#please lord do not let me go down this rabbit hole i have yet to do more with inki and udova im begging you

[ferahntics]

Would you believe me if I told you I wasn’t gonna have any more OCs in Kirby verse hahaaaa- I am a Fool.

FOR REAL tho I don’t know how much I’ll actually write about him, I don’t even have a fixed name sjdhg it’s just Gravel Knight for now and idk how happy I am with it :’D

He was assigned as Quiver’s mentor, not necessarily just to actually train, but also cause he was one of the very few authorities who could actually deal with her rowdy behavior. At some point Quiver did pick an actual fight with him and she met with the same fate as that Awoofy and got bonked like a pingpong ball. His method of training really was like how birds fling their chicks out of the nests to fly - everything he taught was always done the hard way.

Also note, I was in fact inspired off of those gargoyle statues you have on cathedrals or castles and what not.

[abbatoirablaze]

Down The Rabbit Hole, Chapter 19

Word Count: 1.4k

Warnings: mentions of death and sperm. also slight smidgen of angst/and feels

“Well that was a weird afternoon.”

“Yeah, I guess that I knew Pierce was part of a weird, futuristic cult, but I wasn’t prepared for a funeral with so much beeping!” Annie confirmed, as she removed her blue jacket; one that was identical to the ones that were required to be worn during Pierce’s funeral. 

“Well, let’s not judge!” Shirley added in as she sat down, and everyone joined her, while removing their own jackets, and blue hats, “Everyone has a right to whatever fake religion they delusionally choose.”

“Abed, you were by the coffin for a really long time,” Annie noted, “are you okay?”

“I’m okay,” he confirmed, “although…”

“Troy and Abed are in mourning!” Troy and Abed sang in harmony.

Jeff crossed his arms, “would you guys please stop doing that?”

“I can’t believe that you did it during your eulogy,” Annie announced, shaking her head in disapproval, “it was so uncomfortable.”  

“I don’t think that the audience got that we were singing mourning with a ‘u’ in it!” Abed frowned.

“We were singing mourning with a ‘u’ in it?” Troy asked, his eyes going wide in realization, “oh no!”

“I still don’t fully understand the Laser Lotus theology!” Annie frowned, “so Pierce’s body is in the coffin and we buried it, but his energy is in this energon pod and it contains his life vapor?”

“Yeah, it’s all right here in this incredibly persuasive literature that they passed out!” Troy nodded, pulling out a pamphlet from the church, “once you reach a level 16, you can see the color blurple.”

“Of all the ridiculous cartoon nonsense,” Shirley grumbled, pointing at what was little more than a lava lamp, “if there really is a blurple, the lord keeps it hidden for a reason.”

“What up n bombs?” Chang asked, coming in, “how was the funeral?  Awesome!”

“BEN!”

“No Chang, our friend’s funeral was not awesome!” Jeff growled, “it was deeply sad.  You know.  Funeral style!”

“Excuse me, I thought you guys hated Pierce!”

Everyone’s eyes went wide and they started arguing over one another, about how they really didn’t hate Pierce, but that he was merely an annoyance. 

“We did not hate Pierce.”

“Craziness!”

“Alright, are you sure you guys aren’t just doing the ‘respect the dead’ jig a lig?” he asked. 

Everyone started to talk about how they didn’t really hate him yet again, and you felt yourself going into a little bit of a trance, staring at the lava lamp.  You couldn’t help but to reach for Jeff’s hand as the tears worked their way up into your eyes.

You were broken from your thoughts about how fragile life was when a lawyer burst into the room, saying something about Jeff being right. 

“Who the hell are you?”

“My name is Mr. Stone!”

“That’s easy for you to say!” Troy remarked, “and for us to say!”

“I work for Mr. Hawthorne,” Stone commented dryly, “he stated in his will that no matter how natural the appearance of the circumstances of his death, a private inquest should be conducted to determine whether any one of you, his former study group, has murdered him!”

The group began to gasp, as a few scientists walked in with some technology.

“To be cleared, each of you will submit to a polygraph test!”

“Jeff, what’s going on?” you asked, confusion crossing your features.

“I don’t know…but it will be okay, Tawney.”

“Tawney…did you know that I always looked at you like a daughter?” Stone asked, “Annie may have been my favorite, but you were beyond that.  You were like family!  Even after the rest of the group broke up the only people that kept in touch with me were you and Troy.  The two of you cared.  And that’s why I’m including you in my estate.  While I’m leaving Troy my shares of Hawthorne Wipes, I’m leaving you with what Gilbert had chosen to share with me.  My estate is worth an additional fourteen point three million dollars.”

You looked at Jeff, and he seemed even more speechless than when Stone told him about Troy’s bequeathment. 

“Jeff?”

“What the hell just happened?”

“I think Pierce just made me and Troy millionaires…”

“Oh my god…”

“There’s just one thing you have to do!” Stone commented.  Your brow went up as you looked at him, “Pierce had stated in his letter, that you and Jeff were in a relationship with one another.”

“We are…” you said slowly, not knowing at all where the line of questioning was going, “What of it?”

“Pierce noted that after the Christmas party, which he missed last year, you seemed different…”

You paled. 

You knew where it was going.

“Something’s different about you!”

“It’s not,” you lied, giving Pierce a fake smile, “I just haven’t seen you since break…that’s all.”

“No…I know it’s not your hair…and you didn’t do anything drastic like get new boobs…”

“Well, gee.  Thanks Pierce.”

“Your glowing, Tawney.  That’s what I’m trying to tell you.”

You felt a little bit of pride growing in the pit of your stomach as you looked at him, “really?”

He nodded, “yes.  So what is it?  What happened?”

You bit your lip and pulled your ring from the pocket of your jeans, before  slipping it over your finger, “Jeff proposed to me Christmas eve…”

His eyes went wide, before he wrapped you up in a hug, “oh Tawney, that’s great news.  But you know Jeff’s gay, right?”

“He’s not gay, Pierce…” you laughed, gently shoving the older man away from you, “and you can’t tell anyone.”

“You and him didn’t tell the group?”

“No…and we don’t plan on it until things are more settled,” you admitted, “Jeff and I talked about it, and we’re not going to announce anything until after he’s graduated and settled in at the firm he wants to set up.  We’re thinking about announcing it next Christmas, and then setting a date then.”

“Well I’m proud of you…I’m proud of the both of you.”

“Thank you, Pierce.”

“And I’m even prouder that I’m the only one that knows."

"About that...I was wondering,” you said slowly, "would-would you be the one to walk me down the aisle when we do set a date? I mean, if you don't want to, it's fine. It's just-my dad died a few years agao and-"

"I would be honored!" he smiled, holding his arm out to you.

“Tawney?”

“What’s Stone talking about?”

“Nothing,” you lied, trying to cover your tracks, “I-“

“She’s lying!”

“Thanks, lab coat!” you grumbled, turning your attention back towards the lawyer, “What about it?”

“Mr. Hawthorne wanted to let you know that you and Mr. Winger shouldn’t be ashamed of your relationship.”

“We’re not.  We just-“

“He wanted you, for your inheritance, to tell the group…”

"Tell us what?"

"What did Pierce know?" Annie asked, leaning forward.

“He wants it to be a very particular gift…” he hinted. 

You bit your lip as Stone slid you an envelope.  On the front of it was your name.  The rest of the group looked at you curiously while you opened it.  Inside, was a small note from Pierce.

Tawney,

If you’re reading this, then I’m gone, and you’ve met my lawyer, Stone.  But what you didn’t know, is that I’m planning on leaving you my estate that’s worth the same amount that I’m going to be leaving Troy with my share of the Hawthorne Wipes Company. 

But I wanted to leave you this, because you mean something to me.  While Troy has the heart of a hero, you have the heart of someone who was very dear to me.  A daughter...if you're reading this before you and Jeff got married, I'm sorry I couldn't walk you down the aisle. But I wanted to remind you of something.

You’re kind.  Always looking out for the group.  And you are always willing to help any of us…regardless of whatever we’ve done. 

For that, I want to leave you my estate, as a gift of sorts. 

A wedding gift.

I know that you grew up very poor once your mom got out of the military, and she raised you and your brothers in a cabin in the woods.  I know that your father had a hard time getting work because of the language barrier and when he passed, it was hard on you.  But I know, more than anything, that despite your families struggles, you always stuck together.

And that carried over through your friendship with me. 

I want you to never have to worry again.  At least about money. 

I’m not leaving you sperm like I left the others. 

Like I have said, you’re like a daughter to me.  And that would be incest.  That’s gross!  Please make sure that Jeff doesn’t drink his, and that Britta uses hers responsibly. 

Pierce Hawthorne

You laughed at the last few lines, though the tears were running down your face.  From beside you, Jeff put a hand on your arm, “hey…you okay?”

“It’s a wedding gift!” you whimpered, sniffling as you looked at your fiancé, “he doesn’t want us to have to worry!”

Jeff’s jaw dropped.

“A wedding gift?”

You turned to look at a very shocked study group.  Reaching into your pocket, you slipped your engagement ring on your finger and held it up to them, “we were going to wait to tell everyone…but Jeff proposed to me last Christmas…only Pierce knew. I'd asked him to walk me down the aisle when we set a date...”

Chapter 20

Tag List:  @lohnes16, @mckeeee-1

[divineluckfuckoff]

Project: Ravenous

...I don't even want to say anything about this. I just wanted to write it. It probably won't be a story anyways-

SPOILERS FOR THE RPG GAME RAVENOUS BTW-

________________________________________________________________________________

Damon really hated the fact that the class was having a party. He felt it was very unnecesary. Why throw a party for the New Years? Couldn't they just have a small dinner together, or something like that? Apparently, no. He would have skipped it, if it wasn't for Wolfgang's insistence.

"Come on Mr Maitsu. You don't really have to participate in any of the games Ms. Amber organized. Just you being present is enough."

He really hated how he was wrapped around that guy's finger, he could convince him to do anything. He really hated how handsome his voice sounded, how pretty he looked, the way he smiled and laughed, how he'd blush whenever he is embarrassed-

Okay, enough of that! He isn't a damn simp! He needed to think straight!

So here he was, sitting down next to Eva while sipping a cup of coffee. The girl was busy reading a book, tuning out the chaos. At least someone was sane in the whole class.

"Hey, where's Kai?" Ingrid asked, looking around.

"Oh, he told me he had a babysitting job today, but he'd be here just in time for the party." Diana smiled, although she faltered when she said the last part, now realizing that Kai should have been here a long time ago. Yet he was still missing.

"Well, he should have been here a long time ago." Wolfgang mused, his tone indicating concern.

"Yeah, that's-"

The sound of Diana's phone interrupted Jean. The very well know song 'Caramelldansen' started blasting in the room. Excusing herself, Diana picked up, not looking at the ID or the caller.

"Hello?"

"DIANA THANK THE LORD YOU PICKED UP-"

Diana flinched, taking the phone away from her ear for a second. She could recognized that voice anywhere, even if it sounded distorted. Deciding to put the phone on speaker, she brought it close again.

"Kai? Where are you? It sounds distorted." She asked, confused. Everyone was quiet, staring at the phone.

"Listen, I need you to call the police right now." Kai said, sounding panicked. Damon froze at that.

"The police?? What happened?" Diana asked, worried.

"I don't have much time to explain, but I got myself into a really deep rabbit hole of shit I didn’t know happened." Kai explained "Please call the police already!"

"If you could explain more-"

"THERE'S A FUCKING CHILD KIDNAPPER TRYING TO KILL ME, IS THAT MORE THAN ENOUGH?!" Kai screamed. Everyone froze.

"WHAT?!" Cassidy yelled.

"A-Are you okay?!" Diana questioned

"Yeah, but if you don't call the police, this place is gonna burn to the ground with me, the kid I was supposed to babysit which is not even the child of the man who was supposed to pay me, and an innocent woman who was gonna bring the man to court for killing her son, CALL THE GOD DAMN POLICE!" Kai ranted in anger.

"I WILL, I WILL JEEZ! Where are you?!" Diana asked.

"Ginjima Street, house number 34, the old weird mansion!" Kai told her before she hung up, quickly dialing the police while outting in her coat.

"Where are you going Diana?!" Jean asked.

"Isn't it obvious?! I'm going to save my best friend!" she exclaimed before running out of the dorm building. She was not about to let her best friend die.

[inkofamethyst]

January 9, 2022

Okay wait so recently I reblogged a post about sympathizing with villains instead of the heroes who are only fighting to maintain the status quo and like,,,,, it’s been on my mind and I’m wondering if it’s a) what was once a method of creating a nuanced antagonist has pervaded media so much that it seems like a worn-out trope sometimes or b) the heroes are purposefully characterized as Status Quo Maintainers to influence people into believing that maintaining the status quo is, in fact, a noble goal?  The first one is just the effects of a creative trend (ex. remember YA dystopias and how Suzanne Collins made a really cool one and then everyone tried to publish a dystopia and they were all just stripped down versions of THG so they didn’t have the same impact?  yea, like that) while the second one seems a lot more sinister.. more propaganda-y.  I’m not at all a media studies anthropologist (I’m not any sort of social anthropologist, really), so I don’t even know how to go about figuring out the underpinnings of the sympathetic-villain-tries-to-make-things-better-but-we-are-meant-to-root-for-the-hero-who-takes-a-less-radical-ever-so-slightly-changed-stance-by-the-end thing.

I’m not big on new year’s resolutions because I believe a person can start something new at any time but! this year!  I am going to finish listening through the Upstate discography, the Hozier discography, the Florence and The Machine discography, the Lord Huron discography, The Amazing Devil discography, and the aeseaes discography.  I am going to take my two academic classes and try really hard to stay on top of them, as I really want to get better at effective time management.  

I’ve been in my apartment alone for a few days and have decided that this was how it was meant to be.  Instead of me living with other people who I rarely if ever see, skip the middle man and cut out the other people altogether.  Let me live alone in peace PLEASE.  I love this.  Maybe one downside is that I can’t peer pressure myself into washing an drying dishes immediately after using them.  This is a notable problem that I do not know how to resolve as of yet.  I cannot simply wait for inspiration to strike, that’s not how this works.

Anyway I needed to consult r/ApplyingToCollege for my sister and I’ve been going down a rabbit hole of bad takes from high schoolers (and this doesn’t count as a grad school admissions forum so I’m still stickinwidit) and there’s one post where a person wrote their harvard essays in six hours and someone responded “did you at least get them reviewed” and OP goes “reviewed?? my brother in christ i barely had time to proofread” and that hit me so hard bc SAME (but also the two people I sent my base personal statement to for an initial review ~never got back to me~).

Lastly... how am I expected to work in these conditions.  I had to teach Hardy-Weinberg last week (it’s not that I don’t know HWE, it’s just that I expected them to have some background).  AND THE LAB THE PROF DEVELOPED WAS WRONG IN PLACES.  STRAIGHTUP INCORRECT.  HE’S A LITERAL BIOLOGIST LIKE HUH ????  I had to teach HWE to people who haven’t taken bio in years (also had to lie about what the “equilibrium” in HWE is... bc it sure ain’t recessive and dominant alleles being equal in a population!! (granted, I did take two evolution classes last semester, so my residual knowledge is a little heightened, but still)), I had to lie about what a codon was...  Man I love this job but also maybe doing it for the first time in the winter was a bad idea.  It’s like... I’m just discovering the curse of knowledge and how hard it makes it to engage with a large group of people at an introductory level.  But instead of having a week between labs to improve, I have as short as an hour or as long as a day to figure it out.  There’s absolutely a difference between knowing your stuff and being able to convey your stuff to people who don’t yet know it.  And I thought I would be good at it because I had ~one~ positive experience doing so last spring, but I suppose that’s a poor sample size (sue me, I ain’t taken stats yet).

Today I’m thankful that my hair has actually grown out really really well :)  I’ve just finished putting in 18″ braids (usually I go for 24″ these days, but I wanted something more conservative for interviews (unfortunately I’m putting these in so early that I may have to completely redo them if I have any interview offers in February)), and in some places my blow-dried hair actually reaches the end of the braiding hair, and this is after I had to cut off an inch and a half of scraggly ends.  This does, however, mean that I won’t be able to do major cutting during takedown, so that process will take forever.  I’ve been growing it out for six years now, I think, and while I could definitely do a better job in some areas, it’s very full (every time I wear it natural or in a twistout somebody comments on it) and oh so versatile, and I’m thankful that I’ve actually learned how to take care of my own hair over the past eight years.  Especially protective styling.  Even if I wanna cut it off sometimes, I really am happy with my natural hair.

[twilight-orchid]

How the Undatebales React After A Fight

Thank you to my friendo @wholelottatiffy ​ who helped me brainstorm this one. I’m only on chapter 19 at the moment, so I haven’t interacted with anyone but Diavolo much. And thank you to everyone who wanted a follow up to my previous post, I did not expect that. Y’all are super sweet!

tw: Fighting (a bit more in depth than my first post), description of panic attack, minor name calling, insecurity, depression, angst with resolution.

Diavolo:

Diavolo doesn’t know what to do with himself. 

To start, we need to talk about how the argument unfolds.

He’s not used to arguing. 

He’s Lord Diavolo, Prince of The Devildom, head of the RAD student council. No one defys him on anything.

So you raising your voice at him, trying to get him to see your way,

It was very overwhelming.

He tried to reason calmly with you at first, but he felt cornered. 

When fight or flight kicked in, his body chose fight.

His wings burst open in all their glory as he screamed back, his towering frame far more intimidating than yours.

The blind rage is slapped out of him when he sees your terrified face.

If you’re at the castle, he’ll order you to leave if you haven’t already. Anywhere else, he’ll turn and leave without a word. 

He wants to put distance between you both for fear of making things worse.

He absolutely cannot believe he just blew up at you. He would have never thought he'd raise his voice at his partner regardless of the situation.

He can’t shake the image of you flinching from him from his mind.

Now, being the prince of hell certainty has it’s perks; He has power, influence, and everything he could want.

But the one thing he wants the most seems to evade him no matter what: a friend.

A real friend. 

He has Barbatos and Lucifer, but it’s Barbatos’ job to accompany the prince, and Lucifer is bound to Diavolo whether he likes the future king or not.

MC was the first person who chooses to be with and around him for no other reason than the fact that they love him.

And now he’s terrified them. Gotten in their face and screamed at them.

He assumes he’s permanently driven you away.

As soon as you leave or he gets home, he rushes to find Barbatos. To explain what happened and hope his butler would know what to do.

He’ll text Lucifer and ask him to check on you as well.

He just feels lost. 

He wanders the palace aimlessly and he can’t focus on his work without his thoughts drifting to you.

He doesn’t feel like going to school or even getting out of bed. He doesn’t want to speak to anyone - to put on a happy face and pretend his world isn’t shaking.

