#naga!luka

[verfound]

FIC: Sit a Spell (MLB; Lukanette; Winters)

Characters/Pairings: Naga!Luka Couffaine, Witch!Marinette Dupain-Cheng; Luka Couffaine/Marinette Dupain-Cheng

Rating: General Audiences

Summary: Marinette comes home to find her new housemate sitting outside.  Luka’s just glad to see his mate safely home.

Author’s Notes/Warnings: Set during their first autumn, shortly after Luka’s moved in.  Early in his brumation, before he’s sleeping all the time.  Winters is kind of my comfort series?  I have actual stories and plot planned out for this ‘verse, but every now and then I just need to come back and do something short and fluffy for my own sanity.

“Sit a Spell”

“What are you doing out here?”

Luka looked up and smiled when he saw his little witch – his mate – walking up the path to her…their little cottage.  The tip of his tail flicked almost subconsciously, a sign of his pleasure at seeing her safely home, and she grinned when she noticed it.

“Aren’t you cold?” she asked once she was closer, her eyes glancing down at his bare chest.  He noticed the way they lingered – her gazes had been lingering more and more lately – and his tail swished again.  Her cheeks were pink when her eyes lifted back to his own.

The pinking wasn’t new, not for a while now, but he’d be lying if he said he didn’t enjoy it.  There was a little thrill that raced through him every time he saw that lovely color fill her cheeks.  He’d found himself wondering lately how far he could make that blush go, and how lovely it might look…

…but those were thoughts for later, when the cold wasn’t creeping in and his body wasn’t so damnably slow.

[miharuki]

𝖁𝖊𝖒𝖔𝖒𝖔𝖚𝖘 𝕾𝖓𝖆𝖐𝖊 𝕷𝖚𝖐𝖆

Ruki note: I had this weird idea while writing another imagine, cobra luka, gender neutral reader (gender not specified) au miraculpus

It was just a few days of vacation at a camp with your friends. The forest was very beautiful, especially at night, with the most stunning waterfall you had just discovered. You were eager to take a dip, but it would take too long to return to the camp to fetch your swimsuit, and it was hot that night, so why not?

On a whim, you took off your clothes and left them on a rock in the grass to keep them clean, and you jumped into the water. You were thinking that you would come back here with your friends the next day to enjoy the waterfall's good water.

You were having so much fun, marveling at how the moonlight illuminated the scene so well, that you didn’t notice something brushing against your feet—something scaly. Looking at the water, you saw the tail of a snake slithering between your feet. Turning to sense the presence behind you, you froze in terror when that thing appeared—a huge blue snake with hypnotic eyes.

Turning to run from the giant snake, you felt your wrist being pulled back. Turning around, you saw a young man where the snake had been. The snake had vanished, and the only thing there was the young man with black hair tipped with blue and those hypnotic eyes.

You snapped back to reality when pain struck you. Looking down, you saw the boy biting your wrist. Pulling your wrist away quickly, you held it against your chest, and with the throbbing pain, you ran, grabbing your clothes and sprinting back to the camp. You stopped briefly to put them on before running back to the camp, glancing at your wrist and noticing the two puncture wounds from the fangs. You didn’t realize how close you were until you were near the campfire.

You turned to look back, thinking the boy might have followed you, which made your friend Alya find it strange. “Did something happen, (name)?” Alya asked, looking at you with confusion, noticing you were scared and wet. “I-I had a—” You could barely speak, and realizing this, Alya got up from her place on the log and walked up to you, grabbing your shoulders and pushing you to sit on the log as you looked like you might fall or faint at any moment. “Breathe, what happened to you?” Holding your wrist, you took a deep breath before finally letting it out and looking at the girl in front of you. “I found a waterfall and decided to go in. There was a snake there, but then it changed. I tried to leave, but it turned into a boy, and then he—”

“Calm down! You’re talking too fast!” Alya said, resting her hand on your shoulder, noticing you were trembling. “What happened?” You showed your wrist to the girl, with the snake bite. “A snake, a boy, I don’t know what it was, but it bit me!” you said, almost shouting, with Alya finally noticing the seriousness of the situation. “Oh my God! I’m going to call the others. Who knows if it was poisonous,” Alya said, as she stood up and ran out, leaving you with your hand outstretched toward her. “Don’t leave me here!” It was too late; Alya was out of sight, and you were alone. Whether the snake was poisonous or deadly, you didn’t know, but you knew it had some effect since you were starting to feel strange. You began to hear a very faint humming, as if your friends were approaching and you could hear their voices, but it was becoming background noise as you focused on the melody. With your vision blurring, you turned to see where the melody was coming from and saw, from a distance in the forest, the same young man, identifiable mainly by his cyan blue eyes that shone among the dark foliage.

You couldn’t even hear your friends calling you from afar, not when you heard that boy whispering something. “Come with me,” he said, and you began to stand up. With your vision still blurry, it seemed that the only thing you could see clearly was that boy, the same boy from the waterfall, who seemed somehow so attractive. Your feet began to follow him slowly, watching him raise his hand as if wanting you to take it. Your friends' voices were so faint and distant, even though they were almost at the camp. All you could hear was the boy's voice drawing you closer, closer, but before you could lift your hand and touch his, something happened.

[mc-lukanette]

Marinette allowed Luka to lead her through the forest, his tiny hand holding her even tinier one. Looking down, she could admire the black of his nails, wishing she could match him yet knowing that her mother would tell her it's "impractical," whatever that word meant.

But that was okay. Having met Luka around a year ago, she was just happy to spend time with him and go on whatever adventures they could get away with in their childhood. His grip was unwavering and, despite its gentleness, she truly felt as if no one could pull her away from him if they tried.

Her feet were a little unsteady as they walked, but he went slow enough that it didn't hinder either of them. Whether he did it on purpose or not, she was thankful for him, only having a bully back at home to deal with rather than any kind of friends.

"Almost there," Luka announced, though quiet enough that it might've been him muttering to himself rather than her. There was a tinge of excitement she could detect in his voice, a sure sign that he'd been anticipating this just as much as her.

The forest was so thick and the trees were so tall that barely any light could show through the leaves. Anywhere patches of sun did show through, tiny flowers were growing, and the two of them slowed or changed course so as to not to step on them even if it made the trip longer.

But finally, Marinette saw light coming from the gaps between the tree trunks, her pace picking up eagerly.

She initially flinched when her eyes had to adjust to the light, but that was how she knew they'd arrived. A village, right in the middle of festivities, laid itself out in front of them, people walking around and talking amongst themselves without batting an eye at them. Fairy lights - which she understood as a magical form of light that grew brighter the closer to nighttime it got - were strewn about everywhere, only giving off a faint shimmer in the pinkish, purplish tint of the afternoon.

"Luka!" she exclaimed in a hush whisper, shaking his arm. "It worked! You did it!"

He beamed at her. "You did it too. Our clothes would look weird if you didn't."

She blushed at the praise, unconsciously gripping his arm tight. Where she'd come from, the types of clothes they'd needed would've been entirely worthless, so it was rare to hear anyone praise her knowledge (as much knowledge as a child could absorb anyway) on the subject. She was simply fascinated by such attire and went through all the necessary research to make sure they'd blend right in.

Coming during festivities was intentional, as everyone would be too busy having fun to pay attention to them. It was also a good excuse for Luka not to have to dye the blue highlights in his hair black, which Marinette insisted he shouldn't have to because they were too pretty to hide. There, highlights in one's hair were just seen as a fun, colorful, and temporary thing to do for the festival.

In other words, they were just two kids wandering through a village like they belonged there, and no one would concern themselves with them unless they appeared truly lost. Marinette involuntarily puffed her chest out, wanting to appear confident in the face of any curious eyes.

Luka giggled next to her, imitating the pose. "Where do you wanna go?"

"Hm?" She glanced at him, then their surroundings. Dodging people would be difficult given their heights in comparison to adults, but she suspected that would change as the day progressed. Furthermore, while the villagers were clearly taken by the festival, she was taken by everything, having never been in such a place before.

Grinning, she said only half-jokingly, "Everywhere!"

—————

Playing by ear, as Luka might've put it, 'everywhere' started with a stand that seemed to be boasting about some sort of game: a typical choice for children, but very new for them. The person behind it was highly enthusiastic, waving at anyone who even glanced their way. It was funny, so they were drawn to it.

"Hey there, boy and girl!" the person greeted with a clap of their hands. "Do one of you want to play? Every customer's first game is free, and if you win then you get anything here as a prize!"

Behind them were shelves lined with handcrafted plushies, pillows, and tiny wooden figurines. Marinette turned to Luka to check his interest, but he looked oddly unimpressed with the display.

Still wanting to try anyway, Marinette climbed up onto the stool in front of the stand and bopped the counter with both hands. "I'll play! Um, how do I play?"

The person smiled, pulling out a few cards shaped like leaves and placing them upside-down along the counter, muttering something as they went. Behind them, Marinette took in the main attraction that she assumed must be the "game": a fake tree that had six "levels," each level designated by a single hole with a branch coming out the bottom of it. She blinked, wondering what the connection was, then looked down at the cards and noticed that there were also six of them.

Touching one experimentally, it didn't move but flashed orange and let out an awful (albeit brief) noise. She scrunched her nose up in displeasure, reminded of the sound of her bully's whining.

"My little friend can explain the rest," the person behind the stand added, looking over at the tree.

One of the holes on the lower half flashed green, a small fairy emerging from it and landing gracefully on the branch. They bowed, waving to their captivated audience of two and explaining, "We'll give you one minute to play. I'll be hiding in the tree and pop out of each hole at random to stand on the branch. You need to touch the card that matches it when that happens."

Marinette remembered then that the hole the fairy had come out of was green. Staring at it, it was the third hole from the bottom, and the card that flashed orange was second to the left. It must've been like a rainbow: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple. The cards hadn't actually been leaves either, they were shaped like the fairy's wings.

The fairy smiled knowingly at her understanding of the game. "I'll go slow for the first thirty seconds, but don't expect me to go easy on you after that just because you're a child."

She pouted, leaning forward in determination with her hands hovering over the cards. The fairy slipped back into the game's tree and the person nearby raised a hand, a wordless gesture to tell her to prepare.

"Ready?" they asked. At her nod, they counted down, "Three... two... one... go!"

They threw their hand down and the fairy immediately popped out from the hole that flashed yellow. Marinette followed by smacking the third card, which let out a pleasant 'ding' noise this time rather than a bad one. When the fairy slipped back in, it took a few seconds before they popped out of another hole, this time blue. Marinette hit the second-to-last card that time.

The game went on like that as the fairy had promised, a consistent rhythm of them popping out for a second, disappearing, and popping out somewhere else. She followed their movements easily enough, going from green to red to purple and then green again.

So far, so good. With each affirming 'ding', a strip of color was added to the fairies wings, corresponding with the color of the hole they'd left.

Then, the thirty seconds passed and things started to speed up. The fairy wasn't waiting as long this time whenever they went back inside the tree, so Marinette had to be quicker with her taps. It was also a little more tricky as it wasn't guaranteed to be a different color anymore: sometimes she had to hit orange twice in a row.

Despite Luka's disinterest in the prizes, she could feel his interest in her playing. His eyes never left the cards under her hands and she was starting to feel the pressure. She really wanted to win and impress him.

Ten seconds left. The fairy wasn't messing around anymore and the timing became more erratic. They barely popped out at all before going back in and Marinette was expected to know where the cards were now, no longer having the time to look down at them to check.

Orange, purple, green, green, and then green again. Red, blue, orange—!

Marinette's hand flew up in the air in shock as the unpleasant whine signified a failure. She blinked rapidly, needing a second to realize what had happened: that, in her panic, she hit yellow instead.

The holes all flashed at once, then slowly dimmed with a fading whirring noise to signify the end of the game. She'd lost, and even worse was that she could see the colored strips along the fairy's wings as they emerged to perch on one of the branches. All the colors she had tapped went along the whole of the wings - disregarding how tacky it looked - barring the very end, which was just barely uncolored.

"You did your best, kid," the person at the stand complimented, leaning on the counter. They appeared genuinely impressed. "I don't think anyone here has gotten as far as you on their first try. Do you want to go again?"

Marinette's competitive side wanted to push for another round, but she didn't have that much money on her. It seemed like such a waste to use it up on something she might not win.

"...No," she replied reluctantly, the frown evident in her voice. She hopped down from the stool, disappointed, but a clattering noise from that same stool made her look back.

Luka had gotten up onto it, raising a hand and insisting, "I want a try."

That was weird to her. It made sense for him to watch her play, but not for him to play if he didn't even want any prizes. Granted, if the first try was always free, there at least wasn't any harm in trying either.

The fairy fluttered their wings, the strips of color evaporating off as if they'd never been there in the first place, then they happily slipped back into the nearest hole. Marinette watched on curiously as the countdown was repeated, wanting to see how well her best friend would do.

The game began, Luka watching each hole carefully and looking down when he needed to. Red, green, yellow, all carefully tapped as he kept his focus on the fairy. Normally, Luka wasn't as good with games as she was, but Marinette supposed he could've been playing just to play. Maybe it looked like fun.

Thirty seconds passed by successfully, meaning it was time to speed up again. Much to Marinette's surprise, Luka dropped his eyes fully to the cards on the counter, no longer looking at the fairy anymore. That, reasonably speaking, seemed in every way a losing strategy, but the first tap Luka made went off cleanly.

Then the second, then the third, and before long she realized that whatever he was doing was working. Purple, blue, yellow, yellow, orange, and he wasn't even breaking a sweat. Marinette gripped the counter in anticipation, unable to count the exact seconds but feeling the time pass in the back of her head.

