into her satchel and pulled out a bag about the size of a cantaloupe. When she set it down onto the table, the action was accompanied by the sound of clinking coins. “You’ve done me an invaluable service.”

“Of course, Ms. Fortuna. I wish you good fortune,” he said, smiling at her. 

As soon as the front door closed behind her, his smile grew into a grin and he chuckled. He snatched up the bag she’d left him in one hand, his cane in the other, and made his way back to his bedroom.

The room was small, with a comfortable bed, a bookshelf, a wardrobe, and a locked chest all crammed into what little space there was. He went to the chest and knelt to unlock it with the key on a leather strap around his neck. He carefully set his cane on the ground next to him. He grabbed his coin purse, emptied a bit of the bag of coins into it, then locked the bag in the chest. The coin purse got attached to his belt. He left his shop-and-home, locking the door behind himself.

-

“To suckers!” Remus exclaimed, raising his glass. It was the third of the night, half empty, and Remus’s cheeks were red.

Janus laughed and tapped his glass, still his first, against Remus’s. “To suckers,” he responded, though his smile was fading a bit. 

Remus raised an eyebrow. “What’s wrong, sourface?”

Janus shook his head. “It’s nothing. Everything’s perfect.”

“Liar,” Remus accused, pointing at Janus. “Something’s bothering you.”

Janus huffed. “I didn’t lie. Everything is perfect, and that’s what’s bothering me.”

Remus tilted his head, considering that statement for a moment. “What, are you bored?”

“Yes, Remus,” Janus said, voice full of frustration. “Everything’s too easy. It’s both unsettling and incredibly boring.”

“Excuse me,” said someone behind them. 

Janus jumped, and they both turned in their seats. The person standing behind them was mostly obscured by a deep midnight blue hooded cloak. 

“I couldn’t help but overhear that you’re bored. What do you do for work?” the person asked.

Janus narrowed his eyes suspiciously, but nonetheless answered, “I’m a fortune teller.”

The person sounded like they were grinning, but it was hard to see in the shadows obscuring their face, as they said, “I think I can give you a challenge.” They pulled a hand mirror from their cloak, revealing that their skin was extremely pale. After placing the hand mirror, set against a simple bronze back with a handle, on the bar, leaning between Janus and Remus, they turned on their heel, then they were gone.

“Well, that was weird and creepy,” Remus said, turning back to Janus.

Janus was staring at the mirror. “Yeah.” He shook his head and looked up at Remus. “Well, nothing left to do but keep drinking,” he said with a smile.

-

Janus awoke with a groan. His head was pounding. He dragged himself from his bed, still wearing his clothes from the night from before. He needed to splash water on his face before anything else. At least he’d gone to the well twice the day before. As he padded towards his basin, leaning more heavily on his cane in the sleepiness of the morning, he suddenly froze. 

He stood in the street outside his shop, looking up at the palace. It was on fire, burning bright and hot. People were screaming and crying. There was a sound, the loudest cracking that Janus had ever heard, then the tallest tower of the palace began to fall, right towards Janus. He covered his head.

He was back in his room, the brightness and heat gone. He breathed heavily, looking around in confusion. His hands shook. He looked back toward the bed. There on the blanket lay the mirror, in all its plainness. He’d been looking into it before he fell asleep, noting the odd feeling it gave him. Like a sense of impending doom. 

With nothing else to do, he dismissed what he’d seen, felt, and heard as a waking dream and continued his morning routine. 

His hands shook for hours. 

2: The Duke's Sons

Janus didn’t know why he’d agreed to go to the palace. He hadn’t been back since everything changed. But Remus had requested he accompany them. When the group stopped at his shop, he greeted Duke Erex politely, then Roman Erex, this time his voice dripping with sarcasm. Roman glared at him. He made his way to the back of the group to stand next to Remus and Patton.

“Hi, Jan!” Patton greeted him excitedly. 

Janus couldn’t help but smile back at Patton. Patton could almost always improve his mood. “Hello, Patton. Remus, how are you?” 

Remus glared at him in a way that was quite reminiscent of his brother. “It’s not fair, you always recover from drinking quicker than me,” he grumbled.

Patton cupped a hand around his mouth and stage-whispered, “He’s been grumpy all morning.” 

Janus grinned. “Well, that can only be expected from someone who’s hungover as fuck.”

“Fuck you,” Remus grumbled.

By the time they were near to the palace, Remus was feeling much better. The fresh air had revitalized him. Still he was complaining, just more energetically. “I hate going to the palace,” he groaned. “It’s so stuffy.” 

“Can you shut up?” Roman hissed from just in front of them.

“Can you?” Janus shot back.

Roman shot him a glare. “At least I’m not going to the palace in commoner’s clothing,” he sniffed.

Janus grit his teeth. “At least I’m not a stuck-up bitch,” he replied. 

Roman whirled around, stopping Janus, Patton, and Remus in their tracks.

“Guys, pl-” Patton tried.

“No, you’re not. But you know what you are, Janus?” Roman asked. 

“What?” Janus challenged.

“Dumbasses!” Remus exclaimed, trying to pull their attention to him.

“You’re a fraud. You pretend to be so confident, but you know that, deep down, you’re just faking it. You pretend all the time,” Roman accused. He turned and began to jog to catch up with his father and the bodyguard.

Janus stood, frozen, mouth slightly open.

“Jan…?” Patton asked gently. 

Janus snapped from his stupor, set his jaw, and squared his shoulders. “Let’s go.” He began to walk quickly, trying to catch up. His short legs did not help. Patton was in the same boat, but Remus kept up with the two of them effortlessly. Damn his height and long legs.

Still, they did catch up, right as the group arrived at the palace gates. Janus glared angrily at the back of Roman’s head, imagining that his eyes were burning holes into him. Roman ignored him. 

The palace corridors were cold, and they echoed. Janus had always disliked that. It drew attention to him when the sound of his cane against the floor was amplified so loudly.

Patton grabbed Remus’s hand, then held his other hand out to Janus. Janus took it gratefully. His heart flooded with gratitude for his friends. He genuinely didn’t know what he’d do without them. 

They had to let go of each other, though, when they reached the parlor where they were to meet Prince Eschive. Janus had always disliked Eschive. He reminded him of a weasel. A servant, tall and graceful, with spectacles perched upon his round nose, opened the door for them, and Duke Erex led the way into the room.

The duke and his sons, as well as Patton, sat down in the chairs provided for them when the servant gestured to them. Janus stood against the wall behind Remus and Patton, and the bodyguard stood against the wall on the other side of the door. The servant glanced at Janus’s cane and gave him an apologetic look, presumably for not having a chair for him. Janus shrugged one shoulder and smiled at him.

The tall servant poured them all tea, including Janus and the bodyguard, and even offered them all sugar. Janus always took his tea black, unless it was herbal, then he would add honey.

They waited for a few minutes, sipping their tea before Eschive finally entered the room. The duke, his sons, and Patton stood to greet him, bowing and then shaking hands with him. The prince seemed to revel in the attention and respect. 

“I apologize for my lateness,” Eschive said. “I was caught up in another matter.”

Janus noticed the tall servant making a concerned… or worried face at that.

“Of course, Your Highness, we do not mind,” said Duke Erex. He turned and gestured to Patton. “I do not believe you have met my son Remus’s husband, Patton.” His expression dripped with disdain, and Janus’s blood boiled. He saw Remus clench his teeth.

“I have not,” said Eschive. 

“A pleasure,” said Patton.

“The pleasure is mine,” said Eschive with a crooked smile. A shiver went down Janus’s spine, and Patton looked like he felt much the same.

They all sat, Eschive across from the duke, and began to discuss as the servant poured Eschive some tea as well.

“Tell me, Achille, the state of your land. How is the crop this year?” Eschive asked.

The duke nodded and began his spiel on how well the crop was coming in, and how the cows were producing well, and the weavers were working hard on the wool he’d imported from Hertland. 

Roman interjected occasionally, as he had been put in charge of managing the numbers for the sales of their textiles.

Remus, for once, sat silently.

There was a knock at the door. Eschive looked up, then motioned for the tall servant to open the door. Outside the door stood a beautiful woman and a servant. The woman was of average height, with pale skin and a perfect figure. Her curly hair, which went down to her waist and had two braids in the front tied together at the back of her head, was a striking fiery red. The servant was short and skinny, with perfect, swooping dark hair, and tinted glasses covering his eyes.

Eschive grinned, his eyes almost glazed over. “Duchess Draco! Come, join us.” He stood, so Duke Erex, his sons, and Patton stood as well. The duchess walked over to Eschive, and Eschive took her hand, then leaned down to kiss it. He let go in a way that seemed almost reluctant, then turned to Duke Erex. “Achille, this is Duchess Adalinda Draco. She is visiting from the province of Noerel.” He turned to the duchess. “Adalinda, this is Duke Achille Erex and his sons, Roman and Remus.” He gestured to each man as he spoke. The short servant slipped out.

The duke also took Adalinda’s hand and kissed it. “Wonderful to meet you, Your Grace.”

“Likewise, Your Grace,” said Adalinda. She turned, and her eyes caught Janus’s.

Janus dropped his cup, freezing up. It shattered. On her head were curling black horns. Behind her back, blood-red wings and a matching tail.

He was in the street outside his shop again. The heat and light were so intense. Smoke burned his lungs. A shadow fell over him, and he looked up. A dragon flew overhead, towards the palace, and began to breathe fire to add to the flames. Again, the tower cracked and began to fall toward him. 

Then he was back, the cool air of the palace washing over his skin. He leaned heavily on his cane, his legs feeling weak. Patton and Remus hovered by him worriedly, and the servant was knelt by his feet to clean up the glass. Thankfully, the teacup had been empty. “I’m sorry,” he choked out. 

Adalinda was looking at him with concern. Roman was looking at him with disdain.

“Let’s go outside,” Patton murmured. “Excuse us, Your Highness,” he said louder. 

“Of course,” said Eschive, waving them away.

Patton escorted Janus out of the room, Remus following behind them. 

“What happened?” Remus asked worriedly. 

“I… just felt faint,” Janus answered. “I’m fine now, really.”

Patton didn’t look convinced, nor did Remus, but he knew Janus well enough to take that as a cue to drop it. 

“I have to go back inside,” Remus said. “Are either of you coming?” Janus shook his head. He couldn’t go back in there with that woman. 

“I’ll stay with Janus,” Patton said. 

“No,” said Janus, shaking his head, “Go keep Remus out of trouble. I just need to gather myself.” 

Patton frowned, “But-”

“Go on, keep your husband from saying something regrettable,” Janus repeated.

“Hey!” Remus exclaimed.

“Oh, I’m right and you know it,” Janus replied. “Now go.”

Reluctantly, Remus and Patton went back into the parlor.

Janus sighed and leaned against the wall, closing his eyes. He had a headache.

“Pssst,” he heard. “C’mere.”

Janus opened his eyes, looking around in confusion. There, across the hall from him, there was the shorter servant, peeking out from behind a plain wooden door. He raised an eyebrow. The man motioned for him to come closer. He hesitated for only a few moments before carefully standing upright. The cane, like always, echoed. 

The servant opened the door for Janus to come in. Inside were both the taller servant and the shorter servant. When he was in, the shorter servant closed the door behind him. He looked around. They were in a little kitchenette that was probably primarily for preparing tea if Janus had to guess.

“So…” Janus said. “What did you want, exactly?”

The taller servant cleared his throat. “My name is Logan. I think we have some things to talk about regarding Duchess Draco.”

“Oh?” Janus asked, carefully keeping the nerves from his voice.

“I’m Remy, by the way,” interjected the shorter servant.

“Janus,” replied Janus politely.

Logan cleared his throat. “How about I recount to you what I’ve seen, then you can return the favor?”

“That sounds agreeable,” Janus answered, eyes sparkling with interest. “You've noticed something odd about her, then.”

Remy gave a small laugh. “You could call it odd, I guess. I’d just call it freaky.”

Logan shot him a glare, then continued, “I’ve definitely noticed something odd. You’ll hear my story, then?”

Janus gestured for him to go ahead.

“I was passing by Duchess Draco’s quarters, and I heard her and Prince Eschive conspiring to… get rid of the king,” Logan said.

Janus’s eyes widened.

“That’s not all,” Remy added.

“Indeed,” Logan agreed. “They kissed, and when they did Duchess Draco’s shadow morphed.”

“She had horns and wings,” Janus guessed.

Logan blinked. “And a tail.”

Janus nodded. “I saw that, too. And more.”

“More?” Logan inquired.

“I had a vision this morning… This sounds insane.”

“You’re the seer whose shop is down the main street, are you not?” Logan asked.

Janus hummed. “I suppose I must confide in you. I… am a fraud. Before this morning, I had never seen the future in my life.”

Remy snorted. Again, Logan glared at him. “That is a very unethical way to make a living.”

Janus took a deep breath. “I’ve done what I needed to do. I have a clear conscience. But that isn’t what this conversation is about. I had a vision this morning. The palace was burning. It felt so real… And…”

“And?” Logan prompted.

“I saw it again, just now. But this time there was a dragon, adding to the flames,” Janus said.

Logan and Remy were silent for a few moments, seeming to communicate with their eye contact. Finally they turned back to Janus.

“The course of action I propose is to keep this to ourselves for now,” Logan said. “Our word against the prince and duchess’s is not worth much.”

Janus nodded in agreement. “We should find more information. I can… speak with some of the mystics and magic shop proprietors. Hopefully one of them will have something useful to say.” He was hesitant. He’d avoided the other professionals in the capital to keep from being exposed as a fraud. This situation called for it, though.

Remy grinned. “We get to spy on the duchess and the prince, then?”

Logan gave a long-suffering sigh. “It’s not spying. It’s gathering information.”

“By watching them,” said Remy. “So, spying?”

Logan groaned.

“Janus?” called Remus’s voice, followed quickly by Patton repeating the call.

“I have to go,” Janus said. “It was nice to meet you both. Stay safe.”

“You as well,” Logan answered.

“Yeah, don’t get yourself killed or anything,” Remy said.

Janus huffed out a small laugh, then went to join his friends.

“Where were you?” asked Patton when Janus emerged from the small room.

Janus gave his most convincing smile. “Just gossiping. The servants always have the most interesting things to say.”

Remus giggled. “You’re always looking for things to use against people, aren’t you?” he said as they followed behind the rest of the group.

Janus gave a scandalized gasp. “I would never! I’m just a harmless busybody.”

Patton laughed a little. “Right. He’s just curious and nosy, Remus,” he said playfully.

“Right. Patton knows I’m telling the truth,” Janus said, barely holding in laughter.

Remus shook his head. “Riiiight. Well, I suppose I just have to believe you, seeing as you’re my best friend.”

“Good,” Janus replied.

About that time, they reached the palace gates. “We’ll see you soon, right, Janus?” Patton asked.

“Of course,” Janus answered. “Feel free to drop by any time.” He smiled. When Patton hugged him, he hugged back. And when Remus punched him in the arm, he punched Remus in the chest. They all laughed.

Patton and Remus followed Duke Erex, and Janus walked back toward his shop with a sinking feeling in his stomach.

-

The wooden training swords clashed in a way that sent the vibrations all the way up Pryce’s arm, making him wince. His opponent saw an opportunity, and she forced him back until his back collided with the stone wall around the training area. She grinned, and he laughed breathlessly.

“Good match, Val,” he said.

“Wish I could say the same,” Valerie teased, then immediately continued, “and I can. Thanks for the pointers, Pryce.”

“Val!” called a voice from the west viewing platform.

“Virgil!” Valerie called back. She gave Pryce a little wave, then jogged off to her brother.

Pryce watched, then his eyes slowly moved to the right of where the prince and princess were now talking, and he saw the very person he always looked forward to seeing at the end of his practice. His face split into a wide grin, and he waved.

Andy waved back. He looked a bit less self-assured than usual, which worried Pryce. He ran to meet him a little quicker than he usually would, scrambling up the ladder to the platform. “There’s my least favorite sarcastic asshole,” he greeted jokingly.

Andy gave a half-hearted smile and pulled a cookie from the basket he carried. He held it out, and when Pryce reached for it, he snatched it away. “I need help,” he said, the smile falling away. He looked as if he might cry.

Pryce stepped closer and guided him over to a more secluded corner, his blood running cold. He didn’t think he’d ever seen Andy so upset. Annoyed, sure. Grumpy, sure. But never anything like this. “Hey, what’s wrong?”

Andy took a deep breath, and it came back out much shakier. He closed his eyes tightly for a moment. He wouldn’t make eye contact when he opened them again. “My father still hasn’t come back,” he said, voice breaking slightly.

“He left three weeks ago, didn’t he?” Pryce asked, his heart breaking at the expression on Andy’s face as he nodded. “I’ll go look for him then, okay? It’ll be okay,” he assured him.

Andy sniffled softly. “By yourself?” He sounded terrified. Pryce had never seen him so vulnerable.

Pryce gave him a reassuring smile. “How about I take Thomas? Sound good?”

Andy nodded again. “Thanks,” he mumbled.

“Hey, it’s going to be alright,” he said, opening his arms.

Andy surged forward and buried his face in Pryce’s chest, dropping his basket to the floor. Pryce rubbed his back as he cried silently. Over and over again, he reassured him that it was alright. He wished he knew that were true.

3: The Prince

Virgil’s arms were folded in front of him. “You didn’t show up to our history lessons today,” he accused.

“Ugh, I forgot it was Monday,” Valerie groaned. “I’m so sorry, did you cover for me?”

Virgil rolled his eyes. “Of course I did, I’m the best brother ever, remember?”

Valerie nodded, smiling. “Ah, yes, how could I forget?”

“That’s right,” Virgil sniffed. “And I deserve compensation.”

She shook her head fondly. “What do you want, Virge?”

Virgil pulled a folded piece of paper from his pocket. “Give this to Logan for me?”

Valerie sighed. “When are you going to tell him you’re his secret admirer.”

“Never. Ever. That would be the most embarrassing and mortifying thing ever. Why would I do that?” Virgil asked, his face starting to turn red.

Valerie patted her little brother’s head. “Because if you don’t, you never get to find out if he feels the same, you never get to properly court him, you never get to marry him… I could go on.”

Virgil glared at her. “How dare you make sense at me?”

She finally took the note and placed it in her own pocket. “I need to go get changed into my dress for dinner. I’ll give it to him as soon as I see him.”

Virgil smiled, just a little. “Thanks, Val.”

“Well, I wouldn’t be a very good sister if I didn’t enable you in your quest to never talk to your crush about how you feel,” Valerie snarked, starting to walk back toward the armory.

“A lot of sass for someone who’s gonna need me to cover for her again in the future,” Virgil responded.

Valerie waved him off and walked away quickly.

Virgil shook his head fondly and headed back for the palace. He slipped in the door at the east end of the palace, near the kitchen. The halls were empty, which he was glad for, given he was technically supposed to be in his room studying.

He turned a corner, and there was Logan, arms crossed and eyebrows raised. “What are you doing, Your Highness?” His intonation did not make it sound like a question.

Virgil felt very small with Logan towering over him. “I went to see Valerie.” His intonation made it sound like a question.

“Right. It’s not as if you need to practice your spells, is it?” Again, it did not sound like a question.

“I, um… I’m on my way back to my room now.” Again, it sounded like a question.

“Hm. I suppose that’s acceptable.” Logan cracked a small smile.

Virgil took a deep breath. “I thought you were mad at me.”

“I’m not mad at you, Virgil,” Logan assured him. “I’d prefer that you stick to your schedule, but I’m not angry.”

Virgil smiled a little, relieved.

“I’ll accompany you back to your room. I have some work to do nearby.”

“Okay. Sounds good,” Virgil said, as casually as he could manage.

“Good,” Logan answered.

“Good.”

-

The next day, Remus and Patton joined Janus in his garden.

“That one looks like a duck,” Patton said, pointing up at a cloud.

Remus nodded. “A duck who’s up to something,” he added.

“Noooo!” Patton whined. “He’s a nice duck. Very polite. He’s doing some cooking, see?” he said, pointing again.

Janus pointed at Remus. “That one looks like a husband who’s sleeping on the couch tonight,” he joked.

“Only if that’s where we fall asleep after-”

“Remus!” Patton exclaimed, his face cherry-red.

Remus chuckled, reaching up from where he rested with his head on Patton’s lap and booping Patton on the nose, even as Janus made a disgusted face.

“Remus, Father wants you,” Roman’s voice interrupted.

Remus groaned, lifting his head up from Patton’s lap. “What does he need?”

“How should I know?” Roman asked.

Remus rolled his eyes and began to stand up. He licked Patton on the cheek as he did, causing him to break out in giggles and wipe at his cheek with his sleeve. “I’ll see you soon, Darling,” Remus said, getting to his feet fully. “Bye, Jan-ass.”

“Bye, dickhead,” Janus responded as Remus opened the gate of Janus’s back garden to leave.

Roman was about to follow him when Patton called out, “Roman, are you busy?”

Janus shot Patton a glare.

“No, I suppose not,” Roman said, pausing by the gate. “Why?”

“Come join us!” said Patton. “We’re cloud-watching.”

“Oh. Fun,” Roman said, sounding slightly conflicted. His gaze wandered over to Janus, and they both narrowed their eyes.

