#one piece chapter 547

[ozymandiasdirge]

love that luffy is here with his cute little ponytail and sword that he's borrowing from zoro and meanwhile everyone else just popping so much pussy it feels like a plane landed straight from cuntenserven. immaculate.

[nothingbutavocaloid]

[algumaideia]

TUBARÃO BALEIAAAAA

[allthecastlesonclouds]

Castles’ Masterpost!

hey! i’m castles :) i go by they/he pronouns, and i do a lotta lotta fanworks. so here’s the list!

drawtectives transcripts: #dt transcripts (sideblog @drawtectives-transcripts)

FANTASY HIGH/DIMENSION 20:

whether by accident or fortune, you and i: oneshot, 12K words. riz gukgak centric. a story in which one goblin takes notes on how to bond, and receives some in how he has.

heaven took them home (and now i am lonely): oneshot, 7K words. kristen applebees centric. or, kristen applebees and the effects of Life (and regaining it).

Blurry Text, Twitching Hands (Or, the Annoyances of Finals Season at Aguefort): Three Chapters, Completed. 17K words. adaine and fabes are traumatized and ignoring it the fic.

for you, at last, to comprehend: the kind of love of which i speak: oneshot, 12.7K words. platonic fabian+riz centric. 5+1 love languages.

it's every breath that comes before: 6 Chapters, Completed. 13.7K words. in a story where food is love, in a sense: 5 times the bad kids ate a meal with their families, and one time they did not.

the difference between fight or flight: 4 Chapters, Completed. 8.8K words. three times kristen and her siblings find each other, and one time they don’t have to.

hear on the wind how the pendulum swings: oneshot, 2.2K words. fabian and riz live very different lives. fabian learns this one bright afternoon.

put all my pieces back together: oneshot, 431 words. fig faeth centric; during fhjy- an introspection during the moonar yulenear in fallinel.

ghost stories: 10 Chapters, WIP. 69K words. a vigilante AU where Gorgug and Fig stumble into a plot years in the making, fight people they're not sure they should, and work retail, in no particular order..

i miss those thoughts (and that fear of losing): oneshot. 3K words. a vigilante!au side story featuring two of the heroes, mere and idol.

a legend to wear as armor: oneshot (part of a collab series with @/wlwinry). 3K words. featuring thief riz gukgak, mastermind adaine abernant, and tidemaker fabian seacaster– Riz Gukgak is the best thief in Leviathan. Somehow, his friends manage to catch him off guard.

keep doing what you do: oneshot. 5K words. a 5+1 fic about 5 times the seacaster siblings cared about each other and 1 time they fought (and still ended up alright)

(creature of habit) shine down on me: oneshot. 5k words. a 5+1: 5 times where the two oldest applebees comforted each other, and 1 time they simply get to talk.

the new coolest thing: oneshot. 547 words. vaguely fabadaine but mostly just fabian&adaine friendship!! they dance now :)

Olivia Skyler: An Essay: oneshot. 5k words. trans liv fic that gave castles a gender crisis. go read it i learned css for it

Find, Familiar: oneshot. 3k words. a story in which a frog, a hellhound, and a griffin go out to pick a flower.

murmurations: oneshot. 9k words. or, 5 times some realized Barry loved Sid, and 1 time someone told Barry he was loved

the time that holds worlds steady: oneshot. 1k words. Chronoa, and the changing of the universe

dimension twentober series! a bunch of shorter works written based off of @/sanssheriff13's dimension twentober prompts :). Also incudes Chirp and Rowan, Meeting Ayda, and Figayda Art.

Art: Reference Art, CoffeeAU Animatic, CoffeeAU Trio, Fig Faeth Albums, Sketch Page, Camp Activities Pt 1 Pt 2 Pt 3, Fears, Band Doodles, Stupid Self-Sabotage Fanart

DRAWTECTIVES:

we can get lost, you and me: oneshot. 12K words. york and rosé find grandma a box.

memory of a warm place: oneshot. 11K words. 5 times york is made food by others (as thanks, for payment, a mixture of both) and 1 time he made some himself

Art: Doodles, Confusion, Sketch Dump

Rise Of The Pink Ladies:

but came the dawn (the show goes on): oneshot. 4K words. vaguely cynthia centric but mostly a friendship piece. a fic in which Cynthia enjoys a musical, the Pink Ladies have a party, and they’re all simply friends.

ROTTMNT:

Art: TUC/ROTTMNT Crossover, AU Sketches, SWNAU DTIYS

SIX OF CROWS:

do exactly what you do (it’s a sure shot, it’s yours): Oneshot, 12K words. wylan van eck centric. or, 5 times someone found something odd about the van eck residency, and 1 time when two knew exactly what was happening.

[anakinsthot]

I posted 2,175 times in 2022

That's 574 more posts than 2021!

53 posts created (2%)

2,122 posts reblogged (98%)

Blogs I reblogged the most:

@sexysymphony

@ragnarlothcat

@tennessoui

@tomicaleto

@gffa

I tagged 2,159 of my posts in 2022

Only 1% of my posts had no tags

#obi wan kenobi - 1,005 posts

#anakin skywalker - 936 posts

#obikin - 569 posts

#nice art op - 156 posts

#ahsoka tano - 139 posts

#this is v cute!!! - 105 posts

#luke skywalker - 102 posts

#hayden christensen - 91 posts

#darth vader - 82 posts

#leia organa - 68 posts

Longest Tag: 131 characters

#this is the good version of star wars that exists in my head where palpatine died and order 66 never happened and anakin never fell

My Top Posts in 2022:

#5

I forgot to post this last night, chapter 9 of the bee fic is up!

12 notes - Posted April 11, 2022

#4

okay I would love to ask about your Wips that are being posted but I decided to wait for the updates instead and ask for 89.7 AU since the name makes me think of a radio station 👀

IT IS A RADIO STATION! It's named for the college radio station in my hometown :)

89.7 AU is a same age college fic. It starts with the school's radio station dj talking about relationships and having people call in. Anakin calls in, anonymously, to talk about the crush he has on his friend. Obi-Wan is listening and recognizes Anakin's voice, but is heartbroken because he thinks Anakin's talking about someone else and spends the next semester trying to figure out who.

Meanwhile, Anakin thinks Obi-Wan has figured out his crush and is trying to make him get over it by pushing him towards other people, since Obi-Wan keeps asking things like "met anyone nice lately?" and "isn't so and so cute?"

There's a lot of miscommunication, pining, and sulking on both sides, basically.

13 notes - Posted April 9, 2022

#3

BEE FIC UPDATE!

13 notes - Posted July 7, 2022

#2

New chapter for the bee fic! Anakin makes two important discoveries and one dubious decision.

16 notes - Posted February 20, 2022

My #1 post of 2022

ooooh prompt #204 “You cancelled plans for me?” please ✨

This is doesn't need a read more does it? IDK how to do those.

(547 words)

The gallery is full. Anakin shouldn’t complain, really. People are interested in his art. He’s already been approached by three different people who want to buy a piece and it hasn’t even been an hour. This is what he’s been working for.

Only. It’s just strangers here.

And sure, his art is… niche. Most people have only a passing interest in the Jedi, a religious order that died out millennia ago. They aren’t that interested in what the Jedi Temple looked like. In what art forms the Jedi practiced, what painting techniques they perfected. His friends listen to him talk about the Jedi and nod along, but they aren’t really interested. It was probably too much to expect that they’d drop their plans on a Friday night when Anakin unexpectedly got his own gallery showing.

The show was very last minute – apparently the artist who was supposed to be displayed here this weekend had a last minute crisis of faith and burned all their art. Or something. Anakin didn’t really keep listening after he’d heard the initial offer.

It just would have been nice to have a friend here. Talking about his art to all of these strangers; smiling and nodding along when they tell him what their favorite piece is, describe their thoughts and theories on the ancient order, is frankly exhausting.

It would be nice to have someone that was just here for Anakin.

Anakin wanders from painting to painting, trying not to dwell on it. He stops in front of a watercolor of the Room of a Thousand Fountains – or his interpretation of what it looked like, at least. They don’t have much to go on. The Jedi temple exists only as ruins, these days, and only a handful of first person accounts detailing its various rooms and architecture remain.

He’s agonizing over some of the flower choices he’d made when a throat clears behind him.

“It’s lovely.”

He freezes. That sounds like – but no, it can’t be. Obi-Wan had plans tonight, just like everyone else. Ahsoka had roller derby practice. Rex was going on a date. Obi-Wan had business partners in town and was taking them to dinner.

The person behind him steps closer. A warm, solid hand reaches out and rests on Anakin’s shoulder. He stiffens underneath it. The weight is familiar, but Anakin convinces himself that he’s imagining things. He forces a polite smile onto his face before turning around.

