#people who get to play dnd for a job. make me want to tear something up with my teeth

[zincbot]

misfits and magic has me smiling like you wouldn't believe. i'm enjoying myself so so so much

[weaselishmcdiesel]

In my defense, the accidental lie has been going on for 4 years and each time I run into HS content I send it to this guy... which probably has worsened the lie, so like at this point I might as well go out with a bang

Also please please do give me more info on other characters you feel comfortable with, cuz we weren't sure what we were gonna play so we are doing 3 one-shots (Im DMing all 3, pain) before setting on one, so it might be a bit extra suspicious if only 1 homestuck npc shows up and I don't know enough about Nepeta to confidently make her show up 3 times and make it seem like she's my fav and I know all about her

This shit is so funny hshfjfjgjgj I do hope you manage to sneak by undetected if only so you can say you did such a good job pretending that you fooled a real fan XD and hopefully your friends a good sport

And sure! Maybe I can help strengthen those characters you say you know? They’re the more popular ones so I sorta know more about them than others.

I WROTE THIS IN MY NOTES APP THIS IS SUPER LONG ACTUALLY AND IM SO SORRY TRY TO SKIM IT <- was asked to talk about homestuck and thought was be able to keep it brief. Wasn’t.

Karkat - I was obsessed with him then and I’m obsessed with him now he’s a loud whining piece of shit with a pretty bad attitude. Mainly a character based on him would yell as their normal speaking volume, swear a LOT and also creatively, but is also hiding an insecurity. The thing about him is he has a mutant blood color that would get him killed on his planet- so he can’t let anyone find out, he can’t accidentally bleed or cry (tears are their blood color) in front of anyone. So maybe your character is also hiding something super important? He gets along best with people who don’t really take his bitching to heart since his bitching is his way of showing real concern- he does actually care about his friends no matter how many times he calls them idiots. Also is really interested in romance as a concept and likes romcoms. He uses dual sickles as a weapon- I figure you may want this information since they’re dnd characters.

Dave - Cool kid, sunglasses he never takes off, he raps and makes beats on his turntables. He’s obsessed with irony and sorta doesn’t know how to enjoy anything without being ironic about it? Enjoys frustrating people WITH his irony. I struggle with characterizing him bc I’ve consumed a lot of fanon, but maybe that will make your presentation of him more authentic XD? A safe bet is to make your character kinda deadpan in tone but still be able to crack jokes and act pretty silly. If given the opportunity to be the hero he will not take it, he rejects the idea that he should be anyone important. He fights with swords and has a tendency to break them- but still uses them anyway. He gets the power to time travel later on, and can stop a person in time too, dunno how you’d implement that tho.

Vriska - … very very tough for me to summarize her… but I can say that a character based off her has killed one friend, paralyzed one friend, and blinded one friend, but then feel little to no remorse about any of it because they believe they’re the main character and nothing bad will happen to them since it’s all part of their story (though, she blinded that one person because that person blew up her left arm and left eye BECAUSE vriska killed that one friend). Ahem. Got carried away. Your character just did some pretty bad shit that makes them seem untrustworthy. She’s very lucky tho- it’s part of her powers- so your character should be too. She has a spider motif but it only really manifests in her adoration for spiders and her way of typing, so you may not have to worry about that. She’s popularly called the “huge 8itch” if that helps. She fights by rolling die? And depending on how they land they’ll do more or less damage. I don’t really know the specifics? But her luck powers enable her to roll exactly what she wants every time

Rose - rose is also tough for me… she’s a writer and can use a lot of big words and constructs sorta needlessly complicated sentences but she’s got a lot of wit and loves being sarcastic. She’s.. gothy? Has an interest in the occult and occult myths and she’s also pretty fascinated by wizards but I think tries to be lowkey about it? She’s a very smart and clever person too- so much so that in fanon people tend to forget she’s also kinda silly. Sorry that’s all I can say ^^; she fights using a pair of knitting needles- eventually they can also conduct magic and do damage that way. The power she gets later on is- sorta like knowing the future? She can only know the GOOD outcome but she knows specifics so that she can tell her team how they can end up getting the good outcome- she’s the strategist of the group

John - the leader of the kids! suuuper cheery and has the ability to pretty much make friends with anyone. He ends up being naive tho and may not realize when someone is trying to take control of him. He’s very interested in pranks and overall being a silly goofster ✨ if it ever comes up under no circumstances will he eat baked confections. No cakes especially. He loooves Nicolas cage and ghostbusters and some other older movies I can’t remember- other characters just tend to say he likes bad movies but he adamantly believes they’re very good. So maybe your character can also defend something that may objectively be kinda bad? His iconic weapon class is hammers 💪💪 but he also gets wind powers later- he can summon tornados or even fade into air to travel in the wind and appear somewhere else

—

It may be helpful to point out for nepeta- she has a best friend who’s very concerned about her well-being, equius. He even so much as controls what she can and can’t do (kinda only about certain things that are super dangerous). I don’t really like him as a character, but your npc might be hesitant to do something before asking their best friend for permission. He’s a stickler and very no-nonsense and will likely deny anything too dangerous? But also he’s incredibly terrifyingly physically strong- so your pcs wouldn’t win a fair fight with him. He also sucks up to any royalty. If any pc is royalty he’ll do anything they say. A trademark of his is that he gets very sweaty very easily and also very much likes horses. Also he likes milk. Idk. Nepeta’s weapons are these retractable claw glove things- and equius WOULD use a bow and arrow but breaks every single bow he picks up because he can’t control his strength. Instead, he fights with his fists 👍

—

Very quick rundown of the main characters I haven’t mentioned yet-

TROLLS

(they’re all kinda friends but I point out their most important relationships, ones your pcs may ask about, they’re also ordered from lowest to highest class) kept these summaries vague so you can insert your npcs in their place?

Aradia - she’s dead don’t worry about her, if asked she was into roleplay, archaeology, and adventuring. friends with Terezi, dated sollux, killed by vriska if you need to know

Tavros - he’s the one who’s paralyzed from the waist down, he has no confidence whatsoever, likes the troll equivalent of Pokémon, has a bull motif, has lots of conflicting feelings about vriska (is constantly manipulated by her), and is friends with Gamzee. Attacks with a jousting spear

Sollux - likes coding and computers, has a red and blue and duality motif, speaks with a lisp, also likes bees a lot. Will not eat honey if asked tho, friends with karkat and hates Eridan. Dates Aradia and feferi. Attacks with his very strong telepathic powers, could kill him if he’s over exerted

Karkat - friends with sollux, kanaya, Jade, has a crush on Terezi but is normal about being friends with her, and is sorta chill with Gamzee and Eridan. Dates Dave but really really hated him to begin with so be careful, may say he hates Dave if asked- they date late into homestuck… would say he hates everyone if asked. Except kanaya

Nepeta - BEST friends with equius, kinda friends with Terezi? Roleplayed with her sometimes but terezi’s a little mean about it cant tell

Kanaya - she’s a very reliable friend, but fears she’s too meddlesome. interested in fashion and is also a vampire 👍 very good friends friends with karkat and dates rose (do not separate) Hates Gamzee and Eridan if asked. Attacks with a chainsaw that can also transform into lipstick

Terezi - LAWFUL whatever your character is theyre lawful. Loves dragons and she’s blind but she can smell/taste colors to the point where she can kinda see? She has something very complicated going on with vriska (she’s the one vriska blinded, but still sorta loves her as a friend). Attacks with a blade concealed in her walking stick

Vriska - she lost her left arm and eye but she gets a robot arm. Has something complicated with Tavros (kinda crushes on him kinda hates him) and Terezi, turned down a confession from Eridan (but he asks out everyone so it’s not that big a deal) but they were friends in the past

Equius - ehhhh I don’t like him idk he has a crush on Aradia and it’s weird, big thing about him is he makes robots idk. Brutally protective of nepeta- they’re best friends

Gamzee - stoner who’s (and I mean this literally) religiously devoted to clowns- wears face paint all the time and has clown horns everywhere for him to honk. Friends with tavros and karkat but everyone (but tavros) sorta treats him like a useless stoner when he’s just trying to be friendly (ahem. Until some crazy story stuff goes down but i won’t spoil it in case you read) should not be without his substance for too long or people will die not exaggerating. Attacks with clubs.

Eridan - classist royalty, fish guy pirate, interested in war and strategy, makes fish puns I think. Has a crush on Feferi but they’re supposed to be best friends. Used to be friends with vriska but confessed to her. Hates Sollux bc when Feferi stopped being best friends with Eridan, she went on to date Sollux. He’s rizzless. Completely rizzless. Attacks with a cool harpoon gun. Doesn’t believe in magic if asked.

Feferi - THE empress like she’s as royal as you can get, but she’s in waiting for when the current empress passes. she’s also a fish but she’s not classist- she cares a lot for people and animals and would abolish the ableist classist regime of the planet they live on if she had the power, until then she tends to aquatic animals n stuff (not afraid to kill people if necessary tho, she knows how to survive). Friends with Eridan but only to keep him from killing people, stops being friends him when there are no more people TO kill around. Dates Sollux later. Also makes fish puns. Attacks with a two pronged trident.

—

Wow this is getting so long I’m so sorry

THE KIDS

I won’t go into the alpha kids or the other set of 12 trolls bc I’m very rough with them and also they’re not as important?

Dave - raised by his older brother who taught him sword fighting but was also super neglectful as a gaurdian and traumatized him with puppets and constant sword training and pranks. All the kids are very good friends with each other so nothing of note there but he goes on to date karkat- if asked tho he canonically was kinda struggling with finding out he was gay, though if your PCs don’t want to deal with that then do what fanon does and ignore that (I also ignore it). He’s also technically siblings with rose but doesn’t share the mom TECHNICALLY. If asked he doesn’t have a mom unless you want me to go into the alpha kids OTL

John - has just a dad who cares about him very much. And if asked regards his late grandmother very fondly. He doesn’t go on to date anyone but he does kinda hate Terezi? Troll romance is complicated I shouldn’t explain it. He’s technically siblings..? With Jade? But they don’t share the grandparents or the dad.

Rose - dates kanaya I’m serious do not separate them. She has a mom who’s an alcoholic but has a pretty humorous oneupmanship going on between them. She’s technically siblings with Dave but doesn’t share the brother

Jade - ok. So. She was raised by an omnipotent dog. Her grandpa died when she was very young and her dog (bec) took care of her. She’s very cheery - even cheerier and sweeter than John but she will not take any shit she’s not naive like him. She’s interested in science and robots and botany she’s very good at growing plants but she lived all alone on an island for most of her life. She always had visions of the future growing up but was never creeped out by them, always staying optimistic. Her main weapon is a rifle- not sure how that translates in dnd? She later gets the power to manipulate space itself- make things massive or very tiny, she gets telepathy and can move objects around at near the speed of light, and can teleport. She also becomes part dog later. I’d say she’s lawful good? Probably easy bet. She’s friends with karkat, kinda friends with Feferi, in one universe she dated an alternate version of Dave- not the Dave your PCs would meet, so if asked I dont think she exactly had a crush on him- I believe they both said their feelings are complicated. Technically siblings with John but like I said don’t share the parents

—

Forever apologizing for the wall of text. I’m hoping that, having been a dm once myself, you were expecting a lot of info..? No matter what tho I didn’t write as much reading all of homestuck is worth XD

[macrocosmus]

Alrighty so there's too many replies for me to go through all of them so I'm just gonna reply to what I've seen so far and then maybe mute notifs on this for a while.

1. Those of you have been using your nonTTRPG OCs or mixing in a few oneshot characters or characters you were invested in even if the campaign only lasted 3 sessions... I love your defiance, good on you.

1a. To the person who said that they always DM and so their party would have all the villains they've used, including Tiamat. You're the best DM reply to this post. Rock on.

2. Those of you who say "Well, I have one character who fits that qualification, so party of one" you have my sympathy and I hope you get to play more!

3. To all the folks who have said something along the lines of "character A would be the exact kind of found family character B needs!" or some other variant of their characters forming a found family... you're correct. Good job, you're doing it right.

4. To all the folks who have said something along the lines of their characters becoming romantic, or sexual, or some secret similar thing, especially the person who described their party as a lesbian orgy... you're correct. Good job, you're doing it right.

5. To all the folks who enthusiastically claim their characters would be at each other's throats in an instant, who would end up in the messiest, most explosive or implosive party you've ever seen. Parties that would result in death before the antagonist first showed up? ... You're correct. Good job, you're doing it right.

and 6! To all the "forever DMs" out there. You're not a forever DM, you have forever players. Ask them if you didn't run the game, would there be a game to play? If no... that's fucking sad. One of them needs to give you a damn break. You can't be expected to make dinner every night forever, so why DM forever?

Show your players Matt Colville's Running the Game series, just the first five episodes. Running the game can be easy! and fun! Tear down their excuses!

Don't know the rules well enough? I know a guy who played something like Runequest back in the early 90s with one out of three corebooks for years and had loads of fun. You don't have to know the rules, focus on fun, learn the rules as you go, most of the systems out there that are as complex as DnD? No one can hold the entire corpus of the rules in their brains anyway.

Not creative enough? The plot of three books series and like four video games are all happening in my campaign setting in the background because I don't want to come up with my own plots. Touhou 6 could just start happening in my campaign setting and no one would care, they'd be hyped to fight a vampire! Take things you like and put them in your game! That's before we even start running modules.

Don't feel good at roleplaying? so many times in my games that I run, I will forgo doing the voice and just say "this character expresses this idea with this emotion" and that's still roleplaying and people like it just fine. I sometimes have to say to my players, fellow players or who im running for, that "I'm going to embarrass myself" and then just recklessly throw myself at a silly voice to call it roleplay, because I'm having fun with it, and sometimes saying that I'm making a fool of myself is enough to get myself in the headspace to roleplay without shame, even if I don't think I'm doing it well. Sometimes I have to pause and say "how would this character reply to that..." or just say "I'm not sure how my character would word this, but I would word it like this" ... roleplaying is just pushing the character around the stage, and the cost of doing it a bit wrong? is not really anything bad!

Honestly the only reason I find as valid for someone not running TTRPGs is that they simply don't want to, which is unfathomable to me as someone who was nashing my teeth to try to throw myself behind the screen and get to it, to demystify it, to crash that gate no matter how gatekept it is... and I wanna keep smashing that gate, to let as many people into the GM chair as possible, because if you want to run but don't feel able, that's the worst thing I can imagine in this hobby, outside of things that are bad regardless of if they happen in or out of the hobby. Also more GMs is good for the health of the hobby in general. I want as many people to get behind the screen and say "wait, that's it? what was all the hype about" because I really think that people overhype how hard running a game is.

I ask my players to help me plan when game will be, because acting as producer for my game in addition to writer and director is really hard for me, but we work as a group, find a date and time, and then the game is set and we start playing every week or every other week as we can, because I was about to offload the stuff I find really difficult onto my players, they helped me. You can do the same with your group, with whatever challenges you.

My real real advice for DMs is like, treat your players how you would want to be treated, let them come up with solutions you wouldn't have, ask them to respect you the same way you would respect a DM, talk about expectations, solve your disagreements by talking them out respectfully, know how to interact with other people on a basic level because this is a social game, don't be afraid to speak your mind if something bothers you... uh... yeah. Basic stuff probably.

Anyway I went on for a while on that so uh... thanks for reading!

And I mean characters that you've put time into, not ones for oneshots or campaigns that sputtered out. Ones that you've had for a few levels, or whatever system equivalent you have.

[thebrightsessions]

Entertainment Spotlight: Ian McQuown

Ian is an LA based actor and producer known for the YouTube comedy group, Extremely Decent, as well as a voice actor in the popular audio dramas: The Bright Sessions, The AM Archives, StarTripper!! & Deck The Halls! His credits inclue American Housewife, Trial & Error, Better Things, and For All Mankind. Ian took the time to answer some questions for us. Check it out:

You’ve worked on multiple podcasts -- what drew you to the medium?

Well, to be honest, Lauren drew me to it because TBS was my first narrative podcast. We met at a Rocky Horror Picture Show show. Anna Lore is our mutual friend and I think Anna is just talented as all get out, so anything she’s involved I want to be in. And, I don’t know, it was just one of those lucky breaks you get where a door opens and takes you to all these cool places you never anticipated.

On podcasting though, I really appreciate how much more possible it is to tell engaging stories without the boundaries of having to afford a set and a camera and insurance and etc etc etc. Like, I grew up with Star Wars, The Matrix, Cowboy Bebop— so when I imagine the stories I like, I’m usually picturing other worlds, space ships, people with super powers and those types of stories used to have a lot higher barrier to entry to make than they do now, which is just awesome.

If you could give a character from The Bright Sessions a spinoff series, who would you choose and what would the series be called?

I mean, no surprises here, but I’d love to see Damien’s early years. And I’d be super clever and call it something like... Damien: The Early Years. I'm dying for that content a little bit actually: Damien, before he became such a bad guy. Maybe a love story that doesn’t work out and leaves him really scarred? Villains so bad they created a villain instead of a victim—  that moment where we see the two roads Damien has to choose between and it totally shreds us when he makes the choice we all know he’s going to make, I mean, come ON you can see that, right? It’d be like the Star Wars prequels but without all the youngling killing and “NOOOOOOOO”’s and I want it.

Can you share a fun story or anecdote from the making of The Bright Sessions?

Haha, ok well it’s not really anything of note BUT: I remember Lauren had this area rug in her room, which as you probably know is where we would record, and it was this really nice, I think, red sort of floral rug that took up pretty much all the floor space because it was covering up the older apartment rug-floor underneath it. And it was, as I said, really cool, except it wasn’t a rug on a wood floor, right? It was a rug on a rug so it was a bit taller than the people who designed the room had planned for— the result of which was that you’d walk in and the room had this really awesome little vibe with this cute rug, and it was all very cozy, unless you looked directly behind you at the corner where the door had just spent ages scraping the surface of it, catching the corner, tearing little pieces out. And I may be getting apocryphal at this point, but I feel like by the time I had started coming around Lauren had straight up duct taped it to the floor, which really didn’t help the problem. And, I don’t know—again it’s not really anything momentous—but I just remember giving Lauren a particular amount of shit about it one day and us all having a really good laugh. And I really love that— there are jobs where you show up, keep your head down, do your work and leave, but then there are jobs like The Bright Sessions where you all get to become friends, and even if you don’t see each other for a while you sort of just get to pick up where you left off. And then those jobs turn into other jobs and you get to keep hanging out with your friends and peers and just making stuff you like— I’m a big fan of that.

If your life was a choose your own adventure, what decisions would viewers have to make on an average day?

OKAY, you wake up...

Water your garden before it gets to be 110 today, you cannot skip this step. You may however:

A) Stay out in the garden for longer if you get inspired and check if the tomatoes and peppers are ripe for picking.

Great! Now let’s make breakfast:

A) Make eggs, toast, fried tomatoes, and hash browns? 

B) Make (A) But also with Bacon? 

C) Make a smoothie?

D) There’s no time today, run to Whole Foods and get their incredibly priced $6 Egg, Bacon Cheese Breakfast burrito.

Awesome! You’ve eaten and now you can think. What work do you have to do?

A) Prep your audition, dummy! It’s due this afternoon, go fix your hair. 

