#me turning 21. her turning …. alive. ah that’s history!

[titsthedamnseason]

kinney hale being born TODAY is so iconic

[ziracona]

As promised! The finale of Act I for The Kid. : ) For the Tumblr readers, as always, a day or two early. [Fate/GO AU – The Kid (pt: 1, … 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, ?)] {Some spoilers for original Grand Order run/through Temple of Time}

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Mmmph…uhg. Head…hurts. chest…hurts… I…

Slowly, I blink, open my eyes. Where…am I? I…

There was a room, for a long time, and then another, big, empty room. With a sword. And I can’t remember why. I’m so confused. I can’t remember when I am, or why, or…M-my neck! I—

I feel a panic in my chest, and try to swallow on reflex, which should hurt, but amazingly it doesn’t.

It’s…bright here. The rooms should be dark.  And I was dreaming, I think. But I shouldn’t dream…? Why shouldn’t I dream? Right. I-I’m dead. But there were memories? O-of a fight, and a girl, and a boy, and I…had…

“Oh! He is up again!”

I’ve heard the voice, but I don’t know it.

I guess I’m not alone in here. Then I’m not in the big, empty room? I’m…

I try harder to focus my vision, and clear my head. It’s so much harder than it usually is. I feel like I’m going to vanish.

“Hey! Hey—Kotarou?”

Louder, clearer. That’s my name. And I know that voice a little. It’s…the…girl? I turn my head towards the voice on my left, and there are two blurry human shapes. A man, with green hair, and a girl with red hair, like mine.

HUH!? Wait. Th—but--then—it wasn’t a dream? I—

Memories come back quickly with the visual prompt, and my mind feels a little clearer. I keep blinking, fighting to be awake now for real, and my vision sharpens. It really is her. That happened after all? Really? …And…I’m still alive?

“How are you feeling?” asks my new lord, leaning in closer, troubled, “We tried what we could, to get you more mana! I was really worried, but the doctor said you’d be alright. Just needed a little time to recover.”

“Yes,” adds the man with green hair behind her, very apologetically. He was called…I…I heard his name. …David? “I am very sorry. I ah, I wasn’t entirely familiar with your history, and when we were banishing demons, I didn’t realize I should be controlling the area of effect on my banishment. I seem to have sort of knocked the wind pretty hard out of you. If I’d realized you were half oni, I’d have been much carefuler about that. I really didn’t know. Are you feeling alright now?”

“Oh…” I say slowly as my brain makes sense of that. So that’s what happened. I guess that makes a certain…sense. “Y…Yes,” I manage as I figure it out, “I think I’m alright now.”

“Good. I’m amazed by the recovery time, actually,” comes a cheerful, friendly voice I think I’ve heard before too, recently, but a man with peach hair I’ve never seen before moves into my field of view and stoops to place a palm against my forehead. My brain wants to jerk back from a strange human touching me, after the last month of memories, but I’m too exhausted and slowed to do anything but stare with eyes that aren’t seeing quite right yet. “You must have already been run ragged from the trap they’d been keeping you in, and immediately deploying a noble phantasm, then taking a banishment spell back-to-back, that’s some spirit origin you’ve got there. I suppose assassins need some hard survivability to fall back on now and again, but even so.”

He smiles at me. I usually view people with some wariness, because it’s only safe, and I feel even more strongly that way now, but this man has somehow got one of the most open and dependable faces I’ve ever seen. He must be…the doctor. That’s where I heard his voice, over the coms.

I guess it makes sense someone like that would be a doctor. And…that…i-it means he’s definitely on our side, then. Right?

“Again, terribly sorry,” says David with an apologetic little smile.

I try to focus back on him, and give a halting nod. My head is still struggling hard to catch up with reality. I seem to be having a hard time with that, since the trap. “…Did…it work?” I ask, turning to Ritsuka as I remember things that happened before, “Your plan?”

“Yes,” she says with a smile, “We did it!”

Oh good, I think with great relief. The idea of those people still being out there does not sit very easy with me, after the last weeks of my life. Months? I really have no idea anymore, I guess. Still. It’s…over. Wow.

Over. …Really…o-over.

“Thank you,” I say, looking up as the thoughts come full circle, “You saved me.”

She nods, and smiles. “You’re welcome. I’m just glad you’re okay.”

“He up an’ alright?” comes a voice I recognize more quickly as the cowboy’s, and I turn my head and see him. Actually, I take in the room for the first time too.

It’s…a hotel room, I think. A little couch and lounge area on my left, and a chair pulled close to the bed, that David’s sitting in. There’s another chair on my right, and a little dresser thing opposite me, then a hall far on my right, with the smell of food coming from it. I see a lot of the ones from earlier—the Caster and whatever was with him, over in the sitting area, but not next to each other. The green-clad archer with a hood is sitting in the chair on the right side of the bed—looks like he was reading something. The cowboy’s come from the little hallway. I don’t see the red archer and the lancer, though.

“Yes, hi,” I respond a little stuntedly as the cowboy walks over, and I remember he was speaking to me.

“Glad you’re feelin’ better!” replies the cowboy enthusiastically, clapping me on the shoulder like we’re old friends, “Had us worried there for a second! But hey—” He adds, turning towards Ritsuka for a moment, “We did it, right? That’s everyone now.”

She nods, smiling.

“Mission accomplished,” says Billy the Kid proudly, spinning his gun out of its holster and back in for show.

“Well, assuming things go well with Emiya and Cu Chulainn,” says David with interest, “Then, what does that mean for the rest of us?”

The doctor gives him a slightly nervous glance, and then looks back at Ritsuka.

“For…? You mean, after? Oh. Well…” She thinks a second. “…I dunno, I guess,” she decides, flushing a little when she looks around the room and meets eyes, which have all stopped whatever else they were doing to focus on her. “I uh. Wasn’t sure I’d get this far, so I didn’t plan far enough ahead. S-Sorry. I really didn’t uh… Well, I-I guess I thought I’d figure it out when I got there—Oh!” she adds, looking at the doctor, “Uhm. Doctor Archaman wants a chance to talk to us all about something important, though, so, that, I guess!”

The Doctor looks immensely relieved, happy even.

Huh. I wonder what this is all about? Actually…I—I don’t even really know what she’s talking about.

“And uh, after…” she says, almost to herself, and trails off, thinking.

“I-I’m sorry,” I pipe up slowly, struggling to at least prop myself up in the bed a little, and making it up against the baseboard, “Uhm. …I’m not sure I understand…what’s going on.”

The others glance at me.

“I uhm. …You said you freed me without…wanting anything in return,” I say slowly. I was going to say something else after, like ‘but you really wanted nothing else after? Even now? …What does that mean?’ but, it feels too strange to say. What does that mean, if it’s true? Do we just…get un-summoned? Have the contracts ended, and hang around until our mana is up? I’m…I feel very lost right now. …I guess I also might not be completely conscious. So, maybe I should keep my…mouth shut…

“Yeah,” agrees Ritsuka, “Sorry. I should have had a better plan than this-“

“—Hey I think ya did real well,” interjects Billy with great certainty.

“You did,” says Doctor Archaman, mind completely occupied somewhere else pretty obviously, but apparently clocked in enough to comment.

“Well. I guess we do whatever you want,” she decides, glancing at me, then the others, “I mean. I told Doctor Archaman we’d hear him out. But aside from that…” She looks back at me. “What do you want to do?”

“…W…W-what do I want to do?” I ask, very confused.

“Yeah,” she says, then glances around at the others, “I mean. You don’t have to stay, if you don’t want. But. It’s not hurting me to keep you summoned either. You could…I don’t know. Go to a theme park?”

“Huh?” says Robin, clocking in to this conversation for the first time.

“Yeah, or. I don’t know,” she says, thinking very hard, “I bet you don’t get to go sightseeing much or anything. But you could. What do you do for fun?”

For FUN?

I look at the cowboy for help, because I don’t know what to do, and he’s the only one I’ve talked to. He looks back, but the look on his own face is indescribable. It’s not a bad look, but it’s like all activity behind his eyes has short-circuited for a second.

“We don’t,” says the person whose class I don’t know, over by the Caster at the far side of the room. His voice is confused, wary almost.

The Caster on the other hand looks positively giddy. “Well I do! When I can, which isn’t usual, but hey! We don’t –what is the saying—look a gifted horse in the mouth? Let’s go do something fun! Yes! Excellent! Come on, Salieri!” He grabs the one whose class I can’t guess—Salieri?—by the shoulder excitedly, but the other man is staring so blankly at nothing he doesn’t even seem to notice.

Ritsuka looks relieved and pleased by the Caster’s response. Slightly more worried by the look on Salieri’s face as he finally registers the contact from the Caster.

I’m so confused, I think desperately.

“For…how long,” says Billy in a very strange, almost cautious voice, still looking a little like his brain has stopped.

“Uhm,” says Ritsuka, glancing at him and the rest of us, then back to him, “Well, however long you want? —I-I wouldn’t try to make you stay around, if you don’t want! I-If that’s what you’re worried about or something! But.”

“I’m sorry,” says Robin slowly, setting his book in his lap, “Are you offering to…set us up with indefinite…vacation leave?”

“Uhm. I guess sort of,” says Ritsuka uncertainly, thinking, “I mean, I did tell you Doctor Archaman has something important I promised we’d talk about, and I think he needs help with a serious problem. But. That can’t take forever, and if you all want to stay after, I uh, don’t see why you couldn’t.”

The spirits in the room all trade absolutely befuddled glances, except the Caster, who looks like he’s having the best day of his life. And I guess David, who just has a completely unreadable expression behind the unwavering smile on his face. This is the most confused I think I’ve ever felt.

“…This doesn’t happen,” I say just sort of automatically. I think I…I must be waiting to wake up still. I haven’t yet, right? This can’t be…a real thing happening to me…? Can...it…?

“Yeah,” says Ritsuka sadly, not understanding that at all, “I’m sorry most mages are so terrible to you.”

“No, I-…”

But what can I possibly say.

I try looking at the cowboy again, but he gives me a completely lost shrug, and then a worried little smile, and turns to look at Ritsuka himself.

“I-I appreciate the offer. Uh. We don’t…know how to respond, because no one’s ever said anything like that to any of us before, and we don’t have any kinda frame of reference to process it with, so we’re all gonna take just a second to kinda run it through,” he offers awkwardly, “I uh. I don’t know if that could even work. I guess you do got your big mana pool, so maybe you could do it,” he adds slowly, “But it’d be dangerous…Mages would be bound ta notice eventually—probably pretty soon. Target someone with—”

“—But with eight heroic spirits watching out for her, how much trouble could she possibly get in?” says the Caster with great enthusiasm, almost ecstatic at this idea.

Okay, this can’t really be happening, right? This is a dream. Surely, this must be a dream. I have gone completely insane from having my head half severed for so many weeks, and I’m hallucinating now to comfort myself. Right? That almost makes sense.

Yeah. I think that’s the only thing that could make sense.

Nobody would be kind to me. Not like this, anyway. People didn’t even treat me this way when I was alive.

“Well,” says David with a wave of his hand, “We are all jumping the gun a little bit. We have to make sure that things went well with the other two, and the last of Ur-Shanabi’s leadership. Make sure her parents stay safe,” he adds to Ritsuka with a reassuring smile.

Huh?

“-And there’s whatever the Doctor here has going on,” He continues with a nod at him, “But why not simply take things a little at a time, no? I mean, we really should stay a while, to be certain Ur-Shanabi does not re-form and begin doing what they did to all of us again, yes? So, it makes sense to stay a while.”

“My uh,” adds the Doctor hastily, and looking a little bit sorry, “my thing is uhm. It’s pretty serious, and…dangerous…” He looks very far away a second, then glances back up, and that sincere, just a little sad smile is there again. “But uhm. I think David’s right. Whatever else happens, take it a day at a time for now. We’ve all run ourselves ragged, the last…what’s it been?” He glances at Billy. “Forty-eight or so hours? And most of you have been through hell for weeks, or, even months. You all deserve a break. It…would be nice, to do something fun. Live a little. Heroic spirits…really never get to.” He looks both very sincere, and happy for us, and somewhere behind that, deeply, irrevocably sad, when he says it. I think…something very bad must have happened to this man, and even as not quite there as I think I must still be, I feel bad for him, seeing it.

David is looking at him, and I see almost the same sadness reflected in his eyes for a second, which surprises me, because it’s the first time I’ve had any guess what David’s thinking at all. But he smiles that same bright smile, like a shield, and the sadness is hidden again behind it. “Yes. Exactly. And you’ll come with us too! We’ll celebrate,” he adds, grinning at Ritsuka, “Something nice, for all of us! A victory party!”

“Yeah, okay,” she says enthusiastically, “That sounds great to me! Once Emiya and Cu Chulainn are back, we can ask everybody what they want to do, and figure something out—”

“—And between now and then, everyone can get some rest,” says David with great finality, still beaming.

“Get off of me, or I’m going to remove your head,” says Salieri, who I’d forgotten about, and I look over and see the Caster still hanging off him, from both shoulders now, and looking incredibly unthreatened by this.

“Please don’t antagonize him!” says Ritsuka worriedly, very threatened by this.

“I just want him to have a good time,” says the Caster, reluctantly letting go, but never dropping his smile.

“I think rest is a good idea,” says the Doctor, glancing at the spirits in the corner, and then back at those of us closer to him a bit nervously, “But uh—I don’t think we’ve given proper introductions yet. I haven’t anyway. And I’m sure all this is overwhelming enough on its own.” He shoots me a pitying look.

It is. I feel very grateful towards him.

“I’m Doctor Romani Archaman. A lot of people seem to have trouble pronouncing that, so if you want to call me Doctor Roman instead, that’s fine with me,” he continues with a kind smile, and then indicating the green-haired archer I already know as David, “This is King David, an Archer. You’ve met Billy the Kid, Gunner, and Ritsuka Fujimaru, human mage.” They nod or shoot me a smile. Billy flicks the brim of his hat up like a greeting. He moves on to indicate the other Archer, the Caster, and Salieri in turn. “That’s Robin Hood, Archer. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Caster, and Antonio Salieri, Avenger.”

Avenger. That’s…a hard class. I wish I knew what to say to him, but I don’t think he wants my condolences.

“The other two who were with us before, the Red Archer is Emiya, and the Blue Lancer is Cu Chulainn,” he finishes, “They’re out dealing with a problem right now, but I think they’ll be back pretty soon.”

“Thank you,” I reply, “I’m Fuuma Kotarou, Fifth Head of the Genji Clan. Assassin.”

There are little comments of assent or introduction from the circle, and it’s all much easier to process than the talk of infinite vacation leave. Did I imagine that? I have to have, right? I’m so confused right now. I should probably try not to act confused though. I want to be useful, to thank her for rescuing me, and that won’t help.

“Well, feel free to get some sleep if you like it,” says Billy the Kid as people disperse a little, coming over to take the seat King David was in before now that he’s vacated it to speak to Doctor Archaman, “But if you ain’t so tired, there’s good food, an’ Robin an’ I were gonna play some cards, if you want in.”

I thought I wanted sleep, but the idea of food outweighs that, and I manage to sit up a little.

“Thanks,” I say. Wait. Food? As a— “Are you…you said there is food for us?”

I look up for my Master, and she’s already vanishing into the little hall I smell food from, so I look back at Billy.

“Yeah, she’s unusual,” he says with a very proud grin.

“That doesn’t begin to cover it,” says Robin Hood, moving his chair over to Billy’s side of the bed, “But it’s completely in a good way.”

… “I…am not completely certain I’ve actually woken up again. Or that any of this is happening,” I tell them, a little worried it’s not a good idea to say that.

“Yeah, I felt that way too,” agrees Billy, nonplussed, “We never get treated ‘cept like shit. It’s happenin’ though.”

Huh. I’m still not totally sure I believe him, but. I … I guess if it’s a dream, at least it’s a really, really good one. And…even that’s quite the rare gift. We’re not supposed to dream like this anymore.

“Okay. Game’s called Faro. Easy to learn—trust me. ‘N I’ll go easy on ya,” says Billy the Kid.

“He will,” agrees Robin tiredly, “But only the first time. Then he’ll take you for all you’re worth.”

Scary…

“Ritsuka’s playin’ Bank, ‘cause I already taught her ‘n she’s actually pretty good at it,” he continues, then pauses to call to the rest of the room, “Anyone else want deal’d in?”

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“So, be real,” I say, landing silently on the edge of the roof behind Archer and adjusting my grip on my spear, “The kid wanted us to talk to her, ‘just in case,’ but there was never any other way this was gonna go; the others sent us because they needed someone who could make sure we don’t just get her, we get all the information she had backups of too.”

“No,” replies Archer, side-eyeing me for a moment, “If the others wanted to send someone to torture out information, they would have asked Salieri to go.”

I snort. “No way; he doesn’t have the patience for that. Alone, he’d rip her head off in under a minute.”

“Look, it hardly matters,” says Archer with a sigh, turning to actually face me a little. “… What, does it bother you to be the one who seems good at this?”

“At killing?” I ask, genuinely surprised for a second, but no, that’s not what he means. He means ‘at being cutthroat’.

I consider.

“No, not really,” I decide.

He tilts his head like assent. “…Funny they’re wrong, though.”

“Hm?”

“Please,” he says, scanning the building ahead again, and then glancing over at me, “You’re not cutthroat. You picked two kids in a grail war as your allies. I’ve seen you die at least eight times in the stupidest of ways, just because there was something especially rotten you didn’t want to do.”

I can’t figure out if that’s a dig, or a backhanded compliment, or…?

“Oh, you can talk,” I decide to shoot back, because it’s the easiest response, “Under all that superiority complex, edgy shit you got going on, you’re really just a lifelong pacifist who got tired.”

Oooh, low blow. He did not like that.

For a long few seconds, he just narrows his eyes and looks at me, then he turns away, expression hard.

I think maybe I took that one too far.

“There. Top floor. See it?” he asks, and I do, immediately. Just for an instant, but the tiniest change in mana sparks in the third room from last on the far right. Hell of a bounded field hiding her, but we finally found the signature we were looking for.

“We got her,” I say, grip tightening.

He nods, eyes on the window.

-

It doesn’t take long.

I don’t know what I expected.

But it wasn’t what I got.

I forget, but he’s not like the rest of us. He’s not dragged around to mage summons off and on, and frozen on the throne otherwise. He’s in that reality marble of his, for a few moments, and then thrown out by the Counter Force to deal with some new threat. I forget that he’s not like the rest, because I see him so much. But he isn’t.

We entered the room silent, the curtain blowing behind us. Him ahead, me just behind, waiting.

He raised his sword calmly, and she saw him as she turned.

She was smart enough not to attack immediately. She knew her work well enough to recognize me and what I was, and not to recognize him and know he wasn’t one of hers. She asked.

He said, “I am an agent of the Counter Force. Sent to bring peace and stability whenever the living humans of a time throw the world too far off balance. I ensure the survival of the human race. Whatever the cost, whatever the call, whatever the reason. Without quarter, or excuse, or appeal. You cannot have aimed your hand at the Throne itself, and not expected this would come much, much sooner, than later.”

Director Ayase had nodded, slow, calm. Almost still, even in motion. “So. An answer to what happened last night that finally makes sense. I don’t suppose you people let humans off with a warning?”

He said nothing. He didn’t move. Weapon still, leveled, in the dark.

That was her moment to appeal, but she did not.

“And you?” asked Director Ayase, turning to me instead.

I raised my spear and grinned a smile of sharp teeth. “Revenge.”

“I didn’t realize that was the Counter Force’s business,” she’d said, turning back to Archer.

Expression almost blank, he held her gaze, and said, “One might say, it is our only business.”

That was her second moment to appeal. She did not.

She tried to kill him.

No equivocations, no fleeing, no apologies or attempts.

Only violence.

And she tried to kill him, not me. Not me first. Of all the things. I didn’t care enough to remember the exact words, but she said something about him still just being a glorified familiar, even if his master was the Counter Force, and she’d activated every trap ready in that room and tried to rip him to shreds. I could see on her face that she really thought she could do it, too. Certainty. As much as I’ve seen it, and as used to it as I should be, just how people with money will really, truly believe they can out-flank god herself will never cease to amaze me.

She did not.

I could have killed her, but I didn’t care who did it, and he didn’t need protecting. He was quick.

I had forgotten that he would be quick.

But, he always is. I certainly remember it now. Not quick to move, but quick to kill. Quick in the act of killing. Quick in making it over. He hit her, once, and she was gone, the next instant. Like an execution, not a kill.

I guess when your only job is revenge, that’s what mercy is forced to look like.

And it was mercy. Brutal, and ugly, and unmemorable mercy, but mercy still.

We went through the room after. He set her down, against the foot of the bed. Not undignified, not special. A neutral, basic respect. Like it was rote. And we found what we needed, and we left.

I watch him now with a little more interest, and a little less annoyance, than usual, as we head back. A flicker of mana on rooftops and through trees.

“Hey,” I say finally as we go, and he stops then and waits for me.

“I didn’t mean you got tired of being one,” I say as I join him on the rooftop. It’s getting close to dawn, but it’s still so dark, you wouldn’t be able to tell by looking. I only know because I can recognize the way it feels. “I just meant you got tired.”

He furrows his brow in I think genuine confusion, and then I see it click.

Archer opens his mouth and starts to say something, then doesn’t. I wait.

“…Is this an apology? Of some kind?” he asks finally, confused and almost amused, “Or are you insulting my level of professionalism?”

“Neither, I think,” I say, “I just think you make a poor cleaner.”

He snorts. “And who let Medea escape injured in that holy grail war where her master sold the execution right for his own servant to another contender..?”

Damn. Gonna be like that, huh?

But the tension from before is gone.

“That’s integrity,” I shrug him off completely.

“Sure,” he almost laughs. I return the grin.

Huh. This almost feels familiar too. Can’t remember any good times with this guy to be remem—

“Wait, shit, did we go fishing-?”

“What?” says Archer, completely taken aback.

“Was there like, some time we both got summoned somewhere, where that would have been a thing? For the life of me I can’t remember, but I can almost swear,” I reply.

“Why did you have to say that?” he asks, a matching look of consternation on his face as he thinks, “Damn it. Now I kind of remember that too. Why the hell would we-? Was Gilgamesh there?? AGAIN?”

“God, I hope not,” I say, “I fucking hate that guy.”

“Yeah, me too,” says Archer, thinking hard at the middle distance.

There’s a moment of us digging for old memories, and then I shake it off and turn to him, swinging my spear around to lean on it casually. “Well. Either way. At least now it’s done, and we can go back.”

“To what?” he asks automatically.

Huh. Good question. “Shit, I haven’t thought about that. Are we all just getting unsummoned?” I ask.

He shrugs.

Hm. Well. “Guess we’ll find out?” I offer, and it’s so weird a situation to be in, I laugh.

“I guess so,” he replies with what’s almost a laugh, shaking his head a little, “…I guess so.”

-------------------------

“It’s all taken care of.”

“All of it?” checks Ritsuka again, eyes huge.

“I promise you,” says Emiya with a patient smile, “They’re okay. We checked, and your brother is still out of the country. Your parents will be with family for the next month. No one who knew anything is around to do anything about it, and any records and backups have been destroyed.”

“They’re safe,” she checks.

He nods.

“Safe, and Ur Shanabi is dead,” chimes in Cu Chulainn, raising his glass of water.

She just looks at them for a few seconds in silence, then her eyes well up and she throws her arms around him, then motions Cu Chulainn close enough she can reach both, and gets him too.

“Thank you so much,” comes her muffled voice.

“Hey, you saved us from a fate worse than death. It’s nothing,” says Cu Chulainn.

“Yeah, we’re the ones need to be thankin’ you,” I chime in. She raises her head to look over at me. “I mean, I was dead! For months, I think. And you swoop in and save me, save all of us?”

“Dismantle a corrupt organization,” adds Robin, joining me.

“Yes. Save all of us, fight an impressive battle,” says Mozart from over in the corner.

“And the best part: we all made it out alive and fairly unscathed!” adds David gleefully.

I nod. That’s a damn good point. We really did great here, I think.

“…I. Wow,” she says, staring at all of us in turn with big eyes, “We really did it, didn’t we?”

“You did,” says Doctor Archaman with his soft smile, looking genuinely about as happy as we are. I can’t really figure the guy out, but no matter how he got mixed up in this, I guess he’s pretty okay.

“You helped too,” I say, feeling charitable.

He looks surprised, and then looks down and kind of smiles.

“You did!” agrees David readily, “Quite a bit! You blew the vault. Did some big magic medicine work. Ran an attack.”

“Alright alright,” says the Doctor quickly, “We all pitched in. You too. Even half dead, you really saved us there,” he adds, to Kotarou, who is watching all of this still from the bed. He’s sitting up now, and looks a whole lot better, and ain’t bad at cards, but I guess he’s probably pretty overwhelmed still. I would be, if I tried to think very rationally about everything going on, and I’ve been up the longest.

“Way to go team!” cheers Ritsuka, raising a fist. There’s a little chorus of assent or relief from everyone. Robin claps me on the back, and I elbow him in a friendly way back, and grin. Even the Avenger looks happy for the moment. Proud maybe.

“So—a celebration?” suggests David.

“Celebration?” echoes Emiya, turning to him as Ritsuka lets go.

“Yeah, it’s what she suggested. –Oh you two weren’t there for that,” I say, “But uh. Well. I’ll. Let her sorta.” I gesture, to try and pass the baton.

“Oh yeah! Right,” says Ritsuka, turning back to Cu Chulainn and Emiya, “When you two were gone, we started talking about what happens next. Uhm, I promised the Doctor we’d all hear him out, about this security situation he has at his organization. He said he could use help, if we’re willing to do that.”

They glance at the Doctor, and so does Robin beside me, and interesting look on his face. Huh. Wonder what that’s about. Maybe he already knows somethin?

“But before then, we thought we’d all go out and do something to celebrate! If—uhm, if you all feel well enough,” she adds.

We glance around at each other.

“I do,” offers Mozart with great enthusiasm.

“And she said after whatever the Doc’s got, we can all just stick around or do whatever,” I add, overtaken by a sudden Irish drive to add chaos to the moment.

It’s so worth it for the looks Emiya and Cu Chulainn both get on their faces instantly. Cu Chulainn like, triple takes, and Emiya looks like all activity behind his eyes short-circuits for about three seconds.

“I’m sorry—what?” says Emiya, trying to recover, and turning to Ritsuka. Behind him, Cu Chulainn’s eyes are just huge.

“Well, I mean,” says Ritsuka, suddenly uncertain over this response, “It’s not like I can’t sustain you, since I have so much mana. It would be really mean to just send you back to the throne, and, there’s no reason it would be bad for you to get to stick around. It sounds like you never get to do anything enjoyable, or rest, so it would maybe be pretty good. To uh…You know.”

Emiya still looks like he’s hitting error codes in his brain. Cu Chulainn has a massive grin starting to form.

“I mean—You don’t have to stay with me,” hurries Ritsuka, misinterpreting Emiya, “—y-you can go wherever you want! And if you didn’t want to stick around, that’s okay too. I just figure. Maybe you all would want uh. Want a break.”

“Well I do!” calls Mozart again, “And so does Salieri.”

Salieri turns to give Mozart the kind of look Emiya is still giving Ritsuka.

“Well shit,” says Cu Chulainn excitedly, “You’re actually serious?”

“Yes?” she says, confused.

He tries to say something, and then just starts laughing. So hard he kind of doubles over, and slaps a hand on Emiya’s shoulder to steady himself. Emiya turns and gives him a blank look for a few seconds, and then shakes his head and slowly comes back to himself, starting to smile as well.

“Are you two okay?” asks Ritsuka.

