#our dogs just killed a lot of small wild life | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

bungoustraypups · 9 months ago

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tl;dr: you have a good point here, but the reply is also correct and the response is unnecessarily dismissive. anything that tries to compare the training wild animals in captivity do for zoological reasons (or otherwise) to the training domestic animals who frequently interact with lots of humans on a daily basis, some of whom they may never have met before, is going to fall extremely flat and i'm unsure why you seem to think that reblog was somehow silly when it's... common sense

so this response feels... incredibly disingenous. bc the reblog has a HUGE point that's failing to be noticed here.

i agree, a lot of the behavioral tools we use on our pets is 100% unnecessary and sometimes harmful. if you declaw your cat, and you know what declawing actually is? you're going to see me in your house and it won't be a friendly visit.

but there are things that domesticated animals who are frequently around humans simply cannot be allowed to do. there are times where they must have their behavior corrected and addressed appropriately and with compassion, but sometimes this includes being what you might call "unkind"

i have grown up with mostly cats and dogs my whole life, i'm almost 26 now (in september i will be). you cannot allow a dog to simply wander off as it chooses or decide when it wants to listen to you. you cannot allow a cat to choose not to use a litterbox in your home. you cannot allow a cat or dog or any pet to wander about the counters where humans eat because they are gross and carry diseases on them which can severely harm and kill us at any age, and some which carry more risk when the person is very young or old or disabled/ill or pregnant etc etc

we had to train our pit/lab mix, pascal, not to jump on people because i live with two elderly people. if she jumps on them, there is a HUGE chance they could be severely injured, or possibly even killed. she'd also no doubt get put down if she so much as snapped her jaws in the air at a small child with an overprotective parent who thinks pit bulls are murder machines. but even if she wasn't a pit mix, you cannot allow a dog who lives in close proximity with humans to exhibit behaviors that are dangerous to humans

note for the following: pascal was not an intentional acquisiton, i found her running around abandoned in a parking lot and my grandpa fell in love with her, my plan was to foster and rehome but given how attached he got and how attached she also got to him, that plan was understandably scrapped

i can promise you the responder is not saying they don't use a leash when walking their dog. but, probably like the responder, i had to train pascal not to run out of the door when it was opened. some folks can have their housemates hold their at-present untrained dog when they go out of the door, but i didn't have this luxury as my housemates are, as mentioned above, elderly. i can't have pascal leashed 24/7 indoors or outdoors, that's not practical nor is it fair to her and can also cause issues with understanding what the leash means ("time to go outside" "why am i wearing it inside then?" yknow). i had to train her to not do that

pascal's recall, admittedly, is still kinda terrible. her housetraining is too, but both of those are for reasons outside of our control. and both can be fixed with time, and will be once life isn't trying to kill all of us constantly

nobody's saying to be cruel to or abuse animals in the name of training them. there's plenty of nice, compassionate, kind ways to train all manners of animals. it's not a bad thing to ask yourself if your animal really needs something just bc society says so, too! there's a lot of stuff they don't need to be made to do or given or trained to do etc etc that a lot of owners think they do

most ppl who declaw their cats do so for convenience, for example, and bc they don't understand that there's cheaper, easier, and much less torturous ways of preventing scratching your furniture than literally removing their first joint of their toe, which most of them don't know is what declawing entails, and apparently most vets who practice declawing don't freely give this information. unless it's a medical necessity as determined by a vet, i don't think declawing, cropping, or docking of animals should ever be done, period. cosmetic changes to animals are ridiculous and the only ones i think are okay sometimes are silly harmless ones like when i put my old cat mischief in a raven costume for halloween, or sometimes when people paint their dog's fur with non-toxic dog-safe paint or whatever, not permanent changes that serve no purpose other than for our eyes to look at

an orca is not the same as a domestic animal. i shouldn't have to tell you this but apparently i do, given the response. orcas in captivity (who, btw, shouldn't be in captivity at all given we don't know how to properly care for them and i cannot think of a single organization with them right now in the world who is truly invested in learning how to do that bc we all know seaworld ain't shit and the others internationally aren't much better from what i've scoped out, i could be wrong and things mighta changed but yk) can be allowed to do things that simply cannot be allowed in a domestic cat or dog or livestock animal etc for the simple reason of you will never need to hire someone to look after your pet orca while you're on vacation, but you might need to for your pet or your farm etc etc, and your animal should know how to behave so as to not make their life a living hell

using spray bottles on a cat isn't evil or cruel also, lmao. it's not a tool that should be used excessively, but when you have little assholes who are too young to know why they should care about not chasing each other onto the tv stand with the $400+ television we can't afford to replace, sometimes you gotta whip it out before disaster happens. my older kitties understand what "no" and "get down" mean, but the five young boys playing tag frequently have yet to learn this - or, at least, have yet to understand that when daddy says "no" or "get down" he means do it now - given they're all about eight months and younger and basically entering teenage years, so they get the bottle sometimes. at worst, it disgruntles and mildly bothers them for a maximum of five minutes before they forget about it and do something else. it also teaches them to be more cautious around the television (i'm serious, i've seen the behavioral change, it just takes a while and isn't all at once), and they need to jump down and/or stop what they're doing when i reach for a bottle-shaped object. half the time i don't even need to use it, they just stop and that's all i need them to do, they don't need to get down as long as they're not at risk of property destruction

also the only reason that happens with cetaceans in captivity is, ironically, because of what you said: you literally cannot force them to do it, at least not without risking major harm to yourself. otherwise people would do it. you can't pick up an orca and put it in a carrier to take it to the vet. you can, however, do this with a cat, and you should, because cats are - gasp - more at risk of developing injuries and diseases due to their prevalence and environment and proximity to humans and therefore need to go more often, and also so they can get yearly vaccines they need to prevent disease spread etc

animals often have to be forced into doing what's best for them because it's impossible to explain it to them. i'm sure my boys would love being able to run free through the front yard off-leash! however i'm also sure they'd hate getting hit by a car or eaten by an unruly dog or carried off by a hawk or killed by another cat -insert all the ways feral cats die here- so on and so forth. but since they're cats and i can't explain this to them, that means i have to be the meanie who blocks them from running out the front door with my foot for two seconds when i bring the groceries in, and they'll act like miette about it for a bit ("you KICK chungus like the football?!") before forgetting it ever happened. the tradeoff here, of course, is that they remain safe and i don't have to face the trauma of losing one of my babies in a preventable accident or occurrence because they ran outside into the road and were killed in a split second

there are reasons why we don't treat pets like we do zoo animals, and not all of them are terrible

Learning anything about marine mammal training will make you re-evaluate so much of your relationship with your own pets. There is so much force involved in the way we handle domestic animals. Most of it isn’t even intentional, it just stems from impatience. I’m guilty of it myself!

But with the exception of certain veterinary settings where the animal’s health is the immediate priority, why is it so important to us that animals do exactly what we want exactly when we want it? Why do we have to invent all these tools and contraptions to force them to behave?

When a whale swam away from a session, that was that. The trainer just waited for them to decide to come back. If they flat out refused to participate in behaviors, they still got their allotment of fish. Nothing bad happened. Not even when 20-30 people were assembled for a procedure, and the whale chose not to enter the medical pool. No big deal. Their choice and comfort were prioritized over human convenience.

It’s almost shocking to return to domestic animal medicine afterwards and watch owners use shock collars and chokers and whips to control their animals. It’s no wonder that positive reinforcement was pioneered by marine mammal trainers. When you literally can’t force an animal to do what you want, it changes your entire perspective.

I want to see that mindset extended to our domestic animals.

#me #my voice #animals #my pets

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caribouking · 7 months ago

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Boots sighed as he laid his arms upon the edge of the stone battlement, staring lazily out across the village that stretched out before the castle. It was not his, and would never be his, what with his two older brothers and father still in good health. That, at least, was fortunate, for while he was a prince he had never once desired to rule anything, not even an anthill, and especially not his fathers kingdom.

It was early spring now, and the city was bustling just the same as the swallows that were building nests in the castle towers, and the bees that were scouring the meadows for the first small flowers. He watched as ox carts filtered in through the front gates, bearing grains and textiles and fruits and metals and wood and all manner of trading goods. At first it had been just a passing fancy, but now the thought of dipping into the crowd to live amongst them was increasingly attractive.

Surely there would be a lot to learn, the townspeople would scoff at his ignorance of their ways, and any work he found would be grueling and difficult compared to his rather leisurely life in the castle, but at least it would be different. He wouldn't have to always run when summoned, have his clothes and appearance constantly fretted over, nor have to worry over his fathers bitter approval and mothers jovial rejection.

Boots sighed and rested his chin upon his hands. Then he suddenly felt the back of his shirt pulled up and forwards, yanking him along with it. He cried out as the great void yawned out below him, and his legs kicked out wildly in the empty air.

His brother laughed before pulling him back over the battlement and letting him drop onto the cold stone. He landed in a heap, his teeth clicking on his tongue and cheek smashing against the ground.

"Careful, Boots, if you lose yourself you might fall." His brother guffawed, slapped his friend on his shoulder.

Boots sniffed and sat up, bringing a shaky hand up to investigate his bloody lip. He was regrettably used to such disgrace, and past experience had taught him it was easier not to fight back at all, no matter how he wanted to. Often he wished to wring his brothers thick neck, though his own hands were hardly large enough to wrap around it.

"If you do then they'll feed you to the monster under the castle." His brother jeered, "I heard it likes princes best."

"There's no monster." Boots grumbled, pulling out a pebble embedded in his flesh, "You think I'm a fool."

His brother reached down to ruffle Boots' hair roughly, "You weren't even born when they brought it in but I saw it. All chained up and bigger than a bear, and just as hungry. It used to terrorize the countryside and eat the traders, carts and all."

"Why not just kill it then?" Boots stared at the ground.

"To let it loose on our enemies, should we ever be sieged." His brother proclaimed, "Try to use that little brain of yours."

Boots scowled as the two men went off, surely to find some noblewoman to flirt with, or some other sport. Despite his resentment he still felt quite curious. It was not the first time he had heard of such a monster, but he had passed it off as a mere rumor, like a story told by his mother to keep him from misbehaving. But his brother hardly engaged in such fanciful thinking, and Boots knew there must be something, even if it was just a pack of wild dogs.

After his near brush with a lethal plunge he was happy to descend the many staircases and get down to ground level. Here there was little that had ever attracted him, nothing but old cobblestone alleys and stray cats yowling for their mates. He would much rather sit and practice his flute in the courtyard, with its beautiful oak trees and small pasture. But he was so curious he couldn't help himself and trodded about the inner walls of the castle, even if he was half sure that his brother had been lying, and would surely hunt him down to berate him for being so gullible.

Boots paused when he realized he had passed right by an old grate, though it looked to be nothing special. The bars were rusty and worn with age, but thicker than he had ever seen, wider than his own forearm. He could not think as to why such a grate would be there, for the prison was well on the other side of the walls, so he crouched down and narrowed his eyes to peer into the dark.

"Hello?" He asked, raising his ears up as far as he could. He repeated the greeting once, a little louder, then felt foolish and decided he must give up this venture altogether before he humiliated himself.

Just as he turned to leave, he heard the creak of metal on metal, the unmistakeable sound of great chains being lifted up.

He immediately dropped back down to his knees, hesitant to get too close. He had no clue of what manner of beast this could be, perhaps a great dragon that could breath fire upon him, or a gigantic eagle, or something he could hardly imagine. He supposed next time he should bring a torch to drop through the bars so he might catch a glimpse. But perhaps it was only another prisoner, simply kept apart from the others due to some exceedingly dangerous nature.

"My brother told me there was a terrible monster kept beneath the castle." He said, his tail curling around his leg nervously.

"That is I." Came a voice like a mountain breaking in twain, like the sea crashing upon rocky spires, like the rumble of a hundred heavy hooves shaking the earth.

Boots gaped, "Of w-what manner of creature are you?" He asked, his own voice sounding quite small and light in comparison.

"Lonesome." The voice replied, "All my own." And in it he could hear the things deep sorrow, that of utter despair and consignment to its miserable fate.

"Why were you locked up, lonesome thing?" Boots felt his tail twitch with excitement.

"I did terrible things, I was very cruel, it is in my nature," The voice mourned, "All I have to think on is my many misdeeds."

"I suppose that is fair." Boots shrugged, "Do they feed you down there?"

"Never enough. Only to keep me alive, but I am so much less now. I cannot even break my chains." The voice replied.

"Oh, I have some snacks." Boots pulled out a bundle of shortbread he had been munching on throughout the day.

"I do not deserve it." The monster rumbled, its cadence flat and monotone.

"A little treat cannot hurt. My brother said you've been locked here for years." Boots stuffed a biscuit in his mouth then gently tossed the sack through the bars.

"So long I have forgotten the sun, it never passes by these bars. I am ever in the dark." The unknown creature continued, and he heard the sound of its chains jangling as it investigated the sack.

"I cannot believe you are real, I was sure my brother was just tricking me again." Boots said, and realized he was surprisingly elated by this discovery. Life within the castle walls could be so dreary and monotonous, but here was something unlike anything else, something almost no one knew about.

"I must go now, or I'll be missed at my lesson. But I'll come back another day." Boots stood back up and skipped away.

"Don't leave." Came the voice behind him, sounding so muffled and weak now.

Boots was so distracted during his lesson he was admonished for not paying attention, and so excited he could hardly sleep the whole night, nor wait for a chance the next day to steal away to the monsters window. This time he came with a load of shortbread cookies stuffed into his shirt, as well as a candle so he might catch a glimpse of it.

"Good evening." Boots greeted, not feeling half so hesitant as before. He was fairly sure now the monster couldn't hurt him from behind the bars.

In response he heard only the sound of chains being dragged along a stone floor.

"It looks like it might rain tonight, does it ever flood your cell?" Boots asked, sitting down next to the bars. Try as he might it was just as dark as before, and he could see nothing of the beast.

"Sometimes." The ragged voice sighed, catching in its throat as if it was still getting used to speech once more.

"That's a shame. How much longer will you be kept?" Boots tilted his head, "My brother said that he saw you locked away when I was but a child."

"Forever." The dark voice spoke, "There can be no retribution for what I have done. Here I shall stay until the sun burns out."

"Oh," Boots frowned, "Do you want some cookies?" He began pulling them from his shirt and stacking them between the iron bars.

He didn't get a response and twitched his tail impatiently, "Do you have a name?"

"It is long forgotten." The monster said, his voice a thick growl.

"Oh, well I'm Boots, the king is my father." He bent over to light the candle.

"I am hardly fit to entertain royalty." Said the monster.

"Ah, I am hardly such. I'm the youngest of three brothers, I'll only ever be a prince. Luckily." Boots shrugged.

He caught sight of a glimmer of something sharp rising from the darkness to snatch up a cookie from the ledge. The flicker of his candle illuminated it just enough so he could recognize it as the hooked tip of a beak. Then he heard horrible gnashing sounds as the monster ate.

"Might I see you? I am rarely allowed to venture from the castle. All day I have to learn about the practicalities of my station, and it's very boring." Boots sighed wistfully, "I did see a sea serpent once while my brother took me fishing, though."

"First tell me of the serpent, princeling." The monster requested.

Boots leaned back against the cobblestone wall, "The weather turned sour, but we were hooked onto a great fish with a nose like a spear and fins like kites. When it breached it nearly flew as high as our mast. I had to strap my brother down so he didn't go overboard, and still it pulled our boat to and fro, so great was its strength it pulled us against the current, so waves broke over our bow."

"I have never been upon the sea." The monster said softly.

"It is a beast unto itself! Like being on the back of some great stallion, which rears and shakes and lashes its wild mane across ships. And when it takes off you can only ride it out and hang tight upon the lines. As we did as we battled this fish, until my brothers arms shook and he begged me to take the line but I couldn't, it would have drawn me right into the brine, but at least then he could have blamed me for it all." Boots laughed, "And then the clouds parted, a shaft of light turned the sea to frothing amber, and I saw a great head spear up through the waves, the fish between its jaws. It was scaled with gold and green, and its body went on and on, piercing through wave after wave. Steam shot out from its nose and it coiled about and made to sink back down. Then I had to cut the line lest my brothers arms be torn off for his stubbornness, but he still hated me for it, he never even saw the serpent."

