#peony animatic

[peony-flowerking7]

Wip wip wip [LMK Season 5 spoilers]

THIS IS WHAT I’ve been WORKING ON AND I GOT TO FINISH THE WORK IN PROGRESS THE STORYBOARD PLEASE I WILL TRY TO FINISH IT IT LOOKS SL GOOD AND IM SO PROOD OF IT!! I’m so slow with updates

[giantchasm]

Alright, alright. I’m a man of my word.

I promised that if Peony made it to round 2 of the OC tournament I’d not only make an animatic involving her, but even let YA’LL vote on the song. I spent a little while mulling over what I’d potentially like to do and ultimately narrowed it down to three options.

I can’t promise for SURE this’ll be done before the start of round 2, but if you had to pick…

Sorry for letting my musicalpilled side show. What can I say? I just think they’re neat. That, and they’re good for this sort of thing.

But yes! Vote on your phones, everyone!

(*As a note, Naughty is one I’m almost CERTAIN I won’t be able to get finished before round 2 starts if it wins. For the other two songs I’d just be doing part of them, but for it I couldn’t narrow it down and would be doing the whole thing. That said, I could get at least a partially-finished version up by then)

[regretfulcorrine]

@orange-peony has tagged me for another six sentence sunday!!!! Thank you again darling i love doing these ;v;

I mainly just have warmups sketches from today so not much besides this lil jerk <3

BUT I will say I am making a sad kid Harry animatic, so everyone can be happy about that ;^)

[alexalexinii]

Six Sentence Sketch Sunday

Thank you to everyone who has tagged me in the past weeks :,)

I've been in a bit of a drawing slump recently but I think I've been able to work on some bangers. Im actually working with some writers for the EFG which is v exciting.

I'm going back to uni again in a couple of weeks so I will have less time. BUT! I still have some snowbaz ideas I want to do throughout the year ;). Like some detailed drawings and even some animatics.

Have some cropped versions of what I'm working for for EGF:

Also , have some extra pencil sketches of the snowbaz parents but younger :)

Tags and Hello's below the cut:

@artsyunderstudy @cutestkilla @letraspal @shrekgogurt @ebbpettier @rimeswithpurple @hushed-chorus @palimpsessed @imagineacoolusername @fatalfangirl @ileadacharmedlife @valeffelees @raenestee @orange-peony @facewithoutheart @aristocratic-otter @confused-bi-queer @nightimedreamersworld @iamamythologicalcreature @leithillustration @katatsumuli @youarenevertooold @theimpossibledemon @scribble-tier @best--dress @bookish-bogwitch

[littlewinnow]

Hello!! Ty for tagging me @orange-peony :) always appreciated it!!

It’s been awhile as usual I have too many wips and no motivation 😭😂 one wip I’m going crazy for atm is this rough mini drarry animatic im attempting to do! Hopefully I can finish and share it soon :)

Tagging! (No pressure)

@okay-sky @rockingrobin69 @squintclover @basiatlu

[meowthefluffy]

Can I draw fanart of Libra and Peony? I have so many ideas of how to draw them in my style (I may not have a consistent style, but I've been consistently proud of everything I've done recently lol)

OMG YES YOU TOTALLY CAN JUST TAG ME!!

If you wanna draw Libra an Peony in love u can use the designs from the animatic but after their divorce arch Libras design changes and he looks like this!

(That’s why he had the eye thing in the animatic)

He also has a metal arm!

[ophiuchus-thelostsoul]

An Animatic Opening of my MDZS AU: Crimson Sun Peony

"A New Era"

Opening Song: Closer by Joe Inoue

Characters: JinYi, Wei WuXian, Lan Wang Ji, Lan Sizhui, Lan JingYi, Jin Ling, Jiang Cheng, Nie Huai Sang, Jin Ji, Wen Ning, Jin Yue Qing

[giantchasm]

Well… that’s all, folks!

Sorry for only getting around to saying something about this today LOL. It’s not that I’m a sore loser— I promise. Yesterday was just crazy busy. I was finishing up a dogsitting stay with some very clingy pups and participating in a super intense real-time roleplay. That kind of ate up any time I had.

But I’m here now! And I can talk.

Seems Peony’s finally fallen. And while I’m admittedly a little bit bummed, I’m also super proud! She fought super hard, and not just in this round. From the very beginning— a round 1 where she barely pulled through— Peony (and you all!) put up a fantastic fight, and I, for one, think that’s pretty awesome. Because… like, do you know what making it to Round 4 means? That means in a competition of almost 150 characters, Peony made the top 20.

