#ooh or even a Guildmaster

[knickknacksandallthat]

THIS IS AMAZING!!!! 🤩🤩🤩

Hello! I just wanted to say your art is gorgeous and I love the attention to detail you give to your work! This royal au is scrumptious and I'm so grateful you shared it with us! Second, for Jean's role, I was wondering what you thought about making him a blacksmith? It would make him useful for Riko without having any power (not a guard, etc.)but also give a reason for Jeremy to seek him out (and get swept off his feet), perhaps once he's escaped and is in Palmetto. Feel free to ignore tho!😊

IGNORE THE MENTAL IMAGE OF BIG POWERFUL BLACKSMITH JEAN MOREAU? SAFE IN THE UNNAMED TROJAN KINGDOM, BULKING UP AND FEELING ACCOMPLISHED WITH THE WORK OF HIS HANDS??? I WILL NOT

I’ve been really invested in the idea of the “perfect court” now that we’re in a royal au, and since Kevin and Riko were both technically royalty, Nathaniel was/had the potential to be a noble, I think Jean should also be high end?? Like while at Evermore they all have different duties right, maybe Jean was an attendant to Riko or something. Whatever he was there, we know he wasn’t treated well. Probably not allowed to pursue his own interests, just like everyone else.

But Kevin and Nathaniel both escape, and they find new jobs that fulfill them. So Jean should as well!! He gets to the Trojan kingdom, probably with the help of Renee still (which is. A whole thing about politics and family lines in this au strangely enough) and he doesn’t have to be a noble anymore if he doesn’t want to. He’s probably already renounced his nobility in the way he left Evermore. I don’t doubt Jeremy, who I’m imagining as another prince because that’s the image my brain gave me, would hesitate to reinstate him as Trojan nobility if Jean asked (as long as it’s far enough down the timeline obviously). Instead, Jean kind of slides under the radar, and once he’s all settled he finds work in the smithy. And he really enjoys it! He feels stronger and healthier and he gets to make such amazing things, he doesn’t even have to make weapons if he doesn’t want to. The workers all choose their own specialties and jobs, filling in gaps as needed

Then one day the royal family or the prince is making rounds, coming to see how things are running, and Jeremy is kind of wondering if he’s seen this blacksmith before? Like he’s pretty sure that’s a familiar face, but he definitely would have remembered seeing someone like him around the kingdom before now, so he brushes it off.

(Really he’s seen Jean Moreau at summits and other large gatherings, only once or twice. Back when Jean was much less healthy and when he still tried to make himself smaller to fit into Riko’s shadow. So yes he recognizes the face; but this is a much different man than the person he saw across grand halls.)

And for my lovely jerejean enjoyers: if Jean ends up talking to or in close proximity of the prince, for whatever reason? Jeremy can definitely blame his red cheeks on the heat of the forges 💫

Sliding a couple process pics under the cut

(Find the royal au writing masterpost here 💕)

[shima-draws]

Ooh what’s Darker Destinies sounds interesting!

!! It’s my PMD AU!! It basically serves as a third installment to the PMD Sky plotline since it focuses on Giratina and the Distorted Realm (PMD-verse Distortion World basically lol). It’s got a lot of twists and is actually pretty dark for a PMD AU but it’s one of my all time favorites 🥰 When I first came up with the concept I had just finished watching Made In Abyss for the first time so that influenced it a lot. And it’s perfect bc the dungeon Giratina rules over in Sky is called World Abyss so I was like OH YO I can DEFINITELY use this haha

Long story short Pip gets whisked off to the Distorted Realm as just an extension of her soul, while her body remains in the real world. Chimchar asks Dialga to send him to the future so he can recruit the Future Trio—so they can help him figure out what’s going on with Pip and where she went. Meanwhile Pip starts running into lookalikes of her friends and realizes they’re from a different timeline where things did NOT end very well for them. Grovyle has become sort of a mercenary and adopted Dusknoir’s “survive no matter the cost” outlook, and has had his fair share of devastating losses (both his own Pip and Celebi being killed before they could go back to the past and retrieve the Time Gears). The guild is in shambles due to the world literally ending; they were forced to turn rogue, Chatot is dead and Chimchar took over as Guildmaster because Wigglytuff’s too emotionally distraught to lead. Everyone existing in the Distorted Realm is miserable and trying to kill each other and have turned even more dark and twisted than the Dark Future. It’s a MESS. But luckily Pip’s there to start getting things into gear and get everyone moving in the right direction. Starting with heading down into World Abyss (which, to the surface Pokemon, is considered to be an absolute death trap to be avoided at all costs) to meet with Giratina ;)

There’s a lot more going on in the AU but yeah it’s one I’ve had for a while! And one I’ve been wanting to work on more. If I could turn this into a ROM hack one day that would be SO neat

[loosingmoreletters]

Sugar ceaeh has left me energy drinke are weird

Sometimes I think of omegaverse weapon creator except its also not rlly there?? Main thing I'm thinking of is like

YTH: I would like you to join my guild/ the we'll support you either way (that moment)

SJS, trying to test the limits: even if I said my condition was for you to be my mate?

YTH: yes.

MHS: guildmaster I do not advise-

YTH: yes.

Like. Their secondary genders just Do Not Matter in the Slightest. Yth's answer is "Yes. As long as you keep providing me swords."

Their actual relationship if they go along with it idk. Somewhere between awkward pining because they're already dating by societies standards to full out going on dates. I had an idea but it ran away I'll come back when I catch it

That Anon!!!

ooh you could do some really nice fucking around with like, expectations. are they letting people know this is legit just a contractual set up?

or is this some fake dating like situation, mostly to keep SJS's ability secret still and just make it seem like, ah yes. the guild leader's mate.

There's also stuff to consider in concerns to like idk how hardliner are we going here. are marks/bites a thing and if yes, are they the more permanent kinda situation? Do they just commit to that or not?

what's the boundary line, where do they cross into genuine affection? because I'm thinking, the way they react to "oh, this guy can make a weapon for me" / "oh, his abilities really put my skill to a test" can look very much like love without being love, but can also very much just look like they're using each other while being in love. idk there was a point here sorry i lost it

[driftingballoons]

Who are your favorites of the side characters in pmde (however you take that to mean)

Ooh, so many great side characters :3 I’m gonna consider the future trio as main characters and give someone else the spotlight for once (Celebi will always be a main character in my heart. Who cares about screen time). Now on to the rambling >:3

Guildmaster Wigglytuff is a given; his unsettling demeanor and odd charm have me enthralled. Every playthrough he gets the most genuine laughs out of me, he’s just such a funny little guy! That being said, I also love how complex and capable he is—the way he’s always looking out for the guild members, how he’s always suspiciously there just when you need him, how he can beat his opponents to a pulp without even getting a scratch. He’s just got that perfect combination of “weird man child” and “highly respected explorer” that makes him a really intriguing character. Also he can explode things with his mind, which is neither relevant to the plot nor discussed at length. 10/10

My other favorite side character is probably Dialga, who, despite being integral to the plot, shows up for way less time than I initially recalled. It’s not so much him as a character as much as his bizarre situation that gets me. The way his health/sanity are tied to time itself, and thus indirectly to Temporal Tower, creates a unique predicament; to have command of something as integral to existence as time, yet to also be at the mercy of a physical tower (no matter how well-hidden) is frankly quite frightening. It’s also interesting that Palkia and Giratina aren’t in a similar situation, which begs the question—why did time have a physical manifestation in the tower? Was that something Dialga did, or just…how it works? Also the way that after the tower gets damaged, he enters this “not quite dead but not quite alive” state is just a touch horrific. You could especially feel his desperation in SE5 when time started to resume—he must know better than anyone that a world where time has stopped isn’t healthy or livable in, yet he’s not coherent enough to actually DO anything about it, other than protect what little there is left. You can really tell where Dusknoir got his sense of self preservation from. Anyway I just always thought he was an interesting character. Plus you can tell he’s a little extra—sending a piece of the Rainbow Stoneship out into the world to find the “chosen one” who gets to randomly access Temporal Tower is some kind of Willy Wonka behavior. 

[athousandotherfaces]

kynesgrove, morthal, and markarth for the skyrim asks!

Thank you for the ask! Heads up, I've thought about some of these things for the better part of a decade so there's rambling. Enjoy the scroll!

Kynesgrove: What's your favorite non-major city/town/settlement?

Rorikstead! I think that it has such an intriguing position and a narrative that isn't explicitly explored; it's just hinted at through ambient elements and some PC/ NPC dialogue. I really love that it feels cozy, but slightly unsettling if you stop and think about it.

There's the lack of almost any grown women among the residents, aside from one elvish woman in town. It's positioned close to two known Forsworn camps/strongholds (Serpent's Bluff Redoubt and Bleakwind Bluff respectively) Which, hey, yes they could've popped up after the town was established. (which is another strange point of interest: Rorik lives in town and says he founded it: but it's also mentioned as having been founded literal ages ago in written records) The residents mention they haven't had a bad harvest in years. Years, despite war, hardly any work force to harvest things and being easily open to raids from bandits, Forsworn, what have you. Jouane, the healer, has several books on daedric worship in his home, and has an ambient dialogue with one of the young girls not to tell anyone about their 'little secret' when she asks if he can teach her magic. These facts taken together make me think there's a deal between the townsfolk of Rorikstead and the Forsworn that entails ladies of a certain age be sacrificed to ensure these unfailing harvests. Given it's location Rorikstead is isolated from a lot of the protections of Whiterun Hold and it's mentioned by some of the NPCs- they're essentially on their own. It's also pretty close to a dragon burial mound and a vampire den. Which I think is also meant to further highlight that the village is basically left to fed for itself (without much scrutiny) because it is so far from Whiterun. Dialogue from guards even mentions that Rorikstead is more susceptible to a dragon attack because of its location, low martial population and lack of defensible space. All this, plus you can find Erik the Slayer, probably my favorite follower here: Visit Rorikstead!

Morthal-Do you enjoy exploring dungeons and ruins? Why or why not?

I do! I've done so many different dragonborn builds that each time I do dungeon diving it feels fun. Now that's not to say I don't find it repetitive after a bit. I've played plenty of hours of Skyrim and Dragon age 2 (a game not gracefully noted for diverse dungeon maps); I really think, and this isn't to let things off the hook, but as a rpg fan you gotta make your own fun after a bit. I will say some ruins are more engaging than others and some feel like they are meant to break you of the impulse to get in and out quickly, while others are more of a see-if-you can-outlast atmosphere (I'm looking at Forelhost, Labyrinthian, and several Dwemer ruins). I'm a huge fan of the set dressing and narrative elements the dungeons and ruins have. I also really enjoy using followers. I have my go to followers but I do try to swap in new faces too, both vanilla and mod added followers.