"Is such a fish so valuable to you? Don't the merchant carts I hear every morning deliver everything you could want?" The monster asked.

"Yes, but they can't deliver renown or victory. That is what my brother seeks, he is always out hunting and dueling. Last week he brought back a cockatrice and had it mounted above the fireplace before our mother had it taken down. He was so mad he started a terrible fight at a tavern that same night." Boots laughed lightly.

"I thought your sort did not fight amongst themselves." The monster growled, "Yet you say your brother may have drowned you in the sea to save face?"

"Well we usually don't kill each other, only duel until mercy is called for. But the northern streets are different I hear. The cooks were talking about a masked killer that jumps from roof to roof, and steals in through open windows to slit throats!" Boots thumped his tail upon the ground, "And you must know we have our enemies, the kingdom to the east is forever starting trouble, raiding villages on the border until we send our soldiers to make them run off. I would love to see such a battle."

"Once this land was very different where we now sit. A different people had lived here since time began, and they did not want to leave." The monster said.

"Oh," Boots grimaced, the thought made him a bit uncomfortable, "But that was long ago. And it is the way of things, is it not? But perhaps if I was king I would find a way to end all wars."

"It is the way of things!" The beast raised its voice and he suddenly heard the chains rattling as it were rising upwards, "There is nothing that lives without conquering another. No sapling grows tall without choking out its siblings, no stag grows fat without devouring a insects with its leaves. Even the most pampered hound requires blood."

"We are hardly stags nor dogs." Boots puffed, "Have some more cookies, I'll have to leave soon for my own dinner."

He watched as the beak snatched up a few more morsels from the ledge, and he caught the glint of a long tooth, so sharp he could immediately imagine how easily it could hook into his flesh.

"I brought you a candle, perhaps some light would be nice?" He pushed the candleholder upon the ledge as well, though he really just wanted to catch sight of the monster.

"To see my own ruin?" The monster groaned, "I'd rather languish in the dark."

"Well, I should like to see you." Boots said, his voice trembling, "You said you are alone in the world."

"Then I shall see you too, princeling." The monster growled with a voice like a storm that brought down trees.

Huge talons clicked as they set upon the stone, wickedly sharp and curved like an eagles, each the length of his middle finger at least. Then a long head burst forth from the dark, its sharp angles illuminated by the flickering candle. It was like a vulture mated with a wolf, its tapered, crooked snout ridged with wrinkles and beset with jagged, irregular fangs. Its eyes were narrow and seemed alight with mirth, or scorn, or sheepishness. He couldn't tell for the monster had no pupil nor iris, only a solid band of gold between its eyelids.

The monster looked down at him for a moment, then took in a great breath and snorted, the gush of warm air killing the candle instantly.

Boots came again in the evening, but this time it had taken many days before he dared to meet the monster once more. Its terrible visage had struck him with such fear that he had sworn the entire venture off as foolish and obscene. But he simply couldn't get the thought of it out of his head, and he had so many questions for it that needed answers. So when the rest of the castle was merrymaking he stole away through the long shadows, careful to make sure no one truly noticed him. He was just the youngest of three brothers after all, and neither the smartest nor the strongest, and the lack of expectations or much responsibility gave him a certain level of freedom as no one would ever miss him.

"Good evening." He announced, "I'm sorry it's been so long."

The chains rattled and grinded in response.

"Are you lonely? Or would you rather I leave?" Boots asked trepidatiously, aware that he could very easily inflict himself upon others without a care for their desires.

"My loneliness has worn a hole through my chest and now I am a hollow thing." The monster keened.

Boots felt his heart tugged by the words and huddled up next to the window, "Don't worry, I brought snacks again." He fished out the pastries from his shirt and set them on the ledge.

"Did you bring a candle? The night is very cold." The monster asked.

"I forgot. Next time I will bring you the biggest blanket I can find." Boots thumped his tail on the ground, "I came because I must ask you a question."

"Yes?"

"You said that there used to be another people who lived here. Are you so old as to remember them? Or did you learn of it?" He asked.

"I have long forgotten how old I am. A year to you might be a day to me, but within this cage an hour feels as eternity." The monster mourned, "I am old enough I have seen many of your kings rise and fall, each the same as the last."

"Oh, they didn't impress you?" Boots rested his cheek against the stone.

"Little does. In my prime I could topple houses and trees like toys, I could rip a horse in twain, I could eat a hundred kings, and a thousand princes." The monster thundered, its usually monotone voice now crackling with passion.

"How were you ever caught, then?" Boots wondered.

"Your king sent an army of horsemen to find me. For every one I slew, two more came with arrows to pierce me through, until I laid upon a mound of corpses and breathed blood." The monster gnashed its teeth and shook its chains, "The arrows were little more than needles to me, but they were dipped in poison that made me ill. I was not used to such deception, and I was too proud to flee."

"Such a sight that must have been!" Boots gasped, "Whatever did you do to deserve that?"

The monster lowered its great head against the bars, its hooked beak sticking out between them, "I was very bad. I devoured sheep and cattle, I stole whatever I had need for, and slayed any who would stop me. Farmers and hunters and woodsmen and soldiers alike fell beneath my feet."

The monster paused and a long, shuddering breath sloughed out through its bared teeth, "I did not need to do such things, it was a madness that had taken hold of me. Now the regret torments me, I have long meditated upon my crimes."

Boots wanted to reach his hand out and pat the twisted beak that rested upon the ledge, but soon thought better of it. The monsters misery seemed so deep and pitiful to him, but it had been so shy in simply revealing itself. To be touched would surely be a shock.

"I'm sorry, lonely beast." Boots whispered.

"I am gentled now." The monster sighed, "I only wish to lay in the sun once again, or drink from a clear stream, or feel the wind in my fur. If I stay here much longer I shall surely perish, never to hear birdsong again."

"Oh, I have something close." Boots said and pulled his flute from his knapsack. He knew the instrument so well it was easy for him to lay his fingers in their familiar places along its length, even despite the dim evening light. Then he began to play, at first the notes were uncertain and wandering as he worried he would embarass himself, but he soon found his footing and grew more confident as he focused on the music. He played one song and then the next, transitioning between them with little stumbling.

"Much prettier than a simple bird." The monster drawled, its huge, gnarled hands now laid out between the bars. Boots could easily imagine such hands reaching out to wring his neck, and yet they also seemed so placid, as if the monster was just another feral horse to tame.

Boots played until the last light had faded from the sky, like a solemn lullaby for a monster. Then he rose to pick up his things.

"Don't leave." The monster pleaded as it always did.

"The servants will notice my absence, it isn't becoming for a prince to be skulking about after dark, and if I raise too much suspicion they might seek to follow me." Boots replied.

"I do not want to be alone anymore." The monster whined.

"I'll return again soon, you'll see." Boots consoled, and leaned down to pat the monster on the tip of its sharp snout. It was hot to the touch, as if the beast had a fever.

"If I am ever freed I would like to take you to dance." The monster called, trying to continue their conversation and draw Boots into lingering.

"Maybe. Farewell." Boots said as he left, and felt such a heavy weight in his chest he could hardly hold it.

Boots didn't return to the monster for another week, though every night he thought of it, alone in the dark with nothing but its memories to keep it company. He tried to imagine living so miserably for so many long years and the very thought made his stomach churn. His sleep was disturbed and during his waking hours he was quite restless.

When he did approach the beasts window again, he almost ran off before greeting it. His chest fluttered, his head swam, but he couldn't bring himself to step closer, nor could he turn away.

The monster must have heard his footfalls, for he saw its snout stick out from between the bars, its deep exhalations kicking up clouds of dust over the cobblestones.

"Are you there?" The monster called out, unable to see him past the obstructing stone walls.

"Yes." Boots sighed and slowly approached, feeling all the more flighty for the monsters eagerness.

The the glinting golden eyes watched him closely, and they seemed to have their own faint light within them.

"What is the matter?" The monster demanded, running its beak up and down the bars.

"Oh, nothing." Boots sighed and pulled off the blanket he had worn as a shawl, "Here, I brought you this."

The long talons yanked the blanket through the bars, then the monster shuffled and in the faint light Boots could see that it had affixed the quilt about its shoulders just as he had worn it, though it hardly fit.

"I look quite handsome now, yes?" The monster clacked its jaw and seemed to laugh, the sound coming out as a ragged rumble.

Boots smirked with mock amusement, though in truth he felt hollow. He had been unable to get these late meetings out of his mind, but now that he was here he felt conflicted. A prince should never involve himself with such a creature, no matter how pitiable. And yet he returned, with gifts to win its favor and soothe its misery.

"Something is wrong, princething." The monster rumbled, "I am old enough to know."

He tugged on his long, velvety ear, "My brother was quite mean to me today, but that's not unusual."

"How so?"

Boots sat down with a sigh, pulling all manner of fruits and pastries from his shirt, "He likes to push me about, make me trip or tug on my tail, never anything cunning. But I daren't try to retaliate or he will hurt me badly."

"Bring him here one night, I could swallow him whole." The monster snarled, its expression far too serious to be jesting.

"You'd get a stomachache!" Boots placed the snacks upon the ledge, "Have these instead. And don't worry, I'll be alright, I have lived with it long enough."

"Such a tyrant he shall make one day." The monster grumbled between bites of apple turnover, "I expect he will have me executed before a cheering crowd."

"I won't let that happen." Boots chuffed.

"How so?" The monster demanded, and Boots handed it back a pastry it accidentally knocked off the ledge.

"I'll figure that out when the time comes." Boots shrugged.

"I would rather you slay me now than make me stay here for untold years." The monsters voice lowered so much that Boots could feel it vibrating right through him, "You must free me."

Boots stiffened, he had known it would all culminate in this request. He could gift the monster all the fine luxuries in the world, but the only thing it truly desired was to be free of its prison. He couldn't blame it, having been locked up for years and years, and in complete and utter solitude. And Boots did wish for its freedom as well, and pitied it greatly.

"Please." The monster scraped its beak against the stone, "Please."

"What if I am caught? I don't even know where the key is." Boots said, staring at the ground.

"The last I saw, it was in your fathers coat pocket." The monster whispered.

"Then I will have to sneak into his room at night. Such a task is beyond me." The very thought made his chest tight with dread.

The monster seemed to shrink, if that was possible, and slowly leaned back into the shadows. Its face was unreadable as ever, but Boots could sense how its mood had darkened.

"Maybe I will try. But I'll have to be smart about it." Boots said urgently, feeling as if he couldn't let it down.

"I promise to be good once I am free." The monster rumbled, "I will go far away, and never again hurt another."

"I believe you, and I should very much like to see your misery end." Boots replied, "But I am a sort of coward. This is why my brother hates me afterall."

"In all these long years, you are the only one whom has come to talk with me. You are the only one who could do this, and how perfect you are for the task." The monster leaned in towards him once more, "You are a prince, and permitted within your family's wing. And you are as small and light as a feather, and as cunning as a fox. And your reputation will cloak you, they will blame some unknown saboteur, but never you."

Boots forced himself to laugh lightly, "Perhaps I should consider a career change, then."

"What does your own heart long for, sparrow? What empty maw yawns inside you? What has your lofty station and the long arm of your father failed to deliver? Set me free and I will grant it unto you." The monster whispered, as if its words were a spell.

Boots didn't answer, couldn't answer, shouldn't answer. The pathway of his life was preordained, the tracks already set long ago. And yet he found he desired these forbidden possibilities, these trails that no other mortal had walked. He was meant to live out his life within castle walls, or upon carriages or cobblestone roads, and never should he stray without reprimand, for he was the youngest and the weakest, the one that must be protected and swaddled and derided until his legs crumbled out beneath him for want of use.

"What could a monster provide me?" Boots sighed, wrapping his tail about his legs.

"I am not just the lowly thing before you who dwells in the darkness. Once I may as well have been a king myself, with nothing in the land to rival me. Do you wish for gold? I can bleed mountains. Do you want a woman? I will bewitch the prettiest maiden with stories of your gallant nature. I can find you tomes from ancient kingdoms long laid to rest, or make you a magic flute with notes that ring clearer than a meltwater surge." The monster insisted, its chains scraping as it shifted with excitement.

"I don't wish for any of that." Boots said wistfully.

"Then what, little thing?" The monsters face strained between the bars.

"I am not even sure. If I were to wish to be as strong and confident as my brothers then I would be wishing to no longer be myself. If only my father could look upon me with anything but disappointment, and I might be satisfied." Boots rested his chin upon his crossed arms.

The long, twisted jaws split apart, lips wrinkling to bare teeth as sharp as needles, "That is beyond me."

Boots stood up and wiped the dust off his pants, "I will think upon your request, but I cannot promise you anything."

Despite the monsters limited ability to emote in the traditional sense, Boots could sense the mournful longing that nearly burst from it as it stared at him. It gnawed and scratched at the bars, then sank back down into the dark.

Boots ran headlong towards the monsters abode, nearly tripping over his own feet in his haste. He fell to his knees before the iron bars and clutched at them, panting heavily, and his tail lashing wildly.

"Hello," He whimpered urgently, "Are you awake? Hello?"

At once heard the familiar jangling of the chains, the heavy body unfurling from its long rest and rising to his level. He felt a burst of hot breath wash over his face and flinched as the monsters beak poked him right on the nose, its massive fingers curling about the bars just shy of his own. Without thinking he grabbed the snout in his hands and hugged it to his chest, as if the caged creature could somehow protect him. The fur that grew from its lower jaw was rough and wiry, the ridges along its beak jagged and sharp, but to him it may as well have been the softest embrace.

"What is wrong, thrush?" The monster asked, and he could feel the rumble of its voice passing right into his flesh, melting him.

He tried to answer, but his voice crumbled into a sob, and he pressed his cheek against the monsters snout, the only comfort that could be afforded to him.

"I smell blood." The monster growled.

"My father," He gasped, "Struck me."

It didn't reply to that, for nothing could be said of the matter. It was already done, the accusations long shouted, the disgrace already seared into him. Boots cried until his face was red and puffy, his body trembling like a newborn fawn, and he was able to slowly reign in the cadence of his breaths.

"They want to send me off to be married. I have never even seen him. Whatever shall I do?" Boots whispered, the pitch of his voice spiraling like a worm caught in a robins beak.

"I like to eat my troubles." The monster said softly, its snout extended as far as the bars permitted. Boots could see the faint outline of the rest of its head, its hairy, drooping ears and two horns that grew outwards from its narrow forehead. One was broken and shattered at the base, the other tall but withered and misshapen.

"What happened to your horn?" Boots asked, and with a shaky hand he hesitantly reached out and touched the broken stump. It was knobbly and bony, like that of an antler that had grown wrong.

"I broke it upon a dragons scales when I was young. You cannot pierce a dragons hide, I learned, but whatever is put in their jaws they will swallow without hesitation. So I filled its belly with stones until it choked." The monster recounted.

"Clever." Boots sniffed and laying his arm upon the monsters skull, his fingers splayed as he pet the ridge of bristly fur that crested its forehead. He pressed his chest over its face, resting half of his weight upon it.

"There is no such victory to be had for me." Boots lamented, tears flooding his eyes once more.

"Then you must flee." The monster urged, "As I should have when I was poisoned. Not all cages are iron and stone."

"I'm sorry lonesome thing, I think you're my only friend in the world." Boots said, breathing deeply to try and master himself. The monster smelled musky and harsh, like the stuffed bears in his fathers hall, their snarls far fiercer than any they had sported in life. He also smelled the layers of mildew and dust upon the monsters fur, the neglect of many years like a moth eaten sweater tucked under a bed, to be forgotten until it was unrecognizable.

"Come away with me." The monster purred, grasping Boots' hand between its own and utterly engulfing his, "Let us both be free."

"Perhaps I should." Boots shuddered, "But to leave my entire life behind?"

"I have a cottage in the woods far from here. There you might make music until your heart is full." The monster soothed, "There you will never be found, and I will protect you from all harms."

Boots curled his tail about himself, and was loathe to think of the moment when he must detach himself from the warm thing in his grasp and return to his cold bed. He had not thought he had grown so fond of the monster, but the prospect of running away with it did not daunt him so much as he had expected. In fact his chest fluttered with tremulous excitement, but also fear and sharp anxiety.

