#magickal signatures au

[high-fantasy-sw]

On the subject of Lightsabers:

I have lightsaber references! All on heroforge obviously, because I cannot draw blades, and with notes that mark their most distinguishing trait. SOme of these are colors, others are blade type, it really just depends on the most interesting thing about the blade. I'll put notes on how they differ from how they look in the AU in the notes, because obviously Heroforge only has so many blade options and they don't all look exactly like I see them in my mind. Enjoy!

The Disaster Trio

Obi has a sword and shield because Soresu is a defensive form. His shield and the crossbar of his sword are both based on the crest of the Jedi Order. In AU Canon, this is more obvious.

Ahsoka has twin daggers because her fighting style is highly acrobatic, and full length swords would make that... rather dangerous; to save space I only put one of the pair. In season 7, Anakin replaces the Kyber Crystals in her original daggers, so they are technically the same daggers but now they burn the same blue as his saber.

Anakin's sword is a dual-handed greatsword, because his form is very aggressive and relies a lot on hacking away at your opponent and physically overpowering them. Also something something dual-edged sword, something something foreshadowing.

Male Jedi

Kit's flame is less a flame and more of watery magic. This is because he is of an aquatic race, and I thought it was cool :D

Yoda has a rapier because his form is very acrobatic and rapiers lend well to that.

Not going to lie, I struggled with Ki-Adi's saber, so I made his really unique in that his blade is darker than the flame that burns by a drastic amount.

MACE okay so. My guy has an executioner sword, because he is the Arbiter Of Justice (tm). Also, these kinds of swords have blunted ends and aren't meant to be used in combat, meaning that for Mace to actually use it as a weapon he needs incredible skill. Which he has. I love Mace Windu :D

Lady Jedi

Shaak's blade is supposed to be wavy like Ahsoka's daggers; wavy blades are a symbol of the Togruta in this AU. However, Heroforge didn't have any good options for this >:(

Barriss's and Luminara's swords have hilts made of Mirialan metalwork- Mirialan metal is fired with special potions that turn it special shades of red and green and gold. It is almost as valued as Mandalorian stained glass in the Galactic Archipelago. If you look closely, the little you can see of Luminara's bracers is also made of Mirialan metalwork.

Grievous's CoLlEcTiOn *cough hack whEEZE*

My favorite is the midnight blue one >:)

I have nothing else to add, I literally just designed sabers I thought looked freaking cool. If you want to make up lore for them, PLEASE do, I'd love to see it :D

Sith

THE DARKSABER okay so it has lightning instead of a flame because I wanted to replicate those crackles that it has. Anyway I think it looks really cool :D Also the serrated edge? *chef's kiss*

Dooku's saber is a rapier because it's the Gentleman's Fire Sword. However it does not look exactly like this in AU canon; I have a Dooku drawing ref in the works and when I post that I can explain it better. Also it is modeled on Yoda's because I really want to play up that Fallen Jedi Angst >:)

Ventress's sickles (much like Ahsoka, I only put one here to save space) is highly based on her Nightsister heritage. Even when she was a Padawan, I think she had that inspiration in her Jedi blade. Their blades are shaped like moons, and even her force signature is tinged with Nightsister Green (because her dark side powers also incorporate Nightsister Magick; if they didn't, they'd be pure blood-red, because it's important to me for Lore Reasons (tm) that while Jedi can have this whole array of colors, Sith all have the same shade of red).

Original Trilogy Bois

Luke's green force signature is tinged with blue because I will always associate Luke Skywalker with blue. Don't ask me why. But Luke is BLUE and I will DIE ON THIS HILL. FIGHT ME.

Vader's saber is based on his greatsword from when he was Anakin, because I think he got attatched to the design. Also because I want that visual motif of "Anakin is still buried in there" because I am a sucker for symbolism and metaphors. But you know that already ;)

I don't have Anakin's original (and by original i mean like his umpteenth) saber, AKA Luke's first saber, because it's basically the same as we saw earlier, and these swords were TIME CONSUMING to render. However, I will note that the very tips of the flames on that saber begin to be tinged with sith red because of the atrocities Anakin committed with it. Someday I'll have a picture of it for you and you'll see what I mean

I don't have Old Obi's either, because again, TIME. CONSUMING. TO. RENDER. But it's basically the same as it was in the Clone Wars, just more corroded because my man was living in the desert.

If I cared enough to make Palpatation's saber (see i call him that because he gives me heart palpitations of rage) it would be here. But I do not. So it is not

(Okay. Yes he has a Saber in this AU I just haven't made it yet because I am Mad At Him)

Tagging: @whyoneartheven @majorproblems77 @anime-obsessed @lilliesandlight

[violetjedisylveon]

My New Life Interrupted By A Ghost

Summary: A flash through some important moments in Omega's new, happy life with her greatly extended family.

Word count: 2.8k

Warnings: ⚠birth stuff, implied death, cursing⚠

A/N: Yo, I decided that Omega gets two wives, cause after writing this I discovered that Miara Larte and Omega are pretty close in age and so yeah, Miara also has another partner, but also with Omega, it's more on/off for Miara and Omega. Both their partners were actually scheming to get them together when they saw how oblivious they were. Caoimhe and Miara's partner are in a qpr. Caoimhe and Miara also date. Miara's partner is in a qpr with Omega too.

Caoimhe is a bambi lesbian btw. Imma needa draw a relationship map for this. This story is 100000% more fun to work with now cause it's a fun dynamic.

The Fett-Peli-Larte kids have three amazing badass moms and one badass O'pa, + a billion aunts and uncles. Miara's partner does not have a last name.

Twenty Eight Years AU Masterpost

________________________________________________________________________________

Omega breathed in the cool, ocean air. The gentle breeze tugged the wisps of her hair.

Pabu was the definition of security, safety, peace.

Truthfully, Omega wasn't sure if she had ever truly known peace in her twenty-two years of life.

She was going to start now, here in the place her brothers had decided to settle on nine years ago. It felt like a lifetime ago when she had first seen this serene oasis against the darkness of the galaxy.

She had spent those nine years in varying states of wellness and stability, the first four she had been utterly lost and just moving around to survive and trying to spite the Empire. The later five had been spent on the long, winding road to recovery from the endless pain and suffering and fighting and tragedy and trauma that permeated the galaxy.

But all of that was gone now, the road to recovery had led her here, back to this peaceful place. She was done with all of that, she wasn't going to fight anymore, she had already spent far too much of her life fighting.

Hee siblings had understood that sentiment, but it had taken her forever to convince Echo to finally get off the battlefield, Emerie was more than ready for peace. He may have acted grumpy about it, but she knew Echo was secretly relieved for it to be over, and that he would follow her anywhere, just to make sure he didn't lose her too.

And they weren't here on Pabu alone.

Omega was going to start a life and a family here.

Her three utterly amazing partners had been all for the idea when she first absently brought it up. Pabu was out of the way, remote, little known, and fairly close, both in position and in trade, to Caoimhe's homeworld of Cxylor; she had immediately begun to plan setting up a branch of her family's business on Pabu.

Miara thought the planet was beautiful and a perfect place to settle down, and Irtærse had also approved of the planet, it was part of the galaxy regularly traversed by purgil, the locals were used to seeing weird stuff, her magicks wouldn't be noteworthy.

It was really the perfect place for all of them.

Now they were here, standing at the door of their new home, it would open their lives to something truly wondrous.

XXX

Omega screamed as she gave a final push, her ears were ringing as the pressure on her pelvis vanished.

Among the slue of noises all around her, one thing broke through her mental fog.

A pair of sharp, highly pitched cries.

They were somehow the most beautiful things she had ever heard.

Though she was absolutely exhausted, she craned her neck to get her first good look at the pair of children she had brought into this galaxy.

Her eyes easily found the signature red of Merrin's clothes, and it was easy to find her children (children, she had children, she was a mother) from there.

Her Nightsister was cleansing the twins of afterbirth in a special type of bath she had made, due to the unique circumstances of their conception, they were a little different from normal babies.

Heh, just like me.

She suddenly realized that Caoimhe's hands were still on hers, her riduur hadn't let go of her once, just like she promised. She glanced over to see her riduur smiling proudly down at her with that lovely fanged smile.

"You did it, firebird, you did it." Caoimhe whispered to her softly.

Omega only had the strength to hum in response. Caoimhe chuckled to herself and offered her more of the sweetened potion Merrin had whipped up for her. She eagerly accepted the almost magical tasting liquid.

She heard Merrin's sharp grunt of approval at Caoimhe's actions. So far they were doing everything right despite the difficult circumstances.

Such as nearly dying.

Omega squeezed Caoimhe's hand tighter at the vivid recent memory. She didn't actually remember most of it, something had gone wrong after her water broke, she was pretty sure she'd blacked out, and then she had been woken by Merrin.

Whatever had happened, she was fairly certain one of them had gotten stuck and nearly killed their twin and her, but it was okay now. She was fine, Caoimhe was fine, Miara and Irtærse were fine, their children were fine.

Merrin turned back to them with two swaddles of fabric in her arms. The witch gave her a soft smile that she rarely used, and gently set both children down in her arms.

"They are healthy, if a little small, but that is typical for twins." She said.

Omega nodded to her, grateful beyond words for the assistance her sister had given them.

"Oh Meg, they're beautiful." Caoimhe whispered, kissing her lightly on the cheek.

She was right, the twins were the most beautiful thing she had ever seen. 

They had Caoimhe's purple splotches on her tan skin, and already had tiny curls of blond and purple hair on their heads. The twins looked up at them with slightly crossed eyes, but their near whiteless eyes were a heart wrenchingly familiar shade of brown. Omega's breath hitched looking at them, and she had to look away.

No! I'm not going to let that spoil this for me! She steeled herself and looked back down.

On a second glance, they were not identical to her own, they were a fair bit lighter, more red in them, with some different specklings in them, but they were close enough that it made her think of her vod.

Her vod who would have been clamoring at the door to see the two new ade, and her vod her were patiently waiting to see.

It made her heart clench that four of her vod would never get to see these little ones, at least not ever in person. Caoimhe's gentle kiss on her temple brought her out of those troubling thoughts.

"They are so proud and happy for you." Caoimhe told her.

Omega smiled up at her riduur, who always knew what was on her mind, and what to say. She knew what Caoimhe said was the truth. If she closed her eyes, she could almost hear her vod cheering for her.

She looked back to her curious twins, already trying to explore and get out of their blankets.

"Merrin, can Miara and Irtærse come in now?" Omega asked.

"I suppose that would be fine, everyone else will have to wait." Merrin told her.

The witch left them and soon enough the door was tossed open and Omega was hit with an onslaught of worried words and questions from her wife and partner.

Merrin hadn't allowed them to come in since the room was small and the witch needed as much space as she could get. Caoimhe had been allowed in cause she was more useful than the space she took up.

They had been more than a little upset about that, with Miara arguing that they were her kids too but hadn't pushed the witch much on the subject.

Caoimhe moved to her other side to make room for their partners. Irtærse took her hands in their own, far warmer ones and gave her a sharp, worried look.

"You had us very worried ." They squeezed her hands gently.

Omega gave them a grin and watched their sharp stare soften. Irtærse was a person of few words, their actions spoke for them well enough, it just made their words more meaningful.

"I'm serious Meg, I swear I had a heart attack when I saw you." Miara told her sternly.

Omega glanced away from the three sets of worried eyes on her. Part of the trouble was her own fault, she still hadn't completely grown past her old self sacrificing habits, even though she'd been pregnant.

"But you're okay, that's what matters." Miara kissed her cheek.

Omega blinked tears out of her eyes. Stupid hormones. She thought as she wiped her eyes.

"You look tired, Peach." Irtærse observed.

Go to sleep. Was what they really meant.

Omega glanced down at the two babies resting on her bare skin. One of them was smaller than the other, which she knew was normal for twins, but it still made her anxious.

"You can worry about them later, spitfire, we'll watch over while you get some rest." Caoimhe said softly.

Omega had to force herself not to try and take care of everything right now, they never would have let her anyway. She was pretty tired anyway, it would be so easy to just close her eyes and let her mind drift.

They named their children the next day, the smaller twin they all decided to name Zosime, survivor, and the other was Roya, hunter.

XXX

Surprisingly, Irtærse had managed to fend their families off for a week of very appreciated recovery time.

Omega wasn't in constant pain from her little slip up anymore, she was absolutely still sore, but that was far more manageable than sore and in pain. She was feeling up to a visit now, and her family would have broken in if she waited much longer.

So she sat on her bed with Zosime and Roya in her arms and watched as her family filed in. I'm glad we have such a big house. She thought as the room quickly filled up. She smiled at all those who were present, ignoring the pang in her heart at those who weren't.

Boba, Sintas and Ailyn, Boba's wife and daughter. Emerie and her wife, Daesha. And Echo, who she knew was the most anxious about it all.

Hera, Chopper, Hera's grumpy boyfriend, Lyana. Merrin and Cal of course were there, and there were about a dozen of Caoimhe's family members, parents, cousins, aunts, uncles, a bunch of them. Kaeden, Miara's awesome sister, was here with Ahsoka, and Ahsoka was a very busy woman.

In the back of the room, near the door in case he needed to make a quick exit, she could see Rex lurking. Normally, she would have felt… apprehensive at seeing him, things were still rough between them, she still hadn't totally forgiven him, and he still considered Saw Gerrera an ally and a friend despite the massive amount of death that followed him, but today, she was okay with putting that aside.

All their friends and family, well not all, Caoimhe had a huge family, had taken the time to come see her and the two new lives she had brought into this world.

Boba looked the least happy to be there, after Hera's boyfriend, but she had grown to expect that sort of grumpiness from her older brother. Ailyn, Boba's six year old daughter, was very excited to meet her new cousins, the girl was vibrating next to her parents.

"Damn, you and Caoimhe weren't lying when you said you have big families." Miara commented.

Omega smiled at her wife.

Each member of their very large family took their turn seeing the twins. Nobody else held them, that would over stimulate their sensitive systems.

"Ba'vodu Kiwi, they're purple like you!" Ailyn said excited once she saw them.

"They sure are." Caoimhe chuckled.

Caoimhe's great grandmother, Ailbhe, performed the customary Spælf traditions for both new births and a twin birth. Omega had initially been worried about her Nightsister ways clashing with Caoimhe's culture, but they fit together rather well, so well that Ailbhe and Merrin frequently meet up to discuss their respective magics and swap knowledge.

Speaking of the Dathomirian Zabrak, Merrin approached her once Caoimhe's family had finished their greetings.

Merrin hadn't only been there to help with the birth because she was realistically the only person who knew what these types of births entailed, her and Irtærse's status as Children of Dathomir made Merrin's involvement essential as their clan's Mother. The clan mother and elders aided in the very difficult birthing process of Zabraks, and then there was their spiritual aspect of their involvement. The clan mother gave newborns a special blessing that strengthened them for the difficulties of life.

Green mist floated around Merrin's fingers.

"May I?" She asked, extending her hand towards the newborns.

Omega held her children out to her clan mother. Merrin painted markings on their faces with the mystic mist, both infants giggled as the mist tickled their sensitive skin.

"Now you are Children of Dathomir." Merrin's voice echoed as she finished the ceremony.

"Live well little ones." She added, patted their heads gently.

Lastly, Echo, Emerie and Boba dragged Rex up to her, forcing their brother to face her.

"Rex." Omega said curtly.

Rex just stared at the twins. She could see the words he wanted to say, was thinking about saying, and held out her hand to stop him. He opened his mouth to protest, and Emerie cut in.

"Don't, just don't." She told him with a stern glare.

Rex blinked then nodded and turned his attention to the twins.

"They look like you." He said awkwardly.

"Course they do di'kut." Boba scoffed.

