#possible personality they might and and all branching conversations we could have from each of those

[icterid-rubus]

Okay but are dating apps hard for everyone to use? I literally have to sit and agonize over swiping right on someone for days. I gotta mentally map out every potential conversation and subsistent 50 years of marriage I could have with the stranger based on the allotted paragraph bio.

[mist-see]

I don’t wish you well. 4

Short story.

Inspiration from Brent fiayaz; darling I don't wish you well

Italics=English

I imagine since the Navi can see in the dark, this causes them to have tapetum lucidum, reflective eyes. Well it’s kinda canon with the sully family picture lol.

Yandere Reader × Neytiri X Jake Sully

Summery: You wanting to kill him, you were going to. But you were warned.

⚠️warning⚠️

Mention of killing

The apology went exactly how you knew it would go, awkward, and painful. You loved it. Maybe you loved it too much as you thought about it while bathing in the hot springs, mind flashing back as his eyes widened at your proximity

You considered yourself to be a nice person, very inviting, and very mature for your age.

But it was something about Jake Sully that made you want to be the most obtuse jerk. You couldn’t stand him. You couldn’t stand his lingering sweet funk, his stupid hair that he refuses to let get braided, his small beady eyes, and his weird extra fingers and toes. Just a funny-looking alien in a false body. Just like the rest of them.

Jake Sully made you get very out of character, as someone who is self-aware, you couldn’t even recognize yourself.

(Flash Back)

. You left moats healing cove with a slight attitude. Your blank face only got betrayed by the tail that whipped so fast behind you it sounded like it was slapping the wind and the pointed ears that pressed to your head

Apologize, she says. Apologize for what? I did him no wrong, why am I the one apologizing when he should be the one apologizing? He’s the one that’s ruining everything, always in the way, always around her, stealing her time.

You walk away from the healer's tree and jump branch to branch on your way to your home, where you could only assume Neytiri and Jake would be. Your steps matched your attitude, fast with light stomps, twigs, and moss not having a chance as they crumbled underneath the force of you going up the home tree.

“Hey, you.” You watched as he shuffles in the hammock, head looking up only to catch your reflecting eyes staring daggers into his. He laid there awkwardly stiff as you interrupted him while he was getting comfortable. “Um-yes?” He mumbled, body never moving from its weird twisted position.

You have his body a glance, forcing them away to the hammock beside him. Neytiri wasn’t there. “Oh- she’s getting clean right now.” He notices your lack of attention, the webbed bed beside him having your eyes. “So why aren’t you bathing?” You scrunched up your face, eyes reflected like a cat, snapping towards the man below you.

Jake shifted uncomfortably as your piercing eyes met with his, heart almost stopping. Something is so off with you. You were intimidating, possibly more than the tsahik, you were eerie, dangerous.

You left the worst goosebumps on his skin when you came into eye view. This might be the longest conversation you’ve had with him, and it’s about his personal hygiene. And he’s seen you almost every day.

You already thought low of the man, now he’s just unhygienic? ‘Neytiri, why him!’ He could read all over your face that you didn’t enjoy his presence, he just didn’t know why. You found him such a nuisance, a weirdo. This was something he was used to.

Embarrassed, Jake sat up and turned his body towards you, blue face tinting purple. “W-well you see- look I know it seems like it’s gross but I usually bathe in the morning” “The morning? No that’s wrong. We train, we hunt, we do chores, we eat, we bond, we clean, we bathe, we sleep.” As you spoke your hand was out, pointing towards the man with each point you made.

“Yeah- and I understand that, but I just feel better cleaning myself in the morning-“ “You are cleaning yourself wrong. You sleep dirty. We do not take off our hammocks and clean them, they are a part of Eywa, and they are attached to our home as they grow from it. You are wrong. We are done speaking about it, come, we talk.”

Before Jake even had a chance to speak, you walked down the large tree branch and into the room that was in the trunk of the tree, where the Navi stored their belongings. He took a few seconds to reach you, breathing a little hard. You are embarrassed for him.

“Why are you looking at me like that.” He asked as he released a deep breath. “I am embarrassed by you.” You repeated your thought. This flustered the man some more, causing him to scoff and look away. “If you don’t even like me then why are you even talking to me.” You squinted your eyes at him, not liking the attitude.

“I come to apologize. I was going to kill you today.”

Jake Sully stood there quietly, his small eyes wider than you’ve ever seen them. It almost made you laugh at how wide they stretched. He didn’t know how to act at that moment, what would his reaction be, what would he do? In this short amount of time in silence, he analyzed your mannerisms, seeing how relaxed you were, and how soft your face was.

You didn’t see wrong in your words, nor in your doings. You didn’t even know if he was going to attack you, yet you were so nonchalant. Were you that comfortable in yourself that you knew you’d win a fight with him? Thoughts on thoughts on thoughts, he didn’t even realize how you narrowed your eyes at him as if challenging him to do something, but he did notice the way you stepped up towards him, making him step back in caution.

“Speak.” You commanded him to speak his thoughts. You stepped up to him once again, first time being so close to him, it was a shocker to you both as you were a little taller than him. “This is me apologizing to you Jake Sully. I apologize, speak.”

You wanted nothing more than to bump shoulders with him to get downstairs to bathe and sleep. You could care less if he accepted your apology or not for the simple fact you know he’s hiding something. You didn’t know what, but he is.

Jake Sully sucks in a breath as you invade his personal space for the first time in 2 and a half months. It was overwhelming, this is the first conversation you’ve had with him and you’re apologizing for almost killing him when he didn’t even know about it? When did you try to do it? Why did you try to do it? Had he done something wrong?

Do you know?

Gulping, the man stood his ground and looked up at your 9ft figure, tail no longer swaying in nervousness as he wrapped it around his leg. “I…accept your apology.” He gulps as he looks between your eyes instead at them.

“Good. We shall speak nothing of this. Go bathe, then sleep. Neytiri is teaching you how to make arrows tomorrow.” And just like that, you walk away, leaving the blue man behind you frozen with nothing but nerves and fear.

You must know about the plan. Why else would you want to kill me? You didn’t bring it up? No, you can’t know that’s impossible.

Jake looks over his shoulder, and you were gone.

It felt amazing to speak to him as if he was trash. Because that is what he is.

Trash.

The next day you woke up to the future Olo'eyktan staring down at you with a leaf filled with meat and berries. You jump up at the feeling of something glaring at you, only to see Tsu’tey grinning down at your figure. “Eat worrier, the tsahik calls for you.” You groan at this and fell back against the spongy material of the hammock. Tsu’tey releases a roar of laughter before reaching down and giving you the warm leaf. “Eeeaat sister. Get strength. Later we will bring yerik back for tonight’s dinner.”

You and Tsu’tey were not biological siblings, but you were close friends. This is why you trusted Tsu’tey with Neytiri. But you did have real siblings. An older sister named On’ak, whom you rarely saw as she took care of your elderly parents, a younger brother named Ka’ani, and a baby sister named San who stayed with your parents. “What are you doing now?” You asked, voice scratching while you sit up to eat.

You try to keep up a conversation, but all you could think about is what Moat was going to say. His words going in and out, it was damn near slurring together

“Meeting with Takuk, Ka’ani, and Saeyla. Your brother is getting better, I feel he shall claim his ikran soon.” He praises the younger, something he rarely does, but he was proud of him. “Good. I’m tired of him whining. How’s your training with the Olo'eyktan.” “I cannot stand the meditation aspect. It is boring! I want to fight and hunt. Not sit there falling asleep.” Tsu’tey was the only person that could make you feel calm. He was a true friend that didn’t make you feel pressured or on edge. You could trust him. Even if you were in love with the person he was to marry.

“Enough speaking, eat. I’ll see you later!” You nodded a bye to him as he stood from the branch and went downstairs. You have no idea what’s in store. Oh, Eywa.

“Child you are late! Sit!” You couldn’t even speak out a proper greeting as the tsahik shoved you over to the cushions. “What is the rush?” You ask the lady, watching as she closes the cloth that separated her room and the stairs. Her fast pacing made you nervous “There is something you need to know��� and you will not like it.” She took in a deep breath before sitting down directly beside you.

I won’t like it?

For some reason, you knew. You had a feeling…and you knew.

“What? What is it?” You felt that feeling again. That feeling when you first saw Jake sullies eyes lock with Neytiris. That deep pit of nausea and disgust forming in your gut. You were about to throw up.

“As you know, polyamory relationships are quite common for us Navi folk.” Where is this going? “I used to be in one before my children were born, my second wife, shízolí. That was until she fell sick many years ago.”

You were dead silent, jaw clinching and eyes widened as you were praying to Eywa that the vomit bubbling in your stomach wouldn’t come up with full force. “Get…to it.” You swallowed thickly, anticipation jumping through your bones, disgust rattling in your gut just as it did when you saw those sky people shoot up your friends a year ago.

Moat watches as you freeze up. You are truly dramatic. Just as she was about to speak your truth you cut her off.

“Do not tell me if you’re going to say what you are about to say.”

“Well, child do you want me to stay quiet or tell you.”

“I want my ikran to bite my head off.”

“You are to marry my daughter y/n. Not only that but you are to marry Jake Sully as well.” Oh god, you felt it coming up. “I can’t- I- I won’t.” You took in a deep breath, about to stand up to pace around. But the tsahik holds you down, forcing you to keep her facing you.

“You can, and you will. It’s Eywas way.” Her eyes widen as she hisses at your defiance. “What about my friend?! Hm?! The future leader of this clan??! What about Tsu’tey!?” Your voice cracks as it raises. Marrying your best friend sounded like such a dream, all to be burned down with knowing you’d have to carry that disgusting thing children one day.

Those babies don’t deserve a colonizer for a father. They didn’t deserve that.

“He will understand when it comes down to it! He loves Neytiri, yes! But his heart and soul belong to someone else. He will get over it as your future continues.” Her voice mellows down into a whisper, eyes no longer wide as she tried to calm your beating heart and wondering eyes.

“What future Moat? The future where my brother looks at me with disgust? The future where I lay on my back to mate with the alien that tries to steal my mate?! Or the future where I and my best friend, my mate, my Neytiri have to lay on our sore ass backs to push out his big-headed ass kids.” Your voice was monotoned, eyes going blank as you bore them into the leader of the clan.

“Yes. And that is your future.”

________________

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Part three<<<<<

Part five>>>>>

[ricflairdrip20]

Karen Filippelli x Reader

————————————————————————

The office workers are celebrating the luau at the warehouse upon Michael’s return from Jamaica. It was his idea to have a luau today, although Angela, who is the head of the party planning committee, wasn’t happy about it because she didn’t have time to get some of the things Michael wanted.

You sat back quietly and observed your surroundings: Michael giving an older guy, Stanley, you believe, an alleged bonus that the salesman demanded, Dwight and Andy having a competition, Karen and the receptionist talking to each about God knows what. You were never really the social type, only when someone approaches you and strikes up a conversation. But lately, the majority of time a particular person initiating a conversation with you has been Karen. At first, it was a casual short talk, but recently you both became closer. You and Karen ate lunch together every day, whether it’s at your or her car, or at a restaurant nearby. You talked to each other every single day about anything and everything.

As time went on, your infatuation grew to a crush. You and Karen had been working together at the Stamford branch in Connecticut. You were happy when you and Karen were transferred to Scranton; you get to continue seeing her, and you can explore the new state. Even better if you and Karen do so together.

One problem.

She is dating the somewhat still new guy Jim Halpert.

You have to admit, you can understand why she chose him, because he is nice and very handsome, although terrible at Call of Duty. But even so, you were less than thrilled that she is with someone else, and possibly for the rest of her life. When you moved to Scranton, you noticed a chemistry between Jim and the receptionist, which made Karen a little suspicious. Even though you don’t really approve of Karen and Jim’s relationship, you were still concerned because she does deserve a best relationship with undivided attention. Hopefully one with the same gender. You, if we’re being really specific.

You were deep in thought and didn’t realize that Karen sat next to you on the couch until she spoke up.

“Hey, you okay?” You were snapped out of your thoughts by a familiar voice that you enjoyed hearing. You smiled as you looked up and saw that it was Karen.

“Yeah, I’m fine, how about yourself?”

“I’m alright. Well, actually, not really. Um, can we talk privately?” You nodded.

You walked together to a staircase, far away from where anyone might walk to, as they were occupied with the party and doing inventory for the warehouse. You sat together on the little bench and Karen took a deep breath.

“I don’t know if I really love Jim enough to be in the relationship much longer.” Your eyes widened as she spoke. You weren’t expecting to hear her doubting the relationship with your fellow coworker. You were beginning to accept the fact that she’ll end up with him.

“Seriously? He’s not mean to you, is he?”

Karen shook her head furiously. “No no no no, he’s not at all. On the contrary, actually, he’s a gentleman. But I don’t think he’s right for me. And plus, maybe I’m being paranoid, but I think he’s a little too close with that receptionist girl.”

You can’t disagree. They appear to have a lot of chemistry together. Unless you’re wrong and it could be a sibling type relationship. But a closeness at this caliber? There’s no denying it. But you can’t really hate the girl. She seems nice enough, but you don’t know her well enough, only through hi’s and good morning’s.

“Yeah, I can see that,” you nodded. Karen looked at you, then at a spot on the wall for a few seconds before looking back at you.

“Hey, um, (Y/N), would you, um… Would you… like to go out with me this weekend?” You swore you can see a hint of blush on her cheeks.

Without thinking, you nodded, a smile spreading on your face.

“I’d love to.”

[neverwritewhatyouknow]

Hi! I came across your blog a couple of days back when I was going through the rwrb tag on tumblr and the perspectives you're sharing were new to me. I have a couple of questions and I promise I'm coming from a place of genuine curiosity and desire to learn, and not to attack you. There's a good chance I might inadvertently say something offensive because, tbh because of the places I've lived in, I have not had a chance to interact personally with any Jewish people. So my ignorance is probably, I admit, shamefully high. For eg, till I read your posts, I did not know about the existence of 'ethnic religions'. So a) sorry in advance if I offend you, b) I hope it's okay that I'm asking these questions. I did some reading over the past few days about Judaism and ethnoreligious groups. My understanding so far is - 1) Judaism accepts conversions 2) Children of mixed marriages can be considered Jewish, based on different rules for different denominations 3) Jewish people can have different racial and ethnic backgrounds (I assume this is a result of mixed heritages, conversions, non-traditional family structures, etc.) After I learnt all this, I'm a bit confused about the following - 1) Why is the assumption that the character Nora's ethnicity/appearance is what would 'traditionally' be associated with Judaism? Is there some mention in the book that she doesn't have African-American heritage? It's been a while since I did a thorough reading so it's very possible I've forgotten such a detail. 2) Do we know that the actor playing Nora is definitely Christian? Has she publicly stated any religious beliefs? Or is it an assumption? I'm wondering if there's a chance that one or both of the actor's parents are Jewish? Or maybe she's Jewish by descent but maybe doesn't practice the religion (my understanding is such people are still accepted as Jewish)? 3) Unless the actor has definitely stated that she practices another religion and is not Jewish by birth, is the expectation that a person has to be publicly open about their religious beliefs or ethnicity (since that's not always obvious by appearance)? If yes, I'm wondering if that sort of expectation is fair? Is it not the right of each person to share that information if and when they want to? I know there are plenty of people who do acknowledge this publicly, and then proceed to champion others of similar backgrounds, but maybe not everyone is in a position to be open about such information when they could be discriminated against, especially at a younger age/level of experience? Is it not unfair to expect them to speak publicly about this? (I have to admit that for this point, I'm thinking mainly from the perspective of sexuality and recent events like the pressure on Kit Connor, but I feel being open about religion/ethnicity is on the same level as sexuality - it's upto each individual). I'd love to know your thoughts about all this, and sorry again if I've said something ignorant/offensive. I promise I'm just trying to educate myself.

Hi!! Thank you so much for your ask! It’s always interesting to me to hear from people who don’t know about Jewish stuff or have never met many Jews, so welcome to the blog! I’m so glad I was able to spark some intrigue.

First, you educated yourself because you were curious. That’s awesome and not many people would do the same. So you deserve credit for that. Researching and asking questions to learn stuff is what I’m all about.

I’m gonna touch on what you said first and then move onto your questions. You are totally right with everything you researched. I just wanna elaborate on them a little more because they’ll help with answering your questions.

1. We do totally accept converts. I don’t actually know much about it besides it being a long/hard process because I’m Jewish from birth, but I know I have some followers who are converts who can talk more about that if you’d want them to. When someone converts in they become (in the eyes of many branches of Judaism) as Jewish as any other. Their kids would be Jewish by birth and they themselves would be seen as having joined the tribe.

2. Children from a marriage when one parent is Jewish and the other isn’t depends on a few factors. I’ll run through each. If the child’s mom is Jewish, the child is Jewish. The Jewishness is passed from mom to baby (take that patriarchy). If that child’s father is the Jewish one, then in the eyes of Reform (the only branch I can personally speak on, but also the one that’s the most chill and progressive so this is likely the bare minimum), the kid is Jewish as long as they’re raised exclusively (or nowadays at least very firmly) Jewish. Meaning, the family isn’t totally ignoring the Jewish side. In theory, the child would be raised 100% Jewish by said family to be seen as Jewish, but in practice a mixed-family would have Christmas and stuff, which is normal. But the key point is that the Jewishness is not ignored or avoided. It’s acted on. It’s not just shelved away. Like the kid wasn’t Baptized, they attend Friday night services, or the kid went to Hebrew school. It’s an active involvement. TLDR: Dad is Jewish, kid has to be raised Jewish.

3. Yes. Jews can be of any race. There is such a wide diversity and it’s honestly one of the things I really like about being Jewish. And it’s because you can have a race and an ethnicity at the same time. Someone can be Black and Jewish, or Asian and Jewish. One doesn’t take away from the other. It adds on. I mean, you could have multiple of each I guess. You could be the child of an Afro-Latino and Asian couple who’s Jewish, that’s like a whole bunch. And it’s awesome. It’s welcomed.

Okay question time. This is already so long haha sorry about that.

1. Nora’s “appearance” and if there was anything said about her being/not being African-American. In the book CMQ did use more stereotypical descriptions of Nora, and in an image she drew of Nora, she did have more stereotypical Jewish attributes. I’ll say this is due to Casey, probably much like yourself, not having much exposure to the wide world of Jews. They come from a highly religious background where on the daily, likely, they weren’t exposed to many if any Jews. So, any Jew to Casey would’ve been seen on TV or online or talked about, and for the most part, people tend to describe or show Jews more stereotypically (either kindly or… not). So Casey used what they knew when creating Nora. To Casey, Nora had paler skin, dark curly hair. She was Jewish because Casey wrote that she was. Literally “Nora is Jewish” was what they wrote. So, the answer to your question is that the appearance was written in by Casey, but that doesn’t mean in the movie she couldn’t be African-American. Like I said, you can 100% be Black and Jewish (that would’ve been some great rep for the very underrepped part of the Jewish community) the only issue with that for RWRB, is that they forgot that second part.

2. How do we know Rachel isn’t Jewish? We know with 100% certainty that Rachel isn’t Jewish. I have previous posts about this, but I’ll try to give you a very short rundown.

- In an interview her mom said she (Rachel) was volunteering a lot with their church.

- They are an active church going family. I’ve been told by someone who attended the same church that the family would go often. This is supported with the fact that: Mom worked for the church. Sister worked for the church. Grandparents worked for the church. Aunt on father’s side works for another church. (All this was found online by googling combinations of Rachel’s name and church, Christian, etc. All on the first page when looking.)

- Instagram: Picture of young RH (Rachel Hilson) at a Christmas Eve dance and then a lot more of her and the fam celebrating all the Christian holidays.

- During the peak of the Kanye stuff, RH posted an “I support my Jewish friends” story, but didn’t say anything else on that post. Basically saying she isn’t Jewish but supports them, and the caption on that actual post itself that she reposted said “If you don’t know what to say, say this.” She still never said a word herself about stopping antisemitism.

- Rachel has tweeted and Instagramed stuff that was very obviously Christian focused. Such as talk about the holidays, the Lord’s Prayer, etc.

That’s not all, but it’s all I can remember off the top of my head. I have a longer post where I say all this and more. But it’s clear that Rachel wasn’t raised Jewish religiously since her family isn’t, and she’s not Jewish ethnically since, again, her family isn’t. I don’t think she actively practices any religion now, but that doesn’t take away that she’s not Jewish. As far as her being of Jewish descent, if she does have any sort of ancestry, it’s not in her immediate history. Both sides of grandparents raised their families non-Jewish. I’ve researched this topic of Jewish descent myself, because I was curious what the thoughts were from others. I asked if people considered someone Jewish, if they were actively not Jewish and it hadn’t been that way in at least the better part of a century. The very conservative Jews think you’re never not a Jew, if your relative was Jewish in the 1300s but converted and nobody practiced or related to being Jewish ever again, you’re still a Jew. Most people believe that if you’re actively not Jewish, and from an actively non-Jewish family, and in no way/shape/form consider yourself Jewish… Then you’re not. It depends on how much of the Jewish laws you want to consider, but for a lot of people, having a Jewish relative from a century ago, but never actively being Jewish since and instead being a part of another religion who believes Jew are “unsaved”… You’re just not Jewish. You can convert back and you may have an easier time because you have some Jewish heritage. But again, just having some Jewish heritage doesn’t make you Jewish. It would be the same way if I said that I’m Portuguese. My family hasn’t lived in Portugal since the 1500s, but it’s my ancestry. Does that make sense? God that was long, sorry.