"Tonight I will fetch the key." Boots whispered.

He woke to cold stone beneath him, and then great beasts snout resting upon his chest. It nuzzled him gently, long snaggleteeth tugging at his shirt until he was roused.

"The moon is high, time to go." The monster crooned, nudging Boots even as he curled up and hugged the snout even tighter.

"Maybe I should wait until tomorrow night, I'm so tired." He groaned.

"You must go now, or you shall put it off forever." The beast spoke into his flesh, then poked him in the stomach with its beak.

"Alright, alright." Boots sighed and the monster used its jaws to help him to his feet, tugging the back of his shirt like a cat carrying her kitten.

"Be as quiet as a mouse and swift as a fox." The monster hissed, "Then I shall be in your debt forever."

"There are no debts." Boots patted the monsters nose then stepped back, his fingers lingering upon its curled and creased beak. It was a rather ugly thing, all sharp angles and wrinkles and teeth and ragged fur, but in the right angle it also had a strange magnificence about it, like an old proud lion with a face full of scars.

He turned away before he lost his courage, and marched back into the keep. At such a late hour it was entirely empty and quiet, like seeing the world standing on its own head. He crept down the halls like a ghost, entered his own room to pack a small bundle of his own belongings, then headed for his parents room.

He trembled at the door, his entire body crackling with electricity, his hair standing on end, his tail standing tall and erect. He wanted to run away, to bury himself in his own bed and sleep this all away, then maybe never visit the monster again for his shame. But then he thought of it wasting away, its last hope failed, the bitterness of betrayal making its bondage all the worse. He couldn't fail it now, not after he had made a promise. And not when the spectre of an arranged marriage loomed before him.

He held his breath as he twisted the doorknob, cringing at every slight creak of the metal hinges as he swung the door open. Then he padded inside on bare feet, feeling the warmth of their dying fireplace and their sleeping breath, and to his relief his father continued to snore fitfully, the ragged sound drowning out his own light murmurs.

It was so dark he couldn't see hardly anything, and he walked blind with his hands outstretched, until he was able to navigate by touch. Their ornate dresser, the paintings on the wall, and then the tall metal hanger from which his fathers impressive coat hung. As he searched for the pocket the hanger scraped along the floor and he froze, his own heartbeat booming in his ears, his blood cold as ice, his body stiff as a statue. The snoring paused momentarily, and then resumed with great volume, until he heard his mother rouse and bid his father to roll over.

Boots was rooted to the spot for over and hour as he waited for them to fall back into a deep sleep, not daring to budge an inch. His feet fell asleep and his arms ached, but he refused to move and risk being caught in such a terrible circumstance. Eventually he relaxed somewhat, sure that by now they were both asleep once more, and slowly lowered his hand into the inside pocket lined with silk.

The key was small for such a giant cage, silver and inconspicuous, and he suddenly doubted it could be the right one. He wasn't about to go about searching for another, though, and stuffed it into his own pocket before shuffling backwards, tiptoeing as lightly as he could. Then he finally exited the room, gently closed the door, and breathed a deep sigh of relief. Then he rushed back through the halls, flew down the stairs, and ran out through the courtyard and towards the edge of the castle walls where the monster kept its long vigil.

He realized now it might be the last time he would see these stones walls in some time. He was sure he would not be gone forever, only long enough to be sorely missed, for the betrothal to be long abandoned, for his family to perhaps come to appreciate some quality of his in his absence. Though he could hardly count upon the latter.

Boots crouched before the iron bars, "I have done it, look!" He grinned and twirled the key about his finger, then caught it in his palm.

"Such a shadow, you are." The monster rumbled, and then its snout suddenly struck between the bars, snapping up the key so quickly Boots could not have dodged it.

"You'll take me with you, right? You promised." Boots called into the dark as he heard the mad thrashing of chains. His chest felt tight, his thoughts raced, and for the first time doubt began to rear its head.

He ran again through the courtyard, taking the passage that led beneath the wall, then popped out the other side. Here the night wind was chill, and rats darted out from beneath his steps. He hurried towards the huge entrance to the cage, then skidded to a frightful halt.

The dark, hulking form of the monster held a guard beneath its foot. Though the man in chainmail and leather writhed and struggled, he couldn't hope to free himself from the great weight that crushed down on him. Boots thought the guard barked at him to run, or it was only the remainder of his breath being driven between his teeth before ribs crunched.

He was so shocked he couldn't speak nor move, though he should be crying aloud for the monster to stop, should retreat and sound the alarm. Instead he could only stare at the wicked thing before him, all vestiges of its gentleness and promises of empancipation long gone.

From head to toe the monster was crowned with wiry, course fur, darkening about its belly and back. Its long, three forked tail lashed to and fro, beset with rows of spikes that travelled their length, and then all the way up its broad back.

After ripping off its shackles and licking the patches of angry red flesh about its wrists, the monster leaned back and sighed, stretching its limbs and cracking old joint after joint. It seemed to marvel at the freedom of movement afforded to it, and shook itself gladly, sending up a cloud of dust and shed fur and fluttering moths.

Boots coughed, then shrank back as the monster whipped around and stalked forwards to loom over him. He recognized in it none of the sympathy and sorrow from before, and while it should be thankful, its eyes were alight with a cruel kind of glee. He could see now just how formidable this monster was, why it had been such a threat that a host of knights were sacrificed to capture it. Though it was as tall as two men, its frame was laden with hard muscles that rippled beneath its dark fur. Its arms were as thick as tree trunks, its chest as wide as a barge, and each gnarled digit was set with claws as long and sharp daggers.

"Come away with me now." The monster purred, its narrow head set upon a powerful, sinuous neck arching down to peer right at him. Its hands reached out and Boots suddenly came alive again, dashing behind a stone pillar to put some barrier between them.

"You killed him!" Boots cried and held his face in his hands. For all the waxing and moaning the monster had done for its own misdeeds, all the talk of regret and of bettering itself, its very first action upon being freed was to immediately slay a man.

"He sat fat and happy while I languished." The monster lashed its tail, the spikes scraping furrows in the stone flooring, "And if he could have, he should have slayed me, should have made me rot for a hundred more years." Its lips curled, baring its evil rows of sharp teeth.

"Liar." Boots weeped, "You could have only held him down, could have locked him in behind you."

"He does not matter." The monster scowled, "Now come, we must be quick."

Boots fell to his knees, knowing he couldn't run from the monster should it seek to restrain him. The enormity of its betrayal shattered him. When the monster approached him once more he buried his face and curled up to protect himself.

The beast snarled in frustration and spun around to stalk into the dark like a lonesome tiger. Boots watched as it disappeared, and felt such a sharp pain in his heart he had to feel himself to make sure he hadn't been wounded.

He heard screams arise into the night, alarm bells rang, their clamor making his head ache. Soon enough a squad of guards arrived to investigate the scene and tend to their fallen comrade. Boots fell into the rising crowd, becoming as nameless and inconspicuous as all the rest in his common clothes. As soon as his father arrived he took his leave, and found himself running up to a battlement on the wall to peer down.

A fire had broken out in the city, and he could make out the small specks of people fleeing their homes and filtering through the streets, confused and panicked and terrified. Huge plumes of smoke billowed into the sky, and he wondered if he was breathing in charred bone and flesh with the smell of it. He felt like a dead thing himself, a corpse brought up to stand like a marionette.

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floraxfaye · 1 year ago

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Task 010 - The Interview

"Everyone help me welcome our next guest on stage! Ms. Flora Faye!" Calix Crystal quickly clapped while the whole audience cheered loudly.

With a small push of the stage hand behind her, Flora walked out on stage and was immediately blinded by the bright lights that shown on her. It was overwhelming and the thought of everyone looking at her was not a good feeling. Though trying her best to remain calm, she took in a deep breath before walking over to the chair. Her high heels clunking loud on the stage as she tried her best to walk in them.

"Flora, darling, please sit down. I've got some questions for you that I am just dying to hear the answers to." Calix said before Flora took a seat. She tried her best to keep her eyes on Calix, ignoring the crowd that was watching her. Nervous wasn't something she had felt often but now it was raging within her. "Okay, I'm sure the answers aren't as exciting as you may think but go ahead, shoot." The girl told him as she waited for her first question.

"What has training been like?" Calix asked her, placing a hand on his chin as he awaited an answer. "Oh.. well, training was a good time, I guess. It was pretty fun watching everyone learn new things and I even got to teach some tributes about plants! Which is obviously my favorite topic." She said as she placed her hand on her chest as she referenced herself. "Arden hit me in the face with a blunted axe which hurt a lot but I think prepared me in many ways. And then Calli and I made flower bracelets for all of the other tributes. Training is a great time. Ten out of ten, would totally do it again."

Calix stared at the girl for a moment. Flora wasn't exactly sure why but she stared back, a bright smile on her face. "Well.. that does sound like such a great time. Right, audience?" He said as he got the crowd to cheer again. "My next question is what has your favorite part of being a tribute been?" Flora thought about her answer for a moment before speaking. "Well, I'd say my favorite part is definitely getting to hang out with all of the other tributes. They are all so great and there is never a dull moment around them. Some of them make me laugh so hard, I love hearing some of their stories about back home, and some of them even make me feel like they are going to sneak into my room and kill me in my sleep but hey, it keeps things super exciting, you know?"

"Oh yeah, I can definitely see how that would keep things exciting." Calix said he kept a confused smile plastered on his face. "Another exciting part of being a tribute is getting to meet all of the passed victors, right? Which one would you say is your favorite?" He asked. "Eh, I mean, it's alright. I don't really know any of them. I can hardly tell the difference of a random tower worker from a Victor. They are just normal people." She shrugged. "But if I had to choose I would definitely say my mentor, Alder. He's great. He's super smart and super kind and just all together a great guy. I'm not going to miss much going into the arena but trust me when I say I am going to miss that guy."

"Well that is super sweet." Calix said as he made a puppy dog face at Flora. "That's enough Capitol talk. Now tell me, what is life like back home?" He said, gesturing to her. "Well, my home life is very simple. I live alone in a treehouse in the woods built by my parents. I have no neighbors and no friends or family.. but it's actually really great. I've made friends with the wild life and the trees so really, what more can I ask for?"

"Now that sounds nice." He started, "My last and final question to you, Flora, is tell me why people should bet on you?" The girl instantly laughed. "Oh, they shouldn't bet on me. Trust me, save your money people!" Flora yelled out into the audience before looking back at Calix. "I'm not winning this thing and I have no plans on winning this thing. I'm just a minor character in this story but if I'm your favorite tribute, I love you and you are amazing but save your money." She made a heart with her hands.

"Okay, well that's all the time we have. Let's give it up for Flora!" Flora stood up, waved, and walked off stage.

#134 #task #self para #mtotask

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animalexperienceinternational · 1 year ago

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Small steps still deserve big celebrations

Sustainable and authentic change is rarely quick and easy. It is achieved through many small and often difficult steps. AEI aims to improve the lives of animals around the world and support the local communities of our partner organizations while empowering people to travel in an ethical and meaningful way. But truly, AEI's real goal is to not be needed. We want to live in a world where the conservation of species isn't just a consideration of people and countries, it's a top priority. We want animal welfare laws to be so strict and wide-reaching that no animals - wild or domestic, are exploited by people. But we realise we are not going to get there next year, or the year after. Real change takes time.

This means we celebrate the small accomplishments and get comfortable living in transitions, not in binary change. If we don't celebrate small achievements, we will never get to those big wins!

Our dog rescue and animal welfare partner in Nepal works with the local government to address the overpopulation and health needs of community dogs. The government solution had been to reduce their numbers through culling, which involved leaving poisoned food out, killing owned, domestic and feral dogs, and other animals indiscriminately. Instead, our partner now provides vaccinations and mass sterilization campaigns that have successfully controlled the dog population and improved their health. What do we want? No dogs to be hurt ever again, of course. However, we celebrate the small victory of having some communities in Nepal safe from culls, and the lives of many dogs saved. This small step - a community agreeing to follow evidence based scientific methods for canine population control, will hopefully lead us to a complete ban on culls and poisoning.

In Thailand, elephants are still exploited - a lot, by tourists. Elephants are wild animals, they have never been domesticated so for many reasons having them around humans is incredibly cruel. It is unforgivable that they are "broken" in crush cages as young elephants, that they literally break their backs when tourists ride them, and that male elephants' legs often become badly infected and sore when they are chained to keep tourists safe for pictures. What needs to happen eventually? All elephants should have no contact with humans and be completely left alone to live in large protected areas to keep them out of trouble and to keep humans from bothering them and getting hurt. But currently, this is not a possibility. While many protected areas exist in Thailand, there are many elephants who cannot be brought immediately to a wild area because they need veterinary care, psychological help and protection from poachers. This means there are still centres, our partners included, that offer elephants sanctuary and care. Volunteers are able to interact with some elephants in this way, helping to provide the elephants with environmental enrichment and supplemental food. Centres used to say that elephants could be ridden but the small victory was having no chains. Then all ethical centres banned people riding on elephants. Some centres allowed swimming with the elephants but after studies showed the harm and potential danger to both elephants and people, ethical centres also banned this practice. A small step towards elephants living in freedom, but a deeply important one. We celebrate that our partner in Thailand is taking steps towards the ultimate goal for these elephants - a life free and safe without human contact. Until then we will know how deeply privileged we are to have any consensual interaction with an elephant, especially one who is at a sanctuary to heal from a viscous and cruel chapter of their life.

Wherever the lives of people and wild animals intersect, problems are created that inevitably impact wildlife in a negative way. Wild spaces are being lost, polluted, divided and controlled by humans. It seems no place on earth is safe. Our partner in South Africa studies and protects sharks and marine habitats. When we visited this placement, Nora was able to take part in their study to determine if cage diving (when divers obverse the sharks from the safety of cages) opened sharks up to dangers because they recognized boats as helpful things that gave them chum. So far the study is finding that the sharks recognize boats with cages to be feeding boats and avoid other boats. It is probably true that highly intelligent whales can see hunting boats are different from recreational boats. But marine life still must contend with hazards such as boat propellers, fishing gear and trash. For example, in British Columbia, a Humpback whale was just hit by a ferry. It should not be the responsibility of wild animals to recognize human dangers and avoid them. The first step to helping these animals is have a less fragmented natural world for them. More spaces that aren't broken up by roads, mining, logging and development. More marine protected areas where massive ship traffic and fishing isn't allowed. It isn't about getting rid of all roads, it's not about getting orcas to sink all yachts (or maybe it is haha) - it's about seeing how we can share Earth. What small steps can we take now that can lead to a much different and a much better future.

Are we striving for perfection? Absolutely. But we know that won't come overnight, it will be a result of countless small and wide ranging changes. And they will be celebrated because each one brings us closer to the world we dream can exist - a world where humans and animals live in freedom and without cruelty.

#conservation #animals #world animal day

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originalhybridloverfics-backup · 2 years ago

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Ch2 Loving You Through It All

A/N: Bitten AU inspired fic. If you don't know you should definitely check it out if you like shows about intense chemistry and werewolves.

Stone Haven Manor loomed large as Eda approached, her steps reluctant.

The moment she steps past that threshold, she would have to deal with everything she had been trying to forget.

She can no longer pretend that her life hadn’t been irrevocably changed the last time she was here.

She had to face the biggest betrayal she ever experienced.

As she walked up the stone steps, the door opened to reveal the last person she wanted to see.

Serkan Bolat.

“Eda Yildiz.” His voice was rich and still had the ability to send pleasant shivers down her spine.

She hated him for it.

“Bane of my existence,” she returned, brushing past him.

Serkan breathed deeply, her scent more alluring than he remembered, the smell of her shampoo washing over him, reminding him of nights when he was surrounded by her scent alone.

“Alptekin!” Eda’s voice echoed through the foyer, bouncing off its rich, brown wood walls and high ceilings.

Stone Haven Manor was as old as the town itself, having been passed down through the generations and updated by each owner to keep it up to code.

It was large, with enough rooms to house a small army.

“Aptekin!”

