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a-spicy-reader · 5 months ago

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Sativa

Synopsis: Lee SooHyuk raises his heavy eyes, the black cap covers him a little and it bothers you. The man places his palm in front of the cigarette and lights it the first time his finger rolls around the lighter. The first drag is strong, he bites in, letting the smoke penetrate his lungs for a few seconds and then slowly releasing it.

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MINORS DO NOT INTERACT

English is not my first language so sorry for any mistakes

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The beat of the music numbs your ears as you peek through the gap in the curtain at the number of people that night. A packed house, no other girl was at your level when it came to entertainment and it was exactly for this reason that there were two security guards in front of the stage so that no guy would touch you.

The limits are established between touching the garter attached to the thigh and the panties tight inside the ass, practically invisible when standing. Her heels click against the floor as the name is announced and the screams intensify like a choir.

You didn't dream of being a stripper when you were younger, you didn't want to have that life for so long… that was the thought you walked through the front door of Holy Girls Night.

The first time on stage seemed scary and you felt like giving up everything, but it was that guy who looked at your show and said: — You'll be the best in this place, I have no doubt.

The tone of voice was as deep as thunder, that statement sounded like a prophecy. It didn't take more than nine months for Cheryl to be the best-known name in all the nightclubs in Los Angeles.

The transformation happened on stage when the white light on your face meets the spotlights that illuminate the pole, the noise around you doesn't intimidate you and you become the woman that all those men would like to take home.

Such a short dress without any staging, her bare back amidst her hair loose in curls that reach the top of her ass, she smells her own perfume exhale and likes it, she feels the vibration of the sound pulsate in her body and begins dancing slowly to the beats of the chosen song.

The first turn around the pole makes you see your audience from the front, not smile. Just see them as they really are, a shower of money. Sensual music plays in the background, concentrated on the beat as you walk in front of the catwalk and go down to the first man who looks mesmerized at your thighs, squats with his legs squeezed together and rolls as if he were on top of a dick. The first notes start to be played on top of her without so much effort.

A delicious and exorbitant euphoria grew in your chest, the feeling that there was no woman in the world who was as hot as you. She gets on all fours with her ass stuck out towards them, rolls slowly and then gets up, moving her hands from her ankles until she reaches her thighs.

She turned around and placed her hands on the hem of the silver dress she was wearing, moving her hands up her body and grabbing her breasts. The euphoric screams increase when she puts her fingers on the curve of her neck and pulls the metal strip that holds that piece of cloth that she called a dress.

At the exact moment the piece falls onto your acrylic platform sandals, money rains down like a storm outside. The breasts were completely exposed, with only the nipples covered with a small silver sticker. The panties are so small that they barely cover your crotch and yet you don't care about that, you love and vibrate with every scream of your name, with all the nasties that could say… it's exciting. Being hot turned you on, you know you're too good not to be a pure exhibitionist.

Among familiar faces, the man in the black cap is near the bar, you can barely see him due to the reflection of the lights. But, his golden chain shines among the others, his presence is marked as usual. Every Friday he would be there, watching his work from afar.

This encourages her to be much more provocative, makes her want to be the devil in the heads of all those men. I wanted to turn them inside out every time I spun around on the pole, slowly climb up letting them see my ass, use my body weight to float one foot behind the other, walking on air while my hands are firmly holding the post. The sensuality increases when it rises to the top and quickly descends, reaching half of it, with the legs around it, grabbing it between the thighs and falling back with the torso looking at the others in front.

Everything is about the size of your ass, how those panties would be swallowed up on the next climb and that it would end the next second you hit the catwalk again. He climbs the pole once again and comes down, spreading his legs in a perfect scale, the eminent madness of all those men when his ass moves sensually one side at a time, swings it with such ease and the rain doesn't stop falling in over you.

Standing on all fours again, he adjusts his posture for his final act. Crawl to the middle of the walkway and lie down with your belly up, raising your legs in the air and open them slowly as you get up to sit down, it is possible that he will see you on the side of the bar, the perfect view of the woman who left him completely mad.

Not so different from the other men there, completely maddened by the idea that that woman would rip out his soul if she could, she would transform him into her faithful slave.

Cheryl ends the show and the lights go out, now was the exact time to collect the money as she gathered the bills she won in her arms. It takes exactly 60 seconds for her to do this.

The clothes were collected by the team that cleaned the stage for the next girl, but there was no next girl after her show. It was the grand finale, the best in the house, the one she was keeping in that place just by showing her ass.

Backstage is not as glamorous as it appears to be on stage. The number of girls who dress up for the salon, willing to make more money from their audience seems formidable.

It excites you, it stirs up the lioness hungry for meat, money and everything those men could offer. Cars, jewelry, mansions, marriage proposals and the most common: drugs.

You could stay to move around the room, make the house profit with drinks and also have much more in private dances. But, today is Friday… you know he would never let her enter the private room since they took over a bid.

Your only mission was to get home before any crazy people could follow you out of the club - this had happened frequently in the last few months.

All that shine makes her black skin shine in front of the dressing room mirror, she shakes her hair, combing it with her fingertips to unwind the curls that were forming again as a result of not holding the brush for too long. Those wild waves make everything more attractive when it was about you.

She gets up from her chair and says goodbye to some friends. She goes towards the changing room with three showers available to clean all that shine from her skin, getting rid of the small silver sticker on her nipples and the panties with the silicone sides taken off. He ties his hair in a high bun so it doesn't get wet, and turns on the shower.

A sudden relief when she felt the water wet her sweaty body and all the glitter dripped off as she cleaned herself. The smell of the foam from your liquid soap exudes in the bathroom, just as the bath oil perfumed your skin afterwards, you wouldn't touch your makeup now, you would leave it to take off at home where you would feel more comfortable.

The bath is over and now your only mission is to leave.

She wears a dress similar to the one she was on stage, the difference is that this one at least covered her butt completely and the halter top makes her more comfortable. She lets her hair down before taking her suitcase from the closet, all the bills were thrown into a black plastic bag and she would take it away anyway, without even counting a note.

She would receive her pay for the show the next day, too tired to drag herself to the register or past customers.

He didn't want him to do that, to attract attention from others off stage. He should just do his job and leave because you are exclusively his.

You take a deep breath as you put your bag aside and leave through the back of the club, the sound is not audible on that side and the parked cars appear to be on the other side.

the way is not to your car, much less would you go home alone that night. The route is straight through the staircase at the back of the nightclub that led to a small gate facing left, you know the access password and then enter without making any fuss.

He closes the gate and soon feels his shoes sink into the green lawn until he reaches the concrete floor that leads to the entrance of the house, a beautiful house hidden by walls more than two meters high and an electric fence. The interior light is on, the yellow color shows that the room is occupied and you think about retreating…

If he was with one of his friends or work occupied him once again. The camera at the entrance demonstrates how dangerous it could be, not only because of the image of you entering that place, but also of your security guards outside.

Strategically, there were three more men in that garden and you know, they all already suspected what he was going to do there.

Danger excites her in an uncontrolled way, she feels butterflies in her stomach every time she sees a gun in front of her. When you enter the main door and have your bag of money in your hands.

That was nothing compared to what was on the coffee table, four guns like an ornament amidst tablets wrapped in black plastic. You don't need to be intelligent to know what he was about, you know what he is… and that's exactly why you felt so attracted to him.

The smell… that delicious smell that makes her smile. He goes up the stairs to the first floor confidently until he arrives in the main room where there is a huge white sofa, where the man is sitting with his shirt open and his hands working on carefully rolling up the silk.

His glock on the table catches the eye, silver with some gold details, underneath it is his initial and that's so… sexy.

He rolls the silk between his fingers and uses the tip of his tongue to seal the joint. Tired of holding that bag and purse aside, she throws it on the floor.

— You didn't stay until the end of the show. -she says disappointed. Lee SooHyuk looks up with heavy eyes, the black cap covers him a little and it bothers you. The man places his palm in front of the joint and lights it the first time his finger rolls over the lighter. The first drag is strong, he bites in, letting the smoke penetrate his lungs for a few seconds and then slowly releases it.

Your goddess is there, wearing a blue mini dress and a nice pair of heels. Cheryl… that was the name of the slut who had taken all that strength from him, the woman who made him kneel at her feet and kiss them as if he were devoted to her.

-Come here. -she says, releasing the smoke on the second drag. She walks as if she is about to swallow the man, a sensual walk that goes unnoticed every time she appears at her house… or rather, their house.

Standing in front of the man, she raised her leg to the height of the sofa, sinking her heel into the upholstery. Lee puts his right hand that held the cigarette between his fingers and slides it gently, brushing its softness. He touches his lips and the tip of his nose, rubbing it against the inside of his thigh.

She takes the joint between her fingers and inhales slowly, lets the smoke enter her lungs and relaxes her shoulders, bends her right knee on top of the upholstery, sitting down facing the man and sitting on his lap. Lee SooHyuk's big hands go directly to her ass, flattening them, squeezing the soft flesh and you let go slowly with a chuckle on your face. — How much did you make tonight? -he asks, you put the cigarette back in his mouth but don't let him hold it. After all, Lee's hands roam his ass with devotion.

— I didn't tell you.

— You never have to worry about that. -laughs breathlessly. Its smell is so good that it is more numbing than the herb I was smoking, that good smell of musk mixed with vanilla… which when added to marijuana would be so delicious. He loved it when Lee SooHyuk was tall, with his eyes almost closing and his smile slow, because he knew that was how that man would destroy his life if he could.

He takes his right hand off his ass and takes the cigarette back to inhale and the moment he takes off his black cap, the big strands fall onto his face. His hands tangle in Lee's thick hair, pushing the strands back and he soon gets a whiff of smoke in his face. The man takes his other hand off your ass, holds your jaw while he inhales the cigarette once more and releases the smoke into your mouth, you inhale taking it into your lungs. You feel the lightness in your body every second that Lee SooHyuk stares at you as if he could eat you.

You move slowly to position yourself better, and without waiting you receive a sharp slap on the left side of your ass, making you jump a little. She locks her fingers around the back of Lee's head, the naughty laugh completely takes you off her feet, and that mix of sensations that makes her go crazy almost instantly. He puts the tip of the joint for you to inhale and this time it's you who blows the smoke in your face. His hearty laugh amuses you, as does he slowly moves his thighs on top of your lap where you feel his dick growing.

— I think I should go back to doing private dances. -babbling. I get up from Lee SooHyuk's lap and he shakes his head no. — The money is good, and I should take advantage of the fact that I'm becoming famous…

— Oh, of course! There are a hundred rappers wanting you to appear in a video. -he ironizes, the man leans his back against the backrest and slides a little further down the sofa. —What more could you want right now, Cheryl?

-At the time? -an innocent question, she opens the bag of money, leaving it next to Lee's revolver. —I only think about one thing.