B) You have a zoom meeting with actor friends at 11 to play around with some new material, put on a hat.

C) There is nothing you have to work on so stare at your computer and wonder if there’s new project you could be working on. Try to find that project, leave your hair as it.

Wow! You really had a great (insert previous choice here), let’s get you a coffee and take a TV break. What should we watch?!

A) That new show you haven’t seen yet because you need to watch everything so you know how to work on it should you get an audition for it.

B) Harley Quinn (your favorite new cartoon).

C) Teenage Bounty Hunters.

D) Farscape.

E) Nope, you just got an audition for tomorrow, everything is off the table, start working on it (Level Complete).

Lunch Time!!!

A) Turkey sandwich with pickles from the garden?

B) Trader Joe’s Margherita Pizza with basil and peppers from the garden?

C) Are we going to start another loaf of sourdough you basic mf?

D) Yes we probably are, but also (A) and (B).

Cool! I’ve eaten lunch. Now what?

A) You haven’t finished that work from this morning. Riiiight.

B)…More Harley Quinn…?

C) Let’s make pasta from scratch!

D) Let’s make ribs! From…ribs!

F) You just got an audition for tomorrow, everything is off the table, start working on it. (Level Complete).

Bangarang! You probably chose to start cooking dinner immediately after eating lunch. You ate it (and it rocked), what now?

A) You just got an audition for tomorrow, everything is off the table, start working on it. (Level Complete)

B) DnD with squad.

C) Go on a run, dude— you’re getting a Jaba chin….

D) Bring on the chin! Let’s watch TV until 2am! Here are your options:

A) Harley Quinn (your new favorite cartoon)

B) Teenage Bounty Hunters

C) Farscape

D) Put The Office on in the background and clean your house.

Level Complete.

As you can see I’m a very food-focused person. Also, I’m going to be real, that is truly what most of my days look like and I’m low-key a little mortified that ’taking a shower’ wasn’t a game option... 

Can you share your favorite piece of Bright Sessions / AM Archives fan art?

I love all the fan art that people make for my characters but this one from Franartz has always been really special to me. It’s so GQ, I just love it — and some of my favorite early AG moments are with Damien, who looks a little like he stepped out of a Gorrilaz album here— big fan. I’m a little obsessed with fan art actually, I save everything I come across— there’s a freckled red-headed series of Owen by TheFigureInTheCorner that makes me really happy. Seeing that my work has inspired someone else to make something of their own is really what’s up, you know? It makes me think about all the art and entertainment that has touched me over the years and I get a lot of joy from being a part of that cycle.

Thanks for taking the time, Ian! Give I Can Die When I'm Done a relisten right here.

[circlique]

Avatar DND Session 18!

One player rolled 5-6 nat 1’s this session and still managed to survive, a true inspiration. I also accidentally benched myself but had fun watching anyway.

Summary: The party arrives at the Lion Turtle Temple, where they meet disgraced airbending master, Xinli, and must navigate his temple full of “enlightened” students while searching for clues about Laminar’s invasion plans. Chai Li descends into the cuttlecobras’ tunnels in an attempt to regain his lost memories.

Previous Sessions/Avatar DND Masterpost

We begin where we left off, with Ong and Kelsang being welcomed into the temple for tea by Xinli. Our new antagonist is being played by a guest, a mutual friend with a lot of DND experience. Said friend does a very good job giving Xinli the air of a James Bond villain, complete with lowkey British accent. Xinli seems very nice and welcoming and all, which just adds to the creep factor knowing what we know about him.

In fact, Kelsang points this out to him, saying Xinli has made quite a name for himself at the Southern Air Temple. Xinli asks if Kelsang is from the southern air temple, to which he says yes and explains a bit about why he left. Seems disagreement with the elders there is a common experience among airbenders…

Kelsang and XinLi talk for a bit about ideology, with Kelsang explaining that Ong’s comment last session that “nature knows when to fight back” resonated with him, and he thinks “it’s time he stopped denying that nature.” This is…only partially a lie. After all, he is still terrified of what potentially awaits them at the South Pole, especially if it might involve another fight with the Avatar.

Xinli responds with agreement, saying there is no such thing as a fair fight, and any fighter should be able to use all the resources available to them. Furthermore, his school is built around the idea of helping students reach their “full potential” through the instruction of techniques that could quickly turn the tide of an unbalanced fight. Kelsang legitimately does think the charismatic Xinli makes some good points, and considering what he’s seen, both of XinLi’s students and the Avatar, he finds himself agreeing.

Anyway, Xinli says something like “there’s no time to waste then, let’s get started.” And this is where I fucked myself. I realized Kelsang was still on like 6hp from getting beat up by the guards last session and asked to take a rest, because I didn’t want to be up against the guy who presumably taught Maika how to tear people’s lungs out while on 6 health. Xinli showed him and Ong to their quarters…and then I pretty much sat the rest of the session out because the DM didn’t expect me to do that. :( My fault because I should have just asked for a short rest I guess, but at least now I don’t have to feel self conscious about there being too much focus on my character this session (admittedly he has gotten a lot of screen time).

Before going to bed though, Kelsang asks Ong a little bit about his home life, did he ever travel or anything? Ong says he has only ever known this temple and the training ground. His father always told him the world was a dangerous place. Kelsang asks if Ong ever got a bison, to which he says no, only those who “prove themselves worthy” here get bison. “Oh…but it doesn’t matter, that will all change when I turn 13,” Ong says. Kelsang asks what happens when he turns 13, but Ong admits he doesn’t know, he just thinks it might be when his dad will let up on some of the restrictions.

Kelsang sighs and reassures him that the world has a lot to offer, and while dangerous, there are a lot of good things about it too. Ong says that sounds like something Maika would say. Kelsang ventures to ask what good Maika saw in the world. Ong thinks for a moment and replies “the feeling of flight, the wind…small things like that, I think.”

It’s so very strange to know all the terrible things people like Maika and Xinli have done, and then still see them enjoying things like tea and the wind on their face. It’s unnerving. On that note, Kelsang decides it’s time for bed.

Anyway, the rest of the party is now in front of the temple trying to figure out how to get in. The tribe from last session told them they would offer their assistance in the fight against Laminar if they could successfully infiltrate the temple, so they’re sitting this part out.

Flamer changes into the water tribe uniform he stole from one of the guards last session, and Chai Li tries to mindbend all the guards (6) to feel tired. Four of them fail their save and sit down, beginning to feel fatigued. The other two start making fun of them for being soft.

Chai Li turns to the rest of the party and asks what they’re even doing? What’s the plan? What are they gonna do once they get inside?

Never fear, Flamer has a plan. He turns to Syntagma, who doesn’t wanna hear any sort of plan out of Flamer. Flamer says the plan is to pretend he’s a guard and that he has caught Zhongchung sneaking around. He’ll approach the group of guards and accuse them of falling asleep on the job. Hopefully the four guards will leave in shame and only two will be left for the rest of the group to deal with. Zhongchung suggests Flamer rough him up first so it looks convincing. Syntagma is opposed to this of course! But Flamer smacks Zhongchung for 10 damage as soon as he suggests it. It was a good hit and Zhongchung is now sporting a swollen cheek. Zhongchung asks if he’s made Syntagma proud. Syntagma is literally speechless and doesn’t say anything.

Flamer shoves Zhongchung into the road and starts walking forward. When he gets close enough, he asks what the sleepy guards are doing. They don’t recognize him and ask who he is. Flamer says he’s an “inter-service transfer”. One of the non-sleepy guards introduces himself as Bull and asks Flamer’s name. Flamer says his name is…Liquid. Bull doesn’t buy that this would ever be someone’s real name. Oh, but it isn’t! Flamer says that’s just his nickname. His real name is…Corporal Flow. Bull is still suspicious and asks why he’s never seen Corporal Flow before and why he’s got a Fire Nation topknot. Flamer says he’s been “infiltrating the Fire Nation” but that he was here when the school was founded. Bull doesn’t get paid enough to deal with this.

Bull asks who this guy is, gesturing to Zhongchung. Zhongchung is very into his role as a prisoner and proclaims that he’s a thief, and he would have gotten away with it if not for Liquid! Flamer smacks him again and busts up the other side of his face. Zhongchung is beginning to not like this…

Trying to move things along, Flamer points out the sleepy guards and tells them to go to bed because they’re useless anyway. They grumble but seem to recognize his authority and go. Bull tells them to send replacements. Flamer turns back to Bull and tells him to watch the north side of the temple because someone might be trying to infiltrate.

“They’re gonna climb the 50 ft wall?” Bull asks incredulously.

“Yeah, they’re earthbenders!” Flamer says. “Earthbenders can do crazy stuff.”

“How do you know they’re earthbenders?” Bull asks.

“They were wearing green???”

They get on a side tangent about this, but Bull eventually gets tired of dealing with Flamer and lets him pass. Now the rest of the party has to find a way in.

Juno suggests making the remaining guards think they hear noises to the north so they will go investigate. Klo tries to make some trees rustle with plant bending, but overdoes it and almost pulls the plants out of the ground. The guards still run to go investigate though, so objective achieved. The gate is now unguarded as the replacements for the four sleepy guards have not yet arrived.

Juno wisely asks if they have a plan. They don’t lol. Nobody answers. Juno has the one brain cell in the group.

Back to Flamer, Zhongchung is really playing the part and is struggling and demanding to be let go. Flamer asks if he should slap him again, and Zhong says…yeah? Flamer is weirded out and doesn’t.

Flamer notices some unmarked entrances on the far side of the courtyard. There are also some collapsed pillars about. Everyone in the courtyard is looking at them, and from the looks he’s getting Flamer gets the impression they don’t take many prisoners here. Flamer instead turns to the nearest student and says he has a potential recruit, and, “where’s the beating room?”

An older airbender approaches Flamer. He introduces himself as Cirrus and says he has been there since the beginning, and he doesn’t recognize Flamer. He considers Flamer for a moment, then says “there’s no beating room, but you could call this the beating PAD.” He smiles and invites Flamer into the ring. They have healers after all. Flamer says no healers, he wants Zhongchung to feel all his pain. Cirrus grins wider and says the healers are for Flamer. The airbender tells someone to go tell Xinli “we have another one.” Someone scurries off to go find him.

Flamer insists he needs to put Zhongchung in the prison, to which Cirrus reminds him that someone who has been here so long like Flamer should know they don’t really take prisoners here! Flamer then asks if Laminar is still here and if she takes prisoners. As it turns out…she actually does. They chuckle about Laminar being a bitch for a second and it seems their mutual dislike of her is enough to get Cirrus to change his tune. Eventually Cirrus agrees to take Flamer to where Laminar keeps her prisoners.

The rest of the party enters the gate and finds themselves very exposed now in the courtyard. Klo tries to put out the torches with waterbending to give them some darkness. They all roll stealth to hide behind a pillar. Chai Li and Syntagma fail and are spotted by one of the students who remained in the courtyard. Chai Li tries to mindbend the guy to think he’s an old friend. It’s enough, and the student “recognizes” Chai Li but questions why he’s not in uniform and why he has an earthbender friend. Chai says his uniform is in the laundry and he’s embarrassed to be out of uniform, so that’s why he’s hiding. Also he has more friends here…for a tour.

“Dude…that’s not a thing. Didn’t you read the handbook?” the student asks.

Chai Li argues that they’re such good friends, so he must trust him right? Just for a short time for a tour?

The student agrees, and then to everyone’s horror, yells out “hey, bud’s back!”

The rest of the students are still trying to figure out what happened to the torches. Chai Li quickly suggests the airbender student show them around the temple by himself. He agrees and they go before any of the other students can get close.

Flamer, Zhongchung, and Cirrus arrive in the prison. It’s gross, the floor covered in some kind of sticky grime. Most of the prisoners have been here a year or less. Flamer asks what they did to get thrown in here. Cirrus shrugs and says they didn’t do anything, “we just keep them.”

One of the prisoners says “I’ll tell you why we’re here. We’re weapons.” The prisoner then begins rambling about a war and a conspiracy. Cirrus tells Flamer to ignore him.

Flamer throws Zhongchung in a cell with an airbender prisoner. Zhongchung knocks himself out in his theatrical struggle to resist being thrown in the cell. As Flamer throws Zhongchung in, the airbender tries to rush out. Flamer rolls a nat 1 to stop him, and he escapes. Cirrus immediately goes after the escapee. Flamer leaves the door to the cell unlocked for Zhongchung for when he wakes up.

One of the other prisoners, who is very obviously a firebender, whispers to Flamer. “Hey, you’re Fire Nation right? You’ve got a topknot and stuff.” Flamer says he was just undercover in the Fire Nation. The prisoner basically ignores him asks if Flamer would let him out. Why? Because the guy doesn’t know why he’s here. They haven’t even told him! Flamer is hesitant, because it would be “so suspicious” if the other prisoners somehow escaped. The guy pleads he could tell Flamer what he knows about this place. Flamer asks him to tell him, but the prisoner won’t say anything until Flamer lets him out. They negotiate for a second and agree the prisoner will tell him half before and half after his release.

The prisoner starts by saying XinLi’s strength is the ideology man! He really gets into people’s heads! It’s like he’s mindbending people or something!

Flamer agrees to lets him out, and asks what XinLi’s weakness is. The prisoner says there’s a secret office somewhere in the temple, but he doesn’t know what’s inside. Flamer lets out the water and earthbenders too so they can “cause a distraction.”

They all run out and see Cirrus and a waterbender on the tail of the fugitive airbender, trying to subdue him.

Flamer tries to lean into the other benders getting out, and tries to explain him being late as the prisoners overwhelming him and beating him up…rolls a nat 1 on deception. He then tries to say they mindbent him. The other guards accuse him of being incompetent. Flamer asks what the plan is to take the is airbender down. Cirrus calls it a “code (some letter and number I don’t remember).”

Flamer is obviously confused by this, and says that as an “inter-service transfer” he doesn’t understand the local “curriculum.” Cirrus tells him to freeze the airbender’s feet so he can’t fly. The other waterbender gives Flamer some spare water…which just falls to the ground obviously.

Flamer says he “relishes physical combat” and thinks it isn’t taught enough, so he wants to melee this guy. Cirrus—being an airbender and whose highest stat must therefore be wisdom—invites him to go ahead, knowing this will be good. Flamer climbs on top of one of the pillars in embarrassingly slow time. Flamer wants to jump down onto the airbender, who is hiding on the other side. Rolls nat 1 on stealth. Then 13 on acrobatics. Flamer calls out “flying squirrel from the heavens above” as the name of this move???Airbender dodges, but Flamer rolls a nat 20 to not take any fall damage from this weird belly flop from 20 feet up, and stands up ready to fight. He yells at the other guards to come take him out, because actually Flamer was just distracting him so the others could get him all along!

The airbender fugitive is pleading with Flamer to let him leave. “Please, you don’t want to fight me.” The others are still watching. Flamer dives for his legs. The airbender jumps and lands on Flamer’s back, then pleads for him to run. Flamer says if he lets him win, he’ll let him go free. The airbender hesitates, but surprisingly agrees. Flamer bucks him off, and tells the airbender to pretend he’s bloodbending him. Flamer’s “waterbending” form is really bad, but the airbender’s performance is really good, good enough to be convincing. Flamer runs to him and grabs him. Cirrus finally approaches and starts sucking the air out of the fugitive’s lungs “to teach him a lesson,” to Flamer’s horror.

Flamer tries to tell them we aren’t about torture! Cirrus says it’s a life lesson. Flamer notices the fugitive’s eyes are turning red. There’s an influx of wind.

Flamer yells at Cirrus’s waterbending buddy (named Pan) “what is this crap?”

Cirrus isn’t concerned about the wind or the red eyes and just thinks it’s just the guy being low on oxygen and becoming desperate. Flamer pleads with them to stop, saying “if you don’t stop, I’ll stop you.”

Cirrus already knew Flamer wasn’t bloodbending this guy, and the threat to stop him kind of just solidifies Cirrus’s certainty of Flamer being a fake. He continues to torture the airbender fugitive. While he’s distracted, Flamer walks behind Cirrus and tries to stab him in the neck with his ration knife. Cirrus rolls low on the save so Flamer succeeds, and Cirrus falls to the ground trying to stop the gushing wound in his neck. The fugitive is free, but his eyes are still glowing red and he is still creating this growing windstorm.

Pan attempts to confront Flamer for stabbing Cirrus, to which Flamer says he had to do it because Cirrus was clearly angering this evil spirit possessing the fugitive! And wouldn’t you know, Flamer knows everything about evil spirits because—

“I’ve been to the spirit world!” (It is now a running gag that Flamer must say this at least once each session.)

It’s getting really windy. Flamer runs to the fugitive and tries to grab onto him. He rolls another nat 1 on the strength check, and he gets blown away by the wind, sucked into the vortex which has now become a full blown tornado. Flamer wants to ride the wind, DM makes him roll acrobatics, it’s not enough. He’s now 40ft in the air.

Back to the rest of the party. The group is being escorted by Chai Li’s fake airbender friend down a hallway, where they run into Xinli accompanied by another airbender.

Xinli looks very specifically at Chai Li and asks “now what brings agent purple here?”

Chai Li , confused about if he’s supposed to know Xinli, says a tour… Xinli asks what he’s trying to see here, exactly? Chai Li requests to be shown to the tunnels!

“What tunnels?” Xinli asks.

“The ones that go under the ocean, obviously.” Chai Li replies. “I know there’s a hidden entrance here.”

“What interests you about those?” Xinli asks.

Chai Li finds that he can’t explain it…it’s like something is pulling him there.

“Do you…not remember?” Xinli finally asks, realizing Chai Li doesn’t seem to remember him or whatever kind of relationship they used to have.

Chai Li says he was…hit on the head and lost his memory. DM calls for a deception vs insight check. Xinli wins, and is suspicious of Chai Li’s claim. He straight up says something isn’t quite right here. XinLi asks if he remembers where they met…of course Chai Li doesn’t, so he tries to mindbend Xinli to not be suspicious, and DM calls for another contested roll. Xinli barely wins, and recognizes it as mindbending. He chastises Chai Li for treating his host this way.

Chai Li apologizes but continues to maintain that he doesn’t remember because he was hit on the head. Xinli grills him on if he remembers what he used to do “a few years ago.” Chai Li does not remember “what else” he used to do or how he’s supposed to know Xinli.

Xinli considers all this for a moment. Then, he nods sagely and says, “I’m well aware you need to go to the caves to get your memories back…but I’m quite curious what you did to result in someone trying to remove your memories.”

He then turns his attention to the rest of the party, and invites Chai Li to introduce him to his “friends.”

Klo coughs and says she’s also a Dai Li agent. Syntagma…is a wealthy benefactor interested in funding Xinli’s cause, which isn’t a total lie.

Juno has pulled up a hood in hopes of preserving her identity here, but Xinli of course, asks to see her face. She sighs and takes off her hood. She greets him coldly, but by name. He’s pleased to see her, saying how nice it is to see her again. She says she hoped she’d never have to see his face again.

She says…he can consider these individuals her prisoners. At this point, DM and Xinli’s player start texting, OH NO.

Xinli addresses Juno. “What brings you here? Are you interested in the cuttlecobras, as Dai Lee is?”