“He’s not home.” Serkan followed behind her into Alptekin’s study. “He’s out checking the property line.”

Eda breathed out slowly, steeling herself to have to hold a discussion with him. She turned to face him. “Isn’t that your job? It’s about the only thing you’re good for.”

Serkan steps forward, his body brushing against her. “I’m good for a lot of things. Perhaps you need a reminder.”

Eda scoffed, rolling her eyes. “In your dreams.”

“Every night.” Serkan agreed. “Vividly, might I add.”

Eda was caught in his gaze. His eyes were full of passion and intensity. Enough to make her take a step back. She didn’t need to get caught up in him and repeat past mistakes.

“Look, I didn’t come here to play your games. Alptekin ask me to be here-”

“That I did.”

Eda turned with a start. She hadn’t heard the older man come in. “Alptekin.”

Alptekin opened his arms as she moved in to hug him.

“You look well Eda.” he told her, pulling back.

“Why did you call me here?” Eda asked, wanting to get to the point, knowing if she let him, Alptekin would detain her for longer than was necessary and it was the last thing she wanted.

She had a life to get back to in Italy. One that did not involve Serkan. Thank God.

“Follow me,” Alptekin walked into the kitchen and Eda watched as he began mixing pancake batter in a bowl.

“Please, tell me you did not make me endure the 24 hour drive to have breakfast.” Eda said. Alptekin better have a damn good reason.

“I wouldn’t do that. I know you said you never wanted to come back here and I don’t want to make things more difficult for you, but I had no choice. We need your help. The pack needs you.” said Alptekin. He wiped his hands on a towel and focused all his attention on her.

“We have a mut problem and you are the best person to handle the job. No one knows how they think like you.”

“A mutt problem?” Eda shot accusing eyes at Serkan. “Getting soft, are we?”

“Hardly.” Serkan glared. “But maintaining our secret requires civility. I can’t just go and take care of the problem. Too many witnesses in town.”

“In town?” Eda looked back at Alptekin. “Is that where his hunting ground is?”

“Yes, it appears so. There have been wild dog sightings.” Alptekin nodded.

“Why is it your problem? You never cared about Mutt’s killing before.” Eda’s eyes narrowed with suspicion.

“It’s too close to home.” Alptekin answered. He preferred not to associate with mutts but sometimes,like now,it was unavoidable. “Furthermore, this mutt has been leaving his victims on our property. He’s trying to lead the locals back to Stone Haven. That cannot happen. I need you and Serkan to go into town, find out about any rumors regarding our family, and discourage any wild dog sightings.”

“You want me to take the animal with me to find a potential psychopath?” Eda arched an eyebrow.

“You forget, baby, I am the town’s psychopath.” Serkan smirked. “We’re looking for my next victim. All you have to do is lure him back here and I’ll do the rest.”

“Don’t call me that.” Eda snapped at him. “I don’t need you-”

“Enough,” Alptekin sighed. “Can you put your differences aside until the threat against our family is over?”

Eda nodded. “I do this and I am free to go back to my life?”

“Yes,” Alptekin nodded. “I won’t interfere in your life more than necessary.”

“Okay,” Eda looked at Serkan. “Be ready in an hour or I will leave without you.”

“You can certainly try, darling.” Serkan smirked.

“Darling?” Eda mocked and rolled her eyes, brushing past him.

She headed back to the foyer and up the grand staircase for two flights, turning left and walking down the long corridor until she reached the last door.

Upon entering the room, she saw that nothing about her old room had been changed.

Eda didn’t plan on staying long and saw no reason for unpacking her suitcase. Instead, she slid it beneath her bed.

Throwing her purse onto the bed, she moved toward the glass window, looking over the expansive property of green fields and gardens. A creak further down the property line and pulled her phone from her back pocket.

Scrolling through her contacts until she found the number she was looking for and press the call button.

It rang four times before being picked up. “Eda, finally, I’ve been waiting for your call.”

“I’m sorry, Baris.” Eda apologized. “I just now got in and things are chaotic here.”

“I imagine. Your cousins? Have the doctors told you anything?” Baris questioned.

Eda winced, wishing she had come up with a better lie than the one she had told. “They are being hospitalized for the next couple of days, but expected to make a full recovery. I have to watch the rugrats for the time being. I might be gone for a little longer than I intended.”

“I wish I could’ve come with you.” Baris sighed. “It would be nice to meet your family.”

“No,” Eda shook her head. “It’s better that you didn’t. It’s chaotic here.”

If Eda had her way, Baris would never meet anyone from Stone Haven, furthermore she would never step on its grounds again.

“My family is chaotic, but you met them.” Baris said.

Eda knew he had a point. While she was good friends with his sister, his mother hated her and thought she wasn’t good enough. Still, she would not let him meet her family. She would sooner tell him they all died in a tragic fire than have him cross paths with her family.

“Look, I got to go, but I will call you later.” Eda said, rushing him off the phone.

“Okay, I’ll talk to you later. Call me before you go to bed.” Baris replied.

“Will do. Talk to you later.” Eda said.

“I love you.” Baris said, full of affection and warmth.

“You too.” Eda said, ending the call before he could say more.

It was her response whenever Baris told her he loved her.

She has not been able to say I love you to anyone.

Not since Serkan’s betrayal.

He destroyed her. She had to pick up the pieces of her shattered heart, and she did. It didn’t fit quite right; it was jagged and jaded.

Eda promised to never let anyone have power over her. If they had no power, they couldn’t hurt her.

She erected walls around her heart so high and dense no one was ever getting through them again.

She slipped her phone back into her pocket and opened her door, only to find Serkan leaning against the opposite wall.

His jaw was clenched, and his eyes were dark. “Who were you on the phone with?”

“No one.” Eda answered, shutting her door and continuing down the hall.

“It didn’t sound like no one,” Serkan fell into step behind her. “It sounded like someone special.”

“And you shouldn’t eavesdrop!” Eda snapped in irritation.

When she reached the last landing on the stairs, Serkan blocked her path, his arms caging her in against the wall. “Tell me who he is to you.”

“No,” Eda shoved at his chest, not caring that she would push him down an entire flight of stairs.

Serkan caught himself flipping over the banister with the agility of a jungle cat. Eda continued down the stairs as if nothing had happened.

“Eda!” Serkan growled.

Eda ignored him, walking into the kitchen to find Aptekin setting the table for lunch. “We’ll head out after we eat.” she told Aptekin. “I’m starving and need food before hunting down the Mutt.”

“Well, you’re in luck. Food’s ready.” Alptekin set a large stack of pancakes, sausage, bacon, and eggs in front of her.

“Eda,” Serkan came up behind her, his voice an angry growl. “Tell me.”

“Serkan,” Alptekin's voice carried an authority to it that had Serkan freezing, his head turning to the older man. “That is enough. Leave Eda be.”

Serkan was loath to listen, but Alptekin’s words were not a suggestion. They were an order.

Reluctantly, he did as he was told and let the subject drop. Alptekin motioned to the seat next to him across from Eda, setting a second plate of food down.

“I’m trusting the two of you to behave while i have other business to attend to.” Alptekin grabbed a plate and disappeared from the room.

Eda ignored Serkan’s presence and the constant weight of his gaze on her. Enjoying finally being able to eat her fill.

Keeping a normal life, she had to lie about certain things, including her appetite, but here back in Stone Haven where she could be herself, she didn’t have to hide anything. She finished her food with gusto, filling her plate with an extra serving of bacon and sausage.

Serkan having twice as much as her. Once their breakfast was done, Serkan took their dirty dishes to the sink, washing them quickly.

“Where’s everyone else?” Eda finally asked.

“Efe is probably hold up with some woman and Cihan is driving in. He’s supposed to arrive tomorrow night.” Serkan answered. “What about Engin?”

“He’ll be here in a few days. He had things to wrap up back home.”

Serkan glowered. “This is home.”

“No, it’s not. It never was.” Eda answered, her voice sharp like a knife.

Serkan swallowed down his initial response. This was the only true home she ever known if she wanted to admit it. Instead, he said. “Are you ready to head into town with me?”

“As ready as I’ll ever be.”

Eda dreaded spending any alone time with him, but it couldn’t be helped. They had a job to do and that top everything else.

#edser #fanfic #edser fic #edaxserkan #eda yildiz #serkan bolat

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theramseyloft · 3 years ago

Text

Diet

Woooo, is this subject ever a pain in my ass for something so simple...

There is just... SO much misinformation out there, from sources that should otherwise be credible.

So let me set the record straight as a specialist in the care of pigeons:

Pigeons are strict granivores.

They can’t digest any part of a plant but seeds.

No leafy greens. No stems. No roots, no tubers, no bulbs, no flowers...

ESPECIALLY not the fruit!!!

They can neither taste nor process the sugar!

Nothing but seeds.

Not even as a treat.

Vets often suggest greens and fruit and florets for literally every companion bird, going off the parrot template.

If a small animal (non-farm) vet gets to see a companion bird, you can reliably wager that it’s either a psittacine or finch, and win that bet most of the time.

Hardly any one ever brings pigeons to a vet.

Breeders consider it cheaper to kill the sick ones than try to find out what’s wrong with them, and pigeons as companion birds are still extremely niche.

The only way to change this is for people with pet pigeons to bring them to their vet like they would a cat, dog, rabbit, or other pet for regular check ups so that a base line can be established before that animal gets ill.

The more vets provided with base lines of healthy pigeons, the more accurately they will be able to treat pet pigeons.

Parrots in captivity that are fed the fruit and nut heavy diet that most species eat in the wild will develop fatty liver disease and die very young.

Wild parrots fly for MILES every day to forage that sugar and fat rich diet, which fuels their long foraging flights.

Their diet is adapted to their lifestyle, and their lifestyle is adapted to their diet, as is the case with most species.

Parrots have only been captive bred for the last 70 or so years. The larger species take up to 5 to sexually mature, and can live into their 70′s or 80′s

We have been breeding them in captivity for less than the lifetime of a single healthy individual.

Parrots simply have not had the time to physiologically adapt to the utterly sedentary life they live as human house pets.

We take these birds built for a high stamina nomadic lifestyle supported by a diet high in fat and sugar, and have them live most of their lives in a single room.

To keep them alive, we have had to make up for their lack of opportunity to adapt their physiology by adapting their captive diet to this drastic change in their life style.

Even finches (primarily seed and insect eaters, mostly) are usually kept in such extreme confinement that their captive diet has needed to be modified to avoid being dragged to an early grave by a fatty liver.

Pigeons were the first birds humanity domesticated.

Even before chickens.

About the time camels were domesticated; in the dawn of agriculture and stationary settlements.

What made them easy to domesticate was that, being desert/scrubland birds, seed was the diet they were already adapted to.

It was easy enough to share enough grain with them to make living in a dovecote worth while.

In exchange, humans got some of the most nutritious fertilizer known to man to this day.

Being picky about what kind of seed you eat isn’t beneficial of a desert bird, and wild rock doves already adjusted the volume of their feed intake with the natural fluctuation of seed availability through out the year; eating more when they had to fly further afield to find it, and needing to eat less per foraging trip when there was enough nearby that they didn’t have to range as far.

Because adjusting their food intake according to how close and plentiful food was already came naturally to rock doves, the only transition in the development of domestic pigeons was that food would always be close and plentiful.

Pigeons have had THOUSANDS of years to adapt to not having to fly nearly so far to find enough to eat in human care as their rock dove ancestors did in the wild.

Here is the basic break down of nutritional requirements for racing homers (the breed that serves as the base line for domestic pigeons), according to Avian Medicine: Principles and Applications. Ritchie, Harrison and Harrison;

Pet shops are starting to sell dove and pigeon diets now, lots of which would make decent bases, but still need extra protein or fat added.

There are also lots of wild bird blends that make good bases.

I used to love royal wing Classic Mix from TSC, as it was easily accessible, but it needs a lot added to it, and that can get pretty expensive.

Chewy sells an excellent diet designed for pigeons breeding and performing: https://www.chewy.com/versele-laga-classic-pigeon-food/dp/259128 , which is what we order for the flock now.

But for a house pet or two, it’s often easier and less expensive to mix your own blend.

Pigeons can eat pretty much any whole (in the hull) seed that they can comfortably swallow.

Birds that are performing, raising peeps, or under weight need all the fat and protein they can get, so lots of dried legumes for protein (Mung beans, lentils, and split green peas are favorites), millet (fatty and high protein, especially easy to digest), safflower seeds, and black oil sunflower seeds (rich in oil and extremely fatty).

Non-breeding House pets tend not to need as much fat, so their feed should be higher grain like wheat, barley, and oats with lower fatty or high protein seeds.

The more confined the bird (unless the bird is sick or healing from an injury), the less fat it needs in its diet.

So the owners of a pet or two are free and encouraged to experiment with their blends.

Most pigeon’s can’t comfortably swallow striped sunflower seeds, so keep your selection below that in size.

Chopped up tree nuts or peanuts are an EXTREMELY high fat treat (think pigeon cheese cake) and should be given *very* sparingly.

Chia seeds have a very high caffeine content and need to be avoided.

Other than that, you can experiment with any grain, legume, or other seed small enough for them to swallow, provided nutritional parameters are maintained.

Do not used hulled seeds!

The hull is important, not because they can digest cellulose, but because they can’t. (which is why they can’t process any part of a plant except the seed)

The hulls of seeds they eat make up the vast bulk of solid fecal matter and act as vital dietary fiber.

That pigeons need grit to grind down food in their gizzard is a myth.

They need it to obtain dietary minerals, and that distinction is a matter of life and death.

Avoid the starter chick grit for chickens, and the charcoal grit for song birds, as these are both made with a base of Granite, which is made by leeching the calcium out of lime stone.

Galliformes need granite grit because it won’t break down in their gizzard, where they use it as a mechanical aid to grind food.

That’s exactly what makes granite based grit a serious intestinal impaction risk for a columbiform like our domestic pigeons.

Because what they need grit for is dietary minerals, it’s important that their grit dissolve in the gizzard to be absorbed by the small intestine.

Hens will lay eggs with or with out a cock, and the cock also has a skeleton to maintain, so calcium supplements are a necessity.

Hens and breeding cocks can also get salt deficient from both producing eggs and feeding peeps.

My breeding flock has Oyster Shell grit offered free choice and free access to a salt and mineral brick for horses.

It is generally safest to assume that a new pigeon has not been adequately supplemented, because birds who have not will gorge on grit and salt to their detriment.

Pigeons deficient enough t crave it can poison themselves overdosing on salt. Salt poisoning is nearly always fatal!!! so do not ever offer pigeons any kind of salt based grit in a loose, granular form.

I use the salt and mineral brick because their beaks are not hard enough and they do not have sufficient bite strength to get large enough quantities off of the brick to sicken themselves before the craving for that mineral is satisfied.

A single indoor pet can be given one of the little salt/mineral wheels for hamsters.

Calcium deficient pigeons craving grit can impact their crops gorging on it.

As stated earlier, my loft birds have free choice access to oyster shell grit next to their feed.

To prevent new birds form gorging dangerously on it, a tiny pinch is sprinkled over their meals every morning during their 4 week quarantine.

By the time quarantine ends, they are not deficient, and will not be craving grit ravenously enough to hurt themselves on it.

Bon appetite to your sweet cooey friends and house mates. ^v^

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robininthelabyrinth · 3 years ago

Note

i've been keeping a list of possible prompts for you and there's one i have no memory of adding that just says "courtesan nmj????" so i guess that's the prompt you're getting lmao

What Does the Fox Say - ao3

“Second Madame Nie!” a disciple shouted, rushing into her little garden. She didn’t recognize him, but he was solidly built and well-muscled like most of the others – truly, the Unclean Realm was a rapturous feast for one with eyes to see it. Yum, yum. “Second Madame Nie, I have bad news!”

Boo. She hated bad news: bad news meant she’d have to do something, usually, and right now she was seated very comfortably in a pleasant piece of sun in the garden path that’d been made up just for her and to her preferences, with her feet up on a chair and a full plate of fruit from the kitchen on the table in front of her just begging to be devoured, morsel by delicious morsel.

Her schedule was packed!

“I regret to tell you, but your husband has been killed!”

“Oh,” she said, frowning slightly. “Has he? How obnoxious of him.”