I’m honestly honored. I did not expect people to like her as much as they have. She’s a very, very self-indulgent character— a “Mary Sue,” even (albeit in the reclaimed, ‘let people have fun’ sense). She’s the fankid of a ship approximately like ten people even actually care about, and she was made by me— someone not all that particularly noteworthy or fandom famous. So like… wowzers! I did not expect that level of support.

I’m grateful for it, though. Nothing makes me happier than when I make up characters and tell stories just for myself and other people end up enjoying it too. There’s something very earnest about it. It’s like… “Oh! This came from my heart, and other people like it? That makes me really happy!”

Participating in the OC Tourney has been tons of fun :) I’ve not only gotten to meet tons of cool people and share my OC with the world, but also fall in love with tons of awesome OCs I never would have known existed otherwise! I feel a lot more engaged with the community, and more open to… sharing future content, ig? I always have and always will make OC stuff, but it’s easy to feel shy and go “Is there really a reason to post this to Tumblr? Will people even recognize the OC, much less care?”

Well, clearly! If my followers don’t recognize Peony by now they’re probably living under a rock with how much I’ve plugged her these past few months… and as for interest: holy hell, apparently there is some! Like I’ve said: the support has been truly overwhelming.

The Peony content flow will definitely slow down now that I have the time to focus on other projects, but definitely don’t expect her to go anywhere. There’s a small, silly comic I’d like to do in light of her loss, I still need to do pieces commemorating Rounds 3 and 4, and there’s yet another animatic I have planned involving her I’d like to do sometime in the near future, focusing particularly on her relationship with a certain guardian angel.

Ideally this experience will also give me the courage to post about some of those aforementioned other projects on Tumblr, too! Notably, over these past few months I’ve been focusing on writing a fic based on the Perennial Bloom AU I mentioned a while back, and I’d love to share not only that writing, but any art related to it here, too! First I just have to get around to… actually proofreading some of that and posting it to AO3. [Nervous laughter] We’ll see how that goes.

Regarding the OC Tourney itself, while Peony is out, I’ll still probably draw a few more things related to it! Not only the comic about her loss and the round commemoration pieces, but also, ideally, art rooting on some of my favorite remaining contestants! After all, the tourney is still ongoing… and with so many OCs I’ve grown to adore, I’m still invested in seeing who wins!

So look forward to that! And congratulations to Sir Meteor. If Peony had to fall, I’m glad it was to an OC I like so much. He’s an awesome character, and definitely one of the ones I’ll be rooting on in future rounds 💖

Thanks again, everyone! From me and Peony both. And best of luck to all remaining OCs! You’ve GOT this!

ROUND FOUR: Sir Meteor VS Night Terror VS Peony

[azucarera-art]

Mirabel's Marigods Pt. 1

i couldn't not make an encanto animatic from this scene from The Gay Deceivers (1969). sadly, i don't have a better quality copy on hand (everything was filmed & edited on tektak) so to prove that i made it, here are some stills:

also for some reason, t/umblr couldn't open any link to the video (believe me, i tried everything), so just copy this instead: https://vt.tiktok.com/ZSdXLmMbG/?k=1

EDIT: THANK GOD MY FRIEND SAVED A COPY FOR ME DHJSHDKS THANK YOUUU 😭😭😭

fun fact: this was my very first animatic too (/^v^)/

[jamiewoolleyart]

Bluebell’s Day On a little animatic snapshot in a normal day in the life of the Lady peony gang. Short little something for May. ENJOY!!!

[peony-flowerking7]

I have something

AHAHAHAHA YES I AM WORKING ON SOMETHING BUT YALL MUST WAIT I also have something else. TOONSQUID YOU THE BEST!!

I you’ll be surprised when it’s finish if I do finish it, we’ll see. Also I have something else in the making,

Edit sorry just promoting and stuff ya know?

[giantchasm]

OWO what's this?

Just an animatic for the @kirbyoctournament that's a propaganda piece for my OC Peony featuring not one, not two, not three... but 54 other contestants!

I'll put a list of all featured OCs under the cut. I'm sorry if I didn't manage to fit yours in! There are so many OCs in this tourney I absolutely adore. Maybe if Peony makes it through to Round 5 I'll do another propaganda animatic featuring even more OCs.

But for now... vote Peony when her poll goes up tomorrow! And enjoy the wonderful cast of this little project.