She got on her tiptoes, wanting to cheer him on but afraid of throwing him off if she did. Her ankles ached from the awkward position, but she didn't even notice in the heat of the moment.

He was getting close to where she'd been, which could be gauged by the fairy picking up their pace. Marinette watched the cards light up under Luka's touches, seeing the hole of the tree flash right before it out of the corner of her eyes. She felt so tense that it was almost like she was the one playing, and she wondered if that was what it was like for Luka watching her earlier.

The one difference was that, with one, final tap on the blue card, he beat the game. She gasped, watching the final flash of the tree as the fairy flew out with strips of color going all along their wings, signifying his victory.

The person behind the stand staggered backwards, putting a hand to their chest in awe. "Wow! Congratulations! You did great!"

The fairy even clapped for him, nodding along to the praise.

Luka didn't particularly acknowledge the victory until Marinette awkwardly hopped up onto one of the horizontal pieces on the lower part of the stool, squeezing Luka in celebration. "That was so cool!"

He had to lean away to avoid the stool toppling over, but he happily returned the hug with one arm. "Thanks, but I got it from seeing you play first."

"Then we both got it!" she corrected. She didn't know if he was telling the truth, but she wouldn't complain if it joined the two of them together in some way.

The person at the stand gave them a few more seconds to themselves, then gestured at the shelves behind them to ask, "So? What kind of prize do you want?"

Luka narrowed his eyes at the prizes, looking all over without committing to any of them. It was taking him longer to pick something than it did for him to play, but slowly, his gaze dropped down and he pointed with his free arm. "That."

Marinette squinted, leaning forward a bit, and saw what he'd requested when the person raised their arm up confusedly. On their wrist was a spiral bracelet wrapping around half their forearm in the colors of the rainbow.

"This?" They waved him off. "This isn't one of our prizes. Those are on the shelves back there."

They jabbed a thumb behind them, but Luka wasn't deterred. "You said we could have anything here as a prize."

"...Ah—?"

They were baffled, then jerked their head towards their fairy companion, who'd suddenly burst into laughter at what was going on.

"Aw, just give it to him!" they said, wings fluttering in tune with their giggles. "He just won a second time against us with that!"

The person snorted, having not expected any of this today, but relented and slipped the bracelet off. "Alright, you little sneak. A deal's a deal."

Luka accepted the bracelet, giving it a final look before holding it out to Marinette. With a soft smile, he said, "Here."

"Oooo~" Keeping one arm around him, she held the bracelet up to the sky with the other, watching the colors shift depending on how the light was hitting it. "It's neat!"

She went to hand it back to him, but Luka's hand had dropped into his lap, curled into a fist so she couldn't. A beat of silence passed, which is how long she'd needed for it to click with her.

"W-wha—" She let go of him, losing her balance on the stool. The drop wasn't at all high, so her feet hit the ground without a stumble. "But why?"

He cast a glance at the shelves. "You can't take any of those home."

So he'd thought about giving her a gift all along? That's why he looked at the shelves like that? And that wasn't even what she meant!

"But..." She stopped short, staring down at the bracelet again and running her fingers over its surface. She'd already been planning to get Luka something anyway, and she had wanted a souvenir from her experience there. Wouldn't the souvenir being from Luka make it all the more special?

Wordlessly, she accepted the gift by putting it on herself. It was too large for her own arm, so she slipped it onto one of her legs instead, wiggling the leg experimentally to make sure it wouldn't fall off. By the time she'd confirmed it, Luka had hopped off the stool so they could continue on their way.

Holding his hand so as to not get lost (one of the few lessons from her parents that she was actually following at the moment), she walked alongside him and asked, "How'd you do that anyway?"

He gave her a curious glance, clueless.

"What you did!" She waved back at the stand. "You beat it without looking!"

"Mmm..." He tilted his head. "But I heard it."

"Huh?"

He made a flapping motion with his free hand. "I heard the wings echoing in the tree, and they stopped when they got to a hole."

He could hear the wings flapping in the tree and know which hole the fairy would come out of from the way he heard it echo and stop?!

Marinette exhaled in disbelief, leaning against him. "But you're my best friend, so I already thought you were the best!" Looking up at him, she genuinely asked, "Does that make you my best best friend now?"

Luka let out a small noise, covering his mouth in a rare show of embarrassment. "It was just a game."

"No it wasn't! 'Cause you won it for me!"

He relented to her point after enough pressing.

—————

Marinette totally, definitely hadn't been searching for one, but one of their next stops was a store that just so happened to have toys in the window. There was a sound of a bell as they walked in and she peered up at it, wondering if someone must've hung it there as a prank to annoy whoever worked there.

Regardless, she had a mission and dismissed the thought to eye the store. Her grip on Luka's hand tightened in determination, but then she noted that she wouldn't be able to secretly buy him anything if she clung to him. She'd even need her other hand to properly inspect the quality of whatever she was buying.

"I'm gonna go over here," she told him, letting go of him to point in a random direction.

"Okay." He nodded, immediately heading there and misinterpreting her entirely.

"A-ah, wait, wait!" She hurried to get in front of him and pressed against his chest with her hands to stop him. "I mean, we should play hide-and-seek, so I'll go over there to count!"

He stared at her, then looked around as she had done earlier, though for very different reasons. Thankfully, the store was big enough, having more than enough shelves, clothing racks, and random objects to either hide around or hide behind. She even saw a few plushes even bigger than her that would make for a good hiding place, though she questioned how a giant would fit into the store to buy one.

"I'll go hide," Luka agreed after an agonizing few seconds. He turned away, getting ready to walk, but stopped to look over his shoulder at her in confusion.

Right, she needed to go count.

Marinette headed off in the direction she'd pointed to, trying not to be obvious about staring at the things she passed on the way. Some of them were candy and snacks, but she didn't want to give Luka anything that wouldn't last. She didn't want to buy him any of the children's books either, because if they were called children's books then that meant it wouldn't be a gift for him when he wasn't a child anymore.

For the time being, she squatted down at the edge of one of the many shelves and covered her eyes, making due on the lie by counting aloud. Faintly, she could hear Luka's footsteps getting further away, straining her ears to hear them over her own voice until she was certain he was far enough from her.

By then, she carefully trailed off her counting until there was nothing but silence, freeing her to stand up and start exploring for a gift. If Luka saw her before he found a hiding spot, she could always claim that she never said how long she would count for.

Finding a balance between eyeing the toys she saw and looking out for anything dangerously Luka-colored, she went down an aisle at a time. Occasionally, she would stop to pick something up, like a pair of two squishy ladybugs forming a ball together, or a slug that made a funny clicking sound when she wiggled it, but nothing was calling to her as a gift for him. She knew Luka was a sweetheart and would like anything offered to him, but that wasn't a reason to not try.

As she tried to imagine what a "perfect gift" for Luka would even be like, she caught sight of something pink and blue on one of the shelves. She hurried over and, while she was briefly disappointed that it was only the back of the packaging that was blue, the pink color screamed her which made it serve as a good reminder of who this potential gift to Luka came from.

It was a clam shell. Marinette ran her fingertip along the ridges and noted that there was a little clip or force of some kind keeping it shut. It opened with a little effort, but nothing was inside; according to the advertisement, it was made to hold something, though didn't specify what.

Luka was someone who could use something to hold things. Eyeing the inside of the clam, she saw that there were even little slits that he could perhaps use for guitar picks. That might not've been the intention of the maker had in mind when they designed such a thing, but they didn't specify beyond "something," and guitar picks would be multiple somethings! Genius!

Taking the clam off the shelf, she ran through the store as fast as her little legs would carry her. She almost tripped and went face-first into the floor, but the sheer importance of the moment kept her upright.

Understanding enough about stores to know that she had to go to the cashier, she took one last wary look for any sign of Luka before handing them the clam. Reaching into her pocket, she pulled out the few coins she had, which were gathered meticulously over many days on the beach. She still recalled waiting for everyone to leave so she could look for coins they may have dropped, wanting to be ready in case something like this ever happened.

Giving them up to the cashier, they confirmed the price of the clam and returned it to her, as well as a single coin. The packaging had been taken off at her request, so she could fully take in the sight of the little storage clam and the nice weight it had.

Thankful for the deep pockets in the jacket she had, she slipped it inside, doubly thankful that the poofy design allowed for the clam's bulk to not be that noticeable. Then, with all that checked and confirmed, she set off to look for Luka.

By her estimation, it hadn't been that long since their game had started and she'd kept her eyes out for him the whole time, so she felt good about him not being suspicious that she'd been up to anything. Grinning to herself, she daydreamed about his potential reaction while searching for him between shelves and behind the giant plushies.

Tauntingly, she raised a hand to the side of her mouth and called, "Luuuuka~" She looked left, then right. "I'm gonna find y—"

She stopped when a rustling noise caught her attention, her focus shifting to one of the circular clothing racks that had fancy festival wear. Two pieces of clothing were pushed aside, Luka slowly stepping out from the gap he made.

Marinette blinked. They made eye contact and he froze halfway out of his hiding spot, a few confused seconds passing by before they both realized what happened.

He was so used to coming to her when she called his name that he did so without thinking.

Luka bowed his head, ashamed of having ruined their game. "Sorry."

Giggling, Marinette made her way over to him and snatched up his hand. It made her happy, knowing that they could both act silly together. "It's okay! My hand was lonely anyway!"

It wasn't a lie even if she'd planned to return to him casually. Things just felt better when he was around and she hadn't wanted to separate in the first place.

—————

Even over the hustle and bustle of the crowd as the afternoon began to transition to evening, Marinette could still hear the grumbling of Luka's stomach. She stopped, eyeing the source of the sound, and Luka turned to look at her.

"What?"

"Ah... I'm hungry," she told him. "Can we eat?"

An actual lie that time, but she'd been down this road before to know that it was necessary. They'd gotten into loops enough times of noticing that the other was hungry, the other insisting not to worry about it, and back and forth until finally they both decided to eat together. In retrospect, Luka may have given the same lie to her in the past.

It just seemed like such a waste to miss out on potential playtime to eat, but at least now they could have food they hadn't tried before.

Luka agreed, so they set about finding something they wanted. There were plenty of people down the streets waving around food and shouting out what she presumed was the name of it, but the two of them couldn't really make sense of it. Food there was so different from what they were used to that they probably wouldn't recognize anything anyway.

They debated on whether they should risk their money on chance, but then they heard the familiar word "blueberry" and looked over. Luka was a forest dweller and often brought Marinette fruit that he picked, so they both knew what those were.

In the woman's hands, however, were tiny round things that Marinette didn't recognize. They were closer to baby blue than the dark purplish-blue she was used to on blueberries, which confused her brain entirely as they did smell like blueberries. At Luka's asking, the woman listed off a few rough ingredients and the general process of baking them, but it all sounded like random words mashed together barring "blueberries" and "eggs."

"Here." She put her handful of treats back in the container she had them in, pulling out one in each hand and offering it to them. "Cuties like you can have one for free as a taste test."

Marinette exchanged a glance with Luka. She wasn't sure what the criteria was that the lady was using, but she could agree that he was cute: calm, quiet, and always with something sweet to say whenever he did speak.

"Okay," Marinette began, only to not take the one offered to her and point at Luka instead, "but Luka has to give it to me."

He didn't ask why, accepting both treats and holding one up to her mouth. Catching the woman's confused stare on her, Marinette felt compelled to explain anyway.

"My maman and papa told me not to take sweets from strangers, but Luka's not a stranger."

With that, she opened her mouth and let Luka slip the treat in at the same time he fed himself. The taste of blueberry filled her mouth as she bit down, the treat so tiny that she could only bite a few times before it was largely crumbs. The outside had been crisp, but inside it was soft and a little chewy, her tongue getting the full force of the fruit she would still insist it didn't look like.

She put a hand to her lips, letting out a tiny, pleased noise at the flavor, and heard something similar from Luka. It was an easy choice from there to buy it, though she already imagined that the single coin she had wouldn't buy much.

Luka, on the other hand, still had coins of his own. While she'd found hers on the beach, he sometimes found some that forest visitors had dropped, or those snatched up by birds and placed in nests for their shine. He bought enough that the both of them would've struggled to hold them even if they used both of their hands, but the woman settled the two piles onto edible pink paper for them, neatly crimped and folded so as to contain them well.

Walking off with the treats, they found a quiet place to sit and got to eating. Marinette imagined that her parents might have complained about her eating so much of something sweet, but it had fruit in it and it was a "treat" day anyway. They deserved to spoil themselves instead of thinking about such things.

"Why do all kids like sweet stuff?" she wondered aloud. "Some adults do too."

Luka hummed, not able to answer at first when his mouth was full. He swallowed, then guessed, "Maybe they have a spell on 'em?"

She looked down, eyes narrowed in suspicion as she poked the top of the pile. Nothing happened, at least beyond the treats moving from the little push. "All sweets? Do they wanna be eaten that bad?"

He shrugged, still mulling it over, and she took the time to shove a palmful into her mouth.

"What if we have the spell?" he suggested. "So it's not the sweets, and sometimes the spell goes away when we grow up?"

"So we're cursed when we get born?" She nodded along, invested in the hot new theory he just dropped. "I bet your mom could cure us. She's good with magic and potions."

"Mm." He stopped eating to consider that, lightly prodding and moving around the treats he still had, then countered, "But it'd be sad not to like these anymore."

"Yeah," she solemnly agreed. That was the trick of such a curse, she supposed, because why would someone want to take away how good sweets tasted?

The conversation lulled off as they dedicated themselves to enjoying the treats, cursed or otherwise. Marinette even tore a corner of the paper to taste, noting the strawberry undertones, and got an idea. With just a few, precious blueberry bites left, she curled the paper around them and shoved the whole thing directly into her mouth, flooding it with the taste of both berries at once.