3. Rachel has explicitly said and shown she’s not Jewish. And I guess technically her mom did too in Rachel’s interview. It’s clearly known that she isn’t, and she doesn’t pretend to not be. So for the Rachel part of the question, she was already openly non-Jewish. For the second part, I don’t think an actor has to express religious beliefs. Religion is a personal thing, yet just about every single actor in the 21st century anyway is pretty open about it. And I mean, just by way of social media, they’re not going on talk shows to discuss it, but they’ll post a holiday picture or they’ll thank Jesus in an award speech or they’ll post something along those lines. And since the majority of people tend to belong to Christianity (it’s the global big one, not a surprise), things like that are pretty normal. There are plenty of articles online that talk about the religions and ethnicities of actors. Articles from reputable places not the dailymail type of ones. An actor is never forced to admit anything about their religion, but they’ll do it on their own. Ethnicity a lot of the time is visible— NOT all of the time, of course, but for many, they can’t not reveal that. Or it’s on their Wiki somehow. Actors doesn’t have to reveal their ethnicity either, but, and here’s a trade secret between you and me, actors who are open with their ethnicities get more roles. This is because when casting something a casting director might be like “I want someone of ******” and if an actor has that background, they can have that role. Keeping things a secret means less work. I’m not talking about sexuality, that’s a different story. Sexuality is inherently personal. Ethnicity is something people can either see, or it’s on public paperwork like the census, or it’s tied to your religion, or you have no reason to not say it. Discrimination for ethnicities exists, but for actors specifically, it’s a plus not a minus, especially for the already famous ones, because then they can be used even more and bring more money to your production. So, again, sexuality is different. Actors will already be open about their religions or ethnicities without even really thinking about it, it’s not as personal as sexuality. Especially for famous actors like Natalie Portman or Joey King or Lisa Edelstein, who if they say they’re Jewish and they then face discrimination, they’d be proof of that, which there isn’t. There is for non-famous ones, but that’s when your ethnicity shows and people don’t want that, but you can’t hide that.

- religion, people post and talk about like it’s no big deal.

- ethnicities are either visible or people use them for their own gain, or they don’t mind sharing.

Okay that was all really long. Comment, DM, or send another ask if you need anything clarified or you have any more questions. And don’t worry, nothing you said was offensive lol There’s a big difference between someone learning and possibly saying something untoward (which you didn’t) and someone being actively offensive. So you’re all good there!

[imalmostthirty]

WELCOME TO, I'M ALMOST THIRTY.

I have gone back and forth with the idea of creating a platform like this one, for a very long time now. I tossed and turned about "should it be a website?" or " should it be a Substack?" I just could not get my mind around it all. And after a lot of thinking and a lot of planning, I decided to go with making a blog here on Tumblr. A tried and trusted platform that I know a lot of people are familiar with.

The purpose of this blog, although not completely decided as of right now, is to share posts from my own perspective around any topics and areas I want to share. Because all of the posts here are text posts, that does mean that all of the posts are from my own perspective and are my own opinions. I also liked the idea of the start of this blog living here on Tumblr for the interactive element. I like the idea that people can give me feedback of what they think of my writings. And maybe in the future it can branch out if I feel necessary but right now, it's just me and my opinions on this little blog.

This blog will live and run anonymously however, I do feel like it makes sense to point out that the person bringing all of these posts to you is a woman. I am female. However, it does not mean that males cannot enjoy this blog or learn something from it. In fact I think the main intended audience is actually anyone in their twenties. Again that does not mean that other age groups won't find something here that they would like to engage with. Especially as this blog will not focus on one certain area. There will be discussions of all different kinds here.

And whilst I share my views and opinions on different topics, I want everyone to be respectful of the fact that people can have different views to each other. And just because we might share different opinions on certain topics, doesn't mean that we can't remain respectful of each other. Any responses or interactions I think are not following this will be ignored or deleted. However, respectful interactions will always be welcome.

And I guess that leads me to end this welcome post by explaining that the reason this blog has come about is because, there have been so many online and real life situations and scenarios that I have wanted to share my opinion on and have wanted to discuss and have conversations about, but it's never been possible or right for me. And that is why this blog was created to create an environment to be able to do that. However, I do also believe that not everything needs my opinion and if a topic is not within my interest to speak on or about then it won't feature here. All of the topics and conversations have been carefully considered and thought about before any posts have been created.

[skumburgers]

photo via mourninglambs on twitter text from Bill Plotkin's essay Care of the Soul of the World in book Spiritual Ecology: Cry of the Earth

A person’s ultimate place in the world corresponds to her unique identity, her mythopoetic identity, one that is revealed and expressed through symbol and metaphor, image and dream, archetype and myth. Or, in a more poetic vein but with the same meaning, soul has been said to be “the largest conversation you’re capable of having with the world,” “the truth at the center of the image you were born with,” “the shape that waits in the seed of you to grow and spread its branches against a future sky,” or “your individual puzzle piece in the Great Mystery.”

[...] As your ultimate place, your soul is both yours and the world’s. [...] Your soul is in and of the world, like a whirlpool in a river, a wave in the ocean, or a branch of flame in a fire. [...] Psyche is not separate from nature, not separate from the world; rather, psyche is an attribute of each thing in the world.

If your soul is your ultimate place in the world and you need to live from that place to be fully yourself, then the world cannot be fully itself until you become fully yourself. Your soul is part of the soul of the world. How we live our lives has a direct effect on the anima mundi. The world needs us to recognize its sacredness and to discover and inhabit our sacred roles in its evolutionary unfolding.

The ego—a fragment of an individual human psyche that observes the rest of its psyche from a psychological distance—has limited knowledge about the psyche of which it is a part. When we’re young, a virtually universal component of what our ego doesn’t know is our ultimate place, our soul. This knowledge is hidden in the depths of the psyche and in the wilds of the world, and it takes a mature ego to find and comprehend it. In contemporary Western societies, most people never find it.

[...] Wisdom traditions worldwide say there’s no greater blessing than to live the life of your soul; doing so is the source of your deepest personal fulfillment and of your greatest service to others. It’s what you were born for. It’s the locus of authentic personal power—not power over people and things, but rather the power of partnership with others, the power to cocreate and enhance life and to cooperate with an evolving universe.

[...] In patho-adolescent cultures, “caring for the world,” when contemplated at all, is understood from a limited and shallow anthropocentric perspective—what best serves humanity in our immediate egocentric needs independent of the needs of other species or peoples or even of our own grandchildren. In contrast, when we place our emphasis and consciousness on the soul of the world, we’re embracing the world as something sacred, as something that has its own essence, its own purpose and destiny that might very well be different, bigger, and more mysterious than anything we suspect or anything we could understand. The emphasis shifts from our smaller human needs to the world’s needs, the world’s longing to evolve along its own trajectory. As poet Robinson Jeffers wrote:

In a healthy society, caring for the soul of the world is primarily the work of true elders. These are the community members who have the greatest capacity to recognize and comprehend the needs and desires of the world, and to respond wisely. They are the ones who can best guide us by virtue of their capacity to be guided by the world. By listening to the soul of the world, true elders acquire the wisdom, scope, and perspective to assess the relationship between humanity and the larger web of life we’re part of—and to guide us in keeping that relationship in balance. As we’re seeing now all too plainly, if the human is not in balance with the whole, everything suffers and eventually dies.

Given that true elders are now rare in this world, what can we do? I see three possibilities: We can support the work of the true elders who do still exist. We can create, join, and support nongovernmental organizations that perform what we might call the “cultural eldering function” of a healthy society. And we can each tap into the elder dimension of our individual psyches, regardless of what stage of life we’re in.

When I write of “elders,” I mean all three of the above: individual true elders, the cultural eldering function, and the elder capacity within each of us. When I write of “true elders,” on the other hand, I’m referring to those rare individuals who are not simply old (and sometimes not so old at all) but rather who have reached the developmental stage in which their ability to hear the world itself and their desire to care for the soul of the world has become their number-one priority, their center of psychological and spiritual gravity.

The elder dimension in all psychologically healthy people evokes within them a fierce defense and impassioned nurturing of the more-than-human world. The elder within us feels her interdependence with all life and how she is, in essence, summoned into existence through her relationships with all other beings.

[...] The elder’s foremost desire is for all beings to be allowed their true place, be given the opportunity to embody their souls, so that the world functions in its fullness, in accordance with its comprehensive destiny. The elder sees how each species, each habitat, and each social issue is related to all others. She understands that everything is alive, that it all fits together, and that we are all participants and reflections of the whole.

Through her devoted tending of the web of life and by her advocacy of the rights of all beings, the elder lends to the human community an air of completeness, rightness, tolerance, compassion, and forgiveness.

[...] Caring for the soul of the Earth, the anima mundi, has many dimensions. Four of them are: (1) defending and nurturing the innocence and wonder of children, (2) mentoring and initiating adolescents, (3) guiding the evolution or transformation of the culture, and (4) maintaining the balance between human culture and the greater Earth community.

[...] An elder is a holder of cultural tradition, but the elder holds not so much the surface forms of the tradition (the specific ways things have been done) as, more importantly, its deep-structural essence, its mythopoetic function, from which depths new forms might emerge to serve cultural evolution.

One of the ways that elder Joanna Macy is influencing the evolving direction of our culture revolves around what she calls “deep time work.” This is a collection of perspectives and exercises that help people experience their present lives within much larger temporal contexts, nourishing a strong, felt connection with both past and future generations. The experience of deep time utterly contrasts with the sense of time unique to— and all too prevalent in—contemporary society. “[Our] economy and technologies depend upon decisions made at lightning speed for short-term goals, cutting us off from nature’s rhythms and from the past and future as well. Marooned in the present, we are progressively blinded to the sheer ongoingness of time. Both the company of our ancestors and the claims of our descendants become less and less real to us.”

[...] Another component of Joanna’s culture-guiding work is to reassure people that they can openly face the horrors of our current global situation and be empowered by the consequent grief, despair, and strategic challenges.

Elders know that personal maturation often begins with a dying, a positive disintegration, always a necessity before a rebirth. Likewise, elders know that the transformation of contemporary culture, which they are charged to oversee, requires something like a collective descent into our inescapable grief and despair over the real possibility of our self-inflicted extinction, a descent that empowers our will to act and our capacity to respond imaginatively and effectively.

[...] Caring for the soul of the world is difficult even in a healthy culture. But it’s particularly challenging in egocentric societies, especially those in the terminal stages of cultural decline. A much-diminished cadre of elders must now oversee the most extensive and urgent Earth-care in human history.

The current state of the world evokes great anguish and despair for anyone paying attention, but this is especially true for those with mature hearts, who feel the world’s degradation all the more acutely. We must learn to behold and hold all this dying and loss, including our own, and still act to preserve and protect what we can.

In our efforts to preserve life and diversity in an egocentric world, our mature anger—in addition to our love—can be one of our greatest resources. Mature anger is part of a healthy reaction to the actions of people in power that cause suffering, death, and extinction for so many individuals, species, and human traditions and languages. This includes anger at ourselves for our complicity, in either minor or major ways. Anger of this kind promotes clarity and motivates constructive and corrective action, as well as compassion for those who are suffering. Mature anger—entirely distinct from hatred—derives, as Tibetan Buddhists say, “straight from the heart of pure compassion.

[merchantarthurn]

Okay so chapter 63 spoilers because I’ve been chatting with Sean about the fucked up implications of the new concrete details we have now and urm. I think? I’ve cracked why I kept fixating on twin theory in addition to treefrey, Silstas, Iguin, tree-people, the Brimhats plans.

So... in parts:

Why Coco?

Chapter 1 - Iguin was selling his magic books to unknowing children in the guise of a Brimhat, which is a pretty major risk when he could have appeared as a Pointed Hat. Multiple books were made.

Chapter 1 (Reproduction Selection) - the place where Iguin was selling this book was Adan Castle, the feudal lord of the area that Coco’s Village is in. And possibly Qifrey’s atelier.

Chapter 1 -  It’s unclear how many local witches there are, but Coco’s excitement at seeing a winged carriage, let alone a witch in person (which she notes is rare) indicates there’s not many. Possibly, Qifrey is the nearest one - since Kahln (with a witch outpost) is on the other side of a mountain range.

Chapter 3 - Based on Alaira and Qifrey’s conversation, there hasn’t been Brimhat activity in 4 years. 

Summary & theory - Iguin was attempting to sell multiple books to Unknowning children (?) in a region where Qifrey was a notable witch. He’s got at least three, and his coin bowl indicates he might have sold more. It’s very possible some of the forbidden magic incidents were related to these books/pens being out in the populace - perhaps people who failed to escape the magic they cast? With later theory in mind, Qifrey and Coco running into each other - when he’s a trial of new forbidden magic, and Coco is some “saviour” - it doesn’t seem like that can be a coincidence. Selling books in this area ups the chance that Qifrey would cross paths with whoever this Unknowning was - and as someone who’s been burnt by memory loss, would be unlikely to hand them over. And with the dangerous magic in the book, the likelihood that a survivor would have hurt a loved one in the process of discovering magic? Very high, and very tempting to try more forbidden magic, even with Pointed Hat guidance. Especially if your teacher is already in proximity to forbidden magic.

And what is Coco meant to do?

Chapter 27 (above)  - Coco is described by Brimhats as their “saviour”... but notably, only those working directly with Iguin. The factions within Brimhat circles isn’t yet understood, she is not called this by Restis’ crew, for example.

Various chapters (45 below) - it’s been referenced by multiple Brimhat factions that reviving the “ways of old” is their goal. And that the current, pointed hat way is not true magic.

Chapter 29 - Iguin notes that the only magic that can save Eunie is magic that was “outlawed long ago” i.e. before the Pact. But Iguin himself knows this magic and uses it - which is ultimately what saves Eunie. Iguin has knowledge of magic from before the Pact.

Summary - Coco is instrumental, to Iguin specifically, in restoring magic to how it was before the Pact. This is a shared goal of the Brimhats we’ve seen so far, but not all of them are looking to use Coco as a specific saviour (Restis does not want her to draw forbidden magic, only to get contact with the King). Notably, we see in Chapter 63 and from Sasaran’s comment about how Eunie’s cloak interfered with the spell that not every Brimhat fully understands forbidden magic and its effects, yet Iguin is able to undo Eunie’s spell despite it technically failing.

What magic was lost, anyway?

This is where Chapter 63′s more solid reveals come into play - note, these are machine translated so I’m going broad rather than specific. Put simply - forbidden magic isn’t just arbitrarily magic drawn on the body. The long, three-pronged symbols here are the same as from the memory glyph and are notably unusual - stretching far outside of the active circles and branching across the body in anatomically informed ways. 

It’s concretely revealed here that the combination of ink and human blood creates enormous magical runaway - such as what we’d seen Iguin use previously, but we weren’t sure if it was his blood that was special or not. 

We know from this chapter that hiding medical knowledge from witches is very much tied to this kind of magic - with “nails” (probably not a good word for it) instead of keystones that require knowledge of anatomy to fully utilise. There also seems to be an issue of blood - mixing medicine and magic unwisely can cause spells to spiral out of control. 

Theory - the specific knowledge of how to prevent such runaways was lost to the Pact, along with a lot of necessary anatomical knowledge. Hence why the King - a descendant of medical witches with a great amount of medical knowledge - is such an interesting target.... for Restis. Not for Iguin.

So what’s Iguin’s deal? And what about the tree’s?

A lot of this is couched in repeated symbolism and the specificity of what Iguin says (in contrast to other Brimhats). For the moment - let’s drop this cute cover page here with the eye-covered tree in the background and simmer for a moment.

First it’s important to establish - what do we know about Silver Trees?

We know they “choose where they want to live... like a human would”, we know their “blood” has magical and poisonous properties (to humans and to themselves). We know their “blood” mixes with human blood to create explosive results. We also know a little of their mythology and history, namely;

A fairytale of a star falling in love with a “maiden of the silverleaf tree” who caught a star in her branches, and giving her magic. She then gave this magic to the world.  This is likely the magic of the body referred to in Chapter 63 - it’s not just “the gift of magic” through drawn spells, it’s in the human body.  In addition, a history of a great forest of Silvertrees transformed by forbidden magic in attempts to revive the dead (before the Pact).

So we’ve got some pieces here - a tale about Silvertrees bringing the first magic to the world, bringing about mankind; a witch of old using the Silvertrees to revive the dead and leaving a forest in ruin; and the knowledge that Silvertrees grow in places that people find peaceful, that they choose their home. Notably, we’ve only seen a few Silvertrees but all of them have seemed old - especially those outside of Silstas. Why did Silstas’ experiments corrupt the trees? Why was this the location that Brimhats were experimenting on Qifrey?

It’s easier to lead with the theory than build to it - there’s people in those trees, and they’ve been around since before the Pact.

Iguin is the first to return - the trial run... which leads us to--

Alright bucko where’s this coming from

I posit that Silstas was not altogether unsuccessful - the Silvertrees were an important medium between the dead and the living, but he never succeeded in the second stage: bringing the dead back from the trees. 

Before magic was changed forever, witches with knowledge of this time were “resurrected” into Silvertrees, in places they held dear, unknowingly saving their knowledge from the Day of the Pact in their boughs. The woodcour so needed for magic is poisonous to tree and human alike because they are alike - and human blood intensifies the magic of the tree’s for the same reason. Human blood in itself has power, stronger power than the trees, for they are no longer living humans. 

Chapter 40 - this handy little image has bothered me for a while for a number of reasons - the eye and the inclusion of a Brimhat in the background in particular. Chapter 63′s confirmation re: blood and ink made it click for me though - what the strange tangling roots could be abstracting into, why there’s an eye in the trunk. I’ve labelled the panel for assistance of what I think happened here.

1) Qifrey’s eye is taken from him, it is used as a blueprint for the Tree (hence the eye in the trunk). Without the knowledge of medical witches past, a person is needed to assist the spell - in this case, Qifrey. 

2) The mix of blood and ink is powerful enough to resurrect a person contained within the tree - the dripping lines and the transformation of the roots show this formation of a mysterious, solitary Brimhat. 

3) My theory that this is Iguin - armed with knowledge of how magic was before the Pact. In addition to the spell that saves Eunie, he also knows twin vessel magic - which Qifrey notes was magic lost to the Pact. He speaks as if he witnessed it himself, is highly associated with Eyes.

So... he hides his face, we established, and I think this is for good reason - magic done on the body needs to be highly specific, less it lead to runaway reactions or unforeseen outcomes, so the resurrection of a person who’s been dead for god knows how long isn’t gonna result in that person looking... well like they used to look. We’ve seen parts of his face and they seem rather normal so... how’d that end up happening? 

Well....

Yes, maybe that’s silly - but especially in the early style of the comic, Qifrey’s lips and jawline are reasonable distinct. They also share a room in a chapter about twin vessels - and whilst I’ve got a pet headcanon about their life-force being tied in a similar way to the liquid in twin vessels, that’s still more a fun idea than anything with much weight. Unless he’s talking about more than just his eye here - it would explain why he’s slowly decaying if he was a vessel for giving life to another though, wouldn’t it? Getting back his eye at this point is part of his plan to stop whatever plan the Brimhats have - if I’m right, that might be mass resurrection of Brimhats with knowledge from before the Pact. Maybe with the use of people like him - his eye and the person brought back with it are a proof of concept. 

But again, why Coco?

Coco specifically I’m not sure was ever special, she only became a “saviour” for the trapped Brimhats when she became a witch. “The seed has sprouted”, as Iguin says - another sacrifice? Is her Brimhat “version” less an alternate path and more another twin? But that seems to small scale, doesn’t it? In truth, the specificity of her involvement in this is still rather unclear - she certainly thinks differently to those raised as Pointed Hats, and her ties to Qifrey mean she’s also tied to what happened to him (and is continuing to happen to him). 

After all, it’s clear that Qifrey’s experiment wasn’t quite perfect. He was a trial - and whilst it was possibly successful, if it was perfect then why not just keep going? They cared little enough for his life, so why would anyone else’s be a concern. More to that - why let Coco study under him at all, if the aim is to make her use forbidden magic in the end? Why be so indirect - plant a seed, let it choose to study as a pointed hat, let it choose its own path? 

There’s a lot of questions that I could posit very loose answers for without much backing but I think her ties to Qifrey and his ties to the experiments aren’t a coincidence - perfecting them is a must, and maybe perfecting them would save her professor. Honestly, this calls into question Beldaruit’s motivations to me too - he was very keen to get Coco away from him for his proximity to Brimhats and her own... the Sages know more than we do, that’s for sure - and with his desire to interrogate the ex-Sage who just unleashed a monster, I have a feeling he’s more than aware that taking Qifrey in might well have halted some plans (even if it was retroactive). Hell, we only have his account of the incident in Silstas to go off... just look at that glyph right under the line about the sages, after all. 

