#murder is based and goated

[mingot-studios]

so yall just gonna sit on your asses and wallow in self-pity and just let this country descend into fascism?

[partiallithopseffect]

LOVE this shot from the new mountain goats video. watch out for me and my bloody. crocs

[brahmenbones]

Uzi drake sketches on magma :33 (part of my mech dragon au!!)

[spotlightstudios]

Gotta say, playing COTL as the Goat after only using the Golden Fleece for like a billion years? Kinda nice! I like not taking double damage for every single hit 🫡

[bwat5-blog]

"Clearly, Caitlyn Kiramman Should’ve Known Better at 23: A Masterclass in Ignoring Trauma and Believing War Criminals"

**Spoilers for all of Arcane**

Recently I made the mistake of delving into the comments of an otherwise excellent post regarding Caitlyn Kiramman and the aftermath of her time as "dictator", specifically in terms of were there enough consequences? did she do enough to make it right? should more have been done to her? that sort of thing. In the festering cesspool of those comments, I saw a variation of the following statement:

"if we were doing things based on what was fair and just, Caitlyn should have been executed on behalf of the two cities for peace"

It was more crude but you get the point. This person alleged that Caitlyn deserved death for what happened during those few months. Before we move forward lets review what we know about all of this. I have quite recently covered a lot of Caitlyn's arc so I'm not doing a deep dive here. Just enough to address this particular bit of idiocy.

How It Starts:

Like I said we aren't doing a deep dive here, so just for a quick reminder as to where twenty-three year old Caitlyn is mentally at this point(regardless of fault or nuance, just the facts):

Has been almost killed by Jinx three times

Almost killed by Sheriff of Piltover

Abducted naked from her childhood home, forced to dress in Enforcer uniform, bound, gagged, and forced to attend Jinx's tea party where Jinx tries to get Vi to murder Caitlyn

Violently knocked out

Shows Jinx mercy at Vi's request

Jinx kills her mother

Trying to become head of house Kiramman

Undercity attacks the memorial

Survives strike team operations

Brutal fight with Sevika

Vi stops her from shooting again

Very emotional split from Vi after hitting her and leaving her alone

So, with all of that under consideration, a Noxian warlord in her fifties who has commanded troops on various continents across Runeterra, calls her up and says trust me, i have your back, we will get justice for your mother. And Caitlyn folds... Le Gasp?!

Guys I know this is a little more snarky than my usual approach, but this really is just not that complicated. This is not even subtle. We literally see the flash back of Ambessa orchestrating the memorial attack to get us to this point. Caitlyn is an open wound mentally and emotionally, she never stood a chance. Lets take a moment to review some important points here by the way:

Ambessa came to Piltover for Hex-Tech. She doesn't hide this from Mel and is quite clear in her goals.

"If there is a chance hextech can be weaponized, we must have it". Mel responds "Piltover isn't your testing ground... I can't believe you'd start a war just to cover your ass" And Ambessa responds "i would set the world ablaze to protect our family". And the conversation ends with Ambessa ordering her daughter to "let the war unfold".

2. She executes her plan to make Caitlyn her scape-goat in front of:

Councilor Salo

Councilor Shoola

Large group of enforcers

Group of twenty plus people who make up as Ambessa states "every house and family with a modicum of influence"

Not a single, solitary person says a word when Ambessa brings a twenty-three year old grieving young woman with, if we're being generous two months of combat experience though probably less, and says She is in charge now! They let Caitlyn be walked right into the jaws of the wolf herself.

The Great And Terrible Rule Of Caitlyn The Creepy! WHAHAHAHA!:

What she gives her okay on:

Occupation of Zaun

Lawful (under martial law not normal law) arrests of those who cause problems

Yep... there it is folks. There is the great list of terrible crimes against humanity committed by the she-devil of Piltover herself. Checkpoints and arrests. Which by the way I am not justifying. People being arrested subjects them to Ambessa's brutality once they are inside. And as we clearly see Rictus uses the right to arrest to brutalize a Jinxer, and to break up the rally. And Caitlyn absolutely shares some portion of the blame for that. But um.. the way people reacted I was really expecting more public hangings and and labor camps.

**Not really a good place to put this but just fyi, despotic mad-women don't usually have to get up early to please a craftsman guild over supply complaints... just saying..."

"But OP! Sexy Zangief was beating people up and breaking up peaceful rallies!"

Well fortunately we talk about that!

"Was it for my encouragement that your man Rictus was instigating violence?"

How does Ambessa respond? Not with anger, or rage. First with guilt "You don't trust me", then with approval when Caitlyn responds the blade cuts both ways "fearless child, you never shy",

Ambessa is a master manipulator. Caitlyn is and was grieving her mother, and her whirlwind extremely intense romantic relationship with Vi. She had a gargantuan hole in her heart and a woman with decades leading and commanding soldiers and learning strategy slid right in. Recall that in bed with Maddie Caitlyn almost is defending Ambessa, talking about learning so much from her and the lives Ambessa saved with her assistance getting control of Zaun, so they could hunt for Jinx. Caitlyn has legitimately come to care for Ambessa at least on some level. I even believe that on some level Ambessa has come to care for Caitlyn.

2. "Arrests require cause"

When Ambessa is suggesting someone in Zaun knows where Jinx is, this is how Caitlyn responds. Not with orders to start dragging people out into the street. Not executing children in the street or burning down buildings. And when Ambessa tries to justify it "What greater cause is there than returning peace to the city?" Caitlyn responds:

3. "Why is peace always the justification for violence".. (Note Ambessa laying comforting hand on Caitlyn's shoulder during conversation)

Ambessa gives her this speech: "we've lost so many.. the anger, the sorrow.. it's tiring. Gods, I know it's tiring.. But you will never rest knowing that she's out there. Or maybe I underestimated you. Maybe you have the strength I do not.. to forgive.. and trust in tomorrow.. the decision is yours commander.."

"I know you are so tired, I know you are exhausted. I know you want this to be over. But you can't feel safe with her out there. I know you can't. Unless of course you can do what even I can't. Forgive your mothers FUCKING MURDERER. But ya know, up to you"-

If you truly cannot see the insidiousness of how Caitlyn is being twisted and manipulated, I envy you the charmed life you have lead. But be weary my friend, "you're off the edge of the map, here there be monsters." (POC 1)

"But OP! Ambessa was experimenting with Hex-Tech and committing brutal interrogations!"

I will admit the show does not explicitly state that Caitlyn did not know about this. Explicitly. However, given our context clues I feel quite confidant suggesting she did not:

See literally everything she said above

Every time we see them doing this she is not present

It seems like they are in some deep and away part of the prison when they are doing this

In private after the failed hex-tech experiment, Ambessa laments that they didn't secure the scientists before seizing control of Piltover. She is openly discussing that they are the actual ruling power. I seriously doubt she would be doing that anywhere Caitlyn may come knocking.

She Could Have Stopped At Any Time! Maddie Even Say So:

You mean that Maddie? The Noxian spy who keeps an eye on Caitlyn from her fucking bed, taking advantage of Caitlyn's grief and guilt over how things ended with Vi? Caitlyn is reminded she has a choice twice. The first time by the spy in her bed, and the second time by Ambessa herself. Her loyalty is being tested. Not her conscious. Ambessa literally put eyes and ears in her bed, and some of yall wanna argue Caitlyn wasn't being controlled. Ambessa assumed the role of Caitlyn's mother, and had her spy take on the role of Vi. And I will say this. Sure. Caitlyn could have gone to Ambessa and called it all off. No more war, no more martial law, the council is in charge again so no more imprisonment and hex-tech experiments. And maybe.. just maybe Ambessa would have row-row-row your boated her homicidal ass home. I rather doubt it. I suspect that conversation would have ended with Caitlyn getting this treatment:

We have been over this already but for a reminder:

Ambessa came here for hex-tech to fight the blackrose. She instigated the memorial attack for her cause.

"I would set the world ablaze to protect our family"

As we will come to see later, her last living child begs her to stop the bloodshed, even offering to go back with her, and all Ambessa can see is weakness.

Other indicators of how she is doing with everything:

"I never expected this to go on so long.. I thought.. I don't know what I thought.."

"Up again?" Maddie tells us Caitlyn hasn't been sleeping

Forbids the use of the cells Vi was kept in

REWIND BACK TO HELLFIRE:

I recently just did an in-depth doc on the strike team, the use of the grey, and what all of this means in story. So I will keep this brief here. but I do want to discuss it as "SHE WAS GASSING KIDS!" is still being vomited up by every double-digit iq booger eater with a keyboard.

Ambessa orchestrated the memorial attack to force Piltover retaliation

The strike team is an alternative to a full-scale invasion by Piltover.

They are hunting dangerous drug lords, destroying shimmer, and hunting Jinx. All three seem fairly reasonable. The issue is not if they are doing something wrong, it's the reason Caitlyn has them doing it. All you have to do is refer to the handy dandy song lyrics they use as Arcane always does to understand this:

"Can I do the right thing for the wrong reason? Is it bad that I'm making friends with my demons, and Living by a couple deadly sins Just to make sure I finish what you began And I ain't afraid to lose a life or ten If it means that I get to win in the end (woo) So I'ma do this on my own, step into the danger zone Pull the pin and watch it blow" (Hellfire Fever 333)

4. Using a crowd dispersal agent that incapacitates bad guys with no documented fatal effects (see multiple characters exposed who are all alive and seemingly well, those images of the people with health issues were from the unfiltered, unaltered smog the Undercity used to live with)to hunt a target who likes to blow shit up seems fair. Also the fact that it knocks people out means they don't have to kill them.

Caitlyn's Remorse And Attempts To Make Things Right:

Literally starts a war with Ambessa to save Vander

Saves a hurt Vi with Jinx's back exposed to her when she is armed

Takes care of injured Vi in her own bed and postpones any judgement of Jinx until Vi wakes

"I Know!"

"We can't erase our mistakes.. none of us"- Equates herself with Jinx

"No amount of good deed can undo our crimes"- Equates herself with Jinx

"Hating you.. I've hated myself.. I just don't have the energy for it any longer.."

Tender moment showing IMMENSE regret during she and Vi's big scene.

The Cost:

One statement I saw opined that there is a difference between remorse and punishment, and that Caitlyn should have been punished. That giving up her seat and losing an eye hardly qualified. Well! Boy oh boy do I have good news for you. Let's take a gander at the physical "not punishment" she acquires willingly leading from the front lines against Ambessa:

Cracked in the head with rifle stock, twice: Skull fractures anyone? how about a lovely concussion?

Stabbed in the stomach: Internal bleeding, bile leaks, intestinal obstruction due to scar tissue adhesions, bowel perforation, the list goes on.

Kicked in the midsection while still stabbed: potential to drive knife deeper lacerating organs and such, just massive pain, potential catastrophic bleeding if a blood vessel was hit, potential rupturing of stomach, kidneys or liver releasing harmful fluids into abdominal cavity, potential for long term chronic pain or permanent organ damage

Leg sweep by Ambessa driving Caitlyn's head into the ground: potential tbi, brain hemorrhage, or further skull fracture, potential vertebral fractures, potential long term cognitive impairment or loss of motor control if spine is damaged

Kicked again: We covered this. Knife is still there.

