#not to mention his punching bag status

[laylamva]

Anyone else watch Catch! Teenieping? It’s rated Y and I need to feel less insecure about it.

Also, Gogoping deserves. So much better. From everybody.

[freebooter4ever]

.

[moondirti]

ghoap x nanny! reader / 18+ / previous ft. surveillance. handjobs. voyeurism. mild s/m. dirty talk.

They check up on you when they can.

Price wasn't exaggerating when he doled out the mission details. It's a tough one. Grueling. The type that necessitates four flights a week and days of little to no sleep, the men fuelled on nothing but a snow-balling urgency to get it done. The target is a slippery fuck, with connections that transport him across the globe at the first sign of conflict. They come close to apprehending him only once, and nothing comes of it but the exacerbated threat of nuclear war as the bastard starts to squeak like a cornered mouse. Gaz has a near constant migraine. Soap stops being fun around the two week mark, exhaustion slowing his tongue. Ghost grows more unhinged with his kills, punching blades through the throats of anyone who dares get in their way.

But still, they check on you.

Isla occupies a quarter of their headspace at all times; half when they don't have to dedicate their focus to the operation. It's the longest they've ever spent away from their girl, the withdrawals hitting them like a bag of bricks. They do whatever's necessary, then, to tune into the nanny cams they have set up around the house, lest Johnny cries about the way her hands dimple when she uncurls a fist again. Or worse – before Simon forgets what tethers him to humanity.

They find the two of you are always doing something.

Which isn't a surprise. You had mentioned your background in early childhood education; they just thought that it'd been a device to impress them. But it's clear that you're eager to put your degree to use when they see you setting up yet another enrichment activity for their daughter and encouraging her to engage.

The first time, they had just arrived on base. It'd been five hours since they've seen you last and already, Johnny had pulled his phone to log onto the monitoring app he had installed.

Sure enough, you were in the same overalls they saw you in last, Isla changed into a fresh pair of pyjamas after her bath. You had her set on her play mat, but replaced the dangling toys for newer, more colourful ones. As she reached for them, you would sound out the shade in a high-pitched voice and grin excitedly when she'd babble back, as if aaaah! meant green.

He felt his heart tug something fierce, caught between endearment and unease at missing out, before getting dressed for debrief.

The third time, you let them know you could tell when the nanny cam is in active use. Not accusatorially, of course – it unfolded in a way too innocent to be anything but a whammy on their part.

They were in a humvee on exfil after being ambushed by the local army – soldiers with blood money lining their pockets, tasked with dispatching the bloodhounds that keep sniffing their patron's trail. Simon had watched a little boy get caught in the crossfire and decided it was imperative to check if Isla was okay, despite her being hundreds of miles away and off anyone's radar.

You're the first thing he saw, carrying the weight of a huge plastic storage container filled with water. In it, there were several rubber animals that inspired a fit of squeals somewhere off screen. You had laughed, a little out of breath, and he remembers the relief that flooded his chest at the dual sounds. Like the cold lick of waves across scorching sand.

As you'd passed by the camera, you stopped and crouched so your face would be in view.

"Isla likes splashing around in the water. I'm thinking of getting her a paddling pool." And you lifted the container as if you would ever need to justify the way you take of their daughter. "Hope you guys are well."

Johnny murmured from beside him. "Forgot aboot th' status light."

The seventh– ninth– maybe twelfth time (having lost count), it was just in time to catch you on your way out with Isla in tow.

They'd tuckered down in a shitty motel, awaiting the next word from Laswell, all four of them in one room. Gaz had been given the bed as consolation for the torn tendon in his knee, and Price had claimed the couch with nothing more than a growl about his back needing it. Thus, Ghost and Soap found themselves on the floor, the latter man tucked under his partner's arm, the other occupied with checking in on the porch feed. The time difference made it so that it was midday where you were.

You were dressed – and Simon recalls it as clearly as the day you met – in a green wrap skirt and tulip hat, their darling girl in a shade of pink that complimented its petals, sat on your hip as you struggled with her buggy. They forgot to give you the run down on unfolding it before they left, too overwhelmed with everything else to pay mind to the little things.

Johnny had jumped for the two-way talk function immediately, tapping on the little mic before clearing his throat.

"There's a latch under th' left arm. Flip it 'n' it shuid unfold automatically."

You jumped, pausing to face the porch cam with wide eyes. "Oh– Oh my god. Haha," Following his directions, you were able to get it open with little fuss. "that is so embarrassing. Pretend you never saw that."

Simon had his balaclava on, uncomfortable with going bare-faced in an unfamiliar room, but Johnny still felt the soft smile splitting his cheeks. Its warmth was unmistakable.

"Nonsense, lass. 'twas cute."

You bloomed at that, wiggling a little in place. Though the flustered moment hadn't lasted long, for Isla's mouth fell open at the recognition of her father's voice, chubby hand reaching out in its direction.

"Bldha! Pffffpp."

"That's right, baby! That's Da." You waddled closer to have her inspect the strange contraption hooked above their mailbox, turning your attention back to them. "We're going on a narration walk! Isla's gotten so good at recognising animals because of them. But it was so nice to hear from you. Isn't that right, sweetheart?"

"Gah!"

Simon locked the phone when neither of them could muster a response, emotion rushing their throats like white-river rapids. Hot tears seep into his side, a pair of misty eyes buried in his ribs.

"I know. I know, Johnny. S'alright. We'll see 'er again soon."

Now, he's made good on his promise.

All three rogue missiles located and dismantled in record time, meaning their slimy target could no longer use them as a shield. He'd been in shackles within the next day, wrangled somewhere in Istanbul and shipped off to a maximum security prison in The Hague. The task force left no loose thread untugged, which took an extra day but will be worth it in the long run. Price promises to reward them with a round, on him.

They're on their way back to base when Johnny tunes in a final time.

He's sure that Isla is asleep by now, confirmed by the baby monitor that focuses on the sprawled form in her cot. It would be best to exit the app and doze off like the other men – lord knows he needs it – but he can't help the itch to look for you too. To click through every channel, his curiosity unquenched, until–

Ah. There.

On the couch, bare legs stretched out along its length. A throw blanket tangled between them, one bent at the knee to support the book you're currently fingering through. The sight alone is enough to make him salivate.

But then he notices the thin material of your top.

Practically translucent. No doubt made for bed. You aren't wearing a bra, either, and the darker shade of your nipples practically flaunts itself through the fabric. They're too soft to protrude and cast a shadow on your breasts, but he's still able to get a good impression of what you would look like nude. Some part of him wilts with guilt at the shameless voyeurism he's subjecting you to.

Another part sends blood to the weight between his legs.

"Bleedin' Christ."

"Hm?" Simon grunts, disturbed by the restless pace of Johnny's heart. His head lifts off his shoulder, blinking warily to clear the silky gossamer of sleep threading his eyelids, before focusing on the grainy footage on his partner's screen.

"Ghost." He whines, hips bucking in desperation when the larger man does nothing. They haven't had the chance to relieve themselves since that night at the motel, and even then it had been a messy frotting as they tried not to disturb their sleeping comrades.

"A'right. Off to the bathroom with you, then."

He doesn't turn off of the live feed even as they cram into the compact space. Though he should. He needs to. Not because you're aware of their surveillance – you're far too engrossed in your book to pay mind to the blinking red light on the nanny cam. But because only depraved men gets off to unsuspecting hens, especially the ones they hired in good faith to take care of their child while they're away.

It's a dirty, dirty thrill that roars through him as Simon wraps an arm around his waist, palming his hard-on through his trousers. And it's a dirty thrill he wants no part of.

"Practically leakin' in your pants, boy. First time you see a pair of tits?" In the small mirror before him, he watches his pants get pulled down past his ass, underwear stained a deeper swatch of blue where his tip spits prespend.

It might as well be the first time, way he's humping Simon's hand like an over-eager mutt. Though he can't manage to choke it out through the rough groans pressing his vocal chords. Instead, what escapes him is a pathetic mess of trembling letters. "S'not... fookin, not– not–"

"Shhh, it's okay. She's jus' so pretty, yeah? Can't help but chub up and beg me to rub your aching cock, wishing it was her darlin' hand wrapped 'round you instead. I know."

"Nn, nae, Sim- Si– I wouid never... Ah!"

It's dry. A little raw. He makes no effort to lube his calloused palm to help it glide easier along Johnny's length, but he knows his boy better than he knows himself sometimes. That he needs pain when he's doing something bad like this, or else he'll lose himself to the guilt. A little bit of penance for the Catholic.

"Don' lie to me. Y'can't. But tha's alright," He pulls the foreskin off the head of his uncut mass, kneading a bit into his frenulum to watch the way white oozes against red. "I think about it too."

"A-Aye?"

"Hm. Think 'bout ya swallowing my cock while I sit 'er on my face. Bet she tastes sweet, like nectar. Jus' look at the thing." Which he does. You're seated a bit differently than you had been before. Less liberal. Wound up tight, with your nose buried in your book and your toes curled beneath your feet. Surely captured by some tense plot line or the other. "Would make you clean her cunt after I pump 'er full. Or vice versa, if she's into tha'."

"Yer a-aff yer heid... Fuck, I cannae–"

"That's it, Johnny. Let go, boy." Simon's strokes keep at the top, tugging in short, rough movements over the phone. The blanket now covers you fully, but it's no matter. The image of your breasts are now seared into both their minds, an array of fantasies unfurling before them, each nastier than the last. "Jus' like that."

Thick ropes of cum streak over the screen and sink countertop. It's weeks worth of pent up frustration, a culmination of despair and desire as a stuttered moan claws up Johnny's throat. The hand leaves his cock only when he starts shooting blanks, clenching tight at the overstimulation.

Simon makes him lick the mess off his palm.

(And unbeknownst to them, they'd hit the mic on their way to the bathroom.

You'd heard the whole thing.)

[basketonthedoorstepofthefbi]

"burden" - aaron hotchner x fem!reader

you comfort aaron after a particularly tough case

cw: canonical violence, brief mentions of a child's death (no details), sad hotch, hurt/comfort but you're the one doing the comforting

wc: 1.2k

You moved in with your boyfriend, Aaron, about a year ago, and yet, your routine remained fairly independent of him. You woke up in the same bed sometimes, but most of the time, he was away on a case. You always missed the warmth and protection he provided, but you understood that his job was important. You never wanted to get in the way of that. 

You come home from work that afternoon, surprised to see Aaron’s car in its parking spot. Last time you checked in, he wasn’t going to be home until tomorrow. 

You’re eagerly bounding up the steps to your floor, unlocking the door in a swift movement and grinning to see him on the sofa. 

Your grin falls when you see the expression on his face. 

Crestfallen might be the most appropriate description. Heartbroken would also be apt. 

You punch in the code for the security system, and lock the door hastily. You drop your bag by the door and are at his side in an instant, perching yourself next to him on the sofa. He’s got this far-off look in his eyes, and they’re red and puffy. He’s been crying? 

“Aaron?” You speak delicately to announce your arrival, feeling your stomach roller-coaster drop and a massive lump materialize in your throat. You tuck your foot under your rear and touch his shoulder gently. 

Aaron’s next inhale is shaky. His eyelids flutter and he looks at you, finally, like he's just now realized you're there, and shakes his head softly, subtly, numbly. “We lost a child,” he says. His voice is low and raspy, crackling as if someone is snapping ten glow sticks at once. 

Your lips form a straight line, and you press your hands into his shoulder. “Aaron,” you breathe out, tugging his shoulder a little, willing him to let you hold him. He doesn’t budge, so instead you rub his shoulder with your hand, perhaps a little awkwardly. But you are desperate to comfort him somehow, to make it all go away. 

“He’s Jack’s age - he was Jack’s age,” Aaron explains. He leans forward, cradling his face in his hands. “And we caught the guy, but we were too late to save the boy. Logan.” 

You don’t know what to say, so you stay silent, moving your hand to rub the vast plain between Aaron’s shoulders. “I kept it together at the police station,” Aaron continues. He never talks about work this much. You hate the reason why, but you feel honored that he is revealing all of this to you. 

You have a VIP membership to all of Aaron, whereas everyone else just gets that put-together, statue-esque version of him. The marble cracks when he finally finds a moment of respite around you. “On the plane, I kept it together. And I usually go straight into my office after we land. I usually get my reports done before I come home.” 

“Yeah,” you whisper, so he knows you’re actively listening. Your hand travels up to the nape of his neck, and you press your thumb into the fatty tissue there. You swipe your thumb across his hairline. 

“I couldn’t do it this time. I needed a moment of relief. Longer than a moment, I guess. I got in my car and I drove straight here.” Aaron continues. He doesn’t usually talk this long. But you let him get it all out. Sometimes rambling and spewing every thought in one’s head is the best way to get all of the hurt out. 

“How long have you been home?” You ask. Your eyes travel to the glass tumbler on the coffee table, with a brown ring around the bottom. Whiskey. 

“Maybe an hour,” Aaron guesses, his hands still blanketing his face. You gently push his shoulder so he’ll lean back against the sofa, and he does. You see now that he has started to cry again. His hands drop to his side.

He refuses to look at you, but you grab his chin with your thumb and your forefinger, tilting his head so he has to. Tears glisten those obsidian eyes like miniature diamonds. “I’m sure you and the team did everything you could,” you say. Aaron nods. He’s heard this before. You know he has, but you thought maybe saying it again wouldn’t hurt. 

“Yeah,” he croaks. You are genuinely at a loss for words. 

You want to offer solutions, distractions, anything, but you know it would only act as a band-aid for the situation. There is no solving something like this. Helplessness washes over you like a crushing tidal wave. Watching him crumble like this makes your stomach ache. 

He closes his eyes, leaning his head back defeated against the couch cushion. You watch a few silent tears fall down his cheeks. Your thumb swipes one away. It hurts to see him like this - so sad and numbed and broken. He’s your honey, he’s your rock, your superhero, and it humanizes him in a way you can’t stand. 

You know that if the positions were reversed, Aaron would be doing whatever he could, somehow riding that line perfectly of being attentive without coddling. So you pull yourself together with one deep breath and stand from the couch. Your hand extends to Aaron’s and he looks up at you with a confused expression. “Let me give you a proper hug, Aaron,” you debate calling him a pet name - angel or honey usually roll off your tongue like a second language, but this moment feels too heavy. 

He nods like he agrees and takes your hand. You haul him to his feet and envelope him into your arms. You wish you were larger than him at this moment, that you could cover him with your entire body and he wouldn’t have to feel anything else. 

Instead, Aaron hunches down a little so you can wrap your arms around him. His head buries into the crook of your neck, his hands at your waist, and he’s shaking as he pulls you so impossibly close you think he’s trying to absorb your body into his. 

Giving him the space to purge his emotions seems to help, and you embrace him like that for a long moment. It should be illegal for this wonderful man to feel so terrible, to be so ridden with guilt. After everything that has happened with his ex-wife, with the members of his team. You know Aaron carries it all on his shoulders. 

You want so badly to rip it all away from him. 

Like coaxing a stray puppy from the rain, you guide your boyfriend through the apartment. You take a shower with him - a slow, intimate act where you do most, if not all, of the work. After, when you’re running the towel through his hair, he’s still hanging his head, but the tears have finally stopped. “Thank you,” he rasps tiredly. 

“I can’t make it go away,” you sniffle a bit. You’ve been crying this whole time, yourself. “I want to, so badly.” 

“It’s not your burden to carry,” Aaron insists, and you freeze. The towel over your hands cups his cheeks and you make him look at you. 

“Actually, that’s where you’re wrong,” you correct him. “It’s not your burden to carry alone.”

[bubbles-for-all-of-us]

Always have but never hold

Previous chapter / Last chapter

a/n I welcome you to part nine. I just hope y'all will enjoy it! Thoughts are always welcome! It blows my mind that so many of you are still here reading these scribbles. 🫧🤍

warning: addiction, alcohol consumption, pill consumption, forced behavior, forced sexual behavior, panic attacks.

Parts in cursive are memories

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

16h prior

A bowl of popcorn was long forgotten as you dozed off on Luca's shoulder. A random show was still playing in the background. Filling the space with muffled voices that, since you were so sleepy, felt more like a fluffy cloud that soothed you, pulling you deeper into slumber. And you probably would have spent the night there like that. All curled up beside him. Tired from all the emotions. From all the crying and socializing. You had joined Sydney in her ventures around Chicago for a bit when Carmy stood her up. You kept on telling yourself that it was good to get out of the rental apartment. To try to think about something else. Watch your friend get excited about the smallest of things. But those things also drained you these days. Emotions, no matter what kind they were. All seemed too much. Asking and dampening so much of you.

It was the buzzer that made you stir. For a moment, you were convinced that you had just imagined it. Dreamed it. Until it pierced through the silence again. Followed by a light knocking. You frowned. Lifting your head from Luca's chest, who didn't seem to stir at the commotion outside of the apartment, you made your way toward the door while still rubbing your eyes. Was looking through a peephole something you should have done? Especially in Chicago? Yes, and yes. But you didn't, and when you saw who was standing there, all the sleepiness washed away.

"What are you doing here?", you managed to mutter. Standing still as a statue as you glanced up at the person in front of you. "I... Hi... Look, I just had to come and... and speak to you", you shifted uncomfortably. Unsure of what you wanted to do. Slam the door shut, or stand there and listen. The silence was heavy as you crossed your arms over your chest. Mentioning for the person to go on.

"Just... how have you been?", you let out a laugh in disbelief. "Are you seriously asking me that, Richie?", you huffed. He shook his head. "I want you to know that I didn't mean it all back then, okay? I even called you that night to apologize and...", Richie stated quickly while running his fingers through his short hair. His beard was scruffy; he most definitely hasn't tended to it in a while.

"And what? You all hated me the moment I walked through the family house door. All collectively decided to make me your punching bag", you snarled at him, choosing to ignore the tired bags under his eyes. "Look, shit was hard when Mikey died", Richie noted as if you didn't know that yourself. "Oh really? I didn't seem to notice that", you sassed back at him, making him clench his jaw. You saw him fighting his emotions, and yes, this was such a big step that he had even chosen to come here, but you weren't going to just let him brush over it. "I love that kid so much, and... I was so angry that he left. Lived there somewhere and was away from all of this", Richie said once again. "We were suffering in this shithole, and he had it good for himself there".

"Did you ever stooped to think that Carmen thought about you all constantly? That he had been running plans on how to improve the restaurant? Just because he wanted Mikey and all of you happy?", your own emotions rushed out. Something that has sat on your chest for so long now. Something that you knew Carmen would never say out loud, no matter how much you bubbled inside. Richie fell silent, yet you could see the specks of guilt in his eyes when your words truly sank in.

"What do you want, Richie?", you huffed after a moment. He hesitated. Fidgeting in his spot before he breathed out, "I called Claire. I told her where cousin was going so she could bump into him, told her to... She knew about you". Your stomach twisted. Your skin felt clammy as that familiar feeling of anxiety twisted around your body. "I don't know what I was thinking", he breathed out. "How about you weren't thinking?", you bit back, stepping closer to him. A part of you wanted to slap him. Shove him, at least. Hit his chest. "Want to know a fun story, Richie? My ex cheated on me after dragging me through shit for many, MANY months. So you know how this made me feel?", you felt angry tears building up in the corner of your eyes, "Like I was back at that shithole once again".

Richie's face paled. The emotions on his features were hard to read. There were glimpses of guilt, anger, frustration, sadness, and dread. "I'm sorry; I never wanted to hurt you", he mumbled barely audibly, "I wasn't thinking. I just... I'm sorry". But you shook your head, "It's not that simple, Richie; it's just not all that simple".

Present time

You second-guessed your choice to come here more than once. You barely got any sleep after Richie left. Tossing and turning. Your brain was so full of everything that you started to see your thoughts instead of just hearing them. And honestly, screw people who say that thinking at night is not something that you should do because then do you get the best ideas at night then? Come to the biggest realizations at the oddest hours? When the world around you is asleep or just waking up. When it's just you and nothing else matters. And then, if you hadn't stayed up, would you have chosen to come here anyway? Choose to let the pain of the past slip through your fingers. Chosen to awaken the demon that you had put to sleep a long while ago.

You twisted your skin around your finger. The place where your most precious ring usually lies—one that you have forgotten to take and felt naked ever since. Missing the light blue and green stones that covered the band. The stones that always reminded you of Carmen's eyes. Eyes that you had fallen for so quickly. You missed them. More than missed them. Until you caught a glimpse of them right in the back seat. Big and scared eyes looking at you. Confused and searching. He was here. And he saw you. For some reason, you told yourself that he wasn't going to come. Maybe he had stopped coming here after all. It's been weeks since Carmen told you that he had finally started coming here to talk. Maybe he no longer needed this? But he was here, and he was looking right at you, and even if you wanted to, you couldn't drop his gaze.

"I was young and naive. My parents had died in a car accident, and... I just had Luca and his parents, who were the sweet family that baked shortcakes for the whole street on Sundays", you let out a breathy chuckle. "I felt as if they were forced to love me, so I was so desperate to find someone. Fall in love. Know what it felt like to be loved without obligations once again". You watched as Carmen gripped the chair in front of him. Even from where you sat, you could see his knuckles turning white from the share force he was holding on.

"It was all pretty sweet until... devil drops and pills got involved. He changed in the blink of an eye", you snapped your finger in front of your face. "First it was words; they grew louder and louder. Then came the shoves and forceful touches, cheating". A breath hitched in the back of your throat, and you let yourself close your eyes for just a moment. "I would have stayed. I didn't know how to leave. How to fight for myself", each word you spoke cut straight through Carmen. He felt stupid for not noticing. Brushing away the way you escaped his touches at the beginning. How your skin would react. And then how restless you seemed until you were in his arms. Until he was touching you in some way. At first, he didn't understand why it was important for you to feel him around; he thought you just enjoyed physical touch, but now... Now Carmen knew that this ran way deeper. Through scared valleys of pain. "And if not for Luca, my guardian angel, I don't think I would be here today", you met Carmen's eyes one more time before taking a deep breath.

The room was spinning. The shapes on the wallpaper were dancing as you stared ahead of yourself. Eyes so dazed and so unbelievably heavy. You felt so thirsty, but the thought of moving was simply unbearable. It felt as if someone was kissing your skin, but the sensation felt so far away that you might have just imagined it. And then all of those noises. There was no way you could distinguish between them. But they sure were irritating you.

You manage to pull yourself up. Only now realizing that you had been sprawled out on the bed with nothing but your bra and your skirt on. You frowned, but that was quickly replaced by the wave of nausea that rippled through you. You reached for your phone, leaning onto the walls as you stumble out of the room. You know this place. The doors. It was Ezra's apartment. You tried to remember how you had gotten here, but your mind seemed empty. Nothing—not a scratch at what had happened. There seemed to be no memories of you doing anything after you got into his car.

Things had been weird ever since you caught Ezra cheating last week. You had broken up but gotten back together the next day because he called you crying on the phone about how he didn't want to do life if you weren't with him. So you came back. You hadn't even told Luca about it, well aware that he would not approve. You hadn't even realized that you had followed the noises from the living room. Rounding the corner to see... Just what you had seen last time around, Libby, the saver, and Ezra deep inside her. You didn't remember how you ended up in the bathroom. Hands shaky as you called Luca. Slurring your words as you cried.

"I don't remember much now. The pills made sure of that, but... Luca had to get stitches", your finger ran over your eyebrow. "Ezra tried following us and shit. The police got involved", you said, shaking your head at the distant memory. There were so many times you wished you could just forget. Take all of these memories and burn them. "He overdosed a couple of weeks later, and I felt responsible for it. I think I'll always will". That had become your biggest fear. Losing someone once more because of your actions. Sure, situations with Ezra were different. You were the victim, and as Luca had told you many times, if you had stayed, it would have been you six feet under instead. So you drowned out those voices until Carmy came around, and the fear of losing him started to grow. Then Micky died, and you watched Carmen fall apart. A cold shiver ran down your back.

"I don't talk about my experience. I guess... because... taking makes it real, and I just wish I could forget about it", you finally admit, lifting your gaze to meet Carmen's eyes. "That always felt like my biggest flaw. The reason why people might not want to... love me". The room fell silent. Empty even as you let yourself dive headfirst into the depths of Carmen's eyes. A part of you hoped he would be really angry. Storm off. Curse you out in front of everyone. But he didn't. You could see his own eyes glistening slightly as he muttered something you couldn't miss, "I love you". You bit the inside of your cheeks quickly. Trying to keep your emotions at bay. Not wanting to cry in front of everyone. It was probably silly considering that you just shared parts of your past that still bleed. "Thank you for sharing, Y/N.", the moderator touched your shoulder gently, offering you a tissue. You only nodded at her. Flashing her somewhat of a smile as you stood up, returning to your chair.

Carmen watched every move you made. The way your body was shaking ever so slightly. He watched the way you rubbed your hands together before quickly reaching for your bag and getting up. Carmen, let you pass him. He didn't move. Waiting. Hoping that you would stop beside him. But you didn't; you walked right out. And Carmy just sat there. Feeling the light scent of your perfume. The warmth of it brought him so much comfort. He never thought there was a way to remember someone, even the smallest parts of them, with just a scent. But here he was, and he was dazed. But then, as if his own body had been fed up with him, Carmen shot up as he too headed towards the door. He wasn't sure what he was going to say or do, but he had watched you walk away from him way too many times. He couldn't take it anymore. Simply couldn't. His whole body was screaming at him to do whatever it took to get you back. "Y/N!", he shouted as he saw your figure walking down the street quickly. You didn't turn around, so Carmy picked up his speed, shouting your name as he went.

And then you halted. Letting people bump into you as they rushed past, Carmy frowned as he pushed through toward you. "Hey", he said softly, touching your shoulder only to be met with a broken inhale. That's when he noticed the tears. The tremble. Your hand was on your chest as you tried to breathe in, but it seemed like your lungs were working against you. Carmen looked around quickly, spotting a side alleyway only a couple of steps away. He knew that a busy street full of people wasn't helping the case. So he dragged you to the side, earning a couple of strange looks his way, but ignored them completely.

Your hands were over your face as you sobbed quietly. Trying to fight the panic that flooded your body with crippling anxiety. "Do you want to sit down?", Carmen's voice filled your ears through the drumming of your heart. Your knees bucked in response before you could even nod your head. Camren was quick to catch you, wrapping an arm around you. "Hold onto my waist for a bit", he muttered, before trying to pull off his jacket without having you fall. He dropped it to the ground, not wanting you to sit on the filthy road, plus it was cold. Your nails grazed his skin, even through his shirt, as he carefully helped you settle.

Carmen watched you do the same breathing exercises you had taught him. His head was a mess as he tried to remember how you usually handled this. How you took care of him so he could do the same? He reached for your hands, pushing one against his chest, right over his heart, and the other closer to his lips. Before resting his forehead against yours, "You're doing great, love; keep the exhales longer", he muttered. He watched as you fought your tight chest. How you gasped for air, and the panic set inside him. What if he couldn't help you? What if he was doing the opposite? But then you're pulling yourself into his arms, head deep into the crook of his neck. Just like he had pulled you closer to him back in the restaurant. Desperate. In need. And just like then, your two bodies molded together just perfectly. Knowing what each of you needed. Knowing how to hold. To keep. To soothe.

"I'm sorry... I'm", you muttered against his neck. "You haven't done anything to feel sorry for", Carmen reassured you quickly, brushing his fingers through your hair softly as you clung to him. "I should have...", you started once more, but Carmen wasn't having it. Pulling away slightly, he cupped your face, "You breathe for now; that's all that matters."

Your eyes fall on the chain dangling around his neck. Fingers reaching to pull it from beneath his shit, watching the ring he threaded through the metal chain glistening in the midday sun. "You want it back?", Carmen asked, making you look up at him. And in a way, he knew that he was pushing his luck with a question like that. Maybe it was even inappropriate in a way. Because it was not just any ring. Not just any birthday gift. Carmen gifted that to you after the first bumpy patch you two had in New York. Long weeks with barely seeing one another. Bickering over nothing.