Rex scowled at him. Echo cleared his throat.

"You're gonna have quite the time dealing with them." He said.

"Think they'll be as bad as I was?" She prompted, looking to her older siblings.

"They'll be worse." All four said simultaneously.

The room erupted into laughter.

XXX

Omega's day had gone great so far, no signs of anything going wrong or any big surprises. After the craziness of the last few days, she was looking forward to no surprises.

They were finally heading home after helping out Boba with his thing on Tatooine, it had been a little awkward with Fennec but nothing she couldn't handle. She had given her brother well wishes and he had given them gifts for the kids, and, after a quick visit to Emerie and her wife and their kids(with an invitation to visit soon), she was headed back to Pabu, to her ade, to her ori'vod, to her aliit(clan/family).

As always, Koré was so excited they were back. She practically threw herself into their arms.

Omega, as always, caught her youngest daughter and spun her in the air.

Everything was normal and perfect and nothing was wrong.

Until she turned to greet her ade and saw the man standing in her yard.

A man with Rayshe'a's eyes, Echo's eyes, her eyes.

A man who was far too young, only a handful of years older than when she had last seen him.

A man whose face haunted her mind for years.

A man who should be dead.

At first, Omega didn't want to believe he was there, not even when her ade said they saw him. Her ade graciously left them alone.

Omega turned to her partners, Caoimhe and Miara and Irtærse knew, they knew all about her past, helped her work through it, they would tell her if this ghost was real. The conformation didn't make it better and she turned away from the ghost.

Looking into her riduurs sympathetic eyes did nothing to quell the surge of conflicting emotions tumbling inside her.

She should have been happy, right? Her brother was back from the dead, that's a good thing… so why was she so angry?

It was the sacrifices.

Everything her brothers had given up to ensure his sacrifice was not in vain, everything they did to get her safe, everything they died for, they had done it because he had died.

She had made her peace with their deaths years ago. She forged a truce with her demons, rebuilt herself back up from nothing. She had made a new life and a family she loved fiercely.

She had honored her brothers and continued living a life she loved and that they would be so happy she had.

She had never forgotten them, but she had moved on, stopped letting it drag her down to those dark places.

And now, twenty eight years later, twenty years since she had begun to deal with her demons, he was back from the dead to drag her right back to square one like nothing happened.

Hunter, Wrecker, Crosshair… they had all died… and here he was… alive.

It didn't seem fair.

"Omega?"

It wasn't fair.

She glared at the ghost.

"You're supposed to be dead." She hissed.

"Why aren't you?" She asked.

The ghost took a shocked step back, somehow confused at her anger. She was angry, he was supposed to be dead, she was fine with him being dead… her brothers were together that way… but here he was, no more than five years older and alive.

He was out of place.

He was so wildly out of place, she could have convinced herself that he was just a hallucination or a flashback, but he stood out there too.

He was like a misplaced artifact, disrupting the scenery.

He was a ghost, just a ghost.

"Omega, where are the others?" The ghost asked softly.

There, that was when Omega snapped.

"They're dead, like you are supposed to be."

She only felt more anger when the ghost's face slowly shifted from shock to his classic thinking face. Somewhere, deep inside, she had missed seeing that face, and that feeling made her angrier.

________________________________________________________________________________

Four months and I still don't give you any answers! Maybe you'll get one before the end of the year.

This definitely took a while to get out of my brain, mostly cause it's a back burner that I work on whenever I don't feel like working on my main stuff, or if I get a sudden burst of inspiration for it and jot down a little snippet and then I have a bunch of snippets to connect, so these back burners take a bit longer to update than my main stories, sorry if you really enjoy them😅.

I am very tempted to make an angsty traumatized Omega focused prequel story where it's just Omega, Echo and Emerie, struggling for a long time on their own cause they're a danger to others and don't want to ruin anyone else's lives and it's just really dark and angsty and Omega's got some self hate and I can just traumatize the girl. I love to traumatize her so much, she's my favorite.

So that might happen before the next chapter of this comes out.

Now some funny lil notes I had on this chapter:

Fire bird is one of Caoimhe's nicknames for Omega, a reference for her tendency to crash and burn in situations, used to be a sarcastic comment but is now a term of endearment.

Caoimhe's nicknames for Omega tend to be fire based since Omega was rather hotheaded and firey when they met.

Irtærse calls Omega Peach cause she soft and sweet but has a tough core

Aylin Fett is Boba's daughter, Boba did not leave his fam yet, and his fam didn't cut themselves off from other fetts so Sintas and Ailyn lived with Omega for a bit when he does leave.

Spælves, like normal fantasy elves tend to live fairly long lives.

May the Force be with Ailbhe, poor old lady's gonna have to do this ceremony a bunch more times.

Canon Miara: fighter pilot captain and kicking imp ass, attending the celebration on yavin after death stare

Twenty Eight Years Miara: doing all that stuff but she's got two wives, a partner and kids now.

This was long.

Sorry about that!

I hope you all have a good day, whatever that is for you!

VJS Out!

[crieativity]

Snippet Saturday: The Coloured Threads That Bind Us - Sherlock Magickal Signatures AU

Hi guys! So I did mention wanting to start a Snippet Saturday and I finally got to starting it! These are actual parts of five I’m working on that I’m not yet releasing. This particular snippet is from my magickal Signatures AU that focuses on my fictional world but with... different characters and a different plot from my actual plot. Anyway, I hope you enjoy the bit I wrote here!

—-

“Are you certain you cannot take a brief respite before you return home?” Captain General Mutius of House Holmes asked his fellow general as they led their troops away from the Far Eastern lands.

Captain General Gregorias of House Lestrade let out a weary sigh, rubbing his face roughly with his free hand. “M’afraid I cant.” He answered, tone already apologetic and expression sincerely contrite. “Ignatius and ‘Dora wants me back immediately.”

Mutius let out a soft laugh. “That is why I warned you not to send your falcon with news that our mission of two years is now over yet.” Shaking his head, Mutius blew out a breath. “Granted, I understand your siblings’ eagerness for your return and my own brother wishes for me to take a more stationary job for the year upon my return but I was hoping all generals can have a night of being drunken fools.”

The two men shared a laugh over the thought but Gregorias shook his head. “Can’t afford being drunk. I’ve got my men to manage and you know them well enough I’d rather avoid anyone drunk while we’re on our way home.”

Mutius raised a brow at his companion. “Worried that if you take a rest for the night, you’ll find out someone had managed to wed themself to a Malovian?” Mutius teased.

Gregorias grimaced, “S’not even funny when you think of it.” He muttered. “Drunken marriages are just something I’d rather avoid, f’I’m being honest.”

Mutius grew silent, his gaze remaining on his fellow general before he spoke once more. “You will eventually have to talk about them eventually, my friend.” He murmured softly, reaching over to clap a hand on Gregorias’ shoulder. “Two years you had spent with us but the only mention you’d made of your spouse was when we got you drunk to ease your pain.”

The Magmean remained silent, a hand coming up to tug at his emerald earring. “S’not really important though, is it?” Sighing, Magmis’ Captain General shook his head. “I was younger and stupid. ‘Least I know better now.”

Mutius sighed and shook his head. “Getting married young does not equal a drunk wedding, Greg.” The older man chided gently, his gaze sympathetic. “I know nothing of the situation but by the Father of the Skies, I assure you that it is not your fault.”

[severusish]

Oneshot for HPSHIPUARY

Prompt: February 22, Severus/Hermione

Word count: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Description: Years ago, Hermione had an accident with her time turner and fell into 1977, which was Snape’s sixth year at Hogwarts. Now, she and Snape are colleagues as teachers. This drabble-ish piece showcases a little interaction between them. Set in late February, in Snape’s fifth year in his job as Potions Professor, aka 1986. They’re both 25.

More info: Time Turner!AU, Professor Granger!AU, Snamione!Colleagues. Fluff.

Title: Pepper-Up.

@hpshipuary

Pepper-Up.

They’d known each other for nine years now. Nine years.

They had shared the grief and the loss when the Potters had been murdered on that fateful night so many years ago, and since then they had developed the sort of deep, abiding friendship in the years that followed 1981 that could only come from having overcome the worst obstacles together.

Despite all the aspects of the war they had managed to change, Snape was still a spy. And Hermione…. Well. Hermione was full of secrets she could never share with him. Secrets that could alter timelines and change lives.

But then again, neither of them had ever been simple. In any sense of the word.

How many days since they’d joined the staff at Hogwarts had they spent together, in the Potions Labs or in his office, grading papers or working on brewing potions? How many hours had been whiled away, discussing Wizarding politics and Transfiguration theory?

Neither of them knew the exact numbers for certain, but it was in that manner that Time had passed, as it always did. Without either of them truly noticing it.

And it was February in 1986, now. Late February. The second term had started again. Valentine’s Day had come and gone in the blink of an eye. February the twenty-second. A particularly cheerful day that was uncommonly bright, with clear blue skies and crisp air and not a cloud in sight.

But it was cold. And certainly all the more so in the dungeons, where the two of them were working hard and silently at several batches of Pepper-Up for homesick first years — mainly Hufflepuffs and Slytherins.

Professor Granger had rolled her sleeves up to the elbows. Her hair was held up in a twist, kept in place with her wand. She was busy chopping cinnamon sticks — much to Professor Snape’s chagrin, she’d taken to making the potions taste good.

Professor Snape, on his side, was in his signature black robes. His hair, normally as free as water and just as hard to control, had been magicked into submission with a freezing spell instead of being put into a plait or a topknot. It was out of his face at any rate, and didn’t disturb him as he juiced beetle eyes and tipped the liquid into the simmering cauldrons opposite him.

They continued working in companionable silence, with Granger turning the pages of the heavily annotated instruction manual every so often, and Snape handing her tools whenever she softy asked for one.

Within two hours, the Pepper-Up was done. The air smelled of black pepper and cinnamon.

Hermione sneezed.

Snape snorted.

She frowned at him. “Well, I can’t help it, can I? The spice is tickling my nose.”

“You are entirely to blame,” said Severus, putting dirty potions materials into the lab’s sink. “You are the one who insisted on making the potions palatable. As though the brats need any more mollycoddling. This year’s lot are particularly entitled.”

Hermione laughed. “True.”

They cleaned the cauldrons by hand. Afterwards, Hermione wiped her palms on her robes, and looked up.

“Do you fancy a stroll outside before lunch? It looked so lovely out earlier. I’d prefer not to walk alone, though.”

Snape frowned at her, wiping his own hands and forearms off on a clean towel. “That would suit,” he said. He threw the towel down on the countertop, and picked up his cloak from a nearby chair. He pulled it on gracefully, and made to go open the door, but was stopped by a hand on his arm.

He looked at it. And then looked at her face.

“Your collar,” said Hermione quietly. “It’s tucked inwards. It should be turned outward or it’ll crease. I know how much you can’t stand that. Creases don’t come out easily with magic.”

He raised his hand to fix it, but Hermione stepped forward and his hand froze.

“No, let me,” she said. She stepped in front of him, looking fiercely at a button that was fastened below his Adam’s apple. Then, slowly, aware of him looking down at her but not ready to acknowledge it, she raised her hands up.

And then she ran them behind his neck, and tucked her thumbs in the space between his jacket and the skin of his neck.

Snape stopped breathing.

Hermione used her thumbs to grasp at the collar that had been accidentally folded inwards — and she pulled it up. Now it was in line with the undercoat, his jacket, and his cloak. It wouldn’t crease, and it would keep the back of his neck warmer.

Hermione pulled her wand from her hair. “Finite Incantatem.”

His hair unfroze, and drifted slightly as though blown by an invisible breeze.

“There,” she said, smoothing her hands along his shoulders. She patted his chest once with both palms, then stepped back.

And then she looked up.

His eyes were piercing. Intense. Searching.

“What are you playing at, Granger?” he said.

Hermione smiled softly. “I’m not playing at anything, Snape.” She paused, and titled her head. After a moment, she spoke again. “Tell me. Would you say that it’s true that Slytherins are known for their ambition?” she asked. “Aren’t they known for their curiosity? Their thirst for power? For knowledge?”

He frowned. “That is a stereotype. But it is generally accurate, yes.”

She stepped back towards him again. “Would you say that you crave knowledge, Snape?”

He stared at her. “After nine years, Granger, you ought to know that I do.”

She placed her hands back on his chest.

“Is there anything you’re curious to know right now, then?” she asked. Hermione turned her brown eyes upward to gaze into his. With some internal effort, she lifted her Occlumentic shields. His lips twitched almost imperceptibly — he’d noticed the change in her eyes. Without the shields, there was an increased warmth in them, like a fire burning hot, and a depth of sincerity that made his chest ache.

“I—”

Her eyes crinkled at the corners. She said nothing.

“You—?”

She took his hands. She said nothing.

He let out a shuddering breath, and spoke again.

“I want to know — ”

She said nothing. Her eyes stared up at him knowingly, quietly, trusting.

“Why now, Granger? Have I been a fool? After all these years — did you always…?”

She nodded, and smiled tremblingly.

In response to this mind-shattering revelation, the potions master’s eyes seem to delve into her soul, looking for a lie — but finding only truth.

In a sudden moment of clarity, Hermione was utterly certain of what was about to happen.

And within a heartbeat, he confirmed it.

“Sod it,” he muttered.

He swept down, curled his fingers into her hair, cupping her face, and met her parted lips with his.

She sighed into it. Suddenly her eyes prickled at the corners with an emotion she couldn’t name.

When they pulled apart, they stared at each other, breathing heavily. They both had high spots of color on their faces. Both of them had slightly disheveled hair.

“I don’t suppose I could call you by your first name, then?” she asked, between breaths. “Now that we’ve—”

He cut her off with another searing kiss.

[you-remind-me-of-the-babe]

Thank you for the tags today @fatalfangirl @artsyunderstudy @hushed-chorus @yeonjunenby @facewithoutheart @aroace-genderfluid-sheep @bookish-bogwitch @nightimedreamersworld @basiltonbutliketheherb @whogaveyoupermission

After a long stint of fumbling through my WIPs, writing little bits (half of which got deleted) I finally found my stride on chapter 5 of Depth of Reason and wrote a bunch yesterday and today. It’s mostly Coven stuff, because I put this storyline in there about a second magickal school early on and it’s coming back in this chapter:

Jeremy clears his throat and issues his welcoming remarks. I wonder how he’s feeling about all of this? He’s got his typical jovial expression on his face, but his neck is slowly turning red. We’ve all heard the gossip about why this vote is happening nearly three months after it was first slated to be on the agenda. Mitali was thrown every possible obstacle in what Penny assumed was an attempt to tire her out and make her give up. She’s had to wade through miles of red-tape, make dozens of edits to her proposal and deal with a slew of excuses about why her initiative had to get bumped from the agenda for items that seemingly took precedence over hers. She finally resorted to collecting signatures on a petition to force the vote into the spotlight.

I also felt like I needed to throw this out here for posterity because I forgot I had an OC in here named Jeremy, and if Flower Shop AU Jeremy really ends up being a proper character it might be weird. 😅 Let the record show that head of the Coven Jeremy is not intended to be middle finger Jeremy. 😆

Not tagging anyone else because it’s late but if you see this hello 👋 and I love you 💜

[palimpsessed]

Fic Recipe Tag Game

Thanks for the tags @captain-aralias and @angelsfalling16 (this is such a cute idea).

Share the “recipe” for your usual fics. What are those key elements that make a fic yours? Share as many or as few ingredients as you want!

🍪Palimp’s Signature Fan Fic🍪

Ingredients:

-Simon/Baz waxing poetic about the other (is this even worth including if it’s literally just their personality? 😆)

-Explorations of mental health

-Magickal theory no one asked for

-Monster parts!!!!! 😌

-I tag Communication is Sexy a lot, and I stand by that

-Banter! Puns! Innuendo!

