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mionemymind · 4 years ago

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Do I owe her the truth?

Summary: (Hermione x Gender Neutral Reader) Should Y/n tell the truth to Hermione no matter the consequences?

Words: 5223

A/N: Let me know what y’all think. I’m sorry I having been writing a lot but I figured you deserve something for waiting for so long. Thank you for being patient. You all are the best!!

According to the great philosopher Kant, one must always do the nature of the good principle regardless of the outcome. Simply put, even if a killer was knocking on the door and asking for your friend, you must answer with the truth of their location. Although a lot argue over philosophies, Y/n simply minded their business. They figured that they have their whole life to sort out what good things they must do and bad things they must keep away. However, a bright witch among their age, made them question every single good and bad thing they had sorted out in life. Because on the very most important day of Hermione’s life, Y/n pondered the question, “Do I owe her the truth?”

The story starts out small like any simple home. You must start with a bit of foundation and the right material for it to be built. So, when Y/n transferred from Ilvermorny to Hogwarts, the very first student they were introduced to was Hermione Granger.

Walking around the halls, Y/n found themselves slightly amazed at the walls of the castle. From the decorations, to the hallways, its scenery, and even its people were more amazing than of Ilvermorny. “Right this way.” Professor McGonagall led the young sorcerer to the very Great Albus Dumbledore. Y/n had only read of the magnificent things Professor Dumbledore has done for the wizarding world and was only slightly scared to meet her current headmaster. While opening the vastly large door, Y/n slowly followed Professor McGonagall in. At the sound of the doors opening, a booming but soft voice uttered, “Ah there you are! Do come sit.” Walking up the stairs, Y/n sat at the seat in front of his desk. Sweaty palms and nervous thoughts clouded their mind. “It is a great pleasure to welcome you to Hogwarts. I know you must be eager to survey the school so I will make this brief.” With a slight pause, Dumbledore had signaled for McGonagall to leave. “As a long-standing tradition of Hogwarts, let me first assign you your house.” Quickly, a hat that looked as if it lived through many ages, was placed on Y/n’s head. “Fierce loyalty like no other to those she cares about why you must be HUFFLEPUFF!”

The hat was taken off as quickly as it was placed. Soon, a new attire was placed on her lap. “Here is your new schedule that corresponds with what you should be learning now. I took great liberty to consult with your headmaster about your curriculum. They talk highly about you in regards to your academics and wizarding abilities.” Y/n blushed at the sound of the compliment. They weren’t used to the praise given to them. “To make sure you are consistently tested, I made sure to put you in classes with one of the brightest witches of your age – ah and here she is.” Y/n turned around and suddenly timed slowed down. A girl with red and black robes entered the room as if she already owned it. It was the confidence that surrounded her aura the most, but Y/n had noticed more of the beauty that she shows.

“This young witch is Hermione Granger.” Leaping to their feet, Y/n stood up to shake Hermione’s hand. “Y/n Y/l/n.” Hermione gave a small smile and sat next to Y/n as Dumbledore had briefly explained the rules of the school. “Ah – I believe that takes care of everything. Ms. Granger please give our newest student a welcoming tour around the school. I have already informed your teachers of your absence. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask. Other than that, welcome to Hogwarts.”

The two young students left the office and went to the nearest bathroom. While Y/n changed to their new robes, Hermione had fiddled with her hands. “Not to intrude, but you must be extremely smart.” Y/n was buttoning their shirt when Hermione had answered the question. Good thing she couldn’t see them otherwise Hermione would have seen how red Y/n turned. Scratching their neck, Y/n replied, “I guess you could say that.”

“Oh, it’s not a guess rather a fact. You happen to have been put with some of the most difficult classes Hogwarts can currently offer for our year. That’s not something every new student experiences.” It was the way Hermione had said it as a matter of fact that made Y/n blush more. Exiting the stall, Hermione turned around and saw that they had their tie around their neck. “Need help?” Hermione said while pointing at their tie.

Once again Y/n blushed and nodded. Hermione was quick to get close to Y/n and started to tie their tie. “I do have to warn you though. There’s not a lot of competition when it comes to academics in Hogwarts. Don’t get me wrong, there is certain bright students, but none seem to come close.” Tightening the tie, Hermione looked into Y/n eyes. It was the first time she noticed how deep they looked. Regardless of their color, they were enchanting as well. “However, you seem to be my closest competition. So, I will have to take every chance I can get to beat you.” Y/n chuckled at the bright young witch in front of them. Hermione backed away after realized how close they were and cleared her throat. “Don’t take it as a laughing matter. Academics are truly important to me.”

Y/n had put their hands up in defense. “Don’t worry…I just find it funny that you think it’s going to be easy to compete with me.” Y/n smirked at their come back. If you were to ask where the hell that confidence came from, don’t bother. Y/n doesn’t know the answer either. With a similar smirk, Hermione said, “You and I are going to be great together.”

The story continues as the home is built. The next few things needed are the walls and roof.

It was the summer after their third year when Hermione, Harry, and Y/n had spent the summer at the Burrow. Ron had almost forgotten to invite Y/n when Ginny saved the day. The three of showed up at the house all dropping in one by one. Y/n was the last one to drop in, showing up during dinner time. Slowly walking in with trunk in hand, Y/n was met with the sound of their name echoing through the house. Ginny was the first to notice Y/n’s presence and loudly yelled, “Y/n!” Ginny quickly gave Y/n a hug when the echoes came from up the stairs.

“Did someone say Y/n?” George asked.

“Y/n?”

“Are they here?”

“Y/n’s here?!”

Hermione was the last one to ask when a stampede of people came running down the stairs. “Y/n!” One by one, they all started a group hug with Y/n in the middle. “Guys, I can’t breathe.” They all broke apart allowing Y/n to regain air, but was cut off when Molly came swooping in. “Oh, hello dear. I was beginning to worry that you couldn’t make it – are you hungry? You must be starving. I cooked your favorite.” Molly was quick to ramble on and on when Fred had pried the two apart. “Mum, I think Y/n needs oxygen. We’ll go ahead and start setting up the table.”

Molly slightly blushed and smiled at Y/n. “I’m glad that you’re here Y/n. Now come on people, dinner won’t serve itself.” The group was quick to help around the house, working like a well-oiled machine. Soon, everyone was sitting down at the table enjoying their home cooked meal. Y/n was sitting smack dab in the middle between Ginny and Hermione. Across from them were the boys.

Over the course of dinner, plenty of topics arose such as school, quidditch, muggles (only because Arthur can’t get enough), and more. The boys plus Ginny and Y/n couldn’t stop talking about the upcoming Quidditch World Cup. Hermione butted in about how glad she was that summer finally came. It was especially hard on the girl considering her tight schedule.

After dinner came the night. The house was quiet as the guests separated to their assigned rooms. It just so happens that Hermione and Y/n were assigned Charlie’s old room. If it weren’t for the dragon paraphernalia, Charlie’s room was actually quite neat and well organized. “Going to take a gander but I think Charlie really likes dragons.” Hermione snorted at Y/n’s obviously sarcastic comment. “Oh really? Could’ve mistaken me, I thought he was a quidditch fan.” Jokes aside, the two changed into their sleeping garments and went to bed.

Well Hermione went to bed while Y/n stared at the ceiling deep in thought. It was not until the moon was shining brightly through the window that Y/n realized how late it was. Considering the time, they tried to sleep but failed miserably. After giving up, Y/n laid on their side and faced towards Hermione. Seeing as the young wizard had already spent too much time alone with their thoughts, Y/n poked Hermione’s face until she was awake.