— What would it be, my dear? -you shudder when he calls you that, a shiver rises on your neck causing a small spasm. She turns the bag upside down, letting the bills fall all at once onto the coffee table.

-Money. -she whispers. She leans forward, resting one knee on the small wooden table to pick up Lee's gun. — And one of those.

— Do you want a gun?

— Uh-huh. -he says slyly, placing her back on the table. Her position is suggestive of her and almost an invitation to the man, who appreciates the fabric of the dress rising up against her skin and showing her tiny panties being swallowed by her ass. Lee feels his dick throbbing inside his underwear, he squeezes it tightly over his pants. The excitement increases every time she was by her side, no matter the time or place, and that was exactly why she couldn't watch the show until the end.

The tiny panties are almost reaching his pussy lips, they are too small and he can have the perfect view of his favorite place in the whole world.

— Why do you want a gun? -he asks mesmerized, the woman turns around, lifting her torso and facing Lee.

Power.

— More than you already have? -she notices that he passes his hand over his pants, the lump in the fabric excites you. —What do you want to do with that much power, my dear?

— Tame you. -he answers wisely.

— Tame me? -laughs breathlessly. The joint was gone and now he just stares at you like you're his only focus now. - Why do you want that?

-I don't know. -she responds. — I just want to.

— And for that you need to go back to doing private dances? -you shake your head positively at him, stretch your lips in a half smile and then bite the lower one. — Then dance for me. -the intensity in his voice makes her vibrate. — You've shaken your ass long enough for other men, now you're going to shake it just for me.

-I go? - asks innocently. Look for the sound control in your field of vision, it was turned on softly and then you switch to exactly the song you wanted to hear, turning it up a little. — What makes you believe he would do that?

— First: you are mine. -he says, with his arms open, resting on the back of the sofa. — Second: You have no choice. -he sighs and looks at me. — Third: I want you to do this for me, now.

Sativa starts playing next. The heaviness in my body seems to disappear when Lee SooHyuk wets his lips and rests the back of his head on the sofa, swaying his body slowly to the rhythm of the music when the man finds himself completely numb to you.

She runs her hands sensually over her body, going down to the middle of her legs and goes around them, slowly going up, a few steps forward, standing between her legs, goes down between them, placing her hands on her knees and then slowly turns around, pretending that she is going to sit on his lap, but he just rubs slowly and the man takes a deep breath. Try to touch your hair and you immediately get up, moving away, lifting your butt up and lowering your torso completely, touching your ankles, you see Lee when she gets up, throwing her hair and slowly lifting her dress.

He moves to the rhythm that makes his ass jiggle so deliciously that the man takes his right hand to his dick, he squeezes it hard trying to control the desire he feels for the woman in front of him. It's impossible!

As she passes her right hand through her hair, moving it to the side and lowering it between the neckline of the dress, holding her own breasts. He goes down again, getting on all fours, and when Lee SooHyuk weighs his breathing, he bites his lower lip.

Stop. -order. You don't let him command now, you first pull the box between your thighs and take it out slowly, rolling it, throwing the piece towards him and smiling. He sits on the edge of the table and opens his legs, laying the rest of his torso behind him.

Next to him the gun and the bills slide to the floor, then he raises his legs high and slowly opens them after turning. The man mumbles something, he is going crazy.

Stop now. -you're completely naked, high, too excited not to continue teasing him. It's different when you have Lee SooHyuk, because he knows exactly what to do, he knows you're going to be fucked so hot that your only weapon against him was to tease him until he had his hands around your throat, choking you until enjoy.

Lee got up from the sofa and walked to where she was sitting, the height of that man is intimidating, he was huge in every aspect, from his hands, his height, his strong and defined torso, his nose and his… stick.

The man reaches the back of her neck with just one hand, grabbing it firmly under her hair and in that pull his fingers gently caress her. The brutality bends down to his face and steals a small kiss, presses his lips together and between his lips he sucks his bottom, gently passing his tongue and then enters his mouth. You surrender to the kiss, but you can't take the reins, he holds your head, letting it stay like that, positioned just for your pleasure.

Lee SooHyuk climbs up the torso and still holding the back of his head does something with the other warm hand that leaves him euphoric. You moisten your own lips when you see his cock being pulled out of his pants, you raise your eyes to his and feel that delicious twinge inside you, a flame that excites you and makes your pussy wet. His dick is big, I liked the slight upward tilt that let it touch her most sensitive point inside her pussy, the bulging veins and that slightly pink wet glans, everything that reminds me of this man is extremely delicious.

He held the cock slowly and rubbed the glans against his parted lips and slowly tapped it against his cheek.

Go. -he speaks. — Put it in your mouth. -immediate order. You let out a naughty little laugh at him, you open your mouth, putting your tongue out and Lee rubs his head against it, wet and then slides it in, forcing it all the way in, this chokes you and you hold your breath to get it in completely. in the mouth.

He takes his hands to Lee's hips and presses the tips of his nails, going down the exposed skin and reaching the man's ass. He takes his cock into her mouth and lets her suck it as she liked, the guttural moan when her mouth is around him, so soft, wet and warm.

Slide back and forth while feeling the entire length of your cock. With the help of one hand, he masturbates at the same intensity as he uses his mouth to move up and down, he removes his hand, sliding it down to his balls and caresses it slowly. She increases the rhythm of her mouth, feeling her excitement reach its maximum, her hard breasts and her luscious pussy, dripping to feel that cock inside her.

Lee SooHyuk takes his dick out of his mouth, and the hand from the back of his head went to his jaw with that thread of saliva that connected it to his dick. She looked so hot, her lipstick was smudged, her eyes were watering and her face was ready to be fucked.

The man gathers saliva in his mouth and slides it between his lips, spitting in his mouth, in the most degrading moment of that sex.

Then, he takes off his clothes, leaving him completely naked. He knelt between her legs and rested his hands on his knees, where he made the most ordinary gesture he could make. He puts his hand under her right thigh and pulls it towards him, placing her legs between his face. Before sucking her pussy, Lee moved up to her breasts, and even though her right leg was being lifted over his arm, it doesn't make a difference to him. Because he wants to fuck you, destroy you completely.

The lips gently rub on the hard nipples, passing the tongue slowly on the right one and then moving on to the left one, where he wraps it completely, sucking harder to the point of making you arch your back on the wooden table, pressing the strands of your hair with forces against her breast, feeling her clitoris pulsate, begging to be touched. You try to take your hand there, but you are stopped by the hand that was holding your right breast. It squeezes so tightly that you moan loudly, much louder than the sound itself.

He changed breasts and it drives you completely crazy, you take your hands to the edge of the table, supporting yourself there, trying to control everything that was about to happen. The sound of the gun falling to the floor makes Lee raise his head and see me scared, ironic laughter appears on his lips that return to sucking my breasts.

He descends slowly in a trail of kisses that cause me a frenzy, the sensation that sensitizes my skin every time he kisses, reaching the pubic mound where he rubs the tip of my nose and descends a little further touching the critical point with his rigid tongue, the pressure he exerted when covering it there, and then he moved slowly as if he were pushing him and that leaves me ecstatic for a few seconds, my legs tremble on top of the man's broad shoulders.

A feeling building inside his chest, the flame burns and the more he uses his mouth on your pussy, the more you want him.

She sucks deliciously well, uses the tip of her lips to suck with the same cautious pressure that makes her vibrate, arch her back and curse the man for so much torture. You want him so much, to the point of begging to be fucked.

He doesn't let go of you until he feels necessary, he doesn't stop until he fills your mouth with your liquid. You're sweaty with the bills sticking to your back, panting when the man simply pulls your body to the floor.

You are so sweet. -he whispers between your lips, the smell was on him, his taste, everything that reminded him of you. I feel his right hand surround my throat, squeeze it between his fingers, pressing firmly. Your breath stops the second you position yourself between your legs and force it into my entrance, so wet that your cock enters easily.

You delight in that small movement that causes a new sensation, the one that makes you moan his name loud and clear.

— Lee… -escapes from his throat, begging him to fuck you hard. And so he does, the firm thrusts of the man's hips against you make you more and more excited, they are thrust hard, hitting your groin feeling the firm impact in which your bodies move against each other. The tightness in your throat increases, and he lifts his torso holding your legs at shoulder height, his dick reaches the bottom, you feel it touch the inner wall that makes you feel a small pain in your uterus… he is completely devastating you.

Her face red, eyes watering with lust, ready to be hit with a slap in the face. And this excites you much more than touching your own clitoris, another slap is given and this time your face burns.

Lee SooHyuk comes out of you and it distresses you as if you were committing an act of madness, in fact he just gets up and pulls you up, resting his knees on the upholstery of the sofa and his hands on the backrest, partially on all fours.

The first slap is given firmly to the side of the ass, the side burns and pulses with pain that mixes with pleasure. A kiss is given as he holds my throat to slowly turn his face, bending over you.

Your index finger goes to your open mouth, and you hold it between your teeth. Rolling his ass slowly when his dick enters again, he moans deliciously.

With her finger stuck between her teeth, the other hand squeezes her hair, pulling it back, making her let go. The impact of Lee's hips against your ass is so strong that you can feel his balls, he devastates you, fucking you with delicious precision, so strong and hard… you roll your eyes, squeezing the upholstery between your fingers, panting and sweating as the man looks like he wasn't even close to cumming.

High to the point of feeling everything doubled, it was much more sensitive, his touch, the kiss, that fucking. He felt everything with greater intensity until the moment when Lee bites his shoulder in the most brutal act, squeezing the side of his ass, supporting himself to continue fucking.

You shake your ass slowly, grinding against the man, pushing your hips against him and feeling him more and more. The orgasm leaves her in agony, the sensation that she was falling in free fall, her body tenses and two seconds later the sensation increases, raising the level. You cum and as soon as you feel the viscous liquid mixing with yours, the man slowly comes out and you lie down on the couch, looking at Lee SooHyuk completely destroyed.

His hair sticks to his sweaty forehead, he puts his hand behind it. Panting to the point of lying down on the upholstery next to you, he rests his head on your shoulder, slowly rubbing his face against the curve of your neck.

Lee pulls her into a soft kiss, their tongues touching in delicious pressure, moving in perfect tune. The fit, the soft lips, the moan between kisses when your lower lip is bitten.

That man had all of you, and he knew exactly how he liked to be fucked… how to make you cum.

He loves to satisfy you.

And you… knew exactly how to tame that man.

#lee soohyuk #black reader #ambw fic #ambw #lee sooHyuk smut #smut #lee soohyuk x reader #lee soohyuk imagines #lee soohyuk smut

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healthysparkles · 1 year ago

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night guard acrylic is a best appliance made of a metal wire & colorful plastic or acrylic plate and protects the results of treatment.

