#non stop party wagon

[rustbeltjessie]

It’s hard to live in the past, it’s hard to live in the future—we live absolutely in the moment. Now is the only time. Do not ever wait. The only answer is yes.

Jack Terricloth

[raven-at-the-writing-desk]

Jamil first meeting with Fellow and Gidel. (With Jamil being nice to them in their first interaction but as the three of them become alone, Jamil gave them a threatening warning)

JAMIL STANS BE HONEST WITH ME IS THIS WHAT YOU LIKE/j (because I get it, I totally get it--)

So tell me, do you wanna go?

“Cheers…!!”

Jewel-encrusted containers clinked. The liquids inside of them sloshed, some spilling onto the lush carpets the host and guests sat cross-legged upon. Ordinarily, Fellow would rush to salvage the fallen beverages—but not here. Not in Scarabia, the land of abundance.

He knocked back his drink, downing the (very expensive) wine the dorm leader had poured him. Oh, Kalim. Sweet, gullible Kalim. Of course he had invited Fellow and Gidel over the instant he spotted them, even offering to throw an entire banquet in his honor—and the duo were eating up every morsel of it.

“Pwah!! That really hits the spot!”

So this—Fellow thought, lapping up the droplets that ringed the rim of his cup—was what it was like to live like a king.

“Doesn’t it?” Kalim beamed. “Have some more.”

The sharp-eyed boy beside him moved like a trained shadow. He tipped a wine bottle, a stream of rich burgundy liquid pouring out and into Fellow’s waiting glass.

Gidel held up his own cup, as if asking for more too. The shadow obliged, this time with a deep red pomegranate juice. A single pathetic drop trickled out.

"My apologies. It seems we've finished this bottle."

“Oh, we’re already out? Here, I’ll get us a fresh one!” Kalim volunteered, springing to his feet.

“I’ll get it,” the sharp-eyed boy said.

“It’ll be fine, Jamil! This is a party, so just hang tight and chat with our new friends,” Kalim insisted. “I’ll be right back!”

The other boy frowned. “I don’t think that’s…”

But Kalim had already scampered off.

“… Figures. He never listens to me,” Jamil grumbled.

Fellow eyed him. He wore his long, dark tresses in a complicated ponytail, half of it pulled tight and woven into braids along his scalp. Various bangles and shining accessories hung from his hair.

Fellow had surmised that he was an attendant of some sort. Always by Kalim’s side, always tending to his needs. He had been polite enough to them, greeting and serving them throughout the event—but, critically, Fellow sensed a coldness in him, and a gaze that lingered when his own was averted.

He was being watched too.

“Ah, liven up! No sense in gettin’ wound up over it,” Fellow laughed, slapping his back.

“… And are you enjoying your stay at Scarabia, Mr. Honest?” Jamil asked carefully, each syllable evenly placed.

“Very! But if you don’t mind me saying so, you don’t seem to be enjoying yourself, lad.” Fellow inclined his cup toward Jamil in a slightly taunting manner. “Haven’t seen ya smile once since we sat down.”

“Yes, well… It’s difficult to be smiling when you’re told to roll out the welcome wagon for strangers who attempted to kidnap and sell off your ward.”

“Ah—so you know about that whole… debacle!” Fellow gave a light-hearted laugh.

Jamil shot him a withering look. "Debacle is putting it very lightly! Do you have any idea what kind of mass hysteria and panic you could have incited with your stunt?! This isn't something to casually hand-wave away."

"Eeeeh, you win some, you lose some." Fellow shrugged and went for another sip of his drink. He was stopped by a hand latching onto his wrist--the grip surprisingly strong. Fellow stopped, forced to meet Jamil's dark gaze. "Can I help you?"

"Listen closely." His voice was the low, hypnotic hiss of a cobra. "You try pulling anything like that again, and you will have to answer to me."

"I'm shaking in my boots." Fellow spat sarcastically, tearing his hand away. "Cool your jets. I'm not in that business anymore, so you don't hafta worry so much."

Gidel nodded, scrawling an X over his chest. Cross my heart.

"Hmmm."

It was a non-committal sound.

"Gettin' all up in arms like this... You must really care about that kid, huh? Lemme guess--" Fellow snapped his fingers. "Childhood friends? How touching. It almost makes me wanna shed a tear!"

"Care? About Kalim?" A smirk played on Jamil's lips. "Ridiculous. It's my own skin I'm trying to save. If anything happens to him, it won't be without consequence to myself."

"You don't say. Sheesh, you're a shrewd one."

A scoff. "Like you are any different than me? We are cut from the same cloth, Mr. Honest--which is why I've got my attention on you. People like us... we can't be entirely trusted, you see."

Like calls to like. Evil to evil, ashes to ashes.

"Hah. I can respect that." Fellow raised his glass to Jamil. Gidel, too, lifted his empty cup. "I almost feel sorry for him, keeping a snake like you around. Poor kid doesn't realize you might just sink your teeth into him one day."

"... You are mistaken about that. I am but a humble servant. I would never even think to turn my own fangs against my master."

Fellow cocked a brow. "Wouldn't you? Cuz I've done it before. The whole betrayal, double-crossing thing, I mean. I wouldn't be surprised if you decide to do the same."

"You're a born comedian, sir." Jamil's eyes sparkled darkly. "I'm sure the stage would love having you on it."

[cowboyellies]

august e.w. (1)

summary/ author’s note: hello! this is my first tumblr fanfic (also my first post because I’m not really sure yet how this website functions lol) I decided since it’s august to write an ellie fic inspired by the taylor swift song! (and the folklore love triangle in general) for those already aware of the story, ellie is supposed to be james, dina is betty, and the reader is augustine.  the characters are all supposed to be in the summer before they start college (18) so a slight difference from taylors lyrics. other than that the story is pretty much the same (aka angsty with a sad ending for poor reader </3) this is gonna be a multiple part fic so buckle up!

for those not knowledgeable in the folklore cinematic universe: after an awful fight with dina right before the start of summer (and dina’s three month long summer trip) ellie is left with unanswered questions about her and dina’s relationship and their future. ellie then meets you and pretty soon you begin a summer fling, leaving you questioning whether she was ever yours to lose?

warnings/themes: angst!!lots of it, cheating (womp womp), ellie is stupid and kind of a dick, reader is delusional and a little pathetic (me core), alcohol and weed use, eventual sexual themes (prob not in great detail because i suck at writing smut) talk of non consensual groping, homophobia (fun!)

word count: 2.1k

---

you decided to leave the prom an hour and a half early. the music was lame, the tacky decorations didn’t do nearly enough to mask your public school’s moldy gym, and your date, who you had made sure to inform multiple times that you were just going as friends, tried to stick his tongue down your throat in the middle of the dance floor. you said goodbye to your small group of friends who were still partying with their dates, and made it to the exit of the sweaty gym, making sure to toss the lame corsage you had been given in the trash on the way out. since your debt ridden public school had cheapened out at the last minute and moved the prom’s venue from a nice event hall two towns over to the gymnasium, your friends decided to skip the whole overly expensive limo thing and just take your cars. you made your way to your old but lovable station wagon and began driving the opposite way from your house. you knew if you came home this early your mom would bother you with questions so you figured you’d stop and get a slurpee to pass the time.

and that’s when you saw her, the girl you had seen earlier in the night awkwardly standing near the punch bowl fiddling with her thumbs while her date danced energetically with her friends. you had seen ellie williams before but never paid much attention to her. she had a famously close friendship with dina woodward, probably the most beloved girl in your small town yet she herself kind of flew under the radar. It wasn’t until tonight when you saw ellie in her black suit, arms linked with dina as they entered the dance that you realized they were definitely together. given your small town’s outdated views and ridiculously rampant gossip mill they could obviously never label themselves as together publicly, but you could tell. you knew the small town closeted lesbian look all too well. 

you noticed now as you approached the reddened stop light where you both would be waiting for the next minute that she looked really sad. her posture crumpled as she trudged along the broken cobblestone, a look one could only describe as heart broken across her face. Impulsively you felt your fingers moving to roll down the car window. you weren’t the type of person to involve yourself in anyone’s personal problems, but the mixture of your own shitty night and ellie's grim expression moved something in you to open up that window. 

“hey!” you called out to her across the sidewalk. her saddened daze broke and she looked up at you surprised, so lost in thought she forgot anyone else in the world existed. “get in!” you yelled, shocking yourself in the process. you watched as her face changed from confusion to wariness. you watched as she mulled the proposition over in head, registering your prom dress as a sign you had come from the same place as her and therefore most likely were not trying to murder her, only give her a ride home. she hurried over to your car before the light could turn green, shutting the door with intense force behind her making the both of you slightly jump. soon after the light turned green and you began driving to the 7-11 which was only a couple of minutes away, a 90s song quietly played in the background as you nervously tapped your fingers on the wheel, starting to regret your decision as you weren’t sure what to say. 

Ellie opened up her mouth a few times to talk, but realized she wasn’t sure what to say either. This night had worn her down to exhaustion and for the first time in hours sitting silently in your car provided her with a surprising sense of calm. as your car finally pulled into the neon lit 7-11 parking lot you finally turned to look at her. her expression while still sad had lightened a little and you noticed now under the intense lighting how pretty her freckles were. 

“do you want a slurpee?” 

—

you and ellie sat on the hood of your car quietly sipping your slurpees, yours a mixture of cherry and coke, her’s blue raspberry. the parking lot where you sat was vacant, the only other car there was likely the worker of the 7-11 behind you. 

“so…” you began to speak, putting an end to the comfortable silence. “prom was pretty great huh” you joked. she shook her head and smiled lightly, turning to look at you the first time that night. she noticed quickly that you were very beautiful, a fact that hadn’t crossed her mind in the midst of her heartache. she wondered suddenly why you had left the prom as early as her, another thought that hadn’t crossed her mind. 

“so um, dina, was she your date?” you asked, trying to keep your voice as nonchalant as possible, already knowing the weight behind your words. you noticed her body stiffen and soon regretted bringing it up. 

“sort of yeah,” she replied, her voice harsh. an awkward silence rested between you two until she began to speak again. “what about you, no date?”

“I wish, I had a date, jamie dawson. I thought we were just going as friends until he tried to grope me during the cha cha slide,” you cringed, taking another slip of your slurpee.

“gross. he’s a dick.” she replied. he was a dick, ellie had thought so ever since she caught him looking at dina’s ass while she cheered at last year’s fall pep rally. she wanted so badly in that moment to yell at him, inform him she was taken. but of course she couldn’t.

a similar situation is what led to her current shitty mood. she showed up to dina’s that night, crumpled corsage in hand as she nervously knocked on her door. she was greeted by dina’s dad. mr. woodward had always scared ellie since the first time she had met him in eighth grade. he made his disdain for ellie clear to his daughter, as he disapproved dina having such a close relationship with a girl like her, a girl who skateboarded around town in her dirty converse and boyish clothes. he hated how close they were and even though they had always done their best to hide the real nature of their relationship, he always suspected something was going on between them. when mr. woodward saw her at the door standing in her thrifted suit, his face crumpled in contempt, the first hindering in ellie’s confidence that night. 

she brushed past that as she made her way into the woodward’s foyer where dina and her friends resided. ellie knew most of the girls due to cheer performances and all the time’s dina had dragged her along to events like this, but she was never really close with any of them. along with dina’s friends stood their dates, most of them douchey football players who were among the bunch of boys who found pleasure in shouting homophobic insults at her in the school halls. the one nice one among them she recognized was jesse. ellie knew him from her astronomy class and had always liked partnering up with him for group projects, his sense of humor was similar to hers and they always found themselves being scolded by the teacher for laughing during lectures. 

she creeped inside awkwardly waving as the crowd eyed her entrance. dina wasn’t in the room and she quickly began to panic until jesse snapped her out of it by dapping her up. 

“ELLIE!!!” he shouted as he wrapped her in a bro hug. she found herself being thankful to whichever cheer girl brought him as her date. 

soon after dina descended from the stairs, scanning the room to see if ellie arrived yet. when her eyes landed on the auburn haired girl she broke out into one of her signature bright smiles. when she reached ellie she quickly wrapped ellie in a hug, making sure not to let the gesture linger considering her parents were in the corner setting up their fancy digital camera. “took you long enough,” she teased

“sorry I forgot your corsage and had to go ba-” 

“I’m just teasing you, I don't care,” she replied gently, reaching down to grab the plastic corsage container. ellie blushed, noticing since she’d arrived all of dina’s friends sporting much fancier corsages. “I love it!” dina beamed. opening the box for ellie to put it on her. dina’s parents eyed them from the side of the room, suspicious of the intimate gesture. The only reason they allowed dina to go as ellie’s “date” was because dina told them no one had asked her. that was a blatant lie, there was a day the week before prom where three boys had asked her in one lunch period. 

the group lined up for group pictures and ellie stood nervously, trying to look as platonic as possible posing next to her girlfriend of almost two years. soon when people began branching off to do couples pics, dina’s parents beckoned her over. ellie stood in her original position but could clearly hear the whole conversation. 

“we noticed that nice boy jesse is going stag, why don’t you two pose for some pictures together?” dina’s mom prodded, stroking dina’s hair. ellie tensed. 

“mom n-” 

“come on sweetie, when you're older don’t you want to show your kids pictures of your date from your senior prom? not pictures of you and your friend,” her voice hardening on the word friend. dina began protesting more but suddenly mrs. woodward was calling jesse over to them. ellie watched in the corner as the woodward’s began posing the two of them together. dina sported a tense smile while jesse, confused by the situation but happy he got to be in that close of a vicinity to a hot girl smiled brightly. 

after the pictures the group made their way into the big limo dina’s parents had rented. dina linked arms with ellie and quickly noticed her tense nature. “hey, i'm sorry about that,” she whispered softly. 