Ankle pinned/Leg kick/backhand: All sorts of fun things happening to ligaments and tendons. Potential permanent disability. Potential concussion and bruising as well as a whole host of lacerations.

Headbutt with War mask on: Concussion, skull fracture, brain bleed

KICKED OFF OF HER FEET

Pulls knife out of her own body: Potential fatal bleeding, massive pain, possible peritonitis and respiratory distress depending on what all was damaged during the fight with the knife still in her body.

Sacrifices her own eye

Now lets take a quick look at some reasonable assertions for the mental "not punishment" she will likely suffer from after all of this:

Massive potential for PTSD just from the wounds alone

Losing an eye impacts her shooting which is a huge part of who she is and a link to her mother

A woman she shared a bed with levelled a rifle at her neck and pulled the trigger. Caitlyn thought she was going to die.. that doesn't just go away..

look at her face...

She is twenty four people....

4. Guilt over death toll of war

5. Guilt over Vi's possible death from downward spiral

6. Guilt over Vi's possible death from explosion in commune all born from Noxian;s arriving there

7. Guilt over everything done to the Undercity

8. Guilt over perversion of her families ventilation system

9. The fact that from season 1 Act 2 til now, she only ages a year and probably not even a whole one. Refer to my list in the beginning. She has not a single fucking second to breathe or heal from any of that shit

RESTITUTION:

So aside from willingly leading the battle that most of the undercity walked away from until Jinx shows up and almost dying for it, how does Caitlyn start to make things right you may ask? (because it is a start, for those who don't get that. This is the beginning of a story not an end). For the first time in what we understand to be the history of the twin cities, Zaun has a seat at the table. People are REALLLLYYYYY underselling this. I guess because they wanted a whole political treaty signed and to watch Caitlyn get shame-nunned through the street or something. IDK. But what I do know, is that Caitlyn gave away the ancestral seat of house Kiramman, and all the power and authority that came with it, and it now belongs to someone from the undercity. An equal voice. And it's just the beginning. It's not perfect. It's not all wrapped up in a big shiny bow, it feels real. Change isn't instant. It never has been and it never will be, and if you need that to feel fulfilled I understand, but this show was never going to be that for you.

Caitlyn Should Be Executed?:

So back to the original statement. Caitlyn should be executed in the name of peace between the cities. Well, I'll say this. if you see a 24 year old woman who inside of a year had her entire reality imploded, fell prey to the manipulations of a violent war monger close to 30 years her senior if not more, yet found her way back to herself and shed her own blood as a war hero TO SAVE HUMANITY, and your answer is she should be executed. Sure! So long as you admit you have the humanity of a toaster oven you fucking idiot.

To those of you who have continued to read, and share your thoughts, and been open to kind debate and discourse in good faith. You all mean the world to me. As I have said many times, opening myself up to this community has really happed my "real" life in a lot of ways and I love getting on here to appreciate and celebrate this story with all of you. That being said, this particular issue is so god damn irritating to me I am done being nice about it. Have a wonderful day!

[chinesehanfu]

[Hanfu · 漢服]Chinese immortal Hanfu <电母/Mother of Lightning> Based On Yuan Dynasty Taoist Temple Mural<永乐宫/Yongle Palace>

【Historical Artifacts Reference 】:▶ China Yuan Dynasty Taoist Temple 永乐宫/Yongle Palace Mural<电母/Mother of Lightning>

⚡【电母/Mother of Lightning】⚡

电母/Dianmu (Chinese: 電母; pinyin: Diànmǔ; lit. 'Mother of Lightning'), also known as Leizi, is the Chinese goddess of lightning, who is said to have used flashing mirrors to send bolts of lightning across the sky.

She is married to Leigong/雷公, the god of thunder. She is one of the gods who work together to produce the phenomena of thunder. Other companions are Yun Tong (Yún Tóng, 云童, lit. the "Cloud Youth/Kid"), who whips up clouds, and Yu Shi/雨师 ("Rain Master") who causes downpours by dipping his sword into a pot. Roaring winds rush forth from a type of goatskin bag manipulated by Fengbo/风伯 ("Earl of Wind/Wind Uncle"), who was later transformed into Feng Po Po ("Old Lady Wind").

Legend

Dianmu was once a human, who lived with her mother. One day, she was dumping rice husks, because they were too hard for her mother to eat. When the short-tempered thunder god Leigong saw her dumping the husks out, he thought she was wasting food, so he killed her. When the Jade Emperor found out, he was infuriated at Leigong's careless murder. The Jade Emperor revived Dianmu, making her a goddess. Dianmu was made to marry Leigong, who took on the responsibility of caring for her. Dianmu's job is now to work with Lei Gong. She uses mirrors to shine light on the Earth, so Leigong can see who he hits and makes sure they aren't innocent. This is why lightning comes before thunder.

In other depictions

Dianmu also appears in Wu Cheng'en's late 16th-century novel, the Journey to the West; she appears during the events of the Slow Cart Kingdom (車遲國, Chechi), where three 'Animal Strength/Power Immortals', "Tiger Strength", "Deer/Elk Strength" and "Goat/Antelope Strength", three demons who disguised themselves as Taoist magicians to deceive the King of the Kingdom of Chechi, by means of having ended a seemingly-endless drought through the means of a legitimate magic tablet that can control the weather by summoning gods in control of various aspects of the weather, including Dianmu, accompanied by Yún Tóng (云童, lit. the "Cloud Youth"). Once Sun Wukong interrupts the summons, Dianmu and her fellow weather deities help the Buddhists instead of the demons in their rain-making competition.

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📸Photography post-production :@小何力

👗Hanfu & 👑Crown：@雁鸿Aimee

💄 Makeup：百丽 （临溪摄影）

👭Model：@清音音音音

🔗 Weibo:https://weibo.com/1615560544/O267AzTqM

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[moriitis]

"I am your sword, protector.. and oh, how I wish for you to be mine."

Knight Toby x Female Reader. Medieval AU. Part 1.

Content/Warnings; Mentions of murder, poisoning, blood, self inflicted harm, starved children, unsafe sex, suicide, abuse, death, implied abuse to animals, death of animals.

18+. MINORS DNI.

Based on my HCs here.

Word count; 7k

Toby is viewed a little differently in this AU, as are some other characters. How you view fictional characters is totally down to you, this is just how I pictured them to be.

You have no idea how you make me feel and I fear what I'll do if they marry you off. Can you not see? Can you not feel? Or am I being punished for the man I will never be? There is nothing left inside this shell, and yet when I see you; I feel a flicker of hope.. What am I saying? I am in love with you.

-

The bed rocked and thumped against the wall with each thrust that was made. Skin to skin, fingers embedded into his back; the other set of fingers tugging softly at his hair. Her moans filled the room, a room so hot and stuffy that it was getting harder and harder to breath in. It would've been pitch black if it hadn't been for the candle that was set atop the bedside table, although it was nearing the end of its final moments, the wax dripping down the end of the stick and coating the wooden bedside. The flame would flicker momentarily, a glimpse of hope perhaps? Toby moved his face away from the woman's neck, catching the flame in his gaze as he watched it dance. A dance so mesmerising that the movement his hips made were involuntary; moving purely on instinct rather than desire.

"Toby-!" Cried the woman beneath him and suddenly his eyes fluttered, brows furrowing in focus as he turned his attention back toward the woman. Her hands reached for anything to grip on, his hair, his biceps or even his shoulder as she felt the increasing urge to come undone below him. The way she would pant, the desperation in his voice; it stirred his focus back into play and it was there he found the remaining energy within him to keep the rhythm of his hips against her own.

"Toby-" She cried again and he faltered. The rhythm that he had found now becoming out of synch, for the cry of what he expected to be a woman came out into nothing but that of a man. A mans voice he did not expected to hear when on the edge of his own orgasm.

"Toby?"

The brunette blinked and here he was in the hall. The council hall, with pillars that rose at an extraordinary height. He had stood within this hall many times, to attend council. Many leaders spoke here, many disagreements. The hall was large, big enough to fit another table and chairs; but within it stood only the singular, wooden table. It was coated in fur, the fur of many beasts; bear, sheep, goat, horse, wolf. Sat in the middle of the long table was the King, a throne so mighty that should one look upon it, they already feel drawn by the power it holds. Naturally, other chairs were joined around the table however they were not as mighty as the throne itself. Simple wooden chairs, for well.. simple people. At least that was how it was. Regardless of your status or title, once you entered another man's kingdom, you were below them. It was as simple as that. Behind the throne and table was the stained glass window, filled with deceptions of the past kings who ruled this land.

The middle, King Lucius. The King who killed the Dragon. To the left, King Addilas. The King who banished the plague and then on the right, King Raddeon. The King who killed his assassinator with his bare hands.

Even Toby himself knew that most these stories were over-exaggeration. Dragons were not real, the plague killed many before the end and the assassinator was an old man; it would be easy to kill such a weak thing.

"Toby, are you listening?" The King cried from over his shoulder and Toby's brows furrowed in response. It wasn't often he got lost or distracted. With a simple step closer, hands behind his back, he replied. "My lord," he acknowledged with a simple bow and with a quick glance from beneath his brows; he noted how the whole council was looking at him. Sneering, displeased. He'd seen those looks before and if he were younger, he would've made a remark. Alas; he was devoted to a King and now his mouth must remain shut.

"What do you think? Of the current affairs?" The king grumbled, shooting the knight a daring look from under the white of his bushy brow. He was old, he had ruled since Toby was that of a boy and Toby knew death came for all eventually. It was not uncommon for the king to ask for his input. Toby had attended the council a lot since he became a knight. Shifting his weight, he sucked in a steady breath of air. It stunk in here, it was damp and it left a bitter taste on his tongue.

"Lord," was all he could utter, for he had not been listening. With a respectful bow of his head, his hard gaze connected with the stone flooring beneath him. There he could see the shine of his armour, he would've seen a reflection of his pathetic self if it wasn't for the engravings within the steel. The king knew he had not been listening and in a spit of rage slammed a fist down on the oak table.

"Damn you, boy!" He roared, causing the other members to flinch softly at his sudden fit of rage. Toby stood unaffected. As quickly as the king's rage came to be, even quicker it disappeared as he burst into a fit of coughs. A smouldering reminder of his fate. Only those within the castle walls knew of the king's health, that he was dying and as bad of the thought be; Toby hoped that death would come sooner.

Silence creeped over the hall as the king coughed and spluttered, a hand raised to shield his mouth from the blood that began to evidently spot out onto his palm. The brunette shot a glance at his king, though he did not worry. What was a knight to do against such an illness? There were only so many battles he could fight. So, with a purse of his lips, he lifted his chin and addressed the council;

"Council is over. Leave." Had the king instructed him to adjourn council? No, but Toby didn't want to sit here any longer with a man that was actively dying in front of him.