"Just open it", he had said back then. A bottle of rose on the side table as you two lay practically on one another in the living room. Carmen had made dinner, and you had offered to make some chocolate souffle. Watching him slip off the sofa and sink to one knee had you staring at him wide-eyed. "Carm...", you had managed to crock out. "Don't worry, I'm not proposing just... This is a promise ring", he breathed out quickly, "I want to do better. I want to only make you happy".

The memory made Carmen's chest heavy. Especially with the amount of pain you two have been through the last couple of months. "Come on, give me your hand", it's barely a whisper but all you can do is watch as he unclasped his chain, sliding the ring back onto your trembling hand. You instantly started twisting the band around your finger. Feeling a wave of calm rushing through you. As if someone had given you an oxygen mask. Carmen just watched you. Still lost in your head but grounded by a piece of him. His fingers slowly ran up and down your arms and back as he tried to soothe you.

"You're feeling better?", Carmen asked once the shaking died down and your grip on him eased. You only managed to nod your head. Attacks like that left you powerless. Weak. And tired. Carmen knew that as well. Carefully, he brushed away the last tears, still dampening your cheeks. "You did great back there", his words made your heart skip a beat as you offered him a burnt-out smile, "Come on before you turn into a fucking ice cube".

Carmen was almost done making some veggie soup when your phone started to ring. At first, he wanted to ignore it. Let it ring out, because now he just didn't feel entitled to pick up and answer. Yes, you came back to the apartment with him, but he knew this meant nothing. Now he was well aware that it meant nothing. You two still needed to talk. And even if Carmen wished you two could just pick up right where you've been before everything crumbled... A fool's dream. Just the ringing didn't stop, and with you asleep just a door away, Carmen reached for your coat pocket.

Luca. Of course, he thought. Who else would it be? A pang of jealousy rushed through Carmy. He quickly silenced it. Just watching the screen. Waiting for the call to die down. And then he did a rash thing as he pressed the green button, "Hello". The other side of the line was dead silent. Carmen even pulled the phone back to make sure that he had indeed answered. "What the fuck are you doing with her phone?", the words burst through the silence harshly. "She... came back with me after a meeting", he hated that he sounded like a little boy. There was almost no confidence in his voice. A part of Carmen waited for Luca to shout at him. Call him names. But all he heard was a sigh, "Just... She's fragile, Carmen. I know shit's been tough for you too, but if you love her...", for some reason, that pulled something in Carmen as he said, "Of course, I love her", "So be honest with her because you might not get another chance." Carmen nodded his head subconsciously. Knowing well that Luca was right.

"So... who's speaking first", you two sat in the living room. You had woken up about an hour ago with a beating headache in your head. Yet seeing the familiar sheets and decor around you helped in a way. But then realization struck. You were back. Back in the place you were meant to turn into a home, with Carmy in the other room. You let yourself just sit there for a while until you stepped out to find him. He sat on the sofa, head in his hands. Where has this taken you? It pained you to see how torn apart you two were. How much has changed?

"I'm the one who's in the wrong", Carmen said calmly, staring ahead of himself, "I never wanted to hurt you. I don't recognize myself looking back". A deep exhale slipped past his lips, "I would never cheat on you. I would never hurt you in that way. That whole Claire thing was shit". You let out a little chuckle, shaking your head, "It didn't look like shit. She has feelings for you, I can see it", "Does it look to you like I give a shit that she feels something for me?", Carmen turned to you quickly, but you didn't look his way.

"Look me in the eyes; look, love", he said, pressing his fingers against your chin and turning your head towards him, "Eyes don't lie. Remember, you told me that". Your eyes flickered up at his. Your bottom lip quivered. You hoped to find sparks of lies there. But there was nothing but truly sorry-looking eyes. "I met with her three times. The night in the grocery store, then at the party full of old people from school, and we sat and talked in the car once", Carmen said. "But why didn't you come and tell me? Tell me that you met her in the store and stuff?", you huffed, pulling away from his touch. "That's what leaves a bitter taste, Carmen. You did it all behind my back", you didn't want this to turn into a full-blown fight, but you could feel the frustration building up inside you.

"I... I don't have a reason why", Carmen's words cut you deep once more. You just gazed at him. Trying to make sense of this situation. "Let me ask you something else", you clicked your tongue, "Did I cross your mind at least once while you were with her?". Carmen opened his mouth but closed it almost immediately. You let out a diflated huf, "Let me answer that for you—you didn't".

You turned away from him. Truly, what were you doing? Why were you here? It wasn't going to lead anywhere. Your eyes scanned all of your stuff that lay all around the place. Looking at you. Staring at you. But before you could even take a step, Carmen practically sobbed, "I'm sick in the head, okay? I don't know my emotions. There are times when I have to tell myself that the sky is not going to fall on me", his voice seeped deep into you. And as much as you wanted to get out, you couldn't bring yourself to go. "But I'm seeing two doctors. I take meds. I want to get better. I want to make this better", his voice cracked, and you felt him right behind you. "Let me be better for you, please", Carmen touched your hands softly, hoping you would turn around to face him. Hoping to see your eyes. To know. Was there at least a sliver of hope?

"What about me? I wasn't honest either. Doesn't that make you angry?", you turned to face him, "There was someone before you, Carmen", but he just shook his head, "Someone who hurt you. He didn't love you the way I love you, and I doubt you truly felt love for him", those words were your undoing, as you quickly clasped your hand over your mouth to silence a cry. "Let me make it better,", Carmen pleaded, intertwining his hands with yours, "I'm not asking you to drop it all and forgive me. Just give me a chance". You let yourself lean against him, closing your eyes and allowing the silent tears to fall.

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

Taglist: @nishinoyahhh @thewulf @shewasthelimit @chatitajens @azxulaa @hidingfromtex @randomhoex @hopplessdreamer @lostinheavensworld @jackierose902109 @gallaghrh @gabbycoady13 @harrysmatcha @lovejoyenjoyer @infinitelycharmed23 @royalestrellas @hanula18 @thoughtfulmoonchild911 @buckys-winter-child @arieltwvdtohamflash @simsiddy @yezzyyae @hidingfromtex @rooster-bradshaws @simonsaysyasss @hannahmmarie2016 @ladygrey03 @kyushii @smoooore @domaniquessidehoe @shinebright2000

[cheriden]

˙ . ˚ ₊ 「 not friends 」 ꜝꜝ

“I would never bring a date here. They’d look at you and think bad things.” The panic over a hypothetical situation is evident on your face, and Beomgyu smirks. “Like we’re dating?” Your eyes widen in what seems to be horror, a dramatic gasp leaving you. “No! That we’re friends!” Beomgyu stares at you blankly, and Soobin shifts uncomfortably on the stool. “Uh, I actually thought you guys were dating.”

── synopsis 。beomgyu's a bit bothered by your relationship development with soobin

pairing 。roommate!beomgyu × reader, brief soobin x reader

.ᐟ genre 。fluff

.ᐟ tags 。miscommunication, love confession, arguing, roommates (apartment-mates?), beomgyu is kind of annoying, mc is kind of a bitch, soobin is just there.

.ᐟ status & word count 。oneshot | 2.37k | masterlist

.ᐟ warnings/notes 。as always i did not proofread. reader has no assigned sex/gender

You’re hungry. Pressing your ear against the door, you try to feel for the sound of your roommate and whoever he brought over, mentally shushing the growls erupting from your stomach. You hear heavy laughter—a laughter you know at heart to be his best friend’s, and though you’d never admit it to anyone, your small happy crush. You glance at the mirror and take yourself in—you’re a mess. You shouldn’t even contemplate seeing him like this, scurrying over to your desk to clean yourself up. Maybe it’s a bit excessive, a bit too try-hard just to get something out of the fridge and a quick hey from him. For one, you weren’t even sure he’d stop to look at you. Two, you were almost certain you would just eat in your room anyway. But what’s done is done, taking a deep breath before walking into the living room.

“Hey Soobin.” You greet meekly, and your roommate scoffs at your demeanor, watching you shuffle quietly into the cramped kitchen counter. He pauses whatever he’s doing and turns to you, smiling brightly as he greets you back. “Hey. Didn’t know you’d be home today. Beomgyu told me you’d be out.” You glare at the mentioned boy slightly, before returning to Soobin with a smile. “Oh no, today’s reading day. I’ve just been holed up in my room finishing homework.” The older gets up the couch and walks over to you, sitting on the chair opposite to yours. “Beomgyu should’ve told me! I wouldn’t have come over if I knew you were studying.” You were about to tell him he’s welcome any time, but decided against it—too clingy. “Oh, you’re no bother. I was about done for today anyway.” A straight up lie. Your mind barely registers the choice of letting the other stay or going back to your modules. Beomgyu knows this, and has been hearing you bitch about it for days. He saunters into the seat beside his friend, narrowing his eyes at you. “All this goblin does is lock itself in its room and read. This is good exposure.” Faking a punch at him, you signal for him to back off with your eyes. If he receives it, he doesn’t follow. “I’ve never actually seen you have people over, no friends?” The taller laughs awkwardly, “Beomgyu—” You raise a hand at him. “No, Soobin, it’s fine. I just don’t want my friends meeting somebody like you.” Beomgyu laughs sarcastically, leaning over the counter. “I’m a gift. Just admit you don’t have a social life,” He pauses, whispering into the other’s ear, “or a love life.”

You separate the two, “I don’t—I mean, I would never bring a date here. They’d look at you and think bad things.” The panic over a hypothetical situation is evident on your face, and Beomgyu smirks. “Like we’re dating?” Your eyes widen in what seems to be horror, a dramatic gasp leaving you. “No! That we’re friends!” Beomgyu stares at you blankly, and Soobin shifts uncomfortably on the stool. “Uh, I actually thought you guys were dating.”

Beomgyu sighs, passing the other his bag. “Okay, I think you should get going right? Say bye to my cave-dwelling roommate, we’re heading out.” The taller is dragged through the front door, waving at you. He barely gets to say bye when the door slams shut, leaving you alone in the apartment.

Maybe you were too harsh. You’ve had great times with Beomgyu, and have always taken care of each other when it’s needed. You make each other meals and tolerate each other enough to be around one another, and are really good together when you aren’t fighting. It’s just that over the past few months, Beomgyu hasn’t been respecting your body clock, eating and making noise at the most ungodly hours of the night. Normally you wouldn’t mind, but this term has been hell enough—you don’t need the extra distraction. He also has the problem of bringing home whoever he pleases without consulting you. It was a bit jarring the first time it happened, stepping out of the shower nearly naked to a bunch of his friends in the living room. Thankfully, none of them saw you, but it still made you feel like a good chunk of your life had been reduced. He just does whatever he does whenever he pleases.

Which brings you to the small party he throws after his department finishes up their finals. He asked you around this time, of course he did if he was gonna make such a ruckus. He had the courtesy of pulling you out of your room and introducing you to what you believe is half of his class, a smile and a half-assed greeting on your end at every turn.

Around the two hour mark, you find yourself bored propped against the fridge, unable to relate to any of the happenings around you. Soobin taps your shoulder and you move, watching him pull out two beers. “You look tired.” Is all he says, handing one of them your way. “Very nice of you to offer me a drink in my own house.” You joke, clinking your can against his. “I’m a gentleman.” He smiles, taking a sip. “Looks like your roommate’s been showing you off to his friends.” The corners of your mouth lift a little as you shrug. “I’m just that great of a person.” “You’re the only one who hangs out with him outside his program.” He exaggerates. You laugh. “I guess, though we’re roommates.” He nods, “I guess.” There’s a lull in the conversation, as the both of you lean back to watch the rowdy group go mad at something, you’re not entirely sure anymore. “This party is lame.” Soobin grins slightly at your words, gazing at the rim of his drink. “Yeah?” Replying, you look up to him. “Beomgyu invited all the loud people, it kind of just makes my head hurt.” You take a sip out of the can. “And this beer is like, stale.” You look out into the living room, focusing on nothing in particular. “I have something stronger in my room, if you want to check it out.” The realization of how suggestive your wording is catches you both. You shake your head frantically at him. “I was referring to alcohol.”

Beomgyu’s head hurts. He’s not usually one to blackout like this, especially not at his own party, and looks around the apartment for any sign of life. He catches one of his friends in the kitchen throwing solo cups away, stopping once he sees the brunette settle on the counter. “I sent everyone home an hour ago.” Beomgyu nods at his words, throat too dry to say anything. “But I think Soobin’s still here somewhere. I have to get going, try not to get shitfaced at your own party next time, you’re the host man.” He pats the other’s back, gathering his things and leaving.

When he sobers up a bit, he jolts in a sudden panic. He realizes he left the place unsupervised for at least an hour with loud drunkards, a half-truth, considering Taehyun covered him for the most part. The first thing he does is check the place for faults or breakages as he cleans. The second thing he does is pray that you don’t beat the shit out of him for this. He tiptoes outside of your room, hearing hushed whispers through the slightly ajar door. Peeking, he sees you and Soobin giggling, cross-legged on your bed as he whispers something in your ear. He doesn’t know what’s so funny that you start laughing back and kissing him. Beomgyu’s mouth is agape, watching you move to straddle the lap of his best friend. He’s not sure what he’s feeling, but one thing's clear: He feels like he shouldn’t be watching. He retreats to his room in a daze, unsure of why he’s been acting so affected by it. He stays up the whole night, and Soobin doesn’t come out of your room.

A splitting headache surges through your head, making your way you wince as you place your head on the cool table, gazing up at Beomgyu. “What’cha making?” He doesn’t turn to face you, hands and attention on the stove. “Hangover soup, dummy.” He snickers as he hands you a bowl and a glass. You pout, welcoming his teasing and food anyway. “Soobin left a while ago.” You stiffen up, nodding. “Oh, okay.” He hums, “Okay? That’s all you say after he spent the night with you?”

“That, uh—it’s none of your business?” It comes out more of a question than a statement, one that Beomgyu answers for you. “It is my business. I don’t want whatever you and him have going on make problems for me.” Your gaze narrows, “For you? How does it concern you?” He rolls his eyes, “I’m like your only mutual friend! You guys are gonna fight and make it my issue.” The lines aren’t really connecting, but you aren’t sure if it’s a him thing or the fact that your vision is pulsing. “Well,” You relent, “We’re not going to be a thing anyway.” He stops stirring the pot. “Really?” You give him an inquiring look, “Yeah? Why would you think so?” He sits next to you, leaning in. “So, didn’t you do it?” You’re taken aback, eyes blinking. “What?” Raising his hands in the air, the brunette turns defensive. “I don’t know! You were all over him and—” Your gasp cuts him short. “You were snooping on me?” He shakes his head. ��I just came to apologize about the party! I didn’t know you would suck each other’s faces off.”

The last sentence was meant to lighten the mood, to swerve the conversation into a casual, non-interrigation. You try your best to reciprocate. “You don’t have to apologize. That party was lame.” Beomgyu relaxes, rolling his eyes. “Yeah, so lame that you finally got with Soobin. My party had that power.” He picks at the hem of his apron. “So you’re not mad about the party?”

“Oh no, I’m pissed. Just be thankful that I don’t want my headache to get worse.” You assert, “And I’m not “getting with” anybody.”

He perks up, curious.“Why not?” Playing with the spoon, you shrug. “Just—didn’t feel right. I don’t know” He wiggles his eyebrows. “Was he a bad kisser?” You shove him away. “No, he’s—fine, I guess.” Beomgyu nods in disbelief. “You’re just saying that to save his ego.” You huff, annoyed. “Like you’re so good at it.”

It barely registers to you, his hands cupping your face as he tilts his head sideways. The plump of his lips as they slowly move against you, the taste of your shared mouthwash as his spit coats your mouth. When he pulls away, he takes in your glossy eyes and uneven breathing, and suddenly his mind goes blank. “Now who’s a good kisser?” Is what he should be saying. Instead he opts for, “Um, I—forgot I had a thing.”

You’re livid, and he can sense it. He notes it in the way you storm back your room when he’s in a common area, he sees it when you glare at him from a distance, feels it when you make loud clangs as you throw the dishes haphazardly in the sink. He walks on eggshells when you’re home, though you’re here less and less as the month passes. Beomgyu has never been the confrontational type, though he supposes it wouldn’t hurt to end that streak. Not when he feels like the world is caving in on him as you continue with your cold treatment.

Today, you’re in the living room. He stops in front of you, his question simple enough: “Are you okay?” It’s open-ended, it’s unassuming. It earns him a scowl from you, contradicting your words as you respond, “Yeah, great.” He pushes forward. “Did I—did I do something?” You sigh heavily, shutting your laptop rather harshly. “How about when you kissed me and left with no explanation?” You start. “Or how about when you threw a party and left Taehyun to babysit your friends? Maybe it’s when you fucked with my sleep schedule and leave your shit all over the floor all the time? It could also be the noise you make without consulting me?” “This isn’t a game to me, Beomgyu. You don’t respect me or my space enough to actually give a shit.” A heavy silence hangs for a moment, and you can see the brunette’s adam’s apple bob before replying. “I am so sorry for being a shitty roommate.” You make no change in facial expression, and Beomgyu moves to kneel in front of you. “No, really. I’m so sorry I was so apathetic to you, I swear I wasn’t doing it on purpose. I—I’m just a shitty listener.” You bite the inners of your cheek, “And the kiss?” He drops his head and stares at the carpet. “That’s…” He trails off, inhaling deeply. “That’s because I think I like you.”

You swallow down, stuttering before you continue. “Oh—I um… I forgive you.” He looks up and shakes his head in disagreeance. “It’s fine, I—” “No,” you interrupt, “I should have said something. I should have told you how frustrated I was instead of throwing a tantrum.” He nods, and you bury your face in your arms.

“You good?” He asks, poking his head from underneath to see you. He pauses when he catches sight of your face, placing his palms on your knees. He’s not sure if he should say anything, not sure if he can even say this: “Are you blushing?” You mumble incoherently, but Beomgyu is able to connect the whispered phrases. You liked the kiss. He shifts, a bit uncomfortable, a bit giddy. “So, you’d say it’s better than Soobin’s?” He giggles when you shove him, causing him to fall back onto the carpet. “Don’t say that, it just—felt right that time.” He tries to hide his blush under his cocky demeanor, but his expression falls flat, unable to hide his meek smile. “Right enough for you to kiss me again?” You scoff, but get off the sofa to level with himon the ground. “Maybe.”

thank you for reading! feedback, reblogs, and tags for support towards the algorithm appreciated♡

are we finishing the asks?! only the ones with no smut bc im lazy

─── 〔 𝒎.𝙡𝙞𝙨𝙩 〕

[sunderingstars]

☆━━━━━ ⋆⁺｡˚⋆˙‧₊☾ ◯ ☽₊‧˙⋆˚｡⁺⋆ ━━━━━━☆

✩ ‧₊˚ ⌞ NOTABLE TOPICS ⌝

sampo analysis m.list

— what the stars reveal: interpretative analysis, elation!sampo, theory, general observations, somewhat list format

— word count: 4.8k

— overview: (as of 2.6) a compilation of notable topics surrounding sampo koski that do not fit into the other analysis sections i’ve covered so far!

☆━━━━━ ⋆⁺｡˚⋆˙‧₊☾ ◯ ☽₊‧˙⋆˚｡⁺⋆ ━━━━━━☆

✩ ‧₊˚ ⌞ INTRODUCTION ⌝

Includes: Mr. Cold Feet, Dream Bubbles & Tatalov, Astral Express, Boothill’s Emanator Talk, Trashcan Event, Rating Pistol, Moze’s Splash Art & “Prey,” Photo Event, By Any Means Necessary Curio, Master Thief’s Tentacle, Versatile Joker, Wardance Event, and more!

In the interest of not wanting to burn out talking about my beloved blue-haired man, I have compiled the rest of my findings into a list of notable topics — I may or may not elaborate on these in the future, but I at least wanted to point them out in their own dedicated post!

✩ ‧₊˚ ⌞ MR. COLD FEET ⌝

I mainly just wanted to mention how I think the alias of “Mr. Cold Feet” may be a reference to Sampo’s feelings about his “job” within the Masked Fools and his status within the Elation. 

As seen below, the phrase “cold feet” often refers to a loss of confidence — or rather, the presence of uncertainty (“doubt,” even, if we want to bring up Clown’s Items). Additionally, “cold feet” is often a colloquial way of saying someone is backing out or leaving.

These definitions make Sampo’s alias all the more intriguing, especially te fact he is known not just for having cold feet, but for doing it so much he is literally known as “Mr. Cold Feet.” Whether this was a name he ascribed to himself or a name originating from others, it doesn’t change the association. Here, Star Rail is making a direct connection between who Sampo is as a character — his name, his identity — and the practice of losing courage to the point of backing out. 

I believe this is not meant to be a one-time occurrence (seeing as the “Mr. Cold Feet Pop-Up Shop” event is rolling around now using the name once again), but rather an insight into Sampo’s character and potential situation surrounding his occupation and identity.

On a surface level, this seems to be about Sampo’s general slippery nature. He not only bribes us to keep quiet, which works in some cases, but even in the timeline where we don’t take the bribe, he still manages to get away. Clearly, he’s an expert on “backing out” of situations when they get too hairy.

Going deeper, though, I think this also has to do with the Masked Fools and his discontentment with his “job”. As seen on Penacony, he doesn’t think highly of the Fools (or at least their jokes) and has specific ideas of Elation that don’t line up with theirs. Being part of such a group that is at odds with his worldview would likely cause him to waver in his commitment to said group. I wouldn’t be surprised if he wanted to back out or get “cold feet” towards them, whether that means particular jobs they need him to do or just the organization as a whole. 

I also think “cold feet” may refer to some bigger plan, perhaps put in motion by Aha, other Aeons, or other Emanators that Sampo, potentially as an Emanator himself, no longer wants to be a part of. These “cold feet” may even be what’s causing Sampo to help us instead of harm us, deviating from some other plan once he began to have doubts about it for one reason or another. (Also, as a Doll!Sampo truther this could also be him becoming fed up with being a literal punching bag.)

Either way, I believe “Mr. Cold Feet” isn’t just a moniker, but something that is as much a part of Sampo as his blue hair. Although he doesn’t seem like the grand wavering type day-to-day, I think it’s possible that some greater machinations or discontentment with his position in life have led him to, well, lose some nerve due to backstory, psychological, or circumstantial reasons.

✩ ‧₊˚ ⌞ DREAM BUBBLES & TATALOV ⌝

Astral Express Dream Bubble:

(Update: The item description says this bubble is said to contain the “dreams of Akivili,” meaning it’s likely from Their perspective. I’ve revised a bit of this section to reflect that!)

(There is also the chance Aha isn’t involved at all here, but given the references to Elation and Pom-Pom mentioning “that guy who blew up the train into two pieces” at the end, I don’t think it’s off the table!)

I wanted to quickly give this its own shoutout, since it directly shows a discussion about several impulsive and joke-like actions Akivili makes on the Express. Not only is this whole incident really interesting for me as an Elation enjoyer, but I also like the details of the jokes, especially since they don’t seem to be… well… very harmful in nature. Compared to “blowing up the Express,” watering plants with soda and stealing snacks seem so, just, mundane. It’s kind of endearing, to be honest. It almost seems like They’re trying to take a page out of Aha’s book, albeit in a more mundane, everyday-life kind of way. (They just wanted to have a little fun. They were feeling silly, Your Honor.)

Now to be serious: While going through the dream bubble, I realized Aha is referenced, but we never get any indication of Their appearance, or who They were masquerading as at the time, simply being referred to as “that guy.” Not only are we, the player, placed in a faceless role as the viewer of the bubble, but many details are kept vague about this past event. Not even Pom-Pom gives any hints as to what Aha looks or sounds like.

While this small mention might be the natural course of the conversation, it cuts off at a very specific point right after Pom-Pom brings the “incident” up. This might be a side effect of the dream bubble being incomplete or only from a certain perspective, but I also think it’s just as likely that this is intentional. That someone, perhaps even Aha Themself, gave us access to a dream bubble depicting only a small, specific part of the conversation — one with no hints or identifying features. Someone who may want to steer us in a certain direction but not want us to know what Aha looked like at the time. Which is interesting, because… why not? If They can change Their appearance at will, why not? If we haven’t seen Them before, why not? I believe the reason we may not be given these details is because we would recognize Them, or at least Their identifying features.

This can go multiple ways — it’s possible we’re dealing with an Aha!Sampo who simply doesn’t want us spoiling the fun, an Emanator!Sampo who was sent to mess with the Express on Aha’s behalf and potentially even impersonate Them, a former Aha!Sampo long since displaced by a usurper, or even my favorite idea, that Doll!Sampo having the appearance and voice of Aha’s form (even just at the time) would cause a whole lot of complicated confusion that no one, especially the players of the game, can handle right now.

There is also a reference to Elation — “this trailblazing expedition of yours is indeed an ‘Elating’ one” — and Dr. Edward seems strangely insistent on not providing additional details. That, paired with “Akivili?” having a quite noticeable question mark, throws me for a bit of a loop. Elation seems to be very much at play here, but to what extent I’m not sure.

At the very least, I feel this bubble was left for us for a a reason, perhaps even something having to do with the Elation itself.

Tatalov:

Oh Tatalov dream bubble, what can I say about you that hasn’t already been said? A lot, I think, actually.

One, this is Sampo’s dreamscape. While this could mean nothing, it’s also his dreamscape, meaning anything is fair game to connect to him. I wouldn’t be surprised if he was trying to tell us something through his own mind.

Two, Belobog is the setting, not only implying his predisposition for the place but potentially implying something big will go down there.

Three, when we ask where everyone is, he says “this is a surprise that will be revealed later” — very Elation-coded, very cryptic. Once again implying some big plot development we haven’t yet reached. 

Four, he encourages us to take our time and acclimate. Very sweet. Very wholesome.

Five, Sampo’s advice (?). Interesting to-do list — become Garbage King. Makes me wonder what the Garbage King is meant to represent; perhaps Aha, a Masked Fool, leading a revolution, taking control of Belobog, reuniting with lost power? Seems like he’s gunning for the top either way. “Though the trash bags have long been broken” is also intriguing. Implies rising in a sort of fight or revolution — perhaps the trash bags are meant to symbolize Belobog’s people, or perhaps even the other creations/toys when considering Doll!Sampo theory. Maybe both. 

(I’m more inclined towards the Belobog angle here, since the dream both takes place there and features the trash bags well-known for being there. Update: Taking the “Ace Trash Digger” occurrence into account, it may be that Sampo aims to become some sort of patron for “discarded” items, perhaps seeing Belobog as something abandoned and forgotten much like himself. In that sense, “become the Garbage King” may mean something similar to him becoming a leader or guide to Belobog — and by extension, other places or people seen as “garbage” — since he feels a sort of kinship with them.)

Six, the dream feels familiar to us. Sampo is once again being cryptic with the whole “anything can feel familiar” bit, but this may be meant to show us the future, in a way. Perhaps it’s so familiar because we will go through it or somehow have gone through it in the past. This could also be something to do with Sampo’s backstory, which feels so familiar because we’re in his dreamscape.

Seven, after the dream is interrupted, he mentions how he was looking forward to seeing how we would overthrow the Garbage King. He mentions the King specifically, which makes me almost think the King is synonymous with a person or single entity in the real universe. Again, this could be Aha, some powerful figure who will threaten Belobog, or even Sampo himself. It’s possible that Sampo, just wanting to settle down for once in his life, is looking for someone to “dethrone” him in a way, so he can either be free or finally get what he wants.

Eight, despite trying to play the fool (haha) during the dream and acting a bit nonchalant, he clearly says it was a “meaningful” dream when Firefly interrupts it. Additionally, he mentions he was looking forward to “seeing your face when the truth dawned on you.” Clearly, this isn’t just a one-off fun side quest, it means something. Once again, I believe there may be something Sampo is trying to tell us that he literally can’t say out loud — either that or he’s just toying around with us.

There definitely a big “secret” implied here, as he clearly thinks the “truth” he mentions will be enough to seriously shock us. This is further emphasized by him insisting he’s not “trying to say” anything, just “reveal the truth”. That’s a very specific distinction that doesn’t make a whole lot of sense unless he’s under some kind or prerogative to make that distinction, such as not being able to talk about certain things.