Janus gave in first, letting out a frustrated sigh. He poured Roman some watered wine into the extra cup he’d brought out with him (Remus had a habit of managing to break the wooden cups, but he always bought a new one when he did, so Janus didn’t mind much). He held out the cup, a peace offering of sorts.

Roman opened the gate and stepped into the garden. His red coat looked out of place in the green of the small fenced-in area.

Patton grinned. “Yay!”

Roman reached for the cup. As his hand closed around it, his fingers brushed Janus’s. Janus found himself dropping yet another cup as he sprung upright. He stood in a grand ballroom, smoke and screams filling the air. Roman stood a few feet away, and, past him, a great shadow in the shape of a dragon with glowing red eyes. It began to move toward Roman, and Janus cried out.

Janus was back in the garden again, breathing heavily. Roman was in front of him, their faces just inches apart. Wine dripped down Janus’s shins, staining his dark pants even darker. “Watch it!” he hissed, unable to think of what else to say or do.

Roman’s stunned expression turned offended. “You’re the one who dropped it!” They were even closer now.

Patton snickered, and Roman and Janus jumped apart like they’d been burned.

“I have to go,” Janus said quickly.

“Janus!” Patton called, but Janus was already out the gate and rushing toward the palace.

-

Logan set the tray down on the table more loudly than he usually did things, especially in the library. As a result, Virgil jumped.

“Holy shit, Logan! Don’t do that to me!” Virgil exclaimed.

Logan gave him a disapproving look. “You are going to get in trouble with your father one of these days using that sort of language.” He began to take items off the tray and set them near the tomes that Virgil had laid out on the table. “Time for lunch. Take a break.”

Virgil looked at the food, then back to his books again, then rubbed his hand over his face. “Fine. Thanks, Logan.”

“Of course, Your Highness.”

Virgil opened his mouth to say something, but then the door burst open and footsteps, along with the tapping of a cane, hurried toward them.

“Logan? I need to talk to-“ Janus stopped as he rounded one of the shelves and spotted Virgil. He bowed quickly, wincing at the spasm in his back. He hoped they couldn’t see his expression. “I apologize, Your Highness.”

Virgil huffed. “No need for that. Please.” He paused as Janus righted himself. “Hey, aren’t you—“

“Janus,” Janus interrupted quickly. He realized his mistake quickly, but he decided to double down, clenching his jaw. He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “It’s Janus now.”

“Oh!” Virgil said. “Cool.”

“You needed to talk to me, Janus?” Logan asked.

“Yes. It’s urgent.”

Logan looked to Virgil, and Virgil waved him off. He and Janus began to leave, and as they were rounding the shelf, Logan looked back to see that Virgil had gone back to his books, the food untouched. He sighed softly but continued on his way.

He led Janus to an empty sitting room, then closed and locked the door behind him. He turned back to Janus, who had begun to pace nervously. “What do you have?”

Janus bit his lip. “I had another vision.”

Logan stepped closer. “That sounds ominous.”

“Yeah, it’s…” Janus sighed. “You remember Roman Erex, yes?”

Logan wrinkled his nose slightly. “Yes. Yes I do.”

“Well, his brother and brother-in-law are my friends, and we were spending time together in my garden when Roman came to tell Remus to go see their father. Then Patton said that Roman should join us, and I didn’t want him to, but Patton was giving me those puppy-dog eyes, and… I went to hand him a drink, and when our hands touched, I saw… him, fighting a dragon in a grand ballroom. Maybe the one in this palace.” As Janus finished, he felt the tension drain out of him, leaving only exhaustion in its wake.

Logan looked off into space, considering it for a while. “There seems to be no other reasonable conclusion. Roman is the one who must save the kingdom.”

Janus winced again. “That’s exactly what I didn’t want you to say.”

“Well, on my end, I’ve seen Eschive and Adalinda entering and exiting the same rooms furtively around the same time. They are certainly in it together. But, Eschive… He’s different around her,” Logan said.

“I noticed that yesterday,” Janus confirmed.

“What are our next steps?”

“You keep an eye on them. I’m going to spend the rest of the day talking to the other mystics. I was putting it off, but it’s becoming more and more urgent,” Janus said. “And you can clue in Remy, too.”

Logan nodded. “Shouldn’t we talk to Roman?”

Janus clenched his jaw and his free hand. “More information first.”

“Got it. Stay safe, Janus.”

“You too,” Janus said with a strained smile. He exited wordlessly, leaving Logan behind with only a sinking feeling.

When Logan returned to the library, it was to find Virgil having actually eaten a little bit. Not as much as Logan would like, but he would take the small victory.

“Why are you studying so hard?” he asked as he approached. “You hate studying.”

“I found something that interests me,” Virgil replied, leaning away from his books and stretching with a wince. “Healing magic is actually really interesting. Kinda complicated, though.”

“Good. But I would encourage you not to neglect your physical wellbeing, Your Highness,” Logan chided.

Virgil rolled his eyes and took another bite of his food to placate him. “You don’t have to call me that,” Virgil protested with his mouth full. “In fact, I’d prefer if you didn’t.”

Logan stiffened slightly. “I’d prefer to follow the rules, Prince Virgil.”

Huffing, Virgil took another bite, but this time swallowed before speaking again. “So, what’s going on with Janus?”

Logan looked unsure of what to say. “Just some palace business he is helping with.”

Logan, Virgil thought for the millionth time, was a horrible liar. “Right,” he said skeptically.

“If you’ll excuse me, Your Highness, I have some chores to take care of,” Logan said, looking uncomfortable.

“Of course,” Virgil answered defeatedly.

“Will you finish your food?” Logan asked.

Virgil softened. “Yeah. Yeah, I’ll eat. You’re good at taking care of me.”

Logan allowed himself a small smile at the praise. “It is my job.”

He turned and left, and Virgil wished he would stay.

4: The Mystic

“ Mirror’s Shop of Curiosities ,” the sign hanging from a post above the door read. Underneath the words was painted a crystal ball with an eye inside. The building was sort of squat, the walls bowed outward, but somehow not suggesting a lack of structural integrity. In fact, the building itself seemed to exude comfort and safety. The walls were a ruddy brown color, the windows dirty with shutters that were likely once a deep blue but now a cracked and faded cerulean. The door was the most well-taken-care-of part of the exterior. It was a deep brown, almost black, leaving passers-by wondering what kind of wood it was.

Janus steeled himself, took a deep breath, and knocked twice before entering. A bell rang above him as he walked in. At first glance, the shopfront was emptier than expected. Scattered potion bottles and dried herbs sat on shelves, along with jars of things that looked suspiciously like pieces of once-living animals. A layer of dust coated almost every surface except for the products themselves, the counter, and the table and crystal ball toward the back of the shop. The table looked a lot like Janus’s own setup back at home.

“Hello?” Janus called.

A head, mostly a mop of gray hair and the lower part of a face (which looked awfully young compared to that color of hair), popped up from behind the counter. “Hello!” the person said in a smooth voice that somehow seemed discordant with their appearance. It was a familiar voice, though Janus wasn’t sure where he had heard it before. “Oh! You’re Janus, right?”

Janus winced. He had hoped not to be recognized at any of these places. “And you must be Mirror?”

“Correct!” Mirror replied, standing up to their full height. They were a little taller than Janus, pale and wearing rather simple clothing. “What can I do for you?”

“I, um… I’ve had a vision that I would like to get a second opinion on,” Janus answered.

“Well, I’d be happy to provide one!” Mirror said. “Go ahead.”

Janus took a deep breath. “I saw… the palace. On fire.”

Mirror’s mouth fell halfway open for a moment, but they regained their composure fairly quickly. They shook their head. “We should discuss this in private.” They hurried around from behind the counter to lock the shop door. Janus noticed that they were barefoot. They rushed back around the counter and gestured for Janus to follow.

Janus walked into the back room and sat when Mirror gestured to a chair. He watched as Mirror began to light candles and close curtains. The back room was full of drying herbs, empty jars and bottles, and potion-making apparatuses. It smelled strongly of rosemary and thyme.

When Mirror was done rushing around, they sat in the only other chair, which faced Janus, and looked at him intently. “Tell me everything.”

As Janus recounted his visions, Mirror looked more and more troubled. When Janus was finished, Mirror began to mumble to themselves, rubbing their temples (which allowed Janus a glimpse of one of their eyes, which was the color of their hair with no pupils or whites. Very unsettling.) and occasionally chewing on their bottom lip.

Mirror finally turned back to him, their eyes hidden by their hair again. “This is very disturbing.”

Janus huffed out a nervous laugh. “Tell me something I don’t know.”

Mirror chewed on their lip again for a few moments. “The first two visions seem to be somewhat metaphorical. Disaster at the palace, something to do with a draconic creature.”

Janus nodded. “Okay. But the third?”

“Literal. Roman Erex will have to face off with the Dragon Witch,” Mirror said gravely.

“The Dragon Witch?”

“She seems to have taken on the name Adalinda Draco. The fact that she has already infiltrated the palace is very worrying…” Mirror mused.

“Okay, but who is she? What do you know about her?” Janus asked.

“Not much, I’m afraid. I know only that she has a reputation for destruction, and that they say she can influence people,” Mirror informed him. “You should keep asking around to find out more. I fear that Roman may be our only hope, and that he needs your help.”

“ My help?” Janus asked incredulously.

“Yes,” Mirror answered. “You’re the one who had the vision for a reason.” They paused, then stood and began to rummage around in the deep drawers of their workbench. They pulled out a rectangle-shaped parcel triumphantly, then turned to hand it to Janus. “Keep track of all of your visions, gut feelings, and even just notable thoughts in here. It will help.”

Janus raised an eyebrow. “How will journaling help?”

Mirror smirked. “It’s the journal more than the journaling. It’ll help you piece things together, trust me.”

“Right,” Janus said, pushing himself up. “Well, thank you.”

He was almost out the door when Mirror called, “Remember to keep your mirror nearby!”

Janus turned quickly to ask Mirror what they meant, but there was no sign of them. His stomach roiling with dread, Janus left the shop.

-

Janus knocked at the door hesitantly. He hated coming to visit Remus. Not because of Remus or Patton, but most of the others in the house. Roman and the duke shared a strong distaste for him, though for different reasons, as did most of the servants. Duchess Erex, though, was different. Carine Erex was really the only positive maternal figure Janus had ever had. And he was relieved beyond belief that she was the one to open the door.

“Hello, Your Grace,” Janus greeted with a smile.

Carine scoffed. “I’ve told you many times, dear one, you may call me Carine.” Her hair was up in a practical bun, and she wore a riding outfit. She must have been about to go out. He wondered how Duke Erex felt about her wearing pants instead of a skirt.

Janus grinned. “Your husband might murder me if I tried.”

Carine’s expression turned sour. “Yes, I suppose so.” She shook her head and smiled again. “Are you here to see Remus?”

“And Patton, if they’re both home,” Janus responded.

“I believe they’re in the greenhouse. Patton wanted to do some gardening today,” Carine said. “Go ahead, dear. And tell anyone I invited you in if they ask.”

Janus let out a small sigh of relief. “Thank you, Carine,” he said.

She winked. “Don’t mention it.”

They traded places, Janus going into the house as she went out, and she closed the door between them. The greenhouse, which was attached to the house, was not far from the front door, thankfully. Janus arrived there without seeing another person.

Patton was wearing his gardening outfit, the too-big shirt and patched pants reminding Janus of a child gardening with their mother. The whole ensemble was muddy, from wide-brimmed hat to gigantic boots.

Remus lounged nearby, sideways and upside down on a fainting couch with his torso and head hanging off. Janus wondered if the blood was rushing to his head. His tie, jacket, and waistcoat were discarded and his shirt unbuttoned. He held a book in front of his face, probably another horror novel.

Janus cleared his throat, and two sets of eyes turned to him before Patton let out an ear-piercing squeal.

“Janus!” he cried. “There you are! We were worried!”

Janus grimaced. “Yeah. Something came up.” He looked down at his wine-stained pants and realized he’d been in the presence of the prince like this. He wanted to hit himself. Then his eyes fell on Remus again. Remus’s expression was tired, angry, and sorrowful. He looked absolutely miserable.

Janus walked over and perched himself on the arm of the couch. “Do you want to talk about it?” he asked softly.

Remus shook his head. “Not right now.”

Janus gave a half-smile. “Okay. Then we’ll talk about something else.”

Patton brushed himself off as well as he could with muddy gloves on, then took the gloves off. “What do you want to talk about, Janus?” he asked softly.

Janus took a deep breath. “I have something fairly serious I wish to discuss, actually. I need you both to listen with an open mind.”

Remus quickly swung himself upright, his impeccable balance unnerving as always. “What’s up, Janny?” His eyes still looked sad despite the rest of his face having taken on an expression of curiosity.

Janus looked away. “I had a vision. A few, actually.”

Silence fell over them for a few moments. Patton was the first to break it. “I thought you didn’t really have those.” He sounded scared, his voice small.

“Yeah,” Janus said. “It’s a new development.”

“Okay…” Remus began. “What kind of visions?”

Janus took a deep breath and recounted not only his visions but everything he’d learned at the palace and Mirror’s Shop of Curiosities. He didn’t look at them until he was finished. When he finally did look, Remus looked… Dismayed? Angry? Shocked? No, certainly not, because now he just looked worried, like Patton.

“Well,” said Patton. He didn’t seem to know what to say after that. He was trying to look brave, Janus noted. He didn’t want Patton to be afraid of him.

Remus apparently did know what to say. “This is bullshit. But! I think I speak for both of us when I say that we’ll do whatever we can to help.”

Patton nodded quickly. “Tell us what you need, Kiddo. I could talk to Roman for you…”

Janus shook his head. “First of all, I am two months younger than you.”

“Baby,” Patton said, nodding decisively.

Janus scowled. “Secondly, I’m going to keep Roman in the dark as long as possible. I don’t think he’ll believe me without more information.”

“We can do that, then,” Remus offered. “I’m good at that.”

“You are,” Janus agreed. “I think that would actually be pretty helpful.”

“You should go check in with Lo again,” Patton suggested. “He needs to know what you learned from Mirror.”

Janus nodded. “That’s good, yes, I can do that.”

Patton tilted his head. “Take a breath, Kiddo.”

“ Two. Months ,” Janus hissed before following Patton’s instructions.

“You got this,” Patton encouraged. “How’s your leg?”

Janus frowned. “Fine. I can rest later, I know that’s what you were going to say.”

Patton frowned back. “You’d better rest later, Mister.”

“Two months,” Janus repeated. “And you’re not my fa-” He paused. “I’m going to go to the palace. Thank you for your help.” He walked out as quickly as he could, trying to get his heart rate under control.

5: The Worshipper

Janus crouched at the top of the stairs, listening. Listening to his parents argue. About him. His mother was of the opinion that they could, “make [him] better,” while his father just wanted to, “get rid of [him].” Janus didn’t want to know what that meant.

He was about to go to his room and get ready to leave, for good, when his father called that name. The name that wasn’t his. It didn’t belong to him. Nonetheless, he was expected to respond to it.

He straightened, brushed his jacket off, smoothed his short hair down, and began to walk down the stairs. “Father, that isn’t my name,” he said stubbornly.

His father’s face was turning purple. “Yes, it is,” he ground out. He pulled a chair up next to the fire—far too close—and said, “Sit.”

Janus did.

His father was pacing as his mother knelt in front of him. His mother pleaded, “We know this isn’t you. Tell me what’s wrong, what has happened. How do we make you want to be our little girl again?”

Janus frowned. “I’ve told you, Mother,” he said softly, “you can’t. I’m not your little girl.”

“Ridiculous!” his father roared. “You stubborn little brat! Just tell us what you want so this can go back to normal!”

“This is normal! This is who I am!” Janus yelled back.

Janus’s father pushed his mother out of the way and grabbed Janus by his collar, pulling him up.

The rest was a blur. Janus remembered being beaten and thrown around, but only vaguely. What was vivid was the left side of his face being pressed to the grate in front of the fire, then slammed against it again and again. He could never forget the feeling of his flesh searing against hot metal.

That was the day Janus was estranged from the Marquis and Marquess de Allerie.

-

The streets were crowded. It slowed Janus’s progress in getting to the palace, but it provided the noise he needed to overrule his racing thoughts. It only left room for one thing. He had to get to the palace and talk to Logan and Remy.

He was lucky in that walking around the streets with a cane meant the people that noticed tried not to bump into him. Unfortunately, someone didn’t notice him.

Janus nearly went tumbling to the ground, barely managing to steady himself. The person who ran into him, though, did fall to the ground. Janus went to help him up. He recognized him vaguely, someone he saw frequently in visiting the palace when he was younger. The baker’s son, he realized. Avery? Alfred? Allen? Something like that.

The man pushed Janus’s hand away and stood on his own. As their hands touched, Janus froze.

He stood in the forest. The air was cool and crisp and smelled like iron, and there was only the moonlight to illuminate the gruesome sight before him. The palace baker lay prone in the dirt, his horse lying nearby and his cart overturned. A pool of dark liquid spread around him, wetting the dirt.

“Are you okay?” asked the baker’s son, and Janus returned abruptly to the busy street.

“Yeah, I’m fine, bu-” Janus began.

“Good,” said the man, and he rushed away before Janus could ask or tell him anything.

Janus swallowed heavily, watching after him. He could still taste the iron smell. Then he turned and continued on his way to the palace.

-

Thomas felt the damp seeping through the seat of his pants as he sat on the log, but he didn’t particularly care. It was cold, sure, but he was more focused on his conversation.

“I dunno, Emi, it’s like he just wants to play with me. Like it’s some kind of game,” he said.

The child sitting in front of him was drawing lines in the dirt, but he looked up to answer. “Maybe that’s his way of showing he likes you. Like when Kyle used to push you over.”

Thomas winced at the memory. “Yeah. Maybe.” He didn’t sound convinced.

Emile sighed. “I think he likes you, Tommy. He even made you that sketch of you. The one you hung up on your wall.”

Thomas smiled. “I know the one. It’s so pretty.”

Emile nodded decisively. “There you go. He likes you.”

“But what if it’s just as friends?” Thomas asked.

Emile shrugged. “You know I always say you should talk about it instead of overthinking.”

Thomas shook his head fondly. “Maybe you’re right, Emi. As always.”

Emile grinned. “Why, thank you!”

“Thomas!” Pryce’s voice called. It sounded like something rather urgent needed his attention. When Thomas looked back to where Emile had been, he was gone. Thomas sighed and stood before jogging in the direction of Pryce’s voice.

Upon reaching the clearing just off the road, Thomas froze. Andy’s father lay in the dirt, dried blood caking the dirt around him. His throat had been slit, and he was so, so pale. Thomas looked to Pryce who knelt next to a pool of vomit. It looked like he was having trouble breathing.

Thomas went and knelt next to him, in between him and the upsetting scene. “Can I touch you?”

Pryce nodded. Thomas placed a hand on Pryce’s back and rubbed it.

“We’ll do everything we can,” Thomas assured him softly. “We’ll take him back for a proper burial and do whatever Andy needs. I know it’s terrifying, and that it hurts, so badly right now. It hurts more than anything. But it will be okay, eventually.”

Pryce nodded again. “Okay.” He paused. “He was like a father to me.”

“I know,” Thomas said softly. “You go back to camp, and I’ll carry him back there. Ready the horses and put out the fire. Can you do that?”

Pryce nodded yet again. Thomas helped him to stand, then he turned and walked back towards their camp.

Thomas sighed and turned back to the baker. He crouched next to him and offered a small prayer to the Death Goddess, then hefted the body into his arms.

-

Thomas screamed as he fell to his knees in the remnants of his home. The scorched bodies of his fathers were contorted in fear, and he wanted to scrub the sight from his eyes.

His brother lay in a makeshift grave in the forest. Thomas had built it from stones and mud. He hoped it was enough for Emile to rest peacefully.

“ Thomas,” said a small voice.

Thomas looked up. Emile stood over him and offered him a hand, pulling Thomas to his feet when he took it.

“ Emile?” Thomas asked, dumbfounded.

“ Yeah. The Death Goddess and the Magic Goddess took me in. I’m sort of a god now? Or, I will be,” Emile said. “It’s hard to explain.”

“ Oh,” Thomas said softly.

“ You have to get up,” Emile told him. “You have to walk to the nearest town and ask for help. Please, Thomas. You have to live.”

Thomas had never been able to say no to that face.

-

Patton grabbed Remus’s hand as they entered the shop. A bell attached to the door rang out. There was a bored-looking teenager at the counter, leaning their elbows on the counter with their chin in their hands. They had bright red hair that fell over one eye in the front and ended at their neck in the back. Their clothes were largely black and red, very expensive colors to dye fabric in, though the clothes themselves looked fairly plain.

Remus squeezed Patton’s hand. Patton had always been uncomfortable around anything to do with magic.

“Hey there, Kiddo!” he greeted the teenager nonetheless.

They finally looked up, having been unfazed by the bell. “Hi, welcome to Pierre’s Powerful Particulars, home of many useful magical items. How may I help you today?” they droned.

“We want to trade for information,” Remus said. “Are you the proprietor of this shop?”

The teenager huffed out a small breath. “Hell no. I’ll go get Pierre.”

“Thank you very much,” Patton said with a friendly smile. He was sure he looked nervous.

The teenager waved their hand and disappeared into the back of the shop.

