#molly & alistair

[scarfacemarston]

Going on a trip tomorrow that I really don't want to go on. Spam me!

It can be anything. Headcanon requests, prompts, meta questions, history questions, just anything. It sucks because it's me going from my toxic household to visit more toxic family. They're super MAGA..........I'm a queer disabled adopted immigrant so you can imagine how that goes. Anyway, send me anything! Tagging for visibility and what I'll write for. I can't fit many tags so if you don't see your fave character, ask anyway!

[couldnt-think-of-a-funny-name]

n-e-way Alistair should have come back in season 15. chuck absolutely should have brought him back. would have liked to see that!

[jillyb2004]

Happy (Late) 50th Birthday to Dana Snyder

[dent-de-leon]

I want to pick up the concept of witchers and grey wardens and blood hunters and put them in a little bottle and just shake them, I love them all so so much,,

Characters who have their blood corrupted in such a way that they start to transform into something not so different from the very monsters they hunt. Characters who can become just as feared and hated as their own quarry. Monster hunters who are seen as monstrous themselves and start out the narrative already doomed. Saviors and rogue mercenaries and nightmarish fables stalking the woods—

[flashhwing]

suddenly had a vision of warden molly and now I’m sad there’s no tieflings in dragon age

[dream-beyond-the-fantasy]

I've watched "The Time Monster" so many times that I created a mini-AU for my Molly Yates story. It was fluffy, but I can't use it. But it was nice to have inside my head while I couldn't write Molly's story proper.

[nyf-archive]

i cannot tell if they are flirting, or if that is their manner of speaking

this wasn’t specified so here are all the responses:

“What’s wrong with a little bit of both? Nothing wrong with a bit o’ innocent flirting, I say. Who cannae say that being flirting with feels nice?” - Molly

“F-Flirting? No. No that’s uh…that’s not in regards to me. I’m just a nice guy and y’know, being nice always brings niceness back, right? Right. Yeah. I’m gonna stop talking now before…yeah…” - Dorian S.

“Dependent upon who it is who’s speaking with me, it’s either flirting or condescension. I don’t hate a lot of people, so it’s harmless conversation.” -Dorian P.

“Nope. Not flirting. Definitely not me. I’m a jokester. Not a dapper and suave poet who can woo his way through most situations. But uh. Good luck in your endeavors.” - Alistair

[thatliminal-wanderer]

Fluttershy (MLP:FIM) ID Pack

Requested by Anon

Names

Adam, Albert, Alberta, Alfred, Alice, Alistair, Alvin, Amaranth, Ambrose, Andrea, Archie, Arthur, Audrey, August, Autumn, Ayala, Baker, Bear, Belle, Benedict, Benjamin, Bertha, Beryl, Bianca, Birdie, Bjorn, Blaise, Blu, Buck, Bunny, Carmela, Carnation, Cat, Cecilia, Chiffon, Christian, Chuck, Claudette, Conan, Cosette, Coye, Daisy, Darby, Dawn, Delilah, Deryn, Doreen, Doris, Dorothy, Dudley, Earl, Edith, Edna, Edward, Elizabeth, Finch, Finn, Fiona, Flora, Florence, Florian, Fox, Franklin, Fred, Frieda, George, Greta, Griffin, Hannah, Hattie, Ian, Ida, Irene, Jack, James, Jay, John, Juliette, Katherine, Kitty, Kiyoshi, Laqueta, Larry, Lemon, Leo, Liam, Lillian, Lily, LouAnne, Lynx, Mabel, Marcus, Margaret, Marian, Marvin, Mel, Miller, Mimi, Modesta, Molly, Nesara, Odette, Orchid, Pearl, Petunia, Phoenix, Placido, Prakriti, Praneeth, Raven, Robin, Rose, Rosemary, Saundrine, Sethuramani, Sylvie, Thomas, Tivona, Vaishant, Vera, Vern, Verna, Vernon, Walter, Willa, Wren

Pronouns

bloom/blooms, bun/buns, butter/butterfly/butterflies, calf/calfs, cozy/cozies, dan/dandelion/dandelions, farm/farms, fir/firs, flower/flowers, flutter/flutters, fur/furs, green/greens, hush/hushs, leaf/leafs, meadow/meadows, nature/natures, pink/pinks, rose/roses, rural/rurals, shy/hyr, tea/teas, yellow/yellows, ☁️/☁️s, 🐇/🐇s, 🦋/🦋s, 🪶/🪶s, 🪽/🪽s

Titles

A Pegasus of Shy Demeanors, An Animal Loving Pegasus, Animal Lover, The Animal Communicator, The Calm Party Goer, The Fallen Pegasus, The Fluttering Pony, The One Who Speaks in a Whisper, The One Who Takes Care of Animals, The Pegasus Scared of Flying, The Pony Who Hosts Tea Parties, The Shy Pony, The Soft Spoken Pony, The Yellow-coated Pegasus, [prn] Who Can Speak to Animals, [prn] Who Loves Animals, [prn] Who Loves Tea

Genders

Cottagecorimasc/Cottagecorifem, Eilumescian, Flushymarcenic, Flutterosboyic, Fluttershycharic, Fluttershycutecorian, Forestembodiment, Lipinkyelquoise, Natureserenic, Naturogender, Plétoile, Quiwilliyn, Shentatic, Shygender, Swetear, Teagender, Teaherbal, Teapartyic

Other mogai

Cabincoreaestelic, Cottagecoralius, Cottagecoreperspesque, Fluttershyvior, Foresthearthic, Inviglasstrawberrypot, Planturbahearthic, Teavior

[nodanova18]

I can't send this as an anon in your black clover next generation blog so I'm sending it here if you don't mind, can you give us a list of all the next gen ocs and their parents? I love your designs btw!!!

Hello! Don’t worry I don’t mind! It’s quite a long list so bear with me.

Black Clover Next Generation(Nodanova’s AU)List of Parents/Kids

Going in order of captains, black bulls, and others + other kingdoms

Clover Kingdom

• Yami Sukehiro/Nacht Faust

Yami Kaya (Light Magic, 23 yrs)

Yami Kaeda (Dark Magic, 23 yrs)

• Charlotte Roselei/Vanessa Enoteca

Dimitri Enoteca-Roselei (Briar Magic, 20 yrs)

Chloé Enoteca-Roselei (Thread Magic, 15 yrs)

• Jack The Ripper/Nozel Silva

Adrius Silva (Steel Magic, 25 yrs)

Acier Silva II (Slash Magic, 20 yrs)

Argent Silva (Lead Magic, 19 yrs)

Adeline Silva (Mercury Magic, 15 yrs)

• Fuegoleon Vermillion/Bridget Oriel || The Salamander (@t-f-t’s interpretation of the fire spirit)

Felicity Vermillion (Catalyst Magic, 23 yrs)

Calix Vermillion (Wind Magic, 20 yrs)

Titaia (???, ???)(not my oc, but she’s canon to my au)

• Mereoleona Vermillion/Dorothy Unsworth

Reina Unsworth-Vermillion (Magma Magic, 24 yrs)

Alistair Unsworth-Vermillion (Nightmare Magic, 20 yrs)

