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kimageddon · 2 years ago

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A Prince of Dathomir - Chapter 103

Maul x Nightsister OC (Zaiya Valessa) - Slight Canon Divergence - Prince of Dathomir Masterlist

Word count: Approx 3700 Contains/Warnings: blood, reliving trauma, wounds, panic attacks, threatening behaviour and an unhinged droid. Chapter Summary: Maul, Zaiya and Venn make it to the station… and meet someone unexpected. Notes: I'M BACK BABEYYYYYYYY!!!! You may have noticed I took an extra week. My apologies but I was in a bit of a state after the trip back and while mostly good, a lot of it was very stressful! >.< I am back now however. Second thing you may notice is I am posting this chapter on Sunday and not Monday. There is a reason for that which brings me to an:

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT

During my time off I had a lot to think about ant to assess when it came to my life and the way things are going and how things are going to get significantly busier in the foreseeable future for me. Not to worry, I am not abandoning APOD, but I am however having to drop my update schedule to once a fortnight instead of once a week. This is for two reasons: One - to avoid burnout, I was really starting to struggle for a while there. Two - to give me time for other projects and activities. I will probably have more of a social obligation soon with the new appointments and recommendations. I also, am planning of writing a book. Or rather I am writing it. Sins of the Father I eventually want to turn into my own novel and I have decided I need to work on it more diligently and really get cracking on the story. So going forward, I will be posting on Sunday nights (Sydney time) one week will be APOD and the other will be Sins. It should ease my workload as I have also been doing commissions in regard to my artwork and I am always hoping to improve in that regard. (More at the end!)

Junked - Part 1

The rest of the journey was far more than awkward and Zaiya spent the majority curled in the cockpit and trying to rest, though not fully allowing herself to sleep. It seemed every time she had a moment to sleep lately, she was interrupted --whether by nightmares or Maul. The last two days she hadn’t minded, having been as insatiable as he was.

She hadn’t even known that side of herself until he had unlocked it. It was also becoming increasingly difficult to be able to lock that part of herself up again. Every time she looked at him she was reminded of those soft expressions and affectionate words he’d been so free with, and the moments she’d felt the galaxy around them fall away into bliss.

How was she supposed to come back from that?

The cold manner he now regarded her with was jarring in comparison. It hurt to look at him. Better then, to sit in the cockpit with her knees drawn up to her chest with her eyes closed. That way, if he decided to grace them with his presence she would not have to see him at all. Currently he was in one of the side rooms, probably meditating. Part of her hoped he stayed there.

“We’re coming up on our location,” Venn said and Zaiya opened her good eye. With a quiet sigh she unfolded herself in the seat and tapped a few buttons in which to assist her friend as they left hyperspace. The blackness of regular space surrounded them and the orb of yellow and green hung before them in the distance. The planet was tiny in comparison to others, more of an asteroid with atmospheric domes than anything. It was a traders port, where sentients would sell exotic plants, species and in their case, droids and ships. It wasn’t the most affordable place, but Venn said they had someone that owed them… and Zaiya didn’t want the details. Despite Venn being more than willing to give them.

She watched as the planet grew larger in the viewport and she heard the door slide open, the oppressive presence that was her Lord -- full of rage and bitterness -- stood at her back. She felt herself getting annoyed and even angry, Venn had told her she didn’t deserve to be treated like this; and while she perhaps was not in full agreement, she did however agree that something needed to change.

He either needed to have it out and fight her as they had done in the past or… or perhaps banish her completely. At least then there would be an end to it.

Even if a deep pit opened in her chest as she thought about it. After everything… could she really accept that? Would she be able to walk away? Or would she rather he take his lightsaber and drive it through her chest instead.

It might hurt less if she chose that option.

Either way, something had to give. The tightening of her throat from her own anxiety was enough to drive her mad. With a frown she did her best to push it down and away as they came in on the docking bay.

The hangar was wide, cobbled together from various parts, as was the entire station, all built from recycled ships, scrap and reused pieces. It was rather ingenious, though it did look much like a trash heap at first glance. It was a great place to trade items inconspicuously.

Zaiya had visited only once before, and it appeared to have accumulated even more junk since the last time she’d been there.

“Alright, follow me!” Venn said, their tone was light, but there was a significant shift in mood from before. Likely due to Maul’s attempted murder of the Iridonian. Zaiya knew she had to separate the two sooner rather than later. The word ‘behave’ was not in Venn’s vocabulary.

He moved like a menacing shadow that seemed to loom over her shoulder. Maul’s mood was equally foul and she was rapidly running out of patience. The sooner they got this ship, the better. She could feel something swirling in the Force within him as well, and while it nagged at her, she was still far too on edge to pay it much mind.

They passed a few smaller places, the plan was to fetch the droid after they had procured a ship, and Zaiya was distracted by a vendor off to one side as Venn grabbed some supplies of their own. In her effort to focus anywhere that was not her Lord, she failed to notice the figure approaching rapidly from her left.

[Mistress!]

Zaiya vaguely heard the call but did not think it was for her as she traded her credits for the item she wanted. An eyepatch. Relatively plain and in black, she slid it over her head and her braid, then began to replace her hood.

[Mistress!] the electronic voice buzzed louder now. Which sentient wasn’t paying attention to their droid? [Mistress!] That was loud, and right by her ear! Her head snapped up to glare, only to realise the droid was speaking to her.

“What?” she asked with a start. The ocular implants of the droid seemed to shine happily. She didn’t understand why it was here. For a moment she just stared back at it until she realised she recognised the tall humanoid-shaped machine. It stood tall, and was badly scuffed now, the black paint job was significantly damaged.

“Sixy?” she asked with a tilt of her head.

[Yes Mistress!] it said brightly, there was far more intonation in its modulator than she remembered. [It is a relief to see you again, I feared you had perished like the Master.]

“Lieutenant, what--” Maul began in a rough tone as he approached but stopped as he laid eyes on the droid. Zaiya looked over to him, his eyes were locked onto the droid and… he didn’t seem pleased.

In fact he stood there with wide eyes like he’d seen some sort of nightmare. Maybe he had.

[Master!] Sixy wobbled toward the crimson Zabrak on its damaged leg, one of them was certainly not its original model. [I had thought you were dead!]

Maul stared at his former training droid with apprehension. He did not take his eyes off it but he did reach out in the Force. Looking for something.

“How is it you have come to be here?” he asked slowly.

[It is a long and strange tale, Master, but after your mission I was left in the training facility for some time. Eventually I must have been deactivated as I reactiated in a strange place. My memory banks had been wiped but eventually I began to recall our training, and the Mistress!] Zaiya stood on the other side of the droid, inspecting its grease-covered face.

“How is this possible?” Maul sounded disbelieving, it was not heard of for a droid to be able to regain their memories unprompted. How was it possible?

Then Zaiya realised.

“The spell,” she whispered.

“What?” Maul snapped, his eyes darting to her. If she didn’t know any better she might have thought he was afraid.

“Before our last mission, I was rewiring Sixy's chassis, I… may have used magick to aid me. it seems to have had more of an effect than I anticipated, I had meant to make him better able to protect you from Sidious,” she explained and felt his anxiety spike in the Force.

“Did he send you?” Maul hissed to the droid. “Did Lord Sidious send you to find us?” Zaiya slowly looked at him. To anyone else he would have seemed angry, impatient. But to her there was something beyond it.

[No, I was not sent by anyone. I have been on this station for several galactic standard cycles, but I knew that I would find the Mistress again!] His expressionless head turned to her, [Mistress, I am most grateful to have regained my memories, but please do not be so invasive with me again. I am distressed to hear I was interfered with.] Zaiya frowned slightly, since when was he so emotive?

“Sure…” she said, sounding slightly confused, had her spell done all this? Or was it the result of a faulty memory wipe? Sidious would not have been so careless as to not fully wipe the droid’s databanks, it had to be the spell.

“I thought we were looking at droids after we found the ship?” Venn’s voice interrupted as they trotted over, they gave Sixy a once over and frowned. “Really? You want this one? It looks like a walking scrap pile.”

[I will not tolerate your insult!] Sixy said, suddenly and aggressively, outstretching an arm as if to grab at Venn’s face. They jumped back and Zaiya instinctively stepped forward.

“Sixy stop!” she demanded. The droid calmed at once and in a far softer voice said;

[Of course, Mistress. Do you know this creature?]

“Yes,” Zaiya nodded, “they are a friend of mine.”

[Hm.] Zaiya looked at Venn with a sigh.

“Venn, this is Sixy, it was once Maul’s droid,” she explained.

“Yyyyeaaahhh…” Venn said very slowly, lowering their arms from their defensive position. “I see the resemblance.” They looked between Zaiya, Maul and the droid, likely regretting answering her call at all. “Anyway, Dran will have the ship you need, he’s just down here--” they pointed down the way toward a large opening, Zaiya could only assume it was a hangar and their destination.

