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jerzwriter · 11 months ago

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It always starts somewhere...

This is my entry for Day one of @choicesjanuary2024 January Challenge. I hope you enjoy it!

Book: Crimes of Passion (post book 2) Pairing: Trystan Thorne x Carolina Rose Category: Fluff with a dash of angst Rating: Teen Words: 1,200 Summary: It's a tradition. A day Carolina always looks forward to, even if it's filled with bittersweet memories. But tonight, the tradition starts anew, with Trystan by her side.

Darkness had already enveloped the city as Carolina drew the curtains. Her face bright with anticipation, she gazed out her bedroom window onto the street below. There was only one thing on her mind as she mindlessly twirled the crystal flute of Chardonnay in her hand, nearly forgetting it was there. But the moment she remembered, she eagerly brought the glass to her lips, savoring the rich, oaky flavor as it swirled over her tongue, warming her more than the roaring fire ever could.

Despite the dipping temperature, she slipped off her cardigan and tossed it on a nearby chair. Eyes still focused on the freezing pavement, and she couldn't help but smile. This wasn’t the first time she had practiced this ritual; it was practically as old as she was, even its practices had been amended over the years. The ceramic mug her father bought for her when they saw Annie was no longer in her hand. The delicious aroma of the hot cocoa that had filled it was also gone, just like her father, who once sat at her side.

The unwelcome visitor was drawing near. Sadness, reaching in and gripping her as it often did made her eyes flicker away, but she turned back with determination. No! Sadness and despair would not win today; not on a night as special as this. Her fingers traced the rim of the crystal chalice that her father had used years before. The only one she’d consider using today.

“Ves eso, Papi?” she whispered into the deafening silence. “Any moment now.”

He must have entered quietly, or perhaps she was too distracted to hear him because his breath was warm on her neck and his arms gently encircled her waist before she heard a sound. Then, she had to laugh. Was she even a detective after all?

“What will be any moment now?” Trystan whispered, brushing her hair to the side and placing gentle kisses on her freshly exposed skin. She leaned into him, a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding escaping her as she melted into his arms. Just like that, all was right with the world.

“Mi Vida,” she smiled. “This is a very important night.”

His eyes widened for a quick moment... concerned he had forgotten an important date. Then, his expression softened as he recalled the stormy forecast.

“That’s right,” he grinned. “The first snowfall of the year.”

“Mmm hmm,” she nodded. “More importantly, our first snowfall together.”

“I see you have your father’s wine glass,” he smiled. “And the curtains are drawn, so you have everything you need.”

She gently placed the glass on the table beside her and turned to face him; her eyes lingering on his moonlit features. “At least I do now." Her lips moved toward his, claiming them as her own in warm, comforting kiss.

“Mmm-mmmh,” he simpered before playfully pulling away. “Oh, no, Lina. No way. I’ve been waiting to participate in this ritual for some time, and I will not allow you seduce me away from it.”

She strolled toward the old mahogany sideboard with a chuckle. "Oh really," she said, pouring another glass for her love. A playful smirk tugged at her lips when she placed it in his hands. “Then you’ll need this... if you plan to do it right."

He nodded with approval upon taking a sip. “This is quite good; I suppose the seduction could wait.”

“How noble of you!” Carolina teased.

“But, of course! I am a prince, after all.”

Shaking her head with delight, she fell into his arms and and Trystan tried to determine if that sound of her laughter had become his favorite melody of all. It was undoubtedly in his top three, each spot now claimed solely by his Carolina. But his body tensed as he realized her laughter had turned to tears that dampened the crook of his neck. He clasped the sides of her face, worry weighing on his features.

“Hey, hey,” he whispered, gazing into her tear-filled eyes. “Are you all right? I thought this was a happy tradition?”

“It is,” she sniffled, wiping away her tears. “But it’s different now, and it’s my first time sharing it with you.”

“Is that OK?” he asked. “If you’d rather be alone...”

“No, no!” She grabbed his hand and held it against her heart. “I’ve done this alone for years now, ever since my father died. Honestly, I never thought I'd share this with anyone else again, but now... I can't wait to experience this with you by my side.”

He pulled a chair closer to the window so they could sit without missing a thing, then motioned for her to sit on his lap. “I’m glad to hear that,” he assured. “Because there is no place I’d rather be.”

“So, how does this work?” He asked, getting down to business. “Do we do anything special while we wait?”

“Nope, we just keep watch. Whoever spots the first snowflake has to yell, ‘Look, it’s a blizzard!’ and then we share a toast.”

“A blizzard?” Trystan chuckled. “Carolina, a flake of snow does not a blizzard make.”

“Of course not, but it is how each one begins. Everything has to start somewhere, and that’s what makes it so remarkable. We watch one single snowflake fall to the earth, so innocent, so insignificant on its own, but when we wake up tomorrow the city will be blanketed in snow, and you and I will know, that it all started with that one little flake we watched together.”

She could feel him swallow as he gently turning her chin his way. “Everything starts somewhere,” he whispered. “And we never know what beautiful places it might lead.”

The world fell into slow-motion as their lips came together. The familiar, sweet taste filling their sense as everything else fell into the shadows. He pulled her closer, as her fingers ran through his hair, and the rest of the world was lost. Neither knew how long they stayed like that, but they couldn't forget Trystan's childlike gasp when he briefly opened his eyes.

“Look," he pointed with exasperation. "It’s a blizzard!” A solitary silver flake glistened in the streetlights as it slowly twirled down to the street below. They jumped to their feet, foreheads pressed against the cold glass, unwilling to miss a moment as it descended to the earth.

“It is! It’s a blizzard!” Carolina squealed, grabbing their wine glasses to propose a toast. “It’s our first snowflake, Trystan! The first snowflake has fallen, and with it, a new chapter begins.”

“To new beginnings,” he smiled, reaching out to caress her cheek one more time before they emptied their glasses. Side by side, they watched as more flakes fell, one by one, until a whispy, barely there sheet coated the sidewalks.

“You see, it’s happening!”

“It is," he smiled. "I dare say that we will wake to that blanket of snow tomorrow."

“We will,” she beamed. "But until then, I was thinking I'd like to get under the blankets with you. Are you in?"

Trystan took Carolina in one arm, as the other hastily pulled the drapes closed, a devilish glint in his eyes.

"I am so in," he smiled. "Look at us, sharing new things every day."

"Yep," she agreed. "One day this will all be old hat... we'll be some old couple boring those around us with stories of all the blizzards we've watched begin together. Hopefully, you won't grow tired of it by then."

"Are you kidding? Each snowflake is different, no snowstorm the same... and every day is a new discovery because I fall in love with every little thing you do."

A/N: Incorporated all 3 parts of @choicesjanuary2024 Day 1, though, I cheated and didn't use the sentence as the first line! Also participating in @choicesflashfics, prompt "I fall in love with every little thing you do."

@choicesficwriterscreations Tagging others separately.

#choices fanfic #crimes of passion #trystan thorne #trystan thorne x mc #playchoices #playchoices fanfic #choices stories you play #january challenge #writing challenge #trystan x carolina

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studentinpursuitofclouds · 2 months ago

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Heeey mousey! (◕ᴗ◕✿) I just have a random idea.

How would the adventurers, mages, or even their spouses react to the Farmer, who used to be a former assassin from a powerful mafia? Their parents used to work in the mafia as a powerful duo couple, but they had to resign for their family. However, the mafia didn’t like it and they killed the parents. Then, the mafia gave the Farmer a choice – either they join or else the mafia would kill their siblings. As the eldest, the Farmer had to join to protect their family. Years have passed since then. The Farmer has grown stronger and smarter, and has now devised a plan to escape the mob and leave the country with their siblings. They now live in Stardew Valley, leaving their old life behind in hopes of starting anew.

Yeaaaah, I have these thoughts about it and I just imagine the Farmer, want to forget everything but random mafia people are appearing in the valley and they had no choice but to tell the truth.

Oh, another question with an interesting scenario 👀 It's actually pretty cool to think about how the residents of Castle Village will react to people, things, and events that came from big towns, like Zuzu City. Hope you don't mind if I make only mages and adventurers this time. Nice to see you again, btw, and thanks for the ask! 🫰💕

_________________________________________

Farmer thought Isaac would express his disgust after the truth, but to their surprise, the adventurer began to respect them. Taking on all the dirt and hatred to protect the people you care about isn't something everyone is capable of. He's not an idiot and knows perfectly well that circumstances forced them to be a member of a criminal organisation (but will definitely scold their late parents for their selfish act). Isaac has few connections, but if Farmer needs to protect their family - they can count on him. However, he still gave fair warning that if people call for a fair trial for all mafia members, Farmer must also be prepared to be held accountable, for justice is blind.

Magnus knew it all. Don't look at him like that, Farmer. He is a wizard after all, quite skilful too, and at the first meeting he honestly said that he saw their past and future arrival here. It's not Rasmodius' fault that Farmer didn't believe him then. But he doesn't blame his young friend/adept for the crimes they had to commit out of their own free will. Farmer is very brave, protecting their loved ones from bad people. Magnus will help Farmer if any of the mafia members come to the Valley to find them and their family members.

Camilla's shocked look might fool Farmer and others, but the witch already knew everything. The young, talented Farmer had come to the Stardew Valley with their siblings, become a protector of people from monsters, helping the Castle Village as well - of course Camilla, with her boundless curiosity, had dug into Farmer's past. Really sad, but she admires their willingness to protect and abilities. This could really come in handy for her... Ah, don't let Farmer's worry about the mafia, they're definitely not coming to the Valley. And the recent news of mafia members being arrested/murdered/missing has nothing to do with her*chuckle*.

Yoba have mercy... Farmer has had to face hardships since the childhood, with no way out to escape and save himself and his siblings... Alesia is shocked to realise just what kind of scum there are in the world, forcing a teenager to do their dirty work. The sniper has seen a lot of things, but something like this... She doesn't blame poor Farmer for having to pay for their parents' mistakes. If any of the bastards come to the Stardew Valley, Farmer can count on her bow. And if the law is still merciless to Farmer for their past, Alesia will at least help their family in any way she can.

Jadu is completely baffled and speechless. So much information piled on his head... Farmer is a... wanted criminal? But they were left with no choice. Was there really no other way to escape from mafia and save their loved ones? No, the young wizard doesn't judge them, he has no right to judge Farmer and their unfortunate situation. He knows that Farmer's have grown up pretty quickly and now live in the Stardew Valley peacefully, away from those bad people. Just... if something happens, tell Jadu, okay? He'll try to help them and their siblings, not wanting to see his friend in trouble.

So that's what Farmer meant by telling Lance that they and their family came here "to escape their past"... He's genuinely sorry that his dear friend and fellow adventurer had to deal with the mob out of choice. But also infinitely glad that they were able to finally break the chains and escape with the rest of their family. The galant adventurer doesn't judge them for their past, knowing full well that they were trying to survive and protect the people they holds dear. Lance doesn't visit the Stardew Valley that often, but if he spots someone suspicious, he will warn them and stop the criminal.

#stardew valley expanded #sve #stardew valley #sdv #sve alesia #sve isaac #sve lance #sve camilla #sve magnus #sve jadu #sve headcanons #thanks for the ask!

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vergilscatgirl · 4 months ago

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── .✦ Rainy Evenings ♡

𖥻 Pairings ; V/GN Reader, V/You.

𖥻 Content Warnings ; Fluff, no gendered pronouns are used, somewhat angsty, no use of Y/N, spoilers for the fifth game (not in depth but it gives you a general idea).

𖥻 A/N ; Okay the V brainrot is real, I love this boy so much you have no clue. This particular oneshot gave me a bit of trouble, but I wanted to get it out because I’ve had the idea all week. I hope you all enjoy! It’s a bit short and rushed, but I think it holds up nicely regardless.

V found himself adrift in thought, the warm embrace enveloping his body unable to tug him from the labyrinth of his mind. The timer on his life had long surpassed its expiration mark — granting him a feeling of grief, agonizing the truth he was acutely aware of. A question he allows to circle within his thoughts, as it was only a mere question as to when he would revert to his former self, for he was only a trifling fragment within a scheme that was — oh so perfectly — crafted.

The mellow rain pitter-patters along the window, creating a faint background euphony that brought him consolation — yet couldn’t divert him from his impending calamity.

You worry for him, though remain reticent, relishing in the warmth of his arms encircling you. You lay nestled within his sprawled out figure — fanned out on the couch within the main lobby of the Devil May Cry office, observing the weather outside. While the moistened and frigid world outside mattered not, for his figure wraps securely around you, shielding you from the crisp outdoors.

The tranquility is a welcome relief, in contrast to the habitual near deafening noise it was filled with. In spite of his ceaseless uncertainty, V beams down at the figure in his grasp, your face veils within his vest as you rest atop him. To express that he loves you was unable to convey his fervent adoration for you. From the beginning, you occupied his side, confronting the maelstrom of issues that had been thrust upon you – you held steadfast, the proposal of fear ostensibly not an acquainted concept to you.

