#oc: tafgen vorreh

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Friday Kiss Tag

Thank you @the-inkwell-variable for tagging me over here!

Rules: From your Story/WIP, share a snippet of your characters kissing. It can be any kiss, from familial pecks on the cheek, platonic kisses, forehead kisses, to full-blown makeouts.

BLUE BLOOD (1995)

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He traced a finger down the side of Tafgen’s face, his touch so light it felt like a butterfly’s kiss.

            “I told you that we were damned from the start,” murmured Tafgen, his eyes half-closed in pleasure. “I was never good enough for you.”

Viter smiled, “My Value says that definitely isn’t true.”

            “Damn the Value,” growled Tafgen, grabbing Viter’s hand and kissing it. “That doesn’t define how much you’re worth. Not to me.”

Viter leaned against him, his silver hair brushing against Tafgen’s chin. “I don’t know what I would do without you. You’re the only thing that makes life bearable.”

Tafgen didn’t say anything for a moment, wanting to only enjoy the feeling of Viter in his arms for a while. They didn’t get as many of these moments as he would like, and the brief meetings they had were never enough to soothe the ache that permeated his soul whenever they were apart.

            “We could still leave, you know.”

Viter’s eyes remained closed as he buried his face into Tafgen’s neck. “I wish we could… but we can’t.”

            “All I want it to be with you. I don’t care what I risk, not anymore.”

            “What’s changed?”

Tafgen couldn’t answer this honestly, but his silence said everything he needed to. They both knew that he was thinking of Mahrias, how strange he had been acting. He wasn’t himself anymore and the more that either of them tried to figure out what was going on, the further he would push them away.

They were both silent for a moment, the weight of reality beginning to sink in again. Crushing the fantasies of them ever having a real life together.

No pressure tag for @squarebracket-trickster @bardic-tales & open tag!

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Romantic Snippet Tag

Thank you @writernopal for the tag! See her post here!

No pressure tag for @covenscribe @sunset-a-story @writingmaidenwarrior and anyone else who wants to do it!

Rules: Describe the main romance of your WIP in a 1-4 sentence snippet.

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(I've done this for the actual main romance, Mahrias and Dahsira, but it's not a good romance so I'm gonna add a nicer one at the end lol)

He looked up when he felt a soft hand on his face, feeling comforted when he saw that Dahsira no longer looked angry.             “I’m sorry, Mahrias,” she said, her voice calm, “I never meant for you get pulled into this. I just… I just thought…”             “What?” She looked down, moving her hand away. “I just thought you loved me.”

--

(And now a nicer bit lol)

Viter moved closer to him, tilting his face. Tafgen wanted to resist so badly, knowing that this wouldn’t end well. He wanted to run away, to protect them both from the pain that this would lead to.

But despite all this, he wanted to kiss Viter more.

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blue blood 01 excerpt

Mahrias had been on the sea before, in great big ships that had never once given him doubt about their sturdiness.

This little canoe was definitely not giving him the same reassurance. Every time it creaked, he couldn’t help but imagine the whole thing cracking open and him being swallowed by the sea.

Tafgen chuckled at Mahrias’s flinches, oaring them further away from the island that the latter perceived as safety.

            “Why are you laughing? You’d die too, you know.” Mahrias glared at him.

            “We’re not going to die.”

Mahrias disagreed as the ocean ebbed beneath them, rising their little boat up and down with ominous creaks. Under his breath, he began to mutter a prayer to Merassi.

            “Stop praying!” Tafgen laughed. “You didn’t seem this nervous in the lessons.”

            “That’s because we had that guy with us! He knew what he was doing.”

            “I’m pretty sure that my two days of lessons qualifies me just as much as the guy who’s been doing it for thirty years.”

Mahrias glared at him. “Take it seriously!”

            “Calm down, I won’t let anything happen to you.” Tafgen grinned. “I’d be the worst Nivada in history if you died only three months after being bonded.”

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Who is your protagonist’s best friend? Describe them and how they met?

Thanks for the ask!

Mahrias's best friend is Tafgen. It's one of the reasons why Mahrias chose him to be his Nivada.

Mahrias likes to randomly drag the guards into sparring with him, which is technically how he met Tafgen. They didn't really start talking until later, and then they bonded over having terrible fathers.