[I know that vendor, I can assist!] Sixy chimed in and powered off in that direction. Zaiya just watched him go, wondering where the droid’s current owner was.

“And I thought this day was already weird,” Venn scoffed, “c’mon, let’s go get your kid.” They followed the droid, leaving Zaiya to stare at them like they'd grown a second head. Venn wasn’t the only one having a weird day. She headed toward the hangar and Maul too was an ever-present oppressive feeling in the Force. Relatively passive, but on the inside was something frantic like a bag of angry snakes. Something was going on with him.

She reached the area, only to find the Twi’lek that was apparently Dran, backing away with hands raised from the training droid. He had a broad frame and bulky arms, his face seemed conventionally handsome, and there was quite a bit of scarring on his arms. Zai could see why Venn might like him, from what they’d said, the Twi’lek ticked a lot of boxes regarding their taste. The alien did nothing for Zaiya however. She watched him back into a large durasteel hoist frame and smirked, he seemed terrified of Sixy.

“Keep back!” Dran cried, waving an arm at the three sentients. “The droid is crazy, it’s malfunctioning! Keep away from it!”

[That does not answer my question,] Sixy said in a firm tone, it had its hands outstretched toward the vendor rather threateningly. Zaiya tilted her head and stepped closer, confused by the Twi’lek’s reaction.

“To whom does the droid belong?” she asked with a frown.

“It- it doesn’t belong to anyone, when it arrived here they said it just went mad, killing people… it only stopped because they got a restraining bolt on it!” Dran warned. Zaiya raised a brow, they just let the droid walk around with no one in control of it? Even when it was apparently so violent?

“Sixy will you step back from the Twi’lek please?” Zaiya said with a calm voice.

[Yes, Mistress,] Sixy immediately lowered its arms and took two small steps backward. Dran’s eyes widened and darted between her and it.

“You’re its mistress?’ he gasped, “That means you’re gonna take it away, right?” A glimmer of hope in his gaze. Zaiya looked him over before answering.

“That depends,” she replied, folding her arms.

“On what?” Dran muttered hesitantly. Zaiya’s monochrome lips became a feline-like smile.

“On whether we get the ship we need.”

----

The Twi’lek seemed more than pleased to assist them, no inane questions or displays of cowardice. Maul was indeed on edge. The scrap everywhere, the loud sounds of industry in the hangar, and the wide space beyond, located within a shielded bubble. It was full of the grinding of metal, the smell of grease and tibanna, the heat from the welders. It was too much. Too familiar, too painful. He had spent just short of two years trying to be free of the memories and the madness of Lotho Minor.

Now he felt like he was back there.

Zaiya was distracted with the droid and the Iridonian and procuring a ship. She did not see his anger and feelings. These thoughts and feelings he did not dare name. He was not afraid. He would not panic. He was trained to be the one to make others afraid, not be the one to feel fear. He had conquered it! He would not succumb to it now.

He did however need to get out of here as quickly as possible.

Movement had his yellow eyes flick over, seeing Venn’s arm slide around Zaiya’s shoulder, watching her just accept it. Like the clone on Kamino. Too close, too personal. She slid from the smuggler’s grip but it had already sparked a thought in him

He remembered the depths of that labyrinth, so dark and miserable. The madness clawing the inside of him, trying to rip its way out and tear him to pieces as it did so. For a time he thought he’d been there forever, that he would be there forever.

Then he remembered the song. The light in the darkness that called to him when he didn’t even know his own name. She’d come for him. She too was wounded and scarred and yet she had come for him. Maul watched her as she inspected one of the ships and his teeth grit. She had been different when he’d woken from the tank on Kamino… and she had stood between him and the smuggler when they had dared to insult him and threatened her.

After the last two days he had thought she might understand. But the way the Iridonian was with her. The threats… were they going to take Zaiya away? Was this what he was witnessing?

He’d had the thought that he didn’t need her. That she should leave. He’d been trying to convince himself of that for the last several hours. But it made his chest tighten and a lump form in his throat. He couldn’t.

Was she going to leave him behind? Abandon him like his master had? It was only a matter of time, really. Yet…

[Master, your breathing has increased and your heart rate indicates a high level of stress,] TD-66 spoke, breaking away from the other two. Maul scowled, but he found he could not bring himself to speak. He dared not let them see him like this and turned away, his face hidden by his hood, though he just looked angry as usual.

He felt a familiar calm reach out to him in the Force and a tendril of her presence touched him. That did it. His hand grasped the side of the table beside him and a crate full of tools crashed to the floor. The other hand reached for his lightsaber, the anger in him boiling up.

A second later he felt a firm grip on his wrist. Zaiya positioned herself to block him from looking out to the rest of the junkyard, or from anyone seeing him. She held his wrist from grasping his weapon and squeezed gently.

“Sire,” she whispered, urgency in her voice, her lips brushing his cheek. He let out a strained sound and tried to push her off, but he found he couldn’t move. His breathing was laboured and his other hand gripped the front of her vest tightly. Her second hand came to rest at the base of his throat, a gentle, grounding touch.

“Breathe with me,” she whispered, and began taking slow, measured breaths, in and out. He did his best to match them, listening to the sound of her own.

A vision formed in his mind and he could see a younger and unscarred Zaiya running along a much smaller Venn. Why was he seeing this? They looked frightened, searching desperately for something.

“Are you alright?” Venn asked, their voice strained.

“‘M fine, you were the one they went for…” Zaiya replied with a rasping tone. She didn’t sound well, and Maul moved closer, seeing that she had a hand over her shoulder -- she was bleeding! Despite it being a memory, and clearly Zaiya had recovered, Maul could not help but feel his chest tighten.

He didn’t like seeing her wounded.

The two made their way to a small alcove and hunkered down, the sounds of blaster fire and shouts getting closer.

“You should go,” Zaiya whispered, “Adaji’s on his way, you should hide until you get the all clear.” She sank against the wall of their little corner, her expressive face contorted in pain as she rested against the wall. The young Nightsister held her hand over the wound and the other reached for a blaster at her hip, though her movements suggested the blaster was too heavy for her to even lift.

Maul waited for the Iridonian to abandon Zaiya, leave her there like the coward he knew them to be. Venn however surprised him, and sat beside Zaiya.

“I’m not leaving,” they insisted and took up a small pouch at their belt with what looked like a very basic first aid kit. “You took a shot for me. No one’s ever done that before. No one… thinks much of me. But you do. So I’m not leaving.”

“I didn’t do it so you would help me, I did it so you wouldn’t die,” Zaiya chuckled with a slanted grin. She had a waxy look to her face and Maul wanted to reach through the dream to do… something.

“Well, I’m not gonna die and neither will you,” Venn insisted. They opened a bacta patch and tugged Zaiya’s collar aside to press it onto her skin. She hissed as the cold gel touched the tender wound but remained still.

“You might if you stay here,” she said and gripped her blaster tighter, though her expression seemed less strained.

“No way, we’re gonna patch you up and you’re gonna be fine!” Venn’s voice sounded wobbly, like they were emotional, and as Maul looked closer, he realised they were misty-eyed, the child must have been terrified.

“It’ll be alright, if they come this way, I’m a good shot--”

“No! I’m not leaving!” Ven cried. “You’re my only friend and I am sticking with you! No matter what!”

Zaiya’s mouth opened to reply but the sound of blaster fire sounded down the hall. Venn launched themselves against Zaiya and did their best to shield her with their body. The Dathomiri woman in turn raised her own blaster and aimed into the opening. Grim determination marring her youthful features.

A second later an armoured warrior -- a Mandalorian in black and orange armour -- appeared.

“Kid! You’re alright!” Maul recognised him as the one Zaiya called Adaji Treshan, and it was he that swooped in and brought the two teenagers with him, telling them they were safe now and they could be tended on the ship.

With that, the memory faded.

After several minutes, Maul returned to the moment and concentrated on her touch; the movement of her chest rising and falling where his hand gripped her shirt, his grasp slackened and he felt the levels of the strange feeling subside. He’d never felt anything quite like it, not since he was very small. He refused to name it.

“I didn’t put it together, sire, I’m sorry.” She spoke gently in his ear, her tone so warm and soft. “I didn’t realise how a place like this might affect you.”

“I am not affected,” he sneered, and moved to pull away.

“Should I leave you?” she asked suddenly. He stopped and looked back at her. “Should I leave your side?”

“I should say yes…” he muttered. He admitted it, she weakened him. She made him feel things he had never imagined and he craved her far more than he had cared for or wanted anything. “But I cannot.” There was a long pause. “Do you wish to go?”

“I would rather carve my still-beating hearts out, sire.” He looked up and met her eyes with a hard look. She meant that?

Suddenly he pulled her in by the waist, speaking low in her ear, shame burning him to speak the words.

“Do not leave me,” he breathed. “As your Lord, I command it.”

“I will never leave your side, sire. Even if you are ashamed of me, will still stand by--”

“What?” he asked, confused. “Ashamed? Of you?”