"Why do you lie to yourself? You love the sound of a man dying before you."

Toby's head then snapped round in a motion that was quick enough to make his head spin. That voice, so close that he could feel the breath against his ear; was the same voice as his fathers. As he searched helplessly around the hall, there was no source to the voice that spoke in his ear. He would've gone mad if it weren't for the bustle and scraping of chairs that stirred his attention away. Although his heart wanted to beat, wanting and yearning to feel something in response to the sound of his dead father; he felt nothing. Perhaps it was because he knew that his father was dead, oh, he was sure of it and that voice was nothing but a figment of his imagination.

Clearing his throat, he turned his gaze back to the king who was struggling to catch his breath. He stood awkwardly close by because he knew that if he tried to reach out or help, the king would do nothing but order him away. Anyway, he didn't care that much. The king, decrepit and frail, stood to his feet after a moment; with the aid of his table and shuffled away from his throne. The shadow of the throne cast over him, perhaps it was death, or the weight of his responsibilities?

"My daughter," he croaked, breaking the silence between himself and Toby. "She is to be queen. Not my fool of a son. You listen to me, boy, and you heed these words well," it was there he turned, pointing a crooked finger toward his knight. Confusion was etched across Toby's features as he listened almost cautiously. "You kill him. You kill my son, you make her queen and I will promise her hand in marriage to you. I see the way you look at her, the same way any man would."

And there, like an open book, the king had peeled back Toby, leaving him vulnerable and unsafe. The king knew it was wrong and in that moment, he had something Toby so desperately wanted. His mind fought against his desires and his common sense. What if this were to be a test, a trial? To prove his loyalty to the crown? What if he were to agree and thus finds himself in prison for betrayal? Plotting against the heir, it was heresy and yet it could be done with ease. Toby had taken many lives before, especially while under command to the king, what difference was this? It would be easy, there's no doubt about that. He was a knight, he had access to every part of the castle. The only thing he needed to do was make the death look.. well, perhaps accidental? His jaw tensed, he had been silent for a long time and the king was growing impatient.

"Is this some sort of test, Lord?" Toby sneered, angling his chin up to glance at him from almost the tip of his nose. "Or do you jest?" Before Toby could speak more, the Kings hand landed a blow against the side of his face and his head jerked. He was in shock, his own hand twitching momentarily as his body fought the urge to respond to such a slap. His shock soon dissipated however, he had been hit many times that now it made his body overcome with a feeling of just pure numbness. It was useless, such a slap, for not only was it weak; but he was unable to feel a thing anyway. With a twitch of his upper lip, he then hacked up some saliva and spat it promptly onto the floor beneath him.

"Very well," Toby replied bitterly, slowly craning his head up to glare at the King. If it wasn't for his vows, this old man would be gargling on his own blood already. "I'll kill him." And when those words came out his mouth, Toby couldn't deny the little flutter of excitement that emerged within the pits of his stomach.

-

Their steps echoed within the empty halls of the castle. Armor clinking softly and his hand pressed firmly against the hilt of his blade that sat just beside his hip. Silence lingered between the two of you as you both stepped almost in synch. There was a chill in the air which nipped at your skin. Winter was fast approaching, leaves beginning to fall around the castle estate, each morning becoming bitter and colder as each day passed. It daren't snow, but the temperature made it tempting. The castle did look so pretty when coated in snow, its blankets creating a sharp white no matter where you looked. A sharp clink of armor disturbed your thoughts and it was there you craned your head over your shoulder briefly, your gaze meeting Toby's own unwelcoming look and in response you turned sharply back ahead of you.

There were many ways you could describe Toby. Unsettling perhaps? Albeit, that seemed somewhat rude and you had a status to upkeep. He was no regular soldier, no normal knight. There was something about him that would quieten any feast hall within the first step he took in the place. Was it his messy, unkept hair? Surely not. But your mind lingered to the hideous mark beside his lips, a mark so cruel that sometimes it was hard to look at him. It made him not appear human, with such a deformity as such. With his teeth exposed, almost like he was some kind of snarling dog; the way the skin twisted and contorted against his cheek. His lips pulled slightly toward the scar, creating a devilish look that made it appear as if he was always smirking. His eyes said otherwise, they were so dead; so empty, that even if he were to convey any sort of emotion, his eyes would not follow. No crinkle of a smile, like he was frozen in time of a place that brought him great sadness.

Naturally, it make you wonder and then there was the gossip. Your ladies spoke such devilish thoughts of the man but their words enticed you more and more, drawing your interest to Toby like some sick kind of spell.

"I heard he was poor as anything." "Well, I hear that his mother died and he.. he killed his own father. In cold blood. Imagine that?" "That's true! Look at his face! It reads a killer, how he's trusted in these very walls I will never know. My, I almost pity him, looking the way he does." "I see him at the brothel most nights, do you think he has to pay extra for a face like his?" It was bad to mock, awful to sit and judge but on many days you found yourself indulged in such gossip, enough that you'd be laughing along with them in your chambers. A part of you wondered if the rumours were true, why would he kill his own father? "Well, turns out the king saved him from the rope, sent him off to knight school and well.. you know the rest."

That was right, you had met Toby when you had just turned nineteen but you couldn't help but feel as if you had already met before that. You remember a scrawny, violent boy who fought against the guards grip in the courtyard. He was pale and coated in blood, but that couldn't have been Toby. Truth be told, you knew nothing about him other than rumours and it made you uncomfortable knowing that someone who potentially murdered his own father in cold blood was now serving a life dedicated to you and your family? There was a lot of trust, perhaps he had proved himself? Or perhaps he asked God for forgiveness? No, that wouldn't make sense; you barely saw him in the chapel and the one time you did, he was causing a scene.

"You are quiet, my lady. Does s-ss-.. something bother you?" And it wasn't just his looks that made you nervous, it was the way he would talk or involuntarily move his muscles; like he had no control of his own body. Sucking in a sharp breath, you felt your tongue graze over the bottom of your lip; trying to find words. Perhaps now was a good time to get to know him?

"It is nothing," you replied, short and sweet however you lied through your teeth. With your gaze strictly down the hall, you continued on.

There had been some commotion outside the castle halls, what it was, you were uncertain but the guard count doubled and now Toby was by your side like a hound. It wasn't unusual, there was always a rabble here and there, although the extra guard patrolling the walls did make you feel a tinge more anxious than before. Why Toby was not by your fathers side was beyond you. It was there your hand ever so slightly clutched against the fabrics of your dress, unspoken tension lingered in the air that made your throat feel dry.

"It's just.. I don't know anything about you," you croaked out, immediately feeling a wave of regret flush over your body. It wasn't like you really cared enough to know; but perhaps he had some interesting tales and it would benefit you better if you got along with Toby more. You daren't look over your shoulder, keeping your gaze firm and strong once again on the hall before you. It felt never ending at this point, like each step drew the hallway longer and longer. Toby's silence was not a welcoming one either, perhaps your question surprised him? Why should you care about somebody as little as him?

"Mm-m.. maybe that's for the best," Toby replied, his voice hard and cold. Maybe it was for the best, and yet curiosity nipped away at you. Your lips pursed, troubled a little as you did not want to pressure him into talking about things that perhaps were best to not be spoken about at all.

Finally, the end of the hall and it was there you turned the corner. Down on the floor, not too far away, was one of the maids with a bucket beside her. She was promptly soaking the stone floor in water before scrubbing away, she sat on her knees, her robes tatty and dirty. She adverted her gaze up briefly, uninterested before coming to the realisation that it was you and quickly bowed her head in respect. Exchanging nothing but a friendly smile, you craned your head over just a fraction to see that the maids gaze lingered far more longer on Toby. A part of you wondered how that made him feel? What did he think in that head of his? Your mind wracked at all the things you could say, what you wanted to say to him and yet you just continued on in that lingering, looming silence. You were supposed to be good at this conversing stuff, your mother always preaching that sometimes a sharp tongue was better than a sharp sword. It's just Toby made you feel things you were uncertain of feeling, an array of emotions that made you either want to throw up or rip your hair out.

As you passed the maid, you decided to speak. "My father, what will happen to you when he dies?" It was a morbid thought, one you were not keen on thinking however there was no beating around the bush with these kinds of things. Your mother was already wearing her black clothes, already grieving for a man who was not dead yet. How odd, you thought. From behind you, you heard Toby's neck crack as he rolled his head at the question, trying to think of an answer to give at such a question.

"I am to continue serving you. I made my vows to nn-not just your father, but-but… your family." And despite his answer, you were not content with it; longing for something more that you couldn't put your tongue on.

"And if we all were to die? Then what?" You pressed on, just simply not satisfied. It was there you heard a short, gruff chuckle that almost emerged from under a breathy sigh. It was short, brief, yet filled the silence more than anything. It was unexpected, maybe because you'd never heard the man laugh before. Was he capable of such a thing? Would this even be considered a laugh? In fact, it surprised you so much that you stopped in your tracks to advert your gaze toward the man. He was close, so close that you could smell an almost metallic smell radiate off him. It was not an unpleasant smell, that was for sure.

"That would not happen," he replied, a soft smile tugging at the corner of his lips or well, what was left of his lips. Was he jesting you? Mocking you perhaps? Now admittedly, you felt rather stupid and a sheepish look etched it way across your features as you slowly glanced away. But why not? Why not? You thought, just wanting to hound and hound him with questions until this hunger within you ceased to exist. What was it about him that pulled you in more and more?

"And why not? What is stopping an army from slaughtering us all? Here, on these clean floors?" Shut up, shut up, but you simply couldn't. You were stubborn, maybe even a little annoying. Although, Toby seemed amused. You were searching desperately in his eyes and for a second, you could've sworn his look changed.

"Then I will die with you," Toby replied.

"No, no, you are more to this life, are you not? Do you have dreams? Wishes?" Perhaps you were projecting a little. There, that look again! His eyes softened, a second so short that within a blink of an eye, his gaze hardened again. What were you hiding Toby? What are you feeling? These walls are strong, what lies behind them? And why, oh why, were you ever so desperate to know? Toby went to open his mouth, but stopped himself and shook his head, a soft smirk flashing across his features as he scoffed.

"My lady, with all respect, you talk too much," Toby replied and it took you aback a little. Well, it didn't; mostly because Toby was known for being so blunt and straight forward. You wanted to say something, anything, but your mouth just hung agape a little before you snapped it shut. Maybe that was what you needed to hear, to smack some sense into you. Lord forgiving if your mother caught you speaking like this, for it was the most unroyal. Alas, it was only Toby; surely he had heard worse. Instantly, you bit on the bottom of your lip only briefly in a weak attempt to shut yourself up. "I must excuse myself, I will find another guard to-to… to-.." he sucked in a sharp breath. "To accompany you."

A sinking feeling emerged in the pits of your stomach, had you run your tongue too much? Before you could dwell on it any longer, Toby gave a courteous bow of his head before making haste past you.

