#long live fish and fishers

[inkedbydave]

omg i know i wasnt tagged here but this seems so much fun😭😭

last google search, go

um. Tag four people.

what do they make sewer tunnels out of

@ncc1701ohno @affixjoy @the-magpieprince @twinkboimler

[swiftcast-selene]

Day 3: Free day

now that he doesn't have to survive off scraps, Negi'll be the first to admit he's gotten a little... spoiled. turns out having someone to help out makes traveling a lot easier... who would've thought?

(featuring @duisarcusxiv's Sagra!)

[stevieschrodinger]

Part One Two

Fish guy is actually pretty much the same height as Steve when they’re sitting next to each other on the edge of the pool. Steve finally gave in, the heat of the day getting too much, and is trailing his feet in the water – fish guy doesn’t seem to care, but Steve still made sure to shower before he came out here. Next to Steve’s feet, the flat point of fish guys tail is also swirling in the water.

Fish guy loves pears. Steve’s sure they’re his new absolute favorite thing, and Steve’s watched him demolish six, cores and stalks and all, one right after the other.

He’s licking sticky juice from his fingers. Steve can’t see his eyes behind the shades; but he’s certain fish guy is watching him. Probably waiting to see if Steve will produce more food; fish guy has developed a hearty appetite, and he hasn’t put on much weight yet, but he’s not exactly what Steve would call emaciated either. A little over a week of regular food is obviously helping.

“Okay,” Steve sips on his beer, the points to himself, “Steve.”

“Steeee,” fish guy readily replies, nodding. Steve has no idea how or when he picked up the nodding and head shaking, but he uses both correctly, as far as Steve can tell, so Steve doesn’t argue.

Steve points at fish guy. Nothing, then a curious head tilt.

Steve’s starting to come to the conclusion that maybe fish guy just doesn’t have a name. Which, okay, Steve can kind of see that. He vaguely wonders if fish guy has any family; if he’d even want to go back to the Upside Down.

“Right. Should probably name you something vaguely fish related, no? Should we stay on brand?” Fish guy cocks his head the other way, like a bird. They’ve been sat here long enough that the sun has started to dry the ropey mess of hair that fish guy has; it gone kind of curly now, pinging up as it dries.

Steve really wants to comb it out, but he has no idea how fish guy will react; they’ve only just made it to sitting next to each other. Steve’s vaguely aware that combing someone else's hair is a bit...familiar, but he figures fish guy is kind of in his care or whatever.

Maybe they could build up to it.

“Fish,” Steve muses vaguely to himself, “fishing? Scales? Tails? Fishing, fisher? Fisher, Eddie, Eddie Fisher, that singer guy Mom really likes. What do you think, how does Eddie sound? Good as anything, right?”

Steve has no idea what’s going on behind the sunglasses, but fish guys head keeps cocking curiously to the side. Steve points to himself, “Steve.”

Fish guy, replies, “Steeee,” as expected, nodding.

Steve points to fish guy, and says, “Eddie.”

Fish guy points to himself cautiously, and quietly volunteers, “Edidie?”

“Yeah, yeah,” Steve says, nodding, “near enough, man. Eddie. Sounds good.”

“Good,” Eddie replies, startling Steve a bit because it’s clear as a bell.

“That’s right, good. Eddie.”

Eddie, very slowly so Steve can clearly see what he’s doing, reaches for Steve’s beer bottle. Steve’s instinct is to take it away, what if it’s poisonous or something? But then he figures Eddie’s been pretty clear about rejecting stuff so far if he doesn’t want it; plus he lived in the Upside Down for, presumably, years. If he can survive in a toxic environment like that, then surely a sip of beer won’t hurt him.

Eddie’s funny as he lifts it, sniffing cautiously before he works out the mechanics of fitting his lips around the neck of the bottle. He drinks. Seems to ponder it for a moment, and then drinks again, giving the bottle a mournful little shake when he realizes it’s empty. There wasn’t much left anyway; Steve figures he’ll be okay.

“Good,” Eddie says as he hands the bottle back, “inied.”

“Yeah,” Steve says, “finished.”

“Why do you think he doesn’t have any gills?”

“You are definitely asking the wrong person here Robs,” Steve scatters another handful of peas into the water, watching as Eddie bobs along, collecting them one at a time and popping them into his mouth, “ask Dustin. He’ll produce a book. There’s literally always a book.”

“I don’t want to ask Dustin, he’ll actually try and explain it to me...I’d rather speculate emptily.”

“You do love a bit of empty speculation.”

Robin nods in agreement, “so, no gills, what do you think?”

“I think…” Steve ponders for a few seconds, filling up the dog bowl with the rest of the peas and floating that on the water, “that he can’t actually breathe underwater. He can just hold his breath for a fucking long time.”

“Nah. Boring. Plausible. Logical. Could be correct. I need something wild Steven.”

Steve thinks, but he doesn’t have much of an imagination, not like the kids or Robin. Clever people have good imaginations; Steve’s not one of them. But he does remember hearing something about bugs one time, “he breathes through his skin.”

“Fucking rad.”

“You have been spending way too much time with Argyle.”

“He has the good stuff Steve, supply and demand,” she says shrugging, and then, “why, you jealous?”

Steve huffs, rolling his eyes. Because no, of course he isn’t. Much. Maybe a tiny bit. But that’s okay, Robin should have other friends and stuff he guesses. She pokes him in the ribs and he flaps at her.

It just encourages her, obviously, so he tries to ignore her which just makes her ten times worse. She pokes more, and she just knows him too well, goes for his ticklish ribs and before Steve knows what’s happening he’s on his side, trying to curl up to get away, begging for mercy and shrieking with laughter, Robin hollering “admit your jealousy Steven. Say uncle! Say iiiiiiiiiit!!”

Robin disappears suddenly with a splash and yelp. She scrambles on the grass, trying to right herself from where she was shoved, Eddie suddenly flopped half on top of Steve, his tail twisting around Steve’s middle. Robin scrambles back a few more paces, Eddie’s arms locked at the elbow to hold his torso up off the ground as far as he can, claws raking into the grass.

He’s completely silent, and Steve, shocked, just sits for a moment, looking at the back of Eddie’s soaking head. The water’s dripping from his hair in rivulets down his pale back, his shoulder blades standing out sharply, the knobs of his spine visible where his back is held in a sharp arch.

He’s puffed up like an angry cat, Steve thinks absently.

He makes eye contact with Robin over Eddie’s shoulder, and she raises her eyebrows just a teeny tiny bit, ‘what the fuck?’

Steve shrugs, ‘I don’t know.’ Then tilts his head to the house a little, ‘give us a minute.’

Robin frowns spectacularly, ‘I’m not leaving you alone with the crazy fish guy’ or words to that effect, Steve guesses.

He nods toward the house again, trying to give his best, ‘I’ll be fine,’ vibes.

She looks hugely doubtful, but does move away, all slow and careful. Eddie hand walks to keep himself between between Steve and Robin, his tail clenching around Steve as he does.

“Eddie,” Steve’s hand hovers in the air for a few seconds before he bites the bullet and lets his hand rest on Eddie’s tail. It’s surprisingly smooth. Not soft exactly, but not hard. Doesn’t even feel scaly really, just smooth and warm it doesn’t look scaly either, now that Steve can have a close up look. It’s just...black. Matt black.

Actually now that he’s here, there are some funny little slits toward the tippy bit, they kind of look like they could be openings, but he doesn’t have time to investigate because Robin’s gone, so Eddie turns to him.

Steve has no clue what to say as Eddie’s tail slowly unwraps from his middle, “Eddie,” he starts, as Eddie slips back into the water.

“Steee.”

Steve just sighs, retrieving what are now Eddie’s sunglasses from where they’ve fallen by the edge of the lawn, “what am I going to do with you?”

Eddie tips his head, listening, but Steve doesn’t have anything else to say. At a loss, he heads inside to make sure Robin is okay.

A/N I know the time line doesn't work with Argyle since this happened after starcourt but lets just all agree to ignore that. There is no tag list for this work.

Part Four

[pretzel-box]

Summary: You're a mortal fisher that catches the attention of an ancient sea god without knowing it.

Tags: Some 'fluff', mortal reader, sea god sebastian

Words: 2,6k

There was a small village that was cradled on the edge of an unknown island like a forgotten secret among humans, made out of solid stone, earth and sand while being shaped by the restless waves of the deep ocean. Narrow cobbled streets would wound between the homes of sun-bleached woods and weathered bricks while fine smoke curled up from the going chimneys, mingling with the salty sea air. Many signs of a life gathered around this place despite its unknown status.

The endless ocean surrounded the village on all sides, an eternal sentinel, its deep blue waves gently lapping at the shoreline as if it were whispering ancient lullabies. The sun hung low in the sky, casting the world in hues of gold and lavender, where the horizon blurred into a seamless meeting of sea and sky. The sound of gulls crying in the distance echoed through the air, carried by the wind that rustled through the tall grasses and wildflowers growing at the island’s edge.

Farther out, where the cliffs rose jagged and defiant against the endless ocean, the waves crashed with a furious roar, sending white spray high into the air. Yet here, within the village, the sea was gentle—a mirror reflecting the sky’s fading light.

Small fishing boats bobbed in the harbor, tethered to wooden posts worn smooth by years of use. Their painted hulls were chipped and faded, yet they held a quiet dignity, as if they had borne witness to centuries of tides, storms, and the steady rhythm of life. Nets hung drying on the docks, draped like lace over the old wood, waiting for the morning light to send the fishermen back to the open sea.

The wind picked up, carrying with it the scent of salt and damp earth. A few villagers, their faces lined with age and the sea’s touch, gathered in quiet conversation near the docks, their voices low, as if unwilling to disturb the peace. Lanterns flickered to life in the twilight, casting a soft, golden glow over the village, like stars scattered across the earth.

As the day gave way to dusk, the village seemed to breathe, a living thing, connected to the ocean and sky in a way that was timeless. The sea, the cliffs, the forest—they were all one with the village, woven into its very being. And as the stars began to emerge, one by one, above the endless horizon, the island seemed to settle into itself, cradled by the ocean’s eternal embrace, waiting for whatever secrets the tides might bring.

"Listen, my child. Our story began long ago, when the gods still walked the earth and the stars were young."

Once upon a time…

The land was molded by the hands of glorious deities, their fingers painting the skies and carving the rivers. They placed the sun on the horizon and the plains upon the earth. The world flourished, but with its growth came envy, as some gods overshadowed others. To gain power, they created life—humans, born from their desire for control.

At first, humans worshiped their creators with devotion, pledging loyalty to one deity, then betraying the next. They defiled the divine in their thirst for more, striking down gods one by one. Until, at last, only humans remained, reigning over the world they had once been given. The gods, once mighty, were destroyed by the very hands that they had shaped.

The lesson was clear for the mortals: gods could not be trusted.

You grew up in the small village, cradled by the sea, raised between the wind and the waves as if you were a child of nature itself. The first thing you learned was your origin, that you were descended from the gods—gods who were flawed and fallible. Your grandparents told you stories of your ancestors, how they fought with their lives for the right to live on this island, battling forces far beyond their comprehension.

Ages ago, a fierce god named Solace ruled over these waters. His rage, directed at both his siblings and their creations, churned the oceans into relentless fury. Your ancestors tried to cross the waters for months, many drowned and many got sacrificed to soothe the will of the deity that ruled in the waters. His anger blinded Solace, his envy and his feelings were like a sharp sword, pointed at himself. Your ancestors tricked him, like they did with so many other deities before. They sealed him into the ocean, robbing him of his necklace that he wore. And after they triumphed over him, the ocean came to rest. All thanks to the necklace that secretly holds Solace his powers.

A necklace that rested around your neck, a family piece that was given down as the generations passed. It was a sea shell pendant, reflecting in beautiful blue-silver hues as if the sea itself was placed upon you. And you wore it with pride.

Your mother gave it to you the day you joined the family tradition, stepping into the life of a fisher. It was a simple gift, passed down through generations, as much a symbol of your heritage as the sea itself. You learned to live in harmony with the waves, to respect the life beneath the surface, and to take only what was needed. Your family had always been blessed by the ocean, and so would you. It was honest work—give and take—where you not only harvested from the sea but also protected it, keeping it clean and honoring its depths.

"Keep calm," you murmured to yourself, the words a quiet mantra as you sat in your small boat. The sun was warm on your back as you focused on tying the loose strings of your net, the gentle rocking of the boat a familiar comfort.

Your mother had taught you to knit the nets in the old traditional way, every knot a connection to your ancestors. Your father, in turn, had shown you the art of fishing—how to hunt with respect, how to make the death of the fish swift and painless, and how to use every part of it in reverence for the life taken. A true fisher never wastes, for the sea gives generously but only to those who understand its balance.

The rhythm of your hands, the whisper of the wind, and the quiet lap of the waves against the boat—they all wove together like a song. You were part of something much larger than yourself, connected to the ancient currents of the sea, just as your family had always been.

You lifted your finished net, admiring the neat knots with a smile of quiet pride. A rush of happiness filled your chest as you hugged the net, feeling accomplished. You had honored the legacy of your ancestors, crafting the tool with care, just as they had done for generations. It was a simple but profound joy, knowing that you were connected to something so old and enduring.

With a steady breath, you prepared to cast the net into the water, hoping for a good catch to feed your family tonight. The gentle hum of the waves blended with your thoughts, and as the net unfurled, you missed the soft snap of a string breaking. But the sudden blue shimmer at the corner of your eye did not go unnoticed.

Your heart dropped as you realized it was your necklace—the one your mother had given you. Somehow, it had tangled itself in the net, and as you began to fish, it slipped from your neck effortlessly, tumbling into the water before you could react. You watched in stunned silence as the delicate jewelry disappeared beneath the surface, swallowed by the depths in an instant.

The sea, ever so calm just moments ago, now seemed impossibly vast and unyielding. That necklace was more than just a piece of jewelry; it was a part of you, a part of your family. And now, it was gone.

It sank slowly, the glimmering stone catching the last rays of sunlight as it shimmered just beneath the surface, suspended in the water like a delicate promise about to be broken. You watched, helpless, as it drifted deeper, the blue hue of the ocean swallowing it whole. Your heart pounded in your chest, a heavy sense of dread filling you as the necklace—your link to your family, your ancestors—vanished silently into the dark water below.

Your hands slackened, the net forgotten, slipping from your grasp into the boat. Without a second thought, instinct took over. Before you even realized what you were doing, you dove headfirst into the water, chasing the fading glint of silver.