EDIT: Peony’s poll is up! Give her a vote, if you’d like! It’d mean the world 💖

Every OC featured in the animatic, in order, from left to right:

@george228732's Fylass @a-stardusted-sky's Dazor @zombiecicada's Wolfbell

@karmapigeons' Ant-Hony Bellerose @shippyo's Life

@hadopelagicpsi's Aphelion @nautical-nova's Dawn @starlightintermezzo's Hyper Knight

@staring-at-a-blank-pagee's Starry Dee @pastille-pain's Qiri @springbreezes-and-peonies' Peony

@ivynajspyder's Techie @rosiegardenlove's Shade Knight

@kamalemons's Pink Lemonade Driblee @expy-ceri's Ceri @jaspermythic-8's Cryst

@taranzas-biggest-fan's Zerpy @kirbart90's Astro @shibuyatoastedcursor's Periwinkle

@poppybros-jr's Cosmo @c0ffee-7's Star @boa35's Anti

@m0x1ez's Moonstone @clairetimes' Moroshi @isaackkkbunn's Artemis

@cauliarty's Dotty @eliastheownerof0axolotls' Flower Waddle Dee @ceragolor's Lorelia

@maybeher0's Chiffon @sacrificecage's Mapobas @starmagnets' Vic

@waddledoodledee's Reclusa @unleashedsonic's Atlas @ceoofmetagala's Flora @moonsharkss' Whisp @starrygoober's Daisy Waddle Dee @dizzy-dudd's Rifty

@moonverc3x's J @aseuki's Parhelion Knight @starflungwaddledee's Starstruck Dee

@quanblovk's Sir Uther @desultory-novice's Noir Fontaine

@absolutely-zero-regrets's Clark @tailsdollr's Vulcan @galapathy's Guinevere @azzie-tangerine's Era Knight @kosmic-autokrat's Aife @windstriker427's Nighty Knight

(As well as musescfmusic's Storm Knight, pinkestmenace's Olympea, gethoce's Valfrey, and scrorchrend's Sorile, however I'm not tagging the owners of those OCs as I'd feel bad tagging them just for a shadowed back view of their characters. I ought to draw all of them properly eventually!)

And... of course, finally: @justalilstar's Night Terror and @what-is-love-babey-dont-hurt-me's Sir Meteor: Peony's opponents in this upcoming round! Two truly fantastic characters, and I'm wishing them both the best of luck.

It was a blast getting to draw so many people's OCs! I'd love to do something similar again in the future. There are seriously so many awesome characters featured in the tourney that this is barely even scratching the surface. I hope everyone enjoyed their little cameos!

[regretfulcorrine]

Hello! For the outfits prompts, may I please request suspenders and/or leg warmers? Or anything else from that glorious list, really. 🙏🏻

Love your art! 💙

thank you again for the kind words peony always so lovely ;u;

im sorry for this being days late but it spiraled into a wip of an animatic i hope you don't mind! i also for some reason forgot how to draw for like a few days lmao

(Figure You Out - VOILÀ)

[viscerabun]

Just realized a good song that vibes with Peo is 

Echo - Crusher P

https://youtu.be/OMRj5zplvBM

[ladyvesuvia]

been very inactive here but i wanted to show this animatic i’ve been trying to make since yesterday ejdbejwj i’m still learning but :DDD it’s for the lunar chronicles and i’m kinda hyped

IT’S STILL SHORT SKDHEJW i don’t have those complex editing apps and digital art materials: i used capcut + ibis paint x for this!!

- kinda cheated on the car mbad i used a picture and traced it but that’s all

- and the woman’s actually chang sacha and not peony mbad for not clarifying skndwn can’t draw arms well yet so i went with the face

[707sbuttercake]

here you go, anon! thanks for the request! this was a little bit out of my comfort zone, but it was interesting to write! hope you like it! 

mine (Ray x fem!reader) 

in which an indecisive MC falls in love with Ray but also deciphers the horrors of Mint Eye...and Ray will do anything her to make her stay.

rating: 17+ for intense themes

tw: yandere, manipulation, elixir use, coercive brainwashing

length: 4.4k words

this is a ‘medium’ between V’s route and Ray’s route in which the reader trusts the RFA & unveils Mint Eye’s secret while also falling in love with Ray before the 4th day branch of Another Story.

explores a bit more of Ray’s ‘dark side’ that Unknown mentions in a phone call to MC on Day 9 of V’s route– that Ray wants to “have MC” and “looks tame but imagines otherwise.” ...with this in mind, this work is sfw, but it contains some intense scenes.