“Thank y- Obi-Wan!”

Obi-Wan smiles and pulls Anakin into a hug. He tilts his face up, just slightly, to whisper into Anakin’s ear.

“It’s almost as lovely as you.”

Anakin can feel his cheeks heat up. He wraps his arms tighter around Obi-Wan and hides a grin in his auburn hair.

“You cancelled plans for me?”

Stepping back, Obi-Wan matches his grin. “Of course, darling. Windu and his associates will still be in town tomorrow. But you only have your first show opening once.” He reaches up and threads a hand through Anakin’s hair, pulling him down and whispering against his lips. “You’ll always be my first priority,” his says before closing the final half inch between them and kissing Anakin softly.

Anakin smiles against Obi-Wan’s lips and deepens the kiss, uncaring of the people surrounding him.

They’re just strangers, anyway.

32 notes - Posted August 15, 2022

Get your Tumblr 2022 Year in Review →

[indiejones]

BRINGING CLOSURE TO THE JALLIANWALA BAGH MASSACRE OF 1919!

Came across an article informing of the 1st ever official release, in 2021, of names of the people that so sadly 'went away from us' as a result of what's come to be known in history as 'The Jallianwalla Bagh Massacre' of Apr 13, 1919 !

So went to the referred website, & upon cursory glance, the Good Lord & my spirit instantly informed me, that EACH OF THE ~500-550 'martyrs' (this identified as the total number of victims of the tragedy) from that tragic episode, had 999,999 Million Billion Billion……………755 times mentioned Billion Governing Council members in their family lineage, & an angel-lineage number of 1000, moreover with ~9 of their elders in immediate 1st gen family, also carrying the exact same 'blessing' as them!

Bewilderingly, the villain of the piece, Brig. Gen. R.E.H. Dyer, also had the exact same number of 999,999 Million Billion Billion……………755 times mentioned Billion Governing Council members in his family lineage, moreover with ~9 of his elders in immediate 1st gen family, also carrying the exact same 'blessing' as him! But the Good Lord also informs me, that with his last birth's acts as Dyer, all his previous births have NOW forever been nullified!

Hope this bring some closure, to all viewers & readers of one of the cruelest chapters in our textbook of Indian history, over the past century & more.

The Good Lord wishes, that they all live in the peaceful memories of their friends & families, forever, knowing how they went away to a nicer place after all!

https://cdn.s3waas.gov.in/s3c3992e9a68c5ae12bd18488bc579b30d/uploads/2021/01/2021011942.pdf

https://amritsar.nic.in/notice/honoring-the-martyrs-of-jallianwala-bagh/

https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/punjab/101-yrs-on-official-list-of-492-jallianwala-martyrs-out-200778

https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/jallianwala-bagh-massacre-researchers-list-547-deaths-159-more-than-official-count/story-ncQeNqNFHlmtRPsOqg9BLM.html

[victorie552onepiecespeedrun]

Reading One Piece pt 300: Goodbye Impel Down

Chapter 547

Thoughts:

- What a nice cover, all of Impel Down Pirates are here

- Magellan is getting more and more powerful!

- “Judgement of Hell!” it looks like a Susanoo (Naruto version)

- …the poison IS SPREADING! RUN!

- Bon Clay are just standing there. Waiting for ships to take them out. That’s stressful too, all that waiting

- on the ships

- Crocodile is making faces. Where did he get sand from

- so Daz Bonez is from the West Blue, neat

- Jimbei is doing his part by being a waterbender. Fishman Karate sure is useful

- Meanwhile, Luffy is bringing the party to them

- “Straw Boy, we still don’t have a ship!” well, shit

- “Hell… Wink!” !!!!!!!! Ivankov!!! You’re alive!!! Somehow!!!! And winked yourself up through 3 levels!!!

- wow, what a big head

- Inazuma is good too! More or less

- They got a ship!

- “Jump into the sea!” you heard the fishman, into the sea with you rubber boy!

- “You can’t trust him!” “He’s Ace’s friend. I trust him.” aww. Don’t worry, from the way it’s written, Jimbei is definitely a friend, you can tell

- the very last Wax Attack

- into the water!!!!

- sharks??

- Jimbei summoned them!!

- YEAHHHHHHHHHH THEY’RE OUT!!!

- Goodbye Magellan!

Goodbye, Impel Down!!!

rOP 299  rOP 301

[animebw]

Reading One Piece: Chapters 546-547

-skjdfhskdjfh OKAY I GUESS WAX BOXING GLOVES ARE A GOOD IDEA

-Yeah, why bother fighting when you can just trap them in place? The navy ain’t that stupid.

-HOLY SHIT JIMBEI’S STRONG

-He just. Tossed a current. He just tossed a current. He just. Tossed. A Current.

-OKAY POISON DEMON SURE WHY NOT

-...when did Iva’s head get so big?

-”He’s Ace’s friend! I trust him!” okay but did you forget your can’t swim or

-DID THEY SERIOUSLY WINK CATAPULT OUT OF DANGER I SWEAR TO G O D

-Yo, this dude can summon whale sharks? Jimbei’s freaking awesome.

[ibelieveinturtles]

Chapter 6 - An Explanation Is In Order

Title: The Quantum Cat

Collaborator(s): ibelieveinturtles

Square (letter, number, and prompt): SWB: G1 - Humour

Pairing/Main Ship: N/A

Rating: T for swearing

Major tags: Sam Wilson, Goose the Cat, The Multiverse, The Quantum Tunnel, Not Endgame compliant, Everybody Lives (Eventually), Sam to the rescue

Warnings/Triggers: a little swearing here and there

Summary: Back on home soil, Sam and Ian bring Nick up to speed.

Word Count: Ch 6 - 547

A/N: This is *mostly* unbeta'd but I hope to have it properly edited before I post it on AO3. I'll be posting all 7 chapters on Tumblr for as long as September 1st lasts around the world and on AO3 later. The reason it's going up on Sept 1st is because it is the only day that the Sam Wilson Bingo overlaps with Samtember :-)

Chapter 6

Staggering down from the Quantum Tunnel platform, Sam turned and held his hand out to help Fury down.

"What the hell makes you think I need your help?" Fury demanded, half falling down the stairs.

"Just trying to keep you in one piece, Sir." Satisfied that Fury was okay, Sam turned to Boothby.

"What's the news on Goose?"

"Still sleeping it off in the kitchen. Lieutenant Torres says it hasn't stirred-"

"She," Fury interjected. "Goose is female. And what's this got to do with my cat, anyway?"

Boothby coughed. "Er, were you aware that your cat probably isn't, in fact, a cat?"

Fury scowled. "Of course I know she's not a cat, but how do you know?"

"Wait - you don't know how you ended up at Hogwarts?" Sam asked.

Fury scowled harder. "No, I don't. One minute I was ordering a margarita at the bar, next thing I knew I was a goddamn ghost."

"Your Not-A-Cat ate something it shouldn't have and then it ate a lot of people, including you," Boothby said.

"Huh," said Fury, and it looked to Sam like he was turning something over in his mind. "I always did wonder what happened to the people she ate."

Sam boggled at Fury.

"Are you saying that this has happened before?"

"Only to bad guys. Only to bad guys! Wonder what set her off?"

"Show him the tape," Sam ordered.

"Shouldn't we secure Goose first?" Boothby asked.

"She'll be fine," Fury said, waving a hand in the air. "Show me what happened."

They showed him. He boggled, then looked a little contrite.

"I swear, she's never attacked people on our side before. I guess those hors d'oeuvres didn't agree with her."

"Mmmhmm," Sam said, wisely.

"Okay then." Fury heaved a huge sigh. "So have you guys got a plan? You must have a plan, right? You did come and get me, after all."

"That was the plan," Sam said.

"The first part of the plan," Boothby corrected him. "Now, you secure Goose, so she doesn't er, eat anyone else, and the Captain keeps retrieving lost souls."

Fury nodded. "Who are you going after next?

Boothby's face fell. "Haven't worked that out yet, sir. We're still getting organised."

"How'd you find me?" Fury asked.

"Friday was able to detect your cell phone, along with several others. She also spoke briefly with Mr. Stark but that line of communication has deteriorated beyond use."

"So, we've got a list of coordinates and a list of missing people, yes?"

Sam and Boothby nodded in unison.

"I think Friday was able to identify the people whose cell phones she found."

"Good. So pick one and go get 'em. I'm gonna go retrieve my cat and then I'm gonna get shit organised."

"S.W.O.R.D. is here," Sam said, belatedly realising that Fury probably wasn't aware of their sister organisation's presence.