-Martin Bunce 😂 (look, I just think he’s underutilized as someone with his expertise!)

-Obscure callbacks to canon

-Heavy emphasis on character voice/character driven storyline

-Liminal identities, my beloved 😍😍😍😍

-Angst with a happy ending (I think this describes everything I’ve written for the fandom)

-Canon verse: canon compliant/post canon; AU: get together

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to Slow Burn

2. Combine all ingredients to taste, being careful not to overmix

3. Transfer to doc, read out loud in an excessively dramatic accent, edit and edit again until edges are golden brown (Optional: send for beta, repeat edit process)

4. Publish

5. Immediately find a typo

6. Enjoy!

Yields: endless enjoyment (at least for the author)

Tags! No pressure, just saying hi ily! @mostlymaudlin @unseelieseelie @snowybank @urban-sith @seducing-a-vampire @otherworldsivelivedin @nightimedreamersworld @bloodiedpixie @stillmadaboutpetra @sillyunicorn (songs? 👀) @motherscarf @trenchcoat-moth @sharing-a-room-with-an-open-fire @jasonfunderberkerthefrogexists @facewithoutheart @aristocratic-otter @carryonsimoncarryonbaz @tea-brigade @bazzybelle @ninemagicks @xivz @fight-surrender @findingniamho @phoxphyre @adamarks

[buckys-forgotten-plum]

A Witchy Kinda Love

Pairing: Witch!Bucky x Witch!Reader (Magic!AU)

Prompt: The world you lived in was known to be full of magic and strange, otherworldly things... But you knew true love was just an old witch's tale even if your familiar insisted otherwise...

Warnings: swearing, fluff, Bucky in cute outfits, way too much italicization, and also this thing is long as fuck. (10,410 words...oopsies)

A/N: Okay this got wayyyy outta hand but who the fuck cares? not me. I would love to give a HUGE SHOUTOUT to @buckybarney​ who helped a lot in giving me the confidence and drive to finish this fic as well as @smutsonian​ who created this dope as mood board and also helped me edit a lil bit. You guys make me so happy and I love and appreciate you both so much<3

✸ ✴ ✦ 

✸ ✴ ✦ 

“Calcifer will you please come help me with this?” your exasperated voice could be heard from the balcony of your studio apartment as you struggled to balance the hoard of glass bottles in your arms. 

Not a moment later, a small fox came trotting onto the (very overgrown) terrace, “Ya know I have things to do too. I’m not your butler,” 

You scoffed at your familiar's grumbled complaint before handing him a couple bottles to hold in his mouth and wrap his tail around, “I know you’re not my butler Cal. But I got you that essence of toad the other day so the least you could do is help me organize my potion materials for a bit.” 

The fox let out a low growl and walked back into your small apartment while you followed behind him, “You know how hard it is for me to form opposable thumbs lady? It’s gonna take a lot more than essence of toad for me to comply,” 

You glared playfully at the fox before sighing and rolling your eyes, knowing exactly what the sly creature was trying to get you to do, “Calcifer if you want pheasant for dinner just ask,” 

There was no response, just the quiet clinking of bottles rolling to the floor as you and your partner began to sort through everything. You really need to start organizing your stuff better. Last week you mixed up your newt toes with skinks and almost blew up your home, so it’s safe to say that your clutter has hit a breaking point. You left Calcifer to sit on your frameless bed as he sorted your bottles to go back out onto your small terrace, breathing in the scent of all of your plants that had happily covered every inch they possibly could. You figured it was as good a time as any to harvest all the herbs you’d need for the month and bottle them up for safe keeping. Quietly humming to yourself, you went around plucking the healthiest looking leaves, sprigs, and sprouts you could find, setting each pile onto the antique writers desk you had put out there as a space for your potion making. 

“Hey Calcifer do you know where I put my Ever-Writing Quill?” You question, brows furrowing as you dig through the drawers of your desk. 

“You don’t remember? You sat on it last week and snapped it in half!” The fox’s response was followed by a string of cackles and snorts as he laughed to himself about your misfortune. 

You let out a loud groan of frustration, tilting your head to the sky and stomping your foot in a small childish fit. “Why didn’t you put it on my shopping list?” You ask, walking back inside to glare at the creature comfortably sitting on your bed. 

Calcifer smiled widely, his pointy teeth fully on show in a sly grin, “oopsies, my bad!” he raised what would be his paws but are now little hands due to his helpful transfiguration powers, and held them in an innocent shrug. 

You squint your eyes at the reynard but hold your tongue, shoving your feet into a pair of leather boots. “Come on, you’re coming with me to the market so I can get a new quill,” 

It didn’t take too long before you had gathered everything you needed, making sure to grab your sweater as the weather hadn’t gotten much warmer in the past months and you absolutely hated to be cold. It only took a stern glare and a threat to have salad for dinner to convince Calcifer to go with you. Though you didn’t miss the petty and painful nip to your calf as you walked out of your door and into the dank hallway of your apartment building. 

✸ ✴ ✦ 

The sky was colored a dark grey with intimidating clouds, blocking out any chance of sun or warmth as you walked down the streets of your small town. You passed by cute little shops and a restaurant or two as you made your way to the market. Your boots stomped loudly on the cobblestone walkway, echoed by the light clicking of Calcifier’s nails while he trotted beside you. 

Your town didn’t have many witches, but the non-magic residents were still fully supportive of you and all the other witches and warlocks that resided in the small rainy town of Adelaide. You had lived there for years and not once had you come in contact with what your community called “Salamers”, bigoted people who had hate filled vendettas against your kind. Many of your friends who had lived in bigger cities had told you about their horror stories involving bigoted people who had cursed (pun intended) and swore at them. Your friend Peter even told you about a man who had spit on him after finding out he was a witch. 

The thoughts of such hateful actions caused a crease in your brow to form and it didn’t leave until you were at the small stone entrance to Wanda’s Magickal Menagerie, the only entrance to the market for miles. It was one of your favourite things about the magical world. The outside looked like just another building with pretty stone walls and a worn wooden sign displaying the name, but to anyone with a high enough magical presence, it was an entrance to the biggest market in the wiccan world. Hundreds of vendors were beyond that door, hidden away to a different space and time by a carefully constructed spell performed by the most powerful witches in existence. 

You couldn’t help the excited pulse of your heart as you opened the door and stepped into what seemed like an entirely different universe. The hustle and bustle of busy shoppers instantly clouded your vision and ears. The air was warm and lighting low in the crowded alleyway that led to the entrance and exit of the marketplace. You took only a moment to get used to the different surroundings before setting off on your way to the real Wanda’s Magickal Menagerie. 

It only took a few steps before you heard the loud yip of pain from your familiar, instantly making you whip around to see what happened, “I hate it here, Y/n! Everyone steps on my tail, it smells weird, It’s dark, everything is all muted because apparently witches only like the color red and I’m colorblind-” 

“Alright ya baby c’mere,” you interrupted Cal’s whining, bending down and allowing him to jump up and wrap around your shoulders. 

“People have no respect for familiars, it’s so uncool,” he grumbled into your ear, resting his snout on the ridge of your shoulder. 

“I know, buddy. But you know how much I hate going out alone. I really appreciate you coming with me. When we’re done here we can go to the butcher and you can pick out what bird you want for tonight,” Your hand came up to softly scratch your friend behind his ear, soothing his nerves and continuing on your way to your final destination. 

It didn’t take long before you arrived at a small wooden hut, a modest sign with an address hanging out front for advertisement to passersby. You quickly approached the shop and pushed the door open, entering the cozy and familiar atmosphere of Wanda’s business. 

“Hey Y/n! Cally, hi baby!” Your entrance was met immediately with happy greetings from your long time friend. 

“Hey Wanda,” you and Calcifer greet in unison, smiles adorning both your faces. 

The red headed witch skipped towards you, wrapping you in a warm hug and lovingly petting the fox around your shoulders. “How’ve you guys been? I feel like I haven’t seen you in forever,” 

“We’ve been trying to declutter the apartment. Y/n’s become such a hoarder.” Calcifer blurts out, letting one of his signature cackles break free. 

“I am not! I’ve just been experimenting with my potions, so I have a lot more ingredients and supplies right now,” You hurriedly explain, not wanting to have your friend think of you as a crazy old witch with a hoarding problem. 

Wanda lets out a quiet giggle at the pair of friends in front of her, finding the relationship between you and your familiar adorable, “What brings you in today? Did you lose your monkey paw again?” 

You playfully roll your eyes at Wanda, “No, I uh... I broke my Ever-Writing Quill,” you admit, trying to fight the warmth that crept up your neck and cheeks. 

Wanda let out a quick burst of laughter before turning around and leading you through the many shelves and tables of her shop, “Come on, I just got a fresh shipment in,”

✸ ✴ ✦ 

“Thanks Wanda! I’ll see you and Vis for brunch on Sunday,” You smile and give your friend a kiss on the cheek goodbye before exiting her shop. 

“Alright Cal, is there anything else you need before we go? Do you want me to get you more fur oil? Are you good on that incense you like?” 

“Yeah I think I’m okay, at this point I just want food,” He grumbled, lifting his head up from your shoulder and sniffing the air. 

You nodded your head in understanding and began the trip back to where you first entered the marketplace. The walkways were absolutely packed; it was nearly impossible to keep from bumping into other shoppers. Calcifer could be heard grumbling profanities every time someone brushed or bumped against him. You couldn’t blame the poor creature, he was naturally anxious and didn’t like strangers, so making trips like these were never too fun for him. You were trying your best to avoid people, but luck was against you and as you were ducking out of the way of one man who looked exactly like Merlin, you ended up running right into someone else. 

You fell right to the floor, Calcifer tumbling from your shoulder and sliding a few feet away due to the force, “Ah! Calcifer? Cal are you okay?” 

“Shit! are you okay? I didn’t see you, I am so sorry,”

Ignoring the stranger above, you frantically look around for your lost friend and spot him a few feet away from you, curling up into a scared orange ball and shoving his snout under his hind leg to hide. You scramble over to him, scooping his small body into your arms and holding onto him tightly, “Oh Calcifer I’m so sorry! I should have never asked you to come with me, I know you hate it here and now look what happened,” 

You couldn’t help the stress induced tears that welled in your eyes as you pet the shaking fox in your arms, “I’m okay, Y/n. Just a little shaken,” His voice was quiet and you knew he wasn’t being completely honest but you knew getting out of the crowded place was more important at that point. 

A tall figure suddenly shadowed over you, making you cower out of instinct and scoot back a few paces, “Hey are you and your fox okay? Really, I didn’t see you. I should have been paying more attention, let me help you up,” A hand comes down offering to lift you from the dirty concrete. 

With one arm tightly holding onto Calcifer, you use your other hand to grab onto the strangers and lift yourself up. “Thanks,” You mumble out quickly, keeping your head down and immediately walking away, your mind completely focused on getting the hell out of these cursed alleyways. 

Once you had fallen out of the exit and back onto the cobblestone streets of Adelaide, you could finally take a deep breath. Leaning up against the cold stone wall near the entrance, you closed your eyes, sucking in the fresh air and gently petting the creature still firmly gripped in your arms. 

A choked cry escapes you suddenly, “I am so sorry Calcifer,” You absolutely hated that you had caused your friend such a terrible experience. He could’ve gotten hurt, someone could’ve stolen him away from you, the street was so crowded you would’ve never found him again! Calcifer would’ve never forgiven you! Might not even forgive you now! Just the thought of it- 

“Alright calm down kid... I’m perfectly fine. Paw hurts a little bit but, really, I’m okay,” the fox in your arms looked up at you, a small smile on his snout as he nuzzled into your hair. 

“Are you sure? I can take you to the vet-” Before you can continue to worry about the injured animal, a deep voice sounds from above you. 

“Uh hey...” 

You quickly wipe the tears from your cheeks and look up, eyes widening in surprise as you stare into steely iris’s that seemed to have a mission on copying the sky that day. “H-hello,” 

As you stared at the burly looking man in front of you, you couldn’t help but side eye his stature. Adorning all black with little glints of silver rings and buckles here and there, a few tiny scars marking his well-structured jaw and cheek bones, and good god those boots must be so heavy and-is that a metal hand peeking out from the long sleeve of his leather jacket?! This guy is too scary to be this attractive...

“I uh... I was the one to bump into you earlier. It’s totally my fault and I really didn’t mean for you to drop your fox like that-it’s just that my familiar took off and I just wasn’t paying attention and it seemed like a pretty bad fall and you were so focused on protecting your pet-” “He’s not a pet,” you spit out quickly, a stern glare etched into your features. 

“R-right, right sorry-I just-I was-I misspoke...” he trailed awkwardly, roughly dragging a hand through brunette hair and grimacing at his own failure to compose a sensible response. 

“Are you a witch?” you mumble out quietly, your glare softening into a more apprehensive, yet curious, stare. 

“Uh yeah, yeah I’m only entry level though. My friend Sam helped me get into the market so I could get a few things but then...ya know” 

You stood silently, not exactly sure of what this weirdo wanted from you. If he thought you were going to apologize he was very mistaken. What if he planned to rob you? To take Calcifer and run? The thought made your grip on the animal even more secure, if that were even possible. 

“Is your arm okay?” Worried eyes gazed down at your arm and the man took a small step forward. 

“What?” You try to flinch away from the soft grasp of his hand around your bicep, but only end up pushing yourself against the wall. 

The man inspected the inflamed scrape that burned a path along your forearm and up to your elbow, “That looks pretty bad doll, do you want some medicine? I think I might have a little with me. Hey Sibi!” 

“Holy shit!” A sharp intake of breath forced its way into your lungs as you saw a giant white wolf bound up to the man. Your breathing sped up, heartbeat following along with it as you gazed upon the giant beast. 

“Do you mind? I gotta get into my bag,” He asked gently, the wolf immediately turning to give him easy access to a large pack that was slung over her back, “Thanks Sibi, can you go find Sam? Tell him I’ll be a bit longer than expected,” The wolf let out a gruff noise of agreement and nodded it’s head before heading back through the magical entrance. 

The man turned back around and walked towards you once more. You didn’t flinch this time when he reached for your arm, careful to make sure you had a good grip on Cal before opening a bottle of light blue gel and tapping some out onto the palm of his hand, “My name is Bucky, by the way,” 

“Okay,” you mumble out awkwardly, your anxious nature getting the best of you and blocking any form of friendly communication to come across while Bucky covers your wound with the gel.

“Her name is Y/n, I’m Calcifer,” You stare down incredulously at the fox, not expecting him to introduce you to this stranger. 

Bucky smiled up at you and the fox, shiny white teeth on display, “Pretty name for a pretty girl,” 

The comment instantly made your face heat up in embarrassment. “Thank y-you...” 

Bucky straightened up after he was done dressing your wound, thankfully taking a step back to give you some space. Why wasn’t he leaving? Why did he care so much about some rando he ran into at the market? Maybe this was just a front to try and rob you...

“Well uh... I just wanted to make sure you were okay. You seemed real spooked back there and I could tell you hurt your arm so I just wanted to check up on ya,” Bucky’s eyes shined brightly as he explained himself. A pink tint colored his cheeks and neck as he sheepishly stared down at the ground. 

His shy nature made your lips tilt into a small smile of your own and you couldn’t help thinking about how cute he looked like that, “thank you, that’s very kind,” you mumbled out.

There was a beat of silence as you and Bucky avoided each other's eye contact before a familiar patronizing voice interrupted, “Hey kid if you’re done flirtin’ with this guy can we go home? I’m starvin’ right now,” 

“Calcifer!” you scold immediately, the familiar burn of pure embarrassment instantly appearing across your face. 