it’s definitely notable that in V’s route, Ray is manipulative, to the point that he threatens to harm himself in order to guilt and coax MC to stay and tend to his wounds. this behavior is extremely toxic.. I recall an animatic of Ray singing “Meant to be Yours” from Heathers: The Musical.

an abrupt knock to your door sends shivers down your spine. your heart races wildly in your chest as you recall the illuminated words cast upon your phone screen; ‘You can be forever with me...It all depends on your choice.’ you wring your hands, slowly inhaling the sweet scent of fragrantly placed peonies and pink roses at the gilded table of the room—the room he prepared especially for you. a chill fills the air.

tonight is your fourth night spent in this strange place, a place you have inferred as something...dangerous. perhaps you’re too naive, and you recall your mother’s fervent warnings to never listen to strangers, to cling to truth reigning your heart and adhere to the instinctive voice in your head. but the sweet plea of the boy—Ray—was intoxicating. that day as you paced about the shopping centre, his alluring request made your heart flutter—‘won’t you come with me?’

how could you not help the boy? he called you, after all...his words roped you in, lulling you into a hazy glow, a blissful repose. you even accepted the blindfold without question, allowing him to guide you into the maze of darkness—of the Mint Eye. you realize your mother would curse you, but you are a college student, not a young girl anymore, and it was your own choice to assist a gamemaker’s endeavors.

however, you are not, by any means, a fool. you would be lying if you said you trusted the purpose of this dwelling and the people residing within. you have studied the whispering in the corridors; you discovered that the RFA ‘AIs’ are not AIs at all, but existing people. you know that the enticing, sweet Ray is far from a gamemaker. as you comb through your fumbling thoughts and the message logs of the texting app, you realize how dire your situation is. though Ray has constantly emphasized the darkness of the person called ‘V,’ you have approached all members with kindness and curiosity alike; in doing so, you have unveiled the complicated fate into which you have been thrust.

‘you’re being used,’ V had said.

deep in your heart, you know this truth, and it corners you, pushing you towards a cliff’s edge. but another reality shines brightly towards you, enveloping you in a warmth that whispers, ‘Ray truly does want to make you happy. you can save him.’

your head spins, and you blindly grasp towards an unseen truth. your figure sinks into an hourglass, sand pooling at your ankles as time presses ever closer to your choice.

‘won’t you stay with me forever?’ the boy had asked the previous night, eyes glimmering like sapphires. he donned a magenta petticoat with a white cravat and a deep blue rose pinned to the lapel. his slim fingers, just partially gloved, gently pressed your cheek, trailing down to tease the skin just beneath your lip. a heat rose to your face. his purity and almost childlike innocence incessantly clouds your judgement. he is absolutely enamored with you, guiding you about the corridors and offering you bouquets in his absence.

and you care for him.

you’ve watched the way this fabled ‘Savior’ has manipulated the boy, how she punishes his unremitting efforts to hack, observe, hack, observe... he has crumbled before you many times, his eyes meeting yours in a misty fatigue—what with that mint potion staining the corners of his mouth. you want to save him. you truly do.

yet...

he wants you to stay.

your discussions in the chatrooms muddle your intentions, rousing Ray’s fear of your ‘loyalty.’ why are you so kind to the RFA, those ‘stupid AIs’?! why do you sympathize with the monster, V? but...you’ve also slowly succumbed to the invigorating words of Ray, the gentleness and pure intention behind his actions. your decisions pull you taut as your mind recognizes that you must leave Ray, leave him behind and sprint towards V and the RFA. but your heart—your weak, foolish heart—longs to stay by his side, to save him from this wicked haven.

“y/n?” a voice calls, interrupting your pondering. “y/n, may i come in?”

your heart thuds ever louder, and your legs begin to wobble.

choose. choose. choose.

your clumsy digits squeeze the fabric of your black-laced dress, dripping in sweat.

you have to choose.

“y/n?” the voice calls again.

inhaling deeply, you attempt to speak, but no words leave your shaking lips. you clear your throat, forcing yourself to say, “come in.”

the gold-adorned door shyly parts to reveal the lovely white-haired boy, sporting his traditional magenta attire. his kind smile immediately brightens the room, and his eyes widen as soon as he sees you.

“y/n...my lovely y/n, how i missed you!” he walks toward you. your body becomes heavy. you cannot move.

“h-hello, Ray,” you say. the soft wash of the moon filters into the room, dust sparkling around the boy in a halo of light. the faint glow of the lamp at your bedside table offers its indistinct shine. you squeeze your skirt oncemore, attempting to stir bloodflow in your dizzy body.