Patton cast his eyes around nervously. Remus squeezed his hand again. Patton smiled at him.

A tall man, probably in his late twenties, walked out of the back of the shop. He looked tired. He clearly hadn’t shaved in a while, but not long enough to grow much of a beard. His long blond hair was pulled back into a bun at the nape of his neck. His dark eyes looked glazed over.

Poor guy must be really tired , Patton thought.

“Pierre, at your service,” the man said.

“We need some information,” Remus said. “We are prepared to pay handsomely.”

The man smiled. Something about it unsettled Patton. “Well, I hope I can provide what you need.”

“What do you know about the Dragon Witch?” Remus asked. Patton decided he also didn’t like that Remus had gone into all-business mode.

“Oh,” Pierre said, “I can tell you about her.”

6: The Nanny

By the time Janus got back to the palace, he was in a very sour mood. From the crowds, the exchange with Patton that almost ended in him saying something regrettable, the vision from Andy, and the pain in his back and leg. Nonetheless, he continued to walk, making his way into the palace and beginning the search for Logan.

It didn’t take long to find him, returning some clean blankets to one of the linen closets.

Janus cleared his throat. “We need to talk,” he said when Logan turned his head to look at him.

“Come in,” Logan said.

Janus walked into the linen closet and closed the door behind him. It wasn’t as cramped as it seemed when looking into it from outside. He took a deep breath. “I have troubling news. I’ve talked with the proprietor of one of the shops, and it seems we’re dealing with someone called the Dragon Witch, who has taken the name Adalinda Draco and gotten herself a noble title.”

Logan’s eyes widened. “That sounds unpleasant.”

Janus nodded. “Her powers supposedly include mind control. And Roman must defeat her. Apparently my having the vision means I’m supposed to help.”

Logan began to pace in the small space. “What do we do, then?”

“Remus and Patton have been filled in, and they’re looking into that now,” Janus replied.

Logan nodded. “As soon as they find that information, we should take action. Time is certainly of the essence.”

“Definitely. I just have to convince Roman when the information becomes available to us,” Janus said, his tone and expression both defeated and nervous.

“I have to talk to Remy,” Logan said as he opened the closet. “But first, let me walk you to the gate. You look exhausted.” They began to walk together.

Janus grimaced. “I’m that obvious, huh?”

Logan pressed his lips into a tight line and let the silence hang for a moment. Then he said, “There’s nothing wrong with needing to rest. Taking care of yourself is important.”

Janus laughed sharply. “I give that advice all the time. I suppose I haven’t applied it to myself.”

Logan hummed thoughtfully. “Maybe you should give that a try.”

“Thanks, Logan.”

Logan nodded.

As they rounded a corner, they passed Virgil. He gave a little wave. “Hi, Janus. Hi, Lo.”

Virgil rounded the corner, and Logan turned his head slightly, looking wistfully at where Virgil had been.

“You should talk to him,” Janus said after looking around to make sure no one was nearby.

Logan bristled. “I talk to him all the time.”

Janus scoffed. “About feelings, Logan.”

Logan shook his head. “There’s nothing to do about it. He’s… out of my reach.”

Sighing, Janus looked away. “Just a little advice.”

They reached the door to the palace, and they walked down the path to the gate in silence.

“Get home safe,” Logan said.

“I’ll certainly try,” replied Janus.

They both turned and began to walk in opposite directions. The streets were less crowded now, and Janus made it home in far less time than it would have taken earlier. He thought about Logan’s advice to take a rest, and Patton’s demand that he rest. He put out his “Open” sign and went to clean up a little. He’d do some readings and then rest. Putting it off surely wouldn’t hurt… too badly.

-

Janus was in the middle of listening to a customer’s question about their future when he heard a knock on the door. Specifically, Remus’s knock pattern. He paused, then interrupted the customer, “I need to check on this, I’ll be right back.”

When he opened the door, Remus was there, looking worried and somewhat upset. Patton stood slightly behind him with the same expression on his face. “What’s wrong?” Janus asked.

“Um, we have something kind of important to tell you,” Patton said, then began to chew on his lip. He paused for a moment, then wrinkled his brow. “You’re not resting.”

Janus cast a glance over his shoulder. “Can it wait a little? I’m with a customer.”

“I guess,” said Remus. But Janus had never seen him so on-edge.

Sighing, Janus gestured for them to come in. “You guys go to my room, I’ll be right there.”

They both walked past the customer and into the back room.

Janus walked over to the customer. “I’m very sorry, but something has come up. If you’ll come back later, I’ll do your reading for half price.”

They looked a little miffed, but the customer did leave. Janus sighed and went to join Remus and Patton. “What’s wrong?” he asked, concerned.

Patton and Remus looked at each other.

“The Dragon Witch,” said Patton. “She’s a real nasty character.”

“What do you mean?” Janus asked, his heart jumping in his chest.

Remus tried to perk up, but it didn’t quite work. “Well, it’s mostly just rumors, but, supposedly, she started the war in Louria, killed the prince of Hertland, and has razed quite a few villages.”

Janus’s eyes gradually widened. “That’s… not good.”

Patton quickly added, “But we think there’s a way to defeat her. We were told that the source of her power is an enchanted mirror.”

“So we destroy that,” Janus said.

“It’s not that simple,” Remus replied. “The mirror is hidden away in a cave in the Droiler Mountains. She connects with it through other mirrors.”

Janus hissed out a sigh. “Well… Do we know where the cave is exactly?”

Patton nodded and pulled out a map from his messenger bag.

Janus hummed. “That’s about a three days’ walk, six round trip,” he said. “And… Unfortunately, according to my visions, Roman has to come with me. You two can stay here if you like, though.”

Remus and Patton locked eyes again. Patton nodded.

“Fuck that, let’s go on a quest!” Remus said. “Besides, you may need help kidnapping my brother.”

Janus sighed.

-

For the third time that day, Janus walked to the palace, this time with companions. The sun was moving lower and lower in the sky. He was distracted, trying to come up with what to say to Roman. Patton flitted around him worriedly as they walked. He kept asking if Janus was alright, if he needed to stop. He said that they could go tomorrow, that Janus needed rest. Janus just hummed and mumbled basic responses. “I’m fines,” and “It’s okays.”

Janus felt like it took very little time to arrive at the palace. Nonetheless, he brought himself back to the present just as Remus told the guards that they had business with Logan. It was a good excuse to be there so late, and it was true as well. The guards let them in.

Janus let Remus take the lead on asking around about where Logan was. Eventually, they caught up with him. “Logan,” Janus called.

Logan turned to see them, and he quickly bowed his head to Remus. “I assume you have something to talk about?”

Janus nodded. “I’ll let Remus explain… I need to talk to Roman. I walked here to stall,” he admitted.

Patton furrowed his brow. “Janus, your leg…”

Janus set his jaw. “I’m fine , Patton. You three discuss what needs to be done. It’ll help when I drag Roman back here.”

Logan sighed, and Remus gave him a concerned look as well. “I’ll be okay, I promise,” Janus said. He turned abruptly and left before he could be lectured on the importance of taking breaks.

When he finally got back to Duke Erex’s estate, it was dark, and he was limping pretty heavily. One of the servants opened the door. Thankfully, it was Grey, who was sympathetic to Janus. “Young Master Remus isn’t here, Janus,” they said.

“I know,” Janus answered. “I’m here to see Roman.”

Grey raised an eyebrow, but nodded. “He’s in the study. The Duke isn’t there, don’t worry.”

Smiling in relief, Janus stepped inside when Grey gave him space to. “Thank you, Grey.” He walked away quickly, trying to avoid anyone else. Another servant brushed past him in the hall outside the study, knocking into the arm holding his cane and nearly kicking the cane out from under him. Janus nearly fell. He righted himself and took a deep breath before knocking on the study door.

“Come in!” Roman’s voice called. Janus did his best not to hobble as he entered. He closed the door behind him.

Roman looked up, then his eyes widened in surprise. “What are you doing here?”

Janus took another breath. “I have something to talk to you about.”

Roman furrowed his brow, but then gestured for Janus to continue.

Janus told his story in great detail, trying to make sure Roman would believe him. To his surprise, Roman listened quietly.

When Janus was finished, Roman stood from behind the desk, then walked toward Janus. Janus straightened as much as he could, but Roman still towered over him. He swallowed with difficulty.

“You really think I would believe all that? That I’m so gullible I’d just listen to you?” Roman asked.

“Roman, it’s true,” Janus said as earnestly as he could, fighting against the annoyance that wanted to creep into his voice.

Roman grit his teeth. “I can’t believe you! Why do you want to make a fool of me?”

Janus shrank back a little. “I know I wasn’t always nice to you when we were growing up, but this isn’t about you and me! This is more important than us!”

“Why do you always feel the need to antagonize me?!”

“Oh, please! You do the same!”

“You little-”

The door swung open. In swept Galena, Roman and Remus’s nanny, carrying a basket of clean dishes. She took in the scene before her. “Hm. What are you two fighting about now?” she asked with a raised eyebrow.

Roman frowned, almost a pout, like a child who knew they were about to be in trouble. “He’s trying to convince me that I need to go off with him to save the kingdom.”

“It’s true!” Janus insisted. “I saw you fighting the Dragon Witch! I saw it, Roman!”

Roman turned back to him. “You’re really doubling down?”

Galena raised a hand, then pinched her fingers together. “Quiet.” She stepped closer to the two of them, taking in Janus’s expression. “Roman, he’s clearly telling the truth.”

“What?!” Roman asked.

“Look at his eyes,” Galena requested.

Roman peered into Janus’s face, and Janus clenched his free hand into a fist at his side, his knuckles going white as he tried not to flush from having the attention on him. Whatever Roman saw with his deep green eyes seemed to surprise him. He stepped back. “What do we do now?” he asked Janus.

Janus breathed a sigh of relief. “We go to see Remus and Patton at the palace. They’re discussing it with a servant who knows about it. They’ll have an idea of what our next steps should be.”

Roman nodded, surprisingly agreeable. “Great. Let me finish on this last report, then we’ll go.”

7: The Baker

Logan led Patton and Remus toward the scullery, where Remy was supposed to be helping out that day. “So, Patton,” Logan said, “It’s been a while since we got to talk.” His voice felt stilted and awkward.

Patton nodded, giving him a smile, even though he didn’t turn to see it. “Yeah. I’ve missed you and Prince Virgil.”

Remus tilted his head. “You should visit them sometimes, Pat.”

Patton’s smile fell. “I guess, but right now we have serious things to talk about.”

“Indeed,” Logan agreed. He opened the door to the scullery and held up a finger in a gesture for Patton and Remus to stay in the corridor. He returned shortly with Remy at his side.

“Hello,” Patton said with another smile. “I’m Patton, nice to meet you.”

“Remy, at your service,” Remy answered.

Remus waved a hand. “Remus, it’s a pleasure.”

Logan cleared his throat. “Let’s go somewhere less… open.”

Patton’s eyes widened. “Right! Lead the way!”

Remy grabbed Logan’s arm, much to Logan’s apparent annoyance, and began to walk. A short walk later, they found themselves in the servants’ quarters. Remy opened a door and gestured for the rest to go inside, then followed when they did. He checked no one was around and closed the door. “You have information?” he asked when he turned to face them, lowering his tinted glasses slightly, an excited look in his eyes.

“Yes!” Patton said. “It’s… There’s this mirror we have to go destroy to take away the Dragon Witch’s powers, but it’s in a cave in the mountains, and it’s going to be a long journey, and Remus and I are going with Janus and Roman to do that,” he said far too quickly.

Logan and Remy seemed to catch all of it, though. Remy hummed. “Well, I have to go with you guys. I’m not missing this.”

Logan hummed. “I suppose I should stay here, then.”

“I want to go too,” a voice said from the doorway.

They all jumped and turned to face the door, where Prince Virgil stood leaned against the door frame.

There was silence for a few moments, then Logan frowned. “No.”

“No?” Virgil asked, frowning back.

“It’s too dangerous, Your Highness,” Logan answered.

“I’m a grown adult,” Virgil shot back.

“A grown adult who’s never been in any real danger. You don’t know what you’re talking about,” Logan said, sounding slightly agitated.

“And you’re just overprotective! I’m a healer! I can help!” Virgil cried.

“Prince Virgil-”

“Actually,” Remus interrupted, “a healer might be helpful.”

Logan shot him a glare.

“See?” Virgil said. “They want me to come!”

“Kiddo, Lo’s right. It’s really dangerous,” Patton said.

“Virgil,” Logan said, successfully catching Virgil’s attention. “I just want you to be safe.”

Virgil tilted his head. “I will be, Logan.”

Logan sighed softly. “Then I’m coming too. The other servants can fend for themselves for a while.”

Virgil raised an eyebrow and flushed slightly, then a triumphant smile split his face. “Cool.”

“Won’t people look for you?” Patton asked.

“Hm,” Virgil paused for a moment, “I think I have an idea.”

-

“Where are we going?” Patton asked as he, Logan, and Remus followed Virgil down the road. 

Virgil was focusing very hard on not tripping over the boots he’d borrowed from Logan, which were about two sizes too large. “Mh,” he hummed, “you’ll see.” He pulled the hood of his cloak down further. He was clearly trying not to be recognized. Patton wasn’t sure if Logan tagging along would help with that.

They finally slowed outside a bakery. The bakery that served the palace more often than not. Virgil opened the door, and the group made their way inside. 

The baker’s son–Andy, Patton’s brain supplied–popped up from behind the counter, surveying them with a raised eyebrow. “How may I help you?”

Virgil looked around, then lowered his hood. “I need a favor.”

Andy rushed to bow, but Virgil quickly waved for him to straighten up. 

“It’s fine, um…” Virgil cleared his throat. “I have somewhere I need to go, but no one can know I’m gone. You look so much like me…”

“Ooooh, no,” Andy said. “Nope. I can’t. That’s not going to work.”

“Andy, please,” Virgil said. He looked around furtively again. “It’s very important. The Dragon Witch has infiltrated the castle, and I need to go destroy her power at its source. We need your help.”

Andy’s shoulders fell. “The Dragon Witch? I… Who’s going to run the bakery?”

“I think I know a couple people who owe me a favor,” Patton said. “I’m sure I’ll find someone.”

A small sigh escaped Andy’s lips. “You’re sure about this?” 

Virgil nodded. “It’ll be absolutely fine. Just lay low, and I’ll be back before you know it. A week, tops.”

Andy nodded. “Okay. Okay, I’ll do it.”

“Thank you,” Virgil said. “You're doing the kingdom a great service.”

With a sigh, Andy walked around from behind the counter. “I’m glad to help, I guess.”

-

Patton held up a lock of Andy’s hair and carefully took the scissors to it. “You know, Logan, I don’t think anyone would have noticed that Andy’s hair is longer than Virgil’s. It’s not that much longer.”

“Better safe than sorry,” Logan said with the smug tone of someone who had just gotten their way. 

Patton brushed the hair off of Andy’s shoulders. “Look in the mirror and tell me what ya think,” he instructed Andy, who did as told.

Virgil approached to look Andy over. “...Well, this is uncanny.”

Andy turned to look back at Virgil. “Tell me about it.”

“Makeup time!” Remus announced with perhaps a bit too much excitement. 

Andy sighed. “I don’t know if I’ll be able to apply it myself after you leave…”

“We’ll keep it simple,” Virgil promised. “Come on.” 

Andy followed Virgil to the vanity table and sat facing the mirror. “And what do I do if someone notices I’m not you?” he asked. 

“No one will notice,” Logan assured him, “because you will lay low and pretend to be ill. Ask not to be bothered, and no one will bother you.”

Andy took a deep breath, grimacing slightly as Remus and Virgil simultaneously began to apply makeup to his face. 

“Eyes open,” Virgil instructed. “You need to see what we’re doing.”

Patton leaned against the wall, watching as Remus and Virgil lectured Andy on what to do with the makeup, Virgil very seriously and Remus with the occasional off-color remark.

Remy emerged from the walk-in closet with an armful of clothes and began laying them out on the bed.

There was a knock at the door.

“Got it,” Patton said, pushing himself away from the wall.

When he opened the door, there stood Pryce and Thomas. “Oh,” said Pryce, “hello, Patton. Do you happen to know where Andy is? Or Logan, he might know.” 

“Ah, um…” Patton began.

Pryce looked past Patton, and his facial expression fell when he spotted Andy. He raised his eyebrows in confusion. “Why is he here?” He took in more of the scene. “What’s going on?”

“Pryce?” Andy asked. 

Logan and Patton locked eyes. It took less than a second for them to come to an agreement. 

Patton stepped aside for Pryce and Thomas to enter. “Hi, Thomas,” he said

“Hi, Patton,” Thomas answered with a tense smile. 

Logan walked over to them as Patton closed the door. “Andy is doing us a huge favor. Prince Virgil has somewhere he needs to go without anyone knowing he’s leaving.” He looked over at Andy. “I think it’s safe to say you’re nervous? Will having Pryce around to help you ease your mind?”

“Yeah,” Andy said. “That would help.”

Pryce still looked somewhat confused, but he nodded at Andy’s answer. “I’ll help however I can. But…” He shifted his gaze to Andy. “Andy, I need to talk to you for a moment.” 

Virgil and Remus moved away from Andy so that he could get up. 

“What is it?” Andy asked, tone full of trepidation.

Pryce jerked his head toward the closet. “I think it would be best to have this conversation in private.”

Andy looked back at Virgil, and Virgil waved for them to go. He followed Pryce, clenching and unclenching his fist at his side. 

The door closed heavily when Andy pushed it. It left Pryce and him in complete silence. “What is it?” he asked carefully.

“We, ah… Your dad,” Pryce said. “We think he was attacked by bandits. It was far too late by the time we got there.” Pryce’s voice was breaking, but he made it through giving Andy the news. 

Andy shook his head, tears welling in his eyes. “No…”

“Andy, I’m sorry,” Pryce said. “I’m so sorry.”

Andy choked back a sob, placing his hand over his mouth. “No,” he repeated. He was unsuccessful in holding back his next sob. The dam broke, and he couldn’t stop himself from crying out in distress as the sobs overwhelmed him. 

Pryce opened his arms, and Andy dove into them again, clinging to him with all his might. He shook like a leaf as he cried into Pryce’s shoulder. Pryce rubbed his back, muttering empty words that meant nothing to either of them.

8: The Childhood Friends

By the time Janus and Roman arrived, Andy had calmed down a fair bit. Remus was showing him the different makeups and brushes, and Logan was filling in Thomas and Pryce on the situation, as well as clarifying some things for Andy. Remy had just returned from making preparations for his and Logan’s absence, and Patton and Virgil were packing Virgil’s things.

Roman looked around at the activity of the room. “How many people know about this?” he asked.

“Only the people in this room,” Logan answered. Janus nodded in confirmation.

Roman counted quickly. “I feel like this is too many people.”

“We’ll need as much help as possible, won’t we?” Janus pointed out. 

“I… suppose so,” Roman said. 

Janus sat down in the nearest chair, trying not to look too tired. “So, to recap,” he said, “Duchess Adalinda Draco is really the Dragon Witch, and she’s conspiring with Prince Eschive to kill the King. Her power comes from a mirror that she keeps in a cave in the Droiler Mountain Range. We need to destroy it. Virgil is coming, so Andy is taking his place and pretending to be him until we return. The journey should be six days, round trip. Three days to the cave, three days back. Everyone clear?”

There was a general murmur of consensus that rumbled through the room. 

Janus looked up at Roman. “From now on, I suppose I’ll defer to you.”

Roman looked around the room again. “Do we know exactly where we’re going?”

“I’ve got a map,” Remus answered without looking up from the makeup laid out on the vanity table. “Ooh, this one would be perfect for hiding that scar.”

“Remus, focus,” Roman groaned.

“I am! This is important, too, you know,” Remus chided. “I got the guy at the magic shop Patton and I visited to show me where on the map the cave should be.”

Roman nodded briskly. “And who is going on the journey?”

“You and me,” Janus answered.

“And myself,” Logan said.

“Patton and me too,” added Remus.

“And me,” said Remy. 

“And me,” echoed Virgil.

“I’ll go too,” Thomas chimed in.

Roman nodded. “That makes eight.”

“We should leave as soon as possible,” Janus reminded them. 

Again, Roman nodded. “We’ll meet just after midnight tonight. Everyone needs to pack for the journey. We can meet outside the north gate of the capital, in the treeline so the guards don’t see us and bother us.”

Logan frowned. “Are you sure we shouldn’t plan more?”

“Do you think we have time?” Roman shot back. 

Logan pursed his lips. “I suppose not.”

“Get ready,” Roman said. “We leave tonight.”

-

Andy sat staring at himself in the mirror. Everyone else had left the room, many of them to their own homes to pack, Pryce with Thomas to the temple, and Virgil to his closet for the moment. His face didn’t look quite like him. Definitely more like the prince than himself. He touched his cheek lightly over his now-invisible scar and looked down at his hand. Only the faintest hint of powder dusted his fingertips.

Virgil reentered the room with an armful of traveling clothes and an empty knapsack hanging from the other hand. He set it all down on the bed and looked to where Andy was still sitting next to the vanity.

Andy looked up only when Virgil sat down in a chair he pulled up next to him, then bowed his head slightly. “Your Highness.”