Bucky, however, didn’t seem to be bothered by the fox’s comment and burst out into a fit of deep chuckles, running his metal hand through the long tresses of rich brown hair. 

“Your fox is cute,” 

The comment made Calcifer let out a gruff murmur of disagreement, making you join Bucky in his laughter, “Yeah, I’m really happy he chose to stay with me. Um... I should probably go. Cal hasn’t eaten since breakfast and I still need to go to the butcher-” “There’s a butcher in this town?” The pure curiosity on Bucky’s face made your smile grow that much more as he finally took in his surroundings. 

“Yeah, it’s about two blocks down from here, it’s Calcifer's favorite place,” You say, backing up a few steps to signal your exit. 

“A-alright! well, uh it was nice meeting you! Maybe I’ll see you around sometime?” The male witch fumbles with his words as he realizes the conversation is ending. 

“Sure, maybe,” you nod in agreement, fully turning around and beginning the walk towards your destination. 

As you walked away you couldn’t help but let the small smile on your face grow. What a dork he was... Almost as awkward as you were, the way he kept messing with his hair- ”He’s still lookin’ at ya... And what was all that stuff you were thinking about getting robbed? Why were you so fixated on gettin’ robbed?” 

“Calcifer for christ’s sake!” Your voice was filled with exasperation, rolling your eyes at the familiar's comments and ignoring the fact that the cute witch was still watching you walk away.

“Are you seriously thinking about how him staring at you is cute? Humans are so weird...” 

“Stop reading my thoughts you creep!” 

✸ ✴ ✦ 

A groan echoed throughout your apartment as a streak of the bright morning sun landed on your eyes and woke you from your slumber. Clapping a hand down onto your eyes to block the light, you roughly slide it down in hopes of wiping the fatigue that plagued you. Slowly but surely, you untangled yourself from your sheets, stretching your waking limbs and yawning with an over dramatic sound. You blindly felt around for your phone that was lying on the floor directly by your mattress. Once you located the small device, you tapped it on and read the time. 10:47 am, Sunday...Fantastic. 

You laid on your mattress for a bit, unaware of anything but your tired bones. The only reason you didn’t fall back asleep right then and there was the light buzz that came from your phone. You lazily picked it back up and stared at the too bright screen, taking a moment to comprehend the text that popped up on your home screen. 

Wanda Maxi: Hey! Are you on your way?

What? On my way...

“OH FUCK” You bolt out of bed, slipping on part of your sheet that was draped onto your wooden flooring and almost face planting. 

“Calcifer wake up we gotta have brunch with Wanda and Vis!” you scream out to nothing specific, unaware of where your familiar was. 

As quickly as possible, you gathered an outfit, shoved a toothbrush into your mouth to brush it a little too harshly, got your hair ready, and threw your clothes on. It’s not until you’re almost done getting ready before you see the bright fox bolt in from the balcony, “How could you forget about brunch? This happens every week for fucks sake!” 

“This isn’t entirely my fault! You knew about it too!” you argue while lathering deodorant onto your underarms, already sweating from the stress of the situation. 

“I’m a fox! You think I keep alarms?” he yells back at you, not bothering to stop and look at you as he gathers your things while you hurriedly tried to shove your foot into a shoe. 

Once your shoes were on and Calcifer had given you everything you’d need, you ran to your door and swung it open, “You wanna run with me or do you want me to carry you?” 

“Oh please you can barely run by yourself. You couldn’t handle the weight,” Calcifer scoffs, running between your legs and out of the apartment. 

You immediately lock your door and run after him, “So rude...” you huff to yourself and catch up to the fox. 

✸ ✴ ✦

It only took you about five minutes to sprint across town and make it to the small clay cottage that your friends had lived in for years now. The mossy dark brown Terracotta roof and grey wooden door that had ivy vining in and out of it gave a lovely natural look to the house and you couldn’t help but admire the wonderful home the couple had built. 

Calcifer’s quiet pants mixed with your wheezing as you stumbled up to the door and knocked loudly to signal your arrival. The door swung open, revealing a smirking Wanda. 

“You woke up late again didn’t you?” 

Still catching your breath, you nodded and followed her into her home. Wanda looked gorgeous, as always, wearing a light and flowing yellow sundress with matching shoes and a pretty white ribbon that was tied into her hair. 

“I’m so sorry Wanda, neither of us set an alarm,” you breathed out, following her towards the kitchen. 

“It’s okay sweetie, we didn’t have to wait or anything, all of us were busy talking about the latest man who was admitted into the Grand Council,” she smiled back at you, warm eyes shining from the sunlight that was coming through the glass doors that led to their garden. 

You tilt your head in confusion when you realize her phrasing, “All of us?” 

Wanda gently put a fist to her temple, her face twisting into a slight grimace, “I’m sorry sweetie I completely forgot to mention I invited some friends today! Don’t worry, they’re both great and I’m sure you’ll get along just fine,” 

You nod your head hesitantly, not entirely believing your friend. You wondered who she had invited... Many times over Wanda and Vision have told stories about their old friends who they had met throughout their lives. From your understanding, they had built a wonderful family together and had helped and cared for each other for years so you had no doubt they would be friendly. 

Before you had time to voice whatever worries you had, you were interrupted by the fall of multiple pairs of footsteps. It didn’t take long for three men to walk into the room, all talking enthusiastically over each other. You automatically recognized the slim man walking over to Wanda as Vision, his bright eyes greeting you as he wrapped his arms around Wanda’s slim waist. 

You turn to the other two guests and are unable to hold in an audible gasp when you recognize one of them. Those chilling eyes copied yours as they widened to an almost comical size. 

“Y/n...” The sound of your name coming from his full, pink lips made your hands clam up. 

He was dressed much more formal today with a navy blue sweater over a button up shirt, dark jeans and the cutest wing-tipped shoes you’d ever seen. He looked like he had just gotten out of church with his grandmother. 

“H-hello..” you mutter back, a heavy cloud of confusion and stress surrounding itself around you. 

“Oh...Do you-do you guys know each other already?” Wanda tilts her head a curious finger flickering between the two of you as her squinting eyes try to find the connection. 

Bucky glances at you, then Wanda, then back at you, as if to ask the question of who would be telling the tale of your meeting. You however settled for staring up at the ceiling, handing that responsibility off to Bucky. 

“We um, bumped into each other at the market the other day,” his answer comes after a slight moment of hesitation. 

You held back a scoff at his choice of words... More like you ran over me and almost killed my familiar. 

“Oh great! So then you’ll only have to meet Sam,” Wanda smiles and gestures to the stranger who had refrained from speaking up until now. 

“Nice to meet you, I’m Sam Wilson,” he greets you with a bright smile, a charming gap between his two front teeth and a warm glow emanating from rich brown eyes that winked mischievously. 

He was quite handsome and his automatic charm caused the fog of awkward shyness to thicken in your mind, “Nice to meet you too,” you smile politely and shove your hand out for him to shake. 

A deep chuckle sounds from within his muscular chest as he grasps your hand and gives a firm shake. You quickly tell him your name before stepping back and allowing a new conversation to start. It was hard to focus on what everyone was saying as you felt the obvious gaze of Bucky peering at you from across the kitchen. You found the best way to keep yourself from staring back at him was to focus on the small amount of dirt that you could see hidden underneath your nails. You really needed to get them done again... Although it gets pretty difficult to achieve correct measurements with the long pointy acrylics that seem to be your go-to choice. 

“I dunno man, I just have really bad vibes about that Pierce guy... Steve agrees with me,” Sam’s comment brings you back to the conversation which you had apparently zoned out of. 

“Where is Steven? I thought he said he would be able to attend today?” Vision, always the formal talker, had a questioning glint to his eyes as he switched his focus from Sam to Bucky, then back. 

“Liberty wasn’t feeling too good so he had to take her to a vet,” Bucky was the one to answer.

“Liberty?” a questioning tilt to your head signals your confusion.

Bucky smiles at you before answering, “Yeah, she’s Steve’s pet. Super cute golden retriever that he picked up at the pound a couple years back,”

“Oh... Is he not a witch like you guys?” it surprised you that there was someone amongst their group that wasn’t practicing magic. 

Bucky subconsciously takes a step towards you, his body language changing to signal he was now solely focused on you, “Yeah he tried a few years ago but, it didn’t really go too well,” 

As Bucky answered he held up his metal prosthetic and wiggled his fingers, “Are you serious?! Your friend did that to you?” you gasp in shock, your eyes widening in amazement as you reach out to touch his arm without thinking. 

The metal was smooth and you were so enamored by the new information as well as the mechanical appendage that you failed to notice how tense Bucky got and how multiple pairs of eyes were staring at you. Your fingertips gently ran over the cool ridges of metal sections, “Wow... Did he turn your arm metal or did... did something else happen?” you glance between pretty blue eyes and steely metal. 

Bucky slowly reaches his arm out so you have a better view of what it’s like, “Actually that was kind of a joke,” he stutters, an awkward smile gracing his lips, “The real story is way more depressing,” he mumbles.

You halt your movements and stare up at him, the familiar yet heavy weight of embarrassment settling itself deep within your chest, “O-oh... I’m so sorry I didn’t mean to overstep-” You pull your hands away, folding them tightly against your chest. 

“No it’s okay! Really I’ve had a lot worse interactions,” he chuckles and reassures you once again that you didn’t overstep any boundaries. 

You nod in understanding but inevitably go back into your default of shy silence. Bucky stares down at you with a kind smile in hopes of making you feel a little less like an ass. It doesn’t work. 

After a few moments of deafening silence, Wanda makes a move over to the oven, “Alright everyone, quiche time!” 

“Aren’t you vegan?” Bucky mumbles, walking over to the table and preparing to sit down. As Wanda gives her response and mentions the fake eggs she found at the market, you walk over to the table as well. Bucky pulls out the seat closest to you and gives you a reassuring nod. You give a thankful smile and sit down, allowing him to help you push it back towards the table. 

“Thank you,” your quiet voice has Bucky grinning as he sits down next to you.

“Of course, doll” 

Brunch goes off without any more awkward spells and with the help of Wanda’s amazing skills in the kitchen, you begin to feel yourself relax with each bite you take. The afternoon goes on with the others telling you about how they met, silly stories about their friendly adventures, and at some point the conversation turned to you and what it had been like growing up a witch. It was a unique characteristic that none of your friends, new or old, had experienced. 

“Well, my dad is the one who originally got me into it... He was an aura reader like Wanda, and my mom focused more on spell casting and potions,” a warm grin on your lips signal the fondness your memories bring as you tell about your childhood, everyone was completely invested. 

“especially Bucky” Calcifer pointed out silently, giving you a knowing smirk from where he sat on the floor next to you. 

oh fuck off you stupid fox

✸ ✴ ✦ 

With full stomachs and a few full containers of leftovers, you, Sam, and Bucky stood gathered outside of Wanda’s front door as you all belted out a chorus of goodbye’s and excellent days. 

“It was really nice meeting you Y/n, make sure to keep in touch! I’ll be waiting for a carrier owl,” Sam winks at you as he begins to walk down the path towards the sidewalk, effectively leaving you and Bucky by yourselves. 

“He didn’t even let me say goodbye back...” you mumble out, staring at the confident figure that now waited at the property line by a pretty bush of hydrangeas. 

“Yeah... He’s weird like that,” Bucky agrees, glancing at his friend before fully turning his attention to you, “um so I’ve been meaning to maybe like... um maybe get your contact info? I just... I was maybe thinking we could grab like, tea or something sometime?”

As you take in Bucky’s words, you can’t help but notice the awkward and anxious movements he had started, reminding you of the first day you had met him. It made your lips twitch up just slightly. 

“Oh? like, my phone number?” the dumb answer almost had you on your knees with how hard you cringed. 

Bucky let out a breathy chuckle, “Uh yeah, yeah or like maybe an address? Or ugh that’s probably too personal-” “No! no it’s um it’s not,” you answer a little too quickly, discreetly pinching the skin on the back of your hand as punishment for your blatant lack of social skills. 

After a quick beat of neither of you knowing what to do, you finally speak back up, “You could come over tomorrow if you’d like,” 

Stupid, stupid, stupid! Why would he want to come over so- “Yeah I’d love to!” Bucky answers enthusiastically, pulling his phone out from his back pocket and holding it out to you, “Just give me your number and I'll text you, we can figure out the details later, K?” 

You gingerly take the smartphone in your hands and type in your number, forgetting to put a name in for yourself before handing it back to him. Bucky’s hand slightly brushes yours as he takes it back and you’re too busy focusing on the lingering feeling on your hand that you miss the cheeky grin on Bucky’s face as he types in a contact name. 

“Hey tin soldier! You ready yet?” Sam’s smooth voice has you turning around with a start at his unexpected call. 

Bucky nods towards his friend, waving him off and turning back to you, “So I’ll uh, see you tomorrow,” 

“Tomorrow,” You confirm with a nod of your own.

Bucky’s smile grows tenfold and he takes a small step towards you, hesitating for only a moment before he leans in and gives a chaste kiss to the apple of your cheek. He doesn’t wait around to see your reaction, jogging over to Sam and slapping him on the shoulder before walking off down the cobblestone streets. 

Standing with your eyes the size of the moon and your face as hot as the goddamn sun, you don’t fail to catch the string of comments that your sleazy little fox makes. 

“Oh Bucky please just take me away! I’m too shy and socially inept to even speak to you properly, please I just love you sooooo much!” Calcifer’s high pitched mocking made your blood boil as he wheezed with laughter. 

“Shut up you stupid fox!” you yell at him, hooking your foot underneath his belly and pushing up and forward to flip him on his side. 

The reynard continued to cackle hysterically as you walked away from him. You could hear the broken comments he made as Calcifer continued to berate you on the bumpy interactions you always seemed to have with the handsome witch. 

“You’re sleeping outside tonight!” you call back to him, a smug tilt to your lips.

The laughing stopped immediately and was replaced by the clicking of little nails on mossy stone. 

✸ ✴ ✦ 

Calcifer’s eyes were glued to your figure as you made a mad dash around your apartment to make sure everything was clean and properly put away. Your socks allowed you to slide across the wooden floors as you shoved the rest of your freshly cleaned towels into a closet and slam it shut. Quickly turning the other way to sprint then slide the rest of the way to your little kitchenette where an almost comically small oven bakes banana nut muffins. 

“You are a nervous wreck right now kid,” Cal points out, a hint of worry in his mostly humorous tone. 

You look over at him, cringing at the realization that, yeah, you probably do look like a nervous wreck...

“It’s just that... No one has been over in a while and the last person that did come over was Wanda and I know she doesn’t care all that much about my tidiness so it was okay but I have no clue as to how Bucky is going to react and it's not like I don’t want to impress him, I mean I don’t need to impress him like my life doesn’t depend on what he thinks but,” “Christ’s sake kid-” “I mean for gods sake my bed is on the floor! He’ll probably think I’m some broke slob who-” Knock Knock 

“Oh my gods,” you whisper scream, no doubt did your aura radiate pure panic...

You shuffle over to the door, shoving your face up against it to look through the peephole and make sure it was the only person you were expecting. Taking a deep breath, you try and center yourself, then open the door. 

“Good morning, Bucky!” you greet, a bright smile on your face as you take in your guest’s appearance. 

Bucky is looking extra handsome today as he wears a dark grey cardigan over a white shirt, dark fitted jeans and, to your extreme surprise, black Converse.

“Hey, Doll” he smiles back softly at you, quickly taking in your simple outfit of a cute yellow crop top and black shorts, “T-these are for you,”  he mutters quickly and pulls a pretty bouquet of wildflowers out from behind his back. 