Juno replies that as a mindbender yes, they interest her. DM has Xinli roll insight but it’s not high enough for him to tell if she’s lying. Still, he doesn’t trust her. He invites them to come with him, and he leads them down the hall into a large chamber with four lion turtle statues and a huge lion turtle mosaic on the floor.

Klo tries to whisper to Juno to not make her go into the tunnels because she’s claustrophobic…Xinli hears this. Juno sighs, exasperated, and asks if there are any students who can watch Klo. Xinli asks if Syntagma will be coming. Klo and Syntagma start bickering about who has more of a right to hang back.

Xinli agrees he will look after them…and when Juno returns, he will return them to her custody. How lovely, Juno hisses.

Xinli serves them all tea, partakes in a little small talk about what he knows about the cuttlecobras (turns out to not be much, they’re dangerous after all), and eventually points out the secret tunnel, which is behind a door on the other side of the room that needs all four elements to open. We are obviously missing a firebender here. No problem, Xinli can fake it. Watch this.

Klo, Syntagma, and one of XinLi’s students line up and bend their respective elements into the corresponding tube. Xinli focuses on the fire tube, brings his hands together, then slowly separates them apart, then tosses a match into the stream of air he created in the center. The fire runs explosively down the stream, which as it turns out, was a stream of oxygen and methane separated out from the rest of the air.

The door opens and some very cold air rushes out. There’s a strong scent of saltwater and…unease.

Chai Li gazes down the dark tunnel, then turns to Xinli asks if he WANTS to remember whatever he forgot. Xinli considers for a moment, then says he thinks Chai Li will benefit from the relationship of…”mutual respect” that they once had. Chai Li takes a deep breath, and he and Juno start down the tunnel.

Xinli invites the other two back to the table to finish their tea and starts asking how they met Juno. Klo just vaguely says…it was a while ago. Xinli asks if she’s been Juno’s prisoners that whole time?

“We are in debt to her,” says Klo evasively. Then follows up by saying they were training at the training grounds for where they presumably met.

Xinli asks if they happened to meet his son and Kelsang?

Klo says…the names sounds familiar, maybe they fought one of them.

Xinli does an insight check…nat 1. He figures they have no reason to lie. Klo is also a common name, so he has no reason to think this is the Klo who leads the Northern Water Tribe.

He asks what they’re training for…Klo says Juno just made them train, but they don’t know what her plans are for them.

Xinli says “Since you are training to get stronger, you must have seen we train waterbenders here to achieve their true inner strength, would you like some lessons?”

Klo says she’ll keep it in mind, but asks who the teacher is. Xinli confirms it is Laminar. Klo just says she might’ve seen Laminar too, but obviously it will be impossible for her to keep her cover once Laminar arrives. Klo asks if it would be possible for them to rest. Xinli says he’ll show them to their quarters. :) (as prisoners, you can figure out where he must have intended to take them)

Suddenly, there’s a commotion and a waterbender runs in saying the prisoners have escaped. Klo asks if Xinli would like their assistance. “Come help,” he says with a smile.

Meanwhile, Flamer’s still stuck in a tornado. Rolls a nat 1 on acrobatics to do a controlled dive and gets to roll 5d6 fall damage. Only 13, phew. Finally all those 1’s he’s been rolling are a good thing. He also finally rolls a nat 20 to stay on his feet in the wind after he gets back up. He runs to the other side of the courtyard and into the entrance that leads toward the sleeping quarters.

XinLi’s group JUST misses him and comes out a different entrance right after Flamer disappears.

Xinli bends a dome of calm air around the group amidst this storm and approaches the fugitive airbender. He addresses Panggu directly, asking him to stop this.

Panggu speaks through his host and says he was merely protecting his host…sometimes they can get so rambunctious, you see. Xinli asks him to calm down, and he agrees. The wind dies down, the fugitive’s eyes return to normal, and he collapses, unconscious.

Xinli scoops up the unconscious fugitive and carries him back to the prison. Everyone follows. A student fills Xinli in on what happened with regards to the prisoners escaping and Cirrus being stabbed (he’s alive, there’s healers around). They lock up the airbender and Xinli tells everyone to follow him. Before they leave, he rolls a 12 on perception in the prison and decides everything looks normal. Syntagma rolls higher and notices Zhongchung…and that he’s faking his unconsciousness. Maybe Syntagma had a brief moment of pride here, but it’s brief because he also notices a lump on the floor in one of the cells, like someone took the bricks out and didn’t put them back right. He assumes this was Zhongchung’s doing, perhaps an attempt to earthbend a tunnel out.

Over to Juno and Chai Li. Chai Li asks why she’s here with him, she doesn’t need to remember anything after all. She says his training isn’t complete so it’s better if she’s here in case something goes wrong. Additionally, she wouldn’t know if someone had stolen memories from her or not, because unlike Chai Li, she hasn’t encountered anything to make her notice a gap. Lastly…there are actually some things she’d like to forget.

While they’re walking Chai Li asks how she knows Xinli. She says she was looking for Maika and came to investigate some suspicious reports in the area. When she met Xinli and asked about them, he brushed her off basically. She also doesn’t like XinLi’s methods…he’s a “flamethrower.” Powerful, but prone to causing collateral damage. “Maybe where Maika gets it from,” she mutters.

Chai Li asks why Xinli would believe a lie about them being prisoners. Juno explains that Xinli is used to mindbenders having people under their control. Doesn’t explain why Xinli is “used to mindbenders” though. Okay.

In the distance, they see a glowing light. Juno admits to being a little nervous as they approach. Despite being a mindbender, she knows next to nothing about the cuttlecobras.

The light gets brighter. Time for that wisdom saving throw. Chai Li rolls lowww, so he feels…compelled to walk forward, not realizing it as an external force. Juno calls after him and puts a hand in his shoulder to slow him down telling him not to be ambitious. She takes the lead.

They emerge into a cavern with several pools of water. Murky, blue…and glowing, with small walkways between.

Another wisdom save. Chai Li rolls better this time, and nothing out of the ordinary seems to happen. Chai Li looks into one of the ponds, and has to roll another save. He rolls high and resists, figuring out they WANT him to fall into the pond. He stumbles backwards and Juno catches him. Chai Li asks how she can resist their mindbending so easily. She calls him a noob and says she grew up with mindbenders, has been mindbent plenty of times, and reminds him why she had him do the exercise in the training camp where he had to figure out when she was mindbending him. She admits that she never actually mindbent him AT ALL during that exercise, and that’s how hard it can be to tell the difference to someone without experience.

They decide to keep the high ground and avoid going into the pools to draw the cuttlecobras out.

DM has Chai Li roll perception. He THINKS he sees movement in one of the pools. Nothing really seems to happen. Another perception check, but he rolls a nat 1. The glowing pond is mesmerizing…

Juno taps his shoulder and points out a pile of human skulls. Just skulls. This is super unnerving. She says maybe they can call to them with mindbending.

Chai Li rolls another nat 1. He tries to call to them to help him restore his memory. Something calls back. He feels a shiver and notices a ripple on several of the ponds.

Suddenly there is a splash and a creature emerges. It’s enormous, but they’re having a hard time seeing it. It’s maybe the size of an elephant, but thin and…floating. They can’t quite focus on its form, like it’s a mirage. The creature shifts back and forth in the water hypnotically. Its red eyes are hypnotizing.

Chai Li doesn’t hear words, but somehow knows what the creature is saying to him. It stares at him and tells him to prove himself.

Chai Li thinks about how something very bad is going to happen at the South Pole with the Dai Li, the Avatar, a secret weapon…a gathering of bad elements. He needs to remember what it all means so he can stop it.

Another wisdom save. 6. The creature communicates to him “what place have you always wanted to go?”

Chai Li thinks back to the training ground and what the old adventurers said…Chai Li says he wants to be back with his parents, because they never loved him and he craves a chance to feel loved. He gets to roll deception with advantage. Dirty 20.

He’s pulled into a vision of being home, back in the Southern Water Tribe. He’s getting dressed to go to a gala, something his dad insisted on so he could one day take over the family business. Chai Li is overwhelmed with how much this is gonna suck. He hates how everyone at this gala is so worried about perceptions, so focused on frivolous things, making money, not caring about the world at all…Chao Li knows he didn’t want this, he ran away from this! DM has him roll insight with advantage. 21. He snaps out of it, standing on the edge of the water, as if he had been walking towards it and stopped just in time.

The creatures are impressed. He is worthy. They ask what he wants to remember. Chai Li wishes to remember Dai Lee’s plans for the South Pole, as well as Chai Li’s relationship with Xinli.

He gets smacked—Juno has to hold him up—with memories and feelings in overwhelming flashes. He sees the Avatar bound to a chair getting hypnotized. Xinli training with all types of benders…including Dai Lee. Diagrams of lion turtles. Maps of the Central Air Temple. Figures of the number of mindbenders in the LAMB. Dai Li agents infiltrating governments. Maps tracking the Avatar’s whereabouts. He falls unconscious, unable to take it all at once.

We end the session here, and DM says he will need to do a one on one with Chai Li’s player to actually tell him all of it, because it was an immense amount of stuff that Chai Li was made to forget.

[yourdeepestfathoms]

There’s A Dragon At My Doorstep

an old AU from last October i found in my school account’s docs

for the record, this is not a DnD AU. i just used some of the races because i thought they were Cool. i have never played DnD in my life

Word count: 6840

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All things considered, Aragon was doing a very good job at keeping herself calm.

And, honestly, it could have been worse. They could have been dead or used as a sex toy by now, but they were still alive. Really, they were lucky. The rain was steadying up, too.

Aragon and Anne sat beside each other, wrists shackled together with a chain that attached to a tree. There were many hunters around them, and they couldn’t fight them off since their weapons had been taken. They kept exchanging nervous looks, wondering how exactly they had gotten into this big of a mess.

It’s simple. And it was Anne’s fault, really, since it had been her idea in the first place. They went a little too deep into the bad parts of the woods. Now they were chained up and surrounded by mad men.

You see, these weren’t normal hunters. They didn’t track down just animals. They stalk other races that weren’t human and killed them for parts. Lizardfolk for their scales, Aarakocra for their feathers and wings, Leonin and Tabaxi for their pelt, to name a few. It was highly illegal to do this--it was murder--but they didn’t care. They were good at covering their tracks, too. But what did they want with two humans if they didn’t kill them? Simple.

  “You’re royals,” Said the leader, pacing in front of the pair. “I’m sure the council wouldn’t want anything to happen to their precious queen and mistress.”

  “So you’re going to use us for blackmail?” Aragon spoke, keeping her voice strong. “How cowardly.”

  “Would you rather me kill you? Or use you as our personal plaything?”

Death sounded better than being these men’s whore. Aragon shut her mouth and looked back down at the ground.

  “That’s what I thought.”

The man was a brute, bigger than both Aragon and Anne. Without their weapons, he could easily take down them both single-handedly. Maybe even when they did have their swords. He had a scarred face and tangled black hair that reached his shoulders. His hands were like bear paws, large and strong, and his eyes could pierce anyone’s soul with a single stare. It would be best to not make him mad.

  “What do you hope to gain from us?” Anne decided to ask, taking her turn at speaking. “The throne?”

  “Of course not.” The leader chortled. “Why would I want such a thing? To be bound to a velvet chair for the rest of my life? Ha! No, I’m in this for the gold, the treasure.”

  “Should have guessed.” Aragon muttered under her breath.

She looked at Anne, who was, once again, trying to pull her hands free from the shackles. Like the other four times, it didn’t work and only achieved skinning her wrists raw.

  “Where are you taking us?” Aragon asked.

  “Back to our camp,” Answered the leader, looking down at a map. “We have a special something to get ready for.” With a wicked smirk, he unpacked something from the caravan and held it up to the pair of royals.

An egg.

A dragon egg.

The dragons were said to be killed off long ago, in a great purge. The stories said it was for safety, that the creatures would regularly kill people for no good reason. They had to be culled from the land.

  “But they’re all dead!”

  “Not as dead as you think,” The leader chuckled.

He turned away from the pair to speak to some of the other hunters, probably to discuss plans or directions. Somewhere in the conversation, one of the hunters pointed to Anne and Aragon and said something to the leader, making him look at them, too.

  “Joan!” He called out loudly. “Get over here!”

Rustling came from the grove nearby, and then a girl came out. She had sun bleached hair done in a braid that made her silver eyes stand out like bright diamonds in the night. She was clad in furs, a size too big and drowning her petite frame. Her arms were dripping with gore; clearly she had been at a gutting post for dinner. Rivulets of blood ran down too-sharp-to-be normal fingernails, thickly dyeing freckled grey skin. Coils of bramble were caught in her small, branching horns, and mud was staining her long, thick tail, which was tipped with tufts of black fur at the very end.

Aragon blinked at this girl in interest. She had never seen a tiefling before. This one was very young, too. What was she doing with these cut throats?

  “Joan, watch our guests.” The leader said. “I’ll get someone else to finish gutting. Chop off a finger if they try anything.” He tossed the tiefling a wickedly curved dagger, which she looked at with a sickened expression. But still, she nodded wordlessly and stood guard beside the tree Aragon and Anne were chained to.

For a long time, it was quiet, aside from the chatter of the men further into the temporary camp. Aragon’s and Anne’s guard wasn’t doing a very good job at watching them, as she was completely focused on carving a piece of wood she had snapped off of the tree. It wasn’t long before Aragon’s mind began to waver, and she drifted off without realizing it.

------

It was raining when Aragon opened her eyes again. The forest was shrouded with grey mist, hanging above the wet ground. Overhead, the sky is obscured by an impenetrable mass of dark clouds. In those early hours of the morning, everyone was asleep.

Aragon stirred in the mud she lay in, jumping when she realized someone’s hands were on her. She instinctively swung her arm up, jabbing her elbow at the person. A hiss let her know she landed the blow.

When the haziness in her eyes receded, she saw the tiefling child crouched beside her, rubbing her jaw.

  “It’s you,” Aragon said softly. 

The tiefling’s ears twitched slightly in recognition. “I’m going to get you out of here.” She whispered.

Aragon raised a suspicious eyebrow and inquired, “Aren’t you with them, though?”

  “Not by choice.”

Joan ended it there and slipped a key out of her fur covers while Aragon shook Anne awake. Aragon then noticed something on the younger girl. She squinted, seeing red marks around her wrists and neck. It looked like painful blisters, ones shackles would usually create.

In a few seconds, the chains binding Anne and Aragon fell off. Joan gave them each a dagger before standing to go get the horses. And that’s when she ran right into one of the hunters. 

He was up on his feet in an instant, glaring down at her. Joan struck too late; he had already bellowed for the others to wake when her knife sunk into his chest. His battle cry died on his lips as she pulled her blade free, moving to the next opponent.

She ducked smoothly under a clumsy swing and jabbed her knife up into the second man’s armpit, tearing open a large gash. Twisting on her heels, she hauled the body around to shield herself from an oncoming sword. The blade pierced the hunter’s flesh instead of hers and she released him to bleed out and die. When she was turning to strike again, something heavy smacked into her head.

Joan tottered before sinking to her knees, pressing one hand to her skull while the other clumsily tried to fend off the hunters gathering around her. Her vision began to darken as she was shoved to her back. The leader was above her, a sneer on his scarred face.

  “Next time, you’ll stay in the chains.”

Without another word, he swung his boot savagely into her chin, and, with a crunch, Joan’s world went black.

------

  “I don’t understand why we’re keeping her alive.”

  “She saved us.”

  “She’s one of them! Plus, she’s one of those things…”

  “Don’t say that, Anne.”

  “What? It’s true! You know what her kind--”

  “Shh. She’s waking up.”

Aragon lifted the cloth she had pressed to the tiefling’s head and watched as the child slowly came to. Her ears twitched first, then her tail lashed like a snake in the mud, and then her eyelids fluttered before finally peeling open. Joan flinched backwards when she saw Aragon.

  “Easy, easy,” The queen murmured, holding her hands out in front of her harmlessly. “I’m not going to hurt you, sweetheart.”

Joan’s ears twitched again, and then she relaxed slowly. She nodded slightly.

  “I’m glad you’re awake.” Aragon said. “I thought that rock cracked your skull. You were bleeding.”

Joan winced when she seemed to notice the pain. Aragon pressed the cloth back the area of impact on her temple, and she looked up at her with big, sparkling silver eyes, as if this were the first time she had been touched with so much gentleness.

  “What about the other..bandits?” Joan slurred her words slightly.

  “Took care of them.” Anne said. She was standing a few feet away, sword in hand, eyeing Joan wryly. “Wasn’t that hard when they all grouped up after you blacked out. Really, it was their fault they died for getting together.”

Joan nodded slightly. With a grunt, she pushed herself up into a sitting position against a tree. From beside her, Aragon made a noise of disapproval.

  “What are you going to do with me?” She asked softly.

  “Bring you back to the kingdom, of course,” Aragon said. “You saved us!”

  “What?” Anne yelped. “Wait, I didn’t--”

  “Really?” Joan looked up at Aragon in wonder. 

  “Yes, really.” Aragon smiled at her.

Anne didn’t have a say in this decision, though she continued to spitter over it on the ride back to the kingdom. Especially when she saw that Joan had grabbed the dragon egg from the caravan.

  “She’s going to kill us all, Catalina,” Anne whispered to Aragon. “I hope you realize that.”

  “She is not.” Aragon said. “Will you stop being so rude?”

Luckily, Anne shut up for the rest of the trek.

The guards posted around the city and at the castle alike were relieved to see Aragon and Anne return safely, but they all eyed Joan with great suspicion. The girl merely hunched her shoulders and sunk into her saddle, trying to make herself smaller than she already was.

Upon stepping into the grand palace, Aragon and Anne both were bowled into by a furry mass. 

  “You’re back! You’re finally back! I was so worried about you!”

It was Anne’s younger cousin, Katherine, or Kitty for short. She was a satyr, with neatly combed, light brown fur on her goat-like legs and big, furry ears. Her amber eyes were wide and beaming as she grasped tightly to Anne’s hand.

  “Sorry to worry you, Kit,” Anne said, ruffling her hair. 

  “Are you okay? You aren’t hurt, right?” Kitty asked, inspecting the two.

  “We’re fine.” Aragon assured her.

Kitty sighed in relief. “I’m so glad.” She turned her head, “Anna! Catalina and Annie are back!!”

Heavy footsteps thumped down the hall, and then all three of them were lifted off of the floor and squeezed tightly.

  “Ack--” Aragon gasped.

  “Good to see you, too, Anna!” Anna laughed wheezily.

Cleves set them down and stepped back, grinning widely. She was a large minotaur, with thick red-brown fur, powerful hooves, and long, pointy horns. A golden hoop glittered from her nostrils on her broad snout.

  “Sorry about that,” She said. “I didn’t break anything, did I?” Being as tall and big as she was, she had to stoop down to inspect Anne and Aragon.

  “Not this time,” Anne said, laughing.

  “EEK!!” Kitty suddenly shrieked, leaping backwards in fright. “A tiefling!!”

It was only then that Kitty and Cleves seemed to notice the stranger. Joan stepped back slightly, ears drooping. She coiled her tail in close to her.