• Rill Boismortier/Charmy Pappitson

Louis Boismortier (Paint & Cotton Magic, 19 yrs

Riley Boismortier (Food & Cotton Magic, 4 yrs)

• William Vangeance/Patri

Willow Vangeance (World Tree Magic, 17 yrs)

Second Unnamed Child (Light Magic, 10 yrs)

• Asta/Yuno Grinberryall

Licita Grinberryall (Sun Magic, 19 yrs)

Elias Grinberryall (Wind Magic, 17 yrs)

Lune Grinberryall (Moon Magic, 15 yrs)

• Noelle Silva/Kiato

Kaiyo Silva (Water Magic, 19 yrs)

Delphine Silva (Water Magic, 15 yrs)

Third Unnamed Child (Performance Magic, 13 yrs)

• Gauche Adlai/Grey

Ella Adlai (Mirror Magic, 18 yrs)

Malachi Adlai (Transmutation Magic, 17 yrs)

Luca Adlai (Transmutation Magic, 6 yrs)

• Magna Swing/Luck Voltia

Seihi R. Swing (Lightning Magic, 19 yrs)

Faith Swing (Fire Magic, 16 yrs)

• Zora Ideale/Kirsch Vermillion

Erik Ideale (Ash Magic, 20 yrs)

Zoe Ideale (Cherry Blossom Magic, 17 yrs)

• Zora ldeale/Nebra Silva

Liana Silva (Steel Magic, 15 yrs)

• Finral Roulacase/Finesse Calmreich

Fiore Roulacase (Spatial Magic, 18 yrs)

Laurence Roulacase (adopted, 10 yrs)

• Gordon Agrippa/Henry Legolant

Harriet Agrippa (Poison Magic, 21 yrs)

Leslie Agrippa (Poison Magic, 21 yrs)

Ethan Agrippa (Poison Magic, 15 yrs)

• Liebe/Ladae Silva(oc)

Loelia Silva (Steel Magic, 18 yrs)

Lizbeth Silva (no magic attribute, but can use mana, 15 yrs)

• Leopold Vermillion/Neige

Theodore Vermillion (Fire Magic, 16 yrs)

Nieve Vermillion (Snow Magic, 14 yrs)

• Mimosa Vermillion/Langris Vaude

Sherry Vermillion (Plant Magic, 19 yrs)

Gin Vermillion (Spatial Magic, 15 yrs)

• Solid Silva/(oc)

Flavius Silva (Water Magic, 18 yrs)

• Sol Marron /Fragil Tormenta

Fiera Tormenta (Snow Magic, 19 yrs)

Vicente Tormenta (Earth Magic, 16 yrs)

• Kahono/Mura(oc)

Merodi (Song Magic, 15 yrs)

• Sally/Millie Maxwell

Molly Maxwell (Gel Magic, 20 yrs)

Diana Maxwell (Alchemy Magic, 19 yrs)

Sullivan Maxwell (Alchemy Magic, 17 yrs)

Diamond Kingdom

• Mars/Fana

Jupiter Ezra Diamond (Crystal Magic, 21 yrs)

Phoenix Ezra Diamond (Fire Magic, 16 yrs)

• Fanzell Kruger/Dominante Code

Alexis Kruger (Wind Magic, 24 yrs)

Ari Kruger (Wind Magic, 24 yrs)

Alec Kruger (Wind Magic, 24 yrs)

Heart Kingdom

• Lolopechka/Gadjah

Princess Menodora (Lightning/Blood Magic(artificial), 21 yrs)

• The Spirit Guardians Children:

Floga: Pyrrhus (Fire Magic, 20 yrs)

Sarado: Acker (Earth Magic, 22 yrs)

Smurik: Saru (Wind Magic, 24 yrs)

Potrof: Meadow (Plant Magic, 23 yrs)

• Bow Nocde/Dazu Tayak

Dhara Nocde (Catalyst Magic, 21 yrs)

The Zogratis Legacy

These children were created by the magic of Morris Libardirt, Lucius Zogratis, and The Dark Triad

• Lucius Zogratis/Morris Libardirt

Micah Zogratis (Modification/Knowledge Magic(artificial), 25 yrs)

• Dante Zogratis/Vanessa Enoteca

Seraphina Zogratis (Body Magic, 25 yrs)

• Vanica Zogratis/Acier Silva

Vivienne Zogratis (Plasma Magic, 25 yrs)

• Zenon Zogratis/Allen Fiarain

Aiden Zogratis (Fire Magic, 25 yrs)

Hino Country

• Yami Ichika/Imari Komari/Kezoukaku Ginnojomoriren

Yami Himawari

Yami Chisana

Yami Ginnojomoriren

And these are my most relevant and/or favorite next generation kids! If you’re still reading, thank you! If there are any more questions, feel free to ask!

[ijustreallylikepirates]

A list if my fictional crushes (nobody cares but this is a tad bit long 👀)