“My little wanderer, how I adore you so,” his voice interrupts the silence, hand escaping his side, and instead, caressing your hair in tender strokes, “my reverence for you has no limits.”

“I love you too, V.” Your response was brief, as there were not many words to offer him, your mind devoid of proper thought.

“What is on your mind, my sparrow?” The pet name left a soft crimson simmering along the skin of your cheeks, hands grasping along his ebony, leather coat.

“When you go,” you continue, absorbed in reflection — your words come out faint, your mind clasping against the words you spoke, “what’s going to happen?”

“Ah, questioning our relations, yes,” he ponders for a moment, contemplating his answer, “for that, I can grant no balanced answer, though rest assured, I will still yearn for you all the same, dear.” His attempts at comfort settle your nerves, “I will remember you, while not as precisely as before, nothing can change the love I have for you.”

You understood its truth, and awaited the inevitable outcome that would follow suit. Once it occurred, and all was said and done, you would continue your journey throughout life without his presence, instead in place of another.

“I’m going to miss you, V.” The rain would roar up, dark streaks gusting against the window with a harsh force, as if understanding the circumstances enclosing the building. “You mean everything to me.”

“I will miss you as well.” His gaze seems elsewhere now, instead seeking out the window, viewing the storm alight anew. “Please remember, regardless of what happens between us two, you will remember how dearly I care for you so.” His tone carried no torment, no dejection, as you had been informed of all this from the start, but as his time candidly neared, it felt as if you’d been jabbed with a brute force.

“I’ll remember.” Your voice is tender as before. “I’ll remember you, V. No matter what.”

The storm clamors outside, deafening out the remaining musings. He holds you close, a small peck meeting your temple, before resting his own against yours.

“I love you, my sweet wanderer.”

#✧ vergilscatgirl ౨ৎ˚₊‧#v dmc5 #v x reader #v/reader #gender neutral pronouns #gender neutral reader

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allymcfee · 4 months ago

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OC Insight/ What kind of love are you?

Rules: Take this uquiz as your OC and share your results!

Oh my god, I was tagged by the great @atsadi-shenanigans

All of my previous Durges (because I always play as Dark Urge) have been sorcerers, wizards, and warlocks. Mostly because I was never allowed to read books with magic or play D&D until I turned 20 and escaped. The devil can get you if you start messing around with magic. I have stayed away from clerics and paladins, because I’ve had enough god in my life tyvm. Then, I played a multiplayer run with my sister, and she played a paladin. We broke her oath almost immediately lol. It looked fun, and I’ve never played as a melee fighter. So this playthrough I am an Oathbreaker Paladin. Her name is Elanor (Samwise’s daughter’s name meaning sun-star and if I'm honest an homage to Eleanor @atsadi-shenanigans OC. Mostly, because I want her to be able to smash out some bad guys' teeth). For Elanor, I guess Astarion is her religion now.

Love as Religion

Devotion, that is the name of your love. Your love is an act of worship. Your love is like witnessing the birth of Venus, like seeing the sun come alive, or the stars fall. When you love, it is because you have found God in a lover. You have found the meaning of life itself in the heart of the one you adore. They are everything to you; they are your Maker, and you are their lamb, their flock, their first and holiest worshipper. When you fall in love, it is as a baptism. You are born anew, made a believer in the divinity of the one you love most. Being loved by you is an ascension; it is holy and golden. It is all-consuming, and all-faithful, loyal as the dog. You will never, ever bite back.

#baldur's gate 3 #astarion #baldurs gate astarion #dark urge

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the-white-void · 2 years ago

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I’ve seen a fair amount of SAGAU fics so I wanna make my own SAGAU genre

edit: sorry this is very old

—————

Teyvat’s Child

You were on your deathbed waiting for the pain to be over until you were picked up by a strange woman but you couldn’t see her defining features “who is this woman? Is she the Grim reaper or something?” you thought as she sat you down.

“SWEET CHILD DO YOU WISH TO PLAY YOUR GAME ONCE MORE”

You were puzzled to what this mysterious woman just said, your game? is she talking about Genshin Impact?

“Yes, sweet child, Genshin Impact”

“Wait you know what I’m thinking”

“Ofcourse, you are in my domain, you cannot hide anything from me either”

“So- so I can’t lie?”

“Oh if your referring to words you can lie but I’ll know true intentions”

“Then what’s the point in asking”

“Just to confirm”

“There’s no escaping this woman”

“Haha now your answer we don’t have much time”

“Well Genshin has helped me through some tough things and I am at the end of my rope here so why not”

“I’ll take that as a yes”

The next thing you knew you woke up at wind rise with a white robe replacing your old hospital robe and beside you was the same woman but you can see her more clearly now.

She looked like a doll, her anatomy was beyond perfect, her hair was like the gas that surrounded the milky way and eyes that represent the night sky.

She offered you her hand and said:

“Welcome to Genshin Impact, in this life you are now Teyvat’s Child”

--------------------

“H- hold on a sec, so your saying the world of Genshin Impact is my mother? and why would said world need a child? and out of all the living beings in the universe you chose me”

“Yes because I needed a gift for Teyvat”

“So you just went window shopping for children”

“What?! No, I meant I needed a soul to inhabit my puppet for teyvat so it can watch over her and I already chose you a long time ago”

“For how long exactly?”

“(Age) years ago it was quite recent”

“Recent for you, a while lifetime for me”

“Oh right your only (age) years old, sorry anyways child this is your new mother, Teyvat”

“Where?”

“In your head”

‘Huh"

“HELLO YOUNG CHILD I AM TEYVAT, WHAT IS YOUR NAME? IM VERY CURIOUS AND WHAT IS YOU FAVORITE FOOD? ILL MAKE IT FOR YOU”

Teyvat started bombarding your head with questions that your brain couldn’t even handle and really needed Teyvat to stop cuz she was about to make your head burst.

“Oh sorry, I was just very excited to meet you, I’ll let you two talk for now”

“Anyway miss mysterious can you tell me who you are?”

“Oh my, apologies I forgot to introduce myself”

The air suddenly felt tense and heavy.

“ I am the one that keeps the balance of the universe, time, space and everything that exists, I am responsible for when the time the universe and everything that exists comes to an end and when to create anew”

“Scary”

“But there’s no need for such formalities, you can call me… Aunt Violet”

“Aunt?”

“Yes well if you want to of course”

“Why the fuck do you want to be an aunt”

“Well I don’t wanna be called Grandma do I”

Aunt Violet warned you about the people’s actions towards her so called imposters before leaving

“Keep this in mind sweetheart, the people of Teyvat don’t really tolerate any imposters so try to keep out of sight until the people of Teyvat are aware of the situation”

“Why is that?”

“Oh right you haven’t looked at yourself yet”

You two went to the small pond near the windrise tree and you looked in shock that from head to toe you look exactly like Violet.

(a lil something if you want male reader: you have more if a square and muscular like form, your hair was slightly shorter)

“Wut du fuk”

“Sorry I didn’t tell you sooner”

You sighed from disappointment of how the god of the ENTIRE universe is in the hands of her. “Wait a sec she can read my mind”

She gives you a necklace saying it will act like a vision so you could protect yourself mostly from the 'imposter hunters’.

“Ah well I’ll take my leave now, call my name when you need anything”

“Ah she left”

“So Miss Teyva-”

“No my child you may call me mother”

“So mother what do wanna do?”

“I would love to do anything and everything with you but…no human body”

“Right she doesn’t have a physical form”

------------------

GETTING USED TO

————

It’s been a couple weeks since you arrived in Teyvat your mother keeping you company most of the time and surprisingly nothing bad has happened yet.

“Y/N dear, do you want to talk to someone?”

“I’m talking to you and your the one always talking”

“ I meant as in another person”

Wait, talk to person from Teyvat, what if they try to kill me or hold a public execution or make me dance to death or take my toes and feed them to me as meatballs and take my take after.

Interacting with someone could be quite troublesome because of the horrible treatments to Violet’s ’ imposters ’. You were hesitant to Teyvat’s dangerous suggestion.

“Don’t worry I’ll make sure nothing happens to you, I promise”

Teyvat said that right in your head but it felt warm, it felt new comfortable and a little fuzzy, so you smiled for Teyvat and only Teyvat.

“Thanks, you’ve been watching over me since the day I came here and I don’t really know what I would have done if it weren’t for you, I’d probably be dead if you weren’t with me so when you get a physical form I’ll try my best to return everything you’ve done for me”

You can hear can hear Teyvat was in shambles from your words, you giggled from her reaction not wanting to disturb her burning and replaying your words in her head you teleport to the waypoint just outside of Mondstat waiting for Teyvat to stop fan-girling over you.

You decide on who you were going to interact with first but your best candidate was Timmie so you look over the bridge where he usually feeds his pigeons there he was but there was also a woman on the entrance of the bridge with a parasol on her hand.

She looks like she was waiting for someone she was able to grab Mother’s attention.

“Oh look it’s Selena she’s waiting for us”

“You know her?”

“Well we never talked but she knows of your arrival and me in your head and Violet”

“HUH?! Care to elaborate here”

“Well years before your arrival Violet already found you an envoy to help you around Teyvat”

“Why didn’t she just choose this Selena person”

“Well she’s just playing favorites”

You sighed and slowly approached the woman under the parasol scared that she might pull out a weapon and take your fingers, Mother tried to calm you down knowing Selena cannot harm you because her main purposes was healing so she cannot attack.

“H- h- hi”

“Greetings Your Grace it is pleasure to be at your presence, my name is Selena and I will be escorting you through wherever you wish in Teyvat, wether it is in Liyue or Shneznayan diplomatic issues to medical information I can be of use however I maybe more weight on the battlefield, I will be at your care”

She hands over the parasol to you as a present, for some reason it reminded you of Violet but you just let it slide and carried the parasol over your head and Selena’s.

“It’s very hot today so it’s best you also get some shade and some water”

“Thank you for your hospitality your grace”

“Please drop the "your grace” title, it feels odd"

“Very well, what shall I call you then”

“Just call me Y/N”

“I see then Y/N, where shall we go”

----------------

Selena was a huge asset to your adventure, she should literally do everything for you she even helped you navigate to Liyue borders (which was harder than you thought) and even left mondstat with you.

“You’re leaving Mondstat with me?”

“Yes, I will accompany you across Teyvat”

“Huh”

“Y/n y/n y/n can I talk to her please”

“About what exactly?”

“Just a few things about Liyue”

“Ok then, Selena can you come over her for a second Mother wants to talk to you”

“I see. What does she wish to talk about”

“Something about Liyue”

She nods and mother instructed you to gently raise your hand to Selena’s forehead for her to talk to her.

After a few minutes of Mother and Selena’s private conversation Selena looked slightly worried and you start wondering if Mother decided to threaten Selena for her hangout around you too much and wanted some of your time for herself and then their conversation stops and Selena lifts her head and suggested to but some sort of vail on top of your head so nobody knows about you, worried about the torture that could happen so you agreed.

You stoped by Wangshu Inn to get some supplies and food (food ya mean cuisine) and a room for you to sleep. Selena ordered some Golden shrimp balls, Jueyun chilli and a sweet madame, you savoured every bite being your first meal with meat (you’ve became vegan since u got here not knowing how to kill stuff).

You knocked out cold after sleeping on itchy grass for so long, Selena shared the same room and noticed an unsettling aura nearby and she was familiar of what it was, the adeptus the watched over Guili Plains fro centuries, she quickly woke you up to leave but he was already in the room.

“Hand over the Imposter you traitor”

“Over my dead body”

As a fight was about to begin a bright light appeared between them and it proceeded to expand its light the next thing the adeptus knew they were gone, he has failed to defend their graces honor.

When you woke up you were what looks like an abandoned shine atop of the highest mountain of Qingce village, Selena was restless from whatever happened last night so you decided not to disturb her.

Outside came a silhouette that felt familiar but you didn’t know who that person was as she came close Deja vu hit you like truck but it was too early to assume that-

“So you guys got away from Xiao? Best find a better hideout this place is pretty obvious”

A woman emerged from the silhouette, she had long blonde hair tied to a bun and was wearing white sparkly hanfu with an opaque vail in hand but what she said confirmed your suspicion, she was your Aunt Violet, miss mysterious and dragged you to a fantasy land.

“YOU THINK TEYVAT IS A FANTASY LAND I’ll take it as a compliment and don’t to your aunt like that”

“It’s alright I don’t mind”

“My lady you have arrived my apologies that I have failed to protect Their grace”

“As long as Y/N is fine I will overlook the situation”

“ Aunt Violet it’s been a while, why are you here?”

“To check up on you guys and take brake OH!! I almost forgot, here”

She hands you a bag and when you looked inside it there it was in all its glory YOUR PHONE, along with your tablet and laptop with their chargers and a weird thingy.

“That thingy is a solar powered power bank that will charge your phone, tablet and, laptop. I figured you would want them back”

Thank you god for such mercy and glory, I will never complain about anything anymore

“Yay you got your stuff back”

Jumping with joy that you finally got you stuff back, no reception but still TECHNOLOGY IN YOUR GRASP hahahahahahaahahaha!!!!!!!!!!