And guess who else was there with Beldaruit? Those freckles look familiar, don’t they?

Gosh, I’m struggling to wrangle my thoughts here in a convenient way so sorry for the dump of thoughts but I guess my TLDR is like this:

The experiment done on Qifrey was new magic - designed to finally resurrect Brimhats from before the Pact trapped in Silvertrees. This brought back Iguin, and has resulted in Qifrey’s own body deteriorating - possibly through some link between them. The Brimhats aim is to revive the magic from before the Pact - specifically the knowledge of medical magic, the lack of which prevents the use of blood magic due to the scale of the magic it can cause being unpredictable. Iguin wishes to do this by reviving the witches of old - other factions seek to rediscover it in the present. 

I believe it just has to be resurrection of some kind - there’s far, far too many references to it and the Pact for it to be nothing. And the confirmation of human blood and the human body having it’s own magic? A game changer. I almost wonder if the Silvertrees didn’t come first - their blood isn’t as powerful because living human blood is the root of magic. 

[imagines-r-s]

terms and conditions // jj maybank

chapter 1:

series masterlist // playlist (coming soon)

a/n: i apologize for the wait and appreciate all of your patience, i'm so excited for this series!! this series will include fanon!rafe and ward is not that terrible of a person in this. hope you guys enjoy and feedback is always welcome!!

warnings: asher. some parental issues (if i forgot anything, lmk)

wc: 3.6k

(not my gif)

Nine Months Earlier:

Walking down the seemingly endless hallway towards your moms office, your knuckles were turning white from how tightly you were holding the folder in your hand. All you had to do was somehow convince your mother - who was dead set on you taking an internship with her while you studied business management, so that you could take over as CEO when she gave it up - to let you try out for a program that would change the whole trajectory of your life. 

The Johnston School of Music was one of the most elite music schools in the country and you had been offered the opportunity to audition and interview with the head piano and orchestral teacher there, the only things that stood in your way was not knowing the audition music and your mother. 

That’s how you ended up here. Anxiously standing outside her office, trying to find the courage to simply knock on the door. Taking a deep breath, you finally knocked on the door and opened it at the sound of a soft ‘come in’. 

“No, no, Charles, you’re the one that’s not understanding,” you saw your mom pacing behind her desk as she talked to whomever was on the other side of the phone call, “if we establish this deal with the San Diego branch, we will have four solid places withholding. I’m working on getting another solid spot, but as of right now we need something to fall back on.” 

You listened as Charles tried to speak up on the other line and was quickly dismissed, “fix the presentation or else I’ll find someone else to do it. You have til the end of the week. Goodbye.” She huffed out a breath of air before sitting down at her desk and sending a smile your way, “hi, honey. How are you?”

“I’m good, Mom. Everything okay with work?”

“Ah, look at you interested in how the work day is going, but not exactly. It’s getting there though,” she sighed before she eyed the folder in your hand, “what’s that?”

“Oh, this? I wanted to ask you about something, actually.”

“What is it? Are you in trouble? Is it something about Asher?”

You sighed at the mention of your boyfriend, “no, Mom, it’s about a school. An opportunity came up for a really good scholarship, I just have to audition.”

“Why would you have to audition? I knew they were changing the way the enrollment process worked, but I never expected an audition process,” she thought out loud, “what school is it?”

Here it is. The make or break it moment. “Johnston School of Music,” you let out quietly, trying to gauge her reaction. 

“What was that? You know I hate when you talk so quietly, future CEOs talk with their chest. Now let’s try that again.”

“Johnston School of Music.”

The room went silent and the air grew ten times as thick as it was before. The two of you simply stared at each other for a moment, seeming like neither knew what to say, but you knew so much was about to be said by the way your mother’s posture changed. 

“Music?”

“Yeah, it’s a pretty prestigious school and if I got in, it would lead to really good opportunities in music,” you spoke as confidently as you possibly could. 

She hummed, “well, considering you’re looking to go into business, this might not be the best idea of yours.” 

Here it comes, “I don’t know how sure I am about majoring in business anymore.” You never were. You never had been. She had. 

“Oh, I see,” there was an uneasy pause on her side of the conversation, “I really should have taken you out of piano when I had the chance, thought it would be a good outlet for you though, but clearly it’s just put silly thoughts in your head that go against the plan we’ve had since you were little.”

“It’s just-”

“It’s just what?”

“It’s just an audition. Who knows if I’ll really make it? I can at least try, you know.” 

“Why waste your time on that? Plus, the audition is for the school, right? So, if you audition and make it, the prospect of being able to go to that school would be there and you might try to do it,” you watched as she stood up from her desk and walked over to you, her hand pushing a loose piece of hair behind your ear, “I just don’t want tedious things to get in the way of the big picture, sweetie.” 

You desperately wanted to say more, but you simply watched as she plucked the folder out of your hand and threw it in the trash can by her desk, “I don’t want you going to that audition and that’s final. I have to travel some for work later tonight and I won’t be back until the end of the week. Charles seems to need more help with the presentation than I thought.”

And with that, the conversation was over. 

Over the course of the next few days, the internal debate with yourself about this audition lived rent free in your head. Should you listen to your mom and simply live out the plan she had for you? Or should you take a risk for once in your life and go for this audition? 

At this point what’s life without a little bit of risk?

On the day of your next piano lesson, you walked into Mrs. Ryland’s studio with your chin held high. “So, I assume you came to a decision about the audition?” she asked, sorting through her music.

“I did, I’m going to this audition.” 

Pulling into your driveway, you knew something was off. You couldn’t tell what it was exactly, but you just had a bad feeling. Walking into your house, the first thing you noticed was how quiet it was. “Mom,” you called out into the quiet house, only to hear the echo of your own voice. 

You made your way to your room, realizing that your door was already open and that your mom was sitting on the edge of your bed, “hey. What’s wrong?”

“I’m just thinking it’s so crazy that the school I said you couldn’t audition for is sending you mail about said audition. Isn’t that a bit weird?”

They weren’t supposed to send out the information until May, it’s April. Your words stuck to your tongue with a bitter aftertaste once you saw the pamphlet in her hand. Trying to figure out any form of explanation failed as you simply stared at her hands. 

“Congrats, by the way,” she said, in way too calm of a voice. 

You paused, choosing your next words carefully, “does this mean I get to go?”

She let out a deep chuckle, “you think that after going behind my back and trying out for this silly music school of yours, that I’ll let you go? Congrats on simply wasting your time for an audition you won’t actually be able to go to, my dear. Hope it was fun.”

And with those last words, she simply stood up and walked past you, but not before dropping the pamphlet in the trash right beside your door. 

…..

“You know, maybe it’s for the best that she’s not letting you go,” Asher said, as you walked back towards your house. 

“What do you mean?”

“Well, the music-hobby-thing that you have going for you is clearly taking up too much of your focus from what you actually need to focus on.”

A furrow set in your brows that wasn’t there before, “and what am I supposed to be focusing on?”

“You know, taking over your mom’s company, the thing that you actually have a future career in. Me and her talked about how you don’t take it seriously and if you want to be successful, then you need to focus,” he said, as the two of you walked up the stairs that led to your front door. “Maybe it’s for the best that you aren’t going to this school.”

Your hand froze on the door handle before you turned towards him, “what did you just say?”

“It’s probably for the best that you aren’t able to go to this school, you can focus on the important things and forget about this silly little music school.”

“But this ‘silly little music school’ is something I love doing. It makes me happy, shouldn’t that mean more than being successful?”

A small smirk crossed over his face, “you can’t be serious, y/n. Awe, c’mon, babe. You can’t be so naive to think that this silly fantasy of yours is going to work out?” You stayed quiet as every word cut through you sharper than the last. “I should have known you weren’t serious about taking over, I thought if I got to you, then I’d be set.”

“What do you mean ‘if you got to me’?”

He brushed a piece of hair behind your ear, “y/n, look, connections are connections and if I had to use someone to get those connections, so be it.”

Connections are connections?

Your parents. 

“You’re joking,” you said, biting the inside of your lip to keep any reaction at bay. 

“Look, it was never supposed to get this far and I’m sorry you’re getting the short end of the stick here, but I-”

“We’re done,” you quickly interrupted. You didn’t need to hear whatever bullshit response he would come up with.  

“Oh, babe, you know you’ll come running back soon enough. You really are showing just how naive you are today, aren’t you?” 

You didn’t process anything, but you felt the sting on your hand before you realized what you had done. “You should leave. We’re done and let it be known that I will never. Never. Come running back to you, Asher.” 

Before he could say anything else, the front door of your house opened, “oh Asher, so good to see you. You should-”

“He was just leaving,” you said, brushing past your mom, who simply tilted her head in confusion. 

“Bye, Mrs. y/l/n, I’ll see you when I see you.”

“Bye, Asher, get home safe,” she said, waving him off before coming back inside. “What was that all about?” 

“It was nothing, we just,” you paused. Would it really get you anywhere to explain the real reason you broke up? She’d agree with him about the music and the being unfocused and the… yeah, everything. “We realized that not everyone is going to last after school, so might as well speed up the process.”

“Oh, hun, are you going to be okay?” she asked with genuine sympathy. 

“Yeah, it’s for the best. I’m going to go ahead and go to bed.”

…..

“I just don’t understand, Ward, she’s not acting like herself and I know that even if they did break up, it wouldn’t affect her as much as it is now. There’s a piece of this that I’m missing,” your mother said over the phone. 

“I mean, it could have been anything. The stress of the breakup? Maybe things are piling on each other? The stress of college starting soon? The internship?” Ward listed off on the other end of the line, “ I know Rafe was in that spot this time last year, but he’s doing a lot better now after he got adjusted to it. Maybe just give her time?”

“I think she’s upset about not being able to go into the music program and every other stressor just added to that feeling. I’m giving her a few months to relax and process everything that is happening. Now that she’s done with high school, she has three months before the internship with me and business school starts.”

“This is just a suggestion, but do you think a vacation of sorts would benefit her? I know when Rafe gets in his head, it works better when he’s not around whatever is bothering him.”

“Where are you suggesting she goes, Ward? I don’t want her to take advantage of being on her own for too long.” 

“Let her come stay with me,” Ward offered, “we have the room up here, plus Sarah and Rafe are around her age, so she’ll have people. We’ll keep a good eye on here and there’s plenty to do to keep her occupied.”

“You sure about this?”

“Yeah, of course. I want to see her succeed and keep her head on straight just as much as you do,” he offered genuinely. As the two of them began arranging for you to travel to North Carolina, Ward heard the familiar sound of the lawnmower outside his office window and another idea popped into his head. 

Once the call had ended, Ward went out to his backyard where JJ Maybank was out mowing his lawn as Rose worked on the garden. “Would you have an issue with y/n staying here for a few months this summer?” he asked, making his way towards where Rose was pulling weeds. 

“Kelly’s daughter? You already know she’s welcome here anytime, especially if she’s willing to play the piano for us again,” Rose spoke, completely unaware that that was a part of the reason they were trying to get you to visit. 

“Yeah, she’s had a rough couple of weeks, so Kelly and I assumed some time away might be beneficial. She’ll be here within a week or so and be here at least til Midsummer’s, if not longer.”

“Awe, poor thing. I’ll go ahead and start setting up the guest room for her and let the kids know,” Rose said, leaving Ward and JJ outside just as the sound of the lawnmower cut off. 

“Hey, JJ. Whenever you’re done here, do you mind meeting me in my office, I need to talk to you about something really quick,” and with that JJ was left to his own devices. A rush of anxiety hit him like a brick. Had he done something to jeopardize his job? This job was his ticket to living on his own as soon as he saved up enough for it and if it was jeopardized, he was screwed. 

Taking a deep breath and shoving down whatever nerves he was dealing with, he quickly put the lawnmower back in the shed and made his way up to Ward’s office. Sarah had gotten him this job whenever she found out that he needed a stable and consistent income to be able to get the apartment that he wanted. Ward hired him as an ‘assistant’ of sorts and as long as he worked for him for at least six months, he would pull some strings to get him the apartment he wanted. 

Finding Ward’s office door already open, JJ still took the time to knock before stepping in, “if this is about that rose bush that I accidentally hit the other day, I already promised Rose I would help her replant it,” he rushed out, still unsure as to what this was all about. 

Ward’s laugh echoed around the room, “I promise this isn’t about the rose bush, son, but I appreciate you already telling Rose about it.”

“Okay,” he said, hesitantly, “what is this about then?” 

“A friend of mine’s daughter is going through a rough patch right now and is coming up here to visit. She already knows a few people here since she has visited before, but I was hoping I could trust you to introduce her to some new people and keep watch of her this summer.”

“So, essentially babysit her?”

“Well, in a way, yes, but not all the time. Kelly is trusting that she’ll be safe and I trust you enough to kinda help me with that. I will also speak to some people about getting you that apartment sooner than later, as long as all goes well. Obviously, I don’t expect you to spend all your time with her or have an extremely boring summer, just don’t get arrested.”

JJ thought about it for a moment, something was telling him that this could end very badly, but he needed to get the apartment as soon as he could. Ignoring whatever feelings of uncertainty he had about the situation, he hesitantly spoke again, “yeah, I can do that.”

“Good, she’ll be here sometime this week.”

��.

Stepping off the ferry in a place that was somewhat familiar, yet so unknown was a weird feeling. You had visited here enough to have a small sense of familiarity, but it still seemed like a distant memory to you. Getting your luggage, you made your way past the gates to find Rafe, who would be picking you up. 

Rafe and you had connected over the many times that your families got together, usually being told to pay enough attention during whatever ordeal was taking place, whether that be business or casual. The two of you had many similarities in the dynamics that your families wanted you to go through, as both of you were expected to take over the family business, when in reality neither of you were too excited with the idea. 

Seeing the all too familiar polo and backwards hat, you immediately knew it was Rafe - even though he did hold the cheesy ‘Welcome Back From Prison’ sign that was payback from you doing the same a few years ago. “Wow, Rafe, good to know your humor is still there,” you said, as he pulled you in a hug. 

“Well, it’s been a while, Buttercup, so I had to make sure you wouldn’t think I got boring.”

“Rafe Andrew Cameron and the word boring don’t even sound right in the same sentence,” you quickly glanced around, “where are your boys?”

“Uh, Kelce had to do something with his mom, Topper would never be up this early, and Charlie is probably asleep, too. But we can crash whenever and I have plans with them later that they insisted I invite you to, so.”

“They, as in everyone, or they, as in mostly Charlie?”

“Bit of both, actually. All of them miss you, Charlie just happens to a bit more than the others,” he said, putting your bags into the truck. 

“Makes sense,” you said as you got into the truck and got ready to head to Tanneyhill. 

“So, I figured we could drop your stuff off, you say quick hellos, then we get breakfast with the boys, and then whatever else the day brings?” 

“Sounds good with me, Cameron.”

After arriving at Tanneyhill, Rose directed you towards the guest room that you usually stayed in and then you talked with her and Ward until it was time for breakfast with Rafe and the boys. Quickly texting the group chat about where to eat, the five of you decided on going to The Wreck. 

As soon as Rafe had parked, your door opened before you could even think about it, “hi, pretty girl,” Charlie’s all too familiar voice rang out. 

“Hi, Charlie. You almost scared me with how quick you opened the door, dude,” you spoke as you got out of the truck. Charlie had always been extremely flirtatious with you ever since the two of you met a few years ago, it was just the way the dynamic had always gone. You looked over to see Topper and Kelce waiting for you with Rafe as Charlie started talking to you about something totally random. 

“Yo, Miller, she’s barely been here an hour man, don’t talk her ear off already,” Kelce said as the five of you fell in line as you walked into the restaurant. 

“What can I say, I missed my girl,” Charlie said, with a shrug of his shoulders. 

“You know damn well that she’s never actually been your girl, Asher has been pretty prominent in her life for the past two years, dude,” Topper finally spoke, but his words caused you to visibly tense. 

“What was that?” Charlie asked, knowing you well enough to know you well enough to know something was up. 

“What was what?”

“You tensed up when we mentioned Asher,” Topper asked, a visible furrow in his brow. All of them shared a look of concern which quickly grew angry. 

“Did that asshole do something?” Kelce spoke up next. All three of them never liked Asher, which you just assumed was some toxic masculinity thing, but now you realize they might have seen through his act.

You made the effort to continue walking, but Charlie blocked your path, “I swear, y/n/n, if he did anything to you, I’ll kick his ass so hard-”

“Can I just- can I tell you guys later? Please,” the situation was still too raw for you to just talk about, especially with everyone being in a frenzy. “I promise I’ll tell you.” 

The four of them shared a look before nodding. Rafe was the one to break the silence, “let’s go eat, guys.”

“Is that who I think it is?” Mr. C’s voice rang out. 

“Hi, Mr. C, how are you?” 

“I’m good, honey. It’s nice to see you, how have you been?” 

The boys sat at their normal table while you stayed to chat with Mr. C, but you had caught someone’s attention from across the room. “Earth to JJ,” Sarah said, waving her hand in front of him.

“Sorry, what?” 

“I asked if you were still planning on stopping by for my birthday party, but y/n got all your attention,” she answered, laughing at JJ’s eyes still drifting over to look at you. 

“Who is she?” 

“y/n y/l/n, her mom is friends with my dad and she’s staying with us for most of the summer. 

Oh fuck. 

-------

taglist: @vntgkenz @dojacatismywife @gillybear17 (if you want to be tagged, either send an ask or just comment!!)

[heliads]

Crows

Everyone has a symbol on their palm that somehow relates to your soulmate. You have a crow, which led to you joining the Dregs in Ketterdam. Every Dreg has a soulmate symbol that in no way relates to you- except Kaz Brekker, as no one has seen his palm at all.

masterlist

You stare at the crow inked into your palm. It stares back at you.

You hesitate for a second longer, then snap your hand shut, letting the unblinking eyes of the black bird disappear back behind your fingers. This is the price of a soulmate, of wandering too far from your home and never finding the one person you were meant to belong to. This is the price of being a canal rat, a Grisha, of being anybody still foolish enough to believe in a soulmate in the midst of all this darkness.

Soulmates may technically be real, but people only believe in them as much as they do Inej’s Saints, or anybody else’s long-held dreams. Between the wars and Shadow Folds springing up across the world, it’s getting pretty hard for anyone to find their soulmate at all. It’s supposed to be simple- one mark on each person’s palm to designate their soulmate, a mark that will disappear at the first touch of their hand on yours. Sometimes, you wonder what mark would be on your soulmate’s skin: a flame or sparking coal, maybe, for your branch of the Small Science, or a skull, for all the death that seems to shadow your path.

The crow has been on your palm for as long as you can remember, as long as anyone has ever had a soulmate. It was there when you were born, but judging by your trend in luck, it’ll probably be there until the day you die. Soulmates aren’t for girls like you, girls who flee their homes to trade a life amongst the Grisha for a death in the gray-streaked streets of Ketterdam.

You were born an Inferni, that much is true. You witnessed the Ravkan civil war, and you were there to flee it for safer tides. You weren’t sure what cruel twist of fate landed you in Ketterdam, one of the worst places for a Grisha, but you were at least able to keep your identity a secret. You’d seen what happened to the luckless Grisha trapped inside neverending indentures, and you know what tortures would await you if word of your firestarting habit got out. So, you never spoke a word, and pretended you were just another otkazat’sya traveler in need of safe harbors.

You hadn’t been wandering the canals long before your path turned into the Barrel. It wasn’t an intentional choice, just an eventual fate that you would end up in the worst part of the twisting sidestreets. There was no escaping the Barrel, not unless you were a wealthy mercher or some other lucky sap who the Saints blessed with the ability to avoid getting dragged down into the muck like everyone else. You learned the names and locations of all the gangs like everyone else: Black Tips, Dime Lions, and most notably, the Dregs.

Your breath had caught in your chest when you heard of them. They frequented the Crow Club, some were called the crows themselves, their leader had a crow on his cane. Everything seemed to point in a glaringly obvious arrow towards your soulmate mark: a crow for a crow. Where else could you have ended up?

You knew better now. You had met Kaz Brekker, the boy with the crow cane, and you knew that any chance of finding a soulmate among his crew was near impossible. You had been walking home after dark one night when you found yourself set upon by a duo of thugs. Not Dregs, possibly Dime Lions with a bone to pick, angry that the Dregs had such control over the pigeons of Fifth Harbor. They had been expecting an easy mark, somebody they could thunk over the head with a pair of brass knuckles and walk away without a scratch. They weren’t expecting you to beat them into the dust in a matter of seconds.

No matter your status or location, you were still a Grisha, and you’d been trained by Botkin long enough to be able to defend yourself. When the goons were finally laid at your feet, unconscious, you had allowed yourself a moment to smile. It was easy to feel low, a gutter rat in the canals of Ketterdam, but being able to use your fists again almost reminded you of the training halls at the Little Palace.

Enjoying this one brief memory, though, was a slip that you shouldn’t have made. When you looked up, you weren’t alone- a boy stood before you, gloved hands clasped over a crow’s head cane. You didn’t particularly know who he was, or make the connection between him and the Dregs, and moved to get out of the alleyway before he decided to make the same mistake as the thugs. He had slid his cane in front of you, fast as lightning, stopping you in your place. “I think we should speak about your future in Ketterdam.”