Markarth-If you could rewrite one questline in Skyrim, which would it be?

Ooh, that's a tough one. Really tough.

I think if I had to pick one I would say it would be more of an additional pathway instead of a complete rewrite. But I thought for the longest time that if a few choices were made throughout the Dark Brotherhood and Thieves Guild questlines that there should be a hybridized questline added for a dragonborn who becomes Listener for the Brotherhood and Guildmaster for the Thieves Guild that deals with Maven Black-Briar & her hold on the DB & Thieves Guild after you get into the top spots.

If I remember correctly you can in both questlines tell or hint to Maven Black-Briar/her loyalists that your cooperation as her pawn as you go up the ranks is wearing thin/will cease once you're in sufficiently with the groups and they're restored to their proper glory. I would really love for there to have been an attempt by Maven (especially if she's made jarl through the civil war questline) to try to have you framed for a major political crime or just outright attempt to have you assassinated by the Morag Tong (or just frame the Morag Tong since they're not friendly to the DB and it could easily lead to inter-assassin guild fighting allowing Maven to attempt to take them down in a bid to extend her reach and consolidate power). Maven just never struck me as someone who tolerated the idea of power being wrested away from her, or just the appearance of losing grip on power like the guilds command. So some upstart dragonborn suggesting they'll be doing just that felt like it should have a pretty strong response from her.

[clavicuss-vile]

ooh 9, 12, and 16 for the ask game? 👀 any character

!!!! imma format these like Cozy did lets go lets go!!

9) What unplayable faction would/did your oc (Nephthys) join, if any? Why?

Does this count? Apart from Anaelle who's a member of the forsworn, i cant think (off the top of my head) of many that are in unplayable factions,,,, except the original faction that i made. so lets go with that one! Icarus, who is Solaris' boyfriend (Solaris is my HOK) defected from the Dark Brotherhood after the Cheydinhal purification rendered him *barely* clinging onto life, and he establishes a rival assassins guild called The Black Spider in Skyrim (specifically out of Mercer Frey's old house,,, Lokir (guildmaster) gave it to them as a gift) that's entirely based on robin-hood style contracts, they only accept them from children/vulnerable/lower class etc. They're made up mostly of taken in orphans bc Icarus himself was an orphan vampire (and was taken in by Vicente... ouch). ANYWAY! Nephthys is sent there by Azurah to join up because he Had Nowhere To Live and they're very much like a little family to him! I'll do a whole post on the Spider at some point ive just gotta figure out a few more members :)))

12) Is your oc (Kaos) good with finances? Bartering? How long can they keep the money they make?

Gonna do Kaos for this one bc the poor boy is not good with money. like at all. when he was teeny tiny his mum handled all the finances, but when they relocated to Cyrodiil and she was killed by the thalmor, he had to step up for the family Quick. he wasnt even the eldest child bless him, second eldest, but his older brother Farendir joined their father Ameridan in the drowning away the loss of their mother/wife with alcohol gang, so Kaos had to look after his little siblings (Ime and Thalia). Being a little child that was also the only income of the family at this point from hunting, they barely could afford loaves of bread. Jump forward in time to skyrim, when he starts getting all this money from adventuring, the brotherhood, etc, there are SEVERAL moments where he'll be at the market with Lucien, Inigo, and Rhyielhelas and be like :( oh :( that dagger looks really nice but its 20 septims i cant afford that :( and Lucien just has to be like "Kaos. my friend. you have over 5000 septims in your bag right now". Rhy is absolutely no help he doesnt understand why you cant just trade a hunk of meat for it

16) Does your oc (Kaos, again) take their time as they travel, or are they purposeful? How do they survive in the wilds, especially if they aren’t hunter-types? How dependent is your oc on civilized society?

Oh boy. Cozy already probably knows where this is going (hi bestie!) Kaos is very much a hunter type, boy's very resourceful, BUT. Civilisation? Nope. Absolutely not. Whenever him and Lucien are travelling in his second year in Skyrim, he refuses to travel on roads, during the day time, or go anywhere near cities. Towns are possibly an option but only if they're smaller than Falkreath. This is because: 1. I mentioned his mum (Valenthera) was killed by thalmor; that happened while they were camped up for the night on the roadside as they were travelling up from Valenwood into Cyrodiil. He's scared of being stationary at night, or being on roads at all because of that. 2. the biggest city he's lived in was Bleaker's Way (yknow that tiny little collection of like. 3 houses in Bruma county?). he thinks Riverwood is huge. he actually confuses it for Whiterun at first. 3. he's also on the run from Bruma guards. long story short, he ends up burning down the orphanage he was put into, and he's paranoid that no matter how far he runs, the guards are always searching for him to bring him back. Eventually his friends do help him calm down around cities but it's a long journey <3

[tendertenebrosity]

It’s flashback time for Consort Rill, from these drabbles. This is going to be a three parter, probably, set several months before the rest. 

The room, lined with patterned tiles and bright with candles, chattered and murmured with conversation, like so much birdsong. Rill had found a blessedly quiet corner, not so out of the way that he would be seen to be avoiding the gathering, but out of the main current of conversation. He swirled his drink in one hand and nodded politely to a passing courtier.

He listened to the threads of the nearest conversation.

“Now that we’ve had to withdraw from the Western border, I don’t know how the silk exports are going to fare.”

“I know, I know. My contacts in Reshmore are getting antsy, too, and who can blame them?”

“There’s still Port Brace, after all, though - ”

“It’s just too close for comfort. Ah, Captain – care to join us?”

The new voice that joined the conversation was a light baritone that made Rill grit his teeth and tighten his grip on the glass. “Thank you. Ah, I couldn’t help but overhear. I fear that we’re all going to regret the decision not to fight that one harder.”

“Ah, who can say, who can say? One can only hope not.”

“We cannot keep letting the Empire push us without pushing back,” the voice continued. “We need to show them we won’t be bullied. They’ll never respect us if we keep dancing around full engagement.”

Rill took a swallow of the drink, wondering whether to move away. He was sick to death of this argument; in five days, everything constructive to be said on the matter had already been said, and much that wasn’t. And it was only a matter of time until -

“Doubtless the Prince Consort has other opinions, however.”

Rill sighed. “Good evening, Captain,” he said, trying to mask his tiredness. “My lady, Guildmaster.” He sketched out a bow to the rest of the courtiers, who professed their surprise and welcome.

“You disagree with Captain Armand, your highness?” the lady said, curiosity flickering in her eyes.

Rill made a negating motion with his hand. “Ah, the Captain has already heard all of my points,” he said. “It was a very long Council session. Nothing would surprise you, I won’t bore you all with it.”

Armand’s gaze wandered up and down Rill, the twist of his mouth just shy of a sneer. The Captain of the Guard cut an impressive figure; strong jaw clean-shaven, appealingly windswept light brown hair. His uniform was cut to emphasise his shoulders, the light glinting on buttons and braid. His hand laid comfortably at rest on the hilt of his sword.

“The Empire,” he said, “Needs to be taught that we’ll fight for what’s ours.”

“The Queen,” Rill said, pointedly, “Has made her decision.”

“Perhaps the Queen has been led astray by bad advice,” Armand said.

Why the hell does she like you so damn much? Rill seethed. Why? This brash, posturing idiot?

Rill shook his head, half raising a hand and turning away. “No politics for me tonight, Captain,” he said, trying to force an amiable smile. “Please. My lady, Guildmaster, I’ll leave you to it. Enjoy the rest of your evening.”

“Perhaps if the Queen had better advisors,” Armand said, loudly. “We wouldn’t have needed to withdraw from the Western border at the slightest probing from Imperial forces.”

Rill gritted his teeth. “Armand,” he said. “Don’t. Good night.” He found a small table to put his glass on - he had no desire for the rest of it - and turned to leave.

He had barely taken three steps when Armand raised his voice again – this time loud enough to make nearby conversations falter as people looked around.

“Perhaps if the Queen wasn’t surrounded by pen-pushers and cowards, we could have fought and we could have won.”

Rill took a deep breath, counted to four, let it out, eased his foot carefully down to the floor. He could hear his wife’s voice in his ear, dismissive. Just ignore him, Rill. Walk away.

Well, I’m trying!

It would not help matters to answer back with insults of his own, or even to try and make a witty comeback as he left. He fixed his face into a polite, nothing smile, nodded as if Armand had said something meaningless but proper, and continued walking. Head up, no expression, don’t let him see he’s getting to you. Just walk away.

Armand’s voice rang out across the room. “Did you hear me, Rezdin?”

“I did,” Rill said evenly. The murmuring of conversation was starting to fall quiet, patchy and confused. “I find nothing to remark upon.”

Armand followed him, polished boots clacking on the tiles. He looked around the room, as well-dressed people fell back to leave a gap around the two of them, or turned their heads to see who was disrupting the gathering. “I called you a coward,” he said, enunciating clearly, raising his voice almost theatrically to make sure the whole room heard. “You’re nothing but a jumped-up little clerk, shaking in your boots for fear of the Empire. You’re unfit for Queen Talia’s hand.”

Whispering, giggling, hushed ‘oohs’ broke out around them.

Rill felt cold, then heat pass over him, as if he’d been dunked in water. Despite his best intentions, he had stopped. Come to a complete halt in the middle of a widening circle of empty, brightly tiled floor and the widening ripples of whispers.

“Well?” Armand demanded. “No argument from you? Coward?”

Whispering, whispering.

Rill licked his lips, tried to breathe slowly, couldn’t. He turned around, and was appalled to find his voice roughened slightly when he spoke. “What is it you want, Captain?”

“Fight me,” Armand said immediately, as Rill had known he would. “A man fit to be Consort would know a challenge when he heard one. Tomorrow morning, in the exhibition grounds.”

The whispering rose, shock and disapproval, excitement.

I knew he was leading up to this. One way or another, I knew it. This was the fourth such challenge – and the most brazen, and the most public. 

Rill had turned the others down, as he must turn this one down. Rill had always thought that duels were foolish. Puffed-up young men battering their egos against one another, endangering their lives for no purpose but spectacle. No matter who won, it wouldn’t really prove anything – all it proved was who was better at swinging a sword.

Three-quarters of court life was spectacle, and reputation, and Rill hated that but after years of this he understood it. The only justifiable reason to accept would be if he was certain of winning and could fashion it into something good for their public image, which he definitely was not.

This was stupid, and it proved nothing, and Rill knew all that.

Rill also knew perfectly well what people were whispering. Had been whispering since the first challenge. What they’d say when he said ‘no’, again. His heart twisted in his chest.

Armand’s lip curled. He looked the part. Tall and imposing, hand on his sword like it belonged there. A man fit to be consort. Like him. 