The scowl returned to Fury’s face, scowlier than ever, then it relaxed. Slightly.

"Is Rambeau here?"

"Who?"

"Their director. You haven't met yet?"

"No, sir."

Fury nodded and headed for the exit. "In that case, I'm gonna retrieve Goose, then I'm gonna go put S.W.O.R.D. in their place. You two - keep rescuing people."

Before Sam could muster an objection, Fury disappeared through the door.

[lucky-sevens]

mechanisms fiction!

also known as: i read all the fiction so you don’t have to!

under the cut: summaries of each fiction, word count, and content warnings! the summaries are of my own writing, and unlike the ones on the website, i’ve opted for useful rather than intriguing. i’ve also ordered the list to make a bit more sense/fit better timeline-wise!

some of the fiction has an audio version; i’ve included links to TheVoidSings’ lyric videos of said audio where applicable!

i’ve put the ones with relevant lore in bold, the ones i personally like in italics, and i’ve put a * after all the ones that include the mechs!

AURORA AND THE CREW

breakup*

summary: nastya and aurora have an argument and then both go off to sulk. mostly focuses on nastya. interesting thing: scuzz is in this one!

word count: 707

content warnings: implied nsfw

the story of the toy soldier*

summary: it’s the toy soldier’s backstory! covers what’s probably at least a decade and has a lot of lore! also has illustrations, most likely courtesy of ts!

word count: 605

content warnings: murder, images of choking, implied rape

who killed doctor carmilla?*

summary: carmilla’s just been pushed out an airlock and various mechanisms are going around trying to get an alibi out of everyone.

word count: 647

content warnings: n/a

interview transcript 34/08/7012*

summary: a police officer attempts to interview jonny when he’s in prison. includes a lot of information about him that’s nice to have for characterization!

word count: 782

content warnings: discussed murder, including child murder; attempted suicide

archive footage*

summary: an ivy character study, pretty much! goes into her fucked up brain and how it works. one of my personal favorites, as it’s very well written.

word count: 1390

content warnings: death, minor blood/gore

octokittens*

summary: a short one-off featuring some ashes and jonny banter!

word count: 208

content warnings: guns, animal death

feeding the octokittens*

summary: another one-off: this one has some quality tim, ivy, and nastya content. very fun!

word count: 455

content warnings: animal death

tales of the blogbot*

summary: comes off as an odd fiction, addressing the ‘blogbot’, the thing that used to send out the updates on the mechs mailing list (among other things) and makes passive-aggressive comments about them occasionally. goes through a few answers to what the bot is, and comes to no conclusion, but directly links to the next fiction in my list, ‘ghost in the machine’.

word count: 988

content warnings: referenced mass murder, implied nsfw

ghost in the machine*

summary: what happened to aurora’s programmer when jonny and carmilla took over ‘her’ ship (which is explained/expanded on in ‘how the aurora was won’); lots of aurora lore, as well as a more close view into the actual atrocities the mechanisms commit.

word count: 1152

content warnings: death

how the aurora was won*

jonny steals the aurora from the cyberian navy, in the most unsettling way possible!

word count: 631

content warnings: suicide, graphic depictions of violence

a bedtime story*

some fluffy nastyaurora for the soul!

word count: 326

content warnings: n/a

drive the cold winter away*

part of a group with cyberian demons and nomadic spacers! i think i’ve arranged them chronologically, but might have messed it up.

nastya visits the ruins of cyberia. jonny and ashes are there.

word count: 432

content warnings: n/a

cyberian demons*

a nastya character study- reflections on her memories, as she works on destroying what is left of cyberia.

word count: 1699

content warnings: blood, violence

nomadic spacers*

an outsider pov on the events of ‘drive the cold winter away’ and ‘cyberian demons’.

word count: 1120

content warnings: death

out*

nastya leaves the mechanisms for good after she finds her love, aurora, is no longer who she once was; presumably, this is her death.

word count: 1210

content warnings: suicide

ONCE UPON A TIME [IN SPACE]

gingerbread

hansel and gretal’s villain origin story! (they were the scientists speaking in ‘the twins’)

word count: 609

content warnings: child neglect, murder, needles/syringes

midnight

a bit of a cinders character study/some more of her backstory!

word count: 628

content warnings: n/a

mirror, mirror (audio version here!)

post-pump shanty/snow’s flight. the beginning of snow’s descent into a worse person, and how it overlaps with the myth of snow white/how she begins to take on the role of the evil queen.

word count: 860

content warnings: smoking

a fireside chat

a radio broadcast by scheherazade, king cole’s chief propaganda minister.

word count: 842

content warnings: mentions of concentration camps, death, and bombings

a rebel yell (audio version here!)

counter to ‘a fireside chat’- a radio broadcast by tom thumb, the voice of the rebellion! one of my personal favorites, as it’s very funny.

word count: 574

content warnings: mentions of mass murder

chapter��s end*

mad jack spratt and jonny d’ville play cards.

word count: 790

content warnings: discussions of death

by any other name

basically all the lore around briar rose, in a form of a report by hood, the rebellion’s hacker!

word count: 2023

content warnings: murder, graphic depictions of violence

this little piggy

all of the (incredibly fucked up) lore around the three little pigs!

word count: 993

content warnings: child abuse, brainwashing, non-consensual body modification, medical abuse (it’s a very intense one, please stay safe!)

what big eyes

all the lore we have on hood, in the form of king cole’s intelligence officers trying to figure it out.

word count: 1946

content warnings: mentions of war crimes and death

in the army*

the toy soldier and a group of rose reds hang out in a bar together! it’s a very fun one, with lots of banter! presumably takes place before the toy soldier met the mechanisms, but we don’t know that for sure. lots of lore about the rose reds, as well!

word count: 707

content warnings: mentions of war crimes and death

true love

colonel belle’s report on her efforts to manipulate adam ‘the beast’ bete into joining the resistance. (the mechs’ take on beauty and the beast). also a small bit of lore about rose!

word count: 1151

content warnings: manipulation, torture, unhealthy relationships

one thousand and two

a character study of scheherazade- the thoughts running through her head as rebels are about to find and kill her.

word count: 2236

content warnings: suicide; mentions of torture, concentration camps, and child death

ever after*

you know how jonny was being annoyingly cryptic about what happened to briar rose! well, they have a fiction that says!

word count: 680

content warnings: graphic depictions of violence

ULYSSES DIES AT DAWN

you’ll have to tell us the story sometime*

the mechanisms explore the ruins of the city, thousands of years after the events of ulysses dies at dawn!

word count: 469

content warnings: n/a

death in the metropolis

not anything super relevant- a news article about gang violence and the increased shifts for acheron workers as a result, setting a bit of a mood for the city as a whole. establishes hermes’ role in olympus.

word count: 547

content warnings: nothing to note, but there’s the background fucked-up-ness of the city going on and mentioned!

how not to die

another news article, this one focused on a group of people (’helljumpers’) trying to escape the acheron.

word count: 926

content warnings: suicide

fao: hermes – not urgent

a bit of a followup to the previous two fictions! the editor, herodotus, gets in trouble for discussing the helljumpers.

word count: 453

content warnings: n/a

orpheus, dionysus, muriatic acid and the strange whirring thing*

a look into orpheus’ character and how he ended up in the ulysses job! (mechs don’t heavily feature- just a note of the role brian took on, as well as mentions of ashes of course)

word count: 5017

content warnings: addiction, suicidal thoughts, police; implied nsfw, but only in the context of orpheus being a sex worker

orpheus and narcissus go to the seaside

i personally really love this one! it’s low-key the mechanisms’ take on the great gatsby- takes place a few years prior to the above fiction, and explores orpheus and narcissus’ friendship! it’s morbidly funny, with lots of very good banter/interaction! 

word count: 6300

content warnings: eating disorders, addiction, implied nsfw (again in the context of sex work), suicidal thoughts, mental institutions (even if that’s not normally a problem for you, they get very dark and graphic, so be careful), non-consensual drugging; technically self-harm, but it’s a lighthearted joke

in the madness of war

how ulysses was forced into the war (a darker take on the story about him attempting to avoid it at first).

word count: 817

content warnings: n/a

the hacker’s mistake (a fiction to accompany prometheus)

prometheus is revealed as corrupt, but that doesn’t stop people from believing in him, so he is made an example of.

word count: 903

content warnings: torture

one of the chosen

another low-lore worldbuilding piece- this one about a teenage girl who gets conscripted to the acheron early.

word count: 824

content warnings: n/a (it’s fairly dark, though, so be careful).

eskhatos*

after the events of ulysses dies at dawn, the mechanisms leave, but not without causing a bit of chaos first.

word count: 464

content warnings: cannibalism

HIGH NOON OVER CAMELOT

the fastest shot

guinevere’s backstory! 

word count: 792

content warnings: murder, child abuse, alcoholism

the sharpest aim

a western-style tall tale, starring lancelot!

word count: 1667

content warnings: relationship abuse, murder, violence

i will rule this town*

another personal favorite! expanding on ‘ten caliber railgun he got off a bandit in the flooded sectors’, it deals with arthur’s attempts to bring down nimue, the lady of the lake, and gain control! also has some lancelot/arthur/guinevere fluff, and a bit of an insight into his friendship with brian- as well as his original hopeful mindset, and how that diminished.

word count: 1488

content warnings: murder, drowning

the wake

morgan le fay (mordred’s surrogate mother)’s funeral, and mordred’s decision to go seek out camelot.

word count: 1045

content warnings: death (but only in the context of it being a funeral), cultural cannibalism

pellinore and the beast (audio version here)

this one’s a bit of an odd one- i’ve included it for the sake of completion, as it’s on the fiction list, but it’s just the lyrics to the mechs song pellinore and the beast? i’ve excluded the word count and content warnings for this one, as it’s literally just the lyrics. unsure of what to do here.