“Hermione. Psssst. Hermione” Y/n whispered as they poked her. “Hermione. Psst.” At the feeling of someone poking her, Hermione swatted their hand away. Seeing Hermione with an annoyed sleeping face was funny to Y/n but being alone sucked more. “Hermione, are you awake?” Suddenly, Hermione’s eyes opened; it was like a fierce dragon was staring into your soul. She looked mad at the fact someone woke her up from her slumber. “What Y/n?”

With an innocent smile, Y/n looked at Hermione and said, “Wanna tell secrets?” Hermione rolled her eyes and faced the opposite way of Y/n. “Go to sleep Y/n. We have to wake up early soon.” Y/n groaned at Hermione’s words. She was right, of course, but Y/n couldn’t go to sleep. Night was always the hardest.

“Come on Hermione.” Y/n received no response from the girl. Only a silent shoulder. Laying on her back and hands behind their head, Y/n looked at the ceiling. “Ya know, I know your secret…at least one of them.” Y/n glanced at Hermione and she still was facing away. “Or maybe two of them. Well, it’s the same secret, it just so happens that two Hermiones happen to share them.” Hermione quickly shot up and faced towards Y/n to see them smirking. “It’s not that hard to tell that a bright witch like you can’t be in two classes at once, but somehow you were.” Hermione grabbed her pillow and proceeded to hit Y/n with it. “Don’t you dare tell a soul Y/n Y/l/n. I won’t be afraid to hex you.”

Y/n grabbed the pillow and threw it back at the witch, making sure to aim at her face. “Well maybe next time, try not to be in two places at once. It sure threw me off when I had to drop off a note for the Professor only to have found you in a different class. And after I returned, you were still at the same spot I left you.”

“Unbelievable. I knew I should have volunteered to do that, but you just had to be faster than me.” Hermione rolled her eyes and sat up against the bed frame. Y/n followed suit and did the same thing. There was still an obvious smirk on their face. After a couple minutes, the silence broke. “Well, are you going to tell me your secret since you exposed mine?”

“Well Ms. Grainger lets see what secret you get to hear today.” Pondering for a moment, Y/n tried to think of information that no one knew, something of equivalently as important such as time traveling. “I got it! However, you have to promise me that you won’t tell a soul not even Crookshanks.” Y/n held out their hand with only their pinky in the air. Hermione looked them in the eye as she said, “I promise.” They locked pinkies as Y/n said, “I think I like girls.”

Hermione blinked for a couple seconds which only led devasting thoughts in Y/n’s mind. It didn’t take long, but she responded with, “Oh for Merlin’s sake. If you’re going to tell me a secret Y/n, at least make it to something that isn’t so painfully obvious.”

Hermione broke the gaze as Y/n stared in disbelief. “Don’t look so surprised. Just as you said, maybe next time try not to be caught staring at every single girl in Hogwarts.”

Gulping down their fear, Y/n said, “You don’t mind?” Hermione shook her head. “Nope. Not one single bit. You’re still the same, just love who you love except for racists and he who shall not be named. Well there’s a list. As long as they’re not genuinely bad people and you can see them joining SPEW, then I approve.”

Y/n looked at the girl beside her in amazement and wonder. They continued the conversation as the night grew, telling even more daring secrets as the previous. But one secret did remain with Y/n that night, it was their everlasting crush on Hermione Jean Granger.

The second to last thing a home needs is the spark to light the fireplace as well as the furniture. That way the home can feel as warm and as safe to those that harbor in it.

It was a winter wonderland at Hogwarts. Students were preparing to travel back home to their respective families. However, a group of students decided to spend the last weekend at Hogsmeade before leaving the next day. Right now, they had crowed the room at The Three Broomsticks with laughter, joy, and happy memories. The air was filled with a different type of warmth, one that felt safe and even like a second home. Everyone was talking so loudly within small groups, it was hard to even feel alone. Ginny and Y/n were standing near the fire talking when Fred had grabbed the attention of the room. “Everyone. Everyone. I propose a game. Let’s do a simple muggle game called truth or dare.” Everyone in the group oood as they knew where this was going to lead. They would start with a couple truths before someone breaks the ice with a good dare. Typically, the twins were the ones to propose the dare, but not a lot could compete. “Whoever cannot complete the truth or dare shall lose. Completion allows you to stay,” George had added.

The group sat in a tight makeshift circle that almost took up all the chairs and tables provided. “I’ll start. Harry, who was the last person you snogged?” All eyes were now on the chosen one. Everyone could see his nervousness, but everyone knew he would never want to be the first one out. “Draco.” Certain eyes went wide, but Y/n simply went unphased since she somewhat caught the two making out in between classes. “No questions. Neville, is your crush in this room?” Neville immediately turned red at the question and was the first one to back out. There were small boos mainly coming from the twins. “Since Neville backed out, lets go with the person to his right, Ron. Is your crush in this room?” Ron had the same reaction as Neville but had looked at the ceiling to refrain from giving away his crush. “Yes.” Everyone looked among each other trying to figure out who it could possibly be. “Don’t even try asking who it is. Ginny since you’re bloody enjoying this, did you and Y/n ever snog?” Y/n and Ginny both went wide eyed causing the group to lean a little bit closer to the two. What added more was at how everyone knew how close the two were. Not wanting to entirely answer the question, Ginny backed out the circle causing more booing from the crowd. “What a buzzkill. However, lets just ask the second-best person. Well Y/n, have you snogged my sister?”

Y/n looked at the crowded but had kept glancing towards Hermione. Although it was a simple question, Y/n hadn’t wanted to entirely answer it. You see, Ginny and Y/n did kiss before, but it was an accident. There was a bump, a stumble, then a fall, and then an accident kiss. It didn’t mean anything to the two of them, plus Y/n felt like her heart might’ve been for somewhere. So, Y/n had followed Ginny in the same manner and backed out the circle. “Oh bloody hell! You two have a knack to keep this stupid mystery alive.” They both rolled their eyes at Ron and watched the game continue. What Y/n failed to realize was how affected a certain witch was at their answer.

The game dwindled down until there was three left and unironically it was the golden trio that had made it this far. It was a little surprising for Y/n that Hermione had made it this far. Majority of the time, Hermione would be among the first to decline doing a truth or dare. “I’m sorry Hermione, but I must win. So, I dare you to kiss Ron.” It was something about the dare that made Y/n’s stomach turn. Their mood soured so quickly that they almost felt sick. Slightly tapping Ginny’s back, Y/n whispered in her ear, “Hey, I’m gonna head outside real quick. I don’t feel so good.” Ginny gave a concerned look. She was going to say something back, but Y/n was already out the door with their hand clutching their stomach.

Besides Ginny, Hermione was the only other person that noticed Y/n had left. In her line of sight, she saw past Ron and briefly seen them leave in distress. The deafening chants of “Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!” didn’t register with her. The only thing running through Hermione’s mind was Y/n. “I’m sorry, I can’t do this dare guys.” Quickly getting out the circle, the chants stopped, and the game continued to declare the winner. Hermione excused herself and made her way outside. She made sure to grab hers and Y/n’s coat. “What an idiot. It’s freezing cold out there.”