Tafgen is a few years older than Mahrias, and he views him as the older brother that he wished Sahrav was.

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7 Snippets 7 People

Thank you for the tag @writingmaidenwarrior ! See their post here

No pressure tag for @violets-in-her-arms-writes @elshells @toribookworm22 @fictionalbullshitter @blind-the-winds @thewardenofwinter @writernopal

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Snippet 01 (1919)

Lavis shifted uncomfortably in his seat. “Why are you staring at me?”

            “I didn’t think you could see me,” Einjal replied, showing no shame, “You never look at me.”

            “That does not mean I cannot see you. Besides, I do look sometimes.” He glanced over at him, trying to prove a point. “And that is not an answer.”

Einjal grinned. “If you must know, I was trying to count your freckles.”

            “I’m sorry?”

            “I’ve never really noticed them before. They’re cute.”

Lavis's eyes widened and he instantly felt his face grow warmer at this as he stammered. “Oh- um… that’s not what I… I…”

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Snippet 02 (1985)

            “You two were close once?”

Close. That wasn’t a word that either brother would ever have described their relationship as. The age gap had been detrimental enough, but their differing bonds with their fathers had ruined any chance they would have had.

Mahrias had grown up in the shade of Sahrav’s shadow, cast from the pedestal that their father had placed him upon. Sahrav may not have had a choice in that, but he had made no effort to get down or bring his brothers up to his level.

            “I wish we had been. Or could be.”

Tafgen shrugged. “Sometimes it’s better that way. Can’t lose something if you never had it in the first place.”

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Snippet 03 (1985)

            “I understand why Einjal did what he did.”

Tafgen didn’t say anything, but his expression said that he didn’t fully disagree.

If someone had done this to one of the Elohian villages, Mahrias would have avenged them. That was balance. And isn’t that what they were supposed to do?

But… it hadn’t been balance, had it? It had escalated, further and further, until both rulers had been corrupted beyond recognition. Both emotionally and physically.

And seeking revenge had led to Bahavi’s downfall. Which didn’t seem fair to Mahrias. They were the ones who were attacked first, and they were the ones who had ultimately been destroyed.

Unless, that was what the gods had wanted all along. But why would they want that?

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Snippet 04 (1987)

            “I don’t want you to leave.”

Lija sighed. “I’m sorry, Vee. I don’t really have much choice. I need to work.”

            “Well, what about when Mahrias has children?”

            “That’s a while off yet. I can’t wait around for a few years for them to be born and reach teaching age.”

Viter’s lip wobbled and he stared at the floor. “B-but…”

Lija could feel their own throat tightening, and they embraced Viter to hide their face before the tears started to fall. “It’s been a pleasure and an honour to teach you. And I’m so sorry that I let you down.”

            “You didn’t let me down,” replied Viter, his voice cracking. “You did ev-everything that you c-could. Thank you, Lija. F-for everything.”

Lija squeezed Viter tighter, wishing that they could stay. This was even harder than they thought it was going to be. “Perhaps you can come visit me sometimes.”

            “That w-would be good.” Viter sobbed.

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Snippet 05 (1991)

Tafgen watched Mahrias bang his head on his desk in bemusement.

            “I thought you’d be happy.”

Mahrias stopped and looked up at him. “I am happy. I’m just… stressed.”

            “About what in particular?”

            “I’m twenty, Tafgen. I don’t feel ready to be a father.”

Tafgen smirked. “Then you should have been more careful.”

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Snippet 06 (1999)

He felt the pull again, only this time he resisted less. The Sinni only worked one way and there was nothing Tafgen could do as Mahrias plunged the dagger into him. He groaned in pain, whilst Mahrias realised what he’d done, stumbling backwards.

            “You know you can’t kill me.” Tafgen snarled, pulling the dagger out of his chest. Blood spurted out of the wound, leaking across his robes. “Not unless you kill yourself.”

            “I couldn’t stop it!” Mahrias’s panic was beginning to overwhelm him, and he couldn’t stop shaking. “What’s happening to me?!”

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Snippet 07 (1991)

Tafgen knocked on the door, waiting for a couple of moments for a response. When he got none, he knocked again, this time louder.

