#maleus replies

[ryuichirou]

Replies

Some replies!

Anonymous asked:

I miss you on Twitter :( just want to let you know that, your art is great, I love it.

Ahh, Anon! This is super sweet of you. We really miss posting there every day too.

Actually, your ask is perfect in terms of timing because we did create a new account yesterday. We are still trying to get the old one back, so hopefully this is temporary. And we probably won’t jump straight to our usual daily posting, but still, some posts are better than no posts at all.

So for now, here is the link <3

Anonymous asked:

I am once again screaming, crying, throwing up, cu- about your maleus and sebek art. As always your work lives rent free in my mind and always a pleasure to look at.

HEHEHE Thank you so much, Anon!! <3 Very pleased to hear that.

I miss Sebek and Malleus! I miss everyone, to be honest, I should draw them more…

Anonymous asked:

I forgot to ask when the main story was updated, but what do you think of Sebek's grandfather?

We haven’t watched/read it yet, so I can’t say anything substantial; for now our main thought is “wow Koyasu” lol But his design is great, and I love his family resemblance with Sebek. Very excited to eventually learn more about him.

Anonymous asked:

*reply to previous anon*

I want a 6ft tall eel wee-wee inside me :(

(this is definitely the real idias account, trust...)

(meaning Anon from this post * )

Of course, this is very typical Idia statement to make, 100%!

[lavellanlove]

❤️❤️❤️ One for Avira, Maleus, and Katsuro!

“I feel bad for even saying it, but a part of me quite enjoys getting Hanin flustered. He’s just so composed and disciplined most of the time that it’s nice to be able to break through that, if only for a brief moment over a turn of phrase or a well-timed look.”

“I was so distracted by Ralon on that first trip to Wycome that I almost ran my ship up a shoal. One of my crewmates asked me what was wrong and I made up an entire tale about the currents to avoid confessing I was just staring at a man’s chest as his shirt billowed against it in the breeze.”

“If I’m interested in someone, I’ll go out of my way to think of or read about interesting facts to share so I have a reason to talk to them about it later. I am not wanting for partners, but feel somewhat awkward about planned courtship. I do better when it just flows organically from stimulating conversation.”

(re: ❤️ confessions)

[thereluctantinquisitor]

Seduction meme! Mal would want to show Cyrus off but wouldn't want to overwhelm him, so he'd probably ask him out for a night on the town: charter a carriage, go to a wine tasting, eat at a nice restaurant, then get desserts to go. Then he'd suggest the go for a walk - arm in arm if Cyrus was open to it, find someplace quiet to talk and enjoy their sweets and talk.

8/10 While Cyrus would be nervous about going out in general and screwing something up, Mal’s easygoing nature would probably set him at ease quite quickly. He’d feel pretty conspicuous going to a bunch of nice places, but that doesn’t mean he wouldn’t quietly enjoy being pampered a bit. Getting away from everything and just talking at the end would probably be the most relaxing part for him, and he’d be grateful for the change of pace.

[sols-actual-main-blog]

Oh yeah I haven't updated you about DnD for a while, oops, it will probably happen again.

Anway.

Meet the party!

- Azrui, a yuan ti rogue and anarchist who has a dark and dirty secret: she's a trust fund kiddie

- Maleus Steward, a tiefling warlock, who actually has a desk job and is out and about against his will because his work contract requires a practical adventuring year

- Morlen (it's pronounced Norlen though), a wood elf druid who spent the last 300 years just chilling in the woods after being exiled for a crime him didn't commit

(We used to have a fourth player in the first installment, a human fighter named Günther who was a woodworker looking for a little more in life, but due to scheduling conflicts, he is no longer part of the party and will only have one-off appearances as an NPC when time allows it.)

Highlights so far included:

- me making Mal's player laugh so hard he had to excuse himself for a moment to get his composure back after I told him that in the world of the game, a bunch of dragons gathers every thursday night to play a fantasy board game named Desks & Accountants

- M/Norlen's player breaking the game five minutes after learning the spellcasting rules in a way that made me want to tear out my hair (out of pride!) - wood elves only need 4 hours for a long rest, a druid has 2 Level One spell slots and the Goodberry spell; so he figured out he could just trance for 4 hours, wake up, spend two spell slots on 20 Goodberries, go back to trance for another 4 hours and then wake up in the morning with the others, well-rested, with two crisp new spell slots and 20 fucking Goodberries in his back pocket, no big deal [I might or might not be a little afraid of this player.]