You were annoyed at this sudden interruption. “I think you should leave me alone.” You had retorted, using your hand to move his cane back in front of him. You had also been irritated, both by the fight and this boy’s brashness, and slipped your hand into his pocket for just a second to retrieve a newly shined pocketwatch. No one could have possibly seen it, this tiny movement, and the boy certainly didn’t, as he let you pass without another word.

You were still grumbling when you got back to the ramshackle building you called an apartment complex, and your landlady had raised an eyebrow when she saw you. “What, have you finally realized that it was a fool’s errand to come here?” She asked, and you shook your head. “No, just bothered by some guy with a crow’s head cane. Weird prop to carry around.” The woman had blanched, face suddenly seeming to age a decade in a second.

She had bustled over to you, voice low as if terrified that the boy might be able to hear her. “That’s Kaz Brekker, you fool. He runs the Dregs. Saints, he might even run this city.” She had hurried away from you then, forcing herself back to her work. Even then, you had known she was wrong. There was nothing the Saints could know about Kaz Brekker, nothing they could even hope to involve themselves in.

You had shaken the experience away, climbing up the stairs to your apartment. When you pushed open the door, however, you saw that you were not alone. The boy from earlier was back, this time leaning against the far wall. He gestured for you to close the door, which you did, albeit hesitantly. You had no idea how he got in- you had changed the locks when you first arrived at the apartment all those weeks ago, barred the windows, made it impossible for anyone except you to make their way inside. Yet here he stood, with knowledge of both where you lived and how to get there before you. It was impossible. Well, impossible for anyone except Kaz. The Barrel was his home, after all, and you doubt Dirtyhands had ever bothered to knock.

His fingers tapped the crow’s head of his cane. “I don’t think we quite finished our conversation. You could do more than just wash dishes, you know. The Dregs could always use a new member. That, and I’d like you to return what you stole from me. I’m impressed, actually. No one is that good at pickpocketing except me, and no one would try something that daring except for, well, me. I think you’d fit in nicely with my gang.”

You had folded your arms across your chest. “And I’m meant to believe that my pickpocketing was impressive enough to warrant a visit from Dirtyhands himself?” Kaz had shrugged, the movement stiff in the darkness. “You can believe whatever you want. I just want to see if you’ll take a good offer when you see one.” After a while, you had accepted, and Kaz had left, but not before whispering something in your ear. “If you steal from me again, I will cut off both of your hands. I don’t tolerate theft, not from me.”

You had heard enough threats to know that he meant good on this one. As it turned out, however, Kaz would not have to fear theft from you again. You found a home amongst the Dregs, a home you weren’t likely to give up due to the thrill of pickpocketing Kaz Brekker. You had a room at the Slat, a place at the table, a voice in the masses. It was something you weren’t willing to trade away.

Even amongst the many crows of Kaz Brekker’s gang, however, you still couldn’t let the issue of your soulmate go. You can remember one night, late into the night’s bells when you, Inej, Jesper, Matthias, and Nina had all made the journey up to Kaz’s office, slumped against chairs and floorboards and chatting the night away. Kaz was sitting at his desk, apparently doing paperwork, but you did notice that he kept coincidentally chiming into conversations even when he said he wasn’t paying attention.

At some point, Nina steered the conversation to soulmates. She held up her now blank palm, proclaiming that at some point it had held a wolf’s head. She had been terrified, she said, terrified that she would have a drüskelle or some other weirdo for a soulmate. Matthias had acted affronted at that, but if he was feeling particularly charitable he might relent and tell the gathered Crows about how he’d had a heart on his hand, and how frustrated he’d been when it had disappeared the second he’d locked Nina away on that slaver’s ship.

Nina had turned to Kaz then, intent on poking the bear and having some sort of fun that night. “So, Brekker, what’s your soulmate mark? Or do you not do that sort of zealot human thing we call soulmates?” Kaz had raised his eyebrows, looking distinctly bored. Of everyone in the room, you’re pretty sure that only you and Inej would be able to tell that he was holding back a smile.

“I’m not entirely a monster, Zenik. I do have a soulmate.” Nina had leaned forward, intent on clarification. “Then what’s the mark? We can’t just take a gander at your palm, remember? They’re hidden by your gloves.” Kaz had let his papers fall back to the desk with a thunk, turning to her with an expression laced with both exasperation and studied disinterest. “It’s a fire. A small flame. Happy?”

Nina had looked fascinated. “Beatific. I wonder what that means. An Inferni, maybe?” She wiggled her eyebrows at Kaz. “Maybe it’s supposed to show that they’re devilishly attractive. Really hot, get it?” Kaz had made a sound that was either a dry cough or his best attempt at a laugh. “Hilarious, Nina. I see why you’re a Heartrender- you could make a person want to die based on your jokes alone.”

Nina had acted affronted, making sure everybody knew that her jokes were hilarious, thank you very much, but you couldn’t help but think about the repercussions of this. What if Nina’s first guess was right, and Kaz’s soulmate was an Inferni, like you? If your tattoo was of a crow, and Kaz’s was of flames, then surely it was too much to just be a coincidence. You’d never know, anyway, because soulmate marks only disappeared on flesh to flesh contact. Kaz always wore gloves, so you’d never find out the truth. Besides, you remind yourself, the chances of this were superbly unlikely. A crow could mean anything, so could a flame. You need to stop getting your hopes up.

Despite the possibilities and impossibilities, you’ve still been running with the canal rats long enough to know that you can’t dwell forever on what might have been. You’re a Dreg now and you need to focus on that instead. When Kaz announces an upcoming settlement with the Razorgulls, yet another one of the gangs that roam the streets of Ketterdam, you’re eager for a chance at something entertaining after a long while of nothing. Kaz will meet with the leader to negotiate their way through a claim on the various pigeons coming and going from the harbors, and that will be that.

However, this is the Barrel. Negotiations are rarely easy. This is why, when Jesper arrives as Kaz’s second, he’s shunted aside to a separate room to stay out the duration of the meeting. Kaz and the leader of the Razorgulls are on the opposite side of the street in an empty courtyard, far away from any help should they need it. Kaz was prepared for this, as always, and set up a plan. Inej will shadow Jesper, making sure that he’ll have a way out if he needs it, and you’ll be shadowing Kaz himself. You’re not sure why Kaz chose you instead of his faithful Wraith, only that he rarely makes decisions based on nothing and you would do best to follow his judgement. The times he’s let you down are few and far between.

You and Inej split up, staying amongst the rooftops to avoid detection. She follows Jesper and the Razorgulls’ second into a crowded tavern, and you head towards the abandoned courtyard. Ahead of you, Kaz’s cane taps against the crooked cobblestones as he wends through desiccated hedges and marble statues severely lashed by time. The Razorgulls’ leader is waiting for him there, but you can’t follow now. Instead, you stick to the edges, climbing stairs and making your way into the empty buildings that watch over the courtyard like silent sentries.

You’re not sure what trouble you’ll be walking into, only that it will exist in some crooked form. There’s no logical reason the Razorgulls would want the seconds in another building unless they were planning something, and no reason Kaz would agree to this at all if he wasn’t sure you could have his back when he needed it. As you creep along the buildings, keeping a careful eye on the proceedings through the few broken windows, you notice that the two gang leaders have begun to speak. You can’t quite hear what they’re saying, only a few whispers here and there.

You’re just rounding a corner, ready to make your way into a neighbouring building, when the lights flash off, landing you in darkness. Instantly, you panic. Lighting is scarce here, only the moonbeams and a couple of oil lamps, but there’s no reason they should have shut down this quickly. You hear footsteps on the stairs, along with two pairs of voices: Razorgulls, discussing how important it is to stick to the shadows so Brekker can’t see them.

Your heartbeat thuds in the dark as you realize they haven’t spotted you yet. In fact, they have no idea you’re there at all. When Kaz was giving directions for the negotiations, he specifically told you to make sure that you weren’t seen, even if rival gang members showed up. If you want to go along with his plan and make sure he lives to see the end of this shoddy deal, you’ll have to stay in hiding.

This, however, is easier said than done. If the lights were on, you would be able to see the wooden beams of the floor and tell which ones would creak and which wouldn’t, which large shapes of furniture to avoid and which holes in the floorboards you should step over. A chill washes over you as you realize what you’ll have to do. You move your fingers together, quick as scraping flint against steel, and a small flame materializes at the pad of your index finger. It’s small, barely visible to anyone except you, but it’s enough to help you get out of the room before the Razorgulls notice you.

Even as the thrill of using your Grisha power after so long sends a charge of energy through your veins, you can’t help but feel uneasy. The only reason you’ve been able to survive in the Barrel and avoid unwholesome indentures is because you never used your power, not once. Even if it was necessary, this still feels bad.

You’ve found a new hiding place in the corner of the room and move to extinguish your flame now that it’s no longer useful. However, it’s been too long since you last used your powers as an Inferni, and your concentration wavers. The flame grows brighter and you start to panic, eventually clamping down your mind and forcing the fire to disappear.

The disappearance comes too late. The Razorgulls have seen some light in the shadow that wasn’t supposed to be there and are now edging your way, careful not to let you out of their sight. You have no choice but to take them down, standing over their unconscious bodies and feeling a wave of nerves crest over you. Kaz specifically said not to mess with the gangs, but you had no choice. You can only hope that this won’t ruin his plan too much.

Quietly, you step through the room and unlock a window, letting the panes move open in the wind. Now, you can hear the voices echoing up from the courtyard, and your heart sinks as you realize that things aren’t going well. The leader of the Razorgulls has revealed his ace in the hole, that he’s got guns trained on Kaz right now. Kaz just laughs, the sound as cold as rocks scraping against a ship’s hull, ready to damn a hundred men to the depths of the ocean.

“Do you, though? Who are the men you sent up- Dirk Struik and Niels ter Avest? Your coffers may be deep, but mine are more extensive. Gentlemen, take down this man, if you please.” Your stomach twists as you realize Kaz was counting on the men you just knocked out. Without them, he’s alone with a man pointing a gun at his skull. There’s no way around this- you’re going to have to break your most cherished rule again.

You thrust your palms out in front of you, letting tendrils of flame arc out of your hands and cascade onto the leader of the Razorgulls. He twists in agony, burns appearing on his skin. He only suffers for a moment or two, however, until he becomes unconscious due to the pain. Kaz’s head jerks up, staring at you. You don’t think you’ve ever seen Kaz Brekker truly surprised, but he most certainly was not expecting this.

You don’t think there’s anything you can do except try to explain yourself. You jump down from the open window, letting your heels land lightly on the stones of the courtyard. Kaz seems frozen in place for a second, then moves forward until you’re standing only a few feet apart. Your breath comes wild in your chest. Kaz speaks after the longest of moments. “Where were the guards?”

You hold up your hands uselessly. “They saw me. I had to take them out.” Kaz’s eyes dart to your palms, faster than a sharpshooter pulling the trigger. He takes in the smoke still curling around your fingers, then the crow mark in the middle of your hand. When he speaks again, his voice has lost its icy edge. He just sounds like a boy again, young and confused.

“You never told me you were an Inferni.” You sigh. “It was a secret I needed to keep. You know what happens in the Barrel, the indentures and the tortures. If I used my powers, I would have died a long time ago.” Kaz jerks his head in a harsh nod. “I don’t blame you for surviving. We have all committed worse crimes to live” Your voice gains a confidence it didn’t have before. “Then what do you blame me for? You’re upset, anyone could tell that. If it’s not with me keeping my Grisha abilities a secret, then what is it?”

Kaz hesitates, as if pulling himself back from a yawning chasm. “Me.” You stare at him, at the indecision wracking his brow, then at the way he’s pulling at the glove at his palm. His hands almost seem to shake, like he’s still not sure that he’s doing the right thing. He pulls the glove off, inch by inch, seeming to dread every second that his hands aren’t covered by the black leather. At last, you see it- the mark on his palm, the flame sparking into being right there on his hand.

He reaches out tentatively. “I need to know.” He manages, and at last you understand. You move your own hand slowly, stopping when it’s only a few inches away from his. Kaz squares his shoulders, as if preparing to jump from another broken building, then closes the distance and lets his hand rest lightly on yours. As you watch, your soulmate tattoos shimmer for a second and then vanish, erasing from your skin as if they’d never been there at all.

Kaz lets his gaze linger on the empty skin of your palm, and then he seems to come back into himself, snatching his hand away like he’s flinching from a blow. You can see it in his eyes that he regrets this, that he can’t keep his hand there, but you understand. You can understand quite a lot from him.

Kaz’s voice is like the grating of metal. “I’m not somebody you want as a soulmate. It won’t be easy. It won’t be good.” You laugh quietly in the night. “If I wanted something easy, I would have never come to Ketterdam.” Kaz nods at this, something almost like relief in his eyes. “I’m not going anywhere.” You manage. Something almost like a smile flits across Kaz’s face. “Good. We have much to discuss.”

[niqhtlord01]

Humans are weird: Sewing Chaos: An Earl Von Morgan story

( Please come see me on my new patreon and support me for early access to stories and personal story requests :D https://www.patreon.com/NiqhtLord Every bit helps)

“We predict that within the next thirteen solar rotations our enemies will have reached our capital worlds.”

From the center of the dark room a projector ignited and displayed a map of the several surrounding galaxies. Each one color coded to match their respective claimants before the speaker hit a series of keys on the display terminal.

Several red lines began forming from different directions each one slowly pushing through the territories and arriving at the star mark planet signifying the capital worlds.

“These are the most likely avenues of advance they will take which will be coordinated simultaneously to ensure we could not bring our full might against any single thrust.”

“If we did combine our forces,” a robed representative from the Hadrion Confederation spoke, “would it be possible to defeat them?”

The figure at the display terminal entered new combinations of keys for the projection. It showed the military forces of each member state joining together to face a single thrust, and though the red line blinked out of existence the remaining lines still continued.

“If we did marshal all of our collective military might we would be able to stop one, maybe two, of the enemy advances; but as a result we would leave the remainder of our territory exposed and defenseless."

The small group of representatives murmured amongst themselves at this. They had been drawn into the conflict with the Jokonan Empire after a series of border conflicts had escalated into full blown war and now they faced the reality that they would soon become little more than puppet states to the Jokonan’s.

The speaker at the display terminal raised their hand and the conversations died down slowly as all eyes turned to one man.

“As you can see, our situation is rather dire Mr. Morgan; can you assist us?”

From the back of the room a figure rose to their feet and slowly made their way to the center of the room; the clanking of his cane echoing out like gun shots as he strode across the polished floor. As he stepped into the light of the projector he stopped and with his free hand removed a cigar from his jacket pocket and placed it in his mouth. He shifted his cane to his other hand and removed a lighter before swiftly lighting the cigar and returning the lighter. He gazed up at the star map before him and slowly began to circle it. He paced the display quietly, only so often taking an inhale of his cigar and puffing it out as he remained transfixed with the projection.

After circling the display for several minutes he stopped and casually spat out his cigar on to the floor. While the other representatives gasped he stomped it out with his foot before turning to the speaker still at the display terminal.

“I can.”

The mood of the room was a mixture of joy and hesitation at the human’s remark but before anyone could ask how it would be possible the human continued.

“I will need access and authority over all of your intelligence branches and military assets, the very best translators and speakers of the Jokonan language we have on hand, and the complete cooperation of every governing body present here without question.”

This statement was followed by a rash series of shouts and outcries from those gathered. They were shocked by the audacity of this human to walk into their council chamber and demand to be given near total control of all of their governments as if it was as easy as asking for a drink at a bar.

“Oh,” the human continued despite the uproar around him, “and I will need the best Jokonan historian as well.”

The speaker raised their arm again and the room quieted down once more. “And if we give you these things and privileges, you can stop these attacks?” the speakers said.

“I shall do more than that.” Earl Von Morgan said he turned and smiled at the gathered group. “I shall shatter the Jokonan Empire.”

*Twelve solar rotations later*

Morgan sat at his desk reading the latest progress reports when the doors to his office burst open. Each member of the council walked through and stood before the desk, each with a look on their face with a mixture of disgust, anger, and barely contained panic. The final member to walk in was no less the speaker themselves as the rest parted to allow them to stand directly before Morgan.

Morgan briefly looked up from his reports to scan the room before looking back down at them.

“Though my secretary handles my appointments I am sure I would have noticed the council on my agenda for today.” Morgan said dryly.

“It has been twelve solar rotations.”

The speaker’s voice was calm and collected, but Morgan was experienced enough to hear the undertone of hostility behind each word.

Morgan set down his papers finally and looked up at the assembled group. “Has it really been that long?” Morgan looked over at his desk calendar and gave a look of surprise. “So it has; time really does just fly by the older you get I suppose.”

The speaker stepped forward and placed their hands on the desk, leaning their head down so the swirling darkness of their veil was gazing down at Morgan.

“It has been twelve solar rotations,” the speaker continued, “and you have told us nothing.”

“You’ve doomed us all!” one of the assembled representatives shouted drawing cheers from the others.

“I knew we shouldn’t have trusted a human!” said another drawing even more adulation.

Morgan leaned back in his chair and clasped his fingers together. He showed no interest in the gathered mob before him and if anything appeared frustrated that his daily schedule was being interrupted.

“I have not felt the need to issue you status reports because I believed some among you,” Morgan said as his eyes wandered across the gathered faces pausing here and there on certain ones, “would not pass along that information to the Jokonan’s.”

This drew outbursts of anger from several members while others, those that Morgan had focused on, appeared to retreat further to the back of the group.

“You have the audacity to claim one of us is a traitor?” came a cry from a Funtak, his lips struggling to form the words as his three tongues clashed with each other to pronounce each syllable.

“I am a politician; it would be out of character for me not to suspect those around me of treachery.” Morgan chuckled as he shrugged his shoulders childishly.

The Funtak looked to continue the argument before an Ultoine put a hand on their shoulder and stepped forward.

“You and your inaction are the subject here, not us.” They said as they pulled out a binder and casually tossed it on to Morgan’s desk.

“In the past twelve solar rotations you have not only refused to engage the enemy but have in fact more often ordered the withdrawal of our forces when facing the Jokonan fleets; even going so far as to order some of the captains to surrender to them rather than fight.”

“If anyone is the traitor it is you!” the Funtak shouted.

At this Morgan appeared to take offense to. Rather than addressing the accusation Morgan merely grabbed a remote control off his desk and aimed it at a nearby tv. The tv flickered on to a news channel already in progress.

“Our top story tonight is the unfolding outbreak of what appears to be the beginnings of a civil war within the Jokonan Empire.”

Every representative’s face turned to the tv while Morgan continued staring down the speaker.

“What did they just s-“ one of them began before being shushed to silence as the broadcast continued.

“Reports are coming in that second prince Hafala Kajar has declared himself the rightful successor to the imperial throne and denounced his elder brother and the first prince Umba Jaka.”

The screen panned over the images of the two princes. Between the two of them Umba was more physically fit while Hafala standing easily two feet taller, but he lacked the dignified manner Hafala seemed to carry himself with.

“Several Jokonan officials, who have spoken to us unanimously, have stated that military forces loyal to each of the princes have already begun engaging each other in open conflict while Emperor Xar Moth has called for all combatants to cease fire immediately.”

Several video clips played with what looked to be Jokonan ships firing on each other, some even showing grievous damage to their hulls billowing giant clouds of ash.

While the council had their eyes glued to the TV Morgan threw his own folder on to the table, right in front of the speaker. The cloaked head finally broke its gaze with Morgan and slowly picked up the folder, opening it and flicking through the first few pages.

“For the last twelve solar rotations I have been using the resources you have provided me to drive a wedge between the first and second princes.”

Morgan reached for his cane and stood to his feet. He circled round his desk and stood before the speaker as they continued flipping through the pages.

“At first the second prince had no interest in ascending to the throne, he was content to remain at his post and serve his empire.”

Morgan reached over and tapped a certain file the speaker was now looking over.

“So you make those around him believe that he would be a better emperor then his brother, and get them to do the convincing for you.”

Morgan began working his way through the council as they remained transfixed on the tv.

“Whenever I knew the second prince was in a battle I made sure our forces were soundly routed and fled the battlefield, building the prince’s military victory tallies, making his men believe that he was some great tactician who made his enemies cower and flee before even setting foot on the battlefield.”

The speaker nodded, finally grasping the initial part of Morgan’s plan. “It’s one thing for outsiders to say you should be emperor, but another thing entirely when those you have trusted all your life begin saying it.”

Morgan smiled and tipped his head to the speaker as he continued to mingle through the crowd.

“The main offensive that was predicted twelve solar rotations ago was planned by the first prince himself and while we did engage in delaying battles with his fleets we made sure that at every turn the first prince was left humiliated.”

“Every battle ended in horrible losses with little to nothing to show for it as our own fleets engaged in hit and run missions, depriving the first prince of the large scale engagements his younger brother was reaping glory from.”

Morgan continued describing his plan as he made his way back to his desk as the tv was announcing that the second prince had officially declared his brother a traitor to the empire and called on all loyal Jokonan’s to rise up against him

“Next we began hacking into the Jokonan communication systems and broadcasting the second prince’s victories to the entire empire, editing the footage to appear like it had been offhandedly recorded by a waiting bridge officer or a soldier observing the space battles through a view port; and the civilian population lapped it up and over night Hafala became a household name.”