After months with no entertainment other than Mother stuck in your head, you can listen to your saved songs, watch your saved Tiktoks, “wait can Mother and Selena even catch the humor in these Tiktoks, Violet probably gets these but-”

“Oooooo what are Tiktoks?”

“Uuuuuuummmmm- how do I say this, lets just say their for entertainment purposes”

“Ah interesting”

“Y/n, my lady pardon my intrusion but may I ask what do these things do?”

“Oh my, these are some of the many things that Y/n’s world has made, their world has made many things that what they call a scientific breakthrough, very commendable”

“You sound like you just found that out”

“Hey! I just made it sound like that so they’d understand”

“Violet I require a puppet vessel immediately, I will take vengeance upon that foolish yaksha that has forsaken my child” mother said in a somewhat eerily friendly tone

“Eh! Already but-”

“How can I protect my sweet beloved child from those hypocrites from their head!!”

“Isn’t that a little too sudden, surely you could wait a little more”

“NO MY SWEET PEA CANNOT BE TOUCHED BY THOSE SO-CALLED ACOLYTES HANDS!!!”

“My lady may I ask maybe if there were a faster way to help Y/n’s condition”

“Uhh-”

“See Vi even your envoy agrees with me”

“I don’t think that’s what she meant”

“But some deformations could happen if the puppets body isn’t strong enough-”

“I DON’T CARE, IM MAKING HIM SUFFER 10x WORSE THAN THAT KARMA HE ALREADY HAS”

“Fine but may take at least a month to help get used to it even with the deformity”

“The sooner the better”

“Wow Mother’s acting out of character with this tantrum and I’m supposed to be the child”

“Well there’s no stopping her now cuz the last time she was mad… well she… Uhhh… You don’t wanna know”

“Now I’m curious about what happened”

“Ah and before I wanted to give you guys a lil something, lemme just take Teyvat out first”

“HEY!!”

Violet handed you and Selena one sword each, Selena’s sword looked very similar to Shinobu’s sword, stinger-like and a thick sheath. Yours looked much like Mitsuri’s, a flexible and whip-like blade.

“I’ll be leaving 2 puppets to train you two individually so you can learn how to fight and not die from of the 7 nations attempt to pursue you two”

Violet left and you were transported to a remote area at the foot of a mountain with what looked like an abandoned mansion but it was still in good condition.

However when Xiao arrived at the abandoned shrine you and the others were gone, he failed his mission to glorify the Divine Creator’s name, a sin that can never be forgiven.

“Welcome Y/n- sama, Lady Violet has instructed us to train you both in your reserved breathing techniques”

(I put sama cuz I dunno how to make it gn)

“Lady Selena will be trained in the Insect Breathing technique and Y/n will be trained in the Love Breathing technique.”

You were shocked on the two children behind jumpscaring you like that and Selena was poker faced the whole time but her body jolted from the surprising orders of Violet’s puppets.

“Hold on a second, breathing styles exist?”

The two puppets nodded in agreement.

“Do we start now?”

“Yes”

1 YEAR LATER

Selena has mastered the insect breathing and he speed, agility and mobility increased drastically and your natural strength (that came with the puppet body) had heighten to the brim.

It was unnatural for an entire year without Mother even if you’ve only been talking to her for a few months

After watching Demon Slayer with Selena on your break you were interrupted by a young boy with a tall woman and she was very tall you could compare her to Slenderman, she also had long curly green hair with an intimidating gaze.

“Hey it’s been a while”

“That child sounded like-”

“Good Afternoon Master”

“You have trained them well, thank you”

“V- Violet?! Is dat you? And why are you a child”

“Stealth my dear, Stealth”

“Yeah with Lady Dimitrescu the second here”

Before Violet could say anything the tall woman picked you up and hugged the shit out of you which felt like something Mother would do-

The it hit you Lady D the second was Mother and the freakishly tall height was the deformity, that made sense and was probably what Violet was about to say.

Mother was on her knees to get down to your level of height as she was about to say something age saw you in the brink of tears trying not to cry and Selena at the corner looked like she was about to ball her eyes out, Mother just hugged you gently as you cry like there’s no tomorrow but still trying to hold back tears because you didn’t want your first memory of holding your otherworld mother to be a crying mess. Violet was letting Selena cry her eyes out on her.

———————–

After the emotional drama that happened you asked Violet some questions that revolved around your head for some time while Mother was stroking your hair with you on her lap

“Alright, I need you to answer a few questions”

“Very well, however only for 5 minutes”

“ Wah! Whatever you say, Why do we have to learn breathing techniques when you gave me a multi element vision? I’m not complaining tho”

“Well I allowed you two to learn breathing techniques so it’ll enhance the elements from the techniques so you have more chances of taking out multiple people with visions”

“Ok but why didn’t Mother get a physical human body until just recently?”

“She asked for one just 5 years ago so…”

“Then how about my body?”

“The both of your bodies were made differently because yours was made for a human soul but Teyvat’s was made for an entire will of this world so her body needed a longer process”

“How long exactly?”

“10 years”

“Then-”

Violet was looks little distracted from your conversation so decided to get to the point because she probably needed somewhere to go.

“Ok I’ll get straight to the point, other than just a child for Mother what exactly do you need me here?”

Mother was surprised at the question, she started to frantically wonder if she wasn’t a good mother and you wanted to go back to your home world or you just no longer wanted to be her child, she stopped stroking your hair from fear of you getting annoyed from her or when you liked her better when she wasn’t physically annoying, she was on the verge of tears from those thoughts.

“Don’t get me wrong I love it here, like Mother, Selena and the little children I can talk to outside the main cities but why am I wanted from just my looks? Or there is someone that.. you know, on a high horse that ain’t there’s?”

Mother was relieved to hear that you were just confused from Violet’s lack of explanation and really did care about her and the whole of Teyvat (except for the “you getting wanted” stuff) and those worrying thought were just over exaggerations.

You noticed her tears were falling down to your hair, you were quick to comfort her to whatever she was crying about.

“Well to answer your question lets just say there’s an idiot who claimed to be the god of Teyvat because of some easy won luck”

“Whoever that is seems to be more than an idiot telling people that their ‘GOD’ but what’s really surprising is that-”

“THEY ACTUALLY BELIEVE THEM”

“The people of Teyvat seem DUMBER than how I purposely made them”

“Mother what do you think about your people”

“Humanity is evolving, but backwards and everyday they just stray further away from god”

You couldn’t help but giggle at what Mother said, that touch of comedy and when you looked back at Violet she was gone.

“Damn she could have told me times up”

———————

A few hours pass after Violet left and You wanted to catch up Mother on what happened but you expected her to already know.

You and Selena sat next to Mother like a lil of pile of meat and bones, you snuggled closer to Mother but you noticed something unsettling.

“SHE SLEPT WITH HER EYES OPEN”

But you tried to ignore it and went back to sleep as if you saw nothing but it felt like you were looks at a corpse with their eyes open.

When dawn arrived the two puppets came to alert you that an intruder has been found in the premises but you were in a deep sleep from your traumatizing meeting with the grim reaper last night so Selena took action and left Mother to protect you.

She arrived at the last place the intruder was spotted and found a certain ginger headed Shneznayan that seemed looking for a fight.

“The rumors surrounding this place seems false from what I’ve seen, there aren’t even any hilichurls here”

“Pardon my intrusion but I must ask of your intentions of this place”

“Ah are you also here from the rumors”

“Rumors?”

“You know that this place gives a chilling vibe, that of which surpasses Wuwang Hill”

“I see”

“It’s quite the hot topic in Liyue and Sumeru, it’s impressive you haven’t heard of it”

“Hmm well thank you for the information but I ask that you leave this place, and tell none of this conversation”

“I would but I’m looking for a challenge at the moment so what about a little fight with you and me, if you win I’ll leave but if I win you need to tell about this place”

He has spotted Selena’s weapon from her waist and assumed she was able to fight with it.

“Very well, if it means they are safe I will duel with you”

The ginger smirked and summoned his hydro blades and thrusted towards her at full speed, as he continues to slash his opponent she kept dodging in a clam matter, Selena was purposely dodging to get a feel of the ginger’s fighting style.

Selena saw an opening so she backed up and jumped at and incredibly high height that no amateur fighter could jump and unsheathed her blade to reveal a needle like sword unbuilt to cut, the ginger thought she was an easy target but then she said:

Dance of the Butterfly: Caprice

Then in an instant he wan in an illusion with a kaleidoscope of butterflies and one landed on his finger then the next thing he felt was a sting in mulch vital parts in his body in a split second then he was knocked out cold.

When he woke up he saw a tall woman at the corner of his eye, incredibly tall that no human could be as tall as her and she was giving him a look that said ’ why the fuck are you here ’ then one of the puppets entered the room but the ginger mistook them for a child.

“Uhm excuse me but is there a white haired girl with a ponytail and caries a peculiar sword”

“You must mean Lady Selena, she is currently busy at the moment and does not wish to be distributed”

Then the child gave him some food and left while the tall woman was still at the same spot but looked calmer than before and approached the Shneznayan.

“You must be apart of the 11 idiot harbingers”

“D- did she just insult the fatui”

“Pleas to not misunderstand, from my knowledge fatui means idiot does it not?”

“I don’t really know what fatui means but certainly doesn’t mean idiot, wait did she just ream my mind”

“Worry not Ajax, I do not wish to be on bad terms”

The tall woman said that in a joking matter so the ginger didn’t take her words seriously then caught someone peaking from the he door.

“Who’s that at the door? And how did she know my name”

“Ah sorry to interrupt but I need Mother for a sec”

“Ofcourse is there anything you need?”

“A lil something happened and I need you”

----------------

As you walked around your backyard wanting some new adventure you opened the parasol given to you be Selena to get some shade while you walk and then the sudden thought of wanting to go to Fontaine came into mind.

In an instant you were suddenly crowded with people dressed in clothing you were not familiar with in the game, you were confused and embarrassed since you were only wearing your pajamas and carried your sword on your other hand then you wanted to go back to Mother and suddenly you were in Mother’s arms while she was looking for you.

“Darling where have you been? You suddenly disappeared from my view!”

“Fontaine”

“What were you doing there? and how did you get there so fast?”

“I dunno”

Selena walks in the room from eavesdropping on them and explained what may have happened, at least what she thought happened.

“So the parasol is able to teleport to anywhere you wish as long as you are familiar with it in any way”

“So this is from Violet I assume”

“Ye, she let use it for the time being”

“So I can go wherever I want?”

“In Teyvat”

“So I can go back there or go to Shneznaya”

“I guess so”

And in an instant you opened the parasol and disappeared which sent Mother to panic mode where you were in Shneznaya in pajamas, yes you were freezing like a naked monkey in the snow so went back to Fontaine instead.

So this Fontaine, very fancy and expensive looking while you looked homeless in the streets. You hid in an alleyway where you found some decent clothes hanging out to dry so you stole them and dried them with your anemo powers. You looked presentable enough to the public but we’re a little guilty of taking such comfy clothes.

A mischievous smirk was drawn on your face and your first thought was

“Maybe I could go for some Fontaine styled cuisine”

But you realized… you don’t have mora, your stomach grumbles from your shattered hopes of eating a macaron so you walked around the streets with a defeated expression but then you bumped into someone with a stern and stoic look.

“Oh Sorry about that”

“HALT!”

That tone put you up guard and thought this is where your probably gonna die because they found the imposter but when you turned to look at who you bumped into those thoughts increased ten fold when you saw the woman you bumped into. Deep blue streaks at the end of her hair, fanciest Fontaine clothing you saw yet but no guards are her, so you did the Wis thing to do. Run

“WAIT GET BACK HERE!!”

You used your breathing to get away faster but you remembered about the parasol so you opened it and suddenly she grabbed you from your wrist but it was too late you both were already transported to your mansion.

She was baffled of what just happened, chasing a mysterious figure to receive justice then the surroundings change into a peaceful mansion near a mountain. After all that happened you invited her to the mansion.

When you entered everything that was in place in the mansion looked liked a storm blew through so you were embarrassed by inviting an archon to your house looking like this.

“IS YOUR HOUSE ALWAYS LIKE THIS?”

“No, it was fine this morning, they were probably panicking that I was gone for an hour”

“HMM”

Then Mother and Selena burst through the hallway with the puppets trying to calm the down.

“DARLING WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN? YOU WERE GONE FOR AN HOUR AND WE THOSE YOU WERE IN SHNEZNAYA SO WE WENT THERE AND YOU WErent there and.. and…”

“Don’t worry, I was in Fontaine where I bumped into her”

You pointed to your guest that was confused about the entirety of what just happened.

“Fontaine? And who’s clothes are you wearing”

“Stole them”

“You stole WHAT!!”

“Not now we’re busy”

“c'mon she’s a guest why don’t we explain a little so she could understand”

“And if she doesn’t?”