OTHER

the prisoner of dorian gray

the mechanisms’ take on the story of dorian grey! this one is part fiction, part song lyrics with a note of the tune they should be sung to.

word count: 1746

content warnings: suicide, torture

and that’s it! the fiction is all very good and well written, and i’d highly recommend reading at least a few of these!

[theastrophilearchitect]

Reworking the plot & getting my hands dirty.

Writing journey #2.

Sat 06/03/2021 - Word Count: 28,150 19.38 So, a month ago, today, actually, I started writing a book. For context, I've sorted out scenes and planned my plot; I'm now simultaneously writing my first draft and outlining scenes in more detail - I'm just into act two of my draft and just into act three of the outline.

I included today in my first writing post, which you can find here, but, while outlining, I realised something that will result in a major plot change (even though I probably should wait until revisions, it sorts out the climax I'm currently incredibly vague on, and will help me actually be able to complete the draft), and felt it was time to start a different post, because the other one was long, and already had its own focus.

Previously, I've been setting mildly insane word count goals, and even though I'm sticking to vague targets, I'm going to drop that, because I need to do a major plot change, and that'll mean the word count isn't going up that much for a while.

So, I have my first and second acts good, but while outlining act three, I've realised the event at the start of act three would work better as a climax than the vague battle idea I have. It just seems more original, more effective, but it means I need to shift events around and re-figure the first block of act three. I'll begin tonight, but it's already 8pm, so I'll probably do most of it tomorrow.

Sun 07/03/2021 - Word Count: 28,365 08.24 I'm reworking act three, and I think I may just drop drafting for the moment and focus on incorporating the edits I have in mind, then start drafting over. I know all the advice says not to go back and edit, but this is a big change I can't wait to do, so it seems opportune to just make the others, too.

08.31 I've now finished reworking act three, and I'm much more satisfied with it than I was before. I do now need to go through the scenes again, however.

13.57 Still re-scening. This is frustrating, but I've decided when I'm back to drafting, I'm going to drop my daily minimum to just 500 words - even though I'll make very little progress at that pace, it's more realistic considering I'm about to be plunged back into the world of homework and commuting, and it's something I'll always be able to meet to help me keep in the habit of daily writing. Word count isn't applicable when I'm doing re-scening like today, though.

Something else I've noticed, when I'm writing literally anything, I'm just scribing the words I'm literally hearing in my head, which is a little bit of a problem because where I wrote 'meet' just now, I meant 'meet' but heard 'eat' in my head and wrote 'eat'.

17.07 I feel like I'm finally making some progress - I've been writing on-and-off all day. My word count has actually decreased a couple hundred words since yesterday, but Scrivener is convinced I've written 42,000 words today, which I obviously haven't. I've typed a lot of words, but not that many, not all of which added to that since deleting words takes words off that number. It thinks I've written so many, however, because I duplicated my act one folder twice (then deleted it, obviously, because I don't need three copies of the same act) but Scrivener doesn't take off the words when you delete the file, only when you literally hit backspace.

17.50 Sorting out my climax, I'm realising how bad it was before. Which I guess is good, because it shows internal criticism and growth...? Or something...?

21.04 I've totally planned out the majority of act three, but I haven't finished it because where I'm up to ends with my characters essentially making a game plan, and since I'm not yet sure what that game plan is, I can't outline the bit where they carry out the plan, but I'll do that later. I've incorporated some of the edits I wanted to make, though I've left a couple out because they're less drastic and I'm not sure whether or not to include them, so I'm going to sort that either during or after my first draft.

Since I've made quite a few changes that will affect the parts I've already drafted, I'm going to start my draft over, and reset my word count, but I'll do that tomorrow. For now, Scrivener thinks I've written 42,385 words today, which I absolutely have not, and my word count is currently 28,365, but I'm going to remove every outline and drafted piece I've done so I can start from zero for what I'm going to call draft #1.4, because I already wrote a version of about 40% of it.

God, my word count has gone back to 0 of my minimum 50,000. That hurts. It really hurts. My actual goal is more 70-90K, but 50K is my minimum, so that's what I'm going with for now.

Anyway, goodnight, and good luck me.

Mon 08/03/2021 - Word Count: 820 So, I wrote 820 words before school, then got home, attempted to do some homework and lost all motivation and will to do... anything. Which means I'm very glad I did over my 500 words this morning.

Tue 09/03/2021 - Word Count: 1,367 15.07 I called this a #1.4 draft, but it's more like a #1.3. Anyway, writing is so much less stressful when I'm working from something I've already written - with the first section, so far, at least, I'm basically just editing the writing itself rather than the events because I'm pretty happy, at least at the moment, with my first couple chapters. Very little thinking required.

Also, it's been over 30 hours since I've written because I did my writing before school yesterday, but haven't written yet today because I've got so much work to get done for school. It feels like it's been forever.

16.17 I've finished rewriting chapter one, and still have a lot of fuel in my tank (that's a hideous metaphor) but I think I'm going to cut off today at 547 words, just because I have quite a lot on my plate this week, and I'd like to invest some time in actually reading the book I started eight days ago, and am only 200 pages of the way through.

Wed 10/03/2021 - Word Count: 2,082 I could write significantly more than 500 words most days, but it really is easier to set a minimum that doesn't feel like a strain, so that's what I'm sticking with for now.

Thu 11/03/2021 - Word Count: 2,801

Fri 12/03/2021 - Word Count: 3,405

Sat 13/03/2021 - Word Count: 32,211 07.40 I've just had nothing extra to say the last couple days, which is ironic considering how much I wrote each day of the last post, which went up yesterday! Anyway, it's finally Saturday, and even though I have exactly zero motivation to do anything this morning, I've been awake for two hours already (I recently discovered I like mornings??) and I think it's time to get going. Still sticking to my 500 word minimum, but since it's Saturday, I'm going to invest most of the day in writing, so I should surpass that.

08.20 I don't think I've mentioned yet that I dubbed this WIP Bay Tree in this post. Sorry if I have, but I skimmed this post and can't find it. So, this is about to get messy. I'm basically just cleaning up my prose, but there's so little point doing that when I'm not certain each scene will stay. There's no point editing a chapter unless I know it's sticking around.

So we're reverting, and this is about to get messy. I didn't quite finish my initial draft of chapter seven, because I wasn't sure how exactly the event at the end of it would happen, but I think I'm just going to delve into it. I'm going to add everything, including outlines, back to my word count, finish writing chapter seven, then pick up where I left off in chapter nine. Okay. That's why my word count is jumping around.

And, just like that, I've gone from 4,074 to 28,864. Well, 500 words accomplished. Surpassed, in fact, by just 24,290.

I'm going to aim to just hit 30K by the end of this weekend. I can easily do 1,136 words in two days.

As I've mentioned before, I haven't outlined all the way to the end and through the climax--I have a fairly clear idea of how I want it to do go down, but I'm not sure what I want the characters' plan to actually be, so I currently have 21 chapters, but I'm projecting 23-26, which, at about 3,000 words each, is pretty damn good, especially when it'll just get longer as I redraft (she says optimistically).

Already feeling more motivated now my word count's higher.

09.54 Oh! Also, I logged onto Tumblr today to find someone reblogged my last writing post with a really positive, encouraging comment. It's nice to think I'm bringing someone else a little joy with this.