Yet, a prince has his responsibilities. He will go about his normal public appearances as usual, smile and laugh and carry on, but it’s a mask.

Those close to him clearly notice the prince isn’t himself.

After school he visits the spots that you two visit together frequently.  

Anything to make him feel as if you are still at his side.

If you don’t sleep in his bed that night, he’ll take it as proof that he was right and that you don’t want to be with him anymore.

He doesn’t sleep that night. He clutches your pillow that still smells of you and just bawls. 

He will tell Barbatos he feels unwell the next morning and to postpone his obligations for the day.

This prompts Barbatos to seek you out and see if he can help resolve the issue.

Barbatos tries to stay out of your relationship as he doesn't feel it's his business, but his job is to assist Diabolo in any way necessary. And right now, he needs you more than anything.

If you sleep at his side still, it will be a glimmer a hope. That all may not be lost. 

He’ll give you you space that night. He’ll walk around you on eggshells but always watch you from the corner of his eye to gauge the temperature.

He avoids your gaze, stays on the other side of the room as you prepare for bed, and as much as it kills him, doesn’t hug you or kiss you goodnight.

He spends the night staring at your sleeping face and making silent promises that, if you forgive him, he will never let this happen again.

He thinks of how to apologize. What he could say, what he could do. 

Ultimately though, it feels like everything he could think of is too little of an apology. 

He pretends to be asleep when he sees you stir and decides to let you choose if you want to forgive him on your own.

You will have to approach him first. 

He thinks losing his temper with you was unacceptable and feels like he has no right to ask for your forgiveness.

Worse, he’s terrified of not being given forgiveness.

Thus, I feel a fight with Diavolo will take as long as you let it. He’s willing to suffer as long as you need him to.

Barbatos:

Barbatos doesn’t argue. He sits quietly and watches you, his responses calm but absolute.

He’s no pushover, he will defend his side, but he’s not going to enter a screaming match. It’s just not him.

You know you’ve really gotten under his skin when he offers a tight, forcefully pleasant smile.

He finally shuts down the conflict with "It's your right to feel that way just as it's mine to disagree." And leave it at that.

Post argument, he will avoid you and lock his feelings about the fight inside.

He tells himself he doesn’t have time to deal with the terrible feeling clawing at his heart and takes to his duties as an escape.

If you sleep in another room, he realizes that this isn’t a minor disagreement and he’s suddenly very distressed.

His instinct is to use his future vision. 

To scour the timelines and see how the different versions of himself handle it and to replicate the one with the most desirable outcome.

However, he stops himself. He feels it isn’t fair to you. 

You have a right to be upset about things and he doesn’t want to manipulate the situation, and by extension, you.

Thus, he must find another way to cope.

He’s always a devoted butler, but it’s not his whole life. 

He takes time for himself throughout the day and in the evenings. Unless Diavolo needs him, nights are usually his to do with as he wants.

Now, however, his identity becomes Diavolo’s butler. 

He’s constantly asking for extra work and hovering more than usual around the young lord in hopes of being given a task. 

Diavolo finds it odd and asks about it, but he brushes it off. This isn’t anyone else’s business, least of all his employer’s.

Even though Barbatos won’t tell him, Diavolo can clearly tell his friend is off.

In hopes of giving him something to distract himself with, Diavolo requests hellfire mushroom rolled cigar cookies and Barbatos jumps on the opportunity. 

Baking has always been his escape as well as his happy place. Diavolo’s favorite isn’t easy to make, so he looked forward to the task.

And it worked. Keeping track of the ingredients, the steps, and the technique required was enough to occupy his mind.

But then it was time to wait for it to bake. 

He suddenly feels trapped in the suffocating silence of the kitchen.

His mind replays the argument on repeat as he falls down a rabbit hole of what ifs.

He loves you more than anything and the last thing he could ever want is for you to be mad at him.

No, the worst thing would to no longer be able to call you his.

Suddenly, he becomes aware of the sharp scent of burnt food.

He jumps up and runs to the oven. He’d been so lost in thought he hadn’t noticed the timer go off.

He pulls the blackened desert out, puts the cookie sheet on the stove top, and just stares at the burnt cookies.

His sight blurs and a soft sob escapes from the prison he’s created in his heart.

He wasn’t crying because he burnt the cookies, but because they were a visual representation of everything he’s been trying to suppress.

Once he collects himself, he knows he can’t continue like this. 

He doesn’t want to invade your space in case you’re still mad, but he needs a resolution.

He’ll send a quick text and silently begs you to respond. 

“MC, I understand if you are still upset with me, but would you be willing to talk though it? I look forward to hearing from you.”

If you still sleep with him that night, it is a great weight off of his shoulders. 

He hopes it means that it will be easier to make up with you and that you aren’t too mad.

When you wake up, he will be watching you like he has all night with a small, tired smile. 

He’ll put on your favorite tea as you get ready for the day then asks if you’d be willing to talk things over.

Because of how it affects both his job and himself, a fight with Barbados will not last long. He’ll seek a resolution by one, maybe two days tops.

Solomon: 

Lucifer may be the avatar of pride, but Solomon can certainly give the demon a run for his money.

In the moment of a particularly heated argument, he absolutely will not admit he’s wrong. 

In fact, he really doesn’t consider it a possibility.

There’s no point in trying to get him to see your side until things have calmed down. It’s like talking to a brick wall.

He won’t yell, but he gets a pissy, condescending tone and almost talks down to you.

If you really push his buttons, his patience with this “useless” argument runs out.

“Oh please, listen to yourself! You’re acting like a dull child!”

Freezes as soon as it leaves his mouth.

He didn’t mean to say that.

He opens his mouth to apologize immediately, but upon seeing your hurt reaction he becomes flustered and can’t get the words out.

He’ll simply turn and leave. 

He’s absolutely furious with himself. 

Solomon is old and wise. He’s seen many things, been many places, and he knows many things.

Sometimes though, he needs a reminder that he doesn’t know everything.

Even if he still feels he was right, he knows name-calling is unacceptable.

In fact, he doesn’t miss the irony that he was the one being childish. 

His self-fury is replaced by overwhelming worry if you sleep in another room that night.

Of all the treasures he’s come across, none were as precious as you. 

He can’t stand the thought of losing you because of his thoughtlessness.

For once, he feels like an idiot.

He locks himself in his study that night and brainstorms on how to make it up to you.

He decides to approach you in the morning at RAD. He’s terrified that you think he actually meant the insult and wants to clear the air as soon as possible.

He’s afraid of you taking anything less than his highest praise to heart or for you to think that he views you as below himself. 

The thought of how he must have made you feel makes him sick to his stomach.

The more he thinks about it, the more his body demands that he act. 

While he has many virtues, patience is not high on his list. 

Assuming you returned to The House of Lamentation that night, he’ll text Asmo to explain what happened and asks if he’d let him in first thing in the morning.

Thus, when you leave to head for breakfast, be careful not to trip over your sorcerer who’s seated against the wall outside of your room.

He scrambles to his feet, his hair and clothes a mess and bags heavy under his eyes.

“MC! Sorry, didn’t mean to scare you. I just- *sighs* I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to say that. Would you be willing to discuss the matter again? The right way this time.”

If you do sleep with him, he’s at least relieved that you don’t seem like you plan to leave him.

Once again, however, he wants to clear the air as soon as he can.

You’ll both be sitting in silence as you get ready for bed. He’s clearly lost in thought, his eyes focused unblinking on his feet and any movements slow and disjointed.

He's not sure how to apologize, if it's too soon, and is afraid to make things worse if it's not an appropriate time.

However, seeing you move about the room he decides to risk it so he doesn't risk losing you.

Suddenly, he stands up straight and locks eyes with you.

“MC, we don’t have to talk about the fight tonight, but I need you to know that I didn’t mean what I said. I’m sorry.”

It’s up to you if you want to forgive him immediately, but he will at least apologize for the insult as soon as he gathers his thoughts.

Simeon:

If you yell at him, Simeon is just gonna sit there stunned

Your relationship is usually as laid back as he is, so he doesn't know what to do with you blowing up at him.

All he knows it that this is bad and he needs to find a way to make you happy again. 

The thought of losing you takes precedence over everything and, though he will not sway to your side just because you’re upset, the argument loses any worth it had to him.

He’ll go to Solomon almost immediately in hopes your fellow human might know better about how arguments are resolved between human couples.

He becomes very distressed when Solomon says everyone handles it differently. He then asks what he should to make up with you specifically.

He doesn't have a defined emotion right now, he's just on edge. He wants to gather information first and foremost so he can figure out what to do from there.

He’s just a walking ball of anxiety and those close to the angel even become concerned. No one has seen him like this before.

If you decide to sleep in another room, the anxiety just takes over. 

His chest feels like fiery chains are crushing his ribs, he can hear his heart is hammering in his head, and his body begins to shake as if he were buried in an avalanche.

He doesn’t realize he’s crying as he struggles to breathe.

Solomon had expected something like this may happen so he made sure to be nearby to help coach him though it.

Once he’s calmed down, Solomon urges him to talk to you as soon as possible.

Simeon isn't sure though. True, he wasn't in a good place, but he didn't want to push you if you weren't ready to talk.

He doesn’t know what to do. He doesn’t feel like he can think let alone coherently tell you how he feels.

He begins to feel overwhelmed again and decides to try writing down his thoughts in hopes of it helping him sort through the tsunami of emotions consuming him.

While it doesn't completely calm him down, it does help.

He stares down at the messy, tear blotted papee and has an idea.

The next morning you should expect to find a hand-written letter slipped under you door.

The letter is long and and rambling. His usually pristine handwriting is as shaky as his hands were when writing it.

It's not as dense and heartbroken as his original one, but the further it goes the more desperate his words become.

He writes about how much you mean to him and apologizes for allowing things to get that intense. He writes that he loves you and doesn’t want to lose you. 

He reminisces about his favorite memories of you two together more than once.

Finally, that no disagreement you two could ever have is more importantly to him than being with you.

It's really just a collection of everything sitting on his heart at the moment.

That day at RAD he’ll watch you from the sidelines and pray you approach him about the letter so you two can work things out.

If you still sleep in his bed, he’ll be very conflicted about if he should approach you yet. 

He’s afraid of making it worse if you’re still mad.

However, Simeon is an open book when it comes to his emotions so you will absolutely be able to tell that he’s freaking out.

So please, save the man a terrible night and talk it though with him.

He wants you to not be angry anymore, but even if you’re still upset just having concrete information to cling to will help him immensely. 

He’s thinking of all the worst case scenarios and needs reassurance that the relationship isn’t over.

Simeon will try to make up within a day, so however long it lasts after that is up to you.

Luke (MC is his best friend):

Luke will be very, very distressed. 

You’re his best friend aside from Simeon. Friends don’t fight like this, right?

Wait, so if you’re fighting with him, does that mean you’re not his friend anymore???

As soon as the thought enters his mind, he decides that must be the case. 

Real friends don’t fight with each other like this.

Externally he takes a “I don’t need a lousy human like you for a friend anyway” attitude. 

He’s not just testy with you though, anyone who interacts with him that day learns that chihuahuas bite.

Simeon immediately realizes something isn’t right and is very concerned.

As soon as he asks him what’s wrong, Luke's mask of anger is discarded and he tosses himself in the older angel’s arms crying hysterically.

He doesn’t want to lose you for a friend.

I doubt Luke has ever truly argued with someone so this uncharted territory is earth shattering to him.

Simeon, as he tries to calm Luke, he will text you and ask you to come to wherever they are immediately.

Because of Simeon’s intervention, the fight will only go undiscussed for a few hours max.

Again, sorry if I don’t know these characters as well as I’d like yet. Thank you for reading! 

[writer-ish]

The 3rd Annual Bloom Edenbrook Fundraising Gala

Pairing: Dr. Ethan Ramsey x f!MC (Dr. Brooke Spiers) Word Count: 2.9k Rating: Mostly T (innuendo, language, smooches)

Premise: Dr. Brooke Spiers and Dr. Ethan Ramsey get coerced into answering anonymous questions submitted by generous donors at this year's hospital fundraising gala. They have about as much fun with it as you'd expect.

This idea is all thanks to THIS ASK from the lovely @lem-20. The concept and all questions are hers! Thank you, darling Leah! ♥️

Author’s Note: My first time with a mixed-media type post(!!!) and the writing part has been done almost script-style, similar to the "Not Yet Wed" questions courtesy of @jamespotterthefirst, which you can find HERE. Hope you all enjoy. 🥰

Tickets

Bonus Raffle

SETTING - Diagnostics Office - 5:15 PM

TWO DOCTORS in formal attire sit across from one another. The male, DR. ETHAN RAMSEY, late-30s, devastatingly handsome, leans against a desk, arms crossed. The female, DR. BROOKE SPIERS, late-20s, charmingly attractive, sits on a larger table further away, legs swinging.

Ethan: I can't believe you talked me into this.

Brooke: [smirking] Why does this feel like deja vu?

Ethan: You know exactly why. You coerced me into the same sort of nonsense in your intern year for that magazine—whatever it was.

Brooke: Yeah, and remember how much publicity the hospital got that year? You're welcome.

Ethan: How can you be sure our "publicity" had to do with that article and not the fact that a first-year intern stole from a large pharamceutical company to administer an unapproved drug to—

Brooke: [hands up] Okay, okay, we get it. Regardless, you have to admit I was responsible for all the publicity. [grins]

Ethan: [can't help but grin back] Touche. [sighs deeply] Let's go home.

Brooke: Can't, babe. We're the main event.

Ethan: How did this even come about? Is there not some code of ethics against this sort of thing?

Brooke: [laughs] It's just staff and donors. All adults. We're showing that we're good sports and it's for a good cause.

Ethan: [grumbles] I don't know why people care so much about us.

Brooke: You don't? I mean, have you seen us?

Ethan: [dryly] And so humble, too.

Brooke: Lord knows you aren't with me for my humility.

Ethan: Indeed. [picks up a glass from the desk at his side, swirling the amber liquid] Well, I hope you're prepared.

Brooke: [amused] Prepared?

Ethan: You're used to me being reticent in situations like this and holding back? [downs the liquid in one shot] Not today.

Brooke: [wary] What does that mean?

DR. RAMSEY stands up, crossing the room towards DR. SPIERS until the latter is forced to open her legs to accommodate his presence. He braces a hand on either side of her, leaning forward until their lips are almost touching. Her face flushes. He notices, and a slow, lazy smile spreads.

Ethan: It means [kisses her slightly open mouth softly] I'm answering all their questions.

Brooke: [giggles nervously] All of them? But what if—

Ethan: [punctuating each word with a kiss] All. Of. Them.

He leans forward and captures her mouth in a deep, searing kiss. Her arms twine around his neck and she lets out a soft moan. Drawing her ankles around his legs she pulls him even closer and he places one hand on the desk as the other glides up her back. They stay like that, interlocked for a moment, before he pulls away.

Brooke: [eyes still closed] Hmph.

Ethan: Let's go get this over with.

Brooke: [slowly opens eyes and peers at him, disgruntled] What kinds of questions do you think people are submitting?

Ethan: Like you said, Dr. Spiers... [a slow smile spreads] Have you seen us?

DR. SPIERS laughs as she follows DR. RAMSEY out.

A.N. PLEASE do not look too closely at this very badly photoshopped pic 😂

SETTING - Bloom Edenbrook Hospital, Main Atrium - 6:25 PM

Our two doctors sit beside each other on a makeshift stage. A semi-recognizable third-year resident is the host for the evening. DR. RAMSEY dusts an imaginary piece of lint off his sleeve. DR. SPIERS has her hands in lap, knee shaking slightly. Noticing, Dr. Ramsey reaches over and rests his hand on her leg. She looks over with a small smile and places her hand over his.

Thank you to our very own Chief of Medicine, Dr. Ethan Ramsey, and his partner, head of the Diagnostics Team, Dr. Brooke Spiers, for being here with us today for a good cause. Dr. Ramsey and Dr. Spiers, are you prepared to answer some questions provided by our generous, anonymous donors?

Brooke: Sure, why not.

Ethan: [through gritted teeth] For a good cause.

Alright, excellent. I will be drawing these questions at random. Thank you to all who donated for the opportunity to submit a question.

Dr. Ramsey and Dr. Spiers, you will both be posed a question. If you choose to answer, you must both answer. If you choose not to, you must match the donation made by the donor, in lieu of a verbal response. Are you ready to begin?

Ethan: Mmm.

Brooke: [nervous laugh] I suppose.

Alright, here we go!

First question: If he/she could take one thing to a desert island what would it be?

Brooke: Me.

[Audience whoops and laughs]

Ethan: [can't hide his smirk, before clearing his throat] Brooke would take her phone. Heaven forbid she can't post about something on Pictagram.

Brooke: It's true. I'm sorry for being such a young millennial needy for external validation.

What are your nicknames for each other?

Brooke and Ethan: [look at each other. Brooke laughs.]

Ethan: Just say it.

Brooke: I mean, it's nothing too embarassing. I call him babe usually, or baby sometimes if I'm feeling extra nice. He calls me—[blushes and looks over at Ethan]

Ethan: [sighs] 'My love'. I call her 'my love'.

[Audience "awwww"s]

Who’s the better cook?

Brooke: Oh, Ethan. A hundred percent.

Ethan: It's true.

Brooke: I'm abysmal.

Ethan: Normally I would demur when it comes to Dr. Spiers' perceived faults, but in this case she's correct.

Brooke: Thanks, babe.

Ethan: You have many wonderful qualities that don't involve ovens, my love.

[A squeal from the audience that sounds suspiciously like Sienna]

Who has the last word in an argument?

[simultaneously] Brooke: Ethan Ethan: Brooke

[They look at each other]

Brooke: [laughs incredulously] Seriously?

Ethan: You think I don't hear you muttering to yourself after you walk away, almost every single time?

Brooke: Oh, so cursing your name and your very existence counts as the last word and not you shouting [affects deep voice] "And that's final!"? Duly noted.

Ethan: I don't sound like that or say that.

Brooke: Mm, sure.

Who is best at keeping secrets?

Brooke: Uh, neither of us?

Ethan: I had a secret once and it was hell keeping it.

Brooke: You've had a couple.

Ethan: True. I'm done with secrets.

Brooke: In lighter news, we kept [gestures between the two of them] this thing a secret for a bit. No?

Ethan: [opens his mouth to agree, when he's interrupted by a shout from the audience—]

Audience member that sounds suspiciously like Elijah: Nope! We all knew!

[Audience loudly murmurs in agreement]

Brooke: Never mind, then.

Who wears the trousers in the relationship?