You beam at the thoughtful gesture and Calcifer doesn’t miss the sense of pride that Bucky gives off at your excited reaction, “Wow, Bucky these are so cute! I love them, thank you very much,” gingerly taking the bundle of fragrant colors, you invite your guest inside and immediately go to your kitchenette to find a receptacle for them.  

Once you find a nice little vase to put them in you spin back around to find Bucky looking around your small apartment, “Um...It’s not much-but the rent is really good and since it’s just me and Cal it works out pretty nice. If you aren’t comfortable we can always-” “I love it, Y/n. It’s really... you,” he glances back towards you, the look in his eyes warming you from deep within your chest. 

“Hey, tin man” the both of you jump slightly as Calcifer interrupts the thoughtful interaction. 

Bucky crouches down and reaches his hand out to the fox, “Hey... Nice to see you again Calcifer” 

“Where’s your dog?” completely ignoring Bucky’s polite greeting, Calcifer passes by him. 

“Oh uh... Sibi is still in training so I didn’t think it’d be a good idea to bring her into someone else’s home just yet,” the man answers awkwardly, dropping his hand and standing back up to his full height. 

Calcifer be nice you little skeez.

I’m just tryin’ get to know the guy, alright? 

You roll your eyes at the red animal and tell him to go onto the balcony. He thankfully listens, giving you and Bucky some privacy. 

“Sorry about him... He can be a little difficult sometimes,” you apologize quickly, nervously rubbing your clammy hands on the front of your shorts. 

Bucky chuckles and shakes his head, “It’s alright, I understand,” 

You give a questioning look at his phrasing and he quickly moves to elaborate, “Well, uh I guess-Ya know- since you guys are really close... I can understand why he would be protective because um, well since I’m like I’m trying to-” “Trying to what?” 

Bucky’s face was beet red as he tried and failed to explain himself to you, who had absolutely no idea what he was going on about, “In any case, I’m sure he’ll warm up to you soon,” you smile warmly at him and turn towards your oven. 

The embarrassed man watches as you take out the piping hot tray of muffins and set them out on the counter to cool. His stomach growls low as the deliciously sweet smell hits his nostrils. 

“How about we go sit down while those cool off?” you suggest and lead Bucky over to the small sofa that sat against the only free wall. 

You tuck yourself into one corner, folding your legs so they were pressed against your chest as you tried to give Buck as much room as possible. It was quite adorable to see the tall, beefy guy try and squeeze himself onto your small couch. A quiet laugh escapes you and he glances towards you, his cheeks tinged pink, “Guess M’not really made for studio apartment sized things,” he chuckles. 

Glad to see he isn’t upset about the cramped seating arrangement, you relax a little bit and start asking Bucky about his life. The two of you fall into easy conversation, talking about your childhood, past and current friends, how Bucky got into magic, your familiars and anything else that came to your minds. 

By the time there was a slight lull in conversation, it was already mid afternoon and you couldn’t help the growls that sounded from your stomach. 

“Um, do you want me to make us some lunch? I have like, sandwich stuff or mac n cheese?” you ask, swinging your legs off the couch and standing up to stretch. 

“Yeah that sounds good, you want me to help?” Bucky follows your movements and you shake your head. 

“S’okay, if you want you can go onto the balcony and I’ll be right out,” You smile up at him, turning to your little kitchen and focusing on making lunch. 

Bucky makes his way out onto your balcony covered in vining plants and hanging bottles filled with god knows what. Calcifer was asleep on a slightly rusted chair in the corner, his tail and legs curled into his body, making him look like a furry ball of orange. Bucky had never seen a work space quite like it. Sam was more of a trader so there wasn’t much potion making in the home they shared together. As he stared in wonder at all of the bottles covering the antique desk and a good part of the floor, curiosity got the best of him and Bucky couldn’t help but to start picking them up and exploring what was inside. 

Most of the bottles were labelled so he didn’t need to worry about those ones, the curious man was more interested in the unmarked ones. Popping off the cork to a green glass bottle filled with a powder, he brought his nose up to sniff and immediately gagged at the overpowering scent. 

“What is that?” he grumbled quietly to himself, closing that one and picking up a new one. 

This bottle did in fact have a label, but it was chicken scratch and for the life of him, Bucky couldn’t tell what the hell it meant as he picked up the murky glass bottle filled with what seemed to be a bright purple fog and opened it, taking in a quick whiff. 

Almost immediately Bucky felt the effects of the mystery potion and he had to steady himself on the desk so he wouldn’t fall over. Blinking a few times, he gathered his wits and slowly stood straight up. 

“Whaaat are you doing?” Your curious voice from the sliding door made Bucky jump and spin around, hiding the bottle behind his back. 

Your eyes quickly shift from the chilling blue irises of your guest to the suspicious amount of movement happening behind his large frame. Bucky lets out a quick scoff before answering, “What? Nothing, just checkin stuff out ya know,” 

His poor attempt at a casual demeanor was lost on you and it was quite evident in the suspicious squint of your eyes as you continued to stare at the man in front of you. 

“Which bottle did you sniff?” you ask flatly, sticking your hand out expectantly, the other hand making its way onto your hip.

“I-I didn’t sniff any bottle,” Bucky mutters out, metal hand going up to scratch the back of his neck awkwardly.

You waited only a moment before he spoke again, seemingly unable to hold back his comment, “That’s a lie I sniffed this bottle,”

He immediately took a bottle out from behind his back and placed it in your still awaiting palm. You knew what it was as soon as you saw the color of the substance inside and began to laugh. It was the hardest you had laughed all day and the resounding noise of your joyous fit surely made its way down to the cobblestone streets below. Your right hand left its initial place on your hip and placed itself over the left side of your chest as you bent over to steady yourself. 

“Y-you just inhaled a shit ton of Truth-Be-Told Smoke” You cackled out loudly. 

Bucky, though entirely confused, couldn’t help the smile that painted itself onto his pink lips as he stared at your beautiful figure shaking from the prettiest laughing fit he had ever heard, “Your laugh is really pretty,” he blurted out, immediately slapping his hand over his mouth afterwards. 

The compliment startled you enough to calm your laughter and straighten your posture back out, “Thank you, Buck. So I’m just gonna assume you’re wondering what’s happening right now,” He answered you by quickly nodding his head.

You giggled and continued on, “Basically, this stuff is used mainly as a partial ingredient in other potions, but by itself, especially undiluted, it’s a high performing truth serum. You won’t be able to say anything except for what comes to your mind for quite some time,” 

“That makes me really nervous,” Bucky’s voice sounds strained as the hand that was covering his mouth moves to wipe down his face in stress.

“Well don’t go sniffin’ a girl’s potions next time!” you giggle out, walking over to return the potion to its proper place. 

“You smell really good,” before you have a chance to react bucky groans in frustration, “Fuck I am so sorry,” 

A light laugh escapes your lips and you look up at Bucky’s grimacing face, “It’s okay, I don’t mind. Plus it’s nice to know I made the right decision on what body wash to buy,” 

You motion Bucky to follow you back inside, ensuring there would be no more accidental roofying. Two sandwiches sit side by side on the small sofa, a little pile of chips next to each one. 

“This is really kind of you, Y/n” Bucky smiles, lifting up both plates of food and waiting for you to get comfy next to him before handing you one. 

“It’s no problem Bucky, you’re my friend now and-” “I don't want to be your friend,” he bursts out, making you frown.

Bucky quickly fixes his mistake, “No sorry- I uhm- I misspoke I-I don’t want to just be your friend.” another grimace makes its way onto his face, “That’s embarrassing for me to say, I’m embarrassed,” 

If you weren’t already sweating nervously, you were now. Clammy hands grip at the paper plate on your lap as you try and will your face to extinguish the fire that has engulfed it. “B-Bucky, I um…” 

“I’m sorry I said that… It probably makes you never want to see me again,” Bucky mutters out, anxiously playing with the small pile of potato chips.

“Actually…” you begin, taking a deep breath and continuing, “It doesn’t bother me at all,”

Bucky lets out a long breath of air, “Holy shit really? That’s fucking awesome because I wasn’t gonna tell ya that today but then I smelt that thing and I’m sweating real bad right now with how nervous I am-I should not have said that, but now that you said what you just said-” 

You put your hand up, signaling for the witch to stop his word vomit and laughed, “Bucky you don’t need to worry… Honestly, I am just as nervous as you,” 

Maybe it was because of the state Bucky was currently in, maybe it was because of something completely unrelated, but it made you feel brave enough to admit more than what you would’ve ever imagined. Bucky somehow willed himself into eating his sandwich, stopping every once in a while to blurt out a random compliment about you, the food, your apartment, anything. He even complimented how adorable it was that your mattress was on the floor, saying it just made everything feel so much comfier and he wished his apartment was like this. You took the comments in stride on the outside, though on the inside you were dying out of embarrassment. No one had ever said such nice things about you, and to the volume that Bucky was going, even if it was against his will, it still shocked you a bit.

By the time you were both done eating, the effects of the smoke seemed to slow down a bit, which allowed the nervous man beside you to withhold all of his thoughts, though it did keep him from lying still. As you stood to clean up the plates and napkins used during lunch, Bucky mimicked you, following you to the kitchen. 

“Today was really nice Bucky...Thank you for coming over,” you smile up at the tall man beside you and try not to swoon when he returns the warm smile.

There wasn’t a beat of hesitation before Bucky responded, “It was my pleasure, sweetheart,”

The term of endearment had your face aflame, something that has become a recurring struggle whenever you were around Bucky and his stupid compliments that always got to you. 

“Ya know, you’re quite the sweet talker when there’s nothing holding you back,” you tease playfully, making Bucky let out a quick bark of laughter. 

“Was I not a sweet talker before? I must have had some kinda skill since ya let me spend the whole day here,” a sly smirk is pulling at the corners of his lips as Bucky leans down closer to you in a mocking way.

You roll your eyes and put a hand to his shoulder, effectively pushing him away and giving yourself some much needed space. If you didn’t breathe properly soon, you were gonna pass out.

Bucky stayed at your place for a bit longer until he got a text from Sam saying that Sibi was getting anxious and that she missed him. You couldn’t help the grin that made its way onto your face when he explained why he had to leave, thinking it was absolutely adorable that Bucky was the only one who was able to calm that gigantic wolf. When it was time for him to go, it became a waiting game of who was going to initiate the final goodbye. 

Standing by your front door, leaning on the trim, you stared into the piercing blue eyes of the man opposite of you, completely unsure of what to say. In all honesty, you didn’t think it’d go this well. For Bucky to spend the entire day cramped up in your apartment with you, eating snacks and joking around as if you had known each other for years… It shocked you a bit when you truly thought about it. 

Bucky sighed, leaning against the opposite frame of the door as he stared back down at you, “So…” a nervous hand came up to subconsciously tangle into the hairs on the nape of his neck, the Truth Be Told must be wearing off, “I um… Today was really great,”

You nod your head in agreement, “Yeah it uh-it was,” your fingers begin to tangle and pull at each other. 

“Do you...Maybe wanna...Do it again? Soon?” he mumbles out, breaking eye contact as he begins to focus on his shoes. 

A little pinch to the back of your hand ensures that what you just heard was real and you nod, “yes, that’d be awesome! I um… Whenever you’re free of course,” 

Y/n and Tin Man sittin’ in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G!

You quickly turn around to see Calcifer prancing in a circle in the middle of your apartment, a sly grin on his face. 

Gods what are you Five? Shut up you stupid fox! I’m gonna throw you off the balcony!

“Doll? You okay?” Bucky chuckles lightly as he sees your face scrunched up into a cute little scowl that makes him want to squish your face between his hands. 

Calcifer's annoying cackles were heard echoing in your apartment as you turned back around to face Bucky, “Yeah, yeah no I’m good… You were saying?” 

“Just that I was free on Thursday, if you maybe wanted to get coffee with me… But it’s really no big deal if you don’t want to, I would understa-” “No! Er-I mean yes! Yes. I would love to get coffee with you on Thursday,” You cringe at your awkward response and bite the inside of your lip to keep yourself from screaming in embarrassment. 

The bright smile on Bucky’s face grounds you a little bit and gives you the courage to meet his pretty blue irises, “So Doll, I uh was thinking-” Before he can finish his thought, Bucky’s phone pings loudly, making you jump a little, “Sorry” He murmurs.

Snatching it from the pocket of his jeans, Bucky takes a look then immediately lets out a quiet sigh, “That’s Sam, I really gotta go,” 

Trying not to let the disappointment show, you nod your head and straighten up, silently wishing he could stay longer, “Okay...Um I’ll see you on Thursday then…” 

Bucky’s head tilts to the left as he considers your shy demeanor and he can’t help but reach out with his right hand and lightly grasps yours, “I’ll see you on Thursday, pretty girl,” 

You suck in a breath, feeling Bucky lightly tug on your hand and willingly following his lead. Taking a tiny step forward, which was really all you could take with how close the two of you were all ready, the breath your holding tightens in your chest as Bucky leans down closer to you. You could feel the warmth of his breath on your cheek, the brush of his long eyelashes ghosting over your temples, and the light squeeze on your wrist from his large hand. Bucky’s lips were soft as they pressed against the corner of your mouth in a light kiss that made you feel like you were in the clouds.

It didn’t last as long as you’d like and once he pulled away, you were able to let out the painful breath that stayed in your lungs for way too long. Bucky gave a quick wave before backing up a few paces, turning around, and walked the rest of the way down the hall. Leaving you to stand there breathless with the lingering feeling of his soft touches. 

“You two are gross,” The floaty feeling that had fallen over you evaporated as you heard the familiar’s voice from behind you. 

“I’m gonna hit you so hard,” You yell over your shoulder, turning around and slamming the door behind you. You pick up a slipper by your door and make your way over to the cackling fox. 

“W-wait wait! OW” 

“Stupid fox”

✸ ✴ ✦ 

-3 Months Later-

“Steve c’mon, stop interrogating my girl and come help set the tent up!” Steve turns his attention from you to his best friend, a smile on his face as he gets up to help Bucky set up the large canvas tent. 

“We will continue this later,” the blonde says pointedly before leaving you by yourself at the wooden picnic table. 

It had only been a little over three months since you had met Bucky Barnes, exactly two since he had worked up the courage to officially ask you to be “his girl” as he put it, and two hours since you had properly met Steven Rogers. How you had gone so long without meeting Bucky’s platonic other half was beyond you, but apparently the guy was a busy bee, and since your little potion shop out of your apartment had taken off, you didn’t exactly have much free time on your hands either. Fortunately, with a little luck and a lot of asking around for favors and covers for work, You, Bucky, Steve, Sam, Wanda, Vis, and all of your respective animals were able to take a long weekend to go camping. 

“Are you guys ready to eat? These sandwiches won’t keep for much longer,” Wanda stands up from the green metal cooler, hands full of deli sandwiches that she had made for the trip. 

A chorus of agreeance sounded across the cozy little site you had booked as you all gathered around the redhead. Bucky came up beside you, wrapping his metal arm around your waist and placing a soft kiss to the crown of your hair. 

“You excited for the weekend, doll?” he murmurs into your hair sweetly before placing a few more kisses there. 

You laugh lightly at his endearing behavior and smile up at him, “Of course I am Buck. I may never get the chance to spend this much time outside of my apartment again,” you joke, leaning up on your tiptoes to kiss your boyfriend on the sharp line of his jaw. 

After everyone had gotten a sandwich, along with whatever they wanted to drink or eat with it, you all squeezed onto the benches of the picnic table and began to chow down. Everyone talked animatedly about what the plans were for the rest of the weekend. Swimming, fishing, “Building a bomb ass fire” as Sam gracefully put it, all of it sounded like a blast to you. If you were being honest, you were just excited to be out of your apartment for more than a few hours at a time. 

“So, you’re a potion maker huh?” Steve asks, mouth half full of potato chips. 