“Or are you too much of a -”

“Done,” Rill snapped. “Tomorrow, at the third bell. To first blood.”

He turned on his heel, sick to his stomach. Why don’t you just walk away when he starts, Rill?

He kept his gaze fixed ahead, half unfocused so he didn’t need to see the people looking at him as he strode out of the room. Furious with Armand. Furious with himself. Cringing at the thought of telling Tali what had just transpired – although, if he went to bed now without telling her, somebody else probably would.

He needed his sleep, after all. He had a duel to lose tomorrow.

[theshatteredrose]

Like A Thief in the Night - Etrian Odyssey Nexus Oneshot

Title: Like A Thief in the Night

Summary: Guildmaster Mueller gets a late-night visitor. It is an encounter that leaves him frustrated, confused, and maybe just a little bit happy…

Pairings: Maybe or maybe just platonic, who knows at this point?

AN: Do not ask questions as I do not have the answers. These boys are the ones in control, I am just a vessel for them to reveal their stories. So, enjoy~

Ao3 | Wattpad | FFNet

~*~*~*~*~*~

It was late at night as Guildmaster Mueller kicked out the remaining stragglers out of the guildhouse and closed up for the night. He may be a studious guildmaster, but he couldn’t stay at the helm all day and night. Even he needed to sleep.

Despite that need, he knew that he was in for a restless night.

Mueller felt his eye give a small, distinct twitch when his gaze fell upon the city’s daily newspaper. Usually filled with the shenanigans of the myriad of explorers, the headline of todays was far more frustrating to him;

Third Jewellery Store Robbed – Could It Be Magina’s Infamous Thief Blazing Shadow?

With a disgruntled sigh, Mueller set the newspaper aside harshly and set about removing his armour in order to get comfortable. Of course it was that infuriating Blazing Shadow. The methods, the lack of evidence, the knowledge of the guard roster; it was no doubt him.

Blazing Shadow…such a preposterous name given to him by the public. Mueller, on the other hand knew him as Norbu. Someone he knew. Well, someone he thought he knew.

That was the most frustrating aspect of the entire situation. Norbu was once a loyal and trustworthy guard. Someone that Mueller himself trusted. Skilled, courteous, though hardly modest. Someone who got under his skin, but not entirely in a negative way. He read him. Knew him. And Mueller considered him a friend.

Until one day he disappeared. Simply vanished while on patrol. Which was quite a feat as the city had been airborne at the time. Confined to one place, unable to leave; locating the missing in action guard should have been easy.

Yet, it wasn’t. And for good reason.

Pirates. Sky pirates at that. A ludicrous notion and he had laughed outright when someone first revealed them to him. Unfortunately, it was true.

Airships, similar to the ones that were crafted and made in Tharsis, only a lot less structured and in all honesty, completely unsafe. Made from scrap and from the minds of restless inventors. Built in the bowels of Maginia, hidden from view. Out of sight, out of mind.

The day that Mueller learnt of the existence of sky pirates was the same day that he learnt that Norbu, someone he had trusted with his life, was the notorious jewel thief Blazing Shadow.

Two shocks in one day.

Mueller felt absolutely foolish when he learnt of the sky pirates. He should have known such Ruffins and never-do-wellers would have resorted to such methods of leaving and entering the city, even in flight, at will. And he felt infuriated that Norbu, the man he had trusted in finding that slippery, talented thief was the very man he was looking for.

His ego had taken quite a battering that day. And the memories still made him bristle.

Norbu’s crimes were petty, simple robbery. No one was ever hurt. No one was ever even alarmed by his actions. It was as though he purposely ensured that his methods, his antics were someone benign, if one discounted all the stolen wares, of course.

Still, Mueller couldn’t wait to wring his stupid neck. If not for the thefts, then for the crime of breaking his trust in him.

That was what angered him the most. It was something he had initially denied, but he had come to accept it finally. Betrayal was a painful emotion to feel. Worse still, he wasn’t able to demand answers from Norbu. Not that he would have gotten a straight answer, most likely. He left the city upon one of those contraptions, roguishly blowing him a kiss and the promise of his return.

Seemed like he had kept that promise.

The sudden and startling feeling of someone standing behind him, well into his personal space pulled Mueller from his musings. Before he even had the chance to reprimand himself for getting lost in his own thoughts, something wrapped around his middle, pinning his arms to his sides. An easy accomplishment thanks to the removal of his armour. Something else crossed over his chest and pressed something cold against his throat?

A knife? Mueller immediately tensed. Worse still, he was held captive? How was that-?

“You let your guard down there, Mewler~”

Mueller froze. That voice. That ridiculous and demeaning nickname. Only one person was responsible for both.

“Well, isn’t it Norbu,” he said in response, subconsciously relaxing the tension in his back and shoulders. “Or would you rather, Blazing Shadows?”

A deep laugh in his left ear prompted Mueller to wince in an attempt to cover up a shiver. As soon as Norbu loosened his hold on him, Mueller stepped away and spun around, coming face to face with someone he thought he never wanted to see again.

Wild black hair with red highlights. Deep brown eyes, his square jawline lined with stubble. Dressed in clothes that were honestly surprising for him, yet were sure to blend in with the new inhabitants of Maginia.

Mueller quickly looked at his hand, where Norbu twirled an object casually with his fingers. And infuriatingly, it was just a pen. Mueller had been held captive by a pen. Although, he had to remind himself how skilled Norbu truly was. Even a pen could be a deadly weapon should the need arise. Even so, something told him he wouldn’t have used it on him, regardless.

“Surprised to see me, Mewler~?” Norbu asked in his usual drawl, plopping himself down at his desk and propping a foot onto the table. All with his usual casual flare.

He…hadn’t changed a bit. Same cocky grin. Same overly-confident swagger. He even had that baritone voice, purposely empathising his blasted nickname in a way that brought shivers down his spine. How or why that occurred, Mueller didn’t know. Nor did he care to learn.

Everything about the man frustrated him to no end.

“I’m surprised to see you as an Arbalist,” Mueller said simply in return, half surprised at himself.

Norbu laughed a good hearty laugh, obviously amused by Mueller’s observations. He readjusted his goggles upon his unruly hair and shot a smile at him. “Naturally. A jewel thief hiding as an Arbalist? Not every subtle, with the explosives and all. But they do come in handy whenever a stubborn safe or lock gets in the way.”

Mueller frowned. He had noticed several small explosions around the city lately, but they couldn’t have all been Norbu’s doing. After all, there were plenty of riled up and bored explorers loitering around the city now.

Which was no doubt one of the reasons why Norbu chose to return. As for the others…

“Why are you back?”

Norbu shrugged. “Seems more exciting now that you have all these explorers hanging about. Not to mention I heard rumours of this Guardian Guild of yours.”

A frown tugged at Mueller’s lips. “What have you heard?”

“That a certain redheaded, axe-wielding guy has a punch that makes you see God. Both literally and figuratively.”

For some reason that caused Mueller to laugh. A short, brisk laugh. One he soon got under control. But he had to admit that it was indeed a sound of amusement. “Is that so? Then I look forward to the two of you meeting.”

“Ooh, that’s cold, Mewler~”

“Stop calling me by that ridiculous nickname.”

“But you like it secretly, don’t you, Mewler~?”

Why was he bothering to banter with the infuriating man? He should just arrest him. Although, Norbu was likely to have a good understanding of the city’s jails and underground tunnels. Not to mention slipping out of the handcuffs would be child’s play for someone like him. So likely a pointless venture.

Still…

“Why are you really back?”

Norbu heaved a sigh as he hefted himself to his feet. He maintained that nonchalant, if somehow charming façade of his as he rounded the desk. “Now now, I won’t spoil the surprise. Where’s the fun in that?”

Surprise, huh? Right.

“Still, nice to know that Maginia’s favourite guildmaster has a strong guild on his side.”

That was said in jest, his tone light and casual. And yet, Mueller felt that there was a serious undertone. The words harmless, but insinuated something nevertheless. What that insinuation was, was of course, a mystery. Much like the man himself.

“Is that so? Will they finally prompt you to behave yourself?”

Norbu laughed and sent him a wink. A pompous, flirty wink. “Oh, you like it when I’m wild, Mewler~”

Typical response. He truly hadn’t changed a bit. And, surprisingly, that was reassuring to him. He wasn’t about to let it show, however. “As self-assured as always.”

“Better be careful, Mewler.”

The sudden serious in Norbu’s tone caught Mueller off guard for a moment, and he arched a questioning eyebrow. “Oh?”

“If I broke in, someone else can, too.”

Mueller rubbed his temples. A migraine was slowly starting to seep in. He truly needed some sleep. “Who would be stupid enough to break in here?” he muttered, not actually expecting a reply.

“This idiot sure did.”

Well, he couldn’t deny that, could he? Although, Norbu did know the layout of the guildhouse well. It hadn’t changed since he last visited, after all. As for breaking in? The only time the doors were closed was at night, when he tried to get some rest. Otherwise, explorers and guards were coming in and out all day. There was nothing to steal even if they did break in.

“Still, you better be careful there, Mewler,” Norbu continued, pulling Mueller from his musings once more. “Someone might become interested in your connection to your precious princess.”

Mueller sent him a truly puzzled look. What nonsense. Imagine him as a target. He’d prefer it, if it meant protecting the royal family. “Are you insinuating something, Norbu?”

Norbu shrugged dramatically before he folded his arms behind his head. “Maybe, maybe not. Maybe I’m the one you need to keep an eye on.”

“No doubt about that.”

“Ooh, are you getting excited about a potential cat and mouse?”

There was that haughty, over confidence of his. He was never the one to turn down a chance to flirt pompously with him. “Maybe. Just so I can finally arrest you.”

“Handcuffs? Sound fun. Just so you know, I’ll be keeping a close eye on you, too.” Norbu then sighed dramatically once more and turned his back toward him, slowly ambling away. “Welp, that will have to wait until tomorrow. Mr Precious Guildmaster needs his sleep. Until next time, Mewler~”

Mueller bit back a smirk, content to yet Norbu simply walk away for the time being. Maybe he was a little bit glad that Norbu was back. To cause untold problems, to be sure. But…he should liven things around here a little bit.

“You really haven’t changed a bit…”

A small, nostalgic frown appeared on Mueller’s lips. He just wished that Norbu would tell him why he left him three years ago…

[musetta3]

Hey dear! Here are some asks for any OC you'd like! 💖

Pre relationship: 2 and 6

General: 3 and 7

Love: 6 and 8

Domestic life: 1 and 9

AHH! @ellie-effie, I have all kinds of fun questions here, thank you, my dear! I’ll answer for... Vilkas and Iseult from Skyrim, I think. Rana and Fenris have been getting a lot of attention lately; I’ll go with Vil and Izzie. (I made the answers fandom-blind friendly, for those who aren’t familiar with the Elder Scrolls and Skyrim). 