Ethan: Neither of us subscribes to antiquated beliefs of superiority in a relationship. We're partners and teammates and work together accordingly. Sometimes she helps and guides me and sometimes I do the same for her. There is no one person who holds higher ground over the other and to imply otherwise would be foolish.

Brooke: [literal heart eyes at Ethan] What he said. [stage whisper] Except it's me.

[Audience laughs as Ethan rolls his eyes]

What is his/her worst habit?

Brooke: Workaholic, poor communication skills, yells first and asks questions later… I could go on.

Ethan: Charming. I have two words for you: messy packrat.

Brooke: Excuse me?

Ethan: If I had a nickel for every useless piece of garbage you kept "just in case" or for each article of clothing on the floor of my bedr—[clears throat] Just trust me.

Brooke: [smirks and whispers against Ethan's ear so only he can hear] Sorry, who is responsible for my clothes on the floor…?

Ethan: [says nothing but smirks as well]

[Audience murmurs in scandal]

What three words would you use to describe them?

Brooke: Hmm. Let me think.

Ethan: Passionate, caring, intelligent.

Brooke: [looks at him fondly] You came up with those fast.

Ethan: [matter-of-factly] I could give them ten more easily.

[Audience "awww"s]

Brooke: [to the audience] No, no, no don't be fooled, he doesn't mean only the flattering words, trust me.

Ethan: I believe it's your turn.

Brooke: Dedicated, compassionate, brilliant.

Ethan: [smiles softly at Brooke, who avoids his gaze. He reaches over and squeezes her hand.]

Brooke: [mutters] Yeah, yeah.

What celebrity do you/they think they most look like?

[Both Ethan and Brooke look at the announcer quizzically.]

Brooke: Celebrity? Uhh…

Ethan: I don't even know how I would begin to answer this question.

Brooke: Ryan Reynolds?

[Audience laughs and loudly disagrees]

Ethan: Who?

Brooke: [laughs and shakes her head] I don't know! I just named a random hot guy. You name a redhead actress. Jessica Chastain?

Ethan: [confused] Do you mean Jessica Rabbit?

Brooke: No I don't mean— [looks at him incredulously] Are you saying you think I look like Jessica Rabbit?

Ethan: No, I thought that's what you were saying and I was about to tell you how incorrect you were. Er, that is to say—

Brooke: I feel like you're digging yourself into a hole here.

Ethan: Agreed.

Who is the most vain?

Ethan: Both of us have more pressing concerns than our physical appearance.

Brooke: Ethan.

Ethan: [splutters]

Brooke: If you're going based off who spends more time on their hair in the bathroom? Ethan.

Ethan: [crosses his arms and glowers, but doesn't disagree]

What is his/her guilty pleasure?

Brooke: Ethan's is cooking shows, particularly Nigella.

Ethan: It's true. Brooke's is high calorie indulgences like—what's the freezer cake you made me buy the other day? With no identifiable or even passably edible ingredients?

Brooke: Ooh, Deep 'n Delicious. So good.

Ethan: [rolls eyes] Yes, because we all need our daily dose of hydrogenated oils and preservatives.

If they had a free pass, which celebrity would they choose to sleep with?

[Look at each other blankly]

Brooke: Uhh… Nigella?

Ethan: This Ryan Reynolds fellow?

Brooke: [laughs] I don't even like him!

Ethan: So who, then?

Brooke: [crosses her arms] I notice you didn't deny Nigella.

Ethan: This question is stupid. Next question.

Where and when did you go on your first date?

Brooke: Derry Roasters

Ethan: What? No. I took you to Sorellina—

Brooke: What, three years after we first met? No. Our first date was Derry Roasters when you caught me following you that time.

Ethan: Ah, so she finally admits it. I thought at the time I was… what was it, "paranoid"?

Brooke: [laughs only a touch guiltily] Did I say that?

Ethan: So you're treating the first time you trailed after me to the local coffee shop as our first date?

Brooke: Well, you paid.

Ethan: Yeah, after you "forgot" your wallet.

Brooke: What, you thought I pursued you for your good looks? No, sir. I like a man with deep pockets. Plus, you know how I know it was a first date?

Ethan: Please, enlighten me.

Brooke: You ordered for me and I didn't get annoyed and it was horrible, but I still drank the whole thing.

Ethan: The espresso Romano is not horr—

Brooke: Horrible. Coffee and lemon? [shudders] That's how I knew I was into you.

Ethan: [intrigued] Really? Way back then?

Brooke: [nods, blushing slightly, and rolls her eyes] Oh brother, don't act so shocked. You knew.

[Audience laughs and whoops]

Ethan: [shell-shocked face showing he absolutely did not know]

Where was your first kiss?

Brooke: [sheepishly] Miami.

[Audience murmurs in surprise]

Ethan: [sighs] Yes.

Brooke: Is that—are Harper and Naveen exchanging money?

Naveen: [from the audience] Dr. Emery should know better than to question my instincts!

Ethan: [loudly groans] Next question.

Who is the loudest in bed?

Brooke: [yelps and, remembering Ethan's earlier warning, throws her hand over his mouth]

Ethan: [from behind her hand] You probably could have made the answer less obvious.

Brooke: [blushes and groans]

[Audience roars its approval]

Which of your friends do you think he/she is most likely to have a crush on?

Brooke: Ohhh, this is awkward.

Ethan: My friends?

Brooke: Considering we can list your friends on one hand…and some of them intersect with mine. [bites lip] What do we do with this one?

Ethan: [to the host] What did the donor pay?

Sorry?

Ethan: To submit this question. How much?

Oh, uhh—[checks] $200.

Ethan: I'll write you a cheque for $200. Next question.

Brooke: [shakes her head laughing] All the questions, huh?

Ethan: At my discretion, yes.

Bryce: [from the audience] You know the answer was me for both of you, anyway!

Ethan: [scoffs] Fat chance, Lahela.

Brooke: [pointedly silent, staring straight ahead]

Ohh-kay. Next question. Who had feelings first?

Brooke: Ha, me. For sure.

Ethan: Are you sure?

Brooke: [looks at him incredulously] I just told you I liked you even after you bought me lemon coffee at Derry Roasters three years ago. [sits up to look at him more fully] No chance you liked me earlier than that. I mean, like-liked me.

Ethan: "Like-liked you"? Are we twelve?

Brooke: You know what I mean. You were such a grouch and I was just your annoying intern.

Ethan: [irritatedly] The annoying intern I kissed in Miami, what, a week later? Is that how obvious my lack of feelings for you were?

Brooke: [opens her mouth to respond and then closes it again]

Ethan: That's what I thought.

Who’s more dramatic?

Brooke: Ethan.

Ethan: I am absolutely not—

Brooke: See? Honestly, he's exhausting.

Ethan: [glowers]

Who has the weirdest orgasm face?

Brooke: Weirdest?

Ethan: Oh for the love of—

$5000 to not answer this one, doctors.

Brooke and Ethan: [jaws drop simultaneously]

Brooke: Someone paid five-thousand dollars—

Ethan: What kind of a pervert—? Fine, say it's me.

Brooke: It's really not.

Ethan: [quietly] Well, it's certainly not you.

Brooke: Yeah, but—

I believe we have our answer!

Ethan: We'll take it. Next!

What are you most likely to argue about?

Ethan: Brooke believes I could be more communicative about my feelings, especially when I have a problem.

Brooke: You do listen!

Ethan: Of course. We also argue about when she's going to move in with me.

[Audience gasps and murmurs in gleeful scandal]

Brooke: [jaw drops] Ethan!

Ethan: It's true. [turns to host] I believe it should have already happened. She believes she needs to maintain a tenuous hold on a bedroom she rarely occupies for a group of roommates who would be happy for her to move on.

Brooke: [fuming] Of all the high-handed—

Jackie, from the audience: He's right, girl, bigger and better awaits.

Brooke: [through gritted teeth, as Sienna, Ethan, and Aurora all nod and give her thumbs up] Maybe this is something we can talk about later—

Ethan: Whatever you say, my love.

Brooke: Oh, yeah, now with the "my love"s—

On that note! Here is our final question.

What’s the most romantic thing they’ve done for you?

Ethan: [looks at Brooke, who is still glowering] Most romantic?

Brooke: [glares]

Ethan: With Brooke, it's the little things. She'll notice when I'm having a bad day and bring me my favourite donut. Or a well-timed hand on my shoulder or knee when she can see I'm getting riled up.

Brooke: [glare softens a bit]

Ethan: She's thoughtful and kind and extremely empathetic. She knows what I need even before I know that I need it. It's not—candlelit dinners or what have you, but I've already prided myself on being a practical person and this intersection of—of practicality and care? That's what I find… [struggles to get the word out] romantic.

[Audience "awww"s]

Brooke: [screws up her mouth before leaning over to kiss Ethan on the cheek] Okay, that was sweet. [Thoughtfully] Most romantic thing Ethan has done for me? Well… [side-eyes him, before continuing] The HAZMAT suit sleepover last year was probably up there.

Ethan: [uncomfortable] I don't want that to be classified as—

Brooke: You were there for me at a time when I needed you most. If that's not romance, I don't know what is.

Ethan: [increasingly agitated] That's not romance, dammit, that's—that was a necessity. That was vital. I needed to be there. I needed to make sure you—that you—[cuts himself off, clenching his jaw]

Brooke: [eyes soft as she looks at him. Reaching out she rests her hand on top of his clenched fist until it unfurls slowly underneath hers and he releases his breath slowly] See? [softly] Romance.

Ethan: [sighs deeply, then links his fingers with hers and gruffly kisses the top of her hand] All this tells me is that I've neglected you on the "romance" side of things.

Brooke: [still smiling softly] No complaints. [looks out at the audience] Are we done here? [affects a deep voice] Are you not entertained?

Ethan: [fondly] And she says I'm the dramatic one.

I think we got what we needed, doctors. Thank you for helping out for a good cause. This raffle ticket session alone raised a total of $23,000 for Bloom Edenbook Hospital!

Ethan: [dumbfounded] That is insane.

Brooke: I promise we aren't that interesting.

The people beg to differ. Round of applause for Dr. Brooke Spiers and Dr. Ethan Ramsey for being such good sports. Until next time, doctors!

Ethan: [over thunderous applause] There absolutely won't be a next time.

Brooke: [laughs and stands up, smoothing out her dress]

Audience member that sounds suspiciously like Jackie: Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!

Rest of the audience chimes in: Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!

Brooke: [crosses her arms, smirking at Ethan]

Ethan: Oh for the love of— [acts like he's walking away, then loops an arm around her waist and pulls her close, tilting her back and kissing her thoroughly]

[Audience roars its approval]

Ethan: [pulls away slowly and sets her upright, chucking her chin with an affectionate and slightly devilish smirk. He starts to guide her away from the host and off the makeshift stage]

Brooke: [mutters, still a bit dazedly] Told you. Drama.

[Laughing, they walk off stage together.]

[daffodilsonnet]

ACOTAR Theories and Opinions

So, after going down the rabbit holes of various ACOTAR tags on this hellsite, I’ve decided to throw myself over a cliff, and posit some theories and opinions about the series and what we might see in future books. Please be nice, y’all; I’ve seen the viciousness of some of the tags, and y’all need to please calm down. Thank you.

Wildcard theory: Eris winds up mated to a super spunky human, and invokes the Blood Duel when Beron tries to “intervene” in typical Beron fashion.

Theory: Eris WILL wind up mated to SOMEONE in one of the next books, and when he becomes High Lord of Autumn, he will make her his High Lady because Rhys can’t be the only one with a High Lady at his side.

Theory: Elain and Lucien ARE endgame. I think the reason why she hasn’t worked things out with the poor man is because she has Ye Olde Archeron Pride to an even greater degree than her sisters; I personally don’t think it has anything to do with her seer powers or what happened with the cauldron. She’s just let it drag on so long at this point, she doesn’t quite know what to do, and isn’t going to ask for help (like 2 other ladies we know *cough* Feyre *cough* Nesta).

Opinion: Elain is the most underestimated of the sisters. She’s seen as 2 dimensional through the narratives of both Feyre and Nesta, yet she was the one who was willing for the human queens to meet at their estate. She was the one who voiced first what bitches the queens were (I hope they go to hell). She is someone who IS NOT afraid to get her hands dirty (obsessive gardener, who does every part of working a garden, and not just clipping flowers). SHE FEARLESSLY STABBED THE KING IF HYBERN THROUGH THE THROAT. Elain is horribly underestimated because she is pretty, quiet, and does pretty girl things. Let me tell ya, homegirl is gonna EXPLODE in the next book BECAUSE:

Theory: Now that Nesta has surrendered her stolen power back to the cauldron, ELAIN IS MORE POWERFUL THAN NESTA. Remember, folks, the cauldron GAVE to Elain powers because she was so beautiful (the way SJM described it in the books, it was almost like the cauldron was in love with her). That’s why Elain and Lucien are mates: he is heir to the High Lord of Day, and she is cauldron-blessed with powers that make her his equal. I do believe Elain will come into her powers, and it will be epic; no, I don’t subscribe to dark Elain, she is far too principled to be tempted in that way.

Theory: Helion and Lady of Autumn get mated and married after Beron’s untimely, surprisingly brutal, violent, demise due to 100% natural circumstances that have nothing to do with him being chopped up into little pieces and fed to the beasts under the Court of Nightmares.

Wildcard Theory: Nesta has triplets, and Cassian passes out when she’s in the middle of labor. Rhys and Azriel never let him forget.

Theory: Jurian and Vassa get together.

Theory: We find out what the hell Eris was hinting at with the full story of him and Mor. Because, ya know, fae are such FUCKING DRAMA QUEENS THAT THEY WAIT 500 FUCKING YEARS BEFORE RESOLVING JACK SHIT.

Theory: Mor and Emerie become mates. SJM will skim over that, and the excellent fanfic writers on this hellsite, Ao3, and other sites will write the love story that Mor deserves.

Theory: Azriel and Gwynn will become mates, and he will finally reckon with his past, instead of avoiding it like he’s been doing for 500 YEARS.

Theory: Amren and Varian will become mates, and they will have a disgustingly over the top mating/wedding ceremony that basically all of Prythian is invited to (wedding ceremony because Varian wants to call Amren “My Wife”, and it HAS to be official).

Wildcard Theory: Eris and Tarquin become mates, and are the first joint rulers of 2 courts.

Wildcard Theory: Lucien becomes High King, with Elain as his High Queen.

Theory: The 4th piece of the trove that Nesta sorta saw, but couldn’t make out, is a horn. Remember, there were the not so subtle references to the Hunt? It’s a horn, like one used for hunting, or for battle. This horn is currently in either the human realm, or completely off-world in one of SJM’s other fictional worlds.

Okay, my brain has run out of steam for today. When I think of other theories, or am feeling completely masochistic, I’ll write another post. Muchas gracias!

[dontmindmyshadowhunting]

The London Shadow Market - Centurions on a mission (Fan Fic)

This is a one-shot Tynush fan fic.

London Shadow Market. Centurions Tiberius Blackthorn and Anush Joshi are on mission for the Scholomance, tied to the First Heir, and Ty gets a bit overprotective.

It's a bit angsty and though there is mention of sex, there is no sex scene/smut.

Big thanks to @amchara who beta-read the fic (and notably helped with her thorough knowledge of London) and who also sparked the idea, since we discussed how there could never be enough of overprotective Blackthorns fic.

****

It was long past midnight and the London Shadow Market’s lights were fading one after the other. Fenwick was wrapping up for the night, muttering about what an awful evening it had been. Only a dozen customers buying baubles. Overpriced, but still. Long gone were the days where he could earn in an evening what now took him a month to scrounge. The new Inquisitor, Diego Rosales, was knowledgeable, relentless, and incorruptible. It didn’t help that the new Unseelie King also frowned on his barely-to-not-legal-at-all side businesses. The most profitable ones, as it happened. He still had the favour of the Seelie Queen, but even she, in her eagerness to make peace with King Kieran, was not as frequent a client as she used to be.

So, when he heard the bell ring announcing that a customer had just crossed the threshold of his magically enhanced oversized tent, Fenwick immediately perked up. His cheerful mood was of short duration.

Two dark-haired figures had stepped into his dimly lit tent, one at least a head taller than the other, but both with a graceful warrior stance that betrayed what they were despite the obscurity.

Shadowhunters. And not any kind. The worst kind if you asked him. Those who knew much more about the Fair Folk than the fey had ever cared to reveal. They even kept secrets from the other Nephilim. That’s how world-altering their knowledge was. Centurions. And they were in their black uniforms, their silvery pins gleaming in the light of the candles scattered around the tent, not even bothering to conceal their identity.

Fenwick was torn between bolting out – on the off chance that he managed to outrun them – to lay low in one of his numerous hideouts (for a few decades at least) and standing his ground, trying to weasel his way out of this uncomfortable situation. What made up his decision was the weariness that gripped him at the mere idea of running. The centuries he had strolled around the Earth made him feel like an overstretched rubber band.

“Well met, Sons of the Angel!” He said, forcing a cheerful tone.

“Well, met,” the smaller, wheatish-skinned one answered. He had a warm, lyrical voice. As he took a few steps forward inside the tent, Fenwick tried very hard not to flinch. Up close, he had a very handsome face, high cheekbones framing his narrow and delicate nose. Strong thick eyebrows made a perfect arc over his big almond-shaped brown eyes. His bright yet calm demeanour compelled you to trust him. But Fenwick knew better.

The taller one didn’t greet him. He was already strolling lazily around the tent, scanning the shelves. He was standing with his back to Fenwick, so that all that Fenwick could see of him was black hair and a dark uniform, a circle of thorns etched across the back of his jacket.

“What brings you to my humble shop?”

The question had been directed at the politest of the two, but he didn’t seem to hear, entirely focused on stealing covert glances at his fellow Centurion. His expression was wistful, almost reverent.

Fenwick considered it. He knew how lonely they got sometimes, hidden between harsh grounds and cold stones in the Carpathian Mountains. Some were known to suffer depression, if not mental illness. He used to interact frequently with them, in the past, until the Scholomance was closed in 1872, with the signing of the First Accords. He sold them information, and sometimes a good time.

“You are in luck, Centurions. I have several pretty mermaids who have just joined Fenwick’s lair. At least two of them have a kink for strong Nephilim such as yourselves.” After all, King Kieran had started a trend… “We also have the usual nixies, pixies, goblins, hobgoblins, brownies, and even a djinn for those who have more… particular tastes. Everything happens on Seelie territory and is strictly legal of course. I have the paperwork.”

The light brown skinned Centurion looked like he was trying very hard not to burst out laughing. He coughed a little to hide it before swiftly saying, “Nothing of the sort.”