“You put distance between us,” she said plainly. “I understand it, you would not wish to be seen with someone like me--” he cut her off again, this time with his mouth slanted on hers, dragging her in and holding her tightly. He kissed her like he needed her to breathe.

How could she think he was ashamed of her?! She truly did not know how agonising it was to not touch her like this? How having her close was so soothing and comforting? Was it not obvious what she did to him?! It took all his inner strength to not pin her to the table right there. He pulled back slightly, a hand to her cheek, and pushed the eyepatch aside to look into both of her eyes.

“I put distance between us because--”

“HOLY MOTHER OF KRIFF!”

Oh kark it to the Void… He’d forgotten Venn was there. He shot a glare in their direction and then the expression softened as he looked back at Zaiya.

“We shall discuss it later,” he said quietly.

“Yes sire,” she replied in a breathless voice that nearly made him shiver. He had to pull away before he lost the last shred of control he had. The dregs of that awful feeling lingered, but he felt infinitely better. She wasn’t leaving. She wasn’t abandoning him.

“Kriff that was hot,” Venn said with a low whistle, approaching Zaiya. “That zabrak is the luckiest bastard in the galaxy.” He heard Zaiya scoff, but for the first time, he might actually agree with the smuggler.

Notes: Well well well! Look who it is! I hope you all liked today's chapter, it was a bit of a cliffhanger last time, but things are looking up for these two lovelorn fools! …Let's see how long it stays that way, hm? And what was he going to say???

Thank you for everyone who has stuck with me over the last year or so, and I know there are new readers all the time so welcome welcome! As always I appreciate you all very very much! I think you're all great and if you can, please consider a like, a comment or sharing this story with another SW fan! I think you guys are the best! I hope you are all doing well!

See you next week for Sins! <3

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feliks-the-cat · 3 years ago

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Some News

Hello, I was hesitant to post this on here but I decided that maybe the experience we are going through can help others who are having the same situation.

About a 2 months, I took Feliks in for an abscess on his back, which I figured he got when he snuck out and got a nice slapping from out other cat. He had a pretty swollen lymph node and so he got an antibiotic injection. The sore healed but the lymph node didn’t go down.

A week later I took him in because his breathing was quick and shallow. After looking at him and taking an x-ray, the vet told me that he needed to be put down. Just from the x-ray alone it turned out he had Mediastinal Lymphoma. I took him home that night and we spent the next day together, he got to do what he wanted and all that stuff. Two days later we took him in and we saw a different vet. We were planning to have him euthanized. It was sudden, and remember, he is young.

This vet told me she was going to try to drain fluid out of his chest, if it’d work we could try to send it to oncology (if we got him breathing properly again). She was able to remove 1/4 cup of fluid from his chest. It got sent to an oncologist, and she also gave him a steroid shot. By the next day he was running around like you’d never know he was sick.

The oncology report came back and he does have cancer. So we decided it’d be in his best interest to try Chemotherapy. So far so good and he is doing almost (too well) at least in present. His second Oncology visit is this coming Monday. He only has to go once every three weeks. We’ll find out how his first batch is handling in him.

This form of Lymphoma, in 80% of cases, is caused by exposure to Feline Leukemia. This is a viral disease that there are vaccines against. Feliks was vaccinated when I took him for his first vet visit. He’d had a negative test too. The vet is unsure about why he has this form of Lymphoma but suggested he may have had Leukemia as a baby, then ‘healed’ it out of his system to test negative. It has a very poor prognosis but life can be (with good quality) extended with treatment.

So I want to explain why we opted to go through with Chemotherapy. I’m not really one for putting my animals through unneeded stress.

- Feliks loves to sit in his crate and go on car rides. This was the biggest decider in if we were going to go through with this, as the oncologist is about 45 minutes away one direction. Most cats will not handle being in a crate. Fortunately, he loves it. If he hated it, sadly he would not be with us anymore. He actually doesn’t mind the vet, either. I assume this has to do with having been there when he had his mauling before I got him.

- Cat Chemo is not like people Chemo. Cat Chemo is far less than what they will give to a human (in ratio). Humans can understand why they are getting so sick but a cat cannot. The goal with animal chemo is to slow down or even stop the symptoms from getting worse. Most cats will go into remission but most cats will relapse over 6-24 months.

- He is one years old. So far during his treatment he has gotten to kill something, play, and live life. I’m trying to get him to experience so many new things before his time runs out.

- I can afford it. No, I am not asking for money or aide. So please don’t think that from this post. This is fairly expensive. It’s about 250-300 USD per oncologist visit. It can go up and down depending on other tests.

- He’s handling it well. Actually the steroid has given him unbelievable strength and he is too difficult to hold down to give his pill. But he is acting like a normal one year old cat with too much energy now.

- On top of Chemo we’re giving him herbal supplements (Life Gold). This does not work alone. Most of the 1* reviews assume that it’s a cure. It’s not. It’s like a super dose of vitamins and other things to help with antioxidants, free radicals, and offers things like Ginger for stomach aches. We might start CBD too.

So I wanted to give an update. This is not happy news but it is... in a sense. Considering a few weeks ago I was under the idea I’d have to put him down right then and there. I’m thankful for everyday with him. He’s been through so much but he’s so happy and silly. I took this picture above, yesterday. If you have any questions and gone through something similar you can send me a message.

#tw cancer #tw bad news

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athousandmorningss · 3 years ago

Photo

I’ve been meaning to write, but the excessive verbiage of “I” and “me” seems exhausting-- born of a kind of weariness of my own singular perspective.

Today is my man’s/my husbannnnd’s birthday. He insists on a non-birthday, in direct contrast to the weekend casino getaway & day of celebration we had in April for me. Differences, always.

He woke me today with a smile, a tongue between shaking legs, and some fierce dicking. I thought it was your birthday, I said. Hallelujah.

I’ve been eating Bibimbap as breakfast for the last few days: seasoned beef with sauteed spinach, white rice, cucumber, carrots, a fried egg topped with red chili sauce. The above is a demonstration of how the same thing can be enjoyed in different ways: with or without sesame seeds, with an egg fried a minute or two less over heat so that the insides spill out to touch the rice, carrots heated with green onions or both ingredients added raw to the bowl instead.

---

I’ve given up coffee after well over two decades of drinking it. My stomach and anxiety thank me. When I do order it at a cafe, I am slow to decide what I want, as it feels like (because it is) a treat to be savored. I’ve tapered off on my excessive red wine drinking, and drinking in general, as it was becoming clear to me a dependency was forming and could in future take hold to be something more. It’s easier to wake up in the morning and my gastritis seems healed.

----

Exiting the PhD has proven difficult. I’ve been applying for jobs since last December, and have submitted upwards of 20 job applications. All for things I’ve got direct experience with, or could transfer my skills easily for: adjunct instructing, student support, tutoring, college essay writing preparation, student retention positions. I’ve had one interview but mostly, not calls, no nothin’. Might have to quietly do one more semester so that I can teach using my last year of funding, take a few classes out of the department, continue to apply for jobs. My advisor is clearly unconcerned.

---

Utah was all about bustling night skies full of expansive stars made more viewable by a lack of light pollution; the egg-y smell of the Great Salt Lake & its brine flies & 100′s of Western Spotted Orb Weaver spiders & free-roaming bison; mid-afternoon rain on our way to find petroglyphs (some of which look decidedly like the shape & sizes of aliens we have popularized in our imaginations); and our deep curiosity of the Church of Later Day Saints after having explored Salt Lake City (y’all know about the Mormons?!!).

---

On Mondays, we do our ritual Monday Night Walk Night, alternating between his chosen route and my own. We walked six miles into Nob Hill & talked about the marked distinctions between how women and men are positioned in the music industry, working to address our perceptions of these presentations and how it impacts the ways we view women who make music.

Ritual is holy: a practice of repetition & commitment.

We were almost home when we found a cat on the side of the road that had been hit by a car or mauled by another animal. The site of her made me instantly vomit. I won’t detail much, but what I will say is that the responses we experienced in trying to get babykitty help have deepened my distaste for other humans: the local animal control who deemed we were somehow outside of “jurisdiction” & couldn’t come pick up the cat; the dick head on the non-emergency line who took my call with a deep impatience & spoke to me as if I were moronic. When I confronted him on his tone, he said he was being “callous” because “it’s just a cat.” & disturbed at the animal control guys’ eventual arrival, in which he very quickly picked the cat up without assessing her injuries to perhaps decide what the best way to handle her might be, offered her no expression of kindness or comfort before loading her into the truck, and driving off quickly. Because gato has been surrendered, I was unable to get an update about whether or not she lived or died. My largest feeling of disdain and hatred is for the person who hit her and decided to drive away while she choked on her own blood that was gathering in her nostrils and mouth.

All things are connected. The lack of empathy displayed on all ends of this experience disturbed me greatly.

What I want to say is that my husband is the greatest joy of my life, and that we are trying to find our way to live in Tampa so that we can take midnight drives to Clearwater beach and dance in the ocean under the light of the moon.