The coldness of the ocean hit you like a shock, but you didn’t care. You kicked your legs, your arms pushing against the water, desperately reaching for the necklace as it continued its slow descent. The light above you grew dimmer as you sank deeper, the world around you a muffled echo of the surface. You could barely see now, the shimmering silver reduced to a distant gleam.

The water pressed in on you, chilling your skin and constricting your lungs. Panic began to claw at the edges of your mind, but you couldn’t stop—wouldn’t stop. It was more than just an heirloom; it was the weight of your ancestors’ blessings, the legacy of your family, and it was slipping further and further away.

Your lungs began to burn, the pressure of the deep water pressing against your chest, but still, you reached out, fingers stretching into the darkness. The necklace was now just a faint blur, fading into the abyss. Desperation surged through you as your arms flailed in the icy depths.

The darkness was overwhelming, the cold water pressing in on all sides as you sank deeper, the faint shimmer of your necklace vanishing into the abyss. Your chest burned, lungs screaming for air, but your limbs were too heavy, too numb. The weight of the ocean dragged you down, and for a moment, you felt yourself surrendering to the pull, the necklace gone.

But then, something strange happened. A warmth surrounded you, gentle and reassuring, cutting through the icy water. A firm hand wrapped around your waist, pulling you upwards with a strength that felt both human and not. Yet, the darkness caught you and you passed out.

The first thing you felt was a pair of warm lips on yours, innocent, shy and yet somewhat dedicated. A wet hand was placed close to your throat. Then your head shot up as reality caught up to you, the water in your lungs creeping up your throat as you coughed it all out.

Coughing, disoriented, you blinked away the saltwater from your eyes, the world around you blurred. As your vision cleared, you found yourself being held by a man—no, something far more. His eyes, a deep and endless blue, locked onto yours. His presence was as overwhelming as the ocean itself, powerful and ancient, yet there was a softness in the way he held you.

You opened your mouth to speak, but no words came. The stranger's arm was still wrapped around you, steadying you against the gentle rocking of the waves. His dark hair flowed around him, as though it were a part of the sea, and his skin, shimmering faintly in the light, seemed to glow with a quiet radiance. He wasn’t human, no, but he felt familiar.

“Breathe,” he whispered, his voice like the soft murmur of the tide, calming and steady.

You did, drawing in deep, shaky breaths, your heart still racing from the shock. “Who… who are you?” you stammered, your voice weak, barely above a whisper.

He gazed at you for a long moment, his expression unreadable but his eyes filled with something tender, something that made your chest tighten in a way that had nothing to do with fear. "Sebastian," he finally said, his voice a low, soothing rumble. "I live within these waters."

You nodded slowly, still dazed, as you tried to comprehend what had just happened. The cold of the water, the rush of drowning, and now… this.

Then, the realization hit you like a wave crashing over your head. “My necklace,” you breathed, panic swelling inside you again. You turned to look down into the water, but there was no shimmer, no sign of the silverish blue. “It’s gone… my necklace… I lost it.”

Sebastian’s eyes followed yours, and for a moment, a flicker of something like regret passed over his face. “The sea does not return everything,” he said quietly, his voice filled with a kind of sorrow that seemed to echo from somewhere deep within him. "Not all that it takes can be given back."

Your heart sank, the weight of his words settling heavily inside you. The necklace—your family's necklace—was gone, lost forever to the depths. Tears pricked at your eyes, but you fought them back, not wanting to break down in front of this strange, beautiful man who had saved your life.

Sebastian’s gaze softened as he watched you, and before you could react, his hand reached up, brushing gently against your cheek, his touch feather-light. “I’m sorry,” he murmured, and you could hear the sincerity in his voice, the sadness that lingered in his words. “I wish I could have saved it for you.”

You swallowed hard, nodding, though the ache in your chest was still raw. “It was my family…” you whispered, your voice trembling. “It was important.”

He didn’t say anything for a moment, simply letting his fingers linger against your skin, his presence steady, grounding. “Your family's memory doesn’t live in that necklace,” he said softly, his eyes searching for yours. “It lives in you. In everything you carry with you. That cannot be lost, not to the sea or anything else.”

His words, gentle and warm, wrapped around your heart like a soothing balm. You nodded again, still feeling the loss, but somehow, in his presence, the grief didn’t feel quite so unbearable.

For a moment, you simply floated there together, the waves lapping gently against your bodies, the sun casting a warm, golden light over the surface of the water. Sebastian’s hand stayed close to yours, his touch lingering, as though he couldn’t quite bring himself to let you go.

“Why did you help me?” you asked after a long silence, your voice barely above a whisper, unsure if you wanted the answer.

Sebastian’s gaze flickered, his deep blue eyes searching yours. “Because,” he said softly, a hint of something more in his voice, something unspoken, “I couldn’t let you go.”

There was something in the way he looked at you, an intensity that made your breath catch in your throat. You couldn’t understand it, the pull between you two, but it was undeniable. He had saved you—not just from drowning, but from something deeper, something you couldn’t quite name.

For now, you let the quiet peace of the ocean surround you, content in his presence, even as the necklace drifted farther into the depths, lost but somehow no longer the most important thing in your heart.

You finally took the time to admire his large form, he was as pretty as the mermaids from the childhood stories, as gentle looking as the ocean and his eyes, his eyes were like the ones of a god. You never saw someone like him before, but he mesmerized you.

He had placed you back into your boat, his hand lingered a bit longer on your cheek than anticipated and you could feel a mutual spark between you two.

[honey-crypt]

slowburn elliott x farmer please please please please... (falls to my knees) strangers to mutuals to friends to lovers (explodes)

i only ask for angst to comfort and a lot of romantic tension go crazy w this if u feel like it

a/n: y'all... i present to you... my magnus opus... 3 days of work... maybe 50 or so hours dedicated to this... please... please enjoy

wc: 10.1k

features: slow burn (strap in), mentions of war, strangers to lovers, romance that will make you melt, minor spoilers for year 2 of sdv and sdv expanded, elliott cries a lot, imposter syndrome, elliott is a SAPPY SAP OF A MAN WHO LOVES YOU LOTS, i pull from my own sdv worldbuilding/elliott lorebuilding for this

summary: a box of cereal. the spirit eve's maze. a rowboat's maiden voyage. these are just a few moments that define your love story with elliott.

★ chapters in a story called life - an elliott x farmer slow burn piece ★

Chapter 1: First Encounters

A well-manicured hand reached out for the box of cereal at the same time as you, calloused knuckles brushing against your hand. In one swift motion, the hand plucked the last cereal off the shelf. You let out a surprised gasp and whipped your head towards the cereal thief, “Hey!” you exclaimed, ready to reprimand them but your words fell short at the sight of the individual in question. 

Long fiery red hair draped over their shoulders and emerald eyes bore into your soul, as the cereal thief adjusted their grip on the box, “I apologize,” their voice hummed out at a warm baritone pitch, “You seemed… to be struggling with getting the cereal box. I wanted to assist,” the man, at least you assumed them to be a man with their chiseled jawline and overall physique, handed the box of cereal over to you, “Apologies for any miscommunication, I simply wished to help,” his word choice was eloquent, unnecessarily eloquent. 

“Oh, uh,” you took the cereal box and dropped it in your shopping basket, “Thanks.”

“Of course,” the stranger flashed you their pearly whites, “Have a pleasant day,” he walked off to the next aisle in Pierre’s General Store. You looked back at your box of cereal then went about your merry way, finishing up your grocery shopping for that week. 

Chapter 2: Run-in at the Beach 

The local fisherman Willy ordered a bundle of parsnips from your farm and you were able to harvest them today, your first of many orders set for delivery. You tied up the sack of parsnips with a pretty red ribbon and dropped them in your bag, ready to make the trek through town to deliver your vegetables and produce. 

After running through town like a headless chicken and delivering orders to the likes of Pierre, Gus, and Jodi, you crossed over the bridge and onto the beach. Despite living in Pelican Town for almost a week, you never stepped foot on the beach until now. The ebb and flow of the waves greeted you, as you approached Willy on the nearby pier. The old fisher released his rod back in, no fish on the hook, when he saw you walking up, “Ahoy, (Y/N). I take it that yer got me order of parsnips?”

“Yes, sir!” you gave him a salute and pulled out the sack of parsnips before handing it over to Willy, “Hope they’re up to your standards.”

“If yer anything like yer dear old grandpa, I’m sure that these parsnips will be golden,” the fisherman reassured you with a belly laugh, “Here’s a few extra G for yer troubles. Go get yerself a nice drink at the saloon later,” he placed about 500G in your hand, “I best be gettin’ back to fishin’, you have a good day, alright?”

“Thanks, Willy, I’ll do my best,” you gave Willy a nod before exiting the pier. Stepping back on shore, you inhaled a fresh breath of sea air and stretched out your legs, sore from running around for so long. You were about to make your way back to town when you noticed a familiar redhead by a fire pit to your right. The redhead sat by the fire pit, a towel beneath him and his shoes set aside. The sea breeze ruffled his ponytail, as the man peered silently out into the ocean. 

I shouldn’t bother him, you reasoned with yourself, He seems busy. You turned your heel towards the cobblestone pathway, only to hear the redhead call out to you, “Oh! Hello, there!” Shit, okay, now I have to talk to him. You turned your attention back on the man on the shore, “Er, hello there.”

His eyes fell onto your delivery bag, “Ah!” he broke out into a smile, “The new farmer we’ve all been expecting and whose arrival has sparked many a conversation,” you made your way to his side and plopped down next to him, “How did you know that I’m the new farmer?”

“Your bag sports your farm’s name,” the man pointed to the embroidered letters on your grandpa’s old bag, clearly showcasing the name of the farm. Your face warmed up with mild embarrassment and you quickly fanned your cheeks, “Oh, yes… makes sense,” Yoba, I’m so- ugh! Silly? Yeah, I’m silly and trying not to make a fool of myself in front of such a… handsome? Yeah, he’s handsome, alright. Handsome man. Okay, please stop yapping-

“We briefly met at Pierre’s earlier this week but I never had the opportunity to introduce myself,” the well groomed man broke you out of your internal monologue and extended a hand to you, “I’m Elliott. I live by the little cabin on the beach,” the man- no, Elliott- gestured to the cabin behind the two of you, its exterior weathered from the elements, “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

You eyed his hand and grasped it, surprisingly rough to the touch. The two of you exchanged a handshake, as you introduced yourself to Elliott, “I’m (Y/N). It’s nice to meet you, too.”

Chapter 3: Writer’s Block

You stood outside Elliott’s cabin, clutching a bag of freshly grown potatoes in your hand. Another day, another round of deliveries; at least, you got to deliver to a friendly face. You knocked on the door, only for it to slowly creak open. Cautiously, you entered the cabin and called out to the redhead, “Hello? Elliott, are you home?”

The cabin was surprisingly under-decorated and somewhat shoddy, a lone bed in the far corner of the room with a piano beside it. In the corner closest to you, Elliott hunched over his desk, the sound of pen scrubbing echoing throughout the cabin’s old walls. You called out to Elliott once more, “Elliott?” he perked up at the sound of your voice, “Ah! (Y/N)!” he rose from his desk, “What a surprise to have you in my…” his voice trailed off, “…humble abode! What do I owe the pleasure of your visit to?”

“Just dropping off your order,” you set the bag of potatoes on the closest available space, “Whatcha doing?”

“Oh, the usual,” hummed Elliott, “I’m attempting to narrow down how to address this one scene in my novel.”

“You’re a writer?” you raised your eyebrows, trying to see if you can catch a glimpse of his work. Elliott hovered by his desk and brushed a few loose papers over his work, “Yes, yes I am. It’s a bit of a funny story, but I actually moved to Pelican Town to pursue my writing career.”

“Oh, really? How come?” you asked.

Elliott placed his hands on the desk and leaned on it for support, “I supposed a life of solitude would impose some… literary genius upon me, like the great Ernest Hemingway. Yet, I’m at a standstill—” he cleared his throat, “Well, in all honesty, I’ve been at a standstill for the past two or so weeks with this one scene and I’m afraid that I’m losing steam.”

You frowned, “Yikes, that really sucks,” you moved closer to the writing desk, “Maybe you need a fresh set of eyes? Like a new perspective.”

Elliott’s eyes twinkled at your suggestion, “A most excellent idea!” he hurriedly gathered up his notes and shoved them into your hands, “Alright, the scene I’m at an impasse with is when Clara confronts Horatio about his late lover. I’m not sure if I should go with a tame heart to heart or something along the lines of a miscommunication gone awry.”

You read through the passages, familiarizing yourself with Elliott’s work. He wrote in a style similar to the aforementioned Hemingway, but his vivid imagery and passionate dialogue left you with a sense of awe and a desire for more. You got to the scene Elliott was stuck on, thumbing between earlier scenes and scanning the pages. Finally, you spoke up and suggested to Elliott, “Given Clara’s kind demeanour and Horatio’s sensitivity, I would go with the heart to heart option.”

Elliott broke out into a grin, “Splendid! You’re absolutely right!” he grabbed the papers and set them back on the desk, “Many thanks for your assistance, (Y/N). I truly appreciate it.”

“Of course,” you flashed him a smile and a thumbs up, “Happy to help.”

Chapter 4: The Flower Dance

You stood by the assortment of refreshments and finger foods, nursing a glass of sparkling cider. Every few minutes, you would mindlessly adjust your flower brooch or take a sip from your glass. Laughter and chatter filled the air, as the residents of Pelican Town joined the day’s festivities. 

You scanned the crowd and found Elliott by the river, standing beside Leah and talking about something, Probably art. Not wanting to remain idle for another moment longer, you made a beeline towards the pair of redheads and greeted them nonchalantly, “Hey, Leah. Hey, Elliott.”

“Hi, (Y/N)!” the artist returned the greeting while Elliott waved at you, “Good day, (Y/N). Are you enjoying the festivities?”

“As much as I can without dancing,” you hummed, finishing off your glass. Elliott nodded, “You make a good point. This is the Flower Dance, there’s not much planned beyond dancing.”

“Speaking of dancing, are you two dancing with anyone?” you asked the pair of redheads.

“We’ll be dancing together like we did last year,” answered Elliott. For some reason, your chest tightened at his response, but you brushed it off as allergies. Elliott fixed his tie, “We best be on our way, Leah. The dance will be starting soon.”

“I’ll catch up with you in a sec!” replied Leah, placing a hand on your shoulder, “I wanna chat with (Y/N) for a bit.”

“Okay,” the writer smiled at the two of you, “It’s always a pleasure to see you, (Y/N), and Leah, I’ll be in the main area whenever you’re ready,” he walked off without another word, as you stared longingly at his fading figure. Leah nudged you in the side, “You should dance with him instead.”