Luka was wide-eyed at the motion, but not in any negative way. Rather, he thought it was an amazing idea and went about imitating her, slightly clumsier with curling the paper but it didn't affect the taste.

With any hunger satiated, they dusted off their hands like they'd done a hard day's work, then returned to enjoying the festivities.

—————

Neither of them were used to walking for so long. Knowing that, it was inevitable that their legs would start to tire, but the two of them had left it as a problem for their future selves.

Except now, though thankfully late in their adventure, the future had arrived and they reluctantly accepted that they had to rest. They searched for a quiet place where few people would be and settled on a library, having not even realized how much it was to deal with the crowd of people outside until they were away from it all.

A single librarian stood behind the front desk, idly sorting things they couldn't quite see. On the corner of the desk was a container of candy, either bribing material or congratulatory rewards for kids to read more, but they ignored them to traverse the rest of the library.

The rows of bookshelves almost felt like a maze of knowledge, but they eventually made it to a comfy little spot in a corner. There was a table, chairs, and a few books that were either abandoned or recommended for those who may've come by. Curious, Marinette grabbed one of the books to look at, but scowled when the cover showed blond hair that looked all too similar to her bully's.

Definitely abandoned books.

Luka was tired enough that he didn't even bother pulling out one of the chairs to sit on, opting to plop down on the floor and lean against the wall. Sympathetic, Marinette left the book re-abandoned on the table and went over to kneel at his side.

"You should sleep if you're tired," she encouraged.

He yawned, though tried to hide it with his hands. "There's a lot we didn't do yet."

She tapped her chin in thought. "Well... we didn't sleep yet? I can read you a story too."

Before he could answer, she pushed herself up and walked away to a small rack of more child-friendly books than the ones on the table. Their thinness made it perfect for her hands to hold comfortably, and she returned to Luka with a smile.

Then, considering something, she put the book down on Luka's lap and retrieved the heavier book she'd hated from the table. Dropping it next to their little spot, she sat down next to him and picked the thinner book back up.

"This one's to read," she explained, then pointed to the one she'd dropped. "That's for keeping you safe if anyone tries to wake you up."

He giggled at the exaggerated motion she made of whacking someone with the book. "I thought books were for learning things."

It was playful, but Marinette huffed and replied anyway, "They'll learn not to wake you up."

And that was that. She leaned against the wall with him, their bodies bumping together comfortably as she opened the book to the first page. Her ability to read aloud wasn't perfect and she stumbled on a couple words she'd seen but never spoken before, yet Luka didn't complain.

Eventually, she felt him relax against her, looking over to see that his eyes were shut and his breathing had slowed. She debated with herself on continuing to read, but the book didn't seem as fun when they weren't looking at it together.

Her eyelids drooped, the letters blurring as the sleepiness started to take her too. She had promised to protect Luka while he napped, but she could already hear his voice in her head, telling her that she couldn't protect him if she didn't protect herself first.

Making a compromise with herself, she turned further towards him, settling the book on his lap and placing her hands atop it. His scent was familiar as she snuggled against him and, if she really focused on it, she could still smell the flowers they had picked and put on each other the other day.

The scent on her, unfortunately, had probably washed off by then, but that was fine. They still had the memories even if the scent didn't linger, and that thought lulled her fully into secure slumber.

—————

"Hey... hey there, come on," a gentle, deep voice said. "Wake up."

Marinette whined, glaring off at nothing as she slowly opened her eyes, then lifted her head up towards the source of the wake-up call. It was the librarian, who looked worriedly down at the both of them, just out of whacking distance.

"I wanted to let you two sleep, but it's getting late," he told her. "Aren't your parents worried about you?"

Honestly? Probably not. Her parents were nice but didn't have much of a hands-on approach - probably assumed she lost track of time somewhere - whereas Luka's mom was fully aware where they were and what they were doing. She looked outside to get an estimate of the time, the fairy lights hung just outside the window glowing as bright as ever.

Because it was as late as ever.

Marinette jolted, eyes wide open as she turned to Luka. She didn't even have time to wonder if she'd have to whack herself for trying to wake him, too panicked as she grabbed his shoulder and gave him a shake.

"Luka! Luka, Luka!"

He groaned as he stirred from her efforts. His body was sluggish and might've fallen over had she not had a firm grip on him. "M-Marinette...?"

"It's late!" she cried out. "Late late!"

He blinked slowly at her, because normally it being "late late" wouldn't be a concern for either of them. However, his brain finally caught up and he became wide awake in an instant, pushing himself to his feet as the book fell from his lap to the floor. "We have to go!"

"Yeah!" She hurriedly gathered the two books to set them on the table, barely giving the librarian a "thank you" before her hand grabbed Luka's and they were off. The little corner they'd taken minutes to find after coming in through the front door took only seconds to backtrack from, the two of them working as a tiny unit to force the door open as fast as possible with their free hands.

Ignoring any glances they might've gotten from adults, they ran around and past anyone they could. Occasionally, they might've bumped something or someone, taking up more space from being side-by-side as they were, but their grip on each other was solid and they refused to let go of each other even for convenience.

Before long, they headed back into the forest, Marinette allowing Luka to lead since he was the one who knew the way. Swerving around trees and ducking under branches, it was clear that he was trying to take the quickest route possible.

It was hard to gauge the time anymore, the moon completely out of sight due to the vast foliage above them. Still, Marinette could catch them smell of the ocean, so she felt they could still make it before—

"Ah—!"

She fell forward, Luka stumbling along with her as they both hit the ground. She raised her head to apologize, certain that her legs had finally given out, but then she looked behind her.

In place of her legs was her mermaid tail, bright pink and shimmering like it'd never left. The only evidence that she'd gone to a human village at all was the bracelet she'd put on, which nicely fit right above the fins at the end. She turned her head back to Luka and, sure enough, his naga tail had come back as well.

There was only one conclusion to draw: that the potions his mother had given them had worn off. She groaned, mentally cursing her luck that they'd turned back just before they got to the ocean. To Luka, it was hardly a problem so long as they were out of the village where they could no longer be seen, but not so much with Marinette.

She wiggled her tail and tried to push herself up, but to no avail. She couldn't move on land like he did, only awkwardly crawl or drag herself.

"Marinette," Luka called, fretting. He looked her over worriedly for injuries and reached for her arm when he found none. "Here, hold onto me."

She pouted as he helped her up and guided her hand to his shoulder. "I'm gonna be heavy."

"Nu-uh," he huffed, like it was a personal offense to him if he couldn't lift her.

Slowly, she slipped both of her arms around his neck while he grabbed her waist, straightening up and reorienting the both of them. He kept one hand at her back, the other supporting her tail so they could continue on their way.

She still protested, but he didn't complain, grunt, or show any signs that he was bothered on their way back to the beach. The trees slowly made way for vast skies and pink sand, but she clung a little tighter to him even as she stared out at the familiar sights that should've been home.

They both readied themselves, Luka's arms tensing while she prepared herself to leap. With one precise, strong toss, he threw her upwards and she flung in an arc to land safely back in the water. The crisp, clear world aboveground turned blurry when she looked up, the water distorting it into shapes she knew weren't real.

Popping her head back up above the surface, she looked out at Luka, who had made himself comfortable on the beach. He was leaning back, his hands almost lost in the sand and supporting him as he tried to catch his breath.

"Sorry," she murmured.

He raised a brow at her, puzzled, then offered her a smile. "I had fun."

He'd changed the subject, not even acknowledging the apology like he truly didn't need it. Marinette mirrored the smile back at him, agreeing, "Me too. Maybe we can go again?"

The immediate nod was reassuring. Though it ended rather stressfully, that didn't take away from the experience overall.

She also noticed then that their clothes from the waist up had stayed on: one more happy reminder of their secret adventure. She grinned wider, gripping her jacket and pulling it tight against herself, but something ridged, large, and round nudged at her side as she did.

Gasping, her eyes lit up in recognition. She twisted, awkwardly fighting the wet fabric and the drag of the water to reach into the pocket. "Oh, um, Luka, I got..."

Sand shifted nearby as Luka came closer to her, the tide just barely missing him. Marinette retrieved the clam and swam closer, struggling a bit with the shore but managing to find a comfortable place where she could "sit."

"Here! It's for you!" she exclaimed, holding the clam out to him. It was wet, but a quality enough product that it wasn't damaged or worn from it. "I bought it at the store we went to."

He gaped at her, leaning forward to take a closer look. Nearly losing his balance, he thrust his hands into the wet sand and hovered over the gift while she presented it to him. "Really? For me?"

"For you!" she echoed. Popping the clam open, she pointed at the slits on the inside and explained, "You can hold things inside, like your guitar picks! Neat, right?"

Though, when she looked at it again, she wondered if it was really enough for her best friend, who'd been upgraded just that day to best best friend. A storage container was nice, but was giving someone an empty one equivalent to giving them a gift box with nothing inside? Surely there was something she could put in it.

An idea struck a moment later, Marinette pulling back and turning the inside of the clam towards her. Raising it to her lips, she kissed the inner part of the top for good luck before slamming the clam shut with a satisfying click, wanting to make sure the luck didn't have a chance to escape.

That way, she figured, the bottom could store his guitar picks and the top could store the good luck. It was taking full advantage of all the space inside.

Holding it carefully with both hands, she extended her arms towards him with a hopeful smile. "Do you like it?"

He was speechless, having not expected to get any gift that day beyond his time with her. His lips pressed together in a pout, wobbly with emotion as he raised a hand to take the gift from her.

However, he stopped short, noticing the wet sand still caking his hand. Unwilling to touch her gift with dirty hands, he reached into the water to flap his hands about inside to try and clean them. While that did most of the job, he remained dissatisfied and grabbed at his jacket, pulling it off to wipe his hands on it.

Throwing the jacket-turned-towel aside, he finally took the clam from her and cradled it to his chest. Marinette's heart ached pleasantly, seeing that it was already something precious to him.

"Thanks. I love it," he whispered.

They stayed there for just a minute longer in each other's company, no longer fearing any time limit urging them into action. Their friendship was powerful despite only a year of knowing each other, of having to meet in secret at the shore when no one else was around, of Luka's mother "stealing" Marinette away to show her their home when viable, and of risky adventures created through human disguises.

There would inevitably be a time in the future where they wouldn't be able to do it anymore. They would get older, busier, and it would be harder to keep meeting on the shore. Even further in the future, one of them may even have to make a choice to ensure they never part again.

But in the blissful innocence of childhood, they could simply enjoy their time together.

[hey-its-cweepy]

Teehee

Snek

[biggie-chcese]

oh your a fire emblem fan? Name every fire emblem character

bet.

Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon and the Blade of Light (+ remake and sequel)

playable: marth, caeda, jagen, cain, abel, draug, gordin, wrys, ogma, barst, bord, cord, castor, darros, julian, lena, navarre, merric, matthis, hardin, wolf, sedgar, roshea, vyland, wendell, rickard, bantu, caesar, radd, roger, jeorge, maria, minerva, linde, jake, midia, dolph, macellan, tomas, boah, beck, astram, palla, catria, est, arran, samson, xane, tiki, lorenz (FE1), elice, gotoh, frey, norne, athena, horace, etzel, ymir, nagi

non-playable: mostyn, malledus, anna (and every following iteration that isnt playable), nyna, aurelys, anri, cornelius, liza, miloah, naga (let's slash out future iterations too), adrah, artemis, cartas, marion, iote, ordwin, ludwik, jiol, camus, michalis, gharnef, medeus, gazzak, gomer, hyman, bentheon, merach, emereus, harmein, kannival, mannu, zharov, khozen, volzhin, heimler, grigas, hollstadt, morzas, sternlin, orridyon, xemcel (me when i'm an incel with pronouns), rumel, rucke, gail, toras, dahl, yodel, eibel, willow, nehring

Fire Emblem Gaiden + Echoes

playable: alm, lukas, gray, tobin, kliff, silque, clair, clive, forsyth, python, luthier, mathilda, delthea, tatiana, zeke, mycen, celica, mae, boey, genny, saber, valbar, kamui, leon, atlas, jesse, sonya, deen, nomah, faye, fernand, emma, shade, yuzu, randal

non-playable: mila, duma, rudolf, massena, jedah, marla, hestia, dolth, jamil, desaix, slayde, barth, garth, lawson, gazelle, zakson, blake, wolff, grieth, mikhail, garcia, tatarrah, nuibaba, seazas, xaizor, magnus, mueller, jerome, gharn, hades, argentum, aurum, cerberus, naberius, liprica, halcyon, lima IV, irma, berkut, rinea, forneus, jarth

