#maybe a brother. she wouldn't know how to threat a sibling well anyways so that seems somewhat fitting

[koskela-knights]

Night Springs DLC & usage of NPCs

Obviously, this is going to be a Night Springs SPOILERS post so be aware before proceeding!

TLDR: I personally think using mainly generic NPCs for almost every DLC chapter took away some of the (emotional) impact and depth these chapters could've had more. Sure, we've seen these generic NPCs in the main/vanilla game, but you don't rly get to know them well enough (at least in my case)

Now to expand on this per chapter

Rose:

In Rose's chapter, clearly it's her POV/her dream scenario. She's the centre point and everyone adores her. But who? Just some nameless NPCs which might suggest that this is how Rose actually experiences nobody but Alan to be important in her life. Again, it's NS, a different reality, and her chap is clearly exaggerated in many ways. But I think it'd be cooler to see, for example, the Valhalla residents, maybe even the Koskelas sitting in the Diner and just outside of it. Just to make it feel more personal, like hey, u know these characters, look how they suddenly worship her! Werewolf motorcycle scratch and talking fish Alan are literally a thing in this chapter so it wouldn't be too much of a stretch to have Mandy-May and Norman for example in that Diner right. (You literally see duplicated NPCs outside the Diner, which feels kinda lazy to me, but maybe it serves the insignificance of the rest of the world to Rose.)

I'd say the changed Deer Fest was partially so effective becos BF was filled with named NPCs we've seen (and maybe have come to care about) throughout the game (the Valhalla residents, the Bookers, even Ilmo got affected). We profiled them, talked to them... So ofc it's uncanny to see them being sucked into this mess as well. Nobody is safe from being pulled into these weird versions of the town.

Jesse:

I'll be blunt, I feel this chapter didn't add much to the mix/overall story. Her character's relevance was much bigger in Tim's chapter anyways. It left me wanting, hoping for more. Also, you give me Coffee World (created by the Koskelas) with the main character "the Sibling" looking for her brother and then you remove the main game's most prominent siblings besides the Andersons???? Missed opportunity of having Jesse have parallels with Ilmo losing his brother, and her looking for Dylan. Their direct or indirect interaction could've been interesting and meaningful. What if one of Jaakko's kids was the person in that thermos suit? Have at least a note of Ilmo mourning that loss or something and it could be an additional drive for Jesse to find her brother before he too ends up as a coffee-corrupted mascot/character.

In this chapter, Tim is looking for missing people. It could've been gripping to actually see named NPCs return as coffee-corrupted people. Or have them being the ones stuffed in those thermos mascots. It would make the stakes feel much higher, but we only see shadow people and an unnamed, unknown mascot character that we have no emotional attachment to whatsoever. Not even on a basic level of recognizing those characters. If there were characters like Pat Maine or something other than Tim ending up corrupted, it could increase the (underlying) sense of dread/threat that anybody could be corrupted, including Dylan and Jesse still.

Tim:

I feel this chapter made the most sense to focus on only a handful of characters. But, I still think adding a bit more named NPCs could've made those apocalyptic worlds Tim visits more creepy and depressing. Similar to the effect it had in the altered Deer Fest from the main game, you realize that there are so many more universes where even less significant NPCs aren't safe from being wiped out/corrupted/etc.

Overall:

The chapters feel a bit... contained. There are of course clearly connections and more subtle winks to the main game/story + the other games (Control & QB) but this connection could've been more enforced by adding those other more known NPCs into these multiple universes. This way (for me at least), it feels like the multiverse isn't just restricted to the main characters of the chapters, but the entirety of Bright Falls and Watery. To me, those NPCs are what make the world just a bit more real and vivid and lived in. They make the worlds worth exploring and investing in, other than just the MCs. They make it worth saving, or wanting to save those worlds/universes. So when you see these apocalyptic/corrupted worlds, it makes it all the sadder to see what happened to those NPCs too.

[warwaged-archive]

@terraforged​ said: ❛ i merely know when to indulge my pride, and when i must swallow it. ❜ (to nalice)

( * the witcher 3 prompts ! // accepting.

“Tsk.” It’s visible, then, anger that had been half forgotten amidst madness and the fear of it, reduced to embers when life had been struggle to survive and retain whichever pieces of her minds were hers (as hers as could be, for one so twisted for so long). Result of his efforts, too; his diligent work, aid given time and again, always there to the best of his abilities whenever she showed up, hasty despair and harsh words, in spite of him being her last chance, only chance, as knowledge to free her mind of the Void was his alone. And he, who had once had her hunted, offered aid and surprising patience, if no less sharp of tongue himself. 

Nalice had yet to find her path forward. Of course, she was far from entirely recovered, corruption deep and unrelenting, yet N’Zoth had been gone for long enough the influence even his absence had over her begun dissipating, and Wrathion’s potion had yet to fail entirely in warding off the influence of the new voices that attempted to conquer her mind once the Old God had been defeated. Enough that a new goal should have been set, at very least; there had always been something, minor or major or both, never a moment idle, not one word spoken without intent behind it. For a time survival alone had been all she had had the strength to pursue; yet this was no longer the truth. 

She could have begun working on something else. Could, but did not. 

When thousands of years of life had been dedicated to the glory of a near extinct flight, there was little allure in any new goal she may pursue. (When had it all grown so senseless? So... empty?)

Perhaps such was the reason, then, why she lingered. She needed not be here, needed not listen to this; and at that moment, red eyes shining fiercer with anger that could be seen as well as she felt it, Nalice questioned herself as to why she was there at all, listening to a whelp, same who had once threatened her life, scold her as if she were the child. 

Had she not relented enough pride in seeking his aid? Did he think she knew not how to bite her tongue and bid her time, she who had succeeded in infiltrating Wyrmrest’s highest circle, feigning submission to a queen she saw as no real queen at all? Prideful though she may be, Nalice knew more than well enough that pride was not more valuable than one’s objective, much less one’s life. 