Stepping out the tavern, Hermione saw various witches and wizards pass by. Some she knew and some she didn’t. Walking further out, Hermione grew frustrated after not quickly finding her friend. “Where the hell are you?” Walking around further, she saw an outline of a person. Clearly, they had no coat on with how much they were shivering. Hermione walked closer to the figure and realized it was Y/n. “For someone so bloody smart, you are such an idiot.” Hermione accidentally wrapped her own coat around Y/n. She didn’t realize she had instinctively put on her best friend’s coat. Y/n chuckled, but it was cut short due to the freezing weather. Hermione sat down beside them and focused on the view in front of them. There was a small silence between the two as they had people watched. Hermione almost forgot why she even went outside in the first place. She shook her head remembering her thought, “Are you okay? I saw you leave in a hurry.”

Y/n glanced at Hermione, giving her a sheepish smile. “Yeah, I think my stomach was just feeling off. I went outside to get better air.” Hermione looked in their eyes and was quick to call bullshit. “Better air? It’s absolutely freezing out here. Even Merlin themselves wouldn’t want to be outside this weather. So why don’t you tell me the real truth? And if you lie Y/n, I will not hesitate to read your mind.” Y/n gulped at the sound of her threat. They glanced back out into the view in front of them. Taking a deep breath, Y/n nervously replied with, “During your dare, I suddenly felt…sick…I don’t know why but my stomach felt so knotty and I felt like I couldn’t breathe. So, I left.” Y/n glanced back at Hermione and immediately noticed the look on her face. It was intense and serious. Suddenly, something in the air felt different. It was getting hotter and hotter regardless of the snow falling around them.

“Can I kiss you?” Hermione asked in such a small whisper. A lump appeared in Y/n’s throat. They didn’t know what to quite say. They never really thought about what their feelings meant towards Hermione, but then again, everyone practically knew that Y/n and Hermione were in love with each other. Y/n just happened to be the biggest dumbass when it comes to realizing their feelings for others. But here Y/n was. They weren’t answering the question, but felt themselves leaning in. The two closed their eyes and was slowly leaning in. Hermione felt her heart beating so fast that she was certain it would explode, but she didn’t care. She knew that for so long, she wanted this.

However…the moment never arrived. It was cut off from a distant yell, “Y/n!” The two quickly separated and looked at different directions. Suddenly Hermione took it a step further and slightly moved away from Y/n. “There you are – I’ve been looking every where for you!” Ginny jogged up to the duo, noting the awkward tension that emerged. “We have to go back to the castle, I’ll explain on the way.” The red head dragged away her best friend while giving a small nod towards Hermione.

When they were far enough and half way towards the castle, Ginny explained the dire situation. “It’s your parents Y/n, you have to go home. An owl was sent towards the tavern. Here, you’re going to want to read this.” Ginny handed Y/n the letter. After reading it, Y/n’s stomach dropped. “I have to get home.” Ginny sent them a look. “Clearly dumbass. Come on, let’s get your stuff.” It was eerie quiet between the two since the situation had escalated. Y/n’s parents were in trouble and needed Y/n’s help.

Back at Hogsmeade, Hermione didn’t quite know what to feel. She was so close to kissing her crush, but Ginny just had to ruin the moment. The same person she was somewhat certain had Y/n’s heart. Asking the younger lad to kiss her took all the courage Hermione had, and here she was slightly heartbroken that she was gone. So deep in thought, Hermione didn’t notice Ron sit next to her until he said something. “Hey.”

“I need you to explain to Hermione that I’m sorry.” Ginny sighed. She slightly felt guilty for ruining the moment, but time was precious and something Y/n very much needed now. “I know you saw what was going to happen, but I don’t even know what I was doing.” Closing their trunk, Y/n stood up and looked at Ginny. “I do know that I also need to realize what I feel for Hermione. For a lot of my life, I thought I just had a deep love for her. I guess now it might be even deeper.” Ginny walked up and gave Y/n a bone chilling hug.

“I’ll try my best, but she’s definitely going to want to hear it from you.” They separated. Y/n saw the tears forming in Ginny’s eyes. “I’m going to bloody miss you. Please be safe in America and you better send me an owl at least once every two weeks.” Y/n gave Ginny and small salute and crossed their heart.

“I will Ginny. Besides, I need you to deliver all the letters I write for Hermione. I really gotta figure this out.” With one last hug and a small punch to Y/n’s shoulder, the young student left Hogwarts on to the next ride to America. The letter was still clutched in her hand and in it was detailed the long passage of how to save Y/n’s parents from the very people chasing after them. Y/n didn’t quite know how long it was going to take to save their parents, but they could only hope Hermione could understand. “Please wait for me.” Y/n whispered to Hermione in particular, but the younger witch didn’t hear those words. Instead, Hermione heard comforting words from a different red head.

The last thing a home needs is the very people that should live in it. It needs family, friends, and most certainly you and me.

Y/n stood, pacing around the bathroom. They knew time was running out, it was now or never. “Why? Why? Why? Why?” Y/n stood still and pinched the bridge of their nose. Eyes closed, Y/n pondered more and more about all of the things they didn’t do. How could they have let this go on for this long? Why did they let it go on for this long? Deep in thought, Y/n didn’t notice a certain ginger walk into the bathroom. “Y/n, what in the bloody hell are you doing there? Hermione has been calling you and quite worried sick. If it wasn’t her big day, I would have already knocked you out you big prat.”

Y/n glanced at the second most important person of her life. With a heavy sigh, Y/n slid down the wall. Their knees were propped, hands in their face, and heart in their throat. “I don’t know what to do anymore Ginny.” Ginny pursed her lips and looked back out the door, making sure the coast was clear, before locking the door. She laid her small bouquet of flowers on the sink and sat down near Y/n while trying not to mess up her dress.

“Although I love my idiot brother with all my heart…I somehow love you more.” They sat there together knowing where this was going. “I can’t do it Ginny. I really can’t sit there without feeling like my world is crashing apart right in front of my eyes…The worst thing about it is, I can only blame myself for letting it go this long.”

Ginny rested her head on her best friend’s shoulder. She didn’t quite know what to say anymore. Offering her presence and her ear was the only thing left. “I-I-I spent so long in other countries to try and find my parents while trying to find myself. To try and figure out what I feel for her and by the time I have, she’s already engaged to another…And it’s my stupid fucking fault for ever thinking Hermione would wait. I mean why would she? If some other bloke can already provide her happiness, why should she wait for me? For…us?” Y/n hadn’t realized they were crying until their hands suddenly felt wet. “It’s sad, isn’t it?” Y/n said as they wiped their tears. “What is?”

“Knowing I am my own cause for my sadness. I mean who I am to blame Hermione. The girl was only doing what Aristotle says. Because as he said, we all want to be selfishly happy.” Sighing in defeat, Y/n got up and dusted off their attire. Lending their hand out, Ginny got up and did the same manner. “How much time do I got?”

Ginny looked at the clock in the bathroom. “You have five minutes before she needs to be walking down the isle.” With a small smile, Y/n kissed Ginny forehead and said a small goodbye. The two were only going to part ways for merely a bit. After all, Ginny is Y/n’s second-best friend. But here was Y/n, jogging to the very person that was going to forever have their heart.

Standing outside the bride’s room, Y/n silently prayed and opened the door. There she was in all her glory, the bride to be, the love of her life, the Hermione Granger. However, the brunette herself wasn’t feeling so great. With all the stress of wanting the wedding to be perfect, it wasn’t helping that her very best friend was mysteriously disappearing all the time without a single word. She looked up and sighed once she saw who it was. Picking up her dress, Hermione strutted to Y/n as they closed the door behind them. “Do you have any clue how worried sick I have been?”