How unreliable. Men.

She sighed.

“Second Madame – Second Madame – you don’t understand!” The disciple was all red-eyed and weepy, which was a look she liked, especially in big, stout men like this. The salt added a bit of spice to the whole thing. “You must flee at once! He was killed by Sect Leader Wen in an act of outright aggression – Sect Leader Wen has declared war – the Wen sect is invading!”

She nodded and picked up another lychee to start peeling it. She’d get around to fleeing in her own time. As long as this Wen sect or whatnot was being led by a man, she wasn’t terribly concerned.

“They intend to wipe out the inheritance of Qinghe Nie! They will rip out the child in your belly!”

She hummed noncommittally. Really, how attached was she to having a child of her own? Really?

“They will slaughter civilians – execute Nie-gongzi –”

Her hands stilled.

“What,” she said, and the disciple took a step back automatically, proving that he, at least, had something more of a survival instinct than her late husband did. “Hurt my little meat bun? My darling rice roll? My savory zongzi?”

She stood up, diminutive height and over-large belly and frilly clothing doing absolutely nothing to diminish the vaguely menacing aura that darkened the sky around her. She bared her teeth.

“Who does this upstart Wen dog think he is?!”

The disciple blinked owlishly, but nodded, seeming relieved that she’d finally accepted his concern, though she could see on his face that he was thinking that her reasoning was – characteristically – a little strange. But then again, and she could see this thought process on his far too honest face, it was well known that the second Madame Nie been quite strange ever since Sect Leader Nie had found her in some lonesome place with no family or background and brought her back to be his new wife nevertheless.

Such a charming man. Pity about his loss, really.

“You have to flee at once, we can’t possibly fight so many people,” the disciple said once more, and this time she nodded in agreement. “We can escort you to a hidden exit –”

“No!” a little voice called. “We can’t go.”

She turned to look, and there was the little pork-and-shrimp dumpling himself, chubby-cheeked and earnest-eyed, looking as delicious as always.

“What do you mean, fish cake?” she asked. “Of course we have to go. Didn’t you hear what this strapping young man said? This Wen person wants to kill you!”

“If Father is dead, then I’m the sect leader,” her stepson said. He was serious and solemn in a way that made her want to pinch his cheeks and bury her face into his belly to blow raspberries, and also possibly to eat him right up, flesh and marrow and gristle and all. “That means it’s my responsibility to preserve the Nie sect.”

“Nie-gongzi, no!” the disciple cried, throwing himself to his knees in a dramatic display of loyalty. “You would only die – far better for you to run, and live!”

“Then isn’t the same true for everyone else?” the tasty little dish asked, crossing his arms over his chest and pouting. Possibly he was trying to put on a fierce expression, maybe, she couldn’t quite tell sometimes. He was so cute. “Why should I live, and them not? I refuse to buy my life with their deaths!”

“But – Nie-gongzi –”

Her charming little honey cake shook his head and held up a hand to stop the disciple, turning to look at her instead.

“Second Mother,” he said, and he had that wholesome trusting expression again that was such a perfect little one-shot-kill to the heart, ugh. “You always said you’re the best at hiding. The best in the world, no one better among all the gods or demons!”

She was, too. She couldn’t help but preen a little, proud.

“– can’t you do something?”

“Oh, darling cabbage bun,” she said, not without fondness. “I can hide myself from even the net of Heaven itself if I so choose, from gods and demons alike, and I can most certainly hide a small group from any mortal eyes that dare to look, if you don’t mind being a little tiny bit dishonorable about the business. But an entire sect? That’s a bit much, even for someone as talented and skilled as me.”

Her stepson looked up at her, all straight-steel sincerity and upright righteousness wrapped into a perfectly edible little snack-sized package. “If we split them up, the sect could be small groups,” he said eagerly. “Couldn’t you do something then?”

He was so cute, and he trusted her. He trusted her, believed in her, felt that she could perform miracles with a wave of her sleeve if only she so wished.

It was awful.

She couldn’t bear it.

“Oh all right, you nummy little slice of roast pork belly,” she said, yielding. “But I’m telling you now, it won’t be the least bit honorable! There’s only so many excuses you can come up with for having a lot of strong men with wide shoulders and women with thick thighs hanging around, and not a single one of them has the slightest bit to do with what you people consider to be appropriate.”

“That’s all right. Preserving human life comes first, always.”

The disciple looked between them, clearly completely confused. Clearly all his effort had been spent on developing the muscles in his arms (quite nice) rather than his brain (quite slow).

“What?” he said. “What’s happening?”

“We’re saving the sect,” Nie Mingjue announced happily, clapping his hands together. Too precious, too precious entirely; she’d have to make sure no one else even thought about going near her darling little snackling. “Tell everyone to prepare to evacuate.”

“That will take too long,” she said, and smiled, with teeth. “Let me call some friends to help.”

When the Wen sect arrived at the Unclean Realm, they found the gate open.

That was unexpected enough, but when they entered, they found that the entire place had emptied out – not just of people, but of everything else, too. There wasn’t a single intact chair or table in the entire place, not a scrap of cloth nor a bit of food, like it’d been swept clean by locusts or wild monkeys come to pilfer whatever they could.

Even the paving stones where arrays had been laid out by the Nie sect’s ancestors had been pried up and carted away.

Sect Leader Wen ordered a search, but there wasn’t any trace of it – of the people, of the stuff, anything.

No one ever found out what happened.

Jin Guangyao despised social events, he’d found.

It was one thing when it was something he’d planned himself, where the work was interesting enough to distract him, but when he was an honored guest for someone else…miserable. Utterly miserable.

The only thing more miserable was when the host was his erstwhile father, from whom he’d forcefully extracted recognition. With Wen Ruohan as his backer, indulging his favorite torturer as if a beloved pet, there wasn’t much Jin Guangshan could do to refuse, and neither could he force Jin Guangyao to do anything on his behalf, either. And so Jin Guangyao, sitting as always by Wen Ruohan’s side, right beneath his sons, was now an honored guest at his father’s house, getting offered his pick of prostitutes as if the man had no notion of the irony.

Maybe he didn’t. Jin Guangyao couldn’t quite tell if his father had just forgotten his origins, thinking his bastard son too unimportant to remember the details of, or whether it was meant as a deliberate insult – who could tell?

“Oh, right,” the simpering idiot in front of him, a nephew or cousin of some sort to the sect leader, said. “Our dear Jin Guangyao is known not to like the gentle flower queens, even when they come from the finest houses in Lanling. Isn’t that right, cousin?”

Jin Guangyao’s fists clenched. A deliberate insult, then.

Despite that, his face remained neutral. Instead, he chuckled and said, “The appeal is limited. After all, I have seen the best of them.”

Beside him, Wen Ruohan nodded and smirked. He appreciated Jin Guangyao’s devotion to his mother, though Jin Guangyao suspected it was because he thought it funny that Jin Guangyao would bother to honor such a lowly woman – but what he thought didn’t matter, not really. All that mattered was that he let Jin Guangyao pay his respects to her to his heart’s content.

“Well, you’re in luck!” the idiot Jin Zixun said, looking absurdly smug. “We have something of a different flavor than the usual tonight – we’ve invited entertainment from the local branch of Splendid Spring.”

Jin Guangyao barely managed to avoid rolling his eyes.

The Splendid Spring Palace was a series of brothels that had popped up fully formed just about everywhere some years back, with madams and girls and musicians and bodyguards of all sorts. It was so patently a political move that Jin Guangyao had barely bothered to pay attention to it once he’d become actually powerful, and Wen Ruohan hadn’t paid attention to it at all. After all, in the unlikely event that the business really was backed by a cultivation sect that didn’t care about its face any longer, anyone who needed to use such a façade to gather power was clearly beneath notice.

Jin Guangyao had paid only very little attention, but to different and unusual aspects of the place: by all accounts, they were surprisingly decent employers as far as places like that went. They didn’t steal girls or accept unwilling goods – they had some connection with the merchant caravans, or at least one of the companies that helped coordinate routes and provide protection to such things, and they were as meticulous about checking things over as they were about seeking refunds if they were dissatisfied – and they did accept married girls fleeing unhappy marriages, which not everyone did. They did buy up all the girls in the local markets wherever they were, but they swept them away and brought them back transformed, even the ones that wouldn’t sell because they were too ugly; Jin Guangyao assumed that meant they had people who were talented in make-up and clothing, since the usual rumors of the girls being blessed with a yao’s enchantment were obviously ridiculous and nothing more than the usual marketing gimmicks that brothels since time immemorial had tried.

Even once they had the girls in hand, the places were pretty decent: they had physicians on staff to help with the usual side effects of the business, made sure their girls were clean and healthy, and were said to even limit the number of customers a girl would be obliged to take on in a given evening…honestly, knowing as he did the brothel business, Jin Guangyao sometimes wondered how they’d managed to bespell enough people to even make money in the early days. At any rate, whatever they’d done, it’d worked, because by now they had a solid enough reputation to trade on.

In short: a decent enough place, far better than the usual run of the mill. Once he’d had the ability to do so, he’d even pulled a few strings and arranged for the better of his mother’s old compatriots to end up there, since he couldn’t convince them to leave their old professions behind entirely.

Anyway, if they also seemed to have a sideline in information brokering and assassinations, well, let them. In the cultivation world, where the only thing that mattered was strength, real strength.

A little thing like that wouldn’t make any real difference.

Or so Jin Guangyao had thought.

He found himself re-thinking that, though, when the entertainment in question came out. There were the usual set of attractive (albeit in a wider variety of shapes and sizes than usually seen) dancers, dressed up in silks that seemed actually high quality, and plenty of strapping young men carrying sabers – dancers as well, once assumed, to provide some spice to the entertainment, and implicitly on the offer for men who cut their sleeves or women with more flexibility, like widows or ones with especially permissive husbands. Wen Ruohan’s wives were in that latter category, and they were already whispering to each other excitedly, looking at them.

They’d even brought in the local madame, who was…

Well, she was actually breathtaking, even by Jin Guangyao’s extremely jaded standards. She had hair that fell almost all the way to her ankles, shimmering in the light, and dark eyes shining with liveliness, a smooth and ageless face that simultaneously suggested youth and health but also winked at knowable experience, the features characteristic of what his mother’s employers had called the ‘fox-face’. As if to emphasize that, the lady was wrapped in fox-fur and draped in embroidered brocade, with little stylized foxes running up and down the hems of her clothing and along the gazy silk draped on her shoulders.

It ought to have looked absurd, looked gaudy and overwrought and overdone, but it didn’t.

She was a thousand dreams of wealth and beauty and power and sex appeal all wrapped up in one, and even Jin Guangyao – who was in his personal preferences quite firmly a cutsleeve – couldn’t help but intrigued by her, wondering what it might be like to touch the hem of such a glorious creature.

And next to her…

The lady was accompanied by two men that seemed completely different from each other. One was a slender and winsome young man, fluttering his eyelashes from behind a fan with a charming smile, emanating the appeal of softness and weakness, ready to be indulged. While the other…

Jin Guangyao swallowed.

He was the exact opposite of the first man. Clearly strong, muscular and powerful, and tall to the point of towering, with wide shoulders and a narrow waist, a chest that you could lean your head against and an ass that begged to have someone’s hands on it – and there were his hands, big and broad, perfect for holding someone down or up if they so wished and of a size that was very promising as to what was only hinted at under his clothes. His face was hidden behind a veil as if he were a woman, marking him, like his comrade, as one of the available courtesans of the Splendid Spring, but his body was visible under clothing clearly cut to put it to the best advantage.

And oh, what advantages it had…!

“It seems we found something to the tastes of dear cousin Guangyao after all,” the idiot said mockingly, sniggering and snorting like the pig he was, and for once Jin Guangyao didn’t even care.

“Who’s the woman in front?” Wen Ruohan asked, ignoring their interplay. He seemed utterly fascinated, almost spellbound, and Jin Guangyao couldn’t blame him one bit. If this woman had been at the same brothel as his mother, there wouldn’t have even been room for jealousy or shame; his mother would have gone straight up to her to ask for some tips. “She seems…familiar, somehow.”

“That’s the madame of the Splendid Spring,” Jin Zixun said proudly, as if he’d done anything at all in relation to this – nonsense, of course. Everyone know which brothels were backed by the Jin sect, and Splendid Spring wasn’t one of them. He was acting as if he deserve a pat on the back just for the introduction! “That means she’s not for sale.”

His smile faded a little, twisting in a small bit of bitterness. “Or so she told my uncle, anyway…although I’m sure if it were Sect Leader Wen asking, the answer would undoubtedly be different.”

Probably because Jin Guangshan couldn’t slaughter prostitutes with impunity if they said no to him, whereas no one could stop Wen Ruohan from doing any damn thing he pleased.

Wen Ruohan grunted, pleased by the answer – he was a possessive man, in the rare events that he did exert himself in the realm of women, and there had been more than one instance where he’d stolen away some girl his sons had been eyeing first just for the joy of having had her first – and raised a hand, catching the lady’s eye and gesturing for her to come over, which she did.

“What’s your name?” he asked.

She laughed. “You can call me Hu Jiuwei. With the ‘Hu’ being the character for fox.”

Jin Guangyao tried not to choke. There were false names and then there were false names – the lady’s theme was already clearly related to foxes, given her fox-face and fox-fur lining and the foxes embroidered onto her robes. Was the over-the-top name really necessary?

“It’s a fake name,” she added, unnecessarily.

“I see,” Wen Ruohan said, sounding a little choked himself. Possibly it was the woman calling herself ‘Foxy Ninetails’ and then kindly reassuring them all that the name was false as if she thought them too dumb to figure it out that was tripping him up a little. Jin Guangyao couldn’t tell if she was doing it deliberately in order to make her frankly inhuman beauty a little less frightening, or maybe she was blessed with so much beauty that she hadn’t bothered to cultivate her brain at all. “Are you our entertainment for the evening?”

She smiled, and any complaints Jin Guangyao (or indeed Wen Ruohan) might have had about her intelligence faded away at once.

It was that type of smile.

You could wreck nations with that type of smile. Jin Guangyao couldn’t help but wonder: how had a woman this extraordinary ended up in a brothel, of all places? How had no one snatched her up to keep her all for himself before now?

“My sons and I –” she gestured at the two behind her, “– would be more than happy to provide you with all the entertainment you could possibly want.”

Her smile widened.

“We’ve been hoping for an opportunity like this for a long time.”

#mdzs #nie mingjue #second madame nie #jin guangyao #wen ruohan #my fic #my fics #what does the fox say

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bluedjaywrites · 3 years ago

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𝙿𝚕𝚊𝚝𝚘𝚗𝚒𝚌! 𝙲𝚕𝚊𝚜𝚜 𝟷-𝙰 𝚡 𝙵𝚎𝚖! 𝚁𝚎𝚊𝚍𝚎𝚛: 𝙰𝚕𝚕𝚎𝚛𝚐𝚒𝚎𝚜

Original Anon Request: Hiyaa!! Can I request reader who's in class 1.A. So, they're all chilling in the common room on a Saturday each to their own, some watching TV, some playing cards or whatever (normal teen stuff,they deserve it) and Satō and a few others are making dinner in the kitchen. When it's done they gather to eat together. After a while reader starts coughing constantly and her face gradually turns red and irritated and someone jokes she look like a tomato but then it gets worse and everyone starts freaking out. Some are panicking, someone immediately Naruto ran to get Aizawa, some start to cry cause they think reader's dying, like "the hell's happening to our y/n?!" until one of the few that were worried shit but actually remained calm (not looking at you, Iida and Deku) asks Satō what they put in the food and find out it was garlic....reader is frickin allergic to garlic and is having a reaction (mb throw in a wild Bakugo who doesn't know if to shout at poor Satō and blast him into the next week or reader for being such an idiot) and it's all crack and headassery from start to finish maybe with a bit of fluff at the end when y/n gets better cause they're rlly fond of her and care for her a lot

Tysm for requesting!

I love the crack vibes in this request kewidfjerfuriejr 😩

♪♫.ılılıll|̲̅̅●̲̅̅|̲̅̅=̲̅̅|̲̅̅●̲̅̅|llılılı.♫♪

"Uno!" Kaminari slammed a blue card that had the number four written on it with a triumphant smirk.