Perhaps it was that, instead, what caused her anger: knowing that his words were not without merit. Perhaps it was something else entirely, something created by her frustration. Or perhaps anger was simply naturally her state of being, and she fell into it naturally even when there was little to no reason for it at all. 

"It was awful meek of you all the same. If this was meant to reprimand me I suggest you show the same amount of restraint you showed earlier, whelp."

[claudemblems]

Getting Mistaken for a Couple Pt. 2 | Headcanons

bim bam bop here's a part 2 for you all <333

⊱ ────── {.⋅ ✯ ⋅.} ────── ⊰

Childe

Ngl, the mistake kinda fuels his ego.

"Oh, did you get that impression by the way [Name] stares at me? I can't blame her, though. It's not often you find a Fatui Harbinger who's this handsome and capable."

All joking aside, he makes sure to clear the air and let the commenter know that you're just friends. Friends with a Harbinger. Should they ever try to threaten you, they'll have to go through him first :)

The threat is enough to make the person apologize and scurry away in fear. You chastise Childe for being too forward, but he says he just wants to make sure no one tries to hurt you. Who knows? They could be an enemy in disguise.

You do appreciate the thought at least, and you make sure to thank him for having your back. Being friends with a Harbinger does have its perks.

But you're not in this friendship so you have protection from the Fatui. You're friends with Childe because you like him for who he is. Though intimidating at times, he's charming, funny, and most important of all, fiercely loyal.

Pink dusts his cheeks when he recognizes the sincerity of your words. Maybe he's been around too many people who are scared of him or are just being friendly in order to rise up the ranks. So hearing someone genuinely say that they enjoy being close to him? It's a nice feeling.

It makes him think more about the relationship the two of you have, and how you might be the only person that can truly understand him. He already likes being your closest confidant, but if you were something more...well, he'd be the happiest man in all of Teyvat!

He needs time to figure out how to confess to you, or rather, he needs time to bolster up the courage. He's fought many battles, practically made a nation fall to its knees, but in all of these scenarios, he knew he'd come out victorious. Now he finds himself unsure. He can only hope that you'll accept his feelings. He'd love for you to become a part of his family.

His brothers and sisters have welcomed you in already. In fact, they've been prodding him for ages to finally make a move. Maybe it's about time he takes his siblings' advice...

⊱ ────── {.⋅ ✯ ⋅.} ────── ⊰

Diluc

Diluc promptly corrects the commenter on their mistake. He doesn't want to ignore it and have the whole of Mondstadt thinking he's in a relationship (word about the nation's most eligible bachelor spreads fast).

"[Name] and I are not a couple. She's simply a close friend of mine. We just often go on walks together to catch up when we've been too busy to meet."

Diluc makes sure to remain a gentleman as he clears up the misunderstanding, though. You might not be his lover, but he doesn't mind the mistake at all. It's flattering, in a way. But he personally doesn't think he's good enough for someone as wonderful as you.

"I apologize for getting you into this situation. Rumors about my relationship status are common occurrences. It's almost as if the whole of Mondstadt is eagerly awaiting for me to find someone...for some reason."

Don't even try to tell him that you wouldn't be good enough to be his lover anyways. He will list all the reasons about why you're the greatest person he's ever met, and if anyone deserves to be happy, it's you.

"If you have the time, I'd like to make it up to you. Would you allow me to treat you to dinner at the Winery? Ask for whatever you want. As I've told you before, if it is in my power, I will give it to you."

Please let him treat you, give you gifts, just let him do anything for you. Seeing that smile on your face always manages to make him smile, too. Your happiness is contagious. He'd say it's even more addicting than a good wine.

Anddd this is when he realizes that maybe his affections for you might go deeper than just a simple friendship.

"Please, allow me to escort you over to the Winery. I'll walk in front to take care of any monsters that might come our way." (But in actuality, he's only taking the lead in order to hide his reddened face).

He can handle formidable mitachurls and the Abyss order, but when it comes to matters involving you, it's going to take some time until he can finally reveal his feelings to you, though hopefully not while he's a flustered mess.

[oohnoniall]

The Lantsov Emerald [Kaz Brekker x OC] - Chapter Seven (Anatasia)

Warnings: cursing, fantasy violence, family drama

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three 

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

        The wind blew the curtains away from the window, which only caused shadows to fall on the woman's face. She didn't have the courage to be frightened. She had suspected that she had been followed. There was no real way for Ravka's Princess Anastasia to escape, even if she wished she could. Her marriage would mean the safety of her country. They would not allow her to get away. 

        It didn't matter that those sorts of arrangements had never worked in the past. It didn't matter that she didn't want to marry.

        "Your Highness," the voice was not one that she expected. She had assumed that one of the Second Army would have been tasked to find her. She had thought they would have sent a Grisha to drag her back to the palace. She wasn't exactly worth it, but at the same time they couldn't risk a mortal man failing to deliver her.

        The woman stepped out of the shadows. It was the same one that had been seated next to Kaz. Her eyes were kind, despite the obvious threat she possessed. Anastasia had no idea if she could trust her or not. Well, actually, she knew the answer to that. The streets were much like the courts of Ravka. None could be trusted, none could be expected to keep to their deals. She supposed that Kaz had sent the woman to kill her.

        "You should return to the palace." The woman said, her voice as soft as the wind. "Kaz will try to keep his bargain, but surely you realize how dangerous it is to cross the Fold. With or without a skiff."

        "I know," Anastasia would not be afraid though. If Nikolai had done it, so could she. She would do anything if it meant seeing her brother again. "But I cannot allow my future to happen without my consent. If I stay, I risk never seeing Nikki again. I risk losing the only parts of myself that my family hasn't destroyed."