Hector from Coco

Zuko from Avatar the Last Airbender

Sokka from Avatar the Last Airbender

Ozai from Avatar the Last Airbender

Bolin from Legend of Korra

Eska from Legend of Korra

Huan from Legend of Korra

Nathaniel from Miraculous Ladybug

Marc from Miraculous Ladybug

Luka from Miraculous Ladybug

Sea Hawk from She-Ra

Horde Prime from She-Ra

Hunter from The Owl House

Raine from The Owl House

Darius from The Owl House

Callum from The Dragon Prince

Runaan from The Dragon Prince

Ethari from The Dragon Prince

Aaravos from The Dragon Prince

Gren from The Dragon Prince

King Harrow from The Dragon Prince

Terry from The Dragon Prince

Corvus from The Dragon Prince

Carmen Sandiego from Carmen Sandiego

Shadowsan from Carmen Sandiego

Devineaux from Carmen Sandiego

Gray from Carmen Sandiego

Dash Haber from Carmen Sandiego

Le Chèrve from Carmen Sandiego

El Topo from Carmen Sandiego

Mime Bomb from Carmen Sandiego

Ollie from The Ghost and Molly McGee

Dark Cacao Cookie from Cookie Run Kingdom

Pure Vanilla Cookie from Cookie Run Kingdom

Clotted Cream Cookie from Cookie Run Kingdom

Stardust Cookie from Cookie Run Kingdom

Capsaicin Cookie from Cookie Run Kingdom

Eclair Cookie from Cookie Run Kingdom

Dark Choco Cookie from Cookie Run Kingdom

Crunchy Chip Cookie from Cookie Run Kingdom

Red Velvet Cookie from Cookie Run Kingdom

Wildberry Cookie from Cookie Run Kingdom

Affogato Cookie from Cookie Run Kingdom

Lilac Cookie from Cookie Run Kingdom

Herb Cookie from Cookie Run Kingdom

Royal Margarine Cookie from Cookie Run Kingdom

Rockstar Cookie from Cookie Run Kingdom

Burnt Cheese Cookie from Cookie Run Kingdom

Smoked Cheese Cookie from Cookie Run Kingdom

Espresso Cookie from Cookie Run Kingdom

Prune Juice Cookie from Cookie Run Kingdom

Werewolf Cookie from Cookie Run Kingdom

Mint Choco Cookie from Cookie Run Kingdom

Vampire Cookie from Cookie Run Kingdom

Crème Brûlée Cookie from Cookie Run Kingdom

Licorice Cookie from Cookie Run Kingdom

Sparkling Cookie from Cookie Run Kingdom

Mercurial Knight Cookie from Cookie Run Kingdom

Adventurer Cookie from Cookie Run Kingdom

Gumball Cookie from Cookie Run Kingdom

Clover Cookie from Cookie Run Kingdom

Camilo from Encanto

Bruno from Encanto

Augustin from Encanto

Daring from Ever After High

Sparrow from Ever After High

Alistair from Ever After High

Sundrop from Five Nights at Freddy’s

Robaire from Turning Red

Pink Lars from Steven Universe

Ford from Gravity Falls

Eddie from Stranger Things

Cody from Total Drama

Dave from Total Drama

Geoff from Total Drama

Jacques from Total Drama

Noah from Total Drama

Shawn from Total Drama

Raoul from A Monster In Paris

Harry from Harry Potter

Ron from Harry Potter

Neville from Harry Potter

Sirius from Harry Potter

Lupin from Harry Potter

Bill from Harry Potter

Gilderoy from Harry Potter

Percy from Percy Jackson

Grover from Percy Jackson

Leo from Heroes of Olympus

Nico from Percy Jackson

Will from Percy Jackson

Apollo from Percy Jackson

Hades from Percy Jackson

Alec from Disventure Camp

Nick from Disventure Camp

Nick from Heartstopper

Charlie from Heartstopper

Tao from Heartstopper

Aled from Heartstopper

Madmartigan from Willow

Wally from Welcome Home

Eddie from Welcome Home

Howdy from Welcome Home

Finn from Adventure Time

Simon from Adventure Time

Marshall Lee from Fionna and Cake

Gary from Fionna and Cake

Ambrosius from Nimona

Ballister from Nimona

P.T. Barnum from The Greatest Showman

The Other Father from Coraline

Jack Sparrow from Pirates of the Caribbean

Will from Pirates of the Caribbean

Professor Rocket from Crashbox

Jumpin’ Johnnie Jumble from Crashbox

Sketch from Crashbox

Anyways, I’m done yapping. Just a disclaimer so that people don’t get mad or anything, I’m not sexualizing any of these characters. Also for people wondering about the characters that are minors, I am also a minor.

I have a big obsession with fictional characters 😁

I love how most of these were scrunkly middle aged men and then there’s just two girls (Carmen Sandiego and Eska turned me gay for a minute)

[soulcluster]

here it is, what no one asked for: my ship bias list under a read more cause oof it's long

main roster

disney hans — anna, kristoff

dragon age blackwall — josie, inquisitor colum cousland — morrigan, anora, zevran fenris — hawke, isabela, bethany kaitlyn hawke — varric, fenris, cullen, alistair, loghain roland gilmore — cousland, bethany

dragon ball z android 18 — krillin bulma briefs — vegeta, goku cell — ....honestly just send me your ideas dende — gohan goku — chi-chi, bulma piccolo — bulma trunks briefs (future) — none yet

final fantasy aerith — cloud, tifa, sephiroth cid highwind — reeve, tifa clive rosfield — jill, cid cloud — aerith yuna — tidus, baralai

fire emblem citrinne — none yet cyril — lysithea eirika — seth, saleh, cormag ephraim — forde, gerik, tethys, marisa, tana frederick — olivia, sumia, cherche gerome — cynthia, lucina, laurent kagetsu — alear nel — none yet olivia — frederick, lon'qu, gregor seteth — jeralt, hanneman

fma: brotherhood ed — winry ling yao — lan fan riza — roy

harvest moon chelsea — vaughn kai — popuri, karen, leia mark (awl) — muffy molly (ap) — candace, phoebe, renee popuri — gray, karen, kai soseki — none yet vaughn — chelsea

the last unicorn amalthea — lir

legend of zelda link — mipha, malon malon — link mipha — link, zelda, revali zelda — ganondorf

marvel 616 adam warlock — gamora drax — mantis gamora — adam warlock, angela, tony stark peter quill — none yet rocket — lylla

mortal kombat fujin — none yet jax — sonja, vera takeda — jacqui

my time gwen/oc — logan, unsuur, owen, qi, heidi logan — fang, grace, builder

persona kotone — shinjiro, akihiko, ryoji ren — yoshizawa, ann, futaba, shiho, ryuji ryuji — joker, ann shiho — ann, joker shinjiro — kotone

resident evil leon — claire rebecca — none yet

star wars briayla/oc — corso, darmas, theron, lana doc — jedi knight kihanda/oc — doc, obi-wan

stardew valley abigail — sam, leah, penny, farmer eris/oc — harvey harvey — farmer

studio ghibli arrietty — spiller baron — baroness kiki — none yet pazu — sheeta

tales of kratos — anna, raine lailah — zaveid

threads of fate rue — none yet

tomb raider jonah — abigaile lara — sam, jaocb sam — lara

request roster

chrono trigger/cross serge — leena magus — none yet

cyberpunk 2077 takemura — none yet v/oc — none yet

DC lucifer — mazikeen soarnik natu — none yet

disney jack skellington — sally jane porter — tarzan, belle

final fantasy basch — none yet fran — balthier penelo — none yet zidane — garnet/dagger

fire emblem byleth — dimitri, claude, hanneman, shamir deirdre — sigurd franz — none yet gregory — none yet marianne — byleth, dimitri mikoto — yukimura, gunter quan — ethlyn rhys — none yet silas — corrin

harvest moon calvin — farmer lyla — basil, louis muffy — farmer, griffin, nami

legend of dragoon dart — shana lavitz — rose

mass effect garrus — shepard jeff/joker — shepard zaeed — shepard

metal gear solid cécile — kaz gray fox — none yet quiet — venom snake solid snake — hal, meryl

my hero academia tenya iida — ochako mina ashido — none yet

once upon a time belle — emma, ruby, ariel, killian, neal emma swan — neal, belle, ruby, graham grace — henry jefferson — belle, graham, robin, ruby milah — graham, robin, killian neal — emma, belle, robin, graham

rune factory felicity — raguna russell — none yet

tales of zaveid — lailah

*note 1: for any oc type characters I have a preference for (inquisitor, hawke, builder, assorted farmers, shepard, etc.), shipping will depend on that muse's character and if it works with my muse.

**note 2: just because a ship isn't on here doesn't mean I wouldn't ship it at all, except in the rare case of a notp

***notps: aerith/zack, cloud/tifa. these are only in a romantic sense, platonic is fine. if you see me shipping these it's because I'm close with the other mun

[scotianostra]

The Scottish actor Archibald Duncan was born in Glasgow on 26th May 1914.

His father was a regimental sergeant major and his mother a postmistress. He was educated at Govan High School and afterwards and worked as a welder in the Glasgow shipyards.

It was at the Citizens Theatre Company that Duncan joined the training ground of many Scottish actors including, Molly Urquart, Duncan Macrae, Gordon Jackson and Eileen Herlie. He then made his Scottish acting debut in Juno and the Paycock, playing all three gunmen, at Glasgow's Alhambra in May 1944.