He returned to his seat and to the surprise of many touted a devilish grin as he explained the final part of his plan.

“The final stage had us sending forged documents for Jokonan senators, industrialists, members of great houses, and others in positions of power not openly defying the first prince, but suggesting that the second prince has the potential to be even better.”

“Of course these messages were also then leaked to the first prince who became understandably enraged and arrested many of them, who continued to pronounce that they never made such letters all the way to the gallows.”

“This pushed any supporters he did still have to become increasingly worried that they would be next in this mindless rampage and sought protection of the second prince, which in turn led to what we have before you.”

The news broadcast ended their segment with a Jokonan capital ship imploding like a pumpkin full of firecrackers as Morgan turned off the tv.

One by one the council began turning back to look at Morgan with a renewed respect in their eyes, but were unable to speak praise due to their previous outbursts.

“Not all wars are fought on the battlefield my friends.” Morgan began as he pulled out another cigar and lit it. “We could never match the Jokonan military, so, we turn their own military against themselves and watch as they eat each other alive.”

“Brilliant!”

To Morgan’s surprise it was the Funtak who issued him praise before continuing.

“While they are at each other’s throats we can attack and destroy them once and for all!”

Morgan let out a billow of smoke and to the councilors surprise shook his head in disagreement.

“If we attack now we give them both a common cause to rally behind and unite again.” Morgan cautioned. “We must continue to remain on the sidelines for now and merely stoke the fires of this civil war for a few additional solar rotations, at which point there may very well be no more Jokonan Empire to speak of.”

“It was wise to entrust our survival to you after all it would seem.”

The speaker set down the folder finally having read its entire contents and bowed to Morgan. The rest of the council quickly followed suit as a sign of respect and remained like this for several minutes.

“We shall continue to abstain in favor of your judgement in the coming solar rotations; should there be anything else you should require merely ask it.”

Morgan nodded his head to the speaker before looking back at the council. “For now all I need is for you all to respectfully leave.”

The councilors raised their heads in confusion at this.

“My next meeting is with a particular Hive diplomat I am rather fond of and we have pressing matters to attend to.”

The ease with which he seemed to casually dismiss them offended some, but they yielded all the same and removed themselves quietly as Morgan looked out the window at an approaching transport and smiled to himself.

[gliphyartfan]

@yandere-linked-universe @stars-for-thought @linked-heroes @ice-cream-writes-stuff

@imprisioned-in-the-hole I loved your prompt and couldn't resist! Hope I did it justice!

Wind has a strong presence in this one, that wasn't planned by the way.

Enjoy!

'I'll be fiine guys.'

She totally should have saw this coming.

'This is Wars' era, wandering the market won't that bad.'

Yep— these past few days had been too damn calm for the all of them,

'I'll be gone for an hour! Two hours tops! Promise!'

Of course something like this was going to go and happen.

'This. fucking. sucks!' She grunted, slowly slide down the rope she made out of the sheets in the room she was trapped in.

This is what happens when you jinx yourself.

'Everything will be fine!' Oh suuure, the first hour was delightful.

Saw some items,

Chatted with some folks,

Even got to pet a few dogs!

But the second hour-

'His Grace wishes to discuss some things with you.'

'Sorry, you got the wrong person. Plus I don't feel comfortable with-'

'That wasn't a request.'

'...-!!'

She should have know there would have been someone behind her.

It's always when it's out of your mind that it happens.

And now she was trying to escape her own wedding. And the crazy Duke that wanted to marry her.

She wasn't a hero damnit!

'I'm gonna get lectured so badly after this!' She grunted as she reached the end of the rope, her feet dangling in the air for a moment as she tried to figure out what to do next.

'Damn you laws of physics and gravity!' She whispered to herself.

Physics and gravity decided to take her insult personally as the rope loosened its hold on the railing, causing her to fall into the bushes two feet below her.

'Urk-branch! Branch!' She hissed in pain, reaching underneath and removing the branch poking at her back.

As she rubbed the area, brushing the crumpled sheet from her head, she checked her hand to make sure she wasn't bleeding.

Before she could plan her next move, she stilled as she heard the heavy thuds and clanks of armour approach nearby.

The movement came closer, she used her place in the bushes to keep hidden. Slowly parting the leaves next to her with one hand, she used what visibility she had to discover that yes, it was a pair of guards and the conversation that flowed through the air confirmed they weren't Hyrule guards.

Drat.

'Is the Duke really gonna marry that girl?'

'Seems to be the case. He's been very pleased with himself too. Looks like he's trying to get the wedding done by tonight.'

Double drat.

'I don't blame him, you've seen that girl? Bet he's eager for the wedding night.'

Okay. NO.

'Haha! A beauty like that for a wife would be quite the status boost.'

The guards walked past the bush and it's hidden occupant.

Had they looked back, they would have seen a displeased glare directed their way.

(y/n) huffed and looked around, trying to remember where the exit was.

With another glance around, she picked up her dress and slowly made her way out of the bushes, pausing momentarily before taking off the heels she was forced to wear

'I can't run and climb in this dress.' Trying to think about what to do next, she looked down at her clothes.

'Hmm...'

--

'WHERE IS SHE.'

'Link please-'

'Don't tell me to calm down Zelda!'

Wind bit his lip as Warriors marched up to the princess' face and growled.

'Impa is having her men search the castle and surrounding areas, we will find her.' Zelda tried to reassure him, taking a step back when he glared.

'It's been a WEEK and you have nothing to show for it!' He ran a head through his hair, taking a deep breath to calm down.

'You know I've been busy with-'

'With the Grand Duke of the farther kingdom who is here as a token of peace and unity between kingdoms.' Warriors recited irritably. 'Yes, very understandably important when someone went missing under the watch of YOUR men.'

'She was last seen in the market, we have blocked the gates and are inspecting every individual leaving the city.' Zelda gave Warriors a look.

'And might I remind you that they are also your men?'

'Apparently not anymore with how you let them slacked off!'

'Excuse me-'

Wind sighed as they started arguing again.

They were getting nowhere.

'This is going nowhere.' Wind turned and saw Hyrule coming up next to him, watching the arguing duo.

'Any luck with the others?' He asked quietly, not surprised when Hyrule shook his head.

'Twilight is using Wolfie to catch any scents but the storm has made that difficult. Time is with Legend and Wild speaking to the merchants and Four is with Sky speaking with the guards.' Hyrule replied, rubbing his eyes tiredly.

Wind felt the same way.

None of them were able to sleep well since she went missing. The only reason they slept at all was because they needed to be rested enough in the event a fight comes their way.

But the lack of her presence was deeply felt.

'Any luck here?' Hyrule asked hollowly, already knowing the answer but still asking.

Wind simply gestured to the still arguing duo.

'Is she even still in town?' He couldn't help but ask, not wanting to think of the possibility that she was far away, but it was necessary.

'She has to be,' Hyrule reassured,smiling weakly. 'The town went on lockdown almost immediately.'

Wind returned Hyrule's smile with a weak one of his own.

They turned back to the duo, feeling more tired as they listened to the princess justify her duties.

'I am already dealing with the Grand Duke and I can't give anymore of my attention to this than I already have.' Warriors just gave her a look.

'I wouldn't be bothering so much if you allowed me access to his guest quarters.' It was Zelda's turn to glare at him.

'You know I cannot do that, he is a guest and has nothing to do with her disappearance.' Only Wind and Hyrule noticed the way Warriors hand twitched, as if desiring to reach for his sword.

Not that they could blame him.

'I am not accusing him Princess,' he said through gritted teeth. 'I am merely requesting-'

'That I allow you access to his quarters.' The displeased expression on the princess' face only matched the captain's.

'Annnd they're arguing again.' Wind muttered, watching them fall back into another verbal brawl.

'The only place we haven't looked is the guest wing.' Hyrule whispered, wringing his hands.

'You think we should sneak in?' Hyrule looked at the arguing pair and nodded.

'Yeah...it's better than assuming nothing is there.'

'Alright...Wars!' The angered captain looked at them, a scowl on his face.

'Rulie thinks he has a lead at the market so I'm heading out with him.' Wind kept a casual look on his face, staring Warriors in the eyes.

Warriors was quiet for a brief moment before he grunted and turned back to arguing his case with the princess.

But he was less tense than he was a moment before.

He understood what they were going to do.

'He'll keep her distracted.' Wind murmured, tugging Hyrule out of the room.

'And Impa?' Wind sighed and rubbed his shoulder.

'Still searching the market place I bet, we gotta be quick.'

And with that, they both headed to the guest wing of the castle.

---

The guest wing wasn't too far away, probably for the convenience of whatever foreign guests came to visit.

But it was walled off and the Grand Duke's personal guard was patrolling the area, forcing the duo to sneak their way in.

'I really hope we find something.' Hyrule whispers, the two stilling as a guard passed by their hiding place.

'Best place to look is the most obvious place.' Wind reassured. 'And the most obvious place is a area that's being guarded by enemy guards.'

Hyrule didn't correct him about the guards.

If she was here, they were enemies.

'Let's look through the rooms! Top or bottom floor?' Hyrule hummed.

'We're good at escaping from higher levels, and there's only two floors, let's start low and move up.'

They worked together, both alerting the other when a guard was close.

Soon they snuck passed the majority and reached the first set of rooms.

Then the second set.

Then the third.

They moved up to the second floor and quietly searched through each room.

It was in the Grand Duke's room that they found incriminating evidence on his desk.

'I can't read this language,' Wind whispered harshly as he glared at the papers in front of him. ' but I know (y/n)'s name anywhere!'

'Take it, we can sure it to the princess.' Hyrule whispered back, keeping watch at the door. He tensed when he saw a couple of guards round the corner. 'We need to go!'

'This is the last room and we haven't found her!'

'We found evidence and that's a better than what we had before, now move!'

It took some time to shuffle out the window and climb down, but they were successfully able to make their escape from the guest wing without notice.

'A lead, that's good.' Wind gasped, hands on his knees as he caught his breath.

'But still no (y/n)' Hyrule bite his thumb nervously. 'I hope she's okay...'

'We can't lose hope!' Wind grunted, stretching his back and sighing.

'Let's go, we need to show these papers to the others before we give it to the princess-'

The sailor went rigid, eyes snapping forward, widening.

'What's wrong Wind?' Hyrule asked worriedly, hand on the younger teen's shoulder.

The teen bit his lip to keep his expression from crumbling and his breath was shaky,

'(y/n)...?' Hyrule's own eyes widened and his head snapped to look when Wind was staring.

There, in a torn dirty white dress, no shoes, and messy hair, was their beloved goddess looking around, visibly distressed.

'(y/n)..?' Wind raised his voice, hope as visible in his tone as it was in his eyes.

Hyrule's heart felt such relief as their beautiful goddess' head snapped in their direction.

The smile she gave them was simply magnificent as she immediately ran toward them.

The moment she was close, she wrapped her arms around the both of them and began to cry, relief filling her.

'You have no idea how happy I am to see you two!' She hugged them closer.

'WE'RE happy to see you!' Wind sighed happily, resting his head in her shoulder, both him and Hyrule hugging her as tightly as she was hugging them.

Just having her in their arms was a blessing they treasured so much.

'Where have you been? How did you escape?' She sighed and shook her head.

'I'd rather tell it one time.' She looked around.

'Please tell me the others are near by?' She whispered, absolutely exhausted and didn't want to deal with any more drama.

'Well...no. They are looking for you in town. We snuck into the guest wing to look for you.' Hyrule answered apologetically, heart clenching when she sniffled.

Wind frowned for a moment before he gasped in excitement.

'I'll rally them up!' Hyrule and (y/n) looked at him in confusion as he reached into his pouch.

'Wild has the slate! And if he has the slate-' he pulls out what he was searching for.

'Then we can reach him with this!' (y/n) tilted her head.

'A...stone?' Wind grinned at them, the pirate's charm dangling from his fingers.

'A COMMUNICATION stone!' (y/n) gasped in delight and gave Wind another hug.

'Call him! Call him!' Wind laughed and activated the stone.

'Um, I've been meaning to ask...' Hyrule quietly said to (y/n) who looked at him innocently. '...About your..outfit...'

Wind ignored them for a brief moment as Wild's tired voice came from the pirate's charm.

'What is it sailor?'

'Guess who me and Hyrule found!' Wind grinned as he heard gasps.

'You found her?! Is she safe?!'

'They found her?!'

'She's okay! We're by the-'

'HE WANTS TO MARRY YOU?!'

Wind turned his head so fast, he winced at the pop he felt, the loud yells coming from his charm filling the air.

'WHERE THE HELL ARE YOU GUYS?!!' (y/n) winced as she realized the panic she just caused

'Uh-'

He couldn't help it, Wind laughed, soft and just a little hysterical.

Of course an insect had to pop up when they let their guard down.

---

'Where is she.'

'Sir, we have our men searching for her this very moment.'

'I want her found by TONIGHT, the wedding will go as planned.'

'Of course sir!' The Grand Duke scowled as his guard walked off.

He is so close to raising his status.just another day and he would have been on top of the social world. He sneered, like a child, storming down the halls of the guest wing.

'Should have simply left with her when I had the chance.' He ran a gloved hand down his face.

To think he had one of the heroes of legend in his grasp only for her to have slipped through his fingers.

He'll have to make sure to teach her a lesson.

'Sir!' He sighed irritably, turning to see another one of his guard approaching him.

'What is it? Did you find her?' The guard looked nervous.

'Sir, Princess Zelda is requesting your presence in the throne room at once.' The Grand Duke tensed and stared at the guard.

'Are you sure?' The guardsman nodded, stepping back when the Duke growled.

'Of all the times...' He looked back at the guardsman. 'Continue looking for the girl.'

After the guardsman nodded, he decided to get it over with and headed to the throne rooms.

--

--

'Grand Duke, thank you for coming at such a short notice.'

'Your Highness.' The Grand Duke bowed to her, as he rose he noticed the nine gentlemen standing to either side of her.

The heroes of legend.

The Grand Dukes greed brought to mind the rise in his status at what might be a possible meeting with the legendary nine.

He was to arrogant to realize the cold looks he was receiving from them.

She smiled, nodding in greeting. 'I apologize for disturbing your day Grand Duke, I understand how frustrating it can be, but I heard of a strange rumor recently and I had hoped you would clarify it for me?'

'Please rest assured Princess, I will do all that I can to assist you.' He said, smiling openly, the perfect gentleman.

'Splendid. Now,' She dropped the smile. 'Did you conspire to abduct the heroes' companion and force her to wed you?'

The Grand Duke froze, paling as the question registered in his head.

'Wha-'

'Ah. Before I continue, allow me to properly introduce the gentleman before me-'

'There is no need your Highness,' calmly interrupted Time, coldly gazing down at the nervous Nobleman. 'He is as aware of our identities as we are aware of his.'

'I-'

'And you seem to be very aware of the identity of our most dearest companion.' Legend hissed from his place next to Time, glaring daggers at the unsettled man.

The Grand Duke's expression twisted into fear, anger, and panic.

His hands clenched into fists at his sides as he cleared his throat. 'I'm sure I don't know what you're speaking of.' He calmly answered.

'Perhaps a misunde-'

' A misunderstanding? I'm sure.' Warriors scoffed, looking at Zelda with a raised eyebrow.

She sighed "Lets not fool ourselves here, we all know what this is about.' She stared sternly at him. 'You abducted the young woman known as (y/n) and were conspiring to wed her for...status?'

'She isn't very happy about being kidnapped.' Wild said casually, as if he was not wishing he could jam a bomb down the Grand Duke's throat and detonate it.

It seemed the arrogant man could barely handle being talked down in such a way. His clenched fists trembled in anger.

'I will not allow such accusations to be made against my person!' He looked at Zelda, face flushed in anger.

'If you believe that our kingdoms will be allied after this, I assure you that-'

'If your kingdom is full of noblemen like you, than Hyrule would benefit by NOT allying with you.' Warriors interjected, ignoring Zelda's stern look towards him, looking down his nose at him.

'You have no proof!' Warriors sighed and nodded.

'I suppose I don't.' He was silent until the Duke looked smug before he matched his expression with one of his own, pointing behind the Duke.

'But she's proof enough.'

'Oh, so I'm demoted to proof now, am I?'

The Duke went rigid, his mouth snapping shut on the words just spoken as he slowly turned his head-.

An dispassionate look directed right at him.

'Apologies my Angel.' Warriors smiled softly at her. 'No insult meant.'

'Hmm.' She raised an eyebrow, a brief glance at Warriors before looking at the Grand Duke.

'(y/n) I ask for complete honesty.' Zelda commands. 'Was the Grand Duke the man behind your abduction with intention to force you to wed him?' (y/n) nodded.

'Yes your Highness.' Zelda closed her eyes and sighed.

'Very well, I will arrange for his departure tonight.' The Grand Duke's face a unique combination of red and enraged yet also paling.

'T-This will not stand! When my king hears of this-.'

'We have already sent your king the information of your crimes.' The princess proclaimed to the unsteady nobleman.

'Y-you-'

'You are no longer welcomed within the borders of Hyrule Kingdom and are henceforth outlawed from ever returning. Impa shall escort you to the guest wing to retrieve your belongings.'

Zelda then turned and strode away, but not before sending an apologetic glance at Warriors.

He simply returned her look with a blank one.

(y/n) walked passed the royal knights that now surrounded Grand Duke and made her way to the group.

'I'm so glad you guys found me.' She said with relief in her voice.

'You ended up saving yourself dear.' Time chuckled, reaching up and cupping her cheek. 'And we were panicking like we lost our minds.'

'I was panicking when Wind and Hyrule popped up.' She admitted. 'Trust me, I was so happy and relieved to be found by you guys.'

'We'll always find you (y/n)!' Wind chirped, wrapping his arms around her waist, causing her to giggle.

'Well I guess it has it's uses.' She clapped her hands.

'I'm hungry and demand all the cuddles! I hated this week!' Wild was already pulling out his slate and looking through his inventory.

'I'll make a meal that'll taste so good, you'll forget this week ever happened!' (y/n) grinned in delight.

'That's what I want to hear!'

The Chain surround her as they guided her out of the throne room, the angry cries of the Grand Duke not worth notice.

Yet two members of the group lingered behind.

And they were eyeing the fuming nobleman with calculating eyes.

'We could have been a bit more...hands on with his punishment... ya know that don't you old man...?' Wind commented, his treasured wind waker in one hand.

'As enjoyable as it would be, I don't want to spend a moment longer away from Her.' Wind sighed but nodded in agreement , crossing his arms, tapping his wind waker against his chin.

'So the storm will kill him?' Time nodded, inspecting his Ocarina casually.

'I have more than enough magic to conjure one strong enough.'

'You've already had Wild damage parts of the ship correct?' Wind nodded. 'Than once I summon the storm, make sure the winds finish the job.'

Wind hummed. 'Kay.'

They both looked at the shrinking form of the dead man walking.

'Ugh, I hate bugs.' Wind huffed, a disgusted look on his face.

Time stared at the Duke until he could not see him no more.

'Hm..So do I...'

That night, the group of nine celebrated the return of their most beloved member, lavishing her with their affection and as she requested, all the cuddles she asked for.

(That night, reports were received by two kingdoms that notes a vicious storm appeared as the Grand Duke's ship sailed beyond the Hyrulian sea borders. Destroying the ship beyond recognition. There were no survivors.)

[staygolddindjarin]

Grief

Chapter two: Rebellion

Din Djarin x Reader x Cassian Andor

Series Summary: Raised on Mandalore, born into a bloodline of warriors, no one ever expected for the daughter of a Clan leader to go rogue. Leaving the life of security and making the journey to fight in the war against the empire meant many things... giving up the way of the Mandalore, and giving up a solid future. A future that involves an arranged marriage to a foundling from another clan.

Chapter warnings: some brief angst, this ones pretty mellow ngl

Words: 3.3k

A/n: i was not expecting such a good response from the first chapter but bruh you guys are amazing- anyway here's part two of my brain's misery

Part 2/?

The trip from Mandalore to the planet of Dantooine was long, and still ongoing. We all took turns, watching to see if we were any closer. After each jump from hyperspace, the transport would stop at a space refueling tank, before slowly going onward toward the destination. We must have been traveling several systems across the galaxy. We had a few laughs, mainly while watching Gander try and steal Shyloh's food from his knapsack while he was sleeping. Most of the other time we all just sat in silence, up until this point.

"What do you think we're all going to do once we get to the rebel base?" Merc raised his voice slightly, barely capturing our attentions as we had all been dozing off, and Shyloh was taking watch at the view point.

"What do you mean?" I had asked, not quite sure of what he was getting at. I sat up straighter against the wall, showing my interest in the newfound conversation.

"What branch do you think you'll end up in?" He was in a daze as he spoke, almost unsure of his intentions of bringing it up. His dark eyes were nearly emotionless under his furrowed brow.

"I hadn't really thought about it. I would say maybe something like mechanics," I said, thinking of the best possible use of my talents. I'm sure there's plenty of mechanical help already assisting the rebels, but with the galactic empire growing it's forces by the day, they needed all the help they could get.