2. What was their first impression of each other?

Vilkas thought Iseult was an upstart nobody and a royal pain. A beautiful royal pain, but a pain, nonetheless. She sauntered into Jorrvaskr, asked to join the warrior’s guild, and the guildmaster said ‘sure,’ despite Vilkas’s protestations. To top it off, the guildmaster asked Vilkas to test the girl’s abilities. What should have been an easy spar led to Vilkas’s humiliation in front of everyone, when Iseult bests him. He gives her a wide berth after that.

Iseult considered Vilkas a prideful, annoying know-it-all book nerd, more scholar than warrior. She questioned why he was even at Jorrvaskr.

6. If you had told one of them that the other would be their soulmate, what would they think?

They would’ve laughed in disbelief, for sure... although Vilkas would’ve blushed the moment Iseult turned away. 

3. What was their first kiss like?

Hahaha! Oh man, it was a classic. Bloody, dirty, and tasted like bitter health potions. Picture this: what should’ve been an exploration of a dwarven ruin turns into a trek through an underground realm, the remnants of the dwarven civilization. The roads stretch on and on, dotted by giant mushrooms the size of trees, glowing in eerie blues. Creepy, right?

Not as creepy as the horrible creatures that live down there in the dark.

They didn’t expect the ambush. One minute, they were walking towards only the gods knew where, the next, they were attacked by goblin-like falmer. Iseult was shot in a chink in her armor and went down. When Vilkas could finally attend to her safely, he was frantic with worry: she’d lost a lot of blood. When the health potion worked, he was so grateful she woke up, he kissed her. 

Just to make sure she wasn’t dreaming, Iseult returned the favor. Vilkas didn’t mind one bit.

7. Who takes the lead in social situations?

Iseult. As the Dragonborn, she’s one of the most important people in the land, and is used to receptions and parties. Vilkas is not, and would rather be home knitting or hanging out with his brother.

6. Who’s more protective?

Vilkas. He’s very protective of Iseult, even though she’s perfectly capable of protecting herself. It’s one of the ways that he shows affection, through acts of service.

8. What are some songs that apply to their relationship, in-universe or otherwise?

Ooh, this is a good question. I would say... 

‘Heartlines,’ from Florence + the Machine: The lyrics are especially apt, because no matter how far the narrator’s beloved goes, or what circumstance they find themselves in, the narrator will always be right there beside them and support them. Iseult and Vilkas are like that for each other. They each face tragedies and danger in their lives, and they support each other through it.

‘Thank You,’ from Led Zeppelin: this, to me, is the perfect love song. ‘Your hand in mine, we walk the miles.’ That’s them, with their packs on their backs and the swords at their sides as they set off on another adventure. 

1. If they get married, who proposes?

Vilkas. Iseult has helped him through the loss of his father-figure, his rage/vengeance, helped lift a curse off Vilkas and his brother: he couldn’t imagine his life without her. 

9. Who’s the better cook?

Hahaha! The ever-heated debate at Heljarchen Hall (their house) is who’s a better cook, because both Izzie and Vil are terrible cooks. Vilkas is slightly better than she is, but only barely... his porridge has gone down in infamy for being a good substitute for plaster; the spoon stands up straight in the bowl.

[skyholding]

FFXIV A’onisya One-Shot // She Lit a Fire

So it’s been... a minute. But I had some free time on my hands recently and wanted to finish this short (with the intent to keep going). Picking up from where we last saw A’onisya, this is the beginning of her friendship/relationship with @naihtan-jinjahl, a story I’ve wanted to write for a long time! Please enjoy!

I have been trying to find her want to give what I got She lit a fire, but now she's in my every thought

Song: She Lit A Fire by Lord Huron

---

"Enjoying the view?"

A'on jumped, nearly tumbling backward off the stone wall she’d been sitting on until a light shove from behind pushed her forward. Balance regained, A'on turned more fully towards the perpetrator, a Keeper miqo'te around her own age and also a member of the Ataraxia free company. “Aiko--!”

"Guilty as charged," Aiko Gakunin said, sweeping into a bow so low that her ears nearly graced the ground. 

A'on's freckles blended into the blush across her face. "I-I'm just watching them train," she muttered. 

"For the third time this week?" Aiko's grin widened when A'on's blush deepened. She peered over A'on's shoulder at the two figures sparring with the striking dummy in the XIA yard. 

"You can always just talk to him, y'know."

"T-talk, to...?"

"My cousin."

"Ooh, I don't know," A'on stammered. "I wouldn't want to--Naih'tan's always busy training, and he's really serious about it, I'm sure he has better things to - " She stopped short as two impossibly large seafoam green eyes filled her vision.

"A'on." Aiko set her hands on A'on's shoulders. "Listen. My cousin is the. Biggest. Nerd. In. Eorzea."

"Wait… seriously?" A'on burst out laughing, causing Colson and Naih'tan to glance over from their training. Aiko waved wildly back. Naih'tan returned a small smile, pausing to watch them a moment before the roegadyn called his attention back.

Aiko leaned in so her lips were almost touching A'on's ear. "Seriously," she whispered. She gave an exaggerated wink, leapt lightly over the wall, and disappeared out of sight into the free company house.

***

"Everything all right, cousin?"

Naih'tan was sure he levitated off the floor as he nearly dropped his freshly steeped tea. "Aiko! Why are you always so sneaky? Have you been training with Tavarius?" he demanded. Aiko, smirking, curled her way out of the shadows of the library stacks.

"What's the point of training if I'm not the one lucky enough to have cute girls watching me?" she mused, flopping down in the seat across from Naih'tan. 

"What?"

"Nothing, never mind." Aiko rifled through the stacks of notes Naih'tan had arranged on the desk with disinterest and ignored his continued glare.

"While you're putting my papers into complete disarray, mind telling me what you've done with my book?"

"Book? What book?"

"I was gone five minutes to make tea. I return and the book I was currently preoccupied with has vanished. Miraculously, I find my dear cousin in the very room said book lay, innocent and unwitting. Surely this dear cousin of mine witnessed the book pick itself up and walk off, and would like to tell me where it's got to."

Aiko winked. "You'd be right." She pointed over Naih'tan's shoulder. He turned, and found himself looking directly at an open window in the corner of the library. There, poised neatly on the narrow ledge, was a topaz carbuncle, with a familiar tome clutched in its mouth.

"Nugget!" Naih'tan roared, striding to the window. The carbuncle allowed him two steps before it spun and leaped outside, leaving only gold sparkles in its wake on the windowsill. "Library books are not to be removed from free company premises, you thief!” Nah’tan yelled uselessly.

"I don't think shouting is typically allowed, either," Aiko commented, but Naih’tan was already out the door. He caught only her laughter echoing behind him as he bolted after the summon.

***

The day was perfect for training, really, with a fresh almost dreamlike air warmed by the late morning sun. But Colson and Naih'tan weren't sparring by the training dummy, so A'onisya had instead settled on another perfect activity for such a spring day - a bit of an adventure.

From the top of Gullperch Tower, the blue of the water and sky stretched so far that they embraced one another at the far-out horizon. She was so high that even the waves were silent; the only sounds were the occasional cry of a seagull and the gentle ocean breeze on her ears. A'onisya had walked past Gullperch many times, but the presence of Maelstrom officers usually shooed her away. Today, however, was her chance - for today, Gullperch Tower stood oddly empty on the edge of Bloodshore beach.

An endless amount of stairs that stretched as far as the horizon later, and - "We sure lucked out, eh? Well worth the climb, yeah?" A'on had gasped to her carbuncle when they finally reached the top. She leaned back against the warm white stone, staring out at that endless blue, admiring the view, and must have dozed off... She awoke with a start and stood with a yawn. Shielding her eyes, she peered up at the sun. Peaking just past noon. Should be heading back soon, I s'pose.

"Y'know, Nugget, I dunno what Aiko was implying the other day," she thought aloud, stretching her arms upward. "She had that same look in her eyes Jewel has sometimes when he wants to cause trouble, you know, buddy?" Hearing no response from her carbuncle, A'on craned her head around to see if he was asleep. Nowhere in sight. She jogged a lap around the top of the tower, but he was gone. "Nugget?" she called down the stairwell, but received no answer except her own voice echoing back to her. "Nu - !"

"Nugget!"

A'onisya stopped for a moment, confused. "Wait, that wasn't me, was it?" Cupping her hands to her mouth, she yelled once more, "Nuggeeeettttt - oh! Hello." A flash of gold turned the corner, and her topaz carbuncle reappeared, its three tails wriggling with delight. "Where in Azeyma's name did you run off to?" A'onisya demanded. "And what's that you've got in your mouth, you little thief?"

As she knelt to take the tome from Nugget's mouth, she heard that second voice again. "A'onisya! Where are you?"

"Uuh - up here?" A'on replied, looking this way and that for the speaker. Finally, after running around the tower, she saw a familiar miqo'te far, far below her, looking wildly this way and that at the foot of the tower.  "Oh - Naih'tan! Hello! We're up here!"  She waved until he looked up.

"A'onisya?! What in Eorzea are you doing up there?"

"Just - you know - having a look around!" A'onisya called. "Were you looking for Nugget?"

"Yes! One moment, please, I shall be there posthaste." Ten minutes later, A'on was wondering if she shouldn't start her way down the steps in case Naih'tan had collapsed halfway, but finally he staggered up the last flight and sat in a heap on the stone floor. "That is - quite - quite a few - stairs," he managed.

"Need some water?" A'on asked, offering Naih'tan her jug. As he gulped between gasps, she said, "View's well worth it, though. I always wanted to come up here!"

"I must admit, I had never really - considered it, myself," he replied. He returned her now-empty flask and grasped her outstretched hand, standing with a grunt. "I'm rather embarrassed to say I've actually never ventured to the coast up this way - not until Nugget there led me on a wild chase."

"Never?!" A'on gaped. She pulled him towards the side of the tower and gestured outward. "But Costa del Sol is beautiful! There's no place in the world with a bluer sky, I'd wager!"

"It is a lovely view," Naih'tan agreed. He had to keep himself looking firmly towards the horizon, as his vision swam if he looked down. He found himself focusing on the touch of her hand in his, as her grip was a steadying comfort. "I just never thought to come up here by myself, I suppose. I'm... glad I finally did." If A'onisya noticed Naih'tan clutching her hand, she said nothing. They stood for a long moment in silence, admiring the sparkling water and cloudless sky. Finally Naih'tan burst out "oh but you're probably - " while A'on said "I'm assuming you're just here because Nugget - "

They stopped simultaneously, then laughed.

"Sorry, go ahead," A'onisya giggled.