The question of the hour, though, is: What truth? What could he have been trying to reveal? Could it be Emanator status, Doll status, Aha Themself? I’m not entirely sure. So much of his character is still shrouded in mystery that even trying to analyze some of these scenes feels like fighting an uphill battle since we don’t have the proper context yet to view them in hindsight. I know this is foreshadowing, I’m just not sure for what. I at least believe the truth to not be directly Belobog-related, as I think whatever “truth” is there to be found likely has to do with Sampo’s identity itself. Beyond that, things get murky.

Ideally, I’d love it to be a mix of everything. A little bit of Emanator!Sampo via Boothill’s run-in, a little bit of Doll!Sampo via those Simulated Universe occurrences, and a little bit of toxic fucked-up Elation speech curse from Aha sprinkled with a creation’s rage against its creator — that’s my favorite soup for sure.

I also wanted to bring up how in the Tatalov cutscene, we see Sampo at a similar large size as Phantylia once she shed her mortal form, which could be foreshadowing Emanator status.

✩ ‧₊˚ ⌞ ASTRAL EXPRESS ⌝

I find it very interesting how, out of the numerous characters who visit the Express, Sampo is nowhere to be seen. 

At first, I thought it was a Masked Fools thing, but then Sparkle started visiting the Express so it’s definitely not that. Additionally, every single Belobog character can visit the Express except for him.

This makes Sampo all the more conspicuous to me, since it raises a clear question: Why?

There must be some reason he won’t board the Express even when others from both Belobog and the Masked Fools do. My current theory is that he shares a similar appearance to Aha or Their human form (either through being a part of Them, created in Their image, or some other complicated backstory shenanigans) and the reason he won’t board is because he’s worried Pom-Pom will recognize him from the time Aha infiltrated the Express.

One thing’s for sure, though — the more time passes and the more characters visit, the more suspicious this whole situation becomes.

✩ ‧₊˚ ⌞ BOOTHILL'S EMANATOR TALK ⌝

Not much to say except I think the “Elation Emanator” Boothill refers to is Sampo. Not only does the Emanator look “no different than that of those clowns,” implying a status within the Masked Fools that we know Sampo has, but Boothill even talks about the reasons Emanators may hide their identity at a different point in the conversation. It seems to me that Sampo may be hiding his status for self-preservation or the protection of others, which seems to be working quite well!

I do find it funny that the Emanator got drunk, though, because that means one of two things: 1. Sampo played Boothill like a fiddle and is trying to drop us some kind of hint, meaning he pretended to be drunk in a likely exaggerated and hilarious way (and Boothill completely bought it), or 2. Sampo “Midlife-Crisis” Koski, an Emanator of Elation, actually got drunk and revealed his status to Boothill in a stupor while probably complaining about his job or means of existence. I’m not sure which idea is funnier to think about!

✩ ‧₊˚ ⌞ TRASHCAN EVENT ⌝

This gives us more insight into how Sampo views “friendship” and potentially by extension “love.” He condenses it down very nicely — “mutual benefit.” As I’ve mentioned in other analyses, Sampo seems to view friendship from a business perspective, something to be gained or lost like currency. Although he is loyal to places like Belobog and likely has deeper feelings of affection hidden in there, he only shows the con-man to others. The only thing he’ll be caught talking about is business, which goes for friendship too. 

He also mentions the dichotomy of “paying with money” versus “paying with effort,” implying that there is an extremely give-and-take nature to relationships. He isn’t wrong, but it belies the assumption that love must include a payment or a price. It cannot, will not, be freely given. This may come from a genuine, natural belief, but I find it more likely that this comes from whatever his backstory is. Whatever betrayal he has experienced, whatever “hate” he has allowed to fester in his chest, it has caused him to adopt a rather cynical view of friendship. While I do think he isn’t entirely wrong, that doesn’t mean the way he sees things is necessarily healthy.

(Litter Pony also notes a “bittersweet friendship” from him, which further connects to Sampo’s cocktail of love, hate, betrayal, and enthusiasm.)

Additionally, I believe this interaction points towards how ingrained cruelty towards Sampo is in the universe. Trailblazer has to focus and think very hard to remember something Sampo has done to help us, even though he’s done quite a few notable things (including literally saving our life in the Hook daily) that I think should come to mind much faster.

To me, it almost seems like the Trailblazer is having to fight against some natural current guiding them to be mean or cruel, to think the worst of Sampo at all times and express those extreme emotions to his face, just to find a bright spot of affection. It could be the Trailblazer’s character, or it could be some deeper byproduct of Sampo’s existence. I don’t entirely know, I just find it interesting.

The name “Hazardous Waste” trash can is very interesting to me, particularly because of certain character dialogue and Simulated Universe occurrences that imply themes of creation, abandonment, and festering hatred surrounding Sampo’s character. “Hazardous Waste” could mean many things, but I tend to see it as aligned with a Sampo who was created by Aha (potentially in the pursuit of “perfection”) only to then be discarded or abandoned once he served his purpose.

In this sense, “Hazardous” would refer to the hatred and betrayal in Sampo that makes him so dangerous, and “Waste” would refer to the way he was essentially discarded as trash once Aha was done playing with him. Alternatively, this could be a reference to the Masked Fools and him no longer being as powerful as he once was, since the betrayal aspects could also stem from some sort of incident within the Fools while he was still in this prime.

The abilities of both Sampo (the magician) and the trashcan focus on planting “Hazardous Waste” on the enemy’s side of the field and inflicting impediments. Here are a a few things I noted:

— Each Waste increases DoT taken by enemies. Implies strength in numbers.

— When Sampo uses his ultimate, enemies are inflicted with “Deep Blue Curse” — this not only ties to his character being known for his blue hair (much like in Curio Hacker as well), but ties that moniker with the idea of a “curse.” I believe this may mean Sampo is either cursed himself, has the ability to curse others, or both. The in-universe counterpart may literally be a curse, or may be something only adjacent like bad luck, falling from grace, or the aforementioned betrayal.

— “Deep Blue Curse” inflicts Lightning DoT. Interesting, since Sampo is a Wind character. This might be an easter egg for a future Lightning Sampo unit or a tie to Moze who shares a few similarities with Sampo, or it might literally be nothing.

— “Hazardous Waste” triggers random effects, much like certain Elation occurrences and Path equations in Simulated Universe.

— A part of these random effects is, I kid you not please listen to my insane rambling, to beat up Sampo which then regenerates energy and attack for him. I will say it again he gets beat up for a reward. Much like… an occurrence that rhymes with Baja Bluffed Boy……… Anyways, Doll!Sampo theorists rise!

Here are two of Sampo’s cans on each side of the battlefield. It feels symbolic of something but I’m not sure what. Maybe there are others like Sampo by virtue of existence who may find themselves in conflict? Maybe this is supposed to mirror the chaotic nature and betrayal of the Masked Fools? Perhaps this is supposed to represent an inner conflict where Sampo finds himself in a double agent situation between Paths, needing to determine what route to take? I don’t know, but it’s damn fascinating.

Sampo after he gets hit… much like a doll…. to vent extreme emotions on……

Potentially an implication that Sampo is a mole — the only questions are For who? and Towards who? (I feel like both the Trailblaze and Elation are involved, but for the life of me I’m not sure if it’s a straightforward “Hello Trailblazer, I am betraying you” deal or a “I have been sent to harm you by the Elation but jokes on Them! I hate Them and will actually help you instead” double agent situation. Or a secret third option. My brain is breaking trying to comprehend this.)

This sheds a little light on my confusion, but only a little. He says he’ll rush to help a friend in trouble even if it means “infiltrating the enemy and taking them down from the inside” which implies to me that we, the Trailblazer, (or even the Astral Express) are that friend with how much he refers to us as one, but there’s also the chance that he considers someone else, perhaps even the Elation in general, to be the “friend” he’s helping.

I want to believe that we’re the friend and he’s infiltrating, for example, maybe the Masked Fools or something else to help us, but then again who knows with this man. For all I know, “Belobog” could be the friend and we could be the threat and he’s trying to protect Belobog at all costs from us. Who knows! I’m tired! I love this man but I wish he would communicate better!

✩ ‧₊˚ ⌞ RATING PISTOL ⌝

Ah yes, the infamous rating pistol. I won’t be getting into too much speculation here since everything I could say has probably already been said, but I do want to note how Sampo’s rating is “invalid,” along with other extremely powerful characters including several confirmed Emanators or “part of an Emanator” characters like Acheron and Jing Yuan.

Personally, I think the pistol’s reaction of widening its eye then closing it wearily indicates being confronted with some kind of high power level — the kind that may cause it to feel threatened — whether that power is of an Emanator or otherwise. 

✩ ‧₊˚ ⌞ MOZE'S SPLASH ART & "PREY" ⌝

Just a note on Moze’s similar color scheme to Sampo (with red switched inside instead of outside), his abilities of marking “Prey” paralleling Sampo’s light cone “Eyes of the Prey,” and the splash art including a suspiciously Sampo-like figure fighting with a fist raised.

I’m not entirely sure what the splash art means yet or if that’s even Sampo (or someone related to him), but if we are operating under the assumption that it’s him, my mind would go immediately to mass-produced creations of Elation (much like the Aha Stuffed Toy or The *Perfect* Grand Challenge’s clay dolls, given the sheer amount of people in chains in the art) rising against whatever system they find themselves in, which could include Sampo as the driving force of rebellion. Moze may even be one of these toys, who knows.

Or I could be wrong about all of this — I just don’t think we have enough to go on yet to make any solid conjectures.

✩ ‧₊˚ ⌞ PHOTO EVENT ⌝

He’s just kinda cute here, that’s all :)

He wants to boast about being a bit of a model and I for one am not going to stop him!

Although, once again, the Trailblazer’s meanness and the absence of a “nice” dialogue option is another connection to the idea that the conditions of Sampo’s existence may push others around him to act in emotionally extreme (usually mean or violent or frustrated) ways :(

✩ ‧₊˚ ⌞ BY ANY MEANS NECESSARY ⌝

I’m mostly drawn to this Curio because it mirrors Sampo’s “dead bones” motif, plus the phrase “By Any Means Necessary” feels like it could slot into his character quite nicely. With certain parts of his dialogue, it’s implied he may be paying a “cost” or “risk” for the benefit of a reward later on, which would match with the idea of accomplishing something by doing whatever he needed to do, including weakening himself or his powers.

The Curio also rewards the player Cosmic Fragments depending on how many Curios they have, and I always look out for Cosmic Fragment-related items when thinking about Sampo since they’re the Simulated Universe’s equivalent to currency (or money). This one is further amplified by the scaling of Curio rarity, which could be seen as comparable to the relics or artifacts Sampo deals with in-universe.

✩ ‧₊˚ ⌞ MASTER THIEF'S TENTACLE ⌝

Not that I necessarily think this item refers to Sampo specifically, but he is technically a master thief so I thought I would be remiss to not bring it up. Although it has to do with the Xianzhou’s Shackling Prison, who’s to say Sampo never ended up there at one time or another — clearly he gets around the universe quite easily!

However, now that I think about it, the “extra surprise” obtained when winning against an enemy is very… “Surprise Present” Sampo-coded… and “plenty of other tentacles” could refer to his multiple identities…. (Addition: the “tentacles” could also be referring to mass-produced dolls sent to do Aha’s bidding, with the “Master Thief” being Aha themself.)

✩ ‧₊˚ ⌞ VERSATILE JOKER⌝

I just wanted to note this for being in the “Moment of Joy” category, which has very Elation-coded masks as its cover. The achievement name itself — “Versatile Joker” — points not only towards Sampo’s versatility and ability to blend in with almost anyone due to his charisma, but “joker” puts him even more in orbit with the Masked Fools than he already is. Also, the achievement is “hidden.” Very interesting!

✩ ‧₊˚ ⌞ WARDANCE EVENT ⌝

First, I just want to point out how Hook appears at the Wardance as a special correspondent for the “Crystal Daily,” which is the same organization Madam Poisson says she is reporting for in Sampo’s Character Story Part 1. I feel like this could go one of two ways: either the Crystal Daily is an actual, legitimate publication that Poisson only pretended to be a part of and that Hook somehow managed to report for, or Sampo sent Hook to report on the Wardance himself on behalf of his fake and entirely made-up news station.

Personally, I’m inclined to believe the latter given Hook’s response saying, “No one hired me. This is my summer assignment.” To me, this really sounds like Sampo wanted to let her loose for some Learning & Enrichment Time, and so gave her a “cool important assignment” to go and learn about life outside Belobog, kind of like hiding medicine in a food your kid likes. This also might be Sampo’s way of “spying” on how the events play out, given that he cares about Belobog and its progress so much.

I also am not sure I believe that Hook wrote the entire article herself — some of the parts sound like her for sure, like saying people got “really mad” and said “mean things about the judges, but words like “understandably” and “compliant” are used in a way that sounds a bit too mature for her age. Maybe the writer’s didn’t get her voice down 100%, maybe she’s actually learning from her assignment, or maybe, just maybe, Sampo looked over her writing before she sent it in and helped her edit it.

I dunno, the whole situation seems really sweet to me. I just like thinking about Sampo as this mentor-like figure slowly trying to push Hook out of the nest like a baby bird while still watching over her. 

Not entirely Sampo-related, but I wanted to note the narrator’s fourth-wall break here. This was a super interesting little dialogue section on the Skysplitter, and I have half a mind to think it’s Elation-related (if not Aha Themself) speaking to us directly. I wouldn’t go so far as to say it’s Sampo, but again, it definitely reminds me of Elation fourth-wall breaks and other moments of a self-aware narrator. (Although it would be cool if it was somehow him.)

Lines like “please don’t ask such vibe-killing questions!” really seem suspect to me. Like I know you’re there Mx. Aha. And I love you ♡

Very heartbreaking line I associate with Doll!Sampo. I don’t think the game intentionally put this here to be a link to him, but I am making the connection anyway and also crying. “… Would it have felt like it was being manipulated and toyed with?” JUST RIP MY HEART OUT WHY DON’T YOU!

✩ ‧₊˚ ⌞ MISCELLANEOUS ⌝

— Sampo’s light cone is featured in the Lucent Afterglow art, probably just because it was one of the first light cones in the game. It still doesn’t get past me that Lucent Afterglow is a more meta-currency of higher origin. Probably doesn’t mean anything, but I figured I’d point it out!

— The Ship of Fools Unknowable Domain occurrence heavily implies Sampo to be a “broken mask” — here’s a link to my post discussing it.

— Sampo has a companion text where he talks about being burnt out at his job and asks us if he should quit. Given the idea he may be sent by the Elation to mess with us but is having second thoughts and Protective Instincts, I say, “Yes, Sampo! Please quit your job!”. He could also be talking about the Masked Fools in general or being in a position of power within them, which, again, I would say, “Please quit your job and come enjoy a nice relaxing vacation with me!”

— An Intellitron NPC in Dreamflux Reef named Kirk has dialogue about Asmon Rim, an Elation planet whose extreme path led them to destroy “any remaining vestiges of their morality” and treat “other lives as toys of entertainment.” As one of those toys, Kirk was deeply unhappy with his life and escaped. While I’m not sure if this has anything to do with Sampo, the methodology of Elation followers treating others as toys does tie in to things I’ve talked about like Aha Stuffed Toy and The *Perfect* Grand Challenge, albeit in a somewhat less Aha-centric way.

— I know Kalevala also exists as a planet in the HSR universe, and if I were to speculate where Sampo is from I feel like this is the obvious answer, but with how Asmon Rim lines up with some of my theories I’m tempted to say perhaps he found his way to one place or the other along the way.

Overall, this man has a lot going for him! He’s very mysterious which makes theorizing all the more difficult, but that’s what I find so fun about it — the journey not the destination and all that. Even if most of this ends up being completely wrong, there are a lot of things that still tie into parts of his character we know for sure to be canon, like his con-man occupation and Masked Fool identity. I’m happy to talk about any of these short topic blurbs more, by the way, I just wanted to include them all together here so I wasn’t posting ten billion separate analyses as part of the project!

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.𖥔 ݁ ˖ જ⁀➴ thanks for reading to the end, and thanks for all the love and support on this project. the official main course may be almost over, but i will likely continue to expand on my theories and thoughts as more sampo content releases! :)

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© analysis by sunderingstars. do not copy, repost, translate, modify, or claim my work as your own.

[thestobingirlie]

steve harrington has powers

and they will be revealed in s5

steve’s power reveal has been hinted at from the very beginning, and now we’re in the final season, all our waiting will have paid off, and his status as an escaped child from the lab will play a key role in defeating the upside down and vecna for good.

first things first, let’s think about two factors that define steve as a character. ask any fan, no matter how casual, about steve, and they’ll know these two things; he gets into fights every single season and his hair is a key part of his character.

steve’s hair plays a role in his character arc.

as steve grows fully into himself as a character, his hair changes with him, becoming longer, wilder, less neat and styled. his hair represents his growth within his current arc.

who else is a character with an arc that can be well represented by their current hairstyle? eleven.

as el’s hair grows, we watch her figure out who she is as a person, learn to style it, grow and even lose it. this is no coincidence.

steve’s hair growth is directly tied to his status as a lab child. his rejection of the abuse he faced growing up can be seen in the care and attention he directs towards his hair. as he becomes a more fully developed character, who is learning and changing as he interacts with more environments, his hair changes with him.

not to mention that steve using women’s hairspray and stying products for his hair clearly show that he was raised outside of the bounds of normal gender roles. he has no issue with using woman’s shampoo and condition because he wasn’t taught to. his ideas of masculinity don’t revolve around social expectations, much like el.

steve’s fights are the biggest indicator of steve’s abilities.

or rather, should i say the aftermath of those fights.

we watch steve get obliterated in a fight scene every single season, and yet not five minutes later, he’s walking it off! he has zero repercussions of these fights. no headaches. no scars. no lingering wounds.

he routinely throws himself back into the fray. no matter how badly wounded.

this is NOT an accident, nor was it a choice made so that the duffers could beat up their favourite punching bag and still use him as a key player in fights. it’s obviously there as a hint to the audience as to the true nature of steve’s ability.

now, it’s fairly obvious where i’m going with this: steve has accelerated healing as a result of the experiments performed on him by hawkins lab.

now, you might just say, “so what? he healed from battling humans.”

but it’s so much more than that.

steve fought and was eaten by upside down creatures.

no other character has survived that. no other character carries wounds and scars from surviving a run in with a demo-creature.

bar one.

eleven.

coincidence? of course not.

steve is the only character that wears a wristwatch in near every single scene he’s in.

not only is his watch constantly on, it’s takes a prominent place in key scenes. the duffers want you to look at it.

why else would they refuse to show his wrist in every single scene? they don’t want us to see what’s underneath. so what could the duffers be hiding under there? his number.

and the number, god it’s so obvious. STEVEN. SEVEN.

i mean, it’s staring us right in the face!!!

steve’s past

now, this point is so obvious, everyone can see it: we’ve never even met steve’s parents.

the only teenage character from prior to s3 whose parents we haven’t met. we don’t even know their names.

in fact, tommy and carol even seem used to the fact that steve’s parents aren’t home. implying that they’re never there. because they don’t exist.

we’ve seen his house! and yet… empty. the room is blank. there’s nothing in there to even suggest it is steve’s house. he has no personal effects.

every single other character has identifying objects in their room. but not steve. why would the duffers do this? because they’re hinting to the audience that steve doesn’t belong there.

there’s not even any reference of steve prior to the beginning of s1. jonathan? we see flashbacks. nancy? we get mention of her playing dnd years before. all the party have pictures. we watch max’s childhood memories play out.

and yet. the closest we get to characters remembering steve in their own past, is steve from the year 1983. naturally, that isn’t the year that steve escaped the lab, but it does bring up interesting questions about steve living on the edge of hawkins population. he may have been the most popular boy around, but it seems no one truly knew him.

steve didn’t go the college.

and it’s not because he didn’t get in.

steve was getting c’s in classes nancy found difficult.

steve was in at least two different sports (basketball and swimming), he was a lifeguard and co-captain of the swimming team. that takes work and dedication, and it looks good when applying to college.

to be in all these sports, steve had to have been getting above a certain grade level. certainly high enough to get into college.

the duffers know that steve could’ve gotten into college, so why would they make it so obvious that steve is lying?

because steve didn’t apply in the first place. because as an escapee from the lab, he doesn’t even exist in the real world. he has no birth certificate, no records from being a child. attending some high school in the middle of nowhere would’ve been easy, but attending college? drawing attention to himself? steve couldn’t risk it. he knew he’d be found.

TL;DR

el and steve are purposefully paralleled to hint towards steve’s past and secret abilities. there’s a reason the duffers have never allowed prolonged interactions between el and steve, because they want to drag out the reveal as long as they can. there is so much more, but god, it would take forever.

we still don’t even know the full extent of steve’s abilities (i personally believe that steve has some variation of a charisma ability. i mean. every single character that’s disliked him has spent a very short amount of one on one time with him and immediately come around.) and we likely won’t until s5 finally comes out. and then the world will know…

[hatchetfield-omegaverse]

Not A Perfect Guardian

Summary: When Ted Spankoffski adopted his baby brother, he vowed to be the best guardian he could be. And now that Pete has his first girlfriend, he's determined to live up to that promise. That's just what good brothers do, right?

Or

Ted Spankoffski's Guide On What (Not) To Do When Your Brother Brings Home His First Girlfriend

Warning: Contains an extremely brief reference to self harm.

A/N: This one goes out to pretzel anon, who gave me the idea for this fic. I hope you like it. And shoutout to @lady-loveluck for beta reading this!

Takes place shortly before the events of Putting the 'D' in Study.

When he had adopted his brother 7 years ago, Ted Spankoffski vowed that he'd do his damnedest to be a good guardian. Sure, he was a Grade A asshole, but he knew that Pete would need better than that now that their parents were dead. So he tried to not act like a total dick around his brother: he drove Pete to every therapy appointment, he kept juice on hand at all times in case his blood sugar dropped, he even had a standing reservation at the local Omega hotel so Pete could go there when his heat started without having to say anything. Ted might not have been perfect, but he damn well tried.

He liked to think that he had done a good job too. There had been hiccups of course, maybe he should have picked up a parenting book or two, but he was proud to say that Pete was doing good in life: he had good grades, a scholarship lined up for college, and he was even saving up to buy a used car. Ted couldn't have fucked him up that much, right?

There was only one area where Pete struggled, and it was one of the few things out of Ted’s control: he was a complete and utter nerd. He had a couple friends -Ruth and Richie came over practically every weekend- but it didn't take a genius to see that Pete was an outcast at school. He tried to help as best he could, bandaging up any injuries and giving fashion advice (Pete had a hard enough time being one of the only male Omegas at school, he didn't need to make it worse for himself by wearing a fucking bowtie and suspenders everyday), but it was clear that his baby brother's social status was firmly planted to the floor.

Teenagers were assholes, Ted certainly remembered what school had been like when he was a teen. Everyday Pete came home with some story of the new ways his classmates had chosen to torment him, and everyday Ted had to remind himself yet again that it wasn't worth it to go to jail for punching a high schooler. It seemed like it would take a miracle for him not to be somebody’s punching bag.

It was why Ted was so uneasy when Pete mentioned that he was tutoring Stephanie Lauter everyday after school. He knew who she was of course, being the mayor’s daughter meant that she was at every public event. It also meant that her reputation preceded her.

It wasn't like he was worried that she'd be a bad influence on Pete. If anything, Ted thought Pete should join the smoke club so he might relax a little. But Ted also knew that she was considered popular And why wouldn't she be? Stephanie Lauter was rich, pretty, and a High Tier Alpha to boot. And if that wasn't evidence enough, he had seen her around town: shopping at Lakeside Mall, going to the movies, or even just frequenting the local coney island. She was always accompanied by someone that Ted knew had picked on his brother.

It wasn't a stretch to think that she could easily ruin Pete's life if she wanted to. One rumor, one word from her and everyone would go back to calling Pete ‘MicroPeter’ again. He never wanted anything like that to happen ever again; he still had nightmares that Pete started harming again. Of course Ted wasn't an idiot, he knew that voicing these concerns could scare Pete from being social. So he kept these feelings internal, instead joking that Pete didn't have to call it studying and reminding him that there were condoms in the bathroom for him.

Now, Ted wasn't blind. He'd almost immediately noticed Pete's growing crush; it didn't take a genius to notice the way his brother lit up any time her name was mentioned. Ted made his jokes of course, he'd never miss an opportunity to exercise his brotherly rights to tease the other. And yet, as exciting as it was to see his brother finally have a partner, Ted couldn't help but think of the worst possible scenario. It was just what he did; he never claimed to be an optimist. Still, he kept those thoughts to himself and enjoyed watching his brother finally act like a normal teen.

He had considerably more trouble keeping it in when Pete sat down and announced that Stephanie Lauter was joining them for dinner on Saturday, so please try to look nice.

“Wow, inviting your study date to meet the family? Things must be getting serious. Have you gone ring shopping yet?”, he joked, taking a swig of the cheapest beer the party store had to offer.

“I just want you to meet her before you see us on a date, ok?”, Pete said as he ruffled through their mom's old recipe cards. Ted nearly choked on his beer.

“You're actually dating?”. Well that was certainly a development. Last he heard, Petey still thought that he'd get his ass beat if he was seen in the halls with her. When the hell did he work up the courage to ask her out?

“She asked me out a couple weeks ago.”, that made more sense, “Look, she wants to meet my family and you're all I've got. So can you behave yourself for an evening or should I tell her it's not a good idea?”.

“Fine, fine. I just thought that my baby brother would tell me that he was dating someone.”, Ted took another sip of beer, trying to at least appear to be nonchalant that his baby brother had his first girlfriend, “So are you still a virgin or should I buy a cake?”.

“Ted!”, the smile that Pete's flustered shout brought on was genuine at least.

“What? I just want to know if I need to start buying you condoms. Or should I buy her condoms? Shit you both have penises.. Fuck it I'm buy you both condoms.”.

Pete jumped up, taking the recipe box with him, “Can we seriously talk about anything else? Anything will do. I am begging you.”

Ted rolled his eyes, “Fine. Sue me for caring if you get an STD.”.

“They're not even called that.”.

“Yes they are. STD: sexually transmitted disease.”.

“Not anymore. They're called STIs now.”.

“Since when? And what the fuck is an STI?”.

“It means sexually transmitted infection. I don't know, it's just what my health teacher said.”

“Yeah and that woman made you pronounce harassment like you're British because she said that the American way sounds like her ass, so I wouldn't trust anything that crackpot has to say.”

“Ted…”

“I probably have to make sure you know how babies are made if she's the one teaching today's youth. Ok when an alpha and Omega love each other very much-”

“I am doing my homework now.”, Pete shouted as he all but ran to his room. Ted laughed, fucking nerd. He took another swig as he thought over this new information. Pete was dating the mayor's daughter. Well it was about damn time. As long as she was with him for the right reasons.

It wasn't that he didn't understand what she saw in him. Ted knew that his brother was a catch, even if he was socially inept and dressed like a walking stereotype of a nerd. And that wasn't just brotherly duty talking either; Pete was smart, kind, and good looking (thank you Spankoffski genes). He could even be funny when he wasn't overthinking every word that left his mouth. That was better than most of the guys in Hatchetfield, Ted included.

He wanted to be truly happy for Pete, he really fucking did. Someone was finally noticing his baby brother, and someone like Stephanie Lauter at that. A nerd dating the most popular girl in school, let alone the whole city: it sounded like something out of one of those dumb teen movies he remembered seeing when he was in high school. But this wasn't some feel good movie meant to make teenagers believe that high school wasn't just misery.

This was the real world, and it seemed a lot more believable that someone like Stephanie Lauter would be willing to date Pete to use him rather than because of any real interest. And Pete would be too smitten to realize what was happening until it was too late. Luckily for Pete however, Ted was determined to make sure that didn't happen. Mayor's daughter or not, Stephanie Lauter was going to date Pete for the right reasons or she wouldn't date him at all.

-

The first step in plan ‘Make Sure Petey’s New Girlfriend Isn't Using Him’ was reconnaissance. He needed to know as much as he could before Saturday came around so that there wouldn't be any surprises. Of course he would have to remain casual to avoid suspicion. The last thing he needed was Pete figuring out his plan and clamming up. He just needed to be chill.