“We put her to sleep so she thinks this is a dream”

“Wut”

You explain to her about Violet, the god in the scriptures was another puppet and Mother was Teyvat waiting to cut off her head if she doesn’t reconcile and that you were from another world inside Violet’s puppet body along with Teyvat but she was being an impatient child and got an abnormal height disability and blah blah blah…

She was still processing what you said so Selena offered some tea and you tested it first to make sure she didn’t put poison in it, and it wasn’t.

“There is a possibility you are lying but that sounds too… wild to be made up and you don’t really have any proof”

“True, but the only thing I can prove that is real is that I am in a puppet body and our caretakers are also puppets” you pointed at them peeking through the doorway

“And it’s not like I can just summon Violet here because she said she does really like interacting with mortals with a title God but she still makes effort to go talk to them”

“Aren’t you underestimating me too much”

“AAAAaaahhhhh!!!”

Violet pops out behind you but she had a more… revealing clothing than usual but she had a reason for it, she intended to look like the way her puppet was drawn in the murals so she would have the perfect of her.

“I mean you didn’t have to wear clothes like that tho”

“Haha.. I thought you would need help convincing the god of judgement, she could help you in court and the other Archons”

“So she really is the Hydro Archon”

She fell down on her knees and begged with all her being for apologies that she had doubted her prophecy and the words of your puppets. You were insulted that she called you a puppet but Selena was more insulted that she didn’t even mention her in the apologies but Mother just glared at her like she was a stain that wouldn’t wipe off of her house.

#genshin impact #genshin sagau #sagau #sagau isekai #sagau idea #sagau fluff #teyvat #sentient teyvat #sentient!teyvat au #genshin x reader #genshin fic ideas #genshin oc #astronetwrk

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cnnmairoll · 5 months ago

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Last Tune

Track 02: Alexandra, Reality Club ; Playlist (masterlist) Suna x Reader

The next song on the playlist began to play, "Alexandra" by Reality Club. You couldn't help but smile, remembering the moment Suna dedicated this song to you. He had a peculiar way of expressing his feelings, always wrapped in layers of his dry humor and calm demeanor. The acoustic guitar's gentle strumming filled the room, bringing back the memory vividly.

Just like a certain motorbike gang from charming or you’re looking for the old ultraviolence, you’re trouble. Yes I knew right from the start.

You were both sitting on a park bench under the moonlight, the cool breeze rustling the leaves around you. It had been one of those nights where you both felt the need to escape the noise of school and life. Suna had texted you earlier, asking if you'd like to hang out. You agreed without hesitation, knowing that any time spent with him was always soothing.

He pulled out his phone and played the song, the first notes immediately catching your attention. As the lyrics began, he turned to you, his usually unreadable eyes now filled with a soft, almost nervous glimmer.

And the labyrinth I thought I knew, rearranged to shape anew at amazement of the excitement that once rang true.

"You know," he started, his voice casual but his gaze intense, "you're a lot like Alexandra in this song." You raised an eyebrow, half-smiling. "My name isn't Alexandra, Suna," you teased. (I'm sorry if it is 😭)

He chuckled, a rare and precious sound. "I know," he replied, "but you're still my Alexandra. You're trouble, in the best way possible. You turned my world upside down, rearranged it."

And if I was a fool for you, I’d wait 500 million hours on a park bench out on the moon.

You felt your heart skip a beat at his words. Suna wasn't the type to openly share his feelings, and this moment felt incredibly special. He looked down at his hands, then back at you, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. "I'd wait for you, you know. Even if it meant sitting on a park bench on the moon for a really long time."

But in full view of what you are, oh. Just like a feline with multiple lives, she lost a couple but she used to have five. A saviour of mankind.

He continued, "You have this resilience, this strength. Like a cat with multiple lives. You've been through a lot, but you never let it break you. I admire that about you."

You felt a blush creep up your cheeks, the sincerity in his voice touching you deeply. "Suna, that's…" you started, but he gently interrupted.

And if I was a fool for you, I’d wait 500 million hours on a park bench out on the moon.

"Let me finish," he said softly. "I know I'm not the easiest person to read, but… I want you to know how much you mean to me. You're my rock star, my goddess." He paused, his expression softening even more. "I fell for you, even before I really knew you."

But in full view of what you are, you’re a goddess you’re my rock star.

The song reached its chorus again, the words echoing the depth of his confession. You felt a lump in your throat, emotions swirling within you. "Suna… I don't know what to say," you admitted, feeling overwhelmed by his honesty.

He smiled, a genuine, warm smile that made your heart flutter. "Just say yes. To us, to this," he gestured between the two of you. "Let's give it a shot."

I fell in love with Alexandra even though I barely met her. Even though we’d break our hearts before we’d even start.

You nodded, tears welling up in your eyes. "Yes, Suna. Yes, to everything." He reached out, gently wiping away a tear that had escaped down your cheek.

And if I was a fool for you, I’d wait 500 million hours on a park bench out on the moon.

The song played on, a backdrop to this pivotal moment in your relationship. Suna's hand lingered on your cheek, his touch comforting and sure. "We'll figure it out," he said, his voice steady. "No matter what happens, we'll face it together."

But in full view of what you are, you’re a goddess you’re my rock star.

As the last notes of the song faded, you leaned into him, feeling the warmth and security of his presence. It was a night you would always remember, the beginning of something beautiful and uncertain, yet undeniably yours.

#˗ˏˋ ꒰ ♡ ꒱ ˎˊ˗ mai writes #haikyuu!!#haikyuu #haikyuu x reader #haikyu x reader #rintaro suna x reader #suna rintaro x reader #suna #haikyuu suna #suna rintarō #suna x reader #suna rintarou

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erabundus · 10 months ago

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anonymous &&. said... I love seeing Ren’s interactions with characters from other worlds. Would Ren travel to worlds outside of Teyvat if given the chance?

oh he absolutely would — not necessarily for the purposes of meeting anyone else, though. ( i think we all know just how much ren loves socializing at this point. ) he's expressed time and time again that he sees teyvat as a prison, and generally doesn't elaborate much more beyond that. the thing about ren is that while he is very straightforward and honest, he also lies a lot by omission — or by purposefully leaving out crucial bits of information that lead others to draw incorrect conclusions. so while he talks about teyvat as a prison and those who inhabit it as prisoners, it's incredibly easy for one to assume he's merely being his usual dreary self and speaking in metaphor. however, he's being completely serious — teyvat IS a prison, and he would absolutely try to escape it if given the opportunity. ( grab the handful of people who matter to him and LEAVE. ) scaramouche basically wanted to raze everything to the ground and start anew; ren just wants nothing to do with it anymore.

i feel like in general ren�� is someone who is well aware of a lot of absolutely crucial information about the nature of the world that may drive others to a full-blown existential crisis — but he's at a point in his life where he's been so battered and burnt out by his own trauma that he doesn't have it in him to care much about the bigger picture anymore. the stars are fake and other such pleasant reveals, but that's someone else's problem to worry about; he needs to focus on sorting out the mess in his own head before he can even consider getting worked up about that again. it ties into how he's an incredibly selfish person at his very core.

it also doesn't help that teyvat is genuinely NOT made for him. it's a world where everything is temporary — even those who are purportedly immortal will erode eventually. meanwhile he is a being specifically created to resist that; at the end of everything, ren will persist when the oceans dry up and the mountains crumble down to smooth earth. whether he wants to or otherwise. ( that element of existential horror is always lurking in the back of his mind. ) it's a fate he is as terrified of as he is quietly resigned to it — because unless he can find a way to escape teyvat, escape this fleeting prison, he's bound to be trapped when it all eventually comes to an end around him. his mind perfectly preserved, his body effectively unkillable. it's a reoccurring theme that he's neither mortal nor god, but rather something that holds qualities of both while being entirely unique in his own right. he doesn't fit in this world; he was purposefully made to get around its laws.

i think he would ultimately be a lot happier anywhere other than teyvat — beyond the immortality issue, there's also the plethora of horrible experiences that haunt him at every turn. the difficult part is actually getting there.

#anonymous #𝟎𝟎𝟒 : 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘴𝘢𝘺 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘶𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘴𝘰 𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘥. ◟ hc .◝#( i hope this makes sense DSKJVS )#( man knows too much but tries to ignore it because he has his own issues to sort through )

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stitchthesewords · 1 year ago

Note

Any specific part of Iskall and Vault Hunters that you are feeing particularly normal about? Because I am very normal about the names of vault gems and vault gem ores. Also Iskall and the Vault Hunters sounds like a really cool band name.

Alas, dear anon, I have taken my Total Normalcy in a completely different direction. Observe.

Etho's hand was soft where it found itself just under the hem of Iskall's shirt. This was home. This was familiar. He nudged Etho's mask down, eyes tracing over the scar that went through his lip before leaning in for a kiss. Etho's lips were soft, pliable, and all Iskall could her was that his beard wasn't too itchy.

The cold seeping out from his gut was like waking up because he started falling. The familiar bite of something sharp buried in his stomach as the eyes of his loved one stared back at him. For a moment he couldn’t process anything but Etho’s face. A whimper made itself known past his lips, unable to ask the question he so wanted the answer to; ‘why?’

Iskall collapsed, the ground never coming to meet his body. Instead he fell past a cascade of familiar faces, familiar hands, feeling as cuts rained down upon his body as the hermits had their fill for blood. That was the only reason he was here. Bloodlust.

Iskall sat up in his bed, the quiet and desolate moon casting long shadows on the room. He clutched his chest, the other hand coming up to rub over his good eye. These nightmares were depriving him of much needed sleep. Ah well, there was always another day as he crawled free from the comforter to begin anew. To find better comfort in the arms of his lovers.

----

“You look exhausted,” Etho said, huffing and pushing some of Iskall’s hair out of his eyes. A tired chuckled pushed out of Iskall and dissipated into Etho’s chest. Iskall pressed his head just up into Etho’s neck, just a bit, feeling the soft fabric of his mask/shirt rub against his forehead.

“I feel exhausted, I suppose,” he replied. Iskall cleared his throat and turned to press a kiss into the underside of Etho’s cheek. “And - while this has been nice, I really need to get back out there...there’s so many missing still, and – Bdubs and Cleo need more materials to make half this base even useable.” He sighed and tried to lean away from Etho, but that masked man’s hand found its way to the back of Iskall’s head and held him in place.

“We’re all capable of doing things on our own, Iskall...You don’t have to do everything. Let them work, let yourself rest just a little bit longer.”

“The longer I rest, the longer someone stays trapped.”

He moved, just slightly, in Etho’s arms to look at the man’s face. Even with his mouth hidden, Iskall could see how worried he looked. “You won’t be any good to someone exhausted in one of those vaults...The two of us barely made it out when you saved me, how are you supposed to help someone in the state you’re in. Rest, let them build, let us work, let us help,” Etho shook his head as he spoke, his mouth pressed into Iskall’s forehead and the words escaping around the skin. Iskall took a deep breath, angry that he couldn’t really argue with that logic.

“...Only for a bit. Only for a bit, until I feel like getting back on my feet,” he muttered. Etho shuffled to free one of his hands and pull his mask down, wanting to kiss Iskall without the barrier in the way. He was beautiuful, was all Iskall could think as Etho dragged him up to give him a real kiss, one with all the love and support pulled into it the other man could muster.

He ended with his head rested on Etho’s shoulder and the sound of Cleo and Bdubs working outside broken up by the sounds of wind and wildlife before finally closing his eyes and letting himself be taken by warm, comfortable slumber. The first real sleep Iskall got since this ordeal began

----

"Wh-BDUBS- Oh my god-" Etho untangled one arm from where he pulled Iskall to safety in order to wrap it around Bdubs. His moss cloak was tattered and it looked patched up, but as far as Etho could tell, bdubs was okay. The shorter man scrambled to press as close to him as possible and it registered, as everyone talked over each other, that bdubs was thanking Iskall like his very life depended on it. Iskall, slumped into Etho's side, gave a small smile and a thumbs up. "I had to keep him from going into the vaults," Iskall muttered into Etho's shoulder. Etho couldn't answer, mouth blocked by bdubs's own, two small hands cradling his cheeks in desperation

----

"I'm going with you! The vaults can be run cooperatively and we have a better chance with two people going!" False snapped a stick and threw it over her shoulder as she spoke, watching the two ends disappear into the vault portal she blocked Iskall from accessing. "Then two people might die instead of just one! There's no point-" iskall huffed, trying and failing yet again to move around her. False was quick, stepping in from of him and shouldering him back from the portal. "Not gonna work on me, bud. I know what I'm getting into! I have all the same supplies you have. Let's do this together." False blew some hair from her face as Iskall started to argue. She felt the need to roll her eyes, looking back at the multichromatic swirls emminating from the portal itself. It felt like she was looking at her own stomach. With a deep breath in, iskall still trying to argue with her, she turned on her ankle and dived through before he could stop her.