Virgil coughed and cast his gaze to the side. “You don’t need to… Um, you really don’t have to tell me, but I was wondering if you’d like to talk about whatever Pryce said to make you so upset…”

Andy sniffed, blinking at the stinging in his eyes. “My father went on a trip for some seasonal ingredients. When he didn’t return, I got Pryce and Thomas to go look for him. He was attacked.” His words were stilted, ground out past the lump in his throat. He grit his teeth and clenched his fist.

A look of understanding spread across Virgil’s face, and his shoulders fell. “My condolences,” he said. “You probably don’t want to hear any platitudes right now. But I can sit with you for a while, if you like.”

Andy shook his head. “You need to pack. I’ll be okay.” He sniffed again.

Virgil sighed. “We haven’t been that close in a long time, but you’re still my friend, Andy. I want to help.” He smiled a little. “Besides, we both know that Logan will be packed in no time and back to either help or nag me. I can at least sit right here until he gets back.”

Andy managed a tense smile. “Thanks, Virge.”

Virgil grinned and ruffled Andy’s newly-cut hair. “Least I can do for a childhood friend.”

He hesitated for a moment before holding his arm out. Andy leaned into him, and he wrapped that arm around him.

“I wish I could do more,” Virgil murmured. “I wish I could stay.”

“They need a mage,” Andy said, muffled by Virgil’s shoulder. “They’ll probably get themselves killed without you.”

Virgil huffed out a small laugh. “Knowing Duke Erex’s sons, that might not be an exaggeration.”

They fell quiet, the tension of Virgil’s nerves and Andy’s sadness hanging in the air. The silence remained until Logan arrived to scold Virgil for not having packed yet, which sent the two into a fit of laughter.

9: The Mage

Janus stood against a tree, waiting for the others to arrive. The moon was high overhead, waxing, and it bathed the forest canopy in silvery light that soaked through the leaves to dapple the ground beneath. His eyes focused in on movement off to his left, and he tensed, reaching for the dagger he’d strapped to his belt.

“Calm down, it’s me,” someone grumbled, and Janus relaxed when he recognized the voice.

“I expected you to get here first, or maybe Logan,” Janus commented as Roman came to stand a few feet away from him.

Roman yawned and grumbled.

“Not a morning person, huh?” Janus asked with an amused smile.

“Shut up. It’s not even morning yet,” Roman snapped.

Janus held his hands up and stifled a small laugh. “Cut your nap short to get your hair perfect, did you?”

Roman glared at him, and he had to stifle another laugh. A surprisingly comfortable silence fell.

Virgil and Logan arrived next, Remy trailing behind them.

Thomas came next, then Remus and Patton.

At this point, Roman had recovered his attitude and superior airs, and he was questioning everyone on whether or not they had packed everything they might need. Logan quickly joined, and the rest realized that those two in combination might be an actual living nightmare.

“Hey, Dipshit,” Remus said finally, reaching into his bag. He produced a rolled-up map and held it out toward Roman.

Roman reached for it, then hesitated.

Remus jabbed the paper toward his brother. “You’re our intrepid leader.”

Roman took the map.

Remus grinned. “Don’t fuck it up.”

-

The group had traveled mostly in silence for several hours until the sun rose. As the morning sun began to shine, Patton began talking.

“You know, I think we ought to get to know each other better, you know, as a group.”

Logan gave him a withering look. “Must we?”

“Yes,” Patton answered matter-of-fact-ly. “We should take turns saying fun facts about ourselves.” He was met with silence. “Okay, I’ll go first. I’m Patton, and I can say the alphabet backwards.”

“You can?” Logan asked before Janus could warn him.

“Yep!” Patton said with a grin. “Listen,” he paused for effect. “’The alphabet backwards.’”

Logan blinked, and Virgil, Roman, Thomas, and Remy all snickered. Then realization dawned on him, followed by a devastated thousand-yard stare.

Patton burst into giggles. “Okay, okay,” he said through his laughter. “Remus next!”

Remus smiled. “I’m Remus, and I tricked Patton into marrying me.”

“Remus!” Patton chided. “You did not trick me!”

“Nope,” Remus answered. “You fell desperately in love with me all on your own because I’m irresistible.”

“Ew!” Roman and Janus exclaimed simultaneously. They locked eyes for a second, then silently agreed never to mention it again.

Patton sighed, a smile still on his face. “Okay, Jan, your turn.”

Janus’s eyes widened. “Me? Why me?”

“Because you’re the first one I looked at!” Patton replied.

Janus sighed. “Well… I’m Janus, and I guess I see the future now.”

“We all knew that already,” Patton protested.

“Okay, fine, then… Um, I guess… Oh, I once helped Remus fill Roman’s room with feral cats,” Janus said. “That’s a pretty fun fact.”

“You what?!” Roman screeched.

Janus rubbed at his ear. “Ow.”

“I thought you had ‘nothing to do with that’!”

Janus huffed. “I lie, Roman, we’ve established this.”

“Ooookay!” Patton intervened. “Next…. Um, Logan!”

Logan raised an eyebrow. “Well, I am Logan, and I work as head of servants at the palace, a role which I share with Remy. I am also Prince Virgil’s personal manservant.”

“Lolo, we already knew that, too,” Patton said.

“I really do not know what you want from me, Patton,” Logan said.

“Well…” Patton began. “Oh! How about your favorite sweet!”

Logan blinked. “I suppose that would be the jam the palace cook makes.”

Virgil grinned. “I once saw him eat a whole jar in one sitting, three days in a row,” he said.

Logan’s face went still. “Falsehood. You’ve fabricated this.”

“Mmmh, I don’t think I have, Lo,” Virgil answered.

“How about you, Prince Virgil?” Patton prompted.

“Oh,” Virgil said. “Well, first of all, I’d prefer if all of you just call me Virgil. At least for this journey. Um… What’s a good fact about me? Ah, um, I can do this,” he said, and summoned a small ball of light in the palm of his hand. They all watched as it morphed through several animal shapes before settling on a cat that stretched, arched its back, then curled up in Virgil’s hand before slowly fading.

“Woah,” Patton said. “You’ve gotten so much better at that!”

“Very impressive,” Thomas agreed with a smile.

“And you, Thomas?” Patton asked.

“Oh, well, I’m Thomas, and I like to sing,” Thomas answered. He hummed a scale in demonstration.

“Wow!” Patton exclaimed. “I didn’t know that.”

“You don’t know everything about everyone, Pat,” Virgil pointed out.

“If I did, I’d be Janus,” Patton joked.

“I don’t know everything about everyone,” Janus informed them. “Just the things I can use in my favor.”

Roman mumbled something, and Janus pretended not to have noticed.

“I’ll go next,” Remy volunteered. “I’m Remy, and I make the best coffee and tea in the world.”

“You know I make better Earl Grey than you,” Logan interjected.

“In your dreams, Girl,” Remy responded.

“His coffee is pretty good,” Virgil admitted.

“Your turn, Roman,” Patton said.

“I hear a river,” Roman said in lieu of an answer.

“Perfect,” Logan said. “That should be a good place to rest briefly and gather some water if it’s clean. If not, we should probably gather it anyway and build a fire to heat it.”

The group headed toward the sound. Janus slowed, getting a bad feeling in the pit of his stomach. Then Patton called his name, and he hurried to catch up.

The river was wide and flowed briskly, though not quick enough to pose any danger should they need to cross it. Virgil looked around at the edge of the trees by the river, and his stomach flipped as he heard a snatch of song.

“Guys, wait!” he exclaimed. “I think I know where we are!”

The music got louder. Virgil quickly slapped his hands over his ears and spat out a quick incantation, causing the rest of the group to do the same and freeze that way. Someone was still moving, though.

Logan was walking toward the river’s edge at a leisurely pace, a blank smile on his face.

Virgil’s eyes widened, and he murmured another incantation to muffle all sound for himself. He ran to Logan and looked toward the river.

Logan looked toward the river too. He didn’t notice Virgil next to him. Instead, he saw Virgil sitting on the rocky bank, singing. He held a flower in his hand, which he looked up from only to bat his thick lashes at Logan.

Virgil saw the creature for what it was. Its face was covered in a mix of scales and feathers, the skin between gray and withered. Its hunched shoulders drew close to its thin neck as it sang. A slimy, pointed tongue darted out over chapped lips.

Virgil planted himself in between the thing and Logan, hands on Logan’s shoulders. But Logan was physically stronger than him, especially under the creature’s influence. Logan forced him to take a step back, then another. “Logan, please,” Virgil said. “Logan, it’s not real,” he begged. “Whatever you see, it’s not real. It’s going to kill you, Logan, please!”

Logan kept pushing forward towards the river.

“Logan!” Virgil exclaimed, glancing back to see they were only a few meters away from the bank now. “Logan, I need you to be safe! I need you, Logan! Please!” he cried, throwing his arms around Logan’s shoulders.

Logan stopped, the melody shortly after. “Virgil?” he asked, looking down at the prince in confusion.

Virgil nearly sobbed with relief, sagging against Logan’s chest.

The rest of the group removed their hands from their ears, staggering slightly.

A screech rang through the air, and Virgil felt a hand close around his ankle, sharp claws digging in. He was yanked back and nearly fell.

Logan closed his arms around Virgil quickly, eyes widening. “Virgil!”

The others were pretty quick to realize what was happening and rushed over. Janus, Remus, Patton, and Remy all grabbed onto Virgil tightly and began to pull with Logan, while Roman and Thomas each drew their swords. They rushed the creature and began taking swipes at it, though they couldn’t seem to penetrate its steel-like scales.

Janus kicked at the creature’s face, and it used its free hand to swipe at him, tearing his pants and leaving long gashes across his upper thigh. In his surprise, he let go of Virgil and staggered back, and the creature managed to pull Virgil a little closer to the water. Remus let go, too, as soon as he noticed Janus’s injury.

Roman scanned his eyes over the revolting creature, and he finally brought his blade down hard on its wrist, cleanly severing its hand.

It screeched again and reeled back, and Remy, Patton, Logan, and Virgil toppled over into a pile. The creature disappeared into the water with a splash, leaving a trail of viscous brown blood.

Virgil looked down to see the hand still clutching his ankle and cried out. Thomas leaned down to hold his leg still and pried the hand off with the tip of his sword.

Roman rushed over to Janus, who was leaning against a nearby boulder. “Are you okay?” he asked urgently.

Janus nodded. “Fine… I’m fine, just a scratch.”

Roman leaned down to look. “That’s not just a scratch, Janus,” he said, giving him a look. “Take better care of yourself. Hopefully Prince Virgil can heal that in a minute.”

He stood straight and turned to help everyone regroup.

Logan held Virgil close to his chest for a few moments longer as the group began getting ready to move to a safer area. Finally, he helped him stand. “Thank you, Virgil,” he said very seriously.

Virgil managed a weak smile. “No big deal.”

10: The Confidants

The campfire crackled, comforting Patton a great deal. He leaned back, watching the water from the river begin to boil, the additions of the vegetables Virgil had foraged for and whatever type of meat Thomas had managed to acquire when he left for twenty minutes beginning to turn it into more of a broth. He reclined against a particularly old tree and let Janus take over the stirring for a minute. Thomas sat next to him, cleaning a blade. Despite the dire circumstances, he was quite comfortable with this group of people.

Across the fire, Roman sat down in between Janus and Virgil. Logan was on Virgil’s other side, then Remy, but Logan was entirely focused on the map, which Roman had given him to look over while they rested. Thus, Roman seemed to be the only one who caught Virgil poking at his ankle, pants pulled up slightly to reveal a bruise and the beginnings of some swelling. “Are you alright?” Roman asked.

“Mmh,” Virgil answered noncommittally. “I’ll be fine.”

“Can’t you heal it?” Roman pressed.

Virgil frowned. “I haven’t really mastered healing myself yet. Drawing from my own energy just to pour it back into myself… It’s harder than you’d think.”

Roman nodded and reached for his bag. He dug around in it for only a moment before pulling out a small bundle, wrapped in a strip of fabric. He unwound the fabric to reveal another, lighter fabric beneath holding together a poultice. Roman held out the poultice and the strip of fabric. “My nanny, and Remus’s, she made this. Caught me packing and made me bring it.”

Virgil hesitated. “I can’t accept that.”

Roman raised an eyebrow. “Do you want me to disturb Logan from his intensive thinking?”

Virgil grimaced. “Okay, okay.” He took the offered poultice and fabric, then pressed the poultice against the worst of the bruising. After securing it with the cloth, he looked up at Roman. “Thanks.”

Roman smiled. “You’re quite welcome, Your Highness.”

Virgil flushed. “Stop that,” he groaned. “I’m nobody’s superior right now. Or in general really-”

“Do I hear self-deprecation over there?” Patton’s voice called.

Sighing, Virgil shook his head. “I am your equal in this journey. How’s that, Pat?”

“Perfect, Virge. Keep it up,” Patton encouraged.

Remy snickered.

“What?!” Virgil snapped. 

Remy shrugged, still smiling to himself.

Virgil grumbled to himself for a moment or two. “Either way, I don’t particularly enjoy the royal titles and all that…”

Roman gasped. “I never would have guessed!” he cried, feigning surprise.

Virgil elbowed him. “Shut up, dummy.”

“That’s the best you’ve got?” Roman asked.

“Oh, no, but if I swear, Logan’s sure to look up, no matter how preoccupied he is.”

“He’s definitely listening,” Remy added. “The boy can multitask.”

Janus looked up from the pot of what could now probably be called soup. “Remus has been gone for a while.”

Patton sat up. “You’re right. Should finding more firewood take this long?”

Roman scoffed. “Please, he’s Remus, he’ll be fine.”

Janus nodded slightly. “He’s right, Patton. It’s Remus. He probably found something gross that interests him, so he’s watching that.”

Patton didn’t look convinced, but he nodded back anyway. “Yeah, you’re probably right, Roman.”

“Of course I am,” Roman said, puffing out his chest.

Virgil, slouching, snorted. “Oh, you’re more of an obnoxious royal than I’ll ever be.”

One of Roman’s hands flew to his chest, and he gasped. “’Obnoxious’?!”

Virgil nodded definitively, though he couldn’t hold back a smile. He giggled.

Roman shook his head. “You wound me, Virgil,” he lamented.

Virgil snorted. Logan looked up briefly, but then seemed to decide it wasn’t worth it and looked back down to the map. Virgil had to hold his hand over his mouth to stifle the laughter at the look Logan had given him.

“Dinner’s ready,” Janus said. “Smells great, thanks Thomas, thanks Virgil.”

Janus began serving the soup into the wooden bowls Logan had been sure to tell everyone to bring. There was just enough for everyone present at the fire and about two more servings.

As they ate, Virgil eyed Patton, who ate far more quickly than Virgil thought he used to, then began glancing at the pot. He caught Janus’s gaze and nodded toward Patton.

Janus watched Patton for a minute, then took Patton’s bowl. He scooped out a smaller serving into the bowl, then dumped the rest of his own into it. When Patton opened his mouth to protest, Janus held up a hand. “We have some leftover things from Virgil’s foraging that I can eat, and you know Remus will only eat one portion.”

Patton couldn’t exactly argue with that. He tried anyway. “But wouldn’t you like the soup better?”

“Nope,” Janus answered. “Doesn’t agree with me.”

Patton frowned.

“You know I’m not going to let up until you eat,” Janus pointed out.

Patton sighed, then smiled a little. “Thanks, Janus.”

Janus waved a hand. “Whatever.” After a moment, he pulled out his journal and a fancy pen he’d kept from his younger years from his bag. He opened it and began to jot down some of the day’s events as well as the visions he hadn’t had time to write about yet. There was a pleasant silence that fell over them for a while. Janus’s pen against papers, the crackle of the fire, and the waking crickets and owls were the only sounds that rang out in the twilight.

Then there were the sounds of footsteps and twigs breaking. Remus loudly made his way to the fire and dumped an armful of firewood near it. He grinned over at Janus and Patton. Patton smiled back, while Janus gave him an unimpressed look.

“We saved you some dinner,” Patton announced.

As soon as Remus held out his bowl, Janus dumped the rest of the soup into it.

“We should rest soon,” Logan said, finally looking up from the map.

Roman yawned as if to punctuate Logan’s statement, causing Virgil to yawn.

Remus swallowed a mouthful of soup. “I’ll take first watch. Get some sleep, everyone.”

“I’ll take the next watch,” Logan said. “Wake me in two hours.”

“Then me,” Janus volunteered.

“I’ll go last,” Roman said.

Virgil and Patton looked up from where they’d been yawning, half asleep.

“Hey, wait,” said Virgil.

“Yeah,” Patton said.

Logan and Roman met gazes. “I suppose we could use one more shift, so everyone gets adequate sleep,” Logan said.

Roman nodded. “Aren’t you going to volunteer, Remy?” he asked.

“Nah,” Remy answered. “I’ll let one of them take it.”

“Me!” said Virgil before Patton could.

Patton pouted at him.

“Okay, Your Highness,” Logan said.

“Lo-” Virgil tried to protest.

Logan smiled tightly. “I am still your subordinate.”

Virgil huffed.

“Lay out your bedrolls,” Roman said. “Get some rest.”

-

Virgil sat on a tree stump with his chin in his hand. He supposed it was good that nothing had happened during his watch, but still, he was very bored. Sunrise was on its way, the sky beginning to lighten ever-so-slightly.

When he heard movement behind him, in their campsite, he turned around quickly. He saw Patton quickly getting out of his bedroll and stumbling off into the forest around the campsite.

Virgil debated in his head for a few moments. If he followed Patton, the campsite would be undefended. But, currently, Patton was undefended. He decided to follow.

He moved as quietly as possible, so as not to disturb the others. He heard Patton begin to retch, and he moved a little more quickly. When he found Patton, he announced his presence softly, “Patton, are you alright?”

Patton managed to nod, though he began emptying the contents of his stomach shortly afterwards.

Virgil moved next to him and gently rubbed his back. “It’s okay, just get it out,” he said as comfortingly as possible.

After a few minutes, Patton straightened up and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. “I’m okay,” he rasped.

Virgil reached out and placed his hand on Patton’s forehead, murmuring a quiet incantation. He meant to check what was wrong with him. He instead found something entirely different. “Patton,” he said slowly, “are you…?”

Patton nodded a little. “Um, yeah.” Tears welled up in his eyes. “I, ah, I don’t know what to do! I haven’t told Remus yet, I can’t. What if he’s not ready, or he doesn’t want to- What if I’m not ready?!”

Virgil placed his hands on Patton’s shoulders and looked him in the eyes. “Pat. You will be the best father ever. I know you will. And I’ll be here, no matter what. Whatever happens with Remus, whatever you need. I’m here.”

Patton sniffled and threw his arms around Virgil. He sobbed into Virgil’s shoulder, and Virgil held him tightly, one hand on his back and the other on the back of his head.

“I’ve got you,” Virgil said gently. “I’ve got you.”

-

Patton sat next to Virgil on his bed. “Hi. What’s wrong?”

Virgil huffed out a small laugh. “How do you do that?”

Patton grinned. “I can read minds. Now, tell me.”

Virgil bit his lip, chewing on the dry skin there. “I don’t want you to hate me,” he finally said.

Patton scoffed. “You’re my best friend. Why would I ever hate you?”

Virgil’s frown deepened. “You really want me to tell you something that might make you hate me?”

Patton smiled gently at him. “I could never hate you. You can tell me anything.”

Virgil took a deep breath, then blurted out, “I’m not a girl, I’m a boy, and my name is Virgil!”

Patton took a moment to parse out what Virgil had said, then realization flashed across his face. “Oh, thank the gods,” he breathed out. “Me too.”

Virgil tilted his head, processing.

Patton laughed loudly. “Call me Patton,” he said. “Nice to meet you, Virgil.” He smoothed out his skirt and grinned again at Virgil.

Virgil smiled hesitantly back. “Okay.”

“ Okay,” Patton said. “I’m so glad I got to tell you that.”

“ Me too,” Virgil said, grabbing Patton’s hand.

“ And I’m here for you no matter what,” Patton added.

“ Me too. I’ll always be there for you, Patton.”

Six months later, they both told Virgil’s parents.

A year later, Patton met Remus. They got engaged not long after, and Logan replaced Patton as Virgil’s personal servant. Parting was hard for them. But life moved on. Being on a journey together was nice, though. It felt like no time had passed.

11: The Child God

Janus walked next to Roman as they made their way along the path. Behind them were Patton and Remus, then Logan and Remy. Roman was looking at the map, where Logan had laid out a new, “more efficient” path for them.

“You know you’re holding it sideways, right?” Janus asked.

Roman scoffed. “It’s called looking at something from a different angle. Try it sometime.”

Janus scowled. “You don’t have to get angry every time someone tries to help.”

“Maybe I don’t want your help,” Roman snipped.

“Fine,” answered Janus, Having schooled his expression into calm indifference. “Let’s see how well you do without me.”

“Fine,” said Roman, turning the map completely upside-down.

“Will you two shut up?” Remus groaned.

“No,” Janus and Roman answered at the same time.

“Seriously, shut up,” Remy interjected, “I hear something.”

Everyone paused, listening carefully. There was yelling in the distance.

They all looked at each other, then began to run in the direction of the yelling. Janus lagged behind a bit, so Patton stayed with him.