  “Why is there a tiefling here?” Kitty asked shakily, hiding behind Cleves.

  “This is Joan.” Aragon said. “She saved us. That’s why she’s here.”

  “And what’s that in her arms?” Cleves questioned.

  “A dragon egg.”

------

  “No, no, absolutely not.” Jane, an elf, and the queen’s advisor, said, pacing around the library. The dragon egg was sitting on a table, which she kept eyeing suspiciously.

  “Wouldn’t it be amazing to have a baby dragon around here?” Aragon said. “We can bring them back!”

  “They’re dead for a reason.” Jane growled. “We should kill it.”

  “You can’t just kill it,” Bessie, a lady in waiting kenku with messy feathers, said. “It’s a baby.”

  “It’s a dragon.” Jane said. “They’re dangerous monsters. It’ll kill us all.”

  “Killing it would be like stabbing a pregnant woman.” Bessie argued. “It’s wrong.”

  “When did you start caring about things?” Kitty muttered brattily. “I thought crows were supposed to be omens for death.”

Bessie ruffled her already-matted feathers until they were even more in disarray and glared at Kitty. Her talons scraped dangerously across the floor.

  “You think we should just let this thing hatch and rain terror down on our kingdom?” Jane said. “So many people died at its claws.”

  “I am the queen and my word is law.” Aragon said firmly. “And I say let the creature live.”

------

Two weeks.

For two weeks, Joan watched over the egg, unsure on if it was doing okay. She didn’t sleep very often and barely left her room without the egg in a sling in fear of it hatching when she wasn’t there. She created a nest of her blankets and pillows to try and keep the little thing as warm as possible. Sometimes, it moved. Sometimes, it didn’t. In the third week, that changed.

It was around dinner time, raining. Joan was strumming lazily at a lute she had been learning to play on the window sill when the egg began to jump and shake. Flakes of shell fell from a cracked area. Joan saw a curve of a beak, silver claws, an edge of a foot. As a flash of lightning lit up the sky, the rest of the egg splintered into a thousand glittering pieces, and the tiny hatchling, shiny with albumen, was left before her.

  “Oh,” Joan gasped.

He was perfect. Perfect in every single way.

Shiny black scales with hints of dark blue glimmered in the torchlight. Sparkling white wings with a scattering of ebony and emerald and sapphire speckles underneath stretched out and flapped in the air. Tiny horns tipped his elegantly narrowed head. The adorable little forked tail swished across the ground. Big mossy green eyes blinked around in wonderment.

Joan didn’t even realize she was crying until she breathed in shakily and hiccuped. She crouched down, holding out her hand, which the baby dragon nibbled on curiously. She pulled him into her arms, weeping tears of joy and relief.

  “You’re alive,” She breathed. “You’re alive!”

Even with the heavy rain and thunder, surely everyone in the castle could hear her cheering.

  “What should I call you, little guy?” She paused. “How about Scales?” She giggled. “Silly, isn’t it? Do you like it?”

The hatchling’s tail wiggled in excitement, so Joan took that as a yes. She held Scales close to her chest, tucking his head under her chin.

This meant there was still a chance.

A knock came at her door. Joan jumped and slowly turned her head to the side to see Aragon and Anne peeking in.

  “Good Lord!” Anne exclaimed, her eyes bulging. “It actually hatched!”

  “It’s a shock indeed.” Aragon said, slowly crossing over to the nest of blankets. She crouched down and let Scales sniff her hand. “It’s adorable.”

  “He,” Joan corrected. “His name is Scales.”

  “Fitting.” Anne said, slowly walking over. 

  “How can we help?”

Joan was actually quite surprised upon hearing Aragon’s question. She hadn’t expected them to help her with the hatchling. It made her happy to know some people were looking out for her.

  “Some.” Anne said. “We can help some.” 

  “I need to keep him entertained if I’m not here.” Joan said. “Do you think you can bring some old toys for him to play with?”

Aragon nodded. “I have some lying around. I think he’ll like them.”

  “Thank you.” Joan said. “Do you think I could use the training field sometimes to help him learn how to defend himself?”

  “Of course,” Aragon said, ignoring the look Anne was giving her.

Joan nodded and smiled slightly. “Thank you. This means a lot.”

Aragon gently rubbed the top of the girl’s head before standing up.

  “Dinner’s calling,” Anne said. “Good luck, Joan.”

And with that, they’re gone. Joan’s left alone in her room with a hatchling in her arms. She looks down at Scales and feels her throat tighten. She's never been needed like this. It's just her and him against the whole world.

------

For four months, Joan almost always took care of her hatchling alone. She slipped out of castle business, stole extra food, and forgot what it feels like to get a full or good night of rest. Scales required almost all of her attention, but she didn’t mind, even when he wakes her up wanting to play.

He’s getting bigger. He’s just below her thigh, now. His horns and teeth were growing sharper, too. But even with his natural weapons that could easily tear someone’s throat out, he was like a little puppy. He loved being pet or playing pounce. He was the light of Joan’s life.

The two of them soon became inseparable. Joan taught him different kinds of songs, becoming the best duet England has ever seen. Joan would play her lute or the castle piano if she got the chance while Scales sang in off-tune, but charming keens and whistles. It was hard to see why people wouldn’t love him. But Joan knew that many would feel like that. She knew right away when she decided to take him to a banquet with her.

Many people stared and made disgusted faces at the little dragon perched on the tiefling’s shoulder with his tail curled loosely around her neck. That night, Joan realized how many were against her. She couldn’t find a friendly face in the crowd anywhere. Aragon looked very worried and Anne wouldn’t even make eye contact with her. Cleves at least made an effort to be nice, while Kitty completely pretended like she didn’t even know Joan. But the person who seemed to be the most unhappy was Jane.

Jane was a beautiful, but cold-blooded elf. She was a part of the high council of this kingdom, the queen’s eyes. If you tried anything sneaky, she would probably find out first. It was best to tread carefully around her, Joan decided, or just keep her distance. The woman obviously had some kind of grudge against her.

Attending parties was a rare occasion, but Joan liked letting Scales get used to other people and socialize. Or, try to. Most of the people ignored his clicks and coos.

  “They just can’t see how great you are,” She would tell him, scratching under his chin.

One day, Joan was out at the training field, running Scales through a few drills she had made up. He had learned how to fly pretty easily, but still needed some help on using his fire and frost correctly. It would take work, but practice made perfect.

And that’s when it happened.

A group of struggling knights came hobbling into the area, limping and bleeding. It got Joan’s attention, so she inched closer.

The guards spoke of how they were on patrol when they were attacked by something. They fled, but some were left behind; they needed reinforcements.

This is what Joan and Scales were training for. They could finally prove themselves! She whistled to the dragon and hurried over to the stables.

Finding the place wasn’t that difficult, she just headed to the normal patrol spot in the forest and listened. She followed the sound of growling and moans of pain.

Dismounting and peeking through the underbrush, Joan got a glimpse of a large and ugly pig-like creature. It was hunched over holding a mace. A few feet away, lying against some rocks, was a bleeding knight.

This was it.

Joan whistled a command and Scales leapt off her shoulder, claws brandished and mouth open. She jumped out of the bushes to distract the monster while the dragon latched onto its back, sinking his talons and teeth into its hide.

The creature shrieked in pain, swinging its mace around wildly and nearly hitting Joan. She ducked underneath its flailing weapon, slipping in the mud, but balancing herself out. Leaping back, she called another command and Scales let go, taking off into the air in a spiral of black and white. He hovered for a moment before orange and gold erupted from his beak. Even from where she was standing, Joan could feel the heat from the flames and realized how powerful the little dragon really was.

With a final moan, the monster collapsed into the charred grass. Scales landed on its head, grasping its throat between his talons, looking triumphant. His pelt was blood-soaked and, for a moment, Joan couldn’t recognize him as the little hatchling she raised. But this was always going to be his purpose.

Shaking her head, Joan hurried over to the wounded knight. She crouched down, shaking him, smearing blood all over her shirt. He was gasping and wheezing, grasping a gouge in his thigh. Muscles and tendons were dangling out; it was bad.

  “I got an idea,” She pulled out one of her daggers, “Heat this, Scales. I might be able to cauterize the wound.”

It would be painful and maybe a little messy, but it could save this man’s life.

Scales obeyed and breathed a small plume of flame on the blade. He was situated on a rock just above the man’s head, looking down at him curiously.

Joan was just bringing the dagger to the gouge when heavy hoofsteps thundered through the forest.

At least a dozen knights, including Anne and even Jane gallop into the clearing. Anne looked horrified. Jane was disgusted. Holding a dagger over a gash while smeared in blood probably didn’t look too good.

  “This isn’t what it looks l--” But Jane didn’t even let Joan finish.

  “Arrest this murderer!” The woman shouted, her voice dripping with venom. “And bring its monster along, too.”

Before Joan can even think to run, a knight was on her. He’s at least two heads taller than her and much stronger, seizing her painfully by the forearms. She dug her heels into the dirt and struggled, but was still shoved forward.

  “Please, listen--” Was all Joan can choke out. The knight backhanded her head hard and shoved her onto a horse, tying her to the back like she was a sack of flour. The stallion took off running, fast.

The world was falling away. Joan was Scales behind her, grabbed tightly, screaming and shrilling. When their eyes met, he squirmed harder and extended his claws to her. Then, even he was gone.

------

There were many rumors regarding the dungeon tower. Some say there were ghosts of the people that had been tortured to death inside. Others talk about how the place broke down a person’s mental stability. Even the guards go mad, they say. After three days of being in there, Joan started to think they may have a point, whoever they were. Everything about her tiny, grimy cell made her feel miserable.

The first day inside, she bawled and wept uncontrollably. The second, a few tears and hiccups would slip. And by the third, she was too dehydrated and exhausted to even cry anymore. Her body just couldn’t make tears. Now, she just sat against the bars or peered out the tiny window.

It was around dusk and Joan was trying to sleep on the dirty rags that made up her bed. Somewhere down the hall, she heard the guards talking, so she got up and moved closer to the bars to listen.

  “I’m telling you, that’s the one that had the dragon.” Said a half-orc guard with tired eyes and messy hair.

  “And killed a knight.” Added a hobgoblin. “I was there. She was pulling a knife right out of the gash in his thigh, burning his flesh with a heated dagger while also stabbing him. Poor Sir Lance. He didn’t make it.”

He might have if they would have let her help, Joan thought. And she didn’t ever touch him, anyway! These people only see what they want to see.

  “Figures,” Sighed the third, a bronze kobold. “Poor man, indeed.”

  “Cauterizing, actually.”

The guards turned to stare at the tiefling leaning against the bars to her cell, studying her dirty and bitten claws. She looks up with narrowed eyes.

  “If I would have stabbed the knight with the burning knife I had, it would have cauterized the wound instantly, doing no real damage. So, yes, I definitely killed him. You deserve a pie for figuring that out.”

The guards just stared for a moment.

  “What? If you’re going to tell a story, at least tell it right.”

  “You really think we’re going to believe you?” The hobgoblin said, frowning.

  “No.” Joan shrugged. “But you don’t know for sure.”

  “Don’t speak to the prisoners.” The kobold said. “You know better.”

With that, the guards turned their attention away and talked amongst each other again.

After that, the night was quiet and dragged on slowly, turning to day, which was just as boring.

Around midday, Joan heard a familiar biting voice from the stairs. She was lying in her bedding, tired. Finally, she felt exhausted enough to sleep, so she didn't move.

  “Madam, we were told to not let anyone see her.”

  “I don’t care what you were told,” Snapped the voice. “Take me to her at once. I am a part of the high council. That’s an order!”

There were a few more murmurs before heels clacking on the stone floor approach. Someone hit in the bars of the cell, making them rattle.

  “Get up, pest. And give me your name.”

Joan stirred and got up, stepping towards the bars. She gave Jane a tired and slightly agitated look. The woman knew her name, but she just wanted to make her obey. With Scales on her mind, the girl does:

  “Joan.”

  “Ahh, yes,” Jane said. “You came in from a bunch of bandits. And a dirty tiefling. You’re just what I expected.”

Joan said nothing.

  “Though, I thought you were smarter than this, really. Why did you do it? Why did you bring a monster to our city? Why did you kill a man?”

  “I didn’t.” Joan said. “I didn’t hurt him. I was trying to help. And Scales would die without me. I couldn’t leave him alone.”

  “You are a liar,” Jane hissed. “We’ll just torture the truth out of you. Then we’ll kill that abomination you brought in here.”

  “No!!”

  “Shut up, you poisonous little mite!” Jane spat. “I’ve heard enough.”

Before Joan could reprimand, Jane turned away and strode to the stairs. She listened to her footsteps until even those fade.

It was well past noon now, and, somewhere, Joan heard something screaming. She can’t help but think it was Scales.

Someone new entered the dungeon. A cowl-wearing kenku with highly unruly feathers. Bessie, if Joan remembered her name correctly, the only kenku in the court. Or the entire kingdom, apparently. She was talking to the guards. Maybe she could listen to some reason.

  “Hey,” Joan called out. “May I speak to you?”

Bessie looked cautious, but she walked over. Her talons scratched against the stone with each step.

  “What do you need?” She asked.

  “I just want to talk. Might be the last time. The guards don’t speak to me and it’s not like anyone comes down to visit with me.”

Bessie shook out the feathers on her arms. “Go on.”

  “Where’s Scales?”

He was the only thing on Joan’s mind.

  “Locked in a quarantine shed, from what I heard.” Bessie said.

  “What’s going to happen to him? After I’m gone, I mean.”

Bessie frowned. “I’m not sure.”

Joan nodded and looked at the ground.

  “Listen--” Bessie sighed. “I’m sorry. I’m sure you never wanted this to happen. I don’t believe that you murdered that man, but it’s no use what I say. There are too many people against you.” She paused. “The least I can do is give you a request. Is there anything you’d like me to do for you?”

Joan felt her throat tighten and she braced herself for one last difficult conversation.

  “I don’t think I’ll be able to say goodbye to everyone. Can you do that for me? And tell Catalina I said thank you for all she’s done for me.”

Bessie nodded. “Of course.” She said, her voice tight. “I have to go now, but I’ll make sure to pass your message.”

She started to leave, then stopped.

  “Be brave. This isn’t goodbye.”

------

The next day rolled around, another night of no sleep washing away. Joan stayed up watching the sunrise and wondered if this would be the last time she ever saw it.

When evening came, she was led out of her cell. But instead of being taken to the chopping block, she was guided down a hall.

  “Where are we going?” She asked her escort, who was tying her wrists with rope. “I thought--”

  “To the trial,” The aarakocra guard said. She was frowning deeply, a look of pity in her eyes.

  “Trial? I’m getting a trial?”

  “Every prisoner gets a trial. It’s only fair.”

They stopped at a large door; the guard even looked nervous.

  “Well, kid,” She said, taking a deep breath like it was her about to be judged. “This is it. I wish you luck.”

Joan gave her a small smile and hummed in thanks. She was very anxious, hands trembling. She had to make a good impression and try to get free. Though, it would be hard to do that when she was still covered in four day old blood.

Regardless, this was it.

The door swung open. Inside is a giant room with marble floors and crimson carpet. On the left side were civilians who decided to attend, sitting on row after row of elevated wooden benches, while the right held nobles and people of higher standard. There was a raised dais at the end of the room where the council awaits. Three council members, Thomas Cromwell, a large leonin, Catherine Parr, a sophisticated-looking half-elf, and Jane. Aragon was also there, with Bessie and Anne beside her.

Joan approached with as much confidence as possible. It would look bad if she came barging in in hysterics.

  “Let’s begin.” Jane said. Joan could tell she was imagining how nicely her head would look on a pike.

  “Very well.” Thomas said. “Joan, you are accused of bringing a dragon into the city. Do you admit to this?”

  “Yes, honored Council.”

  “You are also accused of murdering a man. Do you admit to what you’ve done?”

  “No.”

There were a few gasps on the side with civilians. Jane sneered. Cathy looked interested and Thomas straightened himself more.

  “I see.” He said slowly. “Well, let’s see the beast you’ve brought into our city.”

A set of doors beside the dais open and Cleves led Scales by a chain. There were a series of gasps and murmurs when he was brought in; some of these people had never seen a real dragon before.

When Scales saw Joan, he strained on his chain and reached his talons out to her. He started whistling a song she taught him and, suddenly, Joan was fighting tears.

The guard beside the tiefling sets a hand on her shoulder- a silent warning. But Joan doesn’t listen. Maybe she can show these people how important and beautiful Scales was. She could impress them.

  “Easy, boy,” She murmured in a broken, but soothing and velvety voice. “I’m here. It’s okay.”

Joan waited for Scales to settle before whistling and giving a few hand gestures. The dragon jumped into the air and did a few flips, letting his frostbreath stream from his mouth, before landing again. Mist wisps from his nostrils; he looked pleased with himself for the tricks.

There were a few murmurs of approval and even some hesitant claps, but nothing more.

  “Refrain from interacting with the beast.” Thomas scolded. He shifted himself in his seat and leaned forward. “I’m sure it was very hard to get your hands on something so valuable. What I want to know is why you decided to take it here.”

  “I had nowhere else to go.” Joan said.

  “Why did you keep it in the first place?”

  “Because he makes me happy and I deserve a little happiness for once.”

It’s not a cry for pity, it’s the simple truth. Joan sees Anne wince off to the side.

  “You think your good mood is more important than your life?” Cathy asked, not criticizing but actually curious.

  “Yes.” Joan said. “All I do is get ignored and forgotten. Dusk to dawn. Year after year. It’s all the same. I’ve never been needed before. Let me ask you this: do you know what it feels like to be abandoned? To be left all alone to die? Why would I want the same thing for him? I got Scales and, for once in my life, I thought I could be important. I’m going to enjoy him.”

Well, she did.

  “We can hardly fault her for that motive.” Cathy said, turning to the other two council members.

  “But we can fault her for her crime.” Thomas said.

  “Exactly!” Jane snapped. “We can’t let her run around threatening everyone’s lives. Don’t feel bad for killing her. She’s a filthy tiefling.”

  “And you’re a snake.” Joan said coolly. “What’s your point?”

There was a small swell of impressed coos coming from both crowds. Scales chortled. Joan felt a small bout of pride, but it didn't last long.

  “If it was my choice, you’d be dead by now.” Jane hissed, even more agitated now.

  “Enough,” Thomas said sternly. “There’s no need to argue.”

Jane muttered something and sat back against her chair, almost looking like a pouting child. Joan wanted to laugh, but her throat hurt too badly. She wanted to be with her dragon already. His longing stare and soft churrs were killing her.

  “If you have any, ask your questions.” Thomas said to Cathy and Jane.

Of course, the elf snapped back up and got the opportunity first.

  “I think we’re all skimming over the worst crime. This pest killed a man!”

  “That wasn’t a question,” Cathy muttered.

  “Actually,” Joan managed a laugh. “No. I didn’t. You see, if anyone in here had any brains, you would have seen how the knight’s thigh was torn, not stabbed or sliced into. The wound was deep; to the bone at least. I was wielding a rather blunt dagger that couldn’t possibly make that wound in such a short amount of time.”

Jane growled and was quick to strike again.

  “You’re covered in his blood.”

  “Yes, that happens when you try and help someone. It gets on you.”