- just... so many inappropriate jokes about "the other kind of dungeon" *wink wink*. SO. MANY. [that's what I get for playing with kinky people I guess]

- me bullshitting my way out of a minor worldbuilding "hole" in a truly glorious way - I off-handedly mentioned that Mal's cooking skills were 'edible, but not star-worthy', to which Mal's player replied (jokingly!) why there are Michelin stars in a world that doesn't even have car tires, and I improv'd my way out of that by explaining that the Michelin stars in this world have nothing to do with the real world tire company, but are named after Guy Michelin, a legendary rogue and swindler who invented the tavern guide to get free delicious food everywhere he went

I can't wait to see what these major chaotic bitches get up to next, not gonna lie.

[edda-blattfe]

Twisted Wonderland: Academic Headcanons pt.4

(Last of part of these headcanons, yay! Btw, I am up for taking requests if y’all have any.)

Pomefiore

Vil Schoenheit:

- Beauty is all that matters to this gentleman; shame the teachers can’t grade him on that. Vil’s grades are average, chemistry being the only exception, he is inexplicably talented in that particular discipline.

- Has mastered the art of multitasking, will study while also going through his morning routine; his textbooks may have a few smudges of eyeshadow or foundation along the pages. He’ll read through the chapter once, then go back and check on the terms. For chemistry, Vil will test the information himself in the lab. With Professor Crewel’s blessing, of course.

- All of his notes are written with the finest pen and in the most elegant cursive you will ever witness in the modern age; Vil claims it’s completely unintentional, but every compliment on his handwriting gives him an extra confidence boost (I can personally affirm that this does, in fact, happen, and it’s great). Each chapter has a heading to indicate the subject and terms are listed in a group dedicated to whatever that section of the book was discussing. His chemistry notebook has a periodic table drawn on the front cover and he keeps an ongoing list of formulas on the back.

- Is rather indifferent to study groups. There has to be a few conditions before he’ll accept; a) Leona can not be invited, b) gossip needs to be appreciated, c) he’s in charge of all experimentations, and d) Leona can not be anywhere near the location they’re meeting at. He’s not welcomed at the Heartlabyul study group due to his tendency to “constructively criticize” Riddle on his appearance and choice of decor.

- Prefers the show-and-tell method, assuming it’s chemistry you need help in. Vil will take position at the dry erase board, while you watch from the desks, answering your questions with flamboyant descriptions and a few visual aids. A firm believer in lab safety, he’ll insist you wear the appropriate attire. Expect to stay for the clean up. Over all, he’s a good tutor and knows how to simplify the lesson in a way you can understand.

Epel Felmier:

- Above average, but not so much that it catches attention. He’s a good student, but never calls attention to himself.

- Epel will usually read through the chapters a few times, and will make up little games to test his knowledge of the terms.

- His notes are short, to the point, and are written with a hard leaded pencil (the trail is light). There are small doodles of webs, plants, sometimes broken glass in the boxed off corners of his notebook paper. Occasionally he’ll write questions regarding philosophical arguments in the margins.

- He seems distant when socializing, which doesn’t give others the impression that he’d be fond of joining a study group. If anyone cared to ask, Epel would calmly accept the invitation. Most of the time would be spent merely observing the others while looking over terms.

- Like Ruggie, he wouldn’t enjoy tutoring you. Having him as a study budy might be a little uncomfortable at first, due to the lack of idle chatter. If you stick it out, though, you’ll come to appreciate the tranquil silence between you two.

Rook Hunt:

- Well, Rook is certainly not a boring student. He’ll often ask Professor Crewel if a substance is lethal; if anyone questions why he wants to know, he'll cheerfully reply with an unconvincing, "no reason." His grades are decent enough, and he always turns in his papers when they’re due, so it’s not like anyone can complain.

- Will flip through the chapter at the oddest of times, posing as if there’s a camera man hidden away somewhere. Sometimes he’ll take a page from Epel’s book and make some fun memory games....although, Rook’s games are rather-erm, unconventional.

- Refuses to use a notebook, instead he’ll write in the margins of his textbook or highlight the important parts. If he likes an underclassman, they might find one of his old textbooks conveniently left at the foot of their door.

- Also indifferent to the study group experience. If he’s required to study with someone, Rook would make an effort to get paired up with someone “beautiful”.

- Look, I’m gonna be honest. You should NEVER ask him for help, ok? Rooks idea of tutoring is putting an apple on your head and threatening to shoot an arrow at it if you get a problem wrong. He might be less severe if you’re a “beautiful” person, but really, is his knowledge worth the risk?

Diasomnia

Maleus Draconia:

- Valedictorian of his year, no doubt. Mal expects only the best from himself, and that’s exactly what he gets.

- Has a specific time and place in the Diasomnia common room, known as the “throne” to the members, where he’ll camp out with his textbooks, notebooks, and writing utensils. Everyone observers his study time, and will make themselves scarce before then. Maleus will typically page through the chapter, read it through, writes out everything he could recall from reading, then checks to make sure he got everything; afterwards he’ll look over his notes to solidify the information. Works every time.

