#not sure which of those tags he'd go in so he goes in BOTH!

[theflubbernator]

Internet Filled The Radio Star

Internet Filled The Radio Star

Broke the clothes, outgrew the car

We can't move now, we've gone too far

(update: Freshened up the background with some new diddly-detail!)

[monvirtu]

omg hii can i pls request cc!quackity hcs of him proposing 😣 (maybe where r is also content creator?)

𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐏𝐎𝐒𝐈𝐍𝐆

⋆ precis ~ headcanons on quackity proposing!

⋆ tags ~ romance, use of quackity's real name, proposing, kissing, and fluff.

⋆ notes ~ hello! thank you for being my first quackity request, and i hope you enjoy!

⋆       after dating him for a few years, it's finally been decided that he should propose.

⋆       he had his doubts whenever the topic was brought up, which is why it took him quite a while to decide on the life-changing decision, but after realizing that you would likely say yes, he decided to go for it.

⋆       now, even though you both are content creators, he wouldn't even think about streaming it. he wouldn't want to stream it. he doesn't want the whole world watching him do something intimate, and he doesn't want you to feel pressured by the viewers.

⋆       there's two ways his proposal could go.

⋆       it would either just be you two doing all your favourite things that day, and he would take you on a vacation somewhere to do it, or it would be somewhere in front of his family.

⋆       he seems like a big family guy, and his family did help him gain the confidence to do it. he would at least want his close family to be there if you were okay with it, and you could invite yours, too!

⋆       if you're the type to read, or watch romance movies, he's taking notes on the proposals in them. he'll watch movies with you just to see which proposal is your favourite out of all of them, or he'll even read the books you do just to see if he could make some of those proposal scenes happen.

⋆       with the ring, he's getting you an expensive one per your preferences. he'll get you gold if you like it, silver, rose gold, etc. whatever you like, he's getting, and he'll find one with a gem that's your favourite colour.

⋆       he'll probably even pay to get your initials and his engraved on the inside of the ring because he's extra.

⋆       on the day of the proposal, he's giddy. all smiley and bouncy, but he also looks nervous. his smile twitches the more he goes into thought about the whole idea, and his eyes flicker around more than usual.

"alexis?" your questioning tone was quiet compared to the chatter around you, for the restaurant he had taken you to was fairly packed. though, despite all the people around, his eyes were only on you.

"yeah?"

"are you okay? you've been acting off today..." you watched as he took a drink from his cup, and he slowly nodded while an apprehensive smile crossed his face. "i'm fine. i'm just tired."

you couldn't blame him, for you were a little tired too. the both of you had been running around all day doing activities, so it wasn't shocking to hear that. yet, you couldn't help but feel like something was still up.

"do you want to go back to the house after this?"

"no."

his quick denial made your eyes widen as you stared at him, and he cleared his throat before taking a sip of his drink. "i have more stuff planned..."

"more? alexis, did something happen? why are we doing all these things?" your curiosity was getting the better of you, and you heard him let out a quiet sigh before a waiter walked over.

"can we get the check, please?" the waiter gave a firm nod while his eyes flickered to yours, and he reached over the table to take your hand in his. "i just thought it would be nice if we got to have a whole day with just us..."

after that, you thought nothing of his nervousness or the number of activities you both were doing.

it was just a day for both you and him, right?

⋆       that was until the last thing you both would do.

⋆       if he decided to not do the proposal in front of his family, he'd secretly set up a camera somewhere so he could at least get your reaction. he'll have the memory in his mind forever, sure, but he still wants to get it on camera so he can look back at it.

⋆       he'd take you to a romantic place, like a bridge with fairy lights, and he would make sure that there were barely any people around.

⋆       you'd both be talking and laughing, and right when you turn your back to look at something and then turn around, he's on one knee in front of you with a ring in hand.

⋆       he wouldn't have it in a box, by the way. he was scared that the box would be too prominent in his pockets, so he just put the ring in his pocket.

⋆       also, whatever language is your first language, he's learning it for you. he will learn how to pronounce any language just to give you a speech on how much he loves you, and wants to marry you.

⋆       sure, he may sound silly depending on the language, but you could still tell what he was saying due to the number of times he went over the speech to get it right. it's the thought that counts.

⋆       he would stammer over his words though, but that would be purely because of nerves. it wouldn't be shocking if he was trembling a little bit because his mind would be full of thoughts and worries.

⋆       but once you say yes, the stammer and trembling would vanish. he'd slip the ring onto your finger before pulling you into a kiss, and he'd keep you there for a while because of how happy he would be.

⋆       he'd be giggling the rest of the night, and before you go to bed.

⋆       it would be concerning on how wide his grin would be because you know it probably hurts, but he doesn't care. he's just happy you said yes.

⋆       now, bringing up the fact you're a content creator too, he wouldn't verbally tell chat until they figured it out.

⋆       you'd both be streaming and he'd be holding the hand that has your ring on it, and he'd constantly bring it up to his lips to kiss just so the camera can see it.

"chat, why are you spamming?" the tease in his tone was hard to miss, along with the grin on his face as you watched what the viewers were typing.

ilikemen21214: IS THAT A RING ON [NAME]'S FINGER???

slimecicle: THAT IS A VERY FANCY RING [NAME] I WONDER WHO GOT THAT FOR YOU AND WHAT THE OCCASION IS AND WHY YOU SUDDENLY GOT THAT RING AFTER THAT LONGGGGGG HANGOUT WITH QUACKITY EARLIER IN THE WEEK

hehehewhat: @.slimecicle ARE THEY MARRIED????

greenredpinkAAAAAA: THEY'RE MARRIED OMGGGGGG

"slimecicle, you ratted us out."

quackity's words rang out in the room, and it was replaced by laughter as chat started to spam about the proposal.

⋆       other creators would congratulate you, by the way. they would also joke about the wedding being duck-themed or minecraft theme.

⋆       and to those jokes, he'd always respond that he would do it as long as that was what you wanted.

⋆       you could ask for the theme to be something stupid and he'd say yes because he's still joyed that you said yes to his proposal.

⋆       and he'd stay that happy forever because he's head-over-heels in love with you.

©𝐌𝐎𝐍𝐕𝐈𝐑𝐓𝐔𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓

writings are to not be reposted, translated, or plagiarized. if you wish to show your love for my work, feel free to reblog, comment, or like.

[sp00kymulderr]

giddy up jingle horse

Dieter Bravo x reader

Part three of wrapped up in you

Summary: You’re not feeling festive, so Dieter decides to help you find your Christmas spirit

Words: 1.2k

Tags/warnings: 18+, Christmas, references to sex, sex toys, pet play adjacent but not really. One clown mention. Reader should be gender neutral, reader referred to as baby and cookie. I wrote this on my phone and haven’t edited so I’m sorry for awful mistakes.

A/N: Happy Christmas to those who celebrate. This is my gift to the wonderful members of the @dieterbravobrainrotclub over on discord. I love you guys so much. Enjoy some terrible, unhinged, festive Dieter

As the flight status changes from delayed to cancelled, your Christmas spirit goes with it.

It was the last straw in a year of bad luck, and now just a few days before the big day you had absolutely no interest in celebrating anything festive if you couldn’t do it in Lapland with nothing but you and Dieter and the little cabin under the stars.

Dieter who made an actual effort to not only be with you for a decent amount of time this year but had booked the vacation especially for you. He knew what your year had been like, and he knew you needed to get away, and Dieter always did what he could to make sure you would get what you wanted. Especially at his favourite time of year.

You'd never expected him to be the Christmas loving type, given his interest in all kinds of new age things and his rejection of tradition so completely, but he had explained to you early on that when growing up he had spent many festive seasons with his Grandma and it was her absolute favourite time of year. For him, celebrating was honouring her.

Of course his celebrations these days were a little different, certainly not the wholesome family holidays he’d grown up on. Some of the efforts he went to to get you both in the holiday mood included sexy santa outfits and christmas themed sex toys and that whole thing last year where he'd gift wrapped his cock for you and also gifted you an exact replica of it. He had really made Christmas his own, and made sure to make those he’d spent with you as memorable as possible.

Unfortunately now all his efforts were falling undone with the last minute cancellation of the trip you’d been so desperately looking forward to for months.

"You okay cookie?” He asks, sitting on the side of the bed as you resign yourself to unpacking the suitcase that had been ready to go for a week.

"I’m…I’m just…" You sigh, throwing the cute snow boots to the back of the wardrobe so you don’t have to look at them again “We were going to see real snow! And reindeer! I was so excited about meeting those reindeer”

The reindeer experience had been a special add on, and the moment Dieter realised how much you’d wanted to do it he’d shelled out for a VIP option.

"I'll be fine" You muster the best smile you can, hoping it's true and youll find some of that merry feeling you had a few days ago. You don't stop him from coming over to wrap his arms around you, stopping you from fussing with the suitcase as he held you in a long hug and kissed your forehead gently. Your sweet man.

"You will...I'll find a way" Dieter says, set with determination.

***

It's two days later when he comes to you all mischievous and grinning like he's done something either incredibly good or incredibly stupid. You guess a mixture of both, that’s usually how it goes.

He's holding a small box in his hand, his eyebrow quirked and a dopey grin as he holds it out to you.

"Merry Christmas, cookie"

You take the box and give him a quizzical look. You don't do presents on Christmas eve, but Dieter just nods and waits for you to open it.

You open the box, which within it holds....something red. You're not actually sure what it is.

"Um..." You say as you pick the thing up. It's round, and red, and has a slot on the back.

A red nose? What the fuck…

”Dieter I don’t…is this another sex thing? Do you want me to dress up as a clown again?”

Dieter chuckles, an enthusiastic smile on his face, but he shakes his head.

”I love your sexy clown look baby, but not this time. This,” He yoinks the red nose from your hand and slots it onto his nose. With a squeeze, the nose glows bright, illuminating him in a red glow “This is for me…well, it’s for you too. But it’s for me to wear. Hold on, give me a sec”

You are no less confused by his response, and when he disappears into the next room you stand exactly where he left you confused and not sure what to expect.

“Okay come in here, cookie!” Dieter calls out after a moment and you follow his voice, for better or worse. You know whatever you’re about to find is going to be another unforgettable Christmas memory at least.

“Oh…”

The living room is covered in fake snow. A projector bathes the room in a starry glow, aurora swirling on the ceiling.

“…my god” you shake with sudden laughter at what you see next.

In the middle of the room is Dieter. On all fours. Wearing his teddy coat, the red nose and the very same antler headband with jingly bells on he’d worn last year when he’d fucked you under the tree. He’s pretending to graze, neighing and whinnying softly when you enter the makeshift reindeer pen.

“Dee…” you can’t help the snort of laughter when he gives you an extremely offended look, shakes his head, and points at the red nose.

“Right, sorry. Rudolph. What the fuck are you doing?!”

He simply points to the sign hung up on the wall - ‘VIP reindeer experience’ - before going back to his very serious and accurate portrayal of Santas favourite animal.

