#oh my god dav is actually such an angel

[residentapothecary]

Dav’s Last Stand

Oh boy, I cannot wait to share Kote’s backstory with you all. Pictured here is her must trusted guard appointed leader by Kote— Dav Anderan. The first clan leader that doesn’t carry the Medrit name, nor belongs to the bloodline.

He’s pretty incredible! I’ve been working on writing up the story, and I can’t wait to show y’all.

[david-watts]

⭐band challenge⭐ think of your 15 favorite bands and for each band... 🎸name your favorite guitarist 🎊 name the goofiest member 💿 name your favorite album 🎶 name your favorite song 📷 post your favorite photo

🌟 challenge your friends 🌟

oh GOD you've given me a lot of work haven't you!! I'll stick this under the cut so I'm not clogging up the dash for everyone

1 - the pretty things

I... don't know at this point if I'm doing this in order but be sure that my top three or four bands are constantly cycling out as to which I prefer at the moment!! favourite guitarist would probably be john povey just because he also wrote a lot of songs on the lps I have of theirs! goofiest member is a bit tricky but I'd say it's brian pendleton. dude literally did not notice his jumper was stolen by brian jones even when he knew it was missing and had noticed brian had a 'similar' jumper on rsg! that night! (side note: the fact that viv prince got kicked out of the hell's angels is a very close second) favourite album is 'the vintage years' compilation lp from 1976 during the period phil left the band and my favourite song would be death of a socialite and my favourite photo... this one I'm not necessarily gonna post for all of them just the ones I have. but this is probably my favourite and iirc it's a promotional photo for a boot company

2 - the rolling stones

come on. we know it's brian jones that I like the best. I don't know who the goofiest member would be because basically all of them have done some very dumb shit but because of the music video for dancing in the street I'd have to give it to mick jagger. that video... haunts me. favourite album is easy, it's aftermath. though I do admit I love my presumably original pressing of high tides and green grass quite a bit as well! now my favourite song is jumpin jack flash I feel like that's very well known at this point... so I'll say that it's play with fire favourite photo HAS to be this

no hints as to why

3 - the easybeats

favourite guitarist is harry vanda I have a thing for blondes as SO many things are starting to prove goofiest member has to be stevie wright since he was mick jagger on cocaine and speed at sixteen and did it BETTER... I admire someone who can do backflips favourite album would be easy. not a very inspired choice however I think it's understandable why! favourite song is a tie between st louis and made my bed (gonna lie in it) both songs have an incredible complexity to their sound that just. perfect for me. favourite picture is easily this no I don't have context

4 - the kinks

favourite guitarist is ray sorry dave. actually not sorry I haven't forgotten the shaved pussy tweets goofiest member is IMPOSSIBLE have you SEEN them they're all as bad as each other favourite album is one for the road. I have a thing for live albums favourite song is rock n roll fantasy. I feel that's fairly common knowledge favourite photo:

winter they said.

5 - flash and the pan

can I skip favourite guitarist I think I've already said I prefer harry also... I can't choose a goofier member... I mean...

favourite album would be their collection one because. I have not found any physical copies of their lps. and that's what's on spotify. favourite song though is easy it's down among the dead men I'll skip favourite photo for now. those gifs should do just fine

6 - the grateful dead

this is where order really doesn't matter! I'll admit I don't actually listen to these guys as much as the first five bands I put down but I do still enjoy them a lot and it's a bit of variety

favourite guitarist... probably bob weir? I'm not too fussed about favourite members in this band! goofiest member is n/a this is a strictly liked because I like the music band. aside from the fact I got into them because of the grateful doe case. don't ask favourite album is their self-titled favourite songs are either the golden road or touch of grey no favourite picture here either

7 - the dave clark five

favourite guitarist is rick huxley. no particular reason just vibes goofiest member is probably mike smith for thinking that he could pull of jean harlow drag (he pulls off the drag just fine it just doesn't necessarily read as jean harlow lol) favourite album is the dave clark five's greatest hits because it's my dad's copy favourite song is sha-na-na hey hey kiss him goodbye. I am a simple man. I hear a nice keyboard line, I go wild favourite photo is again not applicable BUT I did enjoy watching having a wild weekend when my dad made us watch it on television a good decade and then some

8 - rush

do i have to say favourite guitarist. like. the only way there's options is if you choose to interpret 'guitarist' more openly than I have (not counting bass because bassists deserve better than to be lumped in as just a guitarist). or I could be funny and say neil peart goofiest member is geddy for his instagram literally being geddyimages. pun king favourite album would probably be power windows favourite song is the analog kid again, favourite image isn't really applicable here BUT I am an appreciator of the big money music video unironically