- His notes look like a page out of a story book; everything is written in calligraphy, is evenly spaced along the lines, and the margins are adorned with elaborate decals. There’s a fountain pen that practically lives in his coat pocket just for taking notes.

- Most of his classmates are deterred by his intimidating aura, Other than Vil and the rest of the Diasomnia dorm, so he doesn’t get invited to study groups. Not that he minds, Mal is rather fond of his privacy.

- You actually had the courage to walk up and ask THE MALEUS for help? Kudos to you! He’ll recover from the initial surprise quickly and might actually agree as a reward of sorts. If you haven't visitedthe Diasomia dorm before, now is your chance. Mall will be lounging in his throne and insist you sit at the coffee table to remind you of your place give you something to write on, of course! He is a strict tutor and expects you to pay attention, refusing to explain anything more than once.

Lilia Vanrouge:

- Purposefully screws up his grades just to piss off the teachers. Everyone knows he could easily outdo Maleus, Lilia just doesn’t see the point in that. Besides, the look on Mozus’s face is worth it!

- No one has ever seen him study, not even Maleus. Some believe he doesn’t at all. He has yet to confirm this.

-Are those notes? No one can tell! Lilia writes everything in a language not found in any text in the library or on the internet. Maleus suspects it’s some ancient form of Sylvan, but even he is incapable of translating it.

- Lilia is well known for randomly popping into study groups without warning nor an invitation. He likes the look of utter shock on everyone’s face, along with their growing rage at his charming little insults. Before the volcano of unadulterated chaos bursts, he pops back out to only god knows where.

- The last thing you remember is the toothy grin on Lilia's face as you thanked that red eyed imp for agreeing to tutor you. Next thing you know, you’re smack dab in the middle of a mushroom ring at five a.m., cold sweat beading across your brow with no memory of the last thirty six hours. On the plus side, you know all of the answers to your next test! Worth it, right?

Silver:

- Silver is passing his classes, but that’s it. He’s not particularly driven to do well in school, his only goal is stay close to Mal until the right moment...whatever that means.

-Needs to study more often than he does. At the moment, Silv will only study when he can’t be by the side of the dorm master (So Mal’s mandatory study time is also his mandatory study time). He has terrible insomnia and will nod off while reading through the chapter.

- His notes are rather lacking. He’ll jot down some terms and their definitions but not much else. Some places have spot of drool from one of his unintentional naps.

- Refuses to join study groups after that one time Lilia drew on his face after he nodded off. Poor boy can never trust again.

- He’s not much of a talker, isn’t driven to study, and might nodd off in the middle of a conversation; there’s surely a better person to ask for help from?

Sebek Zigvolt:

- A straight laced student with the determination of a soldier, Sebek is determined to live up to Maleus’s example. He has a tendency to fall into a state of depression when he doesn’t do so well on his exams; Thankfully, he works hard to earn his good grades, so that isn’t common occurrence.

- He has a ruthless study regimen that soaks up a large chunk of his days. Sebek uses every study method under the sun to ensure his success.

- His notes are just as strict and obsessive as he is.

- Maleus-sama teach me your ways. Sebek is actually thrilled by the idea of joining a study group. Classmates working together to improve their academic careers is right up his alley! Too bad no one else appreciates his intensity.

- Don’t ask him to tutor you. Once you cross that line there is no turning back! Sebek will push you just as hard as he does himself, even after you fire him as your tutor! It’s kind of a sweet gesture when you think about it; he genuinely wants to help you succeed as a student.... Would be even sweeter if his methods didn’t push you to the brink of insanity; but what can you do, right?

[starlitfaery]

shiftxdxquilibrium replied to your post “Naughty lizard, evil reptile {I'm sorry, I'm having way too much fun...”

{I can't think of any more unfortunately, Maleus is safe for now}

i love my son

in the coming weeks do expect me to post Possibilities as to what the plot is, i just gotta decide which to post first

[saphylee]

Halloween Starter Options! 1) Syla, @Mal: “Do ghosts like Netflix?” (elfroot question lmao), 2) Avira, @Thel: “I paid $40 so I better die.”, 3) Tasami @Telah “Don’t eat all your candy at once!”

Halloween Sentence Starters | Accepting

Ugghhhh I love all of them! But I will choose elfroot-smoking Syla and Mal. hehe

Ghosts Like Netflix Too

Maleus Abano x Sylathi LavellanModern!AU448 words

“Do ghosts like Netflix?”

Maleus’ chuckle rumbled in his chest, tightening his armaround Sylathi’s shoulder, prompting her to wrap her arm around his waist. Theshow left a pale glow on their faces in the dark room, though Sylathi’s attentionwas on anything but the show. Her mind spun languorously, the elfroot’s aromalingered on her tongue, her skin warm, even more so where her body pressedagainst his.