“have you made your choice yet, y/n?” he beams, taking your hand in is. “i made your elixir myself. n-normally...it has such a bitter taste that i don’t like it when Savior makes me drink it. but i made your potion so sweet that it’ll melt like cake in your mouth. i want you,” he takes a step forward, his voice dipping lower, causing your heart to drop in your chest, “to savor it. i want it to taste and feel so good that you won’t feel any pain.”

the distance between your face and his is hardly appropriate, and the shadow cast over his eyes is deadly.

“e-elixir?” your eyes widen, and your mind signals a warning: RUN, run away. leap out this window and find V, who holds the promise to protect you. this Mint Eye is a trap, and you are the prey, a little rabbit ensnared in a lion’s den. you recall the screams ringing throughout the hallways of disobedient and rebellious ‘believers.’ you reflect upon Ray’s messages from days before, when his head ached in agony yet his Savior enslaved him to the monitors at every passing moment. he’s suffering, and his mind is gone— now, he’s ignited a length of dynamite, offering it into your palm. he longs for you to stay here forever by his side, and you want to stay...but not like this. not like this.

how can you save him? his thoughts are poisoned, warped by whatever lies this Savior has fed into his pliable mind. Ray serves as a tool, a vessel for her duty, and he obeys her unwaveringly. however, as you watch him prowl towards you, you can see the trace of suffering behind his gaze.

“yes,” Ray nods, flashing one of his beautifully timid smiles. “Savior has taken a liking to you. she wants to make you an eternal resident of this place. your role is important, after all...and i...i have fallen for you, y/n.”

your knees buckle; his words are too much for you to bear. staying in this place is no different than discarding your own life & endangering the RFA, but you know you cannot leave Ray here. your vision blurs ever briefly. you see mixed colors of magenta, white, blue...and you collapse.

...or so you think, before the firm grasp of Ray catches your limp figure. his left arm snakes around your waist, and his right hand holds your neck while he rests you upon his knee.

“y/n!” he cries, gently shifting your gaze to meet his own. “y/n, are you alright? please, speak to me!”

you return to your senses as your eyes part slowly, piecing together the muzzy image before you. you reach for the glass of water on your bedside table, scrambling from Ray’s figure, and he releases you instinctively, kneeling dumbfoundedly as you sip the drink. he appears almost hurt as you recoil from his hold, but a relief graces his features as he realizes you are stable.

“i-i’m...i’m okay, Ray,” you nod, holding the glass in your hands as you lean against the bedroom wall. “i...i was just reflecting upon my choice.”

he steps toward you once more. “tell me,” he pleas. “won’t you stay with me here? don’t you treasure the moments we’ve shared? i promise i’ll be good to you—so good to you that you’ll forget about those stupid AIs and stay by my side forever...”

you feel your back press deeper into the wall, and your numb fingers nearly drop the glass before you awkwardly force it onto the table. your mind searches for words to say, fumbling through the recesses of your thoughts: what do you truly feel? what do you really want?

you cherish the RFA, and you want to protect them. the silly banter, deep discussions, and shared thoughts with the RFA are tangible, precious moments tucked into a place within your heart forever. you are grateful for these new friends and realize that the nefarious schemes of Mint Eye plan to vanquish them. you seek to halt these schemes and protect Jaehee, V, Zen, Yoosung, Jumin, and Luciel because you’ve grown to truly care about them.

however...

you also realize you have fallen for the boy who stands before you. he truly cares for you, yearning to fulfill your happiness. you cherish the moments you have shared with him gazing about the garden, discussing mindless interests and trusting each other fully...even in a sea of lies. you believe his pure heart shines brightly, even if it is dimmed by the darkness of this false promise of happiness.

choose. choose. choose.

‘Don’t trust anything they say, y/n,’ V had messaged you the day prior. ‘Wait for me to come save you.’

if saving your own life means discarding Ray’s, then you do not wish to make such choice. but the wickedness of this place festers day by day, breeding only suffering and hatred.

“what do i do?” you whisper. your eyes widen as you realize you ruminate aloud, so your hand flies to your mouth. your voice is barely audible, but the boy is a sponge, eagerly soaking in each of your phrases.

his words come to mind oncemore: ‘You have no idea...that every single word you tell me has total control over me...but it’s so sweet. Please stay with me forever.’

a gentle expression washes over his face.