"Fuck!" Bakugou flipped over the small coffee table that he, Kirishima and Kaminari were playing Uno on.

"Be quiet, guys!" Hagakure told the boys in annoyance from her spot on the couch. She was sitting beside Y/n as Kirishima tried holding Bakugou back from attacking Kaminari.

"Yeah! Big Ed's about to propose to his 52nd girlfriend of 3 days!" Y/n said not taking her eyes off the TV, making Mina nod in agreement and turn to the TV.

All the students of Class 1-A were in the living room, either doing their own thing or watching Big Ed make a fool of himself. To anybody else, it may seem like normal high school students hanging out with 90 Day Fiancé playing in the background and a blonde haired boy resembling a rabid dog attempting to attack a human Pikachu. But to the hero students of Class 1-A, this was quite rare, due to the League of Villains not leaving the teenagers alone.

Y/n exhaled contentedly and leaned into the soft sofa, closing her eyes and thinking about how she and her classmates had finally caught a break from the League of Villains. 'The League's kinda pathetic, what with the way that they think they can kill All Might.'

'The closest they got to victory was kidnapping Bakugou, but we don't talk about that. Well, we could if we wanted to, but Bakugou would try to end our life right there and then. Just ask Deku.' Y/n shuddered. She knew Bakugou could get very angry, but she didn't know he could get that angry.

Y/n opened her eyes and looked at the TV, sighing in secondhand embarrassment when she saw Big Ed get rejected for the second time in that episode.

"I know, right?" Uraraka asked, shaking her head in disappointment.

"You'd think he'd know how to interact with women properly by now," Jirou remarked.

"Dinner!" Yaoyorozu announced cheerfully, holding a teapot filled with fancy Earl Grey tea and setting it on the table. Mina followed her, carrying a hot pot full of rice and putting it beside the teapot. Sato carried curry (Steph Curry) in one hand and a special hot sauce he made in the other. He set the food on the dinner table, and everyone got up from their spots, booking it to the dining area.

Y/n followed her friends and sat down beside Mina and Deku. The girl hummed and scooped some rice into her plate, topping it off with a generous amount of spicy curry. She used her spoon to mix the curry with the rice, and then ate a spoonful. Y/n's eyes widened as she realized her mistake.

"Aw, man!" Kaminari exclaimed, reaching for the scoop to get more rice. "This rice is amazing!"

"I made it!" Mina declared proudly, making Kaminari almost choke on his food in surprise.

"Wha- You made this??" Kaminari asked, as Mina nodded.

"I didn't know you could cook."

Mina huffed and shook her head, "What do you say?"

"Uh, what?" Kaminari asked in confusion, as Y/n started coughing, covering her mouth.

"Bussing, Kaminari, bussing," Mina emphasized her words, pulling out her phone. "The trend."

"What do you- Ohhh!" Kaminari nodded in understanding.

"Ahem," Kaminari stood up from his chair, picking up a teacup and clinking a teaspoon at it's side. This was an attempt at catching everyone's attention, which worked, surprisingly.

Kaminari then took in a deep breath as if he was about to deliver a long speech.

The boy cupped his hands around his mouth in order to amplify his voice, "Sheeeessh! Sheeeeeeeesh!"

"Oh shit," Bakugou groaned, slamming his head on the table as Sero joined in.

"Sheeeesh! C'mon, everybody, sheesh!"

"Sheesh," Todoroki said in a monotone voice, shocking Iida and Deku.

"This food BUSSIN'!" Kaminari yelled loudly, eliciting murmurs of "Sheeeeesh," and "This food bussin' bussin'" from most of his classmates.

"For the love of All Might," Monoma's voice could be heard from Class 1-B's common room. "SHUT THE FUCK UP!"

Monoma's yell caused the class to calm down and eat their food while conversing with their friends in a less disruptive way, while Mina's voice could be heard among the chatter.

"I just wanted to make a TikTok, damn."

"Sheesh," Kaminari muttered, turning to Y/n, who was sitting across from him. "I didn't see you joining in — is everything all right? Come to think of it, you were coughing the whole time..."

Y/n swallowed thickly, shaking her head and coughing more, making Kaminari let out a short high pitched scream, which caught Mina's attention.

"Kaminari, your vocal cords a different breed- HOLY SHIT! Y/N YOUR FACE IS LITERALLY RED!" Mina did a double take, looking at Y/n's expression. Mina's scream drew her classmates' attention towards Y/n.

The girl's face had a red hue to it, and her eyes were watery as if she was about to cry, even though she wasn't sad.

"Y/n!" Deku yelled in surprise. Everybody at the table had stopped eating and were looking at their friend in concern. Y/n started gasping for air, scaring her friends.

"I'll get Aizawa!" Sero jumped out of his seat, Naruto running to the teacher's lounge.

"It's Mr. Aizawa, Sero!" Iida reprimanded, moving his arms up and down stiffly, but the black haired boy was already out of sight.

Uraraka got out of her seat, along with Yaoyorozu, and the two started patting Y/n's back, trying to get her to stop coughing.

"WHAT'S WRONG WITH HER?!" Kaminari sobbed, tears streaming down his face, as Kirishima tried to calm him down, despite the fact that he was worried as well.

"Maybe she's choking?" Todoroki suggested, looking at the girl who was still coughing and wheezing.

"HOW CAN YOU BE SO CALM ABOUT THIS?!" Mina sobbed.

"Death is inevitable," Tokoyami said , crossing his arms and looking down, but he too was worried.

Bakugou tched and got out of his seat, his classmates' eyes following him as he shoved the two girls out of the way. Yaoyorozu gave him a skeptical look, and he roughly clapped Y/n on the back, making Uraraka shriek.

"You're hurting her!"

"I'm trying to keep her dumbass from dying! You think you can do better, Round Face?!"

Meanwhile, Todoroki watched his friend suffer, as he tried to think of reasons she was coughing and why her face was so red, when Deku suggested something.

"Maybe it's a reaction to the food? Y/n isn't allergic to rice, so... maybe it's the curry? Sato, you made the curry, what did you put in it?" Deku looked questioningly at Sato, who sniffled.

"W-well," Sato paused to wipe a tear from his eye as he glanced at his wheezing friend, who was still caught in the middle of Bakugou and Uraraka's bickering.

"It's my mother's secret r-recipe that she taught me. I think the ingredients were... onions, potatoes, carrots, garlic-"

"Garlic!" Deku exclaimed. "It's the garlic in the curry!"

"Garlic?" Todoroki asked Deku in a confused tone.

"Yes, Y/n is having an aller-"

The sound of the door slamming open interrupted Deku, and everyone's heads turned as Sero ran in with Aizawa and Recovery Girl following close behind.

"Oh dear," the nurse approached Y/n, who was clutching the sides of her chair and was still coughing, her face as red as a tomato. (Heh, classic simile)

"Shoo, shoo," Recovery Girl waved her hands in dismissal at Bakugou and Uraraka, who gave each other death glares as Aizawa separated them.

"Oh, poor girl," the lady reached into her medical bag, pulling out a small container like device.

"A glue stick? How's that going to help-" a hit on the back of his head shut Kaminari up.

Recovery Girl then popped the cap off of the 'glue stick' and muttered, "Hold still, dearie."

Then she stabbed it in Y/n's mid-thigh, holding it there for three seconds. After the three seconds were over, Recovery Girl removed the EpiPen, making Y/n take in a deep breath and sigh in relief.

"It was an allergic reaction," Deku informed his shocked classmates, as Aizawa and the school nurse began to tend to Y/n.

"But to what?" Mina asked.

"Garlic."

"Y-yeah, I put in some garlic in the curry to make the flavor pop a little more..." Sato said guiltily. "I had no idea Y/n was allergic to it."

"You idiot-" Bakugou started, stepping towards Sato in a threatening manner, but a sharp look from Aizawa made him halt in his tracks.

Aizawa looked back at Y/n. "I think you can still eat the rice, but if you're hungry then let me know."

Y/n nodded, "Thanks dad- I mean Mr. Aizawa."

Aizawa shook his head and hid a smile, following Recovery Girl out the door. As soon as Bakugou made sure that Aizawa was gone, he immediately stomped up to Y/n.

"Moron! You could've fucking died!" the ash blonde boy scolded the sheepish girl, as their classmates observed the scene. "Then what would we do, huh? Bury you in a damn coffin? That's too fucking expensive, and with the way you spend your money on games, you're probably broke."

"Of course not," Y/n shook her head. "I'll just ask Hu Tao for a discount."

Kaminari guffawed, almost spitting out his water, as Mina choked on a grain of rice.

"Hu Tao?" Todoroki asked with a lost expression, looking around for an answer. "Who's that?"

Sato then walked over to Y/n, who was still sitting on her seat in the dining area, and bowed repeatedly, "I'm so sorry please forgive me I didn't know you were allergic if you hate me that's okay I'll make more food without garlic to make it up to you-"

"No, it's alright!" Y/n laughed. "I'm alright now!"

"Yeah, but what was that thingy that Recovery Girl stabbed you with?" Kaminari asked.

"You're that dumb, huh..." Jirou mumbled.

"Hey!"

"That's an EpiPen," Y/n informed. "It's a sort of medication in the form of an injection that's used to treat allergic reactions.

"An a pee pen?"

I hope this was to your liking anon!

I'm sorry if I got the EpiPen stuff wrong, I don't have any allergies (that I know of) so I searched it up 🗿

And I'm watching Kurtis Conner rn and I think I just damaged something by laughing too hard help-

♪♫.ılılıll|̲̅̅●̲̅̅|̲̅̅=̲̅̅|̲̅̅●̲̅̅|llılılı.♫♪

→ 𝙲𝚕𝚊𝚜𝚜 𝟷-𝙰 𝙼𝚊𝚜𝚝𝚎𝚛𝚕𝚒𝚜𝚝

→ 𝙼𝚢 𝙷𝚎𝚛𝚘 𝙰𝚌𝚊𝚍𝚎𝚖𝚒𝚊 𝙼𝚊𝚜𝚝𝚎𝚛𝚕𝚒𝚜𝚝

→ 𝙼𝚊𝚜𝚝𝚎𝚛𝚕𝚒𝚜𝚝 𝚘𝚏 𝙼𝚊𝚜𝚝𝚎𝚛𝚕𝚒𝚜𝚝𝚜

#boku no hero academia #my hero academia #bnha #mha #mha x reader #class 1 a x reader #y/n x class 1 a #platonic class 1 a

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yemilnisu · 4 years ago

Text

INCORRECT HAIKYUU QUOTES FROM BUZZFEED UNSOLVED

nisu entries:

i got this idea from @memekingofwwiii and some of it are theirs 🙇🏻‍♀️ thank you for letting me add it here 😊 it’s a mixture from buzzfeed unsolved supernatural and true crime 👀 i really had fun doing this!

warning: swearing, mentions of death/murder/killing/blood/weed

「part 2」

Tendou: i did have a neighbor who had an overhang of a lime tree, and it was great because i could go pick a little lime.

Ushijima: did you ever think about killing your neighbor?

Tendou: when he didn't give me limes, yeah.

Ushijima: oh, okay; all right.

«────── « ⋅ʚ♡ɞ⋅ » ──────»

Matsukawa: this is my bridge now, if you want it back you’re gonna have to kill me.

Oikawa: he did throw someone off the bridge once.

Matsukawa: fuck you, goatman!

Oikawa: Jesus Christ.

Kunimi: *behind the camera snickering as mattsun taunts the goatman much to oikawa’s dismay*

«────── « ⋅ʚ♡ɞ⋅ » ──────»

Matsukawa: hey demons, it’s me, ya boi.

Matsukawa: if you want to eat my heart, turn that light on. If you want to eat oikawa’s heart, turn that light on...

Oikawa: don’t drag me into your shit, mattsun.

*torch turns on*

Oikawa: *screams*

Matsukawa: *laughs hysterically as he continues to lie on the pentagram*

Kunimi: *actual wheezing*

Matsukawa: i think this demon’s a wimp.

Oikawa: he’s out of his fucking mind.

Kunimi: *having the time of his life*

«────── « ⋅ʚ♡ɞ⋅ » ──────»

Oikawa: every human's capable of murder if you push them enough. i just don't know if this is enough of a push.

Iwaizumi: okay.

Oikawa: it's true!

Iwaizumi: is that so?

Oikawa: yeah.

Oikawa: i bet you you would murder me if I pushed you enough.

Iwaizumi: yeah, probably.

«────── « ⋅ʚ♡ɞ⋅ » ──────»

Tsukishima: …

Tsukishima: so, you're telling me, at nine years old, you don’t go to church. the first time you cross the threshold into holy ground,

Nishinoya: *makes noise and imitates blood coming out of his nose*

Tsukishima: blood expels from your nostrils?

Nishinoya: yeah, yeah. they ran outta tissues! mopping that up.

Tsukishima: …

Nishinoya: it was wild!

Tsukishima: it sounds wild.

«────── « ⋅ʚ♡ɞ⋅ » ──────»

Kuroo: i think it was the neighbor. look, i’m a simple man. i see a trail of blood going to someone's house. even if they didn't do it, come on; you're going to jail.

Kenma: i think it might've been a random person.

Kuroo: all right.

Kenma: it just seems too obvious.

Kuroo: okay.

Kenma: there's a paper trail of their feud. why the hell would he be that dumb?

Kuroo: rage, you know? lust, rage. rage just- just building up, bursting out.

Kenma: well, i've never really gotten that angry. i don't really have that capacity.

Kuroo: it's building. it's building inside you. everyone sees it; we all see it.

Kenma: that's great. oh man, i can't wait for krakatoa then.

Kuroo: *shuddering* oh- oh- i shudder.

Kenma: hope no one's in the way 😺

Kuroo: …

Kuroo: scary.

«────── « ⋅ʚ♡ɞ⋅ » ──────»

Daichi: he allegedly chased his mother with an axe when he was 19.

Asahi: not great.

Daichi: (wheeze) no? not off- off to a bad start?

Asahi: no good. i’ve never done that. you didn’t do that did you?

Daichi: no! i didn't- what- is there anything to suggest that I would chase my mom with an axe?

Asahi: (inhales) not outright i feel like if you peel the layers back.

Daichi: you think if you peel the layers back from this onion, you'll see something you don’t want to see?

Asahi: yeah. i think you wear a mask sometimes 😅

Daichi: mm-hmm i think you should keep digging and maybe see what happens 🙂

Asahi: uh no i'm good 🧍🏻‍♂️

Daichi: *staring at asahi*

Asahi: 👁👄👁💧

«────── « ⋅ʚ♡ɞ⋅ » ──────»

Osamu: my takeaway is people from chicago are weird.

Atsumu: the- this does not represent chicago. this is people and go "ey! chicago tylenol murders"

Osamu: (laugh) home with the beam, the cubs and the chicago tylenol murders and of course our nation's greatest tragedy, miya atsumu.

Atsumu: that- that's not me.

Osamu: i read it somewhere 🤷🏻

Atsumu: no, you didn’t, you probably wrote it.

Osamu: yeah.

«────── « ⋅ʚ♡ɞ⋅ » ──────»

Suna: i’d love to be an heiress.

Kita: (snickers)

Suna: i know she’s probably gonna disappear or something.

Kita: so you wanna be a trust fund baby?

Suna: i’d like someone to give me a lot of money for doing nothing. but i want-

Kita: and then you wanna disappear?

Suna: yes. i want to get a lot of money and then vanish from the face of the earth.

«────── « ⋅ʚ♡ɞ⋅ » ──────»

Ennoshita: her family believed that when she left at 11:30 am, she had as much as $30 in her purse, which in today’s dollars would be more than $750.

Nishinoya: holy moly!

Tanaka: that’s a lot of quiche—

Nishinoya: yeah.

Tanaka: that’s a lot of quiche.

Nishinoya: thirty bucks going that far in 1910.

Tanaka: i don’t even have $750 in my bank account.

Nishinoya: i’ve never had $750 in my pocket! i rarely have had $30 in my pocket.

Ennoshita: well i don’t really carry cash anymore-

Nishinoya & Tanaka: who does!?