Fire Emblem: Genealogy of the Holy War

playable: sigurd, alec, naoise, arden, azelle, lex, quan, ethlyn, finn, midir, edain, dew, ayra, jamke, deirdre, chulainn, lachesis, beowolf, lewyn, silvia, erinys, tailtiu, claud, brigid, seliph, lana/muirne, larcei/creidne, scáthach/dalvin, oifey, diarmuid/tristan, lester/deimne, julia, fee/hermina, arthur/amid, iuchar, iucharba, shannan, patty/daisy, leif, nanna/jeanne, finn, ares, lene/laylea, tine/linda, febail/asaello, ced/hawk, hannibal, coirpre/charlot, altena

non-playable: oifey, arvis, shannan, mariccle, mananan, eldigan, grahnye, manfroy, sandima, kurth, victor, cigyun, lahna, dimaggio, gerrard, filat, munnir, cimbaeth, batu, imuka, eve, alva, eva, elliot, philip, boldor, macbeth, voltz, clement, zyne, chagall, jacobi, papilio, pizarl, dobarl, myos, daccar, annand, cuvuli, pamela, díthorba, donovan, lamia, slayder, vaja, byron, ring, andrey, lombard, reptor, travant, magorn, azmur, aida, lewyn/forseti, julius, manfroy, arvis, bloom, hilda, ishtar, ishtore, harold, schmidt, danann, liza, vampa, fetra, eliu, bramsel, jabarro, muhammad, ovo, brian, scipio, kutuzov, coruta, maikov, kanatz, disler, travant, arion, jake, musar, judah, ridale, morigan, zagam, robert, boyce, rodan, felipe, palmark, yupheel, fisher, daggon, baran, meng, maybell, bleg, mus, bovis, tigris, lepus, draco, anguilla, equus, ovis, simia, gallus, canis, porcus, loptous, forseti, salamander, gair, maera, heim, baldr, hoðr, od, njörun, dáinn, nál, ullr, fjalar, thrud, ced, bragi, yudu

Fire Emblem: Thracia 776

playable: leif, finn, eyvel, osian, halvan, dagdar, tanya, marty, ronan, lifis, safy, brighton, machyua, lara, fergus, karin, dalsin, asbel, nanna, hicks, shiva, carrion, selfina, cain, alva, robert, fred, olwen, mareeta, salem, perne, troude, tina, glade, deen, eda, homer, linoan, ralf, ilios, sleuf, sara, miranda, shannam, misha, xavier, amalda, conomor, diarmuid, saias, ced, galzus

non-playable: august, dryas, raydrik, veld, manfroy, julius, ishtar, reinhardt, kempf, bloom, seliph, julia, lewyn, travant, arion, altena, hannibal, coirpre, weissman, bucks, lobos, bandol, truman, aizenau, rumei, merlock, dobalzark, largo, gomes, oltof, cullough, baráth, seimetol, fraus, zaom, rist, baldack, paulus, makroy, codda, aihiman, brook, mua, nicolov, mueller, rinecok, palman, gustav, wolff, cowen, alfan, farden, coruta, zile, mus, bovis, tigris, draco, canis, porcus, yubel, romeo, carl

Fire Emblem: The Binding Blade

playable: roy, marcus, alen, lance, wolt, bors, merlinus, elen, dieck, wade, lot, shanna, chad, lugh, clarine, rutger, saul, dorothy, sue, zelot, trec, noah, astolfo, lilina, gwendolyn, barthe, ogier, fir, sin, gonzalez, geese, klein, thea, larum, echidna, elffin, bartre, raigh, cath, melady, perceval, cecilia, sophia, igrene, garret, fae, hugh, zeiss, douglas, niime, juno, dayan, yoder, karel

non-playable: damas, rude, slater, erik, dory, wagner, devias, leygance, henning, scott, nord, zinc, scouran, oro, robarts, morgan, ain, gelero, flaer, randy, maggie, rose, ohtz, raeth, narcian, windham, arcard, martel, monke, sigune, gel, roartz, teck, thoril, brakul, kudoka, maral, kabul, chan, murdock, galle, pereth, zephiel, brunnya, jahn, idunn, guinivere, mordred

Fire Emblem: The Blazing Blade

playable: mark, lyn, sain, kent, florina, wil, dorcas, serra, erk, rath, matthew, nils, lucius, wallace, eliwood, marcus, lowen, rebecca, bartre, hector, oswin, guy, merlinus, priscilla, raven, canas, dart, fiora, legault, ninian, isadora, heath, hawkeye, geitz, pent, louise, karel, harken, nino, jaffar, vaida, renault, athos, farina, karla

non-playable: eleanora, leila, elbert, kishuna, darin, nergal, uther, lloyd, linus, brendan, limstella, sonia, ursula, zephiel, guinivere, bramimond, batta, zugu, glass, migal, carjiga, bug, bool, heintz, beyard, yogi, eagler, lundgren, groznyi, wire, zagan, boies, puzon, erik, sealen, bauker, bernard, fargus, damian, zoldam, uhai, aion, teodor, cameron, oleg, eubans, jasmine, paul, pascal, kenneth, jerme, maxime, georg, kaim, denning, fire dragon, desmond, hellene, murdock, natalie, ephidel, jan, hausen, marquess araphen, helman, jake, igor, fae, sophia, roy, lilina, reissmann, roland, durban

Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones

playable: eirika, ephraim, seth, franz, gilliam, vanessa, moulder, ross, garcia, neimi, colm, artur, lute, natasha, joshua, forde, kyle, tana, amelia, innes, gerik, tethys, marisa, ewan, duessel, cormag, l'arachel, dozla, saleh, rennac, knoll, myrrh, syrene, orson, lyon

non-playable: fomortiis, vigarde, mansel, morva, pablo, klimt, dara, carlyle, o'neill, breguet, bone, bazba, bandit, saar, zonta, novala, murray, tirado, binks, gheb, aias, beran, saaga, nada kuya, melina, zethla, monica, zabba, mcgregor, caellach, riev, ismaire, selena, glen, hayden, valter, renais

Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance

playable: ike, titania, boyd, oscar, rhys, shinon, gatrie, soren, mia, ilyana, mist, rolf, marcia, lethe, mordecai, volke, kieran, brom, nephenee, zihark, sothe, jill, astrid, makalov, stefan, tormod, muarim, devdan, tanith, reyson, janaff, ulki, calill, tauroneo, ranulf, haar, bastian, lucia, geoffrey, largo, elincia, ena, nasir, naesala, tibarn, giffca

playable in a weird way: oliver, shiharam, petrine, bryce, ashnard

non-playable: black knight, caineghis, dheginsea, gareth, greil, izuka, kurthnaga, leanne, lorazieh, nealuchi, sanaki, sigrun, lotz, zawana, ikanau, havetti, maijin, dakova, emil, balmer, kamura, nedata, kotaff, danomill, mackoya, seeker, norris, gashilama, kimaarsi, kayachey, homasa, kasatai, schaeffer, tomenami, lillia, rikard, gromell, bertram, hafedd, heddwyn, ramon, lekain, hetzel, rajaion

Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn (will avoid repeats from PoR)

playable: micaiah, edward, leonardo, nolan, laura, aran, meg, volug, fiona, vika, nailah, rafiel, heather, danved, lyre, kyza, skrimir, pelleas, renning, lehran

non-playable: agony, aimee, almedha, amy, ashunera, alder, ashera, burton, callum, catalena, daniel, djur, goran, isaiya, istvan, jarod, jorge, kezhda, laverton, levail, lombroso, ludveck, maiel, maraj, muston, nico, numida, pain, pugo, radmin, roark, rolf's mother, rommit, seliora, septimus, sephiran, sergei, silvano, tashoria, valtome, veyona, wystan, yeardley, yune, yuma, zaitan, zeffren, zelgius

Fire Emblem Awakening

playable: chrom, robin, lissa, frederick, sully, virion, stahl, vaike, miriel, sumia, kellam, donnel, lon'qu, ricken, maribelle, panne, gaius, cordelia, gregor, nowi, libra, tharja, olivia, cherche, henry, say'ri, tiki, basilio, flavia, gangrel, walhart, emmeryn, yen'fay, aversa, priam, lucina, owain, inigo, brady, kjelle, cynthia, severa, gerome, morgan, yarne, laurent, noire, nah

non-playable: validar, naga, grima, first exalt, garrick, phila, raimi, roddick, orton, victor, hierarch, vasto, chalard, campari, vincent, mustafa, dalton, ke'ri, gecko, jamil, xalbador, cassius, ruger, holland, nelson, morristan, gyral, dalen, nombry, ezra, ignatius, farber, cervantes, pheros, excellus, algol, mus, bovis, tigris, lepus, draco, anguilla, equus, ovis, simia, gallus, canis, porcus, zanth, ardri, old hubba

Fire Emblem Fates

playable: corrin, azura, felicia, jakob, kaze, silas, mozu, shura, izana, ryoma, hinoka, takumi, sakura, hana, subaki, saizo, orochi, rinkah, kagero, oboro, hinata, hayato, setsuna, azama, kaden, reina, yukimura, scarlet, xander, camilla, leo, elise, effie, nyx, arthur, charlotte, benny, beruka, selena (formerly severa), niles, odin (formerly owain), peri, laslow (formerly inigo), keaton, flora, gunter, fuga, kana, shigure, dwyer, midori, sophie, shiro, kiragi, caeldori, asugi, hisame, rhajat, mitama, selkie, siegbert, forrest, ignatius, nina, ophelia, percy, soleil, velouria

playable in a weird way: daniela, lloyd, llewelyn, haitaka, kumagera, nichol, candace, daichi, funke, senno, zhara, tarba, gazak

non-playable: garon, iago, mikoto, lilith, arete, sumeragi, anankos, kilma, hans, kotaro, omozu, anthony, zola, rainbow sage, katerina, ikona, layla, cassita, cadros

Fire Emblem: Three Houses

playable: byleth, sothis, edelgard, hubert, ferdinand, linhardt, caspar, bernadetta, dorothea, petra, dimitri, dedue, felix, ashe, sylvain, mercedes, annette, ingrid, claude, lorenz, raphael, ignatz, lysithea, marianne, hilda, leonie, yuri, balthus, constance, hapi, rhea, seteth, flayn, hanneman, manuela, gilbert, alois, catherine, shamir, cyril, jeralt, monica, tomas, jeritza, anna, aelfric

special little guys: gatekeeper, abysskeeper

non-playable: metodey, thales, solon, kronya, cornelia, myson, odesse, bias, chilon, pittacus, kostas, miklan, pallardó, acheron, baron dominic, baron ochs, christophe, claudia, count charon, count ordelia, count rowe, derick, duke gerth, emile, erwin, fleche, glenn, godfrey, grégoire, gwendal, holst, ionius ix, judith, klaus i, kyphon, ladislava, lambert, leopold, lonato, loog, ludwig, lycaon i, lycaon iii, margrave edmund, marquis vestra, matthias, nader, oswald, pan, patricia, randolph, rodrigue, rufus, tiana, volkhard, waldemar, wilhelm i, viscount kleiman, seiros, sitri, nemesis, indech, macuil, blaiddyd, charon, daphnel, dominic, fraldarius, gautier, gloucester, goneril, lamine, riegan, maurice, aubin, chevalier, noa, timotheos, luca, iris, chevalier, bernhard, gajus, wilhelm, marcelle, simone

Fire Emblem Engage

playable: alear, vander, clanne, framme, alfred, boucheron, etie, céline, louis, chloé, yunaka, alcryst, citrinne, lapis, diamant, amber, jade, ivy, zelkov, kagetsu, fogado, bunet, pandreo, timerra, merrin, panette, hortensia, seadall, rosado, goldmary, lindon, saphir, mauvier, veyle, jean, nel, nil, zelestia, gregory, madeline, rafal

non-playable: sombron, hyacinth, zephia, griss, marni, lumera, sommie, ève, morion, seforia, nelucce, teronda, rodine, abyme, mitan, totchie, tetchie, durthon, anisse, calney, pinet, sean, anje

while the emblems are said to be different from the canon version, i will be leaving them out since they're pretty much the same as the already listed characters

OCs from the Archanea Saga: frost, dice, malice, belf, roberto, reiden

OCs from the Cipher cards that aren't in the Echoes DLC: alice, valjean, niamh, poe

OCs from the warriors spinoffs not dividing them by playability because i dont care: rowan, lianna, darios, yelena, oskar, velezark, SHEZ!, arval/epimenides, berling, getz, lazley, simon, adrienne, jetz, baron gillingr, baron barnabas, viscount essar, viscount lochin, viscount hymir, viscount menja, viscount fenja, viscount mateus, viscount elidure, viscount gideon, count duval, marquis erebus, baron pryderi, baron mateus, viscount brennius, yvette, viscount enid, count geraint, baron müller, viscount siward, viscount albany, viscount burgundy, leif, anaximandros, dolofonos, the immaculate one, anselma, victoria, gunnar, krouffer, banfig, kite, morianne, laetitia, duke ifan, zoltan

OCs from that fuckass gacha game

playable in some way: kiran, alfonse, sharena, anna, gustav, henriette, askr, ash, bruno, veronica, letizia, embla, elm, nifl, fjorm, gunnthrá, hríd, ylgr, múspell, surtr, laegjarn, laevatein, helbindi, hel, eir, ymir, líf, thrasir, ganglöt, loki, thórr, peony, mirabilis, plumeria, triandra, freyr, freyja, eitr, ginnungagap, niðavellir, reginn, ótr, fáfnir, dagr, nótt, eitri, seiðr, heiðr, gullveig, kvasir, nerþuz, ratatoskr, heiðrún, eikþyrnir

non-playable: feh That Fucking Bird That I Hate, fehnix, hvergel, menja, angrboða, alfaðör, alfrik, billingr, dvalinn, grer, þjazi, veðrfölnir, njörðr, hræsvelgr, níðhöggr, læraðr

i am not listing the fucking alts. you get the point. never test me again.

[celestiall0tus]

Court of Miracles Redesign, Juleka Naga

This one is on me, I wanted to change up and update her design after designing Luka's satyr form. She's still based on a Naga, but I pulled inspiration from Yuan-Ti purebloods (D&D/Pathfinder variants) for the face to make it a blend of human and snake.