9 - the shadows

my favourite guitarist is hank marvin. who brian may also looks up to and I love torturing my m*ther with that information. goofiest member would also be hank marvin for one of his nicknames was 'pretty boy', though there is a picture in a biography about them that I got for me dad that calls them the sex pistols of 1958 and I don't know how to feel about it favourite album is from hank, bruce, brian and john favourite songs are the letter (BUT not the 1999 remaster, they took some of the teeth outta that) and while technically this is a hank marvin solo release a lot of things count it as a shadows song and that's sacha favourite photo:

nice lads, aren't they

10 - strawberry alarm clock

...I have to admit. I don't know the members and I don't particularly care to know the members, I only know that I like their music. and that's good enough for me at this point! favourite album would be incense and peppermints favourite song would either be mr farmer or hummin' happy and again, because I don't care who exactly was in the band, I don't have a favourite photograph

11 - pink floyd

favourite guitarist is syd goofiest member? in MY pink floyd? it's roger. solely because of the onion bagger shirt favourite album is the final cut favourite song is time favourite image is uh. me misnaming a file. and producing this gem

12 - the beach boys

favourite guitarist would be al. even though I know the members I don't have a particular ranking (except mike love is the worst member. ew) goofiest member is again not really something I can say I have an opinion on favourite album would be pet sounds like is there any other option (I say, despite listening to my 'concert' lp way too often...) favourite song though is I get around (live) from the concert lp favourite picture... i guess I do have two pictures of them saved but I don't know why because I don't particularly like those pictures

13 - the monkees

I did not mean to put these guys off to nearly the end of the list!!

favourite guitarist is mike no competition goofiest member is all of them!! they're all goofy as hell favourite album is pisces aquarius capricorn and jones ltd though I like pool it, and unironically at that favourite song is the door into summer favourite image:

what can I say! it's a mood

14 - the marcus hook roll band I've already said who my favourite guitarist is :) you have to figure it out from who I've already said :) saying the goofiest member would also give it away but shoutout to the NON-member known for wearing a school uniform in the next band he was in, who showed up uninvited and had to be bribed into playing with naked women and beer favourite album is tales of old grand daddy. I don't have much choice. favourite song is can't stand the heat and I don't have any pictures of this band and I don't think there are even any publicly available

15 - the who

last but NOT LEAST!!

favourite guitarist would be pete, again not much choice is there goofiest member is yet again all of them. how can i choose between the guy who collected random shit like suits of armour, the guy banned from a whole motel chain, the guy who ate nails and uh. pete. favourite album would be the who sell out favourite song is a tie between the instrumental version of my generation or can't reach you favourite album is this and I think this is a good way to finish this post off!

thanks for asking, and more importantly if you've made it here thanks for reading this far? like I said after the first five it's not really in any order and a lot of these are bands I just like a lot musically. and it's not a complete list. it's only fifteen after all

[spenceraugust]

TAZNC Day 1

@taznovembercelebration

Selected prompt is italicized: Fake dating/ domesticity

See the month’s prompt list: https://bit.ly/2TUfDLC

Read it on AO3: https://bit.ly/38cjqMO

It had been two weeks. And- okay, when you really think about it, sure, that's not that long. Just enough to start missing someone, but not really enough to feel ready to head back to school.

Holiday break was over, and that meant two things. Midterms and Taako.

Taako's family lived far away- according to the blonde, they were from a small town called New Elfington on the West Coast. He hadn't been home in years, and no matter what he said, Kravitz knew he missed his sister. She and her husband had picked up a kid since the last time Taako had been home. Their grandfather had tested positive for Alzheimer's after  wandering into the woods and getting lost.  His cousin had opened a woodworking shop and got engaged.

He'd missed a lot in the five years since he'd been back, so Kravitz had been as understanding as possible when Taako broke the news.

He was understanding. That didn't mean he expected it.

"I think I'm going to go home this year," he said, using his French fry to push a chicken nugget around. The cafeteria food was garbage, and Taako hated it, and no matter how many times Kravitz said "hey, aren't you in culinary school? Maybe you should pack lunch."  His companion seemed rather insistent on partaking in the distribution of culinary war crimes.

(Kravitz was pretty sure he just liked to complain.)

"Oh?" Kravitz glanced up from his salad. "I- what about our mall date next week to last minute gift shop?"

"Sorry bones," He smiled sadly, "someone else will have to help me deal with the consequences of my actions."

"I mean- good luck, I guess-" Kravitz was sputtering, so he took a sip of his water. "I just- are you going to take a cab? I can't imagine that'll be cheap."