It’s sweet, really. It’s…a little weird, but it’s definitely sweet. He’s trying to bring the failed vacation to you, he’s trying to give you some of that experience you were so looking forward to. Your guess is he tried to get a real reindeer and couldn’t, so instead he decided to put his Oscar winning performing to use. The least you can do is play along, and you have to admit the efforts are elevating your festive spirit a little already.

He’s set everything up, including the carrots for you to feed him. You can’t stop laughing. Giggling and smiling more than you have all week.

“You’re so ridiculous, Rudolph” You murmur with a smile as you pet him and offer him a carrot which he happily chews the end of.

It’s when he tells you to ‘hop on’, spoken out the corner of his mouth so not to ruin the illusion, that you lose it completely.

“Dee, baby, I don’t think they let people ride the reindeers”

“I’m not like the others” He smirks, twinkle of mischief still playing in those deep eyes “You can ride me all night long”

He manages one lap around the room with you gingerly sat atop him before you both collapse on to the floor.

“All those sacks of presents, pulling that sleigh around…Rudolph has a bad fucking back” He wheezes out, groaning and reaching for you, pulling you into his side and laughing into your hair and bumping the red nose off onto the floor in the process.

“Merry Christmas baby, I’m sorry this is the best I could do. We’ll get to Lapland next year, I promise”

“This was perfect. You’re perfect, you lunatic. Thank you for making me smile, Dee. Seriously” You respond, hand sliding beneath the coat and onto his bare chest, as you kiss his cheek.

“One thing though,” You say, standing up with a cheeky smile of your own, leaving him alone for a moment before you come back to the room,

“You’re missing something”

You hold up the plug, fluffy tail attached to the flared base of it.

“Let’s put on your tail, Rudolph, then we’ll see about riding you all night long”

[fanon-elio]

Hi, thank you for answering my question.

As for begin late it's completely alright, we all humans and we have things to do with IRL stuff so you have nothing to be worried about, take as much time as you need and please don't push yourself 🫶

As for my request i want to request platonic HC or one-shot (choose which do you want) about Lycaon and teenage daughter reader (wolf therin like her dad).

Plot: the father and daughter are having a personality like "Ozzy & heather" from the movie "Over the headge" where Lycaon is doing things and take his job as an attendant pretty seriously and Reader is SO DONE with him. They're the comical duo in the Victorian housekeeping 🤭

It's like the "camellia golden week" where Lycaon felt embarrassed about missing one word when he tried to lip-reading 🤭 if reader was there she would be like "seriously dad? It's just one word, come on don't be dramatic!!"

But deep down she loves her silly dad and admire him.

Am so sorry for the long request, and if you feel you can't or don't want to write it then it's completely okay, have a great day!✨

Thank you so much for your understanding!

I did combine a bit of headcanons, and a bit of one shot. I hope I did your vision justice.

•°○Headcanons about Lycaon with his Daughter reader○°•

Tag: Green Letter (Sfw)

First and foremost. You and him literally look so alike, it's almost uncanny. People look at you two and instantly know "oh yeah. These two are related." Everything from the fluffy ears and tail, down to the Black highlights. You look like a miniature version of him.

Both of your daily schedule is perfectly planned. Both of you drag yourselfs out of bed get up in the morning, eat breakfast, brush your teeth, and get ready to go to school/work.

Also the way both of you boop noses as a way to say goodbye is just so.. *repeadetly slamms hand on desk in delight*

Lycaon strikes me as a strict, but loving father. He is very patient with you, and would only raise his voice at you if you really fucked up. Less out of Anger or dissapointment, and more out of concern for you. And yet he'd make sure to always tell you that he loved you regardless because he doesn't want neither of you to go to bed with negative vibes.

Even though he does expect certain standards from you, he also knows not to 'clip a flower before it can bloom.' He gives you the room you need to find yourself, instead of smothering you with his expectations.

He's 100% the type of dad who'll sit you down after finding out about a bad grade, and ask you if something was wrong, if something is bothering you, or if you need help with anything.

So he helps you study for exams, and you help him out with the business over summer break, and only over summer break. It's something he never understood about Ellen and Corin, as to why both of them would choose to work in their leisure time despite already having to juggle school.

Speaking of Victoria housekeeping. You definetly get along with all of his Coworkers. You and Ellen are besties, all the while you take on some sort of big sister role for Corin. Rina and You are menaces and no one can convince me otherwise. "Everyone, please be on your best behaviour" Your dad says, mainly looking at You, Ellen and Rina.

You are definetly not as organized as your dad, let's get that right. You're the silly one who lightens the mood and cracks jokes. But remembering which fork is for what, and what cuttlery goes where? Those are facts that your long term memory chooses to reject no matter how many times your father reminds you "y/n, how many times have I told you-" yaddah yaddah.

Despite that you still very much look up to your dad, you think he's cool and a badass! Even though he can be awfully corny, and a total overthinker sometimes. Especially when he thinks that he had once again embarassed himself in some way.

Lycaon takes a sip from his tea, a frown on his face that is clear for everyone to see. "What's happened to you?" You ask him, and he exhales a short sigh "earlier I've embarassed myself while I was on a meeting with Master Proxy about Hollow C41" he tells you, and you questioningly raised your eyebrows

"So I've decieded to take Lip reading classes every two weeks from now on" he tells you, which made you choke on your tea "Dad, there is no need to do all that" you say through caughs.

He putts his cup down, a questioning look on his face "you think so?" He asks, and you give him a thumbs up in agreement "Lip reading classes seem... awfully out there you know?" He nodds

"however, I feel like Sign language courses would be much more beneficial don't you agree?"

Just like your father, your own fur is also always perfectly groomed. Grooming eachother is something normal yet intimate for thirens, it is reserved exclusively for family. A lot of the times you help eachother to keep eachothers fur spotless.

The bristles of the brush in Lycaon's hand carefully run through the fur of your tail.

You yourself were enjoying the sensation when a chuckle caught your attention "Oh father dearest, won't you share with your daughter what's so funny?" You ask, Lycaon playfully rolled his eyes "certainly, shakespear.

I just thought how funny it is how much you enjoy me brushing you even though you dreaded it when you were younger" he says, a small giggle coming from you "hmmm sorry, I don't recall that" you tell him "the bite marks on my hand sure do" he retords "oh come on, that was cobbing!" You defend, making him chuckle again "last time I checked, cobbing doesn't draw blood."

A small silence settles between you two, as you cross your arms in front of your chest, and sigh "fine, point taken."

Lycaon has a few rules that are never to be broken. You jokingly call them his 'Ten commandments.' From the run of the mill stuff like: No Alcohol, Drugs, gambling or skipping school, other rules include:

Always staying in contact with him

Under no circumstances going in hollows!

Asking before taking his car (only if you have a license ofc)

Carrying pepper spray when going outside

Not getting in a car with strangers

And last but not least: Stay away from boys (added note with: "I'm serious Y/n" behind it)

Lycaon tries not to be a helicopter parent, but you are his little girl, and nothing will ever change that. It's very well described with: "I'm not your little girl anymore, look at me, I'm practically an Adult" while all he sees is you as a small child still carrying your stuffed animals around with you wherever you went.

Sometimes he fears you'll feel ashamed for him, with him being an amputee and all. But you always make sure to reassure him about his insecurities, telling him he's the best dad ever, and it never fails to ease his nerves.

Lycaon doesn't force you to do anything you don't like. He has no issue if you don't want to take over the family business, he wants you to find something that you can pour your heart and soul into. However, the only thing he did force you to take were self defense classes.

In reality he dreads the idea of his past catching up with him, with you ending up in the crossfire. It's what robbs him of his sleep sometimes. But rest assured your dad will 1000% commit murder for you if he has to.

Other things both of you have in common include:

1. Both of you hate the dentist, and syringes. (No seriously, ya'll hate them.)

2. Both of you drink your tea the exact same way.

3. Both of you like the same snacks, so it's always a fight to get some before the other.

4. You watch your netflix series with him, and funnily enough, he get's very invested in them.

Both of you made the mistake of watching Riverdale once, and it turned into a running gag amongst you.

Whenever one of you had a weird day you'd say "Today was a Riverdale kinda day."

Over all: Lycaon is definetly a great dad, and would set heaven and hell into motion for you.

•°○°•°○°Bonus•°○°•°○°•

You nervously tap your foot on the ground, your ears flicked as the surrounding silence was only broken by the tooting sound of your phone.

"Come on. Pick up, pick up, pick up" you say quietly, and glance at your watch. "Yes? Y/n?" The voice of your father came from the phone, and your ears perked up

"Heeeeey! I love you soooo much, can I have 2500 dennies?" You ask quietly, Lycaon falling silent on the other side of the line "what..? No. What do you need 2500 dennies for?" He asked clearly confused "oh you know, for an escape room?" You tell him, the line once again growing silent, and for a moment you feared he had hung up on you.

"You're joking right? What kind of escape room costs 2500 dennies?" He asked, and you press your ears flat to your head "uhm.... jail...." you speak, you swallowed thickly while you felt you heart drumming in your chest.

"Dad?" You ask, trying to get an answer from him "daddy? Papa?" But the only respons you get is a loud sigh "I'll be there in 10, dumbass" he replies before hanging up.

°•°○°•°○°•°○°•°○°•°○°•°○°•°

I hope you enjoyed!

I once again want to thank you all for your patience, I have to work a lot of overtime currently.

But soon enough I'll be able to upload in a timely manner again.

-Elio

[swordandscytheandpen]

Finished Guide. I have thoughts.

Mostly positive ones. I have nitpicks, sure, but it's damn near impossible to write a fully satisfying resolution to a three million word story. EE did an insanely good job considering.

Akua was one of the highlights, of course. Her arc was indeed probably the single best redemption story I've ever seen. The pivot in Praes, in particular, was amazingly compelling ("why was she not hearing the song?" hit me HARD). @kvothbloodless once responded to my tags while I was in the middle of Book 2, assuaging my skepticism that a character as remarkably hateable as Akua could have a well-executed redemption arc, and I gotta say her confidence was well-placed. It's a testament to EE's character writing skills that a character who is not only morally monstrous but immensely personally unlikeable could be turned around like this. I'll make fun of Guide's length, of course, but I don't think an arc like this could be handled so well in a work of reasonable length. It's a strength both of the writer and the medium, I suppose.

Her final fate, like most of the cast's, was a pretty solid conclusion to her character arc as well. Really followed through on the narrative's refusal to entertain redemption through death, while still being a surprise, unlike the whole Dead-King's-jailor thing. The dynamics of that particular fate on her character had already been explored through her and Cat's thoughts several times, so it's nice to see something different, instead of just watching the original plan play out with rings instead of a crown.