“We heard you were selling. We are buying.” The taller one spoke for the first time. He had a deep voice, with a rich timber to it. As he glanced over his shoulder, the candles’ light played along his face, revealing his striking features. Fenwick stifled a gasp. His merchant’s mind was already calculating what he could earn with such a possession. Faerie lords – even princes – would pay handsomely – a fortune – to enjoy the boy’s company.

“What is it that you care to acquire from old Fenwick?” he said in a honey voice. “Certainly not a love potion. Someone who looks like you must never be in need of it.” The Centurion’s expression remained impassive, yet Fenwick thought he saw a shadow flicker across his eyes. “Your pretty face is so much like a faerie’s. I almost took you for one of our kind.”

The other Centurion cleared his throat loudly, and when he had caught Fenwick’s attention, shot him a glare, his deep brown eyes cold as ice. A warning. Fenwick knew in that instant that if he ever wanted to get his hands on the pretty Nephilim, he would have to go through his companion first.

“What we want…” he said in a clipped tone, “cannot be touched, tasted, or inhaled.”

“Information, then,” Fenwick replied automatically upon hearing the code. A chill went up his spine. Did they know? Only one way to find out. “And what type of information do you seek?”

“You know exactly which one. Please do not waste any more precious minutes of our mortal lives. Name your price.”

Fenwick told him. The Centurion approached Fenwick’s counter and, without a word, retrieved a pouch from inside his jacket - Fenwick recognized it as fey craftsmanship of the finest sort and, though it did not bear the Unseelie Court’s sigil, had most certainly come from it - and started counting bills. His curiosity got the better of him.

“What do you want with the First Heir?” He blurted. “I didn’t know it was the Scholomance’s job to look for him. Other Nephilim – if not as skilled – have already been assigned to the task.”

“We have the money. Our business with him is our own,” he replied dismissively.

Fenwick glanced at the other tall Centurion, who had remained silent during the exchange. He had retrieved a crystal orb from one of the shelves and was turning it over in his long pale fingers.

“Careful with that! It’s fragile! And expensive. If you break it, you pay it.”

“Twenty-one,” he replied.

“Pray tell?”

“The number of laws you have broken with the content of these shelves. I am not talking about the items you keep in your back store.”

“Tiberius,” his companion warned, before forcing a smile to Fenwick’s benefit. “Here’s the money. Give us the information and we’ll be on our way.”

Fenwick’s gaze zeroed on the bills spread over his counter. He did the usual checks, doing as best as he could to hide his excitement.

“Okay,” he drawled, when they had come out to be the real deal. He gave them the First Heir’s address. The Centurion’s lips twitched but his face remained otherwise blank. He acknowledged with a stiff nod and whirled around.

“I can give you one more information. Free of charge.”

The Centurion paused and glanced over his shoulder, an eyebrow raised in question.

“The First Heir. He has power beyond your wildest imagination. Even mighty warriors such as yourselves will have a hard time capturing him. But he has a family that he loves dearly and would be willing to die for. If you take his little sister hostage, you can obtain whatever you want from him.”

Fenwick startled at the sound of glass shattering. He glanced over to find that the tall, silent, Nephilim – Tiberius, his companion had called him – had closed his long fingers on the orb, with apparently enough pressure and force that it had broken into multiple shards. He was now watching with remote interest as blood escaped from his clenched fist and started running like crimson strings over his knuckles and wrist. He didn’t look the least bit concerned by the sight.

“Hey! You will pay for this!” Fenwick said, taking consolation in the fact that, as expensive as the item was, they probably had the money.

“That’s funny,” Tiberius said in a tone that suggested it wasn’t at all. “I was about to say the exact same thing.”

He hadn’t seen him coming, but from one moment to the next, the Nephilim was in Fenwick’s face, a dagger pressed against the fey’s throat.

Fenwick thought he looked more animal than human as he cocked his head, his gray eyes feral. “Earlier you said that I look like a fey. Well, there is at least one trait that I share with the Fair Folk. I. Don’t. Lie. So, trust me when I tell you this. If you so much as harm a hair on that little girl’s head, my pretty face will be the last thing you’ll ever see. The same goes for any other member of her family. I will hunt you down, scour each one of your rabbit holes and I don’t care if it takes every single second I have left of my mortal life.”

“Tiberius,” the other Centurion crooned. “Tiberius. We are done here. Let’s go home.” Fenwick realized with a jolt of surprise that he had moved soundlessly to rest his hand on Tiberius’ shoulder and was rubbing it, tracing small circles around the joint. It was such an intimate gesture that Fenwick wondered if he had misread earlier when he had thought to witness unrequited love.

Tiberius blinked a few times, then started whispering urgently under his breath. Fenwick couldn’t make sense of what he was saying. It sounded like random words. The Centurion finally narrowed his gaze at Fenwick and mouthed “I don’t lie” one last time before he whirled and both Nephilim disappeared in a blur of dark fabric, out of the tent and into the night, as swiftly as they had come. Fenwick, frozen in terror, hoped with all his immortal’s heart that all of it had only been a bad dream.

***

Anush exhaled the cold and moist London air, his breath coming in frosty white puffs, as he drew an Iratze on the back of Ty’s hand. It had become so frequent lately that he sometimes caught himself wishing Centurions were allowed to be parabatai so that his runes were more effective, but discarded the idea as soon as it crossed his mind. He would not have been allowed to feel the way he did about Ty. And parabatai definitely did not do the things they did.

“I can’t believe he lived during the time of Berlioz. Do you think he met him? If so, I would have a thousand more questions to ask him.”

Ty didn’t answer. He was lost in thought, stroking his heron-shaped pendant with his free hand, his face pale as the moon tilted upwards toward the night sky as if he was counting the stars.

“Hey,’ Anush said softly. “It was the wrong address. So that’s one more snitch to strike off our list.”

“He had the right country, though. That’s a first. They’re closing in.”

“That’s okay, Ty. We will be one step ahead, as always.”

Anush had probably not been convincing enough, as Ty suddenly tensed, his breathing coming in short, shallow gasps, and his hand, still resting in Anush’s palm, started shaking. Anush closed his fingers around Ty’s and murmured soothing words that he knew his fellow Centurion liked, as he gently rubbed his shoulder with his free hand. “Whisper, glass, twin, secret, stars, cloud, castle, crystal, Christopher…”

Ty’s shoulders relaxed slightly. He closed his eyes and took a deep shuddering breath.

“Hey,” Anush whispered. “It’s going to be fine. We will do double shifts. Starting tomorrow. Who needs sleep anyway?”

Ty sighed, relief plain on his marble face. His eyelashes fanned out over his sharp cheekbones and Anush resisted the urge to kiss them. “Thank you. For sticking with me through all this. I know it’s not easy.”

“I didn’t have better plans anyway,” Anush shrugged it off.

Ty opened his eyes and turned his sharp gaze on Anush, still not looking him in the eye but somewhere around his chin. Close enough.

“You know what I mean.”

He knew exactly what Ty meant. The reasons for Ty’s obsession with the First Heir was a subject they never broached. But it was there, like a third presence in their relationship. If you could call what they had a relationship. It was, for Anush at least. He would go to hell and back for Ty, and so would Ty for him. But that didn’t mean he loved him. That’s just how loyal and selfless Ty was.

Anush would always remember the day Ty and him had volunteered to handle the top secret missions tied to the First Heir. Ty had adamantly refused Anush’s involvement, but of course, it was not entirely up to him. Anush was very stubborn. They had both sat in Jia Penhallow’s office and she had asked Ty to leave them alone afterwards. She had looked into Anush’s eyes and had spoken to him earnestly. “These are very dangerous missions, Anush. The most dangerous missions we currently have at the Scholomance. You are a brilliant Centurion, but are you sure you want to do this? I know Tiberius has… personal reasons for volunteering, but what about you?” He had swallowed hard. “Anywhere Tiberius goes, I go.” Her dark eyes had softened. “Anush. Have you really thought this through? I know how much you care about Tiberius but… has he told you why he has chosen to do this?” “I am not Tiberius-smart, but I am not stupid,” he had replied. “The First Heir. He’s in love with him.” The deep sadness and understanding in her eyes had almost made him cry and he had dug his nails into his palms, his jaw working as he withheld tears. “It doesn’t matter,’ he had said through clenched teeth. “Whatever happens, I will be there for him. In any capacity I can.” And it was plain from her expression that she knew he was not only talking about their missions for the Scholomance.

As he now looked into Tiberius’ gray eyes, at his beautiful features that were nothing compared to his gentle and unique heart, Anush felt a deep rush of love mixed with longing. Ty would never be his. He already belonged to someone else. But Anush would give Tiberius any part of him that he wanted.

He took a deep breath before he answered.

“I do. I am not giving you a choice anyway. You’re stuck with me.” Always.

Ty looked down, as if he couldn’t bear the weight of Anush’s gaze on him.

“I didn’t thank you for… earlier. I almost lost it back there.”

“Don’t mention it,” Anush replied. “That’s what I am here for. At least he took your threat seriously.”

“As he should.”

Ty was still playing with the pendant tied around his neck. Anush brought his free hand on top of Ty’s, intertwining their fingers.

“I love your hands,” he whispered to Ty. “I wouldn’t want them to get soiled.” He tiptoed to bring his lips closer to Ty’s ear, almost brushing. “Especially now that I have experienced their full potential.”

Ty turned his face away but not before Anush saw his cheeks flush and the corner of his mouth quirk. Anush loved how he was still shy about these things.

He looked at the dark cobbled street before them.

“Fenwick’s minions must already be on their way.”

Ty cocked his head. “Coming from the west. They’re a mile or two ahead of us. Judging by their pace, they should be upon us in about five minutes.”

Anush nodded. Ty sometimes knew things – as if he had an invisible spy everywhere they went – and Anush had stopped questioning it. If Ty had wanted to share, he would have. Anush would not press him.

“Tactic?”

“Split. Confuse. Divide and conquer.”

“Good. I need the exercise. You take north by the river, I take south and we meet up west?”

Ty nodded, already veering in the opposite direction, two swords drawn.

“Meet you at Blackthorn Hall,” Anush cried out to him, as he started walking backwards. “First one there gets the biggest room.”

“Dream on,” he thought he heard Ty reply. He tried to catch one last glimpse of him for good luck but he had already been swallowed by the night.

***

Tiberius got there first. But he let Anush pick his favourite bedroom. All bedrooms in Blackthorn Hall were decorated with different themes, that one had a landscape - the view from the LA Institute’s rooftop, Ty had explained - painted over an entire wall, opposite the huge canopy bed. Anush found it quite soothing.

“Fenwick sent an army,” he said as he drew several Iratzes on Ty’s back. He whistled. “You must have scared the shit out of him.” They had managed to get rid of the last of Fenwick’s minions by drowning them in the Thames. Ty had a few fey allies lurking underneath the surface. Creatures he had helped escape from captivity.

When he was finished, Tiberius rose from the bed and Anush watched as he stored the bandages and gauze in a small cabinet in a corner of the room. He was naked from the waist up and Anush’s gaze lingered on his fellow Centurion’s lean and muscular back, a canvas way too beautiful for black Runes and faded scars that were now so familiar he could draw them from memory. His dark curls were still wet from the dive into the river.

Anush crossed his arms behind his head and settled comfortably against the headboard.

“Ty?”

“Yeah?”

“Fuck me.”

Tiberius stilled, his bare shoulders hunched.

“What, now?”

“Yes now. I want you.”

Ty slowly closed the cabinet’s door and turned to look at Anush, his gray eyes unreadable.

“Anush… My brother Julian is here. His bedroom is a few meters down the corridor.“

“So? It’s not as if he doesn’t know what we are up to. You're so lucky he’s smart and open-minded. The coolest. I wish my parents were the same. If they knew the things we did, they would probably drag me to Naraka themselves.”

“Anush…” Ty said softly. “You know it wouldn’t make any difference if you were a girl… I would say the same thing.”

“We won’t make any noise!”

Tiberius raised a dark eyebrow. Anush let out a deep sigh.

“Yeah, I know. It’s not my fault if you turn into this beast I barely recognize under the bed sheets.”

“I don’t hear you complaining.”

“Oh the noises I make are definitely not me complaining. Mister Hyde can have a ride anytime.”

Ty gave him one of his rare wicked smiles… The ones that always got Anush’s heart rate into high gear. He put his shirt back on and moved soundlessly to the door.

“Ty,” Anush called.

Tiberius paused, his hand on the doorknob.

“Yeah?”

“Stay for the night. No noisy and sweaty sex. Just…lie down next to me.”

“Anush,” Ty breathed, his look apologetic. And Anush braced himself for what would come next. The blow to his chest. Because he already knew what Ty would say. “Anush. You know I can’t sleep that way.”

“Yeah, no problem, I understand. Raziel knows we definitely need the rest.” Anush tried to reply in a light tone but the pitch of his voice rose awkwardly at the end. “It’s okay. Good night Ty.”

“Good night, Anush.”

[tgifthisgirlisfree]

The deception of deceit. It's way too early. EP2

Partially awake, I eased out of bed and tiptoed to the restroom after catching a quick glimpse at the clock. *Sigh* it's 7:30; I mumbled and slowly turned the knob to the bathroom, trying my best not to wake my husband.

The cold toilet seat, my partially processed emotions, and a racing mind are what started to wake me. No, we're not doing this! Lord, thank you for another day. God, you're so merciful, I blurted out internally. I intended to quickly override the LOUD noise of my to-do list and every other "urgent" thing that my mind started attacking me with.

I try my best NOT to go down the rabbit hole of the day's needs during morning pee breaks and certainly not before spending time with God. It just robs my day. And, the moment I begin to process my emotions and EVERYTHING I have to do for the day, the more I'm inclined to grab my phone.

Once those emails and calendars are checked, there goes any extra sleep, morning time with God (FIRST), and voila, the anxiety for the day kicks in, and I'm off to the races.

I learned years ago NOT to scroll through social media first. Social media in the morning is a trap, a setup, and an unpredictable emotional roller-coaster of INSTABILITY.

Sis, you really can't afford to start your day scrolling. Just don't. Please.

I redirected my emotions and thoughts this particular morning before crawling back in bed a bit discouraged. I questioned everything. God, where are you? I'm so tired of grinding and not seeing fruit. I work so freaking hard!

It was too late; I let the day take off before getting centered. At that moment, It felt like it would be one of THOSE days.

Because I felt discouraged, I shifted my exhaustion and weariness to gratitude. Be thankful, just thank Him for another day, I thought. And as soon as I thanked him, discouragement turned into disappointment. And, my disappointment made me even more discouraged. Ain't that something? What the heck is going on, I thought.

As crazy as it sounds, I was disappointed that I had to exercise gratitude in the first place. I aimed to turn my day around by being thankful but felt a way because I needed to turn my day around.

Why aren't you further along in your faith and ability to wait on God? Girl, you keep having these breakdown "are we there yet moments" while God's driving. Shut it up; he's tired of your whining. Aren't you suppose to trust him? It was too much.

Silent, I lay there accepting the assault before reaching for my bible app, saying another prayer, and shutting my eyes again. I was doing the right thing by changing the negative channel in my mind vs. sitting in the day's anxiety. It was a double attack. Talk about power struggles and warfare.

Ladies, have you ever had mornings like this? Where you're fighting to be in a positive head and heart space before the day even begins? Have your "problems and needs" ever hijacked your peace?

Sis, you're not crazy or alone. You were under attack. It's a strategy that the enemy uses to throw off your mood, energy, and expectations. He aims to blind us from how God is moving in our lives and all the beautiful things that the day could bring. Think about it; the fact that you woke up in the first place is a reminder that you still have purpose and a chance to accomplish what He's giving you to do.

According to Ephesians 6:12, we don't wrestle with flesh and blood, but against principalities, powers, and against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Basically, this means our fights (including fights with our emotions) are against spirits, falsehoods, and evil. The devil fights real dirty, and because we can't always see him, it's easy to subscribe to the deception of discouragement. Mind games. It's easy to think it's you.

What better way to deceive us than to attack our emotions (early in the morning). Let's face it, when we're down, discouraged, or feeling depressed, we're not ourselves or present in life. Our guards are down. Don't get me wrong, the feelings we feel are REAL, but they don't define us. Furthermore, our emotions are intended to be gauges, not guides. We can't let them dictate or drive our entire day.

I'll leave you with this. There is no such thing as a bad day. Every day that the Lord allows you to see is actually pretty good. Here's some perspective: someone your exact age didn't wake up to her babies, husband, or family, but YOU did. There can be bad moments in a day, but if you can gain ground and own those moments before you let them take over, you've won half the battle.

And, if you can set the tone for your day EARLY, you can rule that day.

2 Corinthians 10:5 tells us we can demolish arguments and every claim (negative thought and anxiety) that sets itself up against the knowledge of God. Tell Satan to Knuck if you Buck. He ain't running nothing!

The scripture also tells us we can take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. Meaning... when anxiety, finances, those massive to-do lists, and everything "we don't have" pops up, take control and override all those lies and emotional attacks with God's truth.

What is God's truth? He's protecting, guiding, and loving on you. He calls you victorious, not to worry, and that he's working everything out for you even when you don't see it, or it feels overwhelming. Keep reminding yourself of his truth. You are in control of your emotions, not the other way around.

You got this, sis!

Drop a comment and share with your girls if you found this helpful.

You can also follow me on Tiktok & IG @tgifthisgirlisfree

See you soon.

XoXo,

Coach Rahk

[macbetha]

So very excited to share this! It’s a playlist for my upcoming Free! fic, This Heart of Mine, the rewritten sequel to Eyes Wide Open All the Time. You can listen to the playlist on YouTube; this list simply helps define who or what a song represents to me. This list also includes some lyrics that you may want to pay special attention to. I recommend reading the lyrics by themselves before listening to the playlist. Mind you - some of these lyrics only act as symbolism. Some mean more. Some songs have connections. Some don’t. ;) *go girl give us nothing* List below! 