        It was dramatic of her, but Nikolai would understand. She hoped he would anyway. There was a very good chance that Nikolai would think she was being a stubborn, selfish idiot who needed to rethink their priorities.

        He wouldn't exactly be wrong.

        "Your future is happening, Princess," the Suli girl stepped out of the shadows then. She was beautiful, like an image of a Saint that Anastasia was supposed to pray to. She wondered how the girl had ended up working with Mr. Brekker, why she was so cautious over this job. Surely, there had been other jobs. Other dangerous positions. "It would be stupid to think you can run from it."

        She clenched her jaw, counting like Vasily had taught her. Her eldest brother may have been useless but he'd always made sure that she and Nikolai knew how to keep up appearances. It was that or be an utter embarrassment to him. Even now, she could not believe that her eldest brother would do anything if it did not benefit him. Maybe it was wrong of her, maybe he felt more for his siblings than he had ever shown. But Anastasia did not believe it for a second.

        "I'm not running from anything. We'll be back before my birthday. You'll get your payment and all will be well." Anastasia had never believed that anything bad could truly happen to her. She'd been protected by the Second Army and her brothers her entire life. The dangers of the Fold were not present in her mind. Nor were the dangers of Kerch. 

        Nikolai would have a heart attack if he ever found out just how reckless his sister had become in his absence.

        "You've never been told no, have you?" The girl raised her brow, giving Anastasia a look that she thought would kill her if the woman was Grisha. She supposed it was a good thing that she was not.

        "No," she answered truthfully. "Nor do I intend to start. I appreciate your concern, but I assure you that I know what I'm doing. As does your Mr. Brekker."

        "Kaz likes impossible jobs. You've just managed to give him one." 

        Before she could open her mouth to make a retort, the girl was gone. She didn't wonder how it had happened. There was no telling how long the wraith-like woman had been doing this. There was no telling when she would come back either.  All she was left with were her thoughts. Thoughts that were going a billion miles an hour, that were certain that she was making a mistake. But one that she could not back away from.

They spent a week waiting for something to happen. For anything to happen. Anastasia had felt as though she were going to go mad from waiting. She had never been forced to wait so long, unless it was word from Nikolai. Then she'd be forced to wait for months on end. 

        The only time she had seen Kaz Brekker and his friends was during meal times. She never sat with them, figuring they'd spend more than enough time together when the time came. Besides, it wouldn't have been smart to draw any sort of attention to herself. She had no idea if they would figure out a way to reveal who she was to the entire pub or not, but she hadn't wanted to risk it. It didn't matter how far from them she sat, though, she always felt his eyes on her.

        It was more than just a bit disarming. His eyes were like sheets of ice. She could feel the cold piercing through her, wrapping her in a vice that refused to let go. She wondered if the others felt the same. If they were each just as worried about what he might do as she was. Of course, she knew that was quite silly. They were clearly just as dangerous as he was. Kaz wouldn't be the most dangerous person in his little gang. That would have been ill-advised. 

        Although, Anastasia did not know much about gangs or about whatever it was that the three were. They made sort of a miss-matched family in a way, but she was not yet brave enough to tell any of them that.

        Those sorts of thoughts seemed to plague her mind more often than not nowadays.

        "The Darkling is coming," he didn't make it sound pleasant as he sat down beside her. "Which means we've got our skiff."

        "And that he'll probably recognize me," she pointed out without looking at him. She didn't need to see the ice-cold glare or the cheekbones that looked as though they were made of diamond. He was much more beautiful than her husband-to-be, which felt as though it were some sort of cruel and unusual joke. Why should a criminal be so fetching and a prince be ... Not.

        "It's either risk this or go back home, Highness," Kaz's voice was gravel, his fingers wrapped around a pint as though it had insulted him. She wondered briefly about his rage. What could make a man so angry? So full of fire and brimstone when he could be no more than eighteen?

        Anastasia glanced at him then, noting the slight furrow in his brow and the way his jaw twitched slightly. This bothered him more than he let on. She never would have noticed had she not been raised in the courts. Those small ticks had been the only source of amusement in the courts of Ravka. They gave away all the best gossip. As long as one knew how to accurately read them.

        "Has something happened?"

        "Nothing you need to concern yourself with," he gave her that ice-like glare. She hated the way it felt as though he were freezing her from the inside out. Hated how she wanted to tell him to go and fuck himself and a number of other regrettable words. She bit her tongue though. There was no point in angering the man who was taking her back to her brother. She highly doubted there would be another who knew Kerch and knew how to cross the Fold.

        "If it puts us in jeopardy, I think it is my concern." Anastasia had lived her life being glared at and told that something wasn't her concern. She would not allow this boy to do the same thing. It was bad enough her brothers had done it throughout her life. The only ones who had ever told her no in any capacity, the only ones who'd cared for her.

        Kaz stared at her. It would have made a braver person look away. But she was stubborn and had glared down generals who had wished to sacrifice Nikolai. She could stare into a dragon's eyes if she needed to. What was Kaz Brekker? A crow without wings? Someone who could easily kill her but wouldn't. Not if he wanted his full payment. Not if he wanted the impossible jobs.

        "He's got another piece of my puzzle," it was cryptic yet it was all the answer she was going to get from him. She highly doubted he would tell her anything else until he assumed the time was right. It felt quite barbaric.

        "And I suppose that means we'll be risking our lives trying to get your puzzle piece and get to Kerch safely?" Her brow rose slightly, despite the fact that she was less surprised and more excited. What wonderous adventure awaited them? Would it be like the ballets had described? Would she one day hear a symphony composed about their triumphs and failings? She was getting too ahead of herself, she knew that. But adventure was far more exciting than she had ever dreamed it could be. 

        "Yes, it does." 