Same goes for a lot of the other characters. Viv and Indrani had excellent conclusions. Masego and Hakram I'm not dissatisfied with, though I do have minor points of umbrage. Hakram's arc might just have gone past me a little bit; I feel that if he has to be tied so tightly to the Clans as a whole he really needed more foreshadowing connecting him to his home. Instead, it felt a little bit like a family-conquers-all story shoved in with only justification in the moment, which ain't really my cup of tea. More specifically, it felt like the narrative required him to have deeply-held goals that he could go be independent about, but forgot to actually touch on those goals until he'd already left Catherine. Still, just a mild disappointment.

Then we've got Masego, and my take on him is similar in that it's broadly satisfying but I just feel like it doesn't fit in certain ways. In his case, it's mostly the apotheosis: the edges of that particular puzzle piece seem rough, as if EE had something else in mind but swapped it out relatively late in the process. There was some hinting that his dream of godhead would result in conflict with Cat, and then they just... didn't do that. Then in the epilogues, it really seems like his apotheosis hadn't made much impact on who he is or what he does. His part of the epilogue would have been just as suitable, to my eyes, if he hadn't achieved that. So it fell flat a little bit, which took some of the wind out of his ending. Everything else about him was great though.

Catherine's ending took the longest for me to think through. At first I was a bit ambivalent about it, 'cause it felt like nothing was really subverted. Minus a few hiccups, she got everything she wanted. Cardinal. The Liesse Accords. Even all the Woe surviving. The only thing she didn't get was Akua, and she already knew that wasn't on the table. I really just did not expect a straightforward Catherine Wins ending to the Guide. I thought she'd probably die at least; in fact, I thought the most likely outcome was Cat's death and her goals being posthumously realized! This story sure felt like a tragic ending was coming down the pipes!

And then once again, I remembered that this is a story about stories. What Cat has isn't just a happy ending, it's one last victory over the narrative. It's a middle finger to the idea that villains don't get to sail off into the sunset. And you know, it really takes some strength to put a fresh coat of paint on the very idea of a happy ending. So yeah, Cat's ending is great. Just perfect.

But of course, there's no way to wrap up three million words while satisfying every single plot point. So, keeping in mind that APGTE is probably among my top 5 written works in the English language now, I do have a point or two of order.

First off, towards the end, Named were dying like flies. Felt like every chapter had a list of casualties all its own. And I can see the drive to do that; there were a lot of Named involved by that point and there had to be casualties. It keeps the stakes high and the villains scary. But I can't help but feel discouraged from reading once six characters I'm somewhat engaged with die in the span of two chapters. Mostly offscreen.

The biggest offender here was the Painted Knife's band. I really loved the bonus chapter about their backstories, as well as the concept of them as the first band containing both heroes and villains, and I'd wish we'd seen nore of how that relationship developed. And I thought it was a weighty enough label that they'd shot up again later. So when it was mentioned offhand that the Royal Conjurer was killed, I was blindsided a little bit. And then the rest died, one by one, offscreen (except the Knife). Poor Poisoner. She was my favorite. Felt like wasted potential, like a story that wasn't followed through to the end. The Blade of Mercy was in a similar boat. He was important in the Arsenal arc! Let him die onscreen at least!

There was Roland too, who wasn't as bad. His death wasn't really satisfying, another surprise Hawk casualty, but at least it was shown and meaningful. Still, I feel like he deserved a proper character arc outside his backstory. Poor guy.

A couple other deaths, too: Rafaella and Alexis in the fight against the Dead King. Rafaella was ambiguous enough that I really wasn't sure whether she was dead for a while, and even after... I dunno. The hero who killed Captain needed a stronger resolution than "sacrificed herself to get rid of the Dead King's last line of revenants." Then Alexis's death just wasn't meaningful; it wasn't for anything. And I know, I know, that's not how death works, but it is in stories! Didn't feel right. It was too fast.

But the Keter deaths were really my biggest gripe, and if that's the biggest problem I have with a conclusion to a story that long? I can only offer applause.

You know what death I didn't have a problem with? Hanno, in the epilogue. How the hell do you kill a character that major in just a few sentences and make it feel satisfying? The epilogues were just all-around great. The character deaths and resolutions felt natural, plot points that were touched on in the main story were shown to ultimately be left to the next generation, and the continued history and development of the world made it feel so alive. It's a common sin for characters to create a new static world that's supposed to feel like it'll last forever. And sure, the framework of the Accords are kinda like that, but the rest of the world? There are still wars, still conflicts, still upheavals. (The Republic of Orense was a nice touch in that regard.) The epilogues are nearly flawless and I will stand by that.

Last thing - of course I gotta talk about Anaxares. When Yara dropped him into the Serenity, I was pretty hyped about it. But then... I dunno. It turned out a bit flat. Felt less like the culmination of Anaxares's character and more like a plot device to cross the Serenity out of the equation. At the end of the day, with Anaxares sitting in the Serenity through the final battle and then appearing in the epilogues just to pop up years in the future, cause problems, and run off again, he felt weirdly like a sequel hook? And forgive me, but I'd eat my hat if there's a sequel. I guess it's imagination bait, which is certainly preferable to a poorly-executed conclusion. He's still my favorite non-Cat character. If there's any decent fic about him, please give it.

Speaking of, that's all I've got. Looking back up, this was mostly petty complaints, but I wanna be clear: once the first few books were past and EE broke their worst writing habits, this became one of my favorite writing pieces ever. The length and the proliferation of typos and other errors mean that I'd hesitate to fullthroatedly recommend it to anyone, but it's one of those works that has permanently altered my brain. Good fucking book.

Okay, Pale Lights time. Hopefully I'll catch up before Book 3 comes to an end, but I'm not gonna rush. Rapidly chewing through ridiculously long works is not, I have learned, conducive to getting the most enjoyment out of them.

[bi-scottsummers]

Hi, hello, just came here to say that I love your fic "trending in Japan". I was wondering if you had headcanons regarding Kenji or Emi or interpersonal relationships and stuff. Many hugs for you.

hi hello, thank you for the encouragement and hugs! After some thought ive realized I do in fact have some hcs about some of the character dynamics in the movie as well as just kenji himself, cause hes captivated my entire brain:

Kenji & Emi

Emi does not have teeth but she does inexplicably have a teething phase. kenji is forced to hide all his (salvaged) fancy cars in the garage bc the corvette's already been chewed to hell and his heart is gonna give out if he has to watch any more classics get wrecked

he reads her bedtime stories. A lot of aesop's fables, because theyre short and fun and hes trying to raise his monster daughter with good morals. emi goes hogwild for these but its unclear if she actually understands what hes saying; kenji's pretty sure she just likes the silly voices he uses for different characters

they go flying together! they go first thing in the morning before breakfast - it helps kenji shake off the grogginess of sleep and emi gets to stretch her wings. shes not able to go very far for very long initially, but as she grows and gets those cardio gainz she almost gets to be quicker than him. they have races and play air tag :)

while she doesnt have the vocal range to speak english herself, it becomes clear that emi does understand it well. (kenji also develops an ear for her chirping/squawks, though body language & facial expressions play a big part in communication for both of them) during her (much later) rebellious phase she'll simply pretend not to know what's being said when kenji is telling her to do something she doesn't wanna do, which frustrates him to no end

Kenji

developed a pretty massive chip on his shoulder after moving to the states. it wasn't just bitterness over his dad staying behind, though that was a part of it. this is canon but he was picked on in school for "how [he talked], how [he looked] and what [he ate]." he felt like he had something to prove to both his father and the world. he threw himself into sports - specifically baseball - and his academics, and he did so well that it forced everyone to shut up about how he was different from them and focus on how he was better than them

^ playing off this: kenji had a bonkers fucking yonkers routine when he was a kid/in highschool. he'd get up hours before school started to practice his swing, go for a ~1hr run, workout, study, etc. He'd go to school, come home, and do it all again. this is exaggerated but my point is that this kid was DETERMINED and had the discipline to see that determination through to the end

didnt have many friends because of all aforementioned things. he had acquaintances, and he was invited to parties and outings and stuff (never went), but he spent most of his free time hanging out with his mom. he never really had a "parents are so embarrassing" phase. he always liked to do anything with his mother: going to the bank, going grocery shopping, watching cheesy telenovelas till ungodly hours in the morning, etc. she was his no.1 supporter, confidant, and best friend

he played for his university's baseball team and got scouted at 19. his mom forced him to finish his bachelor's first so once he graduated with his degree in kinesiology at 21, he was drafted to the dodgers

Kenji & Ami

both of them, up until meeting each other, were totally dedicated to their career (and child) so they had basically 0 time for friends. theyre both borderline losers but theyre juuust good enough at what they do for people to admire them instead of finding them sad and lowkey pathetic

kenji is way more into the idea of being friends than ami is. hes pretty enthusiastic about it; he thinks that they have a kind of rapport, since they share a similar work ethic and are both (unbeknownst to ami) single parents. he calls her to chat abt random things. ami initially isnt superrrr into it; she thinks kenji is kinda lonely and desperate for human connection, & it isnt until her mom points out that she has not spoken to anyone outside of work-related reasons in 10+ years that shes like oh shit, i am also lonely and desperate for human connection. so she grudgingly acquires a friend. theyre both really bad at it

need to clarify that in my mind their dynamic is 95% kenji yapping about work and drama in his personal life (circumventing the 8m baby kaiju hes raising) while ami goes "mhm mhm" and takes notes until kenji notices and is like What are you doing. at which point ami is like...... right . nothing. im listening. and forces herself to put the notepad away. she has a hard time disengaging from the reporter mindset and just hearing something intriguing without turning it into an article. the other 5% are the rare moments where theyre connecting super well - ami's psychoanalyzing the hell out of whatever kenji just said and hes like what are you my therapist. over time she starts opening up to him, too, and eventually theyre comfortable enough to be having philosophical discussions over breakfast just for funsies

before kenji reveals that hes ultraman, ami thinks hes in a gang. he keeps showing up to their lunch "dates" with like bruised eyes and fractured bones and gets all shifty when she tries to ask about what happened. when she eventually confronts him about it, hes so offended that she thinks hed be involved in something like that that he tells her about being ultraman

thats about all i can think of rn, though im sure ill think of more after rotating all the characters in my head for a while. thanks again for stopping in, i appreciate the support :)

[zalrb]

for your recent ask on how to build relationships in movies where you used willabeth as an example i was just thinking of them as i read ur post lmao! what do u think are some underrated aspects of their relationship in the films ? and if you had to pick a favorite film of the potc trilogy based on just willabeth, which would you pick?

Oh, yay! A Willabeth ask!

AWE automatically wins on "At Wit's End" (aka "Will and Elizabeth's love theme") alone. That is the soundtrack to a cosmic, epic, transcendental, soul-moving, earth-shattering love story, that is the epitome of a romantic composition, it is everything. Like just listen.

But I mean, the scenes that they have in this movie?

I'm not sure that there's anything that shippers find underrated about them, it would just be in response to Sparrabeth shippers or people who are anti-Willabeth, which I just don't find merits a response but something I do quite enjoy about the Willabeth love story is the role Jack plays in it and how his respective bonds with Will and Elizabeth actually reinforce that love story:

Like, Jack helps Will come to terms with his parentage and history

and therefore who he is and Will, in turn, saves Jack from the gallows.