 THIS HEART OF MINE: PLAYLIST GUIDE 

Theme: Bring Me The Horizon feat. Halsey - In The Dark (MTLT / amo version) Oh so tall, it broke the fourth wall Guess our fairytale had a few plot holes Don’t you know you’ve lost control ↳ Honorable Mentions: ✧ grandson - Bury Me Facedown When I go into the ground I won’t go quietly I’m bringing my crown I won’t get tired Set the town on fire Thinking that they’ve won It’s only just begun  ✧ Lorde - Everybody Wants to Rule the World ✧ Ry X - YaYaYa ✧ Rihanna - Goodnight Gotham

CHARACTERS

✦ Haruka ✧ WDL - Monster vs Angel Got my own monster Nobody but me  Got my own angel  I would never call him enemy He’s the good god I need  But both of the sides Fight for me  ✧ Mumford and Sons - Broken Crown I’ll never be your chosen one In this twilight  How dare you speak of grace But in this twilight Our choices seal our fate I’ll crawl on my belly till the sun goes down I’ll never wear your broken crown  ✧ Lia Marie Johnson - DNA Dark as midnight 6 Pack Coors Light You don’t look the same Past my bedtime Blue and red lights come take you away I won’t be like you Fighting back, I’m fighting back the truth Eyes like yours Can’t look away But you can’t stop DNA 

✧ Cat Power - Sea of Love Come with me, my love To the sea, the sea of love ✧ Al Green - Love and Happiness (side note: this if my favorite song of all time) Love and happiness Something that can make you do wrong And make you do right 

✦ Makoto ✧ The Oh Hellos - Soldier, Poet, King There will come a soldier Who carries a mighty sword He will tear your city down Oh ley, oh lei, oh lord ✧ Labrynth - Still Don’t Know My Name I took your heart I did things to you only lovers would only do in the dark I made you a god Priests, popes and preachers would tell me I did wrong ✧ The Civil Wars - Devil’s Backbone Don’t care if he’s guilty Don’t care if he’s not He’s good and he’s bad and he’s all that I got Oh lord, I’m begging you, please Don’t take that sinner from me  ✧ Sleeping At Last - Make You Feel My Love (Cover) I could make you happy Make your dreams come true There’s nothing that I wouldn’t do Go to ends of the earth for you To make you feel my love  ✦ Sousuke ✧ Angel Haze - Detox You dance in a cage with some rats in it I’m about chemistry, you just react to me God might turn us to ash, baby I might just taste your last stars tonight  We were gods in a world that did nothing but doubt us But fuck it, I got us, from the dirt with the flowers Put in work in the shower ✧ Kaleo - No Good  You better start runnin’ When you hear the man coming It won’t do you no good Kiss your baby goodbye Come on love, it’s all right Heaven knows they wanna break you apart  ✧ The Oh Hellos - The Lament of Eustice Scrubb Brother, forgive me We both know I’m the one to blame When I touched the water They told me I could be set free ✦ Rin ✧ Halsey - Young God (Lullaby / Music Box Intro, Live from Webster Hall) Running, running, running And we’ll be running, running, running again ✧ SZA - Good Days Tell me I’m not my fears, my limitations I’ll disappear I gotta keep from losing the rest of me Chasing a fountain of youth that’s in the present I’ll await my armored fate with a smile Still wanna try, I still believe in good days ✧ Lola Blanc - Angry Too Does it get your blood boiling? Does it make you see red? Cause it gets my blood boiling It would eat you like poison if you knew what I knew I don’t wanna drink the venom they made me I don’t wanna be controlled by the past But boy, if you were me Could you really blame me?  ✧ Kendrick Lamar - u And if this bottle could talk: I cry myself to sleep, everything is your fault Because you shook as you knew confinement was needed I know your secrets Don’t let me tell them to world  About the shit you thinking  And the time that you - I’m ‘bout to hurl  I’m fucked up But I ain’t as fucked up as you ✧ Halsey - More Wooden floors, little feet Flower bud, concrete A little screen, a photograph Mine to take I still believe it won’t be like before I’ve loved you for all of my life ✦ Nao ✧ Johnny Hollow - Worse Things Anger grew like ecstasy And Leda threw the swan on me There are worse things, perverse things You should answer when the phone rings There are worse things I could do ✧ Young Heretics - Bones of a Rabbit You play with wolves But you sleep with the bones of the rabbit  You have conquered cities And torched the mighty sea You may keep yourself afloat But you cannot outswim me  ✧ Phantogram - Black Out Days (Future Islands Remix) Hide the sun  I will keep your face out of my mind  I’m hearing voices all the time And they’re not mine  Haunting my mind ✦ Natsuya ✧ Gang of Youths - Achilles, Come Down Remember your virtue  Redemption lies plainly in the truth Where you go, I’m going When you jump, I’m jumping There is no me without you  Today of all days See how the most dangerous thing is love ✧ Florence + The Machine - Cosmic Love The stars, the moon They have all been blown out You left me in the dark ✦ Ikuya ✧ Penelope Scott - Cigarette Ahegao So like, I guess I call it the sophomore slump Always crying and always drunk A few dead, more gone, the rest well on their way Thanks! I hate it Everyone that I love is stuck Because this, that, the other, and the state fucked up We covered it in a class that I’m about to fail  ✧ 100 gecs, Laura Les, Dylan Brady - Money Machine Tell me what's the deal, I've been trying to go to bed I've been up for days, I've been trying to get ahead Said it all before, and I'll say it once again I'm better off alone ✧ Halsey - Clementine  Through a breakdown or a blackout Would you make out with me Cause I don’t need anyone I just need everyone and then some ✦ Hiyori ✧ Florence + The Machine - Seven Devils Holy water cannot help you now A thousand armies couldn’t keep me out I don’t want your money I don’t want your crown See I’ve come to burn your kingdom down ✧ Michael Buble - Feeling Good (Cover) It’s a new life for me This old world is a new world And a bold world for me Freedom is mine And I know how I feel I’m feeling good ✦ Asahi ✧ Sam Henshaw - Broke If I wasn’t broke Would you spend more time with me Like you said you’d do Tell me what I’m supposed to do Cause the only thing I need Is to be loved by you  ✧ Mikky Ekko - Smile Smile, the worst is yet to come We’ll be lucky if we ever see the sun ✦ Aki ✧ Aly & AJ - Church I did bad things, can’t you see it on my face? I get caught in every lie I need redemption for sins I can’t mention For all the things I can’t reverse For all the places where it hurts ✧ ZZ Ward - Ghost Here the devil call out my name I’ve broken promises, burning flame God knows, darling God knows I gave Now the truth cuts like a knife ✦ Nii ✧ Of Mice and Men - My Understandings  Keep in mind that I’m a sore eye With blurry vision  ✧ Neoni - Outlaw They say that I’m wanted Hear the whispers in the street You better start running Cause nothing scares me  Faster, faster You’re the one I’m after  You built a fortress But I’ll never kiss the ring I’m my own king

✦ Gou ✧ Melanie Martinez - Lunchbox Friends We can be friends if you wanna be But only till the clock hits three I don’t want no lunchbox friends, no I want someone that binds the ends, no Come to my house, let’s die together Friendship that will last forever ✧ Maroon 5 - Come to the Water Come away little light Come away to the darkness Away from the life that you always knew Come away little lamb Come away to the water To the arms that are waiting only for you ✦ Isuzu ✧ Jessie Reyez - NO ONE’S IN THE ROOM  Spent my whole life being graded, being told I’m not enough Being told go find the one and sit and wait for death to come I don’t want to I need to talk to God There’s things I just don’t understand Like who am I when no one’s in the room EMI - Bad Friends Yeah, I got some bad friends No you cannot have them If you wanna talk to them  You talk to me, yeah We don’t fuck around with just anybody, yeah

✦ Takuya ✧ Imagine Dragons - Ready, Aim, Fire Off in the distance, there is resistance Bubbling up and festering Here in the casing Shaking and pacing This is the tunnel’s light Blood in the writing, stuck in the fighting Look through the rifle’s sight ✧ Billie Eilish - you should see me in a crown (acapella) Bite my tongue Bide my time Wait till the world is mine, ocean eyes Count my cards Watch them fall  Blood on a marble wall You should see me in a crown I’m gonna run this nothing town Watch me make ‘em bow One by one ✦ Kinjou ✧ Urban Country - Knife and Stone Tell me, have you ever seen a mirror Mirror in the middle of the forest Just waiting for the rain or the crown I’ve been up for thirty days Someone point to lost and found Ain’t no blood in the temple Just a knife and stone

✦ Mikhail ✧ Elsie Lovelock - Friends on the Other Side (Cover) The cards, the cards The cards will tell The past, the present, and the future as well I got voodoo, I got hoodoo I got things I ain’t even tried And I got friends on the other side I hope you’re satisfied, but if you ain’t Don’t blame me You can blame my friends on the other side ✦ Ryuuji ✧ elbow - Grounds for Divorce I’ve been working on a cocktail Called Grounds for Divorce Down comes him on sticks but then he kicks like a horse There's a hole in my neighborhood Down which of late I cannot help but fall ✧ Mumford and Sons - The Enemy I am not the enemy It isn’t me, the enemy I came and I was nothing So why did you choose to lean on A man you knew was falling? ✦ Nadia ✧ Halsey - Castle (Orchestral Version) They wanna make me their queen  There’s an old man  Sitting on the throne  Saying I should probably keep my pretty mouth shut I’m headed straight for the castle

THEMES: GROUPS

✦ FREEBIRD ✧ Kaleo - Way Down We Go Oh father, tell me Do we get what we deserve They will run you down Down till you fall They will run you down Down till you crawl Till you can’t crawl no more And way down we go ✦ ROUGH RABBIT ✧  Imagine Dragons - Who We Are Up on the mountain Down in the king's den  It's who we are Doesn't matter if we've gone too far Doesn't matter if it's not okay Doesn't matter if it's not our day ✦ DIAMONDBACK ✧ Florence + The Machine - Bedroom Hymns This is good a place to fall as any We’ll build our alter here  In the wine, the women, the bedroom hymns Such selfish prayers, I can’t get enough I’m not here looking for absolution Because I’ve found myself an old solution

✦ HONEYBLADE ✧ Megan Thee Stallion and Normani - Diamonds I love me this much My pear-shape all dripped up He want me to be a little more lady-like? Come through with my girls and beat your ass on ladies night ✦ BLOODHOUNDS ✧ Angel Haze - The Wolves Nothing left out there for me  I left my fucking heart out at the sea This shit sounds like the danger zone  I’m the big bad wolf  Gonna take the throne 

THEMES: PAIRINGS 

✦ Makoto + Haruka ✧ Phoebe Bridgers - Smoke Signals One of your eyes is always half shut Something happened when you were a kid I didn’t know you then and I’ll never understand why It feels like I did ✧ Radical Face - Welcome Home Peel the scars from off my back I don’t need them anymore I’ve come home ✧ The Track Team - Heart Chakra ✧ Blackmill - Redemption ✦ Sousuke + Rin ✧ Kaleo - Bang Bang (Cover) Seasons came and changed the times I grew up, I called him mine He would always laugh and say: “Remember how we used to play? Bang, bang.” ✧ Zayn - Good Guy I’m not a good guy But I know you’re mine (bang) I know you’re mine (bang, bang) ✧ L'Orchestra Cinématique - Crazy In Love (Instrumental Cover)

✦ Natsuya + Nao ✧ Cosmo Sheldrake - The Moss But have you heard the story Of the rabbit in the moon? Halsey - Colors Your little brother never tells you But he loves you so I hope you make it to the day you’re 28 years old 

✦ Hiyori + Ikuya ✧ Elvis Drew - Where Are You  I been trying to figure out where you from Is it the moon? Is it earth? Is it this place, where nothing is worse?  Nothing can compare to the life we had My dear just grab my hand and let me take you To my wonderland ✧ Swae Lee - Sunflower Some things you just can’t refuse I’m not tryna lose

✦ Isuzu + Gou ✧ Snow Patrol - The Golden Floor I’m a peasant in your princess arms Penniless with only charm

[therainroguefanfiction]

❉ 139 Dreams (Molag Bal) Fascination

📑 Table of Contents

Genre: Angst, Suggestive 16+, Romance ☁

Word Count: 3,629 ☁

Pairing: Reader x Molag Bal ☁

World: Skyrim ☁

Author’s Note: Am I thirsty as fuck for Molag Bal? Yup. Do I regret writing this and showing off how thirsty I am for Molag Bal? Nope. Highly inspired by the sexy ass images found here. And yes, I know technically none of the Daedric Princes have been given definitive genders, but I don’t care. I view them as men and if you want to see them differently, you do you boo.

☾ ⋆*･ﾟ:⋆*･ﾟ: *⋆.*:･ﾟ .: ⋆*･ﾟ: . ☁

Thunder boomed loudly overhead, making you take pause as your eyes slid toward the darkening sky. You were currently on your way to Whiterun from Solitude, delivering an order of fancy clothes to Carlotta Valentia, who was hosting a party soon. Your mother had ordered you to do so, often using you as a free delivery service and offering you no choice nor reward for your efforts despite traversing dangerous roads in her name. You had mentioned borrowing the family’s horse in order to make the deliveries faster, but she didn’t want to risk her baby getting hurt.

‘Yet she sends her child across Skyrim with no protection,’ you scowled, kicking a rock to vent your frustrations. ‘What sense does that make?’

Thunder boomed again and with it came a sheet of rain. You cursed, doing your best to shield the bag of clothes with your body as you ran for cover beneath a large tree just off the road. What were you supposed to do now? If you continued on your journey, the clothes would surely be damp and possibly ruined, something you were sure Carlotta would not pay for. On the other hand, if you didn’t show up on time, she would report that to your mother who would then take out her anger on you again, which you knew would also happen if you delivered wet clothes.

‘No matter what, I lose here.’ You leaned your head back against the tree, closing your eyes as a headache began to throb at your temple. All you wanted was to be free, happy, but that was just a dream, you knew. If you ran away again, she would find you and make you pay dearly for wasting her time. The last time you had attempted to flee, she injured you so badly that you weren’t able to walk for a week.

A soft breeze ruffled your hair and you opened your eyes toward the sky. Despite the thunder still rumbling, the sun was now shining down on Skyrim. You waited a few moments to see if the rain would start up again before you decided to continue on your way, picking up your pace to make up for the lost time.

You made it to Whiterun without further incident. Though the bag had been a bit damp, the clothes inside of it were completely dry, much to your relief. You pocketed the two-hundred gold and started the trek back to Solitude but the closer you got to home, the more depressed you felt.

You had just reached the halfway point of your journey, just before Markarth, when you suddenly paused, turning your eyes to the sky. The sun was shining brightly, making you squint. “I don’t want to go home,” you muttered sadly.

“Then don’t,”

The deep, husky voice of a man startled you. You whipped around, eyes scanning around you for the source of the voice, but there were no signs of life, not even a deer or a rabbit. Your brow furrowed in confusion.

‘Have I gone mad?’ you wondered before shaking your head with a bitter chuckle. ‘No, my mind could never think up such a sexy voice like that.’ You continued on your way when the wind suddenly kicked up ominously.

“You dare to ignore me, mortal?”

You swallowed, realizing that the voice was, in fact, not in your head. “Who…who are you? Where are you?” Instinctively, your hand went to the dagger at your belt. It was a poor excuse for a weapon, but it was all you had to defend yourself with.

The man chuckled in a sultry tone and you felt your heart skip a beat. “I am the Daedric prince Molag Bal, lord of domination, god of Oblivion! And I want your soul.”

“My soul?” You breathed out. You knew you should feel afraid but… honestly, you didn’t. It couldn’t be any worse than what your mother puts you through, right?

“In exchange for your soul, mortal, I shall free you of the chains your woman has so tightly placed around your neck.”

“From one prison to another, huh.” You chuckled bitterly. “Forgive me for saying so, but that hardly seems like a fair trade.”

“You have some nerve, mortal, to dare speak to me in such a way.”

Your eyes slid closed and you forced your body to relax. “Just kill me and get it over with. Please,”

The voice was silent for a moment and you briefly wondered if you had been imagining the whole thing, and then he spoke again. “Hmm, fine. Let us come to a more… agreeable deal, then.”

Your brow furrowed. Why would a Daedric prince be willing to make a deal? “Like what?”

A black and purple cloud materialized before you, making you take a cautious step backward. Was he going to appear from that black hole? “There is a man that needs to be slain in my name, for he has been destroying my alters and smeared my name. He is a follower of Boethiah,” he spat the name as the smoke cleared to reveal a rusty spiked mace. “Take my mace and end his life. Show Boethiah that my followers are absolute and can not be bested.”

As if in a trance, your hand lifted toward the mace, head tilted to the side. Your fingers wrapped around the hilt, the metal surprisingly warm against your palm. It was quite heavy, but nothing you couldn’t handle after constantly lugging around large bags of clothes. There was something… strange about this weapon, about this whole situation. You’d be lying if you said you weren’t fascinated, but there was something you just had to know. “This is a trap… isn’t it?”

Molag Bal chuckled, a deep sultry sound that reverberated in your head. “If you complete this task that I have assigned to you, mortal, I will allow you to walk away with your life. And then, you will be truly free, just as you desire. My mace will be yours, and with it, you will harvest the souls of every enemy you slay.”

Everything within you was screaming at you not to trust this Daedra. Anyone with half a brain knew better than to do so, but what did you have to lose really? Your hand tightened around the weapon. Despite how dangerous, how powerful, it felt within your grip, it also felt so right, like you were meant to wield it.

“Tell me,” you breathed out. “What is the man’s name?”

☾ ⋆*･ﾟ:⋆*･ﾟ: *⋆.*:･ﾟ .: ⋆*･ﾟ: . ☁

You stepped into the city of Falkreath, known for its expansive graveyard. The two itself was quite small, hosting only a couple of shops and homes. The guards watched you with weary gazes as you passed by, not knowing what your intentions may be. You offered them what you hoped to be an innocent-looking smile, not wanting any trouble from them.

You came to a stop in front of the inn, glancing up at the sign hanging above the door. ‘Dead Man’s Drink? How charming,’ The door creaked as you pushed it open, eyes scanning the inn. Only one patron was inside and he was passed out drunk against the table at the back of the room, snoring louder than anyone you had ever heard before.

Standing behind the counter was an Imperial woman with shoulder-length brown hair and matching eyes. She leaned forward on the counter, her hands flat on the wood. “Welcome to Dead Man’s Drink. We offer food for the hungry, drink for the thirsty, and sleep for the tired.” The words sounded so rehearsed as if she had repeated that same line dozens of times before, but you hadn’t been aware of Falkreath receiving that many visitors.

You approached the counter. “Hello, I was hoping you could help me locate a man named Hans Coralian. I believe he came through here quite recently.”

“A lot of people come through here,” she responded, eyes narrowed suspiciously. “Why are you looking for him?”

You glanced over your shoulder at the empty Inn, raising a brow. ‘I feel like that comment is a bit of a stretch,’ Your eyes met hers as you went over the options within your head. “He… He’s my father. I’ve been searching for him for such a long time, ever since my mama passed away…”

Her gaze softened considerably and she nodded. “Yes, he was in here two days ago, talking to some woman about something they needed to find, talking in real hushed voices.”

“You don’t know where he went, then?” You questioned, shifting your weight from one foot to the other.

“Maybe,” She closed her eyes in thought, folding her arms over her chest. “When I brought them a second round of mead, I heard them mention Knifepoint Ridge, just northwest of town, but I wouldn’t go there if I were you. It’s supposed to be home to a group of Daedra-worshippers. Real dangerous.”