Bucky lets out a groan and rolls his eyes, “Stevie let the girl breathe for fucks sake,” 

The group laughs at Bucky’s annoyance, but then looks at you, “Well, uh yeah… I um was taught at a young age, so it’s something I’m really good at and I know it’s not the best job or anything-” ''It’s an awesome job, kid. I think you’re doing real good. Our own little entrepreneurial witch!” Sam interrupts your babbling, a bright smile on his face as he pats your back just a little too forcefully.

“I mean… I’m not a witch so I obviously don’t really get it like everyone else does, but you seem to be doing really well,” Steve assures you, sending a sense of pride into your chest. 

You had managed to impress Steve Rogers… Not bad, Y/n.

The guy is actin’ like he’s Tin Man's father… The hell is that about?

You turn your head over to where Calcifer is curled up on a dark blue camping chair, bright yellow eyes trained on the blonde man who was still stuffing his mouth with food. 

Calcifer they’ve been friends for ages, it’s normal.

The fox lets out a quiet snuff in response before getting up from the chair and trotting over to the table. 

“Cal do you want some of my turkey?” Bucky asks, taking a few pieces of turkey from his sandwich and setting it beside him on the table. 

Calcifer doesn’t answer, just hops up on the bench and silently eats the portion of meat. It’s taken a while for Calcifer to warm up to Bucky… And though progress if few and far between, the two have definitely gotten closer in the past couple of weeks. The biggest issue at first was how crazy Sibi acted around other familiars, but after a while and a good amount of training from you and Bucky, the hyperactive wolf finally settled and was on track to be a wonderful helper for her witch in training. 

“So… Do you guys have any plans of moving in together soon?” Wanda hesitates as she not so sneakily takes a chip from Vis’s plate. 

You and Bucky look to each other for only a moment before responding, “We’ve been looking at places to go. It’s hard cause we wanna stay in Adelaide but without buyin’ a whole house, there aren’t many options for apartments,” Bucky explains, a small shrug to his shoulders. 

“And there’s no way all four of us could fit in my apartment,” you add, copying Bucky’s shrug. 

Neither of you were in too much of a hurry to find a place of your own, as you were both content in the homes you were in now. The idea of living with Bucky was quite appealing but you knew the more realistic thing to do would be to wait, save, and research to make sure you both lived in a comfortable environment. 

“You guys are so cute it makes me wanna die! Who knew you’d be the ultimate witchy power couple?” Wanda’s swooning caused you to laugh a little as Vision looked at her with mock hurt in his eyes as if to say ‘what are we then?’

Before anyone had a chance to add on, an unexpected voice responded, “I did,” 

Your laughter immediately ceased and your attention snapped over to the other side of Bucky’s large frame. Calcifer sat proudly on his haunches as he gazed back at your shocked face. 

“W-what do you mean you knew?” Bucky stuttered, equally as shocked as you were. 

“I just knew. From the first day you guys met, it was obvious it was that true love bullshit you humans talk about,” the fox brushes off both yours and Bucky’s shock as if it was nothing. 

The rest of the group laughs as the pair of you stutter out broken objections to Calcifer’s claim, “A-are you kidding me Cal? That stuff is like… a myth or something,” 

“Yeah, I mean I’m in love with Y/n n’ all but-” “You’re in love with me?” 

All of the banter around the table halts as five pairs of eyes stare at a now tomato faced Bucky Barnes. “U-um, yes. Yeah-I um, yeah I’m in love with you…” Bucky’s voice is quiet and you’re not sure if he actually said what you heard, but that thought is soon wiped from your mind as an eruption of cheers sounds from your friends. 

A grin makes its way onto your face as you stare up at those pretty blue eyes that you really never got tired of looking at, and you can’t help but bring your hand up to run along the stubble of Bucky’s jaw, “I’m in love with you, Buck” 

Bucky lets out a sigh of relief and immediately leans down to press his lips against yours in a passionate kiss, both of his large hands framing each side of your face to pull you closer to him. 

“Told ya so” 

“Shut up you stupid fox!”

[serararku]

Dancing in the Sand Pt 1

"Okay, here's another good one." Mizuna started. “I run without feet, have a bed but never sleep, and a mouth but cannot speak. What am I?" 

Era didn’t even skip a beat. “A ghost!”

“Ghosts may not have feet but they don’t run either. Plus they can definitely talk. Try again.” The Raen woman gently guided the chocobos by the reins, making them slightly turn along the path through these dry Thanalan wastes; fortunately it was overcast so the blazing sun wasn’t slow-roasting them in what would otherwise be the equivalent of an oven in this midafternoon heatwave. Era fell silent, for a time, as her eyes darting back and forth along the road. The cogs in her head were spinning so fast she almost had sparks flying out from her ears.

“Uuuhhh…” She rubbed at her temples. “Is it… a… mmmn… Thalen, what do you thi-”

“It’s a river, darlin’.” He finally chimed in, sitting on the other end of the driver’s bench with his dented and weathered flask in his hand. Mizuna turned to give him a disapproving look-- riddles aren’t any fun when the answer is just blurted out. But she saw the look in his eyes while his gaze darted along the outer edges of the crags to their right. Despite trading with Miqo’te for years Mizuna has only recently begun to catch on to their expressions and giveaways; his ears weren’t flat against his head but they were certainly lowered, his brow was furrowed but he wasn’t outright scowling, and his eyes darted along the crags above on the right side of the wagon as if he was searching for something-- or someone. There was no doubt in her mind; Thalen was on edge.

Era on the other hand lit up like a firework once she connected the dots. “Ooooohhh… I like that one!” She clapped excitedly and stifled a giggle, reminding both Thalen and Mizuna that beneath the scars and short temper remained a little girl barely old enough to be considered an adult. “I need to tell Zevs that… but he would probably get it right away. He’s really smart…”

“He’s a forest Miqo’te. The river riddle’s the oldest one in the book as far as we’re concerned.” Thalen grunted in between swigs.

“Are you alright?” Mizuna couldn’t hide her concern any longer. “You seem tense…”

He crossed his arms and slouched in his seat. “Bah, I’m fine Doc. Just a lil’thirsty, is all…”

“Vahli isn’t going to lay a hand on you, Thalen.” Era assured, leaning over the railing to give him a warm smile. “I’ll make sure of that.” All he did was grunt at her in response.

This was the furthest Mizuna had ever been within the Zu Tribe’s territory, and the difference between their lands and the vast majority of Thanalan was night and day. Even from the shady seat on the front of the wagon, she could spot rare and valuable herbs partially hidden in the cracks along the cliffside. Crimson Gloomroot, Tifa's Tears, Faded Glory, and even some Dusklotus shimmered in her peripherals. It's little wonder why so many merchants risk their lives to travel through these untapped lands; perhaps on the way back she could pick some for a nice profit… and for her patients, of course. 

"Alright, we're here." Era sat up once the wagon ground to a halt. The two chocobos clicked their beaks and hummed lowly; they could sense the danger they were in. She took a few sharp breaths and cupped her hands around her mouth before turning to squint at Thalen. With an obnoxious belch he clamped his hands over his ears and began to hum loudly, just as he said he would. "Ku-WIIIIP! Ku-WIIIIP! Ku-WIIIIP!" Her sharp voice carried far across the wastes, echoing off the crags and distant hills. “Okay… let’s go meet them, nice and slowly.”

Mizuna knew she heard sounds differently than the other races, what with the fleshy holes in the sides or top of their heads. Her horns were sensitive to sound vibrations, true, but she still didn't pick up that high of a frequency; Miqo'te whistles were truly something else. "So now that we're waiting…" She started, glancing around for any sign of her tribe. "Is there anything I should know about your people?"

"Mmmn…" Era made her signature half-hum, half-mumble, while tapping ponderously on her chin. "Well, they don't really know what personal space is… the tribewives and kittens in particular. They're very curious, only the warriors have ever seen an Au Ra before, so… expect them to get close and touchy. And I cannot express this enough-- no magick! If they discover you can cast spells, then-!"

"No magick." Mizuna repeated calmly. The nervous chocobo began tugging the wagon along from the gentle flick of their reins, causing Thalen to stiffen and sit up once they turned the corner.

The warriors of the tribe were first to greet them. Women adorned in stained furs and mismatched pieces of plate armor salvaged from their prey all turned to stare in silence once the wagon was in clear view; squatting along the cliff high above was none other than Yhaba, who looked ready to leap into the air and land on the wagon at a moment's notice. She rose to her full height and began walking alongside Era and the outsiders, as several warriors began to trail the wagon from behind.

Next came the huntresses, who were far more relaxed than their battle-sisters, at least. Some wore leather hoods, others were completely bare chested, but all of them were covered in tribal paint to bless them during their hunts. They were perched on the old trees along the path, with most of them too busy inspecting their weapons to notice or care about the wagon. Except for Chaje of course, who nodded with approval at Era when they passed her. Yet the chocobos were terrified-- two giant zu birds stared at them from their nests, salivating at the chance at tasting them.

Last but not least was Vahli Nunh and his harem. He sat along the slope at the mouth of Valhaas Barrow, surrounded by his wives and armed with his mighty glaive. He even wore his battle harness, complete with his iron-clamped bracers, his warpaint complimenting his ritualistic tattoos and scars, and a thick cloak made from the rugged hide of a black Hrothgar.

"Wow…" Mizuna spoke in a low whisper to her two companions. "That is the biggest Miqo’te I've ever seen in my life…!" She and Thalen exchanged weary glances, but Era couldn’t help but smile; it would seem Vahli went all in to make a lasting first impression, an effort she found more endearing and cute than anything else. When the wagon finally stopped, she was the first one to hop down into the dust, and he rose to his feet to greet her.

“These are the outsiders?” He asked, spinning the glaive around in his grasp before resting it on his shoulder. “I do not trust the scaleborn woman with our kittens… and what is this Tia doing here?!”

Thalen took one last swig of his flask before slipping it into his pocket. “I’m the scaleborn’s bodyguard. I owe her a debt and this is my payment.”

Vahli snarled and bristled when he spoke, and it wasn’t long before he moved around Era to stare Thalen down face to face. “You lie! You have come to challenge me and take my wives for yourself!”

“No, he hasn’t!” Era butted in, quickly stepping alongside them before glaives were swinging and bullets were flying. “What he says is true-- he is only here to ensure her safety. When she is done tending to our young, they will both leave. You have to trust me, Vahli.” Mizuna simply watched the three Miqo’te purr, hiss, and whistle at each other; she didn’t speak a lick of Huntspeak but she knew aggression when she saw it. With luck this encounter wouldn’t turn violent, or she would have to give Ms. Slater the bad news.

Both Thalen and Vahli didn’t budge an ilm. The Nunh’s biceps were larger than the Tia’s head, and he was nearly a fulm and a half taller; but Thalen remained as still as stone, his gaze unblinking and his ears flat against the top of his head. If they were destined to fight, it would happen at any moment-- the tension was thick enough to cut with a knife.

“Are you done with your staring contest?” Era’s mother Yuun called out from the entrance of the barrow. “Set aside your pride and bravado and let the lizard woman inside. You two can kill each other after our daughters are cured.” Her tone was sharp and devoid of patience, which was enough for Vahli to blink and angrily grunt before turning around to return to his harem. Era and Mizuna both sighed in relief, as Thalen slowly let go of the firing pin on his revolver, and took his first breath in what felt like a whole bell. It would seem he would have to keep one eye open around this brute, especially after their jobs here were finished.

“Dr. Kusakari.” Era beamed, speaking in Eorzean again. “Right this way!”

---

Mentions: @rzevi-tia-ffxiv​ @osric-slater-ffxiv​ (for Edalene)

[bhujerban]

Louder Than Sirens

Hi friends! Just wanted to give an update and a quick preview of what I’ve been working on. It’s a ZeLink urban fantasy AU tentatively titled Louder Than Sirens, but that’s subject to change. I’ve got about 10k words written and will probably start posting when I get to around 20k words, since I anticipate this being a relatively long fic. The cover image is a mood board I’ve put together for the story.

Louder Than Sirens Rating: T+/M (tbd) Word Count: 50k-60k (tbd) BoTW-ish ZeLink. Urban Fantasy AU.

Summary: Strange magicks are afoot when Private Investigator Link finds an amulet enchanted by the powerful urban witch Zelda at the scene of a robbery. It feels like fate has brought them together as they are plunged headlong into a mystery that uncovers more than either of them could ever have anticipated.

Preview: Alone, Link made his way down the hall. He turned the corner into the sitting room and immediately realized why this was prime real estate in Castletown. While the entrance and hallway were small and lit by artificial lighting, the sitting room was an open space with the entire back wall replaced by a large panel of windows that looked out onto the River Hylia.

The sitting room was sleek and modern; all dark oak and minimalist furnishing. Not at all what he expected for a witch’s residence. The high ceilings and the giant windows caught the last of the dusk light, painting the interior a dramatic array of oranges and reds. Link took a seat on one of leather armchairs and set the file down on the coffee table. He could sense the magic around him, the enchantments and wards woven thick and powerful into the very structure of the house. The signature of the magic was distinctive: a dance in the summer rain, a Silent Princess growing in the wild, Nayru’s blessings under a starlit sky. Like seeing the world for the first time, like coming home —  it captivated him.

He leaned into the seat and closed his eyes. The golden magic suffused across his awareness, making him feel alive. Whoever warded this house was definitely the same person who enchanted the amulet.

“Sorry to keep you waiting.” A woman’s voice echoed across the room.

His eyes shot up to the figure at the door. She was beautiful. A crown of long blonde hair framed sharp green eyes. She wore a dark blue pantsuit, the colour contrasting with her crisp white blouse. Her sleeves slightly pushed up to reveal thin, delicate wrists. She stood for a moment and studied him in return. He wondered what she saw.

He was struck by a moment of intense déjà vu, as if he had lived this moment over, and over before.

He cleared his throat, “Ms. Bosphoramus, I assume?”

She made her way over to him and offered him her hand. When he took it, he felt the true weight of her magic — the eye of all storms.

She will be trouble, he thought.

"Mr. Forester," she enunciated all the syllables, as if testing out the words, "what can I do for you?"

"Link is fine. Mr. Forester is my father." He joked.

She did not smile.

Determined not to let her get to him, he pulled the amulet from his pocket. "This is your work?"

She reached for the amulet. His fingertips brushed her palm for a moment and a ripple of energy traveled up his arm. He paused. Her hands stilled as her eyes flicked to his. Their eyes met like two waves crashing, the resulting interference stilling the stormy waters. A temporary peace.

She looked away.

[staboteur]

//i have like a really really major hankering for a frozen AU like i talked with alois mun about it for a little bit but it’s been living rent free in my head for like... 2 weeks now lmao (esp with all those cool dresses ive been doodling, bc those all fit into that specific AU), but like if we threw out all the dumb shit that di/sney does with their characters and plots lol so no more trolls, no weird inconsistent betrayal plot point, etc, unless it’s like,, something you feel inspired by, then we can like talk about it?? bc i really like everything to do with this world, except the fact that it was written by disney who have no idea how to actually write women’s empowerment lmao anyways

//rene doesn’t hurt someone else, he ends up hurting himself with his own powers (thus creating his signature streaky hair, which are brighter silver in this AU instead of the more blended greys of his usual hair color). He also scars his hands, which is the main reason why he wears gloves (which i always seem to forget whenever i draw him in dresses, ugh).

//his storyline is also very much about freedom of expression, but taking on a more ‘identity’ route (i guess more like frozen 2). I also just... a lot of random fun headcanons about him

//he looks even more like a corpse than usual in this AU, bc he’s literally frozen, like the reason why he doesn’t feel coldness is bc his body is basically always at 0C or below. He can be warmed up by external sources, but he doesn’t provide his own heat (kinda like a reptile lmaoo cold blooded or some magic thing blah blah blah). When he blushes, his skin starts to look like a regular healthy human being’s. If he’s outside in the cold for a long time, he can start to look a bit like a walking corpse--his bad joints are a result of being so cold all the time and also not really doing self care or anything. Hot baths are a nightmare, he might melt.