Elizabeth has faith in Jack, tells him he’s a good man, helps him see the morality of situations

and Jack does prove her right in Dead Man’s Chest by coming back to help the crew but I think the most significant way he proves her right is by going against a desire he wanted for all of At World’s End so he can do right by Will (and it actually goes further than his desire throughout At World’s End but to a fundamental passion like he sold his soul to Davy Jones to get the Pearl, that’s how much he loves the sea)

and then you had Jack speaking to Elizabeth’s desire for freedom

and encourages her obtainment of that freedom, of that agency, of that power

which ultimately leads back to her choosing to love and be with Will

which, despite what antis say, isn't a regression. The trilogy begins with seeing her discomfort in "polite society" and feeling pressured into doing what's expected i.e. an engagement to Norrington

which includes hiding her fascination with pirates as well as her feelings for Will

the two things are interconnected. In fact, when we see her being chastised for not behaving the way she should, it's when she's too intimate with Will

Her interest in pirates is signified with her keeping Will's medallion

her choosing Will is also her choosing her own freedom

Will even teaches her how to fight

and throughout the trilogy, it's them discovering more facets of themselves i.e. Will reunites with his father, Elizabeth actually gets to be a pirate but what even got them on those journeys was trying to find/help the other so they can be together

and those layers just bring them back together stronger. This has always been the point

This also isn't exactly underrated but I find when I go into the tag, there's a lot of emphasis on what Will does for Elizabeth, how he supports her, how in love with her he is, how devoted to her he is and I completely understand why but also Elizabeth's devotion to Will deserves a spotlight as well.

Going to fight undead pirates alone to save Will

Being both surprised and upset at Will even considering that she could be in love with Jack

Giving away the entire plan because she couldn't feign disinterest when Sao Feng acted as though he'd stab Will

Having to literally be carried away by Jack when Will was stabbed

Even the smaller, in between things like Will shouting at Elizabeth to shoot at the barrels of rum but her refusing because he was still caught in the net.

I just love them so much.

[thisapplepielife]

Written for @corrodedcoffinfest.

Luck of the Draw

Day #8 - Prompt: Band Politics | Word Count: 1000 | Rating: T | CW: Language | POV: Jeff | Pairing: None | Tags: Making Decisions, Fussing and Fighting, Like Overgrown Children

Jeff passes out the poker chips, counting out a stack for each of them, to see how this goes. Because there's clearly no other way. They keep fighting about the stupidest shit, and if they're gonna make this tour work, they're gonna have to stop bickering over nonsense.

"Each chip is a unilateral decision, no pushback. Over and done," Jeff says, and pulls out the baggie full of paper slips covering all the dumb shit they've been arguing about. 

It's not any of the big decisions. Those things can't be decided like this. But the small shit? Absolutely. 

"Draw a slip of paper," Jeff says, "and if you care enough about what's on it, you spend one of your chips to make the decision between the options we've been discussing. No going rogue. These have to be decisions that make sense, logically, even if we all don't agree."

Everybody nods. They roll a die, to decide who will get to go first, and it's Eddie, which is no surprise. He's always had that kind of good luck behind a roll.

Eddie draws a piece of paper, and reads, "What to paint on the van."

Goodie and Gareth both groan, and Eddie squirms in his seat with delight, handing over one of his chips.

Eddie's had strong opinions about this, and it's pretty fucking lucky that this is what he drew. If Jeff hadn't set everything up himself, he'd definitely think Eddie had cheated somehow to rig the system. There's probably nothing else Eddie has fought harder for, so this is a best case scenario, because they won't have to listen to him bitch anymore.

"Picture it," Eddie says, hands waving, as if he's setting the scene, "Corroded Coffin. Naked pin-up lady-"

"Why on earth do you want a naked lady?" Goodie interrupts, the ongoing fight picking right back up.

Which is not allowed. The luck of the draw has spoken. Eddie gets to choose.

"It's ironic," Eddie says, as if that's obvious.

"It's not-" Goodie starts to snap, and Jeff has to nip this in the bud.

"No. Nope. Eddie gets to decide this one. Next!"

And Gareth grabs a slip of paper from the hat, reads it, and groans.

"What is it? Jeff asks.

"Getting to decide the standard setlist," Gareth answers.

"You want it?"

Gareth waffles, not wanting to give up his turn, clearly, but also probably not caring about the setlist. This has been a back-and-forth Jeff has had with Eddie, and Eddie alone. Gareth doesn't care what order they play songs, just that they play. 

"Pass," Gareth says, throwing the slip of paper back into the drawing pool.

Jeff shakes them again, and lets Goodie take his pick.

"Shotgun schedule," Goodie says with absolute glee, and Gareth throws his hands in the air.

"Well, that's fucking great!" Gareth snaps.

Jeff reaches over and squeezes Gareth's shoulder, "He gets to choose the schedule, he does not get it all the time. Right, Goodie?" Jeff prompts and Goodie grumbles, but nods. 

Gareth will still get screwed, Jeff's absolutely certain of that, but he will get his turn. Jeff will make sure of it. They aren't trying to piss each other off that bad, he hopes.

And then Jeff grabs one himself, "Tour routing."

Eddie starts to argue, because he has big thoughts about this, too. Eddie has big thoughts about everything, and he'd steamroll them all if they'd let him. 

They've been fighting about the route the next tour should take. Stay in the Midwest, or venture out further. Whether the van can handle that, even. This one is a big responsibility, and Jeff wants to take it on, so they don't end up on a wild goose chase of a tour.

"It's mine," Jeff says, forking over his chip.

And then they start all over, picking and choosing, until there's a stack of papers left, and Gareth is the only one with a chip left, because he skipped that first turn.

He keeps drawing and throwing them back, ending up redrawing things over and over again, and Jeff's not sure what he's looking for in there. They're never gonna finish this up at this rate.

"Gareth. It's just you. Open them and set them aside. Pick the one you want. It's fine. Just get on with it," Jeff says, trying to steer this in the right direction.

Gareth does, until he has a table full of open slips, looking over all the options leftover. Options they will still have to make decisions on, eventually, but not today. Jeff's hit his limit for the day, they all have, except Gareth apparently, as he wavers.

"For fuck's sake, pick one or I'm picking one for you!" Goodie shouts at him, and Gareth just ignores him.

"What do you want, kid? What are you looking for?" Eddie finally asks. 

"Room assignments," Gareth said, "did someone else get that?"

They all shake their heads.

"That wasn't even an option. Have we been fighting about that?" Jeff asks.

Gareth looks disappointed, "No. But I just didn't want to fight about it."

Jeff always assumed he'd stay with Goodie and Gareth would stay with Eddie. A given. But if Gareth wants to pick that, fine. Jeff scrawls it on a piece of paper and slides it over, "All yours."

Gareth looks thrilled, and Jeff starts to clean up the mess. This isn't over, not by a long shot, but at least they've made some progress. 

Eddie and Goodie are gone, out to grab a couple pizzas, and Jeff can't resist asking. "Why the room assignments?" 

Gareth looks up, "Because I don't want to fight with Goodie all day and then all night, too."

Oh. This is gonna be a bigger issue than he thought, probably. Nobody warns you that these things are the hardest parts about being in a band. 

The little squabbles, and slights, that snowball.

The resentments that build, and fester.

Jeff catches his eye, "I'll make sure that doesn't happen."

If you want to write your own, or see more entries for this challenge, pop on over to @corrodedcoffinfest and follow along with the fun! 🦇

[sleepyfan-blog]

Sisterly Chat

Author’s note: A second fic for Nadesir! First. Next

Tagged: @egrets-not-regrets

Warnings: cursing

Summary: You have a chat with your younger sister. 

"I'm sorry... You have a what living in your house?! Do you have any idea how dangerous they are?! Has living in that tiny fucking town in the middle of nowhere driven you insane?"  Your younger sister hissed, staring at you in alarm. The two of you were talking via Discord, and she was scowling at you, her arms crossed over her chest as she glared at you. You and your sister never got along very well - and the physical distance between her and you was nothing short of a relief from her nagging and nonsense... Even so, you did miss her from time to time, which lead to you scheduling a time to speak with her. And yes, considering how busy both you and your sister were, scheduling these video-calls was necessary, in order to not play phone-tag for the next three months between conflicting schedules and... Other things.

"A Night Lord. And yes, I've read some of the horror stories on the 'net about what Night Lords can be like. I am well aware of the fact that these Space Marines can be dangerous, but Vanya has been kind to me! Sweet even, in his own way. He kind of reminds me of a very large semi-feral cat. He comes and goes whenever he pleases... And often goes on hunts for days, if not weeks at a time. He always has a freshly prepared animal meat... Usually elk or deer, given that they're plentiful, but sometimes he comes home with several rabbits, quail or a turkey, depending on the time of year. He's been living with me for several years, and he's not the only space marine who lives in and around my hometown. There's a group of Salamanders and several Ultramarines as well. I think I saw a Dark Angel lurking near the edge of the Astartes base last week, but I didn't get a good look at him, and I was on lunch break." You respond, a small smile lifting your lips at the mention of your housemate.

Currently Vanya was out on another hunt - ever since that Imposter Vanya had shown up a month or so ago, he'd been patrolling around yours - and his - (did he feel that your home was also his? He was free to stay as long as he wanted. You were pretty sure that he knew that, but it was a bit difficult to figure out what was going on inside of his head, though he'd been a permanent fixture in your life for the past several years) home much more frequently. His hunts had been more frequent, but he wasn't gone for more than two or three days, rather than the weeks he could have been gone for, before. He also spent more time with his fellow Astartes - which you hoped was a good thing. Most of what you read on the internet about Night Lords said that they tended to be more solitary or stick to small groups, rather than the larger chapters that many other kinds of Astartes seemed to prefer. You'd also noticed that the rest of the space marines who lived in and near the small town you'd long since called your home had begun to patrol much more frequently and in greater numbers.

Not that any of them would say why they were doing this, though you suspected it had to do with the handful of teal interlopers who'd been chased off by Vanya and a handful of Salamanders... They also patrolled like this when there were reports of Feral Space Marine warbands traveling through the area - perhaps those teal marines had been a sneaky kind of feral space marine? But ferals tended to avoid humans and human settlements, except to try and acquire resources from them, if they didn't feel like making whatever they wanted themselves... Or they tried to kill the humans closest to the space marines who lived with humans for reasons that you didn't want to speculate on. 

"-another thing! Do you really think that you're safe? Considering that they are so unpredictable and dangerous... If you need help moving out and getting away from him, I'd be happy to help you get out of there. You're a talented doctor, sis." Your younger sister huffed, having clearly been in mid-rant while you'd reflected on the strangeness of Vanya and the other space marines who lived around town. "You could get a good job wherever you wanted to live. I still don't get why you decided to work in a tiny-ass hospital in the middle of fuck-all Nowhere."