It didn’t take more than two minutes for the group to come to the clearing in which was nestled a small cottage. In the garden in the front, which was larger than the area of the house, a man and a child were running about with large nets. The man was also holding a shovel.

“Hello?” Roman called. Janus tried to shush him, but it was too late.

The man paused, though the boy continued in his pursuit of… something. The man waved, and Remus waved back.

Remy crossed his arms and looked rather unimpressed.

“What?” Patton asked.

“I don’t do kids.”

“What?” Janus repeated.

“I just don’t like ‘em, hun.”

Janus rolled his eyes and looked to where the twins were already headed toward the house.

“Whether you enjoy the presence of children is not relevant to this situation,” Logan, clearly exasperated, told Remy. “Now… Get over it.” He turned to Patton. “Did I say that right?”

Patton gave him two thumbs up.

They started to walk toward the cottage, Patton and Logan practically dragging Remy. Roman had already reached the front gate.

“And you are?” Roman asked, having already introduced himself and his brother.

“I’m Emile!” the kid cried.

Roman smiled. “Lovely to meet you, Emile.”

The man looked at the group, seeming like he was thinking very hard about something. Finally he said, “I’m Teal. What are you doing here?”

“We,” Roman said, trying to sound important, “are on a quest!”

Janus rolled his eyes. “We heard you yelling, so we came to see if something is wrong.”

“Something is wrong!” Emile exclaimed.

“What is it?” Roman asked.

“Garden gnomes,” the man replied. “We have an infestation.”

“I thought most gnomes lived in the mountains,” Roman said.

“Oh, those are true gnomes,” the man explained. “Garden gnomes are pests that dig up gardens and eat any plant they can find.”

“They get into my garden pretty often,” Janus said.

“And you’d know that if you hung out with the cool group, Ro-Ro,” Remus said with a grin.

Patton elbowed him and muttered, “Be nice.”

“Well, can we help?” Roman asked.

Remy groaned, so Patton elbowed him too.

The man hesitated. “Some extra hands might be useful.” He smiled at Emile, and Emile smiled back.

Roman smiled too. “Perfect.”

Janus held out his hand over the gate to shake the man’s hand, shoving Roman slightly out of the way. “I’m Janus,” he introduced himself. Roman glared at him.

“I’m Patton!” Patton added. “And this is Logan, and Remy!”

Teal nodded. “Okay, so here’s our strategy for trapping the garden gnomes.”

The group filed through the gate as Teal explained that they were trying to drive the pests into the center of the garden on the path, then catch them in one of the nets. Teal was going to dig out any holes that looked like they still had gnomes in them.

Unfortunately, this plan just resulted in all of them running around for a long while like they were being chased by an ogre, except for Emile and Janus, who were keeping the garden gnomes in the center. They had five of them.

By the time they were finished, it was a bit past noon. Teal put the garden gnomes in a burlap sack and asked Roman if he could take them as far out into the forest as possible and release them, so Roman went. Then Teal invited the rest of them inside.

“Dear, we’re all done,” he called, removing his jacket and leaving it on a chair by the door.

They walked through the den and into a kitchen, where a man stood by the oven. He looked over with a fond smile when Teal and Emile entered. His eyebrows shot up when more people followed. Then he smiled again. “I don’t think we have enough chairs, but we’ll make it work! Who are all of you?”

“We’re.. passing through and heard Teal and Emile in the garden,” Janus explained.

“Their friend said they’re on a quest!” Emile added.

Janus sighed. “Roman is prone to dramatics.”

“You can say that again,” Remus said.

“Well,” said the man at the oven. “I just got the stove hot enough. Can I make you lunch in thanks? We can introduce ourselves while I work on that.”

“You don’t have to-” Patton rushed to say.

“I am pretty hungry,” Remus admitted before Patton could quite finish. Patton pouted at him.

Janus couldn’t help but agree.

Teal had already begun dragging in every chair that he could find.

Patton made Janus sit down at the table, then sat next to him.

“So,” said the man as he got ingredients from cabinets. “My name is Dyad. I’m the dad around here,” he said with a small laugh.

“That’s because he’s Papa,” said Emile, pointing to Teal.

Dyad paused for a moment to ruffle Emile’s hair affectionately.

The group introduced themselves again as Dyad cooked. Patton kept offering help and getting refused. After a while, Dyad served food.

They talked pleasantly as they ate, Janus and Teal sharing gardening tips. Once everyone was finished with their lunch, there was a knock on the door.

“Emile, could you get that, honey?” asked Dyad.

Emile hopped up and practically ran to the door. When he opened it, Roman, Virgil, and Thomas stood at the door. “Hi, Roman,” he said happily. He peered around Roman to see the two others. He locked eyes with Thomas. “Thomas!” he cried and practically pushed past Roman to hug Thomas around the waist.

Thomas froze for a moment, then hugged Emile back, his eyes filling with tears. “You can touch me…” he mumbled.

“Only here,” Emile said back. He pulled away, then looked at Virgil. “Hi! I’m Emile!”

Virgil smiled a little, though he looked between Emile and Thomas curiously. “Virgil. Nice to meet you.”

Emile smiled back, then went back inside, gesturing for them to follow him into the house.

They followed, though Thomas walked stiffly and looked around carefully. It was the same, but… different. Very different. It still felt like home.

When they got to the kitchen, tears began to flow down Thomas’s face.

Virgil was the first to notice. He nudged him gently and asked softly, “Are you okay?”

Thomas didn’t respond to him. Instead, he hesitantly asked, “Dad? Papa?”

Both Teal and Dyad turned to look at him, then rushed, almost tripping over themselves, to hug him. Thomas held on to them tightly, trying his hardest not to sob.

Emile hugged Thomas again, too.

“How is this possible?” Thomas choked out.

“Um…” Roman said.

Janus elbowed him in the side, but he continued nonetheless.

“What’s going on?” Roman asked.

Thomas sniffled and wiped at his face.

“I brought Dad and Papa here so I could be with them,” Emile explained, though Roman didn’t find that very helpful to him. Emile continued, looking up at Thomas earnestly. “This is my little corner of the world, where I can live again. You can come here too, someday. But you still have a lot to do.”

“Emile-” Thomas began, but very suddenly, the house was gone. Teal, Dyad, and Emile were gone, too. It left all of them dizzy and disoriented. They sat in weathered chairs around a rotting table, except for Thomas and Virgil, who still stood. Tears flowed freely down Thomas’s face.

-

Thomas didn’t speak again until they were sat around a campfire again. Everyone else was quiet, trying not to disturb him too much as he appeared to be deep in thought. Finally, he looked up, meeting eyes with Remy over his tinted glasses. Thomas’s eyes were bloodshot, and Remy’s eyes had bags under them.

“Emile was my brother,” he said, voice hoarse.

“Was?” Patton asked gently.

Thomas nodded. “He was seven, and I was six, and our village was raided.”

There was silence for several moments. Then Remy spoke up, “You don’t have to talk about it.”

Thomas coughed. “But I should.”

Janus frowned. “You shouldn’t do anything that will cause you pain,” he said.

“I need to,” Thomas insisted.

Remy nodded slightly, face deathly serious for once. He reached over and grabbed Thomas’s hand, squeezing it tightly.

Thomas shot Remy a sad smile, then looked around at the rest of the group. “Teal and Dyad, Papa and Dad, they adopted us before I can remember. They took care of us and made sure we were happy. The other people in our village were amazing, too. We all took care of each other. It was full of good people.” He paused, taking a shaky breath in and letting it out in a heavy sigh. “I’m the only survivor.”

Patton gasped softly, and Remus put an arm around him.

“I’m sorry for your loss,” Virgil said.

Thomas shook his head. “It was a long time ago.” He smiled a wobbly smile. “Emile died protecting me. He hid me, and took an arrow to the chest before he could hide himself.”

Remy squeezed his hand again.

“He didn’t die, though, not all the way,” said Thomas. “Some of the goddesses took him in. He’s…”

“The Child God of Magic,” Janus finished in a soft voice.

“How’d you know?” Thomas asked.

Janus frowned. “I just… did.”

“The church was an accident,” Thomas said. “I went to look for help, and I told the people in the next village over that I was saved by my dead brother, and they just kind of… picked it up. We built a temple to him, and they took care of me. The temple helped him gain power, and…”

“How’d you become a knight?” Roman asked.

Thomas shrugged. “I wanted to help people. It made sense.”

Logan, who had been looking down pensively this whole time, looked up. “You gave Emile new life. You should be proud of that.”

Thomas smiled again. “Thanks.”

“We should go to sleep,” Roman said after a bit of silence. “Long day tomorrow.”

Continued in Part 2...

[vbee-miya]

Loved the matchups now can I have a normal one for haikyuu and demon slayer

A male one btw

I'm a straight short girl use she/her pronouns, im around 5'2 with long brown hair and eyes and a leo also a infp,im also ace as for which one im not too sure atm as i just found out not ling ago. I'm 21. I like anime,dragons,reptiles,drawing but I'm not good,tarantulas,sweets,video games, memes,dark humor. I am very kind but I care more about others than I do myself. I have bad anxiety. I tend to overthink about everything. I love to sing especially country music but I am tone deaf. I have trouble standing up for myself because I was bullied alot. I can be very blunt. I also love to swear. I can be very loud. I love a good mystery and cop shows. I love dad jokes and puns.I am terrified of bees and heights. I am very lazy but I can be good at doing stuff if motivated. , unless I know it will happen or if I touch someone. I accidentally snap at people and I find people's pain hilarious so if someone gets hurt there is a good chance I will laugh at them. I sound meaner than intended sometimes. I can have trouble showing that im thankful at times. I pick at scabs as a nervous habit. I love to add alot of lemon juice to my tea to where it's more lemon than tea. When I'm woken up early with low sleep I am very mean and grumpy. I cant tell when people are joking and take it seriously. I do have asphergers which is a form of autism. Becuase of it I am a very picky person with foods and such.

I am very kind but people take advantage of it and I don't usually fight back. I also have adhd and I can go on forever about something but I don't know when to stop and should be told to if it's getting annoying. I have self esteem issues at times as well.

I am a bit overweight it isn't shown well I have thick thighs and am just a but chubby around the stomach it isn't noticeable unless I wear somethign small I usually wear large t-shirts.I have a few weird talents. I can put my foot behind my head while standing and both while sitting down. I can burp for 14 seconds. I have been told I have resting bitch face. When someone stops talking to me my attention goes to something else so I won't be able to hear what they said if they say something again so I end up saying what alot cause I loose focus easily. I am incredibly stubborn if I want something done.

For dislikes I don't like people who don't understand that I'm different and ignore my sensitivities. I also don't like smoking it bothers me. For my love languages im not too sure probably gift giving or quality time as I love to just laze around in bed and play games.

༺❀༻ matchup ༺❀༻

haikyuu one

honestly i was going to match you with issei.

but daichi is definitely a better fit. he’s a sexy cop man that’s all I can say. but listen issei is also just as sexy and working in a funeral is sexy.

anyways daichi. he’d think your adoration for dragons and reptiles are pretty damn cool just like your drawings. because headcanon he can’t draw for shit and even if he did try it still wouldn’t look like what he’d want.

i also can’t keep thinking about how daichi low key looks like thomas crusader. if not by looks then definitely the vibes. idk that’s just my random take.

anyways your humor and his humor certainly don’t fit like puzzle pieces. but he’d try to understand dark humor which honestly he still wouldn’t find funny. though if it’s a funny meme then what the hell. he’ll give a good deep of a laughter. but he can’t resist a good dad joke and actually would be clever enough to come up with new ones when you guys are taking a stroke in some place.

he’d be weary of you about not fully putting yourself first than others, and he’ll remind you that. he’d make sure you’re taking care of yourself and even if it’s difficult he’ll be there to motivate you. after all you are talking to a former volleyball captain. it’s only natural he’s good with words and motivations of that sorts.

when you overthink he’ll hear you out but pull you back into reality. and tell you to take everything one step at a time. no matter how much you’re thinking about something, the moment you start getting ahead of yourself daichi would pull you out of the loop hole and take time to live in the moment and critically think about things one step at a time and make sure those steps aren’t just empty words but actions as well.

you’re bluntness might scare him, but honestly it’s more of the fact that he appreciates you for it. not many people who say they’re blunt are blunt. he’d also completely ignore you swearing. not that he’s got a problem he just wouldn’t care for it unless if it’s around his parents then he’ll have a word with you elsewhere. really playing that cop fantasy.

as mean as you may portray or perceive yourself daichi knows you’ve got a good heart. and even though it’ll take time for him to actually understand everything about you, just know in those times of being together he’s got insane patience and will never ignore you sensitivities. and like any decent human being will always accept you for who you are and will help you get better because you make them feel like they can also better themselves.

daichi even as great of a motivator as he is sucks at getting motivated. that’s only a joke though but if you give him something in exchange or even a simple talk in quality time he’ll forever be grateful to you. and also i will like to add quality time with you and daichi is watching action acclaimed shows and movies especially ones with cops and he’d play judge and see how well thought out and played the roles of the law are.

[epicyclical]

Dear Author Letter -yes it's done now! Sorry!

Dear Yuletide Author,

Happy Yuletide season! My favorite time of the fandom year :). I am always happy with any gift, so no pressure and feel free to ignore any prompts/suggestions!

Without further ado, my requests!

1) Rivers of London (up through Foxglove Summer)

I’m getting the other books for Christmas so I doubt I will have read them by Yuletide, so if you could avoid spoilers for anything past Foxglove Summer that would be very kind! But I couldn’t resist requesting RoL anyway, because I am SOMEWHAT OBSESSED. (Also I consume it as audiobooks so apologies for any misspelling!)

Soooo I love Thomas Nightingale an unhealthy amount. Stylish, self-possessed, an INSANE TANK-DESTROYING BADASS, with a dust-dry sense of humor and deeply buried trauma. What’s not to love? I also like Peter although DEAR GOD BOY keep it in your pants, for real. I love their relationship, how seriously Thomas takes his responsibility to Peter as his ‘master’, how exasperated Thomas is with Peter’s experiments (and tendency to only use his brain to make pop culture references).

Ship-wise: I love gen, I like Peter’s love interests (except the jazz vampire, I forget her name) but would prefer a story not focus on his relationships, I personally ship Thomas/Varvara secretly in my heart. I haven’t read any Thomas/Peter but am willing to be convinced!

Things I love: Thomas being a badass, other people talking about how much of a badass Thomas is, master-apprentice dynamics, protectiveness (going either way), Thomas’ adventures pre-RoL, Peter please stop telling people you’re a wizard I’m begging you, daily life in the Folly, Molly and Toby, cop talk

Things I DNW: the usual (rape/non-con, permanent major character death). Canon-typical violence and gore is fine.

2) Dracula

Yes I’m basic and obsessed with Re: Dracula (the podcast), sorry not sorry. I'm also Magnus Archives trash so I have imprinted on Jack Seward like a baby duck, but I love every single character!

So I read this when I was much younger and didn’t really engage with it on a Fannish level, so I’m absolutely delighted by all the tumblr discourse surrounding dracula daily and re: Dracula. Seeing fans talk about this book from 1897 the way they talk about Supernatural is just so weirdly charming to me, so really I don’t have any specific requests re: characters/plot/etc, but I would love to see some old-fashioned fanfic, if that makes sense. Shipping trash, h/c, crossovers, AUs, meta, songfic, bodyswap, genderswap, sex pollen, soulmate, etc -- everything you would ever see on a cliche bingo card. (I’m an Old Fangirl, sue me) What kind of fic would get written if this book had come out in 2005? Or 1995? (Honestly that goes for any of these requests, I love this stuff)

If that doesn’t float your boat, no worries! Things I would love: OT3/4/5/+, Jonathan and Mina OTP 5EVA, Jack/Abraham, Jack and Abe’s adventures when Jack was in school, the Suitors having adventures (esp pre-canon), Everyone is Poly except Dracula, Everyone Is Poly Including Dracula, what-ifs (Lucy vs Mina, Mina vs Jonathan, etc.), Victorian sensibilities, Victorian sensibilities being absolutely wrecked, train travel, boat travel, horse travel, gothic atmosphere

No DNWs for this -- if you want to lean in to the Darker Elements, go for it.

3) Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves

I've been playing DnD for *mumble* years and this movie was the first that really captured how it FEELS to play Dnd. It's not the lore, gods and kingdoms, it's the party of different classes trying to accomplish a small scale task chaotically. I love that you can tell in the movie when they fail a skill check. (Though I am still sad that we didn't get any real Bardic magic from Ed. I love a good bard singing during fights!)

So meta is highly encouraged! Anything acknowledging that it's a game, the rules of the world, etc. would be delightful! Showme the players if you dare haha

I also really enjoy pretty much all the characters from the party, I am a total sucker for Found Family in all its forms! I also adore: Ed and Xenk's ridiculous dynamic, Ed and Holga's platonic bro-hood, Holga as Kira's warrior surrogate mom, Forge and his scheming, Simon's awkward crush on Doric, Jarnathan and the poor patrol board -- basically everyone lol. I adore backstory -- all the stuff that gets referred to in the opening montage, how everyone met, various previous adventures. Or future adventures! Where to next?

Just let me hang out with these doofuses some more haha.

Shipwise I ship Ed/Xenk but am happy with gen, please no Ed/Holga (their platonic-ness is too precious), I think anything else is fair game. DNW: rape/noncon, character death. DND-typical violence/gore are fine (and somewhat encouraged haha)

[immaturityofthomasastruc]

The Chloe-Saga

Regarding the whole Chloe-situation: I don’t get it. Just what exactly makes Astruc not only hate a character of his creation to this extent but also makes him not stop giving her more and more prominence in the actual show? Like, in S1 she was the quintessential high school bully. Hates the main character, has the same love interest, causes a lot of “problems/villain of the week”. And guess what? That’s perfectly fine as an archetype. She fulfilled her purpose and it was fun whenever she got put down a notch. That some fans latched onto her and her being redeemed? That’s what a fandom does. It takes characters and gives them a new spin – that does not mean they like what a character in canon does, it means they want to explore those characters outside their bubble. With the identity-shenanigans going on, there even was a pre-build reason for why Chloe might question herself. In S2 we then got the full package of explanations for why Chloe’s Chloe. And while some of them were a bit much and Chloe still did a lot of bad things that might even exceed the “justifications”, Chloe became more than an archetype and more like a character with a clearer background and needs and wishes. What did Astruc expect? Even when we don’t buy her background AND think she went far beyond moral boundaries, there still is a lot more to latch onto. And in S3 and in S4 she got more focus and excuses. Fought of an Akuma. Was explicitly targeted by the big bad and more than once hurt by her idol. Got more family drama and focus on how her family affects people. If we are truly meant to hate Chloe and see not one bit of goodness (which Astruc tells us too) just why are we getting all that focus and excuses? As a one-dimensional schoolyard bully it would have been a lot easier to simply hate her. But that role is apparently Lila’s turf now… The way I see her character and development: One of her traits from the very beginning was how much she liked Ladybug and how much it hurt her whenever LB rejected or renounced her in a way she could not wave aside. She even literally dressed up as Ladybug! In S2 when her mother was introduced, what was one of the first things Chloe did? She sat besides her and mimicked every single movement. For me these were the defining moments of Chloe’s potential to be good. A girl who just really craves the attention of powerful female role models that she can model herself after. A girl who is way more insecure than her bratty face lets on. A girl who has not yet really found herself. Audrey’s entire character essentially is a grown-up Chloe. Petty and nasty and kicking down at every opportunity. Seeing how Chloe reacted to her, mimicked her, and just wanted to be recognized by her, I see most of Chloe’s character essentially as her modelling herself after her. Which is not helped by her father essentially being a rubberstamp with authority, Sabrina being an extended arm, and the butler…being a butler. Ladybug was the counter-weight. It was obvious Chloe cared about her and her opinion of her. She was still flawed and at times outright cruel but there was a hint of progress. Be it her later appearances as Queen Bee where she was either willing to listen (Maledictator) or act as part of the team (Heroe’s Day) or the entire “rejected an Akuma”-saga complete with shielding Sabrina without anything to gain from it. For me the most hurtful moment was when Marinette in her endless goodness reconciled mother and daughter. Because ultimately that was part of what made Chloe continue to model herself after Audrey and what made her stop questioning if Audrey truly is a woman to be emulated. Double hurtful because with Ladybug off her pedestal she was back as the sole role model and because this is yet another thing that can be construed as ultimately being Marinette’s fault (which I don’t believe in and absolutely hate!). We had all these things. Neglectful mother she wanted to emulate in the hopes to be recognized. Secondary role model that cast her out for reasons pertaining to her sins of the past and even before often rejected her for reasons Chloe couldn’t know about. A lot of enablers who either can’t or won’t tell her ‘no’ or 'stop that’ [and we know Chloe at least listens when the few people she cares about tell her]. This is not a condemnation story, that is a tragedy! Which is another thing I am weirded out about. How can Chloe be an irredeemable demon who has not a semblance of goodness in her and yet we are expected to feel stabbed in the heart by the S3-finale? Either she had the potential to be good and it was a tragedy it was not meant to be, or she is an obvious devil who nobody should feel for or with. We can’t have both! Should I feel betrayed or should I feel like that was just Chloe upping her Chloeness?

---------------------------------------------------------------

According to what Astruc said, we were all supposed to feel betrayed by the Season 3 finale.