"Lup's got bridesmaids business at Julia's, and that's only an hour and a half away. We're going to pit stop it. They figured out something, I guess- Barry will drive me home and Lup will drive me back," He finally looked up from his lunch, "so you're in charge of holding down the fort until I get back. Promise to not clean my half of the room?"

"Taako," Kravitz placed his hand gently on the back of his best friend's. "I'm absolutely going to clean your half of the room."

Taako was, objectively, a bad roommate. He listened to music loudly, never cleaned his half of the room, had a tendency to invite people over and not warn him, and always seemed to go missing when dorm inspections were supposed to happen.

Kravitz still wasn't sure when he started developing a crush on him, but it was a secret he would take to his grave. He didn't spend the past three years becoming someone Taako trusted by saying every little thing that came to mind.

He was still ecstatic for Taako to come home. They'd never been apart for more than a couple of days. Two weeks was torture, especially when it was filled with aggressive smothering from his mothers. It was good to be back.

💕 Taako 💕 Be home in five, handsome!

His phone buzzed in his hand, and Kravitz nearly dropped it. He'd been sitting in his coat on his bed for the better part of an hour, debating whether or not he should go and wait outside. Was that weird? It felt a little weird. But it was Taako, and it had been two weeks-

Fuck it. He could play it off like he was going to get a coffee. Maybe he'd even get the chance to meet the mysterious sister he'd heard about for years.

And, as his luck would have it, apparently "be home in five" meant "I'm here, but it'll take a couple minutes to take stuff out of the trunk of my brother-in-law's beat up Subaru" (which, by the way, fully lived up to Taako's description).

"Oh, Taako!" He called, trying for pleasantly surprised as he raised a hand and waved. Taako glanced up and grinned, dropping his bag into the snow and jogged over.

"Hey handsome! Long time no see!" He called over the disgruntled cries of his two companions who had been left with the labour of unpacking.

"Hey, how was it?" Kravitz asked, striding towards him. "Did you ever end up finding a gift for Uncle Dav-"

"I need you to play along," Taako said in a frantic whisper, throwing his arms around Kravitz's neck and pulling him into a tight hug.

"What?" Kravitz hugged back instinctively.

"Do you trust me?" He asked, pulling away slightly.

"I hate it when you ask me that- yes?"

"Okay, then follow my lead," and then their fingers were intertwined and Taako was dragging Kravitz through the snow. He wasn't even sure what he just signed himself up for, but Taako looked like an angel in the snow. He could have told Kravitz to take a polar dip and he would have off principle.

"Thanks for leaving me with your heaviest bags, jackass," Taako's mirror image, presumably Lup, hissed.

"I'm sure Kravitz could have walked over alone," Barry (?) added.

"He could have, but I wouldn't let him." Taako grinned. "Give us a hand, bones?"

"Ah." His twin stopped him with a hand as Kravitz reached for a suit case. "Not so fast, we haven't even been properly introduced yet. My name is Lup."

"It's great to finally meet you," he shook her hand, "Taako's told me so much about you- I was starting to wonder if he was keeping us apart on purpose."

At that, she laughed. "Oh, probably- I'm sure he's worried I'll spill all his deepest secrets. Remind me to get your phone number before we leave. I need someone I trust to keep an eye on my little brother."

Taako squawked behind him, but Kravitz just smiled a little wider. "Absolutely. I'd like that."

"I'll have you know, Krav, I'm at least four minutes older-"

"They swapped the babies up, they don't know for sure, dingus-"

"Legally, my birth certificate says I was born first-"

"I'm assuming you're Barry?" Kravitz ducked out of the twin's firing range to head over to the middle aged man wrapped tight in a red coat and blue jeans. "Kravitz."

"You'd be correct in that- I'm Lup's husband. It's good to finally meet you- Lup and I have been discussing for a while what kind of person could possibly keep Taako entertained for anything longer than a week. He talks about you lots as well." Barry shook his hand firmly.

"Good things, I hope?"

"I think that's up to you to decide, bud." He shrugged, before turning back to address the twins, "Hon, we've got a long drive ahead of us. Why don't the four of us grab lunch before we head back to Elfington?"

"Thanks for the offer, Barold, but we're actually not done fighting," Taako said, slinging an arm over his sister's shoulder.

"Well, if you leave your bag in the snow like that, all your stuff is going to get wet," Barry gestured to a suitcase that had been lost in the chaos. "Let's finish unpacking quickly- I'll pay, is that what you wanted to hear, Taako?"