“Yes,” says Emiya over Cu Chulainn’s shaky, “Oh yeah,” through his laughter. “This just never happens,” continues Emiya, “It’s enough to apparently give someone a little bit of a nervous breakdown.”

“I’m not having a nervous breakdown,” manages Cu Chulainn as he continues to laugh, “It’s just funny!’

“It’s funny?” asks Ritsuka worriedly.

“Not in a bad way,” Robin answers for them, moving forward, “In a kind of cosmic way. It’s like being horribly cursed your whole life, only to win a 900 million dollar lottery.”

“Oh,” says Ritsuka, clearly not getting it at all, but encouraged at least.

“We can figure the rest out later, can’t we?” pipes up Mozart enthusiastically, “I say we go with the mood, and celebrate! What’s the last time anyone here has been out on the town?”

“’Out on the’—” starts Emiya, incredulous.

“Won’t that be a risk?” asks Salieri, which is the first thing I’ve heard him say in a while. It’s a wild sight, him next to Mozart, who’s a beacon’ ah light without a care in the world, n’him surrounded by an aura like he’s trying to compress all the rage and confusion and murderous intent I seen in him in battle, into a little one foot radius around his body and probably a couple ulcers, just to not destroy everything around him. Never seen someone look so clocked out in such a specific, intentional way. Kinda impressive actually. Like a bomb held together by force of will.

“Being spirits, you mean?” asks Doctor Archaman. He considers. “…Well, we—you—took care of Ur-Shanabi’s leadership. No one around should know to look out for you. What happened with Mercury, they possibly could be looking for Fuuma Kotarou, but they won’t be yet. Their priority will be figuring out who did this, and why. There’s always the chance of being spotted, by other mages, but I don’t think anywhere that would qualify as ‘out on the town’ is somewhere we’d be likely to be spotted. Or for mages to be. So…So long as you don’t do anything to draw attention to yourself.”

“Like…how we look?” asks Ritsuka.

I glance at her in surprise, then down at myself.

Oh. Haha. Yeah…The whole ‘cowboy’ thing might not scream ��heroic spirit,’ but it sure screams somethin’. And I’m the most modern hero here, ‘cept apparently Emiya. An he sure don’t look it.

“Ah—uh, yes,” says Doctor Archaman awkwardly.

“We’ll go grab clothes first then! Something to blend in,” says Ritsuka excitedly, “I know a little shop that would be perfect, pretty close.”

The rest of us trade glances.

“Well, I’m in!” I decide, fully pumped. She turns and grins at me. Heh heh.

“I…guess?” says Emiya, almost mystified, while Cu Chulann offers something a little like finger guns from behind him, and Robin nods dissociatively.

“You already know I am!” chimes in Mozart, grabbing Salieri’s arm, “Come on, Antonio!”

Salieri just stares at him blankly. David nods sagely, and claps an arm around Doctor Archaman’s shoulder. Which is kinda hard, because he’s way shorter’n him. “You as well, Doctor! You’ve got a ruined lab coat, bedclothes, and that swimsuit, and none of those won’t grab attention.

Doctor Archaman looks chagrined.

I look at Kotarou.

“Uh…” he says when he notices, and returns the eye contact, “…okay?”

He sounds so unsure, poor guy. I’d be so lost too.

“Let’s do it,” I affirm.

Ritsuka nods. “Great! We can take the train.”

“We can?” Cu Chulainn asks her dubiously.

“No, she’s right,” sighs Emiya, “You see weirder stuff on the train.”

“Really?” I ask.

Emiya and Ritsuka both nod.

To my incredible astonishment, they’re right. We take the train, and barely get a look. I hear someone sigh. Two girls ask if they can take a photo and if David and Kotarou are cosplaying as ‘Guy and Azel’. Doctor Archaman panics and says yes. Other than that, we are left alone.

Ritsuka hops off the train and we follow her through city streets that still seem unimaginably big and full and clean, compared to what I knew. Like a maze, but, she seems to know it by heart, and we wind through the labyrinth to a quieter street and a white and blue building called 2nd STREET Total Reuse.

We get a bit of an odd look walkin’ in, but I guess the cashier ain’t paid enough to care, and Ritsuka goes up and excitedly asks a few questions about where stuff is, and the lady barely pays mind to us at all after that. I get dragged with Kotarou down an aisle, since we’re about the same height, and Ritsuka seems to be havin’ the time of her life pitchin’ ideas to us. So goofy. I can’t think of the last…ever? I guess…yeah, least as far as I remember, I ain’t ever gone clothes shoppin’, even just for the practicality of a disguise, since I was a heroic spirit. Usually if your master wants some incognito, you just go into spirit form ‘n wait.

It's fun. I never had cash to shop as a kid, but the few times when I was real little, ‘n my mom took me for fabric for Sunday clothes ‘n a treat, and the few times again once I started scorin’ as a thief, ‘n first used some spoils?

It was fun then, and it’s fun now. She’s passin’ out jackets and shoes and wonderin’ to herself out loud if it’s fine for me to keep my cowboy hat. It’s so…normal, and different, and carefree. Even just an instant in time, it’s great. Like stepping back into a day I was really alive.

Poor Kotarou looks like he’s still mentally almost 100% clocked out. I hear the others chattin. David seems to be draggin’ Doctor Archaman around the store, and the poor man’s just lettin’ it happen. Guess they must’ve really connected back when David knew him as a boy—rare to have that happen, but I guess I’d feel something like the same seein’ Ritsuka again after a long time. Mozart’s tryin’ to do the same to Salieri, and it’s a plain wonder the man ain’t killed him yet. They got a real complicated relationship. Salieri keeps arguing his clothes are actually normal enough to pass for contemporary, which might be true, because it’s kinda a dated suit, but it’s just a black suit. Mozart ain’t havin it, and Ritsuka leaves us to double-team him, and I have to assume he loses, because next time I see him he’s tiredly wearing a more casual suit jacket, and talking to Cu Chulainn by some shoes.

“You holdin up okay?” I ask Kotarou, glancing over as I’m finishin’ what I got goin’ and step back out of the changing room to see he’s still just holding an armful of things Ritsuka gave him, with his face blank.

He kind of blinks, and slowly turns his head to look at me.

“Oh. Uh. …I don’t really know,” he offers after a moment.

I nod. “It’s a whole lot.”

“Does…?” he hesitates, and considers, then looks up again, seeming more awake, “Does this all feel like it’s not really happening, to you?”

He said somethin’ like this back at the hotel, too. Guess he’s still feelin pretty rough.  “Mmm, it did at first,” I reply, thinking it through sincerely, “But I’ve been up for like, 48 hours now. Somewhere around day two, I think, I decided it must be real.”

“…Really,” he says thoughtfully, more to himself than me.

“It is surreal,” I say.

He nods slowly. “It feels like…I was going to say ‘something that would happen to somebody else,’ but, it’s not even that. It feels like something you wish could happen to even just somebody else, a little like you. But wouldn’t. Like you might say, ‘well, in another life, I got a master who just let me goof off and buy things.’”

That is a fair point.

“Guess it does. …I s’pose that means we’re livin the dream, huh?” I add after a second with enthusiasm.

He blinks. “…Does it?”

I consider again, then nod. “Think so.”

“Huh,” he says, thinking that through, “That just doesn’t seem like something that could really happen to me.”

I shrug. “Me either. But I think when somethin’ too good to be true finally happens, you just gotta embrace it whole-hog, ‘n go with your own momentum. I mean, it’s gotta be once in a lifetime, right?” I smile and nudge his arm with my elbow. “Better make it count.”

He thinks, and then smiles a little, and nods again. “I guess so.”

“I mean, we got the bad flip side of that too. Only a handful of us got trapped in death-torture device shit for a couple weeks, so, y’know. I figure we almost earned it.”

I get a real smile that time. He still looks pretty glazed over, but a lot better than he did.

“Plus—Damn Robin!” I interrupt myself, spotting him, “Lookin’ good!”

He pauses where he was about to step past the aisle, and glances at me and gives me an amused sigh and a smile. “This is literally just black jeans and a green shirt. You know that.”

“You’re wearin’ the hell out of it though,” I say.

He rolls his eyes but he keeps smiling.

“Go on,” I say to Kotarou, slapping him on the back to bring him back down to earth, and gesturing to the changing room. He nods and vanishes inside.

“So,” I say as Robin walks over, “If you could do anything in the world to celebrate, what would it be?”

“I don’t know. Get off the throne?” jokes Robin, sliding over next to me.

“I meant in a mundane way,” I say, fake miffed, “And you know it.”

“Mmm, alright,” says Robin without missing a beat, “Mundane celebration, mundane celebration…hm. Maybe I’d…Go visit the old stomping ground?” he suggests, looking surprised at his own idea.

“Like, go home? See what’s changed?” I ask.

He shrugs. “Maybe. Dunno.”

That sounds a little interesting to me too.

“What about just today?” I try.

“Just today?” he echoes, “Well…I guess I’d…” He glances at me and then grins. “Go drinkin’.”

“Yeah?” I ask.

“I mean, why not? It’s not complicated, or elaborate, but I miss spending time eating and drinking with friends between work. Just relaxing, sharing stories.” He gestures with an arm.

“Me too,” I agree, “And it wouldn’t hurt if it was somethin’ sweet! That girl gave me a chocolate earlier, and now my damn mouth can’t stop thinkin’ about the fact that sometimes food is sweet.”

“God, yeah,” agrees Robin with a faraway look on his face, “Man, it would be nice to get drunk. Not much, just a little, you know? Take the edge off.”

I nod.

“You think we can do that?”

“I mean, why not?” I say, “We’re already decided on goin’ to get food or somethin’.”

We look back out over the others we can see. Everyone but Kotarou seems to have their new outfit by now. Emiya looks so mundane dressed casually, and even Cu Chulainn looks virtually normal. It makes me almost feel like, even if it’s just for the next few hours, we’ll really get to be: people, alive, carefree. The little stuff you don’t miss enough till you’re dead ‘n gone. Doctor Archaman is up at the front with David, payin’, and they look so casual I could almost believe they’re family, doin’ something they’ve done 100 times. Any other day. ‘N Rits is over with Salieri and Mozart, trying to keep the Avenger from going insane, by the look of it. I know that, because I’ve met them, but if I couldn’t sense the mana from here, they’d just look like a couple old friends having a fight they don’t mean.

Behind me, Kotarou steps back out of the changing room. He’s got grey pants and red trimmed boots, a deep grey shirt. He could be Ritsuka’s classmate, like that.

He glances at me a little awkwardly, pushing some hair out of an eye, and tries to smile, and I feel the thought even more. We could all be anybody right now.

What a rare gift, no matter how long it lasts. I guess somebody up there’s still lookin’ out for me.

Robin looks over and smiles too, and then double-takes hard and says, “Wait a second.” He looks from him, to me, to himself. “Did she color code us??”

Huh.

I look down at my jeans and brown t-shirt. Up and over at Emiya in his black pants and dark red jacket, Cu Chulainn’s blue flannel and jeans, Mozart’s purple dress shirt and black pants and fancy green scarf, Salieri’s black suit and matching red scarf, David’s cream button-down and black pants with a little green vest.

“God Damn! She did!” I exclaim.

That’s so funny.

“Huh…” says Kotarou, looking down at himself.

“Look!” says Robin, about to lose it, gesturing towards the counter, “She even did it to herself!”

Oh damn, it’s true. She didn’t even need to buy anything, ‘cause she had clothes already, but she’s picked up a white jacket somewhere, to replace the one totaled by that trip to shreds in Ur-Shanabi.

“Well I’ll be,” I say.

“Not the Doctor, though,” says Kotarou with interest.

“David picked his,” says Robin, waving that away, “I saw it.”

From the way the poor man is wearing a slutty little white v-neck with red trim, and looking absolutely miserable about it, I am not surprised one bit to hear that.

“Come on!” calls Ritsuka from the front, seeing us and waving us over, “I think we found a good restaurant!”

I glance at Robin and Kotarou. Kotarou blinks, and then gives a shaky little smile.

“Somewhere we can drink?” asks Cu Chulainn with interest. She nods.

“Well, well, well,” says Robin, immensely pleased. He claps us both on the shoulder, gives me a grin, and heads over.

We follow.

-------------------------

“Alright, alright!” says David cheerily, sliding up to the table with my tray of drinks from the café outside.

“Hell yeah!” says Billy excitedly, taking the hot chocolate he asked for and setting it next to the half-finished glass of liquor on the table at his place.

“Seriously?” says Emiya.

“I ain’t gotta limit myself to one drink,” he scoffs, taking alternate swigs from both.

Emiya grimaces.

Yeah, I feel that. I can see drinking both, but alternating? Billy’s my boy though, so I keep my mouth shut and take another sip of the sake we were offered when we sat down. I don’t really care so much what I’m drinking, so long as it takes an edge off, and it is damn well doing that for me.

“And for you, Chavera,” says David, passing another hot chocolate to Ritsuka, who beams and picks one of the marshmallows off the top to chew on, before taking a swig. No wonder she and Billy get along.

“This is good stuff,” says Cu Chulainn, ignoring all of them in favor of the shochu he’s been devouring at a genuinely impressive rate. He’s not wrong. I’m pacing myself a little by mostly sticking with the lighter alcohol, because there is a very specific level of drunk I like to get, but I’ve had some of it too, and it’s quality.

“And dinner was amazing,” agrees Ritsuka, who’s still getting through the last of hers.

I’ve never had okonomiyaki before, but I would agree with that as well. This is pretty much exactly what I was hoping for when I told Billy how I’d prefer to spend my celebration. Go me.

“And you,” says David finally, passing the Doctor, who’s declined drinking alcohol, the last cup in the tray.

“Thanks,” he says, taking it and setting it by his plate.

“Okay, so. We’ve definitely met before,” says Kotarou, gesturing to himself and me, picking up where the conversation was before David’s return. He points to Billy and me then. “You’ve definitely met before.” He points to Cu Chulainn and Emiya. “You two have very definitelymet before. Many times.”

They give unhappy sounds of assent and turn to their alcohol.

“You’ve met, but only you remember it,” he says, indicating Emiya and me again.

Yeah. Very annoyed I don’t remember that one. Emiya doesn’t look exactly thrilled that he does, though, so probably we tried to kill each other. I guess it can’t matter now.

“You two know each other,” he continues, gesturing to Doctor Archaman, and David, “And you two know each other,” he finishes, indicating Salieri and Mozart.

“That seems about right,” I say.

“Archers really get around,” he says contemplatively.

I grin. Dunno why that’s so funny to me. Do we? Maybe we do.

“But this is your first time summoning heroic spirits, right?” he checks, glancing up at Ritsuka. She nods.

“Hell of a first time,” I observe.

“Atta girl,” cheers Billy, who is a little bit drunk.

She grins and flushes.

“It seems oddly fortuitous we’d have had so many meet each other before, and remember it,” says Kotarou with building interest, “I’m not sure I believe in fate as such, but, doesn’t it almost seem…”

‘Meant to be?’

Hm…

“Yeah, I think it’s nice,” says Ritsuka, “It’s like a reunion, in ways.”

David nods sagely and smiles. Beside him, Doctor Archaman watches that and smiles a little too, then takes a sip of his drink.

Man, I still cannot get a read on that guy at all. I’ve been trying, ever since Emiya brought it up, but. As sure as I am something is going on, for the life of me, I can’t pin down what. He seems nice. He seems normal. He seems fine, and mundane, and kind even. A little bit of a coward, a little out of his depth, but, I know he’s neither. No coward would have done what he did last night, or today, and no one out of their depth with heroic spirits can patch together a shattered spirit core. So why is he…?

And he’s damn convincing…

It makes me feel unsettled, but. Then he says literally anything, and I don’t anymore, because he’s the least worrying person I’ve ever met. It’s so frustrating. And he-

“…Is this…?” The Doctor’s face changes dramatically, almost to a disbelieving grimace. He takes another sip, and gives David an indescribable look. “Is this just a cup of warm milk and honey?”

David absolutely loses it in the chair next to him—like this is the funniest fucking prank on the planet.

Doctor Archaman is still giving him this look like he cannot believe he would do this, and I can’t get what’s funny about it at all. The hell?

“Seriously?” he asks, “Are you kidding me? You went to a coffee shop and ordered me milk and honey just to…”

He gives the sigh of someone shifting the weight of twenty years of exhaustion in the breath and shakes his head, but he almost cracks a smile too. David is just grinning elated at him.

“That’s so fucking stupid,” says Doctor Archaman, who I’ve not heard use this tone before.

“It’s funny,” argues David happily.

“Oh, whatever,” says Doctor Archaman, but he’s still drinking it.

“It’s good for you!” says David, pleased, grabbing his arm, “Makes those bones strong!”

“You’re unbelievable,” says Doctor Archaman, not looking at him, but he’s not mad anymore.

I look at Emiya. He’s watching too, and we trade a ‘Oh I saw it, but I don’t know what the fuck it was,’ look. Everything those two do just gives me more questions. Doesn’t alarm me. But the fact they’re so covert about shit that doesn’t alarm me at all, does alarm me a little. Uhg, I hate this.

Whatever, I think, turning back to my own drink.

“Well, I think it’s all wonderful!” says Mozart, circling back. He clinks his glass against Salieri’s cheerily. “Over two-hundred years, and we finally see each other again! And with the same master even! Not at war! What are the odds?”

Salieri sighs and looks at his empty cup. He sat down by me, originally, to get away from that man, but Mozart just dragged a stool over, forcibly somehow shoved it into the space between us, and is now practically in the guy’s lap. Poor bastard.

I refill his glass. He gives me a tired, grateful sigh, and downs it in one gulp. Jesus, and I used the shochu.

“Yeah, it’s real nice! I’m always happy to see Robin, and havin’ partners at all in any summon’s rare enough,” says Billy, raising his glass to me. I meet him with a smile, and we drink.

Somehow everyone kind of ends up looking towards Cu Chulainn and Emiya, I guess seeing them as the next logical speakers, and when they become aware of it, they trade disgusted glances.

“Don’t look at me,” says Cu Chulainn, “I’m never happy to see this bastard’s face. I just can’t get away from him.”

“Yeah, I’m so pleased every time a new opponent walks into the room, and it’s you again,” says Emiya, dripping sarcasm. Cu Chulainn grins.

“I can’t tell if you’re actually friends, or not,” says Ritsuka with a little worry.

“Oh, they’re friends,” says Billy the same time I say, “Friends,” tiredly, and Mozart says, “Inseparable.”

Neither of them like that one bit.

“Well, he’s not so bad I can’t work with him,” offers Cu Chulainn, deciding the meat on his plate is more worth his time than this conversation, and digging in, “Plus,” he continues, mouth chock-full, “less annoying to have him on my side, than taking way more of my time than it should to kill.”

“Yeah, that’s less annoying to me too,” agrees Emiya. I fuckin bet. I would not love to be killed by that specific lancer. He’s terrifying in combat. Even stalling against him wouldn’t be fun.

“I think it’s great to see old friends,” says David, very pleased.

“You couldn’t have even gotten shots in this?” asks Doctor Archaman, still stuck on the drink, “I…I did specifically say ‘oh just anything with caffeine,’ and you got one of the only things at a coffee shop that doesn’t have some.”

David shrugs.

“How about you?” says Ritsuka, smiling at Kotarou.

He flushes and smiles back. “Uh. I…don’t actually remember the summoning I met Robin Hood on in any detail, just that I’ve met him before for sure, somewhere. But I uh—I’m just glad to be anywhere other than where I was the last night.”

She looks happy for him, and Kotarou seems grounded by that.

“You can say that again,” agrees Billy.

“We’re all pretty lucky,” I say, raising my glass, “All things considered.” Most of the others toast that. It’s…all things considered, almost unbelievably true.

“You won’t say anything, but I know even you have to be pleased, spending time with me like life is normal again,” says Mozart to Salieri, sipping his sake happily.

“You really don’t get it, do you?” says Salieri finally, turning to give him such an exhausted look that I feel worse for him than I already did.

“Mm?” says Mozart, glancing over without a care in the world.

“I’m not happy to be here with you,” says Salieri, in great distress, “I would love to be summoned anywhere else. I am expending every amount of effort I am able, not to kill you right now. This is not relaxing and enjoyable: it is a nightmare.”

“It can’t really be that hard,” says Mozart, lowering his glass.

Salieri gets a look on his face that says Oh Yes It Fucking Can pretty clearly. The poor man looks so miserable and strung out.

“We’re having fun right now, though,” says Mozart.

“You, are having fun,” says Salieri.

Mozart sighs and sets down his cup, then shifts to face him. “Alright, Antonio. What would it take for you to have a good time?”

“You really don’t seem to grasp this situation,” says Salieri, almost amazed this time.

“You say, ‘the throne, blah blah blah, Avenger, perception, innocent monster,’” he waves his wrist in a circle, “’You’re compelled to kill me. You’re not doing it though.’ But resisting hurts? Like a command spell.”

“Not…exactly. It’s…” He hesitates, and glances at Ritsuka, then the rest of us.

“Come on,” says Mozart, “I’m taking it serious! I’m trying to help! Let’s figure this out.”

“You cannot just ‘figure it out,’” says Salieri in great distress, “It is what it is! My nature is changed. I am supposed to be the figure who kills you. I am half Antonio Salieri, and half just this concept of a man who is consumed by the desire for your murder. It’s not that ‘I’—the ‘I’ you think of, am compelled. It is that ‘I’ am made up, of multiple parts now. And not all of them are Antonio Salieri. Even if I put forward as much effort as it is possible for me, and more, I still cannot control the part of me that is not me, forever.”

Mozart watches that. For once, his smile disappears, and he looks almost concerned, or thoughtful.

“You do not ‘know’ what I am like,” pleads Salieri, encouraged by this, “because…I am not the man you knew. I am a part of him, or, he is a part of me. But the heroic spirit ‘Antonio Salieri’ and the man called that in life are not the same thing. I know, what I will do. Because I am in here, experiencing it. And I don’t…want to kill you. ‘I’ do, but the part of me you speak to, does not. But…I…I know it’s a battle I will lose. Because I have to win, every second, of every day, to not kill you. The rest of me only has to win once. Even for an instant. I am many things, Amadeus, but you of all people know me not to be perfect. I am not you.”

There is quiet around the table for a moment, everyone listening now. Thinking. Ritsuka looking so sad, and worried.

“…So, if you were ‘invented,’ to kill me,” says Mozart after a moment, thinking himself, “Would that do it?”

“What?” says Salieri.

“If you killed me,” asks Mozart earnestly, “Would that…’fix’ you? Would the rest of you go away, mission accomplished?”

Salieri looks so genuinely horrified by that. “I am not going to kill you!”

Mozart looks to the rest of us and holds a hand towards him like See??

“No! I—I mean, I will not choose to. I don’t…Amadeus-” tries Salieri frantically.

“-Would once be enough?” asks Billy.

“-No—no it would not,” says Salieri, looking relieved by the interruption, “You would return to the throne. It would not be permanent, so, I would not…cease.”

“What about the version who killed me though? Would he be fine after that?” asks Mozart.

“The-? What?” says Salieri.

“The one in the specific summons,” says Mozart, as if this is the most normal line of questioning in the world.

It’s very clear from his face that Salieri has no idea, but is not interested in this becoming a proposition even if so.

“Hmmm,” says Mozart with interest.

“…Amadeus, that would not…” starts Salieri worriedly.

“—Oh, you’re right. Leaning into your desire to murder me is probably not a good idea anyway, and I don’t want to die!” says Mozart, tone 180’d back to light again, “It’s not very fun.”

“Ah,” says Salieri, greatly relieved and a little shaken. He glances at Mozart, then takes a drink to steady himself.

“I do wonder if we could get the throne on a technicality, though,” says Mozart, picking up his glass and staring past it with great focus, “It’s worth the try, right?” He looks over at Salieri. “I mean, you are always welcome to make me die in the Shakespearian manner, and see if that would help.”

Salieri chokes on his drink so horribly I am sincerely concerned it might be killing him. Past me, Emiya chokes almost as hard, and Cu Chulainn spits his drink out and starts laughing uncontrollably. I am lucky I was between sips, and am just stuck staring at nothing and fighting for my life as I try to run that through my head without reacting. At the end of the table, I hear David hacking his lungs up too, and Doctor Archaman fighting a losing battle not to devolve into laughter.

Still coughing up his lungs, Salieri makes it upright enough again to give Mozart, who is beaming, the most pathetically betrayed look I think I have ever seen.

Holy shit.

Cu Chulainn and the Doctor are about to get to me. I am fighting not to laugh in this poor man’s face but oh my god.

“What?” says Ritsuka, deeply confused and worried. She looks from one person to another. “What? I don’t get it? What does that mean?”

“No one tell her,” chokes out Emiya with murderous intent, trying to get alcohol back out of his lungs. Which causes Cu Chulainn to lose it completely all over again, and it takes me with him this time. Billy is giving me such a confused look too, and that’s only making it worse.

“I don’t know either,” says Kotarou when she looks at him. God bless, I think, bending over the table to cover my face as I lose my struggle.

“Everything is terrible enough without you constantly mocking me,” says Salieri very quietly, a cloud of melancholy descending around him like a pillar of fire.

“But I’m not!” protests Mozart with his bubbly energy unaltered, “I mean it. I’m always down for a good time.”

I’m beginning to think Cu Chulainn, David, and I are never going to make it back off this table, and Emiya is starting to crack too.

“What the fuck is goin’ on?” asks Billy, kind of excited by this energy.

“No one tell the kid!” says Emiya again, this time in, I assume, all of our heads but Ritsuka’s, “I’m not kidding. I will end you.”

“We would have to be able to breathe to do it anyway,” I manage to think back from the table. My warrior’s heart feels Cu Chulainn agreeing with me from his own aching ribs three seats down.

“Uhm. Okay,” says Ritsuka kind of nervously, “I’m not really sure what’s going on, but, please don’t be mean to Mr. Salieri.”

“I’m not!” protests Mozart, intent, I’m sure, on making this even worse. “I love Salieri. I’m just trying to put some options on the table.”

Through the fuckin’ gasps for breath coming even from his thoughts, Cu Chulainn holds it mentally together enough to get a, “Including ‘on the table,’” through to the mental group chat before succumbing completely again, and it’s a fuckin’ murder-suicide to everyone else who knows what he’s talking about. Even caps Emiya, and I see David go back down at the end of the line.

We are strung out to be laughing like this like fucking high schoolers, I think, trying to regain any semblance of composure. Damn I hope Salieri was not one of the people who heard that.

Salieri gets up from the table and starts to leave.

“Wait! Antonio!” says Mozart, hopping right up after him, “Come back—I’m only saying it could be worth a shot.”

I consider going after them to make sure the Caster doesn’t get his head ripped off, but that now seems between them and God.

“Should I go after them?” asks Ritsuka, still completely lost.

“Uhm,” manages Doctor Archaman, who was spared Cu Chulainn’s comment, without a mental link, and is recovering faster than the rest of us, but not quite there yet, “Maybe? I’m not really sure. …I’m actually very un-sure.”

“Whoooo,” says David, wiping tears away with his palm, “What a morning, right?”

“Uhm...I guess I better should—I mean—I better. I should—I probably should,” stutters out Ritsuka, hopping up.

“I’ll come with ya,” offers Billy.

She starts to give him a grateful look, and then her expression changes.

“Everyone! Get out here! I don’t know what’s happening, but it’s really bad! Now!”

I have not heard the Caster frantic before.

“NOW!”

I am up before Salieri speaks, the others around me doing the same. I don’t know where those two went, but Mozart said ‘out,’ and we all think the same thing, and tear for the door. The Lancer doesn’t even bother, shattering a plate window and skidding out onto the street, fastest route between two points a straight line, and I follow on his heels.