Duncan went on to star in London's West End with the likes of the great Scottish character actor Alistair Sim and the late George Cole. Film roles started to follow with , Floodtide , The Gorballs Story, The Elusive Pimpernel, Green Grow the Rushes, Henry V, The Lavender Hill Mob, You're Only Young Twice and Walt Disney's The Story Of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men as 'Red Gill' amongst many others. Duncan also teamed up with Richard Todd and James Robertson Justice in Disney’s Rob Roy the Highland Rogue as Dugal Mac Gregor.

One of Duncan's first big TV roles was as Inspector Lestrade in the 1954 series Sherlock Holmes, but perhaps Archibald Duncan is best remembered for his second Robin Hood role, where 6'2" Duncan played Little John alongside Richard Greene in The Adventures of Robin Hood which ran for 143 episodes on ITV here and CBS in the states from 1955 to 1959. I just had a wee look and many of the episodes are on Youtube.

Duncan's portrayal of Little John would be fondly remembered decades later for his combination of strength, skill and humour. It was during the filming this unforgettable series that this Scottish gentle giant proved to be a true hero and managed to prevent a runaway horse from hurtling towards a group of spectators, consisting of mainly children, watching close by. For this brave feat, he was awarded the Queen’s Commendation for Bravery and £1,360 in "damages". But it also resulted in him missing the recording of eleven episodes of Robin Hood. So between times, a replacement was found in fellow Scotsman, Rufus Cruickshank.

Another great Scottish film he appeared in was Ring of Bright Water. Archie Duncan's career in television production carried on with parts in programmes like Z Cars, Hereward the Wake, Orlando, Black Beauty and Bootsie and Snudge.

Sadly in 1978 he suffered a massive stroke which caused paralysis down his right side. Sadly he passed away at Whipps Cross Hospital in Leytonstone, London aged 65 on 24th July 1979.

[last-knight-who-was]

Here's a list of ships/fandoms I'm into, in case anyone's interested.

RWBY Ruby/Penny (Nuts and Dolts) Ruby/Weiss (White Rose) Ruby/Blake (Ladybug) Ruby/Yang (Enabler) Weiss/Blake (Monochrome) Weiss/Yang (Freezerburn) Blake/Yang (Bumbleby) Weiss/Blake/Yang (Bee's Schnee's) Ruby/Weiss/Blake/Yang (Pollination) Ruby/Cinder (Fallen Petals) Ruby/Neo (Strawberry Shortcake) Ruby/Emerald (Blood Mint) Ruby/Ilia (Chasing Rainbows) Yang/Neo (Baked Alaska) Cinder/Neo (Spicecream) Weiss/Ilia (Prismatic Ponytails) Weiss/Winter (Schneecest) Blake/Ilia (Catmeleon) Ren/Nora (Renora) Jaune/Pyrrha (Arkos) Jaune/Ren/Nora (Renorarc) Winter/Robyn (Snowbyrd) Robyn/Fiona (Springthyme)

Danganronpa Mukuro/Junko (Despaircest) Komaru/Toko (Tokomaru) Komaru/Syo (Syomaru) Makoto/Kyoko (Naegiri) Chiaki/Sonia (Soniaki) Chiaki/Chisa (Yukinami) Chiaki/Hajime/Nagito (Komahinanami) Hajime/Nagito (Komahina) Fuyuhiko/Peko (Kuzupeko) Kiyotaka/Mondo (Ishimondo) Imposter/Ryota (Mitworai) Ibuki/Mikan (Band Aid) Monaca/Kotoko (Class Clowns) Aoi/Sakura (Sakuraoi) Komaru/Kotoko (Komasugi) Junko/Monaca (Towashima) Komaru/Kotoko/Toko Mukuro/Kotoko

Kingdom Hearts Aqua/Cinderella (Aquarella) Kairi/Naminé (Namikai) Roxas/Xion (Rokushi) Sora/Riku (Soriku) Lea/Isa (Leaisa) Aqua/Kairi

Kill la Kill Ryuko/Satsuki (Satsuryu) Mako/Ira (Iramako) Nonon/Uzu (Uzunon) Rei/Nui Ryuko/Satsuki/Nui

Avatar Azula/Katara (Azutara) Aang/Katara (Kataang) Sokka/Suki (Sukka) Zuko/Azula (Zucest) Mai/Ty Lee (Mai Lee) Korra/Asami (Korrasami) Korra/Kuvira (Korvira) Korra/Jinora

She-Ra Adora/Catra (Catradora) Entrapta/Hordak (Entrapdak) Glimmer/Bow (Glimbow) Glimmer/Frosta (Glimmta) Adora/Angella

Supergirl Kara/Lena (Supercorp) Kara/Alex (Kalex) Alex/Sam (AgentReign) Alex/Maggie (Sanvers)

Resident Evil Jill/Claire (Red Valentine) Jill/Wesker (Weskertine) Chris/Wesker (Chrisker) Leon/Ada (Aeon) Leon/Ashley (Leshley) Claire/Sherry (Clairry) Helena/Deborah

Sonic the Hedgehog Metal Sonic/Amy (Metamy) Shadow/Maria (Shadria) Shadow/Molly (Shadolly) Rouge/Topaz (Roupaz) Sonic/Sally (Sonally)

Pokémon Dawn/Cynthia (GirlPowerShipping) Hilda/Rosa (WhiteSquareShipping) Selene/Lillie (MoonLilyShipping)

Mass Effect f!Shepard/Liara (Shiara) Jack/Miranda (Jackanda) Tali/Legion (Talgion) Tali/Garrus (Talibrations) Samantha/Gabriella

Dragon Age f!Tabris/Leliana f!Mahariel/Morrigan f!Cousland/Alistair Alistair/Morrigan f!Hawke/Merrill f!Hawke/Bethany f!Adaar/Sera

Hazbin Hotel Charlie/Vaggie (Chaggie) Charlie/Emily (RoyalHalo) Charlie/Emily/Vaggie (Charlie's Angels) Angel Dust/Husk (HuskerDust)