“What brought this up, love?” Maleus replied, moving his armup to tuck her hair behind her ear.

Sylathi shrugged, giggling childishly. “Is it not a validquestion?”

He poked her cheek before resting his hand back on hershoulder. “You know there are no invalid questions. Just wondering where yourmind is at right now.”

“Up there.” She pointed to the ceiling with an outstretchedarm. “And over there….and there…and there.” She circled the living room withher arm, pointing at random fixture in the room: lamp, coffee table, thecurtains. “Everywhere,” she finished, booping the man on his nose.

Laughing, Maleus grabbed her wrist, and sliding his handdown to her waist, pulled her on top of him, laying along the length of thecouch. His golden eyes were warm as he gazed up at her. “You’re so sillytonight.”

Sylathi pouted, pinching his cheeks and stretched them out. “Youstill haven’t answered my very valid important question.”

Grabbing her wrists, he kissed the tips of her fingers, thenher palms. “What do you think?” he whispered, his breath warm against her skin.

For some reason, she blushed, curling her fingers. “I-I..well,I don’t know. That’s why I asked you.”

“You’re the mage. I would have thought you were more of anexpert in this matter than I.”

A smile played on her lips. “You’re Rivaini. You’re supposedto-“

“Rivaini mages communicatewith spirits. And I am not a mage,” Maleus gently corrected, arching a brow.

“Bah!” She retaliated with a kiss, her lips pleasantlybuzzing from the brief contact. “Just answer my question.” She dropped her headto his shoulder, her brow stealing the warmth from his neck. Somehow thespinning was worse with her eyes closed, but Maleus anchored her in with hisarms.

He hummed. “I think they do, depending on the type of ghost.Just because they’re dead, they shouldn’t have to miss out in the simplepleasures in life.”

She snorted, then mumbled, “I think that’s what being deaddoes, Maleus. They had their chance to enjoy Netflix while alive.”

“Unless they died over twenty years ago.”

Sylathi was silent for so long, Maleus must have thought shewas asleep before declaring, “Then they better pay their share of thesubscription.”

[pinklocksoflove]

brokenxuniverses replied to your post: Allow me to introduce Maleus Tractus. A Space...

At least he survives compared to the rest of the Chapter

“Shots fired. No fucks given”

[lavellanlove]

❤❤ One for Avi and Maleus

(re: ❤️ confessions)

Avira: “Thelrand’s cockiness used to drive me crazy. He’s clever, and knows it. A skilled warrior, and knows it. Handsome, and knows it. The only thing he does not give himself enough credit for is being a genuinely good and caring person. Every time I’ve gotten myself into trouble, he’s never hesitated to put himself on the line to get me back out. I’m…glad I saw that side of him.”

Maleus: “It’s nothing short of a miracle that Sylathi has any interest in me. Early on, I always felt like a fool when I tried to talk to her. Nothing felt like it came out right, and I just kept talking, and that only made it worse. I couldn’t even remember half our discussions because I was so busy kicking myself for what I’d just said! I am just relieved it all worked out!”

[lavellanlove]

For all three of the babes: at what point did you discover your sexuality, and if applicable, how soon after did you feel comfortable in sharing that information with others? Does everyone know or only close friends and/or family?

Avira: Truthfully, I don’t know what my deal is. I think men and women are both beautiful, but sex is…well, I don’t know. It’s complicated. I’ve done it, sure, and it can be pleasurable enough if done well, but under most circumstances, it sounds uninteresting, and in some, downright repulsive. Once in the two moons I will actively desire it, but the dynamics vary so much that I can’t even put a finger on why. Being emotionally close sometimes helps, but not always, and not every emotional bond carries desire. I once tried discussing it with the clan midwife. Concerned, she gave me a concoction of herbs to chew daily and bid me to make an offering to Sylaise every month. I think she meant well, but it made me feel like there was something wrong with me. Now, I think I’ve only hinted at it to those with whom I’m in a relationship.

(Note: Avira doesn’t necessarily have a good term for grey-asexuality yet, so this is her fumbling attempt to work through the confusion of it all.)

Katsuro: I suppose it was when I hit puberty. I knew I was attracted to men before I knew I was attracted to women, given the disproportionate number of them who came to train at the Fortress. I found my eyes occasionally lingering longer than they should on a man who was training. But after thinking myself gay for a number of years, I went out into the world and spent more time with people of other genders. As it turns out, I was capable of developing attraction to them, too. Although my experience of being attracted to men and women is very different, I enjoy both. I am sure my family knows, not that they care, so long as it is not a hindrance on my duties. As for everyone else, I do not make a point of publicizing my sexual orientation, but I am not necessarily hiding it, either.