  “Bold and intelligent,” Cathy chuckled. “Though, you must learn when your words will help and hurt.”

Joan dipped her head. Her guard squeezed her shoulder, but she didn’t know if it was physical scolding or for reassurance. Her wittiness won’t hold out for long. She was exhausted and felt dehydrated. Dizziness was coming at her in violent waves; this is what she got for not sleeping.

Finally, she raised her head and was met with three different expressions. Cathy looked both concerned and pitiful, while Jane was annoyed, but amused. Thomas looked rather patient.

  “Finished with your nap?” Jane crooned, making Joan wonder if she actually nodded off.

From the side, Aragon dug her nails into the arms of her chair. This was cruel. It looked like the young tiefling was being forced to function through a fever.

  “You say your beast can help this kingdom, yes?” Cathy said, finally able to address deeper into the topic. “How can he do such a thing?”

Jane made a soft “tsk” sound when they got off of her topic and crossed her arms.

  “Would you like me to show you?” Joan offered, even though it would drag this on longer. But she would do anything to protect Scales, even risking her own health.

Cathy looked at Thomas, who nodded.

With the word given, Joan turned to Scales. Even though her lips were cracked and painfully dry, she whistled a command and gave a few subtle hand gestures.

The dragon lunged forward, ripping free from Cleves holding him back. He was flying for one of the guards, claws out, jaws open. Mere inches away from tearing through the armor, he snapped up, moving as fast as a bullwhip, spiraling into the air. Golden flames leaked from his mouth as he glided back and forth through the room, obviously showing off at this point. Joan doesn’t mind. If it helped them, then he could do whatever he wanted.

When she whistled for him to stop, he started to go over to her, but she looked away- a silent command that he could not be near her. The joyful look on Scales’s face faded and he settled back on the ground, growling when his chain was taken back into a strong grip.

  “Very impressive.” Cathy said. “He’s well trained for a beast. He listens better than some of our knights.”

Joan smiled slightly. “He has charm.”

  “But I think the decision is clear.” Jane said, glaring at Scales. “This is a killing offense. You just saw what the creature can do. It’s a killing machine. Even if the beast could be used, it’s ruined by this girl. It has to be culled.”

At that, Joan jerked violently, looking like she would attack if she could. She struggled with her arms, like she was trying to get free from her binds. Red began to wash on the ropes. Her tail lashed furiously. 

  “No!” Joan shouted. “Do whatever you want to me, but don’t hurt Scales!”

The dragon sensed his keeper’s panic and began to keen and shrill loudly, tugging at his chain again.

  “How sweet of you,” Jane purred, enjoying the show. “But there’s no other option. We can’t have either of them tainting our people.”

  “Please, listen,” Joan said breathlessly. “You don’t have to do this. Please, he’s just a baby! He’s more than some monster you accuse him of being. He can protect the city! Just give me a chance.” The tears were coming back and she doesn’t know how much longer she can fight them.

  “Why do you risk so much for this fiend?” Thomas asked.

  “Everything I’ve done has been for him.” Joan answered, almost choking on her words. “This is all for him. He means more to me than you people will ever know.”

Scales made a soft churr and Joan smiled weakly at him.

  “Please,” She started to speak again. “Let us prove our worth to you.”

There was an uncomfortable silence that filled the room. The court was silently making their choices.

  “Well then,” Thomas said, “I think we’re ready to make our decision. Cathy?”

  “I don’t want her killed. I’d be a waste. If she can tame a dragon, then she can help us.” The half-elf said.

  “It was a baby.” Jane scoffed. “When a dragon hatches whatever the first thing it sees is usually what it gets attached to.”

Joan quirked a brow. How could that snake know that? She doesn’t seem like one to know things about the kind she despises.

  “Anyway, I vote to have her killed.”

Thomas cleared his throat as everyone held their breath.

  “Joan, while you have done things many of us look down upon, you’ve shown promise. Your life will be spared this time. I hope to not see you in this situation again. I can’t promise you’ll be as lucky.”

Joan was paralyzed. Around her, there are some angry people, some relieved, and a few who are actually happy. She saw Aragon and Bessie celebrate amongst themselves, hugging tightly in relief. Anne actually looked at her like she wasn’t a stranger.

  “Thank you,” She murmured hoarsely. “Really..thank you.”

  “Mhm,” Thomas said over Jane’s griping. “I hope you heed my words, Joan. We are putting our trust in you.”

  “You won’t regret it. I promise.”

The guard started to untie Joan’s bindings. Her wrists were rubbed raw and they would be tender for a while, but it was worth it. When she got the word of permission, she raced to Scales, who rushed to meet her. She threw her arms around the little dragon, holding him close to her chest. She buried her face against his head, weeping softly about how much she missed him.

Whatever happened next, happened. They would do it together.

[friendrat]

Thanks for the tag!

1. Where you named after anyone?

No. My older brother was named after someone in the Bible, but my older sister and I were just names that my mom liked. My twin sister died before we were born, and my mom let me name her when I got older, so she is named after a character from the Oracles of Fire books by Bryan Davis.

2. When was the last time you cried?

I'm not really sure. I tear up sometimes during cheesy movies or shows, or when I'm reading, so probably then. The last time I remember full-blown crying, though, was when my sister got together with a bunch of aunts and cousins (like intentionally planned event, not spur of the moment thing) and I wasn't invited, I found out after the fact on Facebook in a post where they shared pictures and went on about how nice it is to spend time with family, and how they need to do it more often, etc etc. (I'm not salty. Ok, that's a lie, I'm totally still salty about it. They're trying to make it a regular thing, and I still haven't been invited.)

3. Do you have kids?

Only four. 😆

4. Do you use sarcasm a lot?

No, never.~ (Obviously, I do. 😆 We really need to bring the sarcasm punctuation into popular use because sometimes it's hard to tell in text format.)

5. What is the first thing you notice about people when you meet them?

I don't know... I think I just see them as a whole person? There isn't really any particular thing that jumps out at me in particular.

6. What is your eye color?

Blue, sometimes they're like a blue gray and sometimes they're brighter.

7. Scary movies or happy endings?

Happy endings. Hands down. I'm not really a scary movie person. I can count the number of scary movies I've actually watched on one hand. But who doesn't love a happy ending?

8. Any special talents?

I can make an elephant trumpet sound. It makes babies laugh and never fails to impress toddlers. 😆

9. Where were you born?

I am a mystery wrapped in an enigma. (OK I will give a "real" answer... I was born *dramatic pause* in a hospital. 😂)

10. Have any hobbies?

Reading, writing, board games, dnd, video games when I have the time.

11. Have any pets?

2 cats, a dog, and a fish. They all have nerdy names except one of the cats. The dog is Oberon, the fish is Fezzik (we used to have a second fish named Inigo, but he died), and the girl cat is a calico named Piper (she's the pied piper... get it? Lol), and the not nerdy cat is a tuxedo cat named Everest. Everest is also nicknamed the wizard kitty because he likes to perch on people's shoulders like a familiar.

12. What sports do you play/have you played?

Bible quizzing. It counts, ok! 😆

13. How tall are you?

5'6"

14. What was your favorite subject in school?

Science. I disagreed with a lot of origin stuff because it's very based on worldview interpretation of the evidence, but I loved natural science and how stuff works. I could test reliably over 90% in science without really trying.

15. Dream job?

Writing. Although anymore that involves a lot of self-promotion on social media, and that intimidates me. The networking with other authors isn't so bad, but making graphics and reels and stuff just seems overwhelming. But yeah... I've wanted to be a writer ever since I was a kid. I also had a lot of fun working on a couple of amateur short films, so something in filmmaking would be really cool too! I would love to see more Christian fantasy stories be make into movies and shows, so working on something like that would be great!

Tags: @a-republican-mind @birdwithinternet @crestofnobility @dimsilver @faeriefully @faithfire @fairytale-lights @greater-than-the-sword @heckin-music-dork @katco-cereal @o-lei-o-lai-o-lord @queenies-corner @rose-red-ink @wynterwind @xxxcertifiednerdxxx (no pressure! I just think these are fun!)

15 Questions 15 Mutuals

Thanks for the tags @peony-pearl and @sleepyghoststories 💖💖💖

1. Were you named after anyone?

A fictional character from a movie my parents watched while dating.

2. When was the last time you cried?

I don't remember. Which means I'm due for a breakdown soon.

3. Do you have kids?

Nope

4. Do you use sarcasm a lot?

It's how I cope

5. What is the first thing you notice about people?

Usually their appearance/outfit

6. What is your eye color?

Dark brown

7. Scary movies or happy endings?

Happy endings ❤️

8. Any special talents?

I can roll my eyes to the back of my head. Makes for excellent zombie impressions.

9. Where were you born?

illinois

10. Have any Hobbies?

Drawing, writing, cosplaying

11. Have any pets?

No but I always wanted a cat

12. What spots do you play/ have you played?

I used to do track and volleyball

13. How tall are you?

5'7"

14. What is your favorite subject at school?

Art class

15. Dream job?

In a perfect world, writer and voice actor.

Tags: @avatardoggo @exhaustedhope @wingchunwaterbender @friendrat @trashfactorysstuff @emmelinekahuyan @love-airy @love-n-purple @longing-for-rain @moonlitxeuphoria @its-booklovr @monochromeswirl @fireliliesstuff @evsalonyx @ekwolfwriter-blog

[flirting-with-psychology]

What’s the last vegetable you ate, and when did you eat it? Spinach today

What was your last Facebook notification for? Someone liked my profile pic

What bands have you seen live? Demi Lovato and some that my parents took me to

Tell me an interesting fact about your mother: She used to design exhibits

What do you think is the most important thing to happen to you before the age of 13? Make friends

What were you super against as a young child but aren’t anymore? Blow jobs (not young young obviously but in high school I thought they sounded gross)

What are your plans later today? Go to bed

Are you doing anything exciting this weekend? DnD

Who do you talk to the most? My boyfriend and my parents

What are some things you do regularly that make you feel old? Not do stupid impulsive things (although I kind of wish I did)

Who is your best guy friend(s)? Probably John

Do you wish your skin was lighter or darker? It’s fine the way it is

If you had a tiny scar on your face, would you get it removed or just keep it? Keep it 

Have you had an x-ray in the past year? Yes, I thought I broke or dislocated my toe, but i did not

Do you think your first love still loves you? It was unrequited

What is something that is “going right” in your life? I got a car and the vaccine

When did you feel ready to start dating? Like 5th grade but it took till high school for people to be ready to date me (and till after college to get past a couple dates)

When was the last time your pet bit you? If you don’t have a pet, have you ever been bitten by someone else’s? Idk. She always threatened to bite but I can’t remember the last time she actually did

Where were you the last time you made out? My couch

When was the last time you cried tears of joy? Idk

How do you type your sad smileys? :( or :/ depending on the mood

Do you have “decorative hand-towels” that cannot be used in your house? No, but my mom does

What was the last soda you drank? Izze

What was the last thing someone made fun of you for? Probably being insecure

Have you ever had any type of surgery? Yes, to get my wisdom teeth out and pull down my canines and remove half my thyroid

Should kids be allowed to get tattoos/piercings without parental consent? No

Who was the last person to hit on you? My boyfriend

What was the last thing you decided not to do, that you were supposed to? Go to bed early

What’s the hardest thing you’ve ever had to tell someone? Idk

What do you put on hot dogs? I don’t eat hot dogs

Ever fallen in the shower? Probably

Do you think that things will get better? I hope so

Have you ever legitimately saved a person’s life? No

What’s your favourite book genre? Fantasy

Have you ever walked out of a movie at the theatre? No

Do dogs like you? I think so

Would you say that you project an air of authority? No

Have you ever jumped off a high dive into a pool? Maybe

Do you use one towel when you shower or two? (one for hair, one for body) One

Have you ever been to one of the great lakes? No

Who do you know that had a baby recently? My cousin

Do you like Usher’s songs? Not too many

When was the last time you went to a waterpark? A couple years ago

Have you ever ridden a train? Yes

What do you eat your French fries with? Garlic aioli sauce or nothing

Do you have family problems? Not really but I’m sick of living with my dad

What’s the last food you ate that was stale? Gummy vitamins

How do you like your grilled cheese? Nice and toasted but soft on the inside

What is the most challenging meal you have ever cooked? Idk, I don’t really cook What was your favorite thing to do as a little kid? Play with toy animals or play pretend

Have you ever been close to drowning? No

Have you ever had a panic attack? Idk

Do you like doing housework? No

Would you ever get implants? No

Do you own a robe? No

Do you have a little sister? What’s her name? No

Do you like crust on pizza or do you cut it off? I eat it but it’s not my favorite part. If it’s really hard from being reheated I cut it off

What was the last song you listened to? I'm listening to Forever & Always by Taylor Swift

Have any of your family members been to jail? No

Is there anyone that you feel you still need some closure with? Maybe, I haven’t been able to get in touch with one of my childhood friends and idk why

Can you remember when you first learned how to read? No

What event in your life has transformed your personality the most? Idk, it’s hard to pinpoint

Have you ever had any teeth pulled? Yes

Do you still want to be what you wanted to be in elementary school? Kinda? Idk. I wanted to be an artist, a scientist, and a teacher. I am still into creative things and I’m interested in science, and teaching might be fun if it didn’t have so much public speaking

What’re some TV shows that you would like to get into? How I Met Your Mother

How would you feel if you were drafted for the military? I would be very scared and angry, and probably try to find a way to dodge the draft

What is your favorite Queen song? Bohemian Rhapsody, I’m basic

Do you know how to use any foreign currency? I did when I traveled there

Been kissed by someone who you knew was “bad” for you? Probably

Ever taken an at-home pregnancy test? No

When was the last time you were at a loss of what to do? Always

What did you do on your favorite date with a guy/girl? Idk what my favorite date was. Probably just get a meal

What’s a movie you have seen in the theater more than once? Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

What is the reason you’re still alive? Luck, probably

Have you ever had sex in someone else’s bed/bedroom? Yes, the partner’s. And an airbnb

Do you ever brush your hair before you go to bed? Not usually

Have you ever had a dream about sleeping with a celebrity? (You don’t have to give details.) Probably

Has anyone ever told you that they needed you? Do you think they meant it? Not that I recall

How did you feel when you woke up today? What was the first thing you thought about? Tired, thought about my covid shot

Do you still tell your parents that you love them? Yes

Have you ever said “I love you” to someone you weren’t going out with? Yes

Would you date someone with a physical disability? Depends what it is

Think of the last person you had sex with. Do you think they’ve slept with anyone else since they last slept with you? I hope the fuck not

The last time you dyed your hair, what color did you dye it? Tried to get a red ombre but it didn’t really take

Think of the last time you went out to eat. Who paid? My boyfriend

Do you save at least 15 percent of your income? Lol no

Do you ever go on Reddit? If so, what are some of your favorite subreddits? Sometimes, mostly with my boyfriend. I like AmITheAsshole, AnimalsBeingJerks, and HoldMyCosmo

Were you ever a flower girl or ring bearer in anyone’s wedding when you were little? I was a flower girl in my uncle’s wedding and I think I was something in a babysitter’s wedding

Are your parents in good health? Probably about average for their age

Have you ever been a caregiver to a sick/disabled relative? No

Is there any type of medicine you can’t take? For what reason? No

Do you have a favorite pair of pajamas? What do they look like? Maybe my purple checked ones

Do you have any interesting pillow cases? Not really, other than some disney character ones from when I was a kid

If something on your body hurts, which part is it most likely to be? Headache or period cramps

Are you more afraid of spiders or bees? Spiders but both

Have you ever worn fake nails? If so, what did the last pair you wore look like? I tried a halloween themed set once

Is Russian or Native American history more interesting to you? I guess native american? idk

[kitra-futterman]

Why I am a Christian

This has to do with my testimony but I’ll keep it short.

Growing up I had no friends; In elementary school no one really talked to me and I was called creepy, in middle school I was pushed out of a friend group and when I finally found one that all of us were rejects from other friend groups- we self destructed the next year. In high school I only had real friends in senior year and after school we only talked once. I am use to being alone when it comes to friends.

Little did I know in my home life my family hated me too. All my siblings were pitted against me by my mother because she would constantly compare how ‘perfect’ I was to them. They all resented me- they’ve tried to k*ll me and have attacked me before as my mom watched annoyed. I always thought they were joking, but the more I think back the more I realize probably not (considering two of my siblings literally tried to drown me lol). My mom emotionally and mentally manipulated/abused me in small ways (i.e: Not considering my feelings, hardly keeping her promises, ect). I honestly couldn’t tell you much that she did due to the fact I hardly remember my own childhood (recently learned that that is a sign of trauma oop-). I remember me begging her to thank me for putting away the milk and she told I was stupid for asking for such a thing and she would in small ways tell me how my thoughts, words and feelings didn’t matter. My dad on the other hand was out of my life for at least 65% because he had to go to work.

I never realized how alone I was. I always figured it had to do with my twin dying so I pushed it off because I was told I had high expectations from friends and was trying to fill the hole in my heart from losing her to cancer with other people. Eventually I did find a way to hide away from all the loneliness and lack of self worth I felt. I did it through escapism. When I was young my parents did a great job at teaching us the affects of dr*gs and drinking so I never even thought of those but escapism was something no one could stop me from doing. I would disappear into worlds created by others; Warrior, InkHeart, Xmen, ect. Any story I read I put myself into as the hero who everyone liked. I feel in love and lived with them almost every moment of everyday. Eventually I made my own worlds and lived happily there, sometimes writing them.

I grew up in a Christian home but I truly became a Christian in middle school. I remember my dad really wanted us to play DnD with him but I told him I didn’t like it and he was upset for three days until I apologized to him. (He isn’t that petty anymore) I made a mental sort of promise to make it up to him by getting more into Christianity. I wanted to be able to talk to him about something so Christianity it was. I studied it for years and did actually grow closer to my dad- but it was definitely living through his faith. If he had died I don’t know if I would have been a Christian at all.

At this point my parents had divorced and one of my sisters was actually my best friend. I had learned that my dad and sister actually loved me and they still go out of their way to prove it everyday.

The day I believe I finally decided to be a Christian was the day I asked my dad “Why does it matter Jesus died?”. The day I asked him that he went through such an emotional that I’ve still never seen him express again (he is a rather ‘emotional’ man). He practically screamed at me with tears streaming down his face as if I had stabbed him that “If I didn’t understand the love God had given me (he meant himself and myself), then why are you a Christian?! God has given me (himself) all the love and compassion and kept me alive for this long.” I’ve never seen my father personally upset with me before this, and this is probably the closest I’ve ever gotten to disappointing him. I left that conversation confused and ashamed, and I asked God to show me what my dad meant.

So, now I understand what my father meant. Here is why I am a Christian:

God is always with me. God has never, ever found me annoying in anyway. He genuinely loves me for who I truly am- not who I appear to be to make him happy. Jesus sees how disgusting I am, how I’m a liar, no good piece of trash who deserves to die yet he despite all of that he wants me around. Me, Kitra Futterman. Even though I have nothing to give, even though I am never enough, even though I hate so much- He choose me personally to be alive not only because he thought the world needed a Kitra Futterman but because he specifically wanted a Kitra Futterman in the world and in heaven and New Jerusalem with him. He wants to talk to me and likes how I think. He likes me and respects me and cares for me.