“I should?” you blinked, “But you two already agreed on dancing with each other.”

“I don’t mind passing the torch to you,” the artist nudged you once more. Yet, you shook your head and answered, “I rather not. I’m not much of a dancer anyway.”

Leah puffed out her cheeks and exhaled before stating, “You two would make a cute couple.”

You eyed Elliott in the distance and mulled over Leah’s words, “You think so?” you found yourself smiling in unison with Elliott, as the writer engaged in light banter with Willy. 

“Yeah,” the artist nodded, “I think so.”

Chapter 5: Drinking Buddies

Friday nights at the Stardrop Saloon were always the most rambunctious, at least two thirds of Pelican Town packed inside. You entered the saloon, hungry for a meal after a long day’s work, and saw a familiar figure in a blue shirt and suspenders. Elliott turned his head and grinned at the sight of you, “(Y/N), my friend! Please, have a seat with me.”

You took a seat beside Elliott at the bar, “Hey El,” the writer’s grin grew in size at the nickname, “You enjoying your Friday evening?”

“Absolutely,” answered Elliott, “Well, I must admit that it has gotten better since you arrived. It’s always a joy to see you.”

Your face heated up at his words, but you brushed it off with a laugh, “You’re sweet.”

“Of course,” the writer responded. Elliott then waved Gus over, “Hello, Gus, my friend! May I have two beers?” to which the bartender nodded, “Two beers, coming right up,” and poured two pints of beer from the tap, “Enjoy!”

“Thank you,” the redhead slid over some G to pay for the beers, enough leftover to provide Gus and Emily with some solid tips. Elliott passed one of the beers to you, “For you.”

“Why, aren’t you generous?” you chuckled, happily accepting the beer. You clutched the pint tight in your hand and Elliott raised his up towards you, “I propose a toast,” the writer announced. You held yours up, “To what?” you asked. Elliott smiled, “To our friendship.”

Your heart skipped a beat and your expression nearly soured- you weren’t sure why, though- but nonetheless, you nodded in agreement, “To our friendship,” and clinked glasses with Elliott. 

As the night went on and after a few more beers, you and Elliott were completely hammered. You could hold your liquor, of course, but the sight of Elliott merrily dancing and humming a tune made you break out in laughter and let loose. He’s cute when he’s silly. 

Chapter 6: Dance of the Moonlight Jellies 

You returned to the pier for, what local scientist Demetrius referred to as, an ‘utmost special occasion’. The occasion in question? It happened to be the annual event where moonlight jellyfish would visit the pier. You had vague memories of experiencing the event when you were a little kid with your grandpa, you remembered the fond look he had when the jellyfish would pass by.

You approached the edge of the pier near Willy’s shop and noticed Elliott looking out into the sea with that same longing look you saw the first time you properly met the tall redhead. Gently, you tapped him on the shoulder, “Hi, Elliott.”

“Oh, hello, (Y/N),” his tone was much more… serious? No, it was somewhat sad. You frowned, “What’s wrong? Aren’t you excited for the jellies?”

“I am,” he responded, as the summer breeze ruffled his ponytail, “I’m excited to the point of grief,” your frown deepened and you questioned Elliott, “What do you mean?”

Elliott scooted over so you had more room to stand, you stood by him while he explained, “We pollute the world so much, (Y/N), especially here with Joja… I see Joja CDs and Colas washed up on shore all the time and I fear the worst,” his eyes glistened with pain, “I fear that we won’t see these magnificent creatures unless we take action and hold Joja accountable for their actions.”

You let out a low hum of agreement, it reminded you of your days at Joja Co. and the stories you heard from your coworkers about the higher ups bypassing environmental protections with some hush money. It was part of the reason why you left Joja, other than the fact that it was sucking the life out of you. The day you left Joja Co. was the day you freed yourself from the chains of society. Just like Grandpa wanted. 

“I’m sure we can,” you offered reassurance to Elliott, “I believe in us, I believe that we ultimately make the right decision.”

Elliott nodded, “Thank you, (Y/N),” he looked back at the ocean, “I hope so.”

You were about to retort when Lewis announced that the event was starting, turning your attention to the mayor. Lewis released the little boat towards the sea, you watched with bated breath for the jellyfish to arrive. Your hand brushed against Elliott’s, as the town witnessed the Moonlight Jellies appear. Elliott’s pinkly slowly reached out for yours, you timidly locked pinkies with the writer, as you enjoyed the sight of the beautiful jellies. 

Maybe, one day you’d have the courage to hold his hand. 

Chapter 7: Roadblocks 

Elliott was a no-show to your weekly outing to the Stardrop Saloon and it left you concerned. He was always so punctual and he always told you ahead of time if he couldn’t make it to an event. You worried that he was sick so you left the saloon and headed to the clinic. 

The overhead bell in the door chimed when you entered, signaling your arrival to Harvey. The town doctor gave you a wave, “Hello, (Y/N),” he greeted you, “How are you today? Are you feeling unwell? Injured?” 

“No, no! I’m okay!” you explained, “I was just wondering if you had any over-the-counter medicine. I think Elliott might be sick.”

“Oh!” the doctor let out a relieved sigh, “Well, I’m glad you’re well. Let me see what I got in stock,” he left the waiting room of the clinic and after a few moments, Harvey returned with a box of medicine, “I have this generic medicine in stock. It should help with most symptoms of illness.”

“Thanks, Dr. Harvey,” you handed him some G, to which Harvey gave you the medicine in exchange, “Have a good one.”

“You, too,” the doctor replied, as he put the G in the front desk’s cash register, “And remember to stay healthy! I’m here if you need anything.”

You flashed him a thumbs up and exited the clinic, heading off to Elliott’s cabin with a determined step in your stride. Upon arriving at the cabin, you knocked on the door, “Elliott?” you called out to your friend, “Elliott, it’s me. Are you alright?”

You heard shuffling and slowly, the door creaked open to reveal a dishevelled Elliott. His usual tan was replaced by a washed out pale, as if he hadn’t stepped outside his cabin in days. He sported heavy eye bags and an exhausted expression, “Hello, (Y/N)…” the writer rubbed his eyes, “What are you doing here at this hour?”

“This hour?” you blinked with bewilderment, “El, it’s 5pm. What time do you think it is?”

“Oh, dear,” he let out a weary chuckle, “I must have the times mixed up. I apologize, but I should go back to work. I’ll be free to chat another day,” the redhead proceeded to shut the door, but you stopped it with your foot, “Elliott,” your voice was strained with worry, “You missed our saloon hangout. You never miss an event without telling me,” you held up the medicine, “So I was worried that you got sick… I got you medicine.”

Elliott gawked at the sight of your worried expression and the box of medicine, “Oh, (Y/N), I apologize… I didn’t mean to worry you. I’m not sick or anything, I just have been so wrapped up in my work that I lost track of time.”

“Elliott,” you pushed the door open with your foot, desperate to reach out to your friend, “When’s the last time you got any sleep? Yoba, when’s the last time you went outside?”

Elliott’s freckled cheeks turned red at your questions, “I, er…” he stepped back and allowed you passage inside. The inside of the cabin was dimly lit, minus the light at Elliott’s writing desk. His trash can was overfilled with crumpled up papers, broken quills, and empty bottles of ink. You set the medicine by his nightstand and asked Elliott, “How long have you been writing?”

“I lost track of time,” he answered, taking a seat at his desk. Elliott took out a fresh quill and bottle of ink, dipping the quill into the ink and writing. Yet, the quill snapped and the man who prided himself on his elegance let out a stream of curses. He shoved the papers aside and laid his head on the desk, utterly defeated. You frowned deeply and placed your hand on Elliott’s back, rubbing it tenderly, “El… Talk to me. What’s been going on?”

A soft sniffle reached your ears, as Elliott lifted his head up and exposed his watery eyes to you, “(Y/N), it’s awful. I’m awful!” he turned his body towards you and hugged your waist, “I can’t write for- I can’t write for shit, (Y/N)!” his cursing caught you off guard, but you made no comment, as the writer continued to lament, “It’s been almost two years and I haven’t completed this damn book! I- I-” he buried his face into your shirt and sobbed, “I want to give up, (Y/N). I want to throw it all away.”

You held the back of Elliott’s head in your hand and stroked it, as the redhead cried his heart out. Yoba, how it broke your heart to see him in such… agony. You remained silent while he cried, wanting to give him time. Soon, the sobs subsided and Elliott pulled away from you, his cheeks stained with tears, “I- I apologize,” he looked flustered, “I shouldn’t have done that.”

“Hey,” you cupped his face in your hands and playfully squeezed his cheeks, “You’re my friend- Yoba, you’re one of my best friends. You’re allowed to lean on me for support, you’re allowed to cry in my presence,” you released your hold on his cheeks, “I’m here for you.”

Elliott sniffled and wiped away any remaining tears, “You truly are my muse,” he mumbled under his breath. Your chest tightened at his comment, “Huh?” you asked. Elliott’s eyes widened, not realizing that he made that comment aloud, “Oh, uhm- Apologies, it was nothing.”

“Oh,” you did your best to hide your disappointment. Maybe I misheard? “You need a break,” you changed the subject, “You can’t keep pushing yourself when you’re so low on steam,” you gave the writer a pat on the shoulder, “So how about you change your clothes and meet me outside, okay? We’re going to the saloon.”

Elliott nodded in confirmation, “That sounds like a marvelous idea. I’ll just be a moment,” he got up from his writing desk and walked off to his dresser. You took that as your cue to leave the cabin, wanting to give the redhead privacy to change. Although, I wouldn’t mind looking- you smacked your cheeks together, Hey! Don’t think that! You then proceeded to leave the cabin, not wanting to be consumed by thoughts of seeing your best friend naked.

Chapter 8: Spirit’s Eve

Jack-o’-lanterns and other spooky decor lined the pathway into the town square, as you entered Pelican Town for Spirit’s Eve. You dressed up as an old-timey sailor, a simple but classical costume. The town square was buzzing with chatter and the occasional creak of… skeleton bones? You peered out into the distance and sure enough, there were two skeletons in a cage. 

To your surprise, one of the onlookers happened to be Elliott, dressed up in a costume that resembled the Mad Hatter from Alice in Wonderland. I didn’t realize he was into the spooky. You waltzed up to him and tapped him on the shoulder, “Hey, El. Enjoying the display?”

Elliott whipped his body around to face you, his face deathly pale, “Er, I don’t believe I am enjoying the display,” he leaned in and whispered in your ear, “I mean to alarm you, but I think those are real skeletons.”

You stifled back a snort, “Oh, yeah?” you eyed the skeletons, as they shuffled about the cage, “I think so, too.”

Elliott audibly gulped and appeared to be on the verge of fainting, “Oh, dear. I think I may need a drink. Care to join me?”

“I would be honored,” you replied. The two of you walked off to the assortment of fall-themed foods and drinks. Elliott grabbed himself a glass of pumpkin ale while you got some apple cider. He slammed the drink back in one or two gulps and exhaled in satisfaction, “That hits the spot,” he poured himself another pumpkin ale, “I needed something to take the edge off after seeing those… creatures,” he shivered. 

“I wouldn’t have pegged you as a scaredy cat,” you hummed, taking a sip from your glass of apple cider. Elliott pouted, “It’s perfectly reasonable to be cautious around creatures of the undead,” he protested to you. In exchange, you let out a snort and stated, “It’s okay to be a scaredy cat.”

Elliott rolled his eyes and took another swing of his ale, “I’ll prove to you that I’m not a scaredy cat!” he proclaimed. You eyed him up with curiosity, “Oh, yeah? How so, tough guy?” his cheeks were flushed at your usage of tough guy and he responded, “By completing the maze! I hear that it’s especially spooky,” the redhead pointed to the maze in the distance. He was right, it did look especially spooky. 

“Wanna make this a bet?” you offered to Elliott. The writer’s eyes twinkled with excitement, “Depends on the bet, all I ask is that there’s no skinny dipping involved. You wouldn’t believe the amount of times I had to do that.”

Oh, I can imagine, “First one to finish the maze gets an IOU from the loser,” you proposed the bet to Elliott, “Other than skinny dipping,” you added on. Elliott flashed you his signature smile, “That sounds wonderful,” he finished his ale and discarded the glass in the washing bin, “One, two, three, go!” the writer sprinted off, leaving you in the dust, “Hey!” you yelled, trying to finish your cider as quickly as you could so you could run after him. 

Soon, you found yourself in the dreaded maze, thick but neatly trimmed bushes towering before you. You passed by a few other townies in your quest to complete the maze, such as Harvey and Abigail. After confronting a few dead ends, you were positive that the area where you found Sam in had a way. The blond mentioned something off about the nearby bush, perhaps that was the key to beating Elliott.

Footsteps echoed throughout the maze, as the man in question showed up behind you, “It appears that we’re tied,” he stated, “Yet, there also appears to be another dead end.”

“I don’t think so,” you beckoned Elliott to follow you. You approached the bush near the left side of the maze and patted around the area. Your hand suddenly slipped through an opening in the bush and you grinned, “Found it!” you immediately ran through the opening, Elliott hot on your heels. You weaved and bobbed through the terrain, laughing up at a storm. 

However, you failed to notice a tree root on the path and tripped over it, barely twisting your body in time so you landed on your back and not your face. Elliott couldn’t stop himself in time and promptly fell on top of you, slamming the palms of his hands into the ground so he didn’t crush you under his weight. Time seemed to pause, as you and Elliott locked eyes with one another, so painfully close. Your eyes drifted down to his lips and you swore that he did the same. You were so close, you were so very close. 

“Are you okay?” Elliott asked, as he pushed himself off the ground and back onto his feet, much to your disappointment. You were so close, “I’m okay,” you answered. Elliott then extended a hand to you and pulled you up from the ground, you stumbled a bit but Elliott caught you in time before you could fall again. Yoba, he was so warm and gentle, it was as if you were hugging a teddy bear.

“Be careful,” he told you, “I don’t want you to get hurt,” your heart fluttered at his words, “O- Okay,” you stammered a bit, “I’ll try not to.”

“Let’s try to finish the maze,” the writer released you from the embrace. You nodded in agreement and the two of you resumed your journey through the maze in silence. Finally, after what felt like hours, you two arrived at the end of the maze, where a treasure chest laid before you. Elliott gestured to the chest, “You should have it. After all, you were the one who found the opening that got us here.”

“Are you sure?” you questioned the writer. He gave you a smile in confirmation, “I’m positive.”

You approached the treasure chest and opened it, pulling out the prize. It was a golden pumpkin! Oh how it shined so beautifully under the moonlight. You showed the golden pumpkin to Elliott, “Look here! Isn’t this neat?”