So, when he came home from work the next day, Ted didn't immediately slouch in front of the TV, even if it sounded wonderful. Instead, he made his way to the kitchen, where Pete stood in front of several pans simmering away on the stove.

“I already got us dinner, you don't have to cook.”, he gestured to the grease spotted paper bag sitting on the table, the burgers inside waiting for consumption. He pulled out two styrofoam foam boxes. “I even made sure they put your pickles on the side, weirdo.”, he teased.

“They taste better when they're separate!”, Pete retorted, his voice cracking halfway through the sentence, “And this isn't for tonight. I wanted to make the fillings for the pierogi ahead of time so I have more time to form them tomorrow.”

“Why are you making pierogi?”.

“Steph’s never tried them before, and we both know all the good Polish restaurants are in Hamtramck. So I found Babush's recipe in moms’s recipe box; I'm going to freeze these for Saturday.”, Pete spoke as he focused on the pots in front of him.

“Wow. Homemade Pierogi. You really like this girl.”, Ted looked at the ingredients laid out on the counter.

Pete was quiet for a moment. Ted was beginning to regret his words when he finally spoke, “She deserves better than takeout.”, he admitted.

Ted couldn't help but smile at how smitten the Omega was. Now to make sure that Stephanie Lauter felt the same. “You'll get hella brownie points for a homemade meal, I can tell you that much. Chicks dig guys who can cook.”, he joked.

“Don't call her a chick.”.

“Whatever.”, Ted chewed his burger and focused on his next words carefully. Pete was bound to be offended if he wasn't careful. “Does she know you're an Omega?”, he broached, “I know you don't hide it but you wear the perfume, and you've mentioned that a lot of people think you're a Beta.”.

“She knows.”, Pete turned towards him, “It wore off while we were studying a couple weeks ago.”.

“Right. What did she say?”.

He shrugged, “Steph was cool with it. She said that it's good that I don't have any of that Alpha bravado; I guess a lot of guys get tripped up on her being a Type 1 and act like assholes.”.

Ted nodded, “Sounds like most high schoolers; they're probably scared she has a bigger dick than them.”.

“Ted!”.

“It’s a just joke, Petey.”, he raised his hands in surrender, “How did she ask you out?”.

“The drive-in was having a marathon of 80s movies. She asked if I wanted to go. I didn't realize it was a date until she kissed me.”, Pete turned back to the stove.

“How did you not know that it was a date? She took you to Makeout Lane!”, Ted shook his head in disbelief. He really couldn't understand how they were related in moments like these, “That's literally the only reason you go there!”.

“I thought she just wanted to go with someone who likes old movies! How was I supposed to know that people go there for car sex!”, Pete retorted, “It's not like I go on tons of dates.”.

“Yeah, you're a real Don Juan, missing those signals.”, Ted muttered. Honestly, he would have orgasmed on the spot if a girl had asked him to go to the drive-in back in high school.

“What's with the interrogation, anyway?”, Pete asked, “Why are you so interested in my love life?”.

Shit. He was onto him. Mission abort. “A brother can't be curious about his little brother’s first girlfriend?”, he really should just stop talking, but Ted had a tendency to let his mouth run rampant.

“No, you can't, because you're not in the slightest bit subtle. So ask what you want to ask, or stop.”.

“I just want to know that she's with you for the right reasons.”, Ted sighed.

“The right reasons?”, Pete looked at him incredulously. Ted swallowed, it was too late to back down now.

“I just want to know that she's not using you for her grades.”, he finally admitted. Pete turned around slowly. He blinked once. Twice. Then he spoke, voice shaking with emotion.

“You think that Steph is only with me because I'm smart?”, his fist clenched, “That there's no way a girl like her could possibly like me unless she has some ulterior motives? I'm that unlikeable to you?”, his eyes shone with tears. Fuck. He fucked this up.

“Pete, I didn't mean it like-”, Ted tried but Pete was gone before he could finish his sentence, his bedroom door slamming shut behind him, “-that.”.

Well wasn't he just the worst brother ever.

-

Ted spent the first hour after Pete's outburst in wallowing in his own self loathing. This just proved what he had feared for years: he could never be the guardian that Pete needed. Their parents would have never hurt him that way. Never would have implied that Pete couldn't find love. After he had sufficiently wallowed, Ted came up with a game plan. First was making it up to Pete; he hadn't made pierogi since he was a kid, but by the time he was done they looked halfway decent. They were nowhere near as good as their grandmother's, but they would have to do.

Next was the hardest part, actually apologizing now. Apologizing was about as painful as pulling teeth for the elder Spankoffski, but Pete deserved it. Which was exactly why he was standing outside his door, hot chocolate in hand, working up the courage to knock. It was now or never.

“Pete?”, he knocked, “Can we talk?”. A deafening silence was all that met his words.

“Please?”, he tried again, “I want to talk to you. I didn't mean what I said.”, the silence continued. Ted groaned, this would be a thousand times easier if Pete would just answer him. He briefly considered saying ‘Fuck it.’ and just going to bed. Let him be angry. How dare Ted care about his little brother.

No. No. He hurt Pete and he had to fix this. Even if it meant having to admit he was wrong, “I'm sorry Pete. I really am. I just… You clearly really like this girl. And if she hurts you, I-I don't know what I'll do.”.

“The door's open.”, a quiet voice answered from inside. Grateful, Ted opened the door and walked in. Pete laid on the bed, face pressed into the pillow. He could see the tear stains on the navy pillow case from here.

“I really am sorry.”, Ted sat on the edge of the bed, placing the hot chocolate on the side table, “I don't think any of that about you. But I know how people think and you always wanted to be invisible until recently. And now you're dating the fucking mayor's daughter and- this would be a lot easier if you would look at me!”.

Pete sat up and whatever words Ted had planned died in his throat at the sight of his brother. His skin was red and splotchy, eyes puffy from crying. Ok, maybe it was easier before. “I just want to know that you're going to be ok.”, he finished weakly. Some fucking apology.

“I don't know what she sees in me.”, Pete whispered, “I know what everyone thinks of me, and I don't get why she would ever want to be with me. I've wondered that every day since she asked me out. But for some reason, she wants to be with me, even if I don't get it. I've finally stopped waiting for the other shoe to drop.”.

Ted wrapped his arm around him. He was trying to figure out what to say but Pete spoke again, “And then I find out that you think she's using me.. you really believe that?”.

Ted dragged a hand over his face, great. This was just great, “Pete, I… It's hard to explain. She's so lucky to go out with you, you're a great kid. But if she does anything stupid… I'm still worried, but I trust you. If you like her, then I'll try to give her a chance.”.

Pete wiped his eyes, “Thanks. That means a lot to me.”, his lips quirked into a small smile, “I can't believe you actually apologized.”

“Consider it my good deed for the year.”, Ted huffed, “Now drink your hot chocolate before it gets cold.”.

Pete grabbed the mug and took a drink, “You'll really try not to judge?”.

“Emphasis on try. And if I get the idea that she's using you, then I'm saying something.”, Ted spoke, the words a promise more to himself than his brother, “But I'll give her a chance for you.”.

“Thanks.”.

“Don't mention it. You'll ruin my reputation.”, Ted ruffled his hair, “Why did you make so much filling for the pierogi? I probably folded a hundred of them. I mean seriously, do we really need potato, kraut, and sweet cheese?”.

“Sweet cheese is my favorite kind. And I wanted her to have a variety to try.”, Pete shrugs before realizing, “Wait you finished them?”.

Ted nodded, “This way you have more time for your homework tomorrow.”, he expected a response but Pete only hugged him. Maybe he wasn't such a fuck up of a brother. This would be fine. He could handle dinner with Stephanie Lauter. It was fine.

-

It was not fucking fine. Ted tied his tie for what must have been the gazillionth times, hand shaking in frustration. Pete couldn't possibly expect him to just sit through dinner with Stephanie Lauter without at least trying to find out what her intentions were. Surely, he was allowed to interrogate her a little bit, right? That was his duty as an older brother. It was probably in the handbook or something.

But unfortunately, Pete was determined to make sure that Ted was on his ‘best behavior’ (Pete's words). He’d made the other promise not to try anything several times since their fight. Besides, it wasn't like he could try anything without hurting him.

And now here he stood, getting ready for dinner as the sounds of his brother cooking came from the kitchen. Ted had offered to help him with the cooking, but Pete was determined to do this by himself. He was debating if Pete would notice if he took a shot or two of whiskey when a knock sounded from the front door of their apartment, burying any further ideas of liquid courage. It was showtime.

He left his room only to be met with the sight of Stephanie Lauter in his living room, her and Pete sharing a chaste kiss. Pete's feelings for the Alpha seemed even more obvious now that she was here. Ted coughed. They practically jumped apart, their cheeks a matching shade of crimson. He couldn't hold back a snort.

“I'm glad I got the large pack of condoms then.”, he commented.

“I.. Steph this my brother Ted, Ted this is Stephanie. My girlfriend.”, Ted eyed Stephanie up and down. For her part, Stephanie didn't back down from his stare, instead sizing him up. Well, she certainly had the confidence of a Type 1, that's for sure.

“It's nice to meet you, Mr.Spankoffski.”, she spoke, offering a hand out, “I've heard a lot about you.”.

“Mr.Spankoffski was my father. Call me Ted.”, he shook her hand a bit too forcefully, “And I could say the same thing about you. Petey here can't stop telling me how amazing you are.”.

Pete squawked indignantly from beside her, ears turning red in embarrassment. Ted ignored him and instead gestured to the apartment. “Are you going to come in or are you going to continue your statue impression in my front door?”.

That seemed to snap the pair to action, Pete guiding Stephanie to the couch as if it wasn't in immediate eyeshot from the moment you stepped into the apartment. Ted shook his head and sat down in an old recliner, observing the way they never stopped touching. Jesus, was he this sappy when he was a teenager? It was like they were in some bad romcom with the amount of affection they had for each other.

“Dinner will be done in just a bit, I hope you like Polish food.”, Ted was pulled from his thoughts by the sound of Pete's voice. He watched as his brother sat down, clearly trying not to sit as close to Stephanie as he wanted to. Nerd.

“I've never had it before but it smells good.”.

“Pete here has been cooking all morning, he banned me from the kitchen hours ago. It's like our Babush possessed him.”, Ted deadpanned, shocked as she laughed at his joke. Well that was something.

“I can picture it.”.

They were interrupted by Pete quite literally jumping up out of his seat, “I need to check the food. Give me just a second, Steph. I'll be right back.”, he shouted as he all but ran to the kitchen

“Oh don't worry, we'll be alright.”, Ted called after him. He waited for approximately ten seconds before turning back to Stephanie. Finally. “So you and Pete, hmm?”, he commented, making sure his tone was neutral.

“Yep.”, Steph replied, crossing her legs, “He seems nervous about tonight.”.

“Well I suppose it's to be expected, especially since you're his first girlfriend. I'm sure you can understand that, can't you?”.

Stephanie nodded and leaned forward, “I can. You're not like people say you are.”. Ted raised his brow.

“Oh?”.

“No. You clearly care about Pete. I'm glad I didn't judge you beforehand. I mean, could you imagine how bad it would be if I wrote you off as some creepy weirdo. Pete would be devastated.”.

“Is that so?”.

“Yep. I know I'd hate it if someone judged me based on my reputation rather than actually getting to know me.”.

Busted (yet again). Great. Time to deescalate the situation, “Well I'm sure you can understand why someone would want to be sure of your intentions.”.

“I am. But I also know that I love Pete, and I never want to hurt him. If you got to know me, I'm sure you'd see that.”.

Ted snorted at her blunt words. Well there goes any subtlety. “If you break his heart-”, he started.

“If I break his heart, you have my full permission to beat my ass.”, Stephanie- Steph interrupted. She smiled as she continued, “But you might have to get in line because I'd beat myself up first. Pete is amazing and he deserves the best.”.

Ted nodded, satisfaction washing over home at her answers, “Glad we agree on that.”. Pete deserved far better than what life had dealt him, but it seemed that fate had finally given him something good.

“Fresh start then?”, Sheasked.

“Fresh start.”, Ted repeated, “It's nice to finally meet you, Steph.”.

“It's nice to meet you too, Ted.”.

“Well thank fuck that's squared away. I hate having to be a responsible adult.”, Ted mumbled, watching as Steph laughed at him. He liked her already. They were interrupted by Pete calling from the kitchen that dinner was done and they should wash up.

“Well, I suppose we should get in there.”, she made her way to the kitchen, “I don't want to miss out on trying homemade Polish food.”. He nodded and stood up to follow.

Ted Spankoffski had promised himself seven years ago that he was going to be the best guardian he could be to Pete. And it seemed like he was doing a pretty damned good job: Pete had good grades, a scholarship lined up for college, and now, a good girlfriend who loved him. Ted couldn't have fucked up that badly. He might not have been a perfect brother, but he damn well tried.

-

A/N: If you liked this, please feel free to leave a comment telling me what you think! And thank you so much to everyone for your support. It means so much to me seeing how much people like this au.

Taglist:

@forever-forgotten-angel

@lady-loveluck

@panzershrike-pretz

[lokissweater]

personal assistant (pt 1) / austin butler x reader

summary: after moving to los angeles to chase your dream of working for the movie making industry, an interesting offer made by austin butler himself completely turns your life around, and you had yet to find out if it was for better or worse.

warnings: cursing, other than that, all good!

word count: 3,480

status: in progress

authors note: I’m back!! ;)

—————

The news station was rampant with urgency, loud voices blending together creating a jumbled mess of anxiousness, but as well as excitement. Papers flung from every direction while you took note of the unusual amount of higher-ups on the floor this evening as you walked to get to the office, and you were unaware as to why everyone seemed like they were losing their mind.

Perhaps there was a sudden tragic incident on the freeway and they wanted to be the first to report it, or a wild rabid beast was on the loose causing a frenzy, or maybe everyone was just incredibly behind on their cover stories. Whatever it was, you meerly shrugged and plopped down on your coushy chair across from your bosses desk, slinging your work bag on the back rest before picking up the phone. You were an assistant at a big news station, and your usual morning routine consisted of taking messages and clearing all voicemails that had been left from the previous day for your boss, and today was no different. You sighed as you punched in your bosses mailbox pin to access the voicemail message bank, and placed the phone in between your ear and shoulder, pen and notepad in hand.

You were in the middle of hearing a disgruntled lady complain about a cameraman’s van blocking her driveway when your boss hurtled in like a mad man, piles and piles of folders and paperwork thrown on top of his desk as he hurriedly shuffled through. He hadn’t even noticed you at first, having to do a double-take to realize you were sitting there with wide eyes and lips parted.

“Oh evening Y/n!” He wiped his clammy hands on his dress pants and grabbed a bunch of files together, stepping his way towards you to plop them down at your own desk. “We have a lot to do today, and I’m going to need you to come with me right now here-” He shoved some folders in your arms, “-These need to come too-”

“Right now right now?” You questioned, looking outside to see everyone practically running down the halls through the glass window. You immediately hung up the phone, undoubtedly relieved to finally hear the disgruntled ladies voice cut off on the other end. “What is going on? Why is everyone running around like someone caught the plague?”

He laughed at your comment, “There’s an interview today.”

Your eyebrows raised, half understanding. But who could it be? You’ve seen interview after interview at the station and not once did you ever experience whatever was happening in front of you right now. Your body couldn’t help but shiver, the hairs on your arms standing up straight in anticipation as you racked your brain for answers you just couldn’t get on your own. “An interview.. who’s coming?”

“Austin Butler.”

Your eyes nearly bulged out of their eyesockets, now fully and completely understanding the events taking place. You frantically hiked the files further up your arms and stood, chair spinning out from under you and not giving a single damn about the workload you had to do today. Austin Butler was the next rising star, a hyperspeed sensation as he crossed from being a “C” list celebrity to a golden shiny “A” in a matter of months, and everyone and absolutely everyone was trying to book him for interviews, screenings, photoshoots, appearances, and everything else under the sun.

“What?” You gasped out, struggling to keep up with your bosses long strides as you ducked out of people’s way down the hall. “There was no mention of him coming in on this months calendar or- or the newsletter or even Julia blabbering on about him and she loves that man to death and-”

Without even realizing it you were hyperventilating about the whole situation, unknowingly outing your best friend on her obsession with Austin to your boss (and embarassingly almost yourself) as you both got on the elevator to go up to the fifth floor, currently being on the third. As your boss began to speak again you dug into your back pocket to pull out your phone to text Julia the news.

“His agency booked our request last minute, everyone is trying to prepare and get everything ready before six and my blood sugar is rising by the minute.” You laughed softly, finishing up your message to Julia before stuffing it back into your back pocket. “We’re expecting our viewer count to skyrocket and all eyes are going to be on us and that is why-” He turned to face you, “I need you.”

You gawked at him and mumbled, “For what? To bring him coffee?”

How dire...

“No, silly! Besides that,” He teased as the elevator doors smoothly slid open, only to be faced with an absolute rampage that was even worse than what was going on on your floor. You both trudged down the hall and made a sharp right, stepping into set. There were cameras and higher-ups getting everything situated with directions being given to other assistants and anyone else who was involved, as your boss ushered you over to the interview section. A long pastel blue lounge sofa was situated on a loft with a coffee table up front and fake plants all around, a convincing take on a professional but yet “homey” environment for our stars. “Because Vic isn’t in today, I’m taking over for Austin’s appearance. I just need you to stick to me like glue and anything that I give you to do just do, and anything Austin wants you go and get it, okay?” He smiled wrily at you. “I know this is super overwhelming and a lot to take in right now, so if you need a breather at any moment you just let me know and I’ll get someone to cover for you until you get back.”

You smiled appreciately at him and nodded, feeling so lucky that your boss was such a considerate person and never treated you any less, given the fact that you were only just an assistant. He understood that you were constantly being thrown to a pack of wolves due to the industry, and right now might be just about the worst you will experience. Without showing emotion, you couldn’t help but feel annoyed that one man was causing such a chaos at your job. “Got it, thank you.”

“Grace will be handling more of the personal tasks for Austin so you won’t have to really worry about that,” You turned to see the woman he was referencing to and nodded. “Otherwise, you should be good. He should be here any minute now, ready?”

“Ready.” You tried to sound confident, but you couldn’t deny that you were practically shitting yourself at the moment. You couldn’t afford to mess up. You’d be the laughing stock of the company and the gossip will never end, with a chance of you being fired not completely off the table as well.

Besides, what if Austin was an absolute ass that treated you with no respect? How were you supposed to deal with that? You were absolutely aware that you had the tendency to talk back, and to add on, you were stubborn. At this point, it really seemed like you were your own worst enemy that was about to get yourself fired.

“-This is where we’ll be conducting the interview-”

“Oh its really amazing in here!”

A smooth, deep, velvet like voice instantly caught your attention. It sounded so airy, softly and gently touching the surface as it made its way to your ears. Almost immedietaly, your boss began his walk towards the sound, and you did as told and followed suit.

“Hello Austin! Its a pleasure to have you here with us.” Your boss firmly shook his hand.

“The pleasure is mine, sir.” Austin said politely, flashing a dazzling smile.

“This is Grace, she’ll be taking care of anything you may need,” They shook hands, “And this, is my assistant Y/n.”

He locked eyes with you, his dazzling smile now wavering a bit as he looked at you warmly. With an extended hand, you took his in your own shaky one and shook it.

“Lovely to meet you, Y/n.”

You tried your best to give a poised, professional smile in return, “And you as well.”

Your boss began ushering him to the lounge sofa for the interview as you began to peek through the files in your arms, until you diverted your gaze upward again to see Austin looking at you over his shoulder. You jumped out of your skin and froze, confused as to why he was looking in your direction. Had you done something weird? Was there something on your face? Oh god what did you do?

On the other hand, Austin had the same exact reaction. He stiffened slightly with wide eyes having been caught looking, and quickly looked away; an action so subtle you would’ve missed it if you hadn’t been looking.

You were confused, taking a glance behind you to see if maybe he was just looking at something over your shoulder, but nothing was there besides the Keurig and a few trail mix bags in a basket. Before you could indulge on your overthinking though, Grace tapped you on the shoulder.

“Your boss asked me to keep you with me until he gets the crew settled around Austin,” You both walked up to the couch, your eyes semented on Austin with his elbows resting on his knees, chatting quietly with the interviewer. He was so incredibly poised, soft spoken and respectful. You couldn’t help but feel a sense of admiration bubble up in your chest. You knew Austin was incredibly talented, but to have a figure that represents so much class in the same room as you was so intimidating. You sat the files you had been holding down at a nearby table as she spoke again, “Just stay behind me while I assist him.”

You nodded, and the interview picked up rapidly. You took note of everything that was happening in front of you; assistants scribbling words on a notepad, the cameracrew checking in on the cameras to make sure they were functioning correctly, your boss to the side watching and whispering orders, and you, standing there not doing a single thing.

You wanted to be involved, that’s what you were in this industry for. Leaving home was the hardest thing you ever had to do, but you knew that college was just not what you wanted. You longed for film. The behind the scenes aspect in particular. So, when you finally got the courage to drop out and buy the first plane ticket you could find, you moved to Los Angeles. You had been awfully lucky at landing a job at one of the biggest news stations, and even luckier that the industry hadn’t damaged you too much.. yet. 

“And that’s break!”

Snapping out of your thoughts, you looked up expecting to find Grace in front of you, except she wasn’t. You stiffened, trying not to make it obvious that you were an absolute idiot that couldn’t follow directions.

“Grace?” You called out, hoping that she might pop up from the shadows and come back, “Grace!-”

“Austin, would you like a coffee? bottled water?”

“Bottled water is fine, thank you sir.”

“Of course uh- you!”

You spun around to be faced with a man who you presumed to be a higher-up. “Can you get a bottle from the back please?”

Austin’s eyes snapped towards your smaller frame promptly and quickly stammered, “Oh no actually- its fine!” You looked at him quizzedly. “I’m alright, thank you.”

“You sure?” You spoke up, “Its no problem at all I can go ahead and get you-”

“No,” He said firmly. “I’m more than alright, thank you.”

Austin had smiled so warmly at you after that statement, but your anger made it come across as condesceding. Were you really that bad? Did he not like you that much? Whatever it was, it was starting to piss you off, and that sense of admiration that you once had for him was long gone.

He had seemed to pick up on your cold stare, and his smile faltered. His lips parted to say something, but the crew called the end of break before he could get the chance to. Its not like you wanted to hear what he had to say anyways, you didn’t care.

You walked away swiftly, abandoning your place and almost practically stomped off set, annoyance and embarrassment spreading through your veins like wildfire.

All while Austin watched you leave, worried that he had said something that upset you.

Even though it was such a small task to do, a higher-up was watching you. It could’ve been a potential chance to make a good impression and make him remember you for events outside the studio. You huffed and turned a corner, only to bump into another frame.

“Oh Y/n! Good!” Julia gasped out, placing her hands on your shoulders in a tight grip. “I just read your message! Tell me where he is right. now.”

She shook you with each word, and you couldn’t help but to let out a laugh as you watched her frantic eyes darting around every single part of your face. “I wouldn’t be so excited if I were you.” She tilted her head to the side in question, but nonetheless, you took one of her hands and led her back to set as you explained what had happened moments prior.

“Its because he’s in love with you.”

You looked at her incrediously, “You’re delusional.”

Julia slapped your arm “No, I’m not. I need to see this with my own eyes.”

Sighing, you both stepped into the interview area again, and you could feel Julia’s knees practically wobbling at the sight of him.

“Well thank you Austin for joining us today! Just one more question for you, how difficult was it for you to fully immerse yourself into playing Elvis Presley? Did you lose a bit of yourself?”

He laughed a bit, “You can lose touch with who you actually are, and I definitely had that when I finished shooting for Elvis; not knowing who I was. The next day I woke up at four in the morning with excruciating pain, and I was rushed to the hospital.”

“Oh my god!”

Austin’s eyes flickered to yours for a moment, before continuing. “Yeah I uh.. my body just started shutting down the day after I finished Elvis. But I recovered, got back on my feet and off I went.”

You never really took into account how much work actually went into acting. I mean, you knew it took work, but that level of work where you end up in a hospital? Where you lose who you are? You kind of felt guilty that you had been putting Austin down so much in your head, succuming to the sensitive side of yourself where you felt bad for everything and anything.

As the interview drew to a close and they were off the air, you chewed on your lip in regret, eyes searching for your boss for further directions on what to do from here. It looked like the crew was just mingling with Austin, chatting and laughing as they walked to the other side of the room. You felt like you weren’t really needed, so as Julia bid you a see you later and walked out, you made your way to the bar where the Keurig was and started making an iced coffee to take for the way back to the office.

“Hello.”

You turned around to see none other than Austin standing there, a small smile etched on his godly face with his arms behind his back. You felt your heart plummit into your ass.

“Oh, hello!” The Keurig beeped and you quickly took your cup from the port before turning back around. “Do you need that bottled water now? I’ll go get it its just right behind-” You asked, thinking that that must’ve been the reason why he was talking to you.

“No! no, you’re too kind. I just uh, wanted to say hello is all.”

You tilted your head to the side, noticing the way his jaw clenched a bit. You didn’t really know what to say after that, but before you could think about it any further, he spoke up again.

“How long have you been working here?”

“F-For about um.. a year? I believe?” You stammered, shifting your weight from one foot to the other, a nervous habit.

He seemed to have one too, because the constant fiddling of the rings on his fingers was something you had picked up on that he did during the interview, and now too.

Was he nervous? What for?

“That’s great! How you liking it so far?”

“Its good! I um, I love the environment here, everyone is super friendly and I’ve gained a lot of experience since I started working.” You smiled sweetly at him as you reached out behind you to pour your coffee into an iced filled plastic cup.

“Wait, let me- I can do that for you-”

You would have profusely denied his offer and thanked him one million times for it anyways, but he didn’t even give you the chance to as he quickly took the coffee from your hands and did it himself. “I do these all the time.. I just think a licensed professional should be handling hot coffee cups like this.”

You quirked an eyebrow and let out a little laugh, “A licensed professional?”

“Mhm. Its dangerous stuff here I don’t think- fuck!” Austin frantically turned on the faucet and switched it to the coldest temperature, allowing his slightly coffee covered hands to cool off under the running water in the sink.

“Oh my god, are you okay?” Quickly taking a step forward, you peered over his shoulder to see the damage, and was relieved to see almost nothing at all; his skin just a bit irritated from the heat.

His cheeks flushed as he felt your presence in such close proximity behind his back, and he cleared his throat, “This is just part of the procedure.”

You laughed again, watching Austin pour your coffee into the plastic cup, the ice crackling as it made contact with the heat, and capped it with a lid. “For you.”

“Thank you.”

Austin shoved his hands in his pockets and faced the ground, shuffling his shiny heeled boots. “Listen I uh- I came over here to ask you a quick question.”

“Really?” You were so so confused, “Okay..”

“Milk chocolate or dark chocolate?”

Huh?

“You’re.. asking me about chocolate?”

He nodded and licked his lips, awaiting your response.

“Dark chocolate.”

His face broke out into a bright smile, and it almost looked like he had just confirmed a thought. “I was wondering if you’d consider taking the position of being my personal assistant.”

Your eyes widened as your breath got caught in your throat. His what?

“Your what?”

“I-I’m sorry I know this comes off really weird,” He scratched the back of his neck in embarrassment. “I mean it though. I really hope you’ll consider the job-” He fumbled in his pocket and pulled out a business card, “Just call that number,” He pointed to a phone number on the card, “And they’ll get you situated.”

You didn’t understand. All of this information was being thrown at your face all at the same time and you didn’t know how to break it down. Being Austin’s assistant meant the ultimate breakthrough in your career. You’d get your name out there, and the chance to work in professional movie making would actually start to take its shape into becoming a reality.

But could you handle it? You didn’t know, and you didn’t know if you wanted to find out. Being a personal assistant for a news station was one thing, sure, stressful, but manageable. Being a personal assistant for an “A” list celebrity was a whole different ball game. It was more one on one. You can’t blend into the crowd or take frequent bathroom breaks to scroll through social media...