«────── « ⋅ʚ♡ɞ⋅ » ──────»

Yaku: stop number one, mothman statue.

Lev: it looks very ornate.

Yaku: *shocked that lev knows that word*

Yaku: you’ll be able to stare at it eye to eye.

Lev: what’s that supposed to mean?

Yaku: it means you’re eight feet tall, it’s a tall joke. get it?

Lev: 🧍🏼

Yaku: 🤦🏼‍♂️

«────── « ⋅ʚ♡ɞ⋅ » ──────»

Akaashi: any... any thought in that so far?

Bokuto: (fart sound) nope. what year is it, ‘66?

Akaashi: ‘66.

Bokuto: few teens out there probably smoking a few funny cigarettes.

Akaashi: you could say weed. it’s 2018.

Bokuto: ...some grass.

«────── « ⋅ʚ♡ɞ⋅ » ──────»

Kageyama: so my guess is the couples were somewhere around here, maybe on that road over there.

Hinata: yeah.

Kageyama: and i'm not sure of the exact location but this is where they saw him stumbling around.

Hinata: they just… saw him kinda shambling?

Kageyama: yeah.

Hinata: big shambling man. kinda *shuffling his body*

Kageyama: i- i don’t know, maybe he was just taking a walk, i mean, what's it to you?

Hinata: why would you take a walk if you had wings?

Kageyama: he's a fucking creature, he can do what he wants.

«────── « ⋅ʚ♡ɞ⋅ » ──────»

Kuroo: but all im saying is that what you need to gather from this is that he has an effect on people's psyche.

Lev: this mothman's a complicated character.

Kuroo: what does he sound like? what does he sound like?

Lev: he sound like the blood bird.

Kuroo: …

Lev: flappy spookster.

Kuroo: …

Kuroo: that's- come on.

Kuroo: *glances over to lev's notes*

Lev: the winged wretch. did i already say that?

Kuroo: this just says fright terror.

Kuroo: *throws away the notes*

Lev: you know, just call him batman, why is that hard? 😩

«────── « ⋅ʚ♡ɞ⋅ » ──────»

(howling)

Goshiki: what the fuck.

Shirabu: well those are coyotes… or dogs. Or a large pack of something.

Goshiki: holy shit.

Shirabu: just some coyotes.

Goshiki: are you not fucking alarmed right now?

Shirabu: are you scared? (laugh)

Goshiki: dude wait- this goes beyond belief, that was a pack of, whatever the fuck that was.

Shirabu: it was coyotes!

Goshiki: is that our cue to leave? i think maybe. we've been out here for quite a bit.

Shirabu: yeah, i don’t know if were gonna find anything tonight.

Goshiki: i don’t wanna be in the mouth of some coyote later, that's not how i want the picture wrap on old tsutomu to be.

«────── « ⋅ʚ♡ɞ⋅ » ──────»

Atsumu: air force one? they filmed air force one here?

Atsumu: air force one actually, now that i think of it, remember the reason they hijacked the plane is to release for the-

Sakusa: i’m gonna go ahead and cut you off right there 'cause i don’t give a shit.

Sakusa: we’re gonna move over here.

Atsumu: …okay.

«────── « ⋅ʚ♡ɞ⋅ » ──────»

Kai: four people in a cell, that's a lot

Kuroo: i mean, you put any normal people in a room that's too small. like if you’re in a dorm in college, if you hate your roommate…

Kai: it's tough business

Kuroo: listening to music too loud when i'm trying to study

Kai: hwfrrrrr…

Kuroo: cookin' uhh… top ramen in the microwave when i'm trying to sleep

Kai: you got some axes to grind?

Kuroo: no.

Kai: oh

Kuroo: fuck you, daishou.

Kai: daishou?

«────── « ⋅ʚ♡ɞ⋅ » ──────»

(distant thud)

Yamamoto: what the fuck?

Kenma: :3

Yamamoto: is all i have to say to that.

Kenma: they didn’t like the thumb talk.

Yamamoto: you didn't like the thumb talk? was it too much thumb talk? i thought we went about two minutes long on the-

(distant thud)

Kenma: they don’t like the thumb talk.

Yamamoto: *looking around in shock*

Kenma: *stopping himself from laughing*

Yamamoto: uhhhh… holy fuck. holy fuck, holy fuck. if you’re one of the people that had that thumb thing to happen to you, that sucks. what was it like?

Kenma: what do you think you're gonna get right now? 😑

Yamamoto: i feel like we should go see what that is, to be honest.

Kenma: *shakes his head*

«────── « ⋅ʚ♡ɞ⋅ » ──────»

Tsukishima: we’re walking over to the source of the disturbance.

Hinata: hello? (sigh) i’m gonna lose my mind. so, it did that twice within the span of 10 seconds but nothing else?

Tsukishima: but, we can confirm that it did sound like this right? *slams the cabinet door*

Hinata: yeah.

Tsukishima: that was the sound.

Hinata: do you think the wind’s gonna do that twice?

Tsukishima: *blows on the cabinet door*

Tsukishima: not moving 🙄

Hinata: well, shit.

«────── « ⋅ʚ♡ɞ⋅ » ──────»

Sugawara: oh there it is. it’s that. *pointing to where the sound was coming from*

Asahi: what?

Sugawara: there’s a logical explanation for you.

Asahi: ah! okay, there it is. well, there you go, there you go.

Sugawara: but, if we hadn’t seen that...

Asahi: if we hadn’t seen that we would be fooled 😅

Sugawara: no, we wouldn’t have been fooled. you would have been telling me for months.

«────── « ⋅ʚ♡ɞ⋅ » ──────»

*inside the prisoners of ohio state penitentiary*

Kageyama: this is fucking terrible.

Tsukishima: it’s the opportunity of a lifetime to be here.

«────── « ⋅ʚ♡ɞ⋅ » ──────»

Tendou: i’m separating from the group.

Semi: it’s the ideal time to kill him.

Tendou: yeah i mean, if i were gonna die in camera it would be a pretty noble thing.

«────── « ⋅ʚ♡ɞ⋅ » ──────»

Osamu: I don’t understand what’s wrong with atsumu sometimes.

Atsumu: what was that?

Osamu: i didn’t say anything.

Atsumu: you sure you didn’t say anything, ‘samu?

Osamu: now go back and set ‘em off to make sure they work.

«────── « ⋅ʚ♡ɞ⋅ » ──────»

Sakusa: *inhales*

Atsumu: *inhales*

Sakusa: you need to back up from me. i can feel your air intake. it’s like a gross nasal jet, i don’t know.

Atsumu: *takes a step towards sakusa*

Sakusa: uh no *takes a step backwards*

«────── « ⋅ʚ♡ɞ⋅ » ──────»

Futakuchi: latch yourself onto my soul, come back to hollywood with me, and destroy the lives of all my friends and coworkers.

Koganegawa: a little hard to follow, but i like where you’re going.

Futakuchi: kogane’s family has a little-

Koganegawa: ey! ey! do-! do-! don’t!

Futakuchi: -dog named mickey.

Koganegawa:*trying to stop futakuchi*

Futakuchi: real good. you wanted me to give it my all. i’m throwing stuff on the table.

Koganegawa: insults, not personal information. you’re giving him a dossier on my life!

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minkmousesworld · 4 years ago

Note

I think I know how we die in the forest au with raccoon dog Tanjiro, so Muzan ( we’ll say is a wolf) who killed Tanjiro’s family comes and attacks us. So we are out having a domestic moment outside with the kids and Muzan comes and tries to kill us, we run cause Muzan just that strong and we tell Tanjiro to hide with the kids and Tanjiro is terrified and as we tell them our final moments and gets killed in front of him😭

I feel so bad that it's good...

warnings: angst, indefinite end, mention of wounds, male pregnancy

Everything was fine with you.

Yes, perhaps the hole was getting too narrow for your cubs, so it was time for you to find a new home, or that it was time for the cubs to be taught to hunt not only fish, but also rabbits or other small animals, but apart from such ordinary trifles, you had no problems!

... Therefore, when everyone in the forest started talking about the fact that "one of the packs of wolves was terrorizing the neighboring forest", you listened, repeated the plan in case of an attack and continued to live on.

They don't have to come to your forest, right?

Besides, who knows if this pack will survive if they meet a worthy opponent like the bear that is found in your forest...

And although your beloved trembled when he heard about a pack of wild wolves, you gently took his hands and promised that you would protect him and the cubs from any danger.

After all, they're just wolves. Their strength is in quantity. If you divide them, you will win. This is obvious. In addition, you were strong and agile, you were a truly wild animal who managed to survive most of his life in constant danger. You're safe.

Everything will be alright.

Tanjirou squeezed your hand tightly and purred, snuggling closer.

You're probably right. Although Tanjirou has a traumatic experience, but this does not mean that this experience will be repeated.

He won't die. The cubs will be fine. You will not be alone.

Everything will be alright.

Everything will be fine.

When you are trying to teach a couple of cubs to hunt rabbits while other children are helping dad, for the first time you feel an unfamiliar smell on your territory. There was nothing strange in this - sometimes predators accidentally climbed up to you, but almost immediately left, afraid to test the strength of your claws and fangs on themselves.

But these did not leave.

They were coming here.

They were looking for you.

And you immediately rush to take the cubs to the burrow, then to deal with the predator. Only later do you realize that they are wolves.

And that they are running.

And you also break into a run, clutching the whining cubs to yourself.

They should have come from the other side. Where are they from here? Only your family lives on this side. There are not even a particularly large number of herbivores here. Just a small place that is often warmed by the sun and where a lot of berries grow. Useless for any predator.

Unless they're looking for your beloved.

Just the thought of this causes you to have a new attack of aggression. Well, if they came to your mate, then it's self-defense, right?

Puppies are easy to let go, but they don't want to let you go. They are crumpled, do not want to let you go and are silent, without making a sound, but you can't stay and calm them down. The only thing you can do is instruct them to tell Dad that he should get ready for a walk.

Dad will understand what you're talking about.

The puppies are crying, but they hurriedly climb into the hole, and you are very sorry that you can't stay and calm them down.

When the puppies, crying and whining, run to him, Tanjiro understands with fear that something has happened.

When you don't appear after them, Tanjirou is terrified, and his first instinct is to rush to look for you.

But instead, he can only prepare the cubs, who are nervous and do not understand anything, to escape.

Is there anything he can do? Pregnant and weak, the only thing he can do is wait for a signal, or your arrival, or a cry, or something, hugging the cubs and trying to calm them in such a small and narrow hole, from the tightness of which he suffocates.

Maybe it was just a lynx? Of course, no predator has visited your territory for a long time, after your bloody work, but there are always a lot of young and stupid predators. Maybe the cubs are just overexcited, but Tanjirou has already gathered them all and is ready to run away.

If so, it will be fun when you come back, huh.

Please, come back, [Y/n].

The cubs fall asleep, but Tanjirou can't.

The only thing he can do is wait for you, trembling with excitement, but stroking the kids ' hair.

You've never been so late before.

Tanjirou doesn't know how much time it is, or what time of day it is. It feels like more than a month has passed, so he will not be surprised if only ten minutes have passed. An excruciating ten minutes. Until he feels your smell and immediately explodes from the spot.

Your smell.

And blood.

Your blood.

He immediately carefully leaves the nest and hurries to you. And this turns out to be his main mistake.

He shouldn't have raised it to you. He shouldn't have been so carefree. He shouldn't have allowed himself to relax. He should not have forgotten the lesson of his parents ' family. He shouldn't have been so useless.

But he was like that.

And his family is now paying for it.

The hole to the emergency exit is narrow, winding, but the cubs do not make a sound, and Tanjirou feels even worse from this, as he is left alone with his thoughts.

You'll be back, won't you?

You said that you would come to them in a different way.

You were apologizing that you couldn't join them, because the wolves would find you.

You asked for forgiveness for not being able to protect your home.

You held him to your heart, promising that you would always be together, no matter what.

You promised. [Y/n], you promised.

Please.

Tanjirou doesn't immediately realize that he is starting to cry, but he can't cry now.

You have always kept your promises. So he must also be strong and not let the puppies lose hope. This is what you would like.

This is what your unborn baby would like.

Everything will be alright.

You're not coming back.

Not in an hour, not in a day.

Maybe you forgot the way?

The younger cubs cry, but the older ones calm them all the time, although they themselves call you in their dreams. The baby in the stomach is kicking more and more often, which makes it difficult for Tanjirou to do his own business; fortunately, the puppies are happy to help him while their parent is "temporarily absent".

You really should hurry, otherwise Tanjirou will give birth without your participation.

#🐹.cute mouse #🍑.tanjirou kamado #💫.raccoon dog tanjirou #🍯.thirsty #🍮.forest au #🍭.male pregnancy #🍭.angst #demon slayer scenarios #kimetsu no yaiba scenarios #🍰.imagine

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marvelatthetwilight · 4 years ago

Text

Found in Forks

A/N: A quick one. To satisfy an Emmett shaped need in this story.

Y/N’s POV

Months had passed since we had declared our love, solidifying my bond with Paul. We were inseparable. I couldn’t bear to spend time without him, and even in his company, I NEEDED to be as close to him as possible.

When the pack were discussing the threat of the newborn army I couldn’t help my nerves from making my legs shake, my foot tapping against the leg of the table. Paul reached over and squeezed my hand. He gave me a look that said it’ll be ok. I was desperate to believe that was true.

“We are meeting the Cullens in an hour to train.” Sam said after hanging up the phone to Carlisle.

I felt Paul shake with anger beside me and a growl left his lips. “Why do we need to train, we’ve hunted bloodsuckers before?” He said, whilst I curled up against him to dissipate his anger, he wrapped his arm around me and kissed the top of my head.

“Carlisle said this will be different, we need to trust them right now Paul. This threat isn’t just for them, we need to protect the reservation” the pack nodded at this and Paul didn’t press any further.

Everyone split off after this, with Quil and Embry heading off on patrol, agreeing to meet in the field in an hour. I turn in my seat to look Paul in the eye. “I want to come to training.”

Paul laughs, then sees the serious look in my eye and shakes his head. “Nope, not happening. I’m not putting you at risk by taking you to the bloodsuckers. That’s ridiculous.”

I place a hand on either side of his face and look deep into his eyes.

“I need this. I need to see that you will be ok. If I see you train it’ll make me feel better, help me to visualise you winning. Please Paul.” I try my best puppy dog eyes that I know he can’t refuse and he huffs in reply.

“Fine. But you will NOT be leaving my side, promise?”

“As if I ever would.” I reply and he pulls me tight towards him, kissing my forehead.

“I love you Y/N” he looks down at me, his eyes now softer.