"Wait-" you called out, turning to follow him and the direction he was headed; which was the opposite way to which you had come. His back faced you, but he awaited patiently. "Speak not a word of this to anyone, this conversation." Your voice echoed out into the hall, bouncing back at you and making you cringe at the pure desperation in your voice. How frightfully embarrassing. Toby then turned to face you, almost already side stepping away; with a simple shrug, he then called out. "What conversation?" A smile flashed across his pale features and with another bow of his head, he disappeared. That man, your skin felt hot to touch.

-

Your fathers time on earth grew shorter and shorter with each passing day. Many speculated he would be dead by the end of winter and Toby knew that his task to assassinate the next heir was fast approaching; it needed to be done in the coming days. The kingdom was ready for one funeral, but two? Well, that was another story which would be a messy one and ultimately put you in a shitty position. It was only temporary, but his mind troubled him. The many thoughts that plagued him. Sleep was already scarce with the many memories that tormented him, but the king's demand only made it worse.

How does one kill a future king and make it accidental? Well, they would not suspect a rat. Maybe his fathers death and the weight of the crown tormented him so, that he takes his own life. A hanging would be too obvious. Better yet, poison would be good. The only issue is that, Toby can't be the last person seen with him. This wasn't his only worry, how was he going to convince you to fall in love with him? He was no royalty and he was not fit for a crown, god forbid, it was the last thing he wanted. Oh, and how on earth was the king going to ensure Toby be wedded to you if he's already dead by the time it were to happen?

The distant sounds of brushes sweeping across the stable floor disturbed him from his dark, putrid thoughts and his gaze adverted back up to his surroundings. It wasn't the best place to be in, it stunk of horse shit, the hay made him itch and no matter where he went; there was always someone wanting to ask him questions. Could he not ponder about murder in peace? His hands were preoccupied with an apple and a blade, cutting away pieces of the apple to feed himself with. It was sour but it came from the castle kitchens; so he wouldn't fuss about the taste. It was better than nothing, that or stale bread and mouldy cheese he used to live off on. Each chew on the apple was long and drawn out, savouring the taste almost as if that would conjure up some amazing idea for him. The blade moved swiftly through the apple until it caught just the right angle. There, staring back at him, was his own reflection on the blade.

Toby couldn't remember the last time he ever looked at himself in any mirror. Mirrors were forbidden in knight school, probably because many of the boys would smash it to pieces and kill themselves with the sharpest blade they could get their hands on.

With a flicker of the blade, he moved the hilt between his thumb as he observed his own reflection staring back at him. A part of him almost couldn't believe it was him. Who was this stranger staring back at him? With a disfigured face, hard features and unwelcoming gaze? How could one look at him? Because he certainly couldn't and swiftly he moved the blade up, the reflection on the blade now being that of a window from the castle above him.

A window big enough for a person to fall out of. The height was enough to split a skull, that was for sure. There, he tilted his head to get a better view. He knew the grounds and castle like the back of his hand. This window being specifically the storage room and if Toby was right, the window that faced the moat was yours. He had to know these things, for.. safety reasons. It's just, he couldn't help his gaze lingering at your window longer than needed when he was doing his rounds, before he served under the crown and was nothing but a measly guard.

A commotion caught his attention and it was there his gaze quickly glanced up, noticing a frail guard that approached him in a speed that was as almost as fast as a horse itself. He was skinny, with a bowl cut and his face was littered in spots, yellow, red; all kinds of colours that made his face rather distasteful to look at. Who was he to talk though? Over, just behind him, was a crowd of men, sporting the same armor as this particular guard. Nothing but the normal scrabble, but there stood before the group was the guards keeper. His duty keeping the men from drinking on their job; which was a total failure as most the guardsmen here were utterly useless.

"Sire!" The man spoke quick, a little out of breath and feeling the urge to double over just to catch it. Raising a brow in interest, Toby brought a piece of apple to his lips before chewing on it. "Something has happened and people have been looking for you and it is with the upmost urgency that you-"

"There you are!" Yelled the guards keeper. Perhaps Toby shouldn't have snuck out just for a simple apple, but he needed some alone time to plot and scheme and now chaos rains down? Fucking hell. The plump man marched over, his stomach bobbing with each stride and his chainmail clinking in rhythm. He was bald and if he were to have hair, it would be white to match his age. Wrinkles attached themselves in the most prominent features, crinkles near his eyes, sharp creases in his laugh lines that really just enhanced his jowls. "Have you not heard? Princess has run off, not just run off, took one of our best beasts with her! If the king were not half on his death bed, he'd have your head, boy!"

That was where his interest peaked however, not the king, not the fact that one of the horses was gone; but that the princess would be ever so dareful and run off like that? Was she not taught better? Was it a ploy to get Toby to find her? His heart skipped a beat, a part of him surprised his heat beat at all as he pushed himself off the wall he was leant on to stand straight. This was his duty, a literal sign. Was the king up to this himself? Tossing the half eaten apple to the ground, his blade took comfort in the side of his hip as he quickly threw a sharp finger at the man with the bowl cut.

"A horse, now." Was all Toby had to say and within seconds he was atop the beast, shoes in stirrups and ordering the gates up before dashing off toward the nearby forest. The wind was cold, bitter against his skin as the horse took fast strides toward the forest edge. It had snowed, but it was not deep enough to be a problem for the horse as Toby pulled the reins and squeezed the sides of the animal to a slow canter. The mare's heart was pounding below him and admittedly, so was his as he scanned the treeline.

His mind raced as he scanned the perimeter of the forest line. The forest was dense, easy to trick someone who had no knowledge on how to survive on their own. With winter looming over the kingdom; it was drawing darker earlier and it was a race against the sun. How could this happen? Surely there were plenty of people around to see a fucking princess leave? His grip tightened on the reins. What was he thinking? You were smart, a lot more than you played on to be and yet so damn stupid. It wasn't wolves that reigned over that forest, thieves, bears, cannibals. As the mare continued along the edge, his mind was.. spiralling a little. He was alone and he felt ever so vulnerable right now.

"Fuck- fuck, fuck, fuck!" His hand bawled into a fist and it was there his knuckles connected with his temple. His armoured fist would've hurt any normal man, but all he could feel was just the cold touch of the steel against his forehead. Each punch grew harder and harder each time he cursed through gritted teeth, because how the fuck could he let this happen?! As steel connected with skin, it promptly ripped apart the flesh; allowing a gush of blood to come trickling down from just above his eyebrow. It was warm, warmer than the winter air against his skin. It trickled down pale skin, enveloping in each crease on his skin, sliding down and between the hairs of his eyebrow before slipping between the crinkle of his eye. It smeared, smudging and coating his eye in red. It could've stopped there, but Toby hit himself so hard that it only continued to seep down until the liquid coated the whites of his eye. Blinking once, twice, he glanced down and noticed a singular droplet of his blood atop the coat of the mare. It was so red compared to the white of the animal below him.

The blood did not phase him; his mind too preoccupied on you. Toby could grab his blade and plunge it into the horse beneath him, feeling his anger bubble and simmer within his blood, his teeth practically grinding together. As his gaze flickered back to the trees and shrubbery before him, it was there he noticed a horse. It was saddle-less, with only reigns around the frame of its head. It was one of the king's horses alright, with a coat as white as snow. A sense of relief washed over his very being, it wasn't you, no, but he was somewhere in the right direction. The reigns of the horse were tied to the nearest branch that struck out from the others, the horse grazing merrily at each bit of grass or shrubbery it could find between its lips. With a gentle tug on his reigns, he pulled his own horse to a walk and approached the other. The horse that was tied up lifted its head and ears in interest, perhaps they were stable mates. Before his own horse moved to a stop, Toby was already tugging his feet out the stirrups and sliding off the saddle to make the connection with the soil below him.

It seemed his wound was a thing of a past now as his fingers curled around the leather reign, tugging the horse beside the other and mimicking what you had done; tying the horse to the branch. His hand, slow and gentle moved to the other horse and it was there he gave a gentle pat to its large and broad neck. Toby was, in a sense, thankful that this horse had treated you with such kindness, but his worry and anxiety were not over as his gaze turned to the forest.

It was still, eerie, not one peep of any bird came from within it and Toby felt himself sigh. Why would you run off? Well, he understood somewhat. With the crown looming over your head and the death of your father that would soon come any day, perhaps you just needed to take some fresh air. But without security? It was reckless, something no future queen should do. Well.. it wasn't like you really knew that you were about to sit on the throne.

Securing a hand to the hilt of his sword, he pushed aside some branches and stepped inside. Each step drew him deeper within the trees, a crunch here and there from the leaves that had fallen. He was alert, watching around him with eyes like a hawk. This was all wrong, his gut immediately sending his brain signals and aching his body into a fight or flight response. There was nothing of interest in these woods, he knew that well. No hidden lake, no forbidden cave. Just thieves, death and the occasional deer that would freeze at the simplest of sounds. It was this forest that used to be used as the hunting grounds, but ever since the increasing worry of crime that occurred here; it was strictly forbidden and perhaps it was for the best, as the wildlife here seemed vibrate every year. There was something wrong though, because everything here seemed dead.

As he cautiously glanced around, he would exchange glances with the soil beneath him. It was still wet and it smelt damp. The soil was squishy, on the brink of being mud and still being solid in other places. It was a surprise for someone who wouldn't notice it and there, he spotted a footprint in the mud below. It was small, it fit your size alright and he trembled out a little breath in excitement, at least he was on the right path. Time was ticking on and Toby knew that he only had about two hours left of daylight, so he didn't linger for long as he seemingly followed each print he could make out to be; creeping deeper and deeper.

"Don't… move…" the voice was that of a whisper and Toby froze, feeling his skin prickle at the sound that was seemingly above him. Despite its words, he slowly craned his head up toward a tree that loomed above him. There, sat between a branch and the body of the tree, was a scrawny boy. His face was covered by a cowl, that was dark green. It would've provided for good camouflage if it were not winter, bleak and grey compared to the usual lush of green. In his hands were a bow, with an arrow that was perched just above his index finger. It was drawn back and the end of the arrow was aimed below to Toby. It was not a fancy bow of any kind, it had been hand carved; the same with the arrow which just looked like a sharp stick.

"Why is that?" Toby replied, not feeling intimidated at all by the scene unfolding before him.

"Nice armor," the boy spoke, ignoring Toby's question. Still he whispered and Toby's interest piqued a little and he lifted his chin to get a better view of the child. His clothes were ragged, worn and he was barefoot, dirt under his toenails and fingernails. He was skinny, so skinny that his entire body trembled as he kept the bow drawn back. The boy stared back, the lower half of his face was covered by what looked like some fabric and his eyes glared back at Toby. Blue, empty eyes that held so much anger deep within. The string of the makeshift bow was pressed firmly against the tip of his nose, he knew how to hold it which meant maybe somebody else was lurking close by. His grip tightened on the hilt of the sword. "But your face is ugly." The boy then remarked.