I know the second I am out what they saw.

The sky.

“What?” I hear Ritsuka gasp. Fear, confusion.

Billy must have carried her with him.

I only vaguely register that.

Around us, humans in the street are pointing, whispering. Some calling out in alarm.

“Is that a bomb?” asks Ritsuka in a terror that must only come from living in the shadow of knowing what a nuke could do to a city.

It’s not though. I could feel that, if it was, even from a distance. But it’s.

It’s not heat and light. It’s nothing.

What the hell?

At the horizon ahead—

SHIT!

I turn and look, and it’s not just ahead of me. It’s behind. Left, right, all around.

Horrible, empty whiteness, at the edge of my vision. Like the world is an unfinished drawing outside the city.

It’s moving.

Oh fuck it’s moving.

Like a wave? No. Like…a scanner almost. Like a searchlight. The white emptiness on the horizon is streaking towards us, at a horrifying pace, and there is…nowhere to go.

Oh fuck. Everyone is about to die.

‘Everyone’? How big can—

“No!”

The most agonized sound I’ve ever heard.

I turn, and behind me, I see Doctor Archaman stumbling out into the street seconds after the rest of us, stuck running on human legs at a human speed.

There is an indescribable horror and terror and heartbreak on his face.

Like he’s done this.

No.

“This can’t!” He looks to David, who has gone white as a sheet, in desperation, “I-It’s not supposed to happen now! It can’t happen now! Not until the end of the year! This is impossible! There’s no WAY!”

He’s almost shouting at the sky, like he’s challenging the world itself on the reality before him.

“It can’t,” he whispers, broken and frozen in a moment of time.

Not like he’s done it. Like he…failed to stop it.

Something almost clicks in my head, but I know it’s too late now.

It is going to be too late for all of us in a second here.

No other idea what to do, I find Billy and move up, take his hand.

He’s set Ritsuka down. She’s still right by him, staring in horror at the whiteness descending on us all. When he sees me take his hand, he looks up into my face, and I see whatever he was thinking of doing, he lets go of the idea and accepts what I’ve figured out, looks at Ritsuka, and puts a hand on her shoulder.

She turns, face ghostly, and he gives her a look that says, “I’m sorry,” and she gets it too. Shaking, she takes the hand he holds out, and he pulls her against his chest. She buries her face there and shuts her eyes.

Ahead of us, Kotarou worriedly looks back at her, then moves closer and steps between her and the skyline, so she can’t see anything at all past him and Billy, and places a hand on her back.

In the streets around us, people begin to panic. Screaming, crying, standing still. Some run. I hear people deny this is happening; I hear a lot of them say ‘bomb,’ in a kind of horror I cannot being to describe.

I see Kotarou shut his eyes too, and hear him whispering words I can’t make out. I’m sure though, from the intonation, it’s a prayer.

I guess I should say one of those myself.

If there was ever a time.

“B'ní?” calls David frantically. He dashes so fast to Doctor Archaman I don’t see him move, and grabs the man’s arms. Doctor Archaman looks at him like a man drowning looks at the last piece of driftwood in a hurricane. “Think! There is a reason we met! We must have something!”

“We-?” Doctor Archaman looks at the skyline in desperation, and I see something like hope flicker to life on his face. “Archer!”

All of us look at him.

“Fuck! Emiya!” he corrects, pulling away from David to move, “Blade Works! It’s a reality marble? How long-? How many people—?!”

Emiya gets what he means immediately. “Go,” he says, I’m not sure if to him or to Cu Chulainn, or both, because both split the second he says it. He looks at me, too, like I’m meant to get something, and a second later I do. Oh shit.

“Billy!” I call as I hear him begin the incantation, “Get closer!”

I let go of him, and he grabs Ritsuka and runs.

“Please! Everyone! Anyone who can hear me! I can protect you!” calls Doctor Archaman desperately, screaming at the shop fronts and passers-by, the offices and stopped cars, workers, civilians. Anyone who could possibly hear, “Please! Get close! That thing is going to hit, and kill us all! If you get close to the man in red, we can save you! Please! Please it’s insane, I know this is insane, but look at the sky! Listen to me!” He turns in desperation and finds Mozart in the crowd, “Do something to show them!”

Mozart drags Salieri behind him and runs for Emiya, the sound of a piano suddenly in the air around him and bursts of flashing lights and sparks that mean nothing but spectacle appear around him, and people turn and look.

“Come on!” I call, shoving, trying to get people to move, “We can help you!”

It’s enough. Not for everyone, but in the face of the nothing descending on us, some people move when they see the lights around Mozart, and others follow, just to be trying, some last, desperate human attempt at life. I start throwing open doors, calling into buildings. The wall is getting here faster. On my far right, I see the Lancer who was doing what I’m doing a few seconds ago has now given up on persuasion and is just throwing people towards where they need to be.

Behind us, I hear Doctor Archaman call for Mozart to make the area of effect visible, and a second later a bright ring of gold light appears about fifty feet ahead of me. It’s much, much bigger than he made the phantasm last time. This must be the best he can possibly do.

Even so, it’s so little to a city of people. I see civilians in the street ahead of me rushing, trying to follow the shouts of, “This way!” and “Hurry! You can make it!” they are giving each other now, trying to reach us, trying to reach whatever is promising hope in the face of death like this. There’s no way they’re all going to make it.

I try. I run for them, and start doing what Cu Chulainn was. I see him far on the right, doing the same. Trying to catch people before the light, and throw them back towards the circle of gold Mozart laid for us. I try the first few times to not hurt them, but as wave of nothing tears towards us and the seconds I have left fall to single digits, I give up and just exchange broken bones for the surety whatever this awful, oppressive, horrifying nothingness bearing down us is, won’t get them.

It is like nothing I have ever seen, or felt. I dash between parked cars and am too late—watch the nothing wash over a man with his arm outstretched towards me. I see the terror on his face as it gets him. I grab his hand and pull, praying, and he comes back out of the nothing but a feeling passes from his hand into mine like my head has been ripped out by the nerve endings at the base of my skull, and left empty, and for a moment, it has been. I forget to move, or think, and the wall erasing a world reaches for us, and something grabs the back of my collar, and I am flung backwards. I hit the ground, and my head resets—pained, but still there, still my own, and I see Kotarou land with the man I saved in his arms, looking as terrified as I feel. He gives me an arm and I’m back up with him, returning to the wall of nothing now with the surety that anyone I am too late to save, is facing a fate worse than death. Somewhere behind me, I am aware of Billy and David and Salieri doing the same in other directions, Doctor Archaman and Ritsuka shouting, and Emiya reciting the last line of Unlimited Blade Works.

I grab people I don’t take time to see. I move like I have never moved before, in those last two seconds.

Behind me, I hear Doctor Archaman’s voice shout, “Now!” and I hear Emiya’s voice call out ‘WORKS!’

There is a surge of mana. People are clustered so tightly, clinging to strangers. We see the emptiness of the world erasing around us, sky, city, people, life. And as it touches us, we don’t.

Amidst screams, the landscape changes, and the sky is wrong, but it is sky. Empty, unmoving clouds, and gears the size of skyscrapers. There is a sun overhead somewhere behind the haze, and sand beneath our feet. An empty, barren hill and plateau, littered with swords like the headstones of a graveyard.

We all wait, a moment, to see if it will take. Wait for the whiteness to crack inside the grey sky here. Waiting to die.

It does not.

The seconds pass from four, to twelve, and we realize it is not going to.

We are not dead.

At least, I realize, finding Emiya, sweating, breathing hard, raised hand still outstretched, As long as the phantasm lasts.

[aurora-australis-tumbles]

kisses in the rain with phrack?

Here you go! Thank you for the prompt, this was... a lot of fun. 😂 

For Kisses 22: kisses in the rain

---

It was a terribly sudden downpour.

So sudden, in fact, that it had rather stranded them under an overhang, attempting to wait out the worst of it.

Jack was still mostly dry, his sturdy hat and heavy coat protecting most of his inner layers, but Phryne…

Phryne had not fared as well.

Her thin jacket and delicate hat had done very little to defend her from the elements — so little, in fact, that she had eventually removed the hat entirely and would have done the same with the jacket were it not plastered to her person. Her hair, always so perfectly coiffed, was currently pasted to her forehead, her meticulous bangs sending little rivulets of rainwater into her eyes. She kept trying, unsuccessfully, to blow them up with her mouth, and each failed attempt caused her damp nose to scrunch up in irritation. She was annoyed and impatient and utterly, utterly soaked.

She was beautiful.

Jack smiled at the scene before him before turning slightly to look back out at the rain, the streets now empty save for the occasional poor soul still seeking shelter.

“You know what this reminds me of?” he asked.

“What?” she replied, huffing once more at her bangs.

“London. Outside the antique shop.”

Phryne looked up at him. “Really?”

“Mmmmmm.” Jack kept his eyes firmly fixed on the rain. “I should have kissed you then. I definitely wanted to.”

Phryne shot him an amused look. “Did you?” she asked dryly, which was very impressive considering the weather. “As I recall, you were quite cross with me at the time.”

“Noooooo.” Jack drew the word out as he shook his head and rewrote history. “Just damp.”

“You threatened to toss me in the Thames.”

“I also offered to tie you up,” he reminded her with the ghost of a dirty smile. “It was a layered discussion.”

“Mmmm,” she agreed, her own smile very much alive. “So why didn’t you?”

“No darbies.”

“I meant kiss me.”

“Ah.” He shrugged and finally looked down to meet her eye. “You know, I can’t think of one good reason.”

And with that, Jack stepped off the kerb and into the street. The minute he left the protection of the overhang the rain began its assault anew, but he paid it no mind, just held up his hand to her, silently inviting her to join him.

The incredulous expression Phryne gave him at the move caused her eyebrows to disappear entirely under her still-dripping bangs.

“Not bloody likely, Jack Robinson. Some of us aren’t wearing foul weather gear.”

Jack tilted his head in consideration, then, very deliberately, removed both his hat and his coat as Phryne looked on in surprise.

“What are you doing?” she asked, shouting a bit to be heard over the rain.

“Just trying to keep up!” he called back, placing his coat over his now soaked arm and offering his hand once more. “Now, are you going to come out here and join me or am I going to float away for nothing?”

Shaking her head in delight, Phryne took his hand and hopped off the kerb back into the rain. Jack pulled her flush to his chest, and, using his hat to hide them from anyone else mad enough to be out in this weather, kissed her.

He kissed her until neither of them remembered it was raining at all.

When he pulled back, she was beaming up at him.

“What was that for?” she asked.

“I’ve just decided to never not kiss you in the rain again,” he explained.

“That was an impressive sentence,” she teased. “But I’m very pleased by your new resolution. Especially as the annual average rainfall for Melbourne is around 21 inches... which, come to think of it,” she continued with a naughty grin, “is an impressive number of inches.”

Jack rolled his eyes even as he pulled her close once more.

“I’ll try to keep my manly jealousy in check.”

“I wouldn’t worry about it, Jack,” she assured him as she cupped his cheek with her hand. “You, my darling, are impressive in any weather.”

And then she kissed him.

It was a terribly sudden downpour.

Jack hoped it would last for ages.

---

Touches Ask Game

[athena-is-a-chaotic-lil-shit]

Of Ice and Blood

Part 2

Hello there! I present to you, part 2 of my orc x fem!human series!

I still don't know what to name this fic of mine

I should've thought about the title in the first place lmao

Anyways! I'll try updating constantly if I can. Enjoy reading!

Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6

Pairing: Tai'chi Kashharzol (Orc) x Pearl Blackbell (Human OC/Reader)

Warnings: Cursing, lots of cursing. Mild violence and mentions of injury.

UD 01/10/21 : CLEANED AND PROOFREAD PROPERLY (hey I did my best)

(reference to the mask she's currently wearing //her hair is still braided// )

*

Even with the tedious introduction the professor was on about, I couldn’t help but pick up the whispers of my human classmates, and the unmistakable nasty odor they were giving off.

“Hey. Look at that orc over there.”

“Tsk. Beast. Why is it even here—”

“I bet it’s gonna get suspended from breaking someone’s arm.”

“It looks like he’s gonna kill somebody soon.”

Snickers and clicks of disgust went around the group.

The professor shushed them, not quite knowing what they were talking about before he moved on.

I cursed, feeling my blood boil from their words. The orc wasn’t even doing anything! And they slander him like that? I would love to break their fucking ne—

No, damn it! No violence! Mama will go crazy if she finds out I broke someone’s spine. Behave and endure. Remember your training.

...but seriously though, I'm going to fucking snap their legs. Nah, perhaps use pepper spray on their eyes until they go blind, even though the mixture inside my spray bottle wasn’t made to have permanent effects on someone, but it would still cause great discomfort.

I hugged my backpack, the thought of my dusters inside somehow comforting.

I didn’t notice Tai'chi was taking glances at me out of concern while I was imagining how I’d smash those jerks’ faces.

************************************

My mind wandered around the interaction by the gates earlier, and how... contradicting... it was when I entered the building.

Everything passed like a blur as I continued daydreaming about other things, hardly paying attention to what everyone else was saying. Plus it takes a lot of concentration to survive their pungent scents.

A bell rang, bringing me back down to Earth. It was lunchtime already.

Everyone seemed relieved as they started filing out of the area and headed towards the cafeteria. [a/n: Ooh that rhymed] I failed to see the lingering glances of barely masked distaste in our direction.

I glanced at the or— Tai'chi, whom I found out was looking at me already, stunning me at how he stared for a moment before I broke eye contact and stood up, which he also did. I almost fell back down my chair when I scented him.

Wha—

How the fuck did I not smell him before?!

I must’ve focused too much on the awful odor surrounding me that it didn’t register this—

This, oh my God.

To describe it, it was simply so— manly (or is it Orcish?). Like the scent of fresh earth and the warmth of a fireplace in the midst of a cold night. Embers crackling and sending sparks up into the sky.

He doesn’t smell one trace of a beast at all! In fact, I’ve never smelled someone so clean, so pleasant, all the while exuding masculinity, and was that a tad hint of vanilla?

For the first time in a while, I couldn’t place what the feeling was exactly. He simply smells so— good. Which is a positive sign?

I looked up to his eyes once more before I blurted out, probably a little too high-pitched;

“Lunch?”

Seriously? That’s what comes out of your damn mouth?

“I mean, do you want to go grab some lunch? At the cafeteria?” I clarified to sound normal and unaffected, (even when I clearly am).

Was the last part necessary? You’ve broken noses, dealt painful blows like a skilled warrior, but you’re embarrassing yourself.

I was busy reprimanding myself that I nearly missed what he said.

"Sure.”

He straightened up, and I was then faced with the reality of how damn tall he is. Or is it because I’m short? I barely reached over 5 feet, and he is standing there, almost three heads taller than me. Was he hunching for my sake earlier?

Wowie…

I scented a hint of pride, and was that a small quirk of his lips for a second there?

Huh. My mask is a lifesaver, or else he would've seen my jaw dropping.

I followed him out and headed straight for the campus’ cafeteria, all the while trying to converse here and there.

****************************

'Trying’ was not the right word.

Definitely not.

It was surprising, how easy and nice it was to talk to him. I could scent his apprehensiveness when I talked to him at first, but he relaxed not long after I introduced myself properly.

It felt... natural.

I learned that he came from the Northside of the country and moved to the city last year to pursue his dreams and to find a better future for his clan. I also told him about my family and home, along with my reasons for being here, leaving out the… violent part.

“My family and my entire clan wanted the best for me and my brothers. Up in the North, education is… very limited. Although ever since we were young, we were taught everything from our clan’s history, how to hunt for food, what herbs and plants were poisonous, what were medicinal and edible, how to stay alive, survive and so on.”

He paused for a moment before continuing.

“But we were cut off from the modern world. Times are changing, fast. Global warming being a major problem, leaving a huge impact on our living. So, when my clan heard about a school in the city, open to all races, they turned to us, the youth, and we took this chance.”

I looked down and thought about how disconnected the others were, only given the freedom to modern society eight years ago. Eight years is a long time, but I guess it’ll take more than that for everyone to get used to the change. That doesn’t mean they should treat them poorly!

As I realized I’ve been quiet for a while, I shot up and apologized for not replying.

“No, it’s okay. You looked like you were in deep thought. I didn’t want to interrupt.”

“Y-yeah… I was—”

“Thinking about how the majority of the human race still see us as beasts?”

There was a bit of spite in his voice, although barely noticeable. Or was it because I caught a whiff of it? No one was paying much attention to us while we were walking. But I noticed many of them hastily stepping aside and felt their glares at my back.

“How did you know?” I asked, curious.

“I could tell from your- I could tell, from the way you frowned earlier when one of those humans said something.”

Oh. He was looking at me that time?

“Frowned? But my mask—”

“It’s easy to tell if you are frowning when your eyebrows scrunch up like that. Believe me, my father does that a lot.”

“Ah. Well. It was just very rude of them. To talk shit about you and your kind like that, as if they were any better. You weren’t even doing anything, and they judge you based on your race. Orcs are civilized and intelligent just like any other, and I don’t understand why there’s still so much prejudice after eight damn years—”

I stopped and restrained the urge to go wild and curse every single human who smelled so foul every time we pass by.

“Sorry. I was...rambling.”

Was I this talkative? Maybe it's because I never had anyone to talk to.

He didn’t reply, which I found strange, so I glanced over at him and saw his eyes wide open and brows shooting up in surprise. It was almost comical.

“Uh, Tai'chi?”

Before he could even utter a word, we arrived at a huge hall where students were chatting and enjoying their lunch. Still, I noticed some humans were giving unkind looks to a gathering of goblins eating at the far left side corner of the cafeteria.

And of course, I didn’t fail to smell that wretched odor coming from a group of girls on my right when we walked in. I also recognized the one who pushed me, (No doubt it was intentional). I had to pinch my nose over my mask just but I could only block out half of it.

Ah shit, this mask doesn’t have proper air filtration.

I groaned as I tried to cut off the noise and thickened scents. For real, I wasn’t expecting it to be this harsh! I could literally smell discrimination and hate in the air!

Fuck. I should’ve worn my other mask. I swear I’m gonna burst if I stay and inhale more of that any longer—

“Pearl, are you okay?”

I groaned again and didn’t reply, busy controlling my sense of smell to even open my mouth. We were standing there like a pair of street posts, blocking a small part of the main entrance. That is if there was a 5ft- tall post. I’m more like that foldable caution sign.

“Pearl—”

“Hey, you there! Freaks! Move out of the way.”

Great. Another awful fucking odor. And what a coincidence! It was the one I smelled this morning!

“Are you deaf? I said—”

He shouldn’t have grabbed my shoulder, shouldn’t have tried to shove me aside, for the second I felt his hand reaching for me, and before Tai'chi could pull me away, my reflexes kicked in.

What did I do exactly? Oh, I simply grabbed that damned arm of his, threw him over my shoulder, and slammed him down on the tiled floor in front of me, finishing a one-arm shoulder throw.

The people in the area halted what they were doing and a short-lived silence came over, broken by whispers.

So much for keeping a low profile.

The guy I just performed basic self-defense on was spitting curse words at me. He was still on the floor, trying not to voice the pain in his back.

“Freak! You’re a monster, aren’t you?! How dare you do this to me. Don't you know who I am?!" he yelled.

Did he mean me or? Either way, what he said was not true.

I tried to calm my anger down and gave him a forced smile, under my mask, and mustered up the voice and tone I always used when I’m annoyed.

But right now, I am pissed.

“Now, dear, fellow, human, what you said was clearly untrue. I am entirely human and this person beside me is an orc. Or were you blinded by your overgrown ego and disgusting attitude to see the obvious in front of you? Surely that must be it. The entrance to the cafeteria is wide enough for two people to not serve as a hindrance to the ones coming in, but still, you chose to try and shove me aside yourself. Well, I won’t apologize but I’ve had enough pushing for one day. And lastly, no, I do not know you and I don’t care.”

I gritted my teeth, my face hurting from smiling forcefully. The cafeteria was quite silent enough all the while and no doubt they heard every word I said.

Fuck.

I twisted around and bolted out of the building.

Fuckfuckfuckfuckfuck! I blew it! Fucking blew my chance to have a normal college life! Now everyone will think I’m some crazy person and would, without a doubt, avoid me forever.

I was too busy cursing and walking away, planning to hide in a hole for all eternity that I didn’t feel the presence of someone following me.

Without thinking much of where I was heading, my feet led me to a secluded part of the uni. Tall trees lining up before and around me looking like an entrance to a forest, and so I tried hiding behind one. Hoping that the guards wouldn’t notice and detain me or something.

I sat down between the great roots of an oak tree and rested my head on top of my knees as I took deep breaths and listened.

Nature always had a place in my heart. How could it not? When you can hear the chirps of little birds, the soothing sound of leaves rustled by the wind. And the peace that comes with it all.

Not to mention it smells so relaxing.

“Hello there.”

************************************

Haha! What will Pearl do next I wonder, and who is this person who followed her??

Had to cut it off at that part because my dearest self just loves cliff hangers—

And because I wanted to post something as soon as possible.

Hope you enjoyed! I will be working on the third part asap.

Tags: @kokokatsworld @crackinanutshell

[imjustthemechanic]

The Price of a Soul

Part 1/? - Agent Russel Part 2/? - The Letter Part 3/? - Miss Lake Part 4/? - The Stewardess Part 5/? - An Assassination Part 6/? - Fallout Part 7/? - Face to Face Part 8/? - Deals, Details, and Other Devils Part 9/? - Baggage Part 10/? - Private Funding Part 11/? - Just Passing Through Part 12/? - Party of Four Part 13/? - Resolute Part 14/? - The Wreck Part 15/? - Body Snatchers Part 16/? - Out of the Frying Pan Part 17/? - A Miracle Part 18/? - A Matter of Circumstance Part 19/? - Nome Part 20/? - The Future Part 21/? - A Hero’s Welcome Part 22/? - Up to Speed Part 23/? - Expect Further Delays Part 24/? - The Welcome Wagon Part 25/? - Fugitives Part 26/? - A Reluctant Accomplice Part 27/? - Deja Vu Part 28/? - Interview with a Madwoman

Hey, check it out, I’m still alive.

-

Peggy knew she couldn’t spend all her time moaning over the romantic dilemma life had presented her with.  She let herself dwell on it for a moment, then forced her mind on to more practical matters.  By the time they returned to the farmhouse, she’d decided how she wanted to approach this interrogation.

“I think you should talk to her first,” she told Kay.  “While I’m out of sight.”

“You’re the one who knows her,” Kay protested.

“Yes, but she’s expecting me,” Peggy reminded her.  “If we start with you, it’ll catch her off guard.”  She did not want Dottie to think she was in a position to make demands.

Kay nodded slowly.  “All right, you go down by the hood.  I’ll open the back.”

The back boot opened with a creak.  Peggy could immediately smell ammonia.  At some point during the night, Dottie had needed to relieve herself and had been either unwilling or unable to hold it in.  Peggy probably ought to have felt sorry for her, but after all Dottie had put her through, it was hard.

There was a silence that was just a bit too long to be the moment in which Kay pulled the tape off Dottie’s mouth, and Peggy found it rather reassuring that the woman could still be taken by surprise.

“Dobroye utro,” said Kay.  That meant good morning.  “Olga Barynova.”

“Kto ty?” asked Dottie.  Who are you?  Her voice was level and measured, deliberately toneless.

“I’m you, but smarter,” Kay replied in English.  “You didn’t read the message.  You didn’t think you needed to, because you already know everything. Surprise!”

There was another silence, as Dottie re-assessed the situation.  Peggy wondered what was going on in her head.

“You won’t take me back,” Dottie said.  “You’ll have to kill me.”

“You didn’t read the message,” Kay repeated.  “Do you want to know what it said, or are you just going to lie there in a puddle of your own piss trying to pretend you know what you’re talking about?”

Peggy really did rather wish she could see the expression on Dottie’s face. It was probably well worth seeing.

“What did the message say?” asked Dottie.

“That I have no intention of turning you back over to them,” Kay reassured her. “I want you and I to go back together, and we’re gonna burn the place down.”

Dottie laughed.  “That’s exactly what you would say if you were here to drag me back, because it’s exactly what I would say to you if our positions were reversed.”

“You don’t trust me?” asked Kay.  “You sure do seem to trust Peggy Carter, and I’m pretty sure she wants to see you rot in jail for the rest of your life.”

“Peggy thinks she’s one of the good guys,” Dottie snorted.  “She keeps her promises even when they’re stupid.  If you’re anything like me, you don’t know what a promise is.”

Peggy decided that was her cue.  She came and stepped into Dottie’s field of view.  It had clearly been a rough night for Dottie in the trunk of the car. She’d evidently struggled quite a bit, trying to loosen the tape, and had not succeeded.  There were red marks on the visible skin of her arms and legs where it had dug into her flesh.  Her hair was in disarray.  She did look momentarily surprised when Peggy came into view, but hid it quickly.

“Peggy, Peggy, Peggy,” she said, clucking her tongue  “You of all people should know better than to partner up with one of us.  We’re bad news.”

“I decided I needed some expert advice,” Peggy replied.  “Despite what Chief Thompson thinks, I am not nearly deranged enough to think like you do.”

“I’m not deranged,” said Dottie.  “I know exactly what I’m doing.  You just can’t believe that because it doesn’t align with your goals.”

“You want revenge,” said Kay.  “You want to get back into the USSR un-noticed and destroy the people who made you. You don’t want another little girl to ever become what you are.”

“I’m not that altruistic,” Dottie replied.  “I was seven years old when they put me and my best friend in a ring together and told us that only one could leave.  I just want them to suffer.”  She smiled tranquilly.

“So do I,” Kay promised.

“I don’t believe you,” Dottie told her flatly.  “What’s in this for you, Peggy?  Or are you the altruistic one?”

Peggy decided on the truth.  “Kay has informed me that one of Captain America’s men is a prisoner in the USSR,” she said.  “I want to help rescue him.”

“Aw, you’re doing it for love,” said Dottie.  “That’s cute.  So what makes you think I have any idea where to find him?”

“Because the same place that made us is also working on him,” said Kay.  “He’s part of the Winter Soldier program.”

“And you don’t know where to find that?” Dottie asked suspiciously.

“My information is out of date,” Kay replied.

“I promise,” said Peggy.  “I will not return you to your masters.  I’m not sure what I am going to do with you, but I know to give you back to them would mean your death.”

“Oh, no,” Dottie shook her head.  “It would be way worse than that.”

“I will rescue Sergeant Barnes, and you two may do what you wish with this Red Room and the people in it,” Peggy said.  “But I promise that when I leave Russia again, I will take you with me.”

“What happens if I refuse?” asked Dottie.  “Are you going to send me back to jail to have you hanged for treason, Peggy? I know you’re not going to kill me… that’s not your style.”

“No, but it’s mine,” said Kay.  “And I doubt she’ll shed a single tear.”  She took out a pocket knife.  “I know you’re thinking of how you’re going to run away, or how you’re going to betray us both, but keep in mind.  I know all your moves.  I know all your hiding places.  There is nothing you can do, and nowhere you can go, that I cannot anticipate.  Do you understand?”

“Oh, yes,” Dottie said.  “I understand perfectly.”

“Do you agree, then?  You will help Peggy to find Sergeant Barnes, and in return I will help you to destroy the Red Room?”

“Absolutely,” said Dottie.

Peggy knew they couldn’t trust her, and realized she was counting on Kay to make sure they could keep Dottie under control.  Kay had asked Peggy to trust her, hadn’t she?  Now there was no choice.  Was there a chance this still might turn around?  That Kay might turn out to be the enemy after all?