“y/n...” Ray smiles sadly, leather shoes clicking in echoes against the marble floor as he approaches you. he lifts a timid hand, stroking straying locks of your hair. your shoulder blades dig as far as possible into the wall, your hands groping along the wall to ease the thoughts whirling in your mind.

“i understand that you’re afraid. but i would never do anything to hurt you. i...i like you so much, y/n. if only you knew how precious you are to me...i want to make you happy. i want you to stay here forever...”

his breath is close to your skin, soft and moist and faintly scented of vanilla. each phrase you dare to formulate from this moment forward contains the power to alter fate. you know what you truly want. mustering courage, you clench your fist, forcing your gaze to meet his own.

“Ray...i do care for you. i really do,” you begin, and adoration in his heart swells, blossoming across his visage. he laughs lightly, happily, savoring the precious sight of you before him. you chose me! he seems to think, eagerly grasping your hands in his...

“however...i don’t like this place. i know that the RFA contains good people, and it hurts me that you lied to me. but i truly wish for you to be happy and safe with me. so please...let’s escape together, Ray,” you breathe, raising a palm to his cheek. “let’s get out of here tonight.”

almost instantaneously, a pained expression crosses his face— fear stills your blood as his eyes darken, and a slow smile spreads across his face like dripping syrup. the room is thick with a heavy silence, an unquenchable silence, bathing your form in a weight that imprisons your unsteady heartbeat. what will he say? you cannot think. you cannot move. will he agree? is he angry? you do not know...

“what do you mean, the RFA contains ‘good people’?” who has fed you these lies? y/n, this world only inflicts pain. i...have suffered so much because of that—that fool, V. i can’t let you run to them. i don’t want you to get hurt like i was. i...i’m sorry i lied...but Savior told me to tell you this was for a gamemaking process so we could meet you...”

you shiver as he seems to tower higher and higher above you, dangerous words daring to depart his lips. the boy appears bashful, yet his form slopes above you as he twirls a shy finger around a strand of your hair.

“i’ll do anything...anything to make you happy. so please stay by my side...”

you avert your gaze, swallowing fiercely.

“Ray...i...i’ve fallen for you as well,” you breathe, heart thumping in your ears as your hands gently press his chest in attempt to widen the gap between you two. “but this place...it hinders you. this ‘Savior’ has manipulated you...and i cannot be happy if you remain here. i want you to leave this place...with me.”

his entire demeanor shifts, overflowing with adoration as soon as your stammered words pinprick his ears; every ounce of malice departs his body as his eyes flutter upon you. he embraces you with such eagerness that you cannot respond; did he even listen to what you said?

“Ray...” you begin, a sense of apprehension swelling in your chest. “I—“

bending below to grab the plush flesh of your thighs, Ray hoists your legs around his hips, pressing your figure into the wall to level your gaze with his own. your brain doesn’t have time to respond to his rashness; has he been holding back this entire time? you struggle to pierce together your thoughts, your breath hitching as your heart paces ever louder. 

“y/n..you love me...?” you feel his gloves tracing your skin, the lace of your dress pooling at the curve of your hip as the soft fabric of his khakis greets your bare skin. his eyes meet your own, staring deeply to repeat his trailing question. “you said love me...y-you love me too...?”

“i can’t stay here, Ray,” you plead, eyes wide as the boy dissects only the first fragment of your previous statement. he merely accepts your reciprocation and disregards what follows; your feelings are merely an invitation to him, signaling your partaking of this cursed elixir to make you one of them—a believer. “and neither can you...”

soft lips meet your neck, careful and warm as they imprint a sweet fragrance upon your skin, trailing across your collar bone. you shiver at the touch, shiver at this shifted demeanor, wriggling in his hold as his torso works against your trembling legs. “R-Ray...” you say, “please, listen to me...”

“oh, y/n,” he murmurs between each peppered affection, grazing across the slant of your jaw. “i love you. i love you so much.”

with white hair shimmering in the moonlight, the boy merely gazes up at you with the sweetest of smiles. a rose blush dusts his cheeks, and he laughs. “i promise i’m going to make you happy. this elixir of paradise is more delicious than any temporary bliss you feel with those idiots in the RFA...”

you can only hold his face in your tremulous hands as your heart breaks. “of course i want to be with you. i do. i really do. and i...yes, i...i’ve fallen for you. but Ray, don’t you realize? you’re in pain. the Savior...has only caused your sadness and suffering. the RFA aren’t bad people...i...i cherish you, but—“