"It's exactly what I wanted to hear," Taako turned to Kravitz with a wide grin. "Come on, handsome, grab a bag. I'm hungry." ~~~~~~~~~~~~

("So, you've been roommates for three years?" Lup asked, picking her nails while she and Kravitz were alone in the elevator.

"Yeah, since freshman year." Kravitz nodded. "We've found that we get on surprisingly well."

"Clearly- I shared a room with my brother for eighteen years, and it's not easy," She nodded in agreement. "You gotta really love Taako to willingly put up with that kind of bullshit twenty-four sev."

Kravitz shrugged. "I mean, don't tell him I said this, but- he's Taako. He's worth a little bullshit every now and then."

"Huh," She broke out into a wild smile. "I think I like you, bones."

"You're not half bad yourself." He grinned, holding the door out of the residence for her. "We should hurry- a hangry Taako is not a fun Taako to be around.") ~~~~~~~~~~~~

("And how long have you been- y'know?" Barry asked, looking up through the rearview mirror of his car.

"Well, we started living together three years ago, but we didn't really start hitting it off until about six months after that," Kravitz offered, looking to Taako.

"He just needed time to warm up to the 'Taako-Kondo' organization method." Taako added.

"Dumping your things on the floor is not an organization method," Kravitz elbowed him with a smile.

"It is! I have a dirty pile, I have a clean pile, I have a school work I'm going to maybe finish pile, I have a school work I'm not going to finish pile-"

"Taako," Kravitz sighed in exasperation. "When we get back to campus, I am going to buy you a planner. There is no reason to not finish your school work."

"Uh, ch'yeah there is! I don't feel like it?"

"God," Lup groaned from the front seat, "You two bicker like an old married couple. Thank god we live five hours away, Bear- can you imagine lunch dates every week?"

"Forget how Barry feels," Taako leaned forwards to shove his head into her sightline. "If I had to go on a double date with you nasties every week, I'd lose my mind.")

~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

"So, what'd you think?" Taako asked, waving as Barry finally drove off. The sun had set, meaning that the two wouldn't be home until early morning. Taako had suggested that they stay the night in the dorms and head back in the morning, but Lup had adamantly refused. Said that Taako and Kravitz needed to catch up, and Kravitz would be lying if he said he wasn't a little relieved to have some one-on-one time with his best-friend.

"They're pretty great," Kravitz smiled. "I can see what you mean about Barry being a nerd, but I have to disagree with you calling Lup a tornado. She seems pretty cool."

"It's only the first day, handsome," Taako reminded him, linking their arms and heading towards their dorm. "She has plenty of time to prove herself as a walking disaster to you."

"I guess time will tell- she's got my number," He shrugged. "Hey, what did you mean earlier? When you told me to play along?"

"Oh," Taako dropped their linked arms as they stepped into the elevator. "Uh, about that- listen, I don't exactly know how they got to this conclusion, but Barry and Lup? Uh, they think we've been dating for a couple years. And, uh, I didn't know how to break the news? Because Lu seemed really excited? Something about you 'being the reason I haven't come home for a while', or whatever. I don't know."

Oh. Oh.

"Lup and I have been discussing for a while what kind of person could possibly keep Taako entertained for anything longer than a week."

"You gotta really love Taako to willingly put up with that kind of bullshit twenty-four sev."

"And how long have you been- y'know?"

"You two bicker like an old married couple. Thank god we live five hours away, Bear- can you imagine lunch dates every week?"

"If I had to go on a double date with you nasties every week, I'd lose my mind."

"Taako- oh my god." Kravitz gripped his roommate's sleeve.

"Did you- did you not realize?" Taako looked at him in surprise. "I thought those heart eyes were just for them. Did you really miss me that much?"

"This conversation is tabled." Kravitz flushed, shoving his still cool hands into his pockets. "Oh my god."

"No, let's talk more about how much you missed me, and why you looked like all you wanted to do was kiss me-"

"Tabled, Taako!"

"If it helps, I think you're really cute?"

Kravitz groaned. "I want to die, this is the worst night of my life."

"Well, I have an unlimited olive garden pass," Taako shrugged. "We could go make it better, if you wanted."

"Fine," Kravitz said, eyes still firmly on the elevator door in front of him and not on the blonde man that had just reached into his pocket to hold his hand. "But I'm getting a blue Hawaiian, and if you want any, you'll have to get your own."

"Babe, are you sure you'll even notice me drinking from it?" Taako teased.

Kravitz groaned again, and Taako laughed. "Kidding. Come on, let's get changed and then head out. Ch'boy's feelin' unlimited breadsticks."