"I'm loo-oking for s-ss-..someone," Toby replied, his head twitched involuntarily as his muscles spasmed. The boy watched, he was cautious but Toby could feel his nervousness. For a child, he had Toby in a good position here, but it seemed that even they both knew that he was no match against the likes of Toby. A branch broke to his left and quickly the brunette spun his head around, not caring if an arrow were to be shot at him; it would do no damage to his armor. Before him, in a tree opposite, was a little girl. Slightly younger than the boy, equally dirty and skinny looking. Her hair was brown, fluffy and she clutched onto some makeshift toy that admittedly was nothing but sticks and dried mud. Toby narrowed his eyes at the girl, who shyed away from him. They were just children, trying to make do with that they had; which really was nothing.

"I'm hungry," the girl spoke softly, her voice nothing but a whisper in the wind. There was no denying she was hungry, for she was nothing but skin and bone.

"Not now, Sally-" the boy spoke, an underlying hint of frustration laced in his voice. He was hungry too and with an arrow that looked like that, there was no hunting deer.

Admittedly, Toby felt something he hadn't felt in a long time; pity. This world was cruel, unfair and he wished that children could get the easier outcome of it rather than suffering alongside its cruelness. His shoulders weighed heavy with the burden of wanting to find you before he essentially ran out of time and wanting to help these children. The only thing was; he had nothing to offer. Bringing them back to the castle was out of the question. His tongue wet his lips, trying to figure out a solution that worked for everyone.

"Why don't we play a game?" Toby suggested, not feeling hopeful it would work but it was better than nothing. See, a much darker and twisted side of him couldn't help but think that maybe he should just put them out of their misery, killing them and erasing them off this godforsaken world. The words 'play a game' perked the girl up a little and her eyes finally trailed toward Toby. They were beautifully green. The boy on the other hand; was not falling for it. "Help me f-f-ffind this woman and I'll give you food. Deal?" he asked, exchanging looks between Sally and the boy, whose name he was unsure on. Sally seemed eager and glanced at the boy with a bow, silently pleading him with her eyes. It seemed he was the protector of sorts, he called the shots and right now he was battling his own mind. Attempt to kill a knight or help him and receive food? His face contorted into a range of emotions, pulling the string off his nose as he lowered it ever so slightly.

"Please, Ben.." Sally urged, her legs were dangling off the tree and swinging almost aimlessly at the prospect of food. The boy, whose name Toby had learnt was Ben, seemed conflicted and in a sudden huff of stubbornness, lowered the bow and leant against the bark of the tree.

"Fine-!" he snapped, irritation laced in his voice. Toby felt his muscles relax, not that he was worried or afraid of the boy; but purely because time was running thinner and thinner with each word they spoke. "We saw her, running off that way." He then pointed with the same hand that was previously drawing the string of the bow back, his index finger outstretched toward the direction Toby was already going. "Alright, we helped, now give us food." A glint of hope flickered across Toby's features but with the lack of further information, his gaze then lowered again into disappointment.

"No, no, you find her. Get down, take me to her." Toby commanded and with a soft thump, Sally was already down from the branch and stepping her way in that of the direction Ben had pointed too. Ben seemed surprised and somewhat defeated, wanting to argue further but with the rumble of his stomach and a soft curse under his breath, he also slid down and followed Sally. Toby eyed the pair before stepping behind, he was far taller than the two.

The walk was quiet, with Ben shooting a careful look over his shoulder toward Toby. Were they siblings? He was unsure and despite the pity, he couldn't find himself caring enough. It reminded him of the day he found a stray dog by the side of his fathers field. The dog friendly, tongue a flop out of its mouth and its tail wagging in joy at just the sight of childlike Toby alone. It was his first ever friend and unfortunately the quickest end of a friendship he had endured. Bringing that mutt home was a mistake, because Toby got too attached, named the thing and all; only for his father to stab the dog right there and then.

Of course, his trust in the children was little to none but at this point, he was desperate and grasping at anything that would lead to you. He wasn't sure how to feel when you came across his mind, anger? Relief? He couldn't put it into words, because not only was it reckless but he was now stuck with two starving children and he was unsure if he could even fulfil his end of the bargain when it came to food.

unfortunately, knight toby has me in a chokehold so part 2 should come out pretty quickly. im not sure how long ill continue this, as theres so much wanna write right now and my time online is limited due to being a fucking adult. anyway, hope you guys enjoyed this. i am going back to dreaming about sucking his [REDACTED]

[deityoftherain]

redhot anger - Snowbugs Wild Life Session Three Fanfic

there are wild life session three spoilers because it takes place then

Rating: Gen

Relationship: M/M

Archive Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Status: Completed Oneshot

Word Count: 2,028

Summary: It's Wild Life Session Three, and Tango is (rightfully) frustrated, stressed, annoyed, and angry- everything was going wrong and he could only contain himself, his emotions, his /fire/, for so long before everything boiled over... luckily, Scott is there to help (takes place around the time Tango is GRAJFHDSJKHFSDJ-ing as his base burns)

Full fanfic underneath the cut! Please reblog, leave kudos on the AO3 fic slash notes/likes here on Tumblr, comment either place, and etc if you enjoy the story :D

Tango saw red.

He did! Promise!

And Tango didn’t mean that he saw red in the metaphorical way, like people often claim to when they are very angry, though, well– he supposed that interpretation wasn’t necessarily wrong either, but still! He was furious and stressed, and he was having to pierce his tongue with his fanged teeth to bite back the long string of swears threatening to escape his lips. 

Ugh, why did Grian insist that they attempt to stay PG while playing a death game?

He knew the answer, but that didn’t mean he cared for it, but Tango tried his best to not argue and abide by them anyway. It was a small price to pay to be included.

Tango was a blazeborn, and because of his heritage, his vision literally became tinted with red the more extreme his emotions became. Doc theorized that it was something related to how red his eyes were, but seeing how very few blazeborns even attempted to live a full life away from the nether and their birth Pyre, there was little information on them in the overworld, and the goat-creeper hybrid hadn’t gotten around to attempting in-depth research on blazeborn anatomy or culture before getting to know Tango.

Anger simmered violently in his stomach, threatening to boil over as he tried (and failed) to manage his stress and frustration. Everything seemed to be going wrong for him, and it was all piling up, and he wasn’t sure how much longer he could tolerate it all! His hair grew in both size and temperature as he stalked away from his murder snail and complained about the actions of others. Even while actively moving and talking, it was difficult to think clearly, difficult to focus!

The extra energy and adrenaline that pumped through his veins were the result of territorial instincts every blaze had ingrained in their code, aiding them as they protected whatever they thought of as theirs. If Tango lived his life like most other blazeborns have the last who-knows-how-long, then perhaps he could have cultivated his fury to be a mighty asset to his Pyre, likely tasked to guard a nether fortress from invaders, but that life wasn’t for him. Tango knew that for a fact, and even if he wasn’t as sure, he doubted his old Pyre would welcome him back with open arms after functionally deserting them. 

Even if they would accept his return, Tango didn’t plan to crawl back to his old Pyre and prove them right, that he would regret leaving his home. There were times where he grew uncomfortably needy, desperate for a Pyre’s connection, but he’s learned to soothe himself by seeking out his friends. They were his Pyre now, even if he hadn’t expressed such a concept to them yet. They didn’t need to know the exact reason why he was suddenly clinging to anyone who would let him after emerging from working on redstone the past two weeks.

If the involuntary response had any uses for the life he led now, he didn’t know them. All Tango could see were downsides, his genetic coding maladapted to the world he was currently living in. Whenever his emotions got the best of him, he attempted to control himself, he really did, but it wasn’t like the fragility of the overworld could handle any margin of error like the nether could. Tango struggled often to tame the fire and bloodlust within him when every fiber of his being itched– screamed– to destroy, destroy, destroy!

Such an instinct may have been a strength to his ancestors, but it wasn’t to Tango, and he learned to despise this part of himself over the years. The willpower he had to gather in order to hold himself back– to prevent himself from becoming as hot as a dying star– was astronomical, and maintaining it was sickening. 

When Tango’s vision went red, he would make senseless choices and take irrational risks, but there wasn’t much he could do. It wasn’t like he had a say in the coding of his genetics! It wasn’t his fault that he was hardwired for a much warmer climate, one where he could let off steam when it got this bad without causing irreparable damage! It wasn’t–

Do it, a voice in the back of his mind tempted. Burn bright and fierce. Show them how dangerous you really are. Make them fear you, Tango! Don’t let them view you as weak.

Tango shook his head as if to physically dismiss the thought, trying to bring himself back into the moment. If his friends were speaking to him, he wasn’t registering a thing they said. He knew that he needed to calm down, but the quickest way was to burn off steam, but it was too risky, it was too much! Too much, too much, too much–

He could accidentally hurt someone, which may have been fine if he was permitted to kill, but he wasn’t a red name yet, and he couldn’t break the rules like that without consequences, and he didn’t want the others to hate him or kick him out of the game... Tango didn’t want to lose his friends, his Pyre! He had worked too hard to get to where he was just to let it all slip through his fingers like grains of sand!

Smoke and fumes billowed off of him, unable to prevent their existence any longer. The rational part of his mind ordered him to jump into the water, to extinguish himself before this whole section of the map looked more like a meteor landing site than a base, but his body refused to obey. His body seemed to move without him consciously aware of what he was doing, and he could hear himself talking, but he couldn’t make out what he or his friends were saying. Focus, Tek! Focus!

Tango had to stay calm– try to stay calm– the normal way, even as his body was trembling with the effort. Even as he jumped around the base he hadn’t even managed to finish before someone (cough, Scar) took a flint and steel to it, attempting to outrun Tangastrapod, his snailificatior of death! Even as various snarls, growls, and irritated cries spilled out of him…

Everything was just building, building, building, and he braced for his will and spirit to finally Snap! under the pressure, and, and– it never came. 

Instead, something pleasantly cold took Tango’s hand in their hold. The contrasting sensation seemed to snap Tango out of whatever funk he had entered, the red that flooded his senses clearing up as his consciousness was fully returned to his body. Tango blinked rapidly, encouraging his eyes to focus on the owner of the cold.

“It’s okay, Tango, just breathe,” Scott instructed serenely, tone even and touch soothing. “Big breath in, deep breath out, just like that. Good job, firefly, you’re doing great. Just like that, keep going, keep focusing on breathing and the sound of my voice.”

Tango did his best to match Scott’s exaggerated breathing, though he couldn't bring himself to maintain eye contact. As the blinding irritation eased, shame and self-consciousness took its place. Tango’s gaze fell to his right palm, the hand Scott was cradling gingerly.

Using his ice abilities, Scott traced designs made of ice on his up and down Tango’s arm. Because of Tango’s abnormally high body temperature, the ice designs didn’t last long, melting and then promptly turning into steam, but Scott didn’t complain. Instead, Scott simply acted as if the evaporated ice just gave him more of a canvas, replacing the designs as soon as the previous ones dissipated.

As Tango surrendered to the tranquil and pacifying nature of his boyfriend’s chilly touch, his emotions settled and his body temperature lowered enough for the flame on his head to shrink. Tango’s code prevented his fire from charring anyone or anything under a certain degree, which is part of what made his raging emotions so hazardous to those around him. 