He is my greatest friend and the most reliable, steadfast person in my life. We will quietly celebrate with a small cake & Wednesday Game Night tonight, and maybe round two.

Friendships continue to be an ebb and flow. J got married last August and shit has been weird--lots of strained conversions & the feeling, on my end, that I see a bit more of who she is and feel less compelled and comfortable with her. Decades & decades of friendship--since elementary school--flattened by messages that aren’t responded to and letters “in my car but I forget to put a stamp on it.” I hope she is happy.

Other J & are got a facetime date today. We’ll prolly gossip a bit about some of the people we went to high school with, trade stories, talk about sex and vibrators. It’ll be comfortable and safe.

Mostly, though: it’s been a lot of time of me with me. I’ve been waking up earlier: 6:00-7:00 AM is the holy hour for quietly getting dressed and going for a walk: finding a new skittish cat who refuses to come near, taking my favorite route to drop off books at the lil book library some neighbor built into a clock-tower. At night I walk the same route: up the street where bulldogs have given up barking at me, presumably because i’m familiar now. Past the house where the couple plants sunflowers every summer and my favorite black cat, Lil tail (his tail is a small stub), greets me with a belly swiftly displayed, up the road with the boogie, beautiful expansive houses that I never tire of admiring, onward to the small park I’ll sometimes sit at & listen to new music, then back toward home where somewhere inbetween I’ll look for gutter cat--the fluffy blue eyed girl cat who once startled me by jumping into the gutter and disappearing.

I like a familiar route: watching the same things change with subtlety but deliberate design: the trees that shift and change, the bunny that is always in front of that one house religiously, the ways the neighbors alternate decorations according to the season or the holiday, the bloom and eventual death of flowers, the steady presence of cacti ever-growing.

Anyways. I’m feeling bolder & more self-assured, the grips of depression & anxiety loosening more & more. It’s mostly me & myself, but I like her. I’m pretty charmed by her.

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fandom-obessesive · 4 years ago

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I Never Told you

Paul lahote x reader

A/n: this is my first imagine, y/g means your gender(if you have one, if not that’s cool too) any criticism are welcome, please let me know if there are any spelling errors, something doesn’t sound right, is unclear, or doesn’t make sense, other than that, this is part 1 and I hope you enjoy:)

Part 2 Part 3 Part 4

warning: none

Word count: 1292

You and Paul had been best friends since middle school, having been paired up to do a project and slowly growing closer as time went on. In the blink of an eye, you were in highschool and the pair of you were thick as thieves. Every Saturday you spent the day together, ordered food, and did anything under the sun. Never being able to pinpoint when exactly it happened, you realized that your feelings for the goof you called your best friend, weren’t feelings you typically had for someone who held that title, or you wanted to hold that title for that matter. You didn’t say anything though, never thinking he would feel the same. Those feelings got locked down deep inside you, but could never be forgotten. From protecting you from admirers who couldn’t take a hint, to cheering you up with candy and bad movies, to spontaneous adventures at 3 in the morning, how could you not fall for him. He was absolutely everything you could ever want in someone to spend forever with. He was all you ever needed or wanted, even if that meant just being friends. He was there, so you were content and all was well.

Until, he wasn’t.

It wasn’t abnormal for him to skip school every once in awhile, or take a bit to respond to texts, so when Monday rolled around and he wasn't there, there weren’t really any alarms going off in your head; you figured he slept in, or went on another one of his little adventures and forgot his phone, or maybe his charger, so you just got his homework and the notes and headed over to his. Paul lived alone for the most part, his dad away on business trips and his mom having disappeared when he was little, so when no one answered, you once again thought nothing of it. Simply went in with the spare key and left the papers where you knew he would see when he got back with a note telling him to message you when he could.

The next few days he still hadn’t responded and yes, of course you worried but considering none of the papers you dropped off were touched when you went over, you naively assumed he was still out on a little adventure.

Only when passing by two girls gossiping in the hall about having spotted him with the infamous Sam Uley in some cut off shorts, a matching tattoo, and looking much more bulky than he had been a few days prior, did the alarms start going off.

Speeding down the road and making it to his house in record time, you didn’t spend more than a minute waiting for a response before storming in. The house remained vacant, and unlived in. Leaving with no proof to confirm or deny the rumors or your assumptions, you started to drive back home. Paul continued to be missing and unresponsive the rest of the week, with the rumors getting worse, some accusing the two of starting a cult, others of drug abuse, some both, the bottom line was that he wasn’t there and you were reaching your breaking point.

Saturday, you and Paul never missed your Saturday hangouts unless it was an absolute emergency. Saturday he would either fix this or you knew the rumors, even partly, were true. If he just came back to you, everything would be okay, and you would forget this entire week ever happened.

At least that’s what you told yourself.

Friday night, you did not sleep. All night, you waited for a call or text. You sat in a chair by the door and waited for him to show up, you even drove over to his house to bang on his door a few times.

Nothing. Absolutely nothing.

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, another Saturday, and Sunday. Still missing, still unresponsive, and still you were alone. Having almost become a shell of a person after two weeks of radio silence, seeing him walk in that next Monday morning almost had you crying tears of joy. Until he walked right by you, ignored you the entire day, blocked your number and anything else he could, and you returned home to find everything you had either given him, made him, or left at his house on your front porch with a note asking you to do the same. Then they were tears of heartbreak. What had you done to deserve this. You wracked your brain a million times trying to think of anything you had done or said to warrant this behavior. You didn’t return his stuff like asked but thought if he wanted it bad enough he would come get it himself, maybe then you’d get an explanation.

Missing the next few days of school not knowing how to cope with what had happened, a few friends messaged you asking if you were alright, and to give you the homework, notes, and all sorts of updates about things going on. They mostly only got one word replies and thank yous. You ended up going back to school Thursday. Not really speaking to anyone, you kept to yourself most of the day, and ignored the eyes that seemed to follow you everywhere you went. When lunch rolled around you sat with a few of your friends, mostly distracted with funny tumblr memes and avoiding the eyes that seemed to be burning holes into you the entire time. It wasn’t until someone cleared their throat that you looked up. Chase Westin. Someone that Paul did not like one bit, you never really understood why, he was a pretty okay guy. He motioned to the chair next to you asking to sit.

‘This oughta be interesting’ you thought as he sat down.

“What’s going on” you asked, shutting your phone off.

Rubbing his neck “Just wanted to see how you were doing, I heard what happened with Paul, figured you could use a friend” he said cringing at himself.

The grimace on your face didn’t go unnoticed at the mention of your former long time friend.

“Shit happens, one moment everything’s fine, and the next your best friend goes missing for two weeks, joins a cult, starts doing drugs, and wants nothing to do with you…that’s just life for you I guess” you chuckled humorlessly.

“Well….if there’s anything I can do to help, just let me know” he quickly pulled out his phone, trying to seem nonchalant about it. ”why don’t I get your number so you can text me...ya know, if you wanted to” You thought about it for a second before grabbing his phone and creating a new contact for yourself.

“Would you actually want to hang out this Saturday, I’m kind of sick of spending it alone” the thought of being alone again on Saturday almost made you sick to your stomach. His face lit up, excited at getting to spend more time with you. You started to get up, only having a few minutes until the bell rang

“Yea-“ the sound of a chair screeching back and slamming into something resulting in a few yells of surprise and most of the eyes in the cafe, you turned around to see a seething Paul Lahote, looking like he was about to maul a confused and slightly terrified Chase. He only stopped trembling when he looked at you, seemingly in a trance of some sort, before snapping out of it and storming out of the cafe.

“Weirdo” Chase muttered under his breath, as the bell rang and all the students started leaving for their next class as well, but all you could do was stare after him wondering what the actual hell just happened.

———————————————————————

A/n: hope you guys enjoyed if you would like to be on the tag list, simply leave a 👋 down bellow, and part 4 will be up 7/9/20. Have a great day!

#paul lahote x reader #paul lahote #paul lahote imagine #twilight imagine #twilight #wolfpack #imagine #twilight x reader #sam uley #paul lahote oneshot #paul #seth clearwater #la push #jacob black #paul lahote fanfiction

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shadowsong26fic · 4 years ago

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Coming Attractions!

Yes, I know it’s Friday, not Monday. <.< ANYWAY.

Before we get started, plugging my Discord server (which is p. quiet lately but it’s there if you want to talk somewhere other than here!); and also we’ll do another Open Question Night because Why Not!

As I said last month, while my askbox is always open, tonight I’ll be actively around to answer questions--about writing in general, anything I’ve posted about here on tumblr; anything on my AO3...let me know what’s on your mind!