#night guard acrylic #dental

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av-rental · 2 years ago

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Colored dental hawley retainer, night guard acrylic is a best appliance made of a metal wire & colorful plastic or acrylic plate and protects the results of treatment

#night guard acrylic #langdental

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box-architecture · 5 months ago

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At some point I wrote a Last Unicorn Dream AU with Roman, but was never able to finish. I wanted to make the King who had trapped all the unicorns in the ocean into Sam, and the Red Bull is instead his Creeper form that he turns into.

Sam has trapped the unicorns into the paintings/murals, where they hide among the acrylic foliage and brush strokes of the canvases. He's assumed himself as their Warden, "guarding" their innocence from the dangers of man's mortal realm. His Creeper form is a huge dogcat creature that has Claws and Fangs, and is very dangerous. He assumes a human form most of the time though, and only has features that are vaguely familiar to the Creeper form if you're looking.

I wanted to have Dream, now transformed into a human, with his entourage, find the castle/prison, and stay there overnight claiming needing a safe haven. Sam is very taken with Dream, even if Dreams existence is clouded by a depressed air from not being able to be in his true form.

In the night, they sneak around and spot the unicorns trying to hide in the paintings, and go through a puzzle to find the original canvas that transports one from the real world to the paintings in the mural.

Sam discovers them, and demands they leave, trident in hand, but Dream runs through the canvas, and Sam rushes after him, revealing both their true forms when the mural magic portrays them as who they are in their hearts.

Sam doesn't want to fight Dream, but Dream very much wants to fight him, and is able to cow the puppycat into submitting. The unicorns see one of their own defeat their jailer, and surge out of the murals and paintings in droves, through the canvas and out into the rising dawn.

Sam looks very sad and pathetic and lays there, upset that the most wonderful things in the world are now Outside and Not Safe From The Evils. Dream has a meaningful conversation about how you cannot hide away the innocent, and some other stuff that's very metaphorical but I don't have it in me right now.

The point is: Unicorns are now back in the world. Everyone is free to go home, and Dream takes his found family to their forest.

However, Sam, now staying in his big cat form, is following gingerly at a distance.

SNF go "pspsps, Dream. That creature is following us."

Dream doesn't even look back as he walks. "I know."

"We're just going to let him follow us home????"

"Yep."

And it takes a few weeks of settling into their home, but Sam slowly shuffles closer and closer into their little circle of territory, until he is Very Carefully scooting into Dreams side, eyes darting up repeatedly to make sure Dream isn't going to turn and get mad at him. Dream pretends not to notice as Sam presses their flanks together, and only flips his tail to curl around Sam's leg when Sam begins to purr

Sam had been Very Bad you see, trapping all the unicorns in the world. But!!!! But Dream. Dream is nice. And also a unicorn. So maybe a Sam can repent for his sins by protecting Dream. And also cuddle him. Very sound Sam logic.

Dream is as amoral as the Unicorn from the movie and doesn't really care about that. He just sees Sad Lonely Immortal Cat Creature and thinks 'Mine Now.'

Also I don't have any feasible explanation for what Sam is and why he can turn into a Person. Maybe he was a lonely puppycat who used a magical crown to become human, but he never lost his immortality, and so he once had a small kingdom that is decrepit now, the king outliving his subjects

The unicorns are the only companions he could have, that would live as long as him. But now he has New Friends, and they're immortal! And he can be his true self without need of the magic crown.

.... also if you want to be horny about it puppycat Sam absolutely fucks his Unicorn. Does what he thinks is a proper courting, playfights and rolls around in the meadow with Dream, until his brain gets goofy-horny and he is allowed to mount Dream.

(Sam going insane about getting his treasure filthy, filling him up and knotting him so nothing escapes. Dream needs to be bred properly, pinned with claws and neck caught in his jaw (but gently ! Safely) so his prey can't escape.

He had to earn it first, of course. Dream is proud and beautiful as all unicorns are, and Sam must be Very Good to earn his attentions.

This is all in Sam's head for the most part. While Dream is very pleased and wanted to be courted because Being Valued and Respected Is Nice, he had already considered Sam to be his, will fuck him and sprawl on top of him and only feels truly satisfied when Sam is beside him. Sam will be very surprised when Dream one day turns Sam over to nuzzle his fur before fucking him silly.

Also I just have a cute imagery of Sam trying desperately not to rut like a silly boy before he even gets inside Dream. Sam is just so desperate. He ruts because he can't help it, whimpering. maybe a little frustrated with himself. whining and panting when he finally gets his cock inside Dream.

He just needs it so badly, and his treasure is making soft noises of pleasure beneath him. He wants to breed Dream full of cum!!! He was Dream to limp and whimper and for it to leak out of him!!! He wants to knot him so if it starts leaking out of Dream, Sam will know it's because he stuffed him full.

Sam feeling the cum leak, and Dream making a show of trying to drag himself out from under Sam because he can't take more, its too much, he can't take it

(Being inside Dream is Relief and Heavenly and Being Granted A Privilege, An Honor. He's Just A Little Puppycat You See, a puppy who needs his fill, and all the unicorns in the world couldn't draw him in like Dream did. Dream Was Special. Dream was obviously sent to save Sam.

Dream was meant to find Sam and Save Him Free Him Take Him Home. Dream was made to be with Sam. Dream was meant to be pure, except when he was meant to be dirtied by Sam's touch, Owned And Changed. And obviously Dream will soak in the river with Sam and will go back to being pure and beautiful. But Then Next Week Sam Will Have Him Again, and Sam now has finally managed to "trap" a unicorn for good. because Dream loves him. So really Sam was actually right to do this all along-

and now he gets cuddles and kisses and gets to have his cock in Dream and gets to Zoom in a forest instead of having to pretend to be human in a castle. Truly, life is good for a Sam)

#backposting #awesamwastaken #Last Unicorn AU #the horniness probably takes away from the whole character development thing for Sam #and honestly I know the me from back then had a whole slew of character development ideas that would make the whole cast feel grown #but this was from so long ago and I'm so easily fatigued that its better to just do what I can #rather than leave everything in stasis forever because it isn't 'how it should be'

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lord-aldhelm · 7 months ago

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WIP Wednesday

Another week, another tag game! Please share your last sentence; or, if you don’t have one, share a plot bunny or idea! (OR sketch for your artwork!)

No one tagged me this time! I am taking the lead lol!

This is from my S2 Aldflaed fic (still not titled yet lol), which is turning out to be a prequel for Springtime it seems:

It was very early dawn when the Devonshire fyrd returned to their camp. The sun had not yet risen, but the sky had turned a lighter shade of blue, and the horizon to the east glowed with a pale golden light. The noise of the approaching men and horses in the distance startled Aethelflaed into wakefulness. The first thing she saw upon awakening was Aldhelm’s stoic face only a few inches from her own. He had apparently fallen asleep while guarding her sometime in the night. His bright green eyes met her icy blue ones for a brief moment before she was fully awake and aware of her surroundings. She tensed; she could feel the weight of his hand on her upper arm as he held her in place while she slept. She moved to back away but her movement was blocked by the log that was pressed against her back. She felt trapped, and started to reflexively panic when Aldhelm spoke.

And for the WIP for artworks; here are the rough sketches for the TLK fanarts I am currently working on:

Aldhelm will be in pastels, Constanine and Skade in colored pencils. I am also working on a cat drawing in pastels, and a cicada painting in acrylics, but didn't want to post these here.

No Pressure Tags:

@daethelflaed @gemini-mama @sihtricfedaraaahvicius @thenameswinter99 @whitedarkmoonflower

@poetic-fiasco @itbmojojoejo @garunsdottir @timetravelingpenguin1066 @thelettersfromnoone

@arcielee @st-eve-barnes @foxyanon @alexagirlie @holy3cake

#wip wednesday #tag games

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sunnydaleherald · 3 months ago

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The Sunnydale Herald Newsletter, Wednesday, September 11th - Part One

Xander is walking in a deserted street and sees Angel and Faith approach. XANDER: Hey guys! Man, where you been? You gotta find Buffy. She's going to her place and stocking up on ... Angel casually smacks Xander in the jaw without breaking stride. Xander falls limply to the ground. Faith doesn't even look at him. ANGEL: That guy just bugs me. Angel and Faith continue marching down the street.

~~Enemies~~

[Drabbles & Short Fiction]

BtVS Triple Drabble: Always In Trouble by badly_knitted (Buffy, PG)

Weekly Drabbles #170 — Soothing by veronyxk84 (Buffy/Spike, PG-13)

Hello, Old Friend by RavenLove12 (Giles/Ethan, E)

Negotiating by TheClowniestLivInExistence (Darla/Drusilla, M)

GRAVE DISTRACTION by KNZ1 (Buffy, Xander, M)

There's a Different Feel About You Tonight by Skyson (Buffy/Giles, M)

Glimpses of the Wasteland by Harlow_Turner (MadeInGold) (Buffy/Angel/Spike, Giles/Maggie, Riley/Graham, T)

Not Without Permission by Regent_Rando_nsfw (Regent_of_RarePairs) (Giles/Spike, E)

Secrets & Apologies by Regent_of_RarePairs (Giles/Spike, T)

The Other Kind of Lust by LiraelClayr007 (Giles/Spike, M)

Retaliation by sassaffrassa (Buffy/Spike, E)

Can't hear you... by LiraelClayr007 (Giles/Spike, E)

"Yeah...." Joan sighed, blowing out smoke from a second procured cigarette and stifling a cough... by hiddenbysuccubi (Buffy/Spike, unrated)

Outline: ... btvs / ats selfinsert au by asleepmottley (Angel/Spike, unrated)

Glimpses of the Wasteland by Harlow Turner (Buffy/Spike, PG-13)

What the Drabble? Vol. 2 - ch. 70 by VeroNyxK84 (Buffy/Spike, PG-13)

[Chaptered Fiction]

Foregivenss - ch. 38 by slaymesoftly (Buffy/Spike, R)

Spies, High Stakes, and Secrets - ch. 1 by Rippertish (Buffy/Giles, E)

Finding Peace pt.13: Wanting (Spike x y/n) by itsalwaysteatimeinwonderland (Spike/reader, unrated)

Soul Mate Magic - Chapter One by emma-m-black (Giles/OC, rated M)

Soul Mate Magic - Chapter Two by emma-m-black (Giles/OC, rated M)

Next To Me - ch. 2 by Lilacsandorangeblossoms (Buffy/Spike, NC-17)

Because the Night - ch. 8 by CheekyKitten (Buffy/Spike, NC-17)

Truth and Consequences - ch. 24 by JamesMFan (Buffy/Spike, R)

Forgiveness Doesn't Come Easy - ch. 38 by slaymesoftly (Buffy/Spike, R)

Mysterious Destinies - ch. 9 by EnchantedWillow (Buffy/Spike, NC-17)