“s’ okay” ellie replied, forcing a small smile. she knew dina wasn’t at fault for her parents' insane actions, but that didn’t stop her from hurting whenever they pulled stuff like that. 

the rest of the night continued on regularly. ellie still felt awkward amongst dina’s friends but tried her best to put on a front for her. as she and her friends danced energetically to early 2000s hits, ellie stayed to the side, letting her girlfriend enjoy the night without having to subject her to her awkward dancing. she figured she would pop in during the slow songs, the light swaying they required being the only move she could handle. that’s why when the ridiculously corny ed sheeran song that for some reason dina loved came on, ellie began making her way to the dance floor. she stopped suddenly at the edge of the floor when she saw dina smiling as she swayed with jesse. ellie’s heart dropped when she saw their joyful expressions, jesse spinning dina at a completely different tempo than what the song called for, both of them laughing hysterically

in retrospect ellie should have known this supposed act of intimacy she had walked in on was just jesse dicking around and trying to ruin the slow song for the rest of the couples on the dance floor, but seeing her laughing and holding onto his hands made ellie want to hurl. so much so, she quickly exited the gym. trudging alone in the dark scraping her doc martens on the rundown cobblestone street until you came along, offering her a ride.

you watched as ellie finished her slurpee, her face bitter as she recalled the night's events. you didn’t press her on it any further, knowing by her expression whatever had happened was bad. 

“where do you live? I’ll give you a ride. I have to kill time before I get home anyway,” you said as you slid off your car's hood and began unlocking it.

“thanks,” she replied, mimicking your actions. after she got in the car she began thinking back to your last sentence. “why can’t you go home?”

“don’t want my mom asking annoying questions. you know, worrying about me and shit,” 

“I get that,” she thought of what joel would say when she returned home, all bleary eyed and disheveled looking. she realized she should probably wait to go home until she knew he was asleep. “actually, um if you don’t have anywhere to be… could we just drive around for a bit?” 

you smiled softly and placed your hand on the ignition, “sure.”

—

authors note: sorry not much happens in this chapter I promise it will get good in the next one I just wanted to introduce the story a little and try to explain ellie and dina’s relationship before I got into writing more about the reader and ellie🫶

[thesims3help]

Sims 3 - Gameplay enhancing mods: In-game fixes, Store item fixes, No More and other mods - Part 2.

Continuation of our category-based mod post. Mods and links previously featured in our Masterlist. All credits to their rightful owners.

Categories include small mods fixing in-game issues, Store items fixes, No More autonomous actions and mods that don't fit previous categories. Previous post here.

Fixes:

Plumbot Fixes Mod

Fix: Guitar needs less Space for playing

Fix: Bass needs less Space for playing

Potions (Alchemy) fit everywhere

Potions (Chemistry Lab) fit everywhere

Non Walkable Fences Basegame

Fix for wall with crown and baseboard moulding and trimmed border

Fixes for Three EA Wall Sets from the Base Game and Ambitions

Fix for the Normalmaps on Horizontal Timbered Wall SET

Horizontal Clapboard - Fixed

Wall fixes + one new wall

Sims 3 Hidden Stencils Unlocked + Fixed!

LN Celeb Fridge Texture Fix

University Life Alpha Omega Door Fix

Alchemy Fix: No more invasion of the spawners

Missing/Empty Book Title Fix

Crossed-Out Trait Thumbnail Fixes

Laser Rhythm-a-con Star Challenge Fix 1.0

Infinite Laundry Buffs Fix

Throw a Great Party Dreams Fix

No Relationship Decrease from Performance

Toddler Age-up Grammar Fix

Chemistry Lab Outfit Fix

Brass beds mask fix

SHT: Simply Stylish Wall -Fence Fixed!

Generations Wall Shelf Slot "Fix"

PermaWood Stairs Fix

Mags' Door - FIX

Ceci n'est pas white - Window Fixes

WA 'Shuttered Window - Open' - FIX

WA French Mailbox Buyable plus FIX

Scarab Rejuvenation Bed - FIX

Crowning Glory Window - FIX

Late Night Plant Fix

Late Night Camera Fix

More Efficient Upgrade Name Fix

The Working Sim's Bed - Minor bug fix 5.4.2014

Floor Fix - Short, Medium-Length Planks with Pegs

Fences - No Posts

KP's Watermelon Romper Fix - Updated

Hardcore Fence Unlocked

Haute Hacienda Fireplace Fixes

Fishing Box/Chest Fix (2 versions)

Ghosts Leaving Lot Fix, Graveyard and Other

Store Item Fixes:

Wonderfully Woven Hanging Chair Fix

Now & Then Manor Curved Staircase FIXED!

Amour Perfume Moodlet Typo Fix

Uber Sani-Sim Toilet *FIXED*

Spell Book Tweaks, with multiple flavors

Ultra Lounge unCAStables made CAStable

Hewnsman unCAStables made CAStable

Door and Window Fix

Store Fixes: Route Fail

Lucky Palms Window Fix

Vineyard Vittles Dining Table Fix

Banquett Fan Routing Fix

Tree of Prosperity - Pixies and Fireflies light Show Spawn Fix

No More Autonomous:

Sauna mods: no autonomous bath and no life extending after

No Autonomous Smustle Dance + No Smustle Dance Mods

No autonomy cat, horse and dog mods. Along with no booby traps.

No More Fire

No Uneven Cooking

No or less cold showers

No More "Tastes Like Fridge" Moodlet

ClaudiaSharon's Simblr: No more free vacations, a new mod (tumblr.com)

No Autonomous Build Igloo/SnowMan/SnowAngel

Stop Viewing Objects, Except in the Art Gallery

Other mods:

Name Randomizers

Simport Rewards Unlocked

Safe and Fun Bonfires

No_Mascot_CameraZoom

No_TimePortal_CameraZoom

Quiet Doors

Invisible Parking Space

Newspaper & Mail Mods (Compatible with Patch 1.63-1.67)

Jenesis' All Buyable Fish/Books/Fruits Mods (Compatible with Patch 1.63-1.67)

Welcome Wagon Mods "None/Less/More" (Compatible with Patch 1.63-1.67)

Bed Mods: [Never Oversleep] & [Always Make Bed]

Simstopics Higher Meteor Chances

Simstopics Mail Comes Different Days

ClaudiaSharon's Simblr: Buy and Sell Imaginary Friends! (tumblr.com)

New dance routines

[busting-buffers]

HERE IT IS! MY TOP 5 JAMES EPISODES AND TOP 5 JAMES QUOTES

#5: S1E23 "James in a Mess" / "Dirty Objects"

This is, as far as I remember, James and Toby's first interactions with each other. Of course, James being James, he's rude and fussy, and Toby immediately puts him in his place. In typical James fashion yet again, he gets put on a slow goods train, his brakes don't get set on the hill, and he runs out of control right into some tar wagons, busting them open and getting into a terrible mess. Toby and Percy see everything, and James is in shame and dismay. He really gets his comeuppance in this one, and he's the episodes main character, he's not in the right at all and deserved it. I love Toby and James interactions, they're so funny to me.

#4: S19E11 "Pouty James"

I've seen people rag on this episode because it's a bit dumbed down, and while I agree with it, I think it's cute. It's a typical 'James hates goods trains' episode, but there's character growth there. He gets grounded for whining and talking back to Sir Topham, and when he's finally allowed to work, he has to pull garbage trucks and starts being fussy again. But thanks to the others making fun of him and showing him he's acting like a toddler, he realizes he can have fun pulling goods and non-passenger trains, and his attitude does a full 180 by the end of the episode. I think it's cute and a great lesson not just for kids, but young adults and teens too.

S19E16 "All in Vain

This one to me is a continuation of that arc from episode 11. James wants to take the Mayor to the party and has to finish his work first. He still doesn't like doing goods work all that much, but he at least tries to keep a smile on while working. He gets sugar dumped on him at the docks, which ends up sticky after a wave crashes on him. When Edward tries to help him finish so he can be ready for the night, he refuses because he wants to prove he can finish his work. Of course, in his egotistic ways, after he gets told his paint is slightly scratched, he panics and immediately rushes to get repainted. His paint doesn't dry, he gets leaves, twigs, and dust (oh my) blown all over him, and he asks Edward to take the Mayor in shame. It all ends well, though, after a second repaint, he gets to take the Mayor on other business. This episode is just overall a great storyline, and I love that they tried to have some continuity from before.

#2: S5E5 "James and the Trouble with Trees"

A typical James model series episode. James is boasting how he deserves his new coat of paint, and the other engines are tired of hearing him as always. The next day, while on his way to be repainted, Henry has an accident and James berates him and tells him he should go to the forest instead. Henry retorts, as Sir Topham was doing an island inspection for trees to close to the line, saying they may cause trouble. James scoffs, saying if he ever came upon a tree, he'd push it aside. He leaves, later passing Percy and Terence, who both warn him to look out for trees, but he disregards them. When he arrives to collect the express, Sir Topham sends him to collect goods trucks instead, and he fusses over it. When he reaches the docks to collect them, though, the weather changes for the worst. As he's going along, he comes to a hill, where a tree has been loosened by wind and rain. James skids to a stop, and is rescued by Thomas just before the tree falls atop him. This is another great episode where James gets his comeuppance, and while he wasn't damaged, he learns he should heed others warnings and stop being so proud (obviously this is backtracked a lot, thanks HiT). This episode also has my favorite line ever because Baldwin's James voice is so queer (oh help😨💅🏳️‍🌈go away😨🗣️🏳️‍🌈‼️‼️)

#1: S2E5 "Old Iron"

Is this really a surprise? C'mon. James complains Edward is old and slow after having to wait for him at the station. He complains to Thomas and Percy, who retort back in defense of Edward. Later, while pulling a train, his driver falls ill and has to leave. While waiting to be shunted away, some boys climbed in the cab and, from what I can assume, turned off James's brakes and ran off when he began to move. His fireman was talking to a signalman when this happened, and the inspector calls the box to ask the fireman to prepare a shunters pole with some rope. James, on the ither hand, is excited to be traveling along at high speeds. When he tries to slow, however, he realises he has no driver and begins to panic. His fireman and the inspector are aboard Edward, who is pushing himself to the limits to catch up to the runaway red engine. They eventually catch up, and the inspector nooses James's buffer to slow him down. The two engines come into the station side-by-side, and James thanks Edward for saving him and praises him. ("You were splendid, Edward" 🏳️‍🌈🤭). I love this episode with all my heart because it's so daunting at times. Also I realized its episode 2/5....🏳️‍🌈‼️🗣️

Top 5 James Quotes

#5: hello gordon 😃🗣️ is it tomorrow? 😃😃😃 (specifically Carlin's dub)

#4: shut up😡🤬 its not funny😡‼️🗣️🗣️🗣️🗣️

#3: sandal 🩴 fly 🤨🤨🤨boo 👻 fly 🤨🤨🤨🤨shoo 👟 fly🙂‍↕️🙂‍↕️, thats it! 🗣️‼️

#2: you weren't concentrating thomas ☝️🤨 lucky for you ����🤨 that the buffers were there 🤭🤭

#1: oh help 😨🏳️‍🌈💅 go away 🗣️‼️🏳️‍🌈💅

[chromee23]

GREENPEAK MAGE KEEP

This lavish mansion is owned by a powerful but reclusive wizard Greenpeak, named after the foliage-covered mountainside he hails from. He is well known for both unique architectural design and his rare but extravagant parties. He has a multitude of both clockwork and human servants that travel the halls performing menial tasks and serving as guards. The lower halls of the keep are beautiful, but as the mansion rises to the heavens the structure becomes wondrous, magical, and at points difficult to traverse for anyone but the wizard and his servants. All the doors are expensive wood with the strength of metal, and all the windows are stained glass with the strength of thick wood.

The mage sat on an influential council of benevolent mages that must pledge an ancient and binding oath to never perform unethical or unsavory practices anywhere in the world. This did not stop the wizard though- he found a loophole in the wording of the pact and created demiplanes and pocket dimensions for his myriad of experiments. He hides the access points throughout his home, many of which reside on the upper floors.

1 FRONT DOOR the road to the keep winds up the side of a tall mountain, then bridges a gap over to wrap around a small spire jutting from the mountainside, before spanning a long gap to finally reach the arched 20 ft high double doors of the building itself.  There is a permanent rune of alarm that will alert anyone in the guard post (room 2) if anyone approaches using the road. The bridge 5-35 feet is pair of magical stone drawbridges that the guards can and usually do raise if trouble approaches, unless the lord of the mansion is hosting a party.

2 GUARD POST This pair of towers sit on either side of the main entrance 15 feet from the road and can survey the surrounding mountainside and inspect visitors at the doors, which are magically sealed unless the guards open them. There are 1 foot wide arrow slits on all outward facing sides of the tower (one could leap to the tower and squeeze through the slits if the door is sealed, but it would be difficult.) Both guard posts have controls that raise the drawbridges, open the door, and send an alarm through the castle in case powerful enemy forces are coming to attack. Usually there are 6 guards at each post, with at least 1 human with enchanted gear to man the controls and automatons to guard them. There are stairs up to the next floor to access battlements, murder holes into the foyer, and the guard’s quarters. There are also stairs down to the castles private dungeons.

3 FOYER AND STABLES The vestibule past the double doors is always staffed by at least 4 automatons that will take overcoats to the coat room, horses and wagons to the stables, and clean off anyone dirtied by the journey if necessary. There are locked doors to the guard posts on either side, so guards can bring suspicious people in and apprehend them.

4 ENTRY HALL AND MAIN STAIRWELL This large 45 foot tall room spans 2 stories and has a wide double staircase to the second and third floors. There are beautiful carpets on the floors and tapestries on every wall, the latter of which depict the owner of the home performing acts of magic and heroism throughout the realm. The south walls have 4 stands of exquisite enchanted armor that are actually inert automatons that only animate when commanded by a guard or the owner of the home; They will also attack any non-staff individual if the alarm has been raised.

5 KITCHENS The large kitchen is staffed around the clock by either 1 or 2 human head chefs and up to 6 automatons under their command. With full staff they can feed 40 people. The kitchens have a steep staircase under a trapdoor that leads to the pantry and cellar, and a staff’s stairwell in an adjoining room that leads to staff quarters. None of the staff here are combatants and will flee to alert other guards.

6 DINING HALL This long hall can seat 20 people and has large windows that can see the beautiful mountainside. The armor here conceals clockwork automatons that function identically to those in the entry hall. The corridor that surrounds this room is patrolled by 4 clockwork guards that will join any combat in the surrounding rooms. The balcony is covered and the doors to which are locked unless the owner is hosting people.

7 BALLROOM This extravagant hall can comfortably fit 60 individuals, though its rare that more than 40 people are invited to the mansion. The floor is tiled with beautiful marble and the walls are lined with ornate banners with intricate gold-lined designs. There are tables in 3 of the corners of the room for dining. The 3 suits of armor function identically to those in the entry hall. The doors to the balcony are locked unless the owner is hosting people.