            “Viter? It’s Tafgen.” Still no response. “Your brother’s Nivada?”

He could have just not been in his room. But Tafgen had a bad feeling. He didn’t know what to call it. A gut feeling, instinct, a sign from the gods.

But he knew he had to get in that room.

Turning the handle, he felt the feeling grow stronger when it clicked against a lock. Shaking it a few times did nothing. Neither did yanking it back and forth.

            “Viter! Please can you just answer me?”

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Find the Word Tag

thank you for tagging me @poetinprose to find the words dear, dark, dance, direct and different.

no pressure tag for @faelanvance @rhikasa @writernopal to find the words love, life, laugh, & longing

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i don't have anything for dear or dance sorry :(

From Blue Blood 01:

dark

            “Do you want to know why I’m awake right now? It’s because every night I’ve closed my eyes in the last forty years, I've seen the faces of those that I killed. Heard their screams in the silence of the dark. Felt their phantom hands clawing at me if I get too close to the sanctuary of sleep.”

[Deivi is drunk, dramatic and depressed]

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direct

The actual city itself was restricted, as were most of the direct outskirts. A large fence had been erected to warn people, but nobody was stupid enough to kill themselves just to see the ruins anyway.

It was strange being there though. Knowing that the Daju family had ended so close to where they were standing. That thousands had died at the hands of two corrupted rulers, both too far gone to back to down to the other.

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different

Viter gazed up at him with hurt in his eyes, “Is it always going to be this way?”

Tafgen let out a sigh, “You know I would give anything for things to be different.”

            “I’m sorry.”

            “Why?”

Viter looked away, his eyes filling with tears, “I shouldn’t have kept pushing things. I know you tried to stay away, but I just- I just-”

Tafgen put his hand on Viter’s face, gently turning him to face him as he brushed away the tears. “You have nothing to be sorry for, Vee. We both knew this wasn’t the best idea, but I don’t regret any time that I have spent thinking of you.”

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7 snippets 7 people

thank you for the tag @sam-glade - see their post here

no pressure tag for @lexiklecksi @kittensartswriting @fictionalbullshitter @toribookworm22 @writingmaidenwarrior @aquadestinyswriting @afoolandathief

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[All snippets are from BB1 (the 80s-90s era)]

Snippet 1

Rujav wasn’t looking at him, chewing at his nails with an odd expression on his face. A small cloud was beginning to form over his head, and the temperature in the room felt as though it had dropped a few degrees.

            “Dad, p-please s-say something.” Viter couldn’t stop the sob escaping from his throat, and he clenched his fists, accidently crumpling the paper in his hands.

His father turned his head in his direction but still wouldn’t look him in the eyes, even as he spoke. “Don’t call me that, Viter.”

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Snippet 2

            “We shouldn’t do this.”

Viter put his hands on Tafgen’s face. “We both want this.”

            “It’s still wrong.”

            “How is it wrong for us to want what everyone else has? Do we not deserve to be happy? Just because of some stupid rules that say neither of our lives are worth anything?”

He was saying the thoughts that had echoed around Tafgen’s head ever since he was a child. All he’d ever wanted was this. Someone who loved him, just as he was.

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Snippet 3

Being so close to each other only served to highlight their differences. Whilst Sahrav’s pinkened skin was coated in a thin glaze of sweat, Lerensa seemed unaffected by the dry heat. The only sheen on her rich brown skin came from the golden glitter that had been delicately brushed onto her shoulders. Her eyes burned like a sunset, mimicking the desert land that surrounded them. A sharp contrast to the glaciers that Sahrav’s own represented.

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Snippet 4

“How did it feel for you? Giving up your freedom willingly?”

Tafgen shrugged. “I didn’t have much freedom beforehand. I wasn’t losing much.”

            “But what about children? Love?” Mahrias rolled over to face him. “Were they easy to give up? Or did they never interest you to begin with?”

            “Children, no. Love though…” He sighed, absent-mindedly stroking his scar. “Love is complicated.”

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Snippet 5

Deivi stared into his empty cup. “Seventeen thousand, six hundred, and forty-two.”

            “I’m sorry?”