11.13 And we hit 30K! I'm not quite done for the day, but I do need to go pack. Also, I've been operating under the impression the minimum word count for a novel is 50K, but it's actually 40K, which, though I'm only about 40% of the way to my projected total word count, I'm officially 75% of the way to being able to say I've written a novel.

I'm so glad I've gotten as far as I have, and I just hope I can keep myself going to the end.

12.27 This post is going to look really strange to read - if you're only looking at the word counts, it looks like I've written nearly 27K words today. That makes sense.

Oh, and I finished chapter seven. Like an hour ago.

13.52 At this point, I have literally no idea what continuity things I've already established, so I'm just going by a let-my-future-self-suffer philosophy.

14.36 That's chapter nine done. That leaves chapters 10 to nobody-knows. I'm going to stop writing now, but I wrote nearly 4,000 words today (plus recounting about 20K) so I don't exactly think this cut-off will be detrimental.

Sun 14/03/2021 - Word Count: 35,548 07.58 I’ve written over a thousand words already, and it isn’t even 8am yet. Being a morning person is genuinely the best thing ever as an introvert--I’m asleep when people want to socialise, and awake when no-one else is. That makes me sound like a hermit. I love it anyway, and feel like I’m stacking up for a good writing day. 35K is probably a little overambitious, but what’s life without aspiration?

09.04 As I’m going, I’m realising my plot is actually coherent, and being surprised that I can actually make a story without plot holes (as of yet.)

09.21 And that makes the first eleven chapters drafted! 

...And, Houston, we have a problem. Dammit. Eleven chapters, and I haven’t established one of the most important world-building points. Which is especially irritating because it needs to be established by chapter twelve. Unless I can establish it at the start of chapter twelve? We’ll go with that, so I don’t have to go back, then I’ll sort it out in edits or draft two or something.

I’ve just started writing chapter twelve, but I think, having written 2,600 words today already, I need a break. I have less than 500 words until I hit 35K, but I’m going to leave it for now, and come back this evening. I should be able to hit 40K this week.

18.19 And that makes 35K. Chapter twelve is only two scenes, and I’ve written one, but having written 3,000 words so far today, I’m going to leave it until tomorrow.

Mon 15/03/2021 - Word Count: 36,337 17.19 So there’s a crucial plot point just after my midpoint, and I’m not completely sure what to do. I mean, I know what I’m doing--I just wasn’t sure exactly how I wanted it to go, but now I know. The issue is other stuff needs to be pre-established, and I’ve worked out where it needs to go, but I don’t know whether or not I want to go back and write those bits now, or just make note of it and add it in draft two.

I think I’m just going to make note, plough ahead, and deal with it in draft two. I’m trying to figure out exactly how I’m going to operate after this draft: things generally say put it down for a few weeks, come back for edits, then go into your next draft, but I feel like I’m already going to have so many edits gathered by the time I reach the end of this draft, I should just go back into it, but time will probably be beneficial. Not that it actually matters now. I’m only just halfway through an under-draft (by that I mean it’s going to get a lot longer). I’m going to add new scenes in my next draft and generally fiddle with plot aspects, but as quite a linear writer, I think I’m more naturally inclined to just incorporate aspects in a draft rather than as edits. I’m not sure. Does that even make any sense? 

Depending on when I finish this draft, I think I’ll plan to pick it back up May 1st, and just see how I’m feeling. But, again, this all depends on when I finish the draft, and how I’m feeling when that time comes.

Tue 16/03/2021 - Word Count: 37,025 I bought my Scrivener license today! Yay!

Wed 17/03/2021 - Word Count: 38,408 08.04 This is mostly irrelevant to my project, but I just wanted to mention the odd fact that I’m definitely a plotter when it comes to longer pieces, but when I do shorter pieces, creative or essays, for school, I hate planning, and just start immediately, then go back and edit. Huh.

Thu 18/03/2021 - Word Count: 38,950 I’m going to edit this, but writing the date just now I noticed I’ve put 2019 for the last three days. It’s absolutely not, and I know why I did that, but still.

14.31 Also, Oxford commas? Found out what they were. Granted, that was actually a few days ago.

Fri 19/03/2021 - Word Count: 40,139 06.55 Even though I wrote 500 words yesterday, I didn’t quite reach my goal of 39K, just because I had to stop writing 50 words off, and by the time I had the opportunity to go back, I just wanted to go to bed. So, today, my goal is to hit 40K words, and officially be able to say I’ve hit the minimum word count for a novel.

Honestly, I’m starting to lose my love for this project. I’m still enjoying working on it, don’t get me wrong, but I’m anticipating finishing it because I know exactly what I want to write next. I feel like I’m mostly still working on it as a lesson, and I know it’s not what I ultimately want to write--mostly because it’s not super high-concept, and high-concept stuff is what I want to be writing. I am still enjoying working on it, I’m just not sure I’ll get to the ‘final line-edits’ stage. But who knows?

10.19 And that marks 40K. We’re in novel terriority, people. And, yes, I could correct that spelling, but I’d like to draw attention to how bad I am at spelling when typing. I’m excellent at spelling in writing, and wrong spellings bother me, but when I’m typing, my fingers are just trying to keep up with my mind, which means I try to type a letter and the one after it at the same time, and often end up with letters in the wrong order and punctuation in the wrong place. Or I just hit halfway between two keys instead of the key I’m going for, and type a wrong letter. Anyway, that was meant to say territory. See? I can spel..

Or I just double the punctuation instead of the last letter.

So I’m definitely not meeting my old goal of 80K words or a finished draft by the end of the month--that’d be another 40K words in just 12 days--but I’m definitely on track to finish by the end of April.

Sat 20/03/2021 - Word Count: 40,692 15.30 God, second acts are hard. I hate being in the middle. At the start, you have novelty, and at the end (not that I would know from experience) you have the knowledge you’re near the end, that you’ve already written most of it.

I’m currently operating the reminder, ‘You’ve written an act before, why not again?’, in hopes that’ll eventually extend to, ‘You’ve finished a draft before, why not again?’ and ‘You’ve written an entire book before, why not again?’

I’ve literally written 243 words so far today, and I just don’t want to. Normally, I sit down, I slog through the first hundred or so words, then pick up momentum. Maybe it’s just because chapter 13 is a boring part to write. Ha. 13. Just my luck.

I’m being nice to myself because a lot has happened in my life over the last few days, but I still want to write a minimum of 500 words, even though most Saturdays I can write more like 3,000.

21.41 I’d like to be asleep. That sounds like fun. Today slipped through my grasp, and I haven’t even written 300 words, but I am going to try to at least hit 500. And then maybe write thousands and thousands tomorrow, but I’m also going to bake a cake, and I’m notorious for being able to make cooking and baking take at least three times as long as is necessary.

21.57 So I got just past 500. Relatively speaking, that’s not that impressive for me, but it’s more words than most people in the world added to their manuscripts today, so I have to give myself some credit. (I’m working on crediting myself for productivity rather than degrading myself for not being productive--I could go on for hours about how much it pisses me off that capitalism teaches us productivity=worth in everything, not just business, but I’m going off on a tangent.)

Sun 21/03/2021 - Word Count: 41,466 08.08 Cakes baked! And I’ve come to a conclusion about how irritating I am to myself--I didn’t fully outline the latter half of act two (by which I mean I have each scene and a purpose of each scene, but virtually no detail) which I can absolutely cope with, but it does slow me down. Anyway, I’m waiting for my cakes to cool, then I can ice them.

14.28 I wanted to write up to 42K this weekend, which I don’t think is going to happen. I’ve written 774 words, so passed my 500-word minimum, but haven’t yet reached 42K, and don’t think I’m going to this weekend. I just don’t have much motivation, which may just be because of the part I’m on, but I’d rather work through this part really slowly then pick up the pace when I get to the part I want to be writing, than force myself to write this section quickly and poorly, then not want to continue into act three. So, sticking to 500 words a day; I may do more later, but I’m leaving it for now.

Mon 22/03/2021 - Word Count: 42,006 17.56 God, I don’t want to write today. I’m going to anyway, because I haven’t yet failed 500 words. They can be a shitty 500 words, but they have to be 500 words. Also, the scene I wrote yesterday? Absolutely getting deleted. But I’m leaving it for now because I refuse to lose those 800 words.

I really enjoy putting edits at the bottom of scenes in brackets and making them unnecessarily wordy so Scrivener thinks I’ve written significantly more words than I actually have.

18.31 Yay, did it. I’m really hoping I can just work through this low spot and don’t have to take a break. I’m on the penultimate chapter of act two, and the first few chapters of act three are really exciting, so I’ll know if I need to take a break based on whether I get motivated when I get to that part.