"No, no, my apologies. I shouldn't take more of your time," Naih'tan said. Realizing he was still holding her hand, he pulled back quickly and stepped away from the edge. "I was in the library studying when Nugget made off with one of my books, and I simply came to retrieve it from the - "

" - little thief," A'on finished, rolling her eyes. "I'm sorry about that. I've no idea what possessed him to run off and cause trouble." She knelt down and beckoned to the topaz carbuncle, who happily waddled forward and dropped his prize into her outstretched hands. "Maybe Jewel is rubbing off on him." She stood and held out the tome to Naih'tan, but as his hand closed around the binding, she suddenly snatched it back. Her eyes scanned the runes and illustrations across the pages.

"Wait a sec! I recognize this. It's Transmuting and Transfiguring. Guildmaster Thubyrgeim assigned this to me not long ago," she exclaimed. 

Her eyes were wide as she peered over its pages to look at Naih'tan. He shifted his weight from one foot to the other. "Naih'tan, have you - "

"A'on, please, I promise it's not - "

" - been watching me - "

" - it's nothing untoward, I swear - "

" - study and now you - "

" - the book looked quite intrig - "

" - want to become an arcanist?!"

Naih'tan stammered, "I, ah - that is to say, well - I mean, I have perhaps taken - an interest in the field - "

"Really?" A'on moved closer so now only the book, clutched in her hands, separated them. 

Naih'tan swallowed and chuckled, eyes darting everywhere but her. "That, that is to say - "

"Cause I could totally introduce you to the guildmaster! She'd be delighted to have another arcanist. You've such a knack for studying, I bet you'd catch up to me in no time. Then we could even train together!"

"A'on, I - " Naih'tan paused. "I have a knack for studying?"

"I see the piles of books you leave in the library," A'on said. "They're all huge, and I don't recognize even half the symbols on the covers. So you've got more've a knack than I do, at least."

"You've been studying the arcane for awhile now, though, right? I'm certain you could read those books if you wanted," he replied.

"Yeah, if I had a hundred years!" A'on groaned, leaning on the stone rail to peer down at the beach. "You can probably polish off ten of your tomes in the time it takes me to read one of these." She tapped her finger on the cover of Transmuting and Transfiguring.

Naih'tan shrugged. "Personally, I find the fact that you are working your way through through your arcane stuides despite not having a scholarly background far more impressive," he said.

"Not that I always get very far," A'on lamented. "I kinda... stopped halfway through Transmuting. I just couldn't follow it. I know the guildmaster will be disappointed, but what's the point of reading what I don't understand? Sometimes I can work through those blocks, and sometimes..." She sighed.

"If you'd like, I felt I was getting a fairly good grasp on it, myself. Perhaps I could be of assistance?" Naih'tan had asked the question before he realized what he was saying. He bit his cheek, cursing his thoughtless tongue - first he complimented her studies, only to then insult her with needing help! If she was offended, he admonished himself, she certainly had every right to - 

"You'd do that?" A'on's voice was soft, but cut through Naih'tan's swirling thoughts like a shock. "I couldn't possibly ask you! To have that on your plate along with your own studies, and all your training - "

"It's no trouble at all," he blurted out. "Why, it - it would be my pleasure! To spend time with - that is, to help you advance, I mean - not that you are not fully capable on your own accord, of course, but - if I could be of some help - perhaps it might - it might be nice, I think?"

A'on allowed Naih'tan to finish his rambling before her smile burst into a full-on grin. "Yeah, I think that sounds great!" she exclaimed. "When d'you wanna start?"

Naih'tan squinted up at the sky. It was early yet, and the air was still clean and fresh. As a gentle breeze rolled up from the ocean, he realized how much more pleasant it was sitting in a tower that felt yalms away from the world than in the increasingly stuffy library. "We could begin now, if you'd like," he said.

Nugget curled up in a corner of the tower, tucking its paws neatly beneath it. A'on sat so she was leaning against its fluff, and motioned to Naih'tan. He hesitated, but she was already opening the book eagerly; Nugget stretched out its tails in an open invitation. Its dark eyes watching him intently, a comically stern contrast to A'on's eager expression. Naih'tan laughed in acquiescence, and curled up against the carbuncle so he and A'on were shoulder-to-shoulder, hunched over the very beginning of chapter one. 

Afternoon turned to evening, and it wasn't until their stomachs rumbled hungrily and the sun had slanted well past the top of the tower that they realized how late the hour had become. They had just started to gather their things when a voice made them both jump. "Ho - you there! What're you two kits doin' up here, eh?!" A gruff midlander wearing the distinct red of the Maelstrom had come up the steps, his face as shocked as theirs.

"Quick - make a break for it!" A'on screeched, and they raced down the steps before the officer could yell after them. They ran down the dirt road, Nugget lagging only several feet behind, until they finally burst through the front gates of the Mist. Seeing the Maelstrom officer at the entrance was enough to set them off again, and they collapsed in an undignified laughing heap until they finally caught their breath. As they stumbled their way down to the Ataraxia free company house, they were watched by a young Keeper miqo'te with seafoam eyes at the beach. She smiled, hearing their excited chatting on the wind, before running up the steps to meet them for dinner.

[abzanascendancy]

In Today’s Magic Story...

Under the Cover of Fog

And we’re back! Ah, it feels so good! Once again we have tales to thrill and excite, and it’s on Ravnica! So let’s get started!

Before we get started with the story proper, let’s talk about the intro. I still want to get story involving the characters that we got to know and love throughout the previous years, and I hope that’s not segregated to the novels. We’ll see how it goes, as I said before, but they decided to bring it up, so I’m bringing it up too.

Also, no adverts a few paragraphs in? Progress!

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: the new Dimir flavor is “Yeah we’re spying on you. Deal with it: you can’t stop us.”

Oh wait, it’s working with our first-person protagonist. Speaking of which, I wish we knew more about them. Namely, their name.

Hold the phone. Jewel-encrusted battle mallets? That’s a thing??? I guess we know what the Orzhov are going to war with!

Side note, I can see the bone-carved armor being Rakdos, Dimir, or even Simic. The former because Rakdos, the Dimir because it was their motiff a while back, and the Simic because you can breed the best bone armor you can imagine!

Yo, he’s part of House Dimir! Right on!

This is a really neat worldbuilding detail. Normally you’d expect liquor to be named after the home field or something. Here, it’s named after a buttress, which is a support built against a wall -- which makes total sense, as Ravnica is a city plane. Genius!

Also I love how he steals the Buttress South Whiskey not to drink it, but to sell it. Not the jewel-encrusted hammer, oh no. But a bottle of booze? Yoink!

Also, you can poach Selesnyan trees. That may seem corny, but dryads exist. You could literally be poaching a sentient being if you’re not careful.

And our protagonist’s name is Merret!

Now it says his boss, Grimbly Wothis (btw, awesome name) is half-bull half-man. This could suggest minotaur, but remember, the Simic exist. He could just as easily be a mutant.

So Merret can do magic, but can’t focus it. I like that we get to see people that struggle with something that’s been second nature to everyone else.

Think about it, we never got to see someone learning a spell, or have trouble common magic. Jace’s illusions are second nature, Liliana raises the dead like raising a hand, and Gideon’s Eternal Aegis(tm) is reflexive. We got to see Chandra learning to control her magic, but that was already something she could do without thinking. It’s really neat!

Crowbar of Malintent better be a magic item in Guildmaster’s Guide to Ravnica.

Shame he doesn’t get the whiskey, though. Also surprising he has wife and kids and is working for House Dimir. You’d think they’d be a liability -- or perhaps they’re the reason he’s with Dimir in the first place. Shame if something happened, etc.

A sleek simic schooner with spirals. I love alliteration!

So who’s the investor?

We get a location name -- Keyhole Village!

Ooh, note that line there -- “I seem to remember it fit fine, once.” That could just be reminiscing, or it could be a Dimir memory alter.

I turn the knob and step inside. House Dimir has nothing on the traps that litter our floor. Wooden blocks sit in wait, ready to impale a bare foot with their sharp corners. A wheeled xylophone made of rib bones offers a fast track to a broken neck.

If you were ever a kid or have kids of your own, this is 100 percent relateable. Just be glad legos don’t exist here.

Okay, so Ravnica has gas lamps. Either they’ve discovered natural gas, or it’s a byproduct of Simic creatures. Take that as you will.

Hang on, the Dimir don’t pay you? Dimir agents gotta unionize...

Viashino eat maggots. And can distinguish between 12 different types.

Okay guy, why are you stealing from a posh neighborhood? Yeah, I get that you don’t wanna make anyone else’s life harder where you’re from (I assume), but surely there’s gotta be an asshole there you can pinch from!

Also, very nice artwork. Simple, but effective!

Throughout this story we’ve got references to various spells -- whiskey-aging spells, warming spells, and now cleaning spells. It’s the common-use magic that’s so exciting, so tantalizing in its possibilities!

Steal from your boss! What could possibly go wrong???

Oh wow, a whole family of spies! Impressive!

Oh no... that’s too tempting... an Elixir of Focus...

Also adding that to the list of items that need to be in Guildmaster’s Guide to Ravnica.

It’s amazing what you can do when you’re given an equalizer.

Hmm... there’s a certain gif for this magic... lemme find it...

Hmm... Something’s going on with that baby... hmm...

Oh, that’s not good... none of this is going good...

Also, merfolk apparently swear vehemently.

...but he didn’t take the whiskey. He specifically put it back into the crate. That’s why he summoned the fog.

"I'd take it out of your pay, but you'd spend three lifetimes earning back the cost of that whiskey. Then I thought I'd just take it out on your hide, but it seems you do have something of considerable value after all."  ... "I saw what that child did through the window, the trick with the candles." ... "A child like this is worth something," Grimbly Wothis says, attempting to pry the baby from my wife's arms.

JESUS FUCKING CHRIST

LIKE

WHAT THE FUCK

THE HELL IS THIS GUY’S PROBLEM

BLOODY HELL

THAT GOT DARK REAL FAST.

This is definitely going in for a “WHAT THE EVERLIVING FUCK” award.

Ah, looks like that focus potion is wearing off... bugger all...

Hang on, what’s all this? This can’t all be the baby’s doing...

No...

No...!

NO F*CKING WAY!!!

IT’S YA BOI, LAZAV!!!

"We don't want your son. At least not in that way. He will stay with you. You will raise him as you see fit. But in return for paying off your debts, we would like to ask that we send a tutor to your home to oversee his learning. Of course, we will also provide you a modest stipend so that you can adequately provide for his needs. And yours."

Wow. I’m... legitamately impressed. Actual good boss Lazav! Who knew!

Also can we notice how he has a f*cking sword in his artwork? Like, this guy doesn’t even need daggers: he could kill you with a broadsword and still leave no trace. He could lop of your head with it and the police would think the murder weapon was a hammer! That’s just bloody awesome!