#Asks #Anonymous #polyhermits #hermitshipping #vault hunters au #i swear ive been writing #but it all looks like this #hi friends im not dead #just tired #ethskall #ethubs #falseskall

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rachell-redacted · 6 months ago

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Reason I hate The Theory of Everything Machine plot device in TTP2:

1. It postulates a lot of difficult philosophical questions, often doing this last minute and\or haphazardly. For this I assume that if there's no in-game discussion of the statement we should take it as lore accurate. So, let's go. Having the theory of everything assumes the universe is cognizable and follows some sort of logic. Both are big ifs in the real world and we are loosing freedom of interpretation on this.

Moreover, Athena says she can calculate anything besides human behaviour, which means that being sentient is something transcendental in this universe. If we run the numbers it turns out robots/humans must work outside of physics for this to be true and oh boy. For one, it's a huge thing to imply five minutes before the ending. Also remember the game's name? The Talos Principle, a philosophical doctrine that says you are a machine tied to the material world? Yeah, this goes out the window with clear signs of dualism being true in this world. Way to go, dear writers.

2. The theory of everything takes away robot\human agency. This is a short one. The physics is solved! Its universal manipulation is achieved! That's it, science as a field goes out the window too, no more scientific research, no nothing. Maybe someone can do Somnodrome research, but with it being mostly complete (by Athena)... uh oh.

3. Discovering the theory and making it work makes Athena a literal goddess. She has no chance to escape her Founder narrative because she literally is the chosen one, the specialest girl alive. She is the one who started the new race. She is the one who started the civilization anew. She had solved physics, she had created the first child. She literally robbed her fellow robots of scientific work and of any chance to make an impact here by running away and keeping her research secret. Why? Because the plot needed magical construction powers. Way to go.

As it stands Athena looks like the only sentient one, and all of her creations are just talking puppets because in a thousand years they were unable to do what two and a half people did in like what, hundred years? Great decision.

4. Magical theory of everything looks bad for the message of the game. Ttp2 is intentionally as hopeful and un-nihilistic as possible. It is a message, not a question, and it wants to tell us that the change and positive growth are possible. But it does this using an all-powerful macguffin which undermines the message significantly. The robot society didn't find the solution for their problems together — Athena did. The society haven't decided if it's good enough to use it — 1k did. So game's own message, the thing because of which the theory of everything even came to the plot, goes out the window (again).

No one will solve climate change for us. No one will stop all wars by pressing a button. Painting a picture where utopia is possible only if magic is discovered is dystopian in itself. It's ironic, because the first game was so good with this! IAN project was a last ditch effort to save humanity by hundreds of people and it worked! Solo Athena with her magical theory just looks bad.

5. The theory of everything plot concludes in forced, no-impact endings. The trichotomy is a lie! With this particular solution there's absolutely no point in choosing anything in the end. It just doesn't matter in the long run! If you choose to leave the machine be, someone will just get inside and make it work because they can. If you destroy everything... guess what, Athena is alive and the physics was solved! Someone will get the Somnodrome tech, kidnap Athena and take the schematic for the machine from the source :) While someone else will work their shiny metal ass off and recreate everything because it was shown to be possible and requiring two and a half people to achieve. Also they have scans.

I think that's enough for now, no one will probably read this either way. But if you did, thank you for coming to my Ted talk. Turns out I'm still amazed by how fumbled ttp2 feels.

#the talos principle #the talos principle 2

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reinathevocaloid · 1 year ago

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A Giramie Playlist!

Centuries - Fall Out Boy

Some legends are told Some turn to dust or to gold But you will remember me Remember me for centuries

King - Lauren Aquilina

You've got it all You lost your mind in the sound There's so much more, you can reclaim your crown You're in control Rid of the monsters inside your head Put all your faults to bed You can be king again

War of Change - Thousand Foot Krutch

Wait, it's just about to break, it's more than I can take Everything's about to change I feel it in my veins, it's not going away Everything's about to change

Road Not Taken - Stray Kids

I go on a path that has never been stepped on Not the main path, but my own Even if I can't see the future anymore I'll step out, throw myself out fearlessly Run and run without a regret Even if it's suffocating, I will never stop

See Who I Am - Within Temptation

See who I am Break through the surface Reach for my hand Let's show them that we can Free our minds and find a way The world is in our hands This is not the end

Flares - The Script

But did you see the flares in the sky? Were you blinded by the light? Did you feel the smoke in your eyes? Did you, did you? Did you see the sparks filled with hope? You are not alone 'Cause someone's out there, sending out flares

Spider - HOSHI

Can't breathe When you look at mе, when you look at me I shiver all over When you touch me, when you touch me You tie me up like a spider We're tangled up, we can't escape Like a spider, I enjoy this puzzle Pretend to hate it baby, I still like it baby

Spit It Out - IAMX

When you're in pieces Just follow the echo of my voice It's okay Tune into that frequency

Heavy In Your Arms - Florence + The Machine

I was a heavy heart to carry But he never let me down When he held me in his arms My feet never touched the ground

Can't Pretend - Tom Odell

Love, I have wounds Only you can mend You can mend, oh, oh, oh I guess that's love I can't pretend

Dusk Till Dawn - ZAYN & Sia

I'll hold you when things go wrong I'll be with you from dusk till dawn

Umbrella (Cover) - All Time Low

When the sun shines, we'll shine together Told you I'll be here forever Said I'll always be your friend Took an oath, I'ma stick it out to the end Now that it's raining more than ever Know that we'll still have each other You can stand under my umbrella

Stay - The People's Thieves

I'm only Just strong enough I'm Just strong enough I'm Slowly sinking through the ground below So hold me Just long enough to Just long enough to Show me How to find my way back home

The Author - Roosberg

If you feel like a stranger in your tale, not much to offer Yeah, know that you're the one to change your story Change your story Yeah, you're the author for it Change your story, write your story

Ready Now - Dodie

You saw through me All this time I'd forgotten People are kind I was hurting And you knew So you showed me What to do You said, "I will listen Tell it all When you're finished We'll talk more" But I didn't know how So we took it in turns And to my surprise We found my words

True Colors - Kesha and Zedd

All my life, one page at a time I'll show you my, my true colors No-no, no-no, I won't apologize For the fire in my eyes Let me show you my, my true colors It ain't your rainbow

The Quiet - Imogen Heap

In the time that it takes, for a smile to cross the room In the time that it takes, to be finally understood In the time that it takes from being one of us to two It's the time it takes the moon to rise, we can start anew, let's win at life again Oh silent world, rest assured that love lies beyond words

#king ohger #giramie #gira hastie #jeremy brasieri #shut up anya #giramy #my playlists

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xhanisai · 2 years ago

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Tease a cat a little too much and you might get more than you asked for...

AO3 / FFN

Pairing - All sides of the square

Prompt - ‘Tease’

Summary -

If he had his kitten ears right now, they would have been plastered against his hair out of pure embarrassment and perhaps be just as red as his real ears.

"Shall we get back to work?" His voice came out low and raw, clearly affected by the proximity and tension and the knowing twinkle in her eyes did not help matters at all. Tilting her head ever so slightly to the side, Marinette's smile grew and the warmth in her face increased by ten folds as if she was seeing all of him without an obstacle in her way.

"Whenever you're ready."

Little did he know how much effort it took for her tongue to keep down the 'mon Chaton' from slipping out...

(Or, Ladybug figures out Chat Noir’s identity because she constantly stares at his and Adrien’s lips and becomes a little cheeky about it.)