[thatstormygeek]

And the message of these inspiring uncommitted voters, both in interviews and in messaging from the organizers, has been clear. Biden has lost our confidence after backing a genocide. He must do more. He must take action like cutting off the flow of weapons and bombs to Israel. He must stop funding Israel. He must use his very considerable power to push Israel to end the genocide in Gaza. This has been made clear, repeatedly. Yet it’s still being deliberately misconstrued. Instead of listening to the points made soundly and repeatedly by a broad coalition of Democratic voters, the effort to malign the uncommitted campaign is in full swing. John Fetterman is one of the avatars of this push, spamming social media with half-baked memes and commentary making fun of his own party’s voters, and fellow Democratic members of Congress like Rashida Tlaib, for backing uncommitted. Again and again he says that this movement to show Biden just how much backing Israel’s genocide could cost him is helping Trump. It’s a non-existent logic that’s both totally wrong and debasing to those making it in that it feigns a complete misunderstanding of the primary process.

Now some voters won’t come around. For them, it’s too late. And I understand that. But what the critics, the dishonest commentary surrounding the uncommitted movement appear to not understand is that they are hurting Biden, Palestinians, and democracy. Their efforts to circle the wagons rather than listen to thousands and thousands of dedicated party voters is hurting their own cause. They are further alienating these vital constituents, and futilely attempting to diminish the Palestinian cause.

It’s impossible to know what the White House will do next. But people are organizing, and escalating. It’s not just hundreds of thousands of people voting uncommitted, it’s people disrupting political events, disrupting Israeli real estate events where occupied land is being sold, locking themselves to the gates of weapons factories. Millions have boycotted Starbucks, to the point where they’re acknowledging the impact on sales and profits. We are taking economic, political, and direct action, and our voices are breaking through the noise. Above all, countless Americans are getting organized, allowing us to act collectively and do more.

Don’t let anyone get it twisted, this mass campaign isn’t anti-democracy or pro-Trump. It’s a movement against genocide using the democratic process itself, and the White House knows it. The majority of this country wants a ceasefire, wants to stop sending weapons to Israel, wants an end to the slaughter in Gaza. No matter how anyone tries to distort that reality, we will keep making it clear, and we will keep increasing the pressure to make peace a reality. Hundreds of thousands of people are turning out at the polls to say: one way or another, we will make ourselves heard and force the issue, we will force the United States to do everything it can to end Israel’s genocide in Gaza.

[dr-acula121]

Naturae Ferox Chapter 5

Summary:

Caught up in the manipulation and seduction of a certain vampire, Fen struggles with her own sense of control and autonomy, all whilst struggling to hide her own secrets.

A druid without connection. A Chosen without faith. Rage without control.

Pairing: Astarion x Female OC

Warnings: 18+ Graphic depictions of violence, Non-con, Slavery, Smut, Angst, Hurt/Comfort, Spoilers

18+ only

Fen recognised the remains of the caravan almost immediately.

The symbol of the Black Network was carved inconspicuously into the mudguard of the wrecked wagon.

That knot in her stomach returned as the more noble members of the party suggested they look for survivors to the North.

Astarion naturally had rolled his eyes at the suggestion of helping others, which for once Fen was welcome for, but had quickly changed his tune at the mention of potential loot.

She had remembered a wagon very similar to this, trailing behind her own on her way to Baldur's Gate just before the ilithid kidnapping. They had broken off several days before at a rest stop on their way from the Calim Desert. Fen dreaded to think of the "loot" that they would find, or the souls who had been kept captive.

The gnolls themselves were a formidable enemy. They had a smell which Fen could only describe as being a mix between viscera and wet dog. Astarion himself had gagged after sinking his teeth into one such creature.

Feeling particularly filled with newfound confidence, she had felt the buzz of the earth as she shaped the ground beneath the Flind into hard piercing spikes, holding it in place ready for the blow of Karlach's axe.

Gale gave a cheer as she threw an ice knife through the chest of a gnoll he had immobilised with a "hold" spell.

There was a small sense of relief in the blood shed as she realised that yes, she still had it in her.

The men themselves in the cave were of little help, choosing to cower in the shadows instead of fight.

"This whole journey's been just one grim sight after another. Gnolls, goblins, mind-flayers- " The younger man, who they had learned was called Olly, moaned.

"Sorry, did you say mind-flayers?" Shadowheart asked. Fen was now finding anything to look busy away from the group. She had searched the same gnoll several feet away for things to sell twice now. She hoped no one had noticed.

"Yes, we're bound for Baldur's Gate, but we’ve not had nothing but trouble since we left Manshaka." The younger man grumbled. Fen felt Astarion's burning gaze on her, but she didn't look up from the weapon she was closely examining.

"One of the wagons in our caravan broke off from the convoy in Nashkel to make better time but was attacked on the Sword Coast Road."

Fen remembered that night clearly, it had been raining. Lightning had struck a nearby pine tree, causing it to crash into the road in front of them as they were fleeing, barely missing the horses. They had no chance. They were cornered.

"Were there survivors?" Wyll asked.

"No, just corpses by the time we got there."

Good

Fen wondered whether she could wild-shape into a dormouse and just hide in one of her companion's bags. Perhaps not Gales - he made an active effort to pocket any book he come across and she would surely be crushed. Or maybe she could take one of the groups newfound potions and disappear into thin air.

The older man, Rugan, shot a cautioning look to Olly, "Well thank you again. We'll find help at Waukeen's Rest just up the way…"

"I don't remember you saying thank you the first time, " Shadowheart muttered.

"Wait a moment!" Astarion chimed up. "Am I misinterpreting this, but did we risk our lives killing those mangey beasts for nothing in return? No financial renumeration at all?" He looked around the party incredulously.

"Ha, well," Rugan said awkwardly, "You know we have just had our caravan raided, it’s not like we have anything to offer you…"

"What about the chest literally right there." Astarion pointed, not breaking eye contact with the man.

"What? This? It's nothing. Just some nonsense artifacts for some rich twat in the city, " Rugan shrugged.

"This business sounds like a rather rough trade." Astarion said, tapping his upper lip in a way Fen had seen other rogues employ when conversing. Thieves cant she realised. From the context she wondered whether the elf had threatened the men.

"Business at the end of a blade is still business, eh?" the older man said chuckling before rubbing his left eyebrow with three fingers. He stood to pick up the chest from the cave floor. "As my grandmother used to say, the littlest serpent casts the longest shadow." Both turning to leave.

"What the fuck was that about?" Karlach asked once the men were out of sight. Fen visibly relaxed in their absence.

"Zhentarim," Astarion explained, wiping his dagger on the fur of the hyena by his feet with a look of distain, "They have a hideout at the tavern up the road. There we'll get our reward."

"Oooh, thieves cant!" Gale chuckled, "How fun”.

Fen anxiously picked at the stale bread from her backpack as they continued on, purposely walking behind the rest of the party. She supposed she was vulnerable at the rear but needed the space to collect her thoughts.

They hadn't recognised her, that was obvious enough, but then she supposed she had spent the long journey from Manshaka in wild-shape. The anti-magic shackle around her neck had ensured that. To any of the smugglers travelling with them, they were moving just a whining dog. Little to no explanation was given as to why this dog had such secure transport across Faerûn. She was sure they must have had questions, but none were asked. You didn't get far in the Zhentarim questioning your Lord.

"Charming friends you have, there" Astarion dropped back to walk alongside her, "Nice of them to invite us back for tea and biscuits."

"I have no idea what you mean." Fen feigned ignorance, struggling to chew a particularly crusty morsel of bread, "Anyway, they looked more like people you'd associate with."

"Hmm, an odd coincidence" He sneered sarcastically, "A caravan coming up from arse -end-of-nowhere, Manshaka attacked by a mind flayer ship on the journey to Baldur's Gate, no that’s definitely an unusual occurrence." He bought his fist to his mouth in a thoughtful gesture. "Downright spooky that it would happen twice."

"Definitely unusual" She returned, flatly. "More unusual things have happened though…"

"And we do seem to attract the unusual, don't we pussycat?" He bumped her gently on the shoulder. She groaned in response.

"Well, I won't tell if you won't" He said rather musically, "What's a secret amongst friends-"

"Friends?" She asked a little too quickly.

"Is that not what we are? After everything we’ve shared together?" He asked, now clutching his chest in mock-heart break.

"Astarion, I've had a stone in my shoe since this morning. I'd say that's a more welcome travel companion than you right now”.

"That's not-" Astarion opened his mouth as if to parry with his own sly comment but was cut off by the shouts of help and the plume of smoke now rising over the horizon.

Waukeen's Rest was ablaze.

Karlach had been the only companion safe enough to enter the building. In a feat of heroics, she had helped break the door of the inn down before bringing not one but two of the survivors inside to safety. She had barely broken a sweat when she had returned with Counsellor Florrick. She was clearly still acclimatised to the heat of Avernus. The backdraft of the upper floor was a breeze. 

The others waited outside anxiously, tending to the injured outside. None looked more concerned than Wyll who's face had become frozen with fear at the first call for Duke Ravenguard.

Him and Gale had stayed behind to talk with Florrick to learn more about the cultist attack and the resulting kidnapping. Fen was out of earshot when Gale's face flashed with surprise at a comment of Florrick's before animatedly turning to ask Wyll more questions. Fen made a mental note to ask more about this from Gale later on.

The rest of the party continued on, moving towards the outbuildings to the West.

"Do you hear that?" Astarion asked, pointing towards one particular shack, "There's someone moving around inside, I have a feeling that’s what we're looking for" Fen realised what it was he was looking for. It wasn't the hope of finding any more survivors, more so the pursuit of his reward. The Zhentarim hideout.

The concealed human startled Fen. She had gasped when she saw him, a spell crackling in his fingers. She was evidently on edge.

Astarion with a hand on her shoulder stepped forward, smiling at the man.

"Woah there, don't want to start any more unnecessary fires today, do we?" He asked confidently. "Little Serpent. Long shadow" he said when the jumpy man before him didn't relax.

Fen's anxiety didn't wain once the man let them pass. Descending into the hideout, she struggled to hear her companions over the white noise in her ears. Her eyes scoured the chambers, hoping desperately not to find a familiar face. She felt cornered and on edge, a mouse walking willingly into a trap - a trap she'd been in before. If she weren't so fearful she may have laughed at the foolishness.

Zarys eyed her suspiciously as she discussed the reward they had sought with the others. Fen twitched under her gaze. She hadn't met the human woman, but she couldn’t help but worry that she knew.

Because the Zhentarim always knew.

The first time she had tried to escape, they had known.

A guard had bought her confidante to the bars of her cell and made her watch as he had slit his throat. All of her hope pouring out of his bubbling neck and spilling onto the stone floor.

The second time she had tried to escape, they had known.

When she had attempted to shift into an Eagle and soar to safety, mages shot lightning to bring her crashing back to the ground before she'd even made it ten feet. They had always known. They had learnt to use the Sussur shackles after that point.

The "taming" started after her third attempt.

If there was anything to be learnt from her imprisonment, it was that the Zhentarim always knew.

However, if Zarys had recognised Fen, she didn't let it on. Continuing to bargain and discuss with their rogue like old business partners. Fen felt sick to her stomach. She wanted nothing more than to bury these monsters in the hideout of their hollowing. She longed to hear their muffled screams through the dirt. But instead, she kept quiet as the party bartered for no doubt stolen goods. Her mind reeled. She hoped whatever they had gained was worth it. For they had unknowingly paid with a small part of her sense of safety.

She had insisted they paid for the kidnapped artist's freedom, which was as much as she had said during their time with the Black Network. The thought of leaving the man made her shake with rage.

When the trader had asked Fen to make an offer on the man's life, she wondered sickeningly how much money had been exchanged for hers behind closed doors. What was her worth? Defined by discreet discussions of others. 

"Such a bleeding heart," The vampire groaned as they reached above ground, making their way back to their camp, "That was a good chunk of our gold you wasted”.

The transaction had made her feel nauseous, but not for the reason he meant. She knew she would be up until late that night, justifying buying another man's life, even if she had granted him his freedom immediately. She had contributed to a system she was a victim of. 

Gale's newly acquired scrolls of warding had given her a small sense of comfort that night. Watching the wizard work to protect the camp from unexpected nocturnal visitors, she was able to unclench her teeth for the first time that day, relieved that the chances of her being dragged off in the middle of the night had somewhat reduced.

Wyll had remained up late that night, lost in his thoughts about his captured father. Fen had given him what support she could until the little hours of the morning, but he had returned to his tent with the same haunted look he had arrived with.

He thanked Fen before he left. Leaving her feeling colder than before next to the now dying fire.

Her eyes searched the tree line around them, unsure what she was expecting to find. Perhaps a goblin raiding party lurking in the bushes? Maybe a swarm of mindflayers, their foreheads throbbing with psionic power? Or worse, Zhent exotic trappers ready to snatch her away and back to the Livestock Pen for auction. Back to Him.

What she didn't expect was to find Astarion, sauntering his way over to her on his way back from the woods - no doubt following a successful hunt.

He moved with an unnatural grace to the campfire where she was sitting, examining a small blood stain on his white billowing shirt.

"Oh, well that'll never get out, will it?" He tutted.

"Going hunting in a white shirt was brave of you." She replied, although she doubted, he was really talking to her.

"I'm actually a very clean eater." He continued rubbing at the spot. "I'm quite skilled with my mouth - as you must well remember."

She was thankful he was distracted, or else he may have seen the blush bloom in her cheeks, although given his vampiric sense she was sure he must have been able to smell it.

"You've been weird today" he said after some time, giving up on his shirt to face her. "All shifty, and odd. Not keen to catch up with old friends then?"

"They aren't my friends" She seethed. "And I would prefer it if you dropped it." Her eyes fixated on the fire before her.

"I don't know what it is you've gotten yourself into with the Zhent, but you better not let it come back to bite us in the arse." He sneered. "I don't care for other people's messes."

In the silence between them that followed, Fen felt a small twinge of guilt. Here she was safely behind her walls, having lectured him not three days ago to be more honest.

"What was it you were hunting?" She asked after a time, the fire had long burnt out, and now they were both watching the way the breeze danced in the still warm ashes.