“I-” With a single motion of Hermione’s hand, Y/n remained silent. “And anytime I happen to need my best friend to calm me down, they’re nowhere in sight. What is wrong with you? This is my special day Y/n and you haven’t been as great of a friend as you should be. So please, enlighten me where have you been running off to that’s sooo important that you need to leave me?” It was those piercing eyes that made Y/n’s heart melt over and over again. It’s those very same eyes that could practically melt the iceberg that hit the titanic. And it’s those eyes that makes Y/n’s world spin again.

“I…I can’t be your friend Hermione.” Y/n’s voice was so soft and so delicate, Hermione almost questioned if her ears were playing tricks. “What are you bloody saying? You’re not making any sense.” And all the remaining courage Y/n could muster up, they held her hands, looked her in the eyes and said, “When I was gone, I learned of this great philosopher named Kant-” “What does this have to-” Hermione saw the silently begging eyes in front of her and shut her mouth. This was serious and she wasn’t quite sure if she was ready for it.

“He always focused on good principles and always asked about the before of the action. Generally, he believed others should necessarily treat people how they want to be treated. So, a short example is that one should never lie under any circumstances. It does not matter the outcome, but it is simply something you must do. And although I’ve never really believed in absolute, I’ve been asking myself if I should tell the truth. And if people actually deserve to know the truth. So while I thought about it and asked, well what if they deserve the truth, should I still tell them regardless of the outcome? Although I thought I knew a lot of the world, it turns out I only know two things. One is that you deserve to know the absolute truth Hermione and the second is…you are the lie I repeat at night. Because every night I tell I love you, the truth is…I am so in love with you Hermione.”

The world went silent for Hermione. Not even a single pin drop could break the silence for her. Here she was still holding her best friend’s hands as they had just admitted that they were in love with her. “And I’m so sorry Hermione that today of all days was when I told you. I know I had my chances in the letters I sent but I must be honest now because you still deserve the absolute truth. And I’m running out of words to say, because it would be too selfish of me to convince you to run away. So I offer my congratulations Hermione, but I must still run. For then maybe in the blur of life, I can see a small fragment where there could have been you and I.” Y/n kissed Hermione’s forehead as tears may their way down. Letting go of Hermione, Y/n silently walked out the room without turning back because if they had, they would have broken down.

So, while Y/n told Hermione the truth directly. Hermione stood still at the alter with someone who she is most positively certain she loves pondering the very question, “Do I run after the truth?”

#hermione x reader #hermione granger x reader #Hermione Granger Imagines #hermione granger imagine #Hermione Granger

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bitchin-beskar · 4 years ago

Note

I have to do it, 29. "Sharing a bed" for the fanfic trope prompts. With whichever of Pedro's characters you would like and whichever other tropes you'd like

Unavoidable Consequences

Rating: M (sexual situations, cursing)

Word Count: 2.3k

A/N: This is a Javi x Reader fic, with what is probably my favorite trope of all time. I don’t care how cheesy/cliche it is, the sharing a bed trope always leads to god-tier fics, and I’m so excited to finally get to write Javi!!! (Sorry this took so long @din-damn-djarin, but it’s finally here!!!!!) I may end up doing a part two, eventually, if people are interested in that! Let me know!

Tagging: @theocatkov, @cosmicbug379, @marydjarin, @mxndoscyarika, and @perropascal

Let me know if you’d like to be tagged in any of my future works, or if you’d like to be put on a permanent tag list!

There is now a Part 2!!! Read it here!!!

Well shit.

You stared at the lone bed in the middle of the hotel room, feeling a pit form in your stomach. You knew before going on the mission that you’d have to share a bed with your partner–after all, the two of you were going undercover as a married couple–for the duration of the assignment, but actually seeing the bed the two of you were supposed to be sharing really put things into perspective.

Javi made a soft, questioning noise behind you, and you moved out of his way, your eyes never leaving the bed. You’d tried your best to mentally prepare for this mission, but preparing and then actually doing were two completely separate things.

You’d been partnered with Javier Peña ever since Murphy had gone home to the states and the bosses had brought Javi back from the states to help deal with the Cali Cartel. The two of you had butted heads at first, but you quickly realized that the reason Javi had an issue with you wasn’t because he didn’t think you were capable, but because he’d seen what sicarios did to women, and he didn’t want that to happen to you.

It had taken the two of you time to trust each other as partners, but just when you were sure the two of you were finally getting a good routine down, your bosses had to throw this assignment at you.

It wasn’t overly complex, but it was dangerous. You and Javi were posing as a couple, tourists coming to visit beautiful Colombia, all while trying to get close enough to the cartel to identify some of the newer players in the cartel. The more people the two of you identified, the easier it would be to take them down later.

Tonight had been the first night the two of you had actually had to act like a couple. It had been awkward to say the least. You were attracted to Javi, sure, but you had a thing against sleeping with co-workers. You hadn’t noticed if Javi felt similar feelings for you before, but tonight, it had become painfully clear how bad the two of you were at acting.

You’d jumped every time he touched you, and he could barely look you in the eye. Somehow, the two of you had managed to fool people that you were a couple, but you knew it wouldn’t last if the two of you couldn’t get your acts together.

“Let me shower, compañera, and then I’ll take the floor.”

Despite your inner pep-talk, you still jumped at Javi’s voice. Once you absorbed his words however, you turned and frowned. “Javier, if you think I’m going to let you sleep on the floor when there is a perfectly good bed right there then you don’t know me very well.”

He opened his mouth to protest, but you raised your hand, cutting him off. “No, Peña, you’re not sleeping on the floor. We’re both adults, plus it’ll be a bitch for your back to sleep on the carpet all week.”

Javi looked like he was going to protest, but decided not to, instead grabbing a change of clothes from his suitcase and striding into the bathroom. It was only once the door shut that you slumped on the bed, burying your face in your hands. What the hell had you just signed up for?

Having showered earlier in the day, you just changed into your sleep clothes. They were actually some of your more modest pajamas, some leggings and an old, baggy, t-shirt, but it was still a lot more casual than anything Javi had ever seen you in before.

When Javi stepped out of the bathroom, you tried really hard not to ogle. You’d never seen your partner in anything other than a suit, so to see him in a pair of boxers and a ratty t-shirt was striking, to say the least.

You were pretty sure you managed to hide your embarrassment at seeing him, but you still rushed into the bathroom to brush your teeth, suddenly anxious about being in the same room as him for any length of time.

You stalled as much as you could, but there wasn’t much for you to do, so you finally exited your safe space, stepping back into the darkened bedroom. Javi had turned a lamp on and was reading the case file, but other than that, it was dark. Setting your stuff down, you awkwardly shuffled into the bed, on the left side, closest to the wall. It didn’t escape your notice that your partner had placed himself very deliberately between where you’d be sleeping and the door–the only entrance into the room.

Laying down with your back to Javi, you pulled the covers up, almost cringing at the awkward silence that settled like a thick fog over the room. You listened as Javi flipped through a few more pages before sighing deeply, flipping the folder shut and dropping it on the nightstand. The room went dark, and you could feel Javi shuffling behind you trying to get comfortable.

You weren’t sure how much time had passed, but one thing was bugging you. “Javi?” You whispered. “You still awake?”

There was a pause.

“Yeah, I’m awake.”

“Do you have your gun with you?”

There was another, longer pause.

“Yeah. Does that bother you?”