“then won’t you let me make you happy?” he takes you in his arms, turning to settle onto the bed with arms encircling your waist. he places you by his side, your eyes drifting to the window, where the stars quietly glisten. “tell me. why is it that you wish to leave when you say you love me? is it because i’m not good enough? please, tell me what to change, and i’ll do anything! anything to make you happy, y/n...except leave, of course.”

you want so badly to embrace him, to show him what true happiness and love are, unlike his Savior’s twisted perception of love and obsession. you want to take his hand and sprint into the mountains, so far away from this cursed building, and find a home of solitude and peace...perhaps with a garden, so he may tend to it every morning. you long to hear more of his stories, to engulf his kind words, to tend to his wounds. you want to stroke his head as he naps in your arms, whispering that everything will be okay. he deserves every kind of goodness, and you nurture such sweet dreams as Ray holds you in his arms, pondering if such fantasies could bloom into fruition. you are not so naive, but you cling to this fragment of hope...

“Ray, there is nothing wrong with you. please don’t say that. i adore you...and i want a happy life with you...but—”

soft hands guide you back onto the bed, and a weight shifts mattress. he towers over you, cupping your face in his hand. he says nothing, but you read his expression; his words are a broken record, a fate that cannot be unwound by your hands. you want more than anything to comb your fingers through his creamy, silver locks, to leap out of the window with him by your side.

but his heart belongs to this cursed ideology, this warped ‘love.’

“i’ve told you...i only wish for your happiness,” he presses in a tone you cannot quite define. the golden embellishing upon his sleeves sparkles beneath the low lights, his slivered eyes barely parted in a melancholic glow. “but you truly wish to leave me?”

if these are your last moments with Ray...then so be it. but you decide in your heart that you will return for him. even as your hope withers away, you offer your words a final time.

“please...let’s get out of here. i don’t want to remain here. this is my choice.”

leaning into your lithe form, Ray pauses just before shyly connecting his lips with your own. his hands slide through your hair and down your back like cascading waves. his touch savors your suppled flesh, pulling you into him. tears fall down your cheeks as you part your lips to return the kiss, legs wrapping around his narrow waist. you clutch him closely, imagining how V’s escape plan will unfold. for now, just now, you want to be with Ray. you long to feel his warmth, to inhale his saccharine and floral aroma. your hands fondle the fabric of his coat.

“if you truly wish to leave...” he mumbles into your skin, “then...let me hold you, just this once.”

the blue petals ornamenting his collar flitter about, spreading across the sheets. you discern the sadness of betrayal inhabiting his eyes, the quivering of his lips, bruised after showering your skin. his countenance brims with thousands of expressions daring to spill, and you despise the feeling of betraying him—of leaving him here.

can you truly force yourself into that garden, where V will take your hand in his, where Luciel will race the three of you back to safety? can you sprint into the expanse of the unknown future, lunging forward as Ray’s forlorn gaze pierces the silhouette of your figure, abandoning him in the darkness? you promise to return, but will you, truly? Ray has vaguely voiced his own feelings of solitude, and his past lingers, mingling with pain each time he begs you to stay.

“Ray...” you plea. he says nothing.

shedding his coat, he unbuttons the top hinges of his white undershirt, revealing his lean, muscled collar. running a hand through his hair, a tear slides down his cheek, occupied with shaky breath as his knees confine your own.

it’s happening again, he seems to think. i’m being left behind...

his words resound in your head. ‘I was often alone as a child, going days without food and water...and my mother chained me to the wall so I couldn’t even go outside. It was lonely, so lonely every single day. I didn’t want to be alive. But you won’t hurt me, right? Promise me you won’t leave me, please. Please, I’ll do anything. Don’t leave me. Don’t leave me alone...’

“i’m sorry...” you whisper, and he does not respond.

instead, taking your hips in his hands, he slants against your figure. the sweetest flavor greets your lips as his mouth works against yours, his gloved hands exploring the skin of your sides. his fingers tease the zipper of your dress, and he whimpers into your lips. you breathe his name, entreating him to leave this hell with you despite your reluctant acceptance of his answer. as your frame sinks into the mattress, reveling in his addictive touch, a realization dawns upon you:

mint liquid drips down his lips.

pulling back ever briefly, Ray swipes his wrist across his chin to clean the concoction. his arms envelop your frame, and his chest rises and falls above you. a grin crosses his lips as his quiet panting fills the air.