Tue 23/03/2021 - Word Count: 42,124 16.37 GOD, I need a break. I don’t have motivation, even for 500 words. You know what? I’m just going to make a note of the scene idea I had earlier, and I’m going to take a week’s break. Unless I get antsy, in which case I may end it earlier, but, I’m not going to write again until Tuesday the 30th. Unless I get antsy. FUCK.

I’m just reminding myself breaks are good and important, but I still hate that I’m taking one without finishing my first draft. Tue 30/03/2021, I will be back! Though my word count may increase between now and then as I note down any ideas I have, which I will update with. Okay. Just leave it.

Sun 28/03/2021 - Word Count: 42,150 10.47 Since Tuesday, I’ve made some notes on my phone of little things I want to change, but haven’t added them to my project file, so the word count hasn’t gone up.

Last night, I was just thinking about how badly I wanted to get back to this project, but this morning, I just... don’t. I’ve been thinking it through, and I’m not ready to drop this project yet, but I’m just not happy with what I have at the moment. So, I’m going to add my notes to the file, and then leave it for a few weeks, so I can return with edits in mind, apply them, and then start what I guess will be like a 1.7 draft, because I didn’t finish this draft.

In the meantime, however, I do want to keep writing, so I’m going to start another project in the meantime, which I can work on a lot in the next few weeks because, in a few days, I get a couple weeks off, which won’t be completely free of work, but will give me a lot more time to dedicate to this.

I think I’m going to say I’ll return to Bay Tree (or at least review, if, say, I just want to dedicate a little more time to whatever phase of the new project before I move on) on May 10th, because that’s basically when I get to relax after my exams finish.

So I’ll add the notes I have so far, keep making notes on my phone, and return on May 10th.

Which wraps up this writing update--a new one will come with my new project!

[queen-of-love-and-beauty]

Tagged by @agentmmayy thanks for like entertaining my bored ass 😹😹😹

AO3 Name:

hereforthephilindafics

Fandoms: Agents of Shield

Number of fics: 29

1. Fic you spent the most time on: Nonbeliever Among Gods funny enough this is the shortest one but it hurts too much. I wrote those four Word pages over two months (and I’ve only been writing fics for two months so...lol)

2. Fic you spent the least time on: Incoming: Encrypted Message I thought it would be hilarious to have a snippet of the Team’s conversations so I usually write these when I’m at my desk bored or don’t want to do any adulting 😹😹😹

3. Longest Fic: Two Haig Whiskey Sours + a Rum & Coke just three chapters (11, 547 words) full of smut and Melinda May having the good sex she deserves 😝

4. Shortest Fic: if we don’t count Incoming: Encrypted Message because it’s not a “properly” formatted fic, it’s Nonbeliever Among Gods, four pages hurt too much, I can’t write more.

5. Most hits: Nail Me Against a Wall (cause I’m a piece of art) with 906 hits. I guess the fandom has a kink for sex against a wall 😏

6. Most kudos: In Yout Footsteps at 79! We are all suckers for Mama May and Papa Coulson and the found family trope I guess 😭

7. Most comment threads: Two Haig Whiskey Sours + a Rum & Coke with 27 but that’s because it’s a multip chapter. The Monsters (don’t always) Win deserves an honorable mention with 22 comments, which is pretty good since this was my first fic ever 😬

8. Fave Fic your wrote: Like Fine Wine it has the smut (which is all I’m here to write tbh) but it has the team together and happy and some quality May/Daisy time. Plus, it would have never existed without @meanderings0ul and her amazing ideas 😍

9. Fic you want to rewrite/expand on: Kiss & Tell

I’m working on a chapter 2 from Phil’s POV but I’m waiting until the MCU Kink Bingo is done because each chapter needs to have it’s own square and I don’t want to disqualify my fic lol so stay tuned 😜

10. Share a bit of your WIP: I’ve been working on a Phil/May/Andrew fic for a little bit (and taking is slow) but here 😏😏😏

Andrew had wondered a lot about Phil Coulson at first. The way he and May hovered around each other was...unique to say the least. It was like they had their own gravitational pull, always in sync, never having to doubt the other. Andrew wondered if it came with years of practice or if it had been a natural thing. He wondered if they had hated each other when they first met, or been best friends right away. He never did work up the courage to ask Melinda too much about her Academy days when it came to Phillip.

He didn’t want to sound like he was jealous or insecure, because he was sure that Melinda loved him. She was not a woman to do something because she was bored, or to half ass a big commitment. Andrew knew she was faithful to him and understood that a marriage needed more than love. He sometimes wondered if his wife would be open to being a little more open. Andrew didn’t think of himself as bisexual, or bi curious, but he was definitely curious about Phil Coulson.

Tagging @cminerva @nightsisterkaris @littlethingwithfeathers @tomatobookworm

@lovelikewildness

[chisie12]

Kisame Week Day 1: Swordsmen

Another mini series just cause it’s fun. A modern AU! @kisamesharkweek

Also I’m late for day 1 but doing everything on the phone is a nightmare. Fun, but a nightmare. 

In case it gets confusing, Misty Forest is Yamato here. Kakashi and the rest will eventually make their appearances too :D Akira/Clear Shadow is an OC.

Formatting in the phone also sucks, as usual.

AO3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/20036536/chapters/47446585

~☆~

{Set in the land of Eden, players will control their customizable characters to traverse the vast horizons of magic and wonders, while darkness looms in the distance. Gods, created by the faith of mortals and given the consciences birthed by centuries of belief, began to make their moves. Embroiled in their ploys, players are caught in the eye of the storm as Eden finds its peace.}

Eden had been launched for approximately three months, topping the charts for best-selling game and earning itself the title “Game of the Year 20XX” after an entire year of hyped anticipation. It was the newest creation of Mad Games, the same company that released the popular RPG game “Age of Glory”. Unlike “Age of Glory” that was playable across multiple platforms, Eden was only playable using the VR glasses jointly created by Mad Games and Technivia, the same company that created the popular Game Station consoles. Despite the unrest and opposition from the public at the single platform requirement, it soon turned into excitement. The VR glasses were easy to store and deceptively light, unlike its helmet predecessor that was heavy and bulky, and with its price oddly, relatively affordable, almost everyone that wanted to play the game owned the VR glasses…

Clear Shadow clung onto a piece of driftwood, but even that crumbled at the face of nature’s wrath. Raging waves slammed and pushed her below as the torrential river rushed her forward like a crowd excitedly passing the – unwanted – crowd surfer over their heads. She didn’t struggle against the force, letting it push and pull her away as she maintained her calm in the face of danger. Bubbles of air escaped her nose, mouth clammed shut while she forced to keep her eyes open. Sharp rocks in the river slashed at her body and a string of damage values appeared above her head. Her head throbbed, her lungs constricted. Determination coursed through her veins. Noticing the short clearway in the river and with a forceful kick of her legs, she flipped over to float on her back and greedily gulped in a large mouthful of oxygen. “There she is! Get her!” 