You offered her a kind, thankful smile. “Thank you for your concern, but I can handle myself. Good day.” As you stepped out of the inn, your fingers brushed against the mace attached to your belt. Something about having that weapon just made you feel so safe, so powerful. You hadn’t felt that way in such a long time and it was a welcoming feeling.

☾ ⋆*･ﾟ:⋆*･ﾟ: *⋆.*:･ﾟ .: ⋆*･ﾟ: . ☁

You reached Knifepoint Ridge without issue.

As you climbed the hill, you quickly crouched down behind a large boulder when you heard people fighting up ahead. Peeking around, you noticed two men fist fighting in a circular ring surrounded by spiked wooden barricades. Several others stood around the ring and on the stone steps leading up the mountain, watching the fight with clear amusement.

“Who are you?”

You nearly jumped out of your skin, whipping around with your back pressed against the boulder. Standing before you was a Dark Elf female and a Nord male, their eyes narrowed suspiciously. So much for the element of surprise. “Uh, well, I… I’m an adventurer, and I believe I got lost…”

The woman hummed, folding her arms across the black chest piece she wore. “We are lord Boethiah’s faithful. If you dare, you may test your mettle and join us in worship.”

‘Boethiah… well, at least I know I’m in the right place.’ You glanced at the Nord man. ‘He matches the description of Hans, too. It might be easier if I’m on the inside. Perhaps I can befriend him.’ Hesitantly, you nodded. “I’ve heard… great things about the Daedric prince Boethiah and, since the opportunity has presented itself to me, I wish to join you. Fate has brought me here and I shall answer its summons.”

She smiled slyly, licking her lips. “If it is so, and if Boethiah appears, then we will welcome you as one of us. If you wish to gain Boethiah’s attention, you must slay a thrall upon his shrine.” She pointed to the right, where a set of stone steps slowly curved upward, stopping where a tall statue stood on the edge.

‘A sacrifice? Where the hell am I meant to find someone to sacrifice?’ Your brow furrowed as you cautiously approached the steps, but a sudden, angry voice boomed across the open area, making everyone take pause.

“Defiler!” Roared a feminine voice. Suddenly, the Dark Elf started to seize, dropping to the ground and clutching at her chest. She gasped in agony before falling still. Several moments passed before her body stiffly rose up like a corpse from the grave, limbs unnaturally stiff and face contorted in rage as she looked upon you. “You DARE to bring that thing near my shrine?!” She wailed, pointing a finger at the mace. “Do you have ANY idea who I am, mortal?”

You opened your mouth to respond, to try and calm the raging Daedra by spinning a tale that you had simply found the mace and had no idea what it was or who it belonged to, but she wouldn’t hear it.

“Silence!” She snapped. “Do you know what we Daedra are, child?”

“You’re a god,” breathed one of the star-struck followers, his eyes wide as he looked upon his lord with awe. “Your voice, it’s so… beautiful, my lady!”

“I am a man, you foolish mortal.” Boethiah scowled as he waved his hand through the air. An invisible force flung the man backward, his body pierced on the spiked barricade behind him. “We Daedra are far more powerful than any god. And among my brethren, I am the most feared!”

Deep laughter echoed loudly throughout the clearing before a black and purple portal materialized beside you. You didn’t even have time to back away before a man stepped from the portal, standing at least two feet taller than you. His skin was midnight blue, white symbols etched across his chest and arms, and two sets of curved horns, similar to a goat’s but much thicker, jutted out from either side of his head. Eyes the shade of red rubies shined under the moonlight as he looked upon Boethiah with amusement, placing a clawed hand on his hip. His hair was short and messy, and as black as a raven’s feathers.

You couldn’t help but stare at him, your cheeks turning red. ‘He’s so gorgeous…’

“Dear Boethiah,” He drawled. “You are the most feared? Don’t make me laugh. You’re the least feared among us and you know it.” The corner of his lips tugged up into a smirk as he witnessed the rising anger within his face. “You’ve been sending your foolish little followers to destroy my shrines, leaving me with only two left. Now I will do the same to you. While your chosen champion hides out deep within the mountain like a coward, my champion will destroy your influence!” His eyes snapped to you and you felt your breath catch in your throat. “Y/N, I command you to take my mace and destroy the shrine!”

Your body reacted on its own, turning and taking off for the stairs before your brain could comprehend what was happening. You pulled the mace from your belt when Boethiah screamed out in anger, giving chase.

Molag Bal intersected him and he sneered. “With only two shrines, both of which are so very far away from this location, your power is weak, brother. You can not best me, Molag Bal!” The body he was in started to expand and morph, growing until it was the same height as Molag Bal’s. His skin darkened to the color of the midnight sky with hair as white as freshly fallen snow, flowing to his knees like silk. His eyes, completely white and full of anger, snapped to you.

You were halfway to the shrine when he appeared before you, swiping at you with his hand, nails as sharp as nails. With a squeak of surprise, you barely managed to dodge the attack but your foot slipped out from beneath you and you hit the stone, your wrist twisting at an unnatural angle. It was painful, but the adrenaline coursing through your body like fire kept the pain mostly at bay.

You scrambled to your feet as he tried to grab you, his nails slicing open your arm as you dodged his grip, stumbling up the stairs like a toddler who had only just learned to walk. There was only one thing running through your mind – destroy the shrine.

‘Just as lord Molag Bal ordered,’ you thought. A part of you didn’t want to let him down, but you didn’t know if that was because you hoped he would save you from your mother, or simply because you had fallen under his spell. It was probably a bit of both, to be fair.

Boethiah grabbed the back of your leather armor and tugged hard, pulling you back toward him. You cried out, trying to grip the stone beneath you but he was much stronger than you and you no longer had feeling in your right wrist. “This is where you die, mortal!”

A thick red fog filled the air, making it impossible to see more than arm’s length in front of you. Boethiah howled in pain from behind you, his grip loosening on your shirt. You could feel the will of Molag Bal urging you forward and with a cry, you mustered up all of your strength and pushed forward, feeling the leather tear and the cool night air hit the exposed skin of your back. You were breathing heavily as you booked it the rest of the way up the stairs, the mace poised to strike as you zeroed in on the statue.

“No!!”

Just as the mace made contact with the stone, you felt a sharp pain in your side, a cry escaping your lips as blood splattered to the ground around you. Using all of your fear, the pent up rage, and now the pain coursing through you, you raised the mace and struck the statue again. Chunks of stone exploded from the statue, flying in all directions. You closed your eyes on instinct and continued to strike at it until there was barely anything left.

Boethiah screamed from somewhere behind you, a scream so loud it made your ears ring, and the last thing you saw was a brilliant explosion of light, and then nothing.

☾ ⋆*･ﾟ:⋆*･ﾟ: *⋆.*:･ﾟ .: ⋆*･ﾟ: . ☁

“Ow, my head…” A groan slipped past your lips as you came to, slowly opening your eyes. The room you were in was small, lit by the soft orange glow of cream-colored candles. They were nearly fully melted, offering only a few hours more of light. You shifted your body, feeling straw and leather beneath you. ‘This is definitely a bedroom, but… it’s not mine.’ You struggled to remember the last place you had been, but your memory was coming up blank.

The wooden floorboards creaked as a man wearing a dark robe entered the room, carrying a tray with two mugs of milk and some steaming bread. You could just barely make out his smile from beneath the hood. “It’s about time you awoke. I worried you would sleep the whole day away.” His voice was deep and aroused something familiar within you. He carefully set the tray on the table beside the bed before resting his hand upon your forehead. “Your fever is gone, that’s good.”

As he pulled away, you noticed the rich blue tone of his skin. Your brow furrowed in confusion. “I… I’m sorry, but… who are you?”

He looked upon you with surprise. “Do you not remember me, my love? Well, no matter. I’m sure it’s just the side effect of your illness.” The man smiled charmingly and reached out to stroke your cheek. “I am your husband, Mikel.”

“Mikel…” you whispered, hoping if you tasted the name on your tongue, it would awaken your memory, but nothing happened. Your brow furrowed in frustration. “Where are we?”

“Our home in Markarth,” he answered, taking your face between his large hands. “Trying to force your memory will do more harm than good. You should rest.” You seemed unsure about this, so he leaned down and claimed your lips with his. It felt like a fire erupted within you, flowing through your entire body like lava and it felt… amazing. Like nothing you had ever felt before.

A moan slipped past your lips and he smirked as he pulled back.

“Rest, my love.”

Your hand shot out, tightly grasping his robe to prevent him from standing up. “No,”

“No?” he quirked a brow, red eyes shining with amusement. “You dare to defy your husband, Y/N?”

“Stay with me,” you begged breathlessly. The fire was beginning to face and you wanted more, needed more. “Please,”

His tongue slowly slid across his plump lower lip as he shifted to hover his body over your own. “How could I dare deny such a request from my most treasured?” His voice was husky and low, reverberating around your brain. You clutched at his body, trying to bring him closer but he didn’t budge. “Now now, my dear Y/N.” He chastised, pulling your hands away so he could pin them both above your head, easily holding them with one hand. He hummed, pleased at the way your body yearned for his touch, slowly sliding his hand down your side. “We should take our time and savor our first union together, don’t you agree?”

You couldn’t respond, too pre-occupied with the firey haze that had invaded your mind. No one had ever had such an effect on you before and your body couldn’t handle it. It felt like you were losing your mind.

He clicked his tongue before letting his hand dip between your legs. The way your body arched into such a simple touch fascinated him and he wanted to find every single tic your body would offer to his ministrations.

Leaning down, his lips brushed against your ear, warm breath creating goosebumps across your flesh. “Say my name, Y/N.”

“Mikel – ”

“My real name,” he growled, tightening his grip on your wrists.

You moaned as pain mixed with pleasure. Images flashed through your mind so quickly, you could only see bits and pieces, but a name stood out among all of the images. Your voice was breathy as you met his red eyes, shimmering with want and amusement. “Molag Bal…”

He smirked, showing off a set of sharp fangs. “You are mine, Y/N, in every sense of the word. Do not forget that.”

Your only response was a sharp intake of breath as his body pressed flush against your own, bringing his lips down to claim yours in a heated kiss. His body pinned you to the bed, making it difficult to breathe, but you had no objections to offer.

☾ ⋆*･ﾟ:⋆*･ﾟ: *⋆.*:･ﾟ .: ⋆*･ﾟ: . ☁

📜 Read more by checking out my masterlist 📜

[lunaticsundae]

Lose My Mind (LeoKarno NSFW)

Warning: Rough sex, (kinda) forced sex

(I’m not actually good with sweet and nsfw fic, only angst fic is my most written sooo yeah..hope you guys enjoy my first nsfw fic)

“All these endless paperwork...those goldfish can be so greedy with their wishes” - Leon sighs, he have been looking through and examining all the documents regarding human’s wishes for 7 hours straight.

The air in the room is getting to hard to breath due to the stress. Leon decides to head out to get some fresh air, he stand up from his desk and head for the door when suddenly, the door flies open with a goddess dashing into the room.

“Lord Leon, please, please help me ! The spell i’ve been practicing do something to my pet, i don’t know what have gone wrong but it’s attacking me !” - The goddess cries out with desperation, panicking with blood on her left shoulder when suddenly, a bunny 5 times bigger than normal dashing toward Leon and the goddess with his sharp teeth shown and eyes are blackened with no pupils.

“What have you done !? This is a dark spell used in the ancient war between heaven and hell. It turns every creature into monster that harm everyone goes by its path !!!” - Leon yelling angrily, knowing a goddess practicing dark spell in the middle of heaven

“SCREECCHHHH” - The rabbit makes a weird sound so disturbing that brings harm to the ears, Leon quickly pulled the goddess in his arm while covering her ears, he flings his arm while speaking an ancient language. Immediately, the rabbits head twisted, the screaming sound getting so intense it breaks the glass window in the hall, causes the ground shaking. Leon frowns trying to use his power to protect his ears and the goddess’s

The rabbit’s head finally falls onto the ground, the disturbing sound ends. Leon snaps to clean up the blood and the animal’s corpse on the floor. After quickly cleaning everything, Leon turns to the goddess, who is still shaking. Noticing Leon’s “try to explain it properly” gaze falls onto her, she stutter, trying to make out her words:

“Please, Lord Leon, i don’t know anything, i just want to learn advanced spell to get my rank higher to work at the palace. And there was man in cape told me this spell, he said that it is a spell that makes everything powerful. Please don’t punish me i swear i don’t know !” The goddess cries out, seemingly telling the true

“There have been rumor going around the palace...that there is a rat from hell snuck in here to stir up the heaven, causing chaos..so it is true” - Leon thinks and speak to the goddess

“Your pet, sadly have to be killed as it is no other way to treat creature affect by that spell, just find a new—“ Leon realizes he still holding the goddess in his arm, releasing her, he continues:

“Okay, leave now, tell no one what happened here to prevent chaos in the heaven. I will report this to King”

After the goddess left, Huedhaut rushing to Leon’s office, as he saw a disturbing energy comes from the direction. Leon explains the situation and tells Huedhaut to keep an eye on everyone’s behavior, even the 12 Zodiac gods as the imposter could be anyone. Suddenly remember something, Leon asked:

“Have you seen Karno ? It’s been all day, he should be here to check my work progress now. The hell energy, though just from a rabbit but it still can be sense for a god like Karno, he should be here right now.”

“What ? He told me he sense something from your office so he went to your place. You haven’t seen him yet??” - Hue surprised, Leon quickly runs out of the room before Hue get to continue his words.

Leon puts his hand in the air and the stars on the sky starts moving, creating an direction guide tool. However, the star guide immediately disappears like someone tries to remove the guiding spell. Leon stops and looks at the star, sighing and head to the milky way river bank.

“You know i am able to sense someone’s power to find them right? Especially when that person is someone so close to me” - Leon looks at Karno, sitting by the river bank

“Oh, that should be my mistake for forgetting our great Lord Leon’s power. Should the great Lord be taking care of the hell power problem right now?” - Karno said without turning around to look at Leon

“What’s the problem with you now, what’s that attitude. You know how worried i am when Hue said you came to my place, but i never see you came by?” - Leon completely annoyed, all the problems happening today yet Karno is showing attitude for no reason

“Yes, i changed my mind, i don’t want to see you today. Please head back to solve the urgent problem now. I will send you my documents and report regarding this matter later” - Karno put his hands up ready to snap to teleport away but Leon grabs his hand, pushing him down and devours his lips.

Karno struggles, try to close his lips tight, denying the kiss while pushing Leon away. But the strength of the second strongest god is no joke, no matter how hard Karno tries to push his Minister away, the harder Leon push Karno down, pressing his lips against him. Leon sliding his tongue into the Vice Minister’s mouth like a snake looking for its way in every corner. Karno feels like he can’t breath, he can’t take this anymore, jealousy and anger rise inside him but he can’t tell the Lion he’s jealous

He just don’t want him to know

SMACK

A hard slap went across Leon’s face, Karno push Leon and about to run away. But the escaping attemp fails as Leon grabs Karno by the neck and teleport to his bedroom where he push Karno down the bed by the neck, pinning him so he can’t get away

“Just tell me, why are you so angry at me? Hmm..? I can’t fix it if you won’t tell me” - Leon sighs while tracing his finger across Karno’s pale and smooth body, slowly undressing him. The god of Cancer tries to stop him then suddenly an electric-like feeling running through his body, every inch of his body are tingling with...excitement. His member is getting hard under his pants. Karno angrily turn around at the Lion as he knows exactly what’s going on to him.

“Don’t you fucking dare use your power on me, i won’t hesitate even if y....AH !” - Karno slips out a sudden moan as he feels Leon’s finger inside him, touching his sensitive spot. This is not the first time he experience this infamous pleasure power of Leon but this time, it’s feel like everything has gone up to a new level. It’s getting irresitible.

“Just tell me what’s wrong Karno and i will be gentle to you. Don’t be quiet like this” - Leon brush his finger through Karno’s hair, whispering lightly into his ears but the Cancer god’s pride stops him from speaking the truth. He should be worry about the hell problem, not jealous over some woman. It’s way too embarassing to speak the truth.

“Do..ah..whatever you want and be done with it. I’ve...seen enough of your face” - Karno try to speak but his mouth keeps moan on itself due to Leon’s touch. His head is getting dizzy but he can feel the anger of the Lion behind him. Leon aggressively turn Karno around and rest Karno on his thighs as he shove his monstrous member into the poor Vice Minister’s hole, all the way to the end. The sudden and rough entry causes tears to burst out of Karno’s eyes as a reaction.

“Ah..Ah..Leo...stop...it’s hurt—Mmhhh” - Karno’s beg is cut off by Leon’s deep and wet kiss. Leon just finally let out when he feels like his partner about to pass out due to lack of air. Leon looks at Karno with mixed feeling.

“If i do it like this you will have to face me with no choice..right? I don’t want to hurt you but your attitude is making me angry and all you have to do is talk to me” - Leon shoving his cock continously into Karno without a break. At this point the Vice Minister can’t hold back his moan anymore, he feels like he is being filled up to every inch of his body, the intense heat, Leon’s pleasure power and his rough shove is getting him insane. He doesn’t hate this but the feelings right now is getting out of control.

“Leon, are you inside? Can i come in?” - There’s a person knocking on the door

Hue!?? Why he have to come in right at this time - Karno thought to himself, panicking, Leon shows no sign of stop, he push Karno onto the bed, moving inside him while replying:

“I’m in a middle of an urgent matter right now. Can you come back tomorrow?” - Leon reply while keeps thrusting hard into Karno, lowering his body close to Karno. Understanding the sign, Karno bites Leon’s neck to keeps his moan unheard. Hue left after Leon’s reply, but Karno keeps biting Leon’s neck, not to hold his voice, but to keep himself conscious under Leon’s manipulation, the pleasure rising in him. Leon gently stroke Karno’s hair while whispering into his ears.

“It’s okay, baby”

“Leo...ah..i’m about to...Mmmhh”

Leo holds Karno tight in his arm, both of them moan with pleasure. Karno collapse onto Leon’s shoulder, Leon lightly patting his partner’s back

“Sorry..i came inside...i will wash you later, okay?” - Leon kiss Karno slightly on the forehead but suddenly he feels something wet on his shoulder, he holding up Karno’s face just to see he’s crying, tears falling down his red cheek.