Miscellaneous Arya/Daenerys (Danarya) - ASoIaF/GoT Arya/Sansa (Sansrya) - ASoIaF/GoT Andrew/Ashley (Coffincest) - The Coffin of Andy and Leyley Carla/Penny - Kindergarten Max/Kate (Marshfield) - Life is Strange Alex/Steph (Chenrich) - Life is Strange: True Colors f!Dragonborn/Serana - Skyrim Gaz/Tak (TaGr) - Invader Zim Emma/Regina (Swan Queen) - Once Upon a Time Elsa/Anna (Elsanna) - Frozen Rapunzel/Cassandra (Cassunzel) - Tangled: The Series Heather/Alessa - Silent Hill Dipper/Mabel (Pinecest) - Gravity Falls Ben/Gwen (Bwen) - Ben 10 Luz/Amity (Lumity) - The Owl House Hunter/Willow (Huntlow) - The Owl House Lightning/Serah (Farroncest) - FF13 Kara/North (Northara) - Detroit: Become Human Kara/Alice - Detroit: Become Human Cal/Merrin (Merrical) - Star Wars: Jedi Series Mai/Maki (Zenincest) - Jujutsu Kaisen Raven/Jinx (Raejinx) - Teen Titans Vi/Jinx (Vijinx) - Arcane Anna/Marnie - When Marnie Was There Isabela/Mirabel (Isamira) - Encanto Wynonna/Waverly (Earpcest) - Wynonna Earp Chell/GLaDOS (Chelldos) - Portal Monika/Sayori (Sayonika) - Doki Doki Literature Club Yuri/Natsuki (Natsuri) - Doki Doki Literature Club Zelda/Link (Zelink) - Legend of Zelda Link/Midna (Midlink) - Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess Lana/Linkle (Lalinkle) - Legend of Zelda: Hyrule Warriors Enid/Wednesday (Wenclair) - Netflix’s Wednesday Kim/Shego (Kigo) - Kim Possible Katniss/Johanna (Joniss) - The Hunger Games Frisk/Chara (Charisk) - Undertale Alphys/Undyne (Alphyne) - Undertale Ripley/Call - Alien: Resurrection f!Revan/Bastila (Revastila) - KotOR f!Exile/Atris - KotOR 2 f!Exile/Brianna - KotOR 2 Mercy/D.Va (Hanamercy) - Overwatch Sayo/Hina (Sayohina) - BanG Dream Jessie/Zofia (Terror Twincest) - Wolfenstein: Youngblood Yuzu/Mei (Yuzumei) - Citrus Needy/Jennifer (Needifer) - Jennifer's Body Ginger/Brigitte (Fitzcest) - Ginger Snaps Kanade/Yukino - Candy Boy Vanessa/Gregory - Five Nights at Freddy's Gaige/Angel (Gaigel) - Borderlands 2 Ahsoka/Barriss (Barrissoka) - Star Wars Ahsoka/Bo-Katan (Bosoka) - Star Wars Alice/Rain (Ralice) - Resident Evil films Lara/Sam (S.S. Endurance) - Tomb Raider Tara/Sam (Carpentercest) - Scream Sydney/Tatum (Tatney) - Scream Danny/Jazz (Sibling Secrets) - Danny Phantom Danny/Dani (Sue Killer) - Danny Phantom Coraline/Beldam - Coraline f!Deputy/Faith - Far Cry 5 f!Captain/Carmina - Far Cry New Dawn Bella/Alice (Bellice) - Twilight Bella/Rosalie (Rosella) - Twilight Bella/Leah (Belleah) - Twilight Nicole/Jecka (Jeckole) - Class of 09

[tired-truffle]

Yet Broken Still You Breathe

An AlistairxOC fic

Chapter Word Count: 3.5k

Part 2/50

Trigger warnings: Mildly graphic descriptions of violence, cannon typical

“Inside me, something seethes. Inside me, some feral animal claws at my ribcage, trapped.” - Molly McCully Brown

Masterlist

Finding out that Darcy was also a Grey Warden was not a welcome surprise, but in the heat of battle, it was not something Gwen could use any brain power to digest, lest she get run through by the undead overwhelming them.

Gwen's dagger was slick with dark blood as she yanked it out of the undead's ribcage. She spun around just in time to see another creature lunging towards her. With swift reflexes, she brought both daggers down in a protective stance, ready to fend off the attack that she had sensed coming from behind. She could handle a slash or two to her limbs, but she was rather reticent to have her internal organs spill out on the cold, dirty ground. Through the haze of battle, her eyes focused on the grey and blue armour the figure was wearing and she faltered. It was Alistair, and instead of moving in to attack, he had his back to her, guarding her from the enemies surrounding them. If he hadn’t been there, she would have likely been skewered already. She’d gotten sloppy, though it was due to lack of sleep from fighting the never-ending onslaught of creatures for multiple nights in a row, she was still kicking herself for letting the Grey Warden sneak up on her like that. He could have very easily been waiting for her strength to wane and use that moment to strike, having realized the truth that rotted at her core.

“Thought you could use the help!” Alistair called to her over his shoulder as his mouth curved into a wide grin, revealing straight, white teeth. His eyes crinkled at the corners and shone with mischief and warmth.

“You’re enjoying this a concerning amount.” Gwen huffed, cutting down a corpse that had gotten too close, and moving to flank him as the undead pressed their attack

“What’s not to love about putting the dead back where they belong?” Alistair bashed one creature with his shield, sending it careening away, and slashing at another, aimed perfectly for its neck and severing its still gnashing head. He grunted in disgust, “They don’t know when to quit.”

Gwen laughed lowly, but all banter ceased as another wave emerged from the castle.

By the time they had dispatched the last of the undead, bodies littering the ground, Gwen was surprised to find herself still standing. She’d had her fair share of tough fights, still, the exhaustion from previous nights coupled with the sheer intensity of their enemies from the most recent fight had her staggering. She collapsed in a controlled fall onto the blood-soaked ground, catching herself on her hands and knees so she didn’t tilt forward and face plant in the grotesque remains of the body in front of her. She let her eyes close for a moment her breath coming rapid and hot as she took a moment to let the dizziness fade. The smell of sweat covered her, a mix of salt and stale air. Underneath the fabric of her bandana, there was a faint hint of metal, like the tang of iron after a rain. As she peeled it just an inch off her skin, the musty scent intensified, mixed with the thick odour of blood and death. The air beneath the cloth was thick and humid, carrying the metallic scent with each breath she took.

Gwen slowly opened her eyes, squinting against the harsh light that shone from the sun peeking over the horizon. As her vision adjusted, she saw a small glass container in front of her, filled with a bright red liquid that seemed to glow. It took her a moment to process what she was seeing, the tanned hand that held it registering as safe in her tired brain, despite her confusion, and she didn’t jump back any further. Instead, she looked up at the tired - yet still somehow cheery - face of the Grey Warden who had fought alongside her for most of the night. Not to be mistaken with the other Grey Warden who had fought closely with his dog and the apostate - whose sneer, Gwen had discovered, never left her face, no matter the situation.

“You look like you could use a health potion,” Alistair said as he shook the bottle enticingly.

Gwen kept her expression neutral, not moving from her spot, “I think the battle-weary look suits me.”

“Ah, my mistake, a hardened rogue such as yourself would have no use for petty luxuries such as this.” He spoke in a mock-formal tone, bowing his head to keep his goofy smile from ruining his charade.

Gwen grunted her reply, not having enough energy to bother with something coherent and lifted her heavy arm to accept it. Alistair grinned triumphantly and placed the potion in her outstretched hand.

Gwen waited for him to leave, but when it was apparent that he wasn’t budging, his eyes were fixed on her like a hawk stalking its prey, curious and eager for whatever surprise or deception she might unveil.

“Thanks?”

“You’re most welcome, My Lady,” Alistair replied, unmoving.

She uncorked the bottle, glancing to where he was still standing, watching her, his fists resting on his hips, seeming strangely pleased with himself. Her paranoia reared its head, she narrowed her eyes at him and sniffed the bottle.

Alistair’s face fell, “I didn’t poison it, who do you think I am, Morrigan?” His voice was a few octaves higher in his disbelief.

“I don’t know any of you,” Gwen pointed out.

“But… but we just fought together! Does our warrior's bond mean nothing to you?” Alistair whined dramatically, his shoulders slumping forward. Gwen was mildly sure it was all an act, the corners of her lips quirking up at his hysterics.