Maleus: There isn’t really anything to tell, is there? I’m attracted to certain personalities and traits, and I don’t really think of that in terms of specific genders. Its been that way as long as I can remember, and it feels like the most natural thing in the world. Honestly, it’s quite normal in Rivain, so it was almost more of a surprise for me to learn that wasn’t the case elsewhere in Thedas. Regardless, there’s nothing to hide, so I’m fine telling whoever, especially in the South, since they might be feeling the same way but not feel as comfortable expressing it as I am.

(re: TMI Tuesday)

[lavellanlove]

What is Maleus' favorite kind of chocolate? Would he share his very last piece of it?

Maleus: I must confess, Orlesians know their chocolate. There’s a salted one I had there with a caramel heart that was simply divine. And absolutely, I would! I can always buy more. Besides, such pleasures are best shared, wouldn’t you agree?

(re: TMI Tuesday)

[lavellanlove]

TMI tuesday! For the trio: what was a major turning point in their lives? and Are they surprised at where they have ended up in the present, or was it relatively expected?

Avira: It would have to be when we fled the Alienage. Amaranthine was all I knew. There was a clear path ahead of me. I was to be my mother’s apprentice, going from just assisting her with healing and surgeries to having patients of my own. But having to flee, losing them both…it changed everything. Not just because I’d lost everyone I’d ever known, but because my goals had to change overnight. Everything I’d been working toward was lost, too. Mind you, the parallels between my story and my mother’s are not lost on me. If I believed in fate, I’d say we were simply not destined to succeed. And looking at all that’s happened since then, I think it’s safe to say no one would have anticipated that this is where I’d end up, leading one of the most powerful organizations in Thedas. But I feel that’s the nature of life. We cannot control the way things go; we can only control our response.

Katsuro: The Fifth Blight. As the culmination of my training, I was to lead a private army into battle against the Darkspawn. I had studied battlefield formations and tactics, but I quickly found that warfare in theory is remarkably neater and more clearly defined than it is in practice, and that wars between armies of men are an entirely different matter than men against Darkspawn. Men have honor, morals, conscience, souls. I witnessed much death, but found no glory in it, comforting as many find that narrative. Instead, war solidified my belief that it is better to live on to fight another day than to die a hero. To the extent that anyone can foresee the future, I would say I am at least within the margin of error. That, of course, is a function of the way I defined my expectations. Because my goal was so broadly defined – the acquisition of combat knowledge, following wherever that pursuit took me – it was much easier to adhere to than if I had settled on something more narrow.

Maleus: Running away from home. Hah! Makes me sound like an unruly child or something, doesn’t it? But that was the point when I finally took the helm and set my own course for my own future. And you know, it might not have even been the moment I ran away. At the time, I was too blinded by fear to see much else: afraid I’d made a mistake, afraid for my mother, afraid his men would come after me, and most of all, afraid of the unknown. And strange as it might sound, I missed my father, too. If I’m being honest, I probably cried for two weeks straight, trying to sort through all that. But once the tears dried, and I realized I was truly free, all I could see was this beautiful rush of possibility before me. I had spent so much of my life feeling doomed to follow in his footsteps. And even though I have traded much of the prestige and power that life promised, the life I’ve made is an honest one, one in which I can help people, one that lets me sleep at night. To me, that is worth every sacrifice I’ve made and more.

(re: TMI Tuesday)

[lavellanlove]

18. Just done something embarrassing (Katsuro), 9. When they want to be left alone (Maleus), 17. When they’re overwhelmingly bored (Avira)?

(re: Mannerisms Meme)

18. Just done something embarrassing Katsuro: flushed face, clearing throat, stammering speech, chin tipping down, avoiding eye contact, shoulders curled forward, neck stiff, lips pressed tight,  shifting posture, sweaty hands, racing, irritated by his own hair and clothes

9. When they want to be left aloneMaleus: knees drawn up to his chest, downward gaze, angling torso away from others, sweeping steps, aggressive movements, flared nostrils, clenched hands, lump in his throat, glaring daggers, snapping at others, watery voice

17. When they’re overwhelmingly boredAvira: answered here!

[thereluctantinquisitor]

“First off, nothing is on fire. Yet.” for Cyrus/team Avitar :P

A little hypothetical future-fic in the Avitar AU. In which Cyrus doesn’t want to leave the airship when they get to the Fire Nation, and the others attempt an intervention… (also malrus, because you know I am weak for them)

Maleus Abano, of course, belongs to @lavellanlove

“First off, nothing is on fire. Yet.” Cyrus glared around the group of people, all of whom were poised like he was a vase in danger of sliding off a table. Who the fuck did they even think they were, ambushing him like this? He hadn’t even done anything.

“Cyrus.” Hanin stepped forward slightly, singling himself out from the pack. Fuckers. He knew going with them on this bullshit adventure had been a mistake. “We’re… concerned.”