[jetfuel-cantmeltsteelbeams]

I’ve got a thing for (a)U.

Chapter 01: Day 01/07

Scene: On the first day of their freedom from parental control, Rue comes down after a week of hell doing Blyze’s grunt work.  Characters: Rue Demmekke, Renegade Demmekke, Daniel Nightengale, Caydin Blythe

"I ain't ever gonna dance again; these guilty feet have got not rhythm..." Rue rolled his eyes the music assaulted him the second he pushed open the front door. He'd spent the past week in his father's office- literally, his cot had been set up on the floor behind a desk- as per the agreement his parents had come to. It seemed like these days he'd only had one single say in any of this; and since he'd confirmed that he wanted to become the next Dark Leader, everything else had been taken out of his hands.

Every other weekend he spent at the angel compound. Week nights, if it wasn't Midterms or Finals, and every holiday. It was like soccer camp- but with more plays and matches. And way, way more carnage. Even his classes had been changed; Karsyn had booked him for more Otherworld History courses than he could keep up with, and he didn't want to think about the fit she'd throw when she finally saw the grade of his Trig III final.

But with the Academy shutting down for two months of summer, he'd thought he might catch a break. But while his brothers were whisked off on family vacations and trips to expansive realms, he'd been handed a cot and the latest statistics of the recon missions spanning six months back. He'd probably spent half the week buried in his history books, comparing war strategies from this ruler to the next.

All so Blyze could walk in, scan the report that had taken him three days to type up and format, toss it to the desk and wave him out.

He was still simmering when he'd picked up Ren a few hours later, honking the horn of his Wrangler until Charlotte came out with garden shears to cut his breaks if he didn't stop.

And the redhead had come galloping out of the front door, pecking his mother with a kiss on the cheek before barreling into the Jeep so hard, Rue was sure they'd topple over.

"Remind the strung out cunt to take her meds."

Renegade stuck his entire head out of the passenger window as Rue began to pull out of the drive. "Your vitamins are in the fridge beside the OJ- Love you!"

"Why do you call them vitamins?" Rue murmured as his half-brother returned his entire body mass inside the vehicle.

With a grin, Ren tugged at the seat-belt. "Because the last time Dad called them her cure for the Benzo Blues, she threatened to send us all straight to the Hell Realms, flaming asses first."

The young leader rolled his eyes as he took the long, waving road away from his half-brother's large estate. "Have you talked to her about Sythe?" The other day, while Rue was locked up in their father's study, Renegade had come in to supposedly help the silverette. Instead, they'd found classified documents locked safely in Blyze's desk drawer with an entire dossier on Charlotte.

Under confirmed paternal link was Sythe's name.

"Nah, she's been locked up in her bedroom all weekend." Fishing in his duffle, Renegade withdrew his aux cord and began hooking it up to Rue's stereo. "Is Ray gonna be at the house?"

Struggling to suppress his instinct to stomp his brother's dreams, Rue just replied. "We're all restricted to the grounds; Maman set the security bounds before she left this morning." She'd known whenever they checked in to the estate, and when they left- the nosy ass. "And you know we've all been told to keep you two separated. You're supposed to sleep in my room every night."

But Renegade smiled at his phone as he scrolled through his music to find a song to play. "That would be the good, Catholic thing to do, I guess."

At the long gaze Rue shot his brother, the redhead actually had the audacity to look appalled. "Oh, don't you dare get high and righteous with me. Caydin? Really? Dude, you live together. You're practically brothers."

And just like that, the silverette turned back to the road. "Don't say that. We're not brothers."

A snort as Renegade turned back to his phone. "What would you call it then?"

Santaria began to play on the Wrangler, and despite himself the angel's heart began to speed up. "Roommates."

-

...-All I really want to know, I already know. And all I really want to say, I can't define. It's love that I need...-

Daniel lowered the red solo cup so Rue could read his lips; "Eight grand says they fuck before we even make it to bed."

The angel rolled his eyes away to the sight of his brother on the couch. No matter where Raychl Cross seamed to stray around the room, Renegade's gaze followed the curve of her ass. It'd been about two hours since the toddlers were put down, and even with the two sleeping demigods in the next room, his brother just couldn't seem to keep it in his pants.

"Thirty bucks. He'll sneak in her room first night. The rest... he won't even bother pretending he's not taking that bedroom for the rest of the week."

The snickering from his best friend was enough to draw out a sickened grin from the angel. It was horrible, really. Them betting on Renegade's self-control.