Chloe’s relationship with her mother is a real missed opportunity, as she was set up as a completely despicable person everyone hates, and of course, she reconciles with her while the writers never acknowledge the abuse. Seriously, Astruc doesn’t think Chloe being emotionally neglected by her mother for years to the point where she can’t even get her name right and developing a slight inferiority complex as a result counts as abuse.

THIS IS WHAT THOMAS ASTRUC ACTUALLY BELIEVES

Like you said, there have been plenty of plenty of irredeemable villains the audience still felt bad for when they were defeated because of how tragic their stories were.

Tai Lung from the original Kung Fu Panda is a good example. He was trained by Master Shifu, someone he saw as a father, and his skills grew, so did his desire for power. He saw not being granted the title of the Dragon Warrior as if he was denied something that was rightfully his. There’s also the fact that his desire to become the Dragon Warrior stemmed from his desire to make his father proud of him by achieving the greatest honor in Kung Fu.

Tai Lung: All I ever did, I did to make you PROUD! Tell me how proud you are, Shifu! Tell me! TELL ME! 

Shifu: (quietly) I have always been proud of you. From the first moment, I've been... proud of you. And it was my pride that blinded me. I loved you too much to see what you were becoming... what I was turning you into. I'm s... I'm sorry. 

Tai Lung: (hesitates for a moment before grabbing the injured Shifu) I don’t want your apology. I want my scroll!

Even though he stops for a second, Tai Lung still wants his power, ultimately shooting down the last chance he had at reconciling with his father. Both him and Shifu had problems that led to Tai Lung’s descent into villainy, but while one recognized his part, the other simply couldn’t comprehend he did anything wrong in the first place. THAT is how you do a tragic villain, not what we got with Chloe.

If Astruc wanted Chloe to be an irredeemable monster, he needed to show her meaner moments weren’t something to laugh at (something the show Kevin Can F**k Himself is doing a great job at in regards to the titular character by deconstructing sitcom cliches), and have the audience take her seriously as a threat, not a joke villain like in “Queen Banana”. If Chloe actually was a “deep character” like what Astruc obviously planned from the start, she should have been more than comic relief after betraying Ladybug.

[joshuaorrizonte]

Find the Word Tag!

Thank you, @ashen-crest for the tag! They gave me seek, no, decline, and floor. If you feel like doing this, consider yourself tagged! Your words are love, passion, winter, and soothe.

All of these passages come from Infinity's Daylight, final draft.

Seek:

"Anna woke me after a handful of hours to take over the watch for her, and I sat thinking about everything as I watched our campfire burn. It was colder than I thought it would be. The cold never bothered me - indeed, I had once wanted to run away to Mytre, and part of me still wanted that. Maybe after things were settled with Dad, if he didn't believe me and I couldn't go home, I would go to Mytre on my own. I had always felt drawn to that region of the world, almost called to it. I had assumed it was because I was an ice mage, something very few light dragons could claim.

That made little sense to me anymore, but the thought of my magical abilities sent my ruminations in an entirely different direction. Light Dragons rarely had the capacity to manipulate cold and ice like I did, but Dark Dragons had no problem with that. And wasn't it just a strange coincidence that Dad had a Dark Dragon half-brother? I had never met the man before, but I was led to believe that he'd stayed in Sylpheed for quite some time after Dad fought the goddess Mariah and saved the city.

Dad would always be my Dad, even if my father was that nameless Dark Dragon brother. It was a possibility I'd thought of in the past, but never as seriously as I was considering it now. Maybe now that I was free of Sylpheed, if Dad didn't want me back, I could go to Draeger, seek this Dark Dragon uncle and see what he had to say about this musing of mine.

If I could find him. I didn't even know the man's name."

No:

"Vanessa laughed merrily at my expression. "Close your mouth, child," she teased. "You're going to start catching flies!"

"But - but there's so much of - of everything!"

This time Anna laughed, and Vanessa said, "You'd think the same of the merchant district of Sylpheed City, if you hadn't grown up there. Come now, hurry. I don't know when the next boat to Elysium is going to depart. We need to get our fare taken care of and get some supplies while we're at it. Things are much more expensive in Elysium."

She led us right to the ticket office by the docks, and the porter peered at us curiously, almost suspiciously, as Vanessa ordered our tickets. "So why are you three headed to Elysium?" he asked.

Vanessa seemed to be taken aback by his question. "We - these two are disciples I recruited while in Sylpheed City. I'm taking them back to the Ferrarai monastery in Sunrise-"

"You sure about that, miss? Because that young man looks awfully like the one in the wanted posters that went up around the city yesterday."

Our guardian went pale at that, and she stared at him for a second before I chimed in: "Oh, you mean the missing Dragesrod boy. Yes, we had a hard time getting out of the city because of that. Apparently I look a lot like him. I'm guessing we're distant cousins."

Now he peered at me. "So you're telling me you're not him?"

"No, sir. My name is - is Thomas Orrizontei, sir." I ignored Anna's sharp look and plowed on: "Word was in Sylpheed that someone had kidnapped him. Isn't that what's being said here?"

"Aye, lad. A priestess of Kyrios had kidnapped him -."

"I can assure you I have not been kidnapped. I am really going to Sunrise Beach to be a priest. I'll even recite any of the Kyrian scripture you want me to."

The man considered this for a moment, then shook his head, not quite convinced, but unwilling to press further. "No, no, that won't be necessary, I believe you. You might run into trouble in the city, though."

Decline:

Not in this novel.

Floor:

"Rae opened his mouth to answer me. But whatever he had been prepared to say next was cut off by the sound of Circe screaming my name. I reacted automatically, rushing to her aid, Rae following on my heels. The hallway around me was chaos, people running back and forth and shouting at each other. I pushed through them to reach Circe. "The throne room!" she shouted at me, and Rae and I moved to obey her.

The scene I saw before me could only be described as chaotic. Serra's throne was empty, and a tight formation of soldiers from the Queen's Guard stood in a circle around the dais. I pushed my way through the guards with Circe and Rae, and knelt next to Serra and the soldier whose head she cradled in her lap. "Help him!" Serra begged me, and I examined the wound. It was a gunshot to be sure, right in the center of his belly. There was a racket outside of the circle, and one guard outside of it shouted, "There he is! After him!"

Circe and Rae bolted after the man the guard indicated. I watched them go, my view from the floor obfuscated by the guards protecting Serra. Then I turned my attention back to the man dying in Serra's arms. "He tried to kill me," she said, dissolving into tears. "This man wasn't even supposed to be here today! He stepped in front of me when the assassin fired on me. He was wearing Queen's Guard colors, Drake!"

I ignored her for the time being, choosing to focus entirely on the wounded man in front of me. It was too late. He had lost too much blood, and his abdomen was swelling with internal bleeding. My magic wasn't powerful enough to do much else than to numb the pain and force him into a sleep that he would never wake from."

[tracingdreams]

Tiger & Bunny S2 Pt1

It’s strange to think how long it was since season 1 of T&B. Even though I didn’t watch it when it came out, it just doesn’t feel like there’s been a lapse or a major change in style between the original 2011 series and the new.

I’m going to babble, but under tags in case people either don’t care or don’t want to be spoilered. Because I love this series, the babble may be long and rambly. Read at own risk.

Tiger and Bunny What do I say about these guys. I adore their partnership. I love how Barnaby can go into a sulk over Tiger drinking his drink and yet they still perfectly coordinate to take out a villain. I love them being awkward ‘senpai’ to the others in the teaming up department. I love how Barnaby is no longer so easy to sway on Tiger’s loyalty. I love that Barnaby has filled his house with plants and that he talks to them constantly. I just love the two of them. Nuff said really. Though their partnership has clearly evolved, it’s a beautiful thing. And of course, now Kaede knows everything, it’s like Barnaby is part of her family, too. Not that I’m suggesting anything. Even though sometimes I think the animators are, when they have Tiger say things like, ‘yeah, we’re friends, but it’s not just that’...

Also, it’s absolutely not at all suspicious that Tiger has his wedding photo, his picture of him, his wife and Kaede as a baby, and then a picture of him, Barnaby and Kaede lined up on his shelf together in that order. Like, not at all.

Ryan and Blue Rose So in the movie, I wasn’t really sure what to make of Ryan. He didn’t seem like a bad guy, but he also seemed a bit full of himself. However I really like his character in season 2. Getting a bit of backstory, seeing his insecurities as he works out his partnership with Blue Rose, and also him getting on Subaru’s case over Barnaby’s reasons for becoming a hero...I feel like he really fitted into the team well now and he belongs. Karina is still hung up on Tiger but she does seem more mature this season. She still has the towel though. Nice detail linkup there from season 1, as was the stalker guy.

Origami Cyclone and Rock Bison Bison is always a bro, even if he doesn’t get the highest results. He and Kotetsu have a great friendship and it’s fun to see him in this role all the time anyway. But I love his really clunky partnership now with Origami. I loved Origami anyway, he’s really evolved since the start of season 1. 

Mr Black and He Is Thomas Who on earth decided that second name. It may win the most ridiculous hero name and it’s up against some big competition. I actually quite like both Subaru and Thomas although they need to learn to communicate, both with others and each other. I feel like at the end of the cour they may be getting there. Thomas’ past is so sad but the point where the couple take advantage of him is worse somehow. I hope he finds his sister. It’s also weird because although I’ve heard Shimozaki Nobunaga voice umpteen characters, this one sounds THE MOST like Furuya of all of them.

Magical Cat and Dragon Kid I don’t have strong feelings about Kid as a character, I think she’s fine. I think Cat needs to give her mother a stern talking to, but seriously, what is a fourteen year old girl doing out fighting bad guys anyway? And that it’s Cat that impales the warp guy at the end. Ouch. That’s a pretty big deal burden. I don’t hate Cat but she probably needs to be more useful. The cutesy magical girl thing doesn’t really work for me. I prefer Blue Rose, even if she does have adolescent attitude problems ;)

Fire Emblem and Sky High These two as a partnership amuse me. There’s a lot of Fire Emblem’s background in the movie which kind of makes me view them in a more informed light. Up to this point I might’ve said ‘she’, based on season 1, but after the movie, I now feel like ‘they’ is the correct pronoun here. Fire is really smart, Sky High is...not. But he is genuine and earnest and they do work together well. Sky High admitting his own personal failings - he hates celery! - was also cute.

Lunatic ...I kind of don’t understand the lack of Lunatic as Lunatic in this season, mind you. Especially since Yuri has been given particular responsibility overseeing the hero system in its new form. In fact, Barnaby and Tiger using him as a sounding board, and especially Barnaby telling him some pretty personal stuff about his feelings since Maverick’s downfall is a bit ironic. I was surprised he didn’t get involved in the conflict with the twins, but spent the whole of the first part of the season simply as Yuri and not as Lunatic. Lunatic did get mentioned in front of him a few times, and he did burn some notes...but that’s all. Is he giving up his vigilante side to be a proper judicial overseer instead? I don’t know how I feel about that - maybe he’s been converted to heroes as an entity after all. I thought his inclusion in the movie was basically pointless and jarred with his efforts to help Tiger escape Maverick’s web in season 1. Maybe him pulling back from his vigilanteeism is good continuity for that. I don’t know, though. I kind of missed him. Maybe in part 2, if it comes in the autumn?

Barnaby’s friend Mattia...

Who I spent the whole series being a bit suspicious of, seems to be an innocent guy caught up in bad stuff. I guess it’s good for Barnaby to have an actual friend that isn’t a superhero or a plant. So I’m fine with it. 

And the ending... Well. I can see Ryan’s going to have some more unpleasant things to deal with in the second part of this series. I really hope it genuinely is coming in the autumn. 

[cultivating-wildflowers]

Books of 2022, March

Unlike last month with its spontaneous Murderbot binge reread, most of the books I picked up this month were planned (yes, including the contest books). Since most of what I read was printed, it felt like I got to more books than I actually did.... But it’s fine. I’m still way ahead of my goal for the year.

Total books: 7   |   New reads: 5   |   2022 TBR completed: 2 (0 DNF) / 8/22 total   |   2022 Reading Goal: 29/60

February | April

#1 - The Five Red Herrings by Dorothy L. Sayers - 3/5 stars

Not the most exciting of the series so far. (I’ll be honest: I was hoping for more Harriet Vane and all I got were Nac Mac Feegles a lot of funny Scottish accents.) Could very well be my need for a change of pace but it felt like a bit of a slog.

Lord Peter Wimsey was as chaotic and delightful as ever, so no complaints there. But I think I’ll be taking a break from this series for a little while.

#2 - Secret Contest Book #1 (Fantasy) - 3/5 stars (audio)

Brought me back to some of the Christian fantasy I picked up in my youth. (Think Wayne Thomas Batson and Chuck Black.) Perhaps had I read this at fifteen I might have given it some slack, because it does keep a good pace and the characters are solid. Overall, though, this story was showy without offering anything of substance. The set-up gave me hope for a decent story, but the book didn’t have a plot driven by a goal so much as a bunch of action scenes stuck together with duct tape and prayer. It just frustrated me.

#3 - Secret Contest Book #2 (Fantasy) - 4/5 stars (audio)

An upbeat, colorful adventure featuring a main character who is special without bragging about it. What the story lacks in a cohesive plot it makes up for with vivid storytelling and dragons. The writing style felt more modern than the previous contestant (with a first person present narrative to boot), and the main character, though lacking clear motivation at times, pleasantly surprised me. (Also: no love triangle! I was worried for a minute there.)

#4 - Fugitive Telemetry by Martha Wells - 4/5 stars (reread)

Rounded off my Murderbot reread (had to order this one through the library). This is probably the one I remembered the least about. Halfway through Network Effect I recalled a few of the details, but on the whole it was more like reading it for the first time than anything.

(I am now questioning how all of the books fall chronologically because...what about all of the events from Network Effect? Where’s Three?)

#5 - The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making by Catherynne M. Valente - 5/5 stars (reread)

I was long overdue for a reread of one of the more formative series of my teen-hood. Did I latch onto this character because she was also born on a Tuesday? Maybe. Did that prompt me to reread this book on my birthday, which fell on a Tuesday this year? Definitely. (And she’s from Omaha so of course I’m weirdly loyal.)

This book holds up. It was like coming home and finding a good friend already in the kitchen making tea. In some ways I’m glad I haven’t managed to get any of my friends to read this; it’s mine, you know?

(And I seriously need to dig into more of Valente’s works. Though I suspect a lot of them aren’t really my speed and this series is the exception.)

#6 - Battlecry by Emerald Dodge - 4/5 stars ('22 TBR)

Behold! One of the many books (and authors) I discovered through Tumblr!

I had some qualms with this book, but despite its flaws, it works as a story. It’s uncomplicated and fun, but with heart. The story kept a brisk pace, the world was intriguing, the cult element was unique and inspired (and appropriately creepy), and it made me laugh. Especially whenever Marco was on screen and feeling quippy.

And it gets an extra star just because of one specific reveal around the quarter-mark that had me open-mouthed and cackling with delight for a solid minute before I could continue reading.

#7 - Entwined by Heather Dixon Wallwork - 4/5 stars (’22 TBR)

Another friend rec’d book! This one went through my “writing network” (such as it is) a few years ago and my dear friend Kenzie read and loved it. Then she gifted me a copy for my birthday or Christmas last year and onto the TBR it went.

Outside of that circle, I hadn’t seen this book mentioned anywhere...until I started reading it. Suddenly there were several new people who were familiar with it. Which seems to happen a lot. Everyone knew what book I was talking about. They all seemed to like it.

And it is worth the hype. I was expecting decent, and it exceeded my expectations. Solid world-building, outstanding characters, and a good, well-paced plot kept me happily reading. (Though Princess of the Midnight Ball is still my favorite Twelve Dancing Princesses retelling.)

My only complaints:

The girls’ ages. The three oldest girls at least felt like they each should have been two or three years older.

The excessive stereotyping and repetitive descriptors for the girls. I’m assuming it was to help set them apart as individual people, but phrases like “Azalea took Ivy’s five-year-old hand” and  “Eve was pretty, even with spectacles” got on my nerves.

For how vital his role is, I feel like we should have seen a bit more of Mr. Bradford and his cinnamon-bread eyes.

DNF:

Secret Contest Book #3 (Fantasy) - DNF’d at ~40% for borderline-sexual assault and repeated suggestive content. Could have put up with the boring characters and vague plot otherwise. Some of that is down to taste; some of it is actually in generally poor taste.

[thomaslightwood]

A Kind of Magic

Chapter six: Gimme the prize

Now you die.

I have something to say: It's better to burn out than to fade away.

There can be only one.

Just gimme the prize.

•  •  •  •  •  •

Alastair watched how Thomas carefully held one of his spears. It was the one inlaid with golden designs of dragons, kylins, and birds.

Alastair almost didn't move while Thomas was looking at his collection. He had a feeling that this is some sort of test for Thomas' approval. Which, of course, was ridiculous. Thomas would not judge him, much less by his spears. And even if he did, his collection was large and with all kinds of spears.

But it was one of his very few hobbies. Something he did for years and that was close to his heart. He wanted Thomas to like it.

“They're incredible,” Thomas said quietly without taking his eyes off the spear in his hands. “I have never seen more beautiful weapons.”

Alastair didn't know how to answer this. He wasn't used people to say kind things to him.

But he felt how his chest was filling up with pride and warm feeling that left him breathless.

“I never leave the house without my spears,” he said only.

Thomas smiled a little. And Alastair found himself staring again. Thomas' smile did things to him.

“I have never thought,” Thomas said as he put the spear back in its place. “That I would be in your room.”

Alastair hid his smile.

“And I have never thought you would be in my room either.” After a moment of silence, he added “But I like it.”

Thomas looked at him with sparkles in his eyes and a smile.

“What are we going to do now?” he asked. "We have time before patrolling.”

“What do you want to do?” Alastair answered playfully. Raziel, he didn't know what was happening with him. But around Thomas he always was feeling brave. He was feeling like… he is allowed to be himself.

Thomas laughed. “Is this a game to you?”

“No,” Alastair said seriously. “Definitely not.” Thomas was anything but a game to him. Actually, Alastair was beginning to worry how important his relationship with Thomas became to him.

Thomas wasn't smiling anymore. He was looking right into Alastair's eyes. He gently held Alastair's face in his big hands and leaned his forehead against his, without breaking the eye contact.

“I know,” Thomas whispered. “And… thank you for it. You are amazing.”

Alastair could feel how his heart was breaking in his chest but it was good. It was good and warm and right because it was Thomas Lightwood doing it.

Thomas bent down a little bit, like he was going to kiss Alastair but didn't after all. If Alastair didn't know him better he would have thought that Thomas is unsure but this wasn't the case.

Alastair had noticed a few things about him. Like how he liked being kissed and often was letting Alastair to intent the kiss. Or how he liked to play with Alastair's hair (he even was considering to let it grow longer for Thomas). Or his face when he talked about his family and his childhood (he rarely did it). Or how he very carefully listened to Alastair when he talked about his childhood (which was even more rarely).

He crushed his lips in Thomas' while thinking about all this and more. About his smile that he was kissing now. About his broad shoulders which he now was using to push Thomas on the bed.

Alastair thought of the fire that Thomas ignited in him. He wanted nothing more than to be burned by it.

What got him out of this trans was one moment of hesitation. One little, almost uncatchable moment of unsureness, that made Alastair stop.

If he didn't know Thomas that well he would think it was only on his head.

“What's wrong?” he murmured. “Thomas?”

“I...”

Alastair stopped moving. They were lying on his bed, Thomas under him, both flushed and out of breath. Thomas' one hand was on Alastair's waist, and the other - in his hair. But there was tension on his face that he didn't like.

Alastair's hand was beside Thomas' head while the other low on his stomach. Alastair pulled back and whispered, “It's alright.”

He rolled over on his back beside Thomas and said, “Do you want to hear about Morocco?”

He felt how Thomas' body relaxed. “Yes,” he said. Alastair could hear the smile on his lips. “I would love to.”

-

If there was something more impossible than this scene, Alastair wouldn't believe it. Because here he was, with Thomas Lightwood in his bedroom and he was laughing like when he and Cordelia were children.

It was unbelievable but so much alive that Alastair could touch it. His impossible truth. The relationship he had with Charles seemed so insignificant now. When Alastair was with him, he was always worried and anxious, unsure what to do. When he was with Thomas, he was feeling like he could fly.

When their laugh faded, Thomas said, “Adelbaram,” Alastair's heart always skipped a beat when Thomas call him that. He hoped he would never get used to it. “I want to ask you something for a while.”

“What is it?” Alastair said.

“Well,” Thomas began. He hesitated for a moment. “It's about Matthew.”

Alastair frowned. He remembered the days at the Academy and he filled with anxiety. He didn't like to think about this time. There were too much things to regret.

Alastair didn't say anything. Just waited for Thomas to continue.

“He… he mentioned that you have said something to him. The day he, James and Christopher left the Academy. What it was?”

Alastair closed his eyes for a moment. He was so angry back then. Full with pain and hate he wanted everyone to experience.

“Alastair?”

He looked at Thomas. He wanted to say that he didn't remember or it was nothing important but he couldn't. His hazel eyes were looking at him and expected the truth. Alastair couldn't, didn't want to, lie to him. Thomas was the truest thing in his life and he wouldn't let it be lost in lies.