        Anastasia looked at Kaz, their eyes seeming to fight for control. She wasn't entirely sure what they were fighting about. He knew what he was doing. He would be the most likely option to avoid them getting killed, but Anastasia did not want to give up her newfound freedom so easily. It was go along with his mad plan, which would likely end with the Darkling dragging her all the way back to the palace, or she would have to find some other way to Kerch. It was horrible to think that she would have to choose, horrible to think that there was even a choice.

        "Fine. We'll go with the Darkling. But I pray you have an idea on how to keep us from getting killed."

        At this, Kaz smiled. "Don't trust your Saints, Highness. Don't trust anyone."

The following morning, they were ready. She was petrified. Something was bound to go wrong. She would be sent back to her mother and her father, who would then ship her to Fjerda before she had the chance to run away again. There wasn't a chance of her ever finding her brother, of becoming someone who had lived her life to the fullest. She would just be a pretty princess trapped within a gilded cage. That was all she was good for.

        Anastasia's wind blew in the hair, blonde locks fluttering everywhere. She nearly looked as though she had been ripped from the pages of a storybook. Even if she did not know this.

        Kaz glared at the strands that nearly brushed his face. "Highness," his gravely voice was almost covered by the sounds of the crowd that had gathered and the wind. "You should hide yourself."

        "Why?" She looked over her shoulder at him, her eyes the brightest they'd been in weeks. Her excitement was nearly palpable. "It isn't like he's going to see me in this crowd."

        "You stand out," Jesper pointed out, wrapping a strand of her hair around his finger. The smile he gave her would have given her butterflies, had she not seen it on the son's of lords all her life. "I doubt most people here have Fjerdian coloring."

        She turned pink as she pulled the silk scarf that Nikolai had once given her out of her pocket. She knew that she couldn't help who her mother was, but she could wish that she had inherited some recessive gene. She thought she would look nice with darker hair. Besides, then she would blend in just a bit easier with her countrymen. Nikolai and Vasily could be the ones who stood out. They were the ones people cared about, after all.

        She hid her hair away, feeling less herself than she had just moments ago. 

        "How exactly are we going to do this?" Anastasia questioned, glancing once at Kaz. 

        He appeared to be deep in thought. He was staring ahead, almost looking at nothing, but she could almost see the way his mind was working through some problem. Some issue that he had yet to solve. 

        "Mr. Brekker?" She tried again, wondering if she should shake him like she had to with Nikki and Vasily. Were most men like this? Going too far into their own heads and having to be brought out of it by a gentle touch. She knew that it was fine to do so with her brothers but she worried when it came to Kaz. It wasn't like she knew him. He might try to stab her the moment she laid a gentle hand on him.

        "Let him thing," Inej's voice was soft enough, but she could still hear the threat in the words. 

        Life in a palace had taught her the intricacies of threats and verbal manipulation. She'd been surrounded by people who had believed they knew best her entire life. What were these criminals? Just different versions of the same people she'd grown up with. Maybe she should have been more afraid. Or maybe she should have known that they would underestimate her. Just as everyone did.

        Anastasia watched Kaz carefully, watched the way his eyelashes fluttered against his cheeks as his eyes traveled back and forth as though they were chasing each thought inside of his head. She didn't want to admit that he was quite pretty when he was like this. All the hard edges of his face seemed to soften, his fingers tightened on his cane and she wondered briefly why. What ideas were in his head? What adventure was he crafting?

        One day, she would daydream about that face. One day, she would think about it as she fell asleep. 

        Now, however, she just wished he would hurry it up and come up with something. They were quickly running out of time. If they didn't come up with something fast enough, the skiff would leave without them. Her only chance at finding her brother would be gone. She refused to go to Fjerda without one final goodbye. For she knew the truth. Once her family shipped her off, they would forget her entirely.

        The princess stared at the criminal. Her eyes never leaving his as he thought things that no one would ever know. She didn't trust him. She didn't trust his friends or the way he looked at her. As though she didn't know anything. As though she was nothing more than a silly little girl. 

        "Quickly," Kaz broke free from his thoughts, eyes landing on Anastasia. "Inej, get her on the skiff. Jesper, cause a distraction."

        "Don't think I'll need to boss," Jesper stated as he nodded once towards the skiff.

        Alina Starkov stood side by side with the Darkling. She had antlers around her neck and appeared to be a dog on a leash. Anastasia's stomach flipped at the sight. What had General Kirigin done?

        "Even better," Kaz's eyes sparked with mischief. "Everyone, hurry. Sneak around the back and don't make a sound."

        The two criminals nodded to their boss. Inej ushered Anastasia away from the crowd, leading her around to the other side of the skiff. There were less people about, everyone having wanted to get a good look at the fools crossing. This side of the skiff mainly held supplies and few guards whose attention was on the sun summoner, not the four people heading towards them.

        "Jes," Inej murmured softly, "can you take care of them?"

        "Thought you'd never ask," Jesper's eyes twinkled as he took his pistols from his belt. 

        Anastasia thought about screaming, about warning the guards that something horrible was going to happen. But she didn't. She bit her tongue in order to stay silent. Jesper had to do it. He had to shoot them, the sounds of the crowd cheering and the Darkling's yells covered the noise almost too well. Yet, Anastasia's ears still rang. How had this happened? How had any of this happened? Was her desire to see Nikolai greater than people's lives? Was her brother truly worth the price of selling herself to Kerch's greatest criminals? Or was she just being selfish?

        She knew that she was being selfish. She knew that Nikolai would hate her for it and yet - there was nothing she could do to stop it. She needed to see him. Needed to be as free as anyone else.

        Jesper led the group onto the skiff, motioning with his hand for them to keep silent. It seemed redundant to her. He had just murdered the guards, had just acted as though his own self-interest were more important. Anastasia would say a prayer for them tonight, she would ask the saints to give them safe passage to the afterlife. She highly doubted she would ever be granted that same kindness. After all, she was unsure if she regretted the fact they were dead. They'd been standing in her way.