It didn’t matter.  Peggy was already in this too deep.  Sunk Cost might have been a fallacy, but when the cost involved was one’s freedom and reputation, there wasn’t much to be done.

“It’s a deal, then,” said Kay, and started cutting the tape off Dottie.

“So,” said Dottie, entirely too casual.  “It’s Kay, is it?”

“It is,” said Kay.  “And what are you calling yourself these days, Olga?”

“Not Olga,” Dottie replied.  “Olga Barynova died years ago.  I like the name Peggy uses for me.  After all, I am quite dotty, and I tend to do things under the table.”  She looked at Peggy and smiled.

Peggy did not smile back.

“Then that’s what we’ll call you,” said Kay.  She finished cutting the tape, and began peeling it off.  “You’re hungry and dehydrated after being in that trunk all night.  Come inside and we’ll give you something to eat.”  They’d saved some of their own breakfast for her.  “And you can tell us everything you know about the Winter Soldiers.”

“Ah-ah-ah,” Dottie wagged a finger.  “I’m not stupid.  I’m not telling you anything until you’ve held up your end of the bargain. When we’re in Russia and haven’t been caught, then I’ll tell you where we’re going.”

Peggy would have protested, but Kay just shrugged.  “That sounds fair,” she said.

“And how are we supposed to know what part of Russia we’re going to?” asked Peggy.

“That I can tell you after breakfast,” Dottie said.  “Don’t worry about money, I’ve got some stashed away for the occasion.  Now where’s that food.  I’m starving.”

The two women sat and watched Dottie eat her breakfast, and Peggy’s misgivings only increased.  Talking to Dottie had reminded her rather sharply that Kay was a master manipulator… she’d manipulated Peggy when Kay had been the one in prison, and now she’d managed to play Dottie, too, something Peggy would have thought was next to impossible.  Now it was her, of all people, whom Peggy had to trust with her life, because the only alternatives were jail or Dottie.

Somewhere along the line she’d made a terrible mistake.  In fact, the longer this went on, the more Peggy was sure the whole thing had been a series of terrible mistakes, right back to…

… well, no.  Not staying in New York wasn’t a mistake, because if she’d done that, Steve would still be frozen in the arctic ice right now.  And anything she’d done after that… no, there was really no point at which she could have extracted herself from this and not gotten in trouble for it. Not unless she was willing to admit that getting Steve back at all was a mistake, and she couldn’t possibly say that. Or could she?  When Kay had told her outright that this wasn’t how history was ‘supposed’ to go, maybe it was a mistake.

It didn’t matter now, did it?  The future was already changed, and they couldn’t go back and fix it.

Dottie devoured the breakfast they’d set out for her without the slightest thought of table manners, stuffing so much in her mouth that Peggy was afraid she’d choke.  Once she’d satisfied her hunger, she asked for some twigs from the woods.  Peggy sat with her while Kay brought back an armful they’d already gathered up, intending to use them as kindling.  Dottie selected the ones she liked the shapes of, and arranged them into a map of the USSR.

“We won’t get in from the west,” she said.  “They watch that too closely.  To go from the east, we’d have to pass over Chinese airspace and that’s just as risky. From the south we’ve got the Himalayas blocking the way, and I don’t think any of us are crazy enough to try to go from the north.  Not even me.” Dottie glanced up at her companions and smiled as if this were a very funny joke.

Peggy did not smile back, but Kay chuckled a little.

“The way in,” Dottie went on, “is through Turkey.  The area is mountainous and difficult to patrol, but the locals know their way around I have some things prepared.  It’ll be a long hike, but we can take the train from Tbilisi to Stalingrad…”

“Volgograd,” said Kay under her breath.

“… and from there, I’ll tell you where we’re going next,” said Dottie.

“Mm-hm,” said Peggy.  It seemed straightforward enough, though Dottie was right – it would be a very long walk through some hostile terrain.  “You said we’ll need that money you mentioned… where have you got that squirreled away?”

“Nevada,” said Dottie.  “Joseph’s hanging on to it for me.”

The first Joseph Peggy thought of who might have anything to do with Dottie Underwood was Josef Stalin, but that could not possibly be right.  “Who is Joseph?”

“Joseph Strieber.”

It took a moment for Peggy to remember who that was, and then it seemed almost as unlikely as Stalin – perhaps more so.  “The Governor of Nevada?” she asked.  “He’s the one who wants you caught!  The mafia is breathing down his neck after you robbed the Toucan Hotel!”

“Plausible deniability,” said Dottie.  “If he’s the one shouting that I need to be in prison, the mob won’t realize that he’s the one who let me into the Toucan at their grand opening.  I was his date for the evening.”  She smiled.  “And now I can make him do anything I want.”

“So we’re going to Carson City,” said Kay.

Peggy thought she’d better make sure Governor Strieber didn’t get a look at her during this visit… she had enough problems right now without a desperate politician getting any leverage over her.  “Then we need to catch up with Steve,” she added.

“Steve?”  Dottie cocked her head and smiled.  “We’re taking Captain America with us?”

“It’s his friend we’re rescuing,” said Peggy.

“Well, if you’d told me that from the beginning, I might have agreed to help without all the threats!” said Dottie, delighted.  “He’s a dish, isn’t he?”

“So people say,” Peggy said.  People who’d never met Steve, and didn’t realize that he was so much more than that.  But she had another worry now, she realized… Dottie liked to know people’s weaknesses, and now she already knew what Peggy’s was.

[lovewillthaw-j]

Ahtohallan, Iduna and the Voice

Ahtohallan is an integral part to the Frozen 2 story and I want to analyse Elsa’s inner thoughts about Ahtohallan. Much of this post is based on headcanon, so if you disagree or would like to offer a different perspective, do reach out in the comments! Long post ahead.

As an 8 year old

Elsa first hears of Ahtohallan when Iduna sings the lullaby, All is Found. To Elsa, Ahtohallan is just a legend at this point. Nobody believes it is real, not even Iduna. Ahtohallan/All is Found is associated with happiness and hope to 8 year old Elsa, as the lullaby comforts her after she had just received a somber history lesson from Agnarr with grave consequences for her as future queen, but also as a little girl not understanding why she alone had powers. I covered that in this analysis.

Between 8 and 18 years old

In my headcanon, the trauma of Anna’s accident and the subsequent isolation of Elsa affected Iduna and Elsa so much that Iduna probably never sang the lullaby or mentioned Ahtohallan again to Elsa. Also, Agnarr’s instruction was to “conceal, don’t feel” so I guess Iduna did not want to stir up magical thoughts in Elsa.

18-21 years old - from Iduna’s death till the events of Frozen 1

Devastated by the death of Iduna (and Agnarr) and being thrust into her role as Queen, Elsa probably completely forgot about Ahtohallan and the lullaby. Unknown to the audience in F1, Iduna had researched on Ahtohallan and concluded that it was a real place beyond the Dark Sea. F2 revealed to us her annotations on the map that was found in the ill-fated ship. 

The 3 years after F1 till just before Frozen 2

As a result of Anna’s great love and sacrifice, Elsa opened up and experienced love again and re-connected with Anna. The endless conversations they must have had, would surely have included the topic of their parents. Just think, they had 10 years of different experiences with their parents to share with each other! Additionally, at some point, Elsa discovered Iduna’s scarf and it would have brought back memories of Iduna’s presence, scent, songs, and Ahtohallan. So at this point, Elsa associates the Ahtohallan legend as part of the cloud of memories she has of Iduna. 

F2: Balcony + Bedroom scene

In my headcanon, Elsa was reminiscing Iduna singing the lullaby while at the balcony, as evidenced by her dreamy look which turns into a wistful smile. She was distracted enough by the memory that Kai’s sudden address to her (“Your Majesty”) could cause her to freeze the parapet. (I believe that Elsa in F2 had gotten control of her powers) In the bedroom, such a sweet scene, Anna soothes Elsa by singing their mother’s lullaby to her and stroking her forehead and nose. Ahtohallan is still a legend associated with the memory of Iduna.

Hearing the Voice

Elsa hears the Voice calling her on the balcony, during the charades game, in her dreams before Into the Unknown, throughout ITU, while sleeping in the wagon and while making friends with Bruni. She quickly realises that she is the only who hears it and she associates the Voice with the Enchanted Forest, because of what she saw during ITU and because the Voice woke her when it was time to enter the forest at the stone pillars of the spirits. She doesn’t know who the voice belongs to, yet. 

Honeymaren scene

Honeymaren introduces the legend of the Fifth Spirit and that some heard it call out the day the forest fell. Elsa starts to form an association between the Voice and the Fifth Spirit. Note that while Honeymaren makes a reference to Ahtohallan here, the way she says it implies that she doesn’t believe it exists either. 

The Ship scene (1)

In this pivotal scene, Ahtohallan, an unimportant legend that Elsa has known for the past 16 years, suddenly becomes a reality. Take a moment to let that sink in. Now consider that the one who reveals it is Iduna. This is very significant for Elsa. The story would have been very different if someone else, eg a Northuldran, or Gale, had told Elsa about Ahtohallan, or say for example if the girls had found a Northuldran artifact like a scroll or wood carving etc. Suddenly, Elsa is electrified by the knowledge that Ahtohallan exists and that Iduna was trying to find it, to help Elsa deal with her powers.

The Ship scene (2)

But before Elsa (and us, the audience) has had time to let that sink in, she decides rather hastily to use her new powers to generate memories from the water in the ship. The filmmakers chose the image of Agduna at the point of their death for devastating emotional effect. I think Elsa must have regretted doing it because it reopened old wounds. 

Anna (lovethawmode), summons her mightiest love to comfort Elsa, reaffirms her belief in Elsa and brings Elsa out of a depression spiral. A composed Elsa puts two and two together and concludes that the Voice/Fifth Spirit is in Ahtohallan and Ahtohallan is the next destination.

==

Before I discuss the climax in Show Yourself, let me first state that in my headcanon, neither Elsa or Anna remembers the third, foreshadowing, verse of All is Found:

Where the north wind meets the sea There's a mother full of memory Come, my darling, homeward bound When all is lost, then all is found

They only can remember the earlier parts, and this ties in to my headcanon that Iduna never sang it again after the accident. Elsa is not expecting to see Iduna in Ahtohallan at all. At all.

==

Show Yourself (1) - Approaching Ahtohallan

After taming the Nokk, Elsa glimpses Ahtohallan for the first time. She hears the Voice call her again and she sheds a tear because she senses a presence as she nears Ahtohallan, and that presence is touching her from deep within. 

Something is familiar Like a dream I can reach but not quite hold I can sense you there Like a friend I've always known I'm arriving And it feels like I am home

These lyrics could be interpreted to be describing Iduna. Of course the lyrics have dual meaning and could be interpreted to be Elsa sensing herself and who she’s always been meant to be (Fifth Spirit) since birth, which was taken away from her by fear. 

Show Yourself (2) - Coronation as Fifth Spirit

As she enters and goes deeper into Ahtohallan, she sees the elements 1) carved in ice pillars 2) as four beams of light that shine when she sings the call 3) and as their avatars made out of glowing lights, merging into the four crystals. It becomes clear to Elsa that the place in the centre of the crystals is meant for her. She, Elsa, is the Fifth Spirit. She has always been the Fifth Spirit (not only at this moment, her coronation is just confirmation). But the Voice doesn’t belong to the Fifth Spirit. The Voice belongs to... ... ...

Show Yourself (3) - Convergence

IDUNA. Yes, at the end of 16 years, Ahtohallan, Iduna and the Voice all converge! They were never separate at all. There is such great joy when Elsa sees adult Iduna singing “Come my darling homeward bound!” to her that she trembles and the tears just flow freely. Elsa 1) has found an answer to why she has powers 2) is assured of her mother’s love for her 3) has found Ahtohallan, which means she can A) always access her happy memories of Iduna and B) discover the truth about the Arendelle-Northuldra war and free the forest.

==

Final headcanons about Iduna, the Voice and Iduna in Ahtohallan: First and foremost, I believe Iduna has passed away for good (unless F3 changes that!!!) and she’s not alive as a spirit/ghost. I believe young Iduna came up with the call (ah-ah-ah-ah) to call Gale, and Ahtohallan chose to use the same call to call Elsa. Yes, I believe Ahtohallan is the one who has been calling her all along and I believe the four spirits are working in partnership with Ahtohallan to bring Elsa to Ahtohallan, albeit first testing her powers to make sure she is “worthy”. 

For the climax of Show Yourself in Ahtohallan, I believe that Iduna is not actually singing to Elsa; she has passed away and we are seeing Elsa’s memories - the memory of Iduna singing “come my darling homeward bound” comes from the very same night that Iduna sang the lullaby. For the other lines (duet with Elsa):

Show yourself Step into your power Throw yourself Into something new

You are the one you've been waiting for

Actually, we only hear Iduna’s voice, because the image of Iduna is just smiling at Elsa as Elsa’s dress transforms and she twirls in delight. So I think one possible explanation is that Ahtohallan is letting Elsa hear a memory of Iduna saying/singing these words to her. As to when exactly Iduna said those words, I have 2 explanations: 1) Iduna said these words to Elsa when Elsa was self-isolating and struggling with her powers; but Elsa did not remember Iduna saying them as she was too anguished; or 2) Elsa never heard Iduna say these words, possibly because A) Elsa had fallen asleep after the lullaby and Iduna said these words to a sleeping Elsa or B) when Elsa shut everyone out of her life, Iduna might have stood outside Elsa’s door, crying silently and whispering these words. Ahtohallan is able to show Elsa events that Elsa herself did not witness, the most obvious example being Runeard murdering the Northuldran leader. 

Thanks for reading if you reached this point!

[baoshan-sanren]

Part 21 - Epilogue? Epilogue.

“How To Communicate With Your Husband: A Narrative in Many Parts by Lan XiChen and Nie MingJue”

pt.1 here | pt.2 here | pt.3 here | pt.4 here | pt.5 here | pt.6 here | pt.7 here | pt.8 here | pt.9 here | pt.10 here | pt.11 here | pt.12 here | pt.13 here | pt.14 here | pt.15 here | pt.16 here | pt.17 here | pt.18 here | pt.19 here | pt.20 here

The Conference takes three days to wind down, despite the fact that the Chief Cultivator is chosen by the end of the first day. 

The margin is narrow, but the elders carry a voice as well, and majority of them, unsurprisingly, side with MeiLing’s preference. MingJue thinks they will not soon forget the sight of her storming down the Nightless City halls with a saber in her hand, looking for something to fight, and would rather agree with her, than find out all the ways in which she means to retaliate.

In the end, it is three votes more in favor of Madam Yu, and she takes the Chief Cultivator seat calmly, as if she had expected nothing less. MingJue would have been happy to leave at that point, not caring much for any other complaints the rest of them may have, but the first issue brought forwards is the issue of the Wen Sect.

Jin GuangShan could not secure the title of His Excellency, and has obviously come prepared to make at least some people as unhappy as he is. He does not say it outright, that the Nie Sect is harboring the Wen remnants, but he talks in circles enough where more than half of the sect leaders turn nervous, and insist on knowing the truth.

MingJue has already made his peace with fighting another battle if needs be, and has no intention of yielding. He stands up, and calmly proclaims that the people currently residing in the Unclean Realm are, in fact, a branch of the Nie Sect from HeJian, seeking refuge from the war.

Jin GuangShan can hardly wait for him to finish speaking, before he is jumping back up, “See! It is a lie! There is no branch of Nie Sect in HeJian! There never has been!”

Sitting a step below MingJue, MeiLing clears her throat loudly, effectively cutting off the murmurs around the hall.

“Sect Leader Jin is remarkably well-informed. Pity he does not keep track of his own offspring with the same level of concern.”

Hush falls at her words, and Jin GunagShan slowly turns purple, his mouth working, but no words being formed.

“Lady Nie,” Jin ZiHan says, “We had agreed to keep this discussion civil.”

“Was I uncivil?” MeiLing says, her eyes widening, “I only thought I should speak plainly. Jin GuangShan can whore around as much as he pleases, that is for his wife to worry about. But I do believe that I have the right to question the location of his offspring, if he insists on questioning the location of mine.”

Another murmur goes up, now both Jin GuangShan and Jin ZiHan wearing the same shade of purple on their face, and MingJue does not know if he wants to laugh or cry. On the other side of him, XiChen is still cool and collected, although both his hands are tightly clasped in his lap. But on XiChen’s right, HuaiSang’s entire head is hidden by his fan, and he is laughing soundlessly, his shoulders shaking in mirth.

“Lady Nie,” Jiang YuXuan says carefully, “You have never married.”

“I am old, A-Xuan, not feeble,” she says, “A woman has never needed a husband to have a child. Or three.”

‘This is preposterous,” Jin ZiHun finally finds his voice, “You expect us to believe that you-- that you had--“

“Multiple children out of wedlock?” MeiLing says sweetly, and HuaiSang starts to sound as if he is choking.

“You are saying that the Nie branch from HeJian are your descendants,” Lan XiaoChun says calmly.

MingJue thinks he likes this man well enough, even if he is a Lan Elder. In the entire hall, he is the only one who does not look ready to swallow his tongue.

“Yes,” MeiLing says, “Illegitimate, of course, but I gave my sons the Nie name, as is my right, and they in turn, passed it to their many children and grandchildren.”

“And great-grandchildren,” Wen Qing says softly, from her place at MeiLing’s back.

“Quite correct, my dear,” MeiLing smiles up at her, “And great-grandchildren. How large is the HeJian Nie branch now? Remind me.”

“Fifty-six members,” Wen Qing responds promptly.

“Ridiculous! Ridiculous!” Jin GuangShan exclaims, “This is all nonsense! They are part of the Wen Sect, all of them!”

“Sect Leader Jin,” Jiang YuXuan says, “Do you have any proof?”

“I do not need proof! They are Wen!”

“That is enough,” Madame Yu says firmly, “This discussion has gone on long enough. Nie Qing had arrived at the Nightless City with the rest of the Nie Sect, as their healer. Her skills have saved dozens of men from every Sect. My own son is alive today because of her, and I will not have accusations thrown around without proof. Sect Leader Jin, sit down. We have many other matters to discuss, unless you mean to spend the winter in the Nightless City.”

Jin GuangShan’s color truly does not look healthy any more, and MingJue is afraid that the man means to drop dead in the middle of the hall. It would be no great loss to the cultivation world at large, but it would keep them all here at least another day, and he would very much like to leave the Nightless City for good.

“That is settled then,” Madam Yu says, “The QiShan farmland west of YueYang is next on the list. Sect Leader Yue, what do you propose to do?”

And just like that they are moving on, as if nothing of importance had happened. MingJue glances over to find XiChen smiling at him brightly, and feels his heart skip a beat at the sight. He thinks he will never get used to those smiles, as long as he lives.

“NaiNai,” he hears Wen Qing say softly, “Would you like a cup of tea?”

“I would love some,” MeiLing sighs, “Fetch one for yourself as well.”

--

It is only as they are traveling back to QingHe that MingJue starts to wonder if perhaps, it had all gone off a bit too smoothly.

They are riding back, taking their time, as XiChen should not exert himself by flying yet. Approximately a third of the Nie Sect is riding with them, making a grand post-war procession across YueYang and YingChuan. Wen Qing had warned them to limit the riding as well, no more that six hours at a time, and although at this rate, it will take many days to reach QingHe, MingJue does not mind.

It feels very much like the trip they never got to take after their wedding, the one that was to take them back to Cloud Recesses. Although postponed once due to the war, Lan WangJi’s own wedding is to take place within a month, and MingJue supposes another trip must be planned, almost as soon as they arrive home. In the meantime, he enjoys having XiChen all to himself, for the first time since their wedding day. Their nights are spent in small inns, eating questionable spices and sharing cramped beds, and MingJue thinks he has never been happier in his life.

But he cannot help circling back to the events at the Conference, although he tries his hardest to put them out of his mind.

“Do you not think Madam Yu was too lenient?” he says, out of the blue one day, as they are half-way across YingChuan.

XiChen, who had been riding silently by his side, looks startled by the question.

“I am glad, of course, that it was all so easily settled,” MingJue adds, “But for her not to question MeiLing’s story seems... unlike her.”

It is the nicest way he can refer to a woman that he still wants to grab by the neck, and shake her vigorously for the entire Wen Chao incident, but he is trying. Heavens help him, he is trying.

“Ah,” XiChen says, smiling, “This has been bothering you for some time. I had wondered.”

“Was it obvious I was bothered by it? You did not ask.”

XiChen looks down at his hands, smile slipping away, and MingJue immediately regrets his words.

“You are always entitled to ask for my thoughts,” MingJue says, “but never obligated to do so. That was not a chastisement, do not take it as such.”

“I know,” XiChen says, “It-- it does not come naturally, this. I have learned long ago not to question unspoken things, and must unlearn it now. It will take time.”

He lifts his head, and smiles, something mischievous in the curve of his lips, “My husband should indulge me, and say things more often, without having to be asked.”

“You--“ MingJue says, spluttering, “I offer understanding, and get chastised in turn.”

“My husband is very understanding,” XiChen says, his meek tone at odds with the smile, “I am eternally grateful.”

MingJue wants to pull him from the horse, toss him on the grass, and kiss him until they are both breathless.

“Madam Yu has her own secret to hide from the other sects,” XiChen goes on, “A much smaller one than ours, but one she would dearly like to protect.”

MingJue perks up, then immediately feels ridiculous. He is no HuaiSang to get excited about other people’s secrets.

“I thought gossip was forbidden,” he says, and XiChen laughs.

“If you do not wish to know--“

“I do. I do wish to know. Tell me.”

XiChen grins, “As it happens, the Jiang Sect has also found a long-lost member of the clan. A cousin of one of the Elders had an illegitimate son, who had a son, who-- well, you are familiar with the method of these things.”

MingJue grunts. He still cannot believe that was the route MeiLing had chosen to take. She is lucky that he is shameless, otherwise he would have never been able to show his face in the cultivation world again.

“This long-lost member of the Jiang clan has a very rare, very particular skill. There has only been one other cultivator in the history with this particular skill, but this man was unfortunately killed by the Violet Spider, when the Nightless City fell.”

“She is hiding the Core-Melting Hand?” MingJue exclaims, and XiChen’s eyes widen.

MingJue can hear the men some distance behind him liven up at hearing the title, and shrinks down, feeling foolish.

“It is a secret,” XiChen hisses, and MingJue rolls his eyes.

Now it all makes sense. She probably did not have a plan when she had decided to spare the man’s life, and MeiLing’s bold strategy must have given her an idea on how to proceed. Still, he is dumbfounded by the revelation, and does not understand why she would risk so much for one man.

“Why?” MingJue says, but XiChen only shrugs.

“I suppose he is a useful weapon to have, for a Chief Cultivator. But MeiLing claims that both Madam Yu and Jiang FengMian seem fond of the man, for whatever reason.”

They are both fond of the man? MingJue does not need to know that. He does not want to think about the Violet Spider and Jiang FengMian both being fond of someone. MingJue does not know what crimes the Core-Melting Hand might have committed in his service to Wen Chao, but in his opinion, spending his life between the Violet Spider and Jiang FengMian is too cruel of a punishment for anyone.

XiChen sighs, “Would my husband think less of me if I insist that we stop for the day? I am very tired, and my back is sore. Perhaps my husband could find an inn with a large bath? One we could both share for a change?”

MingJue nearly swallows his tongue, and covers it up with a slight cough.

“Yes,” he says, “I believe that can be managed.”

“Good,” XiChen smiles sweetly, and rides ahead.

[alonely-dreamer]

Dangerous Creatures | Chapter 24: Creatures of Forgotten History

Summary: Mackenzie Alemaund is an unlucky 18 year old teenager whose life changes drastically after she gets kidnapped by two vampires and learns, in the same day, that she is not human.

Pairing: Elijah x OC

Words: 2990

A/N: Please, note that I am French so there might be some mistakes here and there, besides I couldn’t have it edited! I hope you’ll like it!

Masterlist

Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 4 | Chapter 5 | Chapter 6 | Chapter 7 | Chapter 8 | Chapter 9 | Chapter 10 | Chapter 11 | Chapter 12 | Chapter 13 | Chapter 14 | Chapter 15 | Chapter 16 | Chapter 17 | Chapter 18 | Chapter 19 | Chapter 20 | Chapter 21 | Chapter 22 | Chapter 23: Part 1 | Chapter 23: Part 2 | Chapter 23: Part 3

It was a cold night in the Forest and the moonlight barely filtered through the thick mist that had settled above the trees. Most of the castle was asleep, and only the servants were running around cleaning and making sure everything was perfect enough to meet the queen’s standards. The kitchen was wild awake doing the dishes and preparing for the next day. A page ran out of there after the chef caught him stealing leftovers. He launched himself in the dark hallways and though his steps were heavy and loud, he didn’t wake anyone, not even the vampires that resided there. Only one vampire heard him, and it made him pause as he wondered if he were trying to run away from a dangerous situation.

“Did you hear something?” Mackenzie whispered in the dark.

“It’s nothing,” he assured her as brought her closer to his chest.

The silk of her red nightgown collided with his silk black shirt and the feelings of being tangled in her bordeaux silk bedsheet convinced her that she hated the material. It felt cold on her skin, but she stopped shivering when he joined her in her bed.

He almost scared her as he appeared at the doorstep of her bedroom. It was unlike him not to knock but it was his understanding that a servant would usually be present to open the door and announce any visitor, and that it wasn’t too surprising that she hadn’t heard him come in from where she stood in the other room.

Nightmares were his reason to visit this late. He was pleased to hear she had less of those since Klaus took him away from her, but she was pleased to hear he wanted to spend the night with her anyway. He took her in his arms, wrapped them around her as he brought her back to his chest and rested his chin on the top of her head. He seemed a little sad, but he assured her otherwise before he changed the conversation back to the previous dinner.

“He’s in good shape for someone who’s over seven hundred years old.”

“You’re one to talk.”

“I’m a vampire,” he reminded her. “His… unwillingness to age is… a mystery to say the least.”

“I didn’t dare ask him.”

“Me neither. It seems like… such a rude question to ask.”

“Maybe I’ll gather the courage to ask him tomorrow night.”

“Is it going to be just the two of you?”

“Dinner,” she nodded. “At his… manor or… castle or I don’t know where he lives,” she chuckled.

“Are you going to be okay?”

“I’ll be fine. I mean… I’m expecting to learn some crazy things about my ancestors and in exchange I hope he’ll answer my questions.”

“Maybe you should make a list,” he joked.

“That’s not a bad idea, actually.”

“Could you ask him what he knows about Avery Alemaund? I don’t even know when he was alive.”

“That’s already on the list.”

“Thank you.”

Mackenzie brought a hand to her mouth as she yawned then st arted to rub her eyes.

“It’s been a long day,” the vampire said. “You should rest. I’m sure no one will blame you if you oversleep.”

“Fine,” she sighed. “Good night, ‘lijah.”

“Good night, Mackenzie,” he said before he placed a gentle kiss on her temple then turned off the light.

 ***

 “You look beautiful.”

“I look ridiculous!”

Elijah laughed as the ultimate turned around herself like a cat trying to catch its own tail. She was wearing a light green dress and getting her into that corset had been a nightmare. The servant that had been appointed to her did an amazing job at dressing the elemental, but all Mackenzie wanted was to get into a pair of jeans and sneakers.

“It would be rude not to wear the dress he sent you.”

“I could always say I never got it.”

The vampire raised an eyebrow. “That would also be rude.”

She sighed and whined. “I hate it, I can’t breathe in this!”

“You’ll get used to it.”

“Says the man who never wore a corset, ever!”

“Well, that’s true,” he admitted. “It’s only for tonight, you’ll be fine.”

“I can barely move.”