"Just some rabbits" He huffed, "Slim pickings out there this evening, I'm afraid." He looked to side to face her.

"Oh sorry, were they also friends of yours?" He asked, bringing a leg over to straddle the log they were both sitting on. "Never know with your type. I was scared to trod on a dandelion at the Grove in case I upset your lot”.

"My lot?"

"You know, you're type" He gestured to all of her. "Wood elves… druids…"

"Can’t be that filling, rabbits."

"Nothing compared to - well other things I could be dining on." Fen felt a bubble of annoyance at the notion of being called an ‘other thing’ - "But significantly better than the rats and bugs Cazador served me."

"Cazador?"

"My old master" He look down and away from her, eyebrows pinching together. "Before the mindflayers took me from him. Before this strange, twisted freedom."

Fen knew the tales of true vampire and the ancient power they held over their spawn - little more than flesh puppets - commanded to do their dark bidding. He didn't conduct himself in the manner of a man newly saved from a life of slavery. But then, did she?

The artist they had rescued from the Zhentarim had all but kissed her as he made his journey back to Baldur's Gate - a monumental weight off his shoulders. Fen didn't feel nearly as light. How long did a person have to be in captivity until they lost all hope.

She liked to think she still clung onto some remanence of faith in others. She had been keen to save the Tiefling child at the Grove and had campaigned the others to assist with clearing the goblin encampment whilst searching for the druid Halsin. Her God's will or not, she still cared.

Astarion however didn't afford people the same faith. How long had he been a slave?

"But that was the past." He remained looking away, with that far off look in his eye. She understood. He was somewhere else, then.  "I'll never have to grovel for him again. I'll never obey his commandment again."

"First, thou shalt not drink of the blood of thinking creatures." He curled his lip, exposing one of his razor fangs.

"Wait, does that mean - " She asked, his gaze snapped towards her, and as simple as that he was back with her.

"Ah yes, that's why I was somewhat a little eager, before. But can you blame me? You were my first." He smirked devishly as that tell-tale mask slid back over his face. "Was it as good for you as it was for me?"

She would have perhaps groaned at the egregious attempt at flirting had she not witnessed the display of mental turbulence on the man's face before her. It seemed he lived in a fine balance of either being protected by his confident camouflage, or a thousand miles away in a deep crevices in his mind. Fen doubted she would ever get to meet the real Astarion.

"And what-" she began but stopped herself. She wanted to tread carefully. "H-how did you turn?"

He raised an eyebrow in response. That cursed eyebrow.

"Gods, I'm sorry, if it's a rude question to ask…" Fen tried to backtrack.

But he chuckled once in response. "I don't really recall much about the whole thing. I had passed an… unpopular judgement on a group of Gur who then took it upon themselves to follow me and attack me in the night in Baldur's Gate. I would have died had Cazador not appeared and saved me" He scoffed. "Left the 'eternal slave' clause out at the time though."

"Do you miss it?" Her voice was small. He gave her a questioning look. "Being alive?"

This time when he chuckled it was with more effort, but the smile lines never quite reached his eyes. "Can you miss something you don't remember?"

For the first time, Fen felt an odd sense of gratitude. Yes, she had lost decades of her life, but at least she could still remember the feel of fresh grass and sunshine on her face. She could still hear her mother's voice.

"As lovely as this conversation is, I must retire after my rather disappointing dinner. "

He began to move away, Fen suddenly feeling a flash of alarm. The conversation topics had been heavy, but after today she was craving the company.

"Wait - Do you… need more?"

"What are you suggesting little druid?" His voice was as dark as the shadows under his eyes.

"Well, you can feed from me tonight." She said, impressed with how quickly she recovered her confidence. "If you want." She felt the need to tag on.

"If I want?" He smiled, "There is nothing I'd want more than to get lost in that lovely little neck of yours again."

Even though they were outside, the air suddenly felt warm and thick.

"Where would be best?" She began to look around for her bedroll, which still lay folded away.

"How about this time we take this a somewhere a tad less public? I don't fancy an unexpected audience" He gestured his head towards his tent, it's flap open, and the candle lit within giving it an extremely welcoming appearance for what was a - vampire lair. "Plus, I can show you all the luxuries of inside living."

"What about the watch?" She asked, looking out again to the treeline.

"I think Gale's ward spells will hold for the time being, don't you?" He stood up from the log, unfolding his height before her. He extended a hand down to help her up. "Come with me."

His tent wasn't what she had expected, but then she didn't know what she had expected. The vampire nests she had raided in her youth had been grim and repulsive, but Astarion's tent smelt intoxicatingly like him. That heady smell that maddened her before. He had somehow sourced several comfortable floor cushions along the floor. A flicking candle illuminated the canvas. A large ornate mirror sat propped against a crate.

"Expecting more corpses and piles of viscera?" He asked, coming to sit on the floor, beckoning her to follow suit.

"I was expecting less mirrors, truth be told" She sat cross-legged Infront of him. Now with the tent flap closed, she felt cut off from the rest of the world. The camp and the outside world momentarily no longer in existence. Just the two of them, the contents of this tent, and a feeling of excitement. "What's the use of it?"

"Well, it's not petty vanity, is it?" He flicked his hair back in a flashy gesture, but Fen noted that none of his curls were out of place. She wondered how he managed to look so put together - and well beautiful - without a reflection to work with.

"But of course I miss it. I've never even seen this face. Not since it grew fangs and my eyes turned red."

She couldn't help but wonder what colour they had been before.

His eyes were feline in shape and distinctly fey, much like her own. But their crimson depths would reflect the light in a way that she knew should make her unsteady. Red eyes were a mark of danger. However, she couldn't help but admire the way they would reflect the candlelight.

"What colour were they? Before?" She asked, her voice barely a whisper.

"I-I don't remember." His eyebrows pinched again, appearing surprised at the question.

She supposed they must have been grey or blue, the colour most associated with the Teu-tel-quessir, but she couldn't help but feel sad at what of his had been lost to time.

"What do you see? When you look at me?"

She struggled to take a full breath in as she gazed upon his face. He was magnificent. A straight nose, high cheekbones and eyes that could slice right through her. You didn't have to spend decades in the desert to appreciate a beauty like his.

"Piercing eyes…dangerous smile… You're beautiful…" She started, feeling a blush come on. The corner of his mouth started to twitch upwards, and she derailed that thought. She didn't want to give him the satisfaction of her flattery.

"But you know that you're beautiful. You don't need me to tell you that." She finished, consciously pulling herself back a fraction. She hadn't realised how much she was starting to lean forward.

"Oh of course I do" he said, "But it's still nicer to hear you say it. Feel free to call me pretty whenever you like, Darling. Sounds lovely coming from your lips."

Suddenly, Fen remembered why she had come to his tent in the first place: dinner.

"Flattery aside - where would be best for me to sit? Lie down again?" As comfortable as his bedroll looked, she dreaded the thought. She wasn't sure she would be able to control herself if he were to lie over her again.

Who was this Fen? Shy with desire over the attention of a man. She almost felt normal. Like any woman would alone with Astarion.

"How about we change it up? I doubt I'd be able to control myself after those pretty little words of yours." He shifted to sit Infront of the mirror, his legs wide. It was odd seeing the tent reflected back to her his image noticeably missing.

"Sit here" he said quietly, patting the space between his legs once. "I want to see your face."

That warmth in the pit of her abdomen reared its head as she settled herself between his thighs. Muscular and lean, she couldn't help but appreciate how he felt pressed against her back. She pressed her legs together in response.

A shiver ripped through her as she felt his hands come rest gently on her shoulders. Although noticeably colder than her own feverish body temperature, it wasn't unpleasant.

She braced herself for the icy bite which would certainly follow but was shocked when she felt soft lips at the column of her neck, just above her jugular. She felt her pulse accelerate in response.

"What - What are you doing?" She managed to ask as soft kisses were planted gently on her neck. His hand slid down and across her waist, holding her to him.

When he spoke, he did so into her skin. "Don't pretend. I thought we promised to be honest with each other.

Another kiss. Another shudder she desperately tried to hide.

"I'm two hundred years old. I know how I effect people." His other hand trailed down her torso, coming to rest on her knee. She silently willed it to travel upwards. To give her any relief.

"I know how I effect you."

"And how's that?"

"Well, when I was getting lost in your neck..." he punctuated by pressing his teeth gently but not enough to break skin. "I could feel your little leg shakes. I could feel you shaking with excitement."

The hand on her knee started to rub gently against her leggings.

"I could taste it" The next kiss he laid on her neck was followed by dart of his tongue. Here she was, a meal sitting right in his lap.

"You touched yourself didn't you." She tried to twist against his arms to cower from her shame. She dreaded to think that he had been privy to her blasphemous activities. His hands only served to hold her in her place. She longed to see his face, to try and read any hint of an expression he might have, but all she could see was her own in the mirror. And the blush that was descending rapidly down her cheeks.

"You don't have to pretend. I could hear your little pants and moans." His lips travelled up to graze the lobe of her ear which he drew carefully into his mouth. She whined in response. "You can enjoy it. I enjoy it."

"I wonder what you taste like when you come." He whispered gentle into her ear. "I think we should find out."

The hand on her knee, how parted them, displaying her before him in the mirror. "You talk so much" she moaned, surprised with how compliant she was being.

His hand dragged up the inside of her thigh, fiendishly slowly, never reaching that spot she so desperately wanted him. Her hips bucked forward in response, but the hand around her waist countered by bringing her further backwards into him. A small noise left her as she felt the hardness press against her lower back.

"Touch yourself."

She didn't need to be told twice.

With one hand gripping his thigh, she slid her other into the waistband of her leggings. She leant back further into him as she found that aching spot at the apex of her thighs. Her slick underwear was easy to push aside.

"I am enjoying this little show" He came to rest his chin on her shoulder. If he was watching, she wouldn't have been able to tell. She could only see herself in the mirror.

"Look how beautiful you look."

And the visual before her surprised her.

Fen had never seen herself as a sexual being. As a young woman she had only been called beautiful a handful of times. Mostly by fellow novices and mostly whilst they were desperately fucking her. But she had never felt beautiful.

Then of course her body had been taken from her in Manshaka - in every respect it could. As a druid. As a person. As a woman.

She had forgotten herself. She had forgotten the feminine being she was. It was a shame it took the sensual words of a man to remind her.

"Can you hurry up and bite me." She panted, that coil in her pelvis threatening to spring loose.

"It would be my pleasure" He smiled into her neck before his fangs breached her sun-kissed skin.

That feeling of pleasant numbness descended across her again. The coldness of his bite spreading until it reached the warmth of her sex. The meeting of the two causes stars to flash before her eyes. Her head flew backwards to rest against his shoulder as he continued to suckle against her skin.

Her fingers continued their dance across her sensitive bud, and she groaned grinding herself against her own hand. Invertedly, she bought her hips backwards against him, drawing out his own grunt against her throat. In response he thrust forward against her, rhythmically in time with his swallows.

The orgasm that she built within, washed over her like the crashing tide. Her legs shook under his hand.

"Astarion-" She tried desperately to not call out as to not alert the others, whining gently instead.

His feeding slowed down as she rode out her climax.

Once the ringing in her eyes subsided, she realised how loudly he was panting against her.

She crashed back against him as he pulled away from her neck. His arms now coming to stabilise her against his chest. Strong forearms she had admired so closely before.

The blood had clearly been enough to shut him up. The only noises in the tent were the pair's shallow breathing and the thundering of her heart.

She left his tent shortly after. He had made a snarky remark about having a 'dinner and a show' once he had caught his breath. Fen had taken this as a sign to leave and return to her own bedroll which now felt considerably colder than usual.

Any sense of uncertainty in her mind would have to wait until morning, because tonight she would relish in the afterglow of her rediscovery.

Once again, she was proving her body was her own, and she could enjoy it with whoever she pleased.

Undead or not - Silvanus be damned.

[fishrpg]

2024-08-18: Hex 18 (Savanna)

The grasses here contain a variety of colorful wildflowers, some completely hidden except for their scent. Clusters of trees provide shade during the rainy season and shelter during the rainy season.

Notable Feature: Hazard (Swarming Insects)

Swarms of insects drift across this stretch of land like malicious dark clouds. The stench of something dead is noticeable when the wind blows just right. Each character attempting to traverse the hex must make a DC 14 DEX check. On a success, the character traverses the hex without incident. On a failure, the character traverses the hex after suffering a misfortune. Roll a d6 and consult the table below to determine what misfortune occurs to the character.

Biting insects have left you quite itchy and make sleep quite difficult. The next time you attempt to sleep, you either receive no benefits from rest (like recovering HP or spell slots) or you gain a level of exhaustion.

An insect has gotten lodged in your ear and you can hear it struggling against your eardrum. While the insect is present, concentration checks and attempts to perceive details by sound are made at disadvantage. Each day after the condition first begins, make a DC 16 CON check. On a success, the insect is dislodged and the condition ends. On a failure, the condition persists.

Persistent insects have found their way into your food stores; lose 1d6 days of rations to spoilage. If you do not have enough rations to cover the spoilage, take Dangerous (necrotic) damage as the insects burrow into your skin.

Thoughts of insects crawling underneath your clothes terrify you; every time you have a non-combat social interaction with another person in the next 24 hours, roll 1d6. On a result of 1, you feel the insects crawling on you and must respond by either removing the offending clothing or exaggerated flailing and swatting at the insects.

Blood-sucking insects have bitten you enough times to leave you with noticeably less blood; take Setback (piercing) damage.

One of the innumerable insects feasting on you carried a disease. Unless otherwise cured by magic or medicine, you are Poisoned for 3 days.

Active Campsite: Wagon Wares

A simple campsite made of three covered wagons with mosquito netting is the temporary home for three older men sitting around a fire. The men are cooking some wild game on a spit, telling stories as the meat roasts. The men are a group of traveling merchants led by Pedro Vergara, and the group sells a variety of goods. Among the wares available are books, assorted tinctures of dubious effectiveness, and liquor. Each man runs a separate business, but they all travel together for both companionship and safety. Pedro’s wagon is the one with all the alcohol, and he is a marketing representative who provides samples of new spirits to taverns in hopes that the distillery operation that employs him will get an order for his wares. Currently, Pedro is trying to lead the wagon train to get ahead of a competitor who is trying to steal the commission opportunities from Pedro’s stops.