            “That’s how many lives Solima lost during the war. How many people died from my family’s choice to get involved. You’re right, Imojin is alive. Perhaps she would have been even if we hadn’t gotten involved. But either way, how can we say that one gishar life is worth that many human ones? We are not gods. We shouldn’t have that kind of power.”

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Snippet 6

That would be the ideal situation, to marry his son to the daughter of his best friend. Yet Osin had not said a word since Sahrav came of age, and it felt strange of him to ask.

Rujav knew it wasn’t for a personal reason, nor anything to do with Sahrav himself. But it still hurt his feelings. If only simply because Osin had failed to tell him the reason behind the unintentional snub.

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Snippet 7

The damp wind clinked through the chimes that hung from the sloped roof near the door. It was only when they got closer that Mahria saw they were made from bones, too small to be human, but unnerving to him nonetheless.

As soon as he stepped inside, he knew that he shouldn’t be here. But it was too late to back out now. It was almost as dim inside, lit by a few candles that were laid sporadically around the main room. Shelves and tables bordered the area, filled with the treasures that the twins had gained over the years. Mahrias gulped as he realised that each one of these was a deal made, much like the one he had come here to make.

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7 Snippets 7 People

Thank you @writernopal for the tag! See her post here!

No pressure tag for @covenscribe @mjparkerwriting @bardicbeetle @lexiklecksi @blind-the-winds @likegemstone @fictionalbullshitter

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Snippet 1 (1918)

“Why did you call Faros your dad? Was that on purpose?”

Lavis’s face flushed pink, and he clenched his jaw. “You ask too many questions. You know that, right?”

Einjal rubbed his neck sheepishly, “Yeah, the guards all say that too. I can’t help it! I just like talking to people.”

            “Why?”

            “You know exactly why. It’s lonely being a gishar.” He sighed, kicking at a nearby pebble. “Even lonelier being an heir.”

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Snippet 2 (1919)

Lavis squeaked and covered his eyes. “What are you doing!?”

            “It’s just hair, Lavis.”

            “You know that it is not just hair!” Lavis could feel his face turning hot underneath his hands.

Einjal grinned, walking backwards into the water. “Come on, it’s not that bad. It’s not like we’re breaking a bad rule.”

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Snippet 3 (1940)

Lavis chewed on his lip, unable to control the anxiety bubbling up inside of him. “You cannot declare war on the gods!”

“I didn’t declare war on the gods!” Einjal snarled back. “They declared war on me when they stole my children! Either I get them back, or all of the islands can drown for all I care!”

He stopped when he saw the look of fear on Lavis’s face, taking a deep breath and rubbing his face.

“You don’t know how it feels, Lavis,” he continued, his voice quiet, “This pain… It’s not the way it’s supposed to be.”

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Snippet 4 (1984)

Rujav sighed and rubbed his brow. “What is it with you children and ‘love’? Of course I care about you, Mahrias. You are my son, and you share my blood. I have never said that you don’t matter to me.”

            “You didn’t have to,” mumbled Mahrias. “You only ever spend time with Sahrav.”

            “That’s because he’s the priority.”

            “You’re admitting that he’s more important to you than I am?”

Rujav’s temper was rising again. “He’s the heir, Mahrias.”

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Snippet 5 (1986)

Sahrav grinned back at him, gently placing the books on his desk. He stood there for a moment, the smile still on his face as he looked at them, before he turned back to Mahrias and wrapped him in a hug.

Mahrias froze for a second, before he put his arms around his brother in return. This was becoming more regular for them over the past couple of years, but it still felt strange.

Nice, but strange.

            “I missed you.” Sahrav’s voice was muffled.

Mahrias chuckled. “We barely see each other when I’m here.”

            “I know, but I still see you around. It’s comforting to know that you’re there.”

            “Eh, you’ll have to get used to that, I’m afraid, Ravi.”

Sahrav’s grip tightened at the words, but he didn’t say anything. They stayed hugging for a little longer than Mahrias was comfortable with, and eventually Sahrav let go.

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Snippet 6 (1990)

It took a moment for Viter to work up the courage to approach, fidgeting with the edge of his cloak. “Um… I have a gift for you.”

            “For me?” Tafgen tilted his head, raising his eyebrows.