Holy cow, now THAT was a story! The beginning was a nice set up, and while slow contained a bunch of worldbuilding details! The middle was alright, BUT THE F*CKING ENDING WITH LAZAV!!! THAT IS ONE OF THE BEST THINGS I COULD’VE HOPED FOR! He gets what he wants, but he’s fair about it. He recognizes talent, and is willing to provide support to see it continue. He wants influence, not control. This is everything I could’ve hoped for to see with the Dimir being heroes! If this is what we can expect from future stories, I can’t wait!

We got first persons! Surveillance flies! Jewel-encrusted battle mallets, only 150 platinum! Buttressess! Whiskey! Enchantments! Minotaurs! Fog! Crowbars of Malintent! Focus, or lack thereof! Alliteration! Investors! Keyhole Village! Posh neighborhoods! Gas lamps! Robbing bosses! Elixirs of Focus! Invisibility! Payback! Babies! Swearing merfolk! Kidnapping babies seriously though WTF??? Surprise Lazav! Good boss Lazav! Great Aunt Bea Arthur!

But will we continue this story, or will we get another juicy slice of life? Stay Tuned!

[theshatteredrose]

A Gathering of Guardians - Prologue Saga (Chapter 13) - Etrian Odyssey Nexus Fanfiction

AN: Slowly, slowly making my way through these chapters. Still quite long. Over 5k words long~ Anyway, hope you enjoy reading and do let me know what you think!

Ao3 | Wattpad | FFNet

~*~*~*~*~*~

Chapter 13:

The sun had only just risen as Roxbury made his way out into the streets of Tharsis. His guildmates had gathered into the morning air, also. Luggage, important personal items in their possessions, by their sides.

He cast a quick glance over everyone, noting that they were all together, and ready to go. All except one. But he was coming.

Roxbury turned in time to see Isiah step out of his clinic, and turned to shut the door behind him. He then proceeded to lock the front door to the clinic. The sound of the lock clicking into place felt and sounded louder than they’ve ever heard before. The building itself, however, stood silent.

It was almost sad, in a way. The Researchers’ clinic was their shelter, a place they could spend together, to plan and to laugh. It felt wrong somehow to leave it now.

But the building was tall and sturdy. It would wait silently for them to return from their journey. And when they returned, they would have more materials and knowledge to fill the rooms and bookshelves once more.

“Ready?” Roxbury asked as Isiah joined them.

“Un,” Nitish was the one who answered first. “We’ll return one day.”

Roxbury gave the runemaster a small smile. “Yeah.”

He cast one last glance toward Tharsis, to the city that he had called home for the last year. He, surprisingly, wasn’t as sad or nonchalant as he thought he would be. He loved the city of Tharsis with all his heart, and yet the adventurer part of his soul longed for the mysteries of his new expedition.

Perhaps he had grown somewhat restless. Or maybe he longed for some time away from the city that brought both comfort and concern.

They fell into a comfortable silence as they gathered their belongings and took the path that would lead them straight to Maginia. They weren’t the only ones who were boarding. Other explorers, both locals of Tharsis and inhabitants of the other lands, were joining the expedition in their own way.

Because of Villard’s invitation, Roxbury and the others were able to skip the queue, as it were.

Speaking of the elderly war magus, Villard stood at the gates to Maginia. And he seemed genuinely thrilled to see that they were all there, belongings by their sides, waiting to join.

“Welcome!” Villard greeted them boisterously before he folded his hands into the sleeves of his cloak. “You all agreed to join, I see.”

Roxbury nodded his head. “Well, we didn’t have much of a choice,” he said, jokingly as he sent a glance toward a certain member of their party.

Villard scoffed lightly, dismissively. “Now, don’t be like that. But I am gladdened to know that you agreed to participate. It’s a chance of a lifetime, after all.”

That was very true. Roxbury was glad that everyone had agreed to join. They had already been through a lot together, so it was reassuring to know that they were going to experience this new time in their lives together, too.

“Come, allow me to welcome you to Maginia,” Villard stated as he waved a hand to follow him.

To be truthful, Roxbury wasn’t expecting to see an actual city within the steel hull of Maginia. A city of building and streets. But that was what greeted them as they stepped through the heavy metal and steel gates.

The city, though quite beautiful, looked like any other. Cobblestone streets and paths, stone buildings, people bustling in the streets, focused upon their daily lives and tasks. There were gardens, parks, even a town centre where festivals were held.

A second glance around, however, revealed that though the buildings looked relatively the same as the ones within Tharsis, they were indeed a lot sturdier. Fortified in many ways. They were carefully built to withstand the high strength winds they would encounter while in flight.

They had some experience of high winds and flight thanks to their own airships, but this was on a much grander scale.

It should prove…interesting, to say the least.

Villard continued to lead them through the city until they reached a set of steel gates and tall stone security walls. The gates, a little imposing, where open, leading to a large courtyard. The residences found within the gates, however, looked inviting. Stone buildings with windows, deep green grass, and well-preserved pathways.

It looked like a small community within a large city.

“This is known as The Sanctuary,” Villard explained as they walked through the tall, open gates. He stopped, however, as they crossed over into the boundaries of the courtyard. “It’s a private community where you will all live and work together with other guilds. I’d show you in, but I’m certain I’d be pushed aside by other more enthusiastic greeters.”

There was a sense of mirth in Villard’s voice and Roxbury realised who it was that he could be referring to. “Ah, the Guardians are living here, too,” he said.

“That’s right,” Villard replied with a half-smile and folded his hands into the sleeves of his cloak once more. “I dare say that a certain orange-haired medic would be making his way to greet you.”

Nitish unexpectedly uttered a small, airy laugh. “Yes. I can sense him already.”

Villard nodded his head before he revealed a hand and motioned toward entrance of a building on the other side of the court. “Well, I’ll leave them to it. I must speak with Princess Persephone. Excuse me.”

With that, he nodded his head slightly before he turned and moved beyond the gates, and back out into the streets of Maginia. When he disappeared from sight, Roxbury turned to face the entrance of their new residency once more. He could feel the others’ apprehension, but there was a sense of excitement along with that.

Before Roxbury could urge everyone to make their way inside, two figures suddenly appeared from the doorway. And they instantly recognisable. One tall with red hair, the other quite short with orange hair.

“Isiah!” Lynus greeted warmly, honestly quite happily as he and Axel quickly made their way over to them. “You’re here. You all agreed to join?”

“That we did,” Isiah replied with a half-smile.

“That’s great!” Lynus said, sounding and looking genuinely pleased. He cast a quick glance over the group and paused. His smile was nothing but warm as he said; “Oh, good. Villard twisted your arm, Highland Count?”

Effortlessly balancing Margaretta in the crook of his arm, Highland Count practically beams. “Indeed! He’s always been quite the negotiator.”

Lynus gave a small laugh and nodded his head. “I’m relieved. With so many explorers in one city, we’ll be sure to need all the help we can get.” He paused as he glanced over High Count’s shoulder. “And I’m happy to see Ciaran, too. Quite taken by Maginia?”

“It’s…certainly something,” Ciaran replied honestly. “I can barely believe they could make an entire city fly. I would love to see the underground mechanics.”

“I’m a little interested myself,” Axel admitted. “Maybe we could talk Villard into letting us have a tour later.”

That immediately gained Ciaran’s interest. “That would be incredible. I’ve seen parts of it when we were mooring the airships in an interior cargo bay.”

“Great. Can’t wait to see them in action.” Axel’s curiosity in the airships definitely gained Ciaran’s attention, and the wharfmaster honestly looked pleased that someone seemed interested in his work.

“Ah, I see some new faces, too,” Lynus said with a curious tilt of his head.

“Yes. Thankfully, everyone who is close to our guild agreed to join,” Roxbury answered as he turned his attention to the other honorary members of his guild. “First, let me introduce you to Kirjonen, a holy rune knight.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you,” Kirjonen immediately responded with a polite bow and a small smile. “It’s a shame I couldn’t speak with you yesterday.”

Lynus gave a small nod of his head in return. “It’s nice to meet you, too. Don’t worry; we’ll have plenty of time to chat during this expedition.”

Roxbury motioned toward the two women who stood with Kirjonen. “Next, we have Wiglaf and Yasmina.”

“Heya, nice to meet you,” Wiglaf greeted with a friendly wave while Yasmina seemed to flush lightly before she bowed forward steeply.

“H-hello.”

“Nice to meet you, too,” Lynus replied before a thoughtful expression appeared on his face. He folded an arm across his chest as the other touched the side of his face in a pensive pose. “Hm, I have to say; other than a housecat and a lamb, you'll be the only two girls within the entire community. So far, at least. Is that all right?”

Wiglaf, however, immediately shook her head and smiled at Lynus’ consideration. “That’s absolutely no problem. Hey, I grew up with nine brothers. I'm used to the rowdiness of guys.” She linked an arm through Yasmina’s and tugged her close to her side. “And I get to have Yasmina all to myself.”

The warm smile returned to Lynus’ lips upon the flustered expression on Yasmina’s face, and the playfully honest one on Wiglaf’s. “Well then, I’m sure you’re perfectly fine with sharing a room together.”

“Ooh, girl, hear that. We're going to be roommates!” Wiglaf said as she suddenly hugged the pink-haired imperial, and purposely rubbed her cheek against hers.

Poor Yasmina. Roxbury had never seen anyone turn so red without dropping on the spot. Best to turn attention away from the obviously embarrassed young woman.

So Roxbury turned to the two newest members of their party. “Next we have-”

“Hello there, the name’s Ayjay,” the redheaded dancer interrupted, oozing confidence as he folded an arm across his chest and sent a wink toward both Lynus and Axel. It was something that he did whenever he met someone new, it seemed. “I’m the guildmaster’s nephew. He requested that I join this expedition in order to be the Count’s personal bodyguard.”

A slightly shorter man with silver hair that was naturally straight up, like that of a paint brush, waved an arm enthusiastically in the air in greeting. “And I’m Clester, nice to meetcha!”

Ayjay confidently flicked a strand of red hair from his forehead. “Yes, Clester wanted so badly to join so I graciously agreed.”

Clester stilled, a confused expression on his face, even with his arm still in the air. A positively outraged expression soon appeared on his face and he turned to look directly at Ayjay. “What! You begged me to join!”

Ayjay bristled, his self-assured appearance immediately disappearing as he spun around to face Clester in return. “I did not!”

Roxbury watched for a moment as the two friends bickered. He didn’t know the two newest members all that well. Mahalah and Durriken knew the two the best out of them all. Though, Ayjay seemed to run away from Mahalah whenever he had Mahalah’s attention. While Clester just absolutely adored Durriken.