The original design:

[goldensmilingbird]

I remembered when I was fixated on Monster High for a brief period, I had a Miraculous MH AU brewing in my head. I lost my original notes, so I tried to remember and note my ideas down. (If you have suggestions, feel free to add, I'm just brainstorming)

I like the idea of Graham de Vanilys being this old, rich vampire family, and Gabriel being human or another monster, like a werewolf. In MH universe there's still a rift between humans and monsters and prejudice against mixing different monster types + ancient vampire/werewolf rivalry. So I could see Adrien's grandparents resenting him for being a result of such a wrong union and him having to hide his half monster heritage (filing down his fangs, for example, if he's half human, or Gabriel editing out his monster parts in his photos) (I'm going off MH logic where vampires show up on camera)

But also I'm partial to frankenmonster Adrien because, like Frankie Stein, who came to school at just 15 days old, he's optimistic and a bit naive and just wants to make friends. And also in the context of "Frankenstein", the Creature was neglected by its creator (I still haven't read the original book, forgive me)

For Felix, I liked that in MH G3, Draculaura is a vampire studying to be a witch which is seen as something forbidden, and I just feel like it would fit him. Also could give him a fun dynamic with Marinette - like "okay, I won't tell anyone you're practicing witchcraft BUT you have to teach me".

Anyway, I imagine Felix used to be at vampire boarding school but after Colt's death, he asks Amelie to transition him to the same school Adrien wants to go to. So they're both newcomers. (Also I think Felix should get to kill his dad. Since vampires can't get sick or age, you know)

Felix - vampire

Adrien - werecat / frankenmonster?

Marinette - witch

Alya - kitsune?

Nino - idk merperson or sea monster maybe?

Chloe - bee monster / werecat?

Sabrina - insivible monster / zombie?

Lila - kitsune

Alix - alien

Kagami - dragon

Luka - naga

Kim - flying monkey

Ondine - undine (duh)

Max - pterocentaur (pegasus/centaur)

Mylene - dryad/plant monster or wererat

Ivan - golem / minotaur

Rose - cupid or cupid/plant monster hybrid

Juleka - invisible monster / weretiger?

Marc - faun (I don't want Nath to be the goat)

Nath - phoenix

[fragileizywriting]

i think making luka a snake demon instead of just a naga actually really works

[verfound]

Six Some Sentences Sunday: 01.15.23

I was really hoping I'd get this finished today, but maybe tomorrow...?

“…he said you’re gonna eat me,” she mumbled when he pulled away.  A strange sound, somewhere between a hiss and a laugh and something choked, escaped him, and she rolled her eyes as she shoved at him and flopped onto the cushions of their nest.  “See?  Stupid.”

“Why would he….?” Luka started, but then his eyebrows rose even higher as he blinked at her.  “You ssssaid village gosssssip.  Do they…do they all think you’re in danger here?”

She looked away from him, but there was no denying the flush on her cheeks, even in the dark.

“…maybe,” she mumbled.  “They…they all implied that the Snakefolk eat people, so…so obviously you’re going to eat me.  Ridiculous, right?  The Snakefolk don’t eat…Luka, stop laughing!”

“Apologies, love,” he said, shaking his head.  “It’sss jussst…you’re right.  He’s an idiot.”

[tukang-translate]

TCF Buku 2 Chapter 250

[Itu benar, setelah kamu mengatakan seperti itu berakhir kamu muntah darah atau pingsan!]

Selanjutnya, FOD AP menanggapi kata-kata Super Rock, tapi Cale sekali lagi mengabaikannya. Sebaliknya, dia memikirkan situasi di mana saat dia menggunakan kekuatannya.

‘Saat kami bertarung hebat di Xiaolen… Aku pergi ke garis depan beberapa kali. Dan di Central Plains-’

‘Itu adalah pertarungan...’

Namun, Cale mampu menyadari di mana kekuatannya lebih terfokus.

‘Mana Mati!’

Sejauh ini yang menjadi fokus Cale selama bertarung di Central Plains dan Xiaolen adalah memurnikan atau memblokir mana mati. Dan ketika dia mengerahkan upaya terbesar dia….

‘Tsunami yang mencoba menyerang Hainan….’

Akibat usaha naga keluarga Purple Blood, setelah menekan Blood Demon, tsunami besar melanda Blood Cultist dan seluruh pulau. Lalu saat memblokirnya, Cale harus menggunakan kekuatan yang sangat besar.

Tentu saja berkat itu, dia bisa mendapatkan bibit World Tree untuk Apitoyu.

‘… Artinya sekarang aku belum benar-benar bertarung dengan sudut yang tepat, kan?”

Dimulai melawan White Star, sepertinya terjadi banyak hal terjadi sampai dia berada di garda depan.

Selama ini, meskipun dia hanya berada di belakang atau di garis depan, anehnya dia pasti pingsan atau muntah darah dari pertempuran.

[Ha ha ha ha ha!]

Namun saat ini, Cale berjalan sambil mendengarkan suara tawa murni Water AP.

Sisko.

Seseorang diyakini menempati posisi tengah di antara 10 dewa naga.

Naga dengan Atribut Pertarungan dan pengalaman bertarung paling banyak di antara naga yang dikenal. Oleh karena itu, Cale menjadikan Sisko sebagai acuannya.

‘Karena menurut info naga di dunia ini lebih kuat dari naga biasa.’

Saat melawan Kendall, naga terakhir dari 10 naga, Rasheel mengalami luka parah.

Meski sejauh ini Cale sudah beberapa kali melihat pertarungan dengan Rasheel, ini pertama kalinya Cale melihatnya terluka seperti itu.

Walau pada akhirnya dia menang.

‘Tetapi kemenangan itu meninggalkan luka yang dalam.’

Bagaimana Cale yang menyukai pertarungan hebat, terpikir olehnya bahwa akan sulit melawan Hunter Blood Apitoyu ataupun Purple Blood.

‘Hmm’

Tiba-tiba, wajah ketua tim Sui Khan dan Choi Jeongsoo muncul di benak dia.

‘Ck.’

Dia mendecakkan lidahnya dalam hati.

Sejauh ini, kedua orang tersebut belum pernah tampil menonjol di Apitoyu.

Ada juga hal seperti itu karena mereka mengurus hal-hal kecil.

‘Wanderer. Dan dewa perang. Mereka menjadi sibuk ketika kedua makhluk itu keluar.’

Dan dia akan menjadi lebih sibuk di masa depan.

Karena hanya merekalah yang bisa mengetahui tentang Dewa Kematian dan situasi di Alam Dewa.

“Ugh-”

Cale berhenti berjalan. Dan kemudian dia melihat ke bawah.

Bang!

bang!

Delapan ular putih dan rantai putih terjun langsung ke taringnya dan menggali dalam-dalam.

Krrtttt!

Dengan Naga Sisko yang kondisinya terikat.

“Uh!”

Tubuhnya jatuh ke lantai.

Tepatnya, dia terjebak.

Sshhaaa---

Rantai lembut mengikat anggota tubuhnya dan menyeretnya ke tanah, mengubur sebagian besar tubuhnya. Cale melihat ke bawah ke tempat kejadian.

Tapi Sisko tidak memperhatikan hal ini.

Dia tidak punya semangat untuk melakukan itu.

Crumble--

Kekuatannya belum berkurang.

Dia masih memiliki kekuatan.

Tapi sulit untuk bernapas.

Rantai yang merobek dan menyerbu wilayahnya tidak putus tidak peduli seberapa keras dia meninju dan mencoba memutuskannya.

‘Ini-’

Itu seperti kekuatan air yang ‘dia’ gunakan.

Orang yang menciptakan tsunami yang lebih hebat dari alam!

Naga yang sekarang menguasai lautan!

Dewa penjaga laut yang memerintah laut tempat paus menghilang.

Dragon Lord.

Jika dia adalah makhluk tertinggi di antara Sepuluh Dewa Naga, tiga dari Sepuluh Dewa Naga bisa dikatakan sebagai penguasa berikutnya setelah Raja Naga.

Satu untuk laut, satu untuk darat, dan satu lagi untuk-

Sisko merasakan kesejukan sesaat dan mengangkat kepalanya.

Dia melihat rantai besar datang ke arah dia.

Seolah berhenti memikirkan hal-hal yang tidak berguna. Rantai kedelapan mendekatinya perlahan dan akhirnya.

"Brengsek!"

Sisko memutar seluruh tubuhnya dan menggunakan seluruh kekuatan yang dimilikinya. Rantai mengalir tanpa meninggalkan seinchi pun.

Namun wilayahnya tidak berkembang.

Sebaliknya, wilayahnya menjadi lebih sempit.

Grumble-

Sebaliknya, ia menjadi kental dan terkompresi.

Cukup untuk menutupi permukaan kulitnya.

Grumble--

“Heok.”

Sisko akhirnya bisa bernapas sedikit lebih mudah.

Dan,

Ttrr-

Rantai di kulitnya sedikit melemah.

"Lakukan!"

Kalau terus begini, ada kemungkinan!

‘Saat ini, larilah!’

Lari di luar jangkauan orang bernama Cale itu.

Melarikan diri. Meskipun itu adalah kata yang tidak sesuai dengan Atributnya, Sisko tidak ragu-ragu.

Karena,

‘Melarikan diri itu wajar.’

Alasan dia bisa bertahan selama masa perjuangannya adalah karena dia pandai melarikan diri.

Itu sebabnya dia berbeda dari Kendall.

Perjuangan dan kemenangan itu berbeda.

Tentu saja, setelah Masa Kekacauan itu, tidak banyak yang bisa kita hindari.

Tidak, tidak ada sama sekali.

Karena tidak ada orang yang bisa membuatnya bergairah seperti itu.

10 dewa naga. Mereka tidak bisa saling membunuh.

Itu adalah peraturan yang ditetapkan oleh Raja Naga.

Selain itu, tidak ada orang yang cukup kuat untuk membuat mereka melarikan diri. Mereka ada di sana tetapi dia tidak bisa melihatnya. Semua Dewa naga itu bersembunyi.

Jadi untuk pertama kalinya setelah sekian lama, dia berpikir untuk melarikan diri.

Pada saat itu.

“Haruskah aku berbuat lebih banyak lagi?”

Dia mendengar kata-kata dengan nada datar.

Dan,

Ssrrttt-

Kekuatan rantainya menjadi lebih kuat.

Sisko, yang terjepit di tanah, mengayunkan tangannya sekuat tenaga ke arah rantai yang datang ke arahnya.

kwaaaang!

Suara keras terdengar.

Bang, bum, bum!

Suara keras yang terdengar silih berganti tanpa henti.

Tapi wajah Sisko menjadi berubah.

"brengsek!"

Brengsek!

Tidak peduli seberapa banyak dia menyerang tanpa henti-

‘Kamu masih baik-baik saja!’

Rantai itu lebih kuat dari sebelumnya.

Tanpa disadari, Sisko melihat ke arah dimana suara itu terdengar beberapa saat yang lalu.

Cale.

Seorang manusia menatap dia.

Mata itu menatap datar. Tapi dia sudah terbiasa.

"ah.’

Sisko tahu apa arti mata itu.

Saat mengevaluasi kekuatan orang lain,

Itu mirip dengan matanya sendiri saat itu.

‘TIDAK.’

Mungkin tampilannya semakin dingin...

Berkat itu, dia menyadarinya.

‘Orang itu terlalu santai saat ini.’

Dengan kata lain, ini bukanlah kekuatan penuhnya.

Dia masih punya lebih banyak waktu luang.

‘Masih banyak!’

Energi yang sangat besar terpancar darinya. Dia belum melihat Atribut sebenarnya dari kekuatan dia yang melanggar batas wilayah tersebut. Jika dia menuangkan energi sebanyak itu ke dalam serangan sungguhan~

‘Aku sekarat.’

Tidak, mungkin itu melampaui kematian Sisko sendiri-

‘...Mungkin saja untuk melawan Raja Naga-’

Manusia itu mungkin layak berada di medan perang melawan Raja Naga, makhluk yang berada di atas Dewa.

Dia melakukan kontak mata dengan Cale.

"Oh."

Cale berseru kagum.

“Kamu memiliki mata yang bagus.”

Ada pandangan aneh di matanya.

Meskipun dia adalah musuh, Dragon Sisko dengan jelas menyadari bahwa dia pasti kalah sekarang. Meski begitu, tidak ada keraguan di mata itu.

Sorot mata seseorang yang tidak pingsan meski situasinya dikalahkan.

Dan setelah mendengar perkataan Cale, berbagai ekspresi muncul di wajahnya.

Kemarahan, kesia-siaan, kekaguman, keputusasaan,

Berbagai macam emosi berlalu hingga dia mengira itu adalah wajah acuh tak acuh, namun pada akhirnya, hanya satu yang tersisa.

kecemburuan.

Sisko membuka mulutnya sementara seluruh tubuhnya diikat karena cemburu.

"itu menjengkelkan."

Seharusnya seperti itu.

Dia tidak bisa lagi melihat Cale.

Sebuah rantai besar datang ke arah dia...

Akhirnya, rantai yang mendekat secara perlahan bergerak sangat cepat.

bang!

Dan kemudian dia memukul bagian belakang kepalanya.

“Uh!”

Begitu saja, dia kehilangan kesadarannya.

Sebenarnya, dia tidak sepadan dengan levelnya.

Bam!

Pukulannya sangat keras hingga kepalanya menyentuh tanah.

Sedemikian rupa sehingga tersangkut di tanah yang membeku.

Tanah di sekitarnya bergetar.

"Hmm.

Cale menelan air liurnya.

‘Aku hanya berniat membuatnya berlutut.’

[Kepala naga itu sepertinya terbuat dari batu? Aku pikir kepalanya akan pecah, mengingat kamu memukulnya seperti itu, tetapi yang terjadi dia hanya pingsan]

Cale berpikir sambil mendengarkan suara Water AP.

“Aku kira aku benar-benar lebih kuat dari yang aku kira?”