But it wasn't like they all weren't painfully aware of the elephant in the room. Renegade and Raychl had been raised together; there were pictures framed in the hall of the two of them in a bath as two year olds. The fact that they weren't technically related meant nothing; the two families had lived as one for too many years for the two to find each other attractive.

...-My soul will have to wait, 'til I get back and find Heina of my own. Daddy's gonna love one and all. I feel the break, feel the break, feel the break. And I got to live it out, oh yeah...-

From the corner of his eyes, Rue felt more than saw Caydin come into view. With his hair held back by one of Karsyn's headbands and her apron tied around his front, the blond was bustling away in the kitchen to make brownies of the green type.

For the past month or so, the feeling Rue felt for the other had begun to worry him. The strain of his instinct to grab him, bury himself in him, hold him so tight he left bruises on that pale, alabaster skin... The fantasies that came to mind were enough to turn even his stomach.

An itching in his canines made him shift in place. And damn him, Daniel noticed. "Looks like I'll be the only one in this gods damned house sleeping alone tonight. Fuck. Me."

As his friend chugged the last of his drink, Rue couldn't help but agree.

-

Laying in his bed was the hardest thing he'd ever done. Agreeing to sign his life away to end a war his father had begun? Nothing. Waiting to see if Caydin made the first move by joining him in his bedroom? He was lucky the bed wasn't shaking half as hard as he was.

The door to his room opened, but it was Daniel's dark features looking in to find him. "Is Ren in here with you?"

"No. Why?"

"Raychl's door is locked."

"How do you know Raychl's door is locked?"

"Because I tried to open it."

"Why did you try to open it?"

"To see if Ren is in there."

"Are you trying to see my brother's ass?"

"No, but if our dads find out-" The demigod paused, turning to glance back behind him into the dark hall. "Caydin? What are you doing?" The blond must have mumbled his answer, because even from the bed Rue could spot the change in Daniel's demeanor. "I'm so tired of being the only one in this gods-damned household not getting any ass!"

-

Chapter 02: Day 04/07

Scene: Rue is contacted by Blyze to go to the estate to receive a mission that’s returned early, which carries with it an added guest.  Characters: Rue Demmekke, Caydin Blythe, Sargent Jasyn Rogue, Drig’uhl Dav Iyra

Rue set his phone down in the center console of his Wrangler, a scowl set hard in his face. Beside him, the petite blond didn't comment on how fast he was taking the dirt road, or the jostling it gave the two angels.

He kept telling himself he'd brought Caydin along because he needed the company. That the blond could entertain him on the long car ride between home and the compound. While his instincts screamed to keep him close enough to touch, to see or smell, he held firm on the desire to control himself.

"What's so important that he sent you to receive a mission?"

Over the last few weeks, Caydin had grown more and more interested in the role Rue had agreed to inherit. Venting to him had been so easy, and the angel had been curious enough to ask questions for better understanding.

"Adler's mission should have taken another week at the least. He's back ahead of schedule."

"Is that a bad thing?"

Unease brewed in his gut. "Could be. Either he was one lucky bastard and completed his mission early, or everything went to shit and he had to run back."

-

As soon as he came through the double doors of the compound, the council surrounded him. Among the many war generals and foot commanders, Sargent Rogue appeared on his right to fill him in. Behind them, Caydin walked in Rue's wake as the crowd hurried up the main stairs. "Commander Adler returned at 14:57 on the West pad with all of the original party that accompanied him." Papers were shoved into Rue's grip as the Major took over. "-And some additional party members."

That wasn't particularly abnormal. It wasn't unusual for their teams to go in with a set goal, and while conducting the mission were able to bring slaves back to the compound. He'd done it himself a few times- whenever he could chance getting to them.

But the summary of his report wasn't adding up. Slaves only had one surname with no definitive family mark, so why were there multiple...

As they came up on the door to the briefing room, Rue lowered the papers to glance over the faces of his council. Behind him, Caydin listened. "Hold on." He scanned through the papers one more time, a frown contorting his features. "Does that mean Adler..."

"Was successful."

Rue's throat bobbed as he swallowed hard against his sudden dry throat. "How many?"

"Five, Sir."

"Five." From where he stood, Caydin could see the blood leave Rue's face as he watched the Major beam with pride. Confusion brought the blond's own brows down as he tried to make sense of what he was hearing. They'd managed to bring back five slaves? That was good news- so why did Rue look like someone had taken the floor out from under him? What was on that paper?

To the left, a Lieutenant stepped up. "If you would rather we wait until the Dark Leader returns..."

Rue’s face twitched with the desire to fire back at the obvious disrespect, but his eyes were locked on the door to the council chambers. "I'll handle this, Rickman," he mumbled before turning the knob and stepping in. 