The ice designs Scott created began to last longer, Scott’s magic able to hold itself together against Tango’s typical range of heat. This meant that Scott’s canvas wasn’t renewing itself as fast, but that didn’t deter him. Instead, Scott expanded his canvas, trailing the artistry from Tango’s arm over his shoulder to spread the ice to his chest and then down his other arm. 

Tango may have described it like a warm hug, but, well, it was quite the opposite, and it was fantabular, just so everyone was aware of that fact. He cracked a weak smile at the silliness of his mind, but it dropped after only a heartbeat of time as embarrassment took over as his primary emotion.

He slumped forward into his boyfriend, resting his forehead against Scott’s shoulder and sighing heavily. Scott wrapped his arms around him, pulling him closer to his chest. His boyfriend was so pleasantly cold that Tango wanted nothing more than to curl up in a comfortable bed and allow Scott to small spoon him, but that wasn’t an option right now… It wouldn’t be until the games were over. They were a part of different factions, and the session was still running, meaning they couldn’t stay still much longer or those stupid jerks would catch up, even though they seemed to have moved a decent bit away from their snails.

“Thank you,” Tango murmured, breaking the quiet peace sooner than he wanted, but he had already taken enough of Scott’s time. He knew it was important to Scott to play these games fair and by the rules, and the rules instructed against outside-the-game-earned favoritism, and Tango hadn’t done anything to earn Scott’s favor since Wild Life started. With how things have been going for him and his team, Tango was sure he’s done the opposite and he doubted that would change anytime soon.

“Of course, lovebug. It’s the least I could do.” Scott continued to rub gentle circles on Tango’s back as he pressed a chaste kiss against his forehead. Void, Tango loved him. “Feeling any better?”

Tango raised his head so he could look up at his boyfriend, forever grateful that Scott loved him back. Instead of a verbal answer, Tango reached up to cup Scott’s face with both his hands, gently guiding him down a few inches so Tango could kiss him. Scott allowed Tango to take the lead with the kiss, though he pulled away before it became too deep.

“I would love to stay here and kiss you breathless,” Scott started, sneaking in the flirt with a teasing gleam in his beautiful blue eyes, “but I don’t think our snails will leave us alone for much longer. I don’t know about you, but I would love not to go down a life when I could have prevented it.”

Tango’s tail straightened in alarm, spinning on his heel to look at where Scott had glanced. As expected, Tangastropod and whatever Scott’s snail was named were crawling dangerously close to them. 

Scott interlocked Tango’s fingers with his before breaking into a mild run, pulling Tango behind him. “Come on! If they get too close, they will leap forward!”

Tango squeaked in surprise as he stumbled after his boyfriend, struggling to gain his footing at first, but he refused to let go of Scott’s hold, not yet. An amused laugh escaped Tango’s lips as he and his boyfriend ran away from their snails of death together, the humor not lost on him now that he was feeling better, and Scott joined in on his laughter, which was always music to Tango’s ears. 

Scott hadn’t magically taken away his all-consuming emotions, of course… and Tango was sure he would become victim to them again, that much was to be assumed, but, well… Scott had been there for Tango when he had needed him, when he had needed an anchor to ground him to reality and help him regain control of himself, and that was more than enough for him. Tango knew it would all be okay, as long as he had his friends, his loved ones, his Pyre by his side.

[wanderingsoftly]

I previously hypothesized about the island color wheel situation on this blog, but now having watched 2 more episodes, I have more. I originally focused too much on the type of magic that was done in each place, but it's more about how the magic works and what powers it.

There are Six Color Wheel Islands (kind of), a center location, and a Binary System represented by the black and white tethered spheres on the orrery. The opposing colors on the color wheel mirror the opposing kinds of magic found on the islands associated with the color.

Orange - Creation magic on Fire Island 2

Blue - Opposite to orange; they get their magic by killing and destroying hence Cannibal Island; also referred to as an Island of Illusion, which is interesting as you would assume that would be the opposite of truth, but I think the secret cannibalism or the faccade that magic is like it once was or can be is the illusion probably instead. She also said "an" and not "the", so it is not a proper noun kind of thing. Aabria does however mention the sky as too blue and the grass as too green, so there may be an unexplored third possible illusion if that is not just world building flare. Also an unsupported theory, but I am fairly certain the creature for this island is in fact dead. We never met it outright I don't think, and with the other murder of magical creatures, that seems a fair assumption.

Yellow - All-knowing Goat of truth. Retrieving something that was lost.

Purple - Unseen so far but if the trend matches then this is somehow built maybe on lies or the manipulation of truth or changing someone's destiny. Or on losing something even.

Green - Tad's Island. Yet to be visited, but let's go by what we know of Tad. A creature that represents the fear of the abuse of magic for power and ultimately limiting magic (like how it is weakened during the holiday special). Tad is lulled to sleep by the genuine bond between people. It also seems like Aabria is specifically (not in a railroad way necessarily, but almost pointedly) directing the players away from this island until later (the issue with the sock, the lack of magic when Tabby is told to search for Tad, and she mentions how close it is to the center island too which suggests pushing it to later possibly).

Red - St. Dotto's. Amplification magic. Over-the-top drama and very artificial seeming society. Presumably, embracing the abuse of magic? Strengthened magic? The sneak peek showing a shadow figure in the walls of the dome (and arguably Evan's general jumpiness and seemingly unprovoked improvised weapon wielding) perfectly mirroring the holiday special is of course not a coincidence. BUT, there appear to be 2 red islands: one singular one like the rest of them (directly behind and to the right of the center sphere in the picture - We'll call it Red A) and one between the binary islands (Red B). The one that has St. Dotto's is technically I believe the binary island one based on Aabria narrating that Jammer thought about K's injury and Red B flared up. Again tho, we see the creature that appears to maybe be the creature on the red color wheel tile appear in the next episode. So it is unclear if these two red islands are physically separate.

Binary System - Now this is interesting. My initial thought was a yin and yang fighting for balance sort of vibe. That is still unclear. Another theory could be the black and white orbs are some kind of policing situation and maybe the red island is especially volatile or something that is being highlighted currently by the binary to deal with some threat? A completely different theory could be that the black and white could be some sort of transportation or gateway and the red island is being accessed or highlighted specifically. A final theory is that the binary houses or represents the duality of magic and that maybe Tad and this unknown Inverse of Tad creature are battling or something and Inverse Tad is winning. (This may just be because I have an undersupported hunch that Tad is maybe dead or at least in real danger)

The Center - Aabria said "the center is where you all want to go". It's at first unclear how that is meant, as in is that a foreshadowing of a location or a mechanic of the navigation system. However she then says directly after that that Tabby "shows them these other locations", so it can be assumed it's a place on its own. The talk about the center was in direct reference to Jammer asking what does Tabby need to get back up to average. And Tabby's goal is to fit back into place with the others like him and understand the connections between the different types of magic. The center being a Tabby colored ball then makes me think that this is the place that he will fit, where all magic would be understood together (made whole), and this will probably be the finale location.

[sidsinning]

I could write an essay about how much I love my GOAT Toji seriously

Like he represents everything a jujutsu socerer shouldn't be and uses EXACTLY those traits to solo both the socerers and the curses they work so hard to exorcise

The fact that he has NO cursed energy at all, what made him worthless in the Zenin clan's eyes, was exactly what sealed all their fates in losing to him is an INSANE twist to pull

(Yes there's Maki, but she feels more like she's trying to work within the system despite her limits (like the glasses she wears to adapt), unlike Toji who is totally free due to overwhelming raw senses alone)

His introduction opened up a whole new way to see the power system of cursed energy while making complete sense with what has been established, for me at least

(I wasn't super interested in the jjk power system personally until Toji showed how its strengths can be the user's own weaknesses if exploited properly)

He is an iconic infamous stain on both the socerer world inside of JJK and to one of the most important characters which kicked off the whole plot

He EASILY solo'd the world's most powerful socerer at the time- someone who represents everything that is the opposite of himself- with base planning and strategy

Didn't break a sweat the entire time

But despite all this power he has, despite the reputation he has for his strength, despite seemingly killing the world's strongest socerer at the time- the man was a deeply depressed and jobless bum

He is not any happier before or after his assassinations are done

Feels good in the moment then he's back to his life doing nothing but gambling his money away until the next job

This man who has beaten everyone of every age and species now in the series (he said these hands are rated E for everyone) was actually a WIFE GUY

He was living a shitty life in his clan who abused and feared him but found fucking LOVE and turned his ENTIRE life around for ONE PERSON to be a normal man, even having a child with her

And after she dies he spirals into deep depression, to the point he is incapable of being a good father; he knows on some level that his mental state is so bad he couldn't take care of Megumi properly- THAT is how DEEPLY he loved this woman

HE SOLD HIM THO WHICH IS TERRIBLE

BUT AGAIN

Showing how he's shit (making money from it) but also tries in his own way (I'm too mentally fucked up so a proper family should take care of him)

Then just looking into Megumi's eyes during his zombification knocks his consciousness back into himself, showing if there was one thing he truly cared about during his final moments, it was his son

Then sacrificing his life for his son in the end without asking for anything but his name to rest in peace

BUT ALSO HE MURDERS EVERYTHING WITHOUT REMORSE LIKE?

THE JUXTAPOSITION????

Literally kills teenagers and even during his final moments and his comeback he doesn't give a shit

Like he did a crazy anime fight to kill Gojo which was brutal but still a cool magical fight to watch

Then he fucking snipes a teenage girl in the head with a gun

A plain gun

No crazy stunts

No regrets

THE GOAT? 😭

ALSO THE WAY YOU CAN TELL GEGE LOVES HIM LOL

You could easily write his zombie ass out of the Shibuya Incident Arc but the man wanted to draw him again so bad he made room for necromancer granny to kick start the GOAT's return for a hot sec

HIS FIGHTS ARE SO COOL LIKE HE DON'T GOTTA RELY ON ANY SOCERER SHIT JUST HIS HANDS AND AN INVENTORY ON HIS SHOULDER ARE ENOUGH ITS SO RAW THAT HE CAN GO HEAD TO HEAD WITH WIZARDS AS JUST A DUDE AND WIN

[letthe-skyfall]

HEY PEOPLE WHO DON'T KNOW HERMITCRAFT

[mingot-studios]

ladies, don't just leave your maga-supporting partner; KILL HIM!

[desmon1995]

The dichotomy of Fox and Luther

I think one of the weirdest things about the Warriors that even other pieces of media don't really contrast much is the unspoken compare and contrast between Fox and Luther that pops up ever so often in my head.

In the original movie, Fox actually sees Luther murder Cyrus and she basically blacks it from her mind to the point that Luther would have shot her if Cleon wouldn't have stepped in.

Within the concept album, the two are the only ones that make references to video games.

Fox introduces herself as not only the youngest, but makes a reference to the 1970s console the Magnavox and the video game The Odyssey which was one of the first RPGs.

What I really do like about this is that it just reinforces how much of a teenager Fox is but also foreshadows the immense growth that she's going to go through since most 1970s RPGs were very much create your own story types.