Into his mind - ch. 3-4 by rossshin (Buffy/Spike, G)

Next to me - ch. 2 by Lilacsandorangeblossoms (Buffy/Spike, NC-17)

Sweet Dreams (Or A Beautiful Nightmare) - ch. 3 by goodbyetoyou (Buffy/Spike, NC-17)

To All We Guard - ch. 24 by simmony (Buffy/Spike, NC-17)

Forgiveness Doesn't Come Easy - ch. 38 by Slaymesoftly (Buffy/Spike, R)

[Images, Audio & Video]

Banner: 🎨 Banner Art #21 — For ThreeWordApocalypseFest by veronyxk84 (Buffy/Spike, worksafe)

Artwork: ☀️ATS 221. Through The Looking Glass ☀️ by tmcarlee (ensemble, worksafe)

Artwork: Little piece of buffy inspired art I made (A5, acrylic and ink on card) by jaw-jar (worksafe)

Artwork: i love you liar girl by bugaboooooooooo (Faith, worksafe)

Artwork: Discord shenanigans resulted in this by isevery0nehereverystoned (Spike, worksafe)

Artwork: Red ink test. by o-cm-draw-o (Buffy/Spike, worksafe)

Artwork: Ep. 2×03 "School hard" by o-cm-draw-o (Buffy/Spike, NSFW-ish)

Artwork: Ep. 5x07 "Fool for Love" by o-cm-draw-o (Buffy/Spike, worksafe)

Fanvid: Buffy the Vampire Slayer // I Wanna Be Your Joey Ramone by Sleater-Kinney by whale-music (Buffy/Faith, worksafe)

Fanvid: [Is Anybody Here?] by buffyannegiles (Buffy, Giles, worksafe)

Moodboard: Sanctuary Mood Board Watch Here (x) by theoverlookedoneedits1997 (ensemble, worksafe)

Manip / Wallpaper: A Big Rock by revello-drive-1630 (Drusilla, Angel, Spike, worksafe)

Gifset: Buffy Meme: [5/6] Faith/Buffy "You know what the messed up thing is?... by lovebvffys (Buffy/Faith, worksafe)

Gifset: [when the words of a sister come back in whispers] by detectivedawnsummers (Buffy/Faith, worksafe)

Gifset: Tara Maclay + Outfits (Season 5) by clarkgriffon (Tara, worksafe)

Gifset: Otpsource's 4 Year Anniversary Event DAY 1 - 'SCREW DESTINY': Bangel by buffyscmmers (Buffy/Angel, worksafe)

Gifset: Behind the scenes of Once More With Feeling, the Buffy the Vampire Slayer musical episode (x) by stronglikeayellowcrayon (ensemble, worksafe)

Gifset: BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER (2x05) ʀᴇᴘᴛɪʟᴇ ʙᴏʏ by likeafantasy (ensemble, worksafe)

Gifset: 2.01 Judgment | 2.18 Dead End Angel [1999 - 2004] by dailyats (ensemble, worksafe)

Fanvid: Monster | Buffy/Faith by thequeentaylor (Buffy/Faith, worksafe)

Fanvid: Mum - Buffy, Joyce & Dawn (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) by TheOverLookedOne (Buffy, Joyce, Dawn, worksafe)

[Reviews & Recaps]

Made a list of my favorite episodes of Buffy the Vampire Slayer by the order in which they aired in their respective seasons... by coraniaid

Out of Mind, Out of Sight Fashion Part Three by theoverlookedoneeddits1997

[Recs & In Search Of]

Book rec: btw this is great and I love it... by lilithhedwig

ISO: Limitlesstoys7 seeks reading order and recs for Buffy novels

[Community Announcements]

Buffyverse Slay-o-Ween Exchange 2024 [nominations now open] by fandomcalendar

INPRNT shop link and commission info by tubesock86

[Revamped IWRY Marathon: signup now for both fanfic and art] by iwillrememberyoumarathon

Fic prompt: Buffy and Dawn, childhood memories [seeking fic fill] by buffyversekinkmeme

Submit a link to be included in the newsletter!

Join the editor team :)

#btvs #buffy the vampire slayer #fan art #fan fiction #meta #angel the series #ats

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ivyprism · 9 months ago

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Underverse Opening Brain Creator Thoughts

Warning: Blood, death, devastation, violence, lots of it, not great written fight scenes, creator rambles.

"In the face of tension, pain and devastation... The connection that's between our hearts..." Cue the showcase of many skeleton boys as well as their respective sonas. "Is reaching through the time!" It then cuts to Ivy startling and then looking over as her eyes widen in horror as it cuts to the title card. "Through the time!" It showcases someone smirking at her as others surround them.

Then, as it continues, it shows a fight between Dusk and Bliss before it cuts to another fight. The fighting continues as someone seems to interrupt it and the twins look over in horror.

It shows a variety of scenes after:

It then shows Marguerite tensing and looking over.

Willow fixed her scarf and looked away.

Primrose holding a piece of fabric before she looks up.

It shows Nerium moving her hand from her cheek to under her chin.

Then it shows Flori pulling her hair free of a ponytail.

It shows Marigold dancing happily as she pauses to glance over and Primula stops dancing as water that was floating falls around her.

Azalea rests her hand on her chest as she startles and looks around.

It shows Hollyhock biting her lip as she then reaches out towards something glowing.

It shows Ivy gripping her necklace as her magic glows and then she closes her eyes as the camera pans.

"You, so tired and cold stand here, between the worlds..." It shows Tusche and Lenovo waking up with their brothers confused as children. They have some people reaching for them. "Each of them you saw get broken to the core..." It then shows the dust of the people and then their conflict as it grew. "Dark is creeping closer..." It shows someone writing and then smirking as a creature comes to life. "Spark in your heart's frozen..." It shows a ghost skeleton monster glance over, her eyes glowing before she turns to mist. The camera pans... "There's nothing left anymore." It shows an angel skeleton monster yelling and reaching before the AU falls apart around them.

"When a dream turns into a nightmare!" It shows Dusk and Bliss facing off but then time cuts to them as Myrsky soothes Bliss and Archemoros fights Dusk in a looming large form. "Truth is right there!" It shows Archemoros besting Dusk, but then it cuts... "Gotta stay determined! (Listen to your heart and let it be your guiding star!)" Ivy is stranded in the anti-void as mechanical creatures surround her and she stays frozen. Her eyes widen in horror as an attack, but before it hits a skeleton with a mask scoops her up.

"Fight to push back the night!" It shows Acrylic using paints as Virus uses his strings. Comet and Umbra tag team as the creatures attack with beams and a figure looms above them. "No matter the pain and this plain devastation!" It shows Dusk and Bliss working together as Tusche and Lenovo work to push back the creatures. Cecilia and Poison help fight back as well. "For all the creations' sake -" It shows the masked skeleton avoiding attacks and weaving through as the princess carries Ivy. "Do not be afraid!" Ivy blinks in surprise.

"Together, we'll save everything-!" It shows Marguerite and Willow back to back as Marguerite grows confident and Willow seems angry. Nerium guards Flori as Primula and Marigold dance circles around the enemies. Azalea is healing while clasping her hands together and looking up. Primrose is helping heal with Azalea. "and make a new alternation!" It then cuts to Hollyhock, barely holding on, bleeding as she reaches for the "Break the Barrier button" and she hits it as she falls.

Time resets... And Ivy wakes up.

"Has this all been planned by one infernal hand?" It shows the enemy talking to someone as he finishes his next bot. "Made to play their role, the universes fall..." It shows Senna sitting in the void as she writes something down. She clenches her teeth as flowers bloom on her neck. "Lies are spreading fast, and lives get turned to dust..." It shows Senna lowering her pen as she sees the constant fighting of the Outcode group and looks displeased. "Is this deserved by them all?"

"Gotta step in, stop the daydream." Senna looks even more displeased as the fighting grows worse. She looks at her hands, she has to do something. "Your hearts filling with determination!" She wants them to survive this time. She wants everyone to survive.... She'll deal with this. "(Cannot pick the bridge when it's already time to cross!)" She steps forward a lightning strike forms as she raises her hand.

"Fight to bring back the light!" It shows the Outcode fighting before Senna decides to finally intervene. She moves forward as she their attacks deflect off her and her mask holds strong. "There won't be a sign of divine intervention!" It then cuts to a nasty fight between the enemy and the group, but now they're in unison.

"To save this dimension -!" It shows Captain and Cardinal tag teaming enemies together. Brass and Jet smoothly avoid fighting as they take out enemies together. Clove is protecting Hydra as Cinnamon heals Hydrangea and Harper. Glamour and Caramel are caring the back as the Dance boys dance around their enemies. Vanilla is carrying his brother as he shows off, but then it shows.... "Go, let's rise from below!" It shows Navy and Ebony joining the fray as they attack. It shows Sentinel and the other Angels not backing off as they're backed by the demons. "We have to take it all in our hands and show our true determination!" It shows the skeletons all joined together, but as Ivy ran, she fell into a crack and the skeleton who grabbed her reached for her. He falls after her.

It shows the two free-falling as Ivy seems to recall something.

"In the face of tension, pain and devastation... The connection that's between our hearts..." It shows Ivy sitting in a group of blurry and distorted groups as she stands by a familiar masked skeleton.

"Ivy!" The voice of the skeleton breaks her out as he reaches for her father.

"Is reaching through the time!" Ivy's eyes are blurred as she remembers her friends, the war, the death... All the death... "What's this feeling in my heart?" Ivy slowly reaches back as her eyes slowly unblur and she recalls who's reaching for her. "We're connected, though apart..." She can see her soul as his reaches for her.

"In the face of tension, pain, and devastation..." Ivy opens her mouth, willing it to work. She recalls everything as her soul glows more and her magic engulfs his. "Now I know I am filled with determination!"

"Honeycomb!" Her voice finally worked as he grabbed her hand and they're back in the fray.

"Live! You gotta believe!" As Ivy comes to, Honeycomb is holding her as Aquamarine joins the fray with Rain and Heath. They're fighting together as a trio. "Whoever you are, feel your star shining brighter!" It shows Undyne fighting as Asgore and Toriel protect the kids. Athena and Beryl were tag teaming together. The group fights as one as Tara and Theodoric help heal. "To bring back the light of day!" Oriel runs in and throws her spear through a great number of machines. Della is helping as best she can as the fight continues. "We cannot delay!"

"It is all or nothing, my friend..." Ivy pulls away from Honeycomb as she gets up. She helps the other sonas stand up as her body glows in her mafic. "So, right to the end, together we'll stand and-!" Marguerite guards Ivy on both sides as Willow helps guard the back. They nod at her.