Honestly I could go on forever about this but I’ll stop for now. All I ask is that you think about how this is true for you too, the part about God loving you not the part about the killer siblings and abusive mom, the part that Jesus died for you by name because he said you were enough.

[bigscaryyanderewriter]

Frosty Fear and the Fury of Flames (Dragonshifter! Shouto x Reader) Part 3

Part 2 ^

Hahaha, a part 3 for you??? It’s more likely than you’d think. This is actually kinda fun to write in parts, although it takes me a while. I have a few requests waiting to be answered still and that kinda bums me out still. Gonna be getting a lot more of Todoroki though. Haha… I like fire boys. Also, if you can’t tell. I really want to play dnd.

Tw: Yandere, Nightmares, Slight Gore

2.1k Words

“Bakugou, are you sure about this? I mean-” 

“Did I ask for your opinion, Shitty hair? Come on, get that damn wimp ready to go. We’re going to need to get out of here if we are going to get them away from that damn dragon.” The grimace on his face as deeper set than usual as you were forced to pack up with the others yet again.

They were going to abandon their mission, since there were other things they could do. That was what Bakugou told you at least, you had a feeling that none of the jobs in this tavern were worth half as much to the group as the one involving Shouto was. Still, you were grateful that they wanted you to stay and that you could be useful to them.

You couldn’t stop the sinking feeling though as you knew that getting farther away would be good, but also… They had to do something like give up the goal they had been working towards to assist you. 

The morning was still dark, no sun peaked on the horizon as the birds only just began singing their morning songs. The bags were packed and soon you were all ready to go by the time the sky began to lighten. You would be heading east and down the mountains a good ways until you got to the plains, travelling for about two weeks before stopping in another city called White Fields. Something was said about dangerous rock formations that would cause small landslides and magic folk you couldn't talk to. Not much rest would be allowed, wanting to get as far as possible from the mountains and desert. If luck was on their side, they would be out of reach by that point, since Shouto was still unable to travel that far from what you have learned. Something about territory disputes and bad blood.

That was the plan and you were praying to whatever would listen that it would work. 

"Are you ready, (Y/N)? We had better get going." Mina spoke from the doorway of the little room of the inn. Her face showed a bit of concerned and you realized you had been scratching a bit at your arm. You hurriedly covered the scratches and grabbed the sack with your more material belongings, the golden jewelry, things you had taken from the cave. Following her out to the boys, you all got moving as you walked out of town. 

The place where the sun rose was your destination. Going throughout the day. The further day the mountains, the darker the forests and the colder it was. It was a bit misty out with the morning still being new. The winter would hit quickly this year and you could tell. At least it would here. The cold air from last night seemed to be cradled here. Your arm hairs prickled as you all walked. 

It was as you pulled your arms closer to yourself that you heard Denki speaking, "Hey, you look… like you might want this." He pulled off the warm yellow cloak he had worn throughout the time you had seen him and offered to hand it to you.

"Oh- It's nothing. I'll be fine… The sun will warm me up soon enough. You know I'm not a princess though, so you probably shouldn't call me that." You said with a tiny fake smile. "I appreciate the offer though."

"Aw, maybe I shouldn't call you princess then. No princess holds a candle to you anyways! You have to be the product of some goddess of beauty." He laughed as you couldn't stop the heat rushing to your face, "Don't be so shy. I'm just teasing you. Though you do make a cute face when you're embarrassed. Still, you should take it. I'll be fine without it for a minute."

"Kaminari, I swear to all the gods that I will shove so many rocks into your mouth, if you don't stop flirting. You'll be shitting so many rocks that you could put it on a resume." Bakugo was throwing nonsense threats and this just resulted in some laughter as you had never heard a threat more ridiculous. It was like it was written by someone who didn't actually know how to properly threaten people or something. 

Ah yes. That is me. The narrator, who cannot narrate without getting sidetracked. Now, watching you and the group laugh… The tension of impending doom is nowhere to be found as you all walk the beginnings of the mountains' autumnal scenery. The yellow cloak draped on your shoulders as you continued and Denki at your side, chatting idly with you. His presence and the conversation taking the pressure of the situation away. It seemed he was an expert, being a bard. Something told you to be careful though. The stereotype with musicians and their unfaithfulness… 

There was more time to mull over the prospect later, but you also just found him so jolly. It was a real treat. Going through the day, nothing happened. It was painfully boring event-wise, tiring, but you made progress. You had begun to feel uneasy, despite Kaminari distracting. Something was lurking in the forests, in the trees. Everything seemed about as turned around for you as a spinning carnival mirror maze. 

Sero, Kiri, and Mina seemed to have had no problem as you were led by them. The group was much closer together now and the laughter began to cease. Night would come and the wish to leave these mountains was becoming louder within your head. It was eerie.

No one spoke much while the dark branches of nearly black barked pines hung above with their ruddy red leaves. The silver of the wood beneath was visibly upon some broken branches and on the stumps that you would sometimes pass on the thinning path. They looked unpleasantly rough to touch. Small barbs lining the branches and serving as more than a small warning to be careful around them. 

Soon the light would go, so Kiri found a spot around where some trees had fallen and sat up a fire for the night, while you picked up anything on the ground to make it less rocky. It was also handy for you to get more sticks for the fire. These trees burned infamously easy. A single mistake with a fire and it could go up in minutes, but it would burn for a long time. It was not usual for anyone to cut any down due to the inhabitants though and the consequences. You didn't know what they were and you weren't about to try to find out by harming the forest. 

Dinner was easy, still being able to have some good leftovers from the inn. You had to eat them all today, but it was still going to be fuel until the next time you went to eat fresh food, cooked by someone else at least.

Denki couldn't help lightening the mood as he pulled out his stringed instrument and started playing a lovely song… It was familiar, somehow. You struggled to think of what it was called, but you knew the words. It was peaceful and it definitely seemed to help Mina perk up again as she began talking with Sero. Bakugo seemed less irritable as he ate, the music must calm the beast. You couldn't help the smile that came on your face at that thought.

Singing along probably wouldn't keep him calm, but you oh so wanted to… It would be a little embarrassing, but others might join in.

So you did. It was time to have some fun.

You hummed along and started singing, 

"How much is love worth?

Yet, we're giving it for free.

Didn't cost a penny, but

I've gained everything.

I'd do anything to make her smile

My darling

My darling

Darling~

If only she would look out

Of that dreamy little world

She would then see

That while I am no prince

And will make her crazier than me

I would never quit to admit I'm wrong

I'd always get on her nerves,

She would hate the way I eat

And only then it's worse.

I'd complain about her mother

Even though she's quite alright

I won't stop til I see her blush

Red in the dead of night.

An immoral proposition

If not only for a tease

But I have some qualities

that put her mind at ease.

I love her more than the sea does a shore

As the sun does the horizon,

Unafraid to come back home

And get her blood arising 

Kiss her face and hold her hand

I'll never let her go.

I'm lucky that she loves it

Where I'd be without it, who would know

That she likes to feel the spite

That even though I mess around

I'm in her bed tonight 

Of my darling,

My darling

My darling

Darling

Not doing as the birds and bees 

But holding on her hand,

Kissing at her face

And saying things for show

Her pretty crimson blush

Cause when I see it, then I know

That the hand life dealt

Was a royal flush."

Denki sang with you as the others watch, some la's and humming as you got up with a spin. The swirl of your dress and body as you sang out each part with more confidence. Mina laughed when you would dance and Kirishima was keeping the beat.

After a while, the singing stopped and soon the group started to settle in. 

Bakugo took first watch with Kirishima, Sero and Denki. Then Mina and you. Only because of practicality. It was to be in three hour shifts. It was when you laid down on your bed roll and cover yourself with a blanket you had been given. The night would be cold, but the fire was big enough to warm you as you sleep. As soon as you eyes closed, you were out. A day of travelling made you more than ready to sleep. It was a wonderful thing to sleep with good dreams, but you seemed to lack any dreams lately.

Not tonight.

You woke up in an ashen forest. Smoke choked life as blue flames rose in the distance. It snowed. You could hardly distinguish the ash from the snow until it would either burn you or melt on your skin. Getting up was impossible, the burning branch crushed your legs.

The acrid smell of burnt hair and smoke. It stung your eyes as you tried to tears away while coughing. You just couldn't stop coughing. "Please! Please! Denki?! Mina!" 

You were crying and struggling. The wood was too heavy and you could see the blood on the snow. You were bleeding heavily. It hurt. It hurt.

"Somebody help me! Please! I don't want to die." You couldn't stop the tears as you thrashed about. Soon you stopped though. A growl sounding above you. Blue eyes and blackened scales, injuries beyond counting.

El diablo azul. The shivering continued as you looked up, nothing short of full blown trembling as he snorted hot air over you and knocked the branch away. Draconic was spoken to you as you scrambled back from him. It was deep and grumbling, not hissing or growling like the words spoken by Endeavor or Shouto. 

"I don't under- understand. Thank you though…" You couldn't look away from those blue eyes as they seemed to glint with amusement before the great black wings beat against the air. Smoke and snow getting caught up as he was off again and soaring over the burning forest. Lying in the snow though, you wouldn't be able to get up. Maybe he wanted to give you a chance to survive. So you pulled yourself up and began to walk through the blizzard, blood oozing from your thigh and ash caked on your skin. You weren't going to make that help mean nothing.

Though, you were confident. You looked up to see something far worse than the fire ahead. Red and white scales. Shouto was coming for you. 

Blinking your eyes open as you were shaken awake. Sweat coated your body while you panted, "Stop- Stop! Please."

It was as you jolted up, you saw Denki looking with fear at you. His hands had been shaking you awake and scrambled away. Out of breath as you looked around frantically. "Shshshh, You need to be quiet. You're attracting too much attention. You were screaming in your sleep. What in the world were you dreaming about…?"

"Nothing, it was nothing, Denki… Just a bad dream. I um, I'll take the rest of your shift if you want to go back to sleep. I don't think I can…" You murmurred. 

[bluejaytaco]

Yet again DND with Jay

(Another long one, folks. In our campaign, we have something we call a “Daiquiri Night.” It’s used for when too many people can’t be there or in situations where people are too preoccupied to do anything deep and plot-heavy. It’s pretty much a filler episode where we’re free to fuck around with very little consequences and, towards the end, the DM throws in small plot hints so it’s not a complete bust. It’s good for character development and getting the party a little closer.

Last session, we all drank and were expecting such an session. What we got was heavy plot stuff and horrible consequences. Also, so far most of the Daiquiri Nights are run by Ticket Master; being the only god who follows us so closely.)

Ticket Master: (Stopping Hennessy B from killing us and dropping Alabaster back into our party) Alright, so! Who wants to die right now?

Everyone: .....

Ticket Master: No one? Great! Now, who wants to go on a fun-filled adventure?

Everyone:...

Art: (slowly raises his hand)

Koejin: (Pushes Art’s hand back down) No....

Ticket Master, ignoring Koejin: Everyone? Great! Let’s go.

-

(We get pulled into a world that is just one giant Carnival. After giving our tickets over to Ticket Master, We all enter and start to go our own separate ways. This is where things become very character plot heavy.)

Koejin: (climbs the Ferris Wheel to see if she can see anyway out)

People on the car she’s standing on: (her parents, who keep screaming about being abandoned and how she let them die.)

DM: You see the parking lot you walked through to get here and then, far beyond that, you see mist. Above you is the portal you came through; it’s still open.

Koejin, nodding: Alright, I’m gonna head back down

Koejin’s parents: (riding on the car she’s standing on top of) You left us! You took another woman as your mother! You can never be forgiven!

Koejin: (jumps down once she’s at ground level) I didn’t abandon you. You died and I was five.

Ticket Master: (pointing at the now faded parents) Yeah! She was five! See? I backed you up.

Koejin gave him a little pat on the shoulder and nearly lost an arm for it. She then heads over to the bar to drink her face off.

-

Theodora, on the bumper cars: (Getting blamed for the deaths of her soldiers. She bumps cars with a young, fifteen year old Koejin.)

Young Koejin: Ugh, what are you doing here? 

Theodora:...I....

Young Koejin: You should just leave! No one wants you here; you’re ruining everyone’s fun!

Koejin: (In the bar, drinking real alcohol and being served by a bartender that’s not Ticket Master. In other words, having a good time. A Ticket Master portal opens by her head to show her what’s going on by Theodora.).... (Pulls out her bow and arrow and aims for Young Koejin’s head.)

DM: I want you to think about what you’re doing here. You’re about to shoot young you in front of Theodora. (Sidenote: DM also implemented a “sanity meter” for us. Anytime we see something fucked up or extremely jarring, we become a little more insane.)

Koejin’s player: I know. I’m still doing it.

Koejin shoots Young Koejin right in the head and Theodora has to roll a Wisdom saving throw. Luckily, she rolled a 19.

DM: So, Theodora. You don’t see it as young Koejin dying in front of you. You see it for what it is; Koejin apologizing.

Koejin, from inside the bar: I was an asshole. Come drink with me.

(Theodora goes through the portal to join Koejin in the bar.)

-

Hennessy, at the balloon shoot: (All the faces look like his team mates, He sits in front of Theodora’s.)

Vincent (Hennessy’s fiance), sits down at the Hennessy head: I bet you I can get mine to pop before you.

Hennessy, immediately suspicious: Alright, what do you wager? (Rolls perception to find out for sure he isn’t Vincent. His suspicions are confirmed.)

Vincent: Well, if you win, you and Vincent live happily ever after and he never has to work again. If I win, you fall out of love with him.

Hennessy: No deal.

Vincent:... Well, how about just the ring then? He can always make you another one.

Hennessy, noticeably more hesitant:...Still no.

(A Ticket Master portal opens to show Vincent slaving away at his work for Mrs. Red. His pain has him in tears but he continues on.)

Fake Vincent: You would really not save him from this pain?

Hennessy: (just starts playing the game and shoots water into Theodora’s mouth. The portal shifts over to the bar.)

Theodora, in the bar: (takes a shot and it shoots right out of her mouth. Her stomach starts to bloat and she starts to spit up water.)

Hennessy: (Immediately stops)

Vincent: (stands up) you know, Hennessy, you can be a catty bitch. (walks away)

Hennessy: (watches him)....and don’t you forget it. (Goes through the portal into the bar.)

Meanwhile, at the bar

Ticket Master, sitting on the bar: (Watching as Theodora keels over) If only there was someone who could destroy that water, you’d be fine! ((Another running gag in the campaign; Alabaster casting Create or Destroy Water more than any other move.))

-

Wreybar, over at the Test your Strength

Wreybar: (Picks up the mallet)

(Her father’s head appears on the target as she swings down.)

DM: You still have the chance to stop.

Wreybar’s Player: ... I’m gonna follow through.

DM:...What, really? Shit, didn’t expect that! So, you smash in your father’s head. Blood, bone and grey matter fly everywhere. Then, you’re entire family comes running out cheering and screaming “Wreybar! you killed us! Yay!”

Wreybar: (starts crying) I’m sorry!

DM: As you see everyone praising and cheering you, you notice something weird. There is one person not doing that. It’s your brother.

Wreybar:(goes up to him)

Wreybar’s brother: Wreybar.... what’s going on? (Unlike everyone else, he seems real)

((I was drinking so this particular convo gets a little foggy. But it ends with someone killing Wreybar’s brother (Almost positive it was Ticket Master) and the DM pulling her aside to discuss something in private. I’m typically the one who keeps track of the story so I hope Wreybar remembers this part well enough. If not, its our DM’s job to remind her anyways.))

-

Art, At the Fortune Teller (Koejin’s player: Of course you would go there!)

DM: You step in to see a robotic person who is a very racist stereotype. He’s dark skinned, wearing a turban, talking in a thick accent and saying, in a broken robotic voice “I aM a Raacis-t dePICtion! Wo-ould you like your FoRTune?!”

Art: Uhhhh, wow. This was not at all what I was expecting... Uh, is there a way out of here?

Fortune Teller: A W-ay OuT? Whaat evR do you Me-aaN?

Art:....Nevermind. Can you just... not do this? Turn into someone else.

Fortune Teller: Wh-o would you LYKe?

Art: Literally anyone else would be better.

Fortune Teller: (Turns into Alabaster) Bet-ter?

Art:... Yeah, I can work with this.

Fortune Teller Alabaster: S-oo... WouLD you lYKe your Fooort-une?

Art: Sure. Uh.... what’s my future look like?

Fortune Teller Alabaster: BLEAK!

Art: Sounds about right.

Fortune Teller Alabaster: (Morphs into Hennessy. All robotic jerking is gone.) Now, how about we talk about why you’re a piece of shit?

Art: ...And that sounds like something you’d say to me.

FT Hennessy: And it’s true; you are a piece of shit. My hubby says you abandoned your sister and I’m inclined to believe him over your lyin’ ass.

Art: Okay no. Hennessy’s the smartest one out of all of us. I know for a fact he has enough sense to not follow Vincent blindly and think I actually meant to abandon my sister.

(A Ticket Master portal appeared in the bar near Hennessy. He tunes in just in time to hear Art speak.)

Hennessy: .... (reaches through the portal and smacks the Fake Hennessy in the face. It melts away to reveal Ticket Master underneath.) You’re right, Art. I am the smartest person here. And I’m smart enough to know you have a lot of problems; abandonment is not one of ‘em.

Art: ...Alright. I guess.... you’re not so bad.

Ticket Master: (Hand on his cheek) Hennessy just slapped me.... what an honor! (Hearts appear around him)

Art, noticing this: Okay, that’s not at all concerning.... (Goes through the portal and into the bar with everyone else.)

-

Alabaster over by the Carousel  (Everyone to the DM: You better not fucking hurt him, I swear to god. ((We are all a part of the Alabaster Protection Squad.)))

Alabaster: (Sees his family near one side, his old friend on another, and Eris (the daughter he recently adopted) on a third. Sidenote: Eris was his old friend’s and General Blue’s daughter. Blue left her to Alabaster, but we ended up killing her long before knowing about Eris.).... (Sits by his family being that he hasn’t seen them in 400 years)

Blue: So, you’re gonna completely ignore my daughter? Maybe I shouldn’t have trusted you with her. Maybe I should just kill her now and put her out of her misery now. 

Alabaster: There is no need to resort to....

Blue: (Goes to Eris)

Alabaster: (immediately dives for Eris)

(Ticket Master Portal appears in the bar next to Theodora. She doesn’t see it until Wreybar points it out to her. This turns into a fight for everyone to keep Blue away from Alabaster and Eris, which everyone learned was just a heated water baby.)

Alabaster: (casts blindness on Blue)

Art: (Reaches in for Alabaster)

Alabaster, to Blue: You’re sight will return momentarily. And I promise you, Eris will be well taken care of. There is no need to worry.

DM: Alabaster, Art; you two look at each other and remember the first time you met, back in that pit where Thia saved you. You think about how much you’ve been through together and start to feel a little more at peace. Both of you roll a 20. If it turns out you somehow get the same number, your sanity will be at -20 (The scale goes from -20 to 20. Negatives are more sane.)

(Alabaster and Art rolled an 18 and a 17 respectively. The numbers were so close, the DM gave us both a point for sanity.)