“No. It makes me feel better, actually.”

There’s a quiet snort.

“Get some sleep, compañera.”

***

Something woke you up.

It was pitch black in the room, so you knew it was still night, but you couldn’t figure out what had woken you up. You were usually a pretty heavy sleeper, so for something to have woken you up, it had to be more than just a little noise outside.

You lay there, silently, still groggy, trying to figure out what was wrong. Just as you were about to give up and try to go back to sleep, you were startled as what you thought was just the blanket around youe waist tightened, and you were pulled across the bed until your back hit a hard chest behind you.

Your eyes flew back open, and you held your breath. Suddenly, you were wide awake. You quickly figured out that it wasn’t the blanket around your waist, but instead Javi’s arm, slung across your body, his warm palm resting on your stomach–thankfully, over your shirt.

He was pressed against your back, clearly still asleep based on his breathing. His face was buried in your neck, his lips pressed against your bare skin. You could feel his breath against your skin, and goosebumps erupted down your arms.

Still holding as still as possible, your mind raced, trying to figure out what exactly you should do. You didn’t want Javi to think you were taking advantage of him or anything while he was sleeping, but you also didn’t want to wake him up by squirming around.

You had to admit, it was kind of nice being held by Javi. Peaceful, comforting even. You thought the two of you might have even entered into a relationship, if you hadn’t been partners and co-workers. But you’d been determined to keep your interactions professional. Your current position certainly wasn’t helping matters.

Resigned, you closed your eyes. If you couldn’t get out of Javi’s grip, then you’d have to just try and sleep. You needed to be well rested for tomorrow.

***

“Psst.”

“Psssst. Compañera, wake up.”

“Wake. Up.”

Your eyes flew open, frantically searching the pitch black for what woke you.

“It’s okay, it’s just me.”

You finally saw the silhouette of Javi leaning above you. You couldn’t make out all of the details of his face, but you could tell it was him. You were on your back, and Javi was next to you, propped up on one arm, his body looming over yours.

Opening your mouth, you went to ask him what was wrong, but suddenly, Javi’s warm hand was over your mouth, stopping you from speaking.

“Shhh. Just listen to me.”

Javi waited for you to nod before he removed his hand. You unconsciously licked your lips, your mouth suddenly very dry.

“I got a message from our contact inside the cartel. They said there are some sicarios staying in the rooms near ours.”

Your eyes widened. That really, really wasn’t good.

“According to our contact, there’s been some chatter between the men. They were, um...” Javi paused, and your brows furrowed. He sounded almost nervous, which certainly wasn’t a good sign. “They were making comments about how strange it was they hadn’t... heard anything from our room.”

You shook your head. “I don’t get it. What were they expecting to hear, Javi?” It was dark, so it was kind of hard to see, but your eyes had adjusted enough that you could almost see a blush spread across his cheeks.

“They were expecting to hear us having sex, compañera.”

Your mouth dropped open. Shit. You certainly weren’t expecting this. You’d never expected that you’d have to pretend to be a relationship at night as well as during the day, and you had no idea what to do.

“I told them that we’re done. We’re leaving tomorrow. I can’t ask you to–”

It was your turn place your hand over Javi’s mouth. “Javier. Listen to me. This assignment is too important. We can’t just leave. Is there any way we can, I don’t know, fake it?” Already Javi is shaking his head, dislodging your hand.

“No, no way. These guys are too good, they’d know if we were faking it. Our only options are to leave, or–”

He cuts off, but you know what he was going to say. Your only options were to leave, blowing the operation completely, or to have sex, just to maintain your cover.

Well, there was really only one thing you could do.

You use the hand that had covered Javi’s mouth less than a minute ago to tangle in his hair, pulling Javi’s lips to yours.

He doesn’t react right away, and you feel a bit of pride at being able to catch him off guard. But when he does react, he takes control immediately.

He presses his lips harshly against yours, his fingers wrapping around your wrists, yanking your arms up and pinning them above your head. Holding your arms with one hand, his other hand cradles your face, tilting your head so that he can deepen the kiss.

You let out a quiet whimper, trying to keep up with Javi’s near-frantic pace. He manages to tear away for a brief moment, whispering “Are you sure?” against your lips. You’re barely able to nod before he kisses you again.

His hand trails down the front of your shirt, creeping under the fabric and brushing over your bare skin. You arch your back, encouraging his wandering touches.

He keeps distracting you with kisses, but when his warm palm cups your breast, you pull away from his lips, a soft gasp escaping your lips. You bite your lip, trying to stifle the noise, but Javi pinches your nipple, leaning down to mutter in your ear.

“Don’t. I want to hear you.”

Another gasp escapes you, slightly louder than before as Javi toys with you.

He continues to murmur in your ear, his voice dripping with arousal, his tone dark as he explains what he wants to do to you.

“God you have no idea what you do to me, do you? Fuck, I’ve wanted you for so long, compañera. I’m not letting you leave this bed till your legs are shaking and the only word you can say is my fucking name.”

You’re already gasping for breath and he’s barely touched you. “Fuck, fuck, Javi, please–”

You can’t even finish your plea before his lips are on your neck, sucking at your pulse point. You’re writhing in his grasp, but his hand around your wrists is unmoving, and his lips are relentless.

“‘M gonna mark you up, make sure everyone knows you’re mine, baby.”

Your hips are twitching, searching for something, any kind of friction to bring you relief. You cry out when Javi drops his own hips, pining you down to the bed, but also providing pressure where you need it most.

“Javi, Javi please, I can’t–!” You gasp, hooking one leg over the back of Javi’s thigh, keeping him pressed against you. “I need more, Javi I need–”

His hand leaves your breast and instead works it’s way down the front of your leggings, fingers immediately giving you the friction you so desperately desire. As you moan his name, loudly, you find yourself grateful that your bosses didn’t see fit to give the two of you different first names for your undercover work.

“More, pleasepleaseplease–”

You’re almost sobbing, but Javi’s fingers are relentless, bringing you closer to your climax. He presses his lips against yours right as you peak, swallowing your cries as you reach your release.

Slumping down on the bed, your entire body tingling, you blink up at Javi, his dark eyes roving hungrily over your face as he watches you come down from the high.

“Fuck, you’re so beautiful, compañera.”

You feel your cheeks heat at the praise, and his heavy gaze. You watch as he brings his fingers to his lips, sucking your release from his skin. It’s one of the hottest things you’ve ever seen, and you know right then and there that you’re completely and utterly fucked.

“Javi, that was–” you trail off, words escaping you when you try to describe the feelings you just experienced. You’re surprised, however, when he chuckles.

“Baby,” he chuckles, ducking his head and kissing you, letting you taste yourself on his lips. “You didn’t think we were done, did you?”

#fics #writing #masterlist #smut #javier peña #javi x reader #no use of y/n #request #ask #sharing a bed trope #really #it's just an excuse for smut #I don't make the rules

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infinitelytheheartexpands · 4 years ago

Text

Responses from the Opera Screencaps Captioning Quiz

Hello, everyone, and thank you for taking my quiz! I had SO MUCH fun reading your captions-- there were several times I literally started crying from laughing so hard at the amazingness of your work! With that in mind, the captions (which I will continue to add onto as more people take it):

(also, thank you to @dichterfuerstin for translating the German captions I got)

originally taken from: the Wiener Staatsoper’s 2020 production of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Die Entführung aus dem Serail, featuring Regula Mühlemann (center) as Blonde, Michael Laurenz (right) as Pedrillo, and an unnamed extra (left) as the Grim Reaper

Responses:

(Backstage warm-up) “ok so someone dropped the pulse”

me and my friends watching the fire burn after doing arson

Introducing the polycule to the parents

*boom* ... did...you guys hear that too?