"Fight to push back the night!" It cuts to Floryn closing her book and then her hands glow as Ivy pushes through the group as she dodges attacks. She is running now as her fellow sonas fight and fall. "No matter the pain and this plain devastation!" Willow fights hard and never backs down, Marguerite fights and doesn't hold back, and Nerium guards Flori as Primula and Marigold dance circles around the enemies, but even they fall. Azalea is guarding them with her magic as Hollyhock supplies more magic. Primrose helps supply the magic before Ivy runs.

"For all the creations' sake -!" Acrylic and his brother are fighting, but they're getting outnumbered. Cecilia is holding her hands together as Senna helps guard Ivy from a distance. Ivy winces and holds her bleeding side as she runs.

"Do not be afraid." A voice pushes Ivy harder. She listens to the voice as she runs and bleeds. She reaches for the button, the button to save the group again.

"Together, we'll save everything and make a new alternation!" Ivy hits the button as she smiles at Honeycomb one last time before...

She wakes up.

-------

Song: https://youtu.be/75J3Mx4FP5A?si=JJc2h4IvRniaANIp

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canmom · 7 months ago

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l'aventure de canmom à annecy - épisode DEUX - dimanche

was a good first day of annecy. tomorrow I'll hopefully have a chance to get pictures off the camera and illustrate properly, but for a quick writeup...

today the festival events began halfway through the day, so I went for a little wander around the city in the morning! I visited the Palace de l'îsle, which is the building you're likely to see in every photo of annecy, at the fork in the river.

here's a photo of a photo and a drawing, which is all i have on my phone:

it's a pretty storied building, variously operating as a mint, a courthouse, and a prison. in the modern day, its lower floors are mostly devoted to the history of the building, while the upper floors are something like an industrial history of Annecy itself, which is not just a pretty old slice of medieval Europe to bait the tourists, but also was in the years from the French revolution up through the 20th century something of an industrial hub, hosting a loooong list of factories.

next stop was the castle! this castle sits on a hill overlooking the city, and it has been home to a variety of nobles, all of whom added bits, resulting in what the sign describes as 'architectural inconsistency'. i was hoping for more history but instead I mostly found art! lots of grand landscapes - I don't know enough art history to place them but from around the late 1800s. they were, frankly, bloody impressive, and I think I could learn a lot about composition, lighting, brushwork etc.... the top floor of the castle was devoted to contemporary artworks, so generally much more conceptual pieces - acrylic panels that cast shadows of bones, fingernails embedded in sandstone, that kind of thing. I'll fully admit this isn't really my scene so I didn't really get it, but I also didn't really have time to look around more since it was movie time!

this year the theme is Portugese animation, meaning there are seven entire programming blocks dedicated to Portugese stuff. accordingly, the first set movies I got to see was a collection of Portugese animated films by a duo called Abi Feijó and Regina Pessoa - who were in fact there in person, though since they addressed us in French I only got snatches of what they said. In any case, their work is super bold and dramatic.

the film that brought them together, and probably my favourite, was Os salteadores (1993) [The Outlaws] in which two passengers in a taxi discuss the partisans who fled Franco into Portugal during the Spanish civil war. The driver reveals that he ended up commanded to drive a truck with five captured partisans to the Spanish border. A comical scene in which the guards, afraid to untie the men, have to help them piss by hand turns very brutal when the men are executed by firing squad the moment they're turned over. The driver is haunted by this story years later. It's an intense film, full of strong chiaroscuro texture and inventive warps and perspective shifts - something they keep up throughout their other films.

my other faves from this block include Clandestino (2000) [Stowaway] in which a nameless stowaway makes a perilous journey along a rope to shore, menaced by his vivid imagination, and Tragic Story With Happy Ending (2005), a cryptically metaphorical story in which a girl has a deafeningly loud heartbeat and a yearning to fly as a bird. You know, that bird autism. She kinda maybe either becomes a bird or kills herself at the end! There is something quite funny about how this block is subtitled 'a happy story' - indeed the two do seem very happy to have found such a fulfilling creative outlet but all their stories are super dark! all were tremendously well made though and I hope I'll be able to run an animation night on them soon.

at this screening I was sat next to a guy called Diego, who handed me a list of Brazilian and South American animation, and was quite surprised I think that I could name two Brazilian animated films and even show him the long article I'd written on it x3 anyway thanks to him I've got lots of stuff to cover for next time we do Brazil!

after that it started raining pretty hard and didn't let up all evening. the upside is that the rain brings out a lot of pretty colours. the downside is that, expecting last year's brilliantly sunny weather, I totally neglected to bring a coat.

the next two screenings were also in Bonlieu Petite Salle - maybe Pathé isn't open yet. anyway, the other theme this year is animation and dance. This block focused on "using materials and the concept of shock". It was indeed pretty shocking. The coolest one I think was Ossa (2016) directed by Dario Imbrogno, a stop motion piece about a constantly shifting puppet where the armatures, lights and camera were all part of the performance. actually i can straight up embed this one off yt!

youtube

with the theme being dance, many of these were more non-narrative pieces, and all were without dialogue. which is not to say there were no stories to be seen! The Triangle Affair by Estonian director Andres Tenusaar was a pretty out-there one, depicting a world of hand-headed people where everyone moves in groups of 2-3. a window cleaner flirts with cleaners inside (there's a whole recurring bird poop cum visual metaphor); he's joined with a group of... prisoners? in stripey pyjamas, overhead lines carry bicycles around, a taxi driver talks to tram drivers, then some birds who are attempting to divide up the world with chalk are interrupted by cats; the birds trick the cats into jumping onto the windowcleaner causing all the aforementioned characters to fall off the building and die. that's the best i can describe it. i think the audio of this one might have damaged the bonlieu sound system because there were weird pops every so often after that.

there was an AI one - The Crow by Glenn Marshall from the UK. basically the director filmed themselves dancing and fed it into an AI that transformed it into images of crows. it got the most tepid applause of any film I saw today by far - and honestly it was not a very interesting film.

Chrysalis by Damien Serban and Yann Bertrand used a kinda cool looking decimate effect to portray the jerky motions of a butoh dance, including a cool sequence where the dancer's heartbeat becomes visible in the sand, but unfortunately it was way too long and outstayed its welcome.

then we get to Hipopotamy directed by Piotr Dumala from Poland. this one... hmmm. not sure how I feel! I assumed the idea was something based on greek myth, because it seemed like something the Greeks would come up with, but actually the idea is to portray humans acting like hippos do. including sexual assaults!

basically a group of naked men approach a group of naked women who are caring for their kids. the first man approaches and tries to fuck one of the women, who kills him with a rock. then the rest of the men run in and things get quite violent. the camera doesn't dwell or linger on the sexual assault but it's sure onscreen! anyway most of the kids are killed, and when the men come back, the women this time go to them willingly - except for one, who watches from deeper water, her child still alive.

i put this one in the genres of 'naked people do stuff' and 'what if humans did animal stuff'. it's funny that I've been doing this long enough now to start recognising that kind of pattern. i usually do like films to be pretty graphic, and this one was undeniably technically really well drawn and shot, it just was a lot to take in in the theatre there.

after the dance it was time for more Portugal stuff! this time we had films by the BAP animation collective. these were varied. by far the best ones were the three codirected by David Doutel and Vasco Sá, namely Soot (2014), Augur (2018) and Garrano (2022). Each of these depicts a moment of intense emotional drama - a man recalling how his brother died on a railway, a cattle farmer trying to handle his mystic cousin and prize bull as winter closes in, an abused boy and a garrano horse in an arson incident. These guys' eye for lighting, composition and texture is extraordinary, and these films are full of fantastic animated acting in a semi-realist style and incredibly strong sound design. I loved all three.

The other three films in this block were more abstract in general. Purbleboy is full of inventive animation, but I found its trans allegory kind of clumsy. The Sounds From The Drawers is a neat musical stop motion piece using a huge variety of objects. Drop by Drop was initially described as being about desertification, but I think they actually meant desertion, since it's about the last four inhabitants of a largely abandoned village, unified by the image of the Careto, a festival character who's like a kind of masked demon guy - the guy introducing these films demonstrated to us how the masked men sidle up to women and dance to 'initiate the sexual encounter' or something like that. In this case though he was not having sex, just gathering up the four inhabitants on a floating island as they lament the situation. I didn't really connect with this one, honestly.

After that... I had sushi, and tried to get into the opening ceremony, but no luck. I did get to chat with some animators and students and we all ended up going to Café des Artes in a big group, so I got to have a nice chat with some Americans, all sheltering under the canopy! I showed some people the Little Witch film and they liked it, so that's definitely a shot in the arm.

tomorrow the festival really gets going. I can't wait.

#l'aventure de canmom à annecy #annecy 2024 #can't promise this detail every day but i like to have a record of what i saw lol #Youtube

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delilahdesora · 9 days ago

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For Want of a Heart

A Love and Deepspace Fanfic

Disclaimer: Obviously I don’t own the characters. I am just playing with them for a bit.

Originally posted @ https://archiveofourown.org/works/59815021

Chapter 2

Such Follies As These

HQ was quiet as she entered but she was hardly the first there. Already the scent of burnt coffee permeated the air and she smiled as she stepped onto the elevator, taking it all in. This had been her dream for so long and it still secretly thrilled her to finally be here, to be accepted by her fellow Hunters and recognized as one of them.

Smiling to herself she pulled out her own chair, lowering herself into it and leaning forward, resting her own chin on her upraised hands as she stared pointedly at his peaceful face.

As expected, it only took a minute for his slow breathing to hitch, dark lashes lifting as he seemed to sense her gaze. He peered at her sleepy, blue eyes blinking owlishly as he watched her.

“Morning.” She said cheerfully.

A slight frown tugged at his lips as he peered around, taking in the mostly empty desks. “You’re early.” He observed, pushing himself upright in the chair and rubbing absently at the back of his head, trying to bring order to the hair that had caught in the fabric of the chair’s back.

She shrugged, sitting back and letting her hands lower. “Couldn’t sleep. Besides, I wanted to catch up on a few cases this morning before something comes in.”

He nodded, hands patting around until he found his phone. “We’ll have a case later this morning.” He replied absently, bringing up the Hunter messaging app. “People have been reporting strange activity in the industrial district.”

She frowned slightly. “Metaflux?”

He nodded. “I went over and checked the stabilizers in the area last night, they’re all operational. Seems most of the activity is being noticed in late morning and early afternoon.”

Humming she tapped her fingers on the desk, running through the recent cases in that area. She couldn’t recall anything that might account for any Metaflux activity. “Alright. Let me check on something for another case and then we’ll head out.”

Xavier nodded, yawning as his eyes began to slip closed again.

Laughing softly to herself she stood and made her way back to the elevator, riding it down to the lower levels. Like the floors above the hallways here were still brightly lit, the only thing giving away the fact that they were underground being the lack of windows. Even so, she shivered slightly as she approached the closed and guarded doorway. She hated the phantom feeling of being buried every time she came down here.