~(x)~ . . . It took Chat Noir everything for his voice to not raise higher and higher in pitch as he tried his utmost best to continue the conversation, going on about his day without clueing in his civilian identity all whilst his Lady continued to watch him intently, her pretty sky blues rooted to his mouth wordlessly. Like he was a piece of a jigsaw puzzle or a lucky charm she needed to figure out as if her life and the rest of the world depended on it. The feline boy self-consciously licked his lips, internally praying to all the gods out there (that were at least an ounce more reliant than Plagg the camembert glutton) to help him keep his cool. Hopefully, his lips weren't too chapped or bruised from all the anxious lip-biting he did this morning at school from worrying over Marinette for the umpteenth time (she tripped at least thirty-six times today no thanks to her sleep deprivation! Thirty-six times!!! How many bones would she have broken if he weren't there to catch her every single time!?). Regardless of that, he always took good care of himself on a daily basis, especially his lips! And his wonderful Lady was still staring at him as if she was in some sort of a deep trance... "Is...is there something on my face?" He finally asked timidly, his tan skin taking on a flustered strawberry-pink hue when he noticed just how small the gap was between them and how he could feel the magnetising heat of her body just mere inches away from his. Ladybug was quick to snap out of what ever stupor she was in, her face taking on the same embarrassed kissed rose colour as her partner's and her pupils constricting from panic. "N-No! Nope! Zilch! Nada! Hahaha!" She took a couple of steps back, ignoring the arm he raised towards her as if he was silently wishing for her to come back to him (his kitten ears adorably plastered against his golden hair and his belt tail drooping against la Tour Eiffel's beam). "I just got lost in my thoughts, sorry, mon Chaton," Ladybug composed herself quickly but her complexion still held that pretty pink glow and it took everything for her Minou to not pepper her rosy cheeks with butterfly kisses to express all the love he holds for her. He quietly sighed in relief, glad that his Lady was relatively back to normal (to some extent). He smiled charmingly and raised an amused brow under his mask, emerald greens twinkling with his standard mischief. "Oh? What could have captivated my sweet Lady's mind as I was talking about my miaw-vellous day~?" He placed the tip of his baton onto the surface and leaned against the weapon as if he was a curious little schoolgirl, batting his long lashes and his faux tail swirling behind him with feline inquisitiveness. The pleasant grin he wore was quick to drop to a frown the second his Lady went beet red instantaneously, her watery blues refocusing on his lips anew and a kettle-like high-pitched squeal escaping her tight-lipped mouth. He wouldn't have been surprised if steam started to seep out of her ears too. And this mannerism was practically identical to his Princesse- "It's nothing! Nothing you need to know- hahahaah! Well! Look at the time! Oh no- I totally should sleep right now- hahaha! See you, Chaton!" The flustered heroine didn't even get a chance to yo-yo away, her partner quickly clasping her hand with desperation (and she could have sworn that she heard a soft kitten-like mewl of protest leave his throat). Peering back over her shoulder slowly, audibly swallowing and trying her best to remain as calm as possible, her blues met her Chat Noir's greens. "My Lady? Did...did I do something wrong? Or say something wrong? I'm sorry if I did...please don't go," He tightened his protective grip slightly over her tiny but hardworking hand but she was much more than capable of escaping his clutches with ease and darting away. The fact that she stayed and listened warmed up his pounding heart and the way her expression beautifully softened turned his entire being to goo. His Lady then smiled tenderly, turning her body back around to face him properly and placing their joint hands against her chest, all whilst her skin remained a brilliant sakura hue. "Mon Chaton, don't worry. You didn't do anything wrong at all. I promise," She squeezed her fingers around his, her heart beating so fast against his gloved hand in a rhythm that matched his so wonderfully. "I just...it's just civilian stuff. I'll get over it. Don't ever think it's your fault, silly Chaton," And then, unexpectedly, she brought their joint hands to her plump, sugary lips, his knuckles grazing the supple flesh and she softly kissed the appendage. Chat Noir felt his entire body go from a flickering flame to a wild inferno immediately, his whole face and neck blooming with a red so prominent, it gave the heroine's suit a run for its money. His heart somersaulted inside his chest at high speeds and all the words on his tongue melted into nothing but a discombobulated, quiet whine. "I'll stay just a little longer. After all, aren't you the one who's always on my case to go to sleep on time? Wouldn't want to let my partner down, would I?" She has virtually destroyed him. He was utterly wrecked. So, so wrecked. And all he could do was nod dumbly, a lopsided and dreamy smile resting on his lips that oozed with lovesickness and adoration without pulling any punches. The very same lips that his Lady proceeded to glance at once again, only to smirk in a manner that would match his mischievous kwami's nature and not give him a single clue of what was going on through her mysterious yet spectacular mind. 'Oh, my Lady~!!!!!!' ~(x)~ Marinette was staring at him. At him!!! Adrien tried his best not to fidget too much on his seat, keeping himself occupied by finishing off his indistinguishable notes on his sheet of paper all whilst his heart soared blissfully. The person he absolutely adores and doubtlessly admires so, so much (shining under the same starlight that glitters over his Lady) was watching him! The very same girl he's always, always wanted to be closer with and bask in her presence was studying him rather than averting eye contact and keeping her distance like she usually does! He wasn't surprised with the way the heat rushed to the apples of his cheeks and the second he bit his bottom lip, he could have sworn that he heard a light, airy sigh leave Marinette's pretty pink lips. By instinct, he finally looked up towards her on the opposite side of the small (so, so small) table they were seated on in the library, his curious sight capturing the wonderfully content and dreamy expression that his Princesse wore. One hard-working hand resting on the side of her head, supported by her elbow. Her skin blooming with a beautiful shade of sakura and rose. Her baby blue eyes glittering under her dark fringe and resting their gaze on his frame. Her sweet, kissable lips shaped in a ghost of a smile. Was it...was it because of him? Someone as shy and quiet and awkward as...him...? . "Marinette?" Her name left his mouth before he could think, the boy quick to curse himself as she automatically snapped out of her enchanted state and jumped in her seat like his alter ego's namesake. He hoped, hoped, hoped to death that she wouldn't run off with a silly excuse and leave him behind in her dust. That she wouldn't run away somewhere so far away that he could never find her again. "Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you," He gently leaned in closer, their knees brushing under the table and his pleading hands resting on one of hers upon the surface. Thankfully, for once, luck was on his side and she relaxed just a smidge under his warmth, averting eye contact from his brilliant greens and finding the chair near them more interesting. The sweet red on the apples of her cheeks remained and he felt her pulse thrumming under his touch, the boy wondering just why it was so fast. "It's not your fault, Adrien. I-I-I shouldn't have zoned off." She wore a sheepish smile now, eyes closed and a cute chime of giggles leaving her enticing throat. "I bet you're wishing that Madame. Bustier chose someone else as your partner instead of me for this project," The blond had to push aside his momentary feeling of euphoria from the sounds of her laughs and use his singular working brain cell. He squeezed her hand with what he hoped was a comforting gesture. "No way! I'm so happy that you're mine- I mean! Mine-my- my partner!" He leaned in even closer, his perfect teeth nibbling his bottom lip and his golden skin kissed with a lovely pink hue. "You have no idea how happy I was when we got paired together. I've always wanted to work with you and create something together..." Adrien confessed quietly, pleading his heart to calm down and praying to anything and everything that he wouldn't spook Marinette with his feelings. "Any time you zone off...I'm...more than happy to bring you back to the world, Marinette." He lowered his gaze, eyeing the way he rubbed circles on the back of Marinette's petite hand with his thumbs and then his greens met her blues once again. "Oh," Her response wasn't anything louder than a delighted gasp but it was more than enough to keep the boy absolutely thrilled. Before he could say anything else, Adrien noted that she was eyeing his mouth in a manner that was practically identical to his Lady's scrutinising yesterday night. Forbidden truths and theories and hopes sewed themselves back together in his brain for the millionth time and- "I'm glad," She snapped him out of his thoughts anew by mustering the courage to press her forehead against his gently, pretty blue eyes flickering from his peach pink lips to his curious greens and back. His heart was a hummingbird vibrating in his chest and hot flames coursed through his veins as the intensity within her eyes grew with an emotion that seemed to just suck him in and beckon him to give in to one of his many temptations. She was only a breath away... Maybe... Just maybe...if he just leaned a little closer... Much to his screaming silent dismay, the smart girl pulled away and took all the delicious warmth with her, an iconic and very familiar grin dancing on her face as she peered back at his lips one more time. Adrien was almost so sure that she knew for definite that he was currently a hot, flustered mess and she was eating it all up. If he had his kitten ears right now, they would have been plastered against his hair out of pure embarrassment and perhaps be just as red as his real ears. "Shall we get back to work?" His voice came out low and raw, clearly affected by the proximity and tension and the knowing twinkle in her eyes did not help matters at all. Tilting her head ever so slightly to the side, Marinette's smile grew and the warmth in her face increased by ten folds as if she was seeing all of him without an obstacle in her way. "Whenever you're ready." Little did he know how much effort it took for her tongue to keep down the 'mon Chaton' from slipping out... ~(x)~ "M-M-Marinette!?" The way his voice left his throat as an embarrassing squeak had the feline hero's complexion redden to the point of no return, stray strands of his golden hair sticking up straight like an arrow and his heart beating a million miles per hour. Despite his inner (and outer) turmoil, Marinette acted as if he was just talking about the weather, smearing the residue of the sweet balm on her thumb after she swiped the digit against his lips without any warning. "Oh, did I startle you?" She smiled almost too innocently, her sky blues burning with something mischievous and hungry, her pretty face gracefully tilted to the side in question. "I'm sorry, I thought there was something on your lips. I just didn't expect it to be...fruit-flavoured lip balm," There was something very knowing and very cheeky in her voice and it was driving Chat Noir absolutely crazy. "Strawberry too...my favourite." His lips wobbled and his heart was a jackhammer and despite their huge height difference, Marinette's presence alone felt like it was looming over him like a mountain! "I-I-I-" He swallowed audibly, trying everything to regain back his composure and cleared his throat, coughing once, twice (maybe thrice) into his fist. "The cold air was making my lips a little chapped..." He lightly fibbed, averting eye contact but still able to see her laughing blues peering at his mouth through his peripheral vision and he couldn't help the petty scowl that plastered itself on his face, reminiscent of the odd grumpy cat or two. "So what?" "Chat Noir," The heroine in disguise roamed closer towards the blushing catboy, her hands now behind her back and her rosy lips grinning like his namesake. "Are you ly-iiiiiiing~?" They were now nose to nose and the boy found himself backed up against a brick wall, faux ears now lowered against his golden tresses as the feel of her deliciously sweet and warm breath against his mouth made his lips ache with the intense need to capture her lips. However, instead of blindly following his urges like his heart begged him to, Chat Noir let out an awkward mewl that sounded like a tiny kitten trapped inside a box, making the girl try her utmost best to hold in her endeared snickers. Oh, that little mouse! He absolutely refused to be teased like that! "You know what? Yes, you're right!" This time, he leaned forward with determination, forehead pressing against hers in a manner that matched the moment they shared in the school library when he was guised as his shy, civilian self. His heart fluttered victoriously from the sight of the sweet bloom of pink on her soft cheeks and despite his desperate need to cradle her soft face within his hands, his claws remained rooted within the bricks of the wall behind him. He childishly narrowed his eyes, not thinking through his words properly and then spoke. "Maybe I was just keeping myself prepared in advance in case my Lady needs to or wants to kiss me again. Hmmph!" Though his voice cracked midway through his (truthful) declaration, the way Marinette's eyes glimmered with pure wonder and raw desire had the cogs turning within his one brain-celled mind anew and he was now one hundred and ten percent sure that his cunning Princesse was also his incredible La- "Just your Lady?" The way Marinette batted her long lashes at him and pressed her fist against her lips was just so illegally cute, it consequently destroyed what ever working thought processes he had running through his shaken mind, causing him to finally slide down the wall and sink to his bum with a pitiful 'miau' escaping his lips. . He was so screwed and she KNEW it. But did she care? Non! As if it wasn't enough that he was now a useless pile of patheticness with a window's error screen blasting in his brain, Marinette bent down to his level and sat on her haunches all whilst watching him with those devilish blue eyes of hers. She trailed a dainty finger from his cheek, down his jaw until the tip of it was tilting his chin towards her smug face so that they were merely a kiss apart. "What if I want a kiss too, mon Chaton~?" . K. O. . "Chaton??? Chat Noir??? Oh no...how am I supposed to fight the akuma with you passed out like this- don't look at me like that Tikki! It's not my fault that he can only dish but can't take! Ugh...silly Chaton..." ~(x)~ "You know, after saving you from that akuma, I was expecting anything but that face from you, Adrien," Ladybug giggled as she swung them both away from Le Papillon's latest puppet villain from rooftop to rooftop. It took everything for the heroine to not burst out into mad cackles from the way her good friend pouted childishly in her arms with his cheeks puffed up like a hamster and his spring green eyes twinkling with slight irritation. She got a low warning hum from him as a response as he furrowed his brows even further and continued to glower like a kitten who was refused its very well-deserved treat. With a few more powerful leaps and impressive swings, Ladybug managed to get herself and Adrien to a secluded alleyway in a quiet area that was currently vacant of any civilians for the time being. Getting them both to their knees and crouching over the blond teen, Ladybug kept them hidden in the shadows so that the rampaging akuma couldn't get a glimpse of them as it ran by in pursuit of petty revenge (which in her opinion was quite justified since there was no need for Chloé Bourgeois to have poured rotten milk all over their head in the first place). . It was only after a few seconds of waiting silently did Ladybug finally notice the hot, hot gaze that rested on her face, emeralds flickering from her own blues to her cold, rosy lips and back. The heroine clad in red then registered the suggestive position they were in with her strong arms caging Adrien against the wall, her hips a hair away from straddling his to the ground and the gap between their mouths just barely there. She couldn't help but freeze at the moment, mesmerised by the intensity of his eyes and the way that every breath that left his parted lips was a frosty condensation that felt hotter than the blood that roared in her veins every time it hit her sensitive skin. It took her everything to not jump out of her suit the second his sharp nose gently grazed her softer one all whilst he watched her under his long, dark lashes. "A-Adrien...?" Although the whisper of his name was audible, all that Ladybug could hear was her heart ricocheting inside her chest as if it was on fire. Her guised partner stayed silent as one of his hands made its way towards her face so that his piano fingers could tenderly cup her jaw and rub his thumb against her cheekbone. This time, Ladybug couldn't stop the way she physically trembled from his loving touch which started off as icy cold and softly grew warmer and warmer. A muted gasp was next to escape her mouth when his other hand firmly rested on the small of her back (making it arch oh so deliciously) and before she knew it- He was leaning in closer... And closer... And closer... . . . "Why are you just sitting still like that? I thought you wanted a kiss, Marinette." The second that Ladybug comprehended his stupidly smug and very victorious tone, Adrien gingerly squished her face with the hand that was cradling her jaw so that her lips were automatically pursed and pressed a hot, searing kiss with his own lips. The taste of his sweet, sweet strawberry lip balm was more than enough to make her eyes flutter closed and grip the lapels of his winter jacket as she enthusiastically kissed back with as much passion and fervour as she could possibly muster. It was messy. It was clumsy. But she loved every fucking second of it. Her Chaton was absolutely merciless, nipping her bottom lip with the sharp of his teeth just so he can slip his tongue in as his fingers clawed on her back almost possessively. A small, tiny part of her mind had a feeling that maybe, just maybe, the kiss would have been a lot more gentle and perhaps shorter if it weren't for some of her shameless teasings lately. Especially when he was decked up as his alter-ego not too long ago. Not that she was complaining. The second Adrien tilted his face to a slight angle, Ladybug lost every single comprehensive thought within her brain and all that she could think about was him. His name, his face, his eyes, his lips, his everything. Him. Her Chaton, her Minou, her Chat Noir, her Adrien, her Prince, him. The softness and silkiness of his lips, the scorching feel of his fingers running through her hair as he tore off the ribbons, the delighted and pleased sighs of her name. Oh, how she loves, loves, loves him. . "And you thought that I can only dish it," Adrien chuckled against her beet-red throat, delivering the sweet butterfly kisses he's always wanted to shower the love of his life with and holding her close against his frame. When he pulled back to meet her gaze, the feline within him couldn't help but be unconditionally pleased with the flustered, thoroughly-kissed state his beloved partner was in. He didn't bother fighting off the delighted purr that rumbled through his chest like a happy kitten. 'I did that. I turned my smug, perfect Lady into a blushy mess. Hah! Take that, ma Buguinette!' "I-I-I...you!" Ladybug finally snapped out of her enchanted stupor, the cogs in her brain now having the energy to move and piece together what just happened in the last five minutes or so. "You said my name! How- when- I mean!?" Unfortunately, words decided to abandon her once again so all that Ladybug could do was flop her head against her snickering partner's chest with a defeated and very, very embarrassed groan. "Who knew that little ol' me can turn the amazing Ladybug as red as her suit~?" Adrien earned a well-deserved (and light) jab against his shoulder but it did nothing to affect the shit-eating grin that was virtually tattooed on his face. "Alright, alright. Unlike you, I can hold off the teasing for a little while~" When Adrien stood them back up and sweetly moved her hands from her face, all whilst watching her with his beautiful, affectionate gaze with a smile full of devotion, Ladybug felt her heart rev back up to high speeds once again. . Until his tender smile switched to a devilish, insufferable grin. "Told ya you'd fall for me one day~" "WHAT!? I! I! YOU-UUUUUUUUUUUUU! We have an akuma to fight! Hurry up and transform you, idiot!" "This idiot got you undone in one kiss alone~" "CHAT NOIR!!?!?" "Actually, right now I'm Adrien-" "I'LL HANG YOU UPSIDE-DOWN ON THE TOWER EITHER WAY!" "No you wouldn't~ because you love me~" "UGHHHHHHH!" . . . ~(x)~

#miraculous ladybug #miraculous ladybug and chat noir #my writing #ml fanfiction #ml fanfics #ladynoir #adrinette #adrienette #ladrien #marichat

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a-small-batch-of-dragons · 2 years ago

Text

Picture Imperfect pt 2

Prompts: hey this is a stupid ask but could u maybe make a fic about roman and virgil bonding and growing closer post pof and fwsa and all? could be platonic, pining and then romantic, whatever ud like. ik its not the best prompt but ive got them on the brain, ive re-listened to the reputation album and ur writing is just so good and if not, take care of urself! - anon

I absolutely love your Sanders Sides stories, I can always 'hear' the character's voices - if you get what I mean. If you ever feel motivated or are looking for suggestions, I'd love to see something more from "Picture Imperfect" - I know Roman implies that Imagination versions of the other Sides have escaped before, and I'd really love to see him/the other Sides dealing with something like that! Either way, thank you for all your hard work! <3 - anon

hey could u write a fic about like, ro and vee out on an outing (maybe a first or second date if it’s romantic) and it starts raining so ro expects virgil to get scared and go back inside, but he just starts laughing and dancing and having fun or whatever? and then suddenly they’re both having a blast in the rain (bonus points for the cheesiest fucking rain kiss ever-). no pressure btw, and i love ur work <3 especially how u portray prinxiety! - anon

Uhhh-hi-there-i-am-nervous babe I don’t know how to put this req here but it’s here I promise

Read on Ao3 Part 1

Warnings: none

Pairings: prinxiety

Word Count: 3521

Virgil approaches him after everything is over and just pokes his arm.