“About what?” Cyrus snapped. “That I don’t want to get off the airship? So fucking what. I can stay here if I want. They,” he jabbed a finger at Ralon and Tais, “always do. Why aren’t you giving them shit for it?”

He expected an insult from Ralon. A joke. Something. But the bastard just looked at him sadly, which only pissed Cyrus off even more.

“I am sure they meant no harm, Cyrus.” Maleus’ voice broke the tense silence, soft and concerned. It seemed he had just woken, climbing the stairs from the lower level. As usual, the man had read the situation quickly. “If you would please,” he continued, this time addressing the larger group. “There is much that needs to be prepared before you depart. It would be unwise to delay.”

It was obvious Hanin didn’t like the idea. Cyrus could tell by the way the man’s lips became thin and his shoulders stiffened. But when he made eye-contact and Cyrus just looked away, Hanin gave a quiet sigh. “Of course.” He turned and exchanged some low words with the rest of the gathering, and they dispersed like petals in a breeze, disappearing into the various rooms of the airship.

That left just Maleus.

Cyrus spared the man a brief glance before turning away, pretending to busy himself with the intricate paneling on the wall. “Good timing. As always.”

“What was all of that about?” Soft footsteps signaled Maleus’ approach. “Is… are you well?”

The cynical huff Cyrus gave in response was probably enough of an answer. But he expanded because it was Maleus. If anyone had even the slightest chance of understanding…

“It’s just… It’s been so long since I was last here. I don’t…” Cyrus shook his head. He had even been avoiding the airship’s windows. “I… always felt like a stranger in Republic City.”

He felt the corner of Maleus’ sleeve brush against him as he moved to his side. “And you fear you will feel like one again, even though you are home.”

It wasn’t a question. Cyrus nodded anyway, the movement small and uncertain. Ashamed. Embarrassed. “I just hate being this fucking ridiculous, Mal,” he said suddenly, reaching up and scrubbing his face with his hands. “It’s such bullshit, but I can’t… just the idea of walking out there and feeling nothing…”

This time Maleus reached out, resting a hand on Cyrus’ shoulder. “It’s not ridiculous,” he said softly, and Cyrus knew immediately where his mind might have gone. He kicked himself for his selfishness. “You don’t need to go, if you are truly against it. No one here will force you.”

Cyrus snorted. “Tell that to the angry mob.”

“They were not angry, Cyrus.”

“… I know.” This time, Cyrus turned to face Maleus fully. The man’s expression wasn’t pitying or sad. Just… patient. Understanding. He always was. 

Fuck, he deserved a lot better than this shit.

Suddenly, Cyrus reached out, snagging Maleus’ hands, holding them in his. He moved quickly not because he was trying to shock the other man, but so he couldn’t talk himself out of it.

“Come with me.” A pause. A nervous swallow. “Please.”

Maleus raised his brows, but only for a moment as he pieced together Cyrus’ request. “Of course. You know I always planned to.”

“I know,” Cyrus said quickly, heart stammering. What was he doing? “I just… wanted to ask you for once. Because you always do shit for me and I don’t want you to feel like I just… expect it. Or I don’t appreciate it. I do. So…” He trailed off, feeling like the most immense idiot to walk the face of the planet. Actually, even worse. His stupidity had also graced the air. 

Instead of attempting more words, he just squeezed Maleus’ hands slightly, hoping that would be enough to say what he could not trust himself to voice. I need you. I’m sorry for needing you. I want you to need me too.

Maleus squeezed back, the action almost firm. Resolute.

“I will always be there for you, Cyrus, whether or not you thank me or ask me for it. But…” The man smiled, releasing one of Cyrus’ hands to tip his chin up so they were seeing eye-to-eye. “I will not pretend it is not nice to hear it is… appreciated.”

Cyrus snorted softly, eyes flicking to the side. “Yeah well, more people should appreciate all the shit you do. Me most of all.”

He could practically feel Maleus soften the way he always did when he felt particularly touched by something. Spirits, the man was too much. You’d think Cyrus had declared him a saint, rather than just spoken the obvious. 

“That… is very kind of you.”

“No, it isn’t.” This time, Cyrus did look at him. Fully. Properly. He could lose himself in those warm brown eyes. “I… can do a lot better. This is just me… starting.”

He could do better. He would do better. Starting was always the hardest part for Cyrus.

But as Maleus beamed and pulled him in for a hug that could quite possibly solve all the world’s ills, Cyrus had to admit… this time it wasn’t really hard at all. 

[thereluctantinquisitor]

2, 19 or 25?

19. Sea change. I borrowed your Captain Boi because what better way to work sea change into a story than with a sailor?

Maleus Abano belongs to @lavellanlove. Cyrus x Maleus (Malrus).

Was this running away?