“Very neat!” he laughed, “What a wonderful prize,” the writer then pointed to a nearby mine cart, “I believe that might be our ticket out of here.”

You hopped into the mine cart and noticed there was enough room for you, “Wanna ride with me?” you asked. Elliott shook his head, “No, it’s alright. I’ll take it when it comes back.”

You did your best to hide your sadness at his rejection and responded, “Alrighty… I’ll see you later, then,” you activated the mine cart and rode back to the outside of the maze. You considered waiting for Elliott to come back, but ultimately decided against it. You needed to go home, you needed space… so you left.

After some time, Elliott returned to the outside of the maze, eager to see you. Yet, to his surprise, you were nowhere to be seen. He frowned upon the realization that you left early and went over to grab his bag so he could leave, as well. As Elliott left the festival, his bag’s zipper opened a bit, revealing a small bouquet of flowers nestled inside. 

Chapter 9: My Muse 

Things were tense between you and Elliott ever since the incident in the maze during Spirit’s Eve. Each time you would hang out or see one another, the air would be… off. Yet, neither of you would address it, much to the annoyance of Leah, who happened to know both sides of the story and was sworn to secrecy about the crushes. Poor Leah, oh how she just wanted to slam you two’s faces together so you could make up and make out. 

You knew that Leah was right, though; you had to confess sooner or later, but the idea of getting rejected by Elliott consumed any confidence you had about asking him out. Nonetheless, you bought the bouquet from Pierre’s, the traditional gift used to ask a person to be your partner in Stardew Valley. You kept the bouquet fresh with water and plant food, not wanting it to die out before you could give it to Elliott. 

You weren’t sure how this crush started nor how it flourished to the point where your mind was plagued with Elliott almost everyday. Does he feel the same or am I just a dumbass for wanting him to feel the same? That was the question on your mind since Spirit’s Eve. 

You left your farmhouse early one morning and found the flag up on your mailbox, indicating that you had mail. Setting your scythe aside, you headed over to the mail and opened it, collecting the letters inside. You thumbed through the letters, seeing one from Pierre and another from Jodi. However, you stopped when you saw a letter with all too fancy handwriting and a red wax seal on it, Elliott wrote me a letter? you carefully opened the envelope and read its contents.

Dearest (Y/N),

I’m delighted to announce that I finally finished my novel, Camelia Station! I would be the utmost grateful if you were to attend my book reading today, at 3pm in the library. If you can’t, I understand. You’re a busy person, after all. Nonetheless, I hope you can come.

— Elliott 

You grinned ear to ear at his use of ‘Dearest’, he wrote like a Victorian noble. Your eyes darted to the words underneath Elliott’s signatures, eyes wide as you read.

P.S. I have a surprise for you. 

A surprise? your mind ran through all the possibilities of what it could be, Could it be him confessing to me? you shook your head, Maybe not… but this is a good chance for me to, though. You looked down at your watch and set an alarm for a quarter to three, plenty of time to get from the farm to the library. With that all out of the way, you then went about your chores for the day. 

After hours of hard labor, your alarm went off. You ran into your farmhouse and wiped off any sweat or grime from your body, spraying yourself in body mist to conceal the smell. On your way out, you grabbed your bag and the bouquet, neatly tucking it inside the bag. 

By the time you arrived at the library, most of the town was inside, presumably for Elliott’s book reading. Yet, the man of the hour was nowhere to be seen. You scanned the room and found Leah near the front, so you slid up beside her, “Hey Leah,” you adjusted your grip on your bag, “Have you seen Elliott?”

“I did earlier,” she answered, “I think he went to the bathroom, but he’s been gone for a while.”

“Can you hold this for a second? I’ll go find him,” you passed your bag off to Leah and made your way to the bathroom. You entered the bathroom and found Elliott by the sink, gripping down on the porcelain. He was muttering something under his breath, you couldn’t make out the words, “El?” you touched his back and he nearly jumped out of his skin, “(Y/N)!” he exclaimed, “Oh, dear, you gave me a fright!”

“I knew you were a scaredy cat,” you jested. Elliott rolled his eyes, just like last time you brought up his tendency for fear. You moved next to Elliott and leaned against the sink, “Why are you hiding in the bathroom?” you asked. Elliott lowered his gaze and mumbled, “I… I’m scared.”

“It’s okay to be scared,” you rested your hand on his shoulder and squeezed it, “It’s your big day. I know you’re gonna do great. Everyone’s here to support you,” the redhead looked back at you, “Are you sure they’re not here to witness my demise?” You stifled back a laugh at his melodramatic question, “I promise that they’re not here to ‘witness your demise’ or anything of the sort.” 

“Promise?” he asked, his tone similar to that of a small child. You held up your pinky, “I promise,” and intertwined pinkies with Elliott. The redhead smiled weakly, but nonetheless, he was ready to perform. With you trailing behind him, Elliott entered the main area of the library and greeted everyone with his good old Elliott bravo, “Good afternoon, ladies, gentlemen, and folks! I’m ever so honored to have you all here to celebrate the release of my book, Camelia Station.”

As Elliott babbled about his journey with writing his novel, you returned to your spot with Leah and watched with a fond twinkle in your eye at your friend. Elliott took one last deep breath and announced to the crowd, “Before I read the first chapter, there’s something I need to say…” his eyes fell on you, “I wish to thank my muse… (Y/N),” your heart began to pound like a bass drum, “Without them, I wouldn’t have completed this book. Through every hardship and challenge I faced with this process, (Y/N) was my shining light. I dedicate Camelia Station to them, so please... give them a round of applause.”

The library erupted in applause, but it was white noise to you, as you stared at Elliott in awe. Your heartbeat pounded in your ears and your hand grew clammy, as you slowly melted from the writer’s sweetness. His muse… I’m his muse.

The applause slowly died down and Elliott seized the opportunity to begin the reading, “Chapter One… Your ticket, sir? Ticket collector Gozman extended a gloved hand towards the young commuter. Ah, yes. I have it right here, he replied, reaching into his coat pocket. Mortified, he discovered that the ticket was missing…”

You listened with a keen ear to Elliott’s reading, mesmerized by his storytelling. The way he switched voices for each character, the vibrato in his words, the detailed imagery transported into the world of Camelia Station. Elliott was talented, but most importantly, he was having fun with his book.

By the time Elliott finished the chapter, a few townsfolk left the library, most likely returning to their daily responsibilities. The remaining audience applauded the writer for his reading and Elliott took a bow, “Thank you, thank you! I will have signed copies for sale at the front. Once again, thank you for coming, everyone!”

You hovered by the front of the library, watching silently while some individuals like Emily and Gus bought a signed copy of Camelia Station from Elliott. Once the crowd dispersed, you approached Elliott and flashed him a cheeky grin, “See, I told you that there was nothing to worry about.”

“You were right,” the writer replied, “Most times, you are right,” you scoffed mockingly, “Most times?” to which Elliott gave you a little nudge, “You do think sea cucumbers are a lovely fish when in actuality, you’re very very very wrong.”

“C’mon! They’re just little guys!” you huffed, much to Elliott’s amusement. A comfortable silence then fell upon the two of you, as you stared into one another’s eyes. Elliott’s pupils were big as saucers, you were positive that yours were, too. 

“Did you mean what you said earlier?” you rested your hand against your bag, the bouquet so close to your person. With pink tinted cheeks, the redhead answered, “I meant every word.”

“Elliott…” your mouth grew dry with nerves.

“(Y/N)...” the writer whispered.

Time stopped, as you pulled the bouquet out of your bag. At the same time, Elliott pulled out an identical bouquet from his own bag. Neither of you moved or spoke, you could only stare at the opposing bouquet. Soon and in unison, you and Elliott bursted into laughter, loud enough to get a scolding look from Gunther. 

You two finished your laugh fest and smiled at one another, “Wow,” you let out a soft laugh, “We really had the same idea, huh?” the redhead nodded, “It seems so.”

“Guess that means we’re dating?”

“Well, I did have a sonnet for you to highlight your passion, beauty, and kindness, but yes, we are dating.”

Chapter 10: Feast of the Winter Star

The fall season went by in an instant and brought the snow and frigid temperatures of winter. You and Elliott had been dating for a while when the Feast of the Winter Star rolled around. 

To your surprise and joy, Lewis mailed you earlier in the season that Elliott was your secret gift receiver. Part of you wondered if Lewis did that on purpose, but given how he handled his relationship with Marnie (you unfortunately found them in a compromised position in the bushes by the bridge in town), you highly doubted it. 

Despite Camelia Station’s completion, Elliott was already on his next book, a mystery called The Blue Tower. You thought it to be fitting that you gifted him a glass dip pen; he was strict about his writing instruments and never used a laptop, despite its ease and functionality. Hopefully, this was a good compromise. In addition, Marnie’s poor ducks would no longer have to suffer with Elliott’s weekly trips to the ranch for duck feathers. I think those ducks might be afraid of Elliott now. 

The Feast of Winter brought families, friends, and lovers together in the beautifully decorated town square. The lamp posts were lined with tinsel and a thick evergreen tree stood in the center, decked out in various ornaments with a big shining star on the top. You searched the bustling square for Elliott and found him with Gus and Leah, enjoying a glass of cranberry wine.

“Surprise,” you hugged Elliott from behind and whispered in his ear. He yelped and almost dropped his wine, “Oh! (Y/N), my love! You scared me!”

“Told yah,” you cooed, “You are a scaredy cat.”

“I concede,” sighed Elliott, “I am a bit of a scaredy cat.”

“Good enough for me,” you released him from the hug and pecked him on the kiss. You then turned your attention to Leah and Gus, but they were too absorbed in conversation. Well, at least, Gus was, as he enthusiastically lectured Leah about his various techniques for cranberry sauce. Leah, on the other hand, appeared half-sleep, but managed to have perfectly timed head nods to fake engagement.

“By the way,” you perked up at Elliott’s voice, “I have something for you,” he handed you a somewhat heavy box, neatly wrapped in red paper and secured with a golden bow, “I’m your secret gift giver!”

“What a coincidence!” you giggled, as you held out your gift to Elliott, “I’m yours,” the two of you shared a laugh and Elliott mused, “Perhaps the mayor had a part in that.”

“I doubt it,” you responded, “He’s–” you felt Lewis stare daggers in your back, as if he could hear what you were about to say, “He doesn't seem like the type to meddle in romance or romantic relationships,” you looked down at your gift, “Why is this kinda… heavy?”

“Open it up, my dear, and you shall see,” stated Elliott.

“Only if we do it at the same,” you requested and Elliott nodded, “It’s a deal.”

Together, you and Elliott unwrapped your gifts, you more so ripped through yours while Elliott was meticulous with his unwrapping. Before you, there was a black box, you opened the box up and gasped at the item inside, “You didn’t!” you exclaimed, proudly showcasing the gift to the world, “You got me the Polaroid camera we saw at the antique shop in ZuZu City!”

“I did!” replied Elliott, “You looked so happy when you saw it and you mentioned how much you wanted to get back into photographing your life, so I had to get it,” he pressed a kiss to your forehead, “Anything for my muse.”

“You’re sweet,” you chuckled, “Now, look at your gift!”

Elliott opened the thin, white box and nearly choked on his own saliva at the glass dip pen. He carefully removed the pen from the box, a beam of rainbow light shining from the glass, “Oh, (Y/N)... this is one of–” he cut himself short, “No, this is the most beautiful and thoughtful gift I have ever received,” he gave you another kiss on the forehead, “You spoil me, my dear.”

“You haven’t seen the best part yet, turn it around,” you informed Elliott. 

He turned the pen around and read the engraving, “It says…” he squinted, “The Spirit of the Valley,” he seemed a bit confused by the words and you elaborated to him, “Your writing and you, Elliott, are so deeply connected to this valley. You brought life with your writing to this valley. You brought life, joy, and peace to me. You are the spirit that’s ingrained in me and this valley.”

Elliott sniffled, tears pricking the corners of his gentle emerald eyes, “You, my muse, are intertwined with my very being. I would be utterly lacking in life’s blessings if you weren’t here,” he pulled you into a deep kiss, your hands finding their way through his long fiery hair.

“Uh, guys?” the sound of Leah’s voice interrupted the kiss, “Too much PDA.”

Chapter 11: The S.S. Granger

Spring flew by as fast as it came. You tended to your farm, interacted with those in Pelican Town, and partook in the festivities. Your first spring was one full of unknowns and uncertainties but now, you finally felt like you were part of the town and the valley. You got some good use of the camera Elliott gifted you during the Feast of the Winter Star, photographing every precious moment. Your favorite photo was the one Leah took of you and Elliott dancing at the Flower Dance. 

Soon, summer followed the peaceful spring weather with thunderstorms, heatwaves, and… green rain? Yeah, green rain happened. Only in Stardew Valley, huh? It took half of the season before nice sunny weather came and it happened to be the same day you received a somewhat cryptic letter from Elliott.

My darling,

I hope this letter finds you in good health. If you are available, please stop by the beach before noon today. I have something spectacular to show you. 

– Yours truly, Elliott 

Elliott didn’t know, but you cherished every letter he sent you, even though they were  somewhat cheesy. You went back inside your farmhouse and opened your dresser, grabbing the ornate box you kept Elliott’s letters in and placing it inside. Your eyes darted up at the wall clock, the time being around 11am or so. I need to get to the beach!

You made your way to the beach, exchanging greetings with the passing residents. When you stepped on the bridge, you noticed a man with a short crew cut and camo leaning against the bridge and admiring the river. You smiled at him, “Hi, Kent.”

The man in camo flinched at your greeting and you frowned. It was only last spring that Kent returned from the Gotoro-Ferngill War and he wasn’t adjusted yet, “Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you,” you apologized.

Kent shook his head, “It’s alright,” he ran a hand through his hair, “Just a reflex.”

“Gotcha,” you nodded. You eyed the river and asked Kent, “Enjoying the view?”

“I am,” he answered, “Water is… calming.”

“Agreed,” you hummed, “Well, I’m off to the beach, but I hope you have a nice day.”

“Thank you, (Y/N),” replied Kent, “I wish you the same,” you bid farewell to Kent and resumed your walk to the beach. 

You soon stepped foot on the beach, as a crisp summer breeze blew through the air. You sighed with relief at the cold sensation, it was a hot summer day. Feeling energized, you scanned the beach for Elliott and found him standing outside his cabin. He broke out into a grin when he saw you, “(Y/N)! My love, I’m so glad you’re here!”