“And I love you” I smile up at him and kiss him softly on the lips.

~~~

We had made it to the agreed field, with the Cullens already standing waiting. I could see Bella who Jacob always talking about was standing there too, recognising her from school, so I’m not the only human here. I send a small wave and a smile in her direction and she waved back, surprised to see me with the pack. Edward whispers something to her and she nods in understanding.

I slide off of Paul’s back once we come to a stop, and he gestures for me to take a seat in the grass. He lays down beside me once I am seated.

I look across at the Cullens, my first opportunity to see the whole family, having only seen the “children” briefly at school before.

Your eyes land on Emmett. You remember him from school, sitting in the cafeteria with the other Cullens, and you are reminded how much he looks like your dad and your grandpa. The similarities are uncanny. Images of your dad and your grandpa flash in your head as you compare them to the cold one you see in front of you. Weird.

You glance away and see Edward staring at you, a look of realisation on his face. Paul growls from beside you and you stroke the fur around his face before leaning your head against him. “Oh be quiet Paul, he’s doing nothing wrong” you whisper to him. He huffs before turning his attention to Carlisle, who begins to address the pack.

“Welcome, Jasper has experience with the newborns, and will teach us how to defeat them.”

Paul nods slightly beside you.

“They want to know how the newborns differ from us” Edward says as he reads the packs’ minds, Paul had told you about the gifts they possessed on your way to the meeting.

“They’re a great deal stronger than us because their own human blood lingers in their tissues. Our kind is never more physically powerful than in our first several months of this life” Carlisle explains. You shudder at this thought, fearful for your friends and Paul. As if sensing this he leans towards you, and your body relaxes with the contact.

Jasper steps forward, and addresses the pack. “A newborn army doesn’t need thousands like a human army. But no human army can stand against them. Now the two most important things to remember are; first, never let them get their arms around you, they’ll crush you instantly. The second, never go for the obvious kill, they’ll be expecting that, and you will lose.”

The Cullens begin to demonstrate fighting, as Jasper narrates, advising the pack on what to do, or what not to do in some cases.

As the training comes to an end, Jared and Paul head off for patrol, Embry and Quill promising to get you back to Emily’s safely as they wait for you to finish talking to Bella.

“I’m so sorry the pack need to be involved Y/N.” Bella says quietly, an apologetic look on her face.

“The threat is a risk to everyone, including the reservation, they would help whether you ask them to or not, it’s just what they’re like.” You say with a smile as you watch Embry and Quil practise some techniques with Jasper.

“Y/N” Edward joins Bella, an arm quickly wrapped around her, pulling her close to his side.

“Edward, nice to see you again.” You were briefly lab partners a couple of years ago and you always appreciated how little he talked, no awkward small talk, unlike some of your peers. Little did you know that he also appreciated working with you, your mind was never filled with the inane gossip of your classmates.

“I don’t know if Paul has told you, but I can...hear people’s thoughts. I didn’t want to alarm you but I need to talk to you about something you thought about when you first got here” you nodded slowly, trying to remember what you had thought about.

“Erm...ok? I can’t remember what it was though?”

“It was when you were looking at Emmett, you thought he showed some similarity to some family members?” He motions for Emmett to join them.

“I’ve always thought it, but dismissed it before as it was ridiculous. He looks exactly like my dad and my grandpa, I’m sure my grandma has some photos of my grandpa when he was younger in one of her photo albums and he looks identical”.

Emmett appears at Edward’s side just as you finish talking. He frowns slightly and then asks; “where are your family from Y/N?”

“Erm...well my dad was born here in Forks but my grandpa was from Tennessee...Gatlinburg I think my grandma said.”

Emmett’s eyebrows dart up in shock and shortly after Edward’s expression changes to shocked too. Emmett walks closer, not worrying about the distracted wolves.

“What was your grandpa’s name Y/N?”

“Ernest Y/L/N”

Emmett smiles a big smile, and turns to Edward, then motions for Rosalie to join them. He squeezes Rosalie’s hand, excitement showing on his face.

“Y/N, I think your grandpa was my nephew. My older sister Mary was his mother, Mary Y/L/N. That makes me your great-great uncle!”

You laugh at this, moving forward to hug Emmett, he picks you up, wrapping his large arms around you. This draws attention from Embry and Quil, who quickly realised that Paul would destroy them if anything happened to you. They move forward quickly, as if they are going to attack before Edward steps in front of you and Emmett trying to explain.

“They’ve just discovered they’re related, it’s a hug! He isn’t attacking her.”

The wolves look at each other, then back at you as Emmett sets you back on the ground.

“I’m fine guys, just happy!”

You turn your attention back to Emmett as he speaks again, “when I died I worried about my family a lot, I was the only son, I was strong and provided for them when my dad got too old. I left them some money, but after we moved away I never found out what happened. Now I know!”

You smile at this. “My grandpa always used to tell us stories about his uncle when we were younger, he was wild, he used to say, really strong, and an amazing hunter. He said they were all devastated when you were eaten by a bear...”

Emmett looks sad at this.

“Were they ok though, how did Ernest end up here?”

“I’m not really sure, but my grandpa owned a hunting shop just outside of Forks, they were comfortable I think. My dad is a lawyer, based out of Seattle during the week, then he comes home to Forks at the weekends. My grandpa saved up to put dad through school, he was so proud of him.”

A smile returns to Emmett’s face, as he thinks about his nephew, hard working like him, providing for his family.

Rosalie walks over and wraps an arm around his waist. “So all these years of wondering, wanting to go back to Tennessee to try and find them and you’ve found your family in Forks?”

“Looks like it babe!” He ruffles your hair as he speaks and you try to swat his arm away.

“I’m so happy to meet you Y/N, I’ve spent years wondering, and now I know.” You smile at your great-great uncle, wishing you could tell your family. Edward heard this and walks to your side, placing his hand on your shoulder.

“You are welcome to our house anytime, you’re part of the family now...with...er...wolf bodyguards of course” he adds as he glances to the wolves growling behind you.

You laugh as you look at the wolves, then back at the Cullens. I’m so lucky to have found so many people to call family.

Taglist:

@volturidoll13 @clearwater-hoe @like-rain-or-confetti @teampaul @fatiguing-thoughts @wallwriterstuff @moviequeen51 @awesomebooklover17 @cncogirl18 @megzdoodle

#paul lahote #paul lahote x reader #paul lahote imagine #twilight #twilight imagines #twilight x reader #Emmett Cullen

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ikeromantic · 3 years ago

Text

Middle Ground

A Mitsuhide Akechi fanfic - approx. 2200 words. This scene occurs well after the events of the romantic epilogue. Fluff.

First: Mitsuhide and the Maiden

Previous: Bonding

“So . . . separate beds?” Mitsuhide’s wry smile was only a little bitter.

“Yes. I know it’s silly. I’d . . . I’d rather be in there with you.” The chatelaine, soon to be Lady Akechi, looked down, her expression a mixture of shame and defiance.

“It’s fine. I will have you all to myself soon enough. What is a night or two apart?”

She looked up without raising her head, trying to gauge his emotions.

Mitsuhide wasn’t having any of that. He took her chin between his finger and thumb and gently lifted until her gaze met his. “It is fine.” Then he leaned forward to brush a kiss across her cheek. With his lips almost close enough to touch her skin, he added. “Are you so eager to be in my arms again? Do you want to . . . test out the guest room? Or your childhood bed?”

He had the intended effect. She shivered and licked her lips. “You are so bad!”

“You are the one protesting our brief separation.” Mitsuhide pressed another kiss to her cheek and leaned back.

She crossed her arms. “You’re right. It’s just a few nights. But when we get back to the city -” a wicked smile turned her lips up at the corners, promising all sorts of fun.

“So forward, my little mouse. So eager. You make me wish we were home already.”

“That’s the idea.” She turned and threw him a saucy look. “Something to dream about.”

Mitsuhide chuckled. “Good night, little one.” Something to dream about indeed. He watched her hips as she walked down the hall, until she turned into her room and shut the door. She really had no idea what impact she had on him. He wondered if it was his practiced art of hiding his true emotion, or simply that she couldn’t see how beautiful she was. How desirable.

He went into the room and shut the door. It was so strange. The electronic hum of household devices. The cold fluorescent light from the street lamps in his window. Distant traffic sounds blending with barking dogs and strains of music. Mitsuhide felt suddenly very alone and very out of place.

Despite his refusal, the thought of spending one night, much less three, without his little one, felt impossible. A burden too heavy for him to bear. He needed to feel her in his arms, to fall asleep to the sound of her breathing, the beat of her heart. Her warmth grounded him in this strange place.

Mitsuhide gave a dry, soundless laugh. Who was the little mouse now?

Slowly, meditatively, he dressed for bed and lay down. He would embrace this world, different as it was from his own. He had to, because it was the one that gave birth to his beloved. And so, listening to the heartbeat of this small town, the viscous thrum of modern life, he drifted into an uneasy sleep.

Miyake and Sasuke arrived the following day at lunch. They met up at a local restaurant. Youko was friends with the owner and able to borrow a few tables in the back for privacy.

Minoru, the chatelaine’s often grumpy father, seemed to be on his best behavior. Not smiling, but distantly polite to the two newcomers. He thawed a little when his daughter threw her arms around each of the men in greeting.

No one said much as they ate. Youko and Minoru sat beside their daughter on one side of the table, glancing up at her strange friends. Sasuke, Mitsuhide and Miyake sat across from them, looking nervous.

It was Sasuke who finally broke the silence. He cleared his throat. “I understand your daughter told you about our time in the Sengoku. Understandably, you want proof. You have questions. We are here to give you what evidence we can.”

Minoru snorted. “What do you get out of this charade?” He gestured to Mitsuhide. “Is he paying you?”

Miyake looked as if he wanted to speak up, but Sasuke beat him to it. “No. I am here because your daughter is my friend.” He reached into his bag. “I know it isn’t much, but I brought my ninja kit as proof. These - these are smoke pellets. And that is a kunai. This is a sleeping poison, and this -” he went through the items, explaining what they were and how he made them. Detailed descriptions of the tools and materials he had available.

When Sasuke finished, Minoru looked thoughtful.

Youko smiled across as Sasuke. “You seem a very resourceful young man. And you are also the one that discovered these wormholes?”

“Yes ma’am.” Sasuke dipped his head, embarrassed by the compliment.

“It could just be you have a - a fascination with this stuff. Read a lot. Saw some movies,” Minoru said. His gruff voice held more than a hint of doubt. Even he didn’t buy his own explanation.

Sasuke nodded. “I could have. But even that would not yield the encyclopedic knowledge I’ve developed. I would go into greater detail, but I imagine you don’t have the underlying historical education to make use of most of the information I could provide. Unless . . . Are you a history buff?” His voice sounded different at the end, as if this question was important. Light glinted off his glasses, hiding his eyes. The air around him was charged, almost crackling with a sudden and unexpected energy.

“No. I can’t say I am,” Minoru replied.

“Hm, too bad.” The strange tension in the ninja disappeared as suddenly as it came.

Mitsuhide nudged Miyake. The warrior muttered something under his breath and then rolled his shoulders. “Alright, old man. I don’t blame you for doubting us. I’d think I was crazy too, or lying. But what Lady Akechi told you is true. She’s been living with my lord for the last few months. And it’s a good thing too. He smiles a lot more now. Eats too, and sleeps almost like a human.”

“Miyake,” Mitsuhide growled. “That’s not the kind of evidence they need to hear.”

“Sorry, but it’s the truth. And if you don’t mind me saying, well, even if you do, your daughter makes for one hell of a princess. She makes the servants happy to do a good job because she notices the little things. And the guards . . . they’d all die for her, and not just because Lord Akechi demands it. She’s kind and good to all of us. I don’t get to spend time at the castle, but I hear how she remembers birthdays and congratulates newlyweds and -”

Youko laughed, a sound Mitsuhide recognized. Much like his own little one, but matured. More elegance with just the same amount of joy. “It sounds like you have a following,” she smiled at her daughter.

The chatelaine blushed. “I really don’t. He’s exaggerating, mom. Really.”

“He is not,” Mitsuhide chided. “Though I don’t think that’s the kind of proof her father -”

Minoru interrupted, his gruff voice quieting the table. “It’s clear you’ve gotten to know her. My little girl.” He gave her a brief smile. “I am still . . . it’s a lot to take in. This wild story. But she stands by it and there is clearly - something true in it.”

His daughter hugged him. “I knew you’d come around, papa.”

He dislodged himself from her unexpected embrace. “I didn’t say I’m buying the whole story. Just,” he waved his hand, “some of it rings true.”

The tension at their table eased, and conversation began to flow more naturally. Youko and Minoru had a lot of questions, and were finally ready to hear the answers.

***

Kyubei followed Ranmaru through the thick forest undergrowth, barely able to make out the dirt path he led them down. This was supposed to lead to a safe house, one that Kennyo agreed to meet him in. He wished the demon-abbot had a taste for teahouses instead of abandoned forest shacks, but it could be worse.

He could be with Hideyoshi, hunting Motonari across the ports. Kyubei wasn’t afraid of pirates, but being on a boat . . . the constant roll of the ocean waves made him sick as a dog. No matter how many trips he made, he never gained any kind of tolerance for the motion. So this, the dirt and the bugs and the thick air under the trees, was a better deal all around.

“This is it.” Ranmaru stopped just before the path opened on a small clearing. There was a half-rotted shack ahead, once a shrine to some local deity, now fallen into disrepair.

Kyubei was surprised to see he wasn't’ the only one here to speak to the monk. Another familiar figure sat on the wooden steps outside the shrine. “Shingen?”

Takeda grinned up at him, pushing a lock of sweaty hair out of his face. “If it isn’t Mitsuhide’s maid!” He laughed. “Kidding, kidding! I just expected to see the kitsune out here himself.”

“He is otherwise engaged.”

“Is he?” Shingen’s smile was dangerous now. “This wouldn’t have anything to do with our missing ninja, would it?”

“If it does, I’ll send him your head,” Yukimura spoke up from somewhere to Kyubei’s left.

Ranmaru put his hands up, laughing as if this were all so silly. “It’s too early for threats. Come on! Let’s make some tea and relax. The abbot will be here shortly.”

Kyubei turned his head a fraction, just enough to see Yukimura lower his spear. “Tea would be good.” He ignored the younger warrior’s scowl as he followed Ranmaru to the shrine.

He didn’t sit, but stood near Takeda, resting his back against a tree.

Shingen, for his part, pretended to be fully relaxed. It wasn’t quite effective though. His brow held a waxy sheen, his eyes looked sunken and fevered. Worse, his breathing was labored. A rasp, harsh as a winter cough.

Kyubei watched him carefully. This was a bad situation. A dying man had fewer qualms than one that had to live with his decisions. He hadn’t realized Takeda was so bad off though, despite the reports he’d received. The Tiger of the Kai was legend. Not a man to be taken down by sickness. And yet.

“Don’t get any ideas,” Yukimura snapped, coming to stand beside his lord.

Shingen chuckled. “So protective, Yuki.” His laugh turned into a thick, unproductive cough. When he finally got control of himself, he directed his attention to Kyubei. “So. Where did your lord and my ninja go off to? And don’t tell me you don’t know. There’s too much tying their disappearance together. I’d rather not have to kill you today for lying to me.”

Another situation he wished he had his lord’s guidance. What information was safe to pass along, and what plans would the ripples of this conversation affect? Kyubei swallowed. “I suspect they have gone to visit the chatelaine’s home. 500 years in the future.”

Shingen nodded as if this was the answer he expected. “Sasuke asked me if I’d like to visit his hometown. He said - he said they could cure me.”

“And then he left without you.” Yukimura punched the shrine wall, causing the whole building to tremble.

Ranmaru poked his head out. “Hey! Careful or you’ll bring the whole thing down on my head!”

“Sorry,” Yukimura growled.

“If it is any consolation, I don’t believe Lord Akechi or Sarutobi left when they did intentionally. The information my lord left indicates the trip was meant to take place later. He was still . . . putting things in place for his extended absence.”

“That’s bull,” Yukimura grumbled, but he relaxed his grip on the spear.

They had no more time to talk it over as Kennyo’s shadow fell across the clearing. He came out of the trees like a spirit, the rings on his staff clinking. “It appears you found me. Again.”

Shingen grinned. “Well, old friend, I did have to hunt through every abandoned shrine in the province to get to this one.”

Kennyo snorted in disbelief.

“Ranmaru brought me,” Kyubei bowed. “It is a pleasure to see you again.”

“I have little time or patience for guests. Tell me what you want.” Kennyo crossed his arms.

“Your help with the false emperor.” Kyubei didn’t look up from his bow. “We both know Ashikaga is dead. The scribe we set up in his place, or the men around him, have gone astray.”

“I could care less. Let the exiled shogun harass the devil-king. Nobunaga and his pawns can go to hell.” Kennyo’s eyes were dark and full of anger. It radiated from him like heat from a fire.

Shingen shrugged. “Yeah, sure. I hate him too. But it’s not just him getting hit. These idiot daimyos in his retinue are conscripting farmers. Villagers. Innocent folk that should be left out of a power grab.”

The demon abbot’s eyes fell on his old friend. “And you believe this is a worse fate than what the Oda have in store for them?”

“I do.” Shingen’s gaze didn’t waver.

Kennyo’s shoulders shook and it took Kyubei a moment to realize the abbot was laughing. He shook his head. “You always were a fool, Shingen. But fine. I will tell you what I know. I don’t think you can stop what has been set in motion.”

Next: Double Dating

#ikemen sengoku #ikesen mitsuhide #mitsuhide akechi #ikesen kyubei #otome guys #otome #fanfic #fanfiction #fluff #hc

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