But once Caydin could see what was waiting on the far wall, he had no idea how the silverette could force himself to take another step. 

"Dark Leader," Commander Adler mumbled, bowing his head in respect to the young silverette. Rue's eyes never strayed from her face as he walked to address the commander, nodding his greeting. And from the door, as the other members of the council filled in around him, neither did Caydin’s. "The eldest female of the Royal bloodline; Drig'uhl Dav Iyra of the Dirgulian household."

She'd been forced to kneel on the concrete floors; the dress skirts of her gown torn and muddied by the harsh Drigulian tar. Caydin could barely see the white blonde of her hair beneath the black paste, or her pale skin beneath the dirt. Her eyes were shut tight beneath a dirty veil of hair, but he could see her lips moving silently as she prayed.

20. She couldn't be older.

I'm young and I'm foolish, I've made bad decisions. I block out the news, turn my back on religion. Don't have no degree, I'm somewhat naive, but I've made it this far on my own.

Maybe to save Rue the embarrassment of asking himself, Sargent Rogue spoke aloud. "What do we do with her?"

The dark leader's gaze never lifted from her face as a general in the crowd answered. "Blyze would throw her to the soldiers. Give them her royal ass as compensation for the slaves she's sent to death." 

But lately, that shit ain't been gettin' me higher. I lift up my head and the world is on fire- there's dread in my heart and fear in my bones, and I just don't know what to say.

At the man's crude words, the princess's eyes closed even tighter as her body began to rock back and forth. She seemed to throw herself into desperate prayer, her mouth moving too fast for Caydin to make out what she whispered. He managed to catch one word that fell from her lips again and again; “Doukr.” Mercy.  

Maybe I'll pray, pray. Maybe I'll pray

"How would you like that, bitch? Your father raped my sisters before throwing them to the guards-"

Just as the Sargent lifted his leg to kick the princess, Rue moved. His hand snatched up the chains binding her wrists together to give a tug. The boot barely grazed her back as she stumbled to keep her balance. "Then we'll wait for Blyze to come back from vacation to decide. Until then-" Turning to meet Sargent Rogue's pale features with his own, he handed off the chain. "There's holding cells on ground floor B for this. Put a dozen rotating guard on her at all times, and keep them segregated from gen pop. I don't need a mutiny during my first week in command."

I'm not a saint, I'm more of a sinner. I don't wanna lose, but I fear for the winners.

"Yes, Sir." A glint of relief burned in Rogue's gaze as he hurried to lead the princess out of the room.

Caydin stood there, frozen to the ground as she came closer and closer. His eyes couldn't move from where she'd been kneeling- a princess. Drigulia was a patriarchy; she had no say in their laws.

But when her eyes opened to see the doorway coming closer, she began to fight the restraints. Rogue gave a sharp pull to jerk her through, but her hands found the wooden frame and refused to let it go.

Her eyes found Rue's from across the room, and then the most beautiful accent followed on foreign words she screamed at the silverette. Caydin's frown deepened as she spoke. Why do I feel like I know what she's saying?

"Vroat- dr kl'rbuor!"

The blond's gaze found the dark leader as Rue wet his lips. His answer was short, clipped."Vlouo auo raiu kl'rbuor?"

"Rai kaax klod."

If possible, Rue's face got paler. He nodded once to Rogue and the princess was tugged from the room, screaming in that strange language the entire way down the hall.

The room was quiet then, after her screams faded out. The tension Caydin could feel twisted his gut- there had been too much disrespect in the past few minutes for Rue to let it go without recourse.

"First Sargent Rickman, you can go."

For a second, Caydin couldn't understand why the offending officer's face flushed with rage at the dismissal. It wasn't until the man had hurried out the door that he realized Rue had just demoted the Lieutenant with nothing more than six words.

"Now, gentlemen; excuse me while I make a call." Without waiting for any confirmation that they'd heard him, Rue snagged Caydin's arm as he led them out. Before he knew it, Rue had released him once they'd traveled far enough away to find a deserted office.

One with a trash can. Rue's entire body jerked as he heaved into the bucket without waiting for Caydin to rush the door closed behind them.

-

Chapter 03: Day 06/07

Scene: On the back porch on the estate, smoking Karsyn’s weed. Characters: Rue Demmekke, Daniel White

Rue plopped down on the amber lawn chair, sinking deep into it's cushion as he propped his feet up. Without looking away from the flatscreen streaming a vine compilation from Daniel's phone, he set his hand out to the side for the raven to pass a joint over.