“I suppose you would have let me die on the battlefield if that was your goal.” Gwen conceded. Alistair immediately perked up and Gwen held back her laughter at the exuberance with which he did so. How he had so much energy after that fight was beyond her.

“See, we’re bonded, now you’ll never get rid of me.”

Gwen raised an eyebrow, “That remains to be seen.”

Alistair’s eyes glinted like the cat who’d caught the canary, “I’m always up for a challenge.”

“I can tell.”

Alistair’s smile turned to a frown, then back to a smile, only to return to a frown once more, “I can’t tell if that was a compliment or an insult.”

Gwen didn’t know either if she was telling the truth. This was the most she’d spoken amicably with anyone in a long time. She settled for staring at him, her face carefully composed into a neutral expression. She didn’t know what to say so she simply just didn’t speak.

Alistair shifted his weight uneasily, as her intense gaze bore into him. Good, She had a certain aloofness that she had worked hard to cultivate. No Grey Warden would come crashing through and shatter her carefully crafted demeanour. Of course, she would never let Alistair witness her drinking the potion - she couldn't risk his curiosity getting the best of him and peeking under the cloth she had draped over her face.

“Right,” He said, before giving her a lopsided grin, “I suppose I should check in with our other companions, can’t have them thinking I’m playing favourites.”

Gwen nodded her acknowledgment, and when Alistair finally seemed to understand that she was done talking, he left with a sigh she wasn’t sure if he meant for her to hear.

Gwen pinched the bridge of her nose, this boy was going to be a problem, too earnest and eager for his own good. He seemed interested to know her, but if she ever let him find out, she was sure he’d kill her on the spot. It was what Grey Wardens did, kill creatures like her. She couldn’t fault him for following his duty, but she had not come this close to her first Darkspawn encounter to stop now.

She glanced around to make sure no one was watching before lifting her bandana just enough to slip the potion underneath and chug it back. Warmth spread through her body as she felt little cuts and scraps start to heal, the weariness draining out of her bones, and for one blissful minute, the whispers ringing in her skull died down to a bare simmer.

It didn’t last long, but she’d take any relief she could get.

Gwen had been hoping the castle would have been deserted. Her mind was in turmoil as she thought back to all the times she had hoped for an easy solution. But each time, reality proved her wrong. It was as if the universe took pleasure in denying her desires as if there was a force determined to make her life harder. Yet, despite this knowledge, she couldn't help but wish for an easier path once again.

She’d met back up with the Warden crew once they’d spoken with Bann Teagan. Though they had let him likely let him go to his death, they’d at least gotten access to a back entrance to make their journey through the castle easier.

Or so they’d thought.

The castle was crawling with undead, sometimes literally. If Gwen thought she’d been exhausted before, she was now learning an entirely new definition of the word. They’d run out of healing potions a few rooms ago, and as Darcy opened the next one with a confident, “How many more undead can there even be?” they were promptly overrun.

Gwen didn’t know how much blood was her own, her companions, or the creatures’. Her muscles screamed with exertion, her lungs struggling to draw breath through the irritating piece of cloth she insisted on wearing at all times. If they saw her face now and decided to cut her down, she would barely be able to lift a finger against them. No, this was the price she paid.

Through the sea of undead pushing Gwen back, she saw her companions pulled further into the room, leaving her and three skeletal warriors pressing in on her.

But Gwen was not a quitter. She hadn’t made it this far, through all of the utter shit life had thrown at her, just to end up bleeding out on some pompous noble’s stone floor, killed by a creature made up of decaying skin and bones. Her body was a vessel of unbridled rage, every muscle coiled and ready to strike. She refused to accept defeat, determined to fight until the bitter end.

A snarl ripped out of her throat as she crouched, analyzing the corpses' weak points, their exposed spines glinting in the torchlight. She lunged at the nearest undead creature, driving her dagger deep into its rib cage and slicing through the thick bone with a sickening crunch. With one swift motion, she severed the body in half as it collapsed to the ground, its lifeless limbs clattering against the stone floor.

However, there were still two more creatures to deal with. These two were faster than the previous one Gwen had just taken down. Or perhaps she was just getting slower as she was worn down fight after fight.

The sharp edge of a sword sliced into Gwen's left wrist, causing her to scream in agony as she lost her grip on her dagger. She stumbled backwards, pressing her back against the unyielding wall as she gasped for air, her injured arm trembling with pain and shock. With her remaining strength, she brandished her other dagger in a desperate warning to stay away, lest she tear them apart like she had with the first of their comrades. But the dead did not listen to the living.

The corpse kicked her dropped dagger across the room where it slid under a large wooden cabinet. She swore under her breath, having been trying to figure out how to reach it, but there was no reaching it now. She had one less weapon and a useless arm as blood flowed from the wound that had sliced down to the bone. She glanced briefly towards the door leading to the other room, but all she could see was more undead flailing their weapons, her companions were nowhere in sight, but the sound of their combat reached her keen ears. She would have prayed for their safety but with her luck that would only spell their downfall.

The corpse closest to her, the bigger of the two, lashed out with its rusted long sword, aiming directly for her neck. Gwen ducked, rolling to the side, only to hit a surprisingly sturdy body that reeked of death and had her swallowing back a retch.

She had been right earlier, she was slower, they were faster, and smarter than the previous undead she’d fought. They had anticipated her move and the smaller corpse had rushed over to stand in her way, jostling her and abruptly disrupting her movement, unbalancing her as panic shot through her limbs like lightning.

She sucked in a breath of shock as her body recoiled - immediately regretting it as her stomach roiled with the stench wafting off their bodies - pain flaring up her previously uninjured arm, sharp and hot as metal tore through her shoulder. They’d trapped her and rendered her arms useless all within the span of a few seconds. She couldn’t let them get that many hits on her without retaliation or she was sure she would lose. With a surge of adrenaline, she swung blindly in front of her, striking something solid before feeling the satisfying resistance of flesh and bone as the blade buried itself deep into her attacker's chest.

Her knees buckled, her body hitting the ground and she barely managed to roll out of the way of another slash, her dagger now stuck in the crumbling body of the undead she’d just killed. At least her arm had lasted long enough to get one last good hit in.

Her arms trembled and burned with agony as she pushed herself up from the hard ground, her fingers digging into the dirt for support. Each movement caused a searing pain to shoot through her limbs, as if they were being torn apart from the inside. The fire continued to spread through her body, making it difficult to focus on anything else but the intense agony. She knew she needed to move, to defend herself, but each second felt like an eternity as the pain consumed her. Maker, did she ever hate these blasted creatures.

The corpse closed in on her, it had taken away her ability to defend herself and salivated at the thought of its assured victory. Or at least, that’s what it believed. It may have been smarter than most undead she’d faced, but even mortals often failed to realize what she kept hidden under her bandana.

She smiled to herself, like the Void she’d let this be her end.

With one firm tug from her least injured hand, the bandana hung around her neck, revealing her face to the creature charging at her. It did not falter, for it did not know fear, but even if it had, it would not have changed its fate. Gwen hissed, lowering herself to her haunches, looking all the more feral as she brandished her hidden weapon, the reason for her reclusiveness, and the years of memories from childhood she’d banished away to the darkest recesses of her mind. Her greatest shame and her best weapon.