Star Wars:

SWBB:

Take a Bond of Fate is officially up! (Previously referred to as just SWBB 2021 or the Dragonshifters AU because I literally titled it less than twelve hours before posting <.<) Well, the first 20k are up, anyway. I will be updating throughout the month and the fic will be complete by the end of the month, per the event rules. (I originally planned to do updates on Tuesdays and Fridays; tonight’s update will be delayed and who knows how well I’ll actually stick to it after tonight but it Will be posted in full by the end of May, I can say that much for sure XD)

As always, I think there are a few things I could’ve handled better/that feel a little rushed, but I think it turned out pretty good! There are some upcoming scenes I’m particularly fond of, but we’ll see if everyone else agrees. The core of this actually ended up being Bo and Padme? Which I was not expecting--I was expecting it to lean hard on the Bo and Anakin parallels, but here we are.

Anyway, there’s some fun bits to come!

Precipice:

No solid update ATM. Uh. Various Life things got bonkers over the past month or two, so TaBoF took pretty much all of my fic brain. However, since that project is essentially finished other than finalizing/polishing each update chunk as I post, I should be able to turn my attention here this month. Which means, fingers crossed, we’ll have a start date sometime in June for Protectors. I’ll post the first Preludes segment at the same time; it will involve Kallus, Lavinia, and Mara Jade, set just before Kallus is reassigned to Lothal.

(Others that I have planned will involve: 1) some combination of Kanan, Ezra, Hondo, Obi-Wan, Ahsoka, and Anakin; 2) Hera and whoever her contact is in this AU, as Ahsoka is otherwise occupied; 3) Whatever Maul is up to in this timeline; 4) Something to do with Palpatine’s fifth apprentice; and two more I haven’t decided on. I am taking suggestions! The purpose of Preludes is to patch some holes now that I’ve decided to write Rebels into the canon, which was not part of my original plan as I hadn’t yet seen it when I started planning/posting this AU. So these are more plot-relevant than the things that turn up in Bonus Content, which is why they’re in a separate fic, but not really enough to make a full arc between Milestones and Escalation, so, there it is.)

our faces like a mirror:

I’m now leaning towards sitting on this and using it for next year’s Big Bang? Because then maybe I’ll finally finish it, lol...anyway, I’m also going to see how people respond to stuff in TaBoF, because that will either Boost my enthusiasm for the project or, uh, the opposite, depending on how people respond to how I write Bo-Katan. So that may change, and I may finally get it out this year instead of next. We’ll see how that goes XD

Other SW Projects:

One of the SW discords I’m on has revived a prompt game we did last summer. I pulled my first prompt but haven’t actually, uh, done anything with it yet. <.< I’ll do that at some point.

As for various outlines or extant AUs I haven’t updated in forever...well, like I said, what little fic brain hasn’t been on BB the past month or two has been drifting back towards Precipice or occasionally co-opted by OFLAM so...yeah, nothing serious to report on that front, lol.

AtLA Projects:

I’m semi-planning/hoping to start posting At Least one of the two longfics I’ve been poking at sometime this summer. I’ve mentioned them here before, but one is long and tragic and focuses on Lu Ten; the other is an Avatar Zuko AU. Not sure which will draw my focus and get up first, but I do plan to write both of them! And possibly more. Because this fandom just Does That to me, lol.

Also, as I’ve mentioned in various times and places--I am pathologically incapable of not creating a bunch of OCs when I seriously fall into a fandom, and my AtLA work, in particular, will probably reflect that. I don’t super plan to write anything really centered on any OCs (I mean, apart from characters who Exist but have very little Canon Characterization (i.e., Lu Ten himself for that one fic, lol); and Lu Ten’s love interest because that’s an important part of the story), but they will be There and Prominent Characters. This is mostly mentioned because I know OCs aren’t for everyone, so that might put you off of my AtLA fic and I figured it was fair to give you a head’s up.

(...although actually I think none of my old fic that I crossposted to AO3 had significant OC involvement except for Glory...but then again that’s all oneshots and a little different.)

Other Fandoms:

BSG/SG-1 (BSG1?) crossover AU is still coming; I keep getting sidetracked from actually finishing it <.< I haven’t even finished the New Caprica and Haven section, I still have to get to the algae planet and then the Resurrection ship and...maybe I’ll end up posting this in chunks...

Uh, nothing else super planned, but as I mentioned last month, this outline might draw me back into BSG fandom a little more actively because it’s another forever fandom of mine.

Original Fiction:

I’m actually really proud of the Regency AU I wrote for a challenge last month, based on my Apocalypse In SPACE ‘verse Lux.

I need to update the Lux and Farglass Cycle archives still, and will hopefully be posting at least one other thing to RF this month, but we’ll see how that goes. I also might or might not be diving into Arthuriana in all its weirdness and glory this summer to prep for actually writing that Lady Mordred idea I had. And there are always other projects on the back burner, but that’s where things stand here.

...I think that pretty much covers it! Not all that much of an update, but as I said, Life got all...Lifey at me, plus BB had a hard deadline, so that’s where the most detail is.

But what about you guys? What are you working on/what do you have in the pipeline? Like I said, it’s an Open Question Night, and I’d love to hear what’s on your mind!

#coming attractions #miscellania #shadowsong writes star wars #shadowsong writes crossovers #shadowsong writes atla #shadowsong writes original fic #open question night

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galacticshq · 3 years ago

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happy monday ! i hope that you’re all having a great day thus far. i’m going to work on getting the timeline updated today, so members, i recommend you all the same as well ! but in the meantime, we have so many most wanted that we’re desperate for... especially some baddies like thrawn, darth maul, count dooku, captain phasma, rae sloane, more inquisitors, & more knights of ren !

#star wars rp #star wars rpg #appless rp #active rp #canon rp

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monsterritory · 5 years ago

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Hey maul I just want to say when do you think OTG will be updated. Take care of yourself first, just want to see my babies again

Hi, thank you for asking. I’ve been selfcaring.

Monday!

#Pink Calcite #Over Their Garden #ryan-spinel

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ivorydragoness44 · 6 months ago

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Maul Monday Update

Prepare yourself. The final page is complete, including two unseen pattern pages. I am assembling the coloring book. The cover page has been colored, and I need to put together two additional pages.

The estimated arrival is to be determined. (I'm waiting for that Tumblr poll to finish lol). :) I hope you're ready to color~

Which page are you most excited to color? ✨

#star wars #darth maul #maul #maul monday update #darth maul adult coloring book #darth maul coloring book #ivorydragoness44

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petnews2day · 2 years ago

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Two-year-old girl is mauled by family dog in Osborne, Adelaide

New Post has been published on https://petn.ws/J5BPe

Two-year-old girl is mauled by family dog in Osborne, Adelaide

By Padraig Collins For Daily Mail Australia 07:38 27 Mar 2023, updated 07:59 27 Mar 2023 BREAKING NEWS: Toddler rushed to hospital after dog attack A two-year-old girl has been rushed to hospital after being attacked by a family dog in Adelaide. The toddler was bitten on the face at around 1.30pm on Monday on […]

See full article at https://petn.ws/J5BPe #DogNews

#Dog News

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merlevum · 6 years ago

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Dormiens rex De Aurora

Chapters: 6/?

Fandom: Final Fantasy XV Rating: Not Rated Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings Relationships: Gladiolus Amicitia/Ignis Scientia, Prompto Argentum/Noctis Lucis Caelum Characters: Gladiolus Amicitia, Ignis Scientia, Prompto Argentum, Noctis Lucis Caelum, Nyx Ulric Additional Tags: Alternate Universe, cyrofreeze, cryovat Summary: They make their plans to tackle the power plant.

Updates every Monday

The rest of the way to the power plant was quiet. Any other daemons that showed up were generally too far away or easily outrun thanks to the truck. Ignis directed Gladio to stop at the guard station that was supposed to be manned when they arrived on a long stretch of road that lead to the powerplant.

“Be careful, Iggy,” Gladio said as he kept the truck running.

He didn’t like the fact Ignis was going alone, but if things were truly as bad as Ignis suspected, they might have to quickly regroup somewhere else. Prompto must have had the same feeling because Gladio heard the distinct sound of him undoing the safety. Good, Gladio thought, knowing that he would not be much help behind the wheel if something attacked ignis. Watching Ignis walk up to the station, Gladio could see part of his reflection in the window. Those green eyes grew wide, probably at whatever he saw beyond the window pane. Gladio didn't need Ignis to voice what he saw, his white face and green eyes were enough. Gladio just hoped the others didn't the same reaction as he had.

Ignis gave them the all clear.

“What do you think it means, Igs?” Prompto asked from the bed of the truck. “I know the guys who were here, they wouldn’t have just up and left.”

“You’re not wrong, but there is no indication that anyone has been here for quite some time. There was dust on the panels.” Ignis climbed back into his seat. He turned to the group in the bed of the truck. His face having returned to its normal complexion. Whatever he saw, Gladio was thankful it wasn't the mauled bodies of the guards, but that might mean the daemons were getting a bit bolder or there was a monster or two loose too. “This power plant must have been compromised before even now. We should stay alert and at the ready.”

There was a round of nodding heads. The techs didn’t exactly look happy, but then Gladio couldn’t blame them. This could mean any of their deaths.

“So where to? The front of the power plant?”