“I wouldn’t miss it for the world,” you laughed, embracing Elliott. The two of you held the other as tight as you could, “What’s the surprise?” you mumbled, voice muffled by your face in Elliott’s chest. Elliott released you from the hug and responded, “You’ll see,” he intertwined his hand with yours and led you to the pier. In the center of the pier, a rowboat bobbed against the waters. 

Elliott gestured to the boat, “I finally fixed up the old rowboat outside my cabin… with Willy’s help, of course. I’m not much of a handyman but I did give it a fresh coat of paint,” you examined the rowboat with intrigue, its mahogany coat glimmering under the sunlight. You noticed some cursive on the hull of the boat, “S.S. Granger?”

“Named after my high school English teacher, Mr. Granger,” the redhead explained, “He was the one who lit the spark of creativity and my passion for writing,” he smiled sadly at the boat, “We kept in touch after I graduated high school, but sadly, he passed away from cancer when I was finishing up my bachelors’ at East Ferngill University.”

“I’m sorry for your loss,” you gave Elliott’s arm a squeeze, a sign of support, “I’m sure he would be proud of the man you’ve become.”

“I hope so,” the writer sighed. Elliott shook off his melancholy and hopped onto the boat, extending a helping hand out to you, “Care to join me for its maiden voyage?”

“Of course,” you grasped Elliott’s hand and boarded the rowboat. You took a seat across from Elliott, who grabbed the oars and began rowing farther into the Gem Sea. The pier faded into the distance, as Elliott rowed the boat. By the time he stopped, you could only make out the silhouette of Stardew Valley, “Wow,” you were starstruck, “You can see the whole valley from here.”

“Beautiful view, isn’t it?” the writer shuffled around a bit in his seat, “Although, I prefer the beautiful view right before my eyes.”

“You’re cheesy,” you snorted. Elliott shrugged his shoulders, “I would rather be cheesy if it means bringing a smile to your face,” you playfully nudged his arm, “You’re gonna make me melt.”

“Oh, my dear, don’t do that just yet,” Elliott cleared his throat, “I have another surprise for you,” you tilted your head with wonder, “Oh? You do?”

“I do,” the writer stated. He then secured the oars in the boat and began to recite, "Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day? Thou art more lovely and more temperate… Rough winds do shake the darling buds of Spring…”

You leaned in closer, entranced by your boyfriend’s words, as he continued, “And summer’s lease hath too short a date… Sometime too hot the eye of heaven shines… And often is his gold complexion dimm’d… And every fair from fair sometime declines…” 

The world around you two came to a standstill, “By chance or nature’s changing course untrimm’d… But thy eternal summer shall not fade… Nor lose possession of that fair thou ow’st… Nor shall death brag thou wander’st in his shade…”

You leaned closer and closer into Elliott’s space, you could inhale his sweet pomegranate perfume, or in his words, his eau de parfum, Elliott was always a stickler with his words. He stared into your eyes, your soul, as he finished the sonnet, “When in eternal lines to time thou grow’st… So long as men can breathe or eyes can see… So long lives this, and gives life to thee.”

“Ellie…” you whispered. The writer smiled, “For the first time in my lifetime, I was at a loss for words and it was the moment I laid eyes on you at Pierre’s. You took my breath away, my love. It was only fair to share it with you in the form of one, if not, the greatest love sonnets.”

“Ellie, what are you saying?” you watched, as Elliott pulled a small, velvet box from his pant pocket, “(Y/N),” his tone was deep with emotion, “My muse, my love, my darling, my dear. I have a thousand names for you but,” he pulled a velvet box from his pants pocket, “Will you do me the highest honor and allow ‘spouse’ be one of those names?” Elliott slowly opened the box and inside, there was a Mermaid Pendant.

You covered your mouth and muffled your scream of delight before calming down enough to answer, “Yes! Yes, Elliott, I will marry you!” you embraced the redhead, nearly tackling in the process. You kissed Elliott deeply, the flames of love and passion exploding like fireworks. In that very moment, everything in the world- no, everything in the universe- was simply perfect.

Chapter 11: Wedding Bells

You fidgeted with your Mermaid’s Pendant, as Marnie and Emily added the final touches to your wedding outfit. Once they finished your outfit, you promptly walked off from the mirror in your farmhouse and began to pace around the farmhouse, “Oh my Yoba, what if he changes his mind?” you spouted off your worries. 

“I highly doubt,” answered Leah, your person of honor, “If he dares to even think about leaving you at the altar, I’ll knock some sense into him,” she held up her fists, “And I mean knock some sense into him.”

“Thanks, Leah,” you sighed, relieved. Emily, a member of your wedding party, approached you with your bouquet, a small one made of summer spangles and sunflowers you grew on the farm, “You are gonna do great, (Y/N)!” she reassured you, “I’m manifesting it for you, you will do great.”

“Thanks, Emily,” you chuckled, “I can always count on your manifestations.”

“Are you ready, dear?” Marnie asked, “It’s almost time.”

“I’m as ready as I can be,” you answered. 

You exited the farmhouse with Emily, Leah, and Marnie; the four of you making way to the entrance of the beach near Cindersap Forest. You gripped the bouquet tightly, your chest just as tight with fear. Marnie stood beside you and held out her arm, you relaxed the hold on your bouquet and locked arms with Marnie.

“You’re such a gorgeous marrier,” the rancher told you, “I’m so honored to be the one who passes you off, I hope I do your parents’ duty proud.”

Your parents couldn’t attend the wedding, your father being overseas fighting in the Gotoro-Ferngill War and your mother on the other side of the Ferngill Republic with her responsibilities at the hospital she worked at. You responded to Marnie, “You’re like a mom to me, Marnie. It felt right that you would be the one to hand me off.”

“And you’re like one of my own, (Y/N),” she retorted. You stared out towards the beach, getting a small sneak peek at the wedding arch. It’s now or never. You gave Marnie a nod and she hollered to the trio of Sam, Sebastian, and Abigail by the entrance, “It’s time!”

“Alright!” Sam cheered, “Let’s rock!” the band launched into the wedding march and you began walking to the beach with your wedding party behind you. 

Before you, the entirety of Pelican Town sat in white fold out chairs on the beach, as you followed the row of fabric towards the wedding arch. Near the front of the crowd, you spotted two familiar figures in a suit and blue dress, your parents. When you passed them, you whispered to them, “You came.”

“We did!” your mom smiled at you, “It took some phone calls, but we didn’t want to miss our angel baby’s wedding,” your dad nodded in agreement, “I can handle Gotoro grunts on the front line, but the thought of missing my only child’s wedding? That’s unacceptable. I’m sorry we couldn’t tell you sooner.”

“It’s okay!” you replied, “It’s a great surprise!” you blew kisses at your parents and continued your walk to the wedding arch. Under the arch, Willy and Gus stood by Elliott as his wedding party. Your soon-to-be husband’s back faced you and once released to the altar by Marnie, you tapped Elliott on the back, “I’m here, honey.”

Elliott turned around and audibly gasped, “My darling! You- You-” tears suddenly formed in his eyes and rolled down his cheeks, “Oh, my sweet darling, you look absolutely radiant,” he leaned in to kiss you, only to have Mayor Lewis shove his hand in between you, “Mr. Lovebird! No kissing until I say so!” he proclaimed. Elliott pouted at the mayor’s interruption, but nonetheless, he pulled back. 

The two of you smiled widely at the other, your eyes shimmering with anticipation. Lewis stood behind you and he began the ceremony, “Can all attendees rise?”

The wedding guests rose from their seats and Lewis spoke to everyone, “We are gathered here today to celebrate the love of Elliott and (Y/N). My dear friends,” he smiled at you and Elliott, “This is a new chapter in your lives, from the moment I proclaim them to be spouses to the day you die.”

“That’s the plan,” you mused, earning a few chuckles. Mayor Lewis let out a laugh, “Splendid! Then we should get right into it!” he continued with his opening remarks, but you paid no attention to him, as you found yourself lost in Elliott’s eyes. 

“Now, the marriers will exchange vows,” you perked up at the mention of vows, watching silently as Elliott pulled out a piece of parchment and unfolded it, “(Y/N)... As I mentioned before during our boat ride, I was at a loss of words when I first laid eyes on you,” he recited his vows.

He let out a shaky breath, on the verge of crying again, “And today, I am again at a loss for words. There are no words in our language that can accurately describe your beauty, your strength, your resilience, your passion, your love. (Y/N), I thank Yoba and the forces of the universe that we are here at this moment,” the redhead hastily wiped his tears away, “You are my world, (Y/N). I love you.”

A collection of ‘aws’ and cheers erupted from the audience, as they clapped for Elliott’s vows. You sniffled a bit and blinked back your own tears, “Damn,” you let out a wobbly laugh, “Your vows blew mine out of the water, honey,” you passed your bouquet to Leah and grasped Elliott’s hands, “Elliott, the day I met… I was hella pissed off that you grabbed my cereal.”

The crowd laughed and you added on, “I thought you were a dick for that, but when you explained to me that you only wanted to help… that spark of unprompted kindness lit a flame in me. As I got to know you, I found myself falling deeper and deeper in love with you. From your passion to your mannerisms to your silliness to your determination… Elliott, I can’t picture my future without you. I can’t wait to make a beautiful life with you.”

Another round of applause came from the wedding attendees and Elliott grinned at you, his eyes full of unabashed love for you. Mayor Lewis gestured for the applause to simmer down and once there was silence, he announced, “With the vows now done… It’s my honor to, on this lovely summer day, unite Elliott and (Y/N) together as one,” you squeezed Elliott’s hands, eager to hear the ‘okay’ to kiss.

“As the mayor of Pelican Town and regional bearer of the matrimonial seal…” the mayor stated, as you took a deep breath, “I now pronounce you spouses! You may kiss!” you and Elliott wasted no time when given the ‘okay’ to kiss, as Elliott dipped you and kissed you tenderly on the kiss. Cheers and hollers of joy erupted once more from the wedding attendees in celebration of your new matrimony. 

Elliott pulled you back up and finished the kiss, resting his forehead against yours. He whispered softly to you, “You’re my spouse,” to which you smiled, “And you’re my spouse,” you planted a kiss on Elliott’s cheek, “It’s time for our new chapter, isn’t it?”

“You’re right about that, my dear,” he answered, “The first chapter in our story.”

A new chapter, indeed.

...

...

...

...

...

Epilogue: Remembrance

A redheaded woman in pantsuit stood in front of the orchard, fresh fruit hanging from the trees. Besides her, two small children held each of her hands. The woman heard the sound of footsteps, as a man in farmer overalls and similar red hair approached the orchard, his work boots crunching the autumn leaves. 

“Eleanor,” the farmer greeted the well-dressed woman, “Glad to see you here,” he supported his body against the hoe, “I didn’t think you would come.”

“I may be a busy woman, but I take offense that you doubt my attendance for this day, Elias,” Eleanor scoffed at Elias, the farmer. He shrugged his shoulders and instead commented, “You brought Kenny and Quinn with you?”

“Yes,” answered Eleanor, “I thought they deserved a chance to– Heyo!” a loud voice cut into the conversation, as another redhead appeared. They dressed in casual but neat attire, a flannel wrapped around their waist and their exposed arms displaying some old scars, “Sorry, I’m late! I got held up at my logging site.”

“Late as ever, Echo,” chuckled Elias. With a pout, Echo exclaimed, “Hey! Not my fault that I had to cut down a whole forest after last week’s wildfire!”

“Enough, you two,” Eleanor stated, “Do you have the supplies?” to which Echo and Elias confirmed that they did, “Splendid,” she squatted down to her children’s levels, “Kenny, Quinn… I know this might seem scary, but Mommy’s here to keep you safe, okay? You might not understand it now, but you deserve the chance to see them.”

“Okay, Mommy,” replied Kenny and Quinn. Eleanor squeezed their hands and with that, the group entered the orchard, going deeper and deeper until they made it to their destination. Two gravestones stood proudly in the center of the orchard, a few dead fruits and flowers by them. Echo pulled out a trash bag and collected the dead items while Eleanor and Elias set down fresh pomegranates and sunflowers. 

“Mommy, where are we?” asked Quinn.

“We’re at your…” Eleanor blinked back tears, “These are your grandparents, you were very little when they went to Yoba, but they loved you both so very much.”

Kenny stared out at the gravestones and squinted, “Mommy, what do they say?”

Eleanor read the gravestone engravings aloud, “The one on the left has ‘Elliott Cunnigham’ at the top and below it, it says ‘Beloved Writer, husband, and father.’ The one on the right has ‘(Y/N) Cunningham’ with the words ‘Beloved Town Hero, spouse, and parent’,” Eleanor looked up at Echo and Elias with tears in her eyes, “Can one of you do it?”

“I got it,” answered Elias. He approached Eleanor’s side and grabbed the final offering, setting it down between the graves, “We can go if you want.”

“I think that’s a good idea,” replied Echo. Eleanor nodded in agreement, “Let’s go to the Stardrop Saloon, I think Gus would be happy to see all of us together.”

“Sounds like a great plan,” chuckled Elias. 

With everyone in tow, the siblings and their children left the orchard, leaving the gravestones at peace for another year. The final offering laid still in the space between the burial sites. 

A single box of cereal.

[ranticore]

colony culture is obviously really variable as cultures are but in the main character colony, their practices are strongly influenced by the characteristics of the adult dragon who's been living in the cave for a century. the dragon is large enough that it poses a threat to all else around it - you'd hardly move aside for a line of ants if they happened to be under your boot, and the dragon feels the same for the kobolds. as such the colony has had to construct additional defences to separate themselves from the grand chamber in which the dragon lives. There is a set of massive iron and steel doors, constructed from the leftover armour and weapons of would-be dragon slayers, and beyond these doors are the main warrens, a series of tunnels which make up the residential district. But these tunnels are finite and do not expand, made of very hard stone, so the colony also has a two-tier class structure wherein everyone whose ancestor managed to get a spot in the warrens gets to enjoy safety and security behind the iron doors, while a good half of the population lives in the grand cavern, at the mercy of the dragon and whatever else lives within the caves. having invented classism they proceeded to retroactively invent reasons why someone should deserve to live outside the doors; the crimes of their ancestors, their generally poor character, their unhygienic and scavenging lifestyle. People don't like to think it was random chance that separates them from the people outside the doors.

(cut for length)

There's no fire inside the caves. Ventilation is already poor, and reliant on the ice-caps of the mountain range remaining frozen (i.e those air holes would flood if the glaciers melted). Smoke and fire are dangerous, as are midden heaps, large rotting corpses, or anything else that might produce an excess of unbreathable air. The warrens especially forbid fire, relying solely on proximity to the dragon for warmth, and bioluminescent cave fauna for light. Food is uncooked or served frozen, mainly consisting of blind fish and other aquatic subterranean animals.