Her large teeth glinted in the low light, sharp as the canines of a wolf, gritted together as she snarled. Her lips parted and so too did the flesh of her cheeks, the muscle and skin splitting in a grotesque charade of a smile until it stopped below her cheekbones. And when she let her jaw gape wide, like that of a snake’s before it devoured its prey, much wider than any human should be capable of, she sprang forth, pushing herself off the wall using the strength that still resided in her legs to kick the remaining corpse square in his chest, toppling it to the ground.

Gwen didn’t have the balance she needed to stay standing on its chest, but she didn’t need to. She pressed her knees against its writhing body and with primal ferocity, she sank her teeth into its neck, feeling the satisfying crunch of vertebrae between her jaws. She ripped back with all her might until the sound of tearing flesh drowned out all other noise. A vile taste filled her mouth - the long rotten blood of her enemy - as she clutched its severed head in her gaping maw, triumphant and unstoppable.

She spat the head onto the ground, gagging as the taste of mildew and gore filled her senses. She hunched over, her arms cradled to her stomach as she tried not to empty its contents. Her teeth were coated in a thick layer of black blood, dripping down her chin in a macabre display. Though she was a terrifying sight, at least she was still alive, her survival hard-won and evident in the fierce glint in her eyes as she surveyed the carnage around her.

“Gwen!” She heard Alistair shout her name, armoured footsteps pounding as he ran towards her. In her exhausted and nauseated daze, it took her a moment to realize that her face was bare and covered in evidence of her brutality.

No, no, no. He can’t see me like this, if he does he’ll know what I am, he’ll know I am a monster, and he’ll kill me without hesitation. Gwen thought in a panic as she scrambled, her bleeding and broken arms as coordinated as a doe learning to walk, barely managing to pull the cloth over her face a fraction of a second before Alistair burst through the doorway, sword and shield in hand as he surveyed the room and the carnage she had unleashed.

She watched him, panting from her hunched-over position, her eyes dull and her legs ready to spring forth and run should he turn his weapons on her.

Alistair’s jaw dropped. Darcy appeared at his side, wielding his dual swords, and let out a low whistle. “You know how to put up a good fight.”

“I have no intentions of dying today.” Gwen winced as her arms prickled with pain. Barkspawn peeked out from behind Darcy’s legs, tilting his head at her as though he didn’t understand what she was doing on the ground.

“Did you rip its head off?” Darcy asked with far too much glee in his voice.

“Do all Grey Wardens enjoy such violence or is it just the two of you?” Gwen deflected stonily. She could let him think she ripped its head off as long as he thought it was with her hands, and not her rather sharp teeth.

Darcy’s smile faltered and Alistair grimaced as he walked towards her, “We’re the only two Grey Wardens left in Ferelden, so in a way, you’re correct.” He said quietly, crouching beside her and putting a hand on her elbow with a gentleness she had not expected. He looked at her in question and she realized he was offering to help her stand.

“I’m sorry,” Gwen had no idea how to react in this situation, people didn’t usually come to her with their grief. They carried sorrowful expressions on their faces, their eyes downcast and their shoulders slumped. Despite their attempts to mask it, the sharpness of this loss was written all over their faces. Even Barkspawn's normally playful demeanour seemed subdued.

“No good heroes have happy backstories,” Darcy joked, though it fell flat. Gwen averted her gaze and allowed Alistair to help her up. He wrapped his arm under her shoulders as he walked her forward. She leaned more of her weight on him than she wanted to, but it was either that or pass out as the blood rushed to her toes and her vision swam, the whispers that plagued her ringing louder in her ears. Alistair pursued his lips as he watched her.

“No poisoned health potions to offer this time?” She wanted him to stop watching her with such intent concern, and given his penchant for making light of all situations, she reasoned a joke would distract him sufficiently.

The crease in Alistair’s brow eased as the corner of his lips quirked up, “You can borrow some of Morrigan’s.”

“None shall borrow anything of mine, lest they risk losing a hand,” Morrigan called from somewhere in the other room, having not bothered to come check on Gwen. She didn’t mind, it was clear that she preferred solitary company and was not used to being around others. As someone who often kept to herself, Gwen could understand the witch's behaviour. This experience was new for her, to be a part of a group, even if it was only temporary. Most people did not take too kindly to the quiet rogue who refused to show her face and she doubted it would take long before they started asking questions she was unwilling to answer.

“I borrow her brush when she’s not looking to give Barkspawn a good grooming,” Alistair whispered conspiratorially.

Gwen chuckled, “As long as you don’t drop me, your secret is safe with me.��

Alistair grinned, “Deal.”

Next Chapter

A/N: RIP Gwen, you would have loved straws (The meme format, not cause im gonna kill her, I promise)

[bennydwight]

TGAMM Oneshot (Spoilers: S2E3 A Soda to Remember)

Summary: Practically every visit to the Ghost World in the past year had been a result of the Council dragging Scratch under, kicking and screaming the whole way. And now, here he was, seeking them out.

All because of a STUPID soda.

(A oneshot born from a headcanon. As always, ao3 format here)

Scratch hovered, staring at the swirling black portal, and wondered if he might be crazy.

He avoided the Ghost World on principle, too many people he couldn’t just disappear from if he didn’t want to be seen, too many eyes on him, especially now that he wore The Cloak. The food was serviceable at best and the company worse. Plus, practically every visit to the Ghost World in the past year had been a result of the Council dragging him under, kicking and screaming the whole way, so obvious negative connotations there.

And now, here he was, seeking them out.

All because of a stupid old soda.

Most of him was grateful to Molly, and Libby, and Darryl, for risking their safety on their dumb little heist. It showed (in their own obsessive, pushy, annoying way) that they cared for him, and he could appreciate that. But a smaller part regretted the whole ordeal, a pain in the neck that had opened too many doors.

Like this one. To the Ghost World.

Scratch turned away, the portal swirling closed behind him. This was stupid! He shouldn’t even bother making the trip to the Council, all they’d do was stuff him into the robe again and demand he make decisions that weren’t ‘where to hide the caramel ribbon ice cream so Sharon wouldn’t find it’. Lame, unimportant things, and a two minute trip would take two hours, and he had a nap scheduled that he couldn’t afford to miss, and—

A vehicle pulled away outside, the sound drifting in with a breeze that rustled the curtains, and Scratch was slammed into the Memory without warning: curly brown hair, a sunny smile that matched a yellow shirt, artificial strawberry on his tongue. “Every time we drink this soda, we’ll think of each other—”

And just as suddenly, the world crashed down again, leaving him disoriented and annoyed and shaken. He gripped his head in his hands and growled at the dark sensation of loss clawing open his gut, riding out the displaced emotion like a wave of nausea. Why? Why this memory? Why couldn’t he remember something nicer, like a family pet, or a nice meal, or even his own name?

The next portal opened, inches from his nose. Well that was embarrassing, he was making them involuntarily now.

Way too many open doors lately. In his head, in the ether, downstairs whenever Ollie came over. What he wouldn’t give for some closure.

Yeah right. Like he was ever that lucky.