Out of the corner of her eyes, she spotted a party of four men rushing along the riverbed, weapons drawn and names coloured red. With a twist of her shoulders, her body was submerged face down into the water once again. “Hurry! Quick!” The Thief taking point cried out to his party members as he activated sprint. His steps increased in speed, dashing up and over the boulders along the riverbank and reaching Clear Shadow’s position within seconds. Tall trees lined the river, protruding roots large and strong along the banks, curling around the moss-covered rocks. The lone mage in the party suddenly halted his run, cloak billowing at the wind brought forth by the remaining two party members sprinting ahead. The brunet raised his wand, lips parting in a murmured chant. Surges of magic gathered around his wand and with the last syllable, he pointed the wand forward as an earthy coloured energy shone within the trees in the riparian zone. The thick roots shuddered, lifting off the rocks like awakened snakes bending their wills to the lull of a snake charmer and lashed out into the river where Clear Shadow’s silhouette hid inside. Demented Earth, a level 25 channelling spell that changes according to the terrain. Danger prickled her senses. In that split second, she decisively reached out her hand, sharp jagged edges of the rock digging into her taut fingers and pulled. Pulled as hard as she could in that one motion. Because in her next breath, a sharp pain jolted from her leg as she barely avoided the cone-shaped tendrils that speared the very spot she was at a moment before. -258! The small damage floated above her head as her health pool finally dipped below half. “You missed, Misty Forest! Fuck, are you even using your eyes!?” One of the remaining two Blade Masters swore at the Earth Elementalist behind them, only to be graced by a serene smile. “Ah! I’m so sorry! I’m still fairly new at the game.” Clicking his tongue, the Blade Masters dashed away after giving Misty Forest another dirty look. With the belittling eyes away from him, the Elementalist lost the calm in his upturned lips, soft brown eyes turning sharp, with steps striding forward in a rhythmic, unhurried manner. With the rapid waves, a lot of the party’s physical attacks couldn’t even reach their target, the force easily sweeping away the shurikens and easily rendering the Blade Masters’ attacks inaccurate. “She can’t stay underwater forever!” And that was the truth. When a character submerges below the water, an oxygen bar will appear below the mana pool, which will start to tick away, and hers was – just like her health – already below half. The Thief readied his shuriken, closely watching the shadowy silhouette while flanked by his pair of Blade Masters, swords at ready. There finally was a slight shift in her calm when she glanced at the mini map; relief and happiness relaxing her mind. She wasn’t too far now. At the end of the river was an estuary and with the currents, she would arrive by the sea in roughly half a minute. She held on strongly, body tilting and turning to minimise the damage from the river, but even she couldn’t deny that any more and she’d be forcefully dead by the system. With a heave of her arms, her head plunged above the surface, gasping for desperate oxygen. Her vision, blurred and dark, a sign that her character was about to drown, immediately cleared. Bright blue water and thinning trees flooded her sight, and she realised that the currents were slowing. A sharp whistling tore through the air. She turned her head, noticing the lone thief fixatedly watching his shurikens flying her way. She hurriedly gulped a lungful of air and ducked back into the river. -16! She ignored the shuriken slicing her cheek and quickly swam towards the estuary. Her arms stretched forward to propel herself forward as her tongue peeked out slightly, tasting the salt mixing with the fresh water. The Blade Masters sneered at the figure swimming quickly, swords poised at ready and patiently awaiting at either sides of the estuary; the right one, Turnip Killer, was at level 30 and the left, Stone King was at level 32. Turnip Killer leapt across the river while his sword lit up with a blinding white radiance. The sword drew a half circle radiance in mid-air as he focused on the silhouette. The blade plunged into the water with a splash, salty droplets pelting his face while his Upwind Slash attack met with a resistance when it successfully connected with Clear Shadow’s body. With a huff, the Blade Master swung upwards, forcing her out of the water and knocking her up into the air. Although its effect was slightly reduced from the water’s drag, the simple level 20 warrior skill’s knock-up effect was successfully activated as Clear Shadow’s body was bent backwards in mid-air from the attack. Stone King bent his knees and jumped, coming level with Clear Shadow as he pulled his arms back, both hands gripping his sword tightly. Equally covered in a white radiance, he cried out and activated Whirlwind Slash. Seeing the falling sword, Clear Shadow hurriedly lifted her own sword and activated Block just as the attack connected, negating the damage, but it wasn’t over. Following his momentum, the Blade Master spun a full turn in a slight vertical manner and once more heavily brought his sword down. With Block on cooldown, Clear Shadow tilted her body back, catching a brief glimpse of a green energy near the riverbank from the corner of her eyes before her eyes refocused on the enemy and activated Upwind Slash. Her upwards strike met with his second attack, with the rebounding force powerful enough to send her splashing into the river again. -547! -25! Clear Shadow quickly downed a small health potion, causing her low health to recover till it was more than half. Despite being higher levelled than the attacking party at level 35, her health and dexterity had taken a hit in stat points as she mainly focused on strength and intellect, with a minor focus on speed. The knockback had sent her deep enough, feet touching the riverbed. She kicked off the ground, a cloud of soil browning the clear water and she shot towards the ocean, swimming with all her might that her muscles screamed and ached at the shoulders. Legs started to tire and refuse to kick, and she unwillingly resurfaced for oxygen. A booming roar shook the skies, followed by a massive crash into the ocean. Her health that was recovered was immediately reduced by the attack. Large, towering waves surfed the water, crashing into Clear Shadow and forced her back underwater just as Misty Forest finished chanting. Standing deep in the water, he was flanked by large rocks that protected him from the currents while also preventing him from getting washed away. Steady on his feet, he waved his staff forward after uttering the last syllable. Clear Shadow, still submerged, watched as the algae growing near the estuary rapidly grew and she hurriedly swam out further when a large figure, bloodied and battered, appeared before her eyes. Its width spanned easily over fifteen meters with a height possibly over fifty meters and its half submerged body, from what she could deduce, was wide at the top that narrowed near the feet. Long tentacles made up its feet, waving and keeping it afloat, and more sharp tentacle tendrils thrashed about in an enraged manner. Her eyes flew open at the sound of something rushing towards her from behind and she twisted her body to the side, thanking heavens that sound travelled a lot faster underwater than it did in the air. The overgrown algae speared through bubbles, missing her entirely and she watched as it continued attacking in its path towards monster. Blood was drawn as the attack landed a critical hit, gaining a damage boost because of the elemental advantage. The monster roared, shaking the seas and earth with its fury, and Clear Shadow was thrown out with a wave of its tentacles, painfully landing on the spit that stretched out near the estuary. -2376! Inwardly swearing at her low health,  she scooted a distance away; for fear of stray attacks and splash damage, for fear of dying as her health potion was still on cooldown, and silently observed the situation unfold. The level 45 boss monster Sea Monk had only but a sliver of health remaining. Its eyes were a glaring red as it spun a full circle, tentacle arms sweeping out into an area of effect attack. With the increased strength and speed from its berserk state, its attack gained a wider range as powerful waves crashed onto the pair of Blade Masters and its initial attacker. “The fuck are you guys doing!” A husky voice shouted after he was slammed onto the ground. The snarl was almost animalistic, feral like a beast in the wild. ‘And he certainly looks the part,’ Clear Shadow was slightly taken aback at the sight. Blue, a deep blue like the dark ocean depths, was his skin that peeked out from the armour. Fingers reached towards the fallen broadsword and gripped it tight as he got to his feet upon the same spit she was on. Her eyes followed his movements as they slowly widened alongside his straightening figure, back straight and shoulders square, but fury rolled off him in angry waves. The blue-skinned Blade Master has been thrown too far away, landing just right outside of the boss’ aggro range. He waved his sword around, stretching out his arms, muscles thick and defined rippling with his movements. Generally a player’s appearance is modelled after them in real life with a beautified touch, but players themselves still did retain the option to customise the characters. Yet, although curious at his choice of colour, she chose to remain silent as she inspected his player details. Level 38 Blade Master, Tailless Beast. Tailless Beast looked at the Sea Monk getting further away from him and snarled at Clear Shadow, mouth full of pointy teeth bared like a predator. She looked back inquisitively, an eyebrow raised in slight defiance and slight surprise. Small black eyes narrowed but wordlessly, he turned back to the berserk boss and activated sprint. At the end of the spit, he jumped while his sword gleamed white, and activated Blade Rush. ‘Huh… He’s using an offensive skill as a movement skill,’ Clear Shadow noted in surprise. Steady battle cries to the side caught her attention when the Sea Monk shifted its aggro, she realised, towards the brunet Elementalist. Turnip Killer and Stone King patiently waited at the estuary as Misty Forest chanted another spell with the Thief positioned at ready behind him. They knew a battle in the water would mean certain death. Not only would their skills be reduced, but their movements would be slowed and restricted as well, not to mention they had zero experience in fighting in such a scenario. Sea Monk charged forward instinctively, roaring and lashing its tentacles at everything around it. Planting their feet steady on the ground, they endured the damage from the waves as the Sea Monk neared closer. Fifteen meters. The Sea Monk screeched, activating a sound wave attack that affected the party of four, the tunnel-like sound waves sending water swirling everywhere. Ten meters. The pair of Blade Masters rushed forward to intercept. Sea Monk raised its tentacle arms, each one as thick as a barrel, high above its bleeding head. It snarled at the Blade Masters, round mouth full of many rows of sharp pointy teeth. With a screech, it brought its arms down while its preys hurriedly activated Block, but the skill’s negating effect was cancelled when facing against a berserk boss, instead becoming an effect that reduced the damage by 50%. A tremor shook the earth and skies as its arms slammed upon the swords, causing the ground beneath their feet to cave in. -3296! Seeing their health immediately plummet, they screamed at Misty Forest. “Can’t you help - !” A gust zipped past the Blade Masters cheek, the speed of the object so quick that all they saw was a blurry shadow. Their eyes followed the attack’s trajectory and watched in time as thick roots speared through Sea Monk’s open mouth and exited through the skull. -5476! A critical hit! Misty Forest lowered his wand, now standing back on land. A bright light enveloped him while a notification chimed, indicating that he levelled up. Just as the party of four thought that they were out of harm’s way as they collected the dropped loot, an enraged roar bellowed. Charging from across the water, Tailless Beast landed at the estuary with a glare. “The boss was mine!” “It attacked us!” Stone King retorted and picked up the dropped weapon. “We acted in self defence.” Anger rocked in the pits of Tailless Beast’s stomach, swirling and crashing like waves in a storm, and his snarl curved into a feral grin when they stepped back from fear. He took a step forward, the pressure bearing down onto them. The Sea Monk wouldn’t have attacked them if its aggro wasn’t pulled away, if he wasn’t sent away. He had been here first, training solo and far away from public, and it was peaceful enough until this ragtag bunch appeared. And besides, he was never one for words. “You probably would have died to the boss anyway,” Stone King continued. “You wouldn’t have lasted another – !” He shut his eyes from the sudden gust of wind. A blinding flash of white so familiar appeared and momentarily, he wanted to ignore it, only to have his eyes flying open at the pain sprouting from his gut. Tailless Beast followed up his Upwind Slash with Blade Rush, his sword slicing through Stone King’s side as he travelled a distance forward. Turning at the waist, he swept his arm out and executed a basic slash attack towards the falling neck, sending a fountain of blood to spurt in mid-air and shaving away the last bits of his health, not giving even the slightest bit of chance to recover his health. He glanced from the corner of his eyes and firmly planted his feet on the ground. His body tilted to the side, the Piercing Thrust missing him by an inch, and he returned a tooth for a tooth. Calmly, his arm straightened and he sent his sword thrusting straight out towards Turnip Killer. With no way to dodge or block, he could only receive Tailless Beast’s attack head-on. Even though they were the same attacks, being eight levels higher did have its advantages after all. Blood was drawn when Tailless Beast’s sword pierced the other Blade Master’s shoulder. Both parties instantly distanced themselves as their attacks ended. “Why are you attacking us?” Turnip Killer panted and quickly downed a health potion. “You stole my boss first.” “We’re sorry!” The Blade Master hurriedly jumped back when Tailless Beast swung his sword. “We’ll give you the loot!” The sword was swung again and he ducked in panic. “And some compensation!” As they argued, more sword swinging than words on Tailless Beast’s part, there was a surge of magic and the chilly temperature rose. Sweat started to bead across their foreheads and their armour started to feel warm, only Misty Forest fared better with his cotton robes. In the next instant, a fireball was cast, shooting towards the Thief sneaking around Tailless Beast. Staggering in his steps, the Thief was materialised out of stealth. Shock and disbelief coloured his face. “How did you – !” The moment the Thief spoke, frost had covered the cracked ground in a linear path, rapidly snaking towards him. His words were caught in his throat, movements forced to slow to a stop as icy blue frost crawled up his legs to fully encase his body. A shadow dashed passed Tailless Beast with Blade Rush and she activated Whirlwind Slash when the Thief entered its range. The frozen shell cracked, shattering into pieces like a broken mirror at the first slash, slicing into his body mercilessly before giving way to the second slash to slice his throat. The damage from Frost Spread had been negligible, unlike the damage from the fireball he had eaten head on, but the Whirlwind Slash was enough to fully deplete his full health of a level 28 Thief. Seeing half his party killed, Turnip Killer activated his Return Scroll in a fluster. His eyes watched, frightened, at Clear Shadow turning on her heels to face him with the biggest smirk and a victorious glint in those navy eyes. His breathing grew ragged, mind in a flurry and he prayed, so hard that the three seconds channelling of the scroll would hurry up. His heartbeat thumped with the seconds. One. Hurry up!! Two. A bit more! Relief, he could almost taste the sweetness of the escape. If he died now, he would have dropped a level and an equipment for having died with a red name, an effect from attacking other players first, and he had spent too much time building this character. Escaping now would save him from the dull grinding, escaping now would mean he could save his equipment. The channelling bar was almost full. Just a little… bit… more! At this time, Turnip Killer turned to smirk at Clear Shadow, unbothered that she wasn’t making any last ditch attempts at attacking him because his return scroll would have been interrupted, but he wasn’t going to complain. 97% completion. A broadsword filled his vision, his eyes widening in fear at the growing sight. 99% completion. No!! Tailless Beast ruthlessly stabbed his sword through the torso, blade poking out from the back as the light from the return scroll dimmed, just like the lifeless eyes of the corpse. Blade Rush had just gotten off cooldown when he activated it again, easily closing the distance between them in the blink of an eye and killing the escaping Blade Master. He pulled out his sword and the body fell with a dull thump. “Idiot. Should have used a health potion instead,” he scowled while walking away, having seen the figure of Misty Forest disappearing into the light, successfully returning to the city. Clear Shadow walked up to him, stopping a couple of meters away. “Thanks for saving me.” He leered down at her, his near two meters tall stature towering over her slightly over one and a half meter height. “I wasn’t saving you. Just returning the favour for stealing the boss.” He hefted the large broadsword onto his shoulder and began walking away when a notification popped up. [Clear Shadow sent you a friend request. Accept? Reject?] With the snarl still present, he immediately rejected it and sprinted away. Clear Shadow watched with a smile, unaffected by his rejection. Seeing that his large figure disappeared into the water, she looked at the time and decided to exit the game.