She handed her badge over to the guard, waiting patiently as he scanned it. His dark eyes flickered over her clearance levels before switching to her caseload. “Number?” He asked.

“R73467.” She supplied, watching as the guard slowly typed in the number.

A frown crossed his face as the screen changed. “The painting?” He asked, eyes flicking towards her.

She nodded.

“It’s been here for a while.” He mused as he typed something new into the database. “You guys still need it for the investigation?”

She hesitated. “Not really. I just wanted to take another look at it while I still had the chance.”

The guard hummed, typing away for a long moment before she heard the click of the door lock sliding open. “Good luck.” He sent her on her way absently. “It’s in block 36.”

Nodding she slipped through the door, pausing at the electronic sign at the crossway. Behind her she heard the door close with a frightful finality, locking her in with the Hunters’ collection of suspicious and Metaflux infused artifacts.

Though the hallways were dead quiet she reminded herself she wasn’t alone. The labyrinthian storage unit was patrolled at all hours by guards and researchers responsible for extracting the secrets each item held. Still, she couldn’t help feeling like things were watching her. Malevolent things that peered out from the inanimate objects sealed away behind thick acrylic. The more dangerous items were trapped behind fields fed by dimly glowing protocores, giving them an unworldly glow.

She found block 36 easily enough. It was one of the less heavily guarded sections and she sighed in relief that she didn’t have to track down someone to shut off the protocore protection fields to access what she needed.

Rafayel’s painting wasn’t alone in the block but it was the thing that immediately caught her attention first. Though it had been hung at eye level rather than displayed proudly higher up as it had been at Raymond’s, it demanded attention with its bold lines and layered paint.

Hung around it were other items. Mostly pictures with a couple of knick-knacks in various states of disrepair. She knew that some Wanderers were prone to hiding within things that humans granted sentimental value so she supposed it shouldn’t have surprised her. Though she very much wished the teddy bear that seemed to watch her with too bright button eyes had been housed somewhere else.

Shaking her head she stepped closer to the painting, focusing her attention on it.

She hadn’t really gotten a very good look at it before it had been brought here. Raymond had hung it high on his wall, a couch keeping the viewer from getting too close. She vaguely remembered a pane of glass covering the piece but that seemed gone now.

Now it hung unadorned, all of the careful craftwork that had gone into it bared to the viewer with no obstacles in between. She leaned closer, studying the way the blues, blacks, and reds swirled and mixed together. She recognized the way Rafayel liked to mix light and shadow, her eyes following the way he used the natural dips and curves of the pooled paint to create the patterns.

It was definitely his work.

And yet … it felt different than what she had seen him make over the last six months in his studio. Yes, she recognized the techniques, could even imagine the way he had held the brush for this part and that. But there was something off about this work. Something …. almost vicious about it where his other works seemed more serene and whimsical.

She just couldn’t imagine him creating it.

Leaning back, she let her eyes take in the whole painting rather than its parts, her index finger tracing her chin as she contemplated it. She tried to picture him working on it. It seemed a bit too large for his easels. Had he painted it lying on the ground? Or hanging on the wall?

The wall, she decided, eyes taking in the almost imperceptible downward tilt the dried paint had. A direction that could have only come from the gentle tug of gravity as it dried. He’d had the canvas tacked to the wall. She let her eyes drift closed, trying to imagine the scene. She’d seen him work on the wall before, indeed he even had a half finished piece hanging there now. The current piece was calming and beautiful. Flowers … or some kind of sea plants that flared out beautifully in a gentle current. Little bursts of color among dark azure runes.

He didn’t work on it exclusively, instead gravitating towards it here and there as he worked on other pieces. Still, she could picture him standing before it, shoulders relaxed, head cocked as he lazily added color to the canvas. She could perfectly recall the faint, self satisfied smile that tugged at his lips as he worked, admiring his own talent as he brought his fantasies to life.

And yet … she couldn’t seem to make those memories translate into what she would imagine he looked like when working on this piece. These weren’t the gentle, whimsical strokes she was used to. She doubted he had been so relaxed when working on it. This piece before her set her on edge, though she couldn’t figure out why. This piece made her imagine that too beautiful face twisted with something dark, his fingers stiff as he bullied thick paint into the shapes of angry waves. She imagined the creator looking just as ominous and dangerous as the finished project before her.

Sighing she shook her head, trying to rid herself of the image. Maybe she was thinking about this too seriously. Maybe Rafayel had just wanted to try something new and then abandoned this style of painting after creating this one piece.

Maybe it had nothing to do with him at all.

“ I’ve only used this batch of coral stone pigment for one painting. ”

They’d gone over this path already, no matter how much Rafayel had griped and groaned over it. He’d mentioned before about hearing things after getting a papercut. Still, Wanderers hadn’t seemed to be able to influence him despite their run-ins with them. As much as she would like to think that whatever was lurking in the coral stones had influenced him into make this painting, she couldn’t quite bring herself to believe it.

Sighing, she reached out, carefully running her fingers along the rough edges of the paint. The Wanderer that had infested it was long gone but she couldn’t help but feel there was something else there. Lurking below the surface. Watching.

Cold water.

Can’t breathe.

A flash of something deadly in the darkness below. Glittering blue scales sliding through dark water just out of reach.

Calling her down to her death.

Telling her to just let go.

She trembled as her nightmare suddenly closed in around her, threatening to blot out the waking world.

A sharp, bright flash of pain pierced the dreams that threatened to overcome her, forcing her back to reality. She jerked her hand back with a soft gasp. Her eyes flickered down and she watched as a bright jewel of blood bead up from the pad of her ring finger. What had cut her?

Her eyes wandered back to the painting, searching for what she could have possibly caught her finger against. She noticed a shadow in the sea, just beyond the ship that she had never noticed before. Frowning she leaned closer, trying to make out its shape. Somewhere behind her she swore she heard her name whispered in the wind.

She was halfway into the hallway before she realized she had even fled.

Swallowing past the sudden lump in her throat, she pressed her palm against the cool metal wall, willing her erratically beating heart to slow down and find the proper rhythm.

What the hell was that? She wondered, peering back over her shoulder.

The painting still hung serenely, beautiful and terrible at the same time. The shadow she thought she had seen was gone.

Thomas had mentioned that Raymond’s lawyers would demand its return.

She couldn’t fathom why anyone would want it back.

******

Rafayel stared down at the drawing in his hands, frowning at what he had created.

Chaotic lines had come together to create the illusion of a ghost ship being tossed by dark waves. It wasn’t fully formed, more mist than physical manifestation but it didn’t have to be for him to recognize it. Millenia had gone by since this particular shadow had dared venture into his territory but it would be many millenia more before time successfully erased it from his memory.

With a sigh he tore the page out of the sketchbook, long fingers folding the thick paper into a crude ball, hiding what it contained from his sight. He tossed it away carelessly, the scent of smoke and ash invading his senses as he turned, peering out the great windows restlessly.

Why that dream? Rafayel wondered.

Of all the things her subconscious could dredge up … of all the scarce moments they’d shared together … why would she dream of that damned ship?

He closed his eyes, rubbing his temples as half recalled memories threatened to bubble up.

The moment had meant nothing to him back then. Simply another ship venturing too far into his territory, daring his temper and resolve.

Hell, he hadn’t even needed to be there. Others of his own kind had already spotted the intruder and had been prepared to lure the sailors into the depths of the sea with their song. He’d just joined them out of sheer boredom and viciousness.

Sighing, he rose, tossing the pencil onto the table with enough force to make it roll into Reddie’s tank. The little red fish flared its fins as the water sloshed, making its displeasure known. He rolled his eyes, ignoring the indignant little Flammula.

The house was peacefully quiet and he enjoyed the silence as he made his way back into the bedroom, stripping the dark sheets from the bed. They would remind her too much of the dream, so they had to go.

He could still feel the warmth of her body cradled in his arms, the scent of her hair still clinging to his own skin. He had been asleep, drifting in a comforting haze of quiet darkness, but he hadn’t had any dreams of his own. Indeed he hadn’t had any dreams for awhile now, and he would continue not to have any dreams as long as she lay in his arms, unconsciously trusting him to protect her while she slept. It was a quirk of Lemurian nature, one that kept them both safe in those vulnerable hours of the night, as the male lost the need to enter into the deeper dreamstate while in the presence of their mate.

He was fine with it, honestly. His dreams of late had been nothing but constant condemnations from the people he’d abandoned when he had rewritten the prophecy and the furious god that rained eternal curses down upon him for his betrayal. To give those up in order to hold his lost bride once again in his arms night after night was no hardship.

Rafayel smirked as he gathered up the discarded cloth. How poor Astra must be seething to have lost that final connection between them.

He dragged the dark sheets down the hall and tossed them into the sprawling fireplace, tapping at his phone as the sheets first smoldered, then burned. New lighter colored ones were easily ordered and he was pleased with the promise of delivery by the end of the day.

Satisfied that the offending item was nothing more than ash on the wind, he made his way back downstairs, glaring at the empty boxes still waiting to be packed. He really should pull the paintings that had sold at the very least so that the workers could begin wrapping them up but he found he was restless and irritated.

His chosen mate had woken up frightened. Hell she had practically fled from their nest, distress still clinging to her scent. That bothered him on a primal level. But there wasn’t anything he could do about it right now, which irritated him even more. She would probably stay away for a couple of days, sleeping at that damned apartment crammed into the middle of the noisy city, well out of his reach and protection.

His sharp nails dug into soft wood and he glanced down, frowning as he pulled Lemurian claws that had slipped through his human glamour from the shipping container at his side. Damnit, he was allowing himself to get too worked up over this. Cursing himself silently he stormed out of the studio, snatching his keys as he passed. He needed to clear his head and get his instincts back under control.

Yanking open the door he slid behind the wheel, smiling indulgently as the car started up with a powerful roar.

He sighed, forcing his hands to relax on the steering wheel as the road narrowed and he left the city behind. He had no destination in mind, he simply needed some space to burn out the uneasy energy that was building within him and threatening to destroy the thin veil of human civility that he had been carefully crafting all these years.

*****

She hurried out of the elevator, cursing quietly as she jabbed her finger at the electronic lock to her apartment. The eternally touchy thing flashed red, pretending it couldn’t verify her credentials and she resisted the urge to punch it.

Damn it she was going to be so late!

Forcing herself to slow down and take a deep breath, she tried again. She did her best to hold her arm steady while the electronic eye considered her information.

“Come on, come on !” She hissed, glaring menacingly at it.

Finally it blinked green and she heard the click of the lock disengaging.

“Finally!” She shoved through the door, unclipping her weapons from their holsters and dropping them on the kitchen counter as she rushed by.

The event was scheduled to start at eight, it was already slightly past seven. She mentally tallied the time it was going to take for her to finish up and get on the train and scowled. Even if she did her makeup and hair on the train there was no way she was going to make it all the way uptown before eight.