"What about flying?" Shyloh perked up from his seat at the window.

"What about it?" I asked, curious as to why he suddenly thought of the new topic.

"You could do it of you wanted to. Be a pilot, I mean. You have the skills," He told me, but I scoffed. He wasn't in any way shape or form was making an ounce of sense at all.

"Speeder control races are a bit different from piloting fighters against the imperial troops don't you think?" I laughed at the idea, but he rolled his eyes, persistent with his opinion.

"It's less different than you think it is. Also mind you, I never saw you lose a race," He objected, but I wasn't having any of it.

"That's because when I raced, my own credits were on the line," I joked, seeing what he would try and come up with next, only to be met with a cold hard stare, before an answer that would shake me to my core.

"Well, now the freedom of the galaxy is on the line."

My smile dropped from my face and I turned to face the other two, who were looking back at me. They didn't expect that answer either. Shyloh was well known to be a boy of few words, and only really spoke to his friends and family. He was a founding just like the rest of them, but he had been with ths clan longer, due to having been saved from a war infested home as a baby.

He could sometimes be very wise, even if he didn't think he was being so. We weren't sure what it was, but he had this sort of presense that was so powerful. We knew when he would walk in a room, or walk out of it. It's like the air would change. Much like it changed now, with his words rendering us all speechless.

The silence was uncomfortable, and I was the one who left it unresloved, so I spoke up in favor of my crewmates to not keep quiet any longer.

"Perhaps I shall see where I am needed first."

"Perhaps you shouldn't be so afraid to explore an option you would excel in," He again rendered me speechless, and I did not have anything else to say this time. I was young, but my mind was not. I could comprehend thoughts the same way that an adult could. I could handle things just as well and if not better than some, too. He was right. I was simply afraid.

"I think we're finally here," Shyloh said, turning back to look out of the view port again.

"Its about time," Gander stood up, slinging his knapsack over his shoulder and standing at the transport door waiting for it to slide up.

We all followed suit, but Shyloh stopped us and held up a warning finger to stay still.

"There's manding droids, we gotta sneak off carefully. They don't look like bulk but they could be armed," He suggested. We were not yet at the rebel base, meaning these were probably droids of the land, and belonged to whoever oversees the exports on this planet.

When the panel opened, we were all careful to first peek out of the transport. This planet was nothing at all like Mandalore, which was dry and hot. This planet was lush with plants. And the air was slightly humid. It was a very welcome contrast from where I spent most of my life.

We all sneakily bolted out of the transport, ducking down behind one of the cargo units placed outside. We saw an opening in what looked like some sort of forrest patch.

There was a chill in the air on this planet, even in the middle of the day. Mandalore only ever got colder at night, when the sun was down and the moons were shining.

"That was close." Merc mumbled as we began to turn around and head into the grasslands, trying to find the rebel base.

We made sure no one was behind us, and were careful to check if any droids had caught sight of us.

We all went to turn around, but as soon as I did, I collided with someone's chest, rather hard might I add, sending me to the ground on my bottom. I didn't even collide that hard with the person, it was just the shock that sent me backwards.

"Need a hand?" I looked up to see a man, a sly smirk on his face as he held his hand out towards me. I took it without question, heaving myself up from the grassy, and somewhat muddy ground beneath me.

"You must be our contact," Merc smiled, and the man nodded, turning and begining to lead us to a speader that was hovering nearby behind a large set of trees.

"We must be careful not to use names outside of the base. I would be more than happy to formally introduce myself once we reach our final destination," He chuckled. It was only now that I realized he had an accent, a thick one. Probably left over from his native tongue that spilled out his mouth when he spoke galactic basic.

I know that sometimes my accent slips in when i speak. I never had to worry about using Mando'a around my fellow crewmates. They were foundlings, and hadn't been raised to speak it. Shyloh was, but he prefered to use galactic basic anyways because he had forgotten so much of it.

We all boarded the speader, Gander and I sitting on the back, our legs hanging off as we held onto the side bars.

"This might be a bumpy ride for you two," The man said, looking at both of us before giving me a wink. I scrunched my face up, not sure how else to react to it. The man was definitely on the younger side, but I wasn't sure how he could possibly see an interest in me.

Maybe he did and I just didn't want him to. Maybe I was still hinged to the idea that I would go back to Mandalore someday and marry my betrothed. I was so young, and hadn't the slightest idea of what feelings I could possibly be harboring, if any at all.

I couldn't deny I found him appealing. Anyone would, at least any human with eyes that is.

His hair was dark, and so were his eyes. He had a bit of stubble along his jaw and above his lip. He was somewhat scruffy looking, but in a good way.

As the speeder went through the forresty stretch of pathway, I kept turning around to catch a glimpse of him. Each time I did I had to look away fast because Gander would give me weird stares.

I would play it off like I was simply taking in the view of the green planet around me, and he wouldn't seem to notice.

After a while, with quite a few twists and turns, and Gander and I nearly falling off the speeder twice, we arrived to our destination.

We all hopped out of the transport, following the man into a giant cargo port. As soon as I looked to my left I could see an X-wing fighter in all it's glory. I had never seen a real one before, just heard stories and viewed holograms.

"Alright. We have about twelve other recruits arriving on this base today, so you will all be attending orientation this evening. As for right now, you look beat, and should rest. PX-74 will assign you to your bunks," He said, gesturing to the droid before beginning to walk away with a nod, but I stopped him before he could take a step.

"Wait a minute... I believe I recall something about a formal introduction," I crossed my arms over my chest and shifted my weight, trying to give off the look of having as much confidence as I could muster. I was putting on a facade, possibly to make me seem more mature. I didn't know the real reason.

He smirked, raising an eyebrow as he scanned me up and down with his dark eyes.

"Cassian Andor," He smiled, then looking right back at me with questioning eyes. "And how about you... you got a name?"

"Y/n from clan Maldrix," I said, my confidence wavering a little when he looked at me the way that he did.

"She's a Mandalorian," Shyloh perked up, and I sent him a warning glare.

"Yeah, sixth generation," Merc added, his cocky smile pasted on his face for all to see and be annoyed by.

"A mandalorian? I've heard the stories but I haven't ever met one. Are you-?"

"I'm not," I cut him off before this got twisted into one big lie. "My mother and father are."

"Doesn't that make you one too?" Cassian furrowed his brow but his tone was somewhat joking and humorous.

"No, it does not," I wasn't harsh with the way my voice came out, but I was firm. Though I wasn't one of them, the mandalorians and all they stood for were very important to me.

"Mandalorian is not a race, it's a creed. Some of the best Mandalorians I ever had the pleasure of knowing didn't even have a bloodline from Mandalore. They were foundlings, like these three," I explained, laying out the facts so that there was no longer any confusion lingering, but now there was a tension that was thicker than the trees on this planet.

"Even still, she can fight just as good as any soldier taken the creed," Merc jumped in, trying to clear the air, and thankfully, it seemed to be working.

"She flies even better," Shyloh mentioned, and I swore I could kill him. He was just so pushy sometimes, even with his massive sense of wisdom.

"You fly?" This peaked Andor's interest, and immediately he seemed more engaged towards me.

"I'm not as good as they say I am," I admitted, but he shook his head.

"No, really... if you can fly we could really use you. We're putting together a team for an air raid that's set to happen about one month's time from now," He came up closer to me and stared me in the eye.

"I'm just a kid, I might really let you down," I joked, trying not to get too caught up in his eye contact. His eyes were much darker when you could see them closely.

"I tell you what, I can arrange for you to have time in the flight simulator after orientation. If we feel you would be an asset, we can add you to the strike team," He said, nodding along to his words. I understood that they might need backup, and if push came to shove, I could maneuver faster than any pilot back on Mandalore. I never lost a race, nor did I ever lose a bet.

"Okay."

I could tell I was blushing from the extra attention I was receiving. I wasn't so sure what about me was so enticing that I deserved it.

"I have to go now to pick up the other recruits from a drop station. I leave you in the capable hands of PX-74," He said, returning to his speeder and letting us be lead off into the base.

"There are only so many open bunks left. Two of you will share one, and the other two will be placed with bunk mates." The metalized voice of the PX unit was strong in our ears, and we all followed after him as we ventured into the long hallway at the end of the cargo port.

The droid stopped at a door about midway through the hall and opened it using the side panel on the wall, revealing a young man that seemed almost younger than me even.

"One of you will be staying here. Which will it be?" The droid asked, turning towards our small group.

"I'll take this one," Shyloh said, stepping forward into the bunk to meet his new roomate.

The boy looked a bit frightened at first, but because of Shyloh's powerful yet calming energy, he seemed to relax almost immediately.

He turned and smiled back at us, waving before the IG unit closed the door and kept us going.

He walked us down passed several more doors, maybe more than twenty, before he stopped at another one and opened it up.

Inside sat a young woman, her legs crossed as she sharpened a knife with a smirk on her face. She looked up and made eye contact with me first.

"I wondered how long it would be before they got someone else in here." Her voice was somewhat low and raspy, but it was kind of soothing in a way.

"One of you-" the IG unit began again, but I stopped him, stepping into the bunk with the girl inside.

"I'll take this one." I smiled at the two boys left before the door closed on my new bunk.

I moved to set my knapsack down on the bottom bunk, but my roomate stopped me.

"Bottom one's mine." She said, looking up from her sharpened knife again to inform me of the sleeping arrangements.

I instead threw my knapsack on the top bunk, trying to climb up into it, but failing miserably.

"You need a hand?" She chuckled, watching my lame attempts to swing my leg up high enough. The fact that there was no ladder should have tipped me off.

"I'll be okay, thanks," I laughed, keeping my attitude loose and positive, though this bunk bed was already causing unnecessary problems for me.

"If you say so," She chuckled again, seeing as I finally managed to haul myself up and onto the bed.

"First try," I joked, and she laughed like it was the funniest thing in the world. I think that we would be getting along, because no one ever laughed at my lame sense of humor.

I laid back, resting my arms behind my head and staring blankly at the ceiling.

"So, where are you from?" She piped up, not taking her eyes away from her previous knife. That thing must mean a lot to her.

"Mandalore," I let out, trying to get comfortable on this lumpy pad that was under my head.

"Actually?" She seemed surprised. Everyone had heard of the planet that the mandalorian tribes had resided upon, and usually they understood what kind of people the place would breed.

"Yeah. Left just in time. Tomorrow's my birthday," I shut my eyes continuing our converastion with one less sense. It didn't matter, though. I was still fully awake.

"What would you have had to do?" She pondered curiously, finally looking up towards the bunk in interest.

"Well, to put it short... tomorrow I would have had to swear my freedom away. No living being would ever be able to see my face again till the day I died," I laid it out plain and simple, and she seemed to understand.

"How old are you?" She asked, her trail of questions getting longer and longer.

"Sixteen tomorrow," I answered, feeling a bit more tired now that my eyes had been closed, and the lights in the bunk rooms were dim.

"You're just a baby," She scoffed. "How could they possibly expect you to make that choice so young?"

"It's just the way it's always been there. This is the way," I remembered. Those words used to be said to me nearly ten times a day, and now they only rung in my mind as a memory.

"That's insane. The people on your planet must be crazy to take an oath like that," She muttered.

"You would think so... the strangest part about it is that there are kids brought back as foundlings that take the creed without hesitation. They don't even belong to a bloodline, they just feel as though they have right to the creed as much as anyone else," I silently remembered Din for a moment. He was the bravest, strongest, most loyal Mandalorian I'd ever known. A foundling.

I began to get bitter at the thought of leaving him. He could have made things better for me if I had just given him a chance. I had to let my head get in the way. I needed to think about something else.

"What about you, huh? Where you from?" I asked, changing the subject as quickly and painlessly as possible.

"Alderaan. Born and raised," She said, getting up from the floor and dropping herself on the bottom bunk.

"You been a lot of places since then?" I asked, but she first let out a heavy sigh before speaking.

"Only too many to count," She said, settling herself on the bunk like I had done.

"Must be nice..." I muttered. Finally able to relax on this pathetic excuse for a bed pad. Of course I couldn't complain. I'm the one who chose the life of the rebellion, including their miserable bedding. "I've never been anywhere outside my home planet until now. I haven't even seen the entirety of my own planet."

"Most new comers are the same. They haven't been anywhere else, then they come here and its like we're moving non stop. Base to base, on just about every planet in this galaxy," She reassured. At least now I didn't feel so out of place.

"How long have you been stationed here?" I asked, unsure of how long I would get to adjust to things.

"A few months. It's likely we'll have to leave soon. There's rumors of the imperials knowing our location," She answered, rolling her eyes, thought I couldn't see from the top bunk.

"You're kidding," I scoffed. After just getting here, I might have to up and leave again. I'll have to learn to accept this new life, it's what I wanted.

"I wish I was, kid," She added.

"I have a name," I retorted back, not a fan of the nickname 'kid'. I waited for her to ask me what it was, but when she stayed silent I sighed. "It's Y/n."

"I'll call you what you are... now get some rest, they'll come pounding on that door in a few hours for orientation," She said, as though she somehow had grown to a habit of mothering me only five minutes after we met. I dropped the conversation and drifted off to sleep, my eyes were too heavy to keep open anymore anyway.

.

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Tags open

A/n: okay so like i wrote this a while before everything with gina carano happened and i do not in any way condone her whatsoever so let's pretend she's been recast already...

[the-insomniac-emporium]

Bound Blood (Cassandra Dimitrescu/Reader, Soulmate AU) Pt. 5.5 Bonus

Fandom: Resident Evil: Village Rating: T+ for language Warnings: None Summary: Local feral human spends some time with their new family. Four short bits featuring Daphne (Maiden OC), Bela, Lady D, Daniela, and a surprise guest. Enjoy. Previous Chapters: 1: Sharing Is (Not) Caring; 2: Bloodbath, Baby!, 3: Haunt Me Dearly, 4: Portraits For Ghosts, 5: Heart Of The Matter

5.5: Family

i.

“Wait, you’re telling me that you came here willingly?” You asked, mouth agape, eyes wide. It felt like every time you talked to Daphne she had something incredible to say. Which was, of course, why she was your favorite maiden to talk to. That, and the fact that she had adapted so quickly to your ‘charming personality’. So far she was the only servant you had been willing to be honest with. Mainly about your feelings regarding your blood bond, but also just about your relationship with Cassandra in general. Something about Daphne simply made her incredibly approachable. From what you had heard, you weren’t the only one to think as such, with her being fairly popular among the castle workers.

“More of us do than you might expect. Some consider it an honor to serve one of the four Lords, and Castle Dimitrescu is certainly… nicer than either the factory or the reservoir. Personally, I came here for a friend of mine. She, well, had less of a choice. I couldn’t bear the thought of her being here without knowing anyone, so it felt like I only had one option. Can’t say I regret my decision, if you can believe it,” Daphne explained, folding laundry all the while. At the same time, you carefully sort through the not yet washed clothing, separating them into two baskets. After all, you wouldn’t want Lady Dimitrescu to end up with a pink dress! Technically this wasn’t your job, nor did you have a job at all, but you hated having idle hands- especially when talking to someone who was working. At first Daphne had protested, but she had given in upon realizing just how stubborn you could be.

“That’s… impressive. I mean, holy shit, that's a real ride or die friendship right there. Is she, uh, is your friend still, you know, around?” You stuttered, cursing your tongue for asking such a thing. If the answer was no, you were going to feel like a real asshole. Which, admittedly, you had a tendency to be. But this wasn’t one of the times where it was intentional. Thankfully, Daphne is all smiles, and even seems amused by your spluttering.

“Yes, we’re even roommates. Well, us and five others. Possibly with a sixth one on the way, if we ever get someone to fill the empty space,” she replies, pausing to think. Then she’s back to work, refusing to waste any time. “Speaking of roommates… I know I said I’m not one for gossip, and I meant it, but a little songbird told me that Cassandra seems to be in a much better mood these days. Are the two of you, well, getting along? It would be nice to know that soulmates can overcome even the roughest of introductions.” There’s a hint of something odd in her tone, and you take a moment to wonder what she’s (unintentionally) hinting at. Had she met her soulmate, only for things to go poorly?... Before answering her, you make a mental note, deciding to see if any of the other maidens had a scar across their nose.

“It’s not like she and I are dating or anything. We’re just, you know, not hating each other. Currently,” you said, shrugging. But Daphne raises an eyebrow at you, and you find yourself instinctively feeling guilty, somehow feeling small next to the shortest person you knew. “Alright, alright, we might have… Okay we kissed. And promised each other not to die, because having your soulmate die hurts like hell. Also maybe she showed me her mom’s art collection and I made a joke about the titty sculptures because holy shit, this house has a lot of titties.” At this, Daphne bursts into laughter, grinning from ear to ear.

“Amen to that, for sure.”

ii.

“So… fan of science, I see,” you say, awkwardly, bouncing a little on your heels. Next to you is the eldest Dimitrescu daughter, who had unexpectedly joined your table in the library. There were several other places she could have sat, with both more comfortable seating and more workspace, but for some reason she had chosen here. So far she hadn’t said a word. Hell, you hadn’t spoken to her since your first meeting, where she had suggested killing you. Naturally, you weren’t quite sure what to make of her. Something told you that she felt much the same about yourself.

“Fan of oversimplification, I see,” Bela counters, after a few tense seconds. Then she sets down her book- a heavy text about Romanian avian fauna- to give you her full attention. “It would be more accurate to say that I enjoy studying biology, particularly the branch of zoology.” Well, this conversation was certainly… happening. Honestly, you couldn’t tell whether she was legitimately judging you, or merely chaffing you for her own amusement.

“You’ll have to, er, forgive me for being overly broad. Consider it a side effect of my nerves, those themselves being due to our unsavory introduction. In case you don’t recall, you put that sickle of yours into my shoulder,” you reminded, with a sarcastic smile. To your surprise, Bela chuckles at this, almost as if fondly remembering the incident. Seriously, you think, why did my soulmate have to be from this family?

“Staying silent was an option. Perhaps that would have suited you better?” Bela says, now clearly teasing, smile much more genuine than your own. Knowing she had a point, you’re quick to blush, mildly embarrassed.

“Touche. I am curious, however, why you decided to sit next to me in the first place. I certainly wouldn’t have tried starting a conversation if you hadn’t,” you explained.

“Like I said… I enjoy studying zoology,” Bela replies, with a sly grin. It takes you a few moments to understand the intended implications. Once you do, however, you’re giving her a hard stare. Then you scoot your chair a few inches away from her, in exaggerated movements. “Don’t worry, I was only joking. Though you certainly are an interesting human. Much more, hmm, cheeky? Compared to the servants, at least.”

“Somehow I get the feeling that they simply prefer being alive, as opposed to not being as snippy. Except maybe Daphne, now that I think about it. Very sweet, that one,” you muse. “Regardless, I think I’ll return to my book now, for it lacks a tongue, and is therefore less likely to taunt me.” Doing just as you had said, you open the book, holding it a bit higher than what would be comfortable, so that it becomes a ‘shield’ of sorts. Nothing was quite as satisfying as subtle body language.

Accepting your words with a shrug, Bela also resumes reading, turning to a bookmarked page. Roughly an hour of relative quiet passes. Neither of you so much as glance at each other, not even when she drops the pen she had been taking notes with. In the end, you are the one who leaves first, and finally the silence is broken. You give your goodbyes, and Bela returns them politely. Though you do not know it, she sets her book down as soon as you leave, pausing to think about you. Now that things had ‘calmed down’, it was reassuring for her to know that you weren’t always full of spite. Still, you held onto your cleverness (for the most part), leaving her with no doubt about the universe’s decision. You were her sister’s soulmate.

iii.

“It’s official: I’m lost in a creepy castle. The universe hates me. Probably should have realized that sooner, considering how it decided to introduce me to my soulmate,” you mutter, scowling deeply, as you wander unfamiliar halls. How had you even gotten lost? Sure, you had taken a wrong turn, but it hadn’t taken long for you to realize your mistake! Evidently you somehow managed to make another one while backtracking. Now you were standing in the center of the corridor, hands on your hips, desperate for some maiden to come rescue you. What you really didn’t want was Cassandra to find you, because she’d make fun of you for the rest of your life. It’s not like she had specifically joked about you getting lost before. Except that was exactly what had happened.

A few minutes pass uneventfully. There aren’t even any distant sounds of life; no footsteps, nor echoing voices, nor the squeaking of floorboards. All you can hear is your own breathing. As well as the occasional sigh, admittedly. By this point, there’s a part of you that’s starting to panic. After all, there was a chance that the castle was big enough for certain sections to be abandoned. Hopefully that’s not the case, you think, I mean, they’d cut the power to those parts, right? Here’s hoping… With that in mind, you get back to wandering, figuring that you’d have to eventually run into a familiar landmark. Or better yet, someone who actually knew the castle’s layout.

When salvation at last reveals its holy visage, it is not in the form of a lowly servant, rather the muffled voice of none other than Lady Dimitrescu herself. Neither her exact words nor who she’s speaking to is clear. At first, you can’t even tell where her voice is coming from, but you quickly approach one closed door, then another, searching for the source. Several doors later you’re certain you’ve found her. By then you can tell that she’s not alone. Not wanting to seem rude by interrupting, you take a few steps back, leaning against the wall to wait. For the most part you still cannot make out what’s being said, but a few words do reach your ears.