And you wouldn’t see Julia every day anymore, and at the mere thought of that, your shoulders slumped.

Austin furrowed his eyebrows, “Hey..” You looked up. “Its alright, I know its a lot, don’t think you have any obligation to this,” He pointed at the business card in your hand again. “I think you’d make an excellent fit anywhere you choose to go or stay.”

You looked up at him then, your heart stuttering a bit at the compliment he just gave you.

You had to do it.. you just had to.

For your dream.

Smiling timidly, you nodded.

“I’ll do it.”

[justahumblememefarmer]

Is Pokémon intuitive to play? An Experiment

My friend was over recently and we were talking about how he'd hardly played any video games. I've been playing many games for so many years that the story structure and controls feel pretty intuitive to me. Particularly with Pokémon. So we agreed to an experiment for him to play and see how he fares without the intuition and experience that I rely on.

I had him play Shining Pearl to start off with. The other Switch Pokémon games have a lot of gimmicks, more complicated controls, and overworld encounters that you have to react quickly to. Shining Pearl is almost 1:1 with the DS game, with a pretty linear story and plenty of tutorials.

If he had any questions, I would answer them, but other than that he pretty much figured everything out himself

The only time I stepped in without asking was when he was choosing a starter to make sure he didn't choose one without looking at all 3 options

The first thing that he had an issue with was with the ledges. He discovered that he could not cross them when running into them. After obtaining his starter and being able to get to the other side of the first ledge he assumed he would still be unable to cross. He did not talk to the NPC that tells you that you can. He eventually discovered you could cross a ledge by accident.

He couldn’t figure out how to get to Sandgem Town at first (didn’t see the grass at the top and was frustrated by the ledge)

The Potions given to him were the first healing mechanic introduced, so while he grinded in the grass before Sandgem town, he would just use Potions whenever his health got low.

It wasn’t until he got to Jubilife that he started exploring more, going into every building and talking to every person

Using the fishing rod he went to the bag every single time to select it, but after three tries with no bites he gave up

He asked me during the first rival battle how to give his Pokémon “The Claw”. I explained that he would have to give the Quick Claw he received to his Pokémon before the battle began

After a while he asked me how to tell what type a Pokémon is (couldn’t tell whether Kricketot was a Fire type), so I told him he could look it up in the Pokedex

The first item he found on the ground was a potion, so upon seeing a second, he said “Oh another potion!”

He did not try catching wild Pokémon for a while. His first trainer battle he tried catching the opponents Starly, and I learned that there’s a special animation where the Pokeball bounces off and the words “don’t be a thief” pop up. He didn’t try to catch a Pokémon until after his first Rival fight (a Starly)

His next 4 encounters were Starly, which frustrated him because he wanted to catch new ones. He finally found a Shinx, which he killed

Barry mentioned Oreburgh having a Gym, which meant nothing to my friend

When he reached the 4-move limit with Chimchar he decided to replace Leer with Power-Up Punch (who really needs status moves?)

While he has caught two Pokémon (Starly and Shinx) he has not yet changed the order of his party, nor switched it out in battle as his Chimchar hasn’t fainted. He just keeps using potions on it in battle if it’s health gets too low (although it got paralyzed and he has been very frustrated by those effects)

He finally started switching out his overpowered Chimchar in battle, but hasn’t found out how to change the order of his party yet

He asked if he caught a second Shinx would it be seperate from the one he caught or add to it

“I think I saw one of those yellow floaty things, I think it’s called a Charmander” I was very confused about what he meant, but in remembering the 10 Pokémon he’s seen, I think he meant Abra

He’s decided to go train on the route between Sandgem Town and Jubilife City with it’s level 2 and 3 Pokémon, but is also complaining that he wants to catch new ones he hasn’t seen yet

He just discovered the guidebook in his key items section and is looking up how to Fish

He’s just gotten the Hidden Machine app and is very intrigued by what it means

lol I forgot that before you can fight Roark, you have to find him at the mine. He is very confused as to where the mine is, and is exploring the tunnel between Jubilife and Oreburgh

Chimchar evolved into Monferno in Oreburgh mine right after meeting Roark. He described it as “A baboon, but it’s also kind of like one of those pilots with the scarves.”

He entered the gym for the first time and then (accidentally) walked right back out

He hasn’t seemed to notice (or said anything) that the attack moves of his Pokémon have an effectiveness rating next to them. The idea of type matchups have not fully sunk in yet

While fighting Roark he tried to switch out a Pokémon and said “I’m looking for one of those Water/Grass Pokémon thingies the guy recommended” looking at his team of Monferno, Starly, Shinx, and Geodude

He doesn’t think to be constantly healing his Pokémon. Entered the gym with Monferno slightly damaged, fought the two gym trainers and approached Roark with Monferno at half health

So far every new move a Pokémon learns he has not looked at what the new move does AT ALL, just seems to blindly pick a move to replace, although most of the time it’s been a status move that he erases

After beating Roark he decided to look for the other 7 gym leaders, who he assumed would also be in the same town

Things he did before trying to catch a wild Pokémon

Been reminded by Dawn to catch Pokémon

Gone to the trainers school

Commented that multiple trainers were “cheating” by using 2 or more Pokémon

Won his first rival fight against Barry (his Piplup used NO water moves and got burned. I was hoping fainting would cause him to try and catch more)

Beat every trainer before the Oreburgh Tunnel

I think he may end up continuing playing the next time he’s over. Every Pokémon is brand new to him. We have hardly touched upon the plot yet. No hints of Team Galactic yet.

[helluvabossrewrite45]

Man you mentioning Always Sunny makes me even more sad being the tone of humor for that show would have worked perfectly for Hellvua Boss. What could have been...

Definitely. I think the problem for helluva boss is that viv wants you to like these characters but uses the wrong stuff (sad backstories, telling instead of showing us their good traits, tone them down etc...) they show us that their suppose to be sympathetic/to root for and while she can still use them and it can work, it can also be cheap especially if the characters either don't change in the end or revert to the status quo the next time we see them. But even if they dont change or are still unlikable, you can still make them well liked by audiences and 'its always sunny in Philadelphia' is the perfect example of this. People dont like the characters because of their likability or sympathy, they like them because they embrace their unlikability. People tend to like characters embracing their unlikability than characters who are unlikeable that were suppose to like since we're meant to dislike that character so we can have fun with them and their terribleness. This is also one of the reasons people like alastor (like me) because him embracing his asshole self is fun to watch and its one of the reasons why people dislike stolas (also me included) because the show tend to excuse his actions, making it not so fun to watch him being terrible. So the always sunny approach wouldve suit helluva boss perfectly as you said, given that the entire plot is meant to be an episodic dark humoured show around these characters doing a hitman business in hell.

Although if the show is meant to change to a more serialised character driven show, it could use the 'bojack horseman' approach. Many people like bojack despite him being unlikable though the reason for this isnt because he embraces his unlikability, instead its for his more relatable/humane traits that were shown through the show (like the episode 'stupid piece of shit') and i can see that's one of the things viv tried to use especially when she said she watched the show before (making blitzo and stolas good fathers (stolas still fails at that unfortunately)) and the sad backstories given to blitzo, stolas, moxxie and loona. But the key element in bojack that isnt there in viv's work is the accountability. Even when fans of bojack excuse his actions, its not from the show because the show itself calls out bojack, it gives him longer term consequences for his actions. For example, lets compare stolas and octavia to bojack and hollyhock. When holly found out about the prom incident that happened from pete at the party, she decides to distance herself from bojack before finally cutting him out of her life from the disastrous 2nd interview. Its treated as a consequence to his actions and doesnt have holly get over it quickly and so does the other characters like todd who was the first to distance himself from bojack and remained that way despite bojack apologising. Now for stolas and octavia, when stolas apologises to octavia for the cheating incident, she forgives him pretty quickly. Even the 2nd time, she soon forgives him without even an apology, instead it was from loona whose speech was basically 'give him a break, he's trying'. It doesnt give stolas longer term consequences for him to grow, same with blitzo. We constantly see his sad backstory and his more good traits (being a good dad to loona) but we dont see him ever changing, we only see him being tone downed. Given that i mention todd and bojack, blitzo and moxxie have a similar relationship as well (where one 'friend' is the punching bag for the main character who doesnt want the 'friend' to leave because of abandonment issues) but the difference is that todd is allowed to distance himself from bojack despite how bojack would feel, its sad but its a part of his consequences that he can use to change. We dont get any of that for moxxie and blitzo, blitzo apologises and promised to be a better friend but we never see this progression which is a shame. And hell, even bojack changed more than both blitzo and stolas combined. Its slow for sure but the progress is there. We dont see that for blitzo and stolas however, because the accountability part isnt very present for them.

(Sorry for this being too long) My point is that if you want to make an episodic show around bad people, let them embrace their badness. If you want to make a serialised show around bad people, let them be held accountable.

[oc-tournaments]

ROUND THREE - MATCH 5

DANZYMYR MAENELD vs TAMARA

DANZYMYR MAENELD: @mitsubinyuri

TAMARA: @wokeuptraveledstraightintothesun

VOTE BASED ON THE INFORMATION BELOW CUT!!

Propaganda Content Warnings: Parental death for DANZYMYR, abandonment, experimenting and cult mentions for TAMARA.

DANZYMYR MAENELD:

PROPAGANDA: Danzymyr is a male Drow so already not off to a great start. His mother was like... standard evil drow matriarch. Because he was of high status he was treated a little better than other Drow males but still pretty damn terribly. His house, House Maeneld, was on the way out in terms of power and influence and due to the constant jockeying for status in Drow society his mom was intent to use him as a tool to further the house, as with all of his other siblings.

He went to school in Menzoberranzan to be a warrior, and while he was there, he met another student who he ended up becoming close with. This other student was a member of a much more influential house, and long story short his mother found out and wanted to use his closeness to this guy to infiltrate the house and do a whole lot of murder. He was kind of like okay! Sure!

But he lost his nerve right before reaching the place. He escaped to the surface instead, where shit was awful for him. The Drow's sunlight sensitivity made it so that he was in constant pain and most people didn't look too favorably upon him. Eventually, he took up a career as a monster hunter, gaining more and more begrudging respect until he eventually became an adventurer, and later, hero. All the while he's still traumatized from how he was raised and is deathly terrified of spiders.

Eventually he decides he needs to go back to confront his past, so he does. He returns to the house where he was raised and finds out that the guy he was "very good friends" with died anyway (due to his mother's intervention). He ends up killing his mother and actively enjoys it and that causes a big sense of shame.

Then he's sent to a magic prison where they get their minds probed by an aasimar for abstract visions of their psyche given in the form of song where he'll be judged innocent or guilty. He falls in love with a druid who has a crazy savior complex and is enforcing terrible restrictions on the other prisoners, and he's like "wait he's not that bad!" They make each other worse lol.

THEME SONG:

TAMARA:

PROPAGANDA: let’s see, lost her family at 7 years old (none of them died there was just a house fire where she was put inside an iron stove to “protect” her by her father (her father doesn’t like her can you tell) and they left her there (the rest of her family thought she’d left already)), (un)fortunately picked up by a guy who took her to a very ethical lab where she was healed! And then forced through many painful experiments. Also she was the executioner for a Lot of people later in the lab time and she’s not even 16 yet. So she escapes at age 16 and spends a year with her girlfriend just existing and processing (poorly) what she had to live through and trying to acclimate to life outside of The Lab. Then her girlfriend (who is a cyborg fun fact) got a virus and so she had to be decommissioned which was not a good time for Tamara.

Other physical details: One of the experiments was a test in how high someone’s empathy can get and. Tamara’s the highest Kyne (the one guy who loves experimenting on her) got. So she’s having a Time. She has lost sensation in her extremities, her bones are weak as Fuck due to being part bird (because of very little bone marrow and airy bones), and she just always looks soggy regardless. Also she’s trans

So she just can Not catch a break and she unfortunately gets exploited by her need for parental love and general guidance in her life and joins a cult :( Like can you see the fact that she just cannot stop being kicked while she is down. (I love her to bits and she is my favorite oc I promise)

THEME SONG:

[aggimaginary]

The Moon Shines In Friendship (Nimona fanfic) - chapter 2

Previous Next

Hello everyone! I am so sorry that it took me a month to update my story! I mean, I loved what I had planned for my first Nimona fanfic, but I was busy in college school, and I had more personal things to deal like fanart and other fanfic. So, here's chapter 2, It took me a while too because this chapter is really long. This chapter is a flashback chapter that took place before and during the events of the film! I hope you have fun reading this!

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22 YEARS AGO

At the Academy, young knights-in-training were working very hard to achieve their goals and dreams of becoming real knights. Some used wooden swords to defeat their individual monster dummies, some pushed themselves through an obstacle course, and some practiced duels. Particularly young Ballister Boldheart and Ambrosius Goldenloin. They were assigned together as partners for dual practice. They didn't mind, they were excited. They were always a duo and bow, they had to battle each other. They would try not to play around with the Director's presence. They have to be serious and play as if they are enemies.

At that moment, Ballister poked Ambrosius' hip with his wooden sword.

"Whoops! Careful there," Ambrosius chuckled quietly.

"Sorry," Ballister whispered. Knights never apologize, so he lowered his voice when he said that word.

As the children kept on training, the Director had been observing each and every child in the Academy. Most of them did so well. Ballister had always been the best student she ever had, but she also wanted Ambrosius to be as best as the former, just to maintain the status of his bloodline.

"Cadets, may I please have your attention?" The Director announced, having all the students' attention as they all left their station and placed themselves in line, and stood straight, "We have a very special guest today, and she brought us an unexpected surprise. Students, welcome, Queen Valerin."

As the Director stepped aside, Queen Valerin walked calmly in front of the students as they all bowed respectfully before their queen.

"Please, don't be too formal. I know you are all very busy and well-focused on being knights, but I have a very special announcement to all of you," Queen Valerin announced as the students all stood up straight from their bowing, "We have a new student today, and she's very new, she doesn't come from a noble bloodline."

Todd snicked quietly, "Oh great, another street rat, a girl street rat."

The other kids chuckled quietly as Ballister and Ambrosius heard Todd's insult for the new student, not to mention they also thought about Ballister being the only commoner knight-in-training. Now that there were going to be two, there will be double punching bags in this Institute. Ambrosius just wanted to march right at Todd and punch him, but Ballister extended his arm to stop him, shaking his head and gesturing not to continue what he was doing, especially not in front of the queen.

"Everyone, I like you to meet Chasina," The queen lowered her hand, and pointed below her, but there was no one there, "It's okay, Chasina, you can come out."

Behind the queen's dress, a female child timidly and shyly crept out to show herself. She was very afraid and very shy to show her face, but, as a young commoner, she loved to obey the queen. She then slowly stepped out, fully showing herself. A little girl, probably a year younger than Ballister and Ambrosius' age, with short brown hair that covered half of her right eye, wearing a sky-blue blouse, a cerulean skirt, and a cyan hairclip bow. She was also holding a gray mouse plushie in her arms, and she was covered with a little amount of dirt as if she hadn't showered for a while. It made sense because she had been living in the streets all her life.

Ambrosius gasped in delight as he nudged at Ballister, making him think he was lucky that he wouldn't be the only commoner in the Institute.

Queen Valerin bent down to reach the little girl's level as she placed a hand on her head, "I saw this little girl sneaking into the headquarters, and I saw in her eyes when she held a sword. It inspired me that we should have another lower-class child in the Institute. And I hope you should make her feel welcome."

The other young knights-in-training quietly snorted as if they wanted to welcome this young commoner into the Academy. They already have one. They didn't want to deal with another one.

Ballister just stared pitifully that the new student would have to deal with the same prejudice from the other cadets as he had, while Ambrosius glared spitefully. This was like how Ballister got into the Institute, but since this was a very young female commoner, the young Goldenloin knew those bullies would do something worse to her.

"Well, I should leave you all to carry on with your training," Queen Valerin reported before turning at the young girl, "Chasina, you're going to be alright here, and you'll be the hero that I see in you."

While looking up at the queen, Chasina was scared. She wanted to be a knight, but her lack of self-confidence made her doubt herself. But since the queen herself was the one who brought her here, Chasina just nodded at her, hoping the queen was right with her words. She had no idea what she put herself into when she snuck into the Institute's castle and held a sword from one of the display cases of the deceased knights.

Queen Valerin stood up straight once again and walked out to leave the students back to their training. Chasina quickly tried to follow the queen as she was too scared to be left alone without her supervision, but the door was already closed. The queen left. Chasina was on her own now. She was really scared. She didn't know if she could survive here… Alone.

The Director approached her closer from behind, and placed a hand on her shoulder, "Alright, Chasina, why don't stand over there next to your classmate, Ballister, over there?" she pointed her staff to where Ballister was standing. Chasina looked up and saw a young commoner boy waving at her. Chasina wasn't so excited about this. She was very new, so she didn't know how the system worked here. When Chasina, still holding her toy, walked slowly towards the line, one cadet beside Ballister moved aside, not because he would give her space, it was because he was disgusted by a dirty new commoner. The other cadets laughed while covering their mouths as they watched Chasina stand in line beside Ballister.

Ballister extended a hand to Chasina, but she just stared at him and looked away. She was too scared to meet another kid at her age…, or older. She wasn't ready to socialize yet. Ballister understood that. On his first day here, it was hard to socialize with other cadets. Nobody liked him here… except for just one kid. Chasina just needed time to find trust in other kids. Ballister put his hand back behind his back, giving Chasina some space for herself.

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At recess, Chasina was sitting on the dining table alone, eating a grilled cheese sandwich. This was the only thing she could afford to get at the cafeteria. She wasn't comfortable eating different food since she only ate leftovers and food from trash when she was still living on the streets.

There were so many things in her mind today. It was her first day, and things were getting hard. It was because she started late. Unlike Ballister, Chasina started training a little later than the rest of the cadets. She couldn't keep up with the classes. She needed to read more textbooks and observe demos of how to hold the sword, dodge attacks, etc. She was too slow and even scared that she wouldn't reach her dreams too soon. There was so much pressure already. Her training was too advanced for her to catch up. It was a stressful first day already.

Recess was the only thing she could rest herself from all that training. She hoped she got her head straight once she finished eating her food.

Just then, a group of kids approached her with smirky faces.

"Look what we have here, guys. Another kid from the streets!" Todd laughed as he raised his hands for his fellow cadets to give him high-fives. Chasina remembered Todd from earlier. The guy who would made fun of her already. Chasina decided to ignore him and proceeded to eat.

"Wha- what are you eating? A grilled cheese sandwich?! What are you? A street mouse?" Todd laughed loudly as so did the rest of the knights-in-training. It wasn't her fault that she liked cheese. Chasina loved cheese. The only food she could eat when she tried to survive.

"Look, she is a mouse!" One of the students pointed out.

Chasina tried not to cry when the other cadets called her that as her hair covered half of her face and took another bite.

Shockingly, her mouse plushie got snatched away from beside her. Todd held the toy by its tail.

"Hey!" Chasina yelped, witnessing her favorite toy got taken away.

"She has a stuffed mouse as a pet, too!" Todd showed the stuffed mouse to his fellow cadets.

"Give it back!" Chasina demanded, throwing her unfinished sandwich on the table, and stood up to get her mouse back.

"Awww, you want this?" Todd cooed before throwing the mouse at another student.

It became a Hot Potato Game for the other students as they passed the mouse plushie to each other and prevented Chasina from catching her beloved toy.

"No! Cherry!" Chasina cried, trying to catch her mouse, "Please, I want Cherry! Give her back to me!"

Todd then caught the mouse back into his arms and held it by the tail again. He handed the mouse to Chasina, but he raised it up to prevent Chasina from retrieving it as she was too short to reach her toy, "If you want it, you have to catch it!" He threw the mouse again to another cadet.

"No! Please! Give her back!" Chasina sobbed, still trying to catch her mouse, and extending her arms to reach for it.

"Hey!" Ballister's voice was heard behind the other cadets. They all turned around, and Chasina was surprised to see the same boy she stood next to earlier, "Why don't you give her that mouse back? She did nothing to you!" Ballister bravely marched up to Todd.

"Aww, isn't this sweet? Ballister here thought he was a real knight already!" Todd teased with a chuckle with other cadets chuckled along with him. He grabbed Ballister by his shirt collar, and pulled him closer to his face, "By protecting a very weak princess!" Todd threw Ballister in front of Chasina, who scooted backward slightly, "You know, you're lucky the queen sent in another commoner because if neither of you would become a knight, then you'd both be losers together. High-five on that!" Todd raised both his hands, letting other cadets high-five him again, and they all laughed at Ballister and Chasina.

Surprisingly, the mouse plushie around Todd's arm got snatched from behind. It was Ambrosius as he held the mouse gently in his arms, "Leave them alone, Todd. It's none of your business to tell them what they'll be in the future, especially her," he eyed Chasina, who was shocked to see a noble student would stand up to commoners like her and Ballister.

"Pfft! Whatever, Goldenloin, have fun with your servant and your new toy, and I'm not talking about the mouse," Todd scoffed as he walked away before bumping his shoulder at Ambrosius', and the other cadets followed him.

As those bullies already left, Ambrosius turned, and offered a hand to Ballister, "Bal, are you okay?"

Ballister accepted Ambrosius' hand, and stood back up on his feet again, "Yeah, I was supposed to get that mouse… for her," he tilted his head at Chasina. She was still on the ground, feeling scared to come forward towards the two boys.

Ambrosius looked down at the mouse plush he held, and handed it over to the little girl, "Here. I think this belongs to you."

Chasina almost hesitated to come close and retrieve her mouse because it was held by another noble child. She was afraid to be bullied again. But that was her toy. She needed her mouse. If this child was handing it over to her, then now was her chance to get it back, "Ch-Cherry!" Chasina rushed to her mouse, and snatched it back, hugging it so tightly like she never wanted to let it go again. Small tears flowed down on her cheek. She really loved her toy.

"I'm sorry about Todd. He's always been like that," Ambrosius explained as he stepped forward, causing Chasina to back away a little while holding her adorable little mouse, "Hey, don't be afraid, we're not going to hurt you."

But Chasina remained distant while still hugging her mouse. It was hard for her to make new friends, especially when she had already been bullied. She still stayed still while staring at the two boys at the corner of her eyes. Her left eye was covered by her hair as she was too shy to even look directly.

Ballister and Ambrosius glanced at each other, knowing the girl was too scared to come closer. They understood her, so she needed more time and space to socialize.

"Anyway, I'm Ambrosius," the young noble kid introduced himself.

"And I'm Ballister," the young commoner boy took a step closer to the young girl, and kneeled to her level, "Um, what's your name again?"

Chasina was too nervous to talk, but it was rude of her if she didn't speak at all when she was asked. She responded quietly, "Um... I'm Chasina."

"I'm sorry, what was that?" Ballister asked, leaning the side of his head a little closer to hear her.

"Um... My name is Chasina," Chasina answered even quieter.

"A little louder," Ambrosius requested.

"It's Chasina," the young commoner girl whispered quickly.

"I think I almost hear 'Chasina'. It's that your name?" Ballister tried to clarify what the little girl was saying.

But Chasina only let out a small squeak.

Seeing that the commoner girl felt so pressured and nervous, Ambrosius told her calmly, "Okay, you don't have to say it again. So, you dream of becoming a knight one day?"

Without saying a word, Chasina just nodded. "So do we! Your parents must be really proud," Ballister exclaimed while approaching closer to Chasina, "Where are your parents, by the way?"

That was it. Chasina only lived in a street with no memory of her parents. Yet, she grew up without parents or a family either. She lived alone, all by herself with her toy, "Umm… I don't have parents," she answered, still quiet but clear to hear.

Ballister felt pity for Chasina. He had the same life as she had. All alone in the street, "Aww, it's okay. I don't have parents either. I came from the streets, like you."

"It's true. Ballister here snuck up into the training course and attacked a monster dummy. It's pretty funny," Ambrosius recalled the day Ballister snuck into the obstacle course, and the knights tackled him down. Ballister wasn't so proud of himself that day, but he was glad he was brave enough to sneak in like that.

Chasina let out a little giggle. It was funny.

"Hey, why don't you hang out with us?" Ambrosius suggested.

"Are you sure? I don't want to be a bother," Chasina said, feeling like a burden already.

"It's nothing. We want you to stick with us. We'll help you along the way since you missed a couple of sessions. You didn't catch up when our training started. We'll help you out with make-up sessions," Ballister suggested.

Chasina wasn't sure if this was a good idea. She just met these boys. Why were they so nice to her? Why didn't they like those other cadets? But hearing their voices sounded like they were serious about accompanying her. Chasina slightly turned her head to show both her eyes from her hair, "Well… alright. Thank you."

Ballister offered Chasina's hand as she accepted, and he helped her get up on her feet. She then approached Ambrosius, trying to be brave to face a noble child. He responded by just rubbing Chasina's hair, and she giggled like she was tickled.

It was a good start to a beautiful friendship.

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At the Glorodome, there was the knighting ceremony, and senior cadets were going to be knights tonight. Ambrosius, Ballister, and Chasina snuck out of their dorms just to see the ceremony. They found the right spot for them to watch the whole view. Ambrosius climbed up on the stadium rafters first before Ballister and Chasina tried to catch up with him, "Come on, come on!"

Ballister came up next, then offered Chasina's hand, who was still trying to climb up while holding her mouse toy.

"Careful, Chasina," Ballister grabbed her hand and lifted her up.

Once the children were up on their feet, they continued to walk a little farther to find a better view while Chasina felt hesitant but followed the two boys anyway.

"Are you sure this is safe? I don't think we're allowed here," Chasina said.

"Don't worry. No one will know we're here. We've been here before," Ambrosius reassured her, sitting at the edge of the rafter.

"This is also the place where we hang out sometimes," Ballister added, also sitting down.

"Wow, that's really great," Chasina still felt hesitant about this idea, but she didn't want to feel left out of the fun, so she sat down beside Ballister.

As the knighting ceremony started, new knights rode their horses into the arena, and the whole crowd cheered for their new knights. The knights headed towards the middle of the arena.

"Wow, that's a lot of knights," Chasina commented, couldn't take her eyes off the scene.

"Here's the best part," Ambrosius whispered excitedly.

The three children proceeded to watch the scene. A knight stepped forward before the queen, and she used the sword to announce his knighthood to the public. The crowd cheered loudly.

Chasina was puzzled at first about what was happening, until she figured it out for herself, "Oh, so that's how they would become knights? The Queen officially made them knights?"

"That's right. And someday, it's gonna be us down there," Ambrosius said proudly.

"Do you think we'll be able to do it?" Chasina asked in doubt. Seeing the other knights reach their dream tonight, she couldn't imagine herself being down there with the queen who would knight her one day. She wasn't sure what the future held for her as Chasina doubted if she would ever be a knight, "Do you think I can do it?"

Ballister placed an arm around her shoulder, "Of course. We saw how you worked hard back at the Academy. First make-up sessions, you're already learning."

"I can be a fast learner sometimes." Chasina chuckled proudly, trying to remove Ballister's arm from her, "I'm just afraid that… I might not be able to do it."

"What makes you say that?" Ballister asked with him and Ambrosius glanced at her worryingly.

"I mean, come on. Look at me! I'm no noble, I'm from the streets, and I'm a girl…. A weak little girl," Chasina curled herself and hugged her knees.

"You're not. Did you already know that Gloreth is a girl herself?" Ballister reminded, still seeing Gloreth's statue (its backside) from up here.

"Yeah, but she's brave and determined. I'm just scared and timid. Knights are not like that," Chasina was filled with self-doubt. She even stared at Gloreth's statue from afar, comparing herself to the legendary hero.

"Hey, I was like that too," Ambrosius admitted.

"You are?" Chasina refused to believe that.

"You just didn't know you were talking to the direct descendant of Gloreth," Ambrosius rubbed his thumb and index fingers together while staring at his nails, before glancing back at Chasina with a smug look.

Chasina was confused by Ambrosius' words. She didn't know what he was talking about. It was confusing, until… She stared at Gloreth's statue then back at Ambrosius. She looked back and forth at the giant statue and her friend a couple of times before she realized a shocking revelation.