“You’re invited to a dinner, you won’t have to move much,” he reminded her with a grin.

“What are you gonna do?” she asked as she tried to pull on her corset.

“Alexander agreed to show me the library, I will be reading.”

“Well, you have fun,” she mumbled.

He chuckled before he took a step forward and took her face in his hands. “You’ll be fine,” he repeated gently before pressing his lips on hers.

The gesture surprised her. She was not used to it. He seemed to do it like he had done it a thousand times before, or had wished to. She gave him a shy smile and hoped her cheeks weren’t as red as the walls. He stroked her cheeks with his thumbs before placing a kiss on her forehead.

“Have a good night, Mackenzie.”

“You too, Elijah.”

She hugged him tight for a few seconds before walking away from him. She turned to give him one last look before she disappeared in the hallway.

 ***

 The manor was small compared to the land it rested on. The car stopped in front of stone stairs on which two servants were waiting. The black Mercedes seemed out of place here and Mackenzie felt weird as one of Cornelius’ men, who was wearing a uniform so green it almost seemed black, opened the door for her like she was some kind of princess.

“Thank you,” she shyly said to the man who didn’t even dare look at her.

“Lady Alemaund,” the other one greeted her with a bow, “please follow me. My Lord is expecting you in the dining room.”

She followed him without a word, her eyes capturing images her brain had difficulty to make sense of. She felt the electricity of the house as she walked pass lit candles and below a chandelier heavy with diamonds. There were plants everywhere, huge vases of fresh flowers on almost every shelves and old wooden drawers that seemed to belong to another century. The manor was similar to the Forest or even Margo’s castle: a mix of the last five centuries.

She entered the dining room, the servant bowing again before leaving her there, in the vast room where Cornelius was waiting for her at the end of the large wooden table. She counted 16 chairs but only two plates had been placed there, along with dozens of plates of sweets and other confectionaries of all colors.

Cornelius smiled as he saw her and quickly stood up, pushing his chair away in a loud and unpleasant noise. He was wearing a light green vest with dark green trousers and brown loafers. His hair was as radiant as it had been the day before, and somehow seemed even longer.

“Mackenzie!” he greeted her. “Welcome.”

She awkwardly smiled at him as he approached her and let him put his hands on her shoulder as he kissed her left cheek first then her right cheek, the gesture leaving her quite surprised.

“Good evening,” she managed to say.

“How have you been?” he asked as he led her to the table, “how are you liking the Forest so far?”

He pulled her chair and gestured her to sit and she wordlessly obeyed his silent request.

“I… I’ve been fine, thank you,” she replied as she sat down. “The Forest is… curious,” she chuckled nervously.

He laughed. “You’ll get used to it.”

“So I’ve been told,” she smiled politely.

“Now, now, my dear, I was sorry to hear about your mother’s passing, and if I had any idea as to where you were I’d have come to you right away.”

“My mom’s told me about you. She said you helped her while she was here… nineteen years ago.”

“She’s talked to you?” he asked with a raised eyebrow. “I wasn’t aware… that Aella had told you about your powers before she died.”

“Oh, she didn’t,” she said and that confused him even more, “I… I saw her… after. She’s in the Other Side.”

“Ah, is she now? Poor Aella, I was hoping she had managed to move on… I suppose one cannot find peace when one leaves a daughter behind this young.”

“I… suppose not.”

“My apologies,” Cornelius chuckled. “I’m sure she’s very proud of what you’ve become. Alive, that is,” he laughed awkwardly. “It’s a miracle you’ve managed to live this long. And accompanied by an Original vampire no less. Other ultimates have not been so lucky I’m afraid.”

“How many have you met?”

“Two. The first one, very powerful, he was in his sixties when I met him for the first and last time. He was an Engelbrecht. He told me that night that, when he was 8, he had set fire to the wooden horse he was playing with. His father had first suspected his wife to have cheated on him and that he wasn’t really his son, but one of the Hayes boys living next to them. I wish I’d have seen his face when the oracle of their village told him his son was an ultimate.”

“An… oracle?”

“You’ve never heard of oracles? They’re very powerful witches, though they’re not talented at spells or potion making, they have one gift many ‘regular’ witches wished they had: divination.”

“They can see the future?”

“Yes. Among other things,” he nodded. “Some say it’s a gift and that one is born with it, others say you can work for this power, though I’ve never met an oracle who ‘worked’ for her gift.”

“I… I’m sorry to ask but… Can I ask…”

“What is it, my dear?”

“Well, I don’t mean to be rude but…”

“Oh,” he laughed. “Of course, you’d want to know my age, everyone does. Well, like your godfather, Alexander, said, I am your 20th great grandfather, now, if you do the math, I am…”

“Over seven hundred years,” she cut him off.

“That’s right,” he laughed.

“How are you… still alive?”

“Ah well, that’s a secret I’ll never tell,” he winked at her, “not even Her Majesty the Queen knows.”

“Mom said she suspected Marg… Queen Margo helped you with… a spell or a potion.”

“Well, I’ve only known her for five hundred years, so I had to fend for myself way before that.”

“Alright,” she cleared her throat, “you said you were the eldest Fay alive, which I have no problem believing,” she said and he laughed, “but are you the last Fay?”

“Oh no. There a few Fays here, in the Forest. My children are all dead, I’m afraid, but I watch over their descendants. Their resemblance is uncanny sometimes,” he said as he drank from his cup of wine.

“And… what about Alemaunds…”

“You father, my dear, stays a mystery to me. Your mother refused to tell me anything about him.”

“Margo said she’s met him.”

“Maybe. I doubt it. She’s probably seen a picture.”

“Mom never talked about him…”

“To be frank, I haven’t met an Alemaund in centuries. The last one was Robert, or maybe that was his brother? I don’t remember. But he was an ultimate. He was in his early thirties. Good looking but not so good behaved I’m afraid.”

Mackenzie was surprised to hear he couldn’t remember the name of one of the two ultimates he had ever met. But what he said next helped her make a little bit more sense of it.

“There were twins, but they hated each other. Jealousy is a terrible thing. Let’s say, for the sake of this conversation, that the ultimate was indeed Robert and that his brother’s name was Roger, yes, I believe that’s right. Well, Roger hated, even despised his twin brother for having more power than he did. When Robert was confirmed ultimate, Roger was furious that he wasn’t one himself,” he paused, then scoffed. “Alemaunds were never sane, I’m afraid. Power hungry little fellas. I’m glad to see you inherited the soft heart of your mother. Us Fays have always been the heart of elementals.”

“I was told Avery Alemaund was… crazy.”

“Oh, of course you were told that,” he chuckled. “Let me guess, a witch told you so?”

“… warlocks… yes?”

He laughed again. “Yes. Witches hate our kind, it wasn’t hard to convince them that an elemental, an Alemaund, had sequestered several witches and forced them to create a whole new species.”

“Are you saying that’s not what happened?”

“My dear… Avery Alemaund never existed.”

Mackenzie’s eyes grew big as she breathed out: “What?”

“Have you ever heard of Pandora and Ambrosia?”

“I…,” she shook her head in an attempt to recollect herself, “yes, they’re sisters. They helped my mom when she was pregnant with me.”

“Yes, they are very helpful,” he chuckled. “I believe they are about three thousand years old. They were born in Athens. Their mother was a slave, their father their owner, and Ambrosia is no doubt the owner’s son’s daughter. But the probability that they may only be half-sisters never posed problem to either of them. They were born of rapists, that they were certain about. As their owner had no use for them, he sold them, to some Roman pervert who preferred young girls. They were 16 and 14 at the time, Pandora being the eldest one. But as they were on their way to Italy, they were rescued by a coven of witches. They lived with them in the forest for a few months but all they wanted to do was to go back to their mother. As they found out that they were witches themselves, the coven took them in and taught them everything they could. So, when they went back a year and a half later to get their mother, they’d also be ready to kill their previous owner. Unfortunately, when they arrived there, they learnt that their mother had died after a particularly brutal beating. So, they burned the whole house down with the masters inside. It is speculated that their power comes from their rage. They are, no doubt, the strongest creatures I’ve ever met.”

“Stronger than ultimates?”

“That remains to be determined,” he smiled at her.

“So… what? What does that have to do with… Avery Alemaund?”

“Well, I lied just know, Avery did exist, he just never sequestered anyone, nor was he crazy. In fact, he had nothing to do with the creation of your kind. So, no, the Avery Alemaund you were told about never really existed.”

“Did he know Pandora and Ambrosia?”

“He did not. I mentioned them because they are the ones you were told about. They are the witches who created ultimates.”

“Of their own free will?”

“Indeed. The eldest you are, the wisest you get,” he said with a laugh, “or so we’re supposed to. Though, I doubt they ever had a problem with elementals. They wanted to help, you see, after several elementals begged them to. They needed to be stronger than witches, they needed the fight to at least be fair, so they gave them the same weapon the witches had: witchcraft.”

“What about… the other elements? The element of darkness?”

“Ah yes, the element of darkness,” he repeated as if it were funny, “well, you see, in a fight, it is also very ideal to disarm your opponent, do you understand?”

She nodded. “An ultimate can steal other people’s magic away.”

“When word got around that an ultimate had been created, rumors started to spread as well, and I’m not surprised witches still believe, to this day, that an elemental had forced a witch to make them more powerful.”

“So… they never were an element of light or darkness.”

“No,” he shook his head, amused. “Witches are so gullible.”

“Wow…” she breathed out. “When… when was that?”

“Mmh, let me think… It was before the Forest was founded… and after my birth as I remember the day I was told an ultimate had been created like it was yesterday… I would say… about six hundred years ago.”

“But… they were Alemaunds… the first ultimates?”

“Five ultimates were created that day. One from each family of elementals, do you know them? The Alemaunds, the Fays, the Hayes, the Dallimores and the Engelbrecht. Only Alemaunds managed to produce more ultimates, I’m afraid. At least, that I know of.”

“So… the Dallimores are elementals of water, right?”

“Indeed.”

“What if a Dallimore and a Hayes had a child? Would they control water or fire?”

“Both or only one,” he replied. “Very rarely both. Only Alemaunds had multi-talented children. In fact, when a woman married into another family and her child was multi-talented, it was the custom that the child in question would take their mother’s name, Alemaund. That’s why you’ll never meet a Dallimore that can control fire, they’d have taken their other parent’s name, Hayes,” he laughed as if it were funny. “Actually, my mother was a Fay, my father was an Engelbrecht, but I could never manage to control the wind, I’m afraid.”

“Are all Fays related?”

“Yes and no. Honestly, I couldn’t tell. But there are so few of us left now that it doesn’t matter. You’ll be lucky if you meet another elemental outside of the Forest.”

“How many elementals are there here?”

“Only a few hundreds, I’m afraid. But of all families, I’m happy to say.”

“I was told elementals were extinct…”

“Well… we’re on our way there,” he said sadly. “But enough of this,” he waved his hand. “Please, eat. I like to start with dessert,” he told her as he took a pink macaron out of the mountain in front of him, “you don’t mind, I hope?”

“Not at all,” she smiled back at him.

“Then, bon appétit.”

*********

Thank you for reading! I hope you liked it!!

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[karkatvantasistrans]

Everyone heal your epilogue stress with another chapter of my Rosemary fic!!! Even if it is a little...dare I say........sadstuck. You can also read it on ao3 here.

Be Kanaya

When you return for training the next day, no one mentions it. You bump shoulders with Terezi while running from a crash of Time in the air behind you, and the sureness with which she hooks her arm into yours dissolves your weeks away from battle as if they had never taken place.

You wonder if Vriska feels just how erratic her control of Mind has become. You wonder if she encourages the chaos so she can feel in control of something, watching as space spits her aspect outwards, hitting the potential decisions of your allies as Vriska deflects the onslaught, cackles as it overwhelms Dave for a moment, drops him to his knees. You wonder why you bother aiming Mind at a wall at all as Karkat wretches, his matesprit opting to curse out Vriska rather than either source of the attack.

No one questions why this is.

When Dave’s time whips into Terezi’s control, you are in the sphere of influence this time, spiraled backwards into a time as a young grub when you grappled with the feelings you failed to have for a boy who, for all intensive purposes, you should have been the perfect kismesis for. You feel the smallness, the vulnerability rocket through you as you struggle to warp the space between the fraymotifing pair, and this time when Vriska laughs you swear it’s at your prepubescent shame, spilling out of every pore as the waves of purple escape the wall, embrace you instead.

If this is the case, no one mentions it.

Maybe there’s less to mention than you think.

Be Kanaya, one day later.

You would like to tell Rose about this.

Between the thorns of her disapproval, there is a unification of ideals that you crave every time you are left open on the battlefield, emotional wound of a girl as you heave and bleed.

She is not around for three days to ask where the blood comes from.

Maybe you don’t look quite hard enough.

Vriska mourns the loss of structure silently, the threat of your hard fought-for weekend creeping into the edges of her training schedule for the day. She pushes you harder, lights into each of your arms and bodies and torsos with a fresh intensity, delivering the promise of a weekend spent on self-repair.

Freeing you from the burden of unstructured time.

=>

There was an inkling you had, before your coupled departure, that the pressure Vriska put on you all to perform was not uniform. As you watch the blood trickle down Karkat’s forehead, bright red, unnatural saturation running over the hills of his face and through his bared teeth, this is confirmed. Head wounds bleed a lot: it’s something you’re all familiar with. But the intensity of his blood, of his entire approach to battle sets you all silently on edge. It’s different from the unhinged approach Terezi allows her aspect: endangering others is, in some way, part and parcel with your overall goals. But when Karkat fails, or refuses, for the hundredth time to deflect an attack, to focus his energy on himself over adversary, the message in the air is unmistakable.

He won’t let Dave defend him outside of battle.

When they pull their fraymotif together, hot red bursting over the wall in liquid waves, Dave shoots every attack back into history, vaccuums them from the timeline altogether.

These are the only times Karkat will defend himself: under the cloak of Dave, red explosion incomprehensible in their combination.

You all remember the first time Dave came between him and Vriska, the only one who’d allow himself the vulnerability to worry for Karkat out loud. To demand that Vriska stop launching attacks exactly where she knew they would hurt, pull the hot red of shame over the honest slice of agony.

Dave was the only one to begin to put a name to the truth in the air: that Karkat didn’t see himself coming out of this battle alive.

No one named it explicitly: Dave only pressed into Vriska, demanding, finger to her chest as the rest curled into his cape. Why Karkat’s focus was never re-directed to defensive practices; why no one had a problem with how much of the blood on the floor was always Karkat’s.

Vriska only lauded Karkat’s dedication in response, the comfort with his potential demise a tether binding the two of them together.

Dave and Karkat left together that day, returned separately the next.

Dave’s eyewear did little to hide his ire, but it was never brought up again. The only indication left was the hot anger on his face behind his matesprit’s back, the chill of inevitability sitting, fog-like, over the room.

You refuse to auspticize the comfort with Karkat’s death he shares with Vriska.

But you make a silent commitment not to let another boy be destroyed by her.

Be Rose

You haven’t left your room in four days.

Shuffling down the corridor, sleeve sliding along the wall, you text Kanaya as your mind churns with data. There is so much to absorb, you think, to consider in the accumulated mass of troll and human text alike. Your novels are annotated with brusque, splattered strokes in the room you’ve left behind, and you carry the synthesized conclusions with you in the well of your mind on your way to see her. You are excited, you think, to see someone who can be an audience. The inclinations of your heart burble deeper, muted, under the cascading cipher of the rational mind.

-– tentacleTherapist [TT] began pestering grimAuxiliatrix [GA] at 17:01 -–

 TT: So, Kanaya, to what do I owe the pleasure of you summoning me from my lair?

 GA: Oh Its Status Has Been Updated To Lair Since We Last Spoke?

 GA: I’m Anticipating An Excess Of Macabre The Next Time I’m Over.

 GA: At Least As Far As Decor Is Concerned.

 GA: Otherwise A Demotion Back To Block May Be In Order.

 TT: I promise nothing but the most appropriately monikered interior.

 TT: Cultural norms on earth dictate such an abode if I’m to be consorting with a woman of the vampiric persuasion, I’m sure you understand.

 GA: Ah So It Is The Earth Equivalent Of Tidying Up Before Ones Matesprit Arrives.

 TT: Only if you like to adhere to banality, I suppose.

 TT: I’d like to think the supernatural element is a welcome expansion on the concept, however.

 GA: Hmmm.

 GA: Perhaps.

 TT: Anyway, Kanaya, you didn’t answer my question.

 GA: No?

 TT: What do you have planned for our rendezvous tonight?

 GA: Ah, That.

 GA: My Plan For Today Is As Follows:

 GA: [TACTICAL OMISSION]

 TT: Oh my.

 TT: I’ve suddenly found the motivation to hurry.

-– tentacleTherapist[TT] ceased pestering grimAuxiliatrix [GA] at 17:17 -–

– -- grimAuxiliatrix [GA] began pestering tentacleTherapist[TT] at 17:19 –-

 GA: In All Seriousness Though I Did Have Something I Wanted To Run By You

 GA: Also Under The Heading Of A Tactical Omission Until You Arrive

 TT: I look forward to the unveiling of this top secret information, then.

 TT: See you soon, Kanaya.

–- tentacleTherapist [TT] ceased pestering grimAuxiliatrix [GA] at 17:21 –-

     Your hand does not feel like yours when you reach up to knock on her door.

                      -

                                                   You are awake in her bed.

Shift of skirt, hair bouncing off of shoulder, you orient yourself: face to wall and arm tucked under stomach. It’s with a bleary brain that you roll your head, unite your eyes in tandem with her figure.

“Welcome back.” It’s delivered dryly, spine to face, and she finishes typing before she turns to see you.

Her screen is filled with cascading geometric patterns you do not recognize. They hum together in time with the focus of her eyes on you: intricate and intense, the illusion of constant motion.

“I didn’t mean to drift off so soon into this visit, Kanaya. I’m sorry.” It’s sincere: it’s damage control.

The shake of her head is slight, but present.

“Is that what it’s called?”

What?

“…Pardon?” A pull of legs under thighs as your body urges you closer to her, upright. “Maybe I’ve got too much sleep between my ears still, Kanaya. Sorry.” You deliver a yawn for emphasis, try and send her a sleepy wink to cement your camaraderie.

“You weren’t sleeping.” A shift of her eyes, her whole body, as she spins back towards her husktop.

Away from you.

“You ended up that way, more or less, but when you came over you were not…present.”

The rip of guilt is hot, like a rope pulled up from your stomach, through your eyes.

“It was trance-like, but otherwise…unobtrusive. That being said,” A click of hesitation pops in her throat as she raises a knuckle to her teeth, swings her eyes back to you for the briefest moment.

“…it would be nice. If you could actually schedule being present when I ask you to come over.”

“Of course,” Reconciliation attempt comes too quick, too eager.

A trance.

“I’m sorry, Kanaya. I’m not always able to predict changes in state like that. Perhaps it would have been prudent to warn you, but…I did want to see you.” For all the rehearsed intimacy of your hand on her cheek, the emotion that claws its way out of you is still genuine.

You can work with a trance.

“This is a normal attribute of human soporofics?”

“Ah - only at certain echelons of consumption. It’s the sort of thing I’d enjoy alone, not necessarily on a day I’m planning to see others,”

This is not normal.

Fidget of fingers, soft disquiet of lost inhibitions beyond your own ability to predict.

This is not normal.

But you are fine, the moment has returned, the underestimation is to be expected from time to time.

Repentance re-adjusts itself, focuses on your girlfriend’s disappointment alone. An unexpected blip, but one whose only consequence is a ruined afternoon.

Salvageable.

“Would you like me to leave?”

“No…” Head turning, body with it, finally facing you in full.

“No. It’s alright. I’d like to at least spend some time together before I fall asleep.”

Be Rose, 41 minutes later

Kanaya’s hair is slick with sopor, gathered at her temples and rubbed in thick, decisive lines over her forehead. You can see the streak of her fingertips etched into the green on the back of her neck when she moves to turn off the light.

You have to remind yourself not to play with her hair as you sleep, subtract the buffer between slightly unpleasant nocturnal solemnity and nightmare.

Tucked with one arm to her chest, the other circling her back, you feel the gentle brush of lips and the edges of teeth on your forehead as she starts to drift to sleep. You think of how soft Kanaya’s hair always is when you wake up, sopor-treated silk, and wonder if the gentle frame of dry black on her face in those morning hours is the sign of a nightmare ripping through her mind.

You feel childlike, infantile as her arms circle you into her chest, disgust soaking you lightly until a fluid equally familiar pulls you under entirely.

You never did find out what she wanted to tell you

Be past Rose

“Kanaya!”

Did you forget?

You’re Kanaya Maryam.

You have just finished training with the rest of your friends, and have filtered out with slightly less urgency than the rest of them. Training in a group is more strenuous than you remembered, possibly because of Vriska’s overenthusiastic testing of your independently practiced abilities. Catching your breath at the hallway’s threshold, you turn to see Terezi walking towards you, hands shoved into her pockets.

“Terezi,” you greet, voice uneven with the remnants of exertion. Her face is illuminated as she steps into your your radius, reminds you of the energy brimming from your skin.

“Ah, sorry…” Hum of lambent skin lifts into the corners of her lips, over the hills of her cheeks as your phosphorescence pops, extinguishes. She is lit, now, only by the distant lamps of the hallway, glowing a soft red under her chin.

“I’ve been meaning to ask you something!” Straight to business, no pretense:

“Was this you?”

Your eyes struggle to register, in the dark, what she is pointing to on the right side of her face. Something whips through you as you identify the “what” as bite marks, and you force your eyes back onto hers when you start to recognize the soft pucker of blood pooling around both scars.

You struggle to excuse your proclivity for blood theft.

“I’m afraid so.” Is all you’re able to cough up, dull throb of your face’s light bouncing off of hers in embarrassment. The pinch of teal in your gut Sings, shooting through your system as it begs to be reunited, made whole as you watch the way her blood pools lightly under the healed wound

“I didn’t expect there to be such a physical effect when I woke up, I admit I may have gotten…”

You struggle to find a better word, utterly fail.

“Snacky.”

She cackles, elated, head thrown back and uniform fangs exposed to the sky.

“That’s great!” She enthuses, and you hear the echo of an “eight” in her pronunciation.

“I didn’t mean to leave a mark,” You’re reassuring yourself, not her. She is positively jubilant over the revelation.

“I wasn’t exactly using every faculty of my think pan when that happened. I’ll admit getting cored left something to be desired in my…proclivity for foresight…” You tap your chin, lightly, a small bounce of light flickering with each collision of your nail.

“I don’t care about that at all!” It’s a dismissal and a reassurance: the Terezi special.

“Nothing wrong with a little battle scarring, Kanaya. But!” You feel the light slap of her cane on your ankle, soft repetitious tap communicating the post-strife excitement still rattling over her bones.

“What’s the story with your new spectrum imbibing lifestyle?”

You pause, hesitant, then surprise yourself by deftly pulling up the lip of your shirt, revealing the writhing mass of your stubbornly healing stomach.

The air is silent between you two for a moment, interrupted only by the wet slither of your churning organs.

“NEAT!” Comes her excited response, and you feel a warmth hit your bloodpusher as you immediately understand your comfort in trusting her with this.

[emeraldwaves]

Title: A Dragon’s Magic Chapter 7 Pairing:  Kacchako Rating: M Word Count:  5,498 Summary: Uraraka Ochako has always believed in dragons, though she was constantly told they were long since extinct. Now an adult and professional mage, she’s ready to help her parents as a healer for their village. The last thing she expects is for her beliefs to become a reality, but when a dragon attacks her village, she learns there’s more to magic than she ever could’ve realized. Read on AO3 Thanks to @its-love-u-asshole for reading this over.

"It should only take a little over a day to get there. If we walk fast enough we could make it there in the evening, if you two don't mind walking in the dark."

It was early morning, and Todoroki locked his door, leaving the small apartment behind.

"You have to ask Cheeks that," Bakugou snorted, glaring at her. "She's the one who kept making us stop for the night."

Ochako rolled her eyes. "I'm fine with walking through the night. We didn't know how long it would take to get to the city so I wanted to save my strength.

"I see," Todoroki smirked, leading them towards the edge of the city. "It seems you two are a lively traveling party."

"No," Ochako said quickly, pouting her lips. "Bakugou doesn't want to talk normally."

"What point is there to fucking talking. I'm using you to get to my other dragon and then we're fucking leaving," he said, stomping ahead of them.

"I'm so glad he is so pleasant even after a good night sleep," Todoroki sighed, following after Bakugou's loud stomps. Of course, Ochako knew Bakugou would eventually pull back since he had no idea where he was going.

"Yeah," she sighed, "he's always like this. At this point I just let him be angry. It'll be nice to have you here, Todoroki! Someone fun to talk to!"

"OI! Pink Cheeks!" Bakugou hissed, immediately turning around. "I'm fucking fun to talk to."

She raised her eyebrows and shrugged. "Okay, Bakugou!" she giggled and stepped around him, following Todoroki out of the southern gate of the city. The sun was slowly rising, the sky a light, cheerful morning blue, and though the sun was out, a winter breeze flowed through the air.

"Anyway Todoroki," Ochako continued, ignoring Bakugou's muttered grumbling behind her. "What do you know about this place?"

"Not much," he admitted, tapping his chin. "I haven't been to this village despite it being close to the city center."

"Any reason?" she asked. Her brown eyes flicked back towards Bakugou. His hands were shoved in his pockets, his lips curled up into a pout. A typical attitude for him she had come to learn.

"No," he shrugged. "All the supplies I need are in the city and I've never had to go this direction," he admits.

"I see!" she nods. "So we have no idea what we're getting ourselves into."

"It can't be much different than your home village," Todoroki chuckled. "It's not as if we're traveling to a different continent."

"True! Where did you hear the rumors from?"

"They came in from a fellow informant the day before you arrived. It's what made me think the stories line up. This town is apparently hiding a large red beast, said to look like a dragon. However, nothing is confirmed."

"Since you fucking morons don't even know dragons exist, no one wonder you can't 'confirm' it," Bakugou hissed. "Red beast... sounds like Kirishima."

"Can I ask what you two hoped to accomplish by attacking human villages, especially if your magic was so weak?" Todoroki asked.

"...No, you can’t ask," Bakugou hissed, narrowing his eyes. "I don't like you, Half and Half."

"Really? Even though I'm the one potentially leading you to your missing friend."

"Shut it."

"But you like Ochako?" Todoroki accused, raising his eyebrow.

"She's... No!" he yelled. "I hate all humans! Once I get Kirishima, I'm fucking out of here."

"Interesting," Todoroki mused, tapping his chin. "You know... they say when humans and dragons are close, they form a bond which allows them to use magic freely."

Ochako blinked, immediately turning to Todoroki. "W-What?"

"It's... what all the old myths say!" he elaborated. "Written history from humans states that humans and dragons used to live peacefully together-"

"But humans got greedy and wanted all the magic for themselves..." Ochako continued. "My grandmother used to tell me the story all the time. She said it's why dragons left us."

"Right. According to legend there is some truth to the myth. But it also states that unlimited power could be found when a mage and a dragon shared a special bond. Magic could be harnessed from various places and shared among the two. It would basically connect your magical currents."

"That would be... incredibly powerful... TWO magical currents?! Even if a human and a dragon were to share... that's a lot of energy."

"Admittedly, when you showed me what Bakugou was, I thought you were perhaps trying to get closer to Ochako to bond with her."

Ochako's cheeks turned red as she looked at Bakugou's surprised face. "Fuck no," he snorted. "That's not a thing. It's just a fucking myth."

"I don't believe that's true, perhaps it's just a forgotten art among your people."