~*~*~

Akira opened her eyes, revealing a pair of soft brown orbs instead of navy hidden beneath the lids. She removed the helmet off her head and the device automatically folded itself to return to its original state with a mechanical whirl. The ends of the helmet folded inwards, turning back into the glasses’ arms. She placed the sleek, black framed glasses onto the bedside table and stood up from the bed. Its lens were wide, which could cover the entire area around her eyes and curved around her temples. She then stepped into her kitchen, flicking the lights on, picked her orange cup from the dishrack and pulled open a drawer for her favourite hot chocolate. Stirring the hot chocolate gently with a spoon, Akira walked towards the living room and drew the curtains open, the crimson colour a clear contrast to her white walls. Small, white crystals dotted the moonless sky. The lights to the room across from her on the other apartment fifteen meters building lit up, catching her attention. A tall, muscular figure appeared by the window, an arm lifted to also coincidentally drink from his cup. Soft laughter rumbled under her breath as she similarly drank her hot chocolate. She double tapped on her sleeping phone and the screen lit up. 3:02 am. Unlocking her phone, she sent a quick text off as a report: [Target found. Contact established.] Her mission had just begun.

[ao3feed-merlinarthur]

by AlixxBlack

(Day6 in January, Piece #2)

I'm not sure how I got here, what happened, but Merlin's face is on my face.

Words: 547, Chapters: 1/1, Language: English

Series: Part 17 of Holidays with Merthur

Fandoms: Merlin (TV)

Rating: Teen And Up Audiences

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Categories: M/M

Characters: Merlin (Merlin), Arthur Pendragon (Merlin)

Relationships: Merlin/Arthur Pendragon (Merlin)

Additional Tags: otp, slash fic, sensual, Romance, Lots of kissing, arthur pendragon is into this, Day6 - Freeform, I like you, yikes i wrote this

[ao3-rickylmerthurj2]

One More Taste by <a rel="author" href="/users/AlixxBlack/pseuds/AlixxBlack">AlixxBlack</a>

read it on the AO3 at http://bit.ly/2CSyTBN

by AlixxBlack

(Day6 in January, Piece #2)

I'm not sure how I got here, what happened, but Merlin's face is on my face.

Words: 547, Chapters: 1/1, Language: English

Series: Part 17 of Holidays with Merthur

Fandoms: Merlin (TV)

Rating: Teen And Up Audiences

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Categories: M/M

Characters: Merlin (Merlin), Arthur Pendragon (Merlin)

Relationships: Merlin/Arthur Pendragon (Merlin)

Additional Tags: otp, slash fic, sensual, Romance, Lots of kissing, arthur pendragon is into this, Day6 - Freeform, I like you, yikes i wrote this

read it on the AO3 at http://bit.ly/2CSyTBN

[ao3feed-royai]

The Five People Who Mattered, and the Only One Riza Cared About

read it on the AO3 at https://ift.tt/2pK5MZN

by This_is_not_my_Penname

A piece looking at how Riza handles grief and how her friends help her.

Words: 547, Chapters: 1/1, Language: English

Series: Part 5 of Royai Halloween Week 2018

Fandoms: Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood & Manga, Fullmetal Alchemist - All Media Types

Rating: Teen And Up Audiences

Warnings: Major Character Death

Categories: F/M

Characters: Riza Hawkeye, Roy Mustang, Berthold Hawkeye, Maes Hughes, Grumman (Fullmetal Alchemist), Black Hayate, Rebecca Catalina

Relationships: Riza Hawkeye/Roy Mustang

Additional Tags: Royai Halloween Week 2018, 5+1 Things, Character Study, How Riza handles grief

read it on the AO3 at https://ift.tt/2pK5MZN