Hidden: A Dying Wish

A skirmish between ILF and the Gate occurred here in recent days, and the ILF were the clear victors judging by the number of corpses wearing Carrowian uniforms left to rot on the ground. One of the Gate’s soldiers, a young man named Emmanuel Lavache, was wounded in the skirmish but managed to crawl to safe hiding spot before the gleaners could come to loot the dead. His wound has gone septic, and he is delirious and barely hanging on to life. When the party approaches, Emmanuel believes the party to be angels sent to help him complete his last task. He gives the party a crumpled handful of bank notes and asks that the angels deliver it to his best friend Tino who lives just northwest of Hex 18 outside the sandbox. Tino is currently dying of consumption, and Emmanuel enlisted in Carrowian military service to help Tino pay for a cure. He’s been sending over money each month to help pay off an installment loan for the treatment, but Tino still has to pay for 3 more installments after the money Emmanuel provides.

[alexisgeorge24]

2 mars:

Bus le matin pour la ville de Temuco puis 2e bus pour le village de Melipeuco à l'entrée du parc Conguillío. Je comptais bivouacer dans le parc mais j'arrive trop tard pour espérer trouver un stop pour y aller. Camping au village donc, moins sexy que prévu mais la vue sur le volcan Llaima au couché du soleil est d'un bon réconfort.

3 mars:

Pour aller au parc qui est à 27km de route + piste de Melipeuco j'ai le choix entre taxi, faire du stop ou louer un vélo. Mon genou ne s'étant toujours pas bien remis du choc et le stop m'assure-t-on fonctionne très bien, je loue un VTT... 700m d+ à faire en majeure partie sur un chemin en terre cabossé, sous le soleil et la chaleur, des voitures m'envoyant leur poussières en doublant, le genou qui tire, la selle qui me torture, je fais ça plus pour le sport que pour le confort d'être autonome. Après quelques pauses pour voir lacs, cascade et vues sur le volcan encapé par une mer de lave etteinte, j'arrive enfin au début du sentier de rando que j'avais repéré (def. encaper: enrober comme une cape un mousquetaire. Malheureusement ce verbe existe vraiment est n'a rien à voir avec la définition que j'invente). J'effectue donc ma dernière monté de mon congé sabbatique au mirador de la Sierra Nevada. Le panorama est digne d'un clap de fin de cette belle année remplie de paysages montagneux. Araucarias, lac, volcan, glaciers, tout y est. Le retour se fait bien plus facilement que l'aller, merci Newton. Pourtant en vélo je n'avancerai pas très vite, non pas parce que je me suis mangé "un mur", mais parce que je tombe sur "des mûres" ! Oui c'est nul, mais ça fait 15min que je rumine avec "manger", "mur" et "mûres" et mon obsession m'empêche de passer à autre chose sans avoir tenter un jeu de mot. Bref je mange mon poid en mûre. De retour au camping je papote avec le seul autre campeur qui m'offre une bière. Je me rends compte tout de même que mon niveau en espagnol a progressé en 6 mois malgré le peu d'interactions sociales avec des homos sapiens sapiens.

Bilan: 54km, 800m d+ (VTT) / 12km, 600m d+ (pied)

4 mars:

Bus pour Temuco où j'y passe l'après midi. Les très peu d'attractions touristiques à visiter sont fermées et je glande dans cette ville sans charme. J'y mangerai cependant les meilleurs empanadas de ma vie au marché Mapuche ("indigène"). Le soir je prends un bus de nuit pour Valparaíso.

5 mars:

J'arrive à Valparaíso de nuit à 6h30. J'attends que la lumière se fasse et me dirige vers mon hostel. Je redecouvre les joies d'une grande ville, de la pollution, des voitures, des immeubles, des rues de magasins, etc. En fin de matinée je me baladerai aléatoirement dans la ville aux 40 colinnes située au bord de la mer. Valparaíso étant réputé pour son street art et ses graffitis, c'est avec plaisir que je découvre celle jolie ville tout aussi urbaine que colorée. Pas une rue n'a pas un grand graffiti. C'est pas du Diego Rivera mais l'ensemble des œuvres murales donne une forte identité artistique et sociale qu'on découvre sur des km. Je visite aussi le Museo Universitario del Grabado où sont exposées des oeuvres de gravures (sur tout type de support), rien de transcendant mais je découvre cette technique de peinture, puis le Palacio Baburizza, un bel édifice où sont exposées de très beaux tableaux européens et chiliens du siècle passé. Ayant dépassé mon quota de culture pour la journée, en fin d'après midi je compense en regardant le PSG en ligue des champions. Ils gagnent et j'en suis satisfait.

6 mars:

Je reprends mon parcours culturel du Chili en allant à la Isla Negra, à 1h30 de Valparaíso, pour visiter la maison que Pablo Neruda a construit pour méditer et écrire ses poèmes au son, odeur et vue des écumes des vagues. La maison rappel la forme d'un bateau puis d'un wagon et sa décoration est à la hauteur de son œuvre littéraire (que j'ignore admettons le, mais il détient un prix Nobel, donc ça ne doit pas être de la merde). Des collections de statues de proue, de pipes, de masques, de maquette de bateau, de verre, d'insecte, de coquillage, etc. Chaque pièce est richement décorée mais on ne s'y sent pas envahie. De retour à Valparaíso je fais enfin un break gastronomique dans un restaurant et je réveil mon sens de la gustation, et de manière plutôt agréable. Pour le coucher de soleil je grimpe aux hauteurs des collines et appercoit une jolie vue d'ensemble sur le port industriel, la baie et la ville colorée qui s'étend sur toute la côte. Par contre je me dépêche de redescendre avant la nuit vers le centre animé car j'ai l'impression d'être dans une favela déserte. Le soir je bois des pintes de bières dans une brasserie de quartier où je papote avec 2 chiliens. Ils parlent vite, ont un bon accent chilien, sont déjà bien alcoolisés, un concert de rock est en court au bar, je comprends un mot sur 5. Néanmoins j'arrive à tenir 2 heures à faire semblant de comprendre.

7 mars:

Je finis la visite de la ville avec le musé maritime puis la maison de Pablo Neruda à Valparaíso (sa 2e donc que je découvre). De belles vue sur la ville et le port industriel avec ses grues en marche avant de quitter "Valpo" pour Santiago. Le soir je m'éclate le bide avec une pièce Tomahawk de 1kg.

8 mars:

Ballade dans Santiago où je visite entre autres le musé d'histoire, celui d'art précolombien, la maison de Neruda (sa 3e donc) et le Cerro San Cristóbal en funiculaire. Le soir je prendrai des verres avec Guillaume dont j'ai fait la connaissance à mon hostel et avec qui je m'entends très bien.

9 mars:

Je me réveil à 12h00 juste pour aller manger des sushis. Partout dans la ville on en trouve de très bons, en grande quantité et pour pas cher; je ne pensais pas trouver le paradis du Sushi au Chili. Puis je retourne faire une sieste pour le reste de la journée. En fin d'après midi je me baladerai dans la ville pour finir la visite de la ville avec comme épilogue des Andes, une vue depuis le Cerro Santa Lucía. J'ai l'impression d'y voir sa majesté Aconcagua. Le soir je dîne en dégustant l'autre spécialité du Chili: la cuisine peruvienne.

10 mars:

Vol pour Lima. Au décollage les Andes me font leur dernier coucou et cette fois je suis certain d'y voir l'Aconcagua qui domine nettement ses voisins. Arrivé à Lima je fais un tour aux marché artisanaux pour chercher des souvenirs mais c'est soit de la mauvaise qualité pour touriste soit très (très) cher. De manière générale j'avais oublié combien Lima était cher, presque autant que le Chili finalement. Je prends aussi conscience de l'avantage d'avoir sillonné l'Amérique du Sud en bus afin d'y voir les transitions de cultures progressivement; en avion c'est un changement brutal que je constate entre le Pérou andin et le Chili occidental.

11 mars:

Je glandouille toute la matinée au hostel et l'après midi je visite le site archéologique de Huaca Pucllana où se sont succédés les civilisations Lima, Wari et une autre dont j'ai oublié le nom. Le soir je mange mon dernier ceviche et autres mets péruviens avant de me diriger vers l'aéroport. Je suis heureux de rentrer pour retrouver mon quotidien et c'est sans plus d'émotions que je prends l'avion. Comme d'habitude il faudra attendre pour prendre conscience de la richesse de ce voyage sans précédent.

Mamba out.

[housepartyhyd]

Hop on to the House Party band wagon. We are going on a wild ride this week with acoustic, hip hop, Bollywood, electronic, techno and more.

For an unforgettable party experience visit House party! Treat your taste buds with lip smacking food served with refreshing mocktails & cocktails. Dance to the beats of jazzy live music and brace yourself for the ultimate party vibes! non-stop mystical no pause party.

[sophiewolfheart-blog]

Hello everyone! So I decided to make a Halloween fic this year. (Yes I know it’s late, but it’s better late than never.) I really hope you all enjoy the read as much as I enjoyed making it.

I also am going to make this world in this fanfiction my own. Keep the theme going and do other fics and what not based in it just for fun.

Happy late Halloween everyone!

Halloween Hunt

Demon Malakai Black x Plus Size Reader x Monster Luchasaurus

Kinks: Con-non con, primal, breeding, bondage

Word count: 2458 words

Tags: @writtingrose @omg-im-such-a-masochist

It’s Halloween night with a full blood moon casting its eerie glow across the land. Many elders of the town had chosen to stay inside, for they fear the legend that has haunted this land for decades. A demon lord was said to come during full blood moons with those who follow him, but legend also speaks of a black scaled monster who obeys the demon. A terrifying beast who could destroy 3 men at once if commanded to attack. Despite it being a faded memory the warning of being out during a full blood moon was still the norm for some older generations. The younger generation however have no fear of this legend and enjoy the night either trick or treating, or partying to celebrate the day of All Hallow’s Eve.

A young woman named (Y/N) was walking alone along a forest pathway surrounded by ghostly white river birch trees. the blood moon’s light causing the orange leaves on the ground to look brighter, seemingly to illuminate around her. Her home sits in the middle of the massive forest, the trail was originally for horses and wagons to travel. Now it’s her own private trail to her little cottage. As she walked a cold wind harshly blew through the trees, causing (Y/N) to shiver as the atmosphere seemed to change from peaceful to a darker somber one. Her eyes looked around cautiously as she felt she was not alone on this path, feeling a dark gaze from somewhere within the forest around her.

She walked quicker along the path to try and hurry home. However when she reached a bend that would lead right to her cottage, a strong scent drifted in the wind to her that was unnatural within her forest. The smell of oak, mahogany, and musk filled her nose while the hair on the back of her neck stood up. She began to run as fast as she could down the path, her heart pounding in her ears with pure adrenaline and fear. She could just hear a deep, guttural growl before heavy footsteps charged from the forest. She never looked back and only focused on the path ahead of her, the path to safety.

Within a few minutes of running she could see the bright porch light of her cottage, however as she got closer a figure appeared in her way. Putting on the brakes (Y/N) stops dead in her tracks, staring into the blue and white eye of who stood in her way to the cottage. His dark hair and auburn beard framed his face as he took a step toward her. “Well hello, does a little thing like you live here all alone? It’s dangerous out here, anything could be lurking in these woods.” His voice held a dark tone and yet sent shivers down her spine. (Y/N) took some frantic steps backwards trying to get away from the man before her, however her back slammed against what felt like a solid form of muscles. A chuckling growl vibrated the chest against her back while a clawed hand grabbed her arm. “Little girl’s shouldn’t be alone. You never know what kind of monsters might be in the shadows.”

Before he could get her other arm she managed to duck under his arm grabbing her, then with a grunt she kicked his knee making his grip loosen. With a harsh pull she freed her arm and ran to the side where she used the trees to block the other man from getting her. With great effort she ran for the front door with her hand already grabbing the key from her pocket. As quick as she could she managed to unlock the door and get the door open, unfortunately she failed to realize the monster had caught up. His body slammed into her and both fell to the floor with him on top of her, pinning her down he laughed softly while his red eyes filled with hunger. “Nice try little dove, but a mere human can’t outrun the likes of me and my master.”

A dark chuckle came from the door, then the sound of it shutting and locking reached her ears. As the beast above her moved to lean closer to her face, (Y/N) felt something firm pressing against her thigh. The man in the suit groaned and laughed softly as he got closer. “Really? The chase got to you that quick, Luchasaurus?” He folded his arms over his chest while Luchasaurus glared at him over his shoulder. “I can’t help it! The hunt is such a turn on, then seeing this plump girl running for her life just made things worse. Don’t kink shame me, Malakai!”

Malakai just laughs and looks over their little prey now at their mercy. His mismatched eyes scanned her struggling form with a malicious grin. “I think we shall have fun with this one before taking her soul. Get her to the bedroom and use these to restrain her.” He handed Luchasaurus some silk made rope before the monster scooped her up with a growl. “Don’t you dare fight me, or else I will take a bite out of you. Understood?” (Y/N) shivered with a nod as she let him carry her to her bedroom. She was too afraid to even talk as the two men ‘s aura felt dark and that they were not bluffing.

Luchasaurus laid her with her head hanging over the edge of the bed and tied her hands to each post before using his clawed hands to rip her clothes to shreds. Malakai laughed seeing how eager his best monster was. “You can get the first taste Luchasaurus, I’m gonna make sure she can’t scream.” Both men stripped off whatever clothing they had on as (Y/N) tried to press her legs together, her cheeks flushed pink while her eyes tried to look away. Malakai grabbed her neck with a deep growl vibrating his chest. “You better open those legs before we get forceful.” With a gulp she slowly opened her legs before letting out a yelp as Luchasaurus grabbed her plump thighs roughly, lightly cutting her flesh with his claws and making a little blood trickle down her lifted legs.

“Look at this curvy girl, Malakai. She is going to look adorable covered in bruises and cuts.” Luchasaurus bent his head down to her (F/C) lace panties while licking his fangs. He slowly bites the crotch of the panties and her clit through them. (Y/N) yelped from his bite before her face went full red, feeling him taking her panties off with his teeth. Malakai slapped his cock against her slightly open lips. “Open up princess. Obey us and we might spare your life.” His hand lightly squeezed her throat in encouragement then grinning like the Cheshire Cat as her mouth opened. “Good girl.”