//he’s also very cold to the touch (another reason why his primary design will probably have him wearing long sleeves, gloves, long pants, etc etc, all buttoned up and stuff, to prevent people from touching him directly). If it’s warm and humid he’d probably form condensation on his skin lmaoooo and he can freeze people with a touch, if he’s consciously doing it.

//also like i feel like he wouldn’t just wander into a forest and create a giant castle, he’s too much of a disaster for that, he’d wander into a forest, stumble into a river or like do other clumsy shit bc he’s a spoiled rich boy who has never run or climbed or done any mountaineering for a single minute in his whole life, climb out, walk another short distance, then fall asleep next to a log, and the next day someone finds him and thinks he’s a corpse, goes to investigate, wakes him up, and he freaks them the fuck out bc the person who discovered him thought he was dead (this just,, idk im just very attached to this idea bc i think it’s funny ghasdlkfjhsl like rene sleeping peacefully, looking like a very run of the mill frozen corpse, then suddenly standing up amidst the cracking and creaking of a thousand old man joints and also the ice that formed on him while he was asleep). By the end he’d probably not look the best, like torn clothes (even if he magicked himself a new outfit), matted hair, skeletal looking thinness, discolored skin, etc, y’know, like the ice witch that elsa was supposed to look like, before they decided to make her more marketable and gave her eyeliner and makeup and shit

[ficsandcatsandficsandcats]

All Is Found:Anastasia!AU

Part IV – As The Pieces Fall Into Place

Fandom: The Witcher Word Count: 1,381 Rating: T Taglist: @heroics-and-heartbreak @whatevermonkey @jill-makes-art @mynamesoundslikesherlock @magic-multicolored-miracle​  @writingstudent @mlleecrivaine @coffee-and-stories​ @astouract​ @ultracolorfulnerdcollection  @your-not-invisible-to-me @kemmastan @mycat-is-mylove @amirahiddleston 

a/n: A retelling of Don Bluth’s Anastasia (1997)

Stregobor was a patient man.

He attributed his survival to this fact, unwilling to rush in where others may. He was also careful to keep himself at a distance, sending in others to do most of the work for him. The Toussaint Affair, as he delicately called it, was one of the rare exceptions where he’d chosen to be there. He needed to see the plan through to ensure its success and for satisfaction. The Nilfgaardians had offered him a king’s ransom and a position as Chief Advisor but he had insisted on staying, patiently waiting in hiding until he could find definitive proof of the princess’s death.

In the 10 years since she had slipped from his grasp not a day had gone by that he didn’t think of her. No scouts had been able to find her body but spies in Cidaris hadn’t seen hide nor hair of her either. The Nilfgaardians felt confident in their hold on the territory and he knew that there were whispers that he had grown paranoid and mad in his old age. Perhaps the only people on earth who believed the girl was still alive were himself and her grandmother. Her grandmother was slowly losing hope, the rumors reported. He was far more steadfast. Women were tricky. You could think they were handled and then they would crop up like dandelions in a garden, despoiling what had been set in motion without regard for the bigger picture. And so he waited, and he ignored the whispers and taunts, and he prepared.

Until the day his patience was rewarded.

-----

It was a lovely day to leave the country.

The air was briskly cold but it hadn’t continued snowing and the sun was out. You were standing in a clearing in the woods with not a single living person in sight beyond the three of you. Geralt had gone deeper into the woods briefly, leaving you and Jaskier alone. The bard immediately pulled his lute around and began to strum a wordless tune. You waited patiently for a few minutes but patience had never been your strong suit.

“What’s that song?” you asked.

“I don’t know yet,” he said.

“Oh you’re writing it?”

“Of course,” Jaskier scoffed, “I’m not going to perform songs that aren’t my own composition.”

“Ah, well, of course,” you said, amused by his incredulity, “It’s very pretty.”

This earned you a little smile though his face turned up to the sky as he worked out a rhyme or a stanza or whatever it was bards worked out.

“Are you from New Nilfgaard?” you asked, “Originally, I mean.”

“Not originally, no,” he said, eyes falling back down to the instrument in his arms. You sensed you were approaching a tender subject and resolved to wait quietly and not ask any further questions.

“Is Geralt?” you asked, your promise forgotten.

“You’re very inquisitive,” Jaskier remarked, though not critically. He looked at you as though he were trying to figure you out, the sky-blue eyes assessing.

“I haven’t been around people my age much,” you admitted, “Once you become an adult you’re sent out so it was hard to establish any real connections, knowing you’d likely never seen them again.”

“That sounds lonely,” he said, something like empathy in his eyes. It made you uncomfortable and you searched for something to talk about instead.

“Tell me about the lute,” you suggested, gesturing to the instrument.

“Oh, well, this is a lute,” he said, pulling the strap overhead to better show it to you, “It was my first… lute.”

“Well it’s very lovely,” you praised. You weren’t actually sure if that was true, having little knowledge of lute aesthetics, but the sounds he made with it were pretty.

There was a rustling behind the trees and Jaskier rose, covering you and raising his lute.

“Who goes there?” he intoned.

Geralt moved into view, glancing amusedly from the raised lute down to Jaskier.

“Geralt! Excellent! Were you able to get it?” the bard asked, lowering the instrument and rushing closer to his friend. Geralt reached into his pocket and Jaskier quickly took the paper from his hands, looking over it for a moment before his face broke into a grin and he turned back to face you.

“Fresh off the presses madame,” Jaskier crowed, presenting you with a newly written identification papers with a flourish. It was, you assumed, excellently crafted. It had your name, including the placeholder surname you’d been given at the Home, and a description of you from your height to an estimation of weight (a strikingly accurate one, actually) and other appearance details.  

“How does it work?” you asked, holding the paper up to the sunlight.

“What are you doing? What do you mean how does it work?” Jaskier asked, snatching it from your hands and folding it back up, glancing around to see if anyone had noticed. You rolled your eyes at his paranoia.  

“Well surely it can’t be that simple. It looks incredibly easy to forge,” you remarked. Jaskier looked at Geralt who incredulously who just shrugged.

“Trust us and our methods and you focus on your part,” Jaskier insisted. You crossed your arms over your chest and gave him a pointed look but the bard didn’t so much as flinch. Geralt took a step back.

“Jaskier, do you really believe I’m the heir of Toussaint?” you asked calmly. Jaskier pretended he didn’t feel Geralt’s eyes on him as he scoffed.

“You know I do,” he answered.

“Then as your rightful ruler, I would like to know how you have made this document,” you said.

“I’m not a native of this country, remember?” Jaskier volleyed, taking a step towards you, hands on his hips and his voice low and serious, “You have no authority over me.”

“But I do over myself. And that has my name on it,” you shot back, moving towards him to bridge the distance, stance just as determined. You stared into the stormy blue eyes for several long, tense moments as you battled over who was more stubborn, both assured that you would win out.

“There’s a magicked ink,” Geralt said, breaking through the tension as both of you dropped your gazes to look at the witcher. “The ink can only be gathered through certain channels and we have an associate who was able to procure some. It will be believed.”

“What about the signature?” you asked.

“Forgery is the easiest part of all of it,” Geralt answered with a laugh, “Jaskier is right that we know how to navigate this world. You can rest assured of that at least.”

“Alright,” you said as you turned to look again at Jaskier, a note of resignation in your voice, “What is my part?”

“Let’s walk and talk, I don’t like these woods,” Geralt said, moving off towards town. You and Jaskier fell in step behind him and the bard began to quiz you on what you knew about Toussaint.

-----

“Master Stregobor.”

The young woman knelt before him, snow still falling off of her boots and melting into the stone floor.

“You’ve found her,” he said. The woman rose and nodded excitedly. He’d promised much to any one of his devotees who succeeded in finding the first lead on the princess. “Where?”

“She is accompanied by a witcher and a bard. They were in the woods but I heard them speaking of their plans. They’ve forged identification papers and plan to head to Cidaris,” she replied. Stregobor’s eyes shone with unmistakable satisfaction. He exhaled deeper than he had in 10 years and nodded fondly at the mage apprentice who waited for her reward.

“You have done very well,” he said, “Your work has been instrumental in ensuring the proper order of New Nilfgaard and your name will be remembered.”

She died with a smile on her face, the action so quick she didn’t even realize it was happening. Stregobor had stayed alive by sending others to do the work for him, but he had learned an important lesson those many years ago. He had the upper hand, making moves before anyone knew he was a player, and he would continue to be ruthless in his elimination of loose ends. This time there would be no mistakes. 

[thesundowncrew]

Day 25. Creating a signature potion // 🍁 "The best kind of potion is the one you put in your heart & soul. Cus aren't we too made of magick?" 🍁

🔶 For their Advanced Potions final year project, everyone had to create their own concoction & write a report on what made their potion unique; what made it 'you'. 🔶 He called it 'Autumn's Reminisce' - a perfume! When applied, the fragrance is not defined by one particular scent. Instead, it smells like your fondest memories of the season. The scent not only affects the wearer but anyone close enough to smell it, triggering the deepest parts of your subconscious. 🔶 When testing it on family & friends, Sam was ecstatic over the results! Natalie reported it smelled like her mom's homemade hot chocolate on a chilly evening. Liore was transported back to her reading nook, wrapped in Sam's scarf & reading her favorite book. Sam himself could smell gran's famous lamb stew & the musty smell of the Sundown shoppe. 🔶 Sam managed really well even with the minimal coaching Nat gave him. Even though he really wanted to pass the class, he made sure he passed it on his own effort. He got a B+, which was good enough for him! 🔶 Granda & gran liked the mixture so much, they wanted to sell it in the shoppe. Sam didn't mind one bit, telling them to keep the profits for themselves (which ofc they didn't & send him a nice envelope every month). Strange enough, it's very popular during valentines day.

October/Inktober might be over but I’m still gonna complete this super cute prompt list prepared by @/soniastegemann and @/vetvy and I’m using my OC Samhain but!! All illustrations will be based off his Modern Witch AU so plenty of things are gonna be different~

[crieativity]

Inktober Day 7 - Enchanted

In which King Mycroft had some inquiries to make to the Captain General about some of their strategies against foul foes and he comes a rather fair sight…

If anyone is curious as to why Greg’s eyes are red, it’s cause he can’t push down his essence. He’s pretty dependent on his stabiliser due to his Magickal Imbalance so the part of his magick that isn’t being stored into the stabilising gem appears like it’s the more dominant magick form.

Greg had asked the stabiliser smiths to specifically make a stabiliser that would siphon away his Green Magick to let the Red Magick appear more dominant. I’ll uhhhh explain everything else if I piqued your interest?

[the-real-viva-la-snowbaz]

Feelings

Chapter 1: Tension

A/N: Everyone is genderswapped in this Carry On AU: because the world needs more fem!snowbaz. Mild smut below the cut ~

There she was, sitting across the classroom. Looking like the fucking sun.

Sophie Snow.

She looked bored, half asleep. Bronze curls bobbed as she nodded her head drowsily. Drooping lashes eclipsed the blue of her eyes. Her school jumper slid haphazardly across her shoulders.

Crowley. I wonder what she’d look like with that shirt off?

Intrusive though. Intrusive gay thought. Out. Out. Get out.

Basil Pitch flipped her hair to the other side of her face to shield it from the person sitting on other side of the room. She was vaguely aware of the Minotaur talking in monotone, occasionally nailing the kids in the front row with spit. Gliding her pencil absently across her notebook, she tried to focus on the columns of notes marching down the page.

She couldn’t.

When the period finally ended, Baz swept up her books and made a dramatic exit. Bumping past a certain obnoxious blonde in the doorway sent a shiver up her spine. Her confident, even stride nearly faltered. Scowling, she stood straighter and turned up her nose.

My life is academia, familial obligations, and a war on Sophie Snow. I don’t have time for this. I don’t have time to fall in love.

“Hey, Baz!” Dana ran up to her and jogged her elbow, causing her textbooks to slide dangerously.

Baz gasped and caught them before they fell over entirely. “Don’t do that, you idiot. These are four hundred years old, at least. I shan’t allow them to be destroyed by your foolery.”

“Sod off.” Dana rolled her eyes. “Nothing a spell can’t fix, neh?”

“Can’t you leave me alone?”

“Nope.”

They walked across the lawn, shoes squelching in the fresh morning mud. Mummer’s tower rose like a beckoning finger above the newer, flat-roofed buildings huddled around it. The sun peeked out from behind the merciful blanket of cloud covering the sky, and Baz flinched.

“You alright?”

“Yeah.” Baz ignored the burning sensation in her skin and focused on each step she took, and the fact that every second brought her closer to the indoors, and the darkness.

Dana left after walking her to her room at the top floor (“I need to hear about the game, Baz! And possibly steal your Poli Sci notes off you from last week.”). Thank the gods, Snow wasn’t back yet. She was probably off somewhere with Bunce. Or at a meeting with the Mage.

The curtains were fluttering, and the window was open. Fuck. Baz ran over and  slammed it shut, heaving the old glass pane down with a grunt. It creaked loudly, but finally surrendered. The curtains drooped and blocked out the sun.

Baz plunked her books down on her desk with a sigh. Sitting down and opening her laptop, she started to type up her notes from her last class. It was horribly mechanical, so her mind began to wander--as usual.

She wondered what Sophie was up to.

The Mage was probably planning another offensive-- Fyonn had taken her aside the last time she was visiting at home to warn her.

“The Old Families need you to keep an eye on that Snow girl,” he’d said. He lit a fag and let the smoke curl around his face as he stared Baz down. “The usurper is gathering strength. She plans to put her Chosen One to good use--more than likely to erase all our magickal heritage and forcibly drag us into his grand new world. Well, we’ve got to show her that the Pitches, at least, will have none of it.”

The door to their room slammed open. Baz closed her eyes slowly and let out an even sigh. A long, annoyed exhale.

“Snow. You’re not twelve. When will you learn to enter a room discreetly?”

She turned her head to gaze disdainfully at her roommate. Snow was leaning against the doorframe, panting, and scowling.

“Did you just run up the entire flight of stairs? But why on earth would you ever put in effort? I bet you have mint Aero bars stashed away somewhere in here, and you just couldn’t wait to have at them.” Have at me. Please.

Snow’s face scrunched up in the most adorable pout I’ve ever seen. She huffed and tried to spit back something in response, but she couldn’t force the words out. Typical.

“Fuck you, Baz.” The Pitch heir knew she’d won. Sophie chewed her fingernail and glared at her for a mesmerizing second before stomping off to the bathroom and banging the door shut behind her.

Ordinary blue eyes. Bouncing bronze curls that flew around her face and refused to stay neat, no matter how Snow fussed or Bunce spelled. Flushed, smooth skin. Beautiful hips.

Aleister Crowley.

Baz grunted and pulled a book from the stack next to her. As she cracked it open, the odor of must and age floated up into her face. Oh, the lengths to which one must go for the sake of a grade. She coughed once and waved her hand to disperse the dust swirling around her.

Chapter 3: Syntax and Spellcraft of the early 12th Century…

Soon Baz had forced her brain into a studious, methodological beat, taking copious notes and putting together index cards in alphabetical order. This was her element--this was why she was at the top of their class. When Baz was studying, she never felt like a failure. She didn’t have to think about Snow or the war or the Old Families. All that existed for her was the text and her assignment, and the only goal in sight was mastery. Yes, Baz Pitch would keep her place at the top, despite simmering politics and her infuriating roommate.