-

DM: So, you guys are at the bar, having a grand old time. The bartender, for each of you, looks like you’re ideal sexual partner.

Koejin’s Player: (laugh) does that mean Art’s is just Ticket Master?

Me:..... yeaaahhhhhhh.....

DM, looks at Alabaster’s player knowingly: And what’s Alabaster’s?

Alabaster’s Player: A giraffe with Jeff Goldblum’s head.

Everyone: (laughing)

Me: Can anyone else see that? Cuz Art might be judging his best friend if he can.

DM: Nope, you can only see your own. But you guys are having a good time. Alabaster and Wreybar are understanding they both have a similar history and have been through a lot of the same issues. That starts to bring them closer. Hennessy and Art; you two now understand there is more to one another that you didn’t know before. You feel as though you’re coming to terms with one another. And, Theodora and Koejin. The two of you understand now that the past should be left in the past. There is a lot to work on, but you’re on the right track.

....(Personally, I think this would have been the perfect time for Ticket Master to send us back and let that be the end of the session. We were all closer than before and all that.... but the DM had a different plan.)

DM: The bartender shifts from your ideal partners to Ticket Master... So, he stays the same for Art.

Ticket Master: Well, now that you’re all closer, I’d say this is a time well spent. Now, here’s something you can do for me. (He slides a blank piece of paper in front of everyone.) When you’re ready, all you need to do is sign the bottom. No rush.

Art: (Sees the actual contract and decides to keep it to himself.)

Theodora: (Takes out a cigar that Ticket Master gave her and hands it back to him.) Here, so you’ll have a last smoke (she throws the contract back) when I kill you.

Ticket Master, frowning(A rare occurrence):... you shouldn’t have done that.

Me: Oh shit...

Koejin’s Player: Byyyeee Theodora....

Alabaster’s Player: (covering his mouth) nononono

Ticket Master: (his face opens up to reveal unspeakable horrors. Tentacles move out to grab for Theodora and drive her to complete insanity.)

Wreybar: (Moves in the way to share some of the insanity. Both are now insane, but Theodora is at least able to function.)

Alabaster: (Casts create or destroy water over them. I think the purpose was to get Ticket Master away from them. Don’t remember; was pretty drunk.)

DM: Oh god... shit! No...(Sigh) well, I need to follow my own rules... As the water comes down, you see a giant minotaur come from the ground behind Ticket Master. It’s Shmoogie. Ticket Master stops what he’s doing but, before he can say anything beyond “you don’t-”, Shmoogie grabs him and tears him apart. In Shmoogie’s hand, you see Ticket Master’s face. He’s saying “You have no idea what you’ve done!” Then, Shmoogie crushes it.

Shmoogie: You’ve all done well. We will deal with him now; no need to worry.

Skelly, at Shmoogie’s side: Yeah, we did good!

Theodora: Skelly! How do you know our buddy, Shmoogie?

Skelly: Well, I like sand. And I don’t have any memories, but would really like to have some so.... God of Sand and Memories.

(Shmoogie then disappears back into wherever he came from.)

Koejin: Well, good work team! No more Ticket Master.

Art, who isn’t the happiest about this turn of events:.... but now we’re stuck here.

Koejin: That sounds like a problem for Next week Koejin!

(And this is where we left off. I have conflicted feelings about this situation. Art is.... a little less conflicted than me....)

DM: Oh shit! I almost forgot!... you guys are sitting around, thinking about everything that just happened and, suddenly.... Art dabs.

Art:.... (hating his life and his creator)

Theodora: Art..... you’re so dated.....

(Context: Me and the DM are close. So close that we have a tendency to argue about anything and everything. This doesn’t work when I’m a player in his campaign. Which means, he decided that, inspired by a miniature I just bought, any time I say no to something DND related, Art has to dab. It’s a stupid little thing, but a thing nevertheless.)

[the-weeping-author]

Hate To Love chapter 1

A/N: This is my first series thank you guys so much for liking my last three fics, I hope you guys enjoy this series.

This series will include: bullying, angst, fighting/arguing, fluff, smut. There will be a Steve vs Joyce show down.

Parings: Steve Harrington x Sara Byers

Trigger warnings: none in this chapter maybe not feeling loved??

Tag list: @ahoy-stevieboy @thehair-ington @galactic-kitten-nonsense @linkispink1995 @theworldisugly-22 @harringtown @phoebethepheebs @spiritsent

(Please don’t copy my fics as your own also I don’t own anything about the stranger tings franchise.)

Please enjoy 😌

Saturday November 5th, 1983

I’ve been home one day, I’ve already got all of my stuff unpacked into the spots I wanted my stuff to go then I decided to go look at the town I once knew like it was apart of me but now with my recent weight loss it feels like it’s foreign to me.

People looked at me like they didn’t know me anymore. Like I wasn’t Sara Byers anymore. I had to remake myself from the person I used to be, I had told my mother about what Lonnie had said about me to that woman over the phone.

I had to stop her from calling and giving him a piece of her mind, I was out and about so I could start putting in applications at any job that would take me. I took a deep breath, walked into a gas station that had a help wanted sign in the window.

I put the biggest smile on my face I could manage walking up to the person behind the register.

“Hi I’m here to apply for the position that y’all need to fill.”

The lady with curly hair smiled at me then popped her gum.

“Okay honey are you good with people?”

I smile shrugging.

“I’d like to think I am.”

She looked at me then at the door when someone came in.

“Alright when can you start?”

I looked at her while my eyes widened, excitement washing over my body.

“I can start right now if you need me too.”

She nodded, telling me to come behind the counter so she could show me how everything worked.

After she showed me everything she took down the help wanted sign then assured me she’d be back.

After she left it was kinda slow, I was behind the counter reading a magazine when a customer put the stuff they planned on but on the counter.

I started to ring them up when I heard my best friends familiar voice.

“Sara?”

My head snatched up to see my best friend in middle school barb.

“Oh hey barb how have you been?”

She smiled at me.

“I’ve been great did you lose weight I barely recognized you?”

I smiled at her, started playing with my hair.

“U-Uh yeah I did do I look bad?”

She quickly shook her head at me.

“Hell no girl you look fantastic I can already tell hearts are going to be broken, I don’t mind seeing them as long as one of them aren’t mine.”

I let out a loud laugh which made her laugh.

“Barb you know I could never stop being your friend.”

She smiled at me while I gave her her total.

“I know Sara and that’s why you’re the best.”

I smiled and I flipped my hair.

“Yeah I know.”

She gasped at me.

“Who is this confident teenager in front of me? What have you done with my Sara?”

I smiled at her then let out a giggle.

“The old Sara has gone out of business. This is the new and improved Sara.”

She laughed at me then hugged me over the counter.

“Well Sara I guess I’ll see you at school tomorrow.”

I smiled then nodded at her.

“Alright barb.”

I thought having the friend reunion was over until Tina walked in around six thirtyish. She had grabbed some snacks which I assumed was for some party that was either going on or she was throwing. She walked up to the register and smiled.

“Oh my god Sara? As in Sara Byers?”

I looked up at her then smiled at her.

“It is I, in the flesh Tina.”

She shook her head at me then looked me up and down.

“Damn girl you’ve gotten hot, I mean you’ve always been hot shit but damn this brings it to a new level.”

I laughed at her as I scanned her items.

“Alright Tina your total is $10.27.”

She smiled at me while she put a twenty dollar bill on the counter.

“Alright honey your change is $9.73.”

She walked away, gasping immediately stopping in her tracks.

“Oh by the way Sara there’s a party going on tonight at my house, I know, I know you don’t do parties but you should show the boys at Hawkins high what they are going to be seeing a lot of this year.”

I shook my head at her.

“No way Tina, I don’t want anyone to see what I look like yet, I want them to see that Humpty Dumpty got a makeover.”

She simply just shrugged at me.

“Okay fine but you owe me.”

I smiled at her.

“Yeah, yeah tell who you want that I’ve had a makeover I’m pretty sure they won’t believe you anyways.”

She shook her head as she walked out of the gas station, I went back to reading my magazine. The rest of the day went by really fast, the woman I soon learned was named Emily came back around 7 to show me how to close. That is when I would close the gas station.

I got in the car my grandma had left me in her will, I drove home. When I got there I saw the lights on and Jonathan's car.

“Great.”

I thought to myself while I got out the car, I walked to the front door and took a deep breath unknowing what could happen behind this door. I knew Johnathan was pissed and hurt at me leaving but I was back, he had no right feeling how he did towards me.

I took a deep breath then walked into the house, immediately I was pulled into a hug by Will.

“Hey little dude I’ve missed you.”

He buried his face into my neck when he pulled away his eyes were watery.

“I thought I’d never see you again.”

I shook my head as a stray tear went on his cheek, I quickly wiped it away.

“No buddy what would make you feel that way?”

He looked up at me and bit his bottom lip and took a shakeup breath.

“Cause you left with dad, since he doesn’t ever come around why would you?”

I felt my stomach drop at his words they stung, but I knew he didn’t mean to hurt my feelings but he did. He was my little brother and I’m supposed to be here for him and I left him.

My mother was next to bring me into a hug, she rubbed my back then she kissed my forehead.

“I knew you’d be back, I just knew it.”

I smiled at her then she pulled away.

“Did I ever say that I’m sorry for what you overheard Lonnie saying, I know I can’t control what he said but I can make you feel better?”

She smiled at me while I raised my eyebrow amused at her.

“What’s that momma?”

She put her thumb under my chin and gently rubbed it with her thumb.

“Well since I gotta work tonight why don’t we eat ice cream while Johnathan, you and I watch a scary movie?”

I smiled at her until she mentioned Johnathan.

“Yeah I don’t think Johnathan would like that idea.”

She furrowed her eyebrows at me confusion evident on her face.

“Why would you think that Sara?”

I sighed looking at my hands.

“Well because he hasn’t spoken to me since I got back.”

She smiled at me while she rubbed my shoulders.

“Oh honey he’ll get over it he’s just hurt and being stubborn right now.”

“Who’s stubborn?” Johnathan asked As he entered the living room.

“Oh no one.” She turned towards me and made some dramatic face causing me to giggle.

“Hey Johnathan I’m working late tomorrow night so can you please watch Will?”

He sighed but agreed as he walked into the kitchen I decided to show our mother what I was talking about.

“Hey Johnathan.”

Not only did he not speak back but he didn’t even look my way, I turned to look at my mom.

“See what I’m talking about?”

My mother smiled Sympathetically at me while he walked back to his room.

“Honey just give him time y’all are twins y’all will come together again.”

*Time skip*

I was laying in bed listening to some Cyndi lauper record when I heard a knock on my door.

“It’s open.”

Johnathan quickly walked into my room, I got off my bed and turned my record down.

“Hey so Sara I need to ask a favor.”

I raised an eyebrow at him as I sat back down on my bed.

“Oh okay what’s up?”

He took in a breath then sat on the edge of my bed.

“I need you to watch Will tomorrow night while I pick up a shift.”

I looked at him blankly.

“Excuse me?”

He looked at me like I was speaking another language.

“I said can you watch Will-“

“I heard what you said Johnathan but why talk to me now? You’ve had the last day to talk to me, now that you want something I’m your best friend?”

He opened and closed his mouth like a fish out of water gasping for breath.

“You know what Johnathan I don’t mind watching him tomorrow night, all I’m going to say to you is don’t just talk to me when you want something.”

He nodded mumbling a sorry then walking out my room without another word.

I sighed and decided to pick out my outfit for Monday. I knew it was only Saturday, I wanted to make sure I looked my best for Monday.

After I picked the outfit I was cleaning the house when Will had come rushing out of his room, he threw on his coat but as soon as he opened the door I stopped him.

“Hey little bro what’s the rush?”

He stopped in a halt turning to look at me flashing me a smile.

“Oh just over to mike wheelers, mom knows I’ll be back before ten okay?”

I looked at him and raised a brow then decided to pretend hurt.

“Oh okay I guess I’m too lame to hang out with now.”

Panic was written all over his face as he shook his head no at me.

“N-no not at all it’s just we have a DND campaign we started, the guys wouldn’t understand because we all promised we wouldn’t miss a campaign.

“Alright well did you let Johnathan know cause I have to work so I’ll see you later okay?”

He smiled then nodded at me.

“Yes Sara Johnathan knows I love you, I’ll see you later.”

I smiled then gasped.

“Will wait.”

He turned around halfway out the door, raised his eyebrow at me.

“Yes Sara?”

“You forgot our brother sister handshake.”

He quickly ran over to me then, put out his hand then I slapped his palm, we both put our hands in front of us like we were holding wants to hop around in a circle then hooked both of our pinkies together then kissed the side of our hand then he ran out the door.

“Love you Sara.”

I smiled after him leaving out the front door whispering to myself.

“Love you too nerd.”

A/N: sorry this took so long I was trying to make it perfect even though I feel like it’s not please let me know if you’d like to be added to my tag list request are open thanks. ~Destiny ❤️

[koholinthibiscus]

My Tumblr Journey and mental health

What the hell is this?  Where am I? What do I do and how do I do it?

You often hear of people getting to their 30′s and feeling more comfortable in their skin and just owning, accepting and loving themselves.  Well, maybe it’s because I need psychotherapy, and maybe it’s because I’ve come into adulthood in a period with huge economic and political upheaval as well as a pandemic; but I don’t feel that way.  I feel simultaneously old and young.  clueless about young things (like tmblr) and clueless about old things (like mortgages... even though I have one) 

I’ve deleted Facebook and use twitter sparingly these days so the reason joined this site is to purely vent.  To write my thoughts out and send them into the internet ether to languish, probably ignored.  But just getting it out might make all the difference to my physical and mental well being so I’m just going to give it a shot and see where things go. 

I feel terribly alone and isolated.  I have a type of social anxiety that you probably wouldn't notice.  You might just think I’m an idiot or a bitch.  You might barely acknowledge my existence.  I’m pretty average so I may not register.  But when I’m done talking I will think and think and think about it.  How did I come across?  why the fuck did I say that?  You think I’m a fucking idiot don’t you?  I will simply torture myself forever and ever.  And I avoid social interaction, especially with new people, as much as I can.  I can just about manage in a workplace setting but all my energy for this is taken up with that. 

I feel unheard, unseen and unsatisfied.  I feel a lump in my throat and a weight in my chest.  I feel exhausted and headachey most of the time.  I can’t bear this current situation.  I have a visceral hate for my country.  I can’t bear sad news.  I can’t cope with news that implicates humans as ignorant, unsympathetic, inhumane creatures.  I feel deep sadness at the existential threat our planet faces and confusion and sadness when I realise that barely anyone in my real life feels the same urgency and guilt.  I have changed my lifestyle (probably not enough) to try and alleviate the guilt but it hasn’t worked.  

So I get into things to try and distract myself; fandoms, stories, subjects, video games, novels and I feel sad about it because I feel useless “not good at it” or that they’re a waste of time.  I hate myself so much that my hobbies make me sad. How stupid is that?  I’ve recently been getting into DnD during lock down and watching critical role.  I enjoy it but it makes me sooooo sad and jealous that I don’t have a strong friend group like that who can enjoy playing DnD with the same level of fun, ease and camaraderie.  It literally hurts my heart and I’ve been feeling weird for days.  So I’ve tried to make myself better by consuming things.  I’ve bought a new set of dice and bought some unrelated books.  

I skip from one subject or thing to the next feeling unsatisfied and discontent.  I don’t practice things, I don’t finish things.  I give up. And I feel like I’m giving up at life. I am lazy and stupid.  My hobbies, likes and interests feel like a plaster over a gaping wound and was working but it’s not any more. Getting lost in a fantasy world just makes me feel sad I can’t create my own or be with a group of friends, either on line or on person where I can create together. 

I am petrified of parent hood.  I have an amazing 3 year old.  She is a marvel. But I have a constant dread of failing her. Doing too much, doing too little.  I want her to strive for happiness.  Take on hard things, work at things till she’s good at them, whatever it may be.  I honestly don’t care what as long as she enjoys it, has a passion for it and is ultimately happy.  I want to push her, but I don’t want to push her too much.  I worry about sending wrong messages.  I worry about not doing enough with her.  I do not want to bring her up the way that my mother brought me up. I am terrified of repeating the same mistakes. 

I’m ultimately a kind person who is trying their best but can’t unleash my true potential due to depression, anxiety and self-confidence issues.  I get so angry and sad at people who don’t follow the same ideals as me.  which.... isn’t ideal.  I can’t stand TERFs, racists, ableists, misogynists, right wing people, climate change deniers, ignorant people.  I can’t stand it when people think that poor people only have themselves to blame.  I hate capitalism and colonialism.  I want to change the way the world operates even if it is to my detriment as a white CIS English women living in comfort.  I feel trapped in suburbia where nothing changes and no one looks or is different.  

I don’t mean to fetishize certain communities with that statement and I reliaze that it’s probably ignorant of me to suggest that everyone is the same too, given that I struggle to interact with people.  And I’m not suggesting that I’m some sort of special flower  or that ‘I’m not like other women’ (eeww) either, I know there are people out there I would probably get on with but like I say, I struggle.

It frustrates me when people don’t feel the same way politically.  I think that people’s politics are based on their morals so I struggle with conservatives for example.  I don’t understand them or where they come from.  I want things that people need to be owned by the public and free at the point of access, healthcare being the main one and I fear for the future of the NHS.  Yes, even if it means higher taxes (but I obviously want the super rich taxed more) I don’t believe billionaires should exist.  I want universal basic income.  If the human race keeps breeding, if we keep suffering from pandemics, if we progress technologically to the point where mechanization is even more prevalent, we will not need people to have jobs.  We need UBI to level the playing field.  And I want a vegan world.  All of the above makes my head swim with anger and despair.  What type of world will my child have to endure when she gets to my age?  I fucking hope it’s better than this.  I can honestly say that I believe I am on the right side of history with my politics.  It is ultimately about being kind and humane.  But no... I’m probably seen as a soft SJW snowflake keyboard warrior twat by my family (which is why I went off facebook).  Even though I have a masters in Gender studies and a career in social justice work, but sure, I’m just after the ‘internet points’ or want to look ‘woke’.  I feel like not many people truly know me and if they do know all of the above and don’t like what  they see,  I don’t know man, that kills me.  I want people to think well of me. I want people to think I am a good person. 

I could yap on for ages about this honestly but it would make little sense.

I think I wanted to start this as a place to get my feelings down because I am starting a journey of therapy soon.  My sessions should begin in September but I feel the need to get stuff out now.  I’m having a bit of a shit time in my head right now and I felt like I would burst. 

I’m already worried that I will appear stupid and self centered.  There is nothing particularly wrong with my life.  I have a good job that I love but am also petrified of it and of getting it wrong so I self sabotage, worry and don’t believe in my abilities and I’ve been doing that since college.  (I need to un pack how I feel about work and my actions around it, I have a lot of thoughts, maybe for another time) 

I pick the spots on my face till they become angry red welts, I pick the skin around my nails till they get infected and then I hate myself for how I look, even though it was my fault in the first place.  I don’t shower, don’t wash my face, don’t get enough sleep then look in the mirror and see my greasy lank hair, baggy grey eyes and bad skin and I just hate myself.  Is this an analogy for the entirety of my personality? I am my own worst enemy and I need to give myself a fucking break.  Easier said than done. 