“-expected more from you. How am I-” the voice gets cut off, not by Alcina, rather a sudden gust of air, akin to massive wings flapping. When the speaker continues, they are both louder and angrier. “Someone is listening. Have you not taken steps to ensure our privacy?” Then the door is swinging open, revealing your soulmate’s mother. At first she’s practically shaking with rage, but her expression turns to shock when she sees you.

“What are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be with Cassandra?” Lady Dimitrescu asks, clearly stressed, as she steps into the corridor. There’s movement behind her, although you cannot make out any details. Besides, you’re quick to answer her, wishing to avoid her wrath (and that of whoever she was speaking to).

“I’m so sorry, Lady Dimitrescu, I was walking from the dining hall to Cassandra’s studio, and I took a wrong turn. I’ve been wandering for half an hour now. When I heard your voice, I thought perhaps I could, well, enlist your assistance. But you were busy, so I figured I’d wait outside. If I had-...” you pause, gulping, as the other figure steps into view. It’s a face you’re all too familiar with. One that popped up countless times through the village, and again throughout the castle, the owner’s name always spoken with acclaim, with worship. Mother Miranda, in the flesh, wings spreading out behind her, somehow cutting a more impressive silhouette than even Lady Dimitrescu. Instantly you’re falling to your knees, knowing that your sharp tongue was no match for this practical goddess.

“Who is this, Dimitrescu? Why isn’t their blood staining your claws?” Miranda questions, gaze never leaving your trembling form.

“This… this is one of my daughters’ soulmates. They were brought in with the last group of sacrifices,” Lady Dimitrescu explains, uncharacteristically hesitant. ‘Twas a true testament to Miranda’s power, as well as her influence, that she could make someone so powerful seem so weak. Which was exactly why you were shaking with anxiety. But to your surprise, the goddess does not immediately order your execution for your trespass.

“And already they know their place, hmm? Kneeling before me?” Miranda says, a strange smile dancing on her lips. Whatever anger she had been feeling a minute prior had faded, though you couldn’t even begin to guess as to why. Regardless, both Alcina and yourself are quite relieved, though neither of you are quick to show it. “Either they have a good head on their shoulders, or you still take care of some of your duties. Very well, they may live. For now. But I expect next week’s report to be far more favorable. I don’t need to remind you of the price for failing me.” With that said, Mother Miranda turned to leave, a swirling mass of dark feathers flying past you.

A minute passes, maybe two, before either of you feel capable of speaking up.

“Let’s get you back where you belong, yes?” Lady Dimitrescu says, quietly, before placing her hand on your shoulder to guide you. Tension hangs clear and heavy over both of you. Even as you walk down corridor after corridor, the feeling does not ease. At least not until you’re back in familiar territory, near where you had originally made your mistake, finally able to breathe a little. It’s here that Lady Dimitrescu pauses to speak once more. “Tomorrow I will assign one of the servants to give you a tour, in the hopes that this does not happen again. Furthermore, I ask that you forget everything you heard earlier, for it is neither your business… or my daughter’s.” You’re quick to nod, and with that she bids you farewell, leaving you alone. Now, you think, was it left from here, or right?

iv.

“I’m just going for a walk. Why do you care so much? It’s not like it’s any of your business,” Daniela assures you, despite the fact that all you had done was say ‘hello’. If this was her attempt at casting aside suspicion, she had done a terrible job of it. What made her so nervous? Was it even worth investigating? Only one way to find out.

“You’re rather bundled up, planning on being out for long?” You ask, trying to sound casual, leaning against the wall as you did. In response, Daniela pretty much stomps her foot. There’s something odd in her expression, however, that implies your question hit a soft spot. Certainly wasn’t what you had expected. “Don’t mind me, just trying to make conversation with my soulmate’s sister. Speaking of her… have you seen Cassandra? Is she, perhaps, going with you?” A little misdirection never hurt anyone. Probably.

“No!” Daniela replies, fast as a gunshot, too much emphasis to be unintentional. But she realizes her mistake as soon as she’s made it, and makes a clear effort to relax herself. “She’s probably in her studio, doing whatever it is she calls art, on the other end of the house. Besides, I don’t want any company for this walk.” For a moment you merely squint at her, unsure of how to proceed. In the end, you decide that it really is none of your business, being more than satisfied by what teasing you’ve already done.

“Alright, alright. Well then, I’ll leave you be. Just… be careful, yeah? If you get hurt, and your mother finds out that I didn’t stop you from going… not sure Cassandra could save me,” you say, with a shrug. At first Daniela can’t decide whether to be upset or relieved, but she seemingly settles for the latter, giving you a brief nod before heading outside. As the door shut behind her, you couldn’t help but wonder if you had done the right thing.

[superhero--imagines]

Part 1 Here! / Part 2 Here! / Part 3 Here! / Part 4 Here! / Part 5 Here! / Part 6 Here! / Part 7 Here! / Part 8 Here! / Part 9 Here! / Part 10 Here! / Part 11 Here! / Part 12 Here! / Part 13 Here! / Part 14 Here! / Part 15 Here! / Part 16 Here! / < This is Part 17!>

Donate to Move to Higher Ground HERE!

Song for this Chapter - (X)

A/N: Soooo I might not update Saturday this week because I’ve been pretty slammed at work this week. If anyone would like to Beta read the next two parts of this series (Especially if you’re BIPOC) pls DM me. The next part I’m not so concerned about, but the part after. (Also need Beta readers for my original pieces!) 

* Your legs dangle beneath you as you continuously bump your head against the tree trunk hoping the contact will knock some sense into you

* It doesn’t even hurt, barley a tickle.

* You decided that the safest, and least embarrassing, place for you right now was up a 100 foot tall tree.

* You came here for some peace and quiet, to get away from everyone and sort out your thoughts

* Not that it matters since half the coven has been up here to talk to you

* Carlisle came first, though you’re betting he pulled the “dad” card so he could go first.

* “Lovely view.”

* “Hmm” you mumble

* He lets out a deep sigh, and you hate yourself for not making this easier for him.

* “So I heard that you and Edward had a .... romantic encounter.”

* You laugh

* “A romantic encounter,” you repeat, you look at Carlisle who mirrors your smile.

* “Edward does that too” He mumbles. Carlisle doesn’t miss the way you stiffen at the mention of his name.

* A long, deep sigh escapes him

* “I just want you to know that it’s fine,” He’s sitting far away from you on the branch, partially because of your powers and partially because he understands you want space.

* “You’re two healthy vampires and I understand you have needs-“

* “Oh my god Carlisle please don’t tell me you’re giving me “the talk” right now on a tree branch” you’re mortified but you’re laughing

* “I just want you to know that however you choose to proceed, I love and support you.”

* And then Carlisle does something he hasn’t done in a decade,

* he inches closer, breaking into your personal bubble and gives you a kiss on the forehead and a pat on your shoulder

* You smile after he leaps down and runs back to the house

* He hasn’t done something like that since he found you in Volterra, newly turned and asking to die.

* Truly a compassionate man.

* Rosalie’s the next one, she actually calls your attention from the ground

* “I brought you some blood in case you’re hungry” she shouts, holding up a thermos with what you assume is blood.

* You sigh, it looks like you won’t be getting much space

* She leaves just as much space as Carlisle when she sits by you on the branch

* “Nice view up here huh?” She even cups a hand over her eyes to see further

* This family and small talk

* “Do you want to talk about it?” She finally asks after a long moment of silence.

* You shake your head

* “Not really” she nods, lacing her fingers together on her lap. There’s another long moment of silence

* “Does everyone know?” She raises an eyebrow and you clarify 

*“That Edward felt that way I mean.”

* Rosalie gives you a smirk that basically says, ‘I thought you didn’t want to talk about it’, but she doesn’t tease you any further. 

*She lets out a long sigh and looks down to her hands

* “Remember that time you came to our house for the first time to play monopoly?” 

*You nod. 

*“Most of us pieced it together back then”

* You sigh, all the way since back then?

* It’s been over a decade.

* “Mostly because we usually don’t have board game nights, and Edward asked if we could so he could have an excuse to bring you over”

* That dork. 

*You can’t help but smile.

* Of course Edward saw how lonely you were in that house and decided to find an excuse to get you five other friends.

* Another long moment of silence passes

* “Look I- I know Edward is my brother and I would be thrilled if you guys got together-“ 

*she places her hand on top of yours.

* “But I want you to know that I love you, and if you decide that’s not what you want, then that’s okay.”

* Her eyes are so kind, she gives you a gentle smile.

* “No matter what you decide, I’ll still love you, you’re still my best friend-my (sister/brother).”

* You feel your eyes sting and you nod, you give her a weak smile and she sighs wrapping you in a hug.

* “I’ll come back later with more blood” she caresses your face before jumping down, running back to the house

* As soon as she’s out of sight you feel your branch bend down

* “Great view, you see any bears yet?” Emmett asks and you sigh, swirling the cap of your thermos off

* “Care for a drink Emmett?”

* “Well don’t mind if I do”

* Out of all of them, you think you like Emmett’s interaction the best

* He doesn’t talk about Edward, just makes conversation with you like nothing is wrong, like you’re staying up this tree like a stranded cat because it’s fun

* “I heard you kissed a bunch of people at the party” you groan and put your face in your hands

* “I was drinking, I guess I drank too much, and made some questionable decision.”

* He grins and pats your shoulder

* “It’s not that big of a deal, we’ve all been there. Besides I thought it was pretty bad ass.”

* You smile, of course he would.

* Emmett doesn’t sit far away from you like the others, he sits beside you and swings his arm over your shoulder bringing you into a hug.

* “Don’t stress out about things too much up here, and when you’re ready don’t be embarrassed to come home.” He plants a kiss in your hair before swooping down

* That’s your big brother for you

* It’s not more than ten minutes until you feel the branch away again

* “Oh my god, can’t I have just a minute-“ the words die in your throat when you turn to see who’s sitting next to you.

* “Oh, hey Edward.”

* He’s sitting just as far as Carlisle and Rosalie were, if not further, he offers you a brief smile.

* A long moment of silence fills the air and you gulp

* “It’s a real nice view huh?” You say,

* oh geez now you’re the one talking about the view

* “Yeah it’s beautiful.” Edward’s not looking at the view, he’s looking at you, and the implication makes you even more flustered than you are.

* You watch Edward, he’s so happy he’s glowing. Every few seconds a smile will creep onto his face only for him to force it into a frown, only for it to twitch back into a smile again. 

* You laugh.

* “You’re doing that thing where you can’t hide how happy you are.” 

* Edward openly grins once you say that.

* “You’re happy too, I can feel it all the way from here.” He says holding a hand out.

* Ah your powers are leaking through

* Looks Rosalie and Carlisle just wanted to look serious when they were here

* “Of course I’m happy” 

* He told you he loved you, how could you not be happy?

* He basically confirmed your wildest wishes and hopes.

* This is the happiest you’ve ever been

* “I don’t understand why you’re sitting up here honestly,” he shakes his head boyish smile curling onto his face as his eyes stay focused on the horizon. “I know you feel the same way as I do”

* He’s right, you do feel the same as him.

* Maybe for just as long as he has, you’ve just been holding yourself back because you thought he would never have those feelings for you

* Because you’re not the one who’s going to make him the happiest he could possibly be

* “Look Edward, I think you could do so much-“

* “Is this about Bella?” He interrupts, a bitter laugh when you remain silent. “Why do you think I would ever love her?”

* “The way you look at her-“

* “I don’t get that either, you talked about that last night too, I’m not sure what you’re seeing but the look I give her is of minimal tolerance.”

* ...

* Wait

* What

* “Oh cut the crap Edward, I saw the way you guys looked at each other on the stairway”

* “What stairway?” 

*Is he trying to play dumb? Because honestly- you’re a little convinced with that confused puppy look he’s giving you

* “At Conner’s party, you guys were talking at the stairwell, you looked at her like she was telling you all of the universe’s secrets.”

* He looks embarrassed, a hand tangling in his hair. 

* “Um- about that-”

* You caught the criminal red handed. He might like you, but he likes her too doesn’t he. Well he’s probably entranced by that scent of hers, no doubt he’ll forget all about you-

* “We were talking about you.” 

* ....

* (Y/N). Exe is broken

*  “While you were gone, we both came to an agreement to set our differences aside for you-”

* Why would they go that far for you, it’s not like you care-

* You remember the vitamins

* Going out of your way to include her in things, 

* Driving her home even when any normal person would have just ignored the whole thing

* Oh my god, you’re Bella’s best friend

* And even worse, everyone probably thinks she’s your best friend too. 

* (Y/N). Exe is broken

* “Don’t misunderstand for a second, I still find her absolutely repulsive, and whatever haze she’s got over the school is absolutely perplexing-”

* “But what about the carnation?” you interrupt.

* She’s the only one he bought a carnation for.

* “What carnation?”

* “The carnation you bought her on Valentine’s Day!” 

* Sure one carnation isn’t anything compared to the bouquet he bought you, but it had to mean something

* “I didn’t buy anyone any carnations.” He tells you, his eyebrows threading together

* Oh f*ck

* f*ck *f*ck f*ck f*ck f*ck f*ck *f*ck f*ck f*ck f*ck f*ck *f*ck f*ck f*ck f*ck

* You bought Bella that carnation.

* You bought all of your friends carnations, light red ones for friendship

* “Were you jealous because you thought I bought her flowers and not you?” 

*A mischievous grin arch’s onto his mouth and you hide your face in your hands 

*“You were, weren’t you? That’s adorable.”

* The criminal is teasing you, only this time you can’t complain because it’s rightly deserved

* “But- then what were you talking at the lockers about?”

* Edward’s face pinches into a look of disgust.

* “She came by to rub in my face how you had given us both the same colored carnations”

* “Wait-Bella knows you felt this way about me?”

* He laughs

* “(Y/N/N), I’m pretty sure everyone knows I love you.”

* Everyone but you apparently

* Was it really all in your head?

* Edward has loved you this entire time and you just...never noticed?

* “Honestly, I love you (Y/N), but sometimes you get fixated on these ideas for no logical reason-“

* Oh there’s a logical reason alright

* “-like what possible reason could there be for me to love a human like Bella? It’s just comple-“

* “Because you’re supposed to Edward!” 

* It’s the straw that finally broke the camels back.

* You tell him everything, about everything that happened in the books.

* Him falling in love with Bella, killing James, leaving her in new moon, the werewolves, the newborn army led by Victoria, their marriage and Bella’s pregnancy

* You frame it like you had a prophetic dream the night you turned, which is probably the closest way you can explain what happened without looking insane.

* Not that Edward would mind, he would probably get the best recommendation from Carlisle for a mental health institute and happily visit you three times a week with flowers and other gifts. 

* You both sit in silence after you finish telling him everything, the only sound the gentle whistle of the wind.

* “So what?”

* He asks, shrugging his shoulders and looking at you like you just told him a tv show he doesn’t like is getting cancelled

* You scoff in disbelief

* “ So what? Edward she’s your soul mate!”

* “You’re my soul mate” he says plainly, he’s inched closer to you this entire time, and now his thigh is only a flew inches away from your own.

* You feel embarrassed at his words, how can he say that so easily? 

*You’re still not even sure soul mates exist.

* Noticing you embarrassment he places his hand on top of yours, intertwining your fingers

* The contact makes butterflies erupt in your stomach.

* “I understand that you think that story is the one I want,” he says it slowly. 

* “But there’s already so many thing that are different.”

* He’s right things have changed, you know that.

* “Besides I don’t think I’m the one Bella has a crush on” he gives you a meaningful look and your eyebrows thread together.

* Wait what’s that supposed to mean

* “This world is different than the one you saw.” He squeezes your hand, and you sigh, 

* It’s different because of you.

* He should have had all those things. If it weren’t for you he would have had all those things

* “Edward she can give you a baby, a real baby that’s yours!”

* There’s only one common thread for all the vampires you’ve seen that still hunger for their humanity

* They all want a child.

* What Edward is getting, it’s a miracle. A Hail Mary. The odds of something like this happening are one in one billion at best.

* He gets to have a baby, and the woman he loves. It’s a win-win.

* He sighs and squeezes your hand.

* “But I don’t want that.” He says it so bluntly, like it’s the simplest thing on earth. 

*Your brain stops working.

* Well that can’t be right

* “We’ve never talked about it, but I’ve never wanted children, not even when I was a boy and still human.”

* Wait Edward doesn’t want kids? 

* Your head snaps up to meet his eyes

* “I think to want to bring children into the world you have to be at peace with the world and with yourself. And I’ve never been able to have either of those things.” He shrugs, his legs swinging under him.

* “What you saw- I was probably just going along with whatever Bella wanted, but I don’t think I would genuinely want to raise a child in this world, especially not when I look like I’m seventeen for the rest of my life”

* That makes sense. 

*Edward’s always been sensitive about his age. He looks older than 17, probably because of the venom. 

*But he’s the youngest of all his siblings, you know deep down he can handle the vampirism,

* But he can’t handle being a child for all of eternity.

* “But even if I did want kids, I want an eternity with you even more.”

* He squeezes your hand and you squeeze back, gulping the burning in your throat

* Whether it’s from thirst or the overwhelming emotions you’re not sure

* “Okay.” You finally say after several long moment of silence 

* “Okay, you’ll be mine for eternity or...” 

* You slap him lightly on the chest and he barks laughing

* “Okay...we can... date.” You say it haltingly, carefully even.

* “Like humans” you add for good measure

* You expect a bit of protest from Edward, he’s been waiting for you for over a decade now, you can’t think of a man alive who would be alright with just dating.

* But Edward smiles like you just agreed to marry him. He puts a hand on your face, and caresses your cheek with his thumb.

* “Alright, we’ll date like humans do.”

* You’re still a little worried but you find yourself smiling when Edward presses his forehead against your own. 

* His lips meeting yours.

* “(Y/N) and Edward sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G.” You tease when he pulls away and he laughs again

* “You’re the worst you know that?”

* “Yet you still love me,” you tease “you loooooove me, you waanaaaa spend eeeeternity with meeee.” You sing and he laughs.

* “Suddenly I’m regretting my decision to court you.” 

* You sit in silence for a second, enjoying his scent. 

* It feels safe here

* It feels like home

* “Are you ready to go inside?”

* You should, you feel a lot better now, but-

* You groan and bury your face in his shoulder.

* “It’s going to be so embarrassing, everyone’s going to know what happened and Emmett is never going to stop with the sex jokes”

* Edward just grins, he can’t believe after waiting for so long, you’re his now.

* It feels like a dream

* You’re right though, it’s is going to be super embarrassing going back home after this.

* He gets why you chose to wait it out in a tree

* “Yeah, let’s stay out here for a while longer.” He says wrapping his arms around you.

BONUS:

* Rosalie is peering out the window with gold opera glasses to her hand

* “Oh! He leaned in closer! I think he’s holding their hand”

* Alice groans beside her

* “No they’re just talking, they’re going to be doing that a lot”

* “What else do you see Alice?” Jasper asks from behind her, watching the tree you and Edward are sitting on intently

* “I’m not sure...it’s all changing really fast, in one they make up and go back to being friends,”

* Emmett groans from behind her, he can’t handle anymore yearning or weird sex talks with his brother

* “In another they push Edward of the branch and say: “oh why don’t you just go back to Bella you human lover””

* Rosalie shudders, well that’s not good

* Honestly she should have just told you Bella and Edward had come to an agreement to be civil around one another for your benefit while you were gone

* They basically bonded over how much they like you

* The carnation was probably just a sign of that truce, if it was even from him

* She’s got a feeling it was probably from you and you just forgot, but she didn’t want to embarrass you 

* Besides she figured it might be the final push you need to admit your feelings to him

* “They’re kissing! You guys they’re kissing!” Alice shrieks, and all of them turn their attention back to you

* Ah so you are

* “And so end the brooding chronicles” Jasper whispers and Rosalie hides a laugh

* “I would call them the yearning chronicles” Alice adds

* “Have you considered that maybe the reason they’re out there is because they want privacy?” Carlisle says without looking up from his open newspaper.

* The four of them shuffle awkwardly before walking away from the large window

* “You too Esme” Carlisle says

* Esme sighs, tucking her black opera glasses into her apron

* “Don’t blame me when we don’t have anything to say at the wedding when it comes time for a toast” she mumbles, walking back to the kitchen to finish her cookies

* “A wedding?”

* Queue Carlisle half sobbing half wheezing into his newspaper

* “Not one, but two kids leaving the family?”