She was just turning to Chapter 4 when a noise from the bathroom made her look up from the page and listen.

“Merlin!” a choked whisper, barely audible through the closed door. Sophie whimpered. Baz heard another nondescript thumping noise.

Looking across the room at the mirror hanging on one wall, Baz took the opportunity to practice her patented Arrogantly Irritated Look, complete with a signature eyebrow raise. What the hell was Snow even doing?

Wait.

No. Oh… Crowley.

All the blood that could be spared rose to Baz’s face as the realization sunk in. Crowley, fucking Crowley. Stevie Nicks and Gracie Slick.

Another moan--louder this time--confirmed Baz’s suspicions.

Sophie bloody Snow was… getting off just ten yards away, behind a closed door. She probably thought Baz couldn’t hear her; but she’d forgotten to factor in her roommate’s enhanced vampire senses.

Baz tried--in vain--not to imagine the scene on the other side of the bathroom door. Everything about Sophie Snow was a scene. Her magic was explosive. She had no sense of discretion or subtlety. She was the lead actress in the catastrophe that was the world of mages. As far as Baz was concerned, she was an angel sent from heaven… And fuck, to think of the unholy, unholy things she was probably doing at this very moment.

The moaning spiked, drawing a gasp from Baz. Her attention entirely diverted from her books, she dumbly blinked at the bathroom door. X-ray vision--what she wouldn’t give…

Baz, without thinking, cupped her breast in one hand and stretched her head as far back as she could manage, closing her eyes and drowning in the noise. A tiny sigh parted her lips.

“Snow…” she whispered, nearly inaudible even to herself. Baz’ lips worried the empty air. “Snow, fuck…”

She squirmed a little in her chair, completely dead to everything else but her thoughts of Sophie, mixed with the beautiful sounds echoing from the bathroom.

Baz was dancing on clouds--she was practically high. And when Sophie finally peaked with an ill-repressed shriek, Baz was dizzy. Dead gone.

When Sophie emerged with a red face and tangled curls, Baz sat up and quickly leaned back over her homework. Trying to pretend that she hadn’t just heard her roommate/arch-nemesis cum, and especially pretending that she hadn’t liked it.

Out of the corner of her eye, Baz saw Sophie give her a once-over, like she was vaguely suspicious that she might have heard. What an idiot. After a few seconds of complete silence from Baz, Sophie shrugged and walked over to her own desk. Good. Let it stay that way--keep that distance, Snow. Then maybe the day I kill you won’t be quite as exquisitely painful.

*******

We don’t speak about the Incident, Snow and I. She’s under the impression that she got away with stealth-wanking, and I’m absolutely not going to let on that I know better.

Coach Marci has upped our practice hours, so I’m not in my (our) room as frequently-- thank Crowley. I couldn’t handle the dead minutes just sitting across from Snow, trying not to think about what happened last week.

I come back late now. I’m barely getting any homework done, and I’m always tired from football and from hunting. I feel myself spiraling into a queer sort of insanity… an inexplicable, sucking void of distance and indifference. Dana and Nia noticed within a few days--good girls, those two--but were distinctly unhelpful.

“You alright, Baz?” Nia said one afternoon during lunch.

I rubbed my temples. “Other than a raging headache, I’m just fine.”

“That’s all tosh, and you know it,” Dana piped up. She took another sandwich from the tray between us. “There’s obviously something the matter. You usually have the your Potions assignments done at least a week before they’re due. And when I asked for help on mine, you said you hadn’t finished.”

“I haven’t.” I growled.

“Something’s up. Is it the Families? Or Snow?”

“Shut up, Daniella.” I hissed, wincing at how close to the truth she had come.

Oh, how close. And oh, how far.

Every time I think about her--the way she winds her fingers through her glorious bronze curls when she’s deep in thought, how she laughs when Penrose tells a particularly sordid joke, the noises she made behind the bathroom door, all of it--every memory twists the knife deeper.

There’ll be that final battle. We’ll have to kill each other. (No.) (I couldn’t kill her.) (Not ever.) Or she’d kill me.

That’s how it’ll end: death at the hands of the only girl I’ll ever love. Of course. How else?

Every day I fall harder. And every day, it drives me closer to the end.

[prowling-symphonies]

Plot and Story Meme - Amaya Kuronoki

ONE PLACE

♦Cloudcall's Library: Faux stained glass lines the walls that are covered floor to ceiling with book after book. Two desks rest near the front, decorated in such a way that makes their patron obvious. Either way, when the two library's inhabitants aren't at one another's necks, it's a place of learning and refuge for any scholarly type. 

TWO VILLAINS

♦Katsurou Kuronoki: The father figure. The Lord of his land. It is foolish to disobey, and yet she had dared to do just that. While Amaya is no longer welcome to the Kuronoki family name, the imposing male ensures she does not forget this. After all, one should never forget their failures if they still live with them.

♦Nitah Nelhah: While not a 'villain' in the traditional sense, Nitah (twin sister to Amaya's fiance) absolutely has an antagonistic relationship with her. Egging one another on in the worst of ways (while occasionally managing to stand one another's presence), it's never long before one or the other is reminded that for better or worse, they can't force themselves to get along a majority of the time.<

THREE RELATIONSHIPS

♦Dreyah Nelhah: Engaged shortly after the liberation of Ala Mhigo and girlfriend of close to three years, the two didn't start off with rainbows and butterflies - instead, Amaya had declared them bitter rivals once the Sharlayan arrived at the Arcanist's Guild one fateful day in Limsa and wrested the respect she had fought quill and ink for since the day of her arrival. It had only managed to progress due to a rather drunken evening after a successful spelunking exhibition in the Coils deep below the ground. 

♦Rayna Malakar: One that had started a life on the streets as a sex-worker, their friendship was incredibly tenuous at best with Amaya refusing to believe they were anything close to 'equal.' It wasn't until they both realised how much they had in common with their pasts and experiences that they, against all odds, became thick as thieves.

♦Aritaka Kenshi: The one that would have been her husband; Aritaka is a man of noble upbringing who had grown up alongside Amaya. The two had stayed in touch through letters as best they could once the young woman had made her way to Eorzea for schooling, but eventually the letters stopped and he had received the news that she had called off their arranged marriage. While they two have not come back into contact yet, he is very well aware of her return to Hingashi and believes he can just as easily return them to what they were before.

FOUR ITEMS

♦A Book: The contents change with every day, but it is oft usually related to arcanistry, of ancient cities and cultures and magicks lost to the tide of time and to the hands of man.

♦Tea:She refuses to be found without a block of tea. One never knows when one may need a drink for either themselves or a friend and were she ever caught without, heads would have to roll.

♦Ink, quill, and paper: A scholar must always be able to take notes or write out their mind’s interpretation of their world around them. To make sketches of bizarre anomalies or to jot out quick messages to leave behind or send off as needed. 

♦Elixirs: To keep it simple: casting magic is exhausting and she isn’t above the siren song of elixirs and ethers. Not to mention being a fan of their soft clinking against one another in her pack.

FIVE CHARACTERS

♦Captain R’ayame Klynskyfwyn: The Captain of Cloudcall and one of the very few women that can get Amaya to do what she needs to do without too much fuss. The Au Ra holds fear and respect for the older woman and treats her as such (a majority of the time.)

♦Cecilia Falke:  Cloudcall’s resident bard and machinist, while the songs she makes are beautiful to listen to and she occasionally manages to get Nitah out of the library so Amaya can focus on whatever task is at hand by herself, she personally cannot stand the half-Elezen and wants nothing to do with her.<br>

♦Cilla Vheldi:  One of the two members of Cloudcall without the Echo - while Cilla is exceptional on the battlefield as another healer, Amaya typically finds herself having to work overtime whenever the Miqo’te manages to exhaust her resources which is, unfortunately, rather often. While they don’t seem to get along on the surface, the scholar feels a small need to protect the naive spellcaster.

♦Ae-ra Choi: A warrior and secondary samurai to Cloudcall’s ranks, Amaya views Ae-ra the lowest; whenever tasked with healing, she always manages to let Ae-ra feel the kiss of death draw ever nearer (Much to the dislike and chagrin of Ae-ra’s shinobi partner.) The two heavily disagree on political views and Amaya holds contempt that the other has somehow managed to retain her high societal bloodname. 

♦Sarangerel Dhoro: Monk and ‘team mom’ to Cloudcall, Amaya finds herself quiet around the actual mother of three. There’s an air of intimidation, and while the monk is prone to anger (and the dark side), there’s still a feeling of trust that the Raen holds for the older Au Ra.

SIX MOMENTS

♦The Arcanist’s Guild: One of the few reasons Amaya had embarked to Eorzea and why she’s so bristly in her nature. Taunted and humiliated for her scaled skin and perceived draconic or voidsent (one could never agree) features caused the teen to fight back and make them respect her. It worked, eventually, but the respect she had managed to successfully demand did not last for very long….

♦Dreyah’s Arrival: A Keeper of the Moon of Sharlyan descent, Dreyah was an exceptional Arcanist, managing feats a newcomer should not have been able to manage without breaking a sweat. The two (read: Amaya) decided to have a duel so that the younger woman could assert her dominance once more before getting completely trounced. It was then Dreyah Nelhah was dubbed her ‘Rival.’

♦A Day of Exploration and a Night of ‘Exploration’: A successful discovery. A day and afternoon of research and excited clamouring for the things they were finding. Dreyah and Amaya were getting along for the first time in years after the Miqo’te had invited her along to explore and that eventually lead them back to Amaya’s room back in Limsa, an expensive wine bottle on ice for celebration. Needless to say, another form of spelunking was had that evening; one that shaped and changed their relationship for years after, and the cause of Amaya being disowned from the Kuronoki lineage.

♦Joining Cloudcall: Two quirky mages with a mad desire to scale The Aery and a frazzled Keeper of the Sun-Roegadyn accompanied by five other women accidentally asked if they would like to join them as they made their way through. There was no going back after this for R’ayame, even if everybody involved may or may not regret it in the dead of night.

♦War - It Rageth On: An overabundance of Ravana’s aether signature lurched and coiled within Dreyah, causing a thirst for blood and a desire to kill. It wasn’t until it reached its peak and a slap before it all came to a head, causing the Miqo’te to succumb to an aether poisoning that threatened to kill her. Amaya spent fruitless days and nights searching for any form of cure to save the woman she loved until she had to turn to the help of a Garlean turncoat to achieve the answers she sought….

♦An Engagement: With sickness quelled, strength returned, and Ala Mhigo liberated, Amaya looks the summoner over for one last check-up. Dreyah had rekindled enough strength to aid in the liberation fight, but it was obvious she was still out of shape from her months of bedrest. The conversation that evening was deep, with real communication between the two about the feelings they shared for one another until, finally, an offer for Amaya to join the Nelhah family was offered (for the second time, in a more serious tone for the Au Ra’s benefit), and it was an offer the younger woman readily accepted.

SEVEN QUOTES

♦”Do you even know who I am?” 

♦”Dreyah, please!”

♦”Stand not proud, lest you lose it all.” 

♦”It isn’t because I want to heal you up, it’s because I must.” 

♦”Don’t-- don’t look at me like that. I know exactly what I’m doing.” 

♦”I can’t let them close. Any new soul in my life is just an ember waiting to be snuffed out.” 

♦”Keep your bloody pity! I want nothing to do with it! I don’t need it I don’t-- I just…. Why can’t I let me be myself around anybody?! I want to be loved!”

Tagged by: @jlaweez

Tagging: @eorzeansky @hellotheblackrose @xiou @within-the-rain @rhinra @mirridragontear-xiv (And whoever wants to attempt to chew on this one haha. If you’ve already done it and I missed it, throw me a tag!)

Blank Template: http://pastebin.com/rynGB3pR - http://pastebin.com/edit/BxXxfEPf

[ffxiv-zathorinsilverwood]

Because of Me, You Live

It had been twice now. Twice the pawn was sent to do the kings dirty work. Yet how could he rebel? The pawn was set in stone at this point, it angered him, but even then, nothing could be done.

“Mephios!”

The Elezen called out, sitting at his desk, a roaring fire in the fireplace behind him. Outside, the sky flashed with streaks of lightning. A storm had been brewing all day, and finally it struck. The door handle turned and in walked the hooded robed man, Mephios. The mysterious figure who had been a whisper in a certain Xaela’s ear, pushing him to let his anger take over.

“You called, Master?” The man said closing the door behind him. Even in the dimly lit room, the man still wore his hood, concealing his face. Locian looked up at Mephios with mismatched eyes, wearing a smile on his lips. “How goes the plan?” The Elezen asked curiously. Mephios stood still, keeping silent for a long moment before speaking.

“The Au ri is a lot stronger willed than expected. He has the sword under lock and key, no matter what words or threats are used, he still does not give it up. He keeps it with him wherever he goes.”

Locian clenched his hand into a fist for a short moment, narrowing those sinister mismatched eyes at the man. “I’ve sent you twice and still no results. You’re beginning to disappoint me, Mephios. I thought I could count on you.” Locian paused, lifting his right hand, palm up and open. “Or does my threat to you…” There in the center of the Elezen’s hand, a small figure appeared in purple flames, a figure of a small woman, an Au ri, resembling a past lover. “Hold no value anymore?” The Elezen snapped his hand closed, dispersing the flames into nothing.

Mephios gasped slightly, under his hood, his eyes widened slightly. “It holds everything to me! If you hurt her, I swear to the gods and all the devils in the void, I’ll-” Mephios was cut off by Locian standing up quickly, his voice overthrowing the man’s. “You’ll do what!? Huh!? You’re nothing without me! The only reason why you are back from the Lifestream, is because I allowed it! I am the reason you breath the air of this wretched world!! The man you hated because I surpassed you. I became better than you, and it angered you that I had gained too much knowledge of the dark magick arts. Well thanks to -my- knowledge...you breath life once again. And if you screw this up...I’ll take it away, and the one soul you bid more worthy than any other in this world…”

Mephios growled deeply, Locian could see his violet eyes dimly glow under that hood. The man threw his right hand in Locian’s direction, sending a medium sized fireball in the Elezen’s direction. Locian stood still, holding his right hand up in front of the fireball. The fire hit his hand, but remained still in the palm of his hand. Locian smirked, letting out a small bit of laughter. Mephios didn’t seem so surprised by this and threw a slightly larger attack at the man with fire. This one caught Locian, exploding along with the first attack. Flames engulfed the Elezen’s figure, but were quickly extinguished all around the room. Mephios gasped out of surprise, seeing that Locian was perfectly fine and he now held a very long slightly curved blade out to his side.

Locian stared at Mephios for a long moment with a sneer, letting out his signature evil chuckle that rumbled in his throat. “My old master, how times have changed. Do you forget? You’ve been dead for many years, allowing me to gain more and more strength as time passed. In more than one form. You can’t kill me, not now. You’re still too weak…”

Mephios stood still but staggered back moments after Locian stopped speaking. His hands moved to cover his face, gasps of pain left his lips as he felt a slicing sting across his face. His hood fell back, revealing his face. Locian had quickly slashed the tip of his blade across Mephio’s face. “You bastard…” Mephios said between pain filled grunts. Locian smirked again, turning the strange looking sword, point down to the ground. “This is the reason why you’ll do what I say, when I say, how I say. That simple cut across your face is childs play, anyone could do such a thing. No, I’ll make you and your loved one suffer, if you fail me again.”

Mephios glared at Locian for a long moment before reaching back to pull his hood over his head, his slightly bloodied hand lowered to his side. He took a deep breath and nodded slowly. “I will not fail.” Mephios then turned away from Locian and walked out, closing the door behind him. Locian gave another short chuckle, the blade of the sword seeming to disappear down to the hilt. “No you won’t. I’ll make sure of it.”