Akibatnya, dia salah mengendalikan kekuatannya dan membanting kepala dan tubuh Sisko ke tanah. Cale menatap Sisko dan menggaruk pipinya, merasa gugup karena suatu alasan.

Sebelum dia menyadarinya, delapan rantai besar telah menghilang saat menembus tanah.

Akibatnya tanah menjadi basah hingga berubah menjadi lumpur seperti rawa, dan Sisko masih terkubur di dalamnya.

"Ha."

Archie, suku paus, yang melihat ini dari jauh, menghela nafas.

Bukan itu saja. Setiap orang yang melihat adegan yang diciptakan Cale tidak bisa menyembunyikan ekspresi bingung mereka. Khususnya, personel tempur yang menunggu di dekat penghalang es merasakannya juga.

‘….Komandan kamilah yang mengalahkan White Star dan menghentikan kedatangan Dewa.’

Archie teringat prestasi Cale yang sempat dia lupakan, atau lebih tepatnya, sudah lama tidak terpikirkan karena terlalu sibuk.

"Hehe."

Archie kaget dan menoleh, lalu matanya membelalak.

Cloppeh Sekka. Orang gila ini sedang tersenyum. Memegang perangkat komunikasi video di kedua tangan.

(tl/n : Definisi sasaeng yang sesungguhnya T.T)

Archie, yang mencoba mengatakan sesuatu tentang ini, menyerah begitu saja.

“Kalian semua gila.”

Archie, yang akan keluar berperang karena tuannya Witira terlihat marah, tidak jadi melanjutkan misinya, berakhir dia hanya berdiri diam menyaksikan Cale menghancurkan musuh dan, khususnya, melemparkan naga itu ke tanah.

Bukankah mereka harus menangkap semuanya, apa pun yang terjadi?

Saat itulah pemikiran seperti itu muncul di benak Archie.

Kwaaaaa----

Raungan lain terdengar.

Tatapan Archie beralih dari Cale.

Dia menuju sedikit lebih dekat.

Dimana salju dan debu bercampur dan terjadi ledakan.

‘Di sana!’

Tempat dimana sekutu dan musuh, kecuali Cale, bercampur menjadi satu. Ini adalah tempat dimana naga kuno dan Mixed Blood Dragon bertarung beberapa saat yang lalu.

Flap flap.

Sesuatu yang sangat besar membelah awan debu.

-Manusia!

Cale juga menonton ini.

“…Apa?"

Dia membuka mulutnya dengan hampa, mengucapkan kata-kata tanpa menyadarinya.

Bum bum.

Sesuatu yang besar menembus debu dan salju dan membubung ke langit. Ya, itu-

Itu seekor naga.

Dan Cale belum pernah melihat naga sebesar itu seumur hidupnya.

Naga kuno Eruhaben juga lebih kecil dari naga itu.

Naga merah marun itu sangat cepat untuk ukurannya. Namun, naga raksasa itu mengalami memar hitam di sekitar matanya.

Melihat Naga yang Humanoid telah menjadi Naga asli, Cale merasa seperti mengetahui keberadaan naga itu.

“Naga itu-”

Bukan, naga itu Mixed Blood Dragon.

“uskup ke-3?”

Saat Cale bertanya-tanya, suara Raon terdengar.

-Manusia. Manusia!

Raon berkata sambil mendekat.

-Mixed Blood Dragon itu tiba-tiba berpolimorf!

Cale belum pernah melihat Mixed Blood Dragon berubah menjadi naga sebelumnya.

Kalau dipikir-pikir lagi, Mixed Blood Dragon dari Black Castle juga berbentuk humanoid sebelum mengambil tubuh naga aslinya.

-Manusia! Kakek Goldie mengatakan ini!

Suara Raon diikuti oleh suara naga kuno.

-Seharusnya Mixed Blood Dragon tidak bisa menjadi Naga murni sebesar itu! Dan itu juga dalam bentuk naga utuh! Begitu katanya!

-Cale, Mixed Blood Dragon itu agak tidak biasa. Meski tidak memiliki atribut khusus, namun tubuhnya telah tumbuh lebih besar dari Naga asli.

Saat Cale menyadari hal ini.

"Hmm?"

Manusia itu melakukan kontak mata dengan bajingan itu.

Apakah ini ilusi?

-Manusia! Aku datang!

“Ini…”

Tapi itu bukanlah ilusi.

Mixed Blood Dragon, yang memiliki tubuh besar bahkan ketika masih manusia, yang sekarang berubah menjadi naga dengan tubuh besar yang belum pernah kulihat sebelumnya dan terbang menuju Cale.

Shhaaaa---

Angin bertiup melalui sayapnya.

Karena ukurannya yang sangat besar, ia dengan cepat mencapai Cale.

Dan membuka mulutnya.

Melihat Cale dengan tepat.

-Cale.

Suara naga kuno terdengar.

-Itu nafas. Karena dia memiliki tubuh yang lebih besar dari Naga asli, dia harusnya tahu cara menggunakan nafasnya.

“ah.”

Meskipun Cale tidak memiliki Atribut, dia menyadari mengapa Mixed Blood Dragon itu kuat.

Napas.

Salah satu serangan terbaik yang bisa digunakan naga.

-Aku yakin dia mencoba menyelamatkan naga yang kamu tangkap. Itu akan menjadi rencana untuk melarikan diri bersama naga itu saat dia menyerangmu.

Paaaats!

Cahaya terang muncul di sebelah Cale.

“Aku akan menghentikannya.”

Naga kuno itu tiba dalam sekejap.

Dan ada lampu platinum di sekelilingnya.

“Manusia, aku juga melakukannya!”

Raon, yang menjadi tidak terlihat, juga mendekat dengan semburan mana hitam.

Naga-naga muda dan gemuk sedang terburu-buru.

"Hmm."

Tapi ada sesuatu yang halus pada ekspresi Cale.

Ketika Eruhaben ragu-ragu,

“...Kenapa kamu terlihat seperti itu?”

Cale membuka mulutnya dengan ekspresi kebingungan.

“Apakah kamu yakin ingin menggunakan nafas?”

Dia sedang melihat wajah Mixed Blood Dragon. Naga besar itu terbang menuju Cale dengan mulut terbuka. Namun, sepertinya dia tidak mencoba menggunakan nafasnya.

Mulutnya yang terbuka.

“Kaaaa!”

Jeritan terdengar dari sana. Dan kemudian, mulut Raon terbuka.

"Hah?"

Naga muda itu memiringkan kepalanya. Dan saat itulah naga kuno itu berhenti.

Bam!

Seekor naga besar dengan cepat turun di depan Cale.

Saat tubuh besar itu turun ke tanah, tanah berguncang begitu hebat hingga Cale tidak bisa menjaga keseimbangannya.

“Manusia, aku akan menangkapmu!”

Tentu saja, kedua cakar depan Raon, yang tidak terlihat, meraih lengan Cale.

Tapi Cale tidak punya waktu untuk bereaksi terhadap Raon.

"Apa?"

Apa yang sedang dilakukan Mixed Blood Dragon itu?

Mulut Cale terbuka.

Bam!

Mixed Blood Dragon besar itu membenturkan kepalanya ke lantai.

Dan kemudian dia menurunkan tubuhnya sebanyak mungkin.

Mixed Blood Dragon, yang matanya telah berubah menjadi kastanye, berteriak dengan keras dalam postur rendah hati yang tidak dapat dilihat oleh siapa pun.

“Aku mengkhianatinya!”

“Hah?”

“Aku, Horns. Aku ingin berada di pihak yang sama denganmu!”

“Hah?”

“Aku, Horns, ingin berada di pihak yang sama denganmu!”

Saat dia berteriak dengan anggun, Cale ragu-ragu sejenak sebelum membuka mulutnya.

“...Sisko ada di bawah badanmu.”

Sisko terkubur dalam lumpur. Mixed Blood Dragon besar meluncur turun, tidak hanya menutupi bagian atas tetapi juga tanah di dekatnya.

"!"

Mata biru Mixed Blood Dragon raksasa itu sedikit bergetar.

TBC

[mc-lukanette]

Marinette hummed to herself, mulling over the various fabrics laid out in front of her. Her witch's hat tipped down a little whenever she lowered her head and she made a mental note to have her first fashion line be "alternate witch headwear" no matter the cost.

The cafe was a great place to get ideas and have the usual silence of her room replaced with the idle chatter of everyone else. It being all-inclusive was just a bonus that allowed her to look around and imagine what the various other species of people would look like in the clothes she designed.

The scent of coffee and pastries wafted through the area, her own sweetened coffee at her side while she worked.

Silk is too smooth. Cervitaurs like a bit more texture in their clothes, she thought, staring down at her fabrics on the table. She felt the corner of one, then moved on to the next, dissatisfied with how each rubbed against her. But elves have sensitive skin, so they might find wool too itchy and uncomfortable.

She tapped mindlessly on the table, the enlarged sewing needle in her hand acting as her wand as she pointed it to the textiles on the table. The tip of the needle glowed, Marinette flicking her wand and watching the fabric move around at her will. She redid her sorting for the tenth time that session, or maybe it was the fourteenth? She'd lost count and the sweetened coffee at her side was probably getting cold by now.

With a defeated sigh, Marinette slammed her wand down and collapsed onto the table, lamenting, Maybe there is no "one fabric" for everyone after all. Would I have to invent a new one instead?

She supposed the other problem could be the background music. She loved Jagged Stone's music, but it wasn't good for productivity and the only change the cafe made was that she couldn't hear the lyrics. If it was a knock-off so they didn't have to pay for Jagged's actual music, it was a good one.

She looked over, curious for the source of the song if only to distract herself. She spotted a naga lounging in the corner with black hair and blue highlights, playing on his guitar like imitating someone else's music was no big deal to him. It was impressive to her how his fingers strummed without hesitation or thought, his face not showing even an ounce of stress despite the attention on him from onlookers.

Although, when she really looked at him, he didn't seem invested in what he was playing at all, which was a stark contrast to Jagged's upbeat style coming from his fingertips. Marinette surveyed the room, wondering if he actually worked there to provide music for everyone, because she couldn't imagine why else he'd be there if he didn't enjoy what he was doing. The easiest way to find out was to simply ask, but she couldn't just go up to a stranger and start pestering him with personal questions, even if she wanted to know... right?

Staring down at her fabrics again, the complete lack of ideas practically staring back at her, she groaned and pulled her bag out to shove all of her supplies inside. Whatever. I'm not getting anything done anyway.

——

Marinette shifted in her seat as she waited for the mystery naga boy to be free. Even after the song had finished, he got approached by an employee and she couldn't make out what they were saying. She did catch him rubbing his arm though, making her wonder if it was from nerves or if the room was a little too chilly.

Finally, the employee stepped aside, allowing her to stand up from her table and try to approach as casually as possible. The boy's eyes met hers, probably sensing her presence, but he didn't move or show any sign of discomfort.

"You're really good," she complimented, prioritizing praise over his abilities above all else. "You've been playing Jagged Stone, right?"

He smiled, nodding at her. "Yeah, that's right."

There was a casualness to him of not minding being spoken to, but she could see the look in his eyes of someone who's used to having this exact conversation with other people. That was fine with her, as it wasn't her intended topic of discussion anyway.

She played with a strand of her hair, unsure of how to broach the subject. "Was... that because they asked you to play it?"

His back straightened in surprise. He looked down at his guitar and furrowed his brows, running his hand idly along the neck. "What made you think that?"

Marinette realized only now how awkward the conversation was about to become if she was wrong. She swallowed nervously, deciding to commit regardless. "You didn't seem interested in playing, even though you look so comfortable with your guitar."

She meant it. When she'd watched his body language, he seemed as if he'd been playing since he was really young. She could relate with her own interest in fashion, so she knew what it was like.

The naga eyed her, then searched the room cautiously like he was afraid of being caught. When he looked back at her, he set his guitar down and slowly pushed himself up, Marinette letting out a squeak when he leaned in close.

"You hit the note perfectly," he told her in a whisper, "but I'm not allowed to say that."

She gasped, covering her nose and mouth with both hands. It muffled her voice, but her reply came out clear enough: "And I asked you in front of everyone!"

He shook his head. "You're fine. I don't think anyone heard, and I can only get in trouble for answering."

She brought her hands down, feeling sympathetic to him. While he didn't say it, if he had such restrictions placed on him that he didn't like, then it must've been one of the few jobs he could get. He was still young - certainly not that much older than her - so finding a place where people would take him seriously must've been hard.

"It seems like such a shame." She frowned, keeping her voice low to maintain their secret conversation. "You're so talented, but you have to play other people's songs."

He shrugged, sad but giving her a reassuring, grateful smile. "Maybe someday. For now, they only want me to play what's popular, so I can't try my own music."

"Your own music?" she repeated, almost breaking the 'safe' volume between them with her intrigue. She'd suspected that he wrote music himself, so it was nice having it confirmed. "Could I hear it sometime? I'm sure it's amazing."

"Really?"

"Yeah, really!" It wasn't out of pity for him, but a genuine longing for the passion of another creative mind.

Before he could respond, an annoyed voice called from afar, "Couffaine! No flirting on the job!"

Marinette blushed. She supposed there were only so many ways their current situation could be interpreted, and if the place was already judging him based on his age, there was only one.

The naga, unphased, turned towards the voice and smirked. "I'm going on break." He reached for his guitar, holding it against himself and softening his expression when he met her gaze again. "Do you want to come with me?"

"What?" Her brain clicked, remembering what they'd been talking about. She was surprised that it'd be so soon - so immediate - but she wouldn't complain. "O-oh! Yeah, let's go!"