Cyrus reached up and scrubbed his face with his hands, the sway of the ship barely even registering as he stood on the deck of Samiha’s Sorrow. The Tourney, his father, everything was at his back. In the past. Done. He didn’t have to worry. Things were just… going back to how they were. 

Fuck…

“Cyrus?”

Maleus’ concerned voice should have startled him. Maybe, on a day where there was more of him left, it would have.

“I’m fine, Maleus.” Breathing out, Cyrus lowered his hands and let them hang limply over the railing. The sea breeze was cool against his skin. “I just… I don’t know.”

There was a pause. Then, soft footsteps signaled the Captain’s approach. As Maleus leaned on the railing beside him, Cyrus found it strangely difficult to resist the urge to move closer. Make contact. Something.

Maker, he was pathetic.

“You went there looking for change.” Maleus’ words were gentle. Honest without frankness. “With everything that happened, I don’t blame you for feeling…”

“… Like shit?”

Maleus cleared his throat. “I was thinking more along the line of unfulfilled... but yes. That also.”

Unfulfilled. Yes, Cyrus supposed that was one way of putting it. “I just thought this time I’d be able to walk away from him and feel like he’d actually got what he deserved. Of all fucking ways this could have gone, he just…”

Slowly, Maleus reached out and rested a hand on Cyrus’ shoulder. “As much as I wish it wasn’t the case, some changes cannot be forced. Hoped for, yes, but there is never any guarantee.” He paused, then added. “But other changes are in our reach. Those are still worth aiming for, Cyrus.”

Cyrus closed his eyes. He knew Maleus was right, but it just… 

It hurt.

“Thank you,” Cyrus said softly, just before the silence drew thin enough to snap. “For letting me… make a change. For a bit.” 

The boat swayed over the waves. Beside him, Maleus smiled softly. This was the moment when most people would see their chance to leave and take it. Cyrus was offering Maleus an easy out. They didn’t both have to stand out in the cold feeling sorry for themselves, after all.

“Of course, Cyrus. You are always welcome here.” His hand left Cyrus’ shoulder, and Cyrus closed his eyes. Waited for the receding footsteps. For the return of that careful loneliness he had grown accustomed to. He didn’t blame people for avoiding him. Maker, if he could avoid himself, he probably would. As far as company went, he wasn’t particularly good.

Something warm touched his hand. Just barely. Surprised, Cyrus glanced down and found Maleus’ gloved fingers gently resting atop his wrist. A sign of condolence. Companionship. Understanding. 

Affection?

Swallowing thickly, Cyrus glanced across at the man. Maleus seemed distracted, his gaze cast out over the tops of the gentle waves. Perhaps his mind had taken him somewhere else. Somewhere from his past. Somewhere that had caused him to reach out. Perhaps he hadn’t even realised he’d done it.

Then, Cyrus did something unexpected.

He didn’t pull away.

In fact, after a self-conscious pause, he took a quiet breath and leaned against him. Just slightly. Just enough.

Enough to remind both of them that they weren’t truly alone.

[lavellanlove]

🐬 Maleus

All that Glitters

Sylathi Lavellan ( @saphyremelodies​ ) and Maleus Abano(re: MerMay aquarium prompt) 

Calls on her work cell late at night were nevera good thing. 

At even the sharp buzz of her phone against herdresser, Sylathi sprung awake, using it as a light to dress. Was is that whalethat was due in a few weeks? She hoped not. The aquarium had heavily promotedthat new arrival, and should anything (gods forbid) go wrong, she didn’t likehaving to deal with bad press on top of her own mourning.

Listening on the drive over, Lahlas’ message wasvague, or perhaps just felt that way because she was tired. 

She tried to go in without expectations, andstill, this managed to defy them.

“Lahlas, that...is...a man. There is a grown manin my tank. Why is there a grown man in my tank?”

“The hospital didn’t have the...equipment needed.” Her boss pointed down the long, golden tail,made brighter by the glimmer of coins which had obviously been nestled betweenthe scales as a form of ornamentation. She barely had time to admire itsbeauty or ponder the implications when a tinge of bright red caught hereye, drawing her around to the other side with increased urgency andconcern. 

She gasped, clasping her hands over her mouthwhen she saw the damage: something had essentially torn half of his tail offlengthwise, taking one of the flukes with it and almost certainly damaging hisspine. 

“Surgery managed to sedate him for long enoughto stem the worst of the bleeding, but... he’ll never be able to swim again.”

Cautiously, she looked up at Lahlas, not likingwhere this was going. “Why did you call me here?” she asked, voicetrembling.

He gave her a soberlook, then sighed. “I don’t know what to do. By gods, I mean, he’s a person, but he can’t live away from the water and cantlive in it either. It seemed cruel to just keep him here suspended in a tank,so...