So Alastair told him. He repeated everything he said to Matthew Fairchild that day. He told him everything else he said about the Merry Thieves in the Academy and how sorry he was for it.

Alastair apologized to Thomas. He felt shame thinking about these days. It was killing him. He owed the rest of the boys apology too.

In the end, there was silence. Alastair was feeling like he was drowning in it.

“Thomas, please,” he said. “Say something.”

Thomas slowly looked at him. There was… shock. He opened his mouth like he was going to say something but didn't. He looked away.

“I… I need to think about it,” he finally said and got up from the bed they still was lying on. Thomas left like he was in a trans. Alastair heard him getting down on the steps. Opening the front door. And closing it.

It was a pain worse than any spear.

•  •  •  •  •  •

The next day Alastair received a letter for an emergency meeting of the Enclave in the Institute.

Alastair washed his face with cold water, dressed up, grabbed a few spears and left the house.

When he arrived he was surprised to see so many people already there. What was strange though was that part of them talked to each other, visibly worried, while other part just stood with stone faces.

Alastair saw Augustus Pounceby and approached him.

“What's going no here?” he asked him.

Pounceby shook his head.

“You wouldn't believe it. I heard it this morning from my father. It's about Charles Fairchild.”

Alastair frowned.

“He organized a special group to hunt the Ignis demons. A group which members are only relatives to injured Shadowhunters.”

Alastair took a sharp breath. “By the Angel.”

“There is more,” Pounceby said. “The list with the members is already done. It's not allowed to join anymore.”

Alastair thought about Thomas. Thomas who probably was still hurt. Who had an injured relative.

“Is… is there any paper with the members?”

Pounceby frowned. “I don't know. Probably Charles knows them all.”

Alastair didn't want to ask him. He tried again.

“Did you know who joined?”

“Not all but,” Pounceby said. “I heard a few names. I know Catherine Townsend joined in the last moment because her father was injured during his patrol tonight.”

“Is there…” Alastair wasn't sure he has it in himself to ask. He didn't want to know the answer if it was yes. “Is there any Lightwoods?”

Pounceby frowned like he was trying to remember. “Yes, I think so. Christopher and Thomas Lightwood.”

This words felt like kick in the stomach.

Alastair fast looked around, trying to see if Thomas was in the crowd. He needed to talk to him immediately.

The meeting was starting already. The Shadowhunters were moving. But no matter how hard Alastair looked, Thomas wasn't here.

-

The special group of Charles was going in Camberwell tonight. The place where the Ignis demons attack started. The most dangerous place in London at the moment.

Alastair wanted to scream. He needed to talk with Thomas right now. He would never forgive himself if something happened to Thomas.

Alastair knocked at the opened door as he entered. “Hello?”

Lucie Herondale raised her head from what she was writing and looked at him. She was surprised to see him. It was strange, really. This was his sister's parabatai, a sixteen years old girl he barely spoke with.

“Oh, hello,” she said. “The Enclave meeting is already over. If you want to speak with my father…”

“No, no. I… I came to speak with you.”

Lucie arched her eyebrows. “Oh, well. What's the matter then?”

“Do you know where I can find Thomas?”

Something flashed in her eyes. “Sorry, I'm not sure where he is at the moment,” she said. “We have appointment after a few hours. Then he goes with Charles group to patrol,” she frowned a little as she mentioned the group. Alastair could see the she didn't approve. And was worried.

Alastair thanked her and left. He wanted just to wait in front of the Institute for Thomas but his mother and sister were waiting for him in the carriage.

They were talking something about the Ignis demons and London but Alastair couldn't bring himself to care. He dug fingernails into his palm. This pain was easier to bear than the anxious feeling in his stomach.

•  •  •  •  •  •

Alastair went to patrol early. There were still sunlight.

His place for tonight was Lambeth. He should wait for two more Shadowhunters to patrol with but instead he went to the border of Camberwell. At the street he heard the special group was going to gathering.

As he approached, he saw them. Around twenty Shadowhunters, most of them young, waiting to face the death. Alastair searched the crowd for Thomas. Most of them were drawing runes on each other or checking their weapons. Finally he spotted Thomas, a little aside from everyone else.

Thomas doesn't like crowds, crossed his mind.

As Alastair started walking toward them, he saw that Thomas was talking with someone. Christopher Lightwood. It seemed like they're arguing. Thomas was saying something while his cousin was shaking his head.

As he got closer, he heard them:

“...seriously do this? Kit, this so dangerous, we can't just…”

“You heard what Anna said,” interrupted Christopher. “About that warlock. If we never get close to a Ignis demon, we would never…”

“Excuse me,” Alastair said. He felt embarrassed but the last thing he wanted was to overhear their conversation.

Thomas turned to him, his eyes expanded a little as he saw Alastair.

“Thomas, can I speak with you? In private,” Alastair asked. He felt unsure now, tense, in the face of Thomas.

But then he nodded and turned to Christopher one more time. “Think about what I said. Please.”

Then Thomas and Alastair was left alone. Alastair took a deep breath.

“Thomas, listen, I know I did bad things and I…”

“Alastair, stop,” Thomas said. He closed eyes and sighed. Opened them. “Please stop.”

Alastair waited. He was drowning.

“I thought about this a lot,” Thomas continued. “I was upset at the beginning. These rumors cased my family a lot of pain. Matthew's as well. James was suffering at the Academy too. I was angry that back then you… repeated this awful words,” Thomas paused. Alastair couldn't breathe. “But… but knowing you now, seeing how sorry you are… That you realize how hurtful it was and… and knowing things about you I didn't know back then... I can't really be angry at you for long. I forgive you. I don't know about Matthew or James but I forgive you.”

Before Alastair could say something or melt from relief, a voice interrupted them.

“The sunset came,” someone shouted. “It's time to go!”

Thomas anxiously looked at the person who said it. “I need to go.”

“Wait!” Alastair grabbed Thomas for the arm before he could turn around. “Why you joined this group then? We both know it's stupid and too dangerous. You don't do things like this.”

Thomas' face turned sad. “To look after Christopher. The rest wanted to join too, for him, but there wasn't enough time…”

“It's time to enter Camberwell!”

“I really need to go.”

Alastair squeezed his arm. Looked right into Thomas beautiful brown eyes.

“Noore cheshmam,” he said quietly, almost whispered so no one but Thomas to hear. “Zen'har. Khahesh.”

Thomas' face softened. “Alastair, azeez…”

“Come on everyone!”

Thomas eyes was warm. He whispered, “I promise that I will come back.”

Then he gently removed Alastair's hand from his and went to the rest of the group.

Thomas looked back at him. Their eyes crossed. One last glance between lovers, before one of them disappeared.

Alastair stood there for a long time, even when he couldn't see Thomas anymore.

•  •  •  •  •  •

Dictionary

adelbaram - the thief of my heart noore cheshmam - the light of my eyes zen'har - take care, be carful khahesh - please azeez - darling, dear, sweetheart

You can look at the London's map to get a better idea of ​​the mentioned places.

[gaylotusthatexists]

Maybe take the blame for bad things happen bingo where Patton takes the blame for smthing. Maybe while in the imanation and makes the dragon witch mad. It just seems like a very patton thing to do.

searching for his prince

fandom: sanders sides

pairing: platonic moceit, platonic intruality

prompt: taking the blame 

trigger warnings: blood mention, fighting, crying, implied past unsympathetic/morally grey patton 

word count: 2092

a/n: this is written for the @badthingshappenbingo​! and it is also a sequel to this fic bc i couldn’t help myself. idk if this is exactly what you were looking for anon, but it does in fact include the dragon witch so :) yeah i’m sorry about this but hope you enjoy

ao3

Patton didn't quite know how he felt, following Deceit around the Imagination. On the one hand, Deceit seemed... kind. Willing to help Patton, at least. Which was more than what could be said for the others, who'd apparently forgotten all about him, left him to suffer all alone. But this was Deceit he was talking about! How could he know that Deceit wasn't planning something else? That this was all out of the goodness of his heart and not just to take advantage of Patton?

No, that couldn't be it. Patton knew that Deceit couldn't be all bad - if he was, then why would he help Patton? Why would he offer to take him back home?

Unless he wasn't taking him back home, unless he was just luring him into a trap, unless...

"What are you doing in the Imagination, anyway?" Deceit asked, glancing over at Patton.

Patton fixed his eyes on the ground ahead. "I came to check on Roman. But couldn't find him, obviously."

"You know it's dangerous in here," Deceit said. "Why would you put yourself in danger for Roman?"

Patton blinked. "Why wouldn't I?"

"Oh, Morality." Deceit looked at him with pity in his eyes. "You should be looking out for yourself, you know. Roman can handle himself well enough here, without any aid from anyone else. You shouldn't put yourself in danger for his sake."

"But... he'd do the same for me," Patton argued.

Deceit raised an eyebrow. "Would he now?"

"Y-Yeah, he-" Patton thought back to how he felt hidden behind that rock, waiting for Roman to arrive, to save him, only for... "I, uh, well, if he knew that I was in trouble, I'm sure that he'd come."

Deceit smiled, sadly. "Was he in trouble when you came to check on him?"

Patton closed his eyes, trying to think. "No. Maybe. I don't know." He took a deep breath. "We had an argument, I think, and he came here to take a breather, so a while after I came as well to... apologise, I guess, and..."

"You couldn't find him," Deceit finished, to which Patton nodded. "Perhaps if you'd just had an argument, he didn't want to be found. Maybe that's why he didn't come to save you."

Patton's eyes widened. Oh. Oh no. That... That would make sense. He couldn't quite remember what the argument had been about, but the memories were slowly starting to come back, and... well, Roman didn't reacted very well, at all. Roman was never good in arguments, he didn't like to lose, so of course he'd ran away, and... it was all Patton's fault. Roman could actually be in danger right now, and it would be Patton's fault.

"I'm not saying he doesn't care for you," Deceit continued, "but, chances are, he may be angry at you."

"This is my fault," Patton muttered. "I went too far. He-"

"I sincerely doubt that it's your fault, Morality," Deceit said. "In all honesty, I don't think you can do any wrong."

Patton let go of Deceit's hand, moving to rub his own palm. "I can, though. I make so many mistakes, all the time, and now... what if Roman's in danger right now?"

"He's not in danger," Deceit promised.

"How do you know?"

Deceit hesitated. "Well, uh, truthfully, I don't, but he's strong enough to not get himself into any major trouble. He controls this place, I don't think he's capable of losing a fight here."

"You're lying," Patton mumbled, rubbing his arm. "Roman's lost fights before here. He's come back to the Mind Palace bruised and hurting and always comes to me for help. But he-"

A worried expression settled on Deceit's face. Patton couldn't tell if it was because he was scared for Roman, or scared for Patton. "Listen, Morality, Roman will only get hurt in here if he allows himself to, uh-"

Patton's eyes widened. After... After the things that Patton had said, Roman would allow himself to get hurt. He always did. Whenever he came back all hurt, it was because he'd just had a rough time with the others, maybe an argument with Virgil, or maybe something bad had happened to Thomas' ego. And- And maybe he wasn't purposely allowing himself to lose, maybe he just wasn't in the right mind frame, but... well, he wasn't in the right mind frame now, either. He'd left the Mind Palace crying, screaming and shouting, and Patton had thought that maybe he just wanted attention, but-

He stopped walking. "I have to go find him," Patton whispered, stepping away from Deceit and sprinting back in the opposite direction, eyes darting around wildly in search of his prince.

"Morality!" Deceit called, but it was too late. Patton had made up his mind. He was going.

He ran and ran and ran until he couldn't breathe anymore and needed to rest. He collapsed onto the ground, curling up into a ball and quietly crying, which didn't particularly help with his lack of breath. He could hear roars in the distance, fighting, stomping, the ground almost shaking below him, and things were not going good. He was right back to where he started, afraid for his own life, alone with no prince coming to rescue him.

And the footsteps, the shouting, the fighting was getting closer. He hugged himself tighter, sheltering his head with his arms, his body shaking and brain quietly praying for everything to stop.

"Patton?"

Patton opened one eye, peeking out at the scene in front of him. Remus was bent over him, looking at him with confusion.

"Remus?" Patton whispered. He took several deep breaths, trying to compose himself, before sitting up and wiping the tears out of his eyes. "What are you-"

A dragon swooped overhead and Patton sucked his head again, as Remus glanced up and grinned. "Be right back, Old Blood 'n' Guts."

Patton closed his eyes, not wanting to witness whatever Remus was getting himself into. A moment later, Remus returned, blood dripping down his mace and his leg. He squatted down next to Patton.

"Why aren't you with Deceit?" he asked, tilting his head. Patton noticed there was blood stuck in his hair, as well, and all over his cheeks, and Patton tried his best not to think about where that could have come from.

"I have to save Roman," he said. "Deceit wouldn't let me."

Remus raised an eyebrow. "What, is Roman in trouble?"

"Yes," Patton said, before frowning. "Maybe. I don't know. But Deceit said-"

Remus pulled Patton up off the ground. "C'mon, if he's in danger then we haven't a moment to lose!"

He began to skip away, and Patton jogged over to join him. "Why would you care about Roman?" he asked, recalling how many times Remus had straight up attempted to murder Roman.

"He's my brother," Remus said.

Patton frowned. "You hate him, though?"

"I don't hate him."

"You're always trying to murder him."

"Yeah, he's annoying sometimes," Remus said. "And only I'm allowed to murder him. I don't want someone else to get 'round to it before I do."

That concerned Patton, to say the least.

"Also, I've ran out of dragons to kill here, so..."

Patton glanced down to the floor. "You... don't think Roman might actually die, do you?"

"Nah," Remus said. "I don't think he can die. Unless Thomas dies, I guess. Oh, what do you think will happen to us when Thomas dies?"

"I don't want to think about that."

"I do, though!"

"Think about it in your own head, and I will... not."

Remus pouted. "You're no fun."

The two walked across the fields of the Imagination, eventually coming across a tall tower. It... looked to be a similar style to the buildings in Roman's realm in the Imagination, but they couldn't have been there - Patton suspected he was closer to the Dark Imagination, and he didn't recognise this specific tower.

Remus hummed. "Big tower. No entrance. Yeah, this seems like the kind of place a kidnapped person would be held."

"Kidnapped?" Patton repeated. "Who said anything about kidnapping?"

Remus shrugged. "You're the one who said Roman might be in trouble."

"I didn't say he'd been kidnapped."

"Held hostage, then," Remus tried.

Patton fiddled with his fingers. "How do we get up there if there's no entrance?"

Before Remus could reply, someone landed in front of them, a smirk on her face. Red, scaly skin, a pair of thin, long wings spread out behind her, talons for hands. Oh. Perfect.

Remus got into a battle stance, swinging his mace around his shoulder. "What have you done with Roman?"

The Dragon Witch tilted her head. "Roman?"

"We know you have him," Remus continued. "Where is he?"

Patton was shaking. Again. He'd never personally met the Dragon Witch, but Roman had told him all about her, about his many battles with her, about all the times he'd lost to her. She seemed to be about the only person in the Imagination he ever lost to.

"Oh, Roman," the Dragon Witch mused. "I saw him a few days ago. Seemed pretty upset."

"What did you do with him?"

"He's just staying with me for now, until he feels better. Don't worry, I'm taking good care of him."

She'd taken him. Roman could be hurt, and it was Patton's fault. All because he'd...

He shouldn't have shouted at Roman. It was a bad thing, for him to have done. He knew that Roman got insecure, and that he took things too seriously sometimes, and... he knew that he looked up to Patton, that he thought Patton cared about him. And of course Patton cared about him, he loved Roman, he loved all of them, but... maybe he'd been a little harsh on Roman. Maybe he'd taken things a little too far.

"It's my fault," Patton whispered. "It's my fault he's upset."

"Patton-"

Tears were forming in Patton's eyes. He just wanted to go home. He wanted to be back in the Mind Palace, huddled up with Roman on the sofa, holding him tight, with Logan reading a book to the side and Virgil sprawled over the stairs with his headphones on full blast. Things used to be like that - why weren't they now? Now Roman was upset, all because of him, and... and he was stuck in the Imagination with no way to help Roman.

He could try. He ran forwards, a determined expression forming across his face. But the Dragon Witch was having none of it. Her talons ripped through Patton's skin and he fell to the floor, clutching the wound forming on his leg, then his arm, then his cheek. She wasn't stopping. And Remus wasn't helping.

"Patton!" a voice shouted.

Patton took in a deep breath and stretched out his body, kicking the Dragon Witch off him and shuffling to the side, leaning against the tower. Remus had disappeared, replaced by... Deceit. Deceit was back. And he'd called him Patton - not Morality, Patton.

"Patton, are you-" He ducked below the Dragon Witch and slid up besides Patton. "Are you okay?"

"Deceit," was all that Patton could muster.

Deceit grabbed hold of Patton and clicked his fingers. For a moment, everything went dark, and a weird feeling settled in Patton's stomach, a sinking sensation that made him feel almost sick. And things stayed dark, but objects began to appear in Patton's vision, a lamp to his side slowly spreading light around the room. He was sat - no, laid on a bed, in Deceit's arms. He sank into Deceit's clutch, crying into his shoulders. Deceit stiffened up, seeming surprised, but soon rolled with it and awkwardly pat Patton on the back. Patton tightened his grip on the back of Deceit's cloak.

After a few minutes of crying, Patton drew back, wiping away his tears and sniffling. That hadn't been nice. The Dragon Witch just-

Oh. Oh no. Roman was still-

"Calm down," Deceit said, softly. "Roman's alright."

"He isn't. The Dragon Witch hurt him, and it's my fault, and-"

"It isn't your fault," Deceit said, firmly. "If Roman is hurt, you can't be held accountable for that."

"But I-"

"You made a mistake," Deceit said. "People do that all the time. If Roman is hurt, you can't take the blame, it's whoever hurt him that is at fault."

Patton glanced down. He leant back towards Deceit, allowing him to wrap an arm around his shoulders and hold him tight.

"Roman will be okay, Morality," he said, stroking his fingers through his hair. "You'll be okay."

[lexilucacia]

“Say Cheese!”

Title: Say Cheese!

Words: 1615

Relationships: LAMP, Analogical, Logince & Logicality

TW: Angst, self-deprecation, sad Logan, fluff, self-doubt, kisses

Based on: this post

@illogicallyinclined

I hope you like it!!

It was a normal morning in the mindscape. (Well maybe Virgil was in a better mood than usual.) Roman, Patton and surprisingly even Virgil were looking through Patton’s fam-ILY scrapbook. “We must have a record of all the good times.” he had insisted.

The 3 of them were sitting and came across a photo of Thomas at the open mic night.

“Oh, I remember this! This was when we convinced Thomas to go to that open mic at the comedy club.” Patton recalls fondly.

“Oh, oh! There I am! I absolutely SLAYED it up on the stage. Check it out -- everyone’s in stitches.” Roman’s almost yelling at this point. (He was like an excitable puppy).

Virgil raises an eyebrow. “You sure about that, Princey? Logan looks like he’s having a pretty bad time.”

“Excuse you,” Princey replies indignantly “I was a riot. Logan just ALWAYS looks like he’s having a bad time.”

Virgil is smiling into his hoodie, happy to have riled Roman up. Meanwhile Patton flicks through the scrapbook worried.

“Now that you mention it… is it just me, or does he look unhappy in all these photos?”

Just as this conversation was going on, Logan walks past dozing into his coffee.

“If you’re really that concerned, now’s your chance to ask.” Virgil says although it is muffly by his purple hoodie.

“Hey Logan…” Patton starts unsurely.

“Huh --” He looks up from his coffee in a daze. “Oh. How can I be of assistance, Patton?”

“I just have a question. Is there any particular reason that you don’t ever smile in photographs?” Patton questions nervously.

“We only have room for ONE stormy rain cloud in this group, and I think Virgil’s got it covered.” Roman quips obviously not picking up on the atmosphere of the room.

“Watch it.” Virgil mutters murderously.

“A while back, it was brought to my attention that, given my general countenance, a smile makes me appear…” He looked unsure how to phrase it. Unusual and a sure sign he had gotten no sleep. “less than aesthetically pleasing. Since then, I have made a conscious effort to maintain a neutral expression. Does that adequately address your concerns?”

By this point even Virgil and Roman look worried.

Patton breaks the silence after a while. “I… I guess…”

“Excellent. Now, if you’ll pardon my brevity, I really must finish Thomas’s schedule for the week.” With that Logan walks off, not seeing the expressions of the other sides.

“Roman!” Virgil turns and punches him in the shoulder.

Roman looks quite distraught at the realisation that he caused Logan to feel that way.

“Now, now. Apologise kiddo, I’m sure Roman feels terrible.” Patton says, busy formulating a way to get Logan to see he was perfect.

“He better.” Virgil mutters under his breath, because as much as he hated to admit it. He had a soft spot for the nerd in his heart.

…

The sides spend all day putting together a slideshow about why ‘Logan Sanders Has a Cute Face’ and why (If You Disagree, You Are Wrong!)

The sides all play their part; Virgil compiles photos he took of Logan laughing and smiling (ok, so maybe he was a little obsessed.) Patton wrote all the reasons (ok so maybe he was slightly obsessed as well and Roman as creativity made the presentation look professional (and although Roman hates anything professional maybe he was also obsessed.)