“Wait..why are you crying? did i hurt you that bad? Honey i’m sorry i just lost my mind” - Leon immediately got panic when he see tears of his beloved. While the lion wiping his lover’s tears in panic, Karno finally speaks

“I was...uncomfortable with that woman you hug today...I just...couldn’t hold my anger, every thought of you leaving me with another person ran through my head. I don’t want to see you to stop myself from being hurt by that feelings” - Karno confessed - “—but you don’t have to do me like that okay, you could just do something else to get me to talk other than abusing my hole” - the Vice Minister sobs and keep punching the Minister, though the punches are weak because his body still aching and exhausted from the sex earlier.

“You’re...jea...” - Leon let out a little smile of relieved knowing that it’s not something seriously happening with their relationship, holding Karno inside his arms, he gently stroke his cheek : “I have never thought of loving someone apart from you. I just tried to cover that goddess’s ears from the disturbing noise that can harm her or even turns her into monster. There’s no other reason, because there is only one cutie Crabby in the world and that’s the only one i love, don’t worry, okay?”

“Leon, i’m sorry because i was childi...—HEY WHAT ARE YOU DONG PUT YOUR HANDS AWAY IT’S ENOUGH !!”

“Okay how about another round for making up? I will be gentle this time” - Leon smile whole pushing Karno down onto the bed, kissing him deeply like he never going to let his cute lover go.

Meanwhile outside the Leon’s room

“So they’re going for another round, huh?” - Teorus puts on a naughty smirk, next to him is the rest of the Wishes except Huedhaut

“Okay people, back to the hell matter at hand, leave the lovey dovey rest for a day, shall we? You all have heard everything inside, right? Happy now, back to work” - Hue claps his hands together as he tell the Wishes gods away “It’s a good thing the Minister and Vice Minister get along that well”

[saeysooo]

♚ yandere arcana ; main 6 headcanons {crybaby} ||

♡ tw: psychological terror, possession, manipulation, murder ♡ gender-neutral / female apprentice

♜ asra alnazar ; tag, you’re it ♜

They were your master, you their apprentice; But that relationship wasn’t enough to suffice Asra. NOT EVEN CLOSE! They wanted to be yours... Or more so they wanted you to be theirs!

They would watch you through your windows... In fact, they would follow you everywhere! You were so perfect to them, especially whenever you would get undressed after a long day of training. Your soft skin, the adoring stare in your innocent gaze... And yet you had no idea who was watching you behind open curtains.

“You’re so cute! I can just cut you up!”

“Let’s go on an adventure together... What do you say, darling? No..? It’s funny how you think you have a choice!!”

“Then how about we play tag~? If I win, you’re mine. If you win... Well, you’re still mine! You’re mine, ALL MINE!! Run darling!! RUN!”

Maniacal laughter invaded your thoughts, crawling across your skin as you ran for you fragile little life.

They pushed you to the ground, holding you in their dominating grip. At a loss for words, it was too late to scream for help, cry. And even if you did, they wouldn’t let you go!! YOU LOST THE GAME!!

They had no idea before... That YOU were their poison; the bittersweet wonder that they were always searching for on all their adventures into the unknown. There was no way they can give up such a rare flower!

Fluffy, white hair tickled your cheek, their lips dragging across your skin, leaving the mark of their adoration upon you.

“My mother used to tell me that I should pick the best lover... Oh, I love it when I hear your breathing... I know that you won’t ever leave me!”

Where were you...? CAN ANYONE HEAR?! HELP, PLEASE!! ...Ha, you’re talking to yourself!! Silly apprentice, they trapped you in their oasis~!!

♜ julian devorak ; mad hatter ♜

He’s absolutely. Fucking. INSANE.

Julian Devorak was CRAZY for you! Perhaps it was the drugs he experimented with that drove him to his insanity... Or not!

“WHERE IS MY PRESCRIPTION?!”

Maybe it was just the sole factor that you were the only person that showed so much attention to him!! He drowned himself in your touch, the mere sight of you. There wasn’t anything he wouldn’t do just to hear you call him such endearing things; things only reserved for HIM!

“Wonderland is wherever you are, pumpkin!!”

There wasn’t one dream where you weren’t in it; driving him absolutely nuts. There were so many wondrous things the two of you would do: Skinny dipping in a rabbit hole, painting roses red with his blood, getting high together off helium. Or perhaps the two of you can get drunk off a blue caterpillar and fool around?

The feeling of you being in his mere presence made him want to tear the skin off of him, he wanted so badly just to hold you!!

“IT’S ALWAYS JULIAN NO, JULIAN PLEASE JUST LISTEN! Pumpkin, you DON’T UNDERSTAND! My brain is absolutely SCATTERED whenever you are around, can’t you see!?!”

And by lord how much he loved roleplaying in the bedroom with you. He would go as far as to make costumes and everything to get the scene he wanted to play out absolutely perfect!

“How about this~ Oh I know let’s do some improv acting!! It can be a drama! You can be Alice, and I’ll be the Mad Hatter!”

No matter who you told, nobody would accept or believe that Julian was absolutely insane. He was beyond a histrionic, and it was all because of you. You did this to him. You made him fall in love so fucking hard it drove him mad. WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?! 

♜ nadia satrinava ; cake ♜

Everything about you was absolutely divine to the Countess. They would bend over backwards to make you happy, to have you stay in their loving gaze. Even if you wanted to leave... She wouldn’t allow it! Can’t you see?! YOU’RE ALL HERS!

Every night you would return home, Nadia felt as if a huge part of herself was missing. You were perfect to her, don’t get her wrong... But there was one ingredient to you missing that was stopping you from being absolutely divine: Her love.

You were warm to her like an oven, your kisses upon her cheek always so sweet like sugar. Your fingers were silk-like, every single time you touched her. Your skin tasted like buttercream and you smelled like vanilla! Every sense she felt around you was filled with empty calories... Calories that would never satisfy her until you were all hers.

You saw her as nothing but a friend... And oh how much she hated that. The thought of you not being more than such a berating title made her skin crawl, her jaw tightening with anger. 

It was when you started dating someone else that she felt more than betrayal... Oh no she went ABSOLUTELY. FUCKING. MAD. 

“I am NOT a piece of cake, flower!! How can you just discard me like I didn’t love you more than them?! HOW CAN YOU LEAVE ME WITH NOTHING BUT A FROSTED HEART THAT WAS SUPPOSE TO BE YOURS?!”

“I planned everything out perfectly when I was with you!! The dates, the outfits, the sex! ALL OF IT!!”

Nonetheless... she found a way to forgive you. That’s what a Countess does, forgive those who have made mistakes!! Oh how much you will miss your lover... But it will be okay! Soon you will have another!!

“I’m taking back what’s mine... And showing you a slice of heaven that you can have when you are mine. Not that you weren’t already mine~!”

♜ muriel of the kokhuri ; teddy bear ♜

What was once his cold, exposed heart? He couldn’t even remember anymore. Despite all his attempts to push you away, isolate himself once more... You showed him love, gave him a space in your heart that was unmeasurable. And he didn’t want to admit how much he loved it.

You could never be scared of Muriel, knowing he was just a big teddy bear! You found it absolutely endearing whenever he talked in his sleep, saying all the things he would do to you, nervous beyond belief!!

It was when you started finding knives under his pillow in the morning, crumpled photos that he had drawn of you, destroyed pieces of wood that he whittled of you... That doubt began to sprout in the midst of your naive heart. Should you be scared?

What was once a comforting and quiet energy... Became malicious and violent. His love for you seemed to only extend farther than what you could perceive “healthy.” How can love become so violent?! What happened to the sweet, gentle giant that sparked a newfound feeling in his mind?!

There was only one thing you wish you did... RUN.

It was when you disposed of the myrrh he had given you to forget him... That he went absolutely mad. How can you just try to dispose of him?! ACT LIKE YOU DIDN’T KNOW HIM? HOW COULD YOU??!

What was a normal, rainy day was filled with nothing but sheer terror. He was inside your home!! WHO WAS HE?! ... YOU’RE SCARED! But oh how you had brought this upon yourself!! SO WHAT IF YOU’RE FUCKING SCARED?!

You were unprepared when his heavy breaths radiated off of the walls, bouncing around inside your mind... He was absolutely silent... When he tried to bring a knife down upon you.

♜ portia devorak ; dollhouse ♜

There was nothing Portia wanted more than for you and her to be a perfect couple, someday a perfect family even. Pepi, you, and her... Alone in her cottage, living a domestic life. How wonderful does that sound? Absolutely HEAVENLY to her, that’s for sure!!

To the public, you and Portia were, in fact, the perfect couple! She was absolutely angelic to anyone who met her eye, and you were her darling lover, an endearing doll of hers that she kept close to her. She opened the walls of her home to you, to her heart!

But soon people started to see something... different between you two. Were you really as perfect as you looked?

She’s coming... SHE’S COMING!! Swinging the attic door open, her wide smile offered an array of madness that couldn’t begin to be assessed. Her giggles filled your ears, what was once something you loved became something you came to fear. 

When was the last time you truly thought for yourself? Portia did everything for you. She coddled you, fed you, dressed you, did your makeup, told you when you can speak, when you were to sleep. There wasn’t a moment where you were anything else but her rag doll, controlled and motivated under her loving hand.

“You were absolutely wonderful today, doll!! The way people looked at us. We’re perfect together!! EVERYONE THINKS IT, DON’T YOU?”

No matter how perfect everyone thought the two of you to be, you saw what everyone else didn’t see of Portia... How terrifyingly. Fucking. Insane she was.

But this is all your fault. You tried to run, tried to ruin the perfect facade Portia built up in her head. She just had to take things into her own hands to make sure you stayed! AND NOW LOOK WHAT HAPPENED!!

♜ lucio morgasson ; milk and cookies ♜

What else is there to say?! He LOVES YOU!! 

He locked the doors of the palace at night. He needed to know you were there with him, in his arms, sound asleep... But when you tried to run, Lucio lost his trust in you; Trust that you can be alone.

“YOU SHOULD THINK TWICE BEFORE YOU TRY TO FUCKING CALL FOR HELP AGAIN, LITTLE BIRD!!”

Every night became the same; Lucio spiking the milk that put you to sleep; enough poison in it where he would be able to bend you to his will. Day by day, you grew weaker, unable to think for yourself. He took his chance to hold you then, singing a lullaby to you until you were... absolutely... knocked out...

“Do you want me, little bird? Of course, I’ll hold you!! I’m here!”

When the plague hit, did Lucio care? Absolutely not!! All that mattered was that you were with him, until death did you part! But when Lucio got sick, ill-ridden with the plague... He needed a final resort... Something that would assure you both would be TOGETHER FOREVER

“I baked you cookies, darling bird. Do you like them? ...Do you want to know the secret ingredients? Well, it’s a little bit of sugar... And a LOT of poison! ...Oh look how tired you’re getting. Perhaps I should put you to bed? The plague can’t kill you if I do first~! But don’t worry!! I’ll be join you VERY soon, my beautiful bird!”

He held you close to him, the sickening look in his reddened eyes absolutely deadly, filled with lust. There was nothing more soothing than seeing the pure innocence on your face when you were asleep. He sang you a final lullaby, before he set the room aflame... Ashes, ashes... If he was going to die, you were going to go down with him!! Amongst the fire surrounding him, he found solstice in knowing you were waiting for him, beckoning him to join you in the supple whisper of death. Because even in death... You couldn’t escape him; Death couldn’t do you part!

═════☩══♛══☩═════

*Author’s Note: I re-listened to the crybaby album and heard certain lines in different songs that set off my yandere writing radar. I stayed in my seat for 4 hours writing this as well... So I really hope you enjoyed!

═════☩══♛══☩═════

[davinciandwilde]

El-ahrairah and the Black Rabbit of Inle: A Poem

Word traveled around, as these things oft do, and King Darzin found he had been made a fool

“I declare war on El-ahrairah and all he all he loves and his people. Whatever is left will be mine to rule

However they are too clever for me to trick them out of their homes, and so I will wait outside

They will come to eat but I will starve them, he cried

They will come for sunlight and I will chase them back into darkness

They will try but I will rip them of their fur and feast off the carcass!”

El-ahrairah tried every trick in his body, pushed his cunning and wit and charm

But no matter what he tried, or plan devised, it only raised that forsaken brass alarm

There was no solution to be found for King Darzin and finally, he realized

There was only one other now with the power to bring his enemies demise  

Now, The Black Rabbit of Inle is fur and everlasting darkness

When the snare is set, they know where the peg is driven, the grain of the wood, and the hardness

When the weasel dances, the Rabbit watches, induces foolishness and madness and sickness too

Some say they hate rabbits, but they serve Lord Frith and no more than their appointed task do they pursue

To bring about what must be and only by his will, they go by Frith’s promise

Though starless and cold, unyielding and grievous, a rabbit’s life, one way or another, is their providence

And they will protect and avenge any rabbit who may chance to be destroyed without the consent of himself

Though their name invokes fear, they are not of the Thousand, and they may be the last one who can help

All through the night, El-ahrairah thought and thought, and when morning came, to Rabscuttle he confessed

“No rabbit has tried, and my mind may be addled by hunger and fear, but it may have a chance of success

I will seek out the Black Rabbit and offer my own life in return for the safety of my people

If they won’t take it, I will find something else, whichever it may be, no matter how evil

You must bring it back, Rabscuttle, with or without me, to the save this warren.”

And so, they devised a plan; Later than even the last of twilight, the rabbits charged out roaring

The soldiers distracted, El-ahrairah and Rabscuttle flew into the grave-dark ditch and ran

They limped through a bad dream to that terrible place they bound for, where life is all but banned

Where they travel, the sun and moon mean nothing, and winter and summer less

The scrambled over splinters of slate among gray rocks bigger than sheep, upward over a crest

No sound but the trickling of water and sometimes a cry of some great evil bird

The mist got so thick that they couldn’t see and yet had no option but to endure

Above them, the cliffs hung like a dark roof, below a gaping grave that must be what they seek

Waiting still as lichen and cold as stone was the Black Rabbit of Inle, and El-ahrairah for the first time, felt meek

Carved from the mountain with their giant claws, the Black Rabbit’s burrow reflects its monarch

They speak with a voice of water that falls in echoing places in the dark

Their eyes were red with a light that had no light he had ever known

Like shadow, like mist, like stone, they smelled as clean as last year’s bones

“El-ahrairah why have you come? You are a stranger here.” They spoke, soft but regal

“My Sovereign,” he whispered, “I have come to give you my life. My life for my people.”

“Bargains, bargains,” The Black Rabbit drawled, “There is no day or night that I do not listen

To some honest Captain of Owsla for his chief rabbit or a doe offers her life for her kittens

Sometimes it is taken, sometimes it is not. But there is no bargain, for what is is what must be.”

El-ahrairah refused to leave, for if he could trick them into it, he knew the Black Rabbit would remain true

“You are my guest,” The Black Rabbit insisted, “if you refuse all else, at least let me entertain you.

My home is free and I will make you as comfortable as I can. Come let us play Bob Stones.”

“If I win, perhaps you will be as good as to accept my life in return for my people’s safety and home.”

The Black Rabbit paused but nodded. “I will. But If I win, I will have your tail and whiskers.”

So they sat in the cold and silence, and El-ahrairah tried not to flinch as the shadows hesitated and flickered

Under the eyes of the Owsla, even with Rabscuttle trying to ground him, his wits failed, then his spirit

But the Black Rabbit played without sound or change, like falling snow burying the sharp thicket

“You may pay your stakes to the Owsla and they will lead you to a burrow to rest, but remember this

If you are here tomorrow, I will see you, but you are free to leave whenever you wish”

In a hollow stone burrow with an opening to the mountain outside, Rabscuttle urged him to leave,

But El-ahrairah was convinced he could get the promise that he desired, that his people need

Rabscuttle returned and from clematis and ragwort fashioned whiskers and a tail

El-ahrairah returned and sat across from the Black Rabbit, weak in body but resolved to not fail

The Black rabbit sighed through their broad nose, though he could not tell if they were disappointed or scowling

“You must understand. I have no wish to make you suffer. I am not one of the Thousand”

“You may stay or leave as you please” they spoke, shaking their great coat, “But perhaps you might care to share a story.”

“If I tell as good a story as yours, perhaps you will accept my life and grant my people their safety and territory”

The Black Rabbit huffed with a bittersweet smile, “I will, but if not, you will forfeit your ears.”

They told a tale of fear and darkness that froze them where they crouched on the rock

And not even the warmth of Rabscuttle could stop the icy clouds in which his senses were locked

His wits turned, this body tharn, and the blood fled from his cheeks

When at least the Black Rabbit finished his dark and true tale, El-ahrairah was not able to speak

Dashed about like a mouse, twisted like a snare, the cords, the muscles of his neck taut

He awoke to see Rabscuttle weeping over him, shoulders shaking and far past distraught

“What good is this suffering? For the sake of Frith and Green Grass, let me take you home!”

“Nonsense,” he whispered just above his breath, “Two big dock leaves. They will do very well for ears of my own”

“They will wither” implored Rabscuttle, “As I am withered now, like a worm in the nut”

“For what I have to do, I cannot find the way, but I only need them to last long enough”

He kissed Rabscuttle’s tears away before he left through the maw of the cave

El-ahrairah racked his brain for a trick, any way to secure a weapon or the Black Rabbit’s aid

The Black Rabbit of Inle would not accept his life, and there is no wager he can win

Then why inflict these sufferings if they truly feel no ill will? What do they intend?

Why break him? Why not just send him away? Why not make a wager to force him away?

It hit him quite suddenly, for it was as obvious as can be: that was how. That was the way

They would not help him, perhaps could not, would break him if they must

But if he were to find a weapon, could they stop him? The thought was so simple, so blunt

His own consent. Nothing had happened, nothing taken, nothing bartered, without his own consent.  

Except with his own consent, they could not hurt him or sent him away. But could they prevent it?

With two weak dock ears dragging on the floor, he turned towards the narrow runs of the warren

The Owsla watched him crawl but he was past being afraid and finally one did gently caution

“Turn back, El-ahrairah; you have no business in this pit. You are alive and have suffered much already.”

“Not as much as my own people,” He proclaimed. His head felt light but his thoughts were heavy

“Oh, El-ahrairah,” The Owlsa breathed “There is enough suffering here for a thousand warrens

In these holes lie all plagues and diseases –fever, mange, sickness of the bowels, twisting of the organs

Look, They pointed, nearest to you is the White Blindness. Not even the Thousand will touch that body

This is our task, to see all ready for the use of Inle-Rah. For what is is what must be.”

El-ahrairah gave himself no time to think but plunged into the pit faster than a raindrop to the ground

The shadows flickered and gibbered, for except by fear for they had no power to move him from this ground

He did not know how long he lay, only that surely the infection had already began

He would have to be fast, he crawled out, To get to Rabscuttle and begin to plan

How to save his people, how to get home, how to infect the King’s army and his soldiers

He blundered into stone, cool against his burning skin, and it gently his shivering shoulders

“El-ahrairah,” a quiet voice whispered, reaching beyond senses, “where are you going?”