“you will be happy. i promise.”

with a shaky finger, you press your own quivering lips. you retract your wrist slowly to reveal the same potion trickling down your digit onto the silk bedsheets.

no...

no, please...

the boy shifts to your side to aid your posture, offering a palm to support the small of your back. you cannot think. your mind is numb. your heart races as fierce buzzing overflows your ears, and you can only lean into Ray’s chest. he traces your shoulders with his hands, pulling you into him.

“you will be strong now...because you are mine.”

his figure blurs before you, and you cannot comprehend your surroundings; your body becomes numb and heavy, as if your thoughts suffuse with monotonous static, ringing endlessly. you attempt to lift your hand to move ever slightly, but to no avail; you cannot move at all. you cough in agony, a sudden wash of pain stabbing your chest, as Ray wraps an arm around your waist. he silently coos to you, whispering softly into your ear.

“it’ll be okay now...we’ll be together forever, y/n...”

tears fill your eyes as you watch him, but your mind has become foggy... what are you doing? who are you? where is this? what’s this feeling? this wasn’t supposed to happen...you cast a desolate glance towards the window, searching for that garden, where V awaits. these plans have dissipated now, you configure, as your sentience scatters, crumbling into helpless fragments.

“Ray...no...no, you...b-betrayed—“

he hushes your words with a deep kiss, a hand beneath your jaw directing your mouth into his own. you distinctly taste that sweet flavor again, of the most decadent vanilla frosting, of strawberries and sugar...his tongue swishes about your mouth, your mind growing ever hazy, muddled by the oppressive drugs eclipsing your consciousness.

he breaks away to smile at you, to lovingly peer into your spiraling eyes. you realize he’s shifted you onto his lap now, each of your torpefied legs mantling his hips. you glare to him lifelessly, your emotions in a whirl as you struggle to piece together your mind.

“this is for your sake, y/n,” he purrs, a crimson blush blossoming across his pale cheeks. “now we’ll be happy forever. please, forgive me for tricking you. i...i really do love you so much...so much, that i can’t let you go.”

“Ray...this isn’t right...the RFA....your Savior—“

bending into you, Ray kisses you once more, filling your mouth with that cursed mint tincture. you’re limp against him, eyes closing as you rest in his hold. his lips are so warm and sweet, and his hands caress your skin so gently that you feel no pain, just as he promised. the thought of exiting this place ever slowly drifts away, like a shore’s contents dragged into the ocean by the sea’s relentless waves...

“almost done,” he breathes, pressing a kiss into your cheek as he grasps the glowing mint potion. “you’re doing so well, my sweet princess...it doesn’t hurt at all, does it? don’t you like the flavor? you told me before that you like sweets, remember? so i did my very best in preparing this for you...i hate the cleansing ceremony because it is painful...but i don’t want you to suffer like i did...”

maybe you can find happiness here...the RFA are traitors, as Ray stated. V must have truly wounded Ray’s innocent heart to twist his mind in such agony...perhaps V and Luciel will abandon you here...and there is no need to save you anymore, right?

you can stay here...by Ray’s side.

in this paradise.

you do not know. you cannot say. what are you supposed to do now?

with what strength you can muster, you curve into his touch, clumsily grabbing his hair in your fingers, guiding his lips into your own this time. a deep chuckle rumbles in his chest, and he grins into you, returning your eager affections. this kiss is slow and fervid, and the toxins burn down your throat, pulsing through your veins as you wince.

“shh...” he whispers into your ear, embracing you against his chest, “it’ll all be okay soon, y/n...and we’ll be together forever...”

forever...? you think, your alertness withering. but what about...V...Luciel...

another voice dominates your weak heart, vanquishing any rebellious thought: no. Mint Eye is my home now...Ray will love and protect me in this paradise...we will be happy....

“because you are mine,” he whispers.

your vision fades to black as the boy gingerly tucks you beneath the velvety covers, settling in beside you. you faintly discern his intense gaze upon you, accompanied by his quiet humming.

“i...i hate tricking you. i know this isn’t what you wanted...but this is all to protect you. i don’t know what i would do if...if V hurt you,” he speaks mildly, but a mixture of remorse and wavering are evident through his uneasy tone. “i know you trusted them, but they aren’t good people...that redhead tricked you with his lies. I just had to strengthen your faith somehow...”

squeezing a fist-full of his white undershirt, you nestle your forehead beneath his chin, succumbing to the warmth of his embrace and the liquid flooding through your entire being.

“...stay...” you murmur, eyes heavy. “i’ll....always stay.”

he kisses your forehead.

“that’s right. that’s right...my y/n.”

this paradise...

you will be happy in this eternal paradise.