Ma Signor !

Knight in whinging armour gone wrong, look at how he holds the egg. Polyamory with weird knight and death.

the father, son and the holy ghost are very gay

the gays meeting for brunch, 2021, colorized

chicken lady forces death and a very flamboyantly homosexual anthropomorphized pink bird to be parents of her egg (they dont want to be)

That’s just me and my friends on our night out (before covid rip)-- closest

A Good Friday night

good omens (2019)

["the pocket guide to boy/girl/mischief" meme] who's the boy and who's the mischief though????

Papageno and Papagena take their first-born egg trick-or-treating

Angry Birds - The Musical. A pig stole an egg and the bird unites with death to take revenge.

I love my bird wife

Someone got murdered during the funky chicken dance

throuple murders child and steals sibling of said child

When you and your friends have widely different tastes in literature

angel leading twink to his rightful place (hell)

draco malfoy from a very potter musical and a death eater are very much in the wrong show

What have I gotten myself into

Mlm/wlw solidarity but I’m not telling who is who

A woman stands with a pink dipshit with an egg and a reaper.

A bird-couple makes a pact with Death, sacrificing their first-born bird-child in order to bring good luck upon their unborn bird-baby

There are three types of people on Halloween:

Uh oh, I don’t think the mother hen is very happy about this...

oh god, they’ve invented seussical. It’s too early!

gay brunch

Three little maids from school are we

guys maybe if we dress gay enough we can distract everyone from the dead flapper bee in the back

those three killed a duck for her egg and are facing the conswquences.

Duck has egg with human, shocked and upset due to biological impossibility

When you bout to make a banging omelet so you invite your fellow queers

"No mortal man could pass that egg, but heaven shall repair your rectum."

originally taken from: the Salzburg Festival’s 2007 production of Hector Berlioz’s Benvenuto Cellini, featuring Maija Kovalevska (left) as Teresa Balducci, Laurent Naouri (center, in chimney) as Fieramosca, and Burkhard Fritz (right) as Benvenuto Cellini

Responses:

“In this same interlude it doth befall That I, one Snout by name, present a wall; And such a wall, as I would have you think, That had in it a crannied hole or chink, Through which the lovers, Pyramus and Thisby, Did whisper often very secretly. This loam, this rough-cast and this stone doth show That I am that same wall; the truth is so: And this the cranny is, right and sinister, Through which the fearful lovers are to whisper.” - a midsummer night’s dream, act v scene 1

"ah yes a prime specimen. see here, right in this box is our one of a kind hob goblin that can be all yours for the low low price of your soul"

what, YOU don't have a special eavesdropping chimney window?

Hänsel und Gretel plotting against the witch

man takes a wrong turn and ends up in a chimney, catches his girlfriend cheating-- closest

when you end up third wheeling the straight couple

lady cheats on her leather jacket wearing scummy boyfriend and when he unexpectedly comes home she hides the lover in the chimney

A straight girl and her gay best friend gossip about stuff idk

Idk Shakespeare?

experimental couples therapy feat. the chimney mf from mary poppins

Area Couple Inadvertently Traps Santa-in-Training in Chimney as they Attempt Rooftop Flirting

Landlords laugh over student renter's misfortune

I never asked for this

Ay yo lil mama lemme whisper in your ear

voyeurist listens to sandy and Danny from grease

Psssst! Did you hear about Susan? You won’t believe it!

lady and the tramp meets beauty and the beast?

human trafficking

And for just $30 you too could have your own tiny brick cage!

Psst I’m wearing assless chaps under this dress

A couple tortures a man in a box.

It's all fun and games being stuck in a chimney until your greasy uncle steals your crush from right above you-- okay ngl this could actually be a great Don Pasquale concept

Taking eavesdropping to the next level

Will you two stop being lovey dovey and let me out? SUMMER LOVIN, HAPPENED SO FAST—

overhearing how people talk about you when they think they're alone puts you in the shithouse

Does he know we can see him?

dear god, i am so fucking hungry, yall please just do whatever heterosexuals do so i can go eat a popsicle

the human version of the trash man from sesame street is realizing that those two are going to fuck on his trash can

Tmw you capture an angry short dude and start trashtalking him where he can hear

Omg what if we kissed but we actually kissed the lil goblin man under us

"Remember, don't feed him after midnight"

originally taken from: the Théâtre de Capitole du Toulouse’s 2017 staging of Giacomo Meyerbeer’s Le prophète, featuring Leonardo Estevez (right, on fake horse) as Le Comte d’Oberthal

Responses:

“When I said we needed to drain the swamp I didn’t think there were people actually living there”

horse? what horse? no sir i dont know what horse youre referring to.

definitely don't have a napoleon complex going on

King stole La Scala‘s Lohengrin set

king breaks all his horses, has to use statue dragged by servants as transportation because he’s too kingly too walk

Emperor Söder and his subjects on a carnival procession

man on horse makes a big deal out of being on a horse

That’s not Zeffirelli because the horse is not alive

Who the fuck put a horse on the stage

isn't this that picture of napoleon on the horse

Area Count Thinks Citizens will be Intimidated by his Extremely Fake-looking Horse Statue-- closest

Everyone wants their turn on the giant plaster horse. Police are there to make sure everyone waits their turn.

Night out with the lads

Local royalty horrified at the state of his own damn kingdom

gay army fights different gay aesthetics-- hi author how does it feel to be the funniest fucking person on this quiz

Well at least I LOOK badass

ceasar if he hadn't gotten stabbed (colourised)

some soldiers jumped out of my kindergarten fairytale collection book to burn the don carlos flemish deputies at the stake

It’s just a model

Is that how you feel pulling up in your Honda Civic, Madge?

Someone rides a horse statue in public.

Just a normal party with the bros.

what is this, some kind of crossover episode?

Terribly sorry for all the fuss, it’s just, that is, my horse is afraid of neck ruffles. I’ve tried to talk to him about it, but he’s—whoaaa there—he said he was a french courtier in a past life and he’s allergic to English fashion

Horse seller, listen to me! I am riding into battle. I need your strongest horse. - We have horses at home. - The horses at home:

All hail Incitatus the king

we are not ripping off shakespeare’s henry viii. what the fuck. this is about lenny xi you uncultured swine, go drown in a pit of your own farts

oh god is that hamilton

Guy Removed From Art Museum For Sitting On Statue, more at eleven

Gay <3

Officer: This horse... is a virgin! Crowd: *cheers*

originally taken from: the Parma Verdi Festival’s 2017 staging of Giuseppe Verdi’s Stiffelio, featuring Maria Katzarava (left) as Lina and Luciano Ganci (right) as Stiffelio

Responses:

That One kid in class

its a mEntAL BreAkDowN *final countdown but kazoo*

*record scratch* yeah, that's me. you're probably wondering how I got here-- closest

Dad keeps monologuing, teenager is done

left: all of my concerned friends, right: my emo ass having a very public mental breakdown

the demons in the corner of my room when im just trying to sleep

lady gets mansplained to (do i need to say more, we've all been there)

It’s probably an area baritone telling off an area soprano-- sorry; it’s a tenor. soprano is right though.