A low, frustrated growl left you "As I told you when I moved away from our parents' place eight years ago I have several reasons why I'm working here, rather than at some huge hospital in a big city; the first reason why I moved here was because the hospital I work at offered to pay half of my student loans down, in exchange I would work for them for five years. They also paid for the house I'm living in. The second reason is that while yes, the pay is a lot less than I could get elsewhere, rural towns and areas are vastly underserved medically speaking - among other services they are in desperate need of and justly deserve to get! The third reason is that I like being able to walk around without being hounded with questions about that all the fucking time!" You growl, glaring at your younger sister.

She flinched a little and shifted, looking away from the screen. Away from you. "... Yeah, okay. I get it. But there are like. So many podu-rural towns who need good doctors all over the world! Do you really want to live with a giant spooky murderous bastard for the rest of your life? Or at least for a really long time? I've heard that renegade types like him tend to chase off the partner or partners of the humans they've decided are theirs. What if you find someone you want to live with - a human person, and he doesn't like them? What'd you do then? And that's not getting into how weird they can get around children! I've heard that space marines can and often do steal children and refuse to let them go! And that there are stories on the internet of the partner or partners of a human with a space marine being replaced as a primary care giver and chased off by the space marine online! There's several websites dedicated to collecting these stories, so people know the dangers."

You blink a little in surprise, before raising an eyebrow at your younger sisters "Really? You're going to believe internet rumors and bullshit as truth? Even if some space marines do chase off a human they care for's spouse, that doesn't mean that all of them - nor all renegade space marines do that. Besides, I'm too busy with work and my hobbies to find a date, much less a partner. Besides, I trust Vanya. If he found something objectionable about my partner, I'd either try to find out a way to get the two of them to eventually get along with one another - he's... Pretty prickly and aloof, but he can be affectionate when the mood strikes. I've been able to talk him into using the communication board I bought for both of us to know roughly where the other is and how long one of us intends to be out. And the only children I'm ever likely to want - if I ever do decide to have children - will be adopted. You know the reasons why." 

You remember the first time you'd pulled a double-double shift after Vanya had moved in with you. Several of your fellow staff members had been very surprised and startled to find the crabby night lord once again in the hospital, and he'd refused to let your sleep-deprived self go, having tucked you against his chest and purred aggressively until you fell asleep in his arms, the sneaky bastard. Allegedly he'd stared the head of the hospital down before stalking off back to your home. You know he'd brought you home as he'd tucked you into your bed, as you'd woken up in bed hours later, still tired from the extra-long shift and a grumpy Vanya hovering over you, and several dozen missed phone calls on your cell. 

Your younger sister again shifts uncomfortably, looking down and away from her laptop, shoulders hunching "I... I know. It's just... We really don't have any idea where these big bastards come from... And more keep appearing what feels like every day. And I've heard stories that they've been affecting politics - both local and across the world! What if they're trying to take over the world? What if they've already succeeded and they just let us puny mortals believe that we have control over our own home world, and are secretly running things from the shadows?!  What if-"

"... Have. Have you been watching conspiracy theories on Youtube again? Or going down Reddit rabbit holes? You know that's a bad idea, right? How many other batshit conspiracy theories do you believe in now?" You demand, trying to suppress a groan of frustration. You knew that your younger sister could get drawn into this sort of bullshit when she went into a researching-binge, without someone to pull her out and remind her to touch grass and think critically about what she was reading and watching. 

"I know that the common conspiracy theories bandied about online not pertaining to the space marines are bullshit, okay? It's just... Given what we've been through as kids, do you really think that some of the warning stories about astartes -" your younger sister started.

You cut her off before she could broach that subject "Don't! Just... Don't go there. You were much younger than me when... When everything went down. You've got a lot fewer memories of what happened then, than I do. No, I don't want to talk about it. The past is in the past, and there is where it will stay." You growl, shaking your head a little, as you fold your arms defensively over your chest and shake your head. You'd shielded your little sister from the worst of it, and she'd only been about six years old when you were able to escape that place with your little sister. "Please tell me you haven't been poking around about them, again? Because if you have, do you really want to be ripped from your life? Be dragged back into that bullshit? I know you don't remember much, but it was really bad."

"I... No, no. I still have nightmares about what I do remember. It's just... I wish you'd explain more about where we were, before mom and dad found and adopted us." Your younger sister responds with a whine in her voice.

"I don't know any more than you did! Just that... I knew that we needed to escape, before things got worse for us, like it did with the older girls. I think that place did get shut down after I talked to that social worker friend of our mom's... But those people might still be out there or some of them were. And they... They clearly had plans of some kind, though I couldn't begin to guess what." You huff, rubbing your eyes with the back of your palms. You hear large footsteps moving through the house, causing you to smile. Vanya could move silently, but chose to move in a way where you knew when he'd first come home, so as to not startle you.  "Want to meet Vanya? He just came home. I can hear him moving around."

"Nnnnope! You can keep your scary-ass space marine! Talk to you later!" Your little sister answered, shaking her head and ending the call.

You snort a little to yourself as you shut down and close your laptop before standing up with a yawn. Time to go see what Vanya had brought back from his hunt and be suitably impressed by whatever kill he'd gotten, you think with a small smile on your face.

[kit-williams]

non Khorne canon

thank you @callme-cursed for inspiring me with this:

Khorne - Your father's astartes only got more temperamental with age. Small things seemed to become the greatest slight one could make against him. You left for your own safety quietly in the night. It was unfortunate to realize so late you were his favorite. Now he is on a war path to find you again.

And letting me write something that no matter how hard I tried just keeps turning lewd. I'm keeping him legion/chapter-less so that anyone can insert their favorite legion/chapter. (Since its lewd its why I'm tagging my usual people)

Normal taglist: @bispecsual @egrets-not-regrets @moodymisty @bleedingichorhearts @liar-anubiass-blog @thevoidscreams

tw: dubious consent? maybe noncon? Can read either way I suppose but either way you're getting dicked down. Written in 1st person because I have a problem

I get a notification on my phone about a break in at my apartment and the pictures show your family's astartis breaking in and looking around most likely barking for your name. He had started to act odder and odder... getting angry and aggressive with everyone especially with everyone around myself... getting far too affectionate and starting to bring me home trophies. I decided to stay at my apartment more it's why it's there because I am a big girl... but he wanted me at home where he could watch me.

I decided it was time for one of my hiking trips. I call dad just telling him what he's done and just that I decided to take a hiking trip for a few weeks. I've been doing it since I was sixteen... and even then sure I'd be hiking with him. I swallow as I have to keep going to get to that dry spot as the rain picks up.

I'll probably take a different trail then I normally do to throw him off my trail but I'm certain dad can wrangle him in... he's always been a stubborn astartis but just him being a big bully and him... I don't even know what to call it? Online people called it courtship behaviors... others said it was just being overly affectionate and showing which person is their favorite... the internet was no help in dealing with his recent mood swings and it scared me.

Sure he was grumpy when I was younger but now he was getting straight up violent and it made me feel so unsafe even if it never was directed at me or the parents; I just had to get out of there so fast. I've always hated confrontation and just I was always a coward. It would be fine....

But it was not fine... I run my fingers through my long hair as I read the text in the morning... Dad: ... hasn't come home. He might be going to look for you. I close your flip phone as I quickly pack up my camp knowing I have less and less time to get to the trail split and if I'm lucky he'll just keep going looking for me and then go home.

It was always so pretty the morning after a rain... the way raindrops clung to leaves, to moss, hanging suspended in spider webs... just a breeze shaking those drops free from their perches giving me another mini shower under a canopy. But I didn't have time to enjoy the relaxing bit of nature as I headed quickly to the split and when I finally got there I made sure I didn't stop powerwalking down the path until lunch.

The rain was threatening to come back as I was upset at how much rain there seemed to be typical weather people lying... I hold my breath as I suddenly hear a humming as the forest goes quiet and I turn my head and see the bloody visage of him... the family astartis... freshly harvested skulls on his hip both animal and human. His breath comes out hot and heavy as he pants and I can see it in the air as he leans his head back just grinning like a madman to the sky as it suddenly unloads.

My legs get cuts as I sprint through the underbrush just running blindly as he calls my name rushing after me. My lungs burn as I run tempted to throw away my bag to run faster but he'd certainly use it as leverage if I do get away. I hear water as I realize I'm near that cute spot... with the little pond and the waterfall. I stop above the pond as the water is coming down... a jump into the water from this height would hurt, I would know the memory of me doing it one summer hike with him.

"Sweetheart..." He brays softly as he walks out of the woods looking at you as I stay near the edge of the rocks, "come on take a step away... you look so cold. I can help with that." I can hear the layered meaning in his voice no longer hiding it. I remember admitting it once that I had a small crush on him but that was when I was young and hormonal and crazy for anything man shaped. How he just laughed at that and found it cute... that was a decade ago it seems he's changed his mind on that.

"Just leave me alone." I say threatening to take another step back.

"Get over here now." He snarls and I nearly rush over to him in obedience but I just shake my head as he looks so angry at me it causes my eyes to water as I feel so scared.

He takes a step forward and I jump back and the look on his face is surprise before I know it he's right there jumping after me having to jump somewhere else to avoid crushing me. He wasn't the best swimmer so I think I have time... I think I have time... I crawl out of the water coughing slightly just taking a moment to rest my limbs. Its in that moment I feel a hand thread through my hair and grip my hair by the scalp.

I scream and claw his hand as its hard not to know who is dragging me by my hair given how his nails dig into my forehead causing me to bleed. The rain seems to drown my begging and screaming as he drags me to the "lovers cove". Rain hits a tarp hidden by leaves and vines as I remember finding this place as it was nice to camp here in the summer with the firepit roaring. Of course you couldn't stay here long having to explain to him why... because it was really only used for sex.

I'm too tired to move as jumping in my full gear was exhausting. I feel the flash of heat as he starts to pull on my clothes and I struggle as he snarls and fights me out of my soaking wet clothes. I'm trembling both from how wet and cold I am but also so afraid of being alone with him right now.

He seems to visibly relax as he pets my head and starts to dry my skin by rubbing a dry fur pelt against my flesh as he mutters and nuzzles my face just trilling as he continues to dry me off. His lips brushing against my cheek and temple as his thumb roughly swipes away my now flowing tears. Trying to calm me down as he rummages through my wet bag trying to heat up a ration for me. His eyes nervously darting over to me as if he is worried that I'll try to take off into the dark raining forest fully naked. I look over at him... the large two headed eagle tattoo on his back is still there though now holding what looks like a crown of thorns. It looks like a large back piece has been outlined in one of those chaos shapes... for Khorne you think.

He puts the ration in my lap and nuzzles me as he has me in his lap... and I realize he's naked too... I can feel his excitement against my back as he maneuvers my hand to pick up my spoon and I start to eat. I whimper and let out a soft sob as he hugs me tightly trying to soothe me. I rub my eyes as his hands move up and down my sides... trying to calm me down but it only riles me up and I try to move out of his lap.