"It's not!" Bakugou yelled. "I-I don't know what the fuck you're talking about."

"Maybe it's not real..." Todoroki muttered. "Ruins my theory about the other dragon sighting..." Todoroki seemed to be lost in thought, and Ochako had a few questions about this bond... but neither Todoroki nor Bakugou seemed capable of answering.

The three walked quietly for a bit, until Todoroki began to speak once more. "I do wish you were more willing to answer questions about dragons, Bakugou."

"HAH!?" he yelled, his voice echoing through the trees. "What more do you need to know? You shits practically figured everything out."

"Mmm..." Todoroki nodded, continuing to stay with his thoughts. Both he and Ochako accepted by now it was impossible to get any more information out of Bakugou. He was probably claiming they knew everything to get them to shut up.

"Ah... Todoroki..." Ochako said, stopping in the middle of the path. "How... exactly are we going to find this dragon... If the town does have him captured, I'm sure they have him locked up somewhere... and he must be hidden if no one has seen him... A-And even if he is in human form... T-That doesn't mean we'll be able to break him out!"

"How did you free Bakugou?" he asked.

"I...I didn't? I just sort of threw myself in front of him so they didn't kill him," she laughed awkwardly.

Todoroki blinked. "I can't... believed that worked."

"Yeah... but it's probably not going to work again..." she said and shook her head.

"No... Bakugou... can you smell him?"

Narrowing his eyes, Bakugou turned his nose up slightly. "No scent yet. I should be able to pick it up when we're closer... unless..." he trailed off glaring forward, "the humans already killed him. I wouldn't put it fucking past them... with how quick they were to try and put me down."

Ochako gasped, covering her mouth. "I-I really hope that's not the case."

"We should come up with some sort of plan," Todoroki said, glancing at the setting sun. "I'm concerned we're farther out than I originally thought."

"We're not stopping. If Kirishima is alive, I need to fucking get there!" Bakugou snapped.

"If we made it... we could spend the night in the inn," Ochako suggested.

"That would be much better compared to sleeping outside," Todoroki chuckled. "Let's pick up our pace."

Silence fell over the party, and Ochako truly hoped Bakugou's friend was alive. He was so tense and angry anyway, she couldn't imagine what he would act like if he lost someone important to him. Or... well.... she assumed this Kirishima person was important to him. She couldn't imagine he would go out of his way like this for someone he didn't care about.

He turned his nose up to the air again, his pupils widening. "He's there," he grunted, walking faster.

"You smell him!?" Ochako asked, stepping forward after him.

"Yeah. The fucker is definitely still alive." In the distance there were a few lights which shone brightly and Bakugou immediately flung up his hood. "I can't pinpoint him directly until we get closer."

"Good idea to keep your hood up," Todoroki said. "We need to stop at the inn and regroup before we do anything," Todoroki admitted. "Most inns are attached to a pub, Uraraka and I might be able to gather more information there as well. Rumors fly around towns easily in places where people are intoxicated and have their guard down."

"Oi, why the fuck can't I gather information about my own damn friend?" Bakugou glared at Todoroki. For some reason Ochako couldn't understand, Bakugou was always looking to pick a fight with Todoroki. At least, he seemed angrier with him than he was with Ochako.

"Because," Todoroki hissed, glaring right back. "First off, you drinking sounds like a disaster. Second off, if anyone notices your scales or ears, you'll be thrown wherever your friend is. Uraraka and I can handle it."

"Maybe if I get thrown there I can fucking rescue him. I don't need you two dipshits," he snorted, walking towards the inn.

"I take it he's sticking with us," Todoroki muttered.

"Mhm," Ochako nodded, following his intense gait. "He just... says stuff like that when he's all angry and riled up," she giggled.

"I see. You seem to know him very well."

"I mean we've only spent a few days together, but... he's not been too difficult to figure out," she said, following the path down the hill to the already rowdy inn.

The lights were on, and they could hear cheers coming from the basement, raucous noises clanging and echoing in the air. Todoroki was the first to step into the inn, walking forward to the woman at the front desk.

"Hello, do you have a room for the evening? Potentially two if possible."

"Two rooms? Of course. One for the lady and one for the men?" the woman said.

"We can do one room, Todoroki. We don't need to spend so much money," Ochako urged, but the elemental mage shook his head.

He slid money across the desk to the woman, taking the two keys she handed him. "Rooms 20 and 21, right across the hall from each other. I do apologize for the noise. The town is celebrating this evening! Feel free to join us in our pub if you would like."

"A celebration!?" Ochako asked, leaning over the counter, her brown eyes wide with excitement. "What for?"

"Well... tomorrow we're going to have our first annual dragon slaying competition!" the woman cheered.

All three of their faces paled.

"WHAT?!" Bakugou snapped.

"I know! I know what you're thinking! Dragons are extinct... but we found one!"

"Then... why are you slaying it!?" Ochako gasped. "You know how rare they are!"

"Rare... and incredibly dangerous! We can't have this red beast terrorizing our town anymore," she said, pushing the keys towards Todoroki. "The pub has some drink specials tonight in celebration if you would like to join in. Have a good night."

The woman stepped away from the desk, obviously not wanting to argue the point about keeping the dragon alive. Ochako glanced towards Bakugou, his fists clenched and trembling. "I'll fucking murder her," he hissed, his voice deep and gravely, rumbling against his throat.

"C-C'mon Bakugou!" Ochako said, pushing him towards the stairs. "Let's go talk in the privacy of our rooms!"

He stomped up the stairs, smoke pouring out of his nostrils. Ochako's hand shakily put the key in the lock, swinging the door open.

"I'll fucking kill this whole goddamn town!" he said.

"I-I don't think we should do that," Ochako admitted softly, tucking the key into her pocket. "But I can't believe they're doing this..." she said. "Why would they not want to protect such a rare creature!?"

"Not all people are like you, Uraraka," Todoroki said. "People don't like what they cannot control or understand."

"I don't know what to do to get him back!" she said, knowing there was no way she could run in front of him like she had with Bakugou.

"Kill them all," Bakugou stated flatly.

"No. We'll enter the competition," Todoroki said. "If we enter, we can injure him... and take him for ourselves."

"T-Todoroki... do you really think you can take on a dragon?!"

"Of course."

"Someone's confident," Bakugou snarled.

"I have to be, don't I?" Todoroki sneered back. "Uraraka and I should go to the pub and try and gather more information. Hopefully it won't be too late to join in."

"You're right... there's so much we don't know..." She placed her staff down on the bed, and removed her cloak and hat. She ran her hand through her brown hair and nodded. "Alright. Let's go get drunk!" she cheered.

"Let's not do that," Todoroki snorted. "But one glass of something to fit in sounds smart."

"Sorry to leave you behind Bakugou," Ochako blushed.

"S'fine. If I go down there I'll blow someone's head off the more I hear. I've been dying for some fucking peace and quiet." He leapt onto the bed, folding his arms behind his head. He crossed his legs and sighed. "With you two morons gone, maybe I can actually think and try and figure out what to do. Smarter than your stupid plans!"

"R-Right..." Ochako whispered. "Well... let's go Todoroki." She followed him outside the room. As she shut the door, she watched Bakugou lay comfortably on the bed, and she wondered if he was scared of losing his friend.

~~

The pub was rowdy, patrons dancing and cheering loudly. Drinks were sloshing and splashing on the table and floor. People were singing and cheering, and a crude drawing of a large red dragon hung on the side of the wall. A group of loud men were throwing darts at it, cheering whenever they would hit the creature's face or heart.

"This sure is... something..." Ochako muttered, smoothing her tunic out. She pressed her fingers together, feeling uncomfortable in the giant crowd.

Todoroki looked even more uncomfortable, his eyes darting between groups of people, as if he wasn't sure where to focus. "Yes. Let's find out more information and then leave."

"Let's get a drink to blend in," she said, tugging him towards the bar. "Two beers," she said, leaning over the counter, slamming the coins down. Large pints full of frothy liquid rushed towards her, and she grabbed the cups, handing one to Todoroki.

She took a sip and immediately wrinkled her nose. Why did beer taste like dirt sometimes!?

"Not much of a beer drinker, Uraraka?" Todoroki said, casually sipping on his drink as he leaned against the bar.

"Not really," she said, taking a large gulp. "Deku, Iida, and I rarely spent time in these sort of places."

"I see," he said, glancing around, continuing to casually sip at the beverage.

"What about you, Todoroki?" she asked, watching him seem so casual.

"I hate places like this. Far too loud," he grumbled, wincing when a girl hollered loudly for another round of drinks.

"Yeah... I can see that," Ochako laughed, taking the last gulp of her drink. The faster she drank it, the faster she wouldn't have to drink it anymore. She placed the cup against the bar, her skin feeling tingly, her blood buzzing in her veins. "Another please," she said, pushing the coins against the counter.

Another beer came rushing towards her and she scooped up the mug, sucking down the drink.

"Please don't get too intoxicated, Uraraka," Todoroki muttered. "The last thing we need is you drunkenly telling people about Bakugou."

"I'm fine, I'm fine!" she insisted.

She certainly was not fine, especially after sucking down the second drink. The beers were far more alcoholic than she realized. She couldn't stop staring at the men throwing darts at the awful drawing of who she presumed to be Kirishima. How could they just do that!?

Well... she was certainly going to give them a piece of her mind.

"I'm going to go talk to those men playing darts!" she said, her face filled with determination.

"Uraraka..." Todoroki muttered, concern flickering across his gaze.

She slammed her empty cup down on the bar and shook her head. "I'm gonna kick some ass," she said, already making her way towards the men.

"Okay… Good luck, I'll be here," he sighed, leaning against the bar. He glanced towards two women talking quietly, and she heard him ask what everyone was celebrating. Perfect. There would be no way they wouldn't find the information they were looking for now.

She stumbled over to the men standing by the dart board covered by the ugly picture of the red dragon. "So, boys," she smiled, folding her arms purposefully under her breasts. "What is this all about?"

One of the taller men smirked. "We're practicing!" he slurred. "Tomorrow we're going to slay this ugly thing!"

Ochako swallowed, biting down hard on her lip. How could these people be so cruel? Dragons were beautiful creatures and they deserved to be treated with respect.

"Really?" she asked, tilting her head. "I thought dragons didn't exist!"

"We found one! Saw it with my own two eyes!" A burly looking man laughed. "Anyone can enter tomorrow to attempt to slay it! You wanna try girly?" he smirked, waggling a dart in her face.

She snatched it from his hand, glaring. "'Course I do," she hissed.

"If you actually land a shot, I'll buy you a drink!" The man challenged, his attitude cocky and annoying.

As much as Ochako didn't feel like drinking another beer, she certainly didn't want to back down from a challenge. "Alright," she said, holding the dart in her hand to aim.

The drawing was absolutely horrible and though Ochako didn't know if Kirishima looked different from Bakugou, the idea of slaying a creature almost extinct sounded horrible to her. "So... anyone can sign up tomorrow?" she asked, tossing the first dart forward. She hit his tail and bit her lip, closing one eye to aim again. This time she hit his chest, the men cheering as she did.

"Yeah! You going to sign up little lady?" he asked, winking. She resisted the urge to wrinkle her nose at the drunken man. "Here!" he said and shoved a beer towards her. "You've earned this for being so brave. Plus you did land a shot."

"O-Oh!" she gasped, and took the drink. "Don't worry," she mumbled. "I can do better!" The first two drinks hit her surprisingly hard... probably because she rarely touched alcohol. Already she felt her entire body humming.

She took a large gulp of the third beer, standing in front of the picture. Aiming again, she tossed it forward, hitting the dragon right between his eyes. "See? Perfection!" she laughed, taking another swig.

"If you fight as good as you play darts, I bet you can slay the dragon!" the man laughed.

"Oh, I won't... I won't need to slay the dragon!" she declared, slamming the mug down as she slurped up the last drop. "I will tame it!"

The men stared at her. "Tame... it?"

"Yes!" she yelled, pointing at the horrible picture. "I'm a dragon tamer! And I will tame this dragon like I have... the... the one upstairs!" she said, wobbling backwards.

The men began to laugh. "A tamer!? I'm sure you've tamed plenty of dragons upstairs!" One of them nudged her and smirked.

She frowned. "I-I have!" she called out, but was yanked backwards by Todoroki. "Todoroki! Tell them... Tell them I tamed the dragon upstairs and I'll tame the dragon tomorrow!"

He blinked and glanced at the men. "Come on, Uraraka," he whispered. "Let's go," he pulled her away from the men, who all looked disappointed to see her go.

"I was being serious! I bet I could prove I'm a... I'm a dragon tamer! If Bakugou just helps..." she slurred, rushing all her words together.

"Uraraka... I think the alcohol hit you a little hard. Maybe it's time for bed?" he suggested, gently touching her shoulder.

"I'm serious, Todoroki!" she yelled.

"I get that... and it's not a horrible idea, but we should talk about this in private tomorrow," he hissed.

Ochako rolled her eyes. Just because her body was a little woozy didn't mean she couldn't come up with amazing, coherent ideas! "Fineeeee," she whined, tilting her head to the side. "I'll go upstairs."

"Let me walk you," Todoroki said, but Ochako shook her head.

"No! I promise I'm good!" she said. "Seriously!" she urged, especially when Todoroki's brow furrowed in concern. "It's... It's just right upstairs. You should finish your drink and keep gathering information!"

"If you're sure..." he said, narrowing his eyes at her.

"I swear." She took a few steps forward and tried her best not to stumble, though she was very close to toppling over at one point. "See? I'm doing... great!" she said and gave him a thumbs up.

Todoroki raised his eyebrow. "Just... be careful."

"I will, I will!" She waved her hand up and down quickly, and made her way to the stairs. As she climbed to the top, she felt herself stumble forward. The world was spinning more than she realized, and she wondered if she should've accepted Todoroki's offer.

No... it was fine. She only had to climb one more set of stairs and then their rooms were in the middle of the hallway.

Ochako felt exhaustion hit her, the alcohol making her far sleepier than normal. She was ready to crawl into bed and get some sleep in a comfortable place for once.

She stumbled up the stairs, her body still tingling from the buzz the alcohol gave her. As she made her way down the hall, she stopped in front of the door to her room. She swallowed, digging into the pocket on her pants to pull out the key.

Oh, right. Todoroki hadn’t given her the key to her room, she only tucked away the one to the boys’ room. Oh well, he could sleep in the private room alone.

Turning the key, she swung the door open, finding Bakugou completely asleep in the bed. She didn't know why she expected him to be awake. He really had nothing else to do but sleep. Biting her lip, she slowly tiptoed into the room.

She wanted to do her best not to wake him, especially since he was probably exhausted from traveling so much. She knew she was. They hadn't had the opportunity to sleep in an actual bed for the past few nights, and she was certain he was probably exhausted.

Making her way closer to the bed, Ochako picked up the staff and her hat, almost dropping them when she stared down at Bakugou's peaceful face. She'd never seen him looking so... so calm!

Her cheeks flushed and she lowered her staff and hat back down to the ground. She slowly sank onto the side of his bed. Her cheeks were throbbing with her heartbeat, her pulse racing. The alcohol made her whole body feel warm and fuzzy, especially when she was looking at him.

She took a deep breath, leaning her fingers forward to gently brush against the scales on his cheeks. He was so handsome when he wasn't yelling and looking so damn pissed off. Of course, he still looked handsome then too... this was just more pleasant.

Bakugou's scales felt cool against her fingers, the surface of his cheek rough, but it sparkled with the golden color, even in the gentle lighting of the room.

There was a small part of her that still couldn't believe dragons existed, which was partially why she wanted to touch him. She had to be certain he was right there in front of her. She leaned closer, her nose practically tapping against his. She wondered if his lips would be soft... they looked a little dry. But she could almost feel the hum of excitement at just the thought of kissing him.

Suddenly, his hand shot up and grabbed her wrist, his red eyes snapping open.

~~

Sleeping was something Bakugou didn't get to do often, especially lately. It was part of the reason he was so damn grouchy. So when the Half and Half idiot and Uraraka went downstairs, Bakugou was quick to shut his eyes and try to rest.

It was difficult however, with his brain being so fucking noisy. He kept thinking about Kirishima. Was he trapped in his dragon form? Why were the humans talking about slaying a dragon when Kirishima could've changed back and proven they had no way of killing him.

Then, Bakugou's thoughts drifted to his stupid dragon clan and magic... and humans being confusing as shit. Who the hell was taking their magic if not idiot humans?

And right as he started to drift off, he heard the door open. He didn't wish to open his eyes, not wanting to talk to either of his travel companions. From the scent, he could tell it was Uraraka... she smelled nicer than Half and Half... kind of like roses... and though humans in general had muted scents, he could tell she also smelled of alcohol currently.

He was trying to sleep, so he wasn't going to engage... though he wondered if she knew she technically was in the wrong room. Not that he cared where she slept.

It became difficult to ignore her however, when he felt the bed sink under the weight of her, and when her hand brushed against his cheek. He knew he needed to stop... whatever was happening exactly.

"Oi-" he snapped, flicking his eyes open.

"Bakugou!" she gasped, still staring directly in front of his face. Her breathing grew heavy and she swallowed quickly. "I... You... you're really pretty," she hummed, her face bright red. Fuck, she was so intoxicated, and why the hell did he think she looked so cute?

"Hah!?" he breathed, his eyes flicking towards her lips. His nose twitched slightly and he frowned. "Are you drunk?"

"No..." she hummed. "I only had three drinks! How could I be drunk!?" she gasped, as if she was horrified at the suggestion. Her fingers stroked down his face, touching at his jaw. "I've never seen someone as pretty as you. I just can't believe you're a dragon," she mumbled, slurring her words again. A shiver rolled through his spine. She was so close to him, her breasts pressed against his bare chest and holy shit she was getting closer to him. What the hell was she doing?!

"Oi. Believe it. You're drunk, Cheeks. Go to bed," he hissed.

"But... But I love you," she said. She loved him!? What the hell was she talking about!? She didn't even fucking know him.

Leaning down, she pushed her lips up against his. His eyes widened, feeling her soft lips press against his own. The kiss was kind of sloppy and she tasted like alcohol, and Bakugou froze, unsure of what to do.

But as soon as the kiss began, it ended. "Ahhhhh," she sighed, pulling away to let her head flop against his chest. "I love dragons... they're so cool and amazing... you're amazing..." she mumbled, her eyes fluttering shut.

So she loved dragons, not him. Right. Of course. What the hell else would she have meant? She didn’t fucking know him, it had only been a few days!

Then, her lips were slightly parted as she breathed gently, her chest rising and falling against his.

"Oi..." he grumbled. "You really sleepin'?!"

He waited a moment, wondering if she was going to answer... and when she didn't, he let out a long sigh. So much for sleeping comfortably. He yanked the blanket over both of them and wrapped one arm around her waist, holding her in place.

"You're... an idiot, Pink Cheeks..."

~~

Ochako's eyes fluttered open, her head throbbing. "Dammit..." she whined, regretting having anything to drink the night before. What even happened? She barely remembered playing darts... Her neck felt sore and she pushed herself up, the bed feeling oddly hard against her palm.

She blinked, gathering her surroundings, and she suddenly realized she was pressed against Bakugou, lying in bed with him.

"B-B-Bakugou!?!" she yelled, pushing backwards as she flopped onto the ground, her butt landing on the floor with a loud pound.

Bakugou groaned, pushing himself up. "Oi... Uraraka... why the hell are you making so much noise!?" he snapped.

"E-Eh!? W-What did I... What did we... what?!" she gasped, pointing her finger directly at him.

Swinging his legs over the side of the bed, Bakugou stretched up. "What the hell are you getting so worked up about?"

"W-What did we... did... we... what did I do!?" she squeaked out, clutching her staff to her chest.

Todoroki jolted up in his own bed, glancing at the two of them. "What's going on?"

Bakugou smirked, folding his arms over his chest. "Yes, Uraraka... What the hell did you do?"

"I don't know! Why did I wake up in your bed!?" she yelled.

"You were here the whole time?" Todoroki asked, tilting his head. "I thought it was odd the door was unlocked when I came in."

Rolling his eyes, Bakugou huffed out a long breath of air. "Calm down, Cheeks. Nothing fuckin' happened. You came into get your hat and staff and you fucking passed out on my bed next to me."

"R-Really!? That's all!?" She let out a sigh of relief. If anything else happened, she probably would've felt insanely foolish.

Bakugou glanced to the side, his cheeks heating up. "Yeah... that's all," he muttered. She couldn't tell if he was actually telling the truth. Something about his behavior felt off, but she couldn't quite place it. She wished she could remember anything from last night besides the stupid dart game...

The dart game!

"T-Todoroki! she gasped, suddenly remembering the entire reason they spent their night at the bar. "Anyone can sign up to slay the dragon today, but... I have a better idea."

"You're going to pretend to be a dragon tamer," he stated flatly.

Ochako blushed. "Oh... did I already tell you about this?"

"Sort of..." he mumbled. "I heard you yelling about it."

She rubbed the back of her neck and pushed herself up as she cleared her throat, trying to ignore how much of a mess she had apparently been all evening. "If I can prove that I can tame dragons, they might let me take Kirishima back," she said.

"And how the fuck are you going to prove something as ridiculous like that?" Bakugou hissed. "Tamer..." he clicked his tongue as though he were offended at the very idea.

"With you," she said flatly.

"Oi, what the fuck am I supposed to do about it."

"You'll come with me and transform into your dragon form. Then you'll listen to every command I give and we'll prove I can take care of Kirishima! You can talk to him when you're both in dragon form right?"

"Oh hell fucking no! I'm not gonna play the part of your pet dragon!" Bakugou hissed, his red eyes burning with a flame of anger.

"Please Bakugou! Trust me, I know you couldn't ever actually be controlled by me! But if we could pretend and prove it, it would stop them from murdering your friend and we could escape unharmed!"

"Do you actually think humans would fall for such an... idiotic plan!?" Bakugou yelled.

"Actually, yes," Todoroki mused, cutting into their arguing. "If the people in this village think Uraraka has a way to control dragons, they might be scared of her, and by that I mean scared she would attack them with you. If she could make it seem like she could control you and your captured friend, they would most likely not wish to fight us."

"..." Bakugou huffed out. "I already said no. I'm not being your fucking pet."

Ochako glared at him. "Do you want your friend to die?! This could be the only way. Even if Todoroki and I enter the battle there would be no way for us to communicate with him and one of us could accidentally kill him! Or worse, someone else will get to him first!"

Bakugou growled, folding his arms across his chest. "I fucking hate this!" he snapped, punching his fist against the wall. "I should be able to go get him myself."

"Unless you want to be the next dragon they throw darts at down in the pub, I suggest you listen to Uraraka's plan," Todoroki said, clicking his tongue.

"Yeah... I fucking get it. But I can't stay transformed for long. You know what will happen if I do..." he grumbled.

"I-I know. So we have to be quick. I have a plan if you're willing to listen," she said softly.

"Fine," he hissed, glaring at her, "but only so I can take Kirishima back with me."

"That's... the whole goal," Ochako nodded.

They would get Kirishima back, and she would convince Bakugou to help her help him find his magic, all in one day.

[sparkleywonderful]

The Prince of Ice: Ch 24.1

Part 24.1 of The Prince of Ice series, a retelling of Heir of Fire from Rowan’s point of view.

The Prince of Ice Parts [ 1 ] [ 2 ] [ 3 ] [ 4 ] [ 5 ] [ 6 ] [ 7 ] [ 8 ] [ 9 ] [ 10 ] [ 11 ] [ 12 ] [ 13 ] [ 14 ] [ 14.5 ] [ 15 ] [ 16 ]  [ 17 ] [ 18 ] [ 19 ] [ 20 ] [ 21 ] [ 22 ] [ 23 ]  [ 24.1 ] [ 24.2 ] [ 24.3 ] [ 24.4 ] [ 24.5 ] [ 24.6 ] [ 24.7 ] [  AO3 ]

A/N: I have been dying to write this chapter, just dying. It was so much fun to write and I always felt that this exclusive belonged in the book. Although we all filled in the gaps, it is the first time you truly see the friendship that is growing between Rowan and Aelin. For tumblr, I will be braking this apart into seven sections for your viewing pleasure.

Gratitude goes to @bookofademigod and @themaasofwar for posting the target exclusive. Without this I would have never been able to write this very important POV.

- - - - - - -

Months before Aelin reclaimed her identity as the long-lost Queen of Terrasen, she still called herself Celaena Sardothien - and was trained to wield her rekindled magic by a Fae Prince in a mountain fortress of Wendlyn… Despite their rough beginning, Aelin and Rowan have finally formed a solid friendship, based on mutual respect, trust, and more than a bit of banter. But just when their bond begins to shift into something neither of them quite anticipates - something far deeper - the fortress of Mistward receives a visit from three Fae nobles. And one of them claims some very, very personal ties to Rowan himself. Read on for an exclusive deleted scene from Heir of Fire, in which Aelin gets her first glimpse of the Fae nobility of Doranelle, and a bit more of Rowan’s history is revealed to her … with fiery consequences.

- - - - - - -

He blinked, then reread the missive. He could deal with Benson and even possibly enjoy the company of Essar. It was who signed the missive that made his blood run cold. Remelle. He headed to the kitchen to gather Aelin and hoped that she was in a pleasant enough mood to grant him this one favor.

He watched her lounging on a boulder, her golden hair gleaned in the sun, the heir of Mala evident in the glow around her. She was changing, the healthy weight, the healing soul and the aging that happened to women between their late teens and twenties was beginning to settle into her face. She had always been beautiful, but her features were beginning to sharpen in some places while softening in others, transforming her to breathtaking.

“What’s your favorite food?”

They had been doing this exchange back and for for weeks. Sometimes it was like this, light and harmless, other times they peeled the layers back that had protected them from the world and left them feeling raw, exposed.

“Whatever keeps me alive at the moment.”

It was an honest answer, he did not know when but at some point he stopped enjoying food.

She clicked her tongue. “Could you be any more of an animal?”

He slid a glance in her direction, lifting a brow he had to remember she was raised by mortals, not Fae, especially not a Fae warrior who just happened to shift into a hawk. When she only scowled, he signed.

“There’s a street vendor in Doranelle who sells meat on a stick.”

“Meat on a stick,” He could see her fighting to keep her lips in a straight line.

“And I suppose yours is some confection or useless bit of sugar.”

“Sweets aren’t useless. And yes. I’d crawl over hot coals for a piece of chocolate hazelnut cake right now.”

He could almost smell the sadness on her. He wondered if there was a deeper memory tied to the useless confection.

“What good could that possibly be for keeping your body strong? With your magic, you’d burn through it and be hungry again within half an hour.”

She propped herself on her elbows. “Your priorities are obscenely out of order. Not all food is for survival and strength-building. You didn’t even try one of the chocolates from that town. I guarantee the moment you do, every time I turn my back, you’ll be shoveling them down.”

He just stared at her, before she decided it would be best to change topics, “Favorite color?”

He looked down from his perch, over the foothills and valleys of Wendlyn rippling away below them, “Green.”

“I’m surprised you actually know.”

He narrowed his eyes, but said, “What’s yours?”

“For a while, I made myself believe it was blue. But -- it’s always been red. You probably know why.”

He made an affirmative sound, while she raised a hand above her, threading a line of fire through her fingers. She plaited it between her knuckles, then snaked it down her palm, until it curled around her wrist, twining and slithering along her skin.

She had spent more than the last ten years fighting who she was. The fear of who she was and the power she had would continue to be a battle for her. He was slowly learning when to support and when to push.

“Good,” Rowan said. “Your control is improving.”

“Mmhmm.” she lifted her other hand, and rings of flame encircled her fingers. She set to work on carving the flames, forging them into individual patterns.