That was a fake horse in the last photo right?

child comes out as gay to father at a particularly bad time

dissociation solves everything

I can't believe it's not butter

Honey we talked about this

My sleep paralysis demon is Crowley from supernatural

child has nightmare of boring job

When you start dating a singer but he won’t stop practicing at night

just an average day in a hetero marriage

what do i do my wife's having period cramps again

Stop having an existential crisis. It’s time to sing!

“No son of mine will kin Gomez Addams under MY roof”

Crowley stares into space while a teen has post nut clarity.

When he wont stop reciting jordan peterson monologues!!

Do you realize how effed you are?

Ugh, not this lecture again! Dad’s Practicing For His Experimental Indie Band Again

asking your parents for help with your own personal situation and them just ranting off about what they went through instead of helping in any way

Will he shut up already!

no one tell him he’s yelling in the wrong direction, no one tell him plnsbdjddhdj

this kid is tired of his dad listening to rush limbaugh (a man who claimed to be pro life but died anyway)

Me internally vs externally

Daddy issues

originally taken from: the Grand Théâtre de Genève’s 2020 staging of Giacomo Meyerbeer’s Les Huguenots, featuring several chorus members

Responses:

It’s the deadly eye Of Poogley-pie. Look away, look away, As you walk by, ‘Cause whoever looks right at it Surely will die. It’s a good thing you didn’t … You did? … Good-bye. - shel Silverstein

why the fuckith? my good sir, i beg of you to put your pants back on

I hate this itchy hat

Titanic Extras hear that they have to do extra hours

people waiting to board the titanic watch someone fall off the plank

pov: you’re a time traveler

guy in the flatcap is embarrassed by patriotism and pathos

No idea. For some reason Le Marseillaise comes to mind

Is this from Harry Potter?

disneyland main street usa workers on strike

local tries to hide behind Newsies cap to avoid unpleasant but inevitable conversations. meanwhile, some very fashionable ladies look on.

"Thank fuck, 2020 was just a dream after all"

“We gather here today because this bitch got exactly what she deserved” “heaven!” “Stfu Stephanie she’s going to hell and we all know it”-- not quite but this basically happens later on in the opera (and act) so yeah (except the person in question very much Did Not Deserve It)

dc movie filter on bridgerton

america?

looks like my history teacher paused the prohibition documentary again

Who still wears page boy hats bro?

Coming out to a room of people who Already Knew That

Bitches are relieved at some party.

Several drunk people exiting getting off the subway attempting to seem sober and rational but realizing they have somehow lost all of their possessions

How tf do I act natural in this situation-- closest

“do you think any of them noticed that I don’t know the pledge of allegiance”

It's too fucking hot outside for this outfit

when hyyh yoonkook ending just hits different

pedestrians watch in horror as the triangle shirtwaist factory burns and the workers throw themselves out of the windows from a dozen stories up

Starting the pledge of allegiance be like

He's having a heart attack oh no oh god oh fuck

originally taken from: if I remember correctly, the Semperoper Dresden’s 2018 semi-staging of Johann Strauss II’s Die Fledermaus, with Jonas Kaufmann as Gabriel von Eisenstein

Responses:

“William Shakespeare wrote: "To thine own self be true And it must follow, as the night the day Thou canst not then be false to any man" I believe this wise statement best applies to a woman A blonde woman Over the past three years she taught me And showed us all That being true to yourself never goes out of style Ladies and gentlemen Our valedictorian: Elle Woods!” - legally blonde the musical

eat ass, suck a dick, and sell drugs

woooooorrrrd

Finally Jonas has graduated! It’s about time, considering he’s an international star.

what my professors think they look like

Prof. Dr. Dr. When someone tells him there are more than two genders

'and since you've now graduated high school, you'll be entering college etc. blablabla' .........meanwhile, there's a whole row of graduates daring each other to chug the cheap vodka one of them has brought in gallons (yes that happened at my graduation, lol)

Jonas darling baby <3-- can’t argue with that

I just realized I have no idea what the actual fuck happens in an opera

ok this one is just what jonas kaufmann always wears you can't fool me.

"as valedictorian i will share with you the importance of loving the floor"

"Yes, mother, my art degree will make me money!"

Graduation speakers are out, singers are in

Senior year takes a new meaninbg

mansplainer professor explains the concept of feminism to women

Your Prof when you finally turn in that missing assignment be like

younger boris johnson (derogatory)

jonas kaufmann retires from opera and takes up motivational speaking

What a fine graduation evening we’re having today

-70 points for slytherin you all have no swag

A man with a college hat sings.

An obviously greying actor trying to play a university student in a low-budget porn parody

How it feels to graduate high school after being held back for years

East High is a place where teachers encouraged us to break the status quo and define ourselves as we choose. Where a jock can cook up a mean crème brûlée, and a brainiac can break it down on the dance floor-

I may not have been "cool" in high school, but in ten years you will all be working for me!

I finally got my GED!

that one guy in ur intro to cultural anthropology class who mansplains to the professor somehow fucking graduated

he;s just graduating and taking his speech too serously idk

Graduation speeches with that one dude who got held back 3 times

Smrt

originally taken from: the Metropolitan Opera’s 2011 staging of Gioachino Rossini’s Le Comte Ory with Joyce DiDonato (left) as Isolier, Diana Damrau (center) as Countess Adèle, and Juan Diego Florez (right) as Le Comte Ory (disguised as a hermit)

Responses:

There is something very [disturbing grunts] About polyamorous couples - polyamorous, Chris Fleming

jinkies

femme fatale (including to herself)

I’ll have a threesome soon !

Hot guy walks by, everyone swoons.

thirdwheeling friend does not realize the other two are having sex

When your girlfriend had „just two beers“ again

jesus is exasperated about having to drag the two ladies towards doing what he needs them to do instead of purple dramatically declaring suicidal intent over the smallest trivial matters and red being equally dramatic about declaring that it's not the way! stay alive! i love you!!

The throuple is thriving

Get off the milf

orgy

my last three braincells because im a horny slut

countess receives too much love and is confused on how to react

Rasputin's lesser known romp with a much older czarina of russia

Woman's soul leaves body

Jesus and co. are worried after another woman gets pregnant without having sex

bisexual looks at photos of celebrity couples

When you go to the party to socialize with new people but your weirdo friend group starts getting clingy

Jesus cumming

one of those weird church christmas pageants but everybody's drunk

What have I done

Hozier??????????

Jesus assfucks some purple lady being hugged.

This time, the chick IS the magnet

An affair/threesome gone awry (2019 colorized)

What do you mean they canceled GLOW?

“I TOLD you it was cashmere!”

Are you wearing the - - The Gucci dress? Yes I am.

It's not what it looks like!

jesus is fucking that one cheerleader who grew up to be a suburban mom with one (1) super cool dress she stole from her kid who is desperately hugging her middle begging for it back because the spring fling is coming up and jason might actually make eye contact with her for more than three seconds.

jesus and mary magdaline and some other bitch

I’m at a bar and these drunk girls are flirting with me, do I lOOK GAY?!

Shrek 5, jesus's return

c. 2025 First attempt of an Officer and his Wife with a Handmaiden (colourized)

just about all of these are close lol

originally taken from: the Bolshoi Theater’s 1993 staging of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s The Maid of Orléans, featuring Nina Rautio (left) as Joan of Arc and Vyacheslav Pochapsky (right) as Thibaut d’Arc

Responses:

Don’t look, I’m still pooping

yall, the audacity of this man. he fuckin talked to me

*i can't even tell you how wrong you are* *it would be insulting to ME*-- closest

Cospeto!