His arms flex as he puts me in a headlock and his leg wraps around my own to keep me in place as he is snarling and barking at me in his tongue and I can't help but burst out into tears as he lets me go and I cower just afraid... I hate it when people yell at me... especially men... so loud so scary. He croons apologetically his body covering mind but then his breathing hitches as he starts to throb more as I realize his cock is against my sex... and to my horror... I'm not physically repulsed by the action.

I can't even say his name to try and stop him as he's already pulling your hips up as you manage to slip between his fingers to scramble away and he pounces on you. Your lungs hurt as you wheeze out the air feeling him rut against you licking the side of your head and you can't help but burst into tears as you moan out shamefully. You beg with a hiccupped sob for him to stop and he does... for a moment.

"Need... need to mark... need... need to keep." He hisses through clenched teeth. "No more separation... " He says before turning my head and shoving his tongue down my throat it feels. His fingers fumble against my sex before one slips so easily inside of me... roughly preparing me but there is not much to prepare... I'm so wet. "So sad... so helpless... " He moans into my neck pushing another finger into my sex as he does his best to prepare me for the burn of the stretch. He pulls his fingers out and shoves them into his own mouth tasting me. "Need me... need me to protect... I protect. Always protect." He says in stilted English as he pulls me off the ground before putting me on a shitty "bed" with a pelt he brought with him most likely thrown over it.

I try to beg for him to stop but he pushes his thumb against my tongue to stop me. He tilts my head up and I see several skulls around the bed. He practically purrs as I start shaking as they are all human skulls... some still stained red, "I protect... scared little sweetheart."

He says just hooking his hands under my knees tilting me up before sliding into me. He has to stop and close his eyes to not start pummeling his hips into mine but his pace is still just a bit to fast and little too hard and I can't help but cry up at him. But now I whimper and whine... he leans in and kisses me hard and passionately. I arch feeling the fur of the pelt against my back only leave ghosts of an impression on my skin... the skulls watching him fuck me hard are a ghost of a memory...I feel that pleasure course through my veins as he presses himself against me as deeply as he can as I orgasm and the clenching flesh around him causes him to spill over the edge.

We tumble over that edge as the rain picks up, lightning lights the forest, and thunder shakes the trees. Tears roll down my cheeks as he holds me close cooing at me. "Don't cry... I'm here... you're safe." He says between pants. Warmth is still spilling out between my legs and I feel confused about what's happened... but I feel so tired and will... I'll worry about it later. I sniffle softly and nod my head as I close my eyes and pass out feeling his warm body around my own and the fire... I'll deal with it all tomorrow.

[thebestofoneshots]

Hey love.

So i was just tagging a post about morally grey characters and letting them do whatever they want, and it got me thinking that Siri is for sure in that catagory. I mean yeah hes a 🦁 but he was raised by 🐍's. And yes he's charming, loving, caring; a real Patrick Swayze character but i think, because of the way he grew up, he'd be more than willing to go to extremes to protect the family he built.

For example, if someone was becoming a problem (like Snape) he'd always be suggesting ways to 💀 them (i think? in his own way, that was what 'the prank' was). Or if someone was inapropriate to one of the girls, that person would simply disapear. Siri is in 🦁 for his courage and bravery but they're all traits he's developed from the way he was raised, not because he's inherently the hero. Siri is couragous because he's already faced what most wizards are scared of; he's brave because weakness was exploited.

Anyway, i spiraled on this for a little. I love the way you write Siri in GC and wanted to know your thoughts on it 🩷🩷

Oh, I 100% agree with this one. Being a Gryffindor does not exclude you at all from being morally grey. In fact, I think the traits of a Gryffindor are easily juxtaposed with a well-written morally grey character.

While I don't think he'd go into the extremes of 💀 someone for insulting a friend, I do believe he would retaliate in some way, be it a prank or a straight punch in the face.

And being morally grey will never exclude you from becoming a hero. Of course, their story won't be as clean-cut as Captain America's or Superman's who have very strong moral compasses, but it is the depth these stories have that makes the characters even more charming.

Think of names like Loki, Bucky Barnes, Moon Knight or even Din Djarin (The Mandalorian): these characters all started with questionable attitudes, and they were all extremely morally grey if not downright villainous, and even then, with their background and with the world giving them everything to become a villain they didn't (some of them did for a while). They fought against that, and eventually, in their own way, ended up doing good. Not because they were inherently good like Cap or Suppy, but rather because they chose to be like that. And, frankly, I believe that makes them even more compelling.

Sirius is no exception, he was about ready to unalive Peter back in the shack and it was because of Harry (whose moral compass I believe developed from how he was mistreated by the Dursleys and hanging out with Ron and Hermione) who stopped both him and Remus and convinced them they had to take Peter to justice that he didn't yield to those dark desires. A choice that, even though was morally correct, ended up costing Cedric's life, and the comeback of Voldemort.

I mean, there is a reason why he punched Evan with no restriction (GC canon) and did The Prank on Severus (HP canon). Sirius is impulsive and reckless, which goes fairly well with other Gryffindor traits. Even Harry is a bit reckless at times.

I also don't think Sirius is the only one. Remus, while having a stronger moral Compass, also kind of fits into this category, at least when he starts doubting himself and his belonging in the Wizarding World. I mean: Why fight for a world that does not accept you?

And yet he did, he fought for them over and over again, because he believed in change, he had it all to become a villain like Greyback and chose not to do it, and that speaks a whole lot for his moral character, perhaps making him braver than characters who had a clear-cut moral compass since the beginning.

Can you tell I like these dark-leaning characters by now? I feel like it's pretty obvious at this point.

I LOVE writing Siri, I think he's an incredible character and getting to explore his thought processes and emotions in GC has been a delight. It truly fills me with joy that you're enjoying reading him as much as I'm enjoying writing him ૮꒰ ˶• ༝ •˶꒱ა ♡

Read Gilded Constellations

[stevesbipanic]

Just because Billy used a phrase that SOMETIMES MIGHT have racist undertones doesn't mean he was using it in a racist way, or in a way that meant he agreed with any racist undertones. Neil would have killed or severely beaten Max and or Lucas if he caught them even hanging out, and definitely killed them both if he knew about the romantic attachments. Billy was trying to protect Max at every turn, albeit in a twisted and fucked up way.

Billy would never have actually hurt the kids. You think he'd want to ruin the car that is his baby? No. You think he'd want to risk Neil's wrath for such a thing, or for any charges he'd face? No. You think he'd want to leave Max entirely on her own to deal with Neil's abuse? No. He took on the majority of it to protect Max and Susan as best he knew how.

Steve is someone Billy clearly envied, for many reasons. So it's understandable he'd be more aggressive with Steve. Is it okay? No. Never said it was. Billy isn't some psychopath who goes around murdering for funsies. Steve was never a hateable character for me. He did douchey things, but he was a teenager. ALL teenagers do douchey things sometimes, especially when it comes to romantic attachments. He had the chance to wise up and do better though. He learned how to do better. Billy never got that chance.

Stop looking at surface level bullshit and read between the fucking lines. And fyi I don't do self-insert fics, jackass.

First off the fact you're coming back as an anon again clearly shows you're scared of people come to your inbox to tell you how wrong you are. Secondly I don't need to read between the lines when the sky is fucking blue. "Those people" in the context of small town Indiana in the 80s was 100% a racist thing, Dacre and the Duffers have said he was racist and that they actually toned down some lines because what he was saying was becoming too racist for a predominantly sci-fi show. Thirdly, just because you envy a person doesn't mean you're going to beat them almost to death. If Max hadn't stopped billy he would've killed Steve with those injuries that's canon. He barely protected Max, he more protected her when he didn't want to be blamed for her doing certain things which we canonically saw he often was blamed for stuff Max was doing. He was protecting himself more than her. And sure you don't read self insert fics you're just going to the harringrove tag and pretending you're Steve in the over feminised fetishised gay relationship Smuts all because you think billy is hot and that looks means you should get away with attempted murder.

[syn4k]

gonna copypaste the fucking . Wall of text i just sent to Q about that whole fight to here. tom is SUCH A CHARACTER im gonna LOSE IT

(my friend Q: what're your thoughts on tom's character at this point in the series?)

i think that syndianites' tags were on the fuckin spot [referring to some tags that she left on a post of mine a day or so back, i sent it to Q and we both loved them <3) and also that hes just. drunk on bloodlust to distract himself from the fact that he's just lost everything

literally the only thing he has right now is the fish. This is why it ends up being such a big deal in the Tank of Judgement episode btw. [Q is watching through Jordan's POV for the first time right now and from his pov it's not entirely clear why Nemo is so important to Tom]

they took his diamonds they took his gear they took his life and they kicked in his teeth but he still has his fish

i imagine him twitching during the talk he had with the mianite/ianite alliance. brain going a billion mph weighing chances. oppurtunities. outcomes. when tucker gets angry it comes swiftly and strongly sure but tom was up against a wall in both the literal and metaphorical sense with nothing to lose because he'd just lost everything and so that enabled him to finally ditch the one thing that had been keeping him from going the edge and losing it entirely for so fucking long: his sense of self-preservation

watching it is beautiful in the way that an airplane on fire falling out of the sky is beautiful

you just know he woke up the next day muscles aching bones screaming like the worst hangover hed ever had in his life but two times worse but for now, he is blazing thrice as hot as tucker ever did when his anger was stoked by those petty dogfights they used to get into and he is unstoppable

(Q: nods ...but the plane still hits the ground)

he reminds me of myself when i'm tired and running off of fumes and self destructive and determined to just keep fucking going, in a way. i think thats part of why we latched onto him so hard

and i dont have any evidence for it but i think that this is the thing that really gets dianite's attention

he sees tom doing all this on his own and his first thought is wait, that kid's on my team. his second thought is just Fear because Oh Shit, That Kid's on MY TEAM.

(replying to Q) ohhhhhh boy. does it.

(Q: he doesn't feel he can control tom?)

EXACTLY AND THATS WHAT SCARES HIM

(Q: and so he starts acting more controlling towards tom?)

bbbbbbbingo!

if this goes how i think it goes anyways. which i think it does.

[cantstoplovingjude]

To Steal You Away: Alfons Sylvatica Ch.2

This is from Ikemen Villains EN, Cybird owns everything.

Kate: "We don't have to hold hands, but... can I just hold onto your sleeve?"

(He's definitely going to tease me now...)

Alfons: "Of course. Whatever you wish."

I looked up at him, surprised by his kind response, but then saw a smile curving on his lips.

Alfons: "Did your heart skip a beat just now?"

Alfons: "You can grab me anywhere you like. Go on."

Kate: "This is fine. Thank you."

Alfons: "Are you sure? Such a reserved little robin. You should be more demanding sometimes, you know."

His reply was lighthearted and airy. However...

I noticed he was walking slower than usual.

(Is he matching his pace to mine?)