(ironically enough the Warriors themselves basically act as one gigantic RPG party and in Japanese RPGs it's pretty common for at least one character to die or sacrifice themselves)

Luther on the other hand predominantly talks about the 1980s video game Pac-Man where he views himself as the title character and the marginalized women he's assaulting as the ghost that need to be terminated by him.

Pac-Man as a character is characterized by his gluttony and the goal of the game is to severely cripple the ghost so that they can become devoured by him.

Ironically enough, Pac-Man is actually pretty fragile and after to hits he's done very much like Luther after everything is said and done.

Another more interesting aspect is that both Fox and Luther are based around mythological / biblical figures.

Europeans largely regarded Foxes as nuisances and within their own stories typically presented them as swindlers and more often than not as a stand-in for minorities (which is why many foxes were brutally hunted for sport).

However, indigenous Americans such as the Blackfoot tribe saw the Fox as a Creator deity that while something of a trickster, often did so to teach people lessons about the world and was said to be the embodiment of the Sun itself.

Fox is more or less all of the above because she is a marginalized woman, pretty coy at first, but ultimately ends up growing to be a guiding light for the rest of her crew to follow as she soaks in most of the lessons that Cyrus and a lot of her older peers have bestowed upon her.

Luther is obviously based around lucifer, but what many people don't know is that Lucifer is actually a Greek god specifically he's the god of the Dawn and his original role was to bring the day into night and vice versa.

It's why he's associated with light, but Europeans deemed that any figures and beans that were not a part of their theology either had to be eradicated or repurposed to fit into their very disjointed understanding of how the world works.

As such, Lucifer was merged with the the the Greek god pan (which was goat like) and that's how we have the horned goatman figure we know today.

In other words, Lucifer was colonized and turned into all things evil but eventually Europeans started to see him as some weird misunderstood necessary evil and started to embrace him and whoopify him.

I don't think I need to tell you how this relates to white supremacy because after the last election we all know that society has grown to not only tolerate but also reaffirm bigotry and White fragility.

The idea is that Luther exists because society allows them to end when confronted with what he does often makes excuses for why this is just the way things are or they just turn around and blame other factions of society.

Luther was always a character that was meant to be a product of his society and in a weird roundabout way he still is that in the concept album but is more horrifyingly real.

It's also interesting how their demise is also treated completely differently.

Fox dies a horrific death by being ran over by the station train right after she fended off her crew from Captain Victor,

Her death is the thing that allows the Warriors to escape and is meditated on not only in the same train home but during the finale.

Luther's death is off screen so he doesn't even really get to go out with the blaze like the shooting star that he thinks that he is.

I know that there are a few people that really wanted to see him get it good, but I almost feel like not giving him what he wanted is a much more satisfying conclusion

[return-of-a-space-cowboy]

🧚‍♀️ Anon

I’m currently a little stuck on ideas for Werewolf Risotto so here’s some ideas I thought about for Risotto if he was Krampus 🎄

It would be so scary and amazing, especially with Risotto, because he would be so BIG (He would be covered in black fur with white patches that look like stripes, muscular goat legs, and huge horns) and his men would be twisted, murderous versions of Santa’s pals and toys

He’s been waiting for Darling to lose her faith and hope (This is a little bit based off the Krampus movie, since I’m only familiar with some of it) as she’s always had hope and faith even as an adult but now he can finally appear after she’s been pushed so far into hopelessness by the greed, corruption and cruelty of the villagers

He and Darling met when they were children (He was either a small monster with traits of unknown origin or was a normal human but his bizarre eyes made everyone think he was a monster) and gave her a small metal Christmas bell as thanks for what she did for him with the promise to return to her to make her his bride (It has his name on it)

Darling found Risotto out in the cold with everyone turning him away because of he’s a monster/has bizarre eyes (Darling took him in, despite her not having much) as it was the worst blizzard their village has ever faced (Darling gave Risotto a place to sleep, some food and a pair of mittens)

Now in the present Darling has been slowly losing her faith in Christmas from seeing the greed in the villagers (As all they’ve been doing is taking without giving, sharing or helping each other)

Darling does volunteer work at the Orphanage and is trying to stop the villagers from taking necessities, like food away from the children and destroying the children’s innocence with their cruelty and greedily nature

Either Risotto was a human but taken in by the Original Krampus to take on his horrific legacy (Either that or die in the snow) or he was the next Krampus for being born a monster with fur, goat hooves a little nubs for horns as a child (Darling found Risotto’s nubs to be adorable)

Risotto could only be summoned if everyone loses faith, with the children slowly losing faith because of the villagers and finally Darling lost her faith in Christmas (So he and his men went through every villagers home to kill and punish them all one by one)

He was willing to allow the Orphans to be unharmed but only if Darling comes with him and agrees to become his bride

Sorry if this is jumbled and mixed around, I tend to go from one place to another then come back and have a mess for an idea (My brain works in weird ways)

You can ignore this if you want since we’re not even close to Christmas (I just wanted my idea to be shared with you since I’m going to be a little stuck thinking about some Werewolf Risotto ideas to share with you)

Here we go part one of possibly three for the Christmas special. Part 2 is almost done, just have to add some details.

Here is the source to the beauty and the beast story

Ungrateful hearts pt 1

(Yandere Krampus Risotto X Female reader)

Warnings: mentions of child abuse

You looked to the sky to see the dark clouds closing in, a blizzard from what the town's people said. You should have started making your way back but you still had to find more nuts and berries if you wanted something more to eat for the next two days before your father returned from the mines.

You could already imagine the warm stew he'd make, maybe he'd even have enough to get you both some new winter clothes.

However, until then you had to make do with what was available. So you continued searching until you noticed someone run past with the ring of a bell, hiding in the shrubbery. A child like you, you presume from their height.

You carefully approached the bush and softly pulled the branches away to reveal a boy just a little older than you but he was not quite human. A pair of horns protruded from his head and a pair of goat-like legs only just shown under the rags he wore. Tattered hair and fur a snow white, his eyes were a piercing red with black sclera.

The boy tried to run but you caught him by the wrist.

“It's ok, I won't hurt you” you tried to assure him. He looked you straight in the eye as he tried to get out of your grip.

“Liar, you'll tell everyone and they'll find me!” He hissed.

“You're afraid of me like everyone else, aren't you? I'm a monster” he continued. It broke your heart to hear him speak like that. Having a closer look you could see welts on his skin as well as a dog collar with a name tag and the bell you must have heard earlier.

You felt so sorry for him, he'd been through so much. He noticed your expression and took that as confirmation. He removed your hand and began to leave.

“a blizzard is coming in, you won't survive it” you warned him.

“And what other choice do I have?” He hissed.

“I live on the outskirts of town, no one will see you. You can stay with me for two nights before my father returns” you offered and he stopped in his tracks. He was skeptical, you could be trying to trick him. Could his master have spread the word of his escape so quickly? However he knew he wouldn't last if a blizzard was coming in so he hesitantly took your offer.

“Fine” he said.

“Thank you for trusting me, I can't let you die out there” you told him as you approached and offered him your coat and he took it greedily. It wasn't much but he needed it far more than you did.

“Let's go” you told him before taking his cold hands. You'd have to heat him up in a bath if you had time before the blizzard came in.

You both hurried out of the woods to the small cabin you lived in. You opened the door and let him in before shoving some snow into a bucket and bringing it in. The boy had quickly wrapped himself in a blanket.

“I'll light a fire, do you want something to eat?” You asked. He nodded his head so you set up a fire. You grabbed the frying pan that was hung above the fireplace before grabbing the last egg and slice of bread you had.

You sliced the bread into two pieces and cracked the egg before holding the pan over the fire. The boy was standing behind you watching it cook.

“I never asked you your name,” you said as you looked back at him.

“Risotto Nero” he told you.

“Well my name is (Y/n)”

“(Y/n)” he said your name, letting it roll off his tongue.

“Yes, (Y/n)” you affirmed before your attention returned to the pan. You flipped the bread again before leaving it to grab two plates. You plated up the toast and gave him the egg. He looked at the plate hesitantly before shoveling the food into his mouth. You had stared at him, you had never seen anyone scoff their food down like he had. He noticed you staring and stopped.

“What?” He snarled, half chewed food clearly visible in his mouth.

“You must really be hungry, I've never seen someone eat that fast” you told him. He continued eating, only after you asked him questions.

“Where did you come from?” You asked him.

“The circus” he told you with disdain evident in his tone. You'd never been to the circus before, always wanted to though from seeing all the beautiful prints in the newspaper. So why did he seem to hate it.

“What was it like there?” You asked out of curiosity.

“It's horrible. locked in a trailer, only let out when I'm forced to perform. Chained up and whipped for others amusement” he went on about how horrible it was.

You looked at him with horror, how could such a place be so cruel… and how could people watch his suffering for amusement.

🎁🎁🎁

In the night you woke up to the frantic jingling of a bell and looked to it to see in the light of the fire Risotto frantically pulling at his collar, trying so desperately to remove it.

“Risotto hold on” you told him as you got up and went to the tool box in the corner. You could feel the cold nip at your skin as the blanket slipped off of you. You rummaged through it, knowing he had something to help.

“Could you come here so I can get a better look?” You asked and he obliged. You inspected it to see a small lock on the back holding it tightly together. The leather looked too thick to effectively cut it without possibly hurting him, so instead you'd have to try lockpicking it. Luckily your father had taught you how to if you were in a bad situation.

You pulled out two thin bits of metal and told him to hold the lock in place as you fiddle with them until you feel the pins push up one by one til the lock clicked open. He began to yank on it to no avail til you pulled his hands away and undo the buckle, finally releasing him. It slid off, revealing reddened skin with layers that had been peeled away as a result of how tight the collar had been. You gasped as you saw how bad it was. He tried to scratch but you pulled his hand away.

“No, that'll only make it worse” you said before going to the medicine cabinet and grabbing a dark bottle filled with a brownish liquid and a cloth.

“This will hurt, but it should stop your wounds from getting infected” you told him as you undid the cap and poured the liquid onto a cloth.

As you dabbed his wounds he hissed while clenching his fists. He didn't know what an infection was but assumed that whatever you were doing was helping him. You wrapped up his neck and he went to sleep on the floor.

“Risotto, you can sleep on the bed with me. It's more comfortable and our body heat will get trapped under the blanket” you suggested as you patted next to you. You had been told sharing the bed with another man was only to happen after marriage but you didn't see what the issue was. This was the only bed here and how would anyone know.

He was hesitant but eventually crawled in and you both soon fell fast asleep.

🎁🎁🎁

The next morning you awoke to the boy nuzzling his head into your neck while hugging you tightly from behind. He muttered incoherently as he slept. You tried to wiggle your way out of his grasp without waking him but failed.

One arm moved away to rub his eye as he woke up. He got up and groaned. He seemed to be uncomfortable.

“Are you alright?” You asked.

“Everything feels sore… why am I sore? I've slept on the floor and been fine” he questioned.

“Oh it's probably because your body isn't used to it, I remember when we changed the mattress a few years ago my dad was complaining” you explained to him.