Tags:  @moonlights27​ @thebluetint​ @the100thtwilight​ @awesomebooklover17​ @oneofthepotterheads​ @smileygirl08​ @imdoingathingmom​ @iconicgguk​ @yrawn​ @alyciaswhore​ @little-horror-show​ @wicked-watering-can​ @lazydreamers​ @ xxxmuxxx @ideas-for-you-to-adopt​​​ @poisoinedhope @maryleigh8796​​ @moose-squirrel-asstiel​​ @hotmessgoodness​ @jaimewho​ @corabmarie​ @what-am-i-doing10​ @alluring-venus​ @imdoingathingmom @anotheryooniverse​ @im-tired-not-sleepy​ @emmettcullenisahimbo​ @my-super-musical-life​ @smolvampiregirl​ @it-was-all-a-beautiful-dream​ @mihikaahujaaa​

[vivacissimx]

lyanna stark, a drop of the wolf-blood, & the pragmatism underneath

the youngest we see lyanna (in my estimation), is this vision from bran

Now two children danced across the godswood, hooting at one another as they dueled with broken branches. The girl was the older and taller of the two. Arya! Bran thought eagerly, as he watched her leap up onto a rock and cut at the boy. But that couldn't be right. If the girl was Arya, the boy was Bran himself, and he had never worn his hair so long. And Arya never beat me playing swords, the way that girl is beating him. She slashed the boy across his thigh, so hard that his leg went out from under him and he fell into the pool and began to splash and shout. "You be quiet, stupid," the girl said, tossing her own branch aside. "It's just water. Do you want Old Nan to hear and run tell Father?" She knelt and pulled her brother from the pool

- Bran III, ADWD

but four books earlier, we see this quote from ned:

Lyanna might have carried a sword, if my lord father had allowed it

- Arya II, AGOT

so we know that that ned was close enough to lyanna to know that she enjoyed swordplay, close enough to know her desires and to know that rickard would never accept this (for whatever reason).

...but not close enough to be the one she practiced sworldplay with in secret. the picture this paints is telling. lyanna was explicitly banned from something, and chose to pursue it in a secret and harmless way, with someone she trusted.

but ned isn't privy to that information. whether because he wasn't around, or because lyanna thought he would disapprove, or because he just thought it was childish - either way, we see that lyanna is picky about who she trusts, bred out of having to be sneaky in achieving her goals under her strict father's nose. she even identifies old nan as a snitch (et tu brute?). clever kid.

lyanna has other hobbies, too. she loves flowers. she loves riding horses.

"You ride like a northman, milady," Harwin said when he'd drawn them to a halt. "Your aunt was the same. Lady Lyanna. But my father was master of horse, remember."

- Arya III, ASOS

[Brandon] loved to ride. His little sister took after him in that. A pair of centaurs, those two.

- The Turncloak, ADWD

Horses … [Domeric] was mad for horses, Lady Dustin will tell you. Not even Lord Rickard's daughter could outrace him, and that one was half a horse herself.

- Reek III, ADWD

worth mentioning, imo, that even though lyanna was an excellent rider, she couldn't beat domeric. this is paralelled with arya, who is great on horseback, but not faster than harwin the son of winterfell's master of horse. this isn't a case of 'not like other girls' syndrome, of mary sues who are magically the best there ever was. conversely, adversity doesn't scare either of them off - lyanna was clearly competitive, with domeric and likely with brandon before him, and it all added up to her being remembered as a fantastic horserider despite effectively leaving the north at 14.

so lyanna is determined. she's willful, to hear ned say it.

then, of course, we have this

"Robert will never keep to one bed," Lyanna had told him at Winterfell, on the night long ago when their father had promised her hand to the young Lord of Storm's End. "I hear he has gotten a child on some girl in the Vale." Ned had held the babe in his arms; he could scarcely deny her, nor would he lie to his sister, but he had assured her that what Robert did before their betrothal was of no matter, that he was a good man and true who would love her with all his heart.

Lyanna had only smiled. "Love is sweet, dearest Ned, but it cannot change a man's nature."

- Eddard IX, AGOT

this seems fairly clear cut, but let's break down this conversation:

lyanna (told the news by the authoritative father; being approached by ned, the sibling who is best friends with the guy in question; thirteen years old): he will never keep to one bed. he has a bastard already, on a common girl he cannot marry which speaks to his character

ned: it isn't robert's actions that matter, it's his feelings. *crickets on lyanna's feelings*

now lyanna is thirteen. but she already recognizes that this is a losing battle. why? because she can't change robert?

no. because she cannot change the minds of rickard, or of ned.

there is no doubt in my mind that both these men loved her. but do they listen to her? clearly not.

lyanna doesn't bother to fight this fight she cannot win. she just smiles, realizing that rickard/ned are not going to hear her out on this, and gets the last word with "love does not change a man's nature."

this isn't the divide between lyanna and robert - this is the moment of divide between lyanna and ned. they're siblings who love each other, and love is sweet, but none of that changes that ned is on rickard and robert's side. it's a rough moment for a teenage girl. she was right earlier, she must realize - benjen is the brother she can trust.

so lyanna is determined, but she is pragmatic.

the next time we see lyanna, she's kicking ass at harrenhal.

[...]they heard a roar. “That’s my father’s man you’re kicking!” howled the she-wolf…

The she-wolf laid into the squires with a tourney sword, scattering them all. The crannogman was bruised and bloodied, so she took him back to her lair to clean his cuts and bind them up with linen.

- Bran II, ASOS

here is where lyanna really shines.

she has a moral code all her own, we already know this from her assessment of robert's child that differed from how catelyn views bastards disconnected from the home.

she dislikes bullies, which is fairly common (jaime hated bullies growing up, for example) but for some reason at this very moment, she also has a tourney sword in hand - why? well, because lyanna stark takes her opportunities when she has them. barred from swordplay? that's fine, dad, but when you're not looking is another story.

she doesn't go rushing in, nor does she ignore the scene. she watches long enough to see if howland can fight them off (he can't), giving her time to identify him as a crannogman - possibly even as a highborn crannogman. and then what does she do? she weighs her options, decides that she can probably beat the bullies, and does so. then she takes care of howland reed, picking him up like she picked benjen out of the water in bran's vision.

[T]here was to be a feast in Harrenhal, to mark the opening of the tourney, and the she-wolf insisted that the lad attend. He was of high birth, with as much right to a place on the bench as any other man.

- Bran II, ASOS

she claims his rights as a highborn lord to attend. he doesn't have clothes, nor does howland insist that he can go, but lyanna makes a reasoned argument that howland has every right to attend and that surely benjen can find him some clothes!

so lyanna is determined, pragmatic, and a problem-solver.

[T]he Knight of the Laughing Tree spoke in a booming voice through his helm, saying “Teach your squires honour, and that shall be ransom enough.” Once the defeated knights chastised their squires sharply, their horses and armour were returned.

- Bran II, ASOS

here, lyanna displays a trait that sets her apart. howland memorizes the face of his bullies. he wants to "revenge" himself on them. but lyanna does not go directly for the bullies, she challenges the lords to whom the bullies squire, and commands them to chastise their squires.

lyanna understands the chivalric system she lives in, and that she will not be listened to (how? her own father and brother don't listen to her!), so she figures out another way to get justice that plays on the very ideas of might & honor that exclude the weak. she is confident in her abilities (being experienced riding at rings), gathers up all the material she needs, and takes a calculated risk.

she manipulates the system, plainly. she plays the players at their own game and wins.

and she does it for a guy she met a few days ago.

lyanna is determined, pragmatic, a problem-solver, and ascribes to a moral code that is all her own, one that rejects societal hypocrisy.

You have a wildness in you, child. 'The wolf blood,' my father used to call it. Lyanna had a touch of it, and my brother Brandon more than a touch.

- Arya II, AGOT

so how do we square this away? lyanna was wolf-blooded. she was wild. she was untameable.

or was she?

any girl/woman with half a personality gets described as "spirited" or "willful" or "stubborn" in asoiaf. it's a polite of saying "hard to control." we see several times that lyanna takes a measured approach to matters. she is brave, yes, but she is also thoughtful and chooses her battles with the information she has. when she is denied something for no reason beyond her gender and status, she finds a way to pursue her interests regardless.

but robert is something lyanna can't avoid. and that had to rankle her, the betrothal she is determined to avoid, but pragmatically cannot due to her family's insistence. the marriage that goes against her moral code (i'm sure lyanna noted that robert gladly volunteered to capture the KOTLT, regardless of what punishment might be given down by a deranged aerys).

[i'm going to skip over her relationship with rhaegar, because there isn't enough/any text to analyze that explicitly deals with their dynamic post-harrenhal. speculation isn't the point of this post. suffice to say she saw in him something she did not in her family or robert.]

then aerys burns her father and brother.

could rhaegar have stopped aerys once he made up his mind? we as readers know the answer is no. grrm says so much himself, that it was aerys who kicked off the war in this interview:

The Mad King was mad. He was paranoid and violent and he was abusing his power... [Robert's Rebellion] was triggered by[...]the execution of Ned’s father and brother, it was the thing that radicalized, as we would have said in the 60s, Ned and it put him in opposition to it. Robert was just rolling for a fight and it might affect that he’d lost his girlfriend.

the absolute power of kings is continuously critiqued in the series.

so how did lyanna react? of course she grieved deeply. even if she knew that she would likely not see her family again for several years at least, for them to die in such a terrible manner is horrifying.

but lyanna has been forged into pragmatism. she looked at the squires beating up howland and saw that the issue was not the bullies, but the corrupt, lazy lords they squired for.

why would she not be able to see that aerys's abuse of power was what had killed her own family? she's realistic and she's a moral actor and she understands the social system around her. whatever her opinion on feudal lordship before, abuse of power has now killed two people she loved. only extrapolation can say how she would react, but given that we see her in similar situations - it is safe to say that the she understands the removal of aerys from power is a necessity, and that a king who is ruled by his urges is unfit.

[lyanna doesn't have the highest opinion of robert, does she? would she think him fit to be a king? doubtful.]

however, she also wants her family to be safe - a family which is now going to include her unborn baby.

[Ned] could hear her still at times. Promise me, she had cried, in a room that smelled of blood and roses. Promise me, Ned. The fever had taken her strength and her voice had been faint as a whisper, but when he gave her his word, the fear had gone out of his sister's eyes. Ned remembered the way she had smiled then, how tightly her fingers had clutched his as she gave up her hold on life, the rose petals spilling from her palm, dead and black

- Eddard I, AGOT

the promise she solicited from ned is to care for baby jon, presumably.

more importantly, in this final conversation, lyanna is putting all her trust in ned.

this moment is a tragic one, but it is also a cathartic one. whatever has happened, and there is plenty of difficulty between ned and lya at this point, they are putting that to the side and affirming what matters most: their love and loyalty to one another, not in service to house stark, or to any king or cause, but to each other as lyanna and ned.

ned didn't listen before, but he promises her now. lyanna didn't confide in him before, but she does now. yes she's on her deathbed, but this is powerful anyway. it's a healing moment for them both, one lyanna held on for even though by all means she could have trusted the kingsguard to whisk baby jon away earlier and succumbed to the pain.

lyanna doesn't spend her last moments begging for forgiveness or explaining herself. she spends her last moments trying to solve the problem of jon's safety, of her son's life. even at the end, she is determined that he will live.

she dies fearless. she smiles, maybe the same way she smiled in winterfell when ned told her robert would be a good husband and she saw the love in ned's words but not the respect. a bittersweet smile, because jon will survive but she won't see it.

"She should be on a hill somewhere, under a fruit tree, with the sun and clouds above her and the rain to wash her clean."

"I was with her when she died," Ned reminded the king. "She wanted to come home, to rest beside Brandon and Father."

- Eddard I, AGOT

this is our actual introduction to lyanna, when robert and ned initially visit her in the crypts. given everything we know, it's so fitting - robert is displeased with her gravesite. he never got what he wanted (his manic pixie dream girl </3), and even in death he doesn't like her grave.

lyanna was never the person robert projected her to be. in her crypt, she's still defiant against him/what he symbolizes. her determination, her wishes, her home, they all shine through.

But there were others with faces he had never known in life, faces he had seen only in stone. The slim, sad girl who wore a crown of pale blue roses and a white gown spattered with gore could only be Lyanna. Her brother Brandon stood beside her, and their father Lord Rickard just behind.

- Theon V, ACOK

in the end, lyanna's close to her family (even by their side in theon's dreams). she's close to brandon, rickard, ned, old nan, everyone she ever knew growing up, and most importantly: to jon. it's a romantic ending for a minor character, a character grrm clearly cherished when he wrote.

the point of this post is that i want to leave behind the idea of lyanna stark as this harbinger of tragedy. the woman who ruined every man who looked into her eyes (robert, ned, rhaegar) and is now turned to stone. lyanna stark isn't written as a cautionary tale, as a romanticized medusa - instead, her memory lives on in a son who doesn't know her but still loves her, in how the people she knew remember her for what she actually loved, and even in lyanna mormont (a fitting namesake). there's defiance and meaning in that.

i could never say it better, so have hélène cixous's banger to round out my thoughts on lyanna:

You only have to look at the Medusa straight on to see her. And she’s not deadly. She’s beautiful and she’s laughing.

[somewhatgreatexpectations]

Another One (Wanda Maximoff/ Reader)

Hello! Pre-Civil War (but getting much closer). Inspired by Sam Smith’s “Another One”. Let me know your thoughts! Also, I do have the next part done as it was the first one I wrote a while ago, would you all be interested in me posting it earlier or should I save it for usual post time on its own day?

Summary: A look at the aftermath of heartbreak and the first interaction with Wanda following the incident.  Good old fashioned angst.

“Congratulations, you found the one, another one. I think I can finally face it, I’m not the one, never was the one.”

The sunlight that slowly began seeping into your room came as no surprise. You sat up with a sigh. Sleepless nights were more common than not these days, not that sleeping was easy before, it’s just been much more difficult to put your mind at ease lately. It had been a few weeks and the adjustment hadn’t been easy. 

Dealing with a heartbreak never got easier. 

Figuring there was no point in staying in bed, you got dressed in your usual training attire and headed down to the kitchen. Maybe you would finally take Steve up on his offer of an early morning run.

A quiet curse escaped your lips when you saw a lone figure sitting at the counter already. The one person you’ve been avoiding. As quietly as you could, you slowly began to back out, hoping you hadn’t been seen yet. “Hi, Y/n.” the figure said quietly, not turning to face you. You’d been caught.

The sound of her voice still hurt, but you knew you had to face it eventually. Might as well be now. “Wanda.” You replied flatly as you once again began to walk into the kitchen to make coffee. All the while trying to ignore the way your heart pounded heavily against your ribcage. 

You didn’t look at her long, but long enough to see the look of surprise cross her features when you responded. 

She cleared her throat which caused you to turn to glance at her again, taking note of how she spun a ring on her finger nervously. You wondered if she did that before meeting you. “Do you think we could talk?” she stuttered timidly. 

A heavy sigh escaped your lips as you leaned against the counter behind you. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

The way that her eyes filled with sadness made you want to take her in your arms and hold her until they shone with happiness again. You fought the urge. “I miss you-“ She began anyway.

You quickly interrupted her. “Don’t.”

A hint of desperation slipped into her words as you tried to block them out. “I do though. We were best friends before everything. I don’t want to lose you completely.”

It took everything in your being to not cover your ears and scream like a child so you wouldn’t have to listen to her words. All each word accomplished  was cutting deeper into your still bleeding wounds. “You moved on immediately, Wanda. You can’t just expect me to be okay and accept second best after that.”

Her head dropped. “I know, but I just… You were never…” her words were jittery, as if she thought better of each sentence. Conflict was clear in her eyes. “I never thought of you as-”  

“You’re with Vision now, yes?” You asked seemingly randomly. She bit her lip apprehensively but nodded nonetheless. “How do you feel about him?”

A small shake of her head was your only response from her. “You wanted to talk, I’m talking. I think I deserve a little honesty.” 

“We have a connection, I feel like he understands me.” You bit back a bitter laugh because once upon a time you would’ve described your relationship the same way. “I think we are meant to be intertwined because of how we developed.”

“Well, congratulations, Wanda. You found the one.” You couldn’t help the sarcasm that laced your words. “Another one.” You mumbled as an afterthought. 

She just stared at you for a moment, her lips trembling. You pretended you didn’t see the way her eyes glistened with unshed tears. “Y/n-“

Already over the conversation, you interrupted her. “Honestly, I’m happy for you. I’d never, ever, wish you harm. Just make sure you treat him like someone. I wouldn’t want someone else to feel how I’ve felt the last few weeks.” You told her honestly. 

It looked as though she was about to say something else when Vision phased through the wall, starling you both as he looked between you. “Am I interrupting something?” he questioned.

You wanted to laugh at the sheer irony of his words because it wasn’t long ago that you were the one asking that same exact question. “Not at all.” You huffed as you started to walk out the kitchen, your coffee long forgotten. 

You chanced one last glance at Wanda who simply looked down and leaned into Vision. “Wow, I dodged a bullet.” You muttered with a bitter laugh as you exited, not sparing either of them another moment.

Deciding you didn’t need to go with Steve anymore, you quickened your pace as you left the compound, taking off in what was almost a sprint as soon as the fresh air hit your face. 

Flashbacks of moments with Wanda kept racing through your mind, making you want to scream. Each time this happened you just quickened your pace. You hoped that maybe running from your thoughts would work just this once (it didn’t). 

You must have been running for over an hour when the sounds of heavy footsteps approached, “On your left!” With a groan you came to a halt as Steve sprinted passed you, looking back in confusion. “Giving up so easily, Y/ln?”

Without a word you walked over to a grassy area of the park and rolled onto your back, flinging your arm over your eyes. “Not in the mood today, Rogers.”

You felt him take a seat next to you, staying silent for a moment as he just observed you. “Wanda again?” he questioned gently. 

The arm over your face shifted so you could meet his worried eyes. “I spoke to her today.”

It was clear he was surprised, but tried to mask it. “It’s been weeks. How’d that go?”

“Not well. She basically told me she wants to be my friend again and how her and Vision are meant to be.” Your defenses fell around Steve and you couldn’t contain it anymore. A tear fell down your cheek and you shook your head angrily at yourself. “Why am I crying? I shouldn’t be crying.” 

“Hey,” Steve said, his voice gentle. “You have every right to feel like this okay. You didn’t deserve what she did. Just take it one day at a time, okay?”

At his words, the tears began flowing more steadily. “That’s what I used to tell her.” You said with a laugh, your heart clenching. 

He slapped a hand to his forehead at his poor choice of words. “Alright. No more moping. We’re going to take your mind off this.” Without warning, he picked you up and began jogging back in the direction of the tower.

“Rogers!” you shouted, pounding on his back. “What the hell? Put me down, right now!”

Despite your words, Steve kept jogging, laughter in his voice. “No, I don’t think I will.”

After a few hours of Steve’s idea of a distraction (which was just hours of extra intense training) F.R.I.D.A.Y’s voice came on over the speakers. “Ms. Y/ln, you have a phone call.” 

“Patch them through.” You answered as you wiped the sweat off your brow with a towel that Steve offered you. He gestured that he was going to be back, and you merely nodded back at him. 

There was static for a moment until an all too familiar voice sounded. “Y/n, I was hoping you had a moment.” Nick Fury began formally.

You took a deep breath, Fury rarely ever called. This must be serious. “Go ahead.” You replied.

                                             _______________

“Okay, repeat that back to me because I feel like I’m imagining this.” Steve told you, the look of disbelief from when you first told him the news still present as ever.

You shrugged. “Fury wants me to help run an undercover mission to get victims out of several Hydra facilities and aid in their adjustment with training once they’re out if they need it. Similarly to how I got here. Then possibly help establish a branch overseas like what we have here.”

“How long would you be there?” Steve questioned seriously.

Again, you shrugged. “Fury said it could take a year or two. Possibly indefinitely.”

Heavy silence hung in the air between you as Steve took in your words. “Are you going to take it?” he finally asked.

For a moment, you didn’t want to answer, but you knew you couldn’t avoid telling him. “I think I am.” You finally replied quietly. “I think I’ve fulfilled my purpose here, Cap. Maybe it’s time to start a new chapter.”

Steve understood he couldn’t argue. If leaving meant you could finally heal then he wouldn't stop you. No matter how much he’d rather you stay. “Just consider all your options is all I ask.” You simply nodded and tried to offer a reassuring smile. 

As you were both exiting the training area you crossed paths with Wanda and Sam who were entering for a different training session. She met your eyes and offered you a small wave. You nodded in response, searching her eyes. Searching for something that you knew you might never find again. Her brow furrowed questioningly as she sensed you analyzing her. You finally tore your gaze away, silent understanding between you two was a thing of the past now. 

“You okay?” Steve asked with a frown of concern once you were both far enough away.

Hesitantly, you nodded. “I think I’m ready to face it… I’m not the one.” Your words were steady. The tone of acceptance.

“Y/n-“ 

You shook your head. “I never was the one.” You said in a neutral voice, trying to ignore the tears welling in your eyes.

“You just made your mind up, didn’t you?” Steve questioned quietly, knowing the answer but needing to ask either way.

A weak smile covered your lips. “I think that I’ve been offered different chances for what I need in life. You offered me a hand to save me from drowning before and I took it. I think this opportunity is the hand that’s going to keep me afloat. To get me through this broken heart. I need to take it.” 

For a moment you thought back to the conversation you had with Wanda once on the roof. The conversation that opened your heart to her and revealed your scars. The true beginning of something beautiful. That moment was a thing of your past now, just as she was. Maybe it was time to let go. Time to try and stay afloat once again. After all, there was nothing else left for you to fight for here.

And there is part 6! The paths are beginning to take form. As always, hope you all enjoyed and remember thoughts and comments always welcome. :)