Viter pulled out a small, wrapped gift and held it out, his face flushing. Tafgen hesitated a moment before taking it, holding it gently in his hands.

            “Lazaer told me your birthday was coming up, so I bought this the last time we went into the city.” Viter didn’t look Tafgen in the eyes as he spoke. “It’s nothing much. I just… I wanted to get you something.”

            “Thank you, my Rehi. This is a great honour. You know you didn’t have to do this.”

            “I wanted to. You’ve always been kind to me. Not all the guards are.”

Before Tafgen could respond, Viter flashed him a smile before scurrying away, leaving him holding the unopened gift.

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Snippet 7 (1918)

It was strange looking in the mirror, seeing a distorted reflection of his brother staring back. They had the same eyes, the same curly, brown locks. Not that Einjal’s was ever as perfect as Geibri’s had been. He’d never quite got the hang of all that braiding, and it was often a waste anyway. It never lasted long once he was allowed to go off into the jungle at the end of each day.

That was where he felt most at peace. Whilst he loved being around people, sometimes it was nice to get away from it all. To wander between the thick, damp trunks of the tall trees that protected him from the noise of the world. Feel the rain on his bare skin, after spending all day being forced to wear fancy clothing "befitting of his position".

He missed being a secondborn, when he’d had more freedom. Those days nobody had ever cared about how his hair looked, or what clothes he was wearing. Now it felt as though he could do nothing right.

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Tafgen: Do you want to explain the text you sent me last night? Viter: It was autocorrect. Tafgen: Autocorrect wrote "You're so hot. Please step on me."? Viter: Yes.

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context for the stabbing meme lol

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Mahrias felt the pull again, only this time he resisted less. The Sinni only worked one way and there was nothing Tafgen could do as Mahrias plunged the dagger into him. He groaned in pain, as Mahrias realised what he’d done, stumbling backwards.

            “You know you can’t kill me.” Tafgen snarled, pulling the dagger out of his chest. Blood spurted out of the wound, leaking across his robes. “Not without killing yourself.”

            “I couldn’t stop it!” Mahrias’s panic was beginning to overwhelm him, and he couldn’t stop shaking. “What’s happening to me?!”

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Find the Phrase

i was tagged by @mariahwritesstuff and my phrase to look for was: “I love you.” (or something with that energy)

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From Blue Blood:

He traced a finger down the side of Tafgen’s face, his touch so light it felt like a butterfly’s kiss.

            “I told you that we were damned from the start,” murmured Tafgen, his eyes half-closed in pleasure. “I was never good enough for you.”

Viter smiled, “My Value says that definitely isn’t true.”

            “Damn the Value,” growled Tafgen, grabbing Viter’s hand and kissing it. “That doesn’t define how much you’re worth. Not to me.”

Viter leaned against him with a sigh, his silver hair brushing against Tafgen’s chin. “I don’t know what I would do without you. You’re the only one that makes life bearable these days.”

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No pressure tag @lexiklecksi @faelanvance @marigoldispeculiar and anyone else who wants to :)

and your phrase is "i'm glad you're here"

[Note: If you do not have that phrase either find something close to it, or something that shares similar energy.]

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85% for the percentage asks! (This is Charlie btw.!)

Hi Charlie! :)

85%. What is your characters current job? Why did they choose that job and do they enjoy it?

I'll answer this for Tafgen, since he's one of the very few that chose his job.

He's a Nivada, so he's basically Mahrias's right-hand man and bodyguard. The only thing about this is that because of the way gishars bond to their Nivadas you can't quit this job, it's a permanent thing and you're stuck with that gishar until the day you die.

Tafgen literally only went for this out of spite towards his father, who had wanted to be a Nivada himself.

For the most part, he actually enjoys it. Being a Nivada comes with a lot of benefits and he never has to worry about money again. For him, he's basically being paid an extortiate amount to hang out with someone he sees as a brother.

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blue blood / 1985

He’d read a few books about Einjal, the theories that people had about what led to his downfall. None of them were ever convincing enough to Mahrias though. He wanted to know exactly what turned a laid-back, beloved ruler, into someone who'd condemned thousands of his own people to death.

Someone whose soul had literally rotted him from the inside out.