They went for the door together, her holding it open for him and hearing a hushed, "It's Luka, by the way," as he slithered past.

"Ma—Marinette!" she exclaimed in return, following after him.

——

The two of them wound up settling down in a park with a fountain, Marinette sitting down on the fountain's stone wall while Luka was content lounging on the ground. She expected him to start playing right away, but he put his guitar off to the side instead.

At her confused look, he asked, "What about you?"

"What about me?"

"We only talked about me," he explained. "You had some things on your table and you were moving them around, so I thought..."

He SAW that?! She was absolutely mortified. The fact that he was watching her too made her feel less weird about her initial motivation in approaching him, yet she hadn't wanted his impression of her to be her succeeding in a whole lot of nothing.

Luka, probably reading her expression, put his arms up next to her on the stone and assured, "I don't think there's anything wrong with needing time to make a song work, but you don't have to say anything if you don't want to. I was just curious."

Marinette drummed her fingers on her lap, shy. She'd shown interest in him but hadn't expected the same in return.

"You stuck your tongue out to the side when you were focused," he continued, voice gentler than before. "My sister tells me that I do something like that: the end of my tail flicks back and forth when I'm 'focusing too much.'"

He was relating to her to help her relax, even though he'd already given her an out. The worst part was that it was working, and she managed to answer, "I-I specialize in fashion, so I was looking at some fabric."

"What kind of fashion do you make?"

"All kinds, even accessories. Like..." She sat her bag on her lap and opened it, but couldn't find anything she could use inside. Pouting, but refusing to give up when she wanted to impress him, she asked hopefully, "Do you have anything small on you? Something that you're not that attached to?"

Luka looked towards the bag he was wearing around his waist, unzipping one of the pockets and fishing inside for an object that matched her description. When he held one up to her, triangular and round at the edges, she figured that it must've been a spare guitar pick of his.

"I-is that really okay?" She took it, turning it in her hands. "What if something happens to the one you have now?"

"Don't worry. I've got plenty," he assured, zipping his bag back up and patting it for emphasis.

She wasn't sure if she could believe him, but didn't see any reason to make a fuss about it. Retrieving her wand from her bag, she held the guitar pick close to her chest and shut one eye for precision. The tip of her wand made contact with the tip of the guitar pick and she used a touch of magic to form a hole in it. She then took a thick piece of string from her bag, threading it through the hole and pinching both ends together. Rubbing them between her thumb and index finger, she whispered soft words to bind them, leaving the string forming a complete circle when she let go.

It was still a bit plain, but that was inevitable since she was just improvising. Pressing the blunt end of the wand to her cheek in contemplation, she wondered aloud, "Do you mind if I touch your tail?"

He didn't ask why, shifting his tail about so that he could raise it up to her. Marinette offered him a smile in thanks, then began to draw magic on her palm with her wand. She was tempted to comment on the adorable way Luka tried to lean in to watch, but didn't.

As she finished off the pattern she'd drawn, it glowed blue along with her eyes. Turning her attention to Luka, she placed her hand on his tail and began to run it across. He shuddered at the sensation, though it didn't affect her work.

"Sorry," she said, "I've never done this on anyone, so I didn't know that'd happen."

"It's okay." Then, more curiously, "Done what?"

When she took her hand off, she showed him: the color, pattern, and texture of his tail had been replicated directly onto it. Luka's eyes were wide with awe and she felt a burst of pride in her chest.

Closing her fist around the string with her tail-patterned hand, she pulled and pulled at the string with her other one. With each pull, the part of the string that went through her closed fist came out with the exact same pattern as Luka's tail, until finally it matched it entirely. Satisfied, Marinette shook her magic-imbued hand in the air, the pattern coming off like wind blowing dust away.

The most important part came last. She clutched the guitar pick, bringing it to her lips in thought while she considered what to do. Her personal opinion was that a witch who worked in fashion should never do so without a spell attached, but she wasn't sure which to pick. Luka didn't come off as someone reckless, so making it more durable seemed like a waste. Luck, meanwhile, was such a cliche spell to cast on anyone, not like she believed in such a thing in the first place.

She eyed him for ideas, from his highlights to his eyes and then to his body. As her gaze skimmed past his arm, the faint memory of him rubbing it earlier struck, and she almost felt stupid for not thinking of it before.

Giving the guitar pick a soft kiss, it lit up along the edges. While it was pure black before, her magic changed its border to a bright crimson, confirming that her spell had gone off without a hitch. She turned to tell Luka that it was a success, though she paused when she noticed that the tip of his tail was flicking back and forth.

I thought he said that it only did that when he was really focused on something? she wondered, but didn't catch onto the implications.

After looking over the enchanted accessory one last time, she offered it to him with a smile. "Here! Just like that!"

Luka took a moment to reply, as if her magic had rubbed off on him and put him in a trance. Snapping back to focus, he tore his gaze from her to stare at the necklace. "That—that was incredible, Marinette!"

"Y-you really think so?"

"Yeah. You even copied my tail onto the string; I still have no idea how you did it or what spell that was. I felt inspired just watching you work."

She blushed at the heavy praise, replying defensively, "You haven't even tried it on yet!"

"Oh, then please..." he said easily, not wasting another second.

She thought he would just take it from her, but he leaned closer and bent his head down patiently. Whether it was a naga thing or he somehow felt wrong touching it himself, she wasn't sure, but she went along with it anyway. It almost felt like she was bestowing a medal of honor when she draped it over his head and let it drop.

Immediately, she saw Luka's body language change and asked, "How's it feel?"

"...Warm." He hesitated, putting a hand to his chest. He raised a brow in confusion, trying to find the right words. "I feel warm?"

"Yup! It's a spell for keeping you warm." She poked the guitar pick for emphasis. "I thought you looked a little cold earlier, so it seemed right."

He gaped at her, stunned. "You did that in just a few minutes? I have a couple of naga friends who hate being even a little cold. If you want any business, I'll put in a word for you."

She started to feel shy again. "I-it's not that big of a deal?" She waved him off. "It's more like a prototype. It won't protect you from being too hot, a-and it doesn't last forever."

She felt bitter at having to say it. Temperature-controlling charms had been one of her goals as a fashion-inclined witch, yet she still hadn't figured out a perfect solution to its limited nature.

"I don't think anyone would expect that," he argued, almost sounding offended on her behalf. "Even if it doesn't last, people could only wear it when they know they'll need it. That's not much different from wearing something until it's too worn out."

That's... not a bad point, she conceded, though not enough to verbalize it. She'd just never thought about it that way.

Luka held the guitar pick part of the necklace, bringing it closer to his face to admire it. "Why aren't things like this being sold everywhere?"

Marinette shrugged. "I mean, I did come up with some of those spells myself, but maybe witches just aren't interested in using their talents for fashion? It's not exactly as flashy as making things disappear or lighting things on fire with the flick of a wrist. "

He shook his head, adamant in his position. "I couldn't take my eyes off you."

His gaze was a little intense; he meant it. She tipped her head purposefully to have an excuse to adjust her hat, not sure how to handle compliments from someone who - as she was quickly noticing - was quite handsome.

"...O-oh! Um—" She fumbled to shift the conversation away from her. Pointing hurriedly at the necklace, she explained, "A-about the spell: I said it doesn't last forever, but it doesn't need recast or anything. The enchantment on it will stay, but once it runs out of power you'll need to get someone else with magic to recharge it." Then, she blurted out thoughtlessly, "Or I could?"

She managed to suppress the scream she nearly let out, leaving it to bounce and echo in her mind while Luka could only stare in silence. She'd never cast a curse in her life - only considered it in a few dark fantasies involving people who'd bullied her - but she might've cast a curse to remove her voice if she could go back to a few seconds ago. She'd just met this boy, and she was talking as if they were ever going to see each other again.

...Well, in retrospect it wasn't impossible; actually, it was very likely. If he continued working at the cafe and she continued to visit, they would inevitably continue seeing each other. One could even make the argument that she'd become the most convenient person to recharge the enchantment then.

It didn't make her any less embarrassed though.

Looking for a diversion (a successful one this time), Marinette turned her attention to his guitar. Gesturing wildly at it, she clarified, "B-but only if you play for me! You said you would!"

He didn't say explicitly that he would, but she hoped he wouldn't remember that detail.

"...Alright," Luka replied, as if everything she'd just said and done wasn't entirely ridiculous. He even grinned wider and repeated it. "Alright. I'll play for you whenever you want."

"Oka—whenever I want?" She blinked at him, thinking that he might've slipped up as well, but he was already focusing on getting his guitar in place.

No more words were spoken as he began to play, Marinette's thoughts of how fast she'd have to be to outrun a naga left behind to listen to him. As she'd imagined, he was really good, his music feeling like it was coming straight from his heart and into hers.

Now that she'd calmed down from her little outburst, she found her fingers twitching, either to adjust one of her spells or simply to start drawing new designs. She'd stumbled her way into agreeing to meet with him again, and even if her way of going about it wasn't ideal, she'd wanted it.

As she continued to listen, his words echoed in her head, "I felt inspired just watching you work," and she pondered if this was the result of his inspiration. Thinking about it, she'd never got to make anything in front of someone before, nor come up with something new on the spot.

Perhaps they'd inspired each other then, even without meaning to, and she silently hoped that they could continue to do so.

[taldigi]

What do you think of sass, ziggy, xuppu, stompp, barkk, wayzz, and dussu? (Also I you're ok with it what powers would you give to a snake, goat, ox, dog, turtle, and peacock kwami?)

I can appreciate them individually, but any Kwami past the initial ones were superfluous.

Wyazz was ugly actually, and had a very poor design about him. Also his role was superseded by Sass because Luka ended up replacing Nino in the story. SAS isn't anything special past that though. I guess it's cool that he has a longer tail than the rest of them but it would have been better if he had a naga look. People really only like him because he's connected to Luka which is... Not great.

Dussu has a bad design as well. It doesn't shine as much as Orikkos does, lacks the beak. Not great. Power is unoriginal and very uninspired. clearly meant to be just another villain making device and has never used to its full potential. Although it does stand stronger as its own individual power rather than the butterfly. People really only like him because he's connected to Fathom or because they like gabenath. Pick your poison. (Or you know the whole Adrian being a homunculus or whatever.)

You can see a running theme here. Most people only like Kwami because they are connected to certain characters and not on their own merit. Which is bad.

The rest are fine. Uninspired but fine. They clearly meant to be paired off with the miracuclass So they fail in both design and character. Only a few really shine, like horse and a dog. Also them lacking noses, is not a great design philosophy that harms a lot of the looks, especially trixx and baark.

The whole zodiac thing was really lame to begin with.

I wouldn't give them powers because I would erase them from the series altogether. Or just make them background characters in like a fairy garden setting or whatever.

[putrisemesta-46]

Sinopsis ONI si Naga Pemberani

Aku membuat dongengku ini ketika aku SMP, ini dongeng pertamaku dan aku tidak tahu apakah yang lainnya juga termasuk dongeng, tapi aku yakin, dongeng ini pantas disebut dongeng. Satu-satunya dongeng terbaikku, menurutku. Sebenarnya aku sudah lupa versi asli dan lengkap dari yang aku tuliskan di buku tulisku saat SMP, aku tidak tahu tulisan itu ada di mana sekarang, mungkin sudah lenyap. Tapi seperti masa lalu, ada ingatan tentang moment-moment samar yang sesekali akan terlintas, apakah itu benar-benar terjadi, atau hanya khayalan kita dimasa lalu? Atau pernakah kamu melihat luka di tubuhmu, kau mungkin tahu kenapa luka itu bisa ada, tapi seiring waktu, kamu mulai ragu akan penyebab luka itu, apa cuma aku??

Apa ini pantas disebut sinopsis? hmm aku bahkan sudah lupa nama teman belalang si oni, aku pernah membuat nama baru yang aku rasa itu nama sebelumnya, tapi bahkan nama baru itu pun sudah aku lupakan, padahal dari belalang kecil itulah awal dari cerita ini di mulai

[theydrewfirst]

“HE HASN’T BEEN DECONTAMINATED YET, LUKA-“

Luka: Ye?

“CLEAN HIM-“

Luka: Yes sir-

*Rambo proceeds to be cleaned by his naga bf with a tongue bath*

(Basically, Luka cleans Rambo all the time with his forked tongue whenever he’s all dirty).

[celestiall0tus]

Court of Miracles - Chapter 11 - Solstice of Change

Beginning || Previous || Next

            Luka stepped off the teleportation pad into the winter plaza. Snow fell from unseen clouds and didn’t dust the ground. Warmth surrounded him and the others that flooded the plaza for the event. Many of the families that arrived rushed straight to the main plaza where the families celebrate outside the manor the crown families dance and make merry within. His eyes scanned the crowd for the snakes, but they weren’t to be found. He turned around towards the enchanted winter forest to see the snakes that arrived head right for there.

            Anarka tsked beside Luka. “Have they no shame? Their heir is right here, and they run off to find that beastly girl.”

            Luka flinched. “R-right. Uh, Mom? I’m going to see Adrien. I think you’ve kept us apart long enough.”

            Anarka scoffed but didn’t fight Luka.

            Luka bowed his head and head off into the forest. He trotted down the perfectly carved paths Mylene made into Adrien’s little frozen glade. Luka’s eyes widened at the frozen willow trees and their ice crystal leaves. They glistened in the bright silver moonlight that added to their beauty. He admired the trees when he heard laughter echo from further in. He trudged through the powder snow to a large frozen lake where a woman identical to Adrien skated around with other peacocks and families.

            Luka grinned. “Adrienne!”

            Adrienne stopped and grinned. She broke from her skating posse and tackled Luka into the snow. “Oh, my handsome snake! I’ve missed you so much!”