Things to unpack in therapy: 

My work 

My politics and how I interact, deal with people who don’t feel the same way as me

My child hood and family dynamics - It’s fucked up y’all. 

My Child

My husband 

My past relationship

The sick thing I do at night when i think about horrible things, like the death of my child for no god damn reason. (Is it punishment?) 

It’s frustrating being so aware of my issues and not feeling able to do anything about it. 

It’s probably an effect of lock down but I have been feeling really bad consistently for a very long period of time now and it’s exhausting.  I always have peaks and troughs, feel great to OK for sometimes a good few months then it just comes down on me like a bag of hammers and I feel like death for 2-4 weeks.  

I’ve been having those hiccups more often and for longer.  I’m so fucking tired man.  A couple of months ago a I had a terrible headache for 4 days, could barely move and felt tearful all the time.  I just thought it was a migraine attack at the time (which I very very rarely have) but I coincided with a particular event that I’m not ready to talk about (It’s really not that juicy it’s quite fucking pathetic actually) and I think it was a major depressive episode. 

I think I’m done now, I’m emotionally exhausted after reading this through and my throat hurts from trying not to cry.  Maybe this is the start of my tumblr journey maybe I’ll delete it all in a few days I don’t know.  I had to try something. 

[jordanrosenburg]

Stranger Things 3

Okay, many spoilers ahead, but honestly if you haven’t binged the season yet???? That’s a you problem. 

I wasn’t sure what I wanted out of this season, well actually there was one thing I wanted and that was for Steve to find love, and I guess he found it...he has a beautiful new friendship with Robin, who was the perfect female addition to the season. It was refreshing to have the kids on summer break, and not have another thing happen during the school year. I love this show and I want it to go on and on, but at the same time, how much more can these kids go through? 

The thing about Stranger Things, is that we are now used to its formula, a formula that works great. We have usually have three different stories happening, the adults, the teens, and the kids. They each are going through their version of a scary movie, and when they all finally come together, they get the job done. This season had a real slasher film vibe to it. Way more guts and gore, and honestly a little too much CGI? It was like watching Teen Wold amirite?

It was kind of cool finally seeing this monster come to life, and not just an image in Will’s head. And it was cool seeing the kids sort of start to become teenagers themselves, and the teens cross slowly into adulthood. I can’t tell what vibe I like more with the pacing of this show. Last season felt really slow, and this season almost felt rushed? We really just dove right in. I’m not a big fan of time skips, I really like knowing how characters get to certain places in their lives. Was Steve so distraught over Nancy that he couldn’t get his grades up? Thus not getting into college? Will he go to community college? I JUST WANT WHAT IS BEST FOR MY SON!

Billy...I just...I feel like I’m still grieving. We knew the season was about him, but I feel like his screen time wasn’t enough, I wanted more. Why was the monster able to possess more so than Will? We got barely an episode in before he was taken over. I thought it would have been a couple episodes in. Dacre did an incredible job, his acting was incredible. The only thing that creeped me out were all of the moms gawking at him at the pool. He is a teenage boy, I don’t care how attractive he is. If the roles were reversed, if that had been a bunch of dads looking at a teenage girl like that, there would have been hell to pay. Billy wanted Mrs. Wheeler, and he is suave, but she should not have even entertained the idea. 

A truly crushing moment was when El saw Billy’s memories of his mother. I think what happened to him happens all too often. A victim of abuse is finally able to escape, but leaves the child behind. She knew what kind of monster Billy would be left with, and it clearly seems like she never did anything to try to get him out of that toxic environment. And in spite of all of this, she was STILL his happiest memories! RIP MY HEART OUT WHY DONTCHA! The other thing that really fucked me up is that Max and Billy must have mended whatever tension or issues they may have had between season 2 and 3. She didn’t seem afraid of him anymore, and she really grieved for him. That shot of her sitting in his room killed me. And I wonder how his fucking shit ass father dealt with it??? 

El and Mike were so adorable the entire time. I truly love a young love. It is so innocent and sweet. I feel like for that moment they got to just be normal tweens without a care in the world. I was surprised to see Lucas and Max still together, but there must be something good there if they keep making it work. Dustin and Suzie were so cute, HOWEVER HAD SHE NOT MADE HIM SING BILLY AND HOPPER WOULD HAVE SURVIVED, OR YOU KNOW IF JOYCE HADN’T HESITATED!!!! I’m just really not a fan of character death until it means something. I feel like these deaths were purely shock value. Hopper went down a hero sure, but HIM AND JOYCE WERE FINALLY GOING TO GET DINNER! And after everything Billy went through? They could have tried harder to save him. Nancy was ready to fucking shoot him. 

Nancy, as usual, just really pissed me off. She is one of the most inconsiderate people I’ve ever seen. I get it, it’s the 80′s, she’s trying to be an equal, that I can respect! What I don’t respect is how impulsive she is. She never thinks about the consequences of her actions. From little things like ruining Jonathan’s pictures, to immediately trying to kill Billy. I get it, you’re all sick of the bullshit, but he was still a person. They didn’t immediately try to kill Will. 

AND POOR WILL JUST WANTED TO PLAY DND! I think it can be so hard at that age. Some people grow up at different rates than others, and he felt out. I also think he knew he was going to be moving, and just wanted to complete one more campaign with his friends before he broke the news. It also made me sad that we didn’t get much time with all four boys together. It was great to see how close Dustin and Steve had gotten, but they should have learned by now that they all work better when they’re together, not separated. 

How about Steve coming in clutch with the car to save Nancy and the kids??? NOT EVEN A THANK YOU FROM HER! Okay, maybe there wasn’t time for a thank you, but their interactions just felt awkward, and there’s not need for it. I will say I was happy there was no love triangle. My heart did get sad when Robin asked Steve if he still loved Nancy, and when he said no it was basically because he found this love for Robin. My poor baby was still hurt! And when he said that she really wasn’t a priss. There had to have been a conversation about her hooking up with Jonathan at some point that had to have solidified that they were over. I still don’t care for the way she treated Steven, could ya tell???

A theory I have about El: are her powers starting wear off because the effects of what she went through at the lab wearing off? Think about it, she hasn’t been contained and tested on for over a year. Maybe her body is finally regulating. This does mean that if this thing comes back, which it seems like it will since there is one in Russia being used for testing, she herself will be defenseless. Luckily the other kids are good at protecting her. 

At the end we see the subtitles, “No, not the America”. Does this mean Hopper somehow survived? I don’t know how possible this is since everyone else in the lab fucking melted, but he could have been on high enough ground to escape, but may not have escaped fast enough for the American troops to come in. The Russians may have captured him as one final fuck you. I think I started tearing up when he gave one last smile to Joyce. He annoyed me at the beginning of the season with him being overprotective with El, but his letter, which made me sob, helped drive his point home. Also, him shooting off the machine gun while screaming EVERYONE OUT was one of the funniest things I’ve ever seen. 

The kids all saying goodbye made me cry as well. I wonder how far away Joyce will take them. Something tells me their troubles will follow. I hope we don’t have to wait three years to figure out what happens next. My prediction is that season 4 will be the final season because again, how much can these kids go through. 

One final thing, the soundtrack, yet again, was killer. Moving in Stereo is the song I have on repeat. Season 1 it was Sunglasses at Night and some of the original synth music. Hearing Hero again at the end of this season also made me cry. It really felt like a lot was wrapping up. 

Alright, I’m done rambling for now. 

[evenonelife]

2019, Year of the Pig

A friend of mine has a tradition of writing reminisces of the year past at the beginning of the new year. I have avoided doing the same for previous years for a variety of reasons, but as one resolution I have for myself is to be more aware of my self - to be less adrift - I decided to try to puzzle through what 2019 meant to me. Forgive me if this rambles, I have always been more ordered with my external thoughts than my internal ones. And this is for myself in any case. To my friend I am shamelessly imitating, you know who you are - forgive me my indulgence. This will be lengthy - I have never been concise. 

2019 at the core was a year where some stability was returned to my life. 2016 to 2018 were the three darkest years of my life for a slew of reasons too personal to go into here and it felt at times like I would never find my way out of that depression. I really owe more than I can express to a handful of friends that gave me a desperately needed outlet of emotion that otherwise just festered while I lived alone in a strange new place. 

BUT, in late 2018 and through 2019 things did start to get better. I left my quiet apartment and moved in with three girls that I had never met before in a leap of faith to stave off the unbearable solitude that I was struggling with. I may not have made the connections that I had hoped for with those girls, we just have too little in common, but the hint of community that it gave me meant and still does mean a great deal to me. It was also around that time that I started playing DND regularly, and the creative outlet was honestly so meaningful that in the beginning there were several nights where we would end our call and I would be in tears over how much it meant to me.

I say all this to provide myself the necessary mental background to come back to 2019 and just what kind of year it was. 

Professionally - 2019 was my second full year in what was my first full-time ‘professional’ job. One somewhat related to my college degree. The greatest positive change in that role certainly was in how I through necessity came to be the authority in the office on a couple of points of business. This meant that I was invested in the outcome and not merely acting as a cog in the machine. The job certainly was not my dream job, something that I don’t really have a firm hold on anymore, but it was better and it made me feel more confident in myself and in how I dealt with those around me. 

More relevantly and recently I was contacted by someone who wanted me to work for them. Me! I was contacted, not doing the contacting! The pure shock that I felt when I got that e-mail and during the breakneck period that led to my accepting a job offer in less than a fortnight can not be overstated. Sometimes I feel that my jaw is still on the floor and I am filled with a surprisingly powerful feeling of hope. My new supervisor will be a fellow Aggie and there is a definite friendliness to the office. Also as much as I personally have distaste for Houston as a city to live in, it is undeniable so much closer to the friends that I cannot help but be excited for that future. 

Mentally -  I already alluded to it, but mentally I was in a dark, dark place that 2019 saw the gradual lifting of, that I am still working towards. I can admit to myself that when I am depressed I withdraw as a defense mechanism.  I find myself drifting through the days, one week the same as the one proceeding it. It is a fact that I have to confront that I have had very few true confidants in my life and in fact was taught that being emotionally vulnerable was just providing ammunition and as a result I find it intensely uncomfortable to reach out to others and risk. I am happy to say that during the decade of 2010-2020 in general I met several wonderful individuals who taught me this isn’t always the case but it is still something I struggle with.

This is something that I have not done as well to combat in 2019 as I would like, BUT there are some key exceptions. For one, in the last months of the year I took over the DM responsibilities for our weekly group. The responsibility of no longer being able to just show up and make funny voices means that I have to actually have a plan for the week ahead of me. Have to think of the near and not so near future, and this is KEY friends, for a reason that MATTERS to me. It isn’t something like “oh you need to do your taxes every spring” its that I know that in 6 months my friends will be invested in the story we tell together and I don’t want to let them down. That responsibility really helps. 

On a different track entirely I have begun to internalize that my future is my own to create. There is no looking back and imagining what could have been. I intend to re-focus on my hobbies and what makes ME feel fulfilled in the new year. I began to explore my creative needs again and I mean to pursue that with the freedom that an apartment to myself will bring me again.

Physically -  *OOF*. Well, 2019 BEGAN in a really good way physically. I was using the gym as a coping mechanism and going 4 or 5 times a week. I was running because it made me feel good. Ran a 5k competitively and was running 10ks in the gym in preparation to doing a race. I had aspirations of doing a Tough Mudder! But lol as things do one thing led to another and I’ve been attending no more than once or twice a week for months. And my body is reflecting that choice. In my defence it is so hard to motivate to go to the gym after work when its dark at 5pm :(. I’m hoping I can do better in Houston. An apt. Clubhouse will help. 

I also will definitely start eating better. 2019 saw waaaaaaay too much eating out. The cramped nature of our kitchen and the less than neat ways of my housemates meant that most of the time it was easier to just pick something up, or prepare things that took little space. Lots of pasts and frozen chicken and soups. But I’ll have my crockpot again and a freezer to myself and HEB for fresh veggies and Yay! Good changes ahead, unhealthy year behind. I also began flossing again in 2019 so I’m sure my Dentist will be happy about that. Oh yeah….dentist and eye doctor didn’t happen in 2019. Let’s go 2020!

Socially -  There isn’t much else to say here since my social life has been so intrinsically linked with my mental health. But I definitely have room for improvement in 2020. I never really found a community outside of work in Connecticut. I had some limited success with MeetUp and actually managed to make a couple friends. Who promptly moved away. But my DND group changed to include two new friends who I value highly. I also began to reconnect with old friends who I’ve fallen out of touch with and intend to continue doing so. I’ve had dinner with two old friends in the last week and had a lovely time. Reviving regular group chats, beginning the rebuilding of a friendship that was shattered by a change in...everything I guess, all are good things that I can see just getting better in 2020. I’m particularly excited to be able to drive to see people again. Even if it isn’t QUITE close enough to be able to just casually drop by, my college station friends will be close enough to impulse visit, or see concerts together, Ren Faire, etc. And I just have a feeling that making new friends will go better in Houston. Maybe? We will see. 

Romantically -  Not this year. The insecurity and fear of rejection don’t help let me tell you. I also have serious trouble believing myself to be someone that someone else desires or loves. My issues nobody else's right anymore. I talked to a few girls on Meetups that never led to anything. Matched some people on Tinder and Bumble but was never confident enough in the moment to go for it. Had a gay man hit on me once, that was flattering but I don’t reciprocate. Anyways, I hope for better in 2020 but I need continued mental growth first. 

So, Yah, that was longwinded and definitely drifted far from the point of being just about 2019. But I feel like I needed to say what I said for it the puzzle pieces to fit in my own head about what 2019 WAS. It was a year where life started to seem like an uphill climb again instead of falling into a pit. And it ended on a very bright note that has me optimistic for the future. I know that a year ago today I was not feeling optimistic like this. That can only be a good thing. 

[words-writ-in-starlight]

hey star! i’m thinking about watching (listening to?) taz, but i know absolutely nothing about it except that it might be vaguely related to some brothers called the mcelroys? and that they have something to do with critical role and a bunch of other podcasts. should i watch/listen to (is it a podcast too?) taz, why is there “adventure” and “amnesty” and etc, and what do the mcelroys have to do with anything? thank you and i hope the job is going well!

OKAY, so, The Adventure Zone (TAZ) is a DnD podcast done by the three McElroy brothers (that’s said “Mackle-roy,” btw, not “Mick-elroy”), Justin (oldest), Travis (middlest), and Griffin (youngest and DM), and their dad.  I unconditionally recommend it as some of the best, funniest comedy I’ve ever encountered, as a genuinely good and heartwarming narrative that brought me to tears more than once, and also just as...like...sometimes a bitch wants to enjoy media that centers around a family that actually loves and enjoys each other as people.  If that last sounds like your cup of tea, I recommend the entire McElroy podcast empire (that’s a separate post), but ESPECIALLY The Adventure Zone.  

Now, in terms of DnD, a lot of people are nervous about starting TAZ because they associate DnD with a very rules-heavy exhaustive kind of activity, which they assume will be zero fun whatsoever.  Now, I...play a lot of DnD, so that wasn’t really a concern for me.  Regardless, the McElroys absolutely do not understand the rules of DnD and have never allowed a rule to stop them from making a good joke or having a good time, and frankly I think that is a totally valid way to play the game!  It’s also extremely accessible to people who may not have ever played DnD before, because hey, half the cast has no idea which dice to roll at any given moment.  They are right there with you.  Go forth.

(On the other hand, if you HAVE played DnD before and you don’t mind committing yourself to an ungodly amount of content, I whole-heartedly recommend Critical Role!  It is a YouTube series that also exists as a podcast, both equally fun ways to consume the material.  The seven players and DM are all famous voice actors that you have definitely heard in something somewhere, their characters are fucking clutch, and they play a much more rules-heavy game, classic in every way right down to the dungeons and dragons, that is a ton of fun.  The main reason I usually tell people to start with TAZ, however, is this: TAZ episodes run about an hour, with few exceptions, and release every other week.  Critical Role episodes average four hours and release weekly.  So if you have that kind of time, that’s awesome, absolutely do it!  I’ve finally started watching through their first campaign and it’s great, I’m mostly caught up on their current campaign and it’s also great.  Watching their DM work is just...competence porn, and the characters are fucking destroying me in both campaigns.  TAZ is more approachable in terms of content volume, though.)

Narratively speaking, you should start at the beginning of TAZ, at the start of their Balance campaign.  You asked about the “Amnesty” thing, and this is your answer--you can’t run a DnD campaign forever, all stories end eventually, so their first campaign that kicked off the podcast is called “Balance” and is 69 episodes long.  If you hear people talking about Taako, Magnus, Merle, “the seven birds”, etc, those are all from Balance.  Then they ran some mini campaigns where they tried new stuff out, specifically “Commitment” and “Dust,” and then they settled on “Amnesty” as their new campaign.  Each campaign is set in a totally different world with wildly different rules and they’re all pretty radical, but here’s a short breakdown:

BALANCE: It’s fucking DnD, babes (although remarkably short on both dungeons and dragons).  They fight goblins, they get magic items, they have a wizard and a fighter and a cleric.  They go to the moon to join a secret society and get in a deadly car battlewagon race, there are liches and time loops and Wheels of Misfortune, there’s a giant mindwiping jellyfish and Garfield the Deals Warlock.  There are elevators.  ...okay, so they get pretty far from your traditional DnD universe build, the universe gets weird pretty quick, but like.  Just trust me, get a good giggle out of two or three arcs worth of dick jokes, and then buckle in for the emotional shit.

COMMITMENT: A superhero mini-campaign!  Three people get superpowers from their place of business and trash shit at an abandoned amusement park, it’s a good time.

DUST: Urban fantasy old Western murder mystery.  What else do I even need to say, honestly.

AMNESTY: The new arc!  If Supernatural took place in small-town West Virginia where half the monsters were pretty chill actually and the cast was Sketchy Con Man With Car, Long-Suffering Chosen Forest Ranger, and Punk Magical Bisexual With Pet Rabbit.  This one has a much more cohesive aesthetic than Balance, but I love it anyway.  

TLDR: yes you SHOULD listen to The Adventure Zone.  It’s hilarious when they’re busy telling dick jokes at first, and heartwrenching when they realize they have the ability to get heartwrenching, and those two things happen within minutes of each other more often than not.  And if you have gotten this far and you are sitting there thinking “Huh, this is weird, normally this is where Star goes the fuck Off about pitching the narrative,” it’s a DnD game! They go on quests to find shit!  There are seven shits to find!  They have mixed success at finding the shit!  What do you want from me!  

Oh, also, something that I have come to really appreciate lately: the McElroys put a lot of work into being funny without being mean.  Balance and Amnesty and the mini campaigns are all diverse, enjoyable universes, the punchline of a joke is never “ha ha, that person is [whatever]”, queer characters live long badass lives--I dunno, this might not matter to people, but I just find it incredibly restful.  Four cis white heterosexual men are not necessarily who I expected to provide that restful universe, but damned if they didn’t deliver in spades.  Plant your gays in healthy topsoil and water regularly and you too could mysteriously end up on the NYT bestseller list.