“Uh, hey, Princey?”

“Yes?”

“Can you—can you tell me how many times you’ve done that?”

Roman frowns. “Done what?”

“Well, the whole…’other versions of us,’ thing.”

Shame curdles anew in his chest and he takes a deep breath, swallowing it as best he can. “W-well, I can’t specify exactly how many times I ran that specific scenario, but…er, it’s a tad more complicated than that, actually.”

“I got time.”

“U-um, can we—can we do this somewhere more private?”

“You wanna go to your room?”

“Yeah—yes, actually, that would be a good idea. There’s something in there that will help.”

Virgil frowns but doesn’t press until they’ve moved up and out of the living room. Roman glances at the door and lets out a sigh when he sees it’s closed. Good. Little chance of anyone interrupting them from either side now.

“Roman?”

He shakes himself. “Right. Sorry. So, um…can I ask why you’re asking, first of all? I-it’s not that I particularly mind answering, per se, it’s just that I…um…”

“You’ll be able to tailor your answer to my question if you understand the specifics of it?” He shrugs when Roman looks at him, surprised. “What? You and L really aren’t that different from each other, you know.”

“I know…”

Logan had said as much, taking him aside much like this and having the softest conversation about the importance of understanding why they’re each doing their own role when it comes to Roman’s ideas and the videos and everything, including saying something about how if he’s managed to stop Roman from wanting to create, he’s failed as a critiquer because he’s extinguished Roman’s creative drive.

Roman may or may not have cried into his shoulder after that.

“But really—running things over and over in your head just to show how much they could suck? Kinda my thing, Princey.”

“That’s what—oh, Virgil, I’m so sorry.”

“Eh.” He waves his hand. “Don’t worry about it. That’s my gig, I know how to do it in a way that’s healthy—okay maybe not entirely healthy,” he concedes when Roman gives him a look, “but it’s my thing. Maybe I’m wondering why you thought it had to be yours too.”

“I didn’t mean to steal your thunder, Virgil, I really didn’t—“

“Roman,” Virgil says, reaching out and taking his shoulders to make him look, “I’m not mad at you. I’m not gonna get mad at you. I’m worried, okay?”

Roman takes a deep breath. “Right. Sorry.”

“’S okay. Just take your time.”

In and out. We can do this.

“The Imagination is…temperamental,” he begins, “especially when it comes to all of us. Mostly because we’re a more…concrete part of Thomas’s Imagination seeing as we…sort of become real but not exactly?”

“Okay, I’m with you so far.”

“But because the Imagination likes to go in the direction of what could be, it…sometimes spits out other versions of us.”

Virgil blinks. “What, like clones?”

“Sort of? It’s more—it’s more like it makes alternate versions of us that lean slightly more into different—oh, goodness—character interpretations.”

Virgil narrows his eyes. “You’re gonna have to be more specific, there, Princey.”

Roman scrubs a hand over his face. “One time there was a Patton who got out of the Imagination that was obsessed with basking specifically chocolate chip cookies.”

“How is that different from our Patton?”

“This one managed to use literally all of the flour and sugar we had before I was able to stop him.”

“Okay, yeah, that’s—that’s different. So they’re all just, like, slightly off?”

“It’s more like if someone took the sliders for their personalities from their video game characters and messed around with them?” Roman pinches the bridge of his nose. “Sorry, I’m not doing a very good job of explaining this.”

“No, no, I got it. That’s a good analogy.” Virgil glances at the door to the Imagination. “So—wait, is that where they come from?”

“They can come from any of the doors, they just mostly come through this one since it’s my side and not Remus’s and…um…”

Virgil raises an eye when Roman’s cheeks start to flush.

“God, this is embarrassing.”

“I’m not here to make fun of you,” he reminds, “I’m just worried.”

“You have to promise you won’t tease me.”

“Okay, I promise.”

“Wait, really, just like that?”

“I’m only an asshole to you when it’s funny, Roman.”

“Your definition of ‘funny’ needs some work.”

“You need to stop dodging the question.”

“Fine, fine, okay, it’s just…” Roman takes a deep breath. This is mortifying. “…sometimes I would summon them, okay?”

“You’d summon other versions of us? What for?”

“To…to…” He twists his hands together. “To…comfort me.”

Silence. Yep, this was a mistake. This was the worst decision he could have made here and he wishes this were a not-real version of Virgil so he could just yell cut and have this experience not be actually happening.

“…brace yourself, Princey, you’re getting a hug.”

“Wha—ah!”

Roman barely has time to finish asking the question before Virgil’s arms are wound tightly around him, his face buried in the crook of his neck as he tries to shove Roman into his chest. Roman just wraps his arms around him too, carefully twisting his fingers into the fabric of Virgil’s hoodie.

“…um…”

“Nope.” Virgil tightens his grip as Roman makes to pull back. “You get hugs now. No buts about it.”

“Do I get to ask why?”

“Aside from the fact that you’ve just told me you didn’t feel like you could ask us for comfort so you had to summon other versions of us?”

Roman wisely keeps his mouth shut and just rests his chin on Virgil’s shoulder. Virgil makes a noise that sounds vaguely like that’s what I thought.

“…sorry?”

“Ah, shit, Princey, no,” Virgil mumbles, pulling back and looking Roman in the face, “I’m not—I’m not mad at you, okay? I’m—okay, I’m a little mad at myself and everyone else, but mostly I’m just sad, okay?”

“Since when have you been so transparent about what you’re feeling?”

As soon as he says it, he bites his lip so hard he almost draws blood.

“Shit, Roman, don’t do that.” Virgil taps his chin. “Leggo, come on. I’m just—you’re gonna make yourself bleed, let go—there, that’s better. I’m trying to be better about it, okay, that’s it.”

Roman just nods. Is…is he sure this isn’t some other version of Virgil? There’s the big door to the Imagination in the hallway, after all, maybe…

“It is really me, by the way, I can hear you thinking about it over there.”

“Wait, you can what?”

“Not literally, Princey,” Virgil says, a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth, “but thanks for telling me I’m right.”

Roman makes a face and goes to pull away when Virgil just chuckles and holds him tighter.

“Okay, that was mean.”

“Yes, yes, it was.”

“Look, just—you can come to us, okay? You don’t have to make versions of us that you think will comfort you ‘cause we won’t.”

“You—you mean that?”

“You see J around anywhere?”

Roman glances around. Sure enough, there’s no Janus. “Alright. I’ll—I’ll try.”

Virgil smiles at him—not a smirk, not that weird half-smile thing he does when he’s trying not to laugh, but a real smile—and claps him on the shoulder. “That’s all we can ask for, Princey. And uh, let me know if you need help catching any rogue versions of us, okay?”

Roman just nods dumbly as Virgil waves and walks out of his room.

He glances at the door to the Imagination, still firmly shut.

Huh.

———

“Hey, Virgil?”

Virgil takes out a headphone. “What’s up, Princey?”

“Have you seen Remus anywhere?”

“He said he was spending the day with the Kraken brood.” Virgil frowns. “Why, something wrong?”

“Well, he told me he was doing that too and there’s currently a Remus on top of the fridge doing his best to replace the water in the ice maker with slime.”

“What the—oh. Oh, is this one of the—okay. Yeah, what d’you need?”

“I think he’s only going to respond to your tempest tongue and I can’t do that.”

“Yeah, yeah, I got you.”

Virgil tucks his phone into his pocket and sets his headphones on the bed as he follows Roman down to the kitchen. Sure enough, there’s a Remus perched on top of the fridge, cackling wildly with his hands full of what looks like a blended version of Slimer from Ghostbusters.

“Remus,” Virgil calls, many-layered voice getting the little gremlin’s attention, “get down from there.”

Remus pouts somehow while still cackling and lobs a handful of goo at them. Roman quickly summons an umbrella and blocks it.

“Remus,” Virgil warns, “don’t make me come up there.”

Remus just cackles louder.

“Alright, you asked for it.”

He closes his eyes and concentrates for a few seconds, growing two feet taller and reaching up to scoop Remus up like a feral raccoon. He screeches, goo still saying everywhere, as Roman quickly grabs Virgil’s shoulder and sinks them out to his room. Virgil blinks, adjusting to the quick change, and Roman waves at him frantically by the open door.

“Chuck him in!”

“Don’t have to tell me twice!”

One gooey, cackling Remus later, Roman slams the door shut and lets out a sigh, reaching out to poof away the remaining slime.

“Oh, that’s sick. Can you clean everything like that?”

“No, just the Imagination messes. Thanks for your help.”

“Eh, no problem. Used to have to do that when we were younger anyway.”

“…ah. I see.”

Virgil looks at him oddly when Roman suddenly appears to deflate, only to realize that Roman didn’t get to grow up with Remus. “Oh, hey, I didn’t mean—“

“No, no, it’s quite alright. We’re…well, I suppose we’re making up for lost time now. I certainly wouldn’t’ve known to just…” He makes a picking-up gesture with his arms. “How long have you been able to grow like that?”

“I think it’s a fight-or-flight thing.”

“Got it.”

There are a few moments of awkward silence.

“Well, I should let you get back to…what were you doing?”

“Oh, I was watching this show on Netflix. It’s called My Name.”

“Wait, is that the one about the girl whose father gets killed in the first episode and then she goes on this whole journey to try and find who was responsible?”

“Yeah, ‘ve you heard of it?”

“I was going to try and watch it! What episode are you on?”

“Uh…episode two. I’m not that far into it yet. But there’s only, like, six episodes or something.”

“Would you—would you want to watch it with me? Not like together, together, but—like a book club sort of thing?”

Virgil is not going to helplessly smile at how cute Roman is when he’s all eager, he’s not. “Sure. That’d be fun.”

He is going to smile when Roman grins so wide it looks like his face must hurt.

———

“Therapy isn’t enough,” Virgil announces as he strides into Roman’s room, “I need to be weird about that old man.”

Roman chuckles and looks up from where he is at his desk, typing away at his computer. “So you watched the next episode, huh?”

“Look, I don’t know why he insists on making everything as dramatic as possible, but he does and it works for him.”

“So this is about that scene where he just rips his shirt halfway open for no reason, huh?”

“For no reason? Excuse me?” Virgil flops on Roman’s bed. “It is his gay-given right to be that dramatic and it’s working for him.”

“Seems like it’s working for you too.”

“Don’t act like you’re above it, you spent twenty minutes waxing poetic about how the framing around him sitting in his office chair was poetic cinema.”

“Yes, because I’m a storyteller and I can appreciate the use of framing in film and television to contribute to said story.”

“Uh-huh. How’s the writing going over there?”

“Don’t talk to me or my Untitled Document (1) ever again.”

Virgil laughs, head lolling back against the pillows as Roman shakes his head in mock sternness. “He’s so gone for him.”

“Who is? The assistant for him or him for the dead guy?”

“Yes.”

“You’re correct and you should say it.” He squints at the screen. “Wait, what’s a gender-neutral term for parent?”

A pause, then the rustle of fabric. “I want you to repeat what you just said to yourself.”

Roman does. “I might be stupid.”

“‘Might be,’ he says.”

“Shut up.”

“What’s the word I’m looking for that is like the exact word I’m looking for?”

“Leave me alone.”

Another laugh from behind him as he continues trying to type. But the thought of actually having Virgil here to talk about something they’re both watching is a lot more tempting than working on this idea that isn’t even due for a few more weeks anyway. He chews on his lip for a second before saving his work and closing it down. He did have more than half of it completed, thank you very much.

He turns around, seeing Virgil sprawled over his bed like it’s his own, scrolling on his phone, and just takes a moment to look.

Virgil looks…happy. It’s a good look on him.

“When you’re done staring at me, I got a post to show you.”

“What is it?”

“Slow-motion GIFs of that moment.”

“Move over, then.”

———

By this point, when Roman asks him for help with wrangling an escaped version of one of them, they can do it while having a conversation.

“I followed one of the main blogs in the fandom yesterday,” Virgil says as he grabs two of a Janus’s arms. “They followed me back.”

“Oh, really?” Roman grabs two more and starts hauling him toward the Imagination, deftly knocking aside a swinging cane. “You got to mutual status that quickly?”

“They said they liked my meta posts. Gave you credit, of course—“

“As you should.”