Beside his chair, Daniel was in his own little world. Two dozen blunts bursting with their mother's stash sat perfectly aligned in a tray, with a pipe and multiple lighters. He'd come out here hours ago, when the others began settling the toddlers into bed. Not because he didn't want to put his sisters to sleep, but because the demigod switched off with Karsyn with caring for the girls when Night was away on business.

"...-I said, 'whoever threw that paper; your mom's a hoe.'"

As Rue drew a deep pull to hold, Daniel chuckled beside him. When the silverette turned to raise a brow, the raven shook his head. "Dude, you're so fucked."

Grey eyes rolled as Rue slowly exhaled. "Not compared to the heathens upstairs. I've barely seen Ren eat or piss over the last few days. There are times I forget that they’re actually here with us in the same damn house."

Daniel's head shook as he lit a second blunt. "They'll be fine. Uncle Nate's too guilty over those years Ray spent in Bristol, and Ren is Blyze's favorite son."

"So you think they wont care? There's a picture in the hall of both of them in the bath together as babies."

Daniel shrugged over Rue's cough, letting the smoke leave his lungs on a slow push. "They'll be pissed, but it'll blow over. Six figures says they'll be hitched by this time next year."

"No dice," the angel choked out. His fist came down hard on his chest a few times as he eyed the joint with suspicion. "What the fuck is Maman smoking? This shit is deadly."

"No idea," Daniel mumbled, struggling to keep his chest tight to keep from coughing. "But I want her dealer."

For a while, they both lay in silence as the television flickered. "...-Is there anything better than pussy? Yes; a really good book."

"What are you gonna do? I mean, are you ready for the..."

"Calenhai." It took him a moment of mulling the question over in his mind before he could answer. "No. No one will tell me anything about it. For all I know, it's a ceremony that they cut each other's dicks off with a rusty spoon."

Daniel's snort sent them both into hysterics as the image appeared in their minds. "Maybe," the raven heaved through a gasp, "They paint their cocks grey and sword fight."

Another round of muffled screams as the brothers lost their minds in hysteria. "What if it's a carwash? Just a fucking carwash."

"Blyze in a bikini-"

"-Scrubbing the windshield with his ass!"

"Dark Leader Booty, reporting for duty."

-

Chapter 04: Day 09/07

Scene: Inside Night’s personal office on the estate, discussing the angel’s war.  Characters: Danicious (Daniel) Nightengale, Dyatose (Night) Nightengale

Night shook his head, eyes glazed as he stared into the woodwork of his desk from where he stood clutching the edges. "We don't intervene, Dani. It's crucial you understand that." Even as the words left him, Night's chest caved with emotions. Anxiety, fear, desperation- things no father wants his son to see.

Well, my goodness gracious- let me tell you the news. My head's been wet with the midnight dew.

From across the room, Daniel's face flushed with rage. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't stop the tremble that had taken his balled fists- something he knew Night had noticed. "You can't tell me that you're just going to sit by."

-I've been down on bended knee, talkin' to the man from Galilee.-

"It's not right to take sides. We must remain impartial in these issues."

"Da', he's my brother. He's your son."

-He spoke to me in a voice so sweet, I thought I heard the shuffle of the angel's feet.-

"It's not just Rue. He's leading thousands of souls into an event we cannot influence."

"What if it was me?"

"Daniel."

"-What if it was me, Da'? Would you turn your back and let me die? He already had one father who did that to him, he doesn't deserve another!"

"It wouldn't be you, Danicious."

-He called my name and my heart stood still, when he said "John, go do My will!"

Night's words tightened as he struggled to soften his tone through gritted teeth. "Any war you wage will be a battle of Gods, not natural souls. Gods, who have a fighter's chance against your powers. Not mortal-born beings who will fall before you as lambs to slaughter if you fight by your brother's side. Thousands of pure lives that will be tainted by our influence- do you understand that? We cannot influence the lifelines of men outside our means, or the Balance will shift."

You can run on for a long time,

Silence. "Does he know you're not going to fight with him?"

"Rue and I have spoken many times on the subject. That neither of us will be able to intervene if-"

"-Fuck you."

"Excuse me?"

Run on for a long time,

"Fuck you. If you think that you can stop me from defending him-"

Run on for a long time.

He didn't have a chance to finish. Night's guards pushed so fast, so hard against Daniel's that the raven felt his chest cave. There was something in his father's eyes, something deadly, that promised he wouldn't be moved on the subject.

"Remember who you are born from, Danicious, and what power brought you here." The pressure lifted just as soon as it came, giving the young god a chance to breathe.

But sooner or later, God'll cut you down. Sooner or later, God'll cut you down.