If he was indecent and dishonest and the stuff of nightmares, then I should keep my distance.

(So why does he make it so hard for me to do just that?)

I kept those feelings to myself as we began looking for any stolen items that might've been stashed away here.

Alfons: "This place is just packed with things. It looks like Elbie's room!"

(This is what Lord Elbert's room looks like...?)

I had to admit that this sort of light chitchat was the best way to stay calm in dark, scary places like this.

But I felt the fear creeping up on me again and blurted out the first thing that came to mind, as if to ward it off.

Kate: "Liam told me something the other day."

Kate: "He said you two often go out together late at night."

Kate: "What in the world are you two doing together?"

Alfons: "Do you what to know because Liam's involved? Or because of me?"

(There he goes again, teasing me.)

Kate: "I'm the Fairytale Keeper, so I thought I'd ought to know."

Alfons: "What a boring, trite answer. However, I'll indulge you just this once."

Alfons: "Due to his curse, Liam must satisfy his curiosity on a regular basis."

Alfons: "Which just so happens to align with my hedonistic views, as I love a good time."

Alfons: "So before we knew it, we both started looking for new thrills to satisfy our curiosity together."

Kate: "What exactly does that mean...?"

Alfons: "Well, we have a game where we jump from rooftop to rooftop while drunk. If you fall, you're out."

Alfons: "There's also a game called Chicken where we race horses to the edge of a cliff."

Kate: "That's definitely beyond what I'd imagined."

Alfons: "Oh, I'm pleased to hear that!"

Alfons: "There are other delightful things we get up to as well, but I shouldn't share those with others. Would you like to tag along next time?"

Kate: "Sorry, but I think I'll pass."

Alfons: "Ah, what a shame."

Alfons chuckled and picked up a dusty marble that lay at his face.

Kate: "Hm?"

It let off a dull glow as he held it in his hand.

Alfons: "Liam needs to forget about reality sometimes."

Alfons: "You're starting to pick up on that fact, aren't you?"

Kate: "Yes... I had a feeling."

Liam wasn't just satisfying his curiosity because of his curse.

When I was having a hard time or was feeling sad, he always the first person to come to me.

He generously gave me his time to try to cheer me up.

I had a feeling the reason he was so good at doing so was because he empathized with people's pain and sadness.

So, there must have been a lot of suffering and sadness in his past.

Maybe he was keeping himself going through his dark and dreary everyday life by coloring it with curiosity.

That reminded me of what Alfons had said to me before.

It was the first time he'd used his ability to rewrite perception on me.

-Flashback-

Alfons: "Life is a tragedy. There are many painful realities that can't be changed even if we try."

Alfons: "So what's wrong with escaping into dreams?"

-Flashback Ends-

(Back then, I was so confused about what he was doing that I didn't think too deeply about what he meant.)

But those words had lingered uncomfortably inside my heart.

Alfons was a thrill-seeking hedonist who loved having a good time and enjoyed making people see illusions.

However, now he told me that he was aware Liam had something he wanted to forget, and that was why he went out with him at night.

(Maybe it's just convenient for me to think this way because it's what I want to believe.)

(But what if...)

(What if Alfons really is showing people illusions to help them escape from painful realities that plague them?)

Just then, I heard a noise from the back of the hallway and exchanged glances with Alfons.

Kate: "Is it the culprit?"

Alfons: "I suppose we shall find out. Get behind me, Miss Kate."

I turned and peeked over Alfons's shoulder, but saw someone very unexpected.

==========

Elderly Man: "...Who are you young'uns?"

An old man with white hair was settled deep in an armchair.

(Somehow I have a hard time believing that man's a thief and a murderer...)

It certainly looked like he was the owner of this house.

Alfons: "Our cat wandered in here, so we came after it. Terribly sorry to come in without permission."

Elderly Man: "Oh, I see... I thought you were another one of those fools barging in here again."

Alfons: "What do you mean?"

Elderly Man: "Well, some lads have been sneaking in here at night without my permission."

Elderly Man: "Just because I had a spare room, they thought they could take advantage of me and make themselves at home."

He lived here alone and seemed to be turning a blind eye to the criminals using this place without permission.

(But why are they leaving him alive?)

It was definitely risky to keep him around.

All he had to do was tell one person who'd call the police and that'd be the end of it.

They'd supposedly already killed before, so it wasn't because they were hesitant to kill...

Elderly Man: "Oh, I'm sorry. I was so absorbed in my guests I forgot about you."

(Huh? Is there someone else here?)

I looked around, but we were the only ones in the room.

And then, I realized he was speaking to a portrait of a woman on the wall.

Elderly Man: "Will you forgive me? Yes, I know. You've always liked guests."

I was confused, but then heard Alfons whisper into my ear.

Alfons: "Oh, I see. He's senile. That's why they kept him alive."

Alfons: "What should we do about him, Miss Kate?"

Kate: "What do you mean?"

Alfons: "If I use my ability, I might be able to bring him to his senses."

Alfons: "That way we can get his testimony and our mission will be easier."

I wasn't sure how the old man viewed what was happening here.

But I did know that he looked blissfully happy as he gazed at the painting.

Kate: "I..."

==========

We decided to seize the stolen items we recovered as evidence and move forward with the condemnation at a later time.

That way, we wouldn't cause any harm to the old man who lived in the house.

Alfons: "Why didn't you want to bring him out of his dreams back into reality?"

When he'd asked me before, I told him I wanted to leave the old man alone.

Kate: "He needs that dream in order to survive. So I don't think it's a bad thing."

Kate: "Even if the dream was just a convenience."

Kate: "Also..."

Kate: "I thought that's what you would do, if given the choice."

Alfons stared at me for a moment.

Then without warning-he pulled me toward him and hugged me against his chest.

The next thing I knew, I heard a gunshot ring out. A nearby potted plant in the garden exploded from the bullet.

(What's going on?!)

Man with Stubble: "You think you can just barge into our hideout, huh?!"

A man loomed before us, his eyes fixed on the stolen goods we'd confiscated.

(He's one of the culprits!)

Man with Stubble: "I can't let you outta here alive now. I'm gonna kill you!"

Alfons: "That's pretty rich, considering you're the one who trespassed into someone else's home."

Alfons swept behind the man in a flash and twisted his neck, rendering him unconscious in an instant.

Alfons: "Whoops, I forgot that we trespassed too. Oh, well."

Alfons: "Shall we confiscate him, too?"

==========

After we safely delivered the stolen items to Jude's warehouse, we walked through the city at night.

(Oh...)

Only then did I notice my hands were trembling slightly.

The sound of the gunshot brought back memories of the previous night.

(I hate this... I just want to forget about last night and get rid of all this fear inside me.)

(I don't want it to control me forever.)

I clenched my hands into fists to try to stop shaking, and then Alfons tapped me on the shoulder.

Alfons: "Miss Kate. Miss Kate...? Do you have more time to spare?"

Kate: "Huh? Oh, yes. I don't have any other plans for tonight."

Alfons: "That's a relief. How about staying with me a bit longer, then?"

Kate: "For what?"

Alfons: "Since Liam's away, this is the perfect opportunity to do all sorts of shameless and indecent things to you."

Alfons: "Now that our mission is done, we can extend our date. The excitement's only just begun."

End Ch.2

[kaylinalexanderbooks]

What is jedis motives for being morally grey?

Hi! Thanks for the ask! (For the TSP Q&A tag game)

Well, this is a doozy. This entire thing has taken so much of my thought process because it's complicated and making it Make Sense is harder than you'd think, but I've come pretty far! I'll have to go into minor spoilers regarding Jedi's backstory, but I'll avoid anything too big. Here's the short version:

To start off, Jedi starts the series as part of what's left of a group called the Aequales, which used to be a group that rivaled the Refugae, which had taken over some of the world's (Alium's) governments and continues to attempt to do so. Alium is a world of powers and those without powers are called Inutilia, since they're deemed useless by society.

The leader of the Refugae is an Inutilia woman named Raissa Kamanzi, who believed she needed to rebuild the world to where her people were in charge. "You oppressed me, I'll oppress you" mentality. The leader of the Aequales was an Inutilia sympathizer, Atsila McLain. Atsila preached that there could be a more peaceful approach to settle this, and had a bit of a hero complex about her.

Alii get their powers at age ten, but if their blood test comes back without a result, they're declared Inutilia. Jedi was one of those kids, and unfortunately his father was a bigot. His mother Sori fought back for her son and then ran away with him and his sister to a more accepting Sector. To skip over quite a bit, Raissa Kamanzi did recruit Jedi to be a part of the Refugae when he was a teenager. Jedi saw her worldwide announcement, and he also wanted to fight back since he'd directly experienced many forms of bigotry. Unfortunately while he was there, he discovered Raissa's more violent, extreme methods, and deserted them. He was taken in by the Aequales.

At first, Jedi wasn't sure how to deal with a group that opposed the Refugae since he wanted equal rights, but the Aequales were supposedly for that, but with peaceful methods. This didn't change the fact that Atsila was not Inutilia nor did it seem like any progress was being made. Still, Jedi held on to the ideals Atsila gave out of hope for a better future. The person closest to Atsila, Carmen Asghar, was also Inutilia, and she ended up forming a close friendship with Jedi. Carmen's trust in Atsila helped Jedi also trust Atsila a little more.

But Atsila was also scientifically curious, and after seeing the effects Ceteri (the universe connected to Alium that is essentially our world) on Alii development - they seem to develop rarer and more powerful abilities - she wanted to study it and see if she could find practical applications. Unfortunately she was killed before these studies were complete, or even really started. The Aequales didn't disappear, but it caused many to leave.

Carmen refused to, and while the Refugae essentially ignored them after Atsila was gone since they were nothing without her but loose ideals, Carmen decided to focus on Atsila's last task: the study of Alii on Ceteri. Jedi helped her out with this because he had nowhere else to go and cared greatly about Carmen, having known each other for about thirty years at this point. As this goes on, Carmen hopes the results help her to discover new ways to defeat Raissa and get the Inutilia to be seen as equals.

How does this make Jedi morally gray? Well, the study is on Alii development which means teenagers/preteens are the subject, and they take advantage of the fact that adolescent Alii are naturally drawn back to their original dimension. The Aequales is also more based on ideals with no real action behind them. I won't unpack Atsila's psyche or motivation or anything since this is about Jedi, but she wasn't exactly what was needed to solve the issue.

Jedi wants to do what is best for people like him. He wants to stop the violence on both sides. However, he's become lost in what to actually do. He has values that he holds onto, and he wants to do whatever it takes to make those values real, but he's spent so long following other people who have not-good methods that despite the potential to be able to do so he's stuck, and the man doesn't have enough self-reflection to realize his mistakes, that this isn't working, and maybe using kids, even if those kids just kinda see this as a cool club to practice their powers and learn how to defend themselves, is bad and he shouldn't be doing it. He should actually be looking for ways to accomplish his goals, not the goals of others, especially if those others are dead.