“—but yeah, they seem cool. It’s weird, I know it’s not like actually having a celebrity you can interact with, but it’s like—“

“It’s like being relatively famous just by having them know you. Do you think they’re laughing at your silly little jokes every morning,” Roman teases as they get the squirming noodle to the door, “while they’re having breakfast?”

“Thank goodness, maybe they’ll spare me when the cops come to kill all of us.”

“Or a rival gang.”

They shove the weird version of Janus back into the Imagination and shake themselves off. Roman picks up a piece of paper and jots it down.

“Is it just me,” Virgil mutters, “or are they getting…weirder?”

“This is the first real weird one you’ve seen.”

“That has some implications that I do not like.”

“Uh-huh.” Roman shudders. “Just you wait. They’ll get weirder.”

“Is it too late to back out of this?”

“No. I can stop asking you if you want.”

Virgil reaches out and knuckles Roman’s shoulder. “I’m kidding. I couldn’t leave you to deal with all of that on your own.”

Roman doesn’t look at him for a moment, fiddling with the fingers on one hand. “I dunno, it’s just…this is pretty much a direct result of me not being able to deal with my own problems by myself, so…I would understand if you wanted to stop having to deal with them.”

Virgil looks at him for a moment. Then, out of nowhere, he says: “you know, sometimes I struggle with feeling useful.”

Roman whips his head around. “What?”

“Well, you guys come up with ideas, I’m only here to…point out the problems. Not that I’m not saying that’s not useful, but like…I gotta wait until you do all your work before I can even think about doing mine, do you get what I mean?”

“I believe so…Virgil, you—“

“So when you ask me for help with this,” Virgil says, speaking smoothly over him, “it makes me feel useful. This…this helps me too.”

Roman stops, staring at him in something that’s almost wonder. “It does?”

“Yeah, Princey. We—we’re all damaged in some way. We just gotta find someone else whose damage is compatible with ours.”

Roman blinks a few times as a slow smile spreads across his face. “Why, Virgil. That was almost poetic.”

“Shut up.”

“No, really, I’d love to see what you could write—“

“Shut up!”

———

“Hey, Roman?”

Roman looks up from his desk. “What’s up?”

Virgil shifts his weight from side to side. “Can we—this is a stupid question.”

“I’ve adjusted my expectations accordingly.” He shuts his laptop and turns to face him. “What can I do for you?”

“Can…can we go into the Imagination?” When Roman pauses for a moment, he quickly keeps going. “It’s just—I know I see it a bit when we throw the others back in and there’s not really a big difference and it’s all what you make of it but I just—you know what? Never mind. This was stupid.”

“No, no—“ Roman quickly stands up to catch Virgil’s elbow as he turns to leave— “no, Virgil, it’s not stupid. I’d love to take you to the Imagination.”

“You…you would?”

“Yeah. Do you wanna go now?”

“Aren’t you busy?”

“Mindlessly scrolling, that’s it. Come on,” he coaxes, leading Virgil back toward the door, “it’ll be fun.”

Virgil keeps watching him warily until Roman manages to get them through the door. He closes it firmly behind them as Virgil stares around at the field they find themselves in, littered with wildflowers and grassy hills as it stretches out almost endlessly in front of them.

“…whoa.”

“Do you like it?”

“Princey, this is…this is fucking pretty.”

Unbelievably, Roman feels himself start to blush. “You like it?”

“Fuck—yeah, Roman. This is—how do you not spend all of your time here?”

“Well, it gets a little boring just staring at fields of flowers forever, and sometimes—“

As if on cue, a massive bank of thunderclouds rolls in overhead and it begins to rain.

“Sometimes it does that,” Roman sighs, already turning back to the Imagination door, “I’m sorry, I really can’t predict those, they just happen sometimes. Come on, you can borrow something dry, I don’t…”

He trails off when he notices Virgil’s not next to him. He looks back.

Virgil stands in the middle of the flowers, his head tilted back toward the sky. The purple-black of his hoodie almost perfectly matches the purple-black of the clouds. His eyes close, feeling the rain on his face, hands slightly outstretched as if to welcome it. He looks—he looks—he—

Oh.

“Virgil?”

“Yeah?”

“Can I—can I kiss you?”

Virgil looks at him and chuckles. “Getting real cliché, huh, Princey? Was this your plan?”

“N-no, not necessarily, I—wait, what? You’re not surprised?”

“I’m kinda surprised you asked first, but you are Romance.”

“You—you—“ Roman blinks. “Wait, you want to kiss me too?”

Virgil just grins and walks up to him.

“Hi,” he murmurs as he kisses Roman, both of their eyes fluttering shut as the rain pours over them.

Roman doesn’t need to worry about this not being the real Virgil. He’d never be capable of Imagining something as incredible as this.

General Taglist: @frxgprince@potereregina@gattonero17@iamhereforthegayshit@thefingergunsgirl@awkwardandanxiousfander@creative-lampd-liberties@djpurple3@winterswrandomness@sanders-sides-uncorrect-quotes@iminyourfandom@bullet-tothefeels@full-of-roman-angst-trash @ask-elsalvador @ramdomthingsfrommymind@demoniccheese83@pattonsandershugs @el-does-photography @princeanxious@firefinch-ember@fandomssaremysoul@im-an-anxious-wreck@crazy-multifandomfangirl @punk-academian-witch@enby-ralsei@unicornssunflowersandstuff@wildhorsewolf @thetruthaboutthesun @stubbornness-and-spite @princedarkandstormv @your-local-fookin-deadmeme @angels-and-dreams@averykedavra @a-ghostlight-for-roman @treasurechestininterweb @cricketanne @queerly-fluid-fan @compactdiscdraws@cecil-but-gayer@i-am-overly-complicated@annytheseal@alias290@tranquil-space-ninja @arxticandy @mychemically-imbalanced-romance @whyiask@crows-ace @emilythezeldafan@frida0043 @ieatspinalcords @snowyfires@cyanide-violence@oonagh2@xxpanic-at-the-everywherexx@rabbitsartcorner @percy-07734@triflingassailantofmyemotions @virgil-sanders-the-gay-emo@cerulean-watermelon@puffed-up-bees@meltheromanstan@joyrose-fandomer@insanitori@mavenmush@justablah65@10paradox10@uhhh-hi-there-i-am-nervous@cutebisexualmess@bella-bugatti-frogetti-baguetti

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#dragonbabbles #fic #roman sanders #virgil sanders #prinxiety #sanders sides

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vampire-chokehold · 1 year ago

Text

land of monsters and gods

preface the thing lay still

▶ Her eyes were still open. It was, in fact, the only thing she could move at that moment. The pain was immense, and she had no breath left. Everyone was dead, although there was only one death that truly mattered to her. In front of her, after the direct and forceful strike of Akko wielding Santa Markovia's femur, Strahd had fallen to his knees. With the little strength he had left, he transformed into mist to return to his coffin, where, with a stroke of luck neither of them had, he would regenerate and end the battle. Sweat on his forehead dripping on either side of his face, his previously tied-back hair dishevelled and blood-soaked, strands sticking to his forehead. Remnants of other people splattered on the once immaculate armour, blood tracing constellations on the gleaming metal. His defeated figure, agonizing, the incessant gasps to cling to what was already impossible. She couldn't erase the image from her mind.

Then, footsteps shattered the silence in the tower. She knew it was the moment, but she was surprised when she saw Akko's figure looming over her. She couldn't see him well because her eyes were filled with tears. And his were too. Were his tears of sorrow? Or were they also of anger, like hers? He should have been happy, ecstatic, beside himself. Finally, all the promises would be fulfilled. Forgiveness was his forever. Why was Akko crying? Why was he looking at her like that?

They locked eyes for a few seconds, silently conveying all the things left unsaid. She didn't apologize, she had no kind words for him. Only curses escaped her. If she could have bitten her own tongue, she would have poisoned herself. He didn't apologize either for what he was about to do.

Akko pulled out the stake that Ezmerelda had given him. The wood felt smooth in his hand. He brought the tip close to the vampire's chest and held it there, their gazes still lost in each other's eyes. He hesitated, oh how he hesitated. She had been his friend, his adventure companion. They had experienced the worst moments of their lives together, as well as some of the best. But hesitation could never turn into forgiveness because she was stained with the blood of too many people.

A lightning bolt split the sky in two, and for a moment, the darkness in Barovia turned into light. She felt the thunder reverberate inside her as if it had shattered her as well, the shockwave reaching the ends of her body. Her fate was the same as Strahd's; their deaths had been sealed practically from the beginning. Everything had to have an end in order to start anew. They were bound together forever.

A sharp pain began to well up from her chest where her heart no longer beat. The stake had plunged deep, tearing through her skin. The blood remained still as if nothing had happened. As if every cell in her body was on fire, she felt her skin peel away and dissolve, her muscles and bones disintegrating. Akko took a few steps back, leaving the wood to sink into her body. A single tear slid down her face and onto the satin pillow of the coffin. Absolute and complete silence.

Nothing remained of what had once been the tiefling.

The horror that she had been was no more.

Akko leaned over to look inside the coffin. A dark silver ring with a ruby at its centre shimmered almost magically. When he held it between his fingers, he saw thick blood within the precious stone. A symbol of eternal love, a love that had to be destroyed at all costs. He tucked it into his pocket. It was not a decision to be made without consulting his friends.

On his way to the door, he noticed the book resting open on a worn wooden table covered in torn and crumpled papers. He approached hesitantly because he knew it was not the time to investigate, but curiosity had always driven him to make questionable decisions. In cursive handwriting, he read the first lines of what seemed to be a diary.

PÉNTEK, TWELFTH MOON, 735

With his hands on my shoulders, we gazed at the picture of our future unfolding before us. In the darkness of the night, the campfires were mere orange dots scattered among the mountains. Silence reigned, but the next day the roads to our castle would be filled with all kinds of voices. Some would exclaim with joy, others with terror. I would hear yours among the rest of the commoners and instantly know that you had come to kill me. Hatred and rage are hard to swallow; they are always heard in words.

Nadia, will you come to my wedding too, or will you flee as you always do when things get ugly? It's okay; you don't have to be ashamed of your cowardice. I am too, a coward. My life has been a continuous forward escape. But that ends tomorrow. There is no more path to tread, and this time I won't jump off the cliff. I am ready to embrace my destiny.

"I'm proud of you, Vepharlim. I've finally found someone on my level. There are no more doubts. It's you."

He didn't want to read any further. His friend's words pierced his gut like thousands of knives. In that instant, he decided that his friends wouldn't know about the existence of that tome. The wound that Vepharlim had left in their hearts would take time to heal, but with her death, it had already begun to mend. Akko took the diary and put it in his backpack.

For the first time in a long while, unafraid of what awaited him outside, Akko left the tower, leaving behind a coffin that would never be occupied again.

A FEW YEARS LATER

Waterdeep hadn't changed much despite the years passing quickly and without respite. Its streets were still bustling with people of all kinds, regardless of the time, and the Yawning Portal Inn was no exception. Inside, people drank and chatted, laughter and commotion filling the place with a cheerful atmosphere that was always well received by both customers and staff. It seemed like it was going to be a calm night.

At a table near the door, Akko had left a jug of mead and a book with pages tinged red. He wrote thoughtfully along the edges of the pages with barely legible handwriting. His free hand held his head, the hair that was now slightly longer falling between his fingers. His glasses were starting to slip down his nose a bit. When he lifted his head to adjust them, he saw a diverse group entering the inn. Instantly, a wave of nostalgia washed over him. He saw Nadia, Sabriel, Galánidas, and even Vepharlim in them. The group of boys and girls came in laughing, with the one in the front recounting a tale that the rest found terribly funny. When they sat at one of the more secluded tables, a man with a questionable appearance approached them.

Akko had unconsciously followed them with his gaze. Intrigued, he stood up to eavesdrop on their conversation. He could only catch the last part when the man asked them to take a carriage to Barovia. Those words sounded too familiar to him. A succession of images began to appear in his mind, memories of what felt like a past life. It felt as if it burned him, so he took out the ring he had worn around his neck since that day when they managed to break the curse. He took off the pendant and examined the ruby very carefully. It was empty. The blood that had once filled the stone was no longer there.

His chest tightened, and he heard Nadia's words in his head. Perhaps they should have listened to her and destroyed it as soon as it came into their possession. Was it possible that the curse still haunted the poor inhabitants of Barovia? Had it all been in vain? No. Even if the curse had returned, there was no reason to lose hope. He now possessed not only vast magical knowledge but something even more valuable: Vepharlim's own words. He took out the diary that had always accompanied him, just like the ring, and slammed it on the table in front of the group of adventurers.

"If you're going to Barovia, I'll accompany you. But first, you have to read this tome. It is of vital importance that you do."

One of the girls looked at Akko very seriously and dragged the diary towards herself. Its brown leather cover had slightly bent corners from use. She looked back at Akko, who hadn't averted his gaze and now had both hands resting on the table, expectant. She opened the diary and began to read.

masterlist

#curse of strahd #strahd von zarovich #dnd #dungeons and dragons #fanfic #the damned five #land of monsters and gods

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