Cursing, she fished her phone out of her pocket, blind dialing as she shucked off her uniform.

“Well if it isn’t my darling Bodyguard.” Rafayel’s voice drawled on the other line, sending a shiver down her spine as she hopped around, trying to kick off her pants as she struggled to the bureau to find the last pair of untorn hose she had squirreled away for an occasion like this.

“Listen, Rafayel, I just got off work. I’m not going to make the next train so I’m going to be a little late …”

“Of course you are.” His soft laugh cut her off and she straightened suspiciously.

“... you’re outside aren’t you?” She demanded, pulling back the curtain to peer out at the dark street.

“No, fortunately for you I’m stuck in traffic on the bridge. You’ve got ten minutes before I get there.”

She hung up, tossing the phone onto the bed as she began to wrestle the hose on. Damn it, that meant they were both going to be late. While it warmed her to know he was willing to go out of his way to get her, it irked her that she was going to be the reason he was late to his own premier. No one would care that some awkward Hunter he seemed to favor would be late but for the star of the show?

She dug the deep maroon dress she’d bought for events like this out of the back of her closet, giving it a good shake to make sure it was as unwrinkled as she could make it. The movement made the little silver rhinestones stitched into the fabric shimmer. It made her smile, reminding her of a sea of stars glittering in a slowly dispersing nebula.

She’d saved up for months to afford it but it was worth it. She had loved it from the moment she had laid eyes on it and had been beyond grateful that the store had been willing to set it aside for her while she worked to pay it off. She hoped Rafayel liked it as much as she did. She’d even done a little manipulation of her own with his closet the day before, slyly convincing him that the deep crimson vest would go better with his suit than the emerald green one he had originally picked out.

Chuckling to herself, she shimmed the dress on, scowling over the hidden zipper that always seemed to catch in the middle, mocking her attempts at pulling it up before finally relenting. Satisfied that all was in order she glanced in the mirror, contemplating her hair and face.

She and Xavier had encountered a smaller Wanderer over in the industrial district earlier. It hadn’t been big enough to account for the Metaflux readings they’d gotten but they’d dealt with it anyway. Despite it's size, it had managed to get off a couple of decent swipes at her and she frowned, poking at the trio of scratch marks it had left on her shoulder.

Tugging the dress up a bit mostly hid them. Since she didn’t have time to work some magic with makeup she supposed it would have to do. Besides, these events always had weird lighting designed to highlight the artwork rather than the audience. Hopefully no one would notice.

She peered out the window, noticing the brightly colored sports car that looked terribly out of place among her neighbors' more sedate, cheaper working cars double parked outside of the main gate. Rafayel was leaning against the car, tapping away at something in his hands as he waited.

Probably warning Thomas he was going to be late because of her … again . Came the guilty thought.

Snatching up her makeup bag and heels she slipped on a pair of worn sneakers, hurrying out to meet him.

He glanced up at her approach, surprise flickering over his face as he watched her. Before she could ask about it, he glanced down at her feet, a faint smile tugged up the corners of his mouth as he took in her choice of footwear.

“I have better shoes.” She pointed out before he could say anything, shoving the ridiculous heels in her hand out and shaking them pointedly at him.

Rafayel laughed, slipping his phone in his pocket as he held the door open for her. “Wear the sneakers if you want.” He replied with a small shrug. “I couldn’t care less about your feet.”

He closed the door on her retort. Huffing, she flipped down the sunvisor, peering at her pale complexion in the mirror. She winced slightly, wishing she had more time and skill to try to make up her face. She’d always felt more than a little out of place at these events, drowning in a sea of jewels she couldn’t hope to afford and perfect faces that she couldn’t match.

Her hand hovered over her bare, unadorned neck and she sighed. Her next purchase should be a necklace, she supposed. Something to make her seem a little less plain.

Rafayel had settled into the driver’s seat at her side, glancing at her for a moment before starting up the car. “The dress is nice.” He offered.

She smiled, laughing softly at the way he pretended to be too focused on the traffic to meet her eyes. “Thanks. I liked the color.”

He hummed softly in response.

Pulling out her mascara and lipstick she did her best to try to touch up as they made their way uptown. Traffic was heavy and they seemed to crawl the whole way. She was painfully aware of the increasing amounts of muffled notifications coming from Rafayel’s pocket but he pointedly ignored his phone, so she kept her growing guilt to herself.

Turning she peered out the window, watching the bright lights slowly pass by. People walked together, some with bags hanging from their wrists, others engrossed with the phones in their hands. The further uptown they went the more stylish and expensive everything and everyone looked. Her fingers plucked at the skirt of her dress and she peered down at it, no longer seeing beautiful silver stars in a vast nebula but rather cheap rhinestones sewn into imitation fabric.

At her side she was aware of a faint sparkle at Rafayel’s hips as he shifted in the seat, turning his head to contemplate a lane change. She didn’t have to ask to know that the tiny jewels sewn into his own clothing were the real thing, as was the sinfully soft fabric that drapped his form just so.

Biting her lip she forced her gaze back at the window.

What the hell was she doing? She scolded herself, not for the first time. This wasn’t her world. Rafayel didn’t seem to mind her tagging along, had even playfully insisted on it as her duty as his “bodyguard” but it seemed all it was doing was messing up his carefully crafted life with her bumbling presence.

She sighed, allowing her hands to fist on her lap. This had to stop , she decided. She’d go to this one last premier and then put her foot down. Rafayel didn’t need her dragging him down at these events. She belonged to the world of mass produced convenience food, kitschy outdoor festivals, and cheap fashion that she didn’t feel bad ruining.

“You keep scowling like that and you’re going to start giving me wrinkles.” Rafayel drawled at her side, suddenly cutting the silence with attempted humor.

She glanced at him and then pointed at the clock. “Thomas is going to eat both of us for dinner. You should have just gone on without me.”

Rafayel gave her a dry look. “And face those sharks alone? Please.”

She shook her head, returning her gaze to the City beyond the windows. She could make out the approaching hotel. They were too far away yet for her to read the glowing notice boards out front but she recognized a few of the designs they displayed. A couple of news vans were parked out front, making her wince. Hopefully they weren’t filming for the upcoming 9 o’clock news segments.

Rafayel expertly darted into the hotel’s parking garage, following the attendant’s directions to the spot that had been set aside for him. Pushing open the door, she kicked off the comfortable sneakers and swung her bare feet out, fumbling with the clasps on her heels. Rafayel came around to her side and she opened her mouth to protest when he suddenly kneeled down, snatching the heels from her grasp.

“Your pants …” she protested as he expertly lifted her foot, slipping the heel on.

“Will be fine.” He drawled, his clever fingers easily working the tiny silver buckles to secure the shoe to her foot.

She huffed but kept any additional protests to herself as secured the other shoe. Rising up he absently brushed bits of concrete dust from his knees before offering her his hand and slowly pulling her upright. He paused as she took a step forward, twisting her foot a bit to make sure her shoes were secured enough that they wouldn’t suddenly slip off or shift and cause her to stumble.

Assured that she wouldn’t fall and make a fool of herself she followed him to the elevator. He peered at his phone for a moment before choosing a number. As the door closed, she caught sight of their reflection together in the polished metal.

His vest matched her dress, just as she had hoped and it brought a small smile to her face. She saw his reflection glance down at her, a bit of curiosity raising his brow. Laughing softly she glanced up at him, swaying slightly to playfully bump her shoulder into his. “Color manipulation.” She explained, poking a finger into his side over the vest.

He snorted, catching the offending hand in his and bringing it up to nip at her fingers.

“This is going to be so boring.” She teased, pulling her hand back to safety.

He rolled his eyes and then reached out, wrapping an arm about her waist and pulling her more firmly against him. “You have no idea.” He agreed.

She laughed, allowing him to tuck her under his arm as the elevator continued its ascent.

When it finally opened, it was like it opened to a whole other world.

Gasping she stepped forward, eyes darting around as she took in the almost mystical atmosphere. The lights were low, casting deep shadows about the floor, but high above their heads carefully hidden LEDs glowed, giving off the illusion of being underwater with the setting sun illuminating the surface of the water above.

She didn’t notice Rafayel suddenly stiffing at her side as he peered up, taking in the effect.

*****

He’d forgotten about the design plans for this exhibit.

Nervously Rafayel glanced down, alert for any sign that the young woman at his side was reminded of her ill timed nightmare from this morning. Fortunately she seemed relaxed, though he could make out the slight quiver of delight in her shoulders as she stepped out into the room.

He followed her silently, watching as the carefully crafted shadows crept up her legs, obscuring them as she drifted further into the great hallway.

Before them was the main exhibition room, beyond it would be separate smaller rooms, all designed to mimic the experience of a diver exploring some long lost ruins.

Her eyes suddenly darted to a pair of ceramic plates carefully displayed along the wall and she made a delighted sound as she reached back, absently grabbing his hand to drag him over for a closer look at them.

He found himself smiling, eyes fixed on her face as she dipped low, peering at the designs he’d painted on the plates. He didn’t need to look at them to know which of the pieces they were. They were probably some of the more unremarkable pieces in this exhibit but honestly, he hadn’t made them for the judgmental critics or fawning fans. These, along with a few other items he’d scattered about, he had made for just one viewer, and it pleased him to see her joy in discovering them.

“Oh my god, is that Reddie ?” She asked, pointing excitedly at the fierce little red fish leading an army of smaller ones that fanned about the edges of the plate. On the plate behind a single blue fish followed, allowing the red one to take the lead.

Her amber eyes sparkled as she peered up at him, excitement lighting her face and making his heart clench painfully in his chest.

He snorted, playfully crossing his arms in indignation. “Please. Do you really think I’d put that scrawny piece of fish bait on a priceless piece of work?” He teased her.

She stuck her tongue out at him, making his laugh at her audacity.

“I’ll have you know Reddie is a handsome, dapper little fish worthy of recognition.” She declared, lifting her chin regally as she stared up at him in mock seriousness. “And don’t you forget it.” She finished, poking him firmly in the chest.

He captured the offending finger, pulling her hand up to brush a kiss across her knuckles, enjoying the way her eyes widened slightly and she ineffectively tried to tug her hand back.

“I’ll try to remember it.” He replied solemnly, turning her to direct her through the door and into the main room.

Even in the almost total darkness he was recognized immediately and he had to release his mate’s hand, allowing her to drift away from his side as he forced himself to smile and greet the donors for the event. He replied to their platitudes vaguely, keeping part of his attention on the smaller form as she drifted from one piece to the other, reading the plaques and peering curiously at the works.

Most of the exhibit was sculpture based or paintings done on three dimensional medium, hence the illusion of exploring a lost civilization. It was a new direction for his work and though the growing crowd demanding his attention were all too eager to let him know their thoughts on this novel direction, he only wanted to know hers.