Ambrosius is Gloreth's descendant that she never ever knew before!

"I didn't know that!" Chasina exclaimed, making the two boys laugh. They couldn't believe Chasina was still clueless about that fact. She should've gotten out more.

"I thought you'd figured it out yourself!" Ambrosius laughed really hard.

"I didn't know!" Chasina admitted. She was completely unaware. She knew Ambrosius came from a noble family since all cadets were born noble with Ballister being the only commoner before her arrival, but she couldn't tell which ancestry belonged to every student in the academy, "But I do know now," Then, she remembered Ballister being a commoner like her. He was so brave and hardworking, while Chasina had a little lack of self-confidence. That made them so different, "How do you get so confident, Ballister?"

"I wasn't so confident, but I did work very hard in class, and it's my dream. And if it's your dream to be a knight too, then I know you'll be able to be one," Ballister advised, making Chasina nod in agreement. It was her dream to be a knight and to protect the kingdom. It was merely impossible for her until the queen decided to let a commoner boy like Ballister train into the Institute. Now, Chasina was brought in as well.

But there was another thing Chasina was thinking in her head, much more important than her dream, "I'm more worried about another thing."

"What would it be?" Ballister asked, but Chasina was hesitant to answer, "Come on. You can tell us."

Chasina sighed in embarrassment. It would be too cheesy or sappy to tell them what was on her mind right now. She held her toy again, and confessed, "It's just that… you guys are my friends. You guys were the only ones who welcomed me here. And what would happen to us if we became knights? Would we ever be friends? Would we… still be friends? What if… we won't be?"

"That's not true. We'll always be friends," Ambrosius assured her.

"But, friendship isn't part of a knight's oath. Our oath is to protect the kingdom, which means taking the risk… even giving up our friendship…" Chasina's voice trembled and nearly cried. She sat back and looked down, proceeding to watch the ceremony. She would imagine that all three of them were down there but wouldn't be friends like how they were today anymore, "We go alone."

With Ballister feeling pity for Chasina and trying to comfort her, Ambrosius looked down at the ceremony. He had the same idea as Chasina's. She was right. For now, they are just children, being happy together while training to be the best knights. But, in the future, as they grew, they would risk losing their friendship when they fulfill their duties. Friendship couldn't last forever sometimes. It depended on how adults would see when they grew up.

Then, Ambrosius had an idea. It would be a risky idea, but it was the only option. He stood up and announced to the two commoners, "You know what? Why don't we make our own oath?"

"Our own oath?" Ballister asked.

"Yes! It might not be a knight's oath, but this is our oath together, knights or not."

"I'm pretty sure you will be a knight, Ambrosius."

"Even if I do, we still have to make a promising oath."

When Ambrosius took a knee down, Ballister and Chasina moved away from the edge and gathered into a huddle.

"From here on out, we swear to each other that we always be best friends. Even if we become knights, nothing and absolutely nothing would stand between our friendship. Not even the Institute would break us apart. We'll always stay close together, and be knights together at the very end," Ambrosius just made an unbreakable and sworn promise. As a noble-born knight-to-be, it was in his honor to make a promise that would never be made to be broken…, ever. To prove it, he put his hand in the middle, to be the first out of the three to swear that promise, "That's a promise I'm willing to keep. I swear," he was now waiting for any of the two to join him. He wanted to make sure that Ballister and Chasina would swear the same promise he was keeping.

"I swear," Ballister was the next one to put his hand on the middle, over Ambrosius' hand. He wanted to make this friendship last forever like Ambrosius and Chasina.

Once Ballister touched Ambrosius' hand, there was a feeling between them that they hadn't felt before. In his defense, Ambrosius already had an interest in Ballister, but they were still children. It might be just a normal liking, nothing more.

Ballister didn't mean to make things awkward between him and Ambrosius when the former touched his hand. The way Ambrosius stared at him made Ballister blush a little while his hair covered one of his eyes, and tried to look away from him.

Seeing the two boys staring so strangely at each other, Chasina didn't know what was happening as she interrupted them, "Um… you guys know I'm here right? Eyes on me," The kids just chuckled hysterically while Chasina still stayed with the same topic they were talking about just now, "But… I swear," she put her hand over Ballister and Ambrosius' hand, she also agreed with this promise. She wanted to stay best friends with the boys who had been so nice to her ever since she first stepped at the Academy. Even if they would reach their dreams as knights, she wished that they would stay like this for a long time.

"Trust me, we'll always be best friends… no matter what," Ambrosius declared as the three had their hands lifted in the air.

Throughout the years, Ballister, Ambrosius, and Chasina grew close together as a trio. To lock up their promise forever, Ambrosius made his own "Decree of Friendship" with just a piece of paper and crayons. He put his signature under the text with a yellow crayon. He passed the paper to Ballister, signing his own signature with a black crayon. He passed the paper to Chasina, who signed her signature with a blue crayon. With the "decree" being signed up, Ambrosius rolled the paper into a scroll and kept it in a small chest.

Ballister and Ambrosius then acted like older brothers to Chasina. Ambrosius gave one of his family's swords to Chasina, just like he gave one to Ballister. He gave her a blue one and modified the G initial of the sword to a C.

When the three were stargazing together in Ambrosius' dorm, Chasina was fascinated by the crescent moon. This gave Ballister the idea of giving her a last name; Moonlight. Chasina loved that name and decided to keep it.

One day, Chasina lost her favorite toy mouse, which was hidden in the corner under her bed. Ballister and Ambrosius found it until Chasina declared she didn't need her toy now that she had two amazing big brothers to look after her. Secretly, Ambrosius kept her toy mouse, just in case she would need it again one day. When the three were stargazing together outside their dorms and laid down under the stars, Ballister surprised Chasina with a new hairpin by removing her old hairclip bow and replacing it with the one he made. When Ambrosius gave Chasina a mirror, she saw the new hairpin Ballister made for her. It was a blue circular hairpin with a navy blue crescent moon surrounded by tiny silver gems. She loved it! She totally loved her new hairpin. She had been wearing that pin ever since and never took it off.

There was also that day when Ballister and Ambrosius helped Chasina dye a streak of her hair with blue and white.

As they grew, Ballister and Ambrosius continued protecting Chasina from being severely bullied until she was a bit old enough to defend herself, and gained confidence.

Years later, Ballister, Ambrosius, and Chasina were now teenagers. Possibly 16 or 17. They did great at the academy together. All three, fight together, side-by-side. No solo, no letting each other down. Even though there were classes that the three had to train alone, most of the time, they were studying, learning, training, and fighting together. They always had each other's backs.

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Another day in training, the three took a hard level at the obstacle course. The three were working together to pass this training test. It was the mid-terms, and they must have to survive this test together. No one should be left behind.

Queen Valerin and the Director were watching them impressively from the side. The queen was delighted by the sight of three knight-in-training fighting together while the Director showed a worried expression.

"Look at them, my queen," the Director said calmly, trying not to express such emotion about her concern.

"I know. Three brave future knights, fighting together to protect our kingdom," Queen Valerin sighed proudly. She loved how three cadets trained together.

"But this isn't the will of Gloreth, Your Majesty. Friendship is a distraction to the duty of knights. Not even friendship helped Gloreth to be a hero," the Director confessed her opinion about the students' friendship.

The queen turned to her, and explained with confidence, "Director, you might not see it, but the way I see it, these three would make a better future for our kingdom. You may think their friendship won't fulfill their duties, but to me, they would do very well, even better than one knight alone," the queen and the Director returned their gaze to the three students as Ballister, Ambrosius, and Chasina finished the whole obstacle. Nothing but debris and messes around them. They defeated dummies and traps together, and they celebrated with cheers and group hugs for their success. Their laughter was still heard by the two women, "I think Gloreth would've done the same, having friends to fight with her for the kingdom."

But the Director thought of it otherwise when she was observing the trio, "Would you even think that friendship would bring threat to the kingdom, Your Majesty?"

"I think not. Knights are stronger when they work together, especially in the name of friendship, so there's nothing to be worried about, Director. The future remains bright in their hands together," Queen Valerin added proudly before deciding to leave to get back to her duties.

As the queen left, the Director completely disagreed with applying this "circumstance" to a future incredible knight like Ambrosius since he was Gloreth's direct descendant and he had to fulfill his duties just like his family and his ancestor had ever done. She believed Ballister and Chasina were a distraction to Ambrosius' future in knighthood and the kingdom would fall apart because of their friendship, as she had always feared when she was young. At her last glance at the three students, a broken robot was still functioning, and about to shoot Ambrosius, but Chasina pushed him out of the way, and deflected the ammo back onto the robot, breaking it down in the process. The three friends laughed at this moment.

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The trio reached the age of 25 or 26. They completely reached adulthood. 4 years left before their dreams would come true.

One night, Chasina went to Ambrosius' dorm to talk to him. She was standing in front of Ambrosius' door room very nervously. She took a deep breath as she wasn't sure she was ready to do this, but she couldn't do anything until she wanted to say something to her "big brother", "Okay, here we go,"

She knocked on the door, and the door was already opened by the Goldenloin, "Chasina, my baby sister!"

Chasina giggled when he called her that as she playfully smacked his shoulder, "Stop calling me that. Can I come in?"

"Sure, sure," Ambrosius stepped aside for Chasina to come into his room. When she was finally inside, Ambrosius closed the door, and turned to his "little sister", "Do you need something, Chas?"

"Oh, I just wanna talk to you," Chasina answered as she sat on Ambrosius' bed.

"Alright. What is this all about?" Ambrosius asked, sitting next to her.

"Well, umm…" Chasina was too scared and too nervous to tell Ambrosius what she wanted to tell him. She didn't want to say anything literally, but it would be something like it was a goodbye message. She has to be specific, but, at the same time, metaphorically. She exhaled for a moment before confessing, "I just wanted to tell you that you're the best big brother I could ever ask for. You're always there for me when I need you."

Ambrosius was touched by Chasina's words as he scoffed in laughter, "Aww, it sounded like this would be your last words to me. Don't scare me like that!" He threw his arm around her back, making Chasina chuckle with him.

"No, it's true, Ambrosius. I just… I realized how important you are to me. I looked up to you since we were kids, and… I could never forget that," Chasina smiled before leaning herself into a hug.

Ambrosius hugged her back like a big brother protecting his little sister with just his arms, "Me too, Chas. You're the little sister I never thought I had," he planted a kiss on Chasina's head before pulling himself from the hug to look down at her, "Hey, what's really going on?"

"Nothing, nothing, I just…" Chasina didn't want to tell Ambrosius what was happening lately. He let out a little yawn, and her eyes were half-closed.

Ambrosius observed the look on Chasina's face. He helped her up and guided her out of his room. He opened the door for Chasina, and led her out, "Maybe you're just tired. You need to get back to your room. I'll take you there."

"No, no!" Chasina quickly answered. She wasn't ready to head to her room yet. There was something else she wanted to do next, "I-I want to go to Ballister, just to say goodnight to him."

"Alright, Chasina, just be careful on your way. Okay, sis?"

"Yes, Bro, I will."

"Great. Goodnight," Ambrosius smiled at Chasina before he closed the door.

Now that Chasina was alone with her thoughts with Ambrosius closing the door, she turned around, dropping her face to sadness. She had to act fast before she could do what she wanted to do tonight.

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Chasina made it to Ballister's dorm room as she knocked on the door.

Right away, the door opened and Ballister was surprised to see Chasina, "Hey, Chasina!"

"Hi, Ballister," Chasina greeted him with a normal expression.

"What are you doing this late? You must get back to your room before the Director finds out," Ballister instructed, concerning for his "little sister."

"Can I just at least talk to you, just one last time?" Chasina requested as if it would be her last request.

"Umm, okay, come on in," Ballister was a little confused at the last part, but he moved aside to let Chasina in. Ballister then closed the door, and turned to Chasina, "So, what do you want to talk about?"

"Umm," Chasina fiddled with her fingers while sitting on the stool. She couldn't bring herself to say what she wanted to tell Ballister. She loved him so much like a big brother, and she didn't want to hurt him. She had to compromise, "Bal, I want to say thank you for… staying with me this whole time. I thought I would be alone, but you and Ambrosius were always there for me, mostly you. You know what it's like to be an orphan commoner, and you made me feel that I'm not alone."

Chasina's speech made Ballister wonder why she would say something like this like it would be the last thing she would ever do. He took another chair, and sat down in front of her, "Okay, where does this come from?"

"Nowhere! Just from me," Chasina lied, making a sheepish smile.

Ballister rolled his eyes and cupped Chasina's face with one hand to make her look at him, "Chasina, you know that I'm always here for you. You know we commoners must stick together," the look on his face made Chasina smile and nod at him. Both of them are commoners, and they still stuck by each other's side every step of the way, "And Ambrosius was there for us as well!"

Chasina chuckled, remembering the protective one of the trio, "Yeah. He's a very nice guy."

"But I was worried. What's gotten into you for saying these things to me?"

"Nothing. I just… I just love you."

"I love you too, sis," Ballister smiled as he kissed Chsina's forehead, and helped her get up from the chair to guide her out of her room. It was already late, and Chasina needed to be in her room, "Let's just talk about it tomorrow, okay? You need to go back to your room." When Chasina was out of the door, Ballister couldn't close the door without telling Chasina, "I'll see you tomorrow. Goodnight."

As soon as Ballister closed the door, Chasina's face dropped to sadness as she turned around, whispering, "There's not gonna be a tomorrow," she let out a sniff before walking back to the direction of her room.

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In her room, Chasina already packed the stuff she needed in her suitcase. Before she left, she turned around just to look at her dorm room one last time. On her bed was the sword Ambrosius gave to her with a carved C behind the G.

Chasina let out a few tears in her eyes. She would regret what she would be doing, but it was for the best of her and her two best friends, "I'm sorry, guys. I don't think I can do this," she slowly closed the door as the light that shined onto the sword got narrower and narrower until it was gone. The sword was just door on her bed, waiting for anyone to hold it.

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Sneaking out of the Academy wasn't easy. Chasina had to improvise her plan to escape with other knights seeing her. She used everything she learned from her training with a couple of new techniques to be sneaky and get out of the fence. She threw her suitcase first over the large fence. Then, it was her turn to jump over, but she lowered herself a little bit to avoid being spotted by a light beam from one of the towers. When the light passed by her, Chasina quickly climbed up the fence and threw herself down to the other side.

Chasina ran as far as she could from the Institute's palace. She just hoped no knights would see her leave, not even her adoptive brothers. When she was already gone so far, she looked back at the palace. She remembered that day she snuck into that place, only to be discovered by Queen Valerin and let her train to be a knight at the Academy. Now, she was sneaking out. She thought she could do this. She thought she could be a knight like she always dreamed of. She thought her two best friends' encouragement would help her, but she was wrong. She had been staying at the Academy for years, and only to this day, she had a lot of thought about going down this path, and it wasn't worth it. Chasina just lost her confidence in continuing her dreams, and had some self-doubt about herself; a female commoner being a knight was highly impossible. All her training was a waste of time if she couldn't reach her dreams for real. She wouldn't know that, but she was sure that she couldn't be a knight… like her friends. Most of all, she didn't want to let her friends down. She didn't want to be a burden on them. She wanted them to succeed… without her. She was only doing them a favor, that's what best friends do… what a friend would do. Even if far away, Chasina wanted to keep her promise to her friends that they made when they were still children. She had to stick by it.

Chasina took out a photo of her, Ambrosius, and Ballister together. They were so happy when they took a selfie. But deep down inside, Chasina had a lot of doubts about herself. She wouldn't know if their friendship last forever if she didn't succeed in what she was trained to be. And she couldn't let her friends go down with her… for her. She had to do what's best for all three of them

Chasina first glanced at one brother whom she looked up to, "Ambrosius," and then the other brother whom she grew close to "Ballister," she wiped a tear with her hand before sobbing softly, "Maybe you're better off without me," she put the photo back on her pocket before walking off even further, "I'm so sorry."

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2 years later after her departure, Chasina tried to survive on her own. She went through a couple of jobs and tried to stay hidden from the Institute. During her free time, she had been self-trained with a lot of new hand-to-hand combat and self-defense moves. Now that she was on her own, she had to protect herself. Without her sword, she was defenseless. She had to fight in a different way this time.

There came a time when she was caught in the middle of a gang that would attack her. Thanks to her self-defense training, she defeated a lot of goons many times, and even had to kick them in the nuts! Unfortunately, she was intruded in an abandoned warehouse, and the structure was unstable. Who knew how long this warehouse was standing?

When she was punching and kicking goons, her moves sent them crashing into walls and structures making the warehouse stand still. Seeing that the whole place would fall down, all of the surviving goons moved out and Chasina tried to flee as well, but the whole building collapsed on her.

Chasina was out cold for a few hours until she woke up, looking unharmed, but she felt her left leg get stuck by heavy debris from what was supposed to be a warehouse. Chasina tried to pull her leg out from under the debris, but she was stuck real tight. She even tried lifting with her hands, but the debris was too heavy. She then tried kicking the debris with her spare leg, but it was no use. She tried kicking it again, causing a broken roof to tremble and close to dropping onto her.

While shielding herself with her arms when the broken roof startled her, Chasina noticed the photo slid out from her pocket. She examined the photo of her, Ambrosius, and Ballister. Oh, how she missed them so badly. She even wondered how they were doing when she was gone. Were they worried for her. Were they thinking of her everyday? Or did they just move on and concentrate on their training with her? Either way, she never stopped thinking about them everyday for the past 2 years. She just hoped that one day, if Ambrosius and Ballister would become knights, they would see each other again.

Her thoughts were interrupted when she heard the broken roof was about to crash down on her, so close to her face. Chasina was horrified and tried kicking the debris off her stuck leg, but still no effect. She then gave an angry and frustrated look.

"Good Gloreth. Just great."

Two months later, Chasina found herself a temporary hideout where she was working on something. Other than her training both from the Institute and her self-training, she also learned gadgetry. What she had been made was not easy. It took her two months to figure out her new and only invention. After fixing a couple of things, she attached it to where her left leg was supposed to be, replacing her old flesh leg with a mechanical one.

In order to free herself from the heavy debris that got her leg stuck two months ago, Chasina had no choice but to chop off her own leg when she found a saw nearby. It was painful and a lot of blood bled out from her body, but she managed to survive as long as she could. She always looked at the photo of her and her friends, which motivated her to keep going, and in hopes of seeing them again when she was ready.

It took her two months to build her a new leg, but it was worth it. She wanted it to be as functional as possible in order to live and survive alone.

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These past two more years, Chasina was still living on her own, still trying to get used to her prosthetic leg, and continued her self-defense and hand-to-hand combat training. If not a sword, then she customized her own weapon of defense and attack; her own hairpin that Ballister gave to her when they were younger. She even made copies of her favorite pin as she used them as shuriken.

She remembered that tonight was the night of her friends' knighting ceremony… when she would have been a knight if she had stayed four years ago.

Even if she won't be a knight tonight, not if anyone would remember her, she can't miss her friends becoming knights they had dreamed of since they were all still children.

A male reporter was currently delivering a report for the whole kingdom, "Good evening, folks. We are coming to you live from the Glorodome. I'm Nate Knight."

His female co-worker introduced herself next, "I'm Alamzapam Davis."

"And tonight's the night we knight the knights! Ain't that right, Pam?" Nate declared as a spotlight shined over one of the helicopter lights, bringing to light the shiny statue that is of the great Gloreth herself.

"It sure is, Nate," Pam replied before pointing out as the two reporters could be seen doing their report in front of the stadium, "But this is also the most controversial knighting ceremony in a thousand years."

"You can feel the excitement and the tension," Nate added on, explaining as crowds of people started to pour into the city, gazing at the giant screens around them to watch the report live. "Tonight, tradition will be cast aside, and the kingdom will change forever because of one man."

Chasina was walking on the streets quietly, blending in with the crowd with her blue cloak on. She removed her hood that covered her face to watch the news on a nearby screen.

"Ballister," Pam identified before a video clip showed of Ballister, when he was younger, eagerly going through a training course, "The street kid with the impossible dream of being a knight."

"I'm here to slay monsters and protect our kingdom," young Ballister declared before getting tackled by a bunch of men in armor.

While watching that clip, Chasina let out a little giggle. She never knew what happened to her adoptive older brother when he got into the academy. Chasina hadn't been there yet, so she didn't remember that time.

A new video then showed young Ballister with the queen and the Director, who gave him a shiny sword with Nate explained, "Impossible, that is until the queen herself made a shocking decision."

The little boy was amazed by how mighty the sword looked while the queen explained to the reporters, "No, he doesn't come from a noble bloodline... but he might just have the heart of a hero."

A new video clip then showed Ballister, who was now all grown up as an adult, duked in silvery black knight armor, and easily defeating all the obstacles that stood in his way while Pam elaborated, "And Ballister made the most of that chance, graduating top of his institute class. A class that includes none other than…"

A new clip showed a video imagery of the handsome, charming man in gold armor, while Nate declared his name, "Ambrosius Goldenloin."

"Hey," Ambrosius said with a shiny smile.

Nate explained a little about Ambrosius, "Direct descendant of Gloreth herself, and the most anticipated knight of a generation."

A new video clip showed Ambrosius shouting "Whoo," which prompted the crowd to respond with the same cheer before he knelt down and posed for a picture with a little boy.

While watching, Chasina rolled her eyes, remembering her other older brother with that ego.

She was waiting for her introduction in the news, but she wasn't mentioned nor shown in the video footage. It was possibly the fact that she had gone for 4 years, and no one knew she had gone missing or left the Institute. Guess she was already forgotten. It was already 4 years, and time flew so fast.

Pam the reporter then mentioned, "With Ballister joining the ranks, for the first time in history, our safety will be put in the hands of a commoner."

"I don't feel safe," a female resident mentioned when asked for an interview.

"It's not what Gloreth wanted," another female resident replied, not liking the idea one bit.

Back with the news reporters, Nate then stated, "So tonight, only one question remains. Will the kingdom accept this knight who might not be right?"

Hearing negative comments from other citizens of the kingdom, Chasina knew both she and Ballister wouldn't be accepted to be knights because they were both commoners. Now that she left, and Ballister was back to be the only commoner left in the Institution, all hates went to him now. She just wished she would be there for Ballister, reminding him he wasn't alone in this… but she wasn't there for him… not at this time since things got complicated for Chasina. All she would do now is wish her luck from afar.

"Good luck out there, Bal. I wish you the best," Chasina sighed as she put her hood back on and walked off.

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In the stadium, everyone far and wide had gathered, excitedly anticipating the knighting ceremony to begin. This year was to be a historic ceremony, and whether the outcome was good or bad, all that mattered at the current moment was the sea of new knights that were to be honored by the queen herself.

Meanwhile, Chasine successfully snuck into the Glorodome and found herself an empty seat where she could see the whole arena. With her self-trained skills, she was stealthy, making it impossible to be noticed when she snuck into the stadium. She still covered herself with her cloak, hoping no one would recognize her. Of course, nobody would recognize her because nobody knew her. She was unrecognizable, probably ever since before she left and disappeared. The knighting ceremony just started just in time when Chasina took a seat. She could now relax and watch.

Lights flickered, spotlights brimming brightly, and the announcer declared, "And now the newest heroes of the realm!"

All of the knights rode into the stadium horseback, decked in armor and swords in hand, with the crowd cheering loud and proud for their arrival.

As Ballister entered the arena on his horse, the bright lights and the loud cheering amazed him; sure, it was always thrilling to watch the ceremony, but it was a whole new surreal feeling to BE the one receiving the cheers and applause, having the lights shine down on him, seeing the excitement and intrigue on everyone's faces. He almost wanted to pinch himself and see if he was dreaming, but now was not the time to be distracted.

Ballister rode up to Ambrosisus, who was soaking in the chanting, but turned his head and offered a warm smile to Ballister, as partial sharing of his excitement, and partial reassurance, letting him know that things were going alright so far.

Within the audience, Chasina clearly noticed Ballister and Ambrosius. She was so excited for them, but nervous for only Ballister and sad for herself that she wasn't there with her brothers. She has regrets about leaving, but it was for the best of her two best friends. She knew they did great without her around, and it was fine with her. She wanted her friends' dreams to come true.

As the knights rode their horses up to the white stage, blue carpet decorating its floor and the stairs, the announcer proclaimed as the lights dimmed, shining a spotlight down on a single throne that stood on the stage, "My lords and ladies; her Majesty. the Queen."

The queen, with the director standing next to her, rose up from her throne and approached the edge of the stairs.

On cue, the knights, in unison, lept down from their horses and approached the queen, standing straight by their horses, as orderly as any army would appear.

Ambrosius was the first to come forward and greet the queen. Before he did, he whispered to Ballister, "Here come the whoo," He turned back to the audience, and shouted very loudly, "Whoo." He earned a large round of cheers for him, many responding back with the same cheer.

Ballister couldn't help but smile, and Chasina, from the bleachers, rolled her eyes, chuckling; Sure, they both knew that Ambrosius would be receiving a lot of praise and cheer for becoming a knight; after all, he was a descendant of Gloreth, who was a legendary knight in the kingdom; any knight would be more than honored to follow in the footsteps of such a legacy, and be very well-known for it.

Ambrosius climbed up the steps and dropped to one knee, bowing in front of the queen and giving her his sword.

The queen accepted the sword and declared while tapping his shoulders ever so lightly with the tip of the sword, "I hereby pronounce you Sir Ambrosius Goldenloin, hero of the realm."

The crowd went absolutely bonkers with applause as the queen then told Ambrosius, "Stand, Sir Knight."

Ambrosius stood up on command and went to stand off to the side, near where the queen was.

Chasina let out a small squeal with happiness. She was happy for Ambrosius. He was destined to be a knight because of his ancestry. But Chasina never focused on that. All that mattered to her was Ambrosius was her friend. And he still is. She should be happy for her friend. Now, it was her other friend's turn; she started to be very nervous for him.

Ballister watched this and knew that he was up next to be knighted; this was it, everything he had worked for had led him to this moment. It was time….to fulfill his goal and be named a hero of the realm. He was excited, nervous, determined, and even slightly scared, but history was gonna be made tonight, and now was his time to make it happen. So, with a breath of air he released slowly, Ballister whispered to himself and made his way up the stairs, "Here we go."

While walking up, he saw the proud smile that the queen had; it was a smile resembling that of a proud mother watching their son. Although the Ballister was but merely a commoner, being handpicked by the queen herself to proceed with training at the institute and succeeding, making it this far, well, that qualified as an accomplishment to be very proud of.

Albeit, the closer he got, the more nervous Ballister began to feel, but seeing the reassuring smile Ambrosius had helped his nerves, although the stoic stance of the Director did not do much to calm his nerves. At the bleachers, Chasina was biting a finger real hard, praying that everything would be alright.

When Ballister was soon standing face-to-face with the queen, she spoke to him, "I've been looking forward to this moment."

"Thank you, Your Majesty," Ballister responded as he bowed down to one knee, feeling gratefulness and sincerity in his tone of voice.

Then, the queen made a surprising announcement, "My people, starting today, any of you should be able to hold the sword if you want it; if you earn it."

This announcement made the entire audience murmur in curiosity, confusion, excitement, and so many other emotions! While yes, the idea of even simple folks like themselves becoming knights did seem fairly exaggerated, and perhaps an improbable task, would this be something that COULD become a viable option for their future?

While the audience had their own doubts and questions, Chasina sighed sadly. She held a sword once and got into training, but she had self-doubt and a lack of confidence during her time at the academy. She doubted herself if she could ever earn a sword like both her brothers. She just wished she could continue, but there was a part of her that made her think she couldn't do it. She snapped out of her thoughts to continue watching.

"I've watched this young man earn it many times over," Before questions could arise, the queen then looked back at Ballister, asking him for his sword, which he easily took out and presented. The queen picked up the sword and gently tapped the tip of it on his shoulder, "I hereby pronounce you Sir Ballister Boldheart, hero of the realm!"

There was an eerie wave of silence in the beginning; did no one want to cheer for him? Did many people still not think Ballister would be a formidable knight because he was a commoner? Was this silence gonna break part to a loud ringing of boos or worse?