It should prove interesting to work with them on this expedition.

“Lynus!”

The shout of Lynus’ name caused Roxbury to turn his attention back to Lynus and Axel, only to see that four more people had joined them in that short amount of time. A man with orange hair, a shade lighter than Lynus’, had come up behind the medic and hugged him around his shoulders. Another with brown hair and a green trench coat stood to Lynus’ side. With Axel stood two more men, one with blue hair and bright blue eyes. And lastly a tall man with long blond hair and a scar over the bridge of his nose.

They were clearly members of the Guardians.

The man with the orange hair that hugged Lynus unashamedly, the medic letting him do so without any negatively, turned his gaze in their direction. And his expression immediately brightened. “Ah, you’re the Phaedon guild?”

“That’s right,” Lynus replied with a smile before he motioned to the four new comers with his hand. “Let me introduce you; this is Lirit, Macerio, Topaz, and Zeryn.”

Lirit, the man hugging Lynus, finally pulled back from the medic and moved to stand next to him. “It’s nice to finally meet you!” he said brightly, warmly.

The tall, blond-haired man, Zeryn, boldly stepped forward and approached Biast who stood off the side of the group. He looked at him for a moment before he placed his hands on his hips and smiled rather broadly at him. “Ach, you’re a tall bastard, ain’t you?”

Biast flicked his ear as he regarded the man curiously. “Hm? You must be the one who is rather obnoxious about his height?”

Zeryn laughed loudly, not sounding remotely put off by that. “Aye lad, that’s me. I guess this makes me the third tallest now.”

Macerio, the shortest of the four newcomers, tugged at Lynus’ arm to gain his attention. “Lynus, which one is your penpal?”

“That would be me,” Isiah answered before Lynus’ could, immediately gaining the attention of three out of the four. “That supposedly Demon Medic.”

Topaz, the rather regal looking man with blue hair tilted his head to the side questioningly. “Ah, Demon Medic? You don’t appear very demonic.”

Isiah arched an eyebrow at him. “Hm? How am I supposed to look like?”

“Well,” Topaz started as he righted himself and tapped his cheek in a musing posture. “Lynus is called Guardian of Healing and he looks the part.”

Lynus sighed deeply, looking somewhat exasperated as he touched his forehead. “Please, don’t bring my title into this…”

Topaz turned to give Lynus that same questioning look that he had just granted Isiah moments ago. “Hm?”

“L-Lynus!”

Lynus immediately straightened his posture at the sound of someone else calling his name. He appeared lightly worried as he turned to look behind him. Out of habit, Roxbury did also. From the entrance, another figure appeared. He had purple hair pulled back into a small ponytail. He appeared to be that of a medic.

“Hm? Ah, Azure, good,” Lynus said warmly as the young man, Azure, reached his side and immediately, and rather meekly clutched onto his arm. “I want you to meet the Phaedron guild and Isiah. This is Azure, my apprentice.”

Azure looked over at everyone and subconsciously clung onto Lynus’ arm tightly. “U-um, hi,” he murmured shyly.

He flushed lightly before he turned to look directly at Lynus and pulled at his sleeve once more. A look of concern immediately appeared on Lynus’ face and he turned slightly away from everyone so that he could give his full attention to his apprentice.

“What’s wrong?” Lynus asked softly before he tiled his head to the side to allow the other young man to speak into his ear. Leading forward, Azure cupped his hand around Lynus’ ear so he could whisper to him.

A light wrinkle in Lynus’ brow appeared. “What? Is he at the clinic? I see. Alright.”

Azure took a half step back from Lynus, though continued to hold onto his arm. Lynus stared at the ground for a moment, no doubt mulling something around in his head. He eventually nodded, more to himself than anyone else, before he turned back to everyone with an apologetic expression.

“Sorry, you’ll have to excuse me,” Lynus said simply as he idly toyed with a button on his medical coat.

Lirit suddenly clapped his hands in front of him with a smile. “Nup, it’s fine. We’ll be happy to show everyone around!”

“Go ahead,” Axel said with an understanding tone. “I’ll take care of things from here.”

There was gratitude in Lynus’ smile as he regarded the two. “I know. I’ll be back shortly.”

With that, he turned toward the entrance with Azure and with a brisk, but calm pace, hurried back inside. Azure a step or so behind him. Out of instinct, Roxbury watched until they were no longer in sight. He wasn’t sure if something had happened, but it was obvious that someone required some kind of medical attention.

And as a guild leader he felt a sense of concern touch him, too.

Axel also watched until the two medics were out of sight before he turned back to being their gracious host. “Let me show you to the dorms first.”

“Ok,” Lirit agreed before he unexpectedly turned to head back inside through the entrance also. “While you do that, we’ll go tell everyone of our new residents.”

“Don’t ambush them all at once!” Axel shouted after him as Macerio and Topaz took to a jog to follow him. And with Zeryn following at a more leisurely pace.

Macerio threw a positively cheeky grin over his shoulder as he jogged away. “We’ll be good!”

“I don’t know about that,” Axel said with a sigh as he folded his arms across his chest. There was a light sense of exasperation, but not the negative, bitter kind. He had a half smile on his lips as he turned to regard Roxbury. “Anyway, if you’re set upon by a bunch of excited explorers, don’t panic.”

Any tension that Roxbury may have had immediately dissipated and he laughed. “We’ll be fine,” he said as they collectively moved through the entrance of their new community. “Getting such a warm welcome is a good thing.”

Axel led them through the large bay doors that acted as the entrance of the main building, it seemed. And he led them up a flight of stairs. As they moved to another set of stairs that reached up to the third floor, Roxbury took note of the doors that they passed. Some were seemingly locked tight, while others were slightly ajar. And next to them were small wooden plaques with names written on them.

It seemed they were all rooming in the same section of the community.

“Well, this half of the main building is the dormitories,” Axel explained as the reached the third floor. “This floor is likely to be all yours. You’ll need to pair up where you can. Though, I imagine Highland Count will have his own room.”

Axel unexpectedly paused as he looked at the first door on the right. His shoulders hunched slightly as he leaned forward and peered at a small wooden placard next to the door. He then sighed and shook his head.

“Seems like Villard had expected your cooperation, Count,” Axel said as he straightened his posture and jabbed his thumb in the direction of the placard.

Curious, Count ventured forward to have a look himself. And he, too, uttered a sigh. “It certainly seems so. Honestly, that man…”

“I’d ask you to keep him in line, but I imagine that to be impossible,” Axel muttered.

“Villard has always danced to the beat of his own drum, you could say,” Count added with a shake of his head. But there was still a sense of fondness in his voice. “Looks like everyone else will need to make their own decisions.”

“I’ll share with Miach!” Fletcher immediately stated.

“Then I’ll share with Baldur,” Blayden quickly followed as he clamped a hand on Baldur’s shoulder, as if ensuring that the prince wouldn’t try to talk himself out of it.

“Well, I’m obviously sharing with Varuna,” Bryce stated as he folded his arms across his chest. “And Nitish is rooming with Achyuta. And Ciaran with Xander.”

“Un. I’ll share with Biast,” Zoran said as he turned to the sentinel and looked up at him happily. “I don’t take much room.”

Biast gave the small vessel a soft smile. “And I take too much room.”

Jeroden laughed as he nudged Logre’s shoulder with his arm. “Well, I’ll share with Logre, here.”

Logre looked subtly relieved and nodded. “Sure.”

“If you don’t mind, but I would like a room of my own,” Kirjonen suddenly, but softly, requested. Which caused the small smile on Logre’s lips to immediately disappear, replaced momentarily by a wince.

“That’s not a problem,” Axel replied nonchalantly to Kirjonen’s request. “Not everyone is made to having a roommate. We have a few single rooms anyway. There in the middle of the hall. Take your pick.”

“Thank you very much,” Kirjonen said politely as he moved further down the hall. Cutting a rather…lonely figure.

Everyone was well aware of Kirjonen’s fondness toward Logre. A fondness that went beyond that of friendship. Logre seemed to have been growing fond of him in return. But that fondness never moved beyond that of friendship. Everyone joked that they would strand the two in the Windy Plains until they confessed their feelings to each other, but it was only that; a joke.

Everyone was equally aware of the unfair amount that Logre carried. They had hoped that in developing a friendship (perhaps moving onto more) would help him to begin to like himself in return.

And then Jeroden returned.

Though there were a few days of utter shock on Logre’s part, he soon became inseparable from Jeroden. And it soon became clear to everyone just how much the other man meant to Logre.

Kirjonen became painfully aware, too.

“Kirjonen…” Nitish said softly, sadly, which prompted Kirjonen to straighten his figure and to small reassuringly.

“It’s all right, I’m used to traveling alone, to be honest,” Kirjonen insisted. “This is going to be quite the experience.”

While everyone was pleased that Logre had someone he held as very important to him, they did wish that there was something they could do to help Kirjonen with his…unrequited love.

There was a suddenly rush of noise and voices down stairs. Not anything frightening, though. Just the sound of loud laughter and people talking freely, which radiated up the stairs they lingered near.

Axel glanced down the stairs for a moment before turning to regard Kirjonen once more. He then jabbed his thumb over his shoulder. “With this bunch, it’s going to be impossible to be alone, I can assure you.”

The corner of Kirjonen’s mouth twitched into a genuine smile for a moment before he placed that elegant, polite expression he was renowned for once more. He bowed his head slightly, almost with a sense of gratitude, before he turned and went in search of his room. Him doing so prompted those who had already claimed their roommate to follow.

Axel watched Kirjonen for a moment before he folded his arms across his chest and turned to face Roxbury. “I take it he doesn’t like imposing on others?” he unexpectedly asked.

“You could say that,” Roxbury replied with a weak smile. “It’s…complicated.”

“Ah, feeling left out from all the coupling happening here?” Axel asked, though it sounded as if he already knew the answer. “There’s a few others like that. He’s in good company.”

Roxbury gazed at Axel for a moment before he smiled. “That’s good to know.”

“Well, I volunteer to share a room with Roxbury.”

Roxbury was honestly surprised when he heard Zesiro state that, especially in front of everyone. He didn’t mind sharing a room with Zesiro. Honestly, there were times where he was grateful that Zesiro had snuck into his room. Some nights…were just a little too dark to get any proper sleep.

But the way that both Mahalah and Isiah seemed to bristle, they weren’t exactly thrilled. It was…honestly, rather disheartening.

“Pardon?” Mahalah said politely, but with a relatively sharp tone.

Zesiro turned to give Mahalah a charming smile. Not quite condescending, but not entirely genuine either. “We can’t have our beloved leader in a room by himself lest he overwork himself, hm?”

While there was a smile on Mahalah’s lips, there was a telling and protective narrowing of his eyes. “I doubt that’s the real reason.”