He wiped his face, clearly tortured by theweight of it given the uncharacteristic slump in his shoulders and the strainin his throat. “They were recommending we just...but I couldn’t bring myself todo it. Not if we could figure out any other way.”

She took in a deepbreath, the stakes steeling her resolve, then met Lahlas’ gaze. “I will find a way, or I will make one.”

“Don’t be scared,” she reassured, the merman (for lack of better word). He was just coming to after his anesthesia, restrained loosely in a shallow examination pool to prevent him from injuringhimself. “Do you...speak any human languages? I know a few...Common,Elvhen, a bit of Tevene...”

She spoke, and suddenly the man’s bright eyes,darting about in fear and confusion, rested squarely on her. “Did... wewin?” he asked.

Sylathi’s head cocked to the side. “Win?What are you talking about?” 

“The rebellion? Against the Terror of Rialto Bay? Did we win?”

She frowned sadly, trying to figure out if he was dreaming, or if she was. “I’m sorry, I don't know what you are talking about.”

His brow furrowed, and he took a moment to try to assess his surroundings. After a moment of clarity, he sighed, then seemed to be puzzling together another question to ask that might glean a more useful answer. “I know this is land, but how did I get here?” 

“The Coast Guard was called because someone spotted a man, you, floating in a mass of debris. They tried to seek medical treatment, but the hospital didn’t have tanks so they brought you here.”

‘Medical treatment’ seemed to spark something in him, because only then did he start checking himself, apparently not able to feel the injury.

“Careful, you’ve-” she started, but before she could finish he caught sight of it, letting out a horrible scream.

“Oh tides! Oh gods! My tail!” His hands frantically reached towards the missing side of his tail, tugging desperately against the restraints. He was sobbing between panicked breaths, experiencing his own tears for the first time in the open air. He tried to move, and then the second, more painful realization hit him: “Why can’t I move my tail?!”

Sylathi’s heart bled for him. Not being able to even tell him the cause, having no way to reach any family he had for support...

She didn’t even think before she removed the restraints, reaching down into the pool to give him a hug. She held him there, half underwater herself, and gradually she heard his arms lift out of the water and felt them hesitantly, then desperately, hugging her back.

Finding a way to help him - who she learned was called Maleus - soon occupied her every waking moment. She wrote every scientist in the adaptive tech field she knew, asking for assistance building a prosthetic that would meet his needs. She visited with him as often as she could, listening to his stories, amazed by all his travels and that he knew almost every language and legend in Thedas. When he felt up to it, they tried to work up his strength in the hopes of being able to test a prosthetic in open water.

Heartbreak after heartbreak, they tried and failed, the prosthetics incapable of restoring what was lost. And even if one could restore his ability to swim, a prosthetic could never make up for the loss of his pod, his family, his friends: all who had perished in the clash. He had no way to reach them, but he felt it in his bones. All this work, all this effort, just to go straight back to into the Talon’s clutches. 

Some days, he wondered if any of this was worth it. What he was even fighting for. But he was reminded again every time Sylathi returned. Her persistence, her tenderness, her unwavering kindness, eyes bluer than the bay and spirit brighter than all the treasure sunken within it. For her, he would keep at this. For her, he would succeed. For her effort, for her devotion, for saving his life...he could never fully repay that debt, but he felt he at least owed it to her to try.

It was over two years and thirty surgeries later that they finally discovered a breakthrough: lyrium-infused sylvan, crafted by dwarves and elves in collaboration, that would respond to one’s will like a real limb could. Sylathi brought him the news excitedly, though it was selfishly bittersweet, knowing this meant she might never see him again. 

He seemed elated, so she was happy for him. But she would miss his smile, that contagious laugh. His stories, his counsel, his friendship. Eating takeout food together every night, introducing him to TV shows and movies, their many inside jokes - day by day, he had become one of the most important people in her life.

She waited outside the recovery suite for word that he was ready for visitors, peeking her head in before entering. 

“So...how’s the new tail?” she asked, eager to see the fruits of all their hard work.

He met her eyes with an uncertainty that made her nervous. “Mal, what’s wrong?” She took his hand. Squeezed it. “Whatever it is, you can tell me.”

“There is no tail,” he finally said, looking away. “I’m so sorry. I thought I wanted it, I know you wanted it, and you worked so hard, but...I just couldn’t go through with it.”

“Don’t be,” Sylathi immediately reassured. She regarded the length under the blanket with confusion. “But I don’t understand...you still had surgery.”

He took a deep breath, mustering the will to look back up at her. “You said the sylvanwood could be shaped and enchanted to respond just like a real limb. But the more I thought about it, the more I realized that what I want isn’t to go back to the sea-”

He lifted the sheet, revealing two sylvanwood legs. He flexed and pointed the toes experimentally before turning to face her more fully. “It’s to be able to stay here. Build a life. Here with you.”