Both Ambrosius and Chasina couldn't help but feel a little concerned when the two separately saw the small frown Ballister had when he received no praise after being knighted by the queen herself.

Just then, there was a cla- then another, followed by a loud cheer, and then more cheers. Soon, to Ballister's surprise, the entire stadium was cheering loudly in applause, chanting his name at the top of their lungs, "Boldheart! Boldheart!"

"Boldheart! Yeah," Ambrosius cheered with a laugh also escaping his throat as he felt very happy for Ballister; he knew that if anyone deserved to have a moment like this as much as any other knight, it was him.

"Yes! That's my brother!" Chasina shouted happily as if anyone could hear her. She was happy for Ballister. She believed from the very beginning she met him that he could make a difference for young commoners like both of them.

Ballister himself could hardly believe it; the people finally saw him as a knight. He defied the impossible and made it possible; becoming a knight from common background! He didn't know what to think, other than…It truly is…a dream come true.

As the crowd continued to chant his name, the queen told the knight while giving him back his sword, "Congratulations, Sir Boldheart. Let a new era of heroes begin with you."

However, when Ballister had got his sword back, something strange happened; the end tip of the handle which the queen was holding earlier had…turned on? And it not only turned on, but a green light was emitted, and pointed directly at the queen herself.

The handle of the sword turned into a sort of high-gadget ray, and before Ballister could even know what was happening, the ray blasted a green beam of light that hit the queen square in the chest and sent her flying.

Everything seemed to happen in slow motion; the ray being blasted, the queen getting hit, her crown falling, the shocked look on everyone's faces, and even the disbelief on Balister's face. Everyone in the stadium, the Director and even Ambrosius and Chasina, who let out a horrific gasp, could not believe what was happening!

Without thinking, and acting in quick defense to save the queen, Ambrosius pulled out his sword and sliced it right through the arm that was holding the sword ray, sending the ray's blast upward at the sky, just narrowly avoiding the screens above the stage. Everyone in the audience looked up in shock, not only for what the blast from the ray was doing but also for what had been done; the queen was shot right in front of them, by how they saw it, none other than Ballister!

As much as she was shocked that the queen was killed by a green ray, Chasina just couldn't help but keep her eye on both Ballister and Ambrosius. She saw the whole scene, the way Ambrosius indeliberately sliced Ballister's arm with a sword. It was horrifying. One of her best friends who was her brother at heart got his arm chopped by her other friend and brother at heart. She never ever expected it would come to this. None of the three would think this would happen.

Ballister reeled in pain after his arm had gotten chopped off, but looking away from his arm, he saw the sword/ray drop and shatter upon impact hitting the floor. Broken light shards fell down from the ceiling, but all were oblivious to it for the shock of the events that have transpired were of much more importance.

Ballister looked up and saw the look of disbelief on Ambrosius' face, as well as the surprised expressions everyone else had, but none of their looks shook Ballister's more than Ambrosius'. From afar, Chasina still stared at her now shocked brothers as she covered her mouth in disbelief with her hands and little tears came out of her eyes. She felt that her worst expectation might come true… this might be the start of a faded friendship.

However, no words could be spoken from the three, with one being distant from the two; all that lay between them were the remains of the actions done.

Before that thought could come through, the chandelier from above broke off and fell down, damaging a hole through the stage floor between Ballister and Ambrosius. Chasina helplessly closed her eyes, not wanting to see more of them. She couldn't handle this anymore so she quickly rushed through the crowd to find an exit.

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She didn't know how long it was; hours, days, or weeks. Chasina still couldn't get over what just happened at the Glorodome. It was a nightmare back there. She was still in disbelief at what her brothers had done. On a rainy day, all Chasina had was a cloak, and wet, the rain couldn't stop her from thinking. She wasn't even running from the rain. Just letting it all in. Chasina didn't like to believe, didn't want to believe it. But something in her mind made her ask questions. Did Ballister really kill the queen? Did Ambrosius do the right thing? Her head got messed up with sadness, anger, and confusion. She couldn't tell anymore.

As she passed by, Chasina got a chance to stop at nearby screens of the news.

"The queen killer is still out there."

"Everyone is scared."

"Not since Gloreth's monster has anything been so hated."

"He never should've been a knight."

"He wasn't one of us and hated us for it."

"A commoner."

"He's vile."

"He's got no place in this kingdom."

"He's a murderer."

"He's a monster."

Looking at the news, Chasina shed a tear. She realized that this whole thing started 4 years after she left. It made her wonder if this was the consequence of her disappearance from her two best friends… that they changed without her presence. She didn't only think about herself or her two friends, she thought about how it came to this for all three of them.

Deep down, despite how she and everyone witnessed, Chasina refused to believe Ballister killed the queen. She had known him for a long time. He wasn't the kind of person to murder someone, especially the one who believed in him and Chasina as well. But would it be because she left without telling either of her two friends? Chasina hoped that wasn't the reason. If it did, then it might be her fault, and she wished she would've been there to prevent it from happening.

"Oh, Ballister, what just happened?! What did you do?" Chasina squeaked while holding her tears, and holding the picture of her and the two boys together. She stared at Ballister, having mixed feelings if she would believe he would do such a vile thing. Then, her eyes shifted to Ambrosius, and she let out more tears from her eyes, "Ambrosius, what have you done?!"

She couldn't get over the fact that Ambrosius would do that to Ballister. She wanted to believe it was an accident, but even if it was, it didn't change what she saw. Her brother hurt her other brother.

Chasina turned around, and started sobbing while hugging herself, "What is happening to my brothers?" She really hoped that she would've been there for Ballister and Ambrosius, and maybe protected them from hurting each other in any way.

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When a month passed by, while trying to get her mind off of things, Chasina went to the marketplace to get some food. Living alone in her temporary apartment was so lonely and scary sometimes. She had to survive by herself ever since she left the Institution. Because of taking multiple jobs and getting fired for 4 years, she earned her paycheck every now and then.

While getting some vegetables she needed, she heard electronic wanted signs from a newspaper stand, and it alerted her. She turned around to notice Ballister bumping into a few folks, who looked at him weirdly before walking away. The nearby window of a newspaper stand he passed kept showing electronic "WANTED" signs with his face on it, making him desperately cling to the hood he had on to try and cover his head and face. He almost crashed into a man who was reading a newspaper that had a "WANTED" poster of him on it. Ballister quickly, and desperately tried to hide his face so NO ONE could see him, but it was getting harder to have his identity concealed safely without someone spotting him. And low and behold.

"Wait, Bal?" Chasina said with a very low voice, curious about what her so-called criminal bestie doing out in the open, "What is he doing here?"

"I know he's here! Find him," she heard Ambrosius' voice order out, making Ballister hide behind a car to stay out of any line of sight.

"Ambrosius!" Chasina quickly hid behind a tower of crates with vegetables in them. She took a peak to see Ambrosius leading other knights to search for Ballister.

Then, a woman noticed Ambrosius and smiled, saying, "Look, it's Goldenloin!"

This stirred a crowd to come over and gather around Ambrosius in excitement, which turned out to be the perfect distraction for Ballister. With everyone looking at Sir Goldenloin, no one would even think to turn and spot him!

While Ambrosius tried to tell the crowd that they had to move because he was looking for Ballister, a kid then asked him hopefully, "Can I get your autograph?"

Mentally just biting his tongue, he figured one autograph couldn't hurt, replying while holding out a pen, "Just one signature. Who am I signing?"

While hiding and watching, Chasina remembered that night… the night of the knighting ceremony. How could she forget? It was unnecessarily graphic. She didn't want to think of how Ambrosius would hurt Ballister so badly. But what concerned her the most was that Ambrosius was the one who led the other knights to find Ballister! Despite not having the right information as to why Ambrosius was doing this to their best friend, Chasina could see, hear or even feel with her guts that he was serious with his duties as a knight, even putting his friendship at risk.

"Is he serious right now?" Chasina whispered angrily.

Ambrosius signing the autograph gave Ballister the perfect chance to sneak out and enter the car, hiding out inside of it.

A minute later, loud music was heard from the car Ballister was holding in. It started to get Ambrosius and Chasina's attention, with the golden-armored knight and a blue-cloaked figure turning their heads and seeing the car blasting the music the roof down, and some sort of figure, though Ambrosius couldn't tell who it was, inside with the saleslady while Chasina already knew who. But Ambrosius had a hunch that it could possibly be Ballister hiding in the car, and, after finishing with the autographs, he tried to get the crowd to move so he could take a closer look. This feared Chasina that her "wanted" brother would get caught for sure by her other "heroic" brother. She wanted to just step out of hiding, and help Ballister, but she couldn't show herself yet, and wasn't the right time yet.

But something else caught Chasina's attention. While still hiding behind a tower of crates, she noticed the squire was running for his life, asking the people around him,

"Please help me, help me, please! A little demon baby is after me! Please help me!"

Curious about what was going on, Chasina followed the commotion.

When Squire ran under a bridge pass, he stopped and screamed in fright when the "Demon Baby" appeared in front of him. Frantically wanting to get away, he threw a meek punch, which led to the "demon baby" biting his hand and making Squire shriek in pain.

While witnessing from behind a few people who were helplessly watching the squire get beaten by a "Demon Baby", Chasina let out a little chuckle. She found this scene a little funny. She sometimes liked to watch people get hurt in a comedic way, one thing she wasn't proud of.

Then, Chasina moved aside when the "Demon Baby" tossed Squire around like a beach ball, making the blue-cloaked woman laugh, but she tried to cover her mouth as she was supposed to ignore the commotion as other people in the market did.

The Squire was being dragged against his will by the "Demon Baby", who had him by his ankle, all while the crowd of people watching did nothing but view the current situation, as merely they had no idea what to do, while Chasina just couldn't do anything but watch this hilarious moment. You couldn't see this kind of shenanigans every day.

The Squire kept throwing whatever he could get his hands on at the "Demon Baby" to get it to let him go, but nothing worked, until he threw a piece of pizza at it, making the "Demon Baby" pull it away from "his" face, "Pineapple on pizza? Bleah!"

"There," a knight's voice rang out, making the "Demon Baby" look over her shoulder.

It caught Chasina's attention as well as she looked behind her.

Scrambling to come down the escalator was Ambrosius, who told the people he passed by, "Excuse me; I need to get through; move!"

Adding onto the predicament as the "Demon Baby" accidentally let go of Squire's ankle to get the pizza off gave Squire the chance to get his foot out of the shoe and start to run, freedom in his sight! Nothing could stop him now-

CRASH!

Nothing except getting hit by a car that rams him into a box of pots and pans, making the pans spill over him.

Chasina was a little surprised there, but she couldn't help but find this funny than horrifying. She still kept herself hidden behind the crates but kept her eye on the "Demon Baby" and Ballister, who came out of the car.

"Aw, why did you get to kill him?" The "Demon Baby" asked, pouting.

"He's not dead, I hope," Ballister frantically responded as he and Nimona picked up the unconscious squire while Ballister desperately hoped that running the car into him REALLY did not kill the guy.

"Is that Ballister?" a male passerby commented after seeing Ballister.

"It's the queen killer!" a female passerby exclaimed in shock.

"He's working with a demon baby!" another male passerby stated as Nimona and Ballister placed Squire's unconscious body into the car trunk.

Chasina started to wonder if this "Demon Baby" was associated with Ballister. It made her wonder how did this happened. Chasina even remembered on the news that Ballister was partnered with a pink-haired girl. The "Demon Baby" wasn't that girl. Something felt different for Chasina because of the way she observed her best friend in the shadows.

"Ballister, stop," Ambrosius, holding a crossbow, shouted as he and the other knights headed right towards him.

Chasina was alerted by Ambrosius' presence, and about to catch Ballister for sure. She stayed hidden, but she sat down and took three hairpins as her shuriken out from her pocket, just to prepare for what was going to happen.

Ballister and the "Demon Baby" tried to put Squire's body in the trunk, but the door was not closing.

When Ambrosius got a clear shot at Ballister with his crossbow, Chasina was ready to throw her hair pins at Ambrosius. They won't knock him down or anything. Chasina only wanted to distract Ambrosius to let Ballister and his new companion escape.

When Ballister looked up and saw the concerned/stunned look on Ambrosius' face. Chasina was observing this and got curious as to why Ambrosius suddenly lowered his crossbow. She waited for Ambrosius to get ready to shoot so she could take some action, but it didn't turn out what she was expecting.

As Ambrosius couldn't take the shot, but the other knights did, it was all the more motivation for Ballister to get into the driver's seat and get as far as he could as fast as he could.

The saleslady was kicked out of the car, the "Demon Baby" hopped in, and Ballister immediately drove off, flying the car up into the sky before any more arrows could be shot at the car by the knights below.

While Ambrosius was still trying to process what was going on and why Ballister was doing all of this, the other knights were frustrated, and the people around them were in a panic.

Meanwhile, Chasina went back into hiding behind the crates, and kept herself from laughing as she enjoyed the shenanigans in this market. She rolled her eyes and sighed in relief, but from enjoyment and knowing Ballister was safe for now. She couldn't stay any longer or the other knights and Ambrosius might notice her. Chasina picked up her grocery paper bag and left her hiding spot without being noticed by the people around her. She just hoped she'd see Ballister again, and she would help him in the shadows. She hoped he'd be safe. She began to wonder why Ambrosius lowered his weapon when he got the chance to capture Ballister. It made her think there might be hope between them. Might be hope that their friendship remained intact.

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Early in the morning of the next day, Chasina went out for a little stroll while reading a newspaper. She was already mad when the newspaper was about "the queen killer" and a girl with pink hair. Chasina angrily crumbled the newspaper and threw it into the nearby trash can.

"Ugh! Why do people think of this?!" Chasina mumbled as if she wanted to shout, "My best friend is not a killer."

Just then, at the corner of her eyes, she saw two mysterious figures heading into the Institute headquarters. Chasina turned in that direction just to make sure if she noticed what she thought she knew. Yep, it was Ballister, along with a girl with pink hair.

"Ballister?" Chasina muttered quietly, "What is he doing?"

When Ballister and his companion snuck into the headquarters, Chasina had to follow them, wanting to know what they were up to. But it would be difficult if someone or Ballister himself would see her. Chasina wasn't ready to show up to one of her friends yet. Things got complicated lately.

When she found another way into the Institute headquarters without guards around, Chasina just had to get in from the outside. It might be tough since she might be out of the open, but she was stealthier than being inside the building. The walls of the building were smoother than she remembered. She used to climb these walls as a kid, and now, it felt different when she touched the walls and she had a prosthetic leg. Remembering her self-training when climbing walls without proper tools, she had to improvise by using the building's structure. It'll take her a lot of time, but he had to try. She wanted to know what Ballister was doing here, even if it put him at risk of being arrested. Chasina started to climb by jumping sideways in a narrow gap in the building.

It took her maybe 15 minutes and she got tired, probably because her robotic leg added extra weight to her body, but Chasina made it just in time when Ballister and his "sidekick" faced Ambrosius and the Director. Chasina had to remain low so no one could see her. She remained holding tight at the edge and kept her face hidden. She hoped no one would see her on this side of the building or she'd get caught for sure. She could see and hear everything that was going on.

Ambrosius was standing in front of the Director in defense, set to protect her if needed, while Ballister walked down the stairs, meeting up with Nimona. Both sides at a standstill, he then spoke up, "Ambrosius, the Director killed the queen."

"What?" Ambrosius, surprised to hear this, responded.

Chasina gasped softly with her fist covering her mouth while her other hand still held onto the edge. The person she depended on killed the queen? How? And why? As a little girl, Chasina was always dependent on her teacher, and the Director had always given her advises and wisdom that she needed for her training. She never thought her "favorite teacher" was evil all the time!

The Director snidely responded quietly to try and lure Ambrosius away from thinking she was the suspect, "Another desperate lie,"

"He's not a liar," Nimona quickly remarked, defending Ballister.

The Director let out a laugh, "Says the miscreant, whispering in his ear."

Nimoan took no offense to the tease, answering back, "Aw, thank you."

Ballister then spoke up, saying, "I'm innocent, and I have proof," and reached into his pocket to grab the evidence he and Nimona had gotten.

The Director, noticing this, became a little worried; if Ballister had proof, then it'd mean she'd instantly be exposed and her plans would fall apart! To try and stir Ambrosius to stop Ballister, she told him, "He's got a weapon."

Just before Ballister could show the picture on the phone, a light beam was shot and it destroyed the phone, and the evidence, along with it.

Up in the sky, the knights were on large, white helmet-based hoverbikes, flashlights shining on the duo below, and holding ray guns in their hands, with Todd exclaiming, "Not anymore! Todd rules!"

Then, a lot more knights came in and surrounded Ballister and Nimona, set to shoot in defense if need to be.

Seeing so many knights riding on their hoverbikes and light beams pointed at Ballister and Nimona, Chasina lowered herself a little bit, trying to be as stealthier as possible, but she didn't want to miss what would happen next… though she was hoping for the most important thing.

Surrounded on the roof and up in the sky, with possibly no spot of escaping, Ballister was not gonna run, not at least before he had the chance to try and clear things up with the truth, telling Ambrosius, "It doesn't matter, you shouldn't need proof. you know I'm not a murderer."

Ambrosius stood there, still, and while not verbally responding, emotionally, he was at a standstill; he's known Ballister the longest out of anyone, but still….did he know him enough to know if Ballister…would even do something so…dark?

Then Director, growing more impatient by the minute, told him, "What are you waiting for, Captain?"

"Hurry before the whale gets here," Todd added.

While Ambrosius was still standing there, thinking what meant to be done, Chasina was still hoping that another one of her best friends/adoptive brothers would believe Ballister. In her heart, Chasina believed that he was not a murderer. She was hoping Ambrosius would believe him too. All three of them knew each other very well. Nothing could ever change what they had between them… could it? They made a promise those years ago. Chasina expected Ambrosius to stick by that promise if he remembered.

Nimona tried to encourage Ambrosius to make the right choice, telling him, "Come on, man. Do the right thing."

Ambrosius got a good look at Nimona and asked Ballister, "Who is she, Bal," Then, something in her eyes made him rephrase his question, "What is she?"

Chasina had the same question in her mind ever since she learned about Nimona's presence with Ballister. She squinted her eyes to see a little closer and clearer while keeping herself hidden.

Worried that Ambrosius would do something to hurt her, Ballister tries to calmly, though worryingly, tell him, " Ambrosius, I am begging you to trust me."

But without a clear answer, and the safety of his people at hand, Ambrosius held the sword up high, pointing it right at Ballister.

Both Ballister and Chasina, who just witnessed this, were shocked and in disbelief. Ambrosius, the guy they thought was their friend. Their best friend. A lover, a brother, an only noble who believed to be different from others. Yet, they were wrong.

Ballister thought Ambrosius would believe him. They had known each other when they were still children. They shared each other's dreams. They shared each other's lives. They shared everything together. The only crime they ever committed to each other was they stole each other's hearts. They had been in a romantic relationship for 14 years, though it felt like at the beginning they first met. It was a childhood crush at first sight. They always had each other. Ballister trusted Ambrosius all his life and heart, even when Nimona warned the former about the latter. Ambrosius would've been the only person Ballister had to ask for help because he was the only one in the institute he could ever trust. He loved him. He won't use him to clear his name because of their relationship. It was about that. It was about how the years went by, and they stayed close together and promised to love each other in every single way.

And yet, here they were now. Ballister was heartbroken and Ambrosius made him think their relationship wasn't worth his duty and his legacy as a knight and Gloreth's descendant respectively. Ballister thought there was hope with Ambrosius, but he chose his family's legacy over his heart, over the man he loved.

Chasina couldn't believe what she just witnessed. In all her life, she thought nothing would get in the way of her and the two boys' friendship. She still remembered that day, the day the boys brought her to the stadium where they sat on the rafters, and they all made a solemn promise that she, Ballister, and Ambrosius would stay best friends forever, no matter what. Not even their duties would tear their friendship apart. Chasina wanted to believe it would be true, but it wasn't. It was a lie. Ambrosius' promise was a lie this whole time. He was the one who made the promise first. It was his idea to make it their own oath. Chasina hesitated that day because she believed this promise would break someday. And it happened anyway. Chasina was heartbroken for the same reason that Ballister thought. She even believed that Ambrosius wouldn't let his family's legacy and his duty as a knight stand in the way of their friendship. But she saw it in her own eyes. Her adoptive older brother pointed a sword at her other adoptive older brother. Arm chopping might be an accident, but pointing a sword at a friend was a choice, and he made this choice without having second thoughts at all. He broke his promise. The promise that was sacred to all three of them. And she thought she was the one who broke the promise first, but at least she wasn't a backstabber like Ambrosius.

"Ambrosius… why?" Chasina whimpered as tears streaming down her face. She kept holding on to the edge, but she couldn't stop her tears from forming and shedding because one of her friends made an unfair decision. She looked up to Ambrosius when they were kids. And then, the person she looked up to betrayed their friendship. It made her wonder if he would do the same for her if she were in Ballister's shoes. Would he still be choosing his legacy then their friendship? Then, he might though, "You promise."

He then declared, in possibly the coldest voice that Ballister had heard him talk in, "Arrest them."

Seeing that talking no longer was an option, it left to do one other thing, one Ballister was more than welcome to. He stood firm, telling Ambrosius, "You wanna know who the kid is?"

Nimona seemed to catch what Ballister was planning, commenting in determination, "Oh, I like where this is going."

"You wanna show 'em," Ballister asked Nimona.

"I'd love to," she eagerly responded.

"Let's break stuff," Ballister declared.

"Metal," Nimona replied, her eyes glowing red and her teeth baring fangs as she leaped up.

Ambrosius, the Director, the other knights, and Chasina gasped in surprise as they witnessed Nimona shapeshifting into her mighty gorilla form again. As she landed, she bellowed a very loud roar towards Ambrosius, one that shook him, not a lot, but to a great degree that it stunned him before she ceremoniously booped him in the nose and started to help Ballister fight the knights off.

The Director, seeing that things were now gonna go poorly for them, asked Ambrosius to, "Give me a sword."

However, Ambrosius was more concerned about the Dirextor's safety, blocking her while replying, "We need to get you to safety."

Meanwhile, the fight continued, with Ballister using his sword to block the strikes of the knight while Nimona shapeshifted from gorilla to cat, clawing away at a defenseless knight.

Ambrosius had gotten the director into their aircraft, telling the pilot, "Get this thing in the air now!"

As the aircraft took over, taking the Director to a safe place, Ballister and Nimona continued to defend themselves from the knights that were attacking them.

Wanting to help Ballister and Nimona without showing herself, Chasina remained hidden at the edge as she took out 5 hairpins from her pocket with a spare hand, and threw them at some of the knights that charged at Ballister, knocking them down while the pins made clanking sounds at the metal armors. The hairpins spun back at Chasina, grabbing them immediately when they flew back to her. Chasina hid below before anyone noticed what she did. Helping out without revealing herself was so much fun for her. It made her feel alive.

Just then, two light beams shined in front of her, thus blowing Chasina's cover, and were discovered by a couple of knights on their hoverbikes.

"Halt!" One of the knights shouted, "Who goes there?! Who are you?!"

Instead of fear and doubts that she had been piling up in her head forever, Chasina smirked sinisterly, and answered, "Your worst nightmare!" She had been waiting years to get back at the other knights who wronged her and Ballister as she had 6 shurikens in her hands and quickly leaped from the wall.

Chasina punched a knight off the hoverbike. It was her hoverbike now. Two other knights shot at her, but she managed to dodge them and three her hairpins at them, knocking them off their vehicles. Another three knights approached her when her hairpins didn't hit them. Chasina clung over the hoverbike and swung the knights off.

Even not directly, she was actually helping Ballister and Nimona, giving them fewer knights to fight than more, and it'll be easy for them.

Meanwhile, Ballister blocked his sword at the incoming strikes while Nimona continued to use shapeshifting to knock the knights away. She changed into a wolf to pounce at a knight that came from behind before shapeshifting into an ostrich and running on the knights' heads, knocking them out with heavy foot strides.

While the fight was very serious, Nimona was laughing away, having a ball with getting to fight off these metallic knuckleheads.

Topping things off, she leaped into the air and shapeshifted into a rolled-up armadillo, which she got thrown by Ballister and nailed one knight in the ribs very hard.

"Sorry, no sorry!" Nimona commented as the knight fell over.

When a knight on the hovercraft was firing lasers at him, Ballister quickly pulled up an electronic shield to block before he headbutted the knight on the ground.

Deciding that it was time to get off this roof, he asked Nimona, "You see a way out of here?"

"Of horse I do," Nimona answered, trying to be funny as she shapeshifted into a big horse, getting Ballister onto her back and galloping away.

"Okay, that was terrible," Ballister commented but with a smile as he and Nimona made a grand escape.

Ambrosius chased after them, "Stop that… horse?"

Nimona galloped over to the edge, where two knights were already there, firing at them, Ballister asked Nimona, who showed no signs of slowing down, "We're going over, aren't we?"

"Yep," Nimona answered, adding before making a huge leap, "The only way out is down."

"Why are we always falling?!" Blister shouted as he and Nimona began to free fall from the roof of the Institute.

While Chasina was still standing on the hoverbike, banging two knights on each other's heads, and throwing a hairpin on the other knight behind her, she noticed Ballister and Nimona falling off the roof. She sighed when she realized the fight was moving back to the ground. She didn't want to climb down like how she climbed up earlier, so…

"Guess we're going down!" Chasina let herself fall freely.

Luckily for her, her free fall was safer when she used the knights on hoverbikes to break her falls as she punched and kicked every knight she encountered on the hoverbikes, lowering herself way down while trying to follow Ballister and Nimona, still keeping herself on a low profile.

Nimona easily shapeshifted a pair of dragon wings and caught Ballister, "Ha ha! Told you you'd want the wings. Whoo-hoo!"

Ballister was happy to be not free-falling anymore, and grateful that their fall was now gonna be a little smoother until he saw that company was trailing behind them.

Nimona shapeshifted into a gorilla again, sliding down the building's banister carefully while hugging Balister tightly, before she threw him onto a hoverbike.

"Whoo-hoo-hoo," Ballister shouted as he headbutted the knight riding on it, hopped on, and held on tight, riding it down.

Nimona, meanwhile, leaped up and ceremoniously shapeshifted into a whale, using her mouth to swallow the knights in the air. She landed belly-first on the ground and used her blowhole to shoot the knights out in a wet fashion.

As Ballister arrived and hopped off the hoverbike, he commented to Nimona, "Okay, that was super gross."

"Haha, I know!" Nimona cheered out loud as the group of knights fell down in a splashy glop.

Chasina made it down safely to the other side. When she saw a few more knights coming after Ballister and Nimona, Chasina jumped into their path, waving her index finger before giving one of them a punch in the face

Left alone to fight off a few of the remaining knights that were waiting for him on the ground, Ballister and Nimona fended them off before Ambrosius came charging in, riding on a hoverbike before he leaped down, sword in hand.

As Nimona quickly shapeshifted to fend off the other knights, Ballister and Ambrosius went toe to toe, sword and sword, with Ballister saying, "Well, if it isn't the golden boy."

While Chasina was still fighting incoming knights, she saw both Ballister and Ambrosius dueling with swords.

That was it! Her worst fears came true!

"Oh no," Not only she was worried about the two fighting each other, but also she was out of the open. She couldn't let her two best friends see her. She's not ready. Chasina grabbed an unconscious knight and used him as a puppet to fight approaching knights while keeping herself hidden.

She overheard Ballister and Ambrosius' argument while they kept dueling it out.

"Did I ever mean anything to you? Or was it all just a lie?" Ballister remarking angrily towards Ambrosius.

"A lie? Says the guy running around with a monster," Ambrosius harshly retorted back.

But he got him back with a snark from Ballister, who quickly came in defense of Nimona, telling the golden knight, "Don't call her that! She's smart, kind, and quite sophisticated."

On cue, as the two knights separated, one of the guards was running away in fear, with Nimona, still in otter form, pointing out in hilarity, "That guy just peed his armor! He peed his armor!" Not the most sophisticated comment, but a perfectly timed one, nonetheless.