The concept of time is rudimentary. There's no night or day, no minute or hour. It's very difficult to convey how long ago something happened without linking it to a notable event that happened at the same time.

Outside the warrens, scavengers follow the dragon's lead - what's yours is mine. Theft is 100% acceptable so long as you're not physically taking an item out of someone's hands while they're using it. To keep a hold on precious belongings, scavengers hoard their things in remote corners of the cave system, far from society. If a hoard is found, it's fair game. But finding it is the challenge. It's accepted that everyone probably has a secret stash somewhere. The stashes usually contain items taken for their aesthetic value from dead dragonhunters, alongside curiosities from the cave itself; strange bones, crystals, mummified animals. A hoard is shared between partners, so collecting nice things is also an act of devotion and commitment.

Scavengers are broken up into broad groupings based on skill. They might work as hunters, fishers, explorers, or navigators, given their advanced knowledge of the cave system granted by having to find a good hoard spot. But they can also be outrunners, the only group of kobolds who regularly leave the cave. Outrunners are the ones bringing back evidence of plants, animals, and concepts from the outside. They may post sentries to warn of an impending dragon hunt, or sneak down to nearby human settlements to steal livestock.

The highest ranking group of scavengers, more important than any other, is the dragoneer group. They are chosen purely based on colour. If you are any variation of black and red, you can be a dragoneer. This is because the dragon's scales are black and red, and a suitably coloured dragoneer can blend in while scavenging on its body. They take scales to be used as blades and shields, shed spines for weapons, and harvest blood from the dragon by farming ticks and lice. Dragon blood is a vitally important nutrient source for the kobolds, usually consumed watered down. In concentrated form it is consumed for ritualistic purposes, the 'quickening agent' used by the mother of matriarchs to imbue her offspring with the ability to commune and share dreams with the dragon. Realistically, the high levels of heavy metals make the concentrated blood unsafe for a pregnant person to drink.

[potat0bag]

someone asked for a lore dump of my sea monster au in its current state, so here’s a dump from my alt retrospring a few days ago:

TW: injury, blood mention

Frye (human) lives on a nearby bay and is a fisher with a cute lil boat. One day she gets a tip about some sunken treasure and goes out with the intention and promise of paying off a debt. She takes the map she's given and goes out under the cover of night. It's a long search, but she eventually finds the point marked on the map and lowers a hook to see what she can dislodge. She hooks up something pretty damn heavy and connects the dots and assumes it to be the treasure, but on the way up it seems to snag on something. She tries to wiggle it free of whatever kelp it's caught in, but then it starts getting pulled down. She guesses it's probably just a sea creature and, getting desperate, takes out her harpoon and makes a shot in the dark before the treasure can be pulled away any further. And the water stains darker.

Surprise surprise, she's able to pull up the crate but an injured Shiver comes with it and she's initially alarmed that she shot a diver, but when she hauls them into her lap she realises from scale and tendril that they're decidedly not human. She hit them square in the eye - they're still breathing but are barely conscious when she hauls them up. She looks into the crate and sees that it's weighed down by rock and sediment, not gold or silver. She'd been scammed. She's gonna return empty-handed, unless... she barely considers it for a second before she looks down at the sea monster weakly gazing up at her with one less eye. And she makes a decision. She covers their eyes to try and prevent them from struggling and making the damage worse but it just makes them panic more. "Hold- still- you're gonna hurt yourself more-" and just wedges the handle of an oar between their jaws for them to bite down on assuming it's her arm. The wood cracks beneath their teeth.

Frye does her best with what medical supplies she has to patch them up and remove the spear from their face, and when she uncovers their eyes and pulls away the oar they shove her away and go to dive off before realising they probably won't be able to make their way back home with their limited eyesight. So it's just this silent temporary truce, they don't say a word to her as they guide where to steer and eventually make her halt. Glances at her once, and dives away, supposedly never to be seen again. Frye just feels guilt and- faint longing. It's a fascinating encounter. And it leaves both of them curious.

The next day, she goes out fishing in the noon (having slept in from her late night antics) and something tugs on her line and startles her awake. She goes to reel it in, but a hand comes with it. A familiar, clawed one. She watches the scarred face peek up from the waters, studious gaze barging into her. And they pat the boat. And she lifts them on board, remarking how heavy they are. They snap that they're not, and conversation quickly spirals out, initially panicked and confused, but then. Softening as Shiver asks more and more questions, trying to understand her intentions. She profusely apologises, and they're fascinated by her and become a regular appearance for her.

That's me trying to break it down anyway. They're really cute. Frye has that "shot them in the face with a harpoon" rizz.

[meloarto-me]

Fisherman x Human Reader

Arlong, Jinbe, Fisher Tiger i Hody Jones

𓆝 𓆛 𓆞 𓆝 𓆟  ﹏𓊝﹏𓂁﹏ 𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆛 𓆟

(I hope you enjoyed it (: Again, I apologize for the mistakes)

𓆝 𓆛 𓆞 𓆝 𓆟  ﹏𓊝﹏𓂁﹏ 𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆛 𓆟

🦈 Arlong 🦈

Twitter / X : @KUYUEN1

🦈 Emmm well that would be difficult, what's the surprise? Arlong is a fisherman who thinks he's better than people (Are you sure he's better?).

🦈 You must have had something really special about you for him to pay attention to you.

🦈 Maybe even at first he only took you as a new human pet.

🦈 It would have taken a long time for him to start thinking about you differently.

🦈 I think it would start with something as small as addressing you by name. Like just calling you a person.

🦈 Then a few small touches. A hand on your back as he pushes you forward. (Why are you walking so slowly?)

🦈 Then there will be some shared food or mission. Which, of course, was planned by Arlong himself.

🦈 With time, he will give you hints that he is interested in you. He sees something more in you, don't waste it. He won't give you a second chance.

🦈 If you turn out to be a racist fisherman, his interest will drop to zero or even negative.

🦈 Dating started in secret. He needs to keep his sanity, especially since he shows all the time how he hates people. That's why he won't show up anywhere with you.

🦈 After a really long time he will take you as his own. He further presents you as his personal toy. (You are only his.)

🦈 Everyone knows what's really going on. Arlong can't hide his relationship too much.

🦈 The crew knew this because of the bite marks on you. His scent on your skin, the looks he was throwing you. He acted like a silly teenager in love.

🦈 People discovered this through his behavior toward you.

🦈 Now you no longer have your own room, you sleep in bed with him (he can't sleep without you). What are your things? Now they are his things, what's his is yours, what's yours is his.

🦈 This will be difficult, but you will manage together.

🐟 Jinbe 🐟

Twitter / X : @KUYUEN1

🐟 I think it may have started with the fact that you were in the Navy. An aide to some Admiral, come on you didn't even want to be in the Navy. Your father persuaded you, he was a sailor himself and would have liked it to continue, you agreed because you felt sorry for him.

🐟 At one of the Watashka meetings you would meet him.

🐟 He was a daredevil. all these people were like that.

🐟 But he was different, maybe it was the fault of his fish genes? You didn't know that, there was just something different about him

🐟 With subsequent meetings you learned more about him, he was the captain of the Sun Pirates. Wow!

🐟 You were always interested in pirates. They had such a wonderful life, no one made them do anything they didn't want to do. They lived the way they wanted and where they wanted, they did anything they wanted. You longed for such a life.

🐟 Well, going back, how did you meet our dear fisherman? Simple. On the beach!

🐟 So at the next meeting of the warlords, you ran away in the middle. And so no one saw that you were gone. You went to a nearby beach.

🐟 There you sat by the water watching the little turtles that went into the water. The little lucky ones were allowed to live as they wished.

🐟 Then you met Jinbe, he also broke off from a meeting. He was tired and wanted to go swimming, and somehow your acquaintance began. From a conversation about turtles.

🐟 In subsequent meetings you talked more. (You always left at the end to talk about everything and nothing).

🐟 Tortoise turned out to be a shy and kind fisherman. You fell in love with him quickly. (You didn't know he had you too) He often gave you shells or took you to the beach and swam with you (If you don't know how to do it, don't worry, he'll teach you)

🐟 Many conversations and meetings further you could honestly admit that you fell in love with this shark. He was simply idel.

🐟 Then when he was locked up in prison your meetings became very limited, he was a prisoner to this fisherman. He had fewer privileges than the rest.

🐟 But hey! You managed to meet.

🐟 When the day came, Luffy went to rescue his brother Ace. And you finally found out about Jinbe's feelings for you.

🐟 He even shouted out his feelings for you and kidnapped you. Well, you got your better life with your beloved fisherman.

🐟 He treats you like a queen. Even better. Everywhere you go he is there, Such a big turnip of him.

☀ Fisher Tiger ☀

Twitter / X : @KUYUEN1

☀ I'm telling you 99% you are a former slave.

☀ Probably he rescued you from slavery (As did many other slaves). Because of your critical condition, he decided to escort you home himself. (You know sailing the ship and escorting you to the door of the house to be sure you got home safely)

☀ He watched over you while you slept and recovered. He couldn't do otherwise, you were so small and he was afraid for you.

☀ When you woke up he was gone, no one was there. You were terrified, you thought you had been sold to no one you knew. You got up checked that you were dressed and left the cabin.

☀ The fishermen were scared. Not because they were fishermen, no. They were pirates, you heard a lot about what pirates do. Fear won out and you ran.

☀ You climbed to the stork's nest, then to the beam. What a comedy it was.

☀ Tiger came in to take you down and greet you, but your brain thought otherwise the closer it got the more it retreated until it was over.

☀ Looking down, you were too high for the fall to end well, maybe slipping off the sail? Maybe? You were too afraid.

☀ You stepped back a millimeter, that unlucky millimeter. you fell. But our hero Tiger caught you and pulled you in, holding you in his arms. He came down with you and before he could put you down you bit him and ran away.

☀ The crew could not laugh (Except our princess Arlonga).

☀ You hid in the barrel and were not going to leave, Tiger tried many times to talk to you.

☀ It took him two weeks before I began to open up to him. explained to you what he was doing. After a while, you also began to trust his crew.

☀ You learned over the next week that you had a lot in common, you somehow started spending time together.

☀ You don't even know how or when you became a couple. It just somehow came out

☀ Everyone knew about it, as if you didn't know? This fisherman couldn't help but show you affection. Whether it was carrying you everywhere, giving you shells or there pretty pebbles he found.He just had to show you how much he loved you.

☀ And yes, you can swim on it, yes, you can play with its hair. You can much more than the crew.

☀ You like to take advantage of that.

Hody Jones

Tumblr: https://lovely-eve.tumblr.com/post/660896622929117184/more-like-horny-jones-づ-³-づ-3

🚫 Really?

🚫 Are you sure you want this?

🚫 Are you sure?

🚫 Yes? (I sympathize. …. I guess…. No no, it's hot.)

🚫 I can say that somehow I found myself in his good graces.

🚫 You act as his toy, his slave. He doesn't show you much mercy. Come on he won't kill you. (For now)You can directly say that you are his favorite slave, How? I don't know. Tell me.

🚫 You certainly get better treatment, and I'll tell you this. You have a collar around your neck with his initials on it. You sleep in his room but not on his bed. that's what he tells anyone who asks about it. In fact, you're hurling for his teddy bear.

🚫 When he is generous he strokes your head and doesn't humiliate you as much.

🚫 He can hurt you a lot, he doesn't consider you as someone equal to him.

🚫 He will probably kill you if he gets bored.

𓆝 𓆛 𓆞 𓆝 𓆟  ﹏𓊝﹏𓂁﹏ 𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆛 𓆟

hi hi hi i love ε(´｡•᎑•`)っ 💕

[would-this-pokemon-be-a-friend]

What about a Slowpoke? Would be a good pet? I love them so much 🥺

Good news! A slowpoke would indeed be a good, if sluggish, pet!

Slowpokes are pretty heavy, and larger than you’d think a nearly four feet long! This certainly may be too large for some owners, but considering that they aren’t very active pokémon, you won’t need a lot of space.

In fact, slowpokes only have one real habitat need: water. Wild slowpokes live on the shores of bodies of water, using their tails to fish for prey (Gold, Ruby/Sapphire). While they are skilled fishers (Diamond/Pearl/Platinum), they often forget what they’re doing (Ruby/Sapphire) and won’t register that they’ve caught something quickly, sometimes not noticing for a whole day (Gold). Slowpokes aren’t all that bright (Sword), to put it nicely, so a pet slowpoke might not notice if the water you provide them with is something as small as a kiddie pool. It isn’t clear, however, if slowpokes will eat food that they don’t catch this way. I’d wager though, that like a lot of predators, they’d get used to it pretty quickly. If you’d like to release some live prey into your slowpoke’s pond, I’m sure they’d like that….maybe? They might not notice.

It should be clear by now that if you’re looking for an active, energetic pet, a slowpoke is absolutely not for you. They’re often content to do nothing but sit around all day, “without worrying about the time” (Yellow). They have a super slow reaction time, not even registering pain for over five seconds (Red/Blue), which may make playing with them a little boring. You probably won’t receive a lot of obvious affection from them, but that’s not what everyone is looking for in a pet!

Slowpokes can use some moves that can pack a punch, like Psychic, Surf, or Zen Headbutt, but I wouldn’t worry too much about it. Getting attacked by a slowpoke is pretty unlikely, especially if they see you as a source of food and comfort. Slowpokes are often picked on by other pokémon due to the sweet sap contained in their tails, which they use for fishing (Silver, Crystal). As evidence that these pokémon are slow to jump into a fight, their tails can painlessly detach to avoid trouble and be regrown like a real-world lizard’s (Sun). If someone picks on a slowpoke, trying to eat their tail, they would rather lose and regrow it than fight. Slowpokes aren’t very much of a threat.

If you are interested in a pet with excellent ease-of-care and a chill, lazy disposition, a slowpoke will be just right for you! I know I could hardly say no to those charming, dopey faces!

[sharkposting]

Special Mediterranean Shark!

Daily shark day 11:

Spinner shark!

The spinner shark is a fascinating type of shark known for its acrobatic feeding behavior. It belongs to the requiem shark family and can be found in warm waters around the world, except in the eastern Pacific Ocean. Unlike some other sharks, spinner sharks prefer shallow water habitats and can be found both near the coast and further offshore, usually at depths of up to 100 meters (330 feet).

In appearance, the spinner shark looks similar to a larger version of the blacktip shark. It has a slender body, a long snout, and fins with black markings. However, there are a couple of distinguishing features. The first dorsal fin of the spinner shark has a different shape and is placed further back compared to the blacktip shark. Additionally, adult spinner sharks have a black tip on their anal fin.