Ignis nodded. “It’s best we get there as soon as possible to assess the situation.”

“Right. Noct, you sure you’re up for this with your back?” Gladio asked, looking at his prince through the rearview mirror.

“Yeah. Just no crazy stunts,” Noct said as he took out a pair of daggers from the armiger.

Gladio put the car back into drive and sped to the front of the power plant. The plant itself was a rather large building with different thick cables running in different directions. Some followed the path towards Tandem, others to the north and east. For a moment Gladio realised there might be other cities or outposts like Tandem that would be without power. While it seemed Tandem could certainly hold it’s own, others probably wouldn’t be that lucky. They really needed to get the power back on.

“Hey, Gladio, watch out up ahead. I think there are some goblins running on some of the lines.” Noctis pointed to a few of them, though Gladio couldn't tell where exactly they were.

“Should I take them out?” Prompto asked as he readied his gun once more. It reassured Gladio to know they had someone who could do distance attacks like this. It made fighting that much easier.

“A waste of bullets I’m afraid. If they ambush us later, we’ll deal with them, but let’s save as much ammo that you have for what’s truly inside of the power plant,” Ignis said tapping his hand on his leg.

Gladio could feel the nervous tension coming from him, but there was nothing he could say or do to really relieve that. No, they would need to get the power plant back up and running for that to be a thing. It took another two minutes for Gladio to pull up and park the truck before they were at the front steps of the power plant.

“Right, let’s go over some tactics before we--”

Gladio glared at the sudden ringtone that went off. Ignis fumbled with his pocket, giving the shield an apologetic look. Gladio shook his head, as he turned back to the others. Whoever was calling, it had to be important if Ignis took it.

“Noct and I are best fighting together. Though with the looks of the powerplant, I don’t think it’s going to be wise for me to use my sword, so I’m going to use my shield for the most part Noct.” Gladio patted the buckler on his arm. “You’ll be taking up point then.”

Noct nodded, switching the daggers for his engine blade. “Got it.”

“Pelna, Axis, you two know the power plant as much as Ignis. How many ways to the centre are there?”

“Three in total, though we already passed one. So two now.” Pelna pulled out a map for Gladio. He used a small flashlight he clipped to his shirt earlier to read it. He pointed to one spot and then another. “These two here.”

“Good. We’ll split into two groups--”

“What? Bloody hell. Tell her that Nyx is better used in--Yes, I’m well aware of her position--”

Gladio glanced over to Ignis who started pacing. It was clear things were not as easy back in Tandem as it had seemed. Pelna shrunk a little seeming to know exactly who Ignis was talking about. Giving the hunter a questionable look, Pelna only shook his head. Best not to know at the moment. Right, they had a mission to do after all.

“Anyway, we’ll split the groups. Noctis and I will take Prompto for sure. You take Ignis with you and the rest of the techs.” Gladio scanned the map, trying to remember all the turns they would need to take in case Prompto wouldn’t know where to go. "You'll need more protection with the added techs."

“With all due respect, take Ignis with you. We’ll take the safer route here with these three techs. You take that one, the more dangerous path because we’ll need both routes cleared anyway,” Pelna said. He was glad to be back on the topic what they were doing here rather than on Ignis.

“Why?” Noct asked, staring at the moment.

“For one thing, buddy, we need access to this hallway here and that one. Once we get the core of the power plant running again with Igni’s magic, we’ll need to reboot the system. It’s why we have more than just one tech with us.” Prompto pointed at the three and then back to himself. As much as techs were technically vulnerable, they were important when it came to running the power plant.

“I see. And how are we going to stay in contact? Because I’m not waiting around for you in case something happens.” Gladio shifted his weight.

“Or the other way around. Just because you fought the daemon earlier, doesn’t mean that we’re not just as capable. You forget, we’ve survived this long without you around,” Axis said, matching Gladio’s stance, almost sizing him up. “We don’t need some hero suddenly. That I can promise you.”

“Nah, you already got one of those.” Gladio was glad to see Pelna and Axis still ready to fight.

“Damn straight. Just give us your number, we’ll just keep in contact in case there is something that happens.” Axis pulled out his phone.

Shit, would their phones work? They were all set up with Insomnia in mind and with Insomnia in ruins, Gladio pulled out his phone. Pointless really, the thing was dead. Probably died within a month of being frozen. Shit. Noct shrugged. Gladio wondered if Noct had tried to use his phone earlier.

“Uhh-”

“Just get in contact with me Axis,” Prompto said with a bright smile. “You got Igs’s number too.”

Gladio relaxed a little, glad to have the blonde along. Prompto winked.

“I apologize for that,” Ignis said as he rejoined them. Irate was one of the words Gladio would describe Ignis, but beneath that there was something else there too. Whatever, so long as Ignis focused on the battle, Gladio would help him deal with the phone call later. “Now, do we have a plan?”

“Yup. You and me are going with Noct and the big guy. We’re taking this route while the others take this one.” Prompto beamed up at Ignis. How the hell the kid could be so happy about this sort of situation was beyond Gladio. But then Prompto had been cheerful most of the time he saw him. Maybe it was just the way Prompto was. Not a bad thing to have around, especially with how dark the world seemed now.

“Alright, then. Whenever everyone is ready.” Ignis patted Prompto’s shoulder, giving him a small smile.

It didn’t take long for Gladio and Noct to delve up some of the potions from the armiger, explaining how to use them. Ignis didn't seem pleased by the action, but the others at least thanked them for a means to heal each other if the need arose. While the others wouldn’t have access to the armiger to store things, the potions were still valuable and worked without Noct needing to be nearby. The techs carried more than Axis or Pelna, but then the techs would be more for support rather than for fighting it seemed, sort of the way Prompto acted, though none of them had guns. Gladio didn’t worry too much about how they were going to fight, more he was steeling himself for whatever they might find in the power plant if the goblins above them were anything to go by. Shutting off a whole power plant was not something mere goblins could have done. They would find something else inside. He would stake his Crownsguard badge on it.

“Hey, Gladio?” Noct asked as Prompto double checked his ammo. The two were sitting on the edge of the truck bed.

“Yeah?” Gladio came over, crossing his arms. It was clear as day that something was eating at Noct.

“....You’re not going to give me hell for not wearing the thing?” Noct looked anywhere but at Gladio, who sighed.

“Noct, I can’t make you do something you don’t want. You get about as stubborn as Garula. So, no I’m not going to give you hell.” Gladio could tell this was more than just about the ring. Noct was never really good at talking about shit, but Gladio was patient. Not always, but sometimes. Eventually, whatever Noct wanted to get out would.

“Even if you’re right?” Noct glanced at the two hunters ushering the techs in the direction they needed to go. Prompto glanced up, but was wise enough not to say anything.

“If you feel guilty, do something about it. Decide. Either put on the ring and give them access to the armiger and magic, or don’t. I’m not going to make you feel better about not doing something you should. And I’m not going to make you do it either for the same reason.”

He could see Noct biting his lip. The kid was smart and could play games, but this was one Gladio was not going to entertain. Not this time. There was more at stake than just some pastry he didn’t get or training that he skipped. No, Noct was playing with lives. He needed to do the right thing and he would have to do it on his own. Six forbidden they would get separated and Noct would have to make some decisions on his own. Gladio just hoped Noct would be ready if it ever happened. These sorts of decisions made or break the kind of king of Noct would become. If they actually restored him to a throne.

“.....” Noct opened his mouth a few times only to close it.

“Better hurry before they’re gone and out of range.” Gladio stared at his prince, hoping for once he would just do his duty. Even if these hunters were not Lucians from Insomnia, they were still here.

“Axis! Pelna! Wait.” Noct turned to face them. “Ignis, Prompto, you too. T-There’s something we need to do before we head out.”

Gladio could see his shoulders shaking. Letting Pelna and Axis access to the same magic meant revealing who they were and honestly, he didn’t much care. Ignis had called Noct his highness a few times already. If the hunters thought it was just a nickname, well they were in for a treat. Noct and Gladio were in a weird position anyway and the more allies they had the better.

“What is it Noct?” Prompto asked, practically hopping over.

“Yeah, we got a job to do kid.” Axis raised an eyebrow, as he and Pelna came back over.

“...Remember how you asked me if you could learn to warp?”

The four nod.

“There is. I just…..What I tell you can’t get out. At least not yet,” Noct said as he shrugged. “Prom and Iggy already know, but I’m actually from Insomnia. The city that’s beneath Tandem. I was frozen along with Gladio in hopes of securing a future my father didn’t think was possible then. But that’s not all. The reason we’re able to use magic and conjure weapons is because of the armiger.”

Gladio put a hand on Noct’s shoulder, squeezing it reassuringly. They were doing the right thing. He wasn’t sure if there was a way to terminate the connection once made, but if they needed to cross that bridge they would figure it out. For now, he just had to help Noct get through this.

"With the exception of Prompto and I, we don't have this armiger," Ignis clarified when Axis glared at them.