He was not sure what made him say it, “Try it on me.”

He responded to her frown, “Do it.”

He didn’t flinch when she fashioned a crown of flame for him. Right atop his head.

“Bold move, one that doesn’t have much space for error.”

“I’m surprised you’re not encasing your head with ice.”

“I trust you,” he said quietly enough that she looked at his face.

And he did, but there was more to her control than he expected, he wondered if she was actively wielding her power not to burn him or if it was instinctive.

“And now one for you,” he said, as a crown of ice formed in the space between them, its delicate spikes rising high. He lifted it between his hands and set it on her head, its weight light.

The innocent small smile she gifted him was everything. In that moment, he remembered that she was more than a demi-Fae, more than a girl, she was a Queen. And it seemed at the same moment, she remembered the same as her flames and smile faltered.

“We’re going to have visitors tonight.”

“Should I be concerned?”

“I -- need your help.”

“Ah. So that’s why you let me have an afternoon of peace.”

He snarled, but she lifted a brow. “Will I finally be meeting your mysterious friends?”

“No. They’re Fae nobility, passing through the area. They requested a place to stay for the night, and will arrive around sunset. Emrys is making them dinner, and I am expected to . . . entertain them.”

When he just looked at her, she said, “Oh, no. No.”

“They will not condescend to dine with the demi-Fae, and --”

“I’m even less acceptable than a demi-Fae!”

“--if I have to play host to them all evening, it will likely end in bloodshed.”

She blinked. “Not favorites of yours?”

He almost laughed at that. Favorites. Even before, he had little patience for court and nobility. The gods above knew that he was fated for a different life far away from politics.

“They’re typical nobility. Not trained warriors. They expect to be treated a certain way.”

“So? You’re in Maeve’s little cabal. And you’re a prince to boot. Don’t you outrank them?”

“Technically, but there are politics to consider. Especially when they’ll be reporting to Maeve.”

She groaned. “So what -- I’m supposed to play hostess?”

Her face was miserable, and part of him wondered if she was asking to much from her. “No just  -- help me deal with them.”

“And what am I going to get out of it?”

He clenched his jaw, “I’ll find you a chocolate hazelnut cake.”

“No.” He raised his brows, the confirmation that there was a story behind her love-hate relationship with that particular confection.

She threw a wicked smile at him in response. “You’ll just owe me. A favor that I can call in whenever I please.”

He sighed, lifting his gaze skyward. He did not like how dependent he was becoming on her, but he knew that he would do more damage alone. He needed a reminder of why he needed to stay at Mistward. Why he was a warrior and a Prince only in name. “Just look presentable at sundown.”

[marshmallow-the-vampire-slayer]

MTVS Epic Rewatch #194

DON’T FORGET TO VOTE!

VM 3x16 Un-American Grafitti

Stray thoughts

1) The smiles of these two fucking idiots as they pretend to be friends while secretly pining after each other, I hate them so much ugh!

2) Oh, this sardonic self-deprecating asshole, stop breaking my heart!

LOGAN: Lots of advancements since the last time I buckled down. How 'bout you?

VERONICA: Uh, "Violence in Early Adolescence."

LOGAN: Ah. Need me to autograph your textbook?

It’s nice to see them chat and banter without all the angst, even if it’s short-lived and all pretense, though.

3) Veronica is all smiles and sunshine until Logan uses the word “both” to refer to him and Parker. The realization that Logan wasn’t just bluffing and that not only was he dating someone else but he also seemed to have zero hang-ups about their break-up just utterly destroys her. 

4) This is actually refreshing, and it’s not the only time it happens in this season…

VERONICA VOICEOVER: I took this case so I wouldn't have time to dwell on Parker's birthday party and now, here I am, sitting in a car with nothing but a whole lot of dwelling time on my hands.

Veronica’s voiceover clearly implies she’s far from cool with the idea of Logan being Parker’s Picture Perfect Boyfriend. It’s the most outspoken she’s been as regards how she really feels about Logan and their break-up. We get the same type of voiceover in There’s Got to be a Morning After Pill, when Veronica goes bananas and stalks Madison because of her misplaced vendetta. Hardly ever did Veronica let us on in her inner feelings during times of emotional turmoil caused by the ups and downs of her relationship with Logan. In fact, in the early seasons, she usually went uncharacteristically silent when Logan was concerned. I think that in spite of all their fuck-ups, Logan and Veronica actually were in a much more mature and vulnerable place now than they ever were (think of their intimate conversations in Wichita Linebacker and Poughkeepsie, Tramps and Thieves) and it’s shown in Veronica’s voiceovers.

It’s sort of a step in the right direction for Veronica, and it’s hard to argue it’s not related to Logan’s claims that she always puts herself at a distance and never lets herself need others. 

5) I love this little callback…

AMIRA: Veronica Mars?

VERONICA: Amira. Long time, no see.

AMIRA: Yeah. Like since my senior year, when you made my Pirate Points worth less.

But… wasn’t Duncan the one who did that?

6) I think this is the moment when Veronica decides she will get her revenge on…

You don’t go ruining Veronica’s jacket and expect her not to get you back.

7) I know Ronald is only a kid, but damn does it feel good to see Veronica putting that little dick in his place…

RONALD: What does a criminologist do?

VERONICA: Oh, grads usually go into work in law enforcement. I'm considering pursuing a career at the FBI.

RONALD: You're a girl.

MRS. HILLS:  Ronald.

VERONICA: Actually, Ronald, did you know that on average, girls develop faster than boys and have higher levels of cognitive functioning, including math calculation, written language, and verbal fluency?

RONALD: So?

VERONICA: Well put, Ronald. We need fireman, too.

There’s nothing wrong with being a fireman, though.

8) This is hands down one of my favorite moments in the series, I don’t know why I get so much pleasure from seeing Veronica reenact a scene from Pulp Fiction almost verbatim and using a paint gun in lieu of a real gun.

9) Poor Mr. Clemmons but aww at Veronica shooting "Towelie” for making fun of him.

10) How didn’t Mac read Veronica’s expression? That’s not the face of someone who has ever been cool about anything ever.

MAC: You ready? We can offer them our table.

VERONICA: Sure. 

11) And I love how dumbfounded Veronica is about Mac and Logan actually getting along. I brought this up in a previous recap, but it’s pretty obvious the only reason Logan didn’t form any bonds with Mac or Wallace is because of Veronica’s need to compartmentalize. Mac sums it up quite nicely here…

VERONICA: You and Logan seem chummy.

MAC: Guess I never thought much of the guy when you two were dating. Surly thing, you know. But since he's been around so much lately, I've seen his sweet side. Probably the side you saw all the time.

VERONICA: Oh, yeah. That side.

And in fact, it begs the question: did Veronica keep Logan away from her friends and family because she feared they might not like him or because she wanted them to continue seeing him as the dark, brooding, dangerous type so that she could keep the “real” Logan all to herself?

12) Piz actually gained a couple of cool points because of this reference…

PIZ: It's like the new Rocky Horror. Now at one point people throw plastic spoons at the screen. You gotta check it out. It'll-it'll change your life.

But don’t worry, he’ll lose all of them and then some by the end of the episode.

13) Wallace, you’re such a good friend to all your friends, I love you.

WALLACE: I thought you were going to Yoyo Taco on Saturday.

PIZ: Yo La Tengo. Yeah. But, you know, this sounds more fun. What?

WALLACE: You're like one of those guys who stands behind the players at the poker table and pretends he's playing.

PIZ: Sorry, I've never been to Vegas, so what exactly...

WALLACE: Look. Every once in a while, you gotta go all in.

PIZ: Right. Will do.

WALLACE: Excellent.

PIZ: I don't know what that means, though.

WALLACE: It means we're going out tonight. You're going to talk to some girl who knows you're alive. Wait, actually, that's not what it means, but it's a start.

14) I’m not addressing the mystery of the week because I feel it’s so wrong in so many aspects I don’t even know where to start.

15) Now, this is awkward…

KEITH: Last time I saw you, you were nineteen, and that was...just a couple weeks ago. (…) Mind if I see those IDs of yours. I guess I don't have to ask where you got these.

 KEITH: You recognise the work? Out of thirty-seven citations yours truly wrote in six campus-area bars last night, no fake ID could hold a candle to your standards. You may not want to believe this, honey, but there are mistakes you can't take back. What if they'd gotten drunk and stumbled into the street like Jim Wilson. Would you want to explain that to their parents?

This is yet another instance of Veronica’s almighty and reckless attitude.

16)

DICK: Veronica Mars! What's that line about the beginning of some sort of friendship?

17) Isn’t there here a bit of foreshadowing, though?

MAC: Sorry. I was afraid you were trying to get back at Logan somehow by coming as Dick's date.

VERONICA: Ew. Yeah, nothing says "I'm over you" like dating down.

18) Oh, the cringe, the c r I N G E!!!

19) And the pain, oh, THE PAIN!!

20) Jebus, the subtext in their conversation is so overwhelming, though.

LOGAN: I girded myself for seeing you with a date tonight, you know, proof you weren't pining away.

VERONICA: All the periodically good ones were taken and I pine for no man.

LOGAN: Hmm. Well maybe you should try branching out. I mean, who knows, maybe there's a consistently good one here tonight.

I kind of wish she had brought up the fact she had been eating his face when he approached her.

Anyway, it’s kind of obvious that Logan is disguising the truth as a joke and that he had mentally prepared himself to see Veronica with someone. Joke’s on him, though. Have you ever thought about the fact that Logan’s joke about sending the weird guy on Veronica’s way was the catalyst that brought Veronica and Piz together? If Logan hadn’t sent the guy, then Veronica wouldn’t have run to Piz for help. In turn, Piz wouldn’t have pretended to be her boyfriend, Wallace wouldn’t have confronted Veronica about how insensitive she was being with Piz’s feelings, Veronica wouldn’t have apologized to Piz, Piz wouldn’t have sloppily kissed her and Veronica wouldn’t have chased him.

21) Veronica was pushing it, though. She could really be an asshole sometimes. There’s no way she wasn’t aware of how he felt about her. Also, bless you, Wallace.

VERONICA: There you are! Sorry, this is a “break glass in case of emergency” situation. I need you to pretend to be my boyfriend.

PIZ: Oh, sorry. You're right, babe. Bad boyfriend. Fresh drink coming up, okay.

WALLACE: (…) You need to listen to me right now, okay. What you're doing is cruel.

VERONICA: Are you kidding? When I told him my name... He did that whole "banana fanna fofanna" thing.

WALLACE: No, not him. Piz. If you don't know he has a thing for you...

VERONICA: Piz doesn’t have a th-

WALLACE: You're smarter than that. Be a good person. Just put him out of his misery.

22) MY EYESSSS! MY EYESSSS!

Isn’t this the most awkward and awful kiss in the history of kisses? There’s nothing about that kiss that would’ve swept Veronica off her feet. If you’d like to read more about what I think of this scene, go here. And if you want to see something that can’t be unseen go here.

Totally unrelated, but if you get me a kofi I’ll be forever grateful!

23) My heart.

Ugh, that ending.

fuck you, Piz.

[thetradeway]

Session 29: 23 Jan 2021 “That’ll be the mating demon.”

Joe tells us that Duncan will rue the day he summoned a bunch of flumphs. He has had to spend an hour this past week reading up on flumphs, an hour that he will never get back. We aren’t going to enjoy it much either, he says. Oh, cool…

Ed will be with us apfelsaft. We give him five minutes, while we discuss Ahleqs’s flumphs. Ah - Ed has arrived. There is more flumph talk; we discuss trying to communicate with them. Do they speak? Our DM and now resident flumph expert, says yes - telepathically.

Now there’s talk about Star Trek, and Critical Role, and conventions. Today is a good day to die. Indeed.

The flumphs emit a faint blue glow - but then start pulsing and turning red. We roll Nature or History checks. All of us except Tarragon and Ahleqs (who both roll nat 1s) know that in the presence of evil things, flumphs turn red.

The flumphs are frightened of Ahleqs, and they do a really fun thing when they’re frightened: they jettison a stream of effluent on the target of their fear. This stuff is a component used by Wizards when casting Stinking Cloud.

Excellent!

Now Ahleqs will smell disgusting for three days - to the point where anyone within 20 feet of him makes a CON save, and if they fail it they will puke.

Less excellent.

On with the combat! Popcorn is still confused, and attacks Kessler. He can make another save versus the confusion, but fails with a 4.

The Babau attacks Rusty with its Weakening Gaze ability, and it succeeds. He now only does half damage with STR based weapons. It then attacks him with a spear, causing some of his less essential bones to fall off. He nimbly shambles out of the way of the second attack, fortunately.

Kessler rolls a 2 on her Confusion so she does not move or act on her turn. She rolls her save to end the spell - and passes. She turns to the demon: “Oi, fuckwit! You’re next!”

Grease wizard is up. He curates some magics for us all to see: Mirror Image. Is that his action? “It is! Balls!” He thinks and or mutters in all his languages: “Er, (mumbling), the evil demon lady must be vanquished! I command ye flumphs in this endeavour!” Celestial, Common, Deep Speech and Dwarvish.

The flumphs show no indication that they’ve understood him. “Blast!”

One of the flumphs shudders - and a bunch of tiny flumphs appear from under its mantle. One of them wriggles up Gideon’s sleeve. “Have I got a baby flumph? I will guard him with my life!”

Rusty attacks the demon elf with a spell, and misses with a 16. “Oh! Augh! Rusty! Get your act together!”

Wait - does he get advantage? Gunna is grappling her. Yes! Ed rolls again. Rolls even lower. Rusty bottled it.

Tarragon rages and rushes over to attack the elf with her quarterstaff - she hits, and gets a glare in return. Ha. Good.

Melaina wants to shoot her in the face. She decides against Sharpshooter, and hits with a 17 doing 21 damage including her sneak attack. She hides as well as she can from things that aren’t looking at her; there isn’t much in the way of hiding places in here.

Can Gunna still hit her if he’s grappling her? He wants to do a Tyson - he makes a melee attack to try and bite off an ear. He hits with a 25! He rips her ear off; well that’s his how-de-do-dis, because she’s dead. Yay! Lots of cheering.

The demon is still there, however. Gunna drops the body of the elf and engages it. 16 to hit? That hits for 14 damage. Dayum. He does a Northman war cry. “Grahhhh!!! Winner!!!!”

Gideon, Gunna, Melaina, Ahleqs and Kessler see the air near the top of the stairs shimmer, and a strange looking dog blinks into existence (Tarragon is facing the wrong way so she doesn’t see it). It runs up and bites the demon. Demon blood flies everywhere.

Ahleqs debates what to do, deciding eventually on Eldritch Blast. 23 and 19 both hit, ten total force damage. “Is it dead? Did I kill it?” No. It didn’t like it but its still alive. Ahleqs sits down in his stink. He makes a CON save to see if he throws up from his own smell, but passes.

“For the next three days.”

Popcorn is no longer confused, so he attacks the Babau, he hits but is disappointed to realise that the thing is resistant to slashing damage. Still hits though.

The Babau does a Weakening Gaze against Gunna, who passes his CON save. It attacks him and hits. He’s still in double figures, he crows.

Kessler casts Magic Missile at level 2 at the Babau - four darts hit it, for 14 damage. “Fucker! I told you I was coming for you!” She moves to cut off his escape, and bonus action slams a potion in case he turns on her. Goblin rage! She adds Fury of the Small to her damage, as an afterthought. And then realises that she doesn’t have any potions left.

Gideon asks how the Babau is looking - makes an Investigation check with a 22. It’s bleeding and heavily wounded, but moving as normal so not all that close to death. He believes it is time to use Ray of Enfeeblement! (Ed reads the description in Gideon’s voice, a quavery old man voice.) He rolls a 19 to hit it - now it only deals half damage with STR based weapons. He’s undermined its confidence, maybe it’ll go away and think about its actions. Gideon also prays to Moradin, his dwarven god, and motions for Rusty to attack as well. He does, but misses. wait - ADV. nope, still a miss.

Tarragon takes the second to last space around the demon; it now resembles the bit in Shaun of the dead where they’re battering that zombie in the Winchester to Don’t Stop Me Now. She hits it with her quarterstaff, screaming obscenities as she goes.

Melaina shoots over Gideon’s head, but misses. ADV, but still a miss. Gunna rinses and repeats. 18 to hit, for 23 - and kills it, yay!

The flumphs start to vanish, but Gideon’s sleeve flumph remains. He is very excited by this. He wants some of the flumph effluent; Ahleqs knows where there’s a large amount of it. Unfortunately (or fortunately) Gideon doesn’t have anything to carry it in.

We make History checks (Melaina at ADV) to see what the elf-demon thing was; she rolls a dirty 20.

It was a fey’ri - half demon, half elf. A noble house of elves bred with demons during an ancient war to strengthen their blood. They capture (usually) sun elves and breed them with demons to create more fey’ri. Morally we were ok killing this thing. Melaina knows that other elves will probably reward us for its head - Good thing Gunna already chopped it off. We stow it away.

Gideon gives the dog a stern look. It seems otherworldly and disinterested in Gideon. We offer it food. It seems interested in Tarragon. She recognises it from her friend - it’s Raeph’s! Perhaps he’s fallen down a well. She asks the dog to take her to Raeph. Its called Naysa. It blinks to the top of the stairs and looks back at us. Ahleqs follows at a distance, presumably wilting the flora as we go.

The dog starts scratching at a door that leads to the ruins at the bottom of the tower.

Do we want to rest before we move on? What time of day is it? Ahleqs finds some water to start scrubbing off the flumph stink. Do any of us fancy helping him, it will give him advantage on his roll? We all refuse immediately. Gideon tries, but fails his CON save and throws up.

Kessler does her Alarm spell. Melaina can do Mage Hand, so she can help Ahleqs from a distance.

On second watch, Ahleqs spots a quasit crawling up the stairs; he thinks he can deal with it himself. It does set off Kessler’s Alarm spell, so she is also awake. Ahleqs does a quiet Eldritch Blast, but he does also do a little scream. Kessler looses her Lightning Launcher. All the attacks hit - the quasit is blasted into dust.

Melaina makes a Perception check for her watch; rolls a 12. She doesn’t see anything and her watch passes without incident.

Gideon asks Tarragon about flumph care; with a nat 20 she knows all about them. They eat small rodents and snakes, but they usually live off telepathic energy and thoughts. Ahleqs suggests pressing the flumph to his head.

The door Naysa leads us to is locked; Melaina unlocks it.

Joe makes the mistake of asking how we enter the room: “QUIETLY!!”

Gunna goes first, with Melaina, then Tarragon. Gideon wants to be the meat in the sandwich, and Kessler goes with him in case she gets the chance to shove him down the stairs. Ahleqs goes at the back, even though he’s less fragrant now.

We makes Stealth checks with Pass Without Trace; Melaina rolls a Nat 20 (30 total with Pass Without Trace gives her 40!) and straight up stops existing.

It’s dark so the humans will need torches, immediately negating all our stealth checks. We hold off lighting any for a minute.

There’s some discussion of asking the dog if it’s dangerous, but we wouldn’t be able to understand her.

Naysa is emitting a low growl - apparently the answer to our unasked question is ‘yes’. Gideon decides to scout ahead - Tarragon goes with to give him the benefit of PWT. We make more stealth checks. We see some ‘disgusting things’ - dretches.

Okay team. We could surprise attack or sneak past?

Ahleqs: “What do they look like?”

Gideon: “Like the goblin but bigger.”

Gideon suggests throwing the sorcerer at them to maximise the surprise and take advantage of his pyrotechnics, thus lighting the scene for the humans.

What’s the plan? Move ourselves to prepare for a surprise attack, then launch a surprise attack.

Gideon grabs Gunna by his big nordic hand and leads him into position. (He’s gone out for a fag, so Sophie says he goes quietly)

Surprise attack!

Gideon kicks off the action with Fireball, and places it so he gets all of them. Joe makes various Dex saves for the dretches - two pass but two fail and are killed outright. Woohoo! Even the ones that make the save are now close to death.

Kessler shoots her Lightning Launcher, waits for her laptop to catch up, then makes her attack rolls. She kills the two remaining dretches. Yay!

We don’t even need to be in initiative. Ahleqs pulls out Simon - he was lit previously, but Ahleqs kept him in his coat. Gunna now lights a torch.

Naysa has stopped growling.

Looking around - we are in subterranean ruins, with elven carvings on the walls. Gideon has Stonecunning - he examines the walls. Rolls a nat 20 and adds double his proficiency.

It’s made of white marble - Gideon believes it to be a palace. “Oh my friends, we shall find such treasures here!” He starts to run his hands over the stone. “Not quite as elegant as dwarvish stonework, to be sure, but it has its merits.”

Can he see any passages? He hems and haws. He thought he saw a door, but he did not. The DM points them out. (Gideon casts Obvious Door.)

There are two doors. They look much the same. Which door does Naysa want to do? She sniffs around and blinks in and out but doesn’t seem to know which way to go. Gideon sniffs about for elven treasures.

Tarragon reaches for one of the doors, but a skeletal hand reaches through and grabs her - she takes 10 necrotic damage and one level of exhaustion!!

Kessler examines the other door - from a distance. Melaina opens the other door with Mage Hand - there is no skeleton on the other side. Just a spiral staircase leading down. Gunna charges down, pressing on the walls and stamping on the floor as hard as he can, poking the ceiling with his sword, licking doorknobs, everything. “The first D&D character to die of coronavirus.” He takes 1 level of hepatitis.

He does some sneaking (with PWT) and rolls a 22 for a 32 total.

We find ourselves in a huge room with a magical wall bisecting it. On the other side is a huge demon!

Gunna makes an Investigation check; rolls a 9. Higher than he was expecting. It looks like there is a cage on a dais on the far side.

Kessler: “That’ll be the mating demon.”

What size is it?

Large.

Gideon rolls Investigation on the forcefield; rolls a 10. “I believe it to be some sort of Force Field.”

Naysa is scrabbling at the forcefield with her paws.

Tarragon finds some double doors, and asks Melaina to take a look at them. (She learned her lesson with the last door.) Melaina checks for traps with a dirty 20 - and finds a trap that required a roll of 20 to spot. Nice!

She wants to disarm it, but if she sets it off it will do a 30ft cone AOE thing. Gunna stays to help her (emotionally - he’s useless mechanically) and Tarragon casts Guidance, while the others move out of the blast radius.

Melaina rolls an 11, and a 1 on her Guidance. Gunna casts Teleport. Disguise Self. Rope Trick!

Gideon is still standing right in the blast radius, so he gets it as well. They all make WIS saves - Melaina Natty 20’s it, Gideon rolls a 15, but Gunna gets 13. They take psychic damage - Gunna takes 15 and gets disadvantage on attacks for 10 minutes. The others get 7 PSY damage and no effect on attacks. Gunna casts Healing Word.

The trap is spent now, however. Melaina has a go at picking the lock, and there’s her 20.

Naysa starts growling. Melaina makes a Perception check (Gunna’s ears are bleeding. He needs some calpol). Gunna takes 12 piercing damage - the end of a spear appears through his side!

We roll initiative - turns out that was a surprise round.

Tarragon Thorn Whips the creature but whiffs it. She casts Healing Word on Gunna for her bonus action. Gideon casts Ray of Enfeeblement, and tucks the baby flumph further up his sleeve to protect it from harm.

Kessler wants to know if we can’t just talk about this. Then she casts Magic Missile at level 2.

Naysa gets a turn - she charges the thing that attacked Gunna and bites it - she is growling and hanging off the creature’s wrist. Gideon: *laughs* “quite the fighter, eh??”

It’s another Babau. It attacks Naysa back, and spears at Gunna again. Gideon halves the damage to Naysa, and the spear attack misses. It does get a save vs. his Enfeeblement, but that’s a big fat fail. “I am a wise and powerful wizard!”

Gunna attacks with a 15, but that’s a miss. He goes again with a 9 (He’s still at disadvantage from the psychic attack from the door).

Ahleqs can’t see anything so he does an Eldritch Blast, doing 3 force damage.

Popcorn rushes forward to savage the Babau. He hits with his beak but misses with his claws. Melaina hides and shoots.

Tarragon misses with her Thorn Whip again. We all kind of want to save our spell slots, because Joe started laughing when Gunna refused another Healing Word, saying he’d be fine as long as ten more Babau didn’t charge around the corner.

Gideon is delighted to find that his Chill Touch spell does an extra die of damage now that he’s level 5! He fondles his book of lore, happy with his attack.

The gobbo does another MM for 12 force damage. No, 16!

The babau, deciding to mix things up a little, spears Gunna again. (He casts Barkskin. Leomund’s Tiny Hut. Um - )

it’s Gunna’s turn. Has ten minutes passed yet? Probably not. He attacks with a 24 - at Disadv! He forces a STR save (Does it have to? Gunna: “I insist.”) and it rolls a 13 - a fail. It takes 18 damage and it is disarmed of its spear, only it isn’t, because Gunna has killed it. Yay!

(Ed puts a gif of someone raising his arms and screaming “Victory!!” on the group chat; Gunna does exactly that.)

Does he need aid with that spear? He takes a potion. We’re all quite tired so Joe calls it there as Mina and Duncan are yawning.

(It turns out that Ed’s Irish coworker has been calling him Rich for the past year but he speaks so quickly that Ed has only just realised that’s what he’s saying. It is now far too late to correct him.)

[kittymaverick]

Tradition dictates that I must make commentary on each MCF games, even when I complain about how thing the content is...

Spoilers under cut. Also, this is written from memory, so order might be a little off.