At one point he noted Thomas’s familiar form making its way towards his companion and he breathed a sigh of relief, allowing his attention to redirect itself back towards the press team trying to get a few answers out of him for their write ups of the premier. It didn’t take long for their questions to become repetitive and with the specter of boredom beginning to rear its ugly head, he broke away from the crowd, brushing off their desperate attempts to recapture his attention as he drifted towards one of the side rooms where he had seen the pair disappear earlier.

He paused in the doorway, smiling softly as he watched his young companion nod solemnly, panic evident in her eyes as she tried desperately to follow whatever nonsense Thomas was spouting about one of the larger paintings in the room. Well aware of his former rival’s tendency to overanalyze, he decided to take pity on her. Drifting forward he startled her by wrapping his hands about her small waist, pulling her back slightly against his larger form.

At their side Thomas immediately tensed, his gaze slashing over to rebuke whoever had dared to interrupt them. Rafayel met his gaze with a wolfish grin, earning a snort as the other man stepped back, giving him room to join their private viewing.

“You did the interviews?” Thomas inquired, folding his arms and fixing him with a firm glare.

Rafayel lifted his hand, waving at him airly. “I did enough. They can make up the rest.”

He peered down at the smaller woman before him, winking playfully. “I even played nice with the donors. You should be proud of me.”

She laughed as Thomas shook his head. “I guess that means I need to go run damage control then.”

He chuckled as Thomas slipped away, leaving them alone before the painting. Rafayel watched as she peered up at it. “Thomas says this is a rendition of ‘a new life’”.

He shrugged. “Or it's a bunch of leftover paint I smeared on a canvas at 2am to get him to stop harassing me about what we were going to put in this spot.”

She gasped. “You didn’t!”

He laughed, turning her towards the doorway that led to another room. “The amount of faith you have in me is adorable.” He murmured, resisting the urge to bury his face in her dark hair.

He scanned the room, quickly locating the piece he wanted her to see. Satisfied that it was where he had told the designers to place it he nudged her towards it, followed along behind her like a silent shadow, delighting in the way she paused at each piece, giving it a few moments of her time. He had no illusions that she was ascribing deep meaning to them, that simply wasn’t in her nature, but he did appreciate that she seemed content to simply exist in the moment and give his work careful consideration and observation.

Sometimes she asked him about this or that. Sometimes he’d give her an answer, sometimes he would simply shrug. He may be the creator but he was content with letting the viewer form their own opinions.

Finally she came to the piece he had created specifically for her and he paused, rocking back slightly on his heels while he watched her face as she looked it over.

He’d spent hours at the botanical garden, carefully seeking to recreate the delicate sapphire petals of the reborn flower he’d asked her to name. It still wasn’t perfect but he’d accepted the flaws, for the flower itself wasn’t a perfect recreation of its ancestor either. At the edge of each delicate petal tiny droplets of water, crafted from carefully casted glass dangled, sparkling in the faint light as the vibrations of nearby footsteps shook them. They looked like they could break free at any moment, giving the whole sculpture a delightful fragility. Hidden among the petals at the top a pair of butterflies rested, wings spread as they readied themselves for whatever future journey lay ahead of them.

At his side his chosen mate was silent for a long while, simply studying the piece.

What will you do in the last moments of your life? He had asked her once over a garden bed of these very flowers.

I would solve as many unanswered mysteries as I can . She had declared.

The answer had been so uniquely her it had made his heart ache.

With a shuddering sigh she glanced up at him, a faint smile full of emotion ghosting over her face before she turned and moved away from it. She did not tell him what she thought of the piece and he did not ask. But in his heart he knew it had been a success.

Plucking his phone from his pocket he pulled up the event’s app. A few flicks and a confirmation override later caused the little electronic sign under the piece’s name to flash “Sold”.

Satisfied, he allowed his companion to pick their path through the remaining rooms. Occasionally others would approach him but he remained aloof, making it clear he was done with their distractions.

In the final room the crowd had finally thinned enough to give them space. The items here were less desirable to the guests, items from the gallery’s permanent collection that were not for sale or remnants from previous exhibits the organizers thought would fit the theme. Most of the attendees were here to either buy or mingle with those who had the money to do so, meaning this room had little value to either.

He allowed himself to drift closer to the smaller form of his mate, his hand resting comfortably against the small of her back as she leaned against him. Her energy was beginning to wane, though she tried desperately to hide it from him, and he knew it would be time for them to take their leave soon. Oh, she’d try to insist he stay while she stumbled out in the cold night for that ridiculous train and he’d even let her save face by pretending to consider it before coming up with his own ridiculous excuse to leave as well.

Either way he didn’t want her leaving without him tonight. If she left alone she’d take the train back to her apartment, collapsing in exhaustion and leaving her vulnerable to nightmares that were more real than she knew. He grit his teeth, trying to push down the feral anger at the thought of her tossing and turning, trapped in dreams while he was banished from her nest.

No, he mused, better they leave together so he at least had a chance of taking her back to his place for the rest of the evening.

He became aware of the approaching scent of one of his own kind before he noticed the halting footsteps and stiffened, watching as his companion continued onwards unaware that he had paused. He turned, baring his teeth slightly as he searched out the one who dared approach him.

He found the other quickly enough, like recognized like after all. At his glance she drifted out of the meager crowd hesitantly, peering at him with surprisingly bright green eyes.

He didn’t recognize the willowy form at all, though he supposed some might consider her charming. She was tall enough that she should have stood out in the crowd but her shoulders had a hunched quality to them that made her look smaller. Tanned hands twisted together, fingers clenching and unclenching as she crept closer. Her hair was bound in a ponytail, simple and little bit sloppy, making him wonder just how much experience she actually had blending in among the humans.

“ Astrali …” she murmured, her gaze dipping down as she bowed her head, the closest thing she could do to mimic the required show of fealty of one of his priestesses greeting their god.

His gaze flicked to the inside of her bare forearms, noting the silvery remains of a scar that ringed her thin arm, bisecting the otherwise unbroken skin and hissed softly, recognizing it for what it was. How could he not? He’d long ago lost count of how many times he had personally carved that design into his chosen followers.

Disgusted with both himself and the brief memory of that particular ceremony he turned away to glare out across the dark room, searching for anyone who might be watching their exchange.

“I warned you all to stay away from me.” He growled low, violet gaze slashing back to glare at her in reproach.

He watched her throat flutter as she swallowed, thin hands pressed against her chest as she hovered before him. Everything about her radiated unease and it set his teeth on edge. He desperately didn’t want her here. Not now, not so close to his unaware mate.

“I’m sorry, Astrali …”

“ Stop calling me that .” He snarled, leaning closer to her as his voice lowered.

Green eyes widened and she shrank back away from him. Her scent was pleading, with more than a hint of placating. It made him wrinkle his nose and pull away from her. Peering down at the nervous form he wracked his brain, trying to remember who she was. She was one of his former priestesses, had to be with that mark and the fact that she still remembered him. But there had been so many over the years and time had since dulled some of his memory. No matter how he tried, he simply couldn’t place a name to her face.

Regardless, he had nothing to do with that former life anymore and he resented its intrusion now.

“Leave me.” He ordered, glancing over his shoulder to search out his suddenly absent mate. He found her hovering by the door, watching him patiently. She probably thought he was dealing with some fan.

Fingers brushed against his sleeve and he felt his back stiffen, sharp teeth digging into his tongue as he slowly turned back, glaring at the person that had dared laid a hand on him.

“You’re lucky there are witnesses.” He hissed, snatching his arm back.

To his frustration she followed his movement, keeping her grip on his sleeve, green eyes hardening with resolve. “You need to come back.” The offending priestess insisted, tugging ever so slightly on his sleeve. “Our people …”

“Need to rewrite their own story, as I have done with mine.” He snarled, reaching out to grasp her wrist firmly. He squeezed, his fingers cruelly pressing upon the tendons in her hand, making her fingers spasm before releasing him.

“Don’t show yourself before me again.” He ordered shoving her back, earning a few quick glances from curious passersby. Ignoring them he turned on his heel, angrily straightening his cuffs as he stormed away.

His anger sparked hotter when his mate hesitated by the door, not following him immediately as she glanced back at the other woman who was watching him storm away.

“Come on.” He growled, catching his mate’s wrist in his hand, forcing himself to tug gently, mindful of the ridiculous heels she’d chosen to wear.

To his relief she followed, shadowing him out of the exhibit and into the elevator. As the door closed he took a few moments, breathing in and out deeply to expel the other’s scent from his lungs. Fury reflected back at him in the mirrored glass and he tsked, willing himself to calm. This wasn’t the place or time to lose his anger. Later … he would deal with it later.

She kept her silence, simply watching quietly as he stalked back to the car, working to shed his annoyance. Shrugging off his jacket he tossed it into the backseat, hoping the distance would keep the other Lemurian’s offending smell away from him.

He had the key in the ignition before he realized that the seat next to him was empty. Scowling he hit the window button, watching as the tinted glass slid down to reveal his mate’s carefully guarded face.

“Get in the car.” He urged.

She frowned, cocking her head as she studied him for a long moment. “I can take the train …”

His temper snapped.

“ Get. In. The. Damn. Car. ” He snarled before he could stop himself.

She pulled back slightly, her far too beguiling amber colored gaze flashing warningly at his tone. He closed his eyes, mentally berating himself.

She was not the one he was pissed off at and she did not deserve his temper nor would she stand such undeserved treatment from anyone, let alone him.

Forcing in a deep breath he pried his eyes back open. “Please.” He amended, peering back up at her.

He watched silently as she cocked her head slightly, considering his … request. It pricked his temper, sending the already crazed beast he was desperately trying to force back down into another bout of twisting fury but he forced himself to wait. To let it be her choice.

Finally, blessedly, he heard the click of the door handle and relief washed over him, banking the flames of temper. Sighing he leaned forward, crossing his arms across the steering wheel and pressing his forward against them as he listened to her settle in.

As the loud click of the seat belt rang out he pushed himself back upright, staring out the front window.

“Sorry.” He murmured. “I just …”

He stopped, unsure of how to continue. She wasn’t ready yet for any explanation he could give her. Hell, part of him hoped she’d never be ready. He just was so damned tired of the past trying to dictate his actions.

He blinked as a warm weight came to rest against his arm. Peering down he watched as her fingers closed about his forearm, giving it a gentle squeeze. Immediately he felt his heart still and the ghost of a smile tugged at his lips. He reached out with his free hand, covering hers for a long moment.

“It was a nice exhibit.” She murmured, giving him an easy out, which he was eternally grateful for.

Smiling he nodded, reluctantly freeing himself from her grip as he started the car. “Yeah, it was.” He agreed.

#love and deepspace #lads rafayel #lads mc #fanfic #for want of a heart

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