“I can give you access to it. The armiger, it will make your magic stronger,” Noct held up a ring looking at Prompto and Noct. “If I put this one and keep wearing it, I can give that power to others." This time he looked at Axis and Plena. "Their own armiger and their own magic. It’s all tied back to this crystal that the empire has, but since we’re still able to use it, the crystal is still very much there. So, I ask. Do y-you want me to give you that power?”

Silence filled the air as the four stood there. Ignis broke it first.

“Your majesty, as much as I appreciate the gesture, it’s clear you’re not ready to accept that burden. Being close to you and able to use the magic as I have is enough for me.” Ignis nudged Prompto who nodded.

“Yeah! When you’re ready we can do all that magic stuff, but only then.” Prompto held up his arm like Noct had shown him before. Noct gave his arm a bump and returned the smile before turning to Axis and Pelna. It was hard to gauge what those two were thinking, well perhaps more so Axis than Pelna.

“I’m with Ignis. We don’t want you to do something you don’t want, but umm...why did you call him ‘his majesty’?” Pelna stared at Noct as if the kid had suddenly grown another head or something. Gladio couldn't help the small chuckle.

“That is because he is the prince of Lucis. Or I suppose king now,” Ignis said without missing a beat.

“K-King? Fucking Six, Axis, we’ve been--”

“Yeah,” Axis glared at Ignis and then at Noct. “What about this guy?”

“Me?” Gladio asked, scoffing. “I’m just a shield.”

“Gladio!” Noct glared. “You’re more than just that. Geez. Anyway, what about you, Axis?”

“I don’t need some foreign king’s power. No, I’ll be fine. We all will.” Axis turned away from Noct, who flinched at the words 'foreign king'.

That was how this world saw Noct. He was a foreign king to them. Things were different. Maybe restoring the throne wasn't going to be something they could do. Gladio thought about the reason for them having gone through the cryofreeze in the first place. Axis stopped short only to look at Noct. “

You shouldn’t offer that kind of power to just anyone. You don’t know who you can trust just yet, right?”

“Axis!” Pelna rushed after Axis, who simply left after giving that piece of advice.

Noct let out a long sigh, probably from the relief of having not being pressured into wearing the ring. Gladio was actually surprised none of them wanted to use the magic that only the king could offer. But more than that, that they all seemed to think of Noctis as a person. It dawned on Gladio that these people had survived years without a king, or a prince for that matter. These people didn’t know what it meant to be connected to a king and the crystal, like Cor and he was. Maybe, they didn’t need to use the crystal power, because maybe they didn’t need to restore the monarchy. They still had to take down the Niffs, but their futures after that, well it was just as open if they survived that long.

#ffxv fanfic #ffxv fanfiction #final fantasy xv fanfiction #fanfic: dormiens rex de aurora #merlin writes

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pink1031 · 7 years ago

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Dirty Little Secret- Chapter 3

Pairing: Jensen Ackles x Reader

Other Characters: Jared, Danneel, JJ, Gen, Richard Speight, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Norman Reedus, Gino Graul, and more I’m sure along the way.

Summary: You are a new character on the show Supernatural, a new hunter named Riley. You are just starting your second season as a regular. Even though you have known Jensen for years and have been close friends, your relationship grows into something more during filming. You both know that you shouldn’t act on your feelings but you just can’t help it. What will happen if you do? (I suck at summaries, that is why I rarely write them.)

Warnings: Married! Jensen, smut, oral both male and female receiving, cheating, anal, some Dom Jensen, angst, fluff, rough sex,Daddy kink, some asshole Jensen moments, NSFW. These warnings will apply for most chapters. I will try to add more warnings as needed.

A/N: This is my first time writing RPF. I hate that I even have to say this part: This is purely fiction! No disrespect to Danneel Ackles, Jensen, or his family. I also wrote this story without the twins having been born. It was just easier on my part not to have to write about babies. Gifs are not mine, they were all found on Google. This story has not been betaed, all mistakes are my own. Chuck help me, this story took on a mind of it’s own and it is going to be a long one. I do not have a schedule when it will be updated because well, words are hard.

@build-a-pyre

@wildefire

It was the last day of filming for the week and then you had a three-day weekend since Labor Day was Monday. You needed the break because you were tired. Twelve and fourteen hours day would eventually take a toll on anyone but you as much as you needed the break you didn’t want the break from Jensen. He was quickly becoming a drug you were addicted too. That is why you found yourself in his trailer once more after shooting was finished for the night.

The two of you lay in his bed, naked bodies tangled together, panting, hearts racing as you collapsed against each other.

“Damn Jay, just when I think it can’t get any better.” You giggled as you rested your head against his chest, listening to his rapid heartbeat.

He laughed softly as he stroked the soft flesh of your back. “You are amazing baby girl. I just can’t get enough of you.” He moaned as he kissed the crown of your head.

You hummed your response as you let your fingers draw random patterns against his chest and down his stomach. “How am I supposed to go three whole days without you Jay?” You whined against his skin as you placed soft kisses to his chest.

“I know baby.” Jensen grumbled softly. “I don’t like it either. You are spoiling me already with that insatiable little pussy.” He chuckled.

You laughed softly and rolled to your stomach, your chin resting against his chest so you could look up into those mesmerizing green eyes. “I’m not the only one who is insatiable.” You grinned.

“What can I say sweetheart, you bring out the animal in me.” He gave you a teasing smirk as he ran his fingers through the soft strands of your hair.

“Mmm, that’s a good thing.” You purred softly before turning your head to his hand that was stroking your hair and placed a soft kiss to his wrist. Jensen stopped stroking your hair as your lips traveled from his wrist up to the palm of his hand. Your tongue flicked out to taste his calloused palm. Your moan was barely audible as you could still taste and smell your slick that had coated his hand from moments before. Jensen grinned as he felt your moan vibrate against his skin. He brought his fingers to your full lips gently tracing the soft vessels before sliding two digits into your mouth. You hummed softly as you sucked at his fingers.

“Shit baby.” he groaned as he slowly pumped his long fingers back and forth against your tongue. Jensen felt his cock begin to stir again as your tongue swirled around his fingers and he watched your cheeks cave. He was always surprised how short his refractory period was with you. You were like gasoline being poured on the fire that was constantly simmering between his thighs. Jensen shoved his fingers deeper into your mouth until he heard you gag. The sound alone made his dick twitch and lengthen against his abdomen.

Your eyes were closed as you moaned softly around his fingers. You could get drunk just on his touch, on his presence. “Like I said, insatiable.” Jensen chuckled softly as he watched you suck on his fingers like it was the best thing you had ever had in your mouth. He marveled at you. He had never met anyone that craved him the way you did. You were so eager for him and your body responded to him in ways he couldn’t even describe.

Your eyes snapped open to peer up at him as his gravelly voice cut through straight to your pussy making your empty walls clenched around nothing as he spoke. “Careful you are making Daddy hard again dirty girl and I’m going to have to fuck that sweet little pussy again before I let you get any sleep.”

The delicious rasp of his deep voice spouting such dirty words made your body ache again with need. You whimpered softly around his fingers before you slowly pulled your mouth away from his now slick digits. “Yeah?” Your voice was trembling with the new rush of arousal flooding between your thighs. You tugged at your bottom lip and looked up at him with your best innocent look plastered on your face.

“Oh yeah baby. You want that don‘t you? Want Daddy to fuck you again?”

“Yes.” You breathed out your soft response.

“Say it baby girl.” Jensen brought his hand back up to your silken locks, tangling his fingers tightly in your soft hair.

“I want you to fuck me.”

“You can do better than that baby. Try again.” Jensen smirked.

“Fuck me Daddy, please.” You whimpered unashamedly.

Jensen’s eyes closed as he groaned deeply at your words. His cock at full mast now. “Hell yes baby. Get on my cock. Ride me.”

You were quick to scramble up to your knees, throwing your leg over his waist to straddle him. Your pupils blown with lust making your bright eyes darker as you looked down at him. Your soft hand circled his cock and stroked slowly back and forth along his length. Your soft tight fist around his cock had Jensen lifting his hips off the bed as you guided the hard swollen head towards your damp folds. You rose up higher on your knees as the head of his cock settled against your tight entrance before swiftly sinking down on the hard length until your ass rested in his lap. You both groaned together as he filled you so full.

“Sonofabitch.” Jensen gasped. “Always so fucking tight and wet.” His hands came up to clutch at the curve of your hips as you began to rock back and forth in his lap slowly. Your hips swiveled as you ground down onto his rigid cock loving how you could feel every inch inside of you squeezing walls.

Jensen’s hips rose from under you, snapping upward to drive himself deeper into your wetness. You cried out as your body jolted, your back arching and your hands moving behind you to clutch as his muscled thighs. He ran his large hands from your waist to your breasts as they thrust forward. His hands mauling at the full globes bringing whimpered cries and a fluttering of your pussy around his cock. You ground your hips in tight circles onto his cock as his eyes traveled the length of your body to where you were joined together.