“You said I might go when I wished, my sovereign” He breathed, “so home I am going”

“You have some purpose, El-ahrairah. What is it?”

“I have infected myself with White Blindness, there, in that terrible pit

I knew the price would be my life, one way or another but I must go before I am too wearied”

“El-ahrairah, do you know how the White Blindness is carried?”

Silence

“By the fleas in rabbit’s ears.” The Black Rabbit confessed. “You can neither catch nor carry the White Blindness.”

El-ahrairah broke against their chest, the last of his senses bubbling with tears as a broken sob filled the silence

The Black Rabbit said nothing, held him, their claws gentle against his thin fur despite their appearance

“This is a cold warren. A hard place for the living and no place at all for warm hearts and brave spirits

You are a nuisance here. Go home. I myself will save your people.

Do not have the impertinence to ask me when, for time’s power here is, at best, feeble

“They are already saved, El-ahrairah. They are already saved.”

The moment came when King Darzin and his soldiers were jeering down into the land they razed

The falling darkness crept upon them like twilight, choked them with confusion and terror

From the darkness, red eyes stalked them from the thistles, an idea of a rabbit, but a shape of horror

Too tall and too short, hunched inward and protruding, prey with a predator’s gait

But the sound, the sound, it made a sound no rabbit should be able to make

King Darzin and his soldiers fled. The rabbits, whatever creatures they were, were never seen again

When at least El-ahrairah was able to rise, the Black Rabbit was gone, and Rabscuttle was calling his name

Together they went out those icy mountains, down the stone-rattling gully in the mist, back where they came

Away from the Black Rabbit, away from Inle-Rah’s silent Owsla, away from cold and stone

But El-ahrairah was sick with shock, even Rabscuttle’s muscle and fur were thin where it had once shown

They dug a scrap and laid down for several days, the green grass and dirt ‘neath them a renewed treasure

Later, they lost their way a few times, though they had many adventures,

Of course, El-ahrairah, even with wits and tricks, was still without whisker, tail, or ears, and so Rabscuttle became his all

Together, finally, they made it home, greater and greener than they ever recalled

The warren was bigger, with more holes, more families, and rabbits they could not recognize

When asked, they realized that many years had passed, the war a story told to kittens to terrorize  

They were only legends, him and Rabscuttle. All those they fought for were old or had died.

El-ahrairah sat down under a nut bush, looking out across the red fields in the dying light

“Are you angry, El-ahrairah?” Frith asked softly beside him, knowing they both saw the same bloody sight

“No my lord, I am not angry. I have learned that with creatures one loves,

Suffering is not the only thing for which one may pity them, or rather they have stopped or still run

A rabbit who does not know when a gift has made him safe is poorer than a slug, though he may think himself otherwise”

Frith sighed, knowing what he spoke of, how glamorized and dramatic it all became when truly, one had to only decide

“Wisdom is found on the desolate hillside when none comes to feed

And the stony bank where the rabbit scratches in vain before he will concede.”

But speaking of gifts, I have brought a few trifles for you.” He smiled softly,

“Here is a tail and a set of whiskers too. The ears you will find a bit strange

A bit of starlight in them, though it is quite faint, really a small change

Not near enough to give away a clever thief like you

Is Rabscuttle coming? Could you bring him? I have a gift for him too.

[anxiousdepressedintrovert]

Coup d'état

Duchy Valtoria, Cordonia Monday 4:00AM

Another day, another Royal Council meeting to discuss what was going to be done about Auvernal.  That’s what it should have been. Except what Riley awoke to was Liam shaking her awake.

Riley groaned, rubbing sleep out of her eyes “What is it Liam, does Ellie need to eat?”  he didn’t answer only gestured at the TV.

The light from the television made her squint. Riley sat up and blinked until her eyes adjusted. Liam was half out of the bed, like he was about to get out when he woke her.  He turned up the volume and pressed play on the news. The scrolling banner at the bottom read Breaking News and a familiar face in front the pavilion outside the Auvernese palace.

“This is Julia Rivera live outside the Auvernal Royal Palace. I’m just received confirmation that the Auvernese Throne has been seized by Princess Floriana Priscille. There’s a lot of chaos going on, as you can see.”

Soldiers and civilians were running around. One section of the palace was on fire. Screaming could be heard off-screen, along with shouts of “Long Live Queen Floriana”

“It’s unclear what has happened with the previous King and Queen or the royal children. Queen Floriana has yet to make an official statement. Rest assured, we will update you as we gain new information from our new Queen. This has been Julia Rivera with Channel 4.”

Liam turned off the TV and looked at Riley whose hand was covering her mouth.

“I think we need to have that meeting sooner rather than later.” He said, taking her hand.

Riley nodded and picked up her phone “I’ll call Hana, Maxwell and Drake.” She was already scrolling her contact list with her free hand.

Liam picked up his own phone and started looking for Kiara’s number.  

5:43AM

A little less than two hours later the council was gathered, Madeleine and Olivia were present as well for…tactical reasons, as Riley put it. Liam knew it was serious if she willingly called Madeleine.

A servant set down a carafe of fresh coffee and Liam smiled his thanks. He poured Riley a cup and then himself. She smiled at him and turned to the Council.

“So, I know we told you all on the phone, but did you get the chance to watch the news?” Riley covered her mouth from a yawn and rested her cheek in one hand.  Everyone nodded and Landon opened his mouth to speak.

Madeleine beat him to it. She scoffed, her eyes narrowed “Riley you really need to show more decorum. Showing up to a meeting dressed like-”

Riley had changed into jeans and a t-shirt but had left her hair twisted in the bonnet she wore to bed The Queen lifted her head and held her hand up “Madeleine, it is too early for this.” She gestured to the entirety of Madeleine’s body. “I was up until 2am with my child. Next time you wanna dictate what I wear, we can have the next council meeting at your house. Until then, be happy I’m wearing pants and not pumping at the table.”  Riley took a sip of her coffee “Mmm, tell whoever brewed this, that it’s their job from now on.”  Maxwell and Drake burst out laughing, there was stifled laughter around the table. Madeleine flushed and closed her mouth.

Liam, fighting back a grin, nodded “Of course my love.”

Landon cleared his throat “Erm, as I was going to say. Yes, I was very surprised to see the news myself.”

Madeleine passed out dossiers to the table, having regained her composure “Queen Floriana, as she’s called now, is the younger sister to Isabella. There wasn’t much information I could gather on her. She’s a rather private person.”

Olivia smirked “That’s where I came in. Maddie’s right, she is a private person.” Madeleine glared at Olivia, who simply took a sip of her coffee. “Floriana’s a private person when she’s traveling under her legal name. Her aliases…that’s a different story.” The group flipped through date and time stamped pictures of the woman, some with her hair dyed, some she wore fake prosthesis, in each picture she wore a different style of clothes. Each picture was taken in a different city around the world.

“How did you know this was her?” Drake asked “’Cause some of these don’t look like her.”

There were nods around the table, “Oui, tout à fait, I can’t tell.” Kiara said pressing her nose into the file.

Olivia rolled her eyes “Hana, Riley, surely you see it.” She looked at the other women with a raised brow

Hana bit her lip looking closely at one particular photo while Riley took a big gulp of coffee. Silence.

“It’s her necklace…and the tattoo on her right inner wrist.” The entire table whipped around to look at Maxwell who was leaning back in his chair, paying no particular attention. “Both are Nordic runes. The one on her necklace is a shield knot and the tattoo is raido…it means journey.” The lord looked down from the photo to find the table staring open mouthed at him. “What?”

“How do you know that?!” Hana asked, her voice squeaking she was so shocked

“You don’t know that?” was Maxwell’s equally shocked reply.

“Answer the question Maxwell!” Drake grumbled

“Oh, uh…Vikings are cool?” he shrugged “I kinda went down a rabbit hole when I was looking one thing up and the next thing I know, I’m reading Norse mythology at 4am.”

“Incroyable.” Kiara mumbled

“…however fascinating Maxwell’s late-night escapades are, we do know that Floriana is a master of disguise. Or at least keeping herself under the radar when needed. Which, if we’re thinking about a new alliance could be useful.” Olivia rolled her shoulders. “What are we going to do about that?”

Riley and Liam looked at each other. Riley spoke up first “Well, Queen Floriana doesn’t have any kids…that we know of…and even if she did, her being a new monarch puts us in a better position.”

Liam nodded “That’s right. This gives us a chance to arrange an alliance through other means besides marriage. For now, we should wait and see what the new Queen has in store.”

As those words left Liam’s mouth a servant burst into the Solarium. Everyone stood up

“What is going on?!” Riley questioned the out of breath man.

“Please forgive me Your Majesty, a letter of the utmost importance has arrived for you and King Liam.” bowing, the man held out the light orange envelope to the Queen.

Riley took the envelope and looked it over. The seal was a darker orange wax and the embossment was that of a crane. “That’s the crest of Duchy Andridge in Auvernal.” Liam said, his breath by her ear.

“Let’s open it up then, shall we?” Riley cracked the seal on the envelope and took out the letter. She began to read aloud

Your Esteemed Majesties Riley and Liam of Cordonia,

I will begin by introducing myself. My name is Floriana Priscille Achilles, newly anointed Queen of Auvernal. Secondly, I would like to extend my deepest and sincerest apologies on behalf of the Auvernese Crown and her people.  We cannot begin to make up for what my sister and her husband put you and your daughter thorough all those months ago.

If you both are amenable to the idea, I would like to invite you here for the official press conference I am to give in two days. The invitation, of course, extends to anyone you would like to bring along as well.

Beyond the press conference, I would like to discuss our countries being on the terms they were before my sister and her husband mucked things up…if I may be bold, better terms. I hope you will accept my invitation and, should you, I look forward to you arrival.

Sincerely,

Floriana, Queen of Auvernal

Riley refolded the letter and looked at the council “What do we think?”

“I think this is an excellent opportunity” Landon smiled “We have a chance to witness the remaking of a country under a ruler who wants the best for her people.”

“It’s too soon to tell that” Madeleine said tapping a finger on her folders.

“Oui, but Madeleine, listen to the words she uses.” Kiara shot back

“We can’t trust her words. We need to see her actions.” Olivia stood and started for the door

“So, are we agreed on going to Auvernal?” Liam asked raising his hand.” He didn’t bother looking for Olivia’s hand. He knew where she was going. All hands raised.

Riley sighed, took off her bonnet and started untwisting her hair “I’ll go tell the servants to start packing.”

AN: So, what’d you think? I hope you liked it. I accept everything except mean comments. Let me know if you want me to start a notification list! 

Part 2

[idealnreal]

Please overanalyze the shadows in his palace I am begging you.

@appleyjuiceboy​ / jester owns my braincells of course i would do this for u

Okay so i think its best if i go about the order of shadows we meet in the game so. I’m not going to go into the persona/shadows in maruki’s palace. I’ll leave that for some other day. Now! Lets hope i can remain fully coherent.

1) The fluffy haired noodle shadow we meet for (ka)sumi’s awakening

First off, look at the design of this shadow--it has the fluffy hair parted to the right like maruki, its androgynous figure, and that swirly face mask as well! The mask has two eyes, and it even looks like theres a smile there, lopsided. 

We have never seen any other palace shadow taking a similar shape as the palace ruler (except maybe the yaldaboath palace). Shadows are meant to emulate what the ruler thinks of as protectors of their heart. Maruki doesn’t trust anyone other than himself with this secret. And particularly at this phase of his distortion -- there are no scientists, to attendants, no patients. Just an empty, beautiful palace -- with possibly only one type of shadow and protector. The type that represents himself. 

(Also androgynous/nb maruki confirmed ?? yes)

Okay then lets look at what this shadow says to Kasumi.

Shadow: ... Heresy. You dare to spurn our lord’s mercy. Accept yourself... Our lord laments the foolishness birthed from your pain.

Having the context that Kasumi is Sumire here ... Because this scene comes about because Kasumi sees a cognitive version of herself (Sumire) blaming herself -- and so, a part of her is probably trying to remember that she is Sumire. Thus ‘spurn(ing) our lord’s mercy’. And yeah accepting herself as Kasumi instead of trying to remember that she is Sumire. 

But most important is the fact that Maruki’s palace shadows refer to him as a religious or god-like being (’our lord’s mercy’ calling back christian themes). Someone who is merciful and, most of all, does feel grief over one’s pain. Painting an ideal picture of a loving and caring god, ala abrahamic religions. This is a running theme with all the shadow’s dialogs. Let’s put a pin in this for now. 

These design shadows are seen again later in the container room of the palace. They’re slightly faster. The container room is a strange one -- because it doesn’t quite fit in with the rest of the laboratory/hospital/garden of eden thing going on.  While yes labs and hospitals do have storage areas, i cant imagine them being a container warehouse like this. I do headcanon that this is a storage area for the pain and suffering that Maruki has taken on from other people in order to heal them, due to his hyper empathy -- but i’ll analyse the room some other time. For now it’s interesting that the Maruki-like shadows are now relegated to this specific and really dark section of the palace.

Like the throne room/centre of eden that the Maruki boss fight takes place in -- He resigns himself to the darker gloomier parts of his palace. And the same goes for these shadows. This is where he belongs. 

Also abso-fucking-lutely we’re going to talk about how this shadow transforms when it ambushes you:

Skin suit opening up to reveal fangs and rows of teeth, and a formless monster inside. Maruki ... dude ... are you okay? If these shadows are meant to emulate him -- is this how he sees himself sometimes? HHh boy...

2) First lab coat wearing shadow at the start of his palace investigation

Prior to this, while we understood that Maruki was a researcher, it was never a defining feature of him. Like the first thing that came to my mind on Maruki was that he was just the school counsellor and snack purveyor. Now this entire researcher, scientist, side of him is in full display. And this is the most common type of shadow we see, some which are violent, and others are non violent. Maruki sees scientists as the main residents of his palace -- his drive towards investigation and discovery, to puzzling out the intricacies of the human heart, human mind, and human pain. To better further his ability to heal. But there’s also a sort of cold, methodical nature to these scientists. Their ‘healing’ is methodical, based in science.

This coupled with the religious reverence and ideology that their dialog suggests, is a nice contrast. Experiments, data, research, are people’s salvation. Not the simple belief of a deity or of a higher purpose -- but science. Science, in many ways, becomes part and parcel of their religious belief.

Shadow: Those guises ... You aren’t among those who desire salvation. Leave. You are unwanted intruders. Do not disturb our lord’s research-- this world’s salvation. Why do you willingly strive for self-suffering? Why are you reaching out to your own pain?

So here -- the shadow wants them to leave the palace well enough alone. To leave Maruki to his research, and to allow this reality to exist. They don’t want this to end violently and it seems like they’re okay with the trio not ‘desiring salvation’. And when the trio refuse to leave, the shadow asks them why they want to suffer. It’s something inconceivable to them. Maybe even challenging their resolve-- to reconsider their current path, which will only lead to more pain. Also ‘salvation’, ding, on the christian theme counter. Deliverance from above from sin, even redemption. Not for one person, but for the whole world. 

We see this type of shadow again before the scene in the auditorium. 

Shadow: You are misguided. Do not search for pain. Only tragedy awaits you beyond here. [After defeating it] Such a fool, rejecting our lord’s mercy. In that case -- witness it for yourself.

Same themes. Delicious. Lets move on now shall we.

3) Hastur -- the shadow that appears with Maruki at his reveal as his second-in-command / bodyguard

I don’t think i’ve talked about how much i love the lopsided smiles on these masks. Because i love it. it’s just the right amount of unsettling and creepy. fUCk. And the twitching, twisting, and the weeping blue paint that Hastur’s shadow form does before transforming is /chefs kiss. I wanted more.

Anyway, onto Hastur’s design. Not a labcoat this time, just an ordinary looking white suit with no tie. This is the only time we see Maruki have a bodyguard shadow -- something else he relies on. Hastur’s presence in this scene only shows how deeply afraid and uncomfortable Maruki actually is with intruders in his palace. This experience is a reminder that someone had come into Rumi’s parents house to kill him years ago (a theory for another time). Like that incident years ago, he doesn’t resort to violence here -- he did and does try to negotiate. But when that didn’t work, at least now he has something that can fight for him. 

( It is only in the second infiltration when we see Maruki actually take a more active role -- but I won’t get to that here. )

Hastur: Stubborn imbeciles, rejecting our lord ...

There is a running theme here, unfortunately. The shadows again cannot comprehend why anyone would choose to reject Maruki’s salvation, why anyone would choose suffering. And words like ‘foolish’ ‘misguided’ and finally ‘imbeciles’ here are all used to describe those who choose to reject it. While i do think Maruki only bends reality if the person wishes it (subconsciously or consciously), and does accept that there are people who won’t accept their wishes being granted and is aware of the reasons why-- He cannot fully understand or emphatise with it. 

4) These deformed Maruki-like shadows guarding the control room

Jesus christ above, i don’t like these, because they contrast with all other designs as these are more brutish and deformed. There’s used as gatekeepers at certain points of the palace, in the first control room, and later on in the brain-pod-room (my brain cells are stopping to work now excuse me) before the garden puzzle portion, at his final will seed and the entrance to the garden of eden.

We know Maruki isn’t a brute strength kinda person. And yet we see these few who’s only purpose is to defend certain things and areas with force. Its uncharacteristic, but at the same time, given the things that these shadows are defending -- it makes sense. No cunning, no wit, no negotiation, no compassion -- just forcefully defending very important parts of his heart and his work. 

Shadow (at the control room): So you dare defy His Excellency. You shall not interfere with our master’s work!

Shadow (brainwash room): Foolish rebels! You won’t take one step past here!

Shadow (entrance to garden of eden) : You?! I can’t believe you’ve made it so far ...

I had to do a double take on this. I think this is the only time this title ‘His Excellency’ has been used in the palace. While it is used for catholic bishops and that sort -- its mostly used in the context of heads of state, ambassadors-- more secular roles. The other times this shadow speaks is also similarly less reverent, less religious orientated. Of course this makes sense if the only function of these shadows is to use force to defend. They’re not the scientists or the first maruki-imitation shadows -- they’re not as devoted, and they dont have to be. 

5) Finally, these limbless noodles

This one is found during the horticulture portion of the palace. I can’t exactly figure out why. And as far as i can tell, they only appear in this portion of the palace.

As far as the design goes -- these are probably the most unhuman like. Slender, androgynous with only a mask. I’ve got nothing. Braincells ran out. Sorry!

(Haha androgynous maruki go brr)

SO! That’s it. thanks for coming to my ted talk and following me down this rabbit hole. I need to go and drink some fuckin tea.