            “I’ve missed you too, my dazzling peacock. How’ve you been?”

            ��Ugh, dreadful! I couldn’t see you for more than a week because of that stubborn mule of a mother of yours. Honestly, what mother would keep her son from seeing his partner?”

            “Apparently Anarka. I suppose it’s just… the snake way.”

            “Well, she should get used to me by now. I am your mate, which makes that mule my mother-in-law, unfortunately. But enough about me for once. How are you? How is your injury?”

            “Healing well. It’s just been boring since Anarka has kept me holed up in the snake district and away from the others considering Sass’s warning. It definitely would have been better with you there.”

            Adrienne smirked and cuddled closer to Luka. “Perhaps we could skip out on that stupid ball. It is the same every year and I’m sure we won’t be missed. We usually aren’t.”

            “It’s tempting, love, but I need to see Juleka. This is the first time for a lot of things, and I want the night to go well for her.”

            “Well, I’ve not heard good things so far. I’ve had droves come over to my little glade from hers as they whine and complain about it being boring and not very festive. Those same people are saying you should have done the preparations instead of her.”

            Luka grimaced. “How little they realize. Between you and Mylene, I don’t actually prepare anything.”

            “Maybe, but at least we made it fun.”

            “Have you seen what hers is?”

            “Well, no, but I can only imagine with what a kill joy she is.”

            Luka pursed his lips and furrowed his brow. “Let’s go look.”

            “What? Why? Can’t we just cuddle?”

            “Later. I have to see for myself.”

            Adrienne groaned but followed Luka as they treaded from the glade, through the forest, and approached the snake glade. They shuddered as a cold breeze wrapped around them as they neared the barren trees. They looked into the glade to see several large bonfires around the outside with yule log piles near each fire. Many members of the snake family had already gathered around the fires and rested beside them as they basked in the warmth. In the center was a raised smooth stone platform dusted with uneven piles of snow. Juleka sat on the platform in naga form with a full body veil around her that he assumed kept her warm. Other snakes sat on and around the platform in a solemn moment before they retreated to the fires. As each went to the fires, they grabbed a yule log and tossed it in.

            “Wow. I can see why so many are saying this is boring. Where’s the fun? Where’s the music? Where’s the everything? It’s all gloomy and depressing. Just like-.”

            “Death,” Luka finished.

            “Yeah, that. C’mon, let’s go back to my glade.”

            “I’ll catch up with you. Let me just… pay my respects.”

            Adrienne pursed her lips but didn’t stop Luka.

            Luka stepped lightly through the hard, crunchy snow. He approached the platform and saw it was a dark stone, almost black with a snake scale texture. He tilted his head but knelt at the base and curled up on a corner of it. He let out a sigh as the quiet mixed with the occasional crack and pop of a bonfire and hushed buzz of the other snakes wrapped around him.

            Luka relaxed as he let his mind wander as he enjoyed the moment of solace. Away from the main family, away from Anarka, in a safe haven away from it all. It felt right being in this space. It wasn’t fun and festive, but it was what he experienced in every winter in the mundane world. Cold, harsh, but quiet. It allowed for these moments of rest and thought.

            Guilt gnawed at Luka at the missed opportunities. That Juleka’s powers never developed sooner. That they treated her the way they did. She didn’t deserve any of it. She was family and deserved so much better. Even now that her powers had emerged and she’s everything the Elders had longed for, there was so much push back that he didn’t understand.

            Luka understood that Juleka’s pain and past had inflicted deep wounds on her. Her lashing out, her hurting him, everything was just her reacting to that pain they had caused. He wanted to make things right. He wanted to see her happy and where she always belonged. In the court, as the snake heir. It was her right by birth, yet they forced it on him still.

            Luka couldn’t wrap his head around it. The Elders were desperate to have a return to form. To bring back power to the court. They needed the few Highborns in power to achieve that. They needed to make more Highborns to ensure their vision. Keeping him as heir harmed their goal. It hindered the snakes that loved Juleka. It robbed them of what they should be doing. It would return them to that they sought. They had to look no further for evidence than this right here.

            This area, this glade, it was everything the winter solstice should be. Luka knew that. Winter was a time of quiet and reflection. It wasn’t meant to be thrilling or exciting. It was when everything returned to seed and rested in death before it could return. Everything here was what the celebration should be, but Juleka was still dismissed for this. They would rather he “prepare” a frivolous party with meaningless nothings than truly appreciate the season for what it was: death.

            Luka looked up at Juleka with tear-filled eyes. She deserved so much more. He wanted to give her so much more. He just wanted to be happy. To see her smile like she did when they were kids. To welcome him again with open arms. To make up for all the wrong he ever did. He didn’t want her to hate him. He didn’t want her to curse his name. He just wanted to be a family again. He wanted his sister back, but he didn’t know how to get her back.

            A gentle hand touched Luka’s shoulder. He jumped and looked over at Adrienne knelt beside him. She opened her mouth, looked at Juleka, then at Luka.

            “It’s time. The Solstice Dance is about to begin.”

            The platform shifted as Sass raised his head as a monstrous anaconda. Adrienne grimaced and hid behind Luka while Luka bowed his head to Sass. He glanced up as Juleka moved down towards the forest. He watched the shadow of her silhouette pass by, uncertain if she saw him there or if she cared. Sass transformed into his human form and followed Juleka out of the glade. The other snakes that were around the faux platform moved over to the bonfires.

            “Luka, we don’t have to join them. Like I said, they won’t notice. I mean, Anarka might, but no one else will.”

            “What about Juleka though?”

            Adrienne opened her mouth, then shut it. “You really are worried about her, aren’t you?”

            “Of course. She… I just… I… I don’t want her to be alone anymore.”

            “Well, if we’re going to go, let’s go. We’ll keep an eye on her together.”

            “Thank you, Adrienne. Truly.”

            “Yeah, well, it’s important to you, so it’s important to me.”

            Luka smiled and kissed Adrienne. “I love you.”

            “I love you too. Forever?”

            “And for always.”

~~

            Juleka hid in a dark room while she listened to the clamor of partygoers rush into the ballroom. Her nerves ate away at her with each long minute that passed. Sass materialized beside her in his kwami form.

            “You know, hiding in a closet isn’t going to make this any easier.”

            “Would you just hush? I’m just… I’m just trying to psyche myself up.”

            “What has you anxious?”

            “The whole ass party. I know we talked about this, rehearsed, covered my remaining powers, the whole everything, but I’m just nervous.”

            “Look, best advice I can give you is let’s get this over with. I don’t want to be around these people any longer than necessary.”

            “Fine, but I’m keeping the veil on.”

            “Oh, come on! We spent hours on your dress, makeup, everything.”

            “I know, but what if they gawk at me? What if they trash my outfit? What if they think it’s too immodest? Not that I care, but I mean, I don’t want all to think that.”

            “Mylene?”

            Juleka blushed and looked away.

            “Juleka, you’re talking about the heir to the kwami that doesn’t believe in such coverings, and I have to fight with her to show some semblance of decency despite her very nature. I don’t think Mylene will care.”

            “Fine. How about… how about I enter the ballroom all mysterious and you take the veil off? Sound good?”

            “Fine. Let’s get going. I don’t want to be here any longer than I have to be, and I know you don’t either.”

            Juleka nodded and took several deep breaths. She squirmed her way out of the closet into the hallway. She took slow steps the closer she got to the ballroom. She peered into the massive room and the horde of partygoers.

            “I don’t think I can do this,” Juleka muttered.

            Sass transformed and took his human form. “You can. I’ll be there with you. Let’s do this together.”

            Sass offered his arm to Juleka who took it. She took a deep breath as he led her into the room. She kept her eyes forward as heads turned towards her. The crowd parted as the other heirs stepped forward. She grimaced as Sass stopped and tugged at her veil. She gulped hard as she looked at their fluffy, bright, and festive clothes. Marc made his way through and stepped out front.

            “Juleka! I’m glad to see you join us. Families, members of the court, I’m-!” Marc started.

            “I present the first Highborn snake since the time of plague and pestilence. The first shifter the court has seen in millennia. My preferred heir, Juleka Couffaine!” Sass announced.

            Sass tore off the veil that shrouded Juleka. Silence gripped them like death as they gawked at Juleka. She wore a ragged black dress with the back torn down to her hip, the skirt in tatters with a rip clear up the front to just below her hip, and ombre stockings and gloves that petered out around her shoulders and thighs that made her look diseased. The turquoise of her hair was gone, and her pitch-black hair draped around her like a heavy veil. The top half of her face was covered with a dull iron snake skull mask and her eyes hidden behind black fabric in the mask.

            Juleka took a sharp breath and held her head high. The other heirs and the crowd buzzed while Marc paled, and Felix glared at her. She took a gingerly step on her tiptoes as she exaggerated her movement to mirror her moving as a naga, putting more sway into it. She felt Sass close to her as they took a place on the dance floor. Sass offered his hand. She took a deep breath and took it. The floor cleared, music started again, and the lights dimmed.

            Juleka and Sass nodded as they danced to the slow, somber tune. Darkness was cast upon the crowd while the only light was on the empty dance floor. The light lost its warmth and turned a cold blue like death. She shivered as cold filled the area that was chased away by the magic of her clothes. She tried to focus on Sass but couldn’t ignore the soft whispers through the darkness.

            Juleka had heard them since the festivities started. Nearly everyone that entered her glade left as soon as they saw the true nature of winter. They made their disgust known, berated her, jabbed that Luka should have been the planner, and more. The only people that didn’t turn away from the truth were the snakes, the ones like her. Even Luka didn’t turn away but embraced the season.

            The music hastened to a harsh, guttural, and haunting melody. Juleka closed her eyes as she trusted Sass to this part of the dance as they had practiced. Their movements became swift and deadly as they glided around the floor. The whispers faded as she fell to her thoughts.

            The snakes didn’t judge Juleka. She watched as they were confused but embraced it. They needed no instruction and knew what to do. She had watched as each one came, expected them to leave without all the fun party festivities, but they stayed. They partook in her solace and reflection before they joined others at the yule bonfires. Amongst all the surprise was when Luka joined the solace.

            Juleka had watched him like a hawk. She didn’t trust his intention and waited for him to belittle and berate her, but it never came. She watched him take part in the quiet. She watched him reflect. When she saw the sorrow and despair in his tear-filled eyes when he looked at her, she was confused. He never looked at her like that before. She wanted to believe it was a trick, but it felt too honest, too sincere to be a trick.

            The music entered their crescendo as Sass took over the dance. Juleka allowed her body to go completely limp to imitate a dead body. She reveled in the ghastly whispers of the court as they bore witness to their macabre dance. They shared in the same remarks she had heard all evening, but it felt different here. This time, it was her that was ruining their mood. It was her that was reminding them what the season truly is. And she wouldn’t let them forget it.

            Sass and Juleka’s dance came to an end as Sass dipped Juleka and let her fall. The crowd all gasped when Sass caught her arm when she was not an inch from the ground. He lowered her to the floor and placed her hands on her stomach. He took her veil and covered her body, then picked her up. He headed for the exit when Marc called out.

            “Where are you going? The party has just started.”

            Sass stopped. “We won’t take part in this frivolous revelry anymore. You all should be ashamed you even allow this to continue.”

            “I don’t understand. It has always been this way, Sass.”

            Sass opened his mouth when Juleka rose up. She tore off her veil, jumped out of his arms, and faced the crowd.

            “You have forgotten your ways long ago. You ignore the truths to indulge in frivolous nonsense. Do any of you have any idea what winter really means?” Juleka challenged.

            “It’s a season of celebration, when we release unwanted habits, prepare for new beginnings, and usher in special energies, positive and negative.”

            “And that is where you are wrong. Every single one of you. Winter is time of quiet, reflection, and rest. It is the season where all returns to seed and the world is covered in a blanket of death. And once the death has passed, life finds its way back in the spring. Instead, you squander the season and what it offers on these parties. It’s no wonder the court has fallen so low. It’s no wonder you’ll never see another Highborn or shifter like me!”

            Juleka’s breath caught when she realized the words that escaped her. The entire audience gasped and was in a fit over her words. She opened her mouth but stopped herself. She turned and headed to the exit. She stopped at the door and looked back at everyone.

            “Enjoy your little party… and your own slow death!”

            Juleka stormed out while the ballroom behind her was in an uproar. She ignored them as she left the mansion and stepped out into the main square. The other families stopped and gawked at her. The other snakes perked up and rushed up to her.

            “My Lady, what brings you out here?” a young woman asked.

            “I’m returning to my solace. You are all free to join me, if you wish to indulge in what this season offers. If you’d rather squander it, then stay out of my glade.”

            Juleka continued through the plaza to the forest. She glanced behind her to see the snakes followed her, but no others. She breathed a small sigh of relief. She didn’t want the other families to join her. She just wanted those like her.

            Juleka’s step faltered before she corrected her stride. The thought surprised her. Her as one of these snakes? She had spent the past couple of weeks refuting and denying them, but here she embraced them. She saw how much like them she was. Or rather, how much like her they were. A smile tugged at her lips at that thought.

            Juleka held her head higher than before as she led her family to her solace.

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[leafweaverryn]

@inkmousey witch!felix's spoon has this engraved on it. since it was handed down to him for generations, he always thought it was a cute family thing... until, after getting past the initial scare, he starts having a snake visit him for tea... looking between naga!luka's smirk and his spoon one day, felix has a horrific thought and dawning realization summarized in a singular "oh".

Who will come into my kitchen and be hungry for me? A quote from Little Weirds by Jenny Slate engraved in a wooden spoon, 2022. instagram