        "Watch yourself, Highness," Kaz's gravel voice spoke in her ear. She felt the press of something hard and metal against her back, nearly knocking her off balance as she climbed over the edge of the skiff. "Wouldn't want you to fall."

        Something told her that he wouldn't mind it much at all if she did fall to her demise. But she bit her tongue, not wanting to anger the man who was the key to finding her brother. "I can manage myself just fine, thank you."

        His eyes glinted with something. An emotion that she didn't know how to accurately describe. It wasn't humor, not like she had ever known it at least. But nor was it anything that sent warning bells ringing through her. If anything, it sent a delightful chill down her spine. But for now, she would chalk that up to the wind that was blowing. She didn't want it to be anything else. Anything else would be a distraction that she could not yet afford.

        "We'll see." Kaz did not look at her as he tossed himself over the edge of the skiff, his bad leg almost going out from under him as he did. He straightened quickly enough, almost as though he didn't want her to see. 

        Anastasia wasn't sure that she cared about a bad leg. It made him seem almost human in a way. 

        Kaz Brekker couldn't be human. The way he looked at her often made her think of demons, of monsters from fairytales that Nikolai had read her when she was younger. When he was still home. She was certain that her brother would see this man as a threat, as someone who needed to be as far from Anastasia as possible. But that did not matter now.

        "This way," Kaz hissed over his shoulder, not sparing a glance at the three who stood behind him. 

        Inej quickly flanked him, with Jesper following after Anastasia. It was almost as though they didn't quite trust her to remain on the skiff. While she may have been frightened, Anastasia knew that running would just mean giving up any hope of a future. 

        Her future was what she was chasing. Not her brother. Not the feeling of freedom that she had craved for so long. No, she wanted something more. Something better. Something bright.

        Kaz led the trio to a quiet alcove that was just big enough for the four of them to hide unnoticed. It would be a tight squeeze, but it was covered and out of the way. Likely, no one would think to check for them. He squeezed in beside Anastasia. She briefly worried that he would hear her heart rate increase. She assured herself that the only reason she felt anything was because of how tight the actual space was. She'd never been so close to a person in her life. She wasn't sure if she liked it.

        Anastasia felt as though she could not breathe. She felt as though her stomach was going to twist in on itself all while her heart imploded. She closed her eyes tightly, her hands clenched into fists that were hidden by her skirts.

        The skiff took off into the darkness of the Fold before Anastasia could gather her courage. She could hear Inej murmuring prayers and the soft click of Jesper's pistols. Kaz was the only one who was silent. She almost wanted to lean on him because of it. But she didn't.

        For the second that she had made the slightest move to, all hell broke loose.

[samissosexyyy]

Tumblr thought it would be hilarious to delete all my work and not let me answer requests :').

YES I SHALL WRITE THE PLATONIC ANGRY PARENTS-

And thank you-I woke up and was talking to my friend in the morning and my brain just: jojo villain yandere dads. Mudad mudad mudad mudad anger.

Anyways, here they are- Do these even count as headcanons???? I dunno-

Dio, Part 1

Vampire form of course.

First thing first, We all know he'd be a great dad. Protective already, But make him a yandere platonic father? Oh boy, Trust me, You'd be spoiled and treated like royalty.

Now, I'm gonna say in this scenario you were on of his victims child. I'll say you'll be around 5 to eight.

Somehow you managed to catch his eye, Is it because your parent was just as bad as his? You reminded him of his mother? Or maybe you resemble him, and have three moles on your ear. Or, perhaps, A younger joestar? Either way, You somehow had him feeling like a father, and, according to one of my friends, Araki had said DIO would treat his children like they were royalty, And they would be so spoiled.

So, Mudad would end up taking you in, kidnapping, whichever honestly. He'd be holding you like a loving pet owner would, if you got scared, he'd probably be confused. Honestly he'd have you turned into a vampire quickly, as he knew he wouldn't be able to have children as a Vampire.

Truthfully, I think you'd end up never noticing how he'd occasionally pull you closer, or how he'd glare at anyone your age or older going near you. Or how he'd give you some strict rules, Like no dating anyone. E v e r. And why would you ever want to hurt your papa like that?! You wouldn't want to do that, right?! Of course you wouldn't! Dio knew you'd never betray him like that!!

Truth be told, he'd guilt you if you tried to go against his words. But punishments? No no, He'd never actually purposefully hurt you, Unlike his love interest, he'd NEVER want to cause you pain ever. He'd hate himself and wouldn't forgive himself for years. Centuries. Infact, he'd beg for your forgiveness.

The Pillarmen

And satannnaaaaa

First of all, You aren't a pillarchild. You'd most likely be some kind of god, vampire, or a young hamon learner. Or even related to the Joestars or Ceasar.

So, Let's say you're immortal who can walk in the sun. We all know you'd be the joestar side, Right? So, That means you'd end up hating or feeling pity for the pillarmen. First, You'd probably end up trying to make Santana hally when he awakens. Unlike with Joseph, He'd probably know not to attempt to attack you. Let's say you have symbols like Dio Over heaven, We all know how that would work.

You'd end up as a being worshipped by them, probably kidnapped after they destroy the Joestars.

Let's say they defeated Joseph and the others, and you were still a deity, You'd most likely be weaker then them in this scenario. They'd probably treat you like a kitten at first, like a baby before they all felt a connection. As if you were a child of their own, so they'd give you rules. And we all know how rules go with yanderes.

Let's say uh- you fell for a mortal.

"No. No."

[Crush name has fallen from a high place.]