Slowly the tattooed demon pushed his cock into her mouth just as Luchasaurus slid a finger into her with a grin. “She is already wet for us, master. Is the little dove turned on?” He roughly pushed his finger in then curled it, making (Y/N) flinch and choke on Malakai’s cock. Both men groan watching her reaction with hunger. “Hurry the fuck up and get her ready. I want that delicious pussy clenching my cock like her throat is.” Luchasaurus nodded as he pulled his finger out to grab her hips with both hands before pressing his tongue against her soaking folds. (Y/N) let out a muffled moan while her legs flinched in his grasp.

Suddenly time seemed to stand still as the monster jerked back with a shocked look on his face. “Malakai.” His red eyes flashed brown for a moment before turning back to red, he made eye contact with his master and both had a look of hope before a new hunger clouded their gaze. Luchasaurus grabbed her hips and gently lifted them up before shoving his tongue into her folds with a hungry growl. Malakai started to thrust harder into (Y/N)’s mouth while one hand gripped her throat while the other gripped a handful of hair at the back of her head. “Fuck! Just when I thought this evening couldn't get better.” He grins down at her before making eye contact with Luchasaurus again. “Wij heb een fokker gevonden!~”

The monster between her thighs began eating her out as if it was the last thing he would ever devour. (Y/N) felt waves of pleasure as he ate her out as if it was his last meal. Malakai groaned as he shoved his cock once more down the little human’s throat before pulling out. (Y/N) coughed and gasped for hair as the demon above her laughed. “Laten we samen deze kleine fokken.” Luchasaurus grinned as he sat up with her arousal soaking his lips and beard. “Agreed. Let’s double stuff her till she passes out.” Malakai untied her hands only to put them together behind her back. He then took a seat on her bed.

(Y/N) struggled until the demon forced her to sit in his lap after he leaned his back against the headboard. He then grinds his cock against her soaked pussy. “Good job, my warrior. She is perfect for us to ravish and stuff.” She felt the monster come up behind her and rub his cock against her wet folds as well. “W-Wait! I can’t take you both! It’s impossible! Y-you will kill me.” Malakai grabs her throat and kisses her roughly. “Oh, you will take both of us. And we will stuff you till our seed flows out of your tight cunt.”

Before she could get another word out both men shove their cocks into her pussy, making her almost scream from the slight pain. Luchasaurus groaned as he pressed his face against her neck. “Mmm! Fuck she’s tight as hell!” Malakai moaned as he kissed (Y/N) again as his tongue shoved into her mouth. “Mmm, yes. So tight and fertile.” Without giving her a chance to adjust they start thrusting into her, growling groaning let both their lips as they fuck her. She moaned when Luchasaurus bit her shoulder as his thrusts became rougher, making her breasts bounce in Malakai’s face.

“F-Fuck! I can’t! Too much!” The demon suddenly wrapped his lips around one of her nipples and bit it softly, causing her to choke on a moan as her pussy tightened around them both. Luchasaurus’s growling moans became louder as his right hand started rubbing her clit. “Mmmm! Fuck yes! Get tighter for us, little dove. Drive us feral to breed and claim you.” Both men started to get more handsy and grab her curvy body wherever they could. Their lips and teeth touching and biting her delicate skin to claim more of her body as theirs.

(Y/N) was so confused and yet could not help but be turned on by their words and actions. Her body was burning with intense pleasure as her pussy was stuffed. Slowly she gave into the lust and leaned back against Luchasaurus while still riding Malakai. “A-Ahh! Please, please.” This made the monster smirk as he licked along her neck while Malakai pulled back to make her look into his eyes. “Please what? Use your words, tell us what our little prey wants from her new masters?” Her eyes stared into his as his hands slipped to her hips, gripping her flesh to grind against her as his cock slid to the base in her. She fell under his spell as she fully gave in. “Please make me cum. I’m so close, Master Malakai.” Her pussy throbbed around them while her legs shook from riding him.

With a dark chuckle the demon snapped his fingers at Luchasaurus. “Lay on your back, Lucha. It’s time to make her scream our names.” Nodding his head the beast moved slowly to lay on his back with her laying on him. Malakai moved to his knees and looked down at her with a grin. As soon as they got comfortable their thrusting started again with a new energy, their hips slapping against hers rougher now. Lucha’s hands held her hips tight as he picked up the pace. “Fuck! So close, little dove. Master, let me cum in her!” Malakai laughs as he thrusted harder into (Y/N) and makes her take more of Lucha, making the lantern groan. “No, we cum together in this little human. Hold it a bit longer until I say so.” He grabbed Lucha’s throat with a sinister grin. “Or else I will blue ball you and you won’t get to cum for a month!”

He growled in agreement before both men continued to breed her, leaving bite marks and red scratches on her body. Soon Malakai pressed his face against the left side of her neck while Lucha had her right. “Mmm! Make her cum with us! Fuck let’s make her a mother.” Lucha suddenly started to rub (Y/N)’s clit harder and even slapped it as he and Malakai desperately thrust harder into her. “Fuck! Yes dove! Cry out our names! Say you belong to us!”

When both slammed into her together they hit her g-spot perfectly, causing her to scream as she cums on their cocks. Lucha kept rubbing her clit as he and Malakai roared out as they cum deep inside her, filling her with their seed. Both men bite into her shoulder and neck as they claim her, now she belonged to them forever. As she passed out from the intensity the monster softly was licking her neck with a purr. “Sleep now. You did so good for us.” Malakai chuckled as he placed a kiss on her forehead. “Yes, you need to sleep. When you awaken, we will take you to our home. Where you will be loved, fed, and spoiled.” (Y/N) tried to speak but was shushed by the demon as he lightly stroked her hair. “Shhh, close those eyes and sleep. You will know our reasoning later.”

Slowly they moved to where all three could sleep comfortably while staying inside her to make sure she gets pregnant. Neither man cared about who got to impregnate her first, they only desired to protect and breed her. She was more important than she knew, a very special human who could give them children. (Y/N) allowed the darkness of sleep to take her as she curled up in the arms of a demon lord and a monster, feeling safer with them than she ever did before. The young woman had a feeling her life will never be the same after that All Hallows Eve night.

[maccreadysbaby]

Introducing my Fo4 OC…

THALIA, aka “TOMMY”

this is set up sorta like the permanent companions pages on the fandom wiki. tommy has all the same information, such as a companion quest, likes and dislikes, etc. This is written as if she’s in YOUR game.

~~~~~~ Her Status:

Tommy is a NON-SOLE SURVIVOR oc I created as a companion to Nate/Nora. She is essential and can not be killed.

Race:

Human (formerly, 0-10yrs)

Prototype Cyborg Synth (10+ yrs)

Gender:

Straight Female

Affiliation:

Kingston Caravan (formerly)

The Institute (formerly)

The Railroad

Role:

Railroad Heavy

Permanent Companion

Locations:

Tommy can be found in the Railroad HQ, Ticonderoga Safehouse, or the Atom Cats Garage. Most commonly found at the Railroad HQ.

Family:

Blaine Kingston (uncle, alive)

Milo Kingston (father, alive)

Rachel Kingston (mother, alive)

Laura Kingston (aunt, deceased)

Alyssa Kingston (cousin, deceased)

Zeke (guardian, alive)

Her Backstory:

Thalia was born to Milo and Rachel Kingston into the Kingston Caravan, a fairly successful group of traveling traders made up of a single family: the Kingston family. There were only six members at the time. Milo, Rachel, and their newborn Thalia, as well as Milo’s brother and his family. Blaine, Laura, and Alyssa. They traveled back and forth between the Commonwealth and Capital Wasteland almost weekly to do business in both Diamond City and Rivet City.

It was shortly after Thalia was born that the Caravan got assaulted by a group of Raiders on their way to Diamond City. This left Thalia, a newborn, alone in a wagon on the streets of Quincy.

That is, until she was picked up by a Brotherhood Initiate and their squadron and taken to Diamond City. An old lady named Miss Holl took her in and raised her.

Of course, no one in Diamond City knew this poor child’s name, so she grew up nameless. The kids in town called her the Little Toy Maker because she always seemed to be finding things to make toys out of. But not to play with — to sell in return for enough money for noodles and firearm lessons from Aurturo. Her best business was the Brotherhood Of Steel kids that would come in town to stay while their parents were on missions.

She stayed with Miss Holl until the elderly woman died in 2279, when she was eleven. After that the little nameless girl sat at the gate of Diamond City, begging people to take her with them as they left.

Most everybody ignored her or declined until one special teenager found her. His name was Zeke, and he was leaving Diamond City out of dissatisfaction as well. He was nineteen at the time, and lonely, so he agreed to take her with him on his travels. The only belongings she had were a few caps and a Hot Rodder magazine. During their travels down south, she never stopped talking about the car stories in the magazine, about a man named Thomas Fletcher who painted his car pink. And that’s where the name Tommy came from.

And Tommy moved into an old Red Rocket with Zeke, and together, they formed the Atom Cats.

Inventory:

Tommy Carries two legendary weapons, a shotgun called Amelia and a Sniper Rifle called Jackson. She always wears her Atom Cats Jacket and Jeans, as well.

Companion Swap Dialogue:

Ada: (kindly) “take good care of them, oh, and bring me back some nice scrap, will ya?”

Cait: (judgmentally) “try not to get them in too much trouble, yeah?”

Curie: (sincerely) “good luck on your research!”

Codsworth: (playfully) “keep them out of trouble, eh, codsworth?”

Danse (post-BB): (warmly) “they’re all yours, danse. i know they’re safe with you,”

Deacon: (seriously) “i’m telling desdemona I wasn’t invited to the party,”

Dogmeat: (kindly) “take good care of them, boy!”

Gage: (nervously) “maybe keep the raiding down to a minimum, yeah? …no?”

Hancock: (judgementally) “maybe try not to get them as high as the prydwen this time,”

MacCready: (kindly, seriously) “please come back in one piece. both of you,”

Nick: (kindly) “this pre-war relic is all yours, valentine,”

Preston: (confusedly) “you know you can have a little fun when you’re traveling, right?”

Piper: (kindly) “how’s the paper going?”

Strong: (nervously) “ha..have fun? I think?”

X6-88: (nervously) “take care of them… sir…”

Dismissal Dialogue:

“Alright. I see how it is,”

“I’ll be right here when you get back,”

“Don’t party too hard if I’m not invited,”

Loves:

Saving Paladin Danse, joining the railroad, joining the Atom Cats, getting Billy home in Kid in a Fridge.

Likes:

Modding weapons and power armor, helping settlements with the minutemen, completing railroad quests.

Dislikes:

Using drugs or alcohol, refusing to help people, asking for more money, pickpocketing, stealing.

Hates:

Joining the Brotherhood of Steel, killing innocents, letting Paladin Danse die.

Other Companions:

Tommy likes Deacon, MacCready, Gage, Danse, and Nick. She is neutral toward Dogmeat, Preston, Piper, Curie, Codsworth, Ada, and Longfellow, and dislikes Hancock, Cait, X6-88, and Strong.

Companion Perk:

Her perk is called Coolest Cat in the Commonwealth. It adds more sniper rifle and shotgun mods to the player’s weapons workbench and a few more power armor mods, in addition to giving the player a discount at the Atom Cats Garage, Railroad HQ, and Diamond City.

Companion Quest:

Tommy, much like Nick, has multiple companion quests.

The first is called Taken and it begins when the Sole Survivor returns from the Institute with the holotape. On that holotape is some very sensitive information — that Tommy was kidnapped from Diamond City when she was 10 (by McDonough) and taken to the Institute, where they made her their first organic prototype cyborg. She has implants in her brain that don’t allow her to injure other Institute employees, as well as many other advanced parts that have contributed to keeping her alive in many deadly circumstances.

The Sole survivor also learns that the prototype failed, and Tommy’s human nature took over: allowing her to kill Institute employees again. The failure of her systems made it impossible for the Institute to contact the chips in her head, which meant they couldn’t transplant thoughts or retrieve them from her anymore. This meant, while the Institute had no power over her, she still possessed the biological systems that kept her body alive, and all of the technological expertise that comes with being part robot. That’s why she knows so much about technology, and has survived so many close calls.

After the Sole Survivor learns this, they must track Tommy down to the roof of the old north church, where she’s sitting, drinking a beer.

They must pass two easy speech checks and one hard one to convince Tommy that she really is herself and not an institute spy. If the Sole survivor doesn’t have the appropriate charisma, they can substitute Deacon in their place, who will have a similar but slightly different talk with her.

Once the talk is over, it will initiate Tommy’s next companion dialogue. If they player has the appropriate affinity with her, it will also allow them to romance her. She gives them her shotgun, Amelia, with or without romancing her.

The second companion quest of hers is called The Fall of Kingston Caravan, where you go on an adventure to find her parents. It starts at the Cambridge Police station and takes you to Oberland Station, Augusta Safehouse, Nuka World, then finally the Libertalia, where her parents are leading the huge gang of Raiders.

Tommy gets mad and yells at them, then leaves with you. Completing this quest will prompt a conversation about it and then her next companion dialogue.

Hostility

Tommy turns hostile when you attack the Railroad, Atom Cats, or her parents.

thanks for reading! I hope you like it!!!

[sometimesiwritebadly]

No Thoughts (Spencer Reid x BAU!Reader)

Summary: After you run into your ex on a case, Spencer’s jealousy causes him to cut you out from his mind. (Soulmate AU)

Warnings: Language. Mentions kidnapping. Also a stupid ex-boyfriend.

Notes: Y’know, i really wish i hadn’t hitched my wagon to the whole “ ____ Thoughts” title scheme. if i had known this was gonna be my most successful series on this website i would’ve done something better. but it’s too late now so. anyways this takes place after Overwhelming and before Life-Saving. It’s angsty but don’t worry there’s some fluff at the end. Also i kinda wanted to yell at spencer for how annoying he’s being in this one but then i remembered that i made him act that way so don’t be too mad at me 

Word Count: 1.7k

Soulmate Series Masterlist

Masterlist

You’re 3 months into a relationship with Spencer Reid, your soulmate, and you couldn’t be happier. It hasn't been the easiest getting used to having another person in your head, but both you and Spencer have gotten a pretty good handle on controlling your rogue thoughts. It definitely wasn’t perfect, but even the worst days with Spencer were still miles ahead of any day you’d had without him.

You and Spencer were at his apartment, enjoying a rare day off. You were rewatching Doctor Who and cuddling on his couch, arguing over the best and worst companions.

“Don’t get me wrong, I love Martha! I just think her being in love with the Doctor was stupid!” You said, laughing at Spencer’s shocked face.

“Stupid? That was brilliant! It showed how the Doctor isn’t this perfect guy like the show made him out to be with Rose!”

“No, it just made it seem like the Doctor was irresistible! It made him seem even more perfect, which is why Donna-” Spencer, scoffed, knowing where your argument was heading, “Is the best companion! She’s the only one who doesn’t want to fuck him!”

Spencer opened his mouth to protest, but was interrupted by his phone ringing. He grabbed it, and once he saw who was on the other side, put it on speaker. “Hey JJ, what’s up?”

“We have a case. Hotch wants everyone here in 30 so we can brief on the plane. Is Y/N with you?”

“Always. We’ll see you soon, JJ.” You responded. Spence hung up the phone and stoof from the couch, before turning back to you and holding out a hand to help you off the couch. “I guess I’ll have to prove you wrong later.”