“Mahalah…” Roxbury sighed. He couldn’t blame the dancer of being protective. But maybe a bit more trust wouldn’t go astray.

“Why so suspicious?” Zesiro asked. “I’ve been very quiet and patient, haven’t I?”

Axel looked back and forth between the two for a moment before he arched an eyebrow. “Am I sensing some tension here?” he asked, his eyebrow arched questioningly.

Zesiro turned his attention toward Axel and granted him a surprisingly polite smile. “Perhaps a little. Mahalah is just very protective of our leader. Understandable, really.”

Mahalah reeled his back slightly in surprise while Isiah narrowed his eyes sceptically at the politeness in Zesiro’s tone. Roxbury, however, he felt a little bit worried. Zesiro was acting rather…out of character.

Axel stared at Zesiro for a moment, his expression neutral, but his gaze searching nevertheless. He was obviously gauging whether or not Zesiro was being truthful. “That so?” he said, slowly. He then unexpectedly shrugged his shoulders carelessly. “Fair enough.”

“Oh, just let the idiot do what he wants,” Kalan piped up as he idly toyed with a strand of his hair. “He’s going to be sneaking in, anyway.”

Mahalah glanced over at Kalan before back to Zesiro. After a moment of silence, he finally sighed, his shoulders drooping in defeat. “…That’s true.”

Kalan nodded his head, satisfied, and idly tossed the strand of hair he had been playing with over his shoulder. “Now, I’ll room with Isiah.”

“Then, I’ll share a room with Durriken,” Mahalah offered as he turned to regard the other runemaster. “If that’s all right?”

“Ah, that’s fine,” Duriken immediately replied with a small smile. That smile turned somewhat mischievous as he glanced over at Telem. “Then Telem can share with Falkner.”

Telem remained silent as he looked back at Durriken, a questioning expression on his face. He then glanced over at Falkner. “…Very well.”

“Ah, sure, that’s fine with me,” Falkner responded with a friendly smile, despite sheepishly scratching the back of his neck.

Fletcher suddenly uttered a purposely loud laugh from where he stood halfway down the hallway.

“What you sniggering about?” Falkner asked as he shot his brother a slightly annoyed look.

A look that had no effect on Fletcher whatsoever. “Nothing~”

“Well, I guess I’ll have to room with Clester,” Ayjay said with a sense of exasperation in his voice. Clester, however, didn’t pick up on it as he continued to simply look around, interested in his new surroundings.

Well, it seemed that everything was settled. They had their roommates and some had already chosen their rooms. So, Roxbury settled on the room closest to the stairs. As good as room as any, he supposed.

“I’ll take the one by the stairs then,” Roxbury said and then turned his attention momentarily to Axel. “Would you mind waiting a minute or two? I wish to simply put my belongings into my room. I’m more interested in meeting the other members of your guild.”

“No problem,” Axel once again answered easily. “They’ll be getting eager to meet you lot, too.”

“While you do that, I’ll get our things unpacked,” Zesiro said, that placid, polite smile still on his lips.

“Ah, ok,” Roxbury murmured.

Honestly, Zesiro was acting strangely. It was…worrying. He had been rather placid. Not meek or anything. Just…polite? Especially around Axel. He wasn’t…intimidated by him, was he? Roxbury didn’t feel or see anything intimidating about Axel, honestly. That large battle he carried around when he visited Tharsis yesterday was impressive, but he wasn’t remotely threatening with it.

He’d have to talk to Zesiro about it later.

“Ah, Axel? Mind if I have a quick word with you?” Count requested suddenly.

“Sure, what’s up?”

As Axel turned and moved toward Count, who stood by his room, his ever-faithful pooch in his arms, Roxbury turned his attention to Zesiro. And he immediately noticed that polite look on his face dissipated into that of natural stoniness.

Before Roxbury could ask him if there was something wrong, Isiah interrupted.

“You? Being civil? The world must be ending,” he stated rather dryly.

Zesiro turned his head sharply and sent Isiah a rather scathing look. “Shut it, Isa,” he said lowly. “Can’t you sense it for yourself? That redhead feels like he could take the head of a dragon with a single swing. Hell, if you give him a good enough motivation, he could head out into the Windy Plains now and take on the Great Dragon and win right now.”

He paused and sent a sideways glance in Axel’s direction and pressed his lips into a thin line for a moment. “I ain’t fucking with that.”

With that, he grabbed his luggage, along with that of Roxbury’s, before he turned and quickly made his way to the room at the end of the hall near the stairs. He slipped inside the room just as quickly.

Roxbury blinked. Before his expression creased into that of concern. He turned to look at Isiah, noticing that the medic looked a little worried himself. They shared a look before both turning to cast a quick glance toward Axel once more.

The other man stood with Count. Though he had his arms folded across his chest, his posture was relaxed and still rather open. Shoulders relaxed, posture straight, expression friendly. And Count seemed to have no trouble speaking with him. There wasn’t the slightest bit of hesitation or trepidation in the Count’s posture.

While it was true that Axel carried that impressive axe of his easily, he couldn’t really see him marching out into the Windy Plains and taking on the Fire Dragon on his own. Firstly, he appeared too sensible for that.

But there was something about him that seemed to put Zesiro on guard. Was he more powerful than what he appeared to be? Zesiro had spent years of his life needing to gauge whether or not someone was a threat to him as he conducted his secret mission. So, he would have some idea on how to judge someone.

Still…

“I can’t really see anything like that,” Roxbury admitted softly as he turned back to Isiah.

“Honesty, me either,” Isiah answered as he shoved his hands into the pockets of his medical coat. “He seemed like the supportive brother type.”

Yeah, that was what Roxbury got from him, too.

He supposed he would just have to talk to Zesiro about it later. They were sharing a room now, so they had plenty time to talk. Discuss certain things. And to…do other things…

Ahem.

“W-well, better inspect my new room,” Roxbury murmured as he hurried after Zesiro.

[abzanascendancy]

Unearthed Arcana: Races o’ Ravnica

But abzanascendancy, why are you up at 3:49 writing a review?

First, I’ve been up since 12:48 with one b*tch of an allergy, or else a sinus infection. I hope it’s just the former, and not the latter, because I’ve had one before and it suuuuuuuuuuuuucks.

Second, we didn’t get any magic story last week wednesday, so I’m making up for it belatedly.

Third, I’m not getting back to sleep with this and I might as well do something useful.

Without further ado, here we go!

Loxodon

Now you can play a literal elephant man!

Indeed Loxodons are holy terrors -- they work with Selesnya. 

Wisdom and furious strength... but later on they have +2 Con +1 Wis. Hmm...

Over seven feet tall... and yet they’re still medium. Hmm...

You heard it here first folks, Loxodon have only four digits.

I’ve heard of trunks carrying water, but food? I do hope you just mean wrapped around and not what I’m thinking of with my tired brain at this godforsaken hour.

Ah, so the loxodons build the Selesnya archetecture. Also I just noticed that the possessive of Selesnya is Selesnya -- which is good, ‘cause otherwise I’d create a selesnyan catfolk jut to annoy people.

Ooh, Orzhov loxodon! They could be a crime boss, like Frankie Peanuts!

Loxodons believe that the members of a group have a responsibility to look out for each other. Once they have joined a guild or bonded with other individuals in any capacity, they devote themselves to maintaining that bond.

TLDR: They’re great for sticking with adventuring parties.

Also side note, how are Rangers’ favored terrains going to work in Ravnica? That’ll be something to look forward to in the Guildmaster’s Guide.

Now it doesn’t say that the loxodon earn the titles they have with their names, so I wanna create a character who has Saint in their name just ‘cause.

450 YEARS. JESUS. And adults at 60? Bloody hell...

300-400 lbs. But you’re still medium. At least the carrying capacity is a plus.

Loxodon Bravery? Eh... just doesn’t seem to fit. Maybe a bonus on intelligence checks to remember information? Eh? Get it?

Hmm...! 13+Dex Mod natural armor? Fellow adventurers, meet my Loxodon rogue! Thank goodness they’re still medium and not large!

I’m all for artisans tools getting used more, but I feel putting it as a racial bonus is racist, or at least stereotyping.

Woot! Smell bonuses!

Oh. Loxodon doesn’t get a language. I mean, Ravnica in general has one language as far as I know, but still...

Simic Hybrid

Oh sh*t! Simic get their own bloody race! I’ve got high hopes for this!

Guardian Project? Oh this sounds like a plot point if ever I’ve heard one... I’m sure that won’t be important at all #sarcasm.

Oh yeah, how are you gonna splice the appearance of your simic hybrid?

These include crab claws, squid tentacles, wings that look like mays or fins, translucent or camouflaged skin, or sharklike maws filled with sharp teeth.

Oh Wizards, you shouldn’t have! No really you shouldn’t have, I’m gonna create the most f*cked up Simic Hybrid you’ve ever seen.

So Simic Hybrids joining another guild isn’t impossible, just not easy.

Con +2 makes sense. Need to be beefy to survive splicing.

Slightly accelerated aging? I’m sure there’s a simic fix for that. Splice with a jellyfish or something.

Huh... I thought it was gonna be more “choose bonuses from this list.” Like you get to choose darkvision or a speed increase as a passive bonus, or have a certain number of points to spend to upgrade your character. Ah well.

Manta glide? How does that even work?

CARAPACE BARBARIAN.  Seriously you already have +2 to Con, go all the way!!!

I must say I still like the bonuses at certain levels, like you’re still evolving.

Vedalken

Wait... didn’t we already have vedalken in Kaladesh? Let’s compare!

Vedalken here don’t have ears. Huh.

That assessment isn’t fair—they feel emotion every bit as vividly as other races, but they are skilled at not displaying it.

Sadly they aren’t proficient in Deception.

Koplony.

ADVANTAGE ON ALL WISDOM, INTELLIGENCE, AND CHARISMA SAVING THROWS???

Also, loving me some more open-ended tool proficiency.

Viashino

HELL F*CKING YES!!! LET ME PLAY MY LIZARD WIZARD!!!

Gruul, Boros, and Izzet are the Guilds for the viashino.

I want to create a viashino character that just changes their name every session. Also, kudos for gender neutral names!

Strength? I guess you gotta put that one extra point somewhere.

I can see a villainous vedalken or other long-lived species keeping lesser-lifespan ones as ‘pets’. GM’s, take note.

BITE AS AN UNARMED STRIKE. LIZARD MONKS.

Ooh, a reaction attack! I like it! I can have both my hands occupied and still take reactions!

Loving the choice between acrobatics or stealth.

We get f*cking DRACONIC as a language. Suck it.

All in all, I’m liking what I’m seeing here! Now I’m gonna wait out the morning ‘til the rest of the family wakes up so I can make myself some goddamn tea.