"DADS WHAT THE FUUUUUUUUU-"

"NO CUSSING IN THIS CHRISTIAN MINECRAFT SERVER!"

or something like that :')

Honestly, You'd have bird dad, and a bunch of other dads. Santana would honestly be like the cool big brother honestly. You'd probably want horns too so-

They would totally buy you halloween horns to put on your head so you'd be happy baby

Now, Hamon user? They'd probably find you like a cute animal at first, probably going easy on you like it was a game of tag. Soon, they'd realize how weak and fragile you are, After all, You are just starting hamon. They'd probably kidnap you to spite Joseph and his side at first, before... Well, You didn't expect to become a vampire and treated like royalty when all you've been treated like is uh... Considering Lisalisa is your coach, I'd say you'd be happy if it was someone else doing this for you.

Josephs sibling? WOAH Joseph, When did you get a cute sibling? Pfft, Not your sibling anymore, They just adopted your ex sibling nerd.

But, All jokes aside, They'd probably be surprised that you were more mature then your brother, and...you sorta resemble a certain Coach... Oh, Humans all look the same, haha.

They'd probably kidnap you infront of Joseph just to make him feel guilt and rage, After all, Why not get their prized treasure and make Joseph angry? They'd give you more rules, until Joseph was gone, of course.

And, sadly, Not even you crying would stop them from making you into a vampire infront of your big brother, breaking both of your hearts.

Don't worry you got ice cream later smh.

Ceasars sibling? Mini pancake? Haha, They'd kidnap you as soon as they felt parent like tendencies. No denying them, infact, they'd make sure you saw ceasar get defeated by the ro ck. But don't worry! You have new parents and a brother-! Haha, Poor you.

Part 3 DIO AKA mudad!

Honest to god you'd probably have to be a stand user with a weak or strong stand, or, you were one of his kids he had with a lucky woman who survived and got a naked polaroid of him as a 'wow you lived! Congrats, now go have my kid lmao' gift. Or, Maybe you were a normal kid who was kind to him, even if he,,,,  did some questionable murder infront of you. And maybe you were a young

Now, Let's say you were a strong stand user. He'd end up wanting to use a flesh bud until he realized... He never had a kid, that he knows of, and decided to raise you! At first he'd be upset you had a strong stand like your mudad, but realized you could protect yourself from those dreadful joestars! Congrats, You became a Brando! :) How unlucky, Considering this DIO would probably force vampire masks onto you, or even using fleshbuds as a threat. Either way, You'll always be papas baby!

Yoshikage kira.

Like I said in my first post of this, He'd want to have a nice average life. You having a stand wouldn't be a problem, Since he'd probably convince you Josuke and the others are awful and rude.

Josukes sibling? Well, He'd end up telling you he can help your brother with his murder issue if you come with him. You don't exactly have a choice since Killer queen would easily overpower you if you had disagreed. You'd end up being a normal and peaceful child before long, Infact, He'd have to pretend he had adopted you behind his 'wifes' back.

Hayotos friend he never talks about? Congrats, You are now stuck with a crazy and loving father! And a mother, I suppose. And you get your best friend as a brother! You'd never be able to leave, how sad. But, You'd have your new mom and your dad to talk to-! And killer queen cuddle time.

Now, Let's say you were his own kid. Wowzers! You think its normal for your father to bring women hands home, after all, You are pretty young and your father told you most adults do this. Ah. How enjoyable.

Doppio/Diavolo

Oh dear. You poor child.

Either you were related to trish, and he somehow felt like you wouldn't be a problem before they felt more of a father love towards you, Most likely somehow getting rif of the traitors and your big sister.

"Where's big sister?"

"Don't worry about her, She's spending time with your mother."

Smh quit LIEING you jERK!

But seriously, Doppio would be like the fun mom asking you if you'd like bake cupcakes in his spare time! Read you bed time stories and whatnot! Diavolo would be awkward and "wanna play baseball or whatever kids like to do these days?" Awkward dad alert.

"My kid is fine!"

The kid they kidnapped/raised:

Casually trying to beat another kid with a baseball.❤💚💛

Honestly they'd insult everyone elses kids while here their kid is, casually scared of baseball.

Pucci

Papa priest! We all know he'd adopt you! I head canon him as gay, considering DIO and him were totally a thing.

So, He'd probably have you study Lord DIO bibles, and casually have you hate Jolyne. Probably even give you a stand, And even show you that DIO is the best! Worship! Protect yourself and all that!

Jotaro would probably scare you,  so I can see you holding onto Pucci while Jotaro appears anytime, so pucci would infact love it when you snuggle onto him lime a cute kitten. Hell, you even Sneeze like a kitten!

Honestly You'd be kept under watch 24/7, but you'd think it was normal, after all, Your father would mever do something so awful like Those Joestars claim...right?

Diego

Oh wow- dino dad :)

Let's say you were a big fan of his, Then, Well,You wouldn't mind having him as a dad, Now would you? He is your idol, Right? Yeah. Yeah!

He'd probably carry you around upside down, Hot pants just questioning his sanity as he drops you a million times. Hot pants would probably end up carrying you most of the time.

Mama hot pants and father Diego. Y es.

And, Let's say you were traveling with Johnny. Congrats. You've put yourself in a even worse situation considering Diego would become worried and paranoid over those two idiots hurting you! And he hates the idea of his baby boy/girl/child being hurt by barbarians!!!

Even though he'd probably hurt you on accident if I'm gonna be honest.

Kidnapping isn't a very easy job, so of course he had to knock you out! What was he supposed to do?! Ask you to come stay with him forever?! No! Maybe! HuawhuKaia-

Honestly not too many rules, just don't leave his side ever! Except when going to the bathroom. You'll be tied to his horse. No whining >:(.

Funny Valentine

Honestly what did you think he was going to do? Pick some random child? No no, He'd choose the PERFECT child! You were so lucky! Wow! The daughter of the mos powerful man ever! Lucky you, Right?