~~~

After a 6 hour flight, the BAU landed in Seattle. On the plane, Hotch had explained that there had been 3 children taken, all within an hour of each other, from 3 different homes in the area. It’s their job to determine if it’s one unsub, a group, or isolated incidents. After dropping off all their things at the hotel, they made their way to the police station. When they walked in, however, they were greeted by the last person Y/N wanted to see. “Oh fuck me.” She thought.

“What’s wrong?” Spencer had heard her, and was immediately concerned. So much for having control over her thoughts. Before she could answer, the reason for her worry began speaking.

“Nice to meet you all, I’m Detective Rothschild. If you guys need anything, I’ll be the one to help-” He cut himself off when his eyes landed on you. “Y/N? I didn’t know you were in the BAU now, How’ve you been?” The whole team had their gaze turned to you now. You could hear Spencer’s questions about the detective flying through your head, but you ignored them all. 

“I’m good James. We can catch up after we find the kids.” And just like that, the topic was dropped. Finding those kids within the first 24 hours was the most important thing right now, but that didn’t stop Spencer’s thoughts. No matter what was going on, Spencer was in your mind, asking you about James. 

“C’mon just tell me how you know each other! I promise I’ll focus on the case.” His question entered your mind as the two got ready to head to one of the crime scenes.

“Spence, I told you earlier, we went to college together.”

“Ok, but that’s not all. Why won’t you tell me?”

“I just don’t like talking about it! Please, can we discuss this some other time?” You answered him out loud this time, just to get your point across. You knew you’d have to tell him about your relationship with James, but you would much rather do it when the two of you are alone and not in a police precinct in the middle of a case. Before you could walk out the door and head to the crime scene, you heard someone calling your name. When you turned around, you found James walking towards you. “Great,” You thought.

“Hey, I’ll come with you guys to the crime scene, I haven’t been to this one yet. Plus, I’ll finally get the chance to catch up with Y/N here!” As he spoke, James’ arm found its way over your shoulder. You could practically feel Spencer’s anger. 

“Right, well, uh, let’s get going then. I’ll drive.” You subtly pushed James’ hand off your shoulder before speed-walking over to the car.

~~~

The drive to the crime scene was tense, to say the least. James had no problem filling the silence with anecdotes from your college days, which all suggested that the two of you were slightly more than friends. Sure, you and Spencer had talked about your respective previous relationships before, but it was a whole different ball game to be sitting next to your ex-boyfriend and your soulmate.

“Babydoll, you remember when we went to that frat party? We played strip beer pong, and let’s just say she was not very good at the game…” James went on and on, not stopping to let anyone else speak. All you could do was reassure Spencer with your thoughts, but he wasn’t responding. In fact, Spencer hadn’t let a single thought slip throughout the whole ride, and you were more than a little worried. A couple months ago you and Spencer had promised to not shut each other out, and this was the longest you’d gone without hearing any of his thoughts since then. Sure, it was only a 20 minutes drive, but you missed him. By the time you were pulling up to the crime scene, it was clear he’d had enough. The second the car stopped, Spencer practically jumped out and made his way to the crime scene, not waiting for you and James to follow. James took no notice, and continued telling his version of the story.

“And then you just jumped on the table and started dancing! I’ve never seen someone that drunk even be able to stand on a table without falling, let alone dance!” He laughed as the two of you made your way towards the police tape. “I could barely get you home that night!”

His last sentence made you stop walking. Unlike with Spencer, he noticed your movements, and stopped as well. “What?”

“That’s not what happened.”

“Of course that’s what happened, Y/N. You were drunk, you’re probably just-”

“No, that’s not what happened James. Yes, I danced on the table, but you didn’t take me home that night, remember? You met Joslyn at that party, and you broke up with me. I walked home alone.” The crime scene was the furthest thing from your mind at this point. How could he forget the night he met his own soulmate?

“Oh. Right. Joslyn.” It didn’t take a profiler to see how uncomfortable he was. He was acting like he didn’t even remember her. “About that…” He scratched the back of his neck, avoiding eye contact. He didn’t even need to finish the sentence for you to put the pieces together.

“Oh my god, she wasn’t your soulmate, was she?” The guilty look in his eyes was all you needed as an answer. “You just pretended she was so you had an easy out with me, right?”

“Look, Y/N-”

“James, it’s been a long time, I don’t need an apology from you. Let’s just solve this damn case and never see each other again.” And with that, you walked away.

~~~

13 hours of non-stop work and 3 kids safely home with their families later, you were back on the jet and headed towards DC. Everyone, even Hotch, was asleep, except for you and Spencer. You hadn’t had time to discuss everything that had happened with James, and he still wasn’t sending you any thoughts. So instead of going to sleep like you both desperately wanted, you pulled him to the back of the jet and away from the rest of the sleeping team.

“Seriously, Spence, I miss you. Will you please let me explain now?” You thought, hoping he’d respond similarly. Unfortunately, he just nodded, still refusing to let you into his thoughts.

“Yes, James and I dated back in college, but it was a long time ago, Spencer. He was an asshole. We were never even official, he’d just call me, fuck me, and then not talk to me until he felt like hooking up again.” Spencer was fiddling with his hands as your thoughts made his way to his brain. “Everything about that relationship was a mistake, ok? You know how he dumped me? He pretended to find his soulmate at some party just to get rid of me. I didn’t love him.” When Spencer still didn’t respond, you couldn’t help but feel a little angry. Was he really going to let some random ex get in the way of your relationship? 

“I can’t help it, Y/N.” When you finally heard his thoughts, you sighed in relief. That was the longest you’d ever gone without feeling his presence, and even though this wasn’t over yet, you knew you’d get through it. “I know you didn’t love him, but hearing the way he spoke about you, hearing about how you were with him…”

“I know, Spence. I’d be the same way if you had an ex pop out of nowhere during one of our cases. But please, we gotta be able to deal with this. We both had relationships outside of us, this could happen again.”

“Y/N…” He paused for a moment, then continued out loud, “I promise I won’t cut you out like that again. I know you didn’t love him, and I made a big deal out of nothing, but I love you.” Your eyes immediately found his when he spoke. He’d never said that before. He had a light smile on his face when you looked at him. “I love you, and I’m never going to stop.”

“I love you too.” You whispered, before pulling him into a kiss.

“I love you more.” He thought as your lips touched his.