1. MD: Ah, finally. A well deserved holiday just like I requested-- Queen: Oh Master Detective the Americas are being incredibly incompetent at this whole supernatural thing. Awfully sorry for disrupting your vacation, but your service are requested. MD: ...Just shoot me in the head, will you, Your Majesty? Queen: I’m flying you over on a private jet plane. MD: Okay, everything’s forgiven. 2. Me: Cassette tape? Really? MD: I didn’t know our beloved Queen’s a hipster. Queen: Not only that, I also write letters. Me: My god she really is a hipster. 3. Me: ...Really? Artifact of immense power capable of granting immortality, and you use it as a quill? MD: I have no idea what you are talking about. 4. MD: ...Why isn’t anyone here to pick me up? I thought this was an all expense paid trip? I’m going to need to walk TEN MILES to the murder scene? Me: You’ve walked more than that in underground complexes. A wheat field is nothing. 5. Woman: Oh hi Detective you’re totally here to investigate the murder right. Me and MD in unison: SUSPECT! INSTANT SUSPECT! Woman: Also, why are you not turning on the truck lights? You can progress the game until you do that. MD: ... I hate this town already. Me: For a town that’s devoid of people you sure fill it with a lotta hate. MD: Me and abandoned towns don’t go so well together, in case my history hasn’t reflected that enough. 6. MD: Hm, interesting grave-- [GRABBED] FUUUUUUUUUUUCK MEEEEEEEEEEEE. Alvin: Hi. Bye. [Gone~] MD: .................How am I still alive? Me: You know, it’s awfully refreshing for once when the enemy isn’t obsessed with you. 7. Me: Who’s this magic guy that keeps on showing up on all the flyers? MD: If you actually used your head, it’s the first murder victim. Me: ...Can you not? 8. Housekeeper lady: Oh this town is so full of gossip you know, about it’s rich people. Me: Yes do share. I love gossips. 83 MD: .......What has my life come to. 9. [Creepy doll thing] MD: ... Totally not creepy at all. Nope! [Eyes lights up red] Not creepy! [MD begins weeping.] 10. Woman to other woman: GET OUTTA TOWN. Me: Someone get me a camera, imma gonna paparazzi this. MD: ...When I submit my case report, I am so going to request that I just have a mundane investigation of a heist or something simple for once. Me: Awwww, but the supernatural cases are the fun ones. D: 11. [Sees door with contraption] Me: Oh yeah...This is totally not a reminder of something. 12. Housekeeper: Oh no I’m trapped because I stuck my hand in this thing please help. MD: I am so fed up by non-player characters. Me: And I am dying of laughter inside because it’s legit the first time I’ve seen a complicated door puzzle TRAP someone. 13. MD: Alright, opening this hunting room right now-- [Bullet goes through the Elephant’s head] JESUS CHRIST! Me: YOUR HEAD. IS IT OKAY? MD: I’m glad I’m not taller! Me: Wait no, you have that immortal feather why am I worried about you? 14. Guy with gun: You made me waste a bullet! MD: And you made me waste my wits. What the hell is going on? Guy: Do you hear that? MD: ...No? Guy: The silence, it’s deafening. MD: ...Yeah, exactly. So I heard nothing. 15. [EPIC CRASH THROUGH THE WINDOW] {SHOTS FIRE} Me: OMG HE SHOT THE REVENANT-- oh wait yeah, guy’s undead he’s fine. 16. Guy: SHOOT HIM WITH THE CROSS BOWS! MD: WHAT CROSSBOW--[accidentally sets it off] ... OKAY GOT IT. GUY: IT’S NOT WORKING GET THE NET! MD: WHAT NET-- oh I SEE IT. Me: That worked? Holy shit it worked. 17. Alvin: Bye bye again. [Zoink!] Guy: COME BACK HERE. Me: No wait come back people that chase after the enemy tends to die you know. MD: ...Guy had it coming. Me: Also, it’s refreshing that YOU aren’t the one that set the building on fire this time. 18. MD: Alright, finally able to follow them. Ghost of first victim: BEWARE OF WHAT LIES AHEAD. MD: SOME FUCKING WARNING WOULD BE NICE. Me: ...Well you saw ghosts in Ravenhearst so-- MD: NO. 19. MD: Let’s find the guy-- Me: AAAAAHHHHHH BODY STABBED TO TREE! DEAD BODY ALERT! MD: ............I can’t even at this point. Me: You know, you’ve been less able to save people recently. MD: Can you really blame me? The last few enemies were rather homicidal. I have better self preservation instincts than to dive right in and risk my neck for people. 20. Me: Alright! We’ve got a ladder to the window! MD: ...THAT ENTIRE GEAR PUZZLE WAS ALL FOR A FREAKING WEIGHT??? Me: Yeah, was a tad unsatisfying... 21. Me: Aw they have a place called Lover’s Point-- MD: NOPE. Me: ...I didn’t even-- MD: CAN’T HEAR YOU. 22. Me: ...BTW, why are you kicking piles of leaves? MD: Stress relief. It’s that or setting things on fire. The latter’s kinda illegal. Me: Duly noted. 23. Alvin’s sister(?): Yeah just go ahead and have a look around. MD: You have a shite garden you know that? Me: WHAT SHE MEANT IS YOUR PUMPKIN PATCH IS WONDERFUL. 24. MD: It’s so nice to have an opponent who’s actually sane and has an organized room for once. Me: It’s a double decker trailer. I’m not sure how “neat” that is. MD: Just let me enjoy this for a moment, okay? 25. Woman: Hi this is totally not a supervillain confession tape. Well okay it is. MD: That makes you 1000% more forthcoming than the others I’ve faced. 26. MD: I need something with a hook on it to get this thing. Me: Alright, let’s find a broom-- MD: I’m going to stretch this rubber chicken out and attach a hook to it! Me: ...Is your mind okay?... 27. Me: Hm...There’s nothing about this creepy toy factory that’s ringing any bells, is it? MD: Hm.....I sure hope there isn’t. Me: Yeah, think we might just be paranoid. Devs: [Cackling in the background as they plot evilly] 28. Woman: PLEASE DON’T KILL OUR KID ALVIN. Alvin: Whatever. [Kills the woman] Me: ...You seriously just watched that happen and did nothing, didn’t you? MD: Yep. The less people there are alive, the less trouble I need to handle later. Me: ...Is this because you’ve had to save so many characters again you’re now letting them die so that’ll never trouble you again? MD: Damn, my master plan has been figured out ABORT ABORT. 29. MD: Oh no so the woman’s houskeeper’s daughter is really her own daughter! Le gasp. Me: ...For rich people this is kinda tame. MD: I know, right? They could have made it spicier. Housekeeper’s notes: I found ropes and handcuffs. Wonder what the miss is up to. Me: ...I don’t think that counts. 30. Housekeeper: The girl’s locked herself in her room! Me: Alright, just let me find one thing-- [Alvin comes charging through the door] MD: GOD DAMMIT CAN YOU TIME YOUR ENTRANCE A LITTLE BETTER ALVIN? 31. MD: Wait, what are they weak to? Me: Salt. Good old table salt. MD: Oh I’ll give them salt-- HERE HAVE ALL OF MY SALTINESS THAT’S DEVELOPED OVER THE YEARS BECAUSE OF THE ABUSE I’VE SUFFERED DURING MY CASES. YOU GET A SALT, YOU GET A SALT, YOU ALL GET A SALT! SALT FOR DAYS! Me: ......Nice therapy. 32. Housekeeper: Quick, open the door! Me: WE’RE MISSING A KEY-- Housekeeper: Oh that here I have it for you. MD: ...SERIOUSLY?! Me: I’m not sure if you’re surprised that she actually gave you something directly or that you’re insulted you didn’t get to search for it. 33. The girl: MH MH MH MH! MD: Oh so that’s what the bindings are for. Me: Huh, she’s left a vial of her own blood. MD: WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU RICH PEOPLE??? 34. Me: So things have gone to shit downstairs. We’re taking the bedsheets down. MD: At least it’s not us escaping from a death trap. Alvin: [GLARING YELLOW EYES[ MD: I’M GOING I’M GOING! 35. Ghostly voice of the woman: ENTER THE ART EXHIBITION OF REGRET. Me: What do you mean exhibition-- oh my dear gods. This is like if Charles Dalimar built his complexes out of guilt of his crimes against humanity. MD: ....Why can’t I just see a NORMAL art gallery for once? Me: Well at least this time it’s not dedicated to you. MD: Please don’t jinx me. 36. MD: Really? All of that for a really nice fancy leather jacket? Me: It’s a nice leather jacket. Alvin’s got taste. Alvin: Hi, I heard you’re touching my jacket. Also is that what’s-her-name’s blood? MD: Um... yeah? Alvin: Okay. [GRABS STRANGLES] MD: FUUUUUUUUU-- Me: Oh don’t worry this isn’t so bad-- Alvin: [Breaks vial of blood] Me: Oh shit this is bad. 37. MD: YOU WANT IT HERE HAVE IT [Tosses the jacket into the fire] Alvin: Finally I’ve been avengeeeeeeeeeeddddddd [Ashes] Me: NOOOOOOO NOT THE JACKET IT WAS INNOCENT. MD: It was tacky. Real cool people wear detective long coats. 38. The girl: So the woman’s really my mom? But she was so mean to me. Housekeeper: Well she wanted what was best for you. Me and MD: Not it’s because she’s a self centered abusive bitch who keeps using her rich background as an excuse go hang out with your cool aunt. 39. Housekeeper: Omg that was so much drama. I can’t wait until I tell my friends at brunch. MD: Can you not??? Me: I’ll take brunch! 40. Me: You know, I can’t believe that went by so fast. We solved the case in a single evening for once. MD: Does this mean I can have the rest of my vacation back? Oh thank god. Me: Wait hold on a minute you let like TWO people die. MD: Two out of three people. I save the third. Me: Why couldn’t you save all three??? MD: Well you know what they say. Third times the charm-- Me: THAT’S NOT HOW THAT SAYING WORKS.

[theoneinfamous]

Hope For The Fallen Chapt. 1: Wake-up Call

RUN

Run.

Running.

“From what?”

I don’t know. Where am I? The darkness offers no answers. All I know is fear.

Deep, unfettered, unadulterated fear.

But of what? I’m not sure I want to know.

The void distorts around...me? Who is this “me”? Does it matter?

Am “I” just dizzy, or am I distorting too? Don’t know. Don’t care. The pain is so excruciating, I almost cease to feel it. Almost.

The world seems to finally materialize around me. All red and black and grey. Then the bodies. So many bodies, falling one after another. Why do they seem so familiar? My chest tightens and when I close my eyes, the image still haunts me until...nothing.

I open my eyes, and suddenly they’re gone again and I’m alone in the darkness once more. Is this real? What does real even mean? And what is this, this feeling of…? Sadness? Is that what it is? I don’t know. Words seem to have no meaning here, and coherent thought is nearly impossible.

Then...a light. A voice. The sound is familiar, and feels melodic. And then I’m running again. Or am I? Perhaps “I” am not in control. “My” legs are moving before I realize. Stronger than any fear, sharper than any pain, I feel it; I have to get to that voice.

Reaching the light is like passing through a gateway, and the desolate void is encompassed in white light. Then...nothing. Until…

A new voice? Is it...mine? The words that escape reach me as nothing more than sound and I can’t understand. It may as well be silent. But...wait...is that me? Who is that “I’m” holding? Another body, limp and lifeless, some black liquid-like substance seeping from their body, staining the void black as the darkest shadows. Though I can’t truly hear or comprehend, the wails and sobs that escape from the familiar figure that holds the body are clearly audible to my heart.

And then I feel it. And for the first time I understand the feelings. They are all too familiar.

Sadness.

Loneliness

Now, once more

I am truly, utterly…

ALONE

February 21, 837 ATF

Zera woke up in a cold sweat. Sitting up, he rubbed his forehead, nursing the biggest headache he’d ever had. He stood up dizzily and stumbled over to the bathroom. Looking in the mirror, Zera desperately tried to remember whatever nightmare brought him to this, but it was too late; the memory faded under the pressure of his headache.

‘Damn it. Maybe I’ll remember later.’

Zera drowsily brushed his teeth and washed his face, wondering if he should tell his friend, Taejin.

‘Nah he’d only laugh it off, or make it some long, ongoing joke.’ He looked back at the mirror.

Suddenly something appeared in his mind, and without thinking, he said it aloud.

“Crystal.”

Zera looked at his reflection, his sharp gaze returned equally. Confused, he repeated himself.

“Crystal…? What is that, a name? It sounds so familiar. Does it have anything to do with my dream?”

He immediately thought to himself, ‘Of course it does dipwad. Its fucking ominous.’

A sudden knock at the front door caught Zera’s attention, and he lost his train of thought. Zera lazily walked to the door, while the mystery visitor continued to knock impatiently.

“I’m coming, geez!” He opened the door and his surprise made him forget the strange name entirely.

Opening the door, Zera was greeted by his younger sister.

“Corona?! What are you doing here?”

Zera’s sister had changed since he’d last seen her. She had grown out her long silver-white hair, the mark of a Kurenai family member. It sat at waist-length, with one long streak of natural red, an indicator of her abilities. She had certainly gotten taller, but not by much, and she stood just to Zera’s shoulders. Zera estimated she was about 5’ 3”. She wore on her kimono the traditional red and silver colors of the Kurenai family with purple stitching and embroidery. Zera’s surprise was visible.

She scowled angrily. “Is that how you greet people? How disappointing, no wonder you never have visitors. You should be elated that I came to visit a loser like you at all.”

Not waiting for a response, she brushed past him, walking inside and looking around before seating herself in the only chair not piled with random stuff.

“So this is your new dump. I’m surprised you can afford the place.”

Zera scoffed. “Mother disowned me and banished me, cutting off all interaction with any aspect of the family with the exception of a select few. She didn’t ban me from getting a job.”

Corona laughed, much to Zera’s displeasure. “Yes well, you never seemed the productive hard-working type.”

“Don’t have much of a choice.”

“No, you don’t,” Corona continued, smirking. “No, you certainly don’t.”

Zera seemed to growl under his breath as he sat down, moving some clothes out of a chair across the room from Corona.

“Is there a reason you’re here Corona, or did you just come to mock me? I don’t recall you being the helpful type, and you certainly didn’t care three years ago.”

She rolled her eyes. “Your insolence is quite unwelcome, but since you asked so nicely, yes, I am here for a reason. But for the record, I was 9 when yo-”

“And I was 10, what’s your point?” Zera cut her off, glaring maliciously.

The two siblings glared at each other in silence for a while before Corona sighed and continued.

“Anyway, I came to tell you a few things. You should be grateful, I could get into trouble just by idling so long here.”

“Get on with it.”

Another glare followed, and Corona continued.

“You probably guessed as much, but Ikari has taken your place as predicted heir. Unless you redeem yourself in these next seven years, he will become head of the family and your banishment will be permanent.”

Zera’s expression softened and he nodded sadly. “Understood.”

Corona nodded and continued. “Mother has been convinced by Father to place you in Fox Den Academy. Our family has extensive history there as you know. Also, Father told me to tell you something he said you’d understand.”

Zera looked curiously. “Yea, what is it?”

“He said, and he wanted me to tell it exactly like this, kyuu-bi no kitsune no nana-bi ga kagayaku koto wa mō arimasen. Kemononochikara ga otoroeru. And last but not least…”

Their eyes met once more, but this time there was no malice in their gaze. Zera nodded.

“I understand.”

Corona sighed, relieved as she stood and walked to the door. “Good. Oh, and by the way…” she turned and smiled.

“We’ve recieved word that Silver is not only alive, but she seems to be active. I shouldn’t be telling you any of this but...I miss your presence with us, the way we used to be.” She took one final look around his place. “Too bad, you have succumb to the hands of fate, and fallen so. Ah well, my sentiments can be overlooked. Farewell, elder brother, and good luck. I mean that, really I do.”

Surprised, Zera blushed and nodded serenely.

“Yea well...thanks I guess.”

Corona smirked cockily, nodding to him as she left, closing the door behind her. Zera waited for a minute before relaxing, and he hadn’t realized he was so tense until he did. He sighed, leaning back in his chair.

“Geez that girl is a handful, no doubt she’ll be an obstacle someday...and Ikari as predicted heir? That’s certainly not good for me. First things first, I need to end my banishment. To do that, I’ll have to face him...sooner or later.”

He stared at the ceiling in silence, lost in thought as to what he was going to do, until he eventually fell asleep.

END OF CHAPTER 1

[foreverrosaliesbitch]

Prompt list

please take note NONE OF THESE ARE MINE i’ve only taken a few from random blogs around tumblr so i dont own any of these prompts im juts browwowing them and using them if anyone had a problem with that please message me privatly. 

secondly when requestting using the prompts plase include 

1. pairing eg. Jasperxoc EmmettxRosaliexchildoc 

2. the prompt number eg. C.127 and b.12 (note plese refrain from using any more than 3 prompts per request but feel free to request different ideas as many time as you like)

note there are 3 seprate prompt list A, B and c so when reqeusting add what letter A.6 C.89

_______________________________________________________________________

PROMPT LIST A

1.     “Well, what can I say? I’m a badass.” 

2.     “Define normal.” 

3.     “Do I get bonus points if I act like I care?” 

4.     “Just remember if we get caught, you’re deaf and I don’t speak English.” 

5.     “Don’t look for any redeeming qualities. I don’t have any.” 

6.     “It’s amazing how fast the world can go from bad to total shit storm.” 

7.     “I love you. You enormously stubborn pain in the ass.” 

8.     “Remind me to kill you. Please.” 

9.     “I’m listening to you. I’m just not paying attention.” 

10.   “That’s a little melodramatic, don’t you think?” 

11.   “Were you dropped on your head?” 

12.   “She’s crazy. And just when you think you’ve reached the bottom of her craziness, there’s a crazy underground garage.” 

13.   “She may seem like lollipops and rainbows but I bet behind close doors she’s latex and whips.” 

14.   “Sorry. I don’t speak skank.” 

15.   “If I survive, can I go home?” 

16.   “My middle finger salutes you.” 

17.   “This is a whole new level of moronic, even for you.” 

18.   “I don’t have enough middle fingers to let you know how I feel.” 

19.   “Insanity run in my family. It practically gallops.” 

20.   “Somebody’s cranky.” “Somebody needs to shut up.” 

21.   “Frankly my dear, I don’t give a damn.” 

22.   “All due respect, but that’s a bunch of crap.” 

23.   “I am one of the few people in the world who can murder you and leave no forensic evidence behind.” 

24.   “What did I tell you about calling her/him the devil?” “That it’s offensive to the devil?” 

25.   “I heard that!” “You were supposed to!” 

26.   “I need therapy after this.” 

27.   “You didn’t get in trouble for lying. You got in trouble for lying badly.” 

28.   “I turned out liking you a lot more that I originally planned.” 

29.   “I think you’re weird.” “I think you’re boring.” 

30.   “You seem somewhat familiar. Have I threatened you before?” 

31.   “I’m afraid I’ve been thinking…” “A dangerous pastime.” 

32.   “I’d explain it to you, but you’re brain would explode.” 

33.   “Wow, there’s a big surprise. I think I’m going to have a heart attack and die from surprise.” 

34.   “I’m gonna hit you so hard, it’ll make you ancestors dizzy.” 

35.   “Even when we were kids, I always kicked your ass!” 

36.   “Sarcasm is the body’s natural reaction to stupidity.” 

37.   “You’re good. A monster pain in the ass… but you’re good.” 

38.   “Well, excuse me, psychic wonder!” 

39.   “Do I regret it? Yes. Would I do it again? Probably.” 

40.   “I already know that I’m going to hell. At this point it’s really go big or go home.” 

41.   “What’s the point in screaming? No one’s listening anyway.” 

42.   “I’m not a damsel in distress. I’m a damsel doing damage.” 

43.   “So stick that in your juice box and suck it.” 

44.   “Never take life seriously. No one ever comes out alive anyway.” 

45.   “This place hold a lot of memories for me. Some bad, some… No. No, no, all bad.”

46.   “You’re insane, but you might also be brilliant.” 

47.   “What you call insanity, I call inspiration.” 

48.   “Sometimes I question my sanity. Occasionally it replies.” 

49.   “Why should we date?” “Because we are attracted to each other.” “I am attracted to pie, but I do not feel the need to date pie.” 

50.   “Why does everyone assume the worst of me.” “It saves time.” 

51.   “I like you. You’re different.” 

52.   “Neither one us is drunk enough for this conversation.” 

53.   “You’re questioning my methods.” “I’m not questioning it, I’m saying it’s stupid.” 

54.   “I didn’t do it!” “Then why are you laughing?” “Because whoever did it is a freaking genius.” 

55.   “You couldn’t handle me even if I came with instructions.” 

56.   “I care so little, I almost passed out.” 

57.   “Well behaved woman rarely make history.” 

58.   “You’re so weird.” “You have no idea.” 

59.   “The universe may not always play fair, but at least it’s got a hell of a sense of humor.” 

60.   “You haven’t even seen my bad side yet.” 

61.   “Obviously you have mistaken me for somebody who gives a shit.” 

62.   “Rule number one: don’t bother sucking up. I already hate you, that’s not going to change.” 

63.   “Damn, you’re strong for a little thing.” 

64.   “It’s called thinking. Go with it.” 

65.   “Where have you been all my life?” “Hiding from you.” 

66.   “The girl is strange no question.” 

67.   “Do us a favor… I know it’s difficult for you… but please, stay here, and try no to do anything… stupid.” 

68.   “I know most people don’t like me; I don’t care, I don’t like most people.” 

69.   “You are a very strange person.” “Well, thanks for noticing.” 

70.   “I can tell that you think what you’re saying is funny, but… no.”

71.   “I didn’t steal it. I permanently borrowed it.” 

72.   “If you pull out my earphones, I will pull out your lungs.”

73.   “I don’t dislike you, I nothing you.” 

74.   “Ah, he’s playing hard-to-get. That’s cute.” 

75.   “I feel like a freakin’ soccer mom.” 

76.   “My advice is much more subtle. Stop being an ass.” 

77.   “I’m just gonna pack up and go straight to hell now.” 

78.   “My ex? Yeah, I’d still hit that. Except this time it would be with a car or baseball bat.” 

79.   “She’s complicated like the DaVinci code, you know but harder to crack.” 

80.   “And just like everything else we do around here, it’s about to get weirder.” 

81.   “And hello to you too… little homewrecker.” 

82.   “I don’t need anger management. I need people to stop pissing me off.” 

83.   “This is fun.” “Seriously, we’re trying to hide a body.” 

84.   “That’s starting to get annoying”

85. “Hey,     hey, calm down. They can’t hurt you anymore.”

PROMPT LIST B

“You     can’t just sit there all day.”

“I’m     too sober for this.”

“You’re seriously like a man-child.”

“You     can’t banish me! This is my bed too!”

“The     ladies love a guy who’s good with kids.”

“She’s     hiding behind the sofa.”

“I lost     our baby.”

“They’re     so cute when they’re asleep.”

“Good     thing I didn’t ask for your opinion.”

“What’s     the matter, sweetie?”

“You’re     Satan.”

“I     don’t want to hear your excuse. You can’t just give me wet-willies.”

“I’m     bulletproof…but please, don’t shoot me.”

“Did     you just hiss at me?”

“I swear, I’m not crazy!!!”

“The     diamond in your engagement ring is fake.”

“How is my wife more badass than me?”

“Be     you. No one else can.”

“I     haven’t slept in ages.”

“I     locked the keys in the car.”

“Are     you sure that’s the decision you want to make?”

“Why can’t you appreciate my sense of     humor?”

“The     kids, they ambushed me.”

“Sorry     isn’t going to help when I kick your ass!!!”

“Stop     being so cute.”

“I feel     like I can’t breathe.”

“You     need to see a doctor.”

PROMPT LIST C

“I was   a joke, baby. I swear.”

“Dogs  don’t wear clothes!”

“I  didn’t think you could get any less romantic…”

“Safety  first. What are you? FIVE?”

“This   is girl talk, so leave.”

“Where  am I going? Crazy. Wanna come?”

“There’s  a herd of them!”

“Do you  think I’m scared of a woman?”

“I’m late.”

“Just     get home as soon as possible, okay?!”

“You     smell like a wet dog.”

“I     could punch you right now.”

“Are     you going to talk to me?”

“Welcome     back. Now fucking help me.”

“If you     can’t sleep…we could have sex?”

“I don’t want you to stop.”

“How     could I ever forget about you?”

“You’re     bleeding all over my carpet.”

“Run     for it!”

“We     need to talk.”

“Not     everyone is out to get you. Stop thinking that. It’s annoying.”

“I want     a pet.”

“Just     smile, I really need to see you smile right now.”

“I’m     not wearing a dress.”

“I’m     not wearing a tie.”

“Quit     beating me up!”

“Please     put your penis away.”

“It’s a     Texas thing.”

“Don’t     argue. Just do it.”

“I hope     I’m never stuck with you on a deserted island.”

“Does     he know about the baby?”

“Hold     still.”

“Enough with the sass!”

“Show     me what’s behind your back.”

“Oh honey, I’d never be jealous of you.”

“I’m     telling you. I’m haunted.”

“I had     a bad dream again.”

“I love you, please don’t go.”

“Stay     here tonight.”

“Please     don’t walk out of that door.”

“I     thought things were going great.”

“Don’t     you love me?”

“You     make every day worth living.”

“I’ll     keep you warm.”

“I’m     never letting you go.”

“You     meant too much to me.”

“I     won’t let you.”

“How     could you ask me that?”

“Don’t     you trust me?”

“I     won’t let anyone hurt you, you’re safe with me.”

“You     look amazing tonight.”

“Shouldn’t     you be with him/her?”

“I’ve     got you.”

“I     can’t sleep, can I stay here?”

“It’s     late.  Shouldn’t you be asleep?”

“How     are you feeling today?”

“You     look amazing tonight.”

“We’ll     figure this out.”

“This     isn’t goodbye.”

“What’s     cookin’ good lookin’?”

“Wanna     go grab a drink?”

“What     the hell were you thinking?!”

“Here,     let me help you.”

“Kiss     me.”

“I care     about you.”

“You     could have warned me!”

“That     was unexpected.”

“You     haven’t lost me.”

“Why     are you doing this?”

“Don’t     cry.”

“Please     don’t do this.”

“You     make me feel safe.”

“You’ve     shown me what love can feel like.”

“Thank     you, for everything.”

“All I     wanted was for you to be happy.”

“I     can’t do this on my own.”

“I     wasn’t lying when I said that I loved you.”

“Don’t     be afraid.”

“You’re     always on my mind.”

“You     have no idea how much I want you right now.”

“You’ve     always felt like home.”

“I     can’t imagine this world without you.”

“You     make me feel alive.”

“I     wouldn’t change a thing about you.”

“Who     cares about what they think?”

“Let’s     go.”

“I’m     not going anywhere.”

“Tell     me what’s wrong.”

“You’ve     always got me.”

“I’ve     waited for this moment for a long time.”

“Is     this okay?”

“You     look like you could use a hug.”

“Did     you need something?”

“Do you     have a ride home?”

“I am     home.”

“What     happened back there?”

“That’s     not gonna happen.”

“Why     me?”

“I’m     right where I belong.”

“Fine.”

“What     do you want me to say?”

“After     everything we’ve been through, you still don’t think that I love you?”

“You’ve     been drinking tonight, haven’t you?”

“You     need sleep.”

“Excuse     me?”

“What     are you doing?”

“What     did you expect?”

“You’re     not alone.”

“We’re     meant for each other.”

“You’re     worth it.”

“I     don’t care what anyone else thinks.”

“I’ve     always been honest with you.”

“It’s     cold, you should take my jacket.”

“Just     breathe, okay?”

“When     I’m with you, I’m happy.”

“Going     somewhere?”

“Don’t     lie to me.”

“Don’t     be scared, I’m right here.”

“You’re     so adorable.”

“I’m     better, now that you’re here.”

“I     could never forget you.”

“Forget     it.”

“That’s     in the past.”

“You     make me happy.”

“You’re     more than that.”

“I     won’t lose you too.”

“Come     cuddle.”

“Can’t     you stay a little longer?”

“It’s     not that easy.”

“I’ve     had enough.”

“I fell     in love with you, not them.”

“You’re     the only one I wanna wake up next to.”

“It     wasn’t your fault.”

“You     love me as if I deserve you.”

“This     isn’t what it looks like.”

“I     didn’t know you could dance like that!”

“I     found it in the recycling bin.”

“I know     what I want, when I want it. So get over here.”

“This     is… exactly what it looks like.”

“There’s     so much blood.”

“You     should see me in my old uniform. I’m pretty sure it still fits.”

“I know     you really want to hang it on the wall, but…”

“We bet and you lost, so you have to do     it.”

“Is     that a tattoo?”

“I     could tell it was your favorite book because of all the notes you wrote in     the margins.” 

“What     do you think?  Is purple my color?”

“That     is way too expensive.” 

“Girls     night in?”

“I     never imagined myself in a wedding dress.”

“I was     scared and I ran.”

“I’m     yours, in every way you’ll have me.”

“You might not like me, but you     definitely want me.”

“I want     to hike up your skirt and take you right here.”

“I love you. I just love her more.”

“A     package arrived for you, but there’s no return address and the box looks     really old.”

“If I     die, I’m going to haunt you.”

“I     didn’t say “sex party” as in orgy.  I said “hex party” as in     witches.”

“You     wanted me to walk in on you.”

“This     is a totally inappropriate soundtrack.”

“Let’s     get wasted and then go piss on his grave.”

“I     scalped my Hamilton tickets to pay for it.”

“Hold     my hand until it’s over?”

“If you     want to get me naked, you’ll have to convince me it’ll be worth my time.”

“I’m a     level 72 Rogue and if you tell anyone, I’ll deny it and I will kill you.”