It was that rot that had made Jasho lost to the world. It was said that when Einjal died, his heiros was too toxic for the gods to touch. Left to fester in the ruins, it had spread over his once-powerful city, consuming it with his pain.

“I wonder what made him that way.” he murmured out loud. “They say that he was cursed by the gods.”

Tafgen snorted. “Yes, because he denounced them and tried to make Bahavi a godless island.”

            “But they gave him power. How does that make sense?”

            “Those are just rumours. Do you really believe that he could turn into a sea-monster?”

Mahrias shrugged. “Maybe. There are rumours about Hanasha too. And they both started the war. Stands to reason that the gods would want them punished. Hard to balance out that amount of loss of life.”

            “That’s why they ended up dead. Doesn’t seem like the whole turning into a monster thing was bad for Einjal, if the stories are to be believed.”

            “Wasn’t it? If his corruption was having a physical affect, then think of how infected his soul must have been. Marakoth will be cleansing him for centuries.”

            “All the more reason to pray to them. Ease their burden.”

Mahrias turned to look at him. “Is that why you always visit their altar?”

            “One of the reasons. I’ve also done some bad things in life, and I thought it would be nice to apologise for the cleansing that will no doubt need doing when I pass over for judgement.”

            “I can’t imagine you’ve done anything that bad.”

Tafgen stared beyond the fence, into the trees. “We’ve all done bad things, Mahrias, no matter how small. That’s the nature of who we are. What matters is how we balance it out.”

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Tafgen Vorreh

Name: Tafgen Vorreh Pronouns: He / Him Species: Human Island: Elohia [iceblood]

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“We’ve all done bad things, Mahrias, no matter how small. That’s the nature of who we are. What matters is how we balance it out.”

-----

Growing up with four older brothers wasn’t easy, especially when raised by a cruel father. Not being what was expected of him was hard on Tafgen, more so after his mother passed away after a long sickness. Determined to show his worth, though mostly out of spite, he decided to go after the dream that his father had missed out on.

Becoming a Nivada was a one in a million chance, but Tafgen managed to achieve exactly that. Yet the very person he’s meant to be protecting seems to be falling down a dark path, one that he cannot save him from.

Scared and lonely, Tafgen confides in Viter, only to end up making things even worse for himself. He knows they can never truly be together, but he can’t resist his feelings, even with the dangers that come with it.

Turns out that giving up a part of his soul was the easy part. Forsaking love was not. But how can he truly give his heart to someone, when his soul pulls him towards death?

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the people enjoying the pining between Tafgen and Viter will be pleased to know that there is plenty of that between these two lol

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ocs ask time, tell me about some of your ocs favorite weapons :D

Thank you for the ask!!

OOH I don't think I've ever really talked about this before.

Most people in Sonhara don't use weapons in their day-to-day life, though some may keep them for personal protection, especially in places like Jurin and Kiwo.

The humans who are best trained are those who went to one of the Academies in order to become a guard or a Nivada. Most gishars are also trained to use weapons, even though they have a naturally occuring power anyway.

Also, most gishars choose the weapons that their Nivada wields as they're the ones most likely to train them. Some will learn beforehand to boost their Value but the majority don't end up getting the qualification.

I won't list everyone's weapons/abilities because it would be far too long but here's a few:

Lavis Kontemno: Prefers using his axe, as it's not as brutal as his ice breath and helps him limit the collateral damage.

Deivi Vakaj: Has lightning manipulation which he's very good at controlling. Also uses a basic staff which doesn't sound that dangerous until you remember that he's 9ft tall and much stronger than a human lol

Einjal Daju: Is trained to use a glaive but would much rather use his teeth, or his water manipulation.

Hanasha Mallora: If she's trained in a weapon, nobody knows what is is. More likely to either punch you in the face or set you on fire with her power.

Mahrias Kontemno: Prefers using his sword since he's not very good at controlling his cryokinetic abilities, as (like his father) they're very tied to his emotions.

Tafgen Vorreh: Good at archery but likes his sword better, as he feels he looks "tougher" with it.

Viter Kontemno: Has no natural ability but learns archery from Tafgen.

Pocha Ranna: Has a spear but is more likely to use his bare hands.