So that's basically Jedi. Good morals, less than ideal methods.

TSP intro

TSP tag list (ask to be +/-): @thepeculiarbird @illarian-rambling @televisionjester @finchwrites

@nebula--nix @literarynecromancy @honeybewrites @the-golden-comet

[twoidiotwriters1]

The Curse of Oenone (Leo Valdez xFem!Oc)

A/N: Currently on the road back home having a good time (hopefully bc i sure need it) -Danny Words: 1,952 Series' Masterlist Previous Chapter // Next Chapter

III: I Use The Power of Friendship (Goes Wrong)

Ara's glad to be left alone with the girls. Reyna is an old friend and Annabeth... well, she's like a sister.

As they leave the dining area, Ara remembers what a fun little girl Reyna used to be. Maybe they can find a way to build something, an alliance that will satisfy both sides. She must be careful, though, the last time Ara tried to be the voice of reason, it didn't end well, which brings her back to Nico. 

Gods, she really hopes Lily doesn't know about his disappearance, she's got too much on her plate already.

"Come," Reyna gestures at the girls. "Walk with me."

Ara spent many years telling Nico that Camp Half-Blood was the best place for them, and technically, this place is for Romans, not Greeks, but still... Now she understands why Nico started to disobey her months into her leadership, he'd found New Rome, and he knew Ara was clueless.

How many times had she thought of Lily that way? Lily was too wary, and Ara was all about going big or going home. She'd forced her to participate in flashy plans just because they were easier. Now, standing in the middle of New Rome, witnessing what could be achieved with patience and careful planning, Ara couldn't blame Lily for being exasperated by Ara's approach.

"The harpy Ella..." Reyna says, bringing Ara back from her brooding. "It was a prophecy she spoke. We all know that, don't we?"

"It sounded like a prophecy," Annabeth agrees. "But I've never met Ella before today, and I've never heard those lines exactly."

"I have," Reyna sighs. "At least some of them—"

Argentum, Reyna's automaton dog, starts barking when some kids gather around to play with it. Leo hasn't seen Reyna's dogs yet, but Ara wants to take them onto the ship so he can take a look.

"You have a beautiful life," Ara says. "And you built it with hard work, I respect that."

"When we met, you were just an Aphrodite," Reyna smiles a little. "You don't sound like one now, but it shows."

"You should see her when she's with Leo," Annabeth quips.

Reyna turns to her with a raised eyebrow. "The scrawny boy with the curly hair?"

Ara knows what Reyna thinks because it's what most people think. It's what Lily said when she found out: Really? Him? Ara clears her throat. "Anyway..."

"We should move on," Reyna walks forward, and Ara appreciates it.

"We've also met before," Annabeth points out. "You were younger, right?"

"Very good. Percy didn't remember me. Of course you spoke mostly with my older sister Hylla, who is now queen of the Amazons. She left just this morning, before you arrived. At any rate, when we last met, I was a mere handmaiden in the house of Circe."

"We played tag," Ara tilts her head, trying to remember. "You said my teddy bag was cute and I gave you the bag of gummy bears I kept in it. You thought it was funny that I kept gummy bears inside my bear bag."

Reyna smiles openly and Ara feels comforted by it. This teenager had been like her once, a little girl with not much to offer, and her rank had sharpened her edges. Now, Ara is on her way to becoming Reyna, and she doesn't hate what she's seeing.

"Wait," Ara blinks, finally processing what the older girl said. "Your sister is the queen of what?"

Reyna chuckles. "You're a lot like Percy."

This catches Ara off guard. No one ever says that about her—not in a positive way, at least. 

"This is my favorite spot," Reyna announces. "The Garden of Bacchus."

When Ara sees Baccus's statue she lets out a laugh. "You guys got a great involuntary sense of humor..." 

Reyna hums. After a moment, she continues. "I wanted to hear it from you."

"Hear what?" Annabeth asks.

"The truth. Convince me that I'm not making a mistake by trusting you. Tell me about yourself. Tell me about Camp Half-Blood. Your friend Piper has sorcery in her words. I spent enough time with Circe to know charmspeak when I hear it. I can't trust what she says. And Jason... well, he has changed. He seems distant, no longer quite Roman."

Reyna raises a hand to stop Ara before she can argue.

"My dogs determined you're a reliable person, charmspeak and all. You have an honest heart, like your brother, but I brought you here and not him, because you probably know Camp Half-Blood way better than Percy nowadays."

If Ara weren't dating Leo, she'd be crushing on Reyna by now. If the girl keeps complimenting her, Ara's going to apply for Roman citizenship. 

"Well," the girl shares a look with Annabeth. "Where do we start?"

"Guess what!" Nico bounces on his feet. "Something cool happened this morning!"

"You got to ride a pegasus?"

"No!"

"You convinced Percy to play Mythomagic?"

"Better!"

I look around, and that's when I realize my brother isn't by the fountain. He waits there for Annabeth and I before breakfast, even if we don't sit together. Now that our friend is missing, I'm expecting to see him staring at his reflection in the water, sulking or something, but he's not there.

I notice his cabin's door is wide open and my stomach drops. "Where is Percy?"

The young boy smirks. "I helped him sneak out so he could follow Bianca!"

I'm not very strong, but I pull Nico by the neck of his shirt until we're face to face. The sudden action causes him to yelp. 

"Why didn't you wake me?" I whisper in panic.

"H-He told me not to! 'You look after my sister, I look after yours'—I thought it was fair!"

Percy calling me his sister even when I'm not around makes me giddy, but I'm also upset that he's decided to leave me behind without saying a word. It's the first time that he goes on a quest without me, and it stings.

Nico removes himself from my grip, looking guilty. "I wanted to go too, but Percy said I had to stay with you."

I realize I'm not Nico's mentor. I'm just an older version of Nico. We've been left behind by our siblings because they didn't think we were strong enough to keep up with them.

"Does Chiron know?"

"I won't tell on Percy," Nico stands proudly. "I promised I wouldn't."

His devotion to my brother confirms we're the same, so I wrap an arm around his shoulders and guide him to the Athena cabin.

"Alright," I sigh. "It's you and me... That isn't so bad! We'll be a great team. Come on, let's get Lily." 

"If you go to the ancient lands, especially Rome itself, there is something you should know about your mother," Reyna mentions.

Annabeth steps back. "My—my mother?"

"When I lived on Circe's island, we had many visitors. Once, perhaps a year before you and Percy arrived, a young man washed ashore. He was half mad from thirst and heat. He'd been drifting at sea for days. His words didn't make much sense, but he said he was a son of Athena."

"What happened to this demigod?"

"Circe turned him into a guinea pig, of course. He made quite a crazy little rodent. But before that, he kept raving about his failed quest. He claimed that he'd gone to Rome, following the Mark of Athena."

Ara stares at her friend. Annabeth used to confide in her, and now they're both keeping their hands behind their backs, waiting for the other to give the first step. It feels wrong.

"Yes," Reyna continues. "He kept muttering about wisdom's child, the Mark of Athena, and the giants' bane standing pale and gold. The same lines Ella was just reciting. But you say that you've never heard them before today?"

"Not—not the way Ella said them." Annabeth's voice quivers. "Did this demigod—did he explain his quest?"

"At the time, I had no idea what he was talking about. Much later, when I became praetor of Camp Jupiter, I began to suspect."

"Suspect... what?" 

Something explodes behind them, interrupting their conversation. 

"Giants?" Annabeth looks around frantically. "I thought their army was defeated!"

"It isn't the giants," Reyna says tensely. "You've betrayed our trust."

"What? No!"

"Annabeth," Ara turns her around. "The ship!"

The girls run fast to reach the commotion. Ara searches in her pocket and seizes Almighty but she doesn't turn it into a sword yet, she has to try and de-escalate the situation first.

Jason and Piper are fighting side by side. Percy, Frank, and Hazel are all together. Only one person is missing.

"Leo!" Ara hurries to the Argo II. A group of demigods approaches her menacingly, and she uses charmspeak. "Drop your weapons!" 

They obey her at once. Percy shouts her name, so Ara elbows the soldiers out of her way. She arrives at the same time as Annabeth.

"Girls!" Her brother scowls. "What—?"

"I don't know!" Annabeth exclaims mortified.

"I'll tell you what!" Octavian climbs down the rope ladder. "The Greeks have fired on us! Your boy Leo has trained his weapons on Rome!"

Ara rushes past the crowd again, dodging attacks from pretty much all around her. 

"I was just there!" Octavian continues. "I saw it with my own eyes!"

The girl reaches the ladder and jumps, kicking Octavian out of her way. She climbs fast, yelling Leo's name hoping he'll answer. She finds him near the ballista, and he is shooting. 

"Leo, stop!"

The girl doesn't use charmspeak at first, she never uses it on her loved ones, not since Nico. Besides, Leo usually stops when Ara tells him to, but not this time.

"Enough!" Ara grabs him and the boy stumbles back. She cups his face. "Leónidas!"

In his eyes, she sees a flash of something that reminds her of Luke. She moves away from him as soon as it happens. Ara decides to take the ammunition out from the ballista, and that's when the boy reacts. He yanks her back by the cloak, tossing her against the railing.

"Get out of the way," he says numbly.

Ara's on the ground when Percy and Annabeth reach the deck. Percy doesn't hesitate before attacking Leo, tackling him to the ground. Annabeth helps her up. 

"What's wrong with him?"

"I don't know!" Ara gulps, her left side is pulsing. "He's acting weird!"

A dragon lands on deck and drops an unconscious Jason and a stressed-out Piper, then turns into Frank Zhang. Percy drags Leo away. "Girls, get us out of here!"

"Can you stand?" Annabeth asks worryingly.

"'Course I can..." Ara groans, struggling to reach the control board and typing away, then pulling the throttle steadily to glide higher.

The crew stumbles back thanks to the change in speed. Ara tells Annabeth to get her dino bag and then orders Percy to tie Leo to the main mast. She has to know what's going on with him before she can let him walk around freely.

"Thanks," she tells her brother once he's done. "Check on Jason, see if you can help Piper with him."

Percy frowns. "I'm not leaving you alone with—"

"That's an order, Percy!" Ara urges him, still pushing buttons and flipping switches.

She doesn't want to be rude, but if Leo wakes up and sees Percy's glare on him again, he's gonna freak out and it's going to make things harder for her. Annabeth returns with the T-Rex and Percy leaves, though he asks Frank and Annabeth to keep an eye on Leo.

Once she stabilizes the ship, Ara grabs her bag and pulls out her bottle of nectar. She crouches in front of Leo and tilts up his face to pour the liquid down his throat. Leo bends forward coughing and she pushes him back against the mast.

"Easy," she speaks gently. "Easy, Leo... what happened?"

"I... I was having a..." His eyes glide across the deck and realization hits him like a ton of bricks. It wasn't a nightmare.

"Leo," Annabeth crouches next to Ara, but she sounds way less chummy. "What is the last thing you remember?"

Next Chapter ->

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