So a few hours, big box of photos and a lot of typing later they all nervously knocked on Logan’s door.

Princey wears a sheepish smile, Patton a frown, Virgil a smirk and Logan a confused face.

“Do you have thirty minutes for us to tell you how wrong you are?” Patton asks in the most businesslike, salesman way he can muster.

Logan tilts his head to the side, obviously confused.

Virgil coos “Oh, you look so cute when you’re confused.” Causing Logan to go a shade of Crofters.

…

The other sides keep cheering and making flirty comments while Logan blushes throughout. Though about a third of the way through the presentation at ‘Exhibit 28 stating the he was ‘An angel???’’ Logan can’t bear it.

Especially after Patton wolf whistling and Roman shouting “woo, baby!” So he stuffs his head into Virgil’s side, snuggling impossibly closer to him as Virgil pokes his tongue out at Roman and Patton.

Meanwhile Roman and Patton keep making comments and even Virgil joins in.

“If I weren’t already gay, then THAT would have done it!” Roman suddenly shouts near the end of the presentation.

“I agree.” Patton chimes in “That is one HANDSOME man.”

“They’re not wrong” Virgil whispers while Logan whimpers and turns even redder than he thought scientifically possible.

When the presentation ends after a few hours the other sides notice Logan is off.

Roman pulls him into his lap and caresses his hair. “What’s wrong babes? Did you not like the presentation?”

Logan looks up seeing the hurt on his face. “No, no. I loved it…” He trails off.

“What is it Logie-bear? You can tell us anything.” Virgil puts his head on Logan’s lap.

“It’s just. Well, why?”

Patton looks confused. “Why, what?”

“Why do all this for the man with no emotions? The guy who ruins all your great ideas with logic?” He motions to Princey.

“Overrule your decisions with reason.” He looks at Patton.

“And just is generally trying to put you out of a job by reasoning Thomas out of situations with you? Or at least trying to.” He looks at Virgil’s hoodie.

“Why, why do all this for a quote. Guy with no feelings. Why do you care so much?”

Virgil stares at him. “Do you want us to go through the presentation again?” He sassed and Roman just stares in wonder.

“Do you seriously not know?” Roman asks in disbelief.

“That’s what we like -- no love, about you! We have loved you before we knew your name. When we knew you as Logic, then Logan, then a friend, and now, hopefully as a boyfriend?” He questions nervously.

Patton looks at him with puppy dog eyes.

Logan looks thoughtfully for a moment. “Well I’ve weighed out the pros and cons of this relationship”

“Oh shut it nerd.” Princey says fondly before Logan is suddenly muffled by Roman peppering his face in kisses and Patton doing the same. All the while Virgil is murmuring about how beautiful he is.

Suddenly Virgil lifts his head off Logan’s lap and before he can ask why, he’s being carried to his bed. He recognises the white fabric as Roman’s coat and snuggles into his chest. He’s so tired he doesn’t realise as the door opens and in step Virgil and Patton in their dragon and cat onesies respectively as Princey snaps his fingers and Logan’s in his unicorn onesie and Roman’s in his Lilo onesie.

“Where’d you go Virge? Pat?” He scrunches his nose looking like a confused kitten and bunny all mashed in one (which they all coo at). “Ro-ro? Where’d they go.”

Virgil quickly runs over to the bed to reassure him. “We just to get into our pyjamas baby.”

“And we brought cookies with Crofters jam centres.”

“Which we are not going to eat in bed.” Roman glares at Patton.

“Or at this time of night.” Virgil scolds.

Logan giggles making them all coo at him before he yawns.

“Is someone tired?” Roman tickles his tummy.

As soon as Roman says that Logan closes his eyes and starts snoring gently.

Virgil turns to the other sides. “How did we never notice how clingy and cute he got when he was tired?”

“Aww, is our little emo going soft?” Roman asks.

Virgil huffs and curls around Logan who is cuddled into Roman. Patton hums happily and curls around Virgil.

…

Roman silences the alarm in Logan’s room the next morning seeing how tired Logan was the day before. Patton climbs quietly out of bed that morning and makes breakfast for Logan while their emo nightmare keeps Roman company.

Logan wakes up unsure of why her can feel other sides in his bed. He blushes beet red when he remembers and can hear whispers. He opens his eyes and stretches.

“Ah the princess has awaken.” Roman says with a fond smile as Patton bustles into the room with a tray.

He lays the tray on the bed consisting of a hot cup of coffee, cronut, bowl of fruit, 2 pieces of toast with Crofters jam and a little milk jug and sugar bowl.

“Your breakfast is served, Your Majesty.” Patton presents with a little bow and flourish. Logan giggles making the others coo and thank god that he was theirs.

The Patton squeals excitedly and races to where he placed the Crofter cookies he baked last night and not for the first time that moment Logan thanks whatever gods are above that these were his boyfriends.

Patton plops onto the bed and they spend all morning talking with Logan only complaining once about his schedule. Patton only leaving sometimes to get more food and coffee.

Logan informs Thomas that he has nothing on today and when the others leave the room for a moment Thomas quickly figures out what’s up with Logan and teases him and assures him that he will plan nothing for today. Logan smiles gratefully.

The rest of the day is filled with flirting, cuddles, reaffirmations and praise of Logan (which all make him giggle, blush and press his face into his nearest boyfriend’s chest), dad jokes, snacks and movies.

He feels safe. He feels loved. And when Patton sets up a camera to take a photo of them he smiles.

“Say cheese!”

[camelotremix]

2020 Camelot Remix REVEALS & MASTERLIST

♥ Thank you everyone for joining us again this year, we hope to see you all again next year! ♥ We've had some fantastic remixes this year and want to thank all of our remixers for your hard work - you've been AMAZING. ♥ Thank you to everyone who read, commented, kudosed or showed love in any way for the works created. And if you haven't left some comments, kudos, or love. Here's your chance! Your ever-loving mods, Kitty & Fifty ♥ 

Fic: slantedknitting wrote A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Merman (the ocean remix) for lfb72 (Merlin/Arthur – NC-17 – 42k) Summary: Merlin lives a fairly simple life underwater. He teaches history, and he teaches magic. The magic teaching isn’t allowed, though, and to test his loyalty, Queen Nimueh sends him on a mission to destroy a nearby ship and drown any and all passengers. When Merlin can’t bring himself to kill the handsome sailor, instead saving his life, Queen Nimueh bans him from the ocean, forcing him to take up a new life on land. Fic: awyvern wrote Revenge (the Hat of Horror Remix) for kunstlerin69 / keeperofstories (Merlin/Arthur – NC-17 – 1.5k) Summary: Morgana arranges a bachelor auction, and Merlin gets assigned the worst attire. But had Arthur anything to do with it? Fic: schweet_heart wrote Know Him Blind (the Looking For You remix) for aeris444 (Gwaine/Percival – G – 852w) Summary: "And then my soul saw you and it kind of went 'Oh, there you are. I've been looking for you.’” – Iain S. Thomas. Two men walk into a bar. What happens next is history. Fic: geekslave wrote Where I Find Peace for moonflower999 (Merlin/Arthur – PG – 4.5k) Summary: Growning up, all Arthur longed for was a true place to call home. By the time he was twelve, he found two of them - one was a magical spot in the woods. The other was a miracle named Merlin. Art: altocello created Knowing When (to hold me close, let me go): the Mother's Love remix for merlocked18 (Merlin/Arthur (implied) – G – Art) Summary: Hunith, knowing when to hold her child close in his grief, and when to let go. Fic: camelittle wrote The Rats are Getting Bigger! The 'Hot Mess DragonDads are Back' Remix for fifty-fifty (Merlin/Arthur – PG-13 – 10.8k) Summary: It was bad enough that Merlin had to keep both his magic and his almighty crush on the prince a secret, while simultaneously having to occupy a space next to the room where Arthur bathed, slept and changed. But having to hide a baby dragon as well? Intolerable. Fic: keeperofstories wrote The Delights of Eavesdropping (A Tasting His Lips Remix) for dhampir1508 (Merlin/Arthur – PG-13 – 3.7k) Summary: Merlin gets a compliment. Several, in fact. Arthur gets a little hot...and then very bothered. ART: eisbaerfussel created Coffee made by a King - A "Until the End of Days" Remix for clea2011 (Merlin/Arthur – G – Art) Summary: Soft light, a bright kitchen, and coffee made by your King... this is how love goes, isn't it? FIC: ajsrandom wrote On My Way (The Homecoming Remix) for elveatas (Merlin/Morgana – E – 1.1k) Summary: Merlin contemplates his impending homecoming, especially what he wants to do to his wife, whom he hasn't seen in three years. FIC: excaliburstark wrote Go Gently (When I Die Remix) for geekslave / Geeklover (Merlin/Arthur – G – 1.3k) Summary: When Arthur Pendragon witnesses a car crash it forces him to to open up about his deeply buried feelings for his best friend. FIC: aeris444 wrote The Prefect bedroom for fractionallyfox (Gwaine/Leon – PG – 592w) Summary: Gwaine doesn't understand why Leon has such a large bedroom ART: lfb72 created The Once and Future Roller King (AKA the roll to me remix) for pelydryn77 (Arthur/Merlin – T – Art) Summary: Arthur had been back from the dead for five days when Merlin decided to take him roller skating. Merlin’s primary motivation was to see the mighty king fall on his backside, alas, just like everything else, Arthur takes the eighties disco scene in his stride and totally rocks in his red satin shorts and sunglasses. FIC: impala_chick wrote Looking to the Sky (the Oh Canada remix) for amphigoury (Merlin/Arthur – T – 8.8k) Summary: It's Arthur's last year as a Snowbirds pilot, and he wants to ensure the squadron has the best year they've ever had. He's confident that his half-sister Morgana will be their new rising star, but he's completely unprepared to meet his match in the form of pilot Merlin Emrys. FIC: lairofthedragon wrote Hypopyrexia for camelittle (Merlin/Arthur – E – 4k) Summary: If anyone had asked Merlin what he expected his day to be like, he would have said, "Nothing special." How could he have known that he'd end up getting drugged, shot at, and mated, all within the span of two very short hours? FIC: clea2011 wrote Perfect 10 (The Affectionately, Adoringly Remix) for violeteyedhair / KimliPan (Gwaine/Leon, Merlin/Arthur, Gwen/Lance – PG – 9.5k) Summary: Merlin works in Gwen and Lance's coffee shop. And what every coffee shop needs is a postcard exchange, obviously. In which Merlin tries a spot of matchmaking for lonesome Leon. Gwaine is not his first choice. And Arthur is absolutely not supposed to join in, whatever Gwen thinks. Of course, nothing goes to plan... FIC: degrees / aoigensou wrote Theatricality (Variation on a Duet Arranged for Two Lovestruck Imbeciles and Pianoforte) for awyvern / wyvern (Arthur/Merlin – M – 21k+) Summary: When Lord Arthur Pendragon, son of His Grace Uther Pendragon, 11th Duke of Norfolk, went to the Theatre Royal that fateful evening he hadn’t been expecting to become so enchanted with the lead actor, Mr. Merlin Ambrose. But Arthur is used to getting what he wants, and if he wants an actor then he will do what it takes to get him regardless of the societal norms that forces him to keep his desires hidden. Even if it means lying about his identity and obtaining work behind the scenes. Little does he know, Mr. Ambrose has a secret of his own. OR: The gay Regency romance fic nobody asked for. FIC: linorien wrote A Week in Your Shoes for ajsrandom (Merlin/Morgana – PG – 14.5k) Summary: When it all became too much, Morgana and Merlin just wanted a week off. No annoying nobles, no troublesome students. But they couldn’t afford a week off. However, they could come up with a clever way to trade responsibilities (and bodies). FIC: dhampir1508 wrote The Harvester Remix for excaliburstark (Merlin/Arthur – PG – 1.8k) Summary: Merlin can't wait for his husband Arthur to return from a weeklong family visit. ART: merlocked18 created Remix of You've Made An Addict of Me for impala_chick (Merlin/Arthur – M – Art) Summary: Arthur can't stop thinking about Emrys, the King of the Druids, and the way Emrys had made him feel last time he visited the man in his cave. Emrys was no angel, he was magic, able to manipulate and manhandle Arthur, using magic to gods know what nefarious purposes, yet Arthur could not get him out of his mind. Arthur almost wished for clashes between his patrols and druids, so that he may request another meeting and fit his arms around that lithe waist and lose himself in taste, scent and otherworldly sensation again. FIC: fractionallyfox wrote Strength of the Land (The New Growth Remix) for linorien (Gen – G – 2.8k) Summary: Gwaine takes his promise as Steward of the land very seriously, as seriously as he guards his friendship with Merlin and his oath to Camelot. He fights for Merlin and the land until the very end. And at the end, the land is there for him. FIC: pelydryn77 wrote Kilgharrah, If You Please for polomonkey (Merlin/Arthur – M – 12.4k) Summary: In which I, Kilgharrah the Great, give a fair account, noble and true, of the events that occurred in the story "Get Sick Soon", recorded by Polomonkey but experienced first-hand by me. Don't let any reports of the unreliability of eyewitness testimony sway you. This is what really happened. I was there. And I never misrepresent anything. Just ask Merlin. He'll back me up on this one. Or I'll scratch up his favourite woodcut. The one with the runes designed to ensure potency in bed. FIC: moonflower999 wrote A Bit Of A Shock (The Trust. Remix) for digthewriter (Arthur/Merlin – PG – 1.2k) Summary: Merlin has gone. Arthur finds him after searching for him high and low. Will Merlin forgive him ART: digthewriter created Tarot Cards for altocello (Arthur/Merlin – G – ART) Summary: The Magician and the King of Swords. Merlin: Manifestation, resourcefulness, power, inspired action. Arthur: Mental clarity, intellectual power, authority, truth.Wednesday FIC: polomonkey wrote Through His Eyes (The Look At Me Remix) for lairofthedragon / TheDragon (Arthur/Merlin, Merlin/Knights – R – 2.5k) Summary: He loves to watch and Merlin loves to be watched. He loves to dominate and Merlin loves to be dominated. They’re a perfect match for each other in so many ways. Arthur and the knights have their way with Merlin. ART: amphigory created Decisions, Decisions (the Episode - Choose Your Shovelware Remix) for eisbaerfussel (Arthur/Merlin – R – ART) Summary: Arthur has to decide what to do when he catches Merlin playing NSFW video games during work hours..... AGAIN! FIC: fifty-fifty wrote The Quartermaster Who Loved Him (The Bondverse Remix) for degrees / aoigensou (Arthur/Merlin – NC-17 – 9.2k) Summary: Merlin Emrys is a researcher and one of Her Majesty’s best and brightest at MI6 headquarters. His latest tech is a huge hit with the secret service and everything seems to be going swimmingly, until a hot new 00 agent comes along and messes things up royally. Or how Merlin and Arthur met, and what happened next. FIC: elveatas wrote The Mistletoe Conspiracy (The Mistletoe Madness Remix) for slantedknitting (Arthur/Merlin – G – 3.7k) Summary: As a prank, Morgana has put up enchanted mistletoe all over the castle, which traps whoever steps beneath one until they've been kissed by their true love. As such, Arthur has memorised every single location of mistletoe to avoid being trapped and having to confess his inappropriate love for his assistant, Merlin. And his vigilance pays off; he doesn’t get caught even once. But Merlin does, which is worse. ART: eisbaerfussel created Meanwhile, In Another Dimension - A "The Adventures Of Arthur Rabbit" Remix for schweet_heart (Arthur/Merlin – G – ART) Summary: The problems one might encounter if one was born as a bunny.

[currently-shushing-birds]

I'm rewatching the early Sanders Sides episodes (let go from My True Identity to Losing motivation) so here are my thoughts with mild context

Logan used to be such a smiley boy :(((

Oh logan that's gay

Roman pops up, insults them he's all "hi roman :)))"

"And that's when the anxiety kicks in" but virgil..doesnt show up. It's so weird

Roman goes "I'll learn to love myself" and then DOESNT

I'm calling it.  That's Janus. Logan says he doesnt gave emotion and here he is being a SMILEY boi who is telling thomas what's good about him >:(

THAT'S- THAT'S ROMAN'S THEME WH-

Oh Patton...oh pat..

"YOU'RE A F A T H E R"

"I know it's got somethin' to do with storks!"

"Am I right tony?" "That's not my name"' "then w h a t i s i t"

A D U L T E R Y

"Please welcome my anxiety" "sup!"

What what a bitch. Like a mean girl. Regina who??

"Sorry kid" excuse but arent you the litteral child

*crosses legs like a gay icon*

WHERE DID THIS BITCH GO

I'm all good with our current virgil but goddamn he's like a villain and w o w I love Villians

"Hey there Princey ;)" jesus

Lily Singh is gorgeous and super cool but god that woman is an enigma

Such light eyeshadow

I have a headcanon that Virgil and Remus watch shitty reality TV together and I completely forgot about this-

*waves at bird*

"Anxiety can be a constant struggle" "that's right ;)"

YA NASTY

It devolved Thomas, I'm so sorry-

Leslie Odom Jr. is one of my favorite people

Ugh I'm so proud of Thomas

Logan- THIS ONE HAS A SONG!!

"Proper adultery"

Oh, this is when logan still liked YouTube I see

"NO" "hey!!!!"

Y'know the one John Mulaney bit where he's just saying "okay, okay" that's Thomas

L O G A N

When was Patton so mean-

"Ugh...I do not like you" and then the fandom declared they were in love

They all sound the same and it's weird. Later on they all have their own spots in Thomas' vocal range. Example: Virgil sings lower while Roman is a the highest part if Thomas' vocal range

The lip syncing is like- y'know what nevermind

Logan having fun singing: :0

"You sicken me!!" Damnn

It was his video >:(

I keep my closet open because I'm afraid of serial killers inside-

No one said prince but I love you so much-

I adore Roman's theme

*gay hand*

And this is also where we declared they were in love

*gay hand again*

Julie Andrews is a beautiful goddess

"Or dont eat fruit:))"

O H N O

I love Peter Pan-

That's what Janus did..lying and deceiving his way to my goddamn heart I love him

Princey is SALTY

Thomas doesn't age

And they're in love :)))

I watched this episode last night at 4 am :))

I love rent-

UGH ROMANNNNNN

"I love dISNEY"

Logan just became anxiety there

Just the "AHSJWJAEMTDESW" from Patton has me fucking rollibg

STORYTIME!!! *sits contently like a toddler*

Ugh I love Roman

I havent seen The Untimate Storytime but I wanna

Bizzardvark...Jake Paul...ew

Patton I love you

Gonna link my post right here because I love him so much

Logan is so excited-

EW NASTY

I love playing bubbly characters!! Join me Thomas!!

Aw Roman

Gay Disney Prince

AW VIRGE

damn Pat

Thomas is such a sweetheart I swear to god-

AWWW-

"I'm not you're son >:("

AWWWWWWWWW-

"Our little guy"

Your heart and your mind...yes they're in love

Patton s t o p-

*as Patton and Logan are bickering* ah..romance

We really are clowns

"I am not your son" you are though Thomas

Our biggest dilemma was "I kinda wanna learn more about myself" and now it's "IS IT B A D IF I KILL A MAN"

Onesie buddies

Is that ship art-

I miss the Sanders Sides intro

"I know big words too. Sssssaxaphone???"

GIRL

Is this the episode where Ligan speaks simlish

Thomas's acting is so good

IT IS THE SIMLISH EPISODE

Valerie...so pretty

"AYO ZIPIT TOO BLARP"

I do like bagels- also that tie in via the recent episode

Leave Valerie alone guys you're all gay-

He wrote that

Valerie just nods along

Oh look at that art

Oh Pat :(((

Dragon Witch: Fuck you Valerie

"MY SPLEEN"

Roman is bilingual and probably bisexual

You're upsetting him >:(

"I'm feeling all types of bad" BABY BOY-

"I wasn't trying to help" stfu

Awww

"IF I COULD GIVE YIU ALL BUTTERFLY KISSES-" *sobbing*

And they're in love

"I love you" *more crying*

Have..fun????

Does this imply Roman can hide a body

AHHHHHHH

They're. In. Love

OH I LOVE THIS EPISODE

all business strictly dress up seriousness

Thonas really said "Patton's my dad figure but God you guys are children"

He does makeup :))

Logan: he is ANXIOUS!!

Virgil: *blinks like he doesnt understand

*winks*

Smarrttt

*looking at Patton's hat*' kill the competition, sell the next edition. What a fine life-

"You're n o t welcome"

Patton be nice-

Logan thinking looks like that one meme where the lady has equations all around her..has someone drawn that

"Logic and I are playing dress up, anxiety is making us question our existence and I found a dollar" favorite fuckibg line every single time

EY NEWSIES!! RENT!!

God there's a lot of shipping content

Doo doo *giggle*

"My bad"

OOP

Patton is the character thar's smart but also a fucking idiot

"Is it because I have a dollar and you dont??"

Logannnnn

"You're dating this video"

Logan are you okay baby-

What the fuck kind of agreeing face was that

Pasta salad

Sir Sing A Lot

WOAHHH

I- LOGAN'S NAME REVEAL

FORGOT ABOUT THAT

A BITCH J U M P E D

I honestly dont know why I did this, I do it in other fandoms and no one is entertained but me- alright that's all