Scratch paced in angry circles, fists flexing at his sides, all the while eyeing the new portal. He moved towards it, backed away. Advance, retreat. He turned his back on the twisting abyss, form tight with stress. No, he wouldn’t go, he’d call it off—

“That way, I’ll never forget you. And you’ll never forget me.”

Spirits below, fine!

He launched himself through the portal before he could change his mind. The Ghost World hit like a smelly, dour slap to the face. Or maybe that was just the vibe of the Council chamber. His four ‘advisors’ sat hunched over their massive curved desk, quill pens in hand, and not a single one of them looked up at his presence. Almost out of habit, Scratch flinched at the empty slot between them, the silhouette of the (former) Chairman looming in negative space before Scratch blinked and the illusion disappeared.

Not foreboding at all.

He waited, hovering over the spot where he was normally summoned. Nada. “A-hem.”

Alistair gestured over his shoulder to that huge, vacuous with his quill. “You know where to be, Scratch.”

Curse these chuckleheads and their rules. “Yeah, no, I’m not ‘Chairmanning’ today,” he fingerquoted. “Taking my two weeks vacation. All year.”

“Then you’re dismissed.”

Oooh no, no one could just dismiss Scratch anymore. “Trust me, I’d love nothing more than to be as far away from you guys as possible, but I got a quick question.”

“Is it about competency,” Bartholomew grinned nastily, “because then it won’t be quick.” The others sniggered loudly at the quip. It wasn’t even that funny! Pete could do better! Fury spiked down Scratch’s arms and back in a ripple of agitated ectoplasm, size swelling briefly as he fought down the urge to adopt a scare form. They’d probably just make some kind of dumb comment about how he could catch up on his scare quota.

There was really no one else in the Ghost World for these questions?

Through gritted teeth, Scratch bit out, “it’s about memories.”

Quills stilled and the Council glanced at each other in that secretive, in-jokey way that made his form bubble. Alistair set down his quill to rest his chin on the bridge of his hands, looking an equal mix of suspicious and smug. “What about memories?”

How to get them back? How to get rid of them forever? Suppression? Answers? All those felt too… personal. “Why do ghosts come here with out memories of their past life?”

Another infuriating round of glances, and Scratch was tempted to put The Cloak on just to yell at them in Scary Chairman Voice when Grimbella said, “All ghosts have memories.”

The world tilted, the metaphorical rug whipped out from his metaphorical feet, and the world dimmed as Scratch’s opacity flickered the slightest bit. All ghosts. A fact. So why didn’t he? “They remember everything?”

“Not exactly,” Lucretia set her quill down in its pot. Had none of them ever heard of pens? “The amount of retained memories change with the ghost, but generally important memories regarding personal identity remain intact.”

He’d intended to come into this conversation casually, but to his humiliation, Scratch burst like a dam. “But why only some memories?” He demanded, floating up to their desk and pacing again. “Why are some more important than others? Who decides? What makes a memory important enough to bring to the afterlife?”

Grimbella answered easily, not one iota of attention paid to his turmoil. “A ghost keeps them based on what they knew in life.”

Oh, if they’d been keeping this from him, he was going to sic the frightmares on them so fast. “What do you mean?”

“The exact details are still being researched,” Alistair admitted with a snooty shrug. “But patterns suggest that a ghost’s memories are most strongly linked to the interpersonal connections that they held in high regard during life.”

“Like you,” Scratch turned on Grimbella, and her cool disinterest brought up another surge of annoyance. “Grunhilda, or whatever. You know your name!” And he got it wrong on purpose out of spite.

A shimmer of satisfaction lit his core as her unflappable brow finally furrowed. “Grimbella,” she corrected icily, and Scratch made a mental note to get her name wrong at every possible opportunity. “It’s true, my family name was very important in my upbringing. Most of my strongest memories are of the pride my parents showed when teaching family history.” She trailed off, wistfully staring into the middle distance with a dreamy look. Gross.

“But names are a low bar,” Bartholomew cut in, casting Grimbella a side-eye. “An interpersonal relationship doesn’t have to be strong for a ghost to remember their name. As long as there was someone to give voice to a name during life, a ghost could remember it after death.”

“Not that you’d know much about that, Scratch,” Alistair pointed out greasily, and the next round of barely contained snickers nearly popped Scratch’s eyes out.

“At least I didn’t get stuck with a name that sounds like it crawled right out of a medieval toilet,” he snapped back.

Up went the quills again, their interest in him noticeably waning. “Don’t get waspish about it,” Alistair’s face hardened. “Some ghosts would kill to be in your position. Not all memories are warm and fuzzy.”

He’d mentioned something about his dad once, hadn’t he? On the list of ���Things Scratch Cared About’, Alistair’s past was somewhere below ‘amount of carbohydrates in a loaf of garlic bread’, but recent events pulled a twinge of guilt from him.

He’d said he didn’t want to know. That was still true. And it wasn’t. Would he be better or worse if he’d remembered every second of being a lonely, bitter, jaded man in life? He’d still be Scratch either way, right? Except he wouldn’t be, he’d have a human name.

He’d absolutely been Scratch this morning. Now he wasn’t sure. Was anything about him real?

“Scratch?” His head whipped around to Lucretia, half from being torn out of his thoughts and half because he��d never heard her sound so gentle. Almost sympathetic. She still hunched over her book, but pinned him under an unreadable stare. “If it’s any consolation, there have been numerous cases of ghosts discovering more of their memories as their time here lengthens.”

Scratch’s colour shuddered, and he refused to believe it was hopeful. “How?”

“Through intense meditation and unparalleled self-discipline, of course.”

Scratch gagged. “Hard pass.”

Lucretia’s expression clouded back to it’s normal stormy gray. “Then I hope you enjoy your afterlife as a nobody.”

He knew a final dismissal when he heard it (those jerks, still finding a way to snub him even after he became their boss). He wasted no time building a portal back to Molly’s room, and the moment it closed behind him a huge weight lifted from above his head. Hello, Damocles. Ugh, every second he spent in the Ghost World was a second too long.

Something pulled insistently at his mind, and the ripples of his ectoplasm went still. The confusion and uncertainty and sorrow tearing at him as he faced the Council had… just flown away with that weight. He wasn’t a ‘nobody’ in this room, in this house.

He was Scratch McGee.

He had a best friend, and two (three?) good friends. He liked bread and ice cream and comedy, and thought the Crazy Carl movies were overrated, and got into arguments about it. He’d had a sleepover, and ridden a motorcycle, and hadn’t done pottery yet but still kind of wanted to try. He had a family that loved him, and a house, and a town.

Maybe he’d been someone before Scratch. But Scratch had a life too, and it was pretty darn good. A forgotten past didn’t make his present any less real. He had experiences and fun and wants and dreams, like any living person.

Like now, in fact. After dealing with the headache that was the Council, he dreamed of leftover meatloaf and a nap on the couch.

Maybe his past would come up again. Maybe not. But in the meantime, he’d enjoy being Scratch McGee.

 END

[flashhwing]

I know that Alistair dying fighting the archdemon is like by far the least common fate people have for him so I do wonder how many people, like me, see art of Alistair and get an overwhelming sense of sadness and tragedy