Spinner sharks can grow up to a maximum length of 3 meters (9.8 feet). They are known for their speed and sociable nature. They are opportunistic predators, feeding on a variety of small bony fishes and cephalopods. When hunting schools of forage fish, they exhibit an impressive feeding strategy. They swim vertically through the school while spinning on their axis and burst out of the water at the end.

Reproduction in spinner sharks is viviparous, which means the females give birth to live young. They typically have litters of three to twenty pups every other year. The newborn sharks are born in shallow nursery areas close to the coast and grow relatively quickly.

Although spinner sharks are not generally considered dangerous to humans, they can become aggressive if provoked or excited by the presence of food. They are highly valued by commercial fisheries for their meat, fins, liver oil, and skin. Additionally, recreational fishers appreciate spinner sharks for their strength and challenging fights.

Unfortunately, the spinner shark population is facing threats, leading to its near-threatened status worldwide according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

[that-foul-legacy-lover]

hi Wifi! Take all the time you need!! I enjoy everything you make so I don't mind how much you take with any of what i share :DD honestly it's impressive how you run this place almost daily with so much love poured into it

As for sharing something for MerMay. It's a little basic, but the fisher gets fished? Think of an urban legend, a pretty new one, about a creature so beautiful no words could ever do it justice, a maw in vibrant ruby that could pierce a whole in even the largest ships. As a bounty hunter, this is a new trophy to be claimed.

That is until you see it ya know? *It is* majestic, a beauty undeserving of being hooked away from it's home. But it's also like, unbearably cute? How is such a concept allowed to exist?

Underwater, it's hair is flowing everywhere, demonstrating how illegally soft it is, yet it's that curious, doe eye it's giving from below that's just so... adorable?! Putting up a mean front does nothing really, it just ends with a splash of water to the face. Which honestly isn't as upsetting as it is endearing.

Trying to catch the beast eventually leads to befriending it, since it lets itself get caught (by you and only you) before disappearing the next day, then discovering its a he and his name is Foul Legacy and in a blink of an eye the friendship has moved on to a sort of travel partnership, being asked to dive off your ship every day to swim with him and explore the water🥹 (he'll always keep you safe and oxygenated)

So in the end you didn't get your trophy, inversely, you're his prized catch!!

- mothnip anon

*rubs hands together* luckily i absolutely ADORE this trope, it's basic but so so good

you barely regret letting the creature go, watching it flick its long tail and disappear back into the depths of the sea, leaving you alone on your ship. a flash of dismay runs through you before it suddenly fades. there's a sense of intense satisfaction knowing that the monster will live to see another day, and you turn back to your work with a small smile- you need a few fish for dinner, after all- the sun slowly setting beneath the horizon. it's a calm day, not a cloud in the sky, but there's a small splash behind you, and when you turn there's a small pile of fish on the floor of your boat, still flopping. the tip of a tail disappears back under the water with a small ripple, and your eyes sparkle with cheer at the sight of a massive shadow swimming beneath you

you're never alone when you're sailing after that, the beast constantly following you and getting purposefully tangled in your nets- after a while you just expect that the first "catch" you make will inevitably be the monster. but it chirps and purrs so happily when it sees you and has sparkly fins and its- his- name is Foul Legacy, and you can't deny that you love him. in the early morning, when no one else is around, he'll flop his armored body onto your boat, trilling in delight when you cup his cheeks, fins shivering happily. he'll nudge you and tug on the edges of your clothes, asking you to go swimming with him, and when you agree his crystalline eye shines as bright as the sun. it's the best time to hug you, when both of you are floating in the water- he can wrap his tail around you much easier, bubbles floating from his fanged maw as he chitters and bumps his forehead tenderly against yours

[whumpsday]

some facts about the world of my kane & jim mermay special bc i can't stop thinking about this world

^ kane and his pilot fish at the aquarium

vampires:

in this world, the entire idea of a vampire is an aquatic creature. there are no land vampires, and if someone were to conceptualize one for fiction, they'd have to say it like that. land vampires...

vampires are more biological and less magical than the ones in the main series, but still a little magical.

vampires both eat meat (fish/seals/etc) and drink blood. they can drink most kinds of blood, but human blood is the most delicious, which is why kane went after jim.

vampires can live either solitarily or in groups/pods. if a pod gets too big to be sustainable, the smallest members will generally be kicked out.

vampires are usually around 10-15 feet, about the same as a great white shark. kane is on the smaller side at around 9 feet.

i know groups of sharks are called shivers, but groups of vampires are called pods because i like it :)

they have lots of spiky teeth!!! not just two fangs!

some vampires have their own languages. some have spoken language (mildly common), some have sign language (more common), some have both (uncommon), and some have neither or only a few signs/words (most common). it varies from pod to pod. they are extremely good language-learners, like human children, and can easily learn another pod's language if they find a mate they don't share one with. if a vampire pod does not use language and finds themselves in a situation where they need one, they will invent one as needed.

scientific name for the genus is Vampyroselakhos, took inspiration from the vampire squid. idk about species name

two of them. 😏

weaknesses:

vampires can die easier than k&j vamps but less easy than real fish. they can starve to death, though it takes a lot for that to happen, several months without food. they will heal most injuries (with scarring), but they can't regrow whole limbs and will die if things get super gory.

most vampires are highly allergic to wood, which can kill them if it gets in their bloodstream.

residing in deeper waters, vampires are very easily sunburned, but like a normal human sunburn. they also can't see well in daylight.

vampires can breathe air for short periods of time, but will start to asphyxiate if out of the water for more than about an hour. if left without breathable water for about 6 hours, they will die.

they are saltwater fish and cannot tolerate freshwater. being left in freshwater will make their cells start to rupture (this is true of irl saltwater fish). they can survive this for small periods of time but not sustainably.

vampire/human relations:

vampires are known to be sapient beings, but also vicious predators who will actively take humans from beaches and boats and usually kill them--far more dangerous than actual sharks! despite the sapience, they are legally considered animals, not people, in the vast majority of the world.

vampires have some protections. they're protected from abuse/inhumane treatment under animal abuse laws, and it's illegal to keep a vampire in captivity without proper clearance, due to both the safety risk they pose and the wellbeing of the vampire. what the fishers did to kane was super illegal!

clearance to keep a vampire captive usually involves the vampire consenting to it, unless the vampire is an orphaned baby.

hunting vampires is illegal, though most people who encounter them did not go looking on purpose.

due to the safety risk they pose, it is legal to kill wild vampires on sight as long as long as you don't go purposely hunting for them. like polar bears, if you see a wild vampire approaching, you're pretty much already dead unless you have a gun. unlike polar bears, vampires are not an endangered or threatened species.

it is illegal to sell vampires, dead or alive, including vampire body parts or teeth. it is, however, legal to eat them if you kill one yourself under legal circumstances, and they taste quite good. (though it's vampires eating humans more often than the other way around.) there is a black market for vampires, generally dead.

kane:

kane was kicked out of his pod for being too small :(

kane's pod did not use much language. he learned his first from jim, the fishers, and the aquarium staff. his pod did have spoken names.

his time in the fishers' tiny, cramped tank left him with physical issues that prevented him from swimming normally for months. he needed physical therapy surgeries for broken bones, and general medical care. this was extremely terrifying for him, but everyone did their best to help keep him feeling calm and safe. and pain meds work on vampires in this AU which is nice for him :)

when kane was first brought to the aquarium, he was kept in a smaller (but still very much healthy-sized) tank in the medical area. honestly probably one of the largest tanks they have in the medical area. after his more urgent injuries were healed, he was offered the option of staying there where it's private, or being moved into a VERY large tank in the public viewing area. he chose the latter, having extreme claustrophobia.

he was extremely scared of all the aquarium staff at first and needed to be gently coaxed whenever they needed to do medical checkups. however, kane was won over easily with food and pain medication.

after kane is healed and completes physical therapy, the vet tells him he's free to go back to the ocean. he declines, opting to stay at the aquarium.

they end up getting him a Therapist therapist, for his mental health, as well. kane doesn't really "get it".

as kane's time at the aquarium goes on, he becomes more comfortable around humans. he's an incredibly popular attraction, and he starts to relish in the positive attention from aquarium guests. he does spins in the water and takes pride in the amazed looks he gets for something so simple as being himself. he gets REALLY into it.

he does a lil educational program with bellamy where people can ask them questions about vampires (kane has the lived experience, bellamy has the more scientific/biological answers)

kane's tank at the aquarium doesn't have much in the way of other living animals at first, given kane could (and would) eat them. however, he has a lot of nice plants. after he's built up some trust with the staff and done some work on his food insecurity, they add some pilot fish in with him. kane considers them his beloved pets.

human characters:

jim was rescued by cave-divers who discovered him while kane was away. he was near-dead from infection.

bellamy's family owns some terrible exploitative unethical seaworld-type mega-aquarium. bellamy defiantly left for an ethically-run/normal smaller aquarium

bellamy's coworkers tease him about having a crush on a fish (in a lighthearted friendly way)

not sure yet what i want liz's deal to be in this au

i get all my knowledge of how aquariums function from 1. finding dory and 2. aquatope on white sand, so don't be mad at me if i got stuff wrong <3 blame the media

[warwolfwithwings]

Intro - may be updated -

-Not a joke blog-

This blog is for my Canine / Divine / Robot / Space IDs.

My name is Maddy, but I use multiple names here, such as Grimm, Light, or Grimmlight.

I am 20 years old in this body, my birthday is on May 25th, I am 5’6, I am a Gemini, I am a straight cis female, I am mateless, my pronouns are she/her, and I am a vegan for the animals.

I am a Spiritual / semi - Psychological Omni, Omninonhuman / Omnitherian / Omnikin / Omnibeing, aka Allkin / Everythingkin. In other terms, I identify as being Omni, Omnipresent, Omnipotent, Omniscient, Omnibenevolent, Omnipotential, Ubiquitous. Other suitable labels / terms that do or can describe me are:

Therian, Cladotherian, Contherian, Suntherian, Paleotherian, Theriomythic, Xenotherian, Fictherian, Otherkin, Cladokin, Othervague, Fictionkin, Fictionfolk, Alterhuman, Alterbeing, Nonhuman, Inhuman, Unhuman, Offhuman, etc., and many more.

Trying out the labels / terms ( Not official currently ):

Endogenic, Furry, Holothere, Unibeing, Transspecies, Age Regressor, and Pet Regressor.

For anyone who needs it, here’s a guide of all or most alterhuman labels / terms:

https://www.beyondhumanity.net/alterhuman-dictionary

Some prominent identities derive from alternate lives, such as past, future, parallel, and dream lives, but my identity does not derive from imprinting, neurodivergence, or trauma. Although some identities have been discovered through psychological means, they are still fully spiritual.

Omninonhuman is a term a coined for myself, meaning I identify as any and all, that is nonhuman. Including, but not limited to, not that there are any limits besides humans:

All earthly and non-earthly animals, beings, creatures, extant, extinct, insects, nature, elements, dirt, grass, plants, trees, flowers, fungi, rocks, stone, metals, crystals, water, land, sky, clouds, biomes, magical, mystical, mythical, mythological, supernatural, celestial, cosmic, galactic, divine, holy, unholy, infernal, universal, living, nonliving, undead, thoughts, memories, souls, minds, consciousness, unconsciousness, existence, nonexistence, life, death, spatial, spiritual, physical, psychological, mental, astral, eldritch, dimensional, inter-dimensional, otherworldly, dimensions, realms, worlds, planes, levels, realities, solar systems, stars, suns, planets, moons, energy, matter, antimatter, atoms, cells, atmospheres, alien, microscopic, voids, black holes, super novas, nebulas, dying stars, merging stars, shooting stars, comets, meteors, meteorites, darkness, light, purity, corruption, angelic, demonic, heavenly, heaven, hell, limbo, purgatory, technology, technical, technological, artificial intelligence, machinery, robots, machines, computers, circuits, firewalls, drones, androids, mechs, mechas, databases, data, viruses, motherboards, memory boards, wires, cords, songs, lyrics, melodies, music, musical, instrumental, sound, noise, time, space, material, immaterial, etc.

Nonhumans, regressors, furries, and systems are welcome here as long as you follow the dni.

Dni under da cut-

Since I am vegan for the animals, talk about animal abuse / cruelty with me will not be appreciated in the slightest. And if you are, or support, or are neutral about the following things, please do not interact, and leave me in peace without any comments or confrontation, or even if you're just curious about it.

DNI: Hunters/hunting, trappers/trapping, smokers/smoking, vapers/vaping, juulers/juuling, four-twenty/ weed/marijuana/drug related, fishers/fishing, animal farmers/farming, taxidermists/taxidermy, vulture culture/enthusiasts, "oddity" manufacturers/ collectors, animal part (fur, skin, pelts, bones, skeletons, claws, teeth, feet, hooves, antlers, horns, jackets, coats, boots, leather, clothing, jewelry, accessories, decorations, insects, roadkill ) selling/ buying/collecting, z••iles, pro-/self-shippers, horse riders/riding, horse racers/racing, dog racers/racing, dog sledders/sledding, etc. etc.

You will be blocked immediately if you violate my DNI

( I will not be answering asks/comments/dms/questions about any dni topics on this blog, this is for my safe topics only )

[shipmistress9]

Kraken Panic

Fandom: The Empyrean - Fourth Wing

Pairing: Xaden/Violet

Rating: Explicit

Additional tags: Monsterfucking, Kraken!Violet, Anal Sex, Orgasm Delay, Accidental Fluff.

Summary: During an outing to the beach with his friends, Xaden encounters a strange woman. She's intriguing, and not just because of her pretty silver-tipped hair. There's just something about her. Something that's... captivating in more ways than he anticipated.

(AO3)

. o O o .

She came out of nowhere.

Between one stroke and the next, Xaden suddenly wasn't alone out here between he waves anymore. His eyes flickered back to where his friends were laughing at the beach, Garrick and Imogen preparing the bonfire while Liam brought the snacks from the truck.

"I know you."

Xaden's head whirled around, back to the woman who'd appeared right in front of him. She hadn’t been here just a moment ago. There hadn't been anyone out here, he was sure of that.

Treading water, he took a few heavy gulps of air.  "You do?" He certainly didn't know her. He would have remembered a pretty face like hers. Although, that was the wrong word. Stunningly beautiful was more like it. Petite yet unyielding in a way he'd never seen before. The most delicate features beneath skin so pale it almost seemed translucent. Dark hair, nearly black in the water, yet the tips of her free-flowing strands were silver. Like floating blades. And her eyes...