He decided to stare out the window, the blizzard had passed but there was far too much snow to safely leave. He didn't speak until he noticed you sitting on the mattress reading a book. Climbing onto the bed to look over your shoulder.

“What is that?” He asks.

“It's a book, it's about a girl who sacrifices her freedom to save her father. She's locked inside a castle with a beast but slowly grows to love him” you explained.

“Love?” He asks. Yet again it pained you to imagine what kind of conditions he lived in.

“It's when two people feel close with each other, they share a strong bond with one another,” you explained.

“If you want I could read the story out to you” you offered. He sat next to you and you turned back to the first page and read outloud.

🎁🎁🎁

"You are very obliging," answered Beauty, "I own I am pleased with your kindness, and when I consider that, your deformity scarce appears."

"Yes, yes," said the Beast, "my heart is good, but still I am a monster."

"Among mankind," says Beauty, "there are many that deserve that name more than you, and I prefer you, just as you are, to those, who, under a human form, hide a treacherous, corrupt, and ungrateful heart.”

You read out to him and he could only think about yesterday. Despite being a freak you had helped him. Offered him a place to stay and shared the last of your food with him. He felt indebted to you, but he couldn't stay as much as he wanted to.

"If I had sense enough," replied the Beast, "I would make a fine compliment to thank you, but I am so dull, that I can only say, I am greatly obliged to you."

Beauty ate a hearty supper, and had almost conquered her dread of the monster; but she had like to have fainted away, when he said to her, "Beauty, will you be my wife?”

“Wife?” Risotto asked you.

“Oh, when two people love each other they marry and become each other's husband and Wife” you explained.

“They live in the same house, share the same bed and share their lives with one another” you continued before returning to the book.

🎁🎁🎁

"I know your hearts, and all the malice they contain. Become two statues, but, under this transformation, still retain your reason. You shall stand before your sister's palace gate, and be it your punishment to behold her happiness; and it will not be in your power to return to your former state, until you own your faults, but I am very much afraid that you will always remain statues. Pride, anger, gluttony, and idleness are sometimes conquered, but the conversion of a malicious and envious mind is a kind of miracle."

Immediately the fairy gave a stroke with her wand, and in a moment all that were in the hall were transported into the prince's dominions. His subjects received him with joy. He married Beauty, and lived with her many years, and their happiness as it was founded on virtue was complete.

You yawned as you finally finished. It was pitch black outside. You looked to Risotto who was in a similar state to you.

“Do you think you'll ever marry anyone?” Risotto asks.

“Well I don't know anyone I would at the moment… Besides, my father tells me I am far too young to marry” you tell him.

“Then what if we married? We've already shared a bed?” He asks. You couldn't tell if what he was asking was theoretical or if he actually meant it.

“Ummm… well I'm not really sure, I think we'd need to be older before I knew for certain” you told him, and you thought that was the end of the discussion.

🎁🎁🎁

The next morning you woke up, your father would be home this evening so Risotto would leave. The snow seemed to have mostly melted, allowing safe travels once more.

When Risotto woke up you helped him get ready. Cleaning his neck and even offering him your coat.

“(Y/n)” he said as you buttoned up the coat.

“Yes?” You asked as you looked up at him.

“One day I'll come back for you, we'll get married” he told you as he put his collar in your hand. You were stunned. You didn't know what to say for a while.

“I look forward to that day” you eventually told him before he ran out into the forest.

Hours later your father came back. You ran out to greet him and he hugged you back.

“Where's your coat? You'll get a cold in this temperature” he asks.

“I lost it the other day” you lied.

“Well I guess I'll have to give you your Christmas gift early” he sighs.

[run-lamb-run]

🌘 RUN, LAMB, RUN 🌒

MASTERPOST • PROFILE CW FOR: Themes of genocide, Heavy topics, Themes of death, Murder, Familial loss, Child death

"What is Run, Lamb, Run?"

Run, Lamb, Run, or RLR, is a Cult of the Lamb based DND campaign being played by a private group of friends. This blog is to document art, shenanigans and lore.

"What is it about?"

RLR is a crossover AU between multiple friends' COTL AU's. It follows the story of a group of targeted sheep/goats on the run through the Lands of the Old Faith during the Lamb Genocide. The group of 10 is stuck on the continent once belonging to the long lost god of Death, and they must reach the gateway to freedom and escape- before it's too late.

⭐️ Who's playing? ⭐️

Glad you asked!

@canadianno - Copper, running the account, player - #Copper speaks

@sock-kaleidoscope - Sock, the DM - #Sock speaks

@bvnny-skvllz - Bunny, player - #Bunny speaks

@ditzyclown - Moron, player - #Moron speaks

@amimuu - Ami, player - #Ami speaks

[@ hidden] - Alz, player - #Alz speaks

Character Cast

Lambert - Young adult, early 20s. Has been on the run since childhood. Traveling with their daughter, Anoana. Sheep. (They/them)

Anoana - Toddler, ~3 years old. Born on the run and adopted by Lambert early on. Sheep. (She/her)

Mary - Middle aged, mid 40s. Experienced in combat, on the run with her child Azazel. Sheep. (She/her)

Azazel - Young child, ~5 years old. On the run with their mother, Mary, after losing their father. Sheep. (They/them)

Silk - Unknown age. A soldier from Silk Cradle horrified by the genocide, taking care of a lamb saved from execution. Spider. (He/him)

Little one - Young child, ~8 years old. A young lamb saved from execution by Silk, sees them as a parent. Sheep. (They/he)

Rafael - Middle aged, mid 30s. Lost his family to a village raid, been on the run since. Sheep. (He/him?)

Callum - Young adult, mid 20s. Lost family and fiancee in the genocide. Been on the run since. Goat. (He/him)

Yael - Mid teens, ~15. Traveling through the lands of the Old Faith with their half sibling, Gale. Sheep. (They/them)

Gale - Mid teens, ~16. Traveling through the lands of the Old Faith with their half sibling, Yael. Goat. (He/they)

☁️ Quick QNA! ☁️

▫️▫️▫️

"Can I join?"

No, sorry! Even if the campaign was public, we already have enough players!

"Can I send asks?"

Yes!! This is encouraged! Please send us asks, we love to answer em! Keep em SFW, though. Most of us are minors.

"Do you accept fanart?"

Absolutely, go wild. We love to see it! You have a higher likelihood of us seeing it if you tag our main accounts, listed above!

"Are we allowed to use your stat blocks?"

If we had stat blocks, I'd say yes, but we don't. We're winging it, baby!!

"How do you guys play?"

We use DND beyond, Discord voice calls, a lot of planning, and sheer fucking will!

[Divider creator credits] • Please mind the profile CWs at the beginning of the message before proceeding further.

[jollmaster]

Now I have more questions.

With the technology being delayed, how was Charlie able to advertise the sanctuary?

How was Vox able to create TVs?

What do imps look like in your universe?

What is everyone's reason for coming and staying at the sanctuary?

How can you tell who's a sinner and who's a hellborn?

How does "marriage" work in hell, like with Lucifer and his wives?

Why did Charlie have children?

I'm getting the idea that whether or not a male is present determines whether the offspring is a fully anthro demon or a less intelligent demon. Is that true?

How would Charlie go about redeeming sinners?

What do the guests think of Charlie's methods?

thank you for questions ✌️ if you have more, ask

advertising

• Charlie spread information about the sanctuary just the way people shared information before radio/TV/phones were invented, lmao

• rumors, pictures, street announcements, etc.

• besides, Charlie is one of the ruler's daughters, so her start-up was discussed by nobles and servants, and from them information went to the sinners

Vox and TV

• it was hard enough, but realistic for Vox: he had at disposal several decades, clear mind, technical education and the ability to build social connections to find help and resources

imps

• imps are the youngest among intelligent demons: descendants of spirits who ate animals' flesh

• they are often closest in type to the classic Pan/Faun, but more hairy

• appearance often depends on the region: swamp dwellers resemble frogs and amphibians, field and forest dwellers resemble goats and sheep, wasteland dwellers resemble lizards, cave dwellers resemble rats

• none of them has wings

everyone's reason

• Vega wanted to help sinners in any way she could after giving them a merciful death for three centuries, and find a quiet place

• Angel Dust escaped from contract with one of overlords (you know who) and asked in exchange for what he does best — like, you hide me, and I'll find anything you need or beat anyone (he has to be a janitor at first)

• Alastor doesn't care about redemption, — he's happy with his current lifestyle, — but he's interested in studying the nature of decay in detail, to see if the process is reversible, and to see where it ends up

• Husk just tired of the burden of years and, like Vega, wanted to find home: after losing status he would be killed in forest of self-murderers

• Niffty didn't really care as long as she was fed; she already knew Alastor (he found her on the streets of Dis and then found her a job in cannibal town), and when Alastor offered a new place, Niffty didn't even think a lot, she was used to working

• Cherri Bomb came after Angel — she was worried about him (Angel saved her when she didn't know where to go), and at first stayed only for Harvest time, but then she got used

• sir Pentious came consciously with a desire to repent and stay sane: he's close to fourth stage of decay

sinner or hellborn?

• in general, this is evident in appearance (sinners look less harmonious) and behavior, btw nothing prevents a sinner from learning to imitate local inhabitants

• another option is to look at the eyes (mortals most of all have the usual separation of round pupil and whites) and check the blood (humans' remains red)

• imps and younger demons are small in stature, roughly like hobbits in Tolkien's universe

• locals speak a different language (Yiddish/Hebrew/Vulgar Latin) and are often uninterested in modern human ones

• locals are much less care about clothes and don't feel vulnerable being undressed; sinners tend to try to dress up

concept of marriage

• marriage in the underworld works without sanctification and priests, and it's based on a common arrangement/business/land ownership/children; as a result, marriage for them is something between bargain, friendship and affection

• Charlie was going to start a family with Seviathan because of his nobility and wealth, but eventually changed her mind because she was afraid to have children with marine creature

• accordingly, polygamy isn't demonized (mostly it's the prerogative of the rich or nobility, but isn't forbidden for anyone); also they don't have anything against free relationship, marriages between relatives and so-called divorce if your spouse doesn't suit you

• Lucifer's case is a manifestation of status: he can afford several wives (besides, four is a sacred number), but prefers Lilith among them

why did Charlie have children?

• Charlie has them because she loves children, wanted children and could have them, that's all

• she makes no distinction between children and unintelligent inferior demons, goats are just as precious to her as normal babies

male precense and children

• yes, that's right: having a father adds diversity to the genes and allows for more developed offspring (roughly like honeybees)

• so female demon can have both full-fledged children and spirits/animals

Charlie redeems sinners

• at first, Charlie didn't intend to redeem sinners at all: she just wanted to keep them safe from exorcists, to calm down and call for the best in souls

• she came to the idea of redemption a little later, when she noticed positive changes in the psyche and recovery of memory in some of charges

what do the guests thinks of Charlie's methods?

• at first they think Charlie is a hypocrite

• then they think she's just stupid and crazy

• eventually they see her as a savior