And adding more to the pleasure, it only made Ballister's point stronger, especially when he mentioned to Ambrosius bitterly, "And she has my back, unlike you."

Ambrosius could feel his strikes becoming overpowered, valiantly trying to fight back while stating, "You lied to me about everything!"

"Only one lying to you is the Director," Ballister retorted back before knocking Ambrosius to the ground.

With the shift of power in play, Ambrosius felt like, now that he was defenseless, that this was gonna mean that he was gonna get "killed" and asked Ballister bitterly, "What? You're gonna kill me now too?"

Overhearing that part in disbelief, Chasina suddenly dropped the unconscious knight. For something in her life, she never heard of Ambrosius saying something heinous about Ballister before. This was the first time, and it hurt her that a friend would say that to her other friend.

Ballister almost felt incredulous by that comment; why would Ambrosius think that?! He was trying to save him, not kill him! He quickly responded in shock, "You believe that?" After stabbing his sword into the ground near Ambrosius's head, just to send the message straight to him, Ballister stated with anger in his voice, "Then you never knew me at all."

Just before Ballister could do anything else, Todd zoomed in on his hoverbike, grabbing Ballister and throwing him into a nearby cereal stand, the booth's theme song playing while the cereal boxes fell and littered the sidewalks.

Todd jumped off his bike and cracked his knuckles, approaching Ballister while telling him, "Yeah. Now I'm gonna punch you in the face."

Chasina gasped when Ballister got beaten up by Todd and the other knights. To save her friend, Chasina ran towards the wall of the gate, where she decided to take the other way around to prevent being seen by her friends by going over it. It was tough to climb onto the wall, but when it came to her friend, she had to take the risk. But when she made it outside and landed on her feet, a few knights piled her down. She didn't see that coming.

Meanwhile, otter Nimona was toying with a knight's arm, saying, "Now, I'm no doctor, but this cast looks delicious," she used her teeth to tear into the armor.

However, when she didn't catch sight of Ballister, she looked up, calling out, "Boss?" When she saw where the crowd of knights had gathered, she assumed that they possibly had him surrounded and were trying to hurt him.

Furious, her eyes glowed as she shapeshifted into a wolf and ran across the courtyard before turning into a rhino and barging through the doors.

Back at the stand, Ballister was trying to put up a fight, but got knocked in the back by Todd, who taunted, "You think this hurts? Wait till you see what we do to your pet monster."

On cue, before Rhino Nimona could reach him, she got shot at with waves of electricity that dragged her to the ground, and no matter what she tried to change into, the electricity kept pouring onto her.

Ballister tried to push his way toward her, but the knights surrounding him kept pushing him back, even his plea "No! Leave her alone," fell on deaf ears.

Hearing Ballister pleading for Nimona, Chasina turned to see how that pink rhino got electrified. She might not know Nimona completely, but the tone of Ballister's voice pleading for her made Chasina realize he cared for that girl. Chasina struggled to break free to help Nimona, but the other knights held her arms and shoulders, refusing to let her go and about to arrest her.

When Nimona caught what little sight of Ballister getting surrounded before her view was obscured, it made her rage go to defying levels, and in a puff of smoke, she shapeshifted into a gigantic dragon; the same dragon that was the mascot brand of the cereal at the booth.

The sight of dragon Nimona made Todd turn around and say happily at first, "Kwispy," before asking in confusion, "Wait, what?"

"Hope you brought milk," Nimona declared in response before shooting gigantic pebble-like cereal out of her mouth, which pounded all the knights away with ease and made them slip and fall to the floor.

While Chasina and the other knights who held her captive were distracted by Nimona's "Kwispy" form, Chasina realized the knights' eyes were on the dragon. It was her chance to escape as she shoved the knights with her shoulder, and punched them aside when they tried to hold her again.

She had that open window to escape now and tried to hide before anyone else saw her.

Ambrosius had noticed the sight of the dragon, asking himself a very confused, "What?"

Dragon Nimona let out a happy roar and shot her hands/claws up in the rock fashion sign.

Just then, a car that was on the road turned and flipped over, narrowly about to hit an innocent little girl who was hiding from the madness before Nimona stopped the car with her tail.

Nimona couldn't help but look up down at the girl and see how scared she was looking up at Nimona, who was possibly the most intimidating "monster" she had ever seen.

Ignoring the warning sirens and calls, Nimona quickly shapeshifted into a small girl and tried to approach her gently, "It's okay."

But the scared girl quickly held up a wooden sword, stepping back in fright because she was scared Nimona was gonna hurt her. It prompted her to nervously say in terror, "M-Monster" before her mom rushed in and picked the girl up, taking her to safety.

It left Nimona reeling in guilt, and at the same time, seeing how scared the girl was… it bothered her seeing how many still viewed her as a "monster" in their eyes.

Distracted by her thoughts, she didn't hear the knights approaching her, ready to capture her.

However, just before they could grab her, Ballister came riding in on a hoverbike, "I've got you, kid," he grabbed Nimona before they could, escaping into the dusty streets, with Ambrosius sadly watching on after being unable to have captured them.

Chasina was watching behind the damaged vehicles and saw what just happened. She saw what Nimona did when she saved that little girl, but she was feared instead. It concerned Chasina for Nimona about how she felt that way.

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4 days later, at the Antlered Serpent restaurant, Chasina was taking a drink… or more or less than 10 drinks already after what happened at the Institute castle today.

"Hey, another glass over here!" Chasina called while raising her glass, slightly drunk.

"Don't you think you had enough?" The cashier asked worryingly.

"Another glass! Something stronger!" Chasina yelled. The cashier rolled his eyes and went to the back to find a stronger drink for her

Everything was all messed up in her life. Ballister was framed by the Director, Ambrosius betrayed him, and both of her friends started to hate each other. It was like their friendship fell apart. Chasina refused to believe this was happening. Her worst nightmare had come true… for real. She still believed all of this happened because she left 4 years ago. It made her wonder what would happen if she stayed with her friends. She even believed their friendship was a worthless child promise that the trio made as… children. She was so mad. Mad about what was happening. Mad at the Director for killing the queen and framing Ballister. Mad at Ambrosius for choosing his duty and the legacy of their friendship. Things would never be the same again, until…

Chasina heard a buzz from her phone. She took her phone out and tapped the notification she received.

It was the news about the Director who revealed the shocking confession.

"I framed Ballister. I killed the queen."

Chasina snapped out of her drunk state and reviewed the number of views and comments in this video. She read all of the hate comments about the Director and the Institute. It was unbelievable! A lot of people believed in this video. They believed in Ballister now.

Chasina sighed in relief that the problem worked itself after all. She was so frustrated about what happened lately, but maybe things would get better soon. She took out the bills from her pocket and put them on the corner. She wore the hood, Bal. Well done." She was heading out of the exit, expecting something improving tonight.

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The next night, Chasina was strolling at the alley when she was watching an exclusive report on her phone about the Director's clarification about her confession. She didn't catch up with the live news, so she watched it on video.

"Citizens of the realm, that is not me in the recording. I know it looks like me and sounds like me, but it is not me. That was the monster working with the real queen killer, Ballister. They are trying to trick you. We are under attack by something that can take any form. It could be anyone. Your spouse, your child, your best friend, the person sitting next to you. None of us are safe so long as the villain and that monster are still out there."

Chasina gripped her phone so hard out of anger, it almost broke into half. She was so angry at the Director's lies that she still accused Ballister and had everyone believe his sidekick was a monster. Chasina couldn't take it. She was sick of having one of her best friends being called a villain when he had never been.

"Ugh! Can't believe this! That liar! That b-" Chasina cut off her words as she wasn't used to swear. She swallowed her words back and took deep breaths.

Hearing the news and the alarm about a "Monster Attack", Chasina was a little startled by one of the warning signs above her.

"What the heck? She rushed out of the alley and turned to the back of the streets. She squinted her eyes to see from afar. A giant black kaiju was crawling into the city and got attacked by firing missiles.

"Oh no," Chasina didn't want to think of who that monster was. She remembered Nimona was pink, and Chasina couldn't want to imagine if that was her. She covered herself more with her cloak, and backed away into the alley, where she would be safe for now. She could still watch live news on her phone when she changed windows.

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It might've been a while since Chasina was still hiding in the alleyway, but she could see live that the "monster" was heading to Gloreth's statue. Chasina was somewhere in that area when she noticed that the "monster" was passing by. Chasina was leaning back against the wall to avoid being spotted. When it was all clear for her, Chasina slowly leaned forward to take a little peak at what was happening in the streets.

Nimona was attacked several times and a lot of civilians ran away from her in fear. She got hit by another blow, knocking her down to a nearby building. Awaking from the impact, Nimona's dark form slowly came to it, but the sight she was greeted with was anything but pleasant. Destroyed buildings around, and all these people who either threw stuff at her or said hateful remarks of her being a monster.

She eyed the statue of Gloreth and, deep within the sadness of her glowing eyes, something… really dark came to mind. After so long of fighting off these people who just want to put a sword through her… why not just make it easier on them and… have it done herself?

Standing up, Nimona approached the statue, stopping just at the tip of the statue, with a minimum of a foot away from her. People watching far and wide, wondering what this creature was gonna do next. Chasina already come out of hiding and ran closer to the street to take a closer look at what was really going on.

Nimona's chest seemed to open up, revealing a white light shining from inside of it, most likely where her physical body was. She raised her head up, and with a scream loud enough to shatter glass, she was about to take the dread step forward that… ended everything.

Nimona thought that it was all gonna be over; all the pain of people seeing her and treating her as the monster they saw her as, the pain of being alone because no one understood who she truly was… one simple poke of the sword of Gloreth's statue through her heart…would end everything. She'd feel free… she'd feel the pain go away… she'd feel… alone?

Suddenly, in all the darkness that consumed her… there was a light….and it was coming from… outside… on her chest?

All of the people around gasped at what they had witnessed. Chasina had the biggest reaction of all as her eyes sparkled with worry and surprise.

Standing on the tip of Gloreth's sword, using his prosthetic hand to touch her, both metaphorically and physically, was Ballister, and the impact of his hand on her made a white light that shined very brightly.

Nimona did not appear to show any response to it, but something about Ballister being there, trying to reach out to her… it… it was like… a beacon of hope? No, a beacon of… empathy. He risked going up to a freak of monstrosity like her….to stop her from going through with this?

Ballister was breathing fast, but not once did his hand move away from her heart. He dropped his sword, which fell to the city of passersby below, who all looked on in shock. The sword literally landed in front of Chasina's feet, and she yanked herself away from the impact. She continued staring at Ballister's sword before looking up again Why was Ballister… trying to stop this monster…from hurting itself?

Everyone looked on in stunned silence; was this a way to defeat it? Or maybe…. was Ballister… trying to save it? But why? It surely did not show any emotions like humans do…. right?

But no one in that kingdom knew how Nimona felt more than Ballister, and he knew of Nimona's pain, anger, and sadness; he's witnessed first-hand how being viewed as someone bad can impact your relationship with others. He knew what it felt like to be cast aside and seen as someone who won't amount to anything just because of what you are, and he knew, what it felt like….to not be seen.

Back at where the incident occurred, Nimona finally showed a bodily response by looking down at Ballister.

Ballister could feel her eyes piercing through him as he looked up, but he did not run; he did not hide, he did not even want to fight; all he wanted to do…was help her.

With guilt and regret heavy in his heart, he told her, "I'm sorry."

She didn't respond, but listened, as Ballister spoke out, "I'm sorry. I see you, Nimona."

His words seemed to not only be impacting Nimona, but also everyone who watched. They were speechless; Ballister, who they saw as a criminal, a queen killer… he was defending them. Not only that, but he was risking his life… to help the life of this monster… who really wasn't a monster. Just a lost soul who wanted to be seen.

Ballister saw that his words seemed to go through to her, and he added, "And you're not alone."

Suddenly, the white light that had come from Ballister's touch began to absorb the darkness that had become of Nimona, making it all eradicated. Once the darkness was gone, all that remained, was the battered bruised, and bloodied, but alive, well, and standing, body of Nimona.

Nimona tearfully looked up at Ballister, and struggled to walk forward, only to wind up falling. But in the nick of time, Ballister caught her, and pulled her into a close hug, with Nimona, while not able to speak for the time being, showing her gratitude by wrapping her arms around his waist and hugging back.

All over the kingdom, everyone watched this interaction….and it was…..unbelievable. Ballister truly was….a knight unlike any other. After all, there'd never been a knight before who could even face a monster head-on and….touch them on such a strong emotional aspect. But Ballister did.

Seeing a beautiful friendship between her best friend and his friend, Chasina held a fist onto her left chest and cried with tears of joy. She never felt so proud of her friend for doing the right thing… the important thing for someone who needed a friend. This moment reminded Chasina so much of how Ballister and Ambrosius offered their friendship to her. Now, their friendship was shared with anyone who needed it.

Ballister and Nimona both separated from the hug, with Nimona shooting Ballister a thankful smile.

Suddenly, the sound of a loud explosion prompted the pair to turn their heads and look over beyond where the wall was, seeing a green light that sparked from where the explosion happened.

Even Chasian down below heard of the explosion as she turned her head and looked in the direction where the explosion was. She might know what was going on, but she could sense that something was wrong, very wrong.

From on top of the statue, Ballister and Nimona could see all of the people scrambling to get away, and Nimona even caught sight of the same little girl from before, who looked up at her in wonder, before her mother pulled her away. While everyone ran in panic to get somewhere safe, Chasina remained still while still wrapping her cloak around her and had her hood still covering her face. She still stood where Ballister's sword was still lying beside her. She couldn't move, she couldn't leave, not when her friend and his sidekick were still on the sword of the statue. She only kept her eyes on Ballister and Nimona, wondering what their plan was now.

Nimona couldn't help but feel bad for all of these people. That cannon, once shot, was gonna have a blast strong enough to hurt so many innocent lives who didn't even deserve such a fate.

Ballister was aware of this too, saying in disdain/concern, "That gun's gonna kill everyone."

Nimona saw the worried expression on Ballister's face, and she thought of a really crazy idea that she knew was gonna work, and it'd help save the day. Was it reckless? Yes! Was it dangerous? Yes! Was it gonna involve something getting broken? Yes….and this was where the idea was gonna be at its scariest.

With a grin of determination, Nimona told Ballister, "Hey, boss."

When Ballister turned his head to look at her, Nimona turned around and told him, fear not once present on her face or mind, "Be right back. I'm gonna go break some stuff."

Ballister had a bad idea about what Nimona was gonna do, starting to ask her, "Wait, Nimona. What are you…?"

"It's time to rewrite this story," Nimona simply answered as she turned around, about to make a leap of fate.

"Nimona! Nimona," Ballister quickly called out to her, but she was already into it, leaping down from the statue, and just before she hit the ground, shapeshifted into a beautiful, fiery phoenix.

The sight of phoenix Nimona wowed everyone in the city as they watched it fly right towards the cannon, which was all set to fire. Its light was bright, but Nimona's flames were even brighter, and it was time to put these flames to the test and rewrite the story.

Back by the cannon, Ambrosius was weakly trying to help the other knights escape when he saw the incoming fiery phoenix and was taken aback greatly.

Before the cannon could properly fire, Nimona crashed right through it, making it blow up with a fiery explosion. The light and impact of the explosion were so bright, that all the knights and citizens turned their heads and shielded their eyes so that they would not be blinded by the light and heatwave that followed.

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A year had passed, and the kingdom never forgot Nimona's heroic sacrifice to save them all. They held a memorial for Nimona as they held out flowers and drawings as their way of thanking her.

Still covering herself with her cloak, Chasina took out a red paper and put it with the rest of the kingdom's tribute for Nimona. The red paper contained a chrome colored "THANK YOU" note, showing gratitude for Nimona. If Nimona was still alive, Chasina wanted to meet her in person to thank her for taking care of Ballister for her. She felt bad for Ballister that he lost his new best friend. She wished she could do something for him… but she wasn't ready. Showing up to Ballister won't fix him just yet.

Chasina… needed more time than she thought.

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She didn't know how long it had been. 5? 6? 7 months? Chasina heard Nimona's return, alive, much to Ballister and the whole kingdom's joy. Everyone loved Nimona now. She wasn't the monster they heard of from their history. She lived a normal life now with Ballister. It was a good thing for her… but not with Chasina. She was still alone in her apartment. She was living under a rock while her friend got reinstated as a knight with his sidekick by his side. She bet Ambrosius was with them as well, not that Chasina' was interested in him anymore.

She and the boys used to be a trio! They worked hard together. They had always been together. But now, Chasina was all by herself. She was a coward, a weakling, a NOBODY.

She couldn't face her friends because she couldn't face her fear of confessing and showing up and couldn't face the past. She left because of self-doubt and never even got in touch with her friends. She felt ashamed that she erased herself from her friends' lives and thought that they didn't need her anymore.

But deep down, Chasina missed them all the time. She wanted to visit her friends all throughout 5 years and even tell them she was still alive, but she still had self-doubt about this decision. She kept wishing for years that she shouldn't leave. She shouldn't left her friends and made them think she was gone. She wished she could be with them and be known to the whole kingdom like them.

Then again, she got tired of hiding and being a nobody to the whole kingdom. Heck, she got tired of even hiding from her friends. She had been gone for too long. Now was the good time to fix her mistake of abandoning her friends and remaining hidden from them for years. Chasina marched towards the door while taking her cloak from the rack.

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Wow! This chapter was really long, but I love the results.

I had a lot of notes for this chapter.

It wasn't confirmed how old Ballister and Ambrosius were as adults, so I guess they were 30 years old, and, as children, they were 8 years old. So, since Chasina is a year younger than both Ballister and Ambrosius, I had her age as a kid was 8, and 29 as an adult. Since this fanfic took several months after Nimona's return, which probably took place a year after her "death", then the three were a year older than their ages in the film.

I do want to have my OC inserted in the film (that was a little lie), but the film was already amazing, so I had my OC appear after the events of the film. Instead, my OC is the character that was "hidden in the shadows" during the film's timeline.

The scene where Young Ballister and Young Ambrosius meet Young Chasina was referenced by My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic and My Little Pony: Equestria Girls when Twilight Sparkle first met Fluttershy (both pony and human versions).

This flashback revealed that Chasina lost her left leg in an accident, and she built and designed her own prosthetic leg, similar to Ballister building his new arm. However, Chasina lost her leg 2 years prior, making her the first one to lose a limb. Her flashback was also referenced by Ducktales: Whatever Happened To Della Duck.

Special thanks to MasterClass60 for helping me with this chapter as she made half of the chapter while I was doing a couple of edits.

I hope you like my new chapter so far. Stay tuned for more! Hope I'll update sooner than last month.

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[vocaloightmares]

Part 2 of the TW Lore--Season 1 and 2 (V1):

Wuh oh, revised/rewritten bits from Part 1:

• The Pavere Carnival was subject to violent backlash for inducing nightmares on both children and adults visiting the attraction. Karakumo, the original ringleader during this time, was the public’s punching bag and sought ways to alleviate the madness. She consulted with Milly Dilly about this and the two worked to avoid potential risks. It all went well until influencers rose in popularity across the world, causing a blow on the Pavere Carnival’s visitor rate. Such an event caused MD to take drastic measures in making her employees more scarier. However, several accidents involving the carnival’s attractions immediately closed the Pavere Carnival for good. Many of MD’s employees remain by her side by working outside of the attraction’s ruins but some, including Karakumo, left because they disagreed with their former boss’ actions.

The PC’s shutdown happened before Karakumo joined the Super Wings, but she was still training Rakumo because he actually wanted to work with her since the teen didn’t like Milly Dilly’s ways of running the carnival. Karakumo’s student heard about the shutdown on the news and Rakumo’s someone that enjoys anything weird.

• The conversation between Karakumo and Lance at Venice: the former (now) specifically told the latter to stop the PC’s current ways of scaring the world. Lance said he doesn’t know much about the Pavere Carnival’s inner workings but would look into it while he works for the Super Wings...and deal with Karakumo. But the mention of the delivery organization prompted the puppeteer to inquire about Lance’s workplace. He was hesitant to explain about the Super Wings to his adversary but, being the psyche analyst he is, a side of Lance is convincing him that Karakumo was being nice/genuine for once.

A few years later, Vicky was enthralled by a documentary about the disappearance of a Legendary Super Wing named Kid Wing on TV. One of the things she enjoyed is the LSW‘s fighting style and how it was applied to take down criminals, even the supernatural ones, across the world. Vicky enjoyed his arsenal of firework weapons and began mimicking Kid Wing’s fighting style. As a result, she became a self-taught fighter.

But what Vicky didn’t like was the LSW’s unexpected disappearance. It bewildered her: why would a powerful plane suddenly let the bad guys come out from their hiding spots? Who would take his place to stop them?

And thus, Vicky requested to her dad if the troupe and herself can become both crime fighters and troupers.

Which resulted in Lance spitting out his morning drink one day upon hearing the news: he was reluctant at first, but a sparkling touch of convincing and big fat puppy eyes made Lance surrender because how can a dashing father disappoint his rising star?

In fact, the international acclaim of his troupe, which is now named as Teen Troupe, can boost if they were to combat the elusive Pavere Carnies. So comes S1: monster of the week, domestic banter, idol showdowns, you name it.

.....Until we meet the ringleader of the Pavere Carnival in Slovakia who kickstarts the actual story of Teen Wing. Rakumo’s personality will then be further revealed in S2:

Teen Wing finds old news about the Pavere Carnival and how its ruins still stand today. Surprisingly, no sign of nature reclaiming is present: only fading paint indicates the grounds’ abandoned status.

She finds the Pavere Carnival’s ruins at an unspecified country a bit far from civilization. Perhaps it was located here to evoke their creepy feeling when the carnival was still operating.

But, Teen Wing finds a visitor roaming around the carnival’s grounds: a jet who introduced himself as Inei. He was a longtime regular of the Pavere Carnival and continues to visit after its closure. Moreover, the jet wanted to find any secrets the attraction stowed from public.

Inei’s also a really damn awesome graffiti artist. He’s vandalizing walls and repainting eroding carnival art.

(Important note: When you want to go urban exploring, bring someone with you like friends who provide assistance and fun. It’s way safer than going alone even though you think a particular abandoned place doesn’t look dangerous to you.)

So, Vicky and Inei introduced each other and the latter infodumps about the Pavere Carnival while the two jets walk around the ruins. At night, they fight as Teen Wing and Rakumo respectively and the two continue this routine until they take a really bad turn at World Spaceport.

The Super Wings fell victim to the ringleader’s puppetry and Teen Wing had to sneak around them, knowing the planes moved a foot like live mannequins every time she doesn’t turn back at the SWs. She had to find the power source in the ginormous World Spaceport to turn on the lights as fast as she can, but a big fight erupts between her and Rakumo revealing himself.

It was difficult for Teen Wing to avoid landing hard hits on the SW. Eventually, she managed to shatter Rakumo’s mask, revealing the same face back at the Pavere Carnival’s ruins: Inei.

Silent tension happened and TW’s anger was beginning to bubble up until, in a state of panic, Inei slashed the crimefighter across the face, partially damaging TW’s eyesight. Luckily, with the puppeteer fleeing the scene, the Super Wings woke up from their mannequin state and the lights turned back on. Noticing TW bleeding on the ground, the SW brought her to the medical wing quickly and patch her up.

From there, they would learn that TW is the alter ego of Vicky, a renewed Teen Trouper, but kept it a secret as the crimefighter's request. When Vicky woke up from her unconsciousness, she gave her organization's contact to the SWs to call. As a result, a distraught Lance burst into World Spaceport. He was about to fight the SWs with a glowing fencing sword buzzing with intense electricity, but Jerome, Sunny, and Sara convinced him otherwise altogether.

"Also. We're big fans of your troupe."

"Not right now, Sunny!"

Calm, Lance witnessed the SW making special glasses that can transform into Vicky’s signature Teen Wing mask. Vicky was happy about the advanced technology but is still reeling from Rakumo’s revelation.

Eventually, the crimefighter requested to have a break from work.

Luckily, one of the SWs recognized her costume being strikingly similar to a lost Legendary Super Wing. Vicky, and Lance following behind, was introduced to the Hall of Fame and learned more about Kid Wing than what the documentaries on television told her. There was also a plane whose name is unfamiliar to Vicky: Karakumo.

She wasn't a LSW, but often partnered up with Kid Wing, which hardened the frown on Lance's face.

Afterwards, he brought his daughter back to their home hangar and put her to bed. He kept a watchful eye on the assistant director, becoming even more protective than before that was extremely annoying to Vicky the next day.

But then again, she really needed physical comfort.

Meanwhile, fearing in the inside, Rakumo reported back to his boss about his failure in World Spaceport. But he was able to get vital intel about the Super Wings' connection to Teen Troupe. From there, the Pavere Carnival's operations will rack up.

At the end of the season, we would then get a name of the Pavere Carnival's big boss: Milly Dilly.

[aladaylessecondblog]

Mother pt. 5 (raphael x tav)

Author's Note: Ascendeded Astarion is mentioned to have killed a kid but there is no description of the act itself.

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There were four requirements in the contract Tav signed with Raphael that were constantly on her mind.

One, that souls slain in her name, be they abusive parents, bandits, or any stripe of child-harmers belonged thereafter to Raphael.

Two, that she was to offer aid and assistance in his ongoing war to conquer the hells.

Three, that she had agreed to become his consort once he achieved the status of Archduke - which he now had, since Zariel had been put down.

Four, that every so often she would be required to participate in the torment of a soul of his choosing. As Hope had been freed this was usually one of the debtors that hung around the House of Hope, but today...today was different.

Today the soul in question was Astarion, ascended, recently slain by one of her paladins.

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"You're late," Tav said, hearing footsteps behind her. "What reason could you have for that?"

"My dear, I've brought you a treat."

Raphael's smooth voice was absolutely diabolical, even more so than usual. Never a good sign.

"And what might it be?"

There was no reply. Tav realized he intended not to speak until she saw for herself what it was. She stood and turned--and instantly, her eyes widened.

Astarion, the same as he had been when he had ascended, stood before her. Oh, perhaps a bit bloodied, and most definitely dead dead, but lookswise...

"How?" she asked, "What did you do to him?"

"Tell her, vampire," Raphael prompted, "Tell her why you stand here beside me."

"I only wanted your attention, darling," Astarion started.

"You--" Tav started, but was interrupted as he went on, almost--fearfully? She couldn't be entirely sure.

"You're a hard woman to get ahold of, and the boy was going to die anyway--"

Her fists burned instantly.

"One of your paladins took the wrong idea about the situation, you see...really, if you hadn't been so aloof, if you hadn't stopped visiting, there need have been no drastic measures taken."

"You killed a boy to get my attention," Tav snarled, "Consider it YOURS."

"Tell me, my dear mouse," Raphael said, in a tone that put her in mind of poisoned honey. His eyes were on her, in eager anticipation, as he walked behind her, "What shall we do with him?"

Tav started at the face that had once been loving, and now only seemed to think of power and control. That face which had accused her of wanting him to stay weak, the face that had said he should have made her a spawn. The face for whom love had not been enough.

"Shall we have him chained up like Hope? Tormented by imps. I'm certain Yurgir would love a turn at someone so full of himself."

"No," Tav said, "None of that."

"Then what?" he went on, and whispered in her ear, "How shall we punish this man who killed one of those you called your own?"

It was in moments like these that she was least detached in the godly way. Moments like these that brought her back down to the ground.

"Nothing bloody. Blood doesn't scare him." Tav paused, "He thinks himself above what he used to be. He thinks himself better than he was. Perhaps...instead of tearing him apart, we might try something else."

"I'm all ears, wife."

"Have the debtors craft a coffin," she looked back at Astarion, whose eyes had widened, and went on, "And lock him in it."

Astarion opened his mouth to protest, but on a spell from her found no sound would escape.

"But when shall we let him out? Never?"

"When Yurgir needs a punching bag, perhaps."

"That could be a while."

She could almost feel the smirk spreading across Raphael's face.

"I'm sorry, star," she said, "But you should have known better. I told you this would make you a monster...and now, I shall treat you as one."