"I've seen you before." She tilted her head, almost a nod towards the beach. 

Her eyes were magnificent. Blue like the ocean in one moment, a warm inviting brown in the next. Mesmerising. 

"Yeah," he replied lamely, barely able to form a coherent thought. "Me and my friends come here often."

They were a little too big, her eyes. Almost eerily so. 

She cocked her head, a nod. Silence.

She hadn't blinked even once. Despite the salty sea water.

"I, erm..." Xaden tried to come up with something to say.

He should leave. Something was telling him that he should leave, swim back to the shore as fast as he could. Back to his friends. To safety. 

"Are you from here?" He was a fool for staying, for talking to this woman. If that was even what she was. And yet he knew that he wouldn't go anywhere as long as she was here.

"Yes?" came her reply, almost like a question. "I live here." 

Somehow, Xaden didn't think she was talking about one of the fisher huts further down the peninsula.

"And, ah... What are you doing here?"

Something was moving in the water beneath him. He didn't dare look down but he knew it was there. Like hundreds of fish churning up the water. Or maybe, it was something else.

The woman moved closer, though not with any swimming motions he could detect, her arms hanging loosely beneath the surface.

"I came for you," she said simply, her eyes keeping him hostage. "Waited for you."

Xaden gulped. "For me? What for?"

There was definitely something moving in the water beneath him. Something long and solid and strong. Something that had just brushed against his leg.

The woman smiled, showing a row of shiny pointed teeth. "To play."

It happened faster than Xaden could react. In one moment, he was treading water and in the next, long somethings wrapped around his legs, keeping them from moving while at the same time keeping his face above the surface.

"Wh-what--?" Xaden exclaimed, but he didn't get the chance to say any more. 

In the blink of an eye the woman was right in front of him, her face just inches away from his. 

"Hush!" Webbed fingers pressed against his lips. "I won't hurt you."

Xaden’s eyes grew wide, his mind refusing to comprehend who--what she was.

For a long moment, she just stared at him through her ever-changing eyes, too big to be human, never blinking.

Waiting. 

For his answer? 

Xaden nodded. What else could he do? Even if she hadn’t been holding him captive... He knew, deep down, that he'd never deny her anything, not in this life or any other.

Her answering smile was dazzling. 

She came closer still and only now did Xaden register that she wasn’t wearing anything. Of course, she wasn't. She wasn't even human. But it took her pressing her soft breasts against his chest to fully grasp it, for his hands to land on her waist and feel nothing but skin for his mind to catch up with what his body already knew. 

"You're mine." She pressed her lips to his in a harsh kiss, and Xaden would have hissed at the sting of her sharp teeth had the movement beneath the ocean's surface not intensified. 

Long tentacles--for that's what they were, not fish, not 'something'. Tentacles!--wound around his legs and torso, the slide against his skin not unpleasant. They roamed all over his body, almost like exploring hands, and maybe that's what it was. She was exploring his body. Those tentacles were hers.

Xaden let out a rough noise against her lips. He should be afraid. Panicked! Yet all he felt was excitement, anticipation, and a weird sense of... rightness? As if he'd waited all his life for this. 

For her.

"Mine!"

Her voice sounded like she was in his head, but Xaden didn't care. Not when more tentacles moved along his body, spreading his leg. Slipping beneath his swim trunks. Caressing along his ass. Curling around his balls, his cock. 

Their touch was strangely soft, tender. The strokes of a lover. 

Shuddering, Xaden gave himself over to it, to her. Beneath her probing tentacles, he quickly grew hard. Just the way she stroked and curled them along his length, rubbing against that spot right beneath the head, gentle but insisting. As if she knew how much that turned him on. 

"Nngh, fuck!" he cursed, his hips moving into her ministrations without his help. She was barely doing anything but Xaden already felt like he might come any moment now. 

She hummed against where she sucked on his neck. "Not yet." Another tentacle curled around his balls and the base of his cock, tightly, staffing off his approaching climax.

Oh, she was wicked, knew exactly what she was doing to him. He didn't even question how that was possible.

With a strange trilling sound, her hands moved down and around his torso to his ass. Xaden hissed as she grabbed him, tightly squeezing, his cock jerking in response. She wouldn't...?

Oh, fuck, she would. Xaden’s hands grasped at her shoulders, just anything to hold on to as more tentacles first removed his swim trunks and then rubbed against his ass. Careful at first, teasing and playful, then more insistant as every single touch drew a guttural moan from deep within his chest. 

Shit, that felt good.

Xaden shook, his body searching, begging for what she teased. "Ah, sh-shit!" he gasped, his vision blurry. "Oh, pleaseaaaaaAAAHHG!" 

His plea turned into a cry as one tentacles finally pushed into him. It was tight, not something he usually did. Or ever. But it still felt like they'd done this before, like his body had just waited for this. For her. 

And she wasn’t careful, either, knew what he could take. Relentlessly, she pushed into him with slow but deep movements. Despite the slim tip, this one quickly grew wider the deeper she pushed in, the tip wiggling in a way that made Xaden go cross-eyed.

Without his help, his body moved with her, with the writhing tentacles all around him. Xaden fucked himself on the thick appendage in his ass, thrust into the one still curled around his cock, cursed the one holding his balls hostage. With every passing second, his movements grew broader, needier. Almost desperate. His cries grew louder, too, more frequent as a second tentacle wiggled its way into his ass, this one specifically aiming for his prostate. 

Fuck, yes, yes, yesyesyes! Nothing had ever felt like this, like her, like his entire body was on fire, electrified.

And still, she wouldn't let him go, only sucked on his neck or tongued at his nipples or just blatantly watched as she ruined him.

At some point, she even pulled him under water when his screams grew so shrill and high-pitched that his friends surely would have noticed something. He didn't even wonder how it was he didn't drown, only jerked and cried and begged for his release, for her mercy. 

"Yes! Come for me."

Her words were like an order, like everything about her, impossible to resist. With the next hard thrust of the tentacles into his ass, the one around his balls loosened, and Xaden couldn't have stopped his orgasm even if his life depended on it.

Screaming into the muffling ocean all around them, he came like never before. His balls tightened and pulled up, his ass squeezing her tentacles as if to suck them in even deeper, and then, with his hips jerking uncontrollably, his cock erupted into the dark water between them. 

One spurt, a second, a third. More and more, she milked from him, until he thought he couldn't give more and then some. Xaden’s screams turned into yelling as pain shot into his hypersensitive length, and only then did she pull back. All but one tentacle around his waist retreated, slowly, caressing along his body. As if reluctant to let him go. 

When their heads broke back through the surface, Xaden could do little but stare at her. Her eyes had grown even wider, if possible, her closeness not alarming to him in the slightest anymore.

"Who are you?" he murmured, the wind and the waves tearing his voice away from his lips. 

But she must have heard him regardless, a smile tugging at her beautiful mouth. "You know who I am."

And he did. Somehow, he did. 

She didn't linger. With that one tentacle still wrapped around his waist, she carried him back towards the beach, probably knowing how weak he was now. But her body, her self, disappeared into the waves with nothing but one last look at him and another set of words spoken direct into his mind. 

"Find me again, in this life or another. I'll wait for you, always."

"Hey, man! Are you okay?" A strong hand landed on Xaden’s shoulder, and it cost him more effort than he was willing to admit to turn his head, to tear his eyes away from the water and towards Liam instead. "Looked like you disappeared between the waves, or something."

Slowly, Xaden nodded. "Yeah, I'm okay," he said, lamely. His eyes roamed back towards the ocean, his mind still trying to comprehend. Did that really happen?

"Good. Because you really worried us there for a sec." Liam laughed, then cocked his head, frowning. "But what's that? Did you hurt yourself?" He pointed at Xaden’s chest where, right above his heart, a strange mark was showing, almost like a burn. 

"Ah, that." He shook his head. "No, it’s fine."

Liam gave him another long look, then shrugged and jogged back to where the others were waiting. 

Slowly, Xaden rose back onto his feet, his knees still weak and his eyes glued to the churning waves.

"I'll find you. I promise," he whispered into the wind, absentmindedly rubbing over that mark on his chest. The place where her lips had been, sucking and licking. 

The mark had the shape of a violet.

[richea]

I don't really do this much, but I wrote up some stuff for some Rays skits for friends and figured I'd share them for anyone interested. Think of these as a sort of "unofficial" translation from me. If people like these I might do more in the future (as actually compiling videos for translations and getting them properly edited takes a while)

Mithos' XMA skit with Kratos (excerpt)

Mithos: Say, Kratos. Back in our world, unlike me, did you continue to live on? Kratos: If what Yuan said is true, then yes. In the end, the two of us pushed all burdens of responsibility onto you. However, in this world, you can live alongside me. That is its own form of salvation―and hope. Mithos: Huh? Kratos: What I'm saying is you represent hope to me. Though there were times where I clung to that hope helplessly. While I know that I am unfit to be a guide to anyone, this time, I will guide you down… No, rather, together we will walk down a better path, hand in hand. Mithos: …Hehe. You're really starting to sound a lot like Lloyd, you know that? Kratos: Heh. I suppose so. Mithos: But thank you. That genuinely makes me happy to hear. You really are special to me, Kratos. To tell you the truth, I've gotten pretty tired of living, but hearing you say that makes me want to try living on just a little bit more. So long as the world permits it so, at least.

Walter's XMA skit with Senel (summary)

He and Eleanor are talking on the beach and then he sees Kisara and Senel fishing and starts yelling at them (for defiling the sea, essentially). Eleanor asks why he flew off all of a sudden and he says "Some shady people got in my line of sight". Kisara asks if Walter wants to join them in fishing for dinner and he says "No why would I ever help you". Then Eleanor gets an idea and says "Oh true, don't worry about him, Senel alone is good enough to count for 100 fishers, what a great guy he is :)" and Walter instantly goes "That's it. I'm helping. I'll do it all myself. You may as well go home loser" and then walks off. Senel asks Eleanor why she did that and she said "Norma taught me that if you bring up Senel it'll make Walter do anything but I didn't realize it was THIS effective". The skit is named "Instructions on How to Deal With a Guy Who Hates Losing/Being One-Upped" XD

Senel's XMA skit with Walter (summary)

Walter and Senel are fighting in a forest angrily and Walter's Flame Blade almost hits Shirley (and Leia) who Senel of course protects which ticks Walter off. Then Shirley says she was there to ask if Walter wanted to join them for a tea party to introduce him to all her friends :') He of course says no which prompts Senel to say "well if you refuse it's gonna make Shirley upset and obviously you don't want that to happen right?". Then he tells Walter to apologize to Shirley for almost hurting her and he says "I'm sorry for putting you in danger. …I have something to do so I'll be going on ahead. I'll at least show my face at your tea party."

[losingmymindrn]

District Four's Market

𓆟 𓆜 𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝 𓆟𓆜

꒰ 🪸 ꒱ ࣪𓂂 ׅ Main shops:

Fish Market stalls: buys fish from the fishermen. Their stock is often common sea fish including blackfin tuna, bluefin tuna, redfish, red grouper, salmon, and king Marckerel. The capital had alternated most fish species to be able to live by District four, which is why there is many varieties of fish. Stalls often near the pier

Seashell sellers: they collect and sell seashells from the beach. All of their shells have to be full, non broken, and pretty. They sometimes have have dried out seastars, washed up urchins, and sand dollars. They have small buildings near the peir, sometimes more inland, but not often.

Ship repairs, wood: they repair old wooden pirate like ships before they embark on their journey out sea. They are paid by the government, but not much as wooden pirate ships aren't, in the captial's words, good enough in comparison to the metal ones. Little do they know, the most successful fishers have had more luck on wooden ships than metal. They are on the edges of docks and peirs, close to ships.

Ship repairs, metal: like the wooden boat repairs, they repair the metal fishing boats. They are given more money by the government, but their ships aren't the best repaired, which is why sailors use the wooden ships more often. Again, they are near the peir and docks.

Net stalls: they hand weave all types of nets. To keep them dry, they set up stalls more inland. The higher quality nets are sold in upper class areas.

Hooks and baits shops: nice, small buildings that sell hand crafted hooks and fish baits. Most hooks and baits shops don't have high quality products, but if you live in the upper class areas you will find better hooks, and sometimes rarer baits. They are all over district four.

boat shops: there is only 3 of these buildings, as the boats take a very long time to make. They are on pairs, so you can take your boat out the moment you get them.

Deep sea creature buildings: these make money. They buy lobsters, red crabs, oysters, squid and octopus. These are typically very expensive, so residents of district four have to be "wealthy" to be able to buy some. These shops are in high class areas.

miscellaneous items: these are most likely necklaces, messages in bottles, pieces of coral that wasn't wanted by seashell sellers, pendants, ships in bottles, books, maps of the sea, candles, or fables for children. Found everywhere.

Different types of food is found everywhere

꒰ 🪸 ꒱ ࣪𓂂 ׅ Black market, Skull and Bones territory:

Exotic fish: Saliors who fish up any exotic or weird creatures, sell them to these buyers, who in turn sell them to any brave person. In the deeper parts of the Black Market.

"bewitched" items: a monkey's paw, a large shark tooth, messages from pirates years ago, all things that may be considered cursed is found here. there is only one of these stalls, so if you want a cursed item you better get it fast.

prostitutes: the women, or men, desperate for money may become prostitutes. Buildings holding them are found at the middle of the Skull and Bones territory.

Bones: many types of bones are sold in the Skull and bone territory. There are shark jaws, fish skeletons, "mermaid tails", and rarely human bones. Stalls found in the back.

tonics: these are commonly made medicines that are needed. Found in the front of the black market.

Tattoo shops: Tattoos are huge in District Four. To get a tattoo, you must have a story to tell, and someone to back it up. They can tell if your lying. Found everywhere, only opens in night and early morning hours.

꒰ 🪸 ꒱ ࣪𓂂 ׅ Bars:

The Trench: District Four has many bars, but this is the most popular. This is a bar and diner with a stage for music or magic shows to be held. They have a variety of great tasting drinks and food. Saliors spend most of their free time here, sometimes they even bring their familes. Found close to the sea, free to enter.

Mermaid Cove: a less popular yet nice bar. This is for people 15 and up, as it's mainly drinking and gambling for pearls and coins. Found in the middle class area.

Davy Jone's locker: the most popular bar in the Skull and Bones territory. They sell drinks that are very questionable to drink. Some food, but not much. Found in the middle of the Skull and Bones territory

The Black Pearl: Has hard drinks that make you believe nothing is real. It has a dark, wet, and cold atmosphere. A popular bar in the Skull and Bones territory. It is found near the beach closest to the territory

I hope you like this^^