No. You don't get alone time unless it's you sleeping or bathing. You wear what he wants, and no.

Dating not allowed. Bad. No no no no no.

"No. No dating. Your lips will fall off."

"but mommys lips didn't-"

"Your face will melt off."

Basically you'd be bossed around and treated like royalty, as long as you listen to you dad!

Honestly I don't know if this is headcanons, if if it isn't feel free to scream at me in the comments-

AND I AM SO SORRY ABOUT NOT BEING ABLE TO ACTUALLY ANSWER, SO I HOPE YOU SEE THIS AND ARE ABLE TO ENJOY IT??? I GUESS???

[themousefromfantasyland]

The Yule Man (7/7)

Told by ME

This was meant to be a short story, but it became too big, so I separated it in seven parts. I want to turn my blog in a space where I can share my writting every once and a while.

This is the first time I post one of my stories on a public space. This is the first time anyone besides my sister will be able to read, so I'm pretty exciting and anxious. I want honest criticism. I hope you all enjoy it.

The threat of Mr. Müller grew day by day. Mia saw each day up to five to eight men surrounding the mansion. Chris, along with all her siblings continued oblivious to it all.

They kept and kept appearing, not showing to anyone, only her. Franz Müller liked games. The more twisted and sadistic, the better.

Mia and Chris had made a promise of always been honest to each other. On that moment nothing could take him out of the idea that Mia hid something from him. He tried to ignore the feeling. He wanted so much to believe in her.

The nostalgia by the fireplace on those Yule Days eased her mind. Cuddling with Chris, hearing their siblings’ stories. She wanted the world to stay that way forever.

Then the Yule Log turned to ashes.

In the middle of the dawn of Yule's last day, she got up running and invaded her mother's bedchamber. She didn't tell anything to Chris. Not even dared to wake him up. She jumped from bed and went straight to her mother.

"I need help." She started saying frenetically. "They are after me. Mr. Müller wants his money, and I don't have how to pay it."

Mrs. Hayek looked at her with disdain.

"Of all the people in the world, why you choose me to ask for money." She said enjoying each syllable of that sentence.

Mia couldn't resist. She spilled bitterness again.

"Because you're the only one here whose opinion about me doesn't matter."

Mrs. Hayek stood up.

"You aren't helping your cause." She continued saying. "Typical, you only here for my money. If you had been a decent daughter, you would be closer to me."

Mia shouted back.

"It was you who close yourself out of the world. My father struggled to maintain these gates open to the town, to the community. And you closed them off for good. You don’t even know the state that Arnsberg finds itself now."

She shut Mrs. Hayek’s mouth.

“You don’t know nothing what’s happening outside.” She walked near the door. “Sophia is getting married and Fritz will move to another town.” She closed her eyes. “I’m getting married too.”

That took her mother by surprise.

"With that boy. The Yule Man! How?"

Mia said dismissive:

"I don't know. I don't understand his world.

Mrs. Hayek stepped closer to her.

"Magic always leads to trouble."

"He's mortal now. He found a way and now he wants to spend time with me. I don't have the heart to tell him I'm stuck in this mess." She sat by her mother’s bed. “This year was so hard to me. I almost lose my business. I was stupid. And now Cat’s-eye’s men are running around here.

“Are they here?”

Her mother growled like animal, but this time, the unthinkable happened. She sat close to her daughter and did the only thing she believed would never be necessary n her life, to be vulnerable.

"I know what you think of me. Yeah, I was racist when I was younger. I was also foolish and insipid. I wanted his money."

Mia didn’t understood that.

"You didn't changed that much. Why are you telling me that?"

Mrs. Hayek started to yell.

"I want to salvage our relationship. I'm tired of spending the Yule days without you."

She stopped. Her voice sounded lower and calmer now.

“I pushed everyone away. The truth is that I miss your father, I miss the Solstice Eve balls. I miss when you four were little. I miss everything.” Bitter tears flowed down her face. “I am getting older Mia. I have so many regrets. Take all the money you need and fix this mess.” She paused. “And enjoy the short time you have with your Yule Man.

Mia hugged her mother. So much resentment lasted in both of them, but maybe this could be the start of a new beginning for both. Maybe.

A loud rumbled awakened Chris.

“Mia?” He woke up in an empty room.

He heard voices, murmurs, coming from upstairs. Perhaps if she were there, if the room weren’t empty, he would not have the idea to see what produced that sound. The idea of something bad happening with the Hayeks stroked him as the first thought. Inexperience with burglars and robbers also could be the reason for his behavior. He lit a single candlelight and went to check that sound.

The dark still reigned over all the rooms. Looking by the hours marked in the clock, sunrise would not delay coming. He slowly walked upstairs, to the area where Mr. Hayek kept his office. Mr. Müller had sent his five best burglars. For days they studied the Hayek Mansion. They counted each servant, each worker, each resident, and each visitor. They knew even where all of them slept. They burst a sealed vault with the minimum of noise. Yet, there is always someone to hear, there’s always casualties.

They surprised Chris and grabbed him from behind before he could scream. They took out all the money they could put their hands on. When they were ready to go, they release him. They knew he would scream. They knew even a single shot would wake everyone in the house. They proceeded anyway because they wanted them to know that they were there. It was part of the fun.

Chris received three shots when he tried to run. He fell against the floor without at least understanding what had happened to him.

"Tell Miss Hayek this is her late Yuletide present." One of them said before fleeing by the open window.

The fatal sound echoed through all the household. When the servants saw him there, they immediately called Thomas. Mia heard all the noise in her mother’s room and rushed to see what had happened.

The world became slower as closer as she came to her father old office. When she felt the blood on her feet, everything stopped. Mia threw herself over his body, getting on her knees and desperately brushing his face. His body shivered and trembled.

"No. No. No." He screamed and cried on her lap.