“Not possible.”

~~~

Tags: @dr-reid-ismyspiritanimal @la-vie-en-amour1 @random-thoughts-003 @peculiarinsomniac @hereforbeebo @someone-you-dontknow

(I went through all the replies/asks that asked about being tagged for this series but if I missed you lmk!!)

[ninbinary]

DnD Character Backstory Datapoints - Example 1: Human Orphan Lives Dangerously

Hey, thank you to @kursed-curtain (who tumblr will not let me "@", good application u got here) for reblogging my DnD Character Backstory Datapoints suggestion :) (It goes without saying you could ideas like this for non-RPG character or story generation too, and could add more dice representing different things!)

In thanks, I decided to type up an example of me using it to create a (reallly overly-in-depth -- this is gonna be a long post!) character backstory idea from thin air.

(Let me know if you guys out there like this, and I'll do it again sometime! Also let me know if you use this datapoints-system to create a chararacter (or feel free to use this character backstory), and let me know how it goes!)

A) Human character, Younger (d2 + 1 periods)

(I'll refer to the character as "Character", and I'm not doing anything to bake Character Class in to the story (though I'll talk about that at the end), to try to make this as "generic" as possible!)

A0) number of time periods:

d6 roll of 4 = d2 roll of 2; +1 = 3 time periods.

A1) First Time Period:

d12 = 10 [10/12 Danger]

d10 = 6 [6/10 City]

d8 = 1 [1/10 Species Diversity]

That's an Extremely dangerous time, in a Relatively Urbanized area, with only 1 kind of species. Given that its the First time period for a started-adventuring-younger character, I think my overall summary would be:

"Abandoned Orphan in a Medium-Sized Exclusively-Human City"; they spend their early years with a few slightly-older orphans living in alleys and stealing food.

(Alternatively, other interesting ways you could interpret this: if your gameworld has "bad guy countries / city-states" near your "generally friendly demihuman species", you could do these dice as "orphan human in a [bad guy species] city")

A2) Second Time Period:

d12 = 11 [11/12 Danger]

d10 = 3 [3/10 City]

d8 = 3 [3/10 Species Diversity]

Wow, it's somehow gotten MORE dangerous for poor Human Character; but its also only half as Urban, and they're finally around a few more species of Demihuman. How would moving OUT of the city be MORE dangerous? Well, 'city invaded' is always an option, but because of the other two dice, here's how I'd turn these dice into a story point:

"Character's youth life of petty crime / cutpurse-ing for basic necessities finally ends in trouble so serious that they flee the city / their orphan-gang / the only home and family they've known, and join up with a travelling caravan." Depending on how "dark" you want the character to be, you could take it any number of ways; but let's say you want a Shit-Life-but-Charitable character and go with: one of their pickpocketting sorties goes bad, and as the pack scatters, Character and a close friend get caught in a blind alley by a city guardsman. Character is at the top of a ladder while Friend is scrambling up, but the guardsman is closing in, sword drawn, so Character throws a brick and kills the guardsman. Friend gets away, but before Character escapes, the next wave of guard sees their dead comrade and gets a good look at Character.

Character makes arrangements ASAP to sign on as a caravan guard, calling in favors to get semi-respectable looking leathers (and maybe the dead guards' sword) and a forged letter-of-reference from their gang's fence. Within a nervewracking 24 hours of lying low, Character's friends have managed to sign them on to a caravan, and one last sprint through the city's allies and undermaintained warehouses later, Character is all set. The next morning they're marching out the city gate with a 4-wagon, 15-individual caravan, run by a halfling merchant, taking fancier fabricks and fashionable metalworked jewelry to the more rural human/halfling backcountry outside of the city.

(So, here all the Danger is about the transition TO this period of Less-City, More-Species-Diversity time period). Let's see how it wraps up with Third Time Period:

A3) Third Time Period:

d12 = 10 [10/12 Danger]

d10 = 9 [9/10 City]

d8 = 2 [2/8 Species Diversity]

Oh dear; danger DOES seem to follow poor Character around! We're back to a Lot of danger, in an EVEN BIGGER CITY, around only a Few different species. How should this conclude Character's pre-Adventure story?

Well, since its so dramatic (STILL Danger, BIGGER City!), its going to end with such a bang, you'd probably want to think about where Campaign's going to begin.

(One way to read the Danger is by saying, "the caravan was raided and the survivors were taken prisoner", but how does that result in such a high City number (while the Species Diversity stays pretty low)? For example, if City stayed low, you could have Character be prisoner of a small bandit camp operating out of a wooded area.)

Well (and if this fits with the campaign setting), we could read it this way:

"the Caravan was raided by marauders from Underground-living [Species X], which hasn't been active in this area for decades..." The survivors were taken back through Species X's New Outpost in this region, and then a select few (including Character) were sent to the capital for one of the following unsavory ends (Ritual Sacrifice, or Gladitorial Combat, or Being Eaten at a Feast Celebrating the New Outpost, etc).

Fortunately for Character, one of the Species X jailors becomes sympathetic because.. they take pity on Characters' youth; or because of the Character's brazen tenacity defending a fellow prisoner from the head jailor's abuse [hey, tying back to their killed-a-guardsman moment], or something; and arranges for Character to be smuggled out of Species X City into the surrounding countryside.

(Another Alternative Idea, had One Dice Gone a Different Way: maybe if Species Diversity was higher, the Species X City could have enough different kinds of folks walking around that you could think about letting Sympathetic Jailor take on Character as a servant, apprentice or even adopted child -- albeit temporarily, or else they'd never be a player-character meeting up with the party. But it would definitely be interesting to see what a Human Orphan from the Mean Streets of [Medium-Sized Human City] would be like after spending their formative years as Adoptive Mindflayer Dad's protege).

Anyway, Wrapup:

Now a long way away from their 'home' city and probably home country (remember, they were captured by Species X nearby, but then moved days (or weeks) travel underground to Species X Huge City), Character finds their way to [wherever the Party starts], and will hopefully have a much less dangerous life just killing monsters and collecting treasure.

Character would definitely have a lot of street-smarts, might have a "I will survive no matter what" mentality, a healthy disrespect for law-and-order, probably standoffish about friendships but a deep loyalty to those they get close to (many of these being Great traits for an adventuring party!).

There's a lot of ways to tweak this outline to make them more "dark and moody" or give them different responses to their travails (if you wanted to make them more of a "mad dog", or utterly ruthless), and there's also room for plot hooks (who were their parents? What happened to their Orphan Gang back home? Does [their original city] have enough intra-city communication that their guardsman-killing will haunt them (for example, make the guardsman they killed someone with connections or seniority, so there's someone with a big axe to grind about eventually getting the guardsman's killer)? Did they grow close to some of their fellow Caravan people and did any of them survive the attack?)

Also if you have a specific character class in mind you can tweak bits of this -- Rogue or Warrior types fit perfectly, but a more Wizard-y character class could certainly fit too: you could play up their burgeoning powers, and have power flare-ups central to Character's 2 dramatic acts -- when they killed the Guardsman in Second Time Period, and have it be the reason that Sympathetic Jailor helped them in Third Time Period.

Thanks for reading all this, anyone who made it all the way through, and let me know what you think! (And no thanks to Tumblr, whose Text Popup stopped letting me type certain letters -- I wrote the actual Character Creation thing in a textfile cuz it was so long, but I then had to compose the incidental comments / intro in a textfile too then copy-paste-format it into this tumblr window >:P)

[ghostnebula]

Sincere and Dignified

“Eddie's twenty-first birthday + The entire Losers' Club + Las Vegas + Being in love with your best friend = Well, exactly what you'd expect.”

[read it on Ao3]

(or here)

    Eddie’s birthday is in November. Which makes him the youngest member of the Losers’ Club. Which makes him the last Loser to turn twenty-one.

    Which means they go all-out to celebrate, since it’s the first time they can all (legally) celebrate together. And because they’ve kind of forgone “proper” twenty-first birthday festivities for everyone else, so no one would ever feel left out. Finally, no one needs to be left out of it.

    They’ve all been living together for over three years now, they’re all getting close to graduating from college, and they all saved up for this one, because this is pretty much it. The last big, fun, tangible milestone in their young lives. The last “new” thing they’re earning the right to do (legally) after driving and voting. You bet your ass they go ham on Eddie’s birthday plans.

    That’s how they end up in Vegas. Several long weeks of planning, lots of money they scraped together into jars over the last few years ready to be spent, checking and double-checking every class syllabus to make sure no one misses anything important on Friday (they have to be at their hotel in time for check-in or, between Stan and Eddie, someone will pitch a fit). Then they’re all piling into Ben’s station wagon with as little luggage as they could manage to bring for a weekend trip (the station wagon is “spacious”; it is not a fucking miracle vehicle).

    Roughly ten hours later (five hours for driving, two for check-in plus cramming all their crap into the motel room and then attempting to organize it, one for figuring out and agreeing on where to even start with the partying, two more for getting ready) Eddie Kaspbrak has his first legal drink as a proper twenty-one year old, on this night of November third, and there’s no aftertaste of guilt like usual. He’s got Richie pushing shots into his hands, Mike making sure he’s eating some snacks once in a while so he doesn’t get too trashed too fast, Bev directing bartenders to make the most delicious fucking drinks he thinks he’ll ever taste in his life (Porn Stars, or something else inappropriate like that).

    He has Bill, the oldest, practically under oath to stay sober (at least for tonight) so there’s one semi-coherent Loser present to keep the rest of them safe and sane until he can drag them all back to the motel.

    He has a wad of cash in his pocket, a chunk of his savings from the past year, ready to blow on booze and gambling and whatever the fuck he wants, because it’s his birthday, so he’s allowed to do whatever the fuck he wants.

    It’s safe, and more importantly, it’s legal, and most importantly, it’s Vegas. He never thought he’d ever have the balls to set foot in a place like this -- the kind of place his mother would demonize when he was a kid. Drinking, before he left Derry and his mom and the vice grip she had on his life, was completely out of the question, let alone getting hammered in a casino in Sin City, of all fucking places, under the care of the “evil little shits” he calls his best friends.

    He more than lets loose. He lets twenty-one years of virtually non-stop anxiety unwind in one night.

    When he wakes up the next morning, hung over for the first time in his life, it’s almost worth it. Bill’s the only motherfucker awake already, being that he’s the only one who doesn’t have several bottles of vodka et al. to sleep off, and he’s draped across the ratty arm chair in their ratty motel room, channel-surfing with the television volume as low as it can get. The light burns Eddie’s eyes, still, when he lifts his head and -- instead of turning, his head just kind of lolls on his shoulders until he can look at Bill properly.

    He wants to ask him to end his suffering, which he can only assume he has yet to see the worst of. Suddenly he understands why aspirin exists. He wants Bill to pump him full of painkillers until he stops feeling like he’s made of electrified cotton. Instead, he says, articulately, “Guh.”

    Bill turns his attention from Scooby-Doo to where Eddie is half-lying, trapped under the weight of Richie’s arm and half his chest. Richie is snoring away, glasses askew on his face, a cooling puddle of drool soaking Eddie’s shoulder. It’s gross, but he can’t really complain at this point. He’s accustomed to it by now.

    “Ah, he lives.”

    “Ugh,” says Eddie.

    “I bet,” says Bill. “So, do you want a recap of the events of last night, or did you keep your promise and remember every life-altering decision you chose to make?”

    Bill’s voice, which he’s hardly putting much effort into keeping down -- owing to the fact that all his effort is being channeled into trying not to laugh, and Eddie can’t even begin to fathom what’s so funny -- is causing the other Losers to stir. His splitting headache doesn’t want him to try to figure out what’s funny. He must have fried a metric shitload of braincells with all those Porn Stars last night, or whatever the fuck sugary booze Bev was pouring down his throat before everything went hazy.

    “Life-altering?” he repeats after a few moments, as Richie’s arm finally stops crushing him. It’s the only word that really stands out to him in the jumbled mess of hangover discomfort his brain is fighting, and it should cause him anxiety but he’s more worried, right now, about drinking some water. Richie sits up beside him, yawning.

    Bill hums. He looks terribly pleased with himself, which can be good or bad depending which side of the story you’re on, and Eddie’s got this sneaking suspicion he’s on the wrong side, here. “Yeah, that life-altering thing I tried to talk you two dipshits out of for longer than the actual ceremony took?”

    “Ceremony?” Eddie asks, trying to feel back through his poor, poor brain to remember anything after slot machines and vibrant chatter and deceptively sweet beverages being passed to him. Richie’s head drops onto his shoulder as his arms wrap around Eddie’s waist. “Guh,” he says into the fabric of Eddie’s rumpled shirt. Habitually, Eddie reaches up to pat him consolingly on the head. Richie’s not one for mornings.

    “Why don’t you take a look at your ring finger, birthday boy?” Bill says, but Eddie’s already frozen, because there was a flash when he raised his hand and he’s not entirely sure he’s believing what he’s seeing, and where the fuck did he even get the ring anyway, let alone a ring as nice as this? “Or, sorry, I should say: Mr. Tozier?”

    Eddie... mostly ignores him, in favour of smacking Richie a few times on the skull to get his attention, hangovers be damned. “Richie,” he hisses, heart going a mile a minute. “The fuck did I do?”

    Richie grumbles some kind of complaint, lifting his head from its safe space on Eddie’s shoulder, and when he follows Eddie’s gaze he lets out a kind of... laugh? More of a squawk, really. His left arm jerks off of Eddie’s waist lightning-quick, and then he’s holding up his own hand beside Eddie’s to show off their matching rings. “Oh my god,” he says, quiet (for Richie). A little bit of tension melts out of him. Then, “I think you mean, ‘the fuck did we do?’”

    “Oh my god,” Eddie squeaks, and Bill loses his battle and dissolves into peals of laughter, remote slipping out of his hands and landing somewhere on the floor. “Bill, you were supposed to be babysitting.”

    It takes a while, but Bill manages to regain his composure long enough to say, “Well forgive me, but you were a man on a mission. I distinctly remember a lot of, ‘we’re practically dating anyway’ and ‘no time like the present’ and ‘Bill, if you don’t step the fuck off I’m gonna shove this ring so far up your nostril you’ll be sneezing gold until you’re ninety.’ What was I gonna do about it?”

    “Oh my god,” Eddie says again, red-faced, mortified, heart still going-going-going. They aren’t dating, though, is the problem, and yeah, he’s always had this stupid little idea in his stupid little head that they might as well be, but he’s never asked, because he wasn’t sure if he should. Wasn’t sure if it was safe. Wasn’t sure if Richie wanted something proper or to just stay very, very close friends until the grave. They weren’t dating, and now they’re married, and ohJesusMaryandJoseph why did he let himself get so drunk last night?

    He doesn’t expect Richie to be resentful or anything, but he’s also an anxious mess by default, and post-drunken-haze Eddie is a different, apparently less chill person than mid-drunken-haze Eddie, because he doesn’t remember having this freakout last night.

    He doesn’t think that Richie will be pissed about it, necessarily, but he’s terrified that Richie’s going to want to... undo this, somehow.

    He expects regret.

    He doesn’t expect Richie to slide his hand against Eddie’s so that their rings clack together, letting out a soft little, “Aw,” as he does so, or to press his scratchy, stubbly face against Eddie’s cheek to plant a kiss there, or to say, just as quiet and soft as ever, “We’re married, Eds.”

    “Is that okay?” Eddie asks, heart in his throat, wondering if he somehow forced Richie into this when he wasn’t in full control of his faculties.

    “More than okay,” Richie says. “Is it okay with you?”

    Eddie nods dumbly, staring at their rings again, wondering what the fuck possessed them to make such a rash, life-altering decision like this, yet understanding all too well that his love for Richie is too big to contain and it has to spill out in little doses like this, or it’ll probably kill him, or make him go crazy. “Yeah,” he says finally, nodding perhaps too fast. “Yeah, Richie, it’s more than okay.”

    He turns in Richie’s arms to kiss him properly, apparently not for the first time, and just the action brings a couple snippets of last night’s escapades abruptly to the surface.

*

    “$25 Weddings,” a pink neon sign outside a squat white chapel proclaims, “Sincere and Dignified.” And below that, in smaller, baby blue lettering: “Can provide: Flowers, Rings, Witnesses, Transportation, Attire...” The list goes on. It’s a wonder Eddie is coherent enough to read it, let alone comprehend it, but he’s rounding on Richie, whose arm he’s hanging off of, with the best fucking idea already leaping from his lips.

*

    “Ffffffuck Kaspbrak,” Eddie slurs as a reluctant Bill helps him slip on a suit jacket, fiddling with the purple clip-on bowtie Richie threw over the divider at him. “Fuck Kaspbrak, right, Rich?”

    “Right,” Richie says enthusiastically -- probably too enthusiastically -- from the other side of the thin wooden divider that separates their “changing rooms.”

    “Fuck that name,” Eddie decides, nodding to himself. Bill takes the bowtie out of his hands with a sigh, and Eddie lifts his chin to let Bill fasten it to his shirt, grumbling all the while about how stupid they both are. “And fuck my mom.”

    “Fuck your mom!” Richie shouts. There’s a beat of relative quiet, then, “Not, like, fuck your mom, obviously. Fuck... you, maybe?” And then Bev’s raucous laughter echoes through the whole room.

    Eddie can’t help laughing with her, even though Bill’s insisting he stay still “so you can at least look semi-presentable for your pictures, c’mon, Eddie, this is a big moment for me, too.”

*

    “How are you the bridezilla, here, Bill?”

    “Could you please just work with me here, I swear to-- agh!” (More laughter from Bev. Stan saying something incomprehensible but loud and boisterous. Mike trying to shush them.) “I’m just trying to make sure this is actually special since you absolute buffoons refuse to just wait and do this right.” Is Bill fucking crying?

*

    Richie’s tongue down Eddie’s throat, over and over and over: in the chapel; in a bar; in front of the bar; just before Bill drags them away from the casino they’re trying to sneak back into and instead towards the station wagon he’s doing his best to herd the Losers to; in the station wagon; in front of the motel.

    Bill prying them apart with minimal assistance from a piss-drunk Ben who insists he’s “helping,” telling them once again that they are not allowed to consummate their fucking marriage in public, and especially not allowed to do it in the motel room all seven of them have to sleep in--

*

    He hears Bev’s little “aww” behind him somewhere as he and Richie break apart, and Stan’s grief about how fucking early it is “for this shit.” Eddie can hear something like a smile in his voice, if not just plain old amusement.

    “We’re married, Rich,” Eddie repeats incredulously, and Bill is saying something about their marriage license in his wallet because neither of them can be trusted, but Eddie couldn’t care less about licenses or whatever, because Richie’s smiling down at him in that way that makes his heart feel too full. And he doesn’t mean to, but a choked noise bubbles up out of him, almost a sob, maybe a laugh. Tears burn in his eyes.

    But that’s alright, because Richie’s crying already, and he wraps himself bodily around Eddie, rolling them over so he’s squishing him into the mattress while he kisses all over his face and his throat until Eddie’s squealing with laughter despite his agonizing hangover. He almost feels too good to care about it now, but he’s definitely getting some water and painkillers into his system the second the weird high he’s feeling subsides.

    “Okay, okay,” says Stan, standing above them suddenly, swatting at Richie’s shoulders. “You’ve had your fun. Noisy assholes. We were too drunk for proper congratulations last night. Move over.”

    All the Losers squeeze themselves onto the queen bed, somehow, and water bottles and aspirin get passed around. At some point Bill gets up to start the coffeemaker and comes back with (good fucking lord) their “wedding photos” in a crisp manila envelope. They’re just as gaudy as he expected. Leave it to Richie to find the ugliest possible outfit for his literal wedding.

    Eddie gets hugs and shoulder-squeezes and cheek-kisses from everyone, over and over, and Bev actually cries for about ten full minutes while she holds him, then at least ten more while she holds Richie, and then Ben cries, and... well, they all end up crying all over each other, but it’s awash with joy. “We’re happy for you,” they keep saying, and Eddie’s happy for them, too. He didn’t expect to accidentally do things this way, but he has to be glad it happened.

    “God,” he says a while later, shaking his head as he sips sugary coffee from the mug he and Richie are sharing (this room is meant for four people, max, not seven, and is equipped accordingly). He’s still examining a picture of Richie attempting to give him a piggy-back ride out of the chapel. Bill is visible in the background, eyes red and puffy, a wad of tissues clenched in his hand while Mike tries to console him. Eddie has been making fun of him for about half an hour now. “My mom would flip if I told her about this.” But the thought doesn’t scare him. He doesn’t get scared of her anymore. Not like he used to. Not when he’s so far away and he feels so safe with these six idiots who bring so much joy to his life.

    Richie’s thumb rubs over the skin of his lower back where his hand has crept up Eddie’s shirt. “Good thing you don’t have to,” he says, and that familiar mantra of “You never have to see her again,” bleeds through, plain as ever.

    Eddie hums. Passes the coffee back to him. “I know. But... I kinda want to. Just to watch her head explode,” he says with a shrug and a grin, earning a chorus of easy laughter from his friends. He stares at the ring on Richie’s finger as Richie throws back the rest of their coffee, something warm and familiar blooming brighter in his chest.