“Look at you baby girl, taking Daddy’s cock so good.” He growled sliding his hand up to wrap his fingers around the pale flesh of your throat. “I could live in this pussy darlin’.”

“Fuck Daddy.” You gasped as his hand tightened at your neck and you began to bounce harder on his cock. The sight of you above him, your back arched, breasts thrust forward, your head falling back, eyes closed, your lips parted with every moan was driving him wild. He wanted to let you be in control for once but he couldn’t, the need to plow into you and fuck you into oblivion was too great as he heard you call him daddy. With his hand still on your throat he flipped you both so quickly your eyes flew open in surprise and a soft yelp sprang from your lips.

Jensen kept his grip on your throat as he spread your legs wide with his own thighs. He drove into you, spearing his thick cock deep into your quaking pussy until you were screaming his name. The hard girth of his cock pulled and pushed through your clutching walls until the coil inside of you snapped and you shattered in pure ecstasy under him.

“That’s it baby, cum for Daddy.” Jensen growled as he teetered tumultuously towards the edge of his own release. His hips continued their savage assault on your cumming cunt. Your clenching, grasping, clutching walls milked at his cock as he reached his peaked and roared with the force of his orgasm. Jensen’s thrust grew slow and sloppy as he filled you full of his sticky seed until he finally collapsed against you. He buried his face in the crook of your neck as he fought to catch his breath.

Jensen slowly rolled to his back, his chest rising and falling as he labored breaths began to even out. He turned his head to look over at you, taking in your own rapid breathing, your eyes closed and your full lips still parted as you came down from your completely blissed out state.

“You good baby girl?” He asked and even with your eyes closed you could hear the smile in his voice.

A grin curled your swollen lips as you replied. “If I was any better I couldn’t stand it.” You giggled softly.

Jensen’s smile widened as he scooped you up in his arms and snuggled you into his side. You curled into him, a perfect fit against his body. You were still amazed that you were here with him and all of this was really happening. With that thought came the other half of that coin, this was really happening, you were having an affair with a married man.

“Jay?” You asked softly and Jensen softly hummed his response. “What’s going to happen, I mean how are we going to deal with”

“Shh baby girl.” His hand gently stroked your soft cheek. “It’s going to be okay. We will figure it out. Try not to worry about it.” Jensen gently tilted your chin as he lowered his lips and kissed you softly.

You returned the kiss, softly sucking at his bottom lip as you pulled back. “But Jay, we probably should talk about…”

Once more he cut you off by pressing his full lips against your own. “We gotta sleep now baby. We only have a few hours before we have to get up to fly out.”

You nodded softly and snuggled tighter against him. “Night Jay.” You closed your eyes even as you felt the guilt and dread begin to creep into your gut.

“Good night baby girl.” Jensen whispered softly before placing a kiss to the top of your head.

The flight the next day was miserable but thankfully you were able to get a little shuteye on the plane. It had been all you could do to get up and get moving to catch the first flight out of Vancouver. You were practically sleep walking as you made it through the terminal but luckily your plane was on time and the layover was less than hour. It was early afternoon by the time you reached home. You were still tired but catching little naps on the flights had helped to recharge you.

‘Home for a three day break, thank Chuck for Labor Day‘, you thought to yourself as you slid out of the back of the SUV. You planned on sleeping all day at least one of the days you were off.

You approached the house dragging your suitcase behind you. The door opened before you ever reached it.

“There are my two favorite people!” Danneel squealed as she came running out the door. “My sweet husband and my baby sister back home again!” She ran to you and hugged you tight, placing a kiss on your cheek.

“Hey sis.” You smiled and returned the hug before she shimmied from your grip to make her way to her husband.

“I missed you babe.” She giggled as she threw her arms around Jensen’s neck and kissed him hard enough to almost knock the man over.

You looked back over your shoulder and watched the exchange briefly before you couldn’t take it any longer. You let out a deep breath and grabbed your suitcase as you headed into the house. This was going to be a long three days.

#Jensen Ackles #jensen ackles x reader #jensen ackles smut #married jensen ackles #supernatural #supernatural fanfiction #real person fiction #danneel ackles #cheating jensen ackles #jensen ackles x you #jensen ackles x y/n #dean winchester #spn fanfic #dirty little secret

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jiokcareers · 3 years ago

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NEWS UPDATE: EPL: Frank Lampard slams Iwobi, others after Everton’s 5-0 defeat to Tottenham

Frank Lampard has slammed his Everton side after they were beaten 5-0 by Tottenham in the last game of week 28 of the Premier League on Monday night. The former Chelsea midfielder suggested the majority of his players gave up during the mauling by Antonio Conte’s side. The Toffees found themselves 3-0 down at half-time and it really could have been worse after a very poor defending. Lampard’s…

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orbemnews · 4 years ago

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Was That a Giant Cat? Leopards Escape, and a Zoo Keeps Silent (at First). For a zoo to let a leopard escape is worrisome. To lose three of them and fail to warn residents for days seems something else altogether. A safari park near the city of Hangzhou in eastern China is facing an onslaught of questions after it achieved that dubious feat, belatedly admitting late last week that three of its leopards had somehow absconded into the nearby hills. By Monday, searchers had found two of the big cats, and teams with dogs, drones and dart guns were looking for the third. A search for answers was also underway. The government put a senior manager of the zoo under criminal investigation, and officials promised an inquiry. Many Chinese people wondered how the Hangzhou Safari Park could lose several wildcats and hold back the news for up to a week, maybe longer. The park’s explanation: It did not want to frighten the neighbors. “Taking into account that the escaped young leopards were not very aggressive, and worried that disclosing the matter would trigger panic, we did not promptly disclose the news,” the safari park said in a statement on Saturday after the local government confirmed the escape and warned residents to be on guard. The Chinese internet has been agog with updates and discussion about the missing leopards. Many were not impressed by the park’s explanation and had questions about the government’s actions, the frantic search and the well-being of the leopards that were hunted down. Leopards are an endangered species, and are found in the wild across remnant patches of western China. “The ‘leopard hiding’ affair has exposed gaps in management that warrant more scrutiny and reflection,” Chinese Central Television News opined in an online article. Chen Fang, the owner of a rural leisure lodge in the area of the search, said in a telephone interview, “The zoo should have notified us earlier, but at the start they didn’t own up, and so nobody knew about it.” “If you say you worried about triggering public panic, wouldn’t someone panic if they ran into a leopard on the city outskirts?” one person wrote on Weibo, the popular Chinese social media platform. Zoos have become popular tourist destinations in China, and there have been attacks involving visitors stepping out of their cars in drive-through animal parks. Online, many people voiced sympathy for the escaped leopards, citing signs that they had been hunted down and possibly mauled by tracker dogs. The park did not say exactly when and how the leopards ran away. Residents have described spotting the animals for at least a week before the zoo and the local authorities revealed that they had escaped, according to Chinese news reports. Zhu Caifeng, a tea farmer, said he had spotted one in a field in early May. “At first I thought it was some kind of cat, but when I looked more closely, the dimensions weren’t right,” he told The Shanghai Observer. “This was much bigger than a cat.” Mr. Zhu was alarmed but kept his cool. He used his phone to snap a picture of the creature gazing at him quizzically among the tea plants. But he was too busy with farm work to overthink encountering an exotic wildcat. After it walked off, he said, he kept working in his fields. Mr. Zhu later made another sighting of a leopard, but friends in the village advised him not to report it to the authorities in case that brought “unnecessary hassles and interfered with work,” he said. A day later, the thought of a leopard attacking someone led him to change his mind, and he shared his picture on WeChat, the Chinese social media service, and soon the area was abuzz. Nearby villages went on guard. Mr. Zhu declined to be interviewed, adding that he had been overwhelmed by journalists’ calls. “Online many have praised me for swiftly raising the alarm,” he told The Shanghai Observer. “But there are also people who accused me of making a mountain out of a molehill.” Yet even after the sightings grew and residents called the police, managers at the Hangzhou Safari Park — and maybe the local authorities — appeared to have hoped to deal with the missing cats quietly during China’s May Day vacation. The park did not immediately answer calls seeking comment on Monday. Chinese news reports have said that when asked by journalists, the park initially denied that any leopards were missing. It announced on Saturday that it was closing temporarily to deal with unspecified “safety issues.” Later that day, the government of Fuyang District, the site of the park, disclosed that the three leopards had gone missing and one was still at large, and the park issued its apologetic admission. Since then, search teams have swarmed the lush hills on the edge of Hangzhou. So far, there have been no reports of injuries from the leopards, and the safari park and some experts said the shy, youngish cats were unlikely to attack people. Still, Chinese news sites offered advice about what to do if you run into a stray leopard. “Don’t look them straight in the eye,” one article said. “Whatever you do, don’t panic,” said another. If attacked, it added, consider as a last resort ramming your fist down the leopard’s throat. “That’s the only chance of saving your life.” Liu Yi contributed research. Source link Orbem News #cat #escape #giant #Leopards #silent #Zoo

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