He felt the emptiness growing inside him, the nothingness. He knew if it engulfed him there would be no way out.

"Mia, the woods. Take me to the woods." He shouted to her. “Please. I don’t want to go. Not now!” He sobbed.

Mia turned to her brothers.

“I need help carrying him.”

Mrs. Hayek appeared behind them.

"Take the sleigh."

The sleigh had been bought recently, a one-horse open sleigh. Mia and her brothers carefully placed Chris's body over it. Soon she dashef off the golden gates into the winter landscape. Her siblings stood speechless. Mrs. Hayek stayed behind, alone, wishing for a miracle.

Chris fighted to maintain his eyes opened. He knew if he closed his eyes, he wouldn't be able to open them again. The north wind surrounded them. It howled and brushed through their bodies, as if screaming and already mourning.

Chris heard the voices, full of pain and hatred. He cried desperately and shouted.

"It's too late." He sobbed.

Mia stopped the sleigh next to tree large threes near an abandoned road.

She rushed to his side.

"Remember when we stayed in that hotel in Lichthafen City.” He said not holding back the tears.

"No, Chris stop!" She shouted in pure anger.

“I filled our room with sand.” He laughed. “The sand, the sun, the tiny seashells.”

"Stop!" She shouted again.

"I don't want to go."

His vision started to fade away.

"No, no, no!" His body struggled with all strength left in him.

He stopped fighting and stared deep into her eyes. Calmly, he said:

"You changed me."

She landed both hands on his face.

"I love you." He said faintly.

As he said that, the nothingness dragged him back for the last time, never to think or feel anything ever again.

The winds stopped, as if in infinite mourning. The first sun rays started to appear, and she stood by his side, crying, and shouting to the empty.

The sun raised, and the bright beams landed on Chris’ body, that dissolved into snow and ice. Under the first sun rays, the white snow shimmered and glistened before Mia's eyes. The end had arrived.

Mia returned to the Hayek Mansion without Chris, and without a body. She wasn't even sure if anyone would believe her.

Mrs. Hayek turned to her and sadly whispered:

"Magic only leads to trouble."

Mia returned to Arnsberg in the next day. Mr. Muller waited for her near her shop. He dressed as a true gentlemen.

"Hope you had a fantastic Yuletide." He greeted her with a smile. “Hope you don’t mind that my men took somethings away. Those were the correction interest, but you still owe me.

She paid what she owned to him and didn't dared to say more words.

“Happy Yuletide!”

After Chris’ death, Mia closed herself out of the world. She closed her tailoring shop one day and disappeared inside her own apartment. No one of her family could bring her out again. With time, it became their duty to look out for her and her bills. Mrs. Hayek started to believe that if Mr. Müller's men didn't killed Mia, her daughter would finish the job on her own.

The months passed, and Yuletide arrive again. To everyone’s surprise, she dressed in her best clothes and roamed through the streets. That particular Solstice Eve was different. All expected the snow to arrive. When the intense cold started everybody assumed snow would soon come along. This was how it always had been.

Mia searched in all street alleys. Everyone bought their last time presents, blissfully unaware of her existence. She dashed through each possible place for a person to be found. The Yule days ended and with them all Yule logs turned to ashes. The traditional Yule snow was sadly missed that year.

During two more Yuletide seasons she searched through all Arnsberg for any sign of him. Snow stopped falling in the Yule days.

In the third year she gave up. Happy families had supper in their warm and cozy homes. Mia collapsed in tears in the corners where the light of the the lamplights couldn't reach.

She wandered alone back to home. Her house once had a well-lit Yule Tree. Holly and mistletoes once hanged in these walls. Everything felt barren now. She finally started to understand what Chris meant by nothingness. Her house was a tomb, and it opened to swallow her whole.

Her mom entered that place without any problems. Mia often let the door open. Cat’s-eye wasn't a threat anymore, as so with death.

Mrs. Hayek did her best to dress as well as when she was younger. Without her hair, she had to rely on sheets and scarves to decorate her head. Overall, she though she did a great job.

For the first time in fifteen years, the Hayek Mansion would host a Solstice Eve ball. if it depended on Thomas and Sophia, the mansion's doors would never close to the community again.

“Mia, it’s your mother.” She announced before entering.

From the couch, Mia gazed at her with anger.

"Mia, please. Come spend the Yule with us!” She nearly cried. “You can’t spend the holidays here in this state."

"I see him here. In every place, in every corner." She started to cry. "I still see him."

Mrs. Hayek hugged Mia.

"This isn't fair. This isn't fair." Mia sobbed on her shoulder.

"I know how it is." Mrs. Hayek mourned.

Mia jumped out of her mother’s arms.

"You don't know how it is." She shouted.

"Yeah, I don't. It would be foolish to say I was exactly in your shoes.” She sat on the couch and rubbed her forehead. “I loved a man. I thought I would have him forever, then one day, he's gone. Your world is in pieces, and it's your job to clean up the shards."

She started sobbing.

“When your father died I though I would join him soon. The Yule Festival was the worst. Everything reminded me of him. I went to the church. I though the Silver God could help me. It didn’t worked.”

"Does this pain ever pass?" Mia asked.

"I want to say it does, but it doesn't. You learn to navigate through it all."

Mrs. Hayek and Mia hugged again. Not as mother and daughter, but as two women who felt empathy and understood the plight of each other. For a moment, all their differences crumbled to dust.

Mia stared at bright lights of the town through the window of her apartment.

"Nothing lasts forever." Mrs. Hayek said. "I wish I could meet your father earlier. Free of prejudices and interests. He was a special man. I wouldn't give up the moments I spent with him for nothing in this world."

Mia stepped closer to the shelfs in the corner and picked a small bottle. Tiny, and full of white sand and she held it closer. Those memories, Mr. Müller would never take away from her.

And there's no more to my story. All stories come to an end.