„No I’m not talking to you, you keep cracking bad jokes!“ - „But I got another!“

when you’re mad at him but he says he’ll buy you food if you cheer up

When I’m wallowing in self-pity but my friends won’t comfort me

right: wanna fuck ;) left: yeah, fuck OFF lmao

Her face is screaming “don’t tell me what to do”

Yeah I got nothing

gay man tries to hit on a lesbian bc he thinks she's a twink. she's not amused but she's watching this happen anyway

me tired of MET's bullshit and them organising a Netrebko, known blackface apologist, a recital during Black History Month. (sorry im still fucking salty lol)

"stop smiling at me like that I'm trying to pout over here"

"I got fleas, you got fleas... wanna fuck?"

I have the best idea!

Haha nooooo don’t hit me with that bat you’re so sexxyy

lesbian is bothered by dilf

Me trying to flirt

if call me by your name was hetero and set in america

how many more dad jokes can i take before i explode

So. You’ve gotten yourself in a little pickle again.

What if we fought in the Russian revolution together ✨???????... unless??

Two people flirt in a poor place of town/

"If you ask me what I've got under this dirty, shapeless tunic one more time I swear to god I will kick your rotting teeth in"

You look like ur gonna kill me but ok

Really? You again?

Okay, I’ve been sitting here for 20 minutes, do you think it’s safe to—oh god, he’s still there.

Have you seen Godot?

she is tired of everyone’s shit. she has done so many derivatives it physically pains her to see a variable. dont test her. ur icarus rn.

idk pick better pictures-- I HAVE DIED THE SHEER AUDACITY AND HUBRIS I LOVE THIS

200% done with your crap

Homeless man has fucking legs of steel n is gonna show off his Russian dance moves

originally taken from: the Théâtre de Capitole du Toulouse’s 2019 staging of Paul Dukas’ Ariane et Barbe-bleue, featuring Sophie Koch (right) as Ariane and I don’t remember who the person on the left is rip me

Responses:

The knight who wore this into battle sure was swaggy

dear god its hiddeous

Capitalism

Knight in shining armour gone even more wrong.

ghost contemplates the safety of spiky motorcycle helmet

„Stop! He feels bullied!“

'this is my newest take for jesus's crucifixion crown ...... what do you mean they already put him up'

That’s probably a really expensive magic helmet idk. IDK-- closest

Omg I love the adventure zone!

minesweeper (windows xp)

"Okay whatever you do don't touch the shiny spiky ball" "It's so shiny I wanna touch it"

Taking down the trash way too late

IT'S NOT A PHASE MOM

Darth Vader got stuck in the freezer.... again. Leia isn’t happy

Star Wars 2030

“And here is the very latest in motorcycle helmet trends” “Look, I only came to the mall for a pair of socks “

futuristic kkk

long-suffering jewelry store attendant really wants to retire

Put it down put it down put it down

“Hmm no you should see a doctor about that”

A weird ass crown is presented

The creation of sars-cov-2: an experimental Eurotrance nightclub art piece gone horribly wrong

How it feels to want something that u cant have

AND WE WILL CALL IT—SPIKE MAN actually do you think that’s too obvious?? Because of the—yeah, because of the spikes?? See, that’s what I’m worried about. I want it to be SCARY

I know it's risky but... lube me up

use the force luke.

that is a weird fleshlight

When you get an ugly gift and need to find a way to get rid of it, so your family member/friend offers to smash it

Touch the orb

originally taken from: the Opera Vlaanderen’s 2019 staging of Fromental Halévy’s La Juive, with Nicole Chevalier (left, with bottle) as Princess Eudoxie, Enea Scala (center, under table) as Prince Léopold, and Roy Cornelius Smith (right) as Éléazar

Responses:

When no one comes to your birthday party :(

fantastic, day 487 of mischief and they have yet to find my masterful hiding spot

i really wonder who he thinks he's playing footsie with

Marriage crisis. Reason sits under the table-- closest but not in the way you think (after all, the man under the table IS a tenor).

the last supper afterparty after jesus left

When you order the last supper on wish

espionage at the Politischer Rosenmontag

Probably the wrong opera but is that Leporello under the table

Now THIS is a Good Friday night

this was every birthday party i went to between the ages of 5 and 11

that awkward moment when you drop your fork under the table but when you re-emerge everyone else has left except one drunk lady and the guy trying to deal with her

After the last supper

Tfw you arrive to the dinner party too early and have to hide until a more fashionable hour

When the cishets aren’t home

waiter hides from customers

Nobody: My dog every time I’m eating:

what's left of the homies Jesus had dinner with

university chem lab experiment gone terribly wrong

I’ve been under the table FOR 30 MINUTES

Set your friends up by tossing them off under the table, they’ll think it’s each other n fall in luv

Someone hids under a table

"You're about to see an surreptitious-under-the-table-dick-sucking master at work"

5 yr old me trying to eat the desert under the table without my parents finding out be like:

They never invite me to their parties!

Just another girl’s night in

Oops! Didn’t notice you the table.

dionysus - bts (2019, colorized)

just a normal episode of eric andre (eric is the one under the table)

Just a normal day with the boys

Thievery

originally taken from: the Théâtre de Capitole du Toulouse’s 2017 staging of Giacomo Meyerbeer’s Le prophète, featuring Kate Aldrich (left, surrounded by women in white) as Fidès and John Osborn (center, looking like a Jesus doppelganger) as Jean de Leyde

Responses:

Hold up, is that Eggman above Jesus?

holy disco

Looks like Tannhäuser. Our lord and saviour Richard Wagner. Now I need to be saved from that.

catholicism

me defending pineapple on pizza (THANK YOU)

jesus but hes about to be abducted by the alien ufo above him

Emmmmmmm Heaven? Idk

Lord of the rings?

ewww christianity gross

"behold, I am Important"

"Seriously?? It's not ACTUALLY pyjama day? Fuck you guys!"

Jesus at the Disco

Jesus Finds The Molerat People Who Live Under Bethlehem

disco is heaven

Want to join my new religion?

the kkk

church christmas pageant where everyone's sober but it's based on the director's fever dream

Am I the only one who sees the giant demon? Just me? Okay...

“Oh god I think I’m starting my period”

A party is held with a priest in the middle

"Let's get this secret Vatican sex party rolling!"

The new avengers endgame set is looking great!!

You know, guys, I try not to be a bother but...I can’t help but feel like I missed a dress code memo for this wedding??? It’s cocktail, right??”

Jesus visits Hogwarts

I must really stink if no one will even come close to me

the extra ass funeral i DESERVE

star wars life day

A cult at it’s best-- closest

Shrek 5, Jesus is still there I guess

originally taken from: the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden’s 2013 staging of Giuseppe Verdi’s Les vêpres siciliennes, featuring Bryan Hymel (left, standing) as Henri, Lianna Haroutounian (center, kneeling in the black gown) as Duchess Hélène, and Erwin Schrott (kneeling to her right) as Jean Procida

Responses:

When the director’s like “great rehearsal guys, just a few notes before I let you go” but it’s already 9:13 and your mom’s waiting in the parking lot

loyalist of subjects

bow before your queen

They forgot to take down the stage boxes after the Vienna opera ball but the show must go on.

somebody forgot to book chairs for this funeral

Me sharing God’s (Hayley koyoko) word on the discord server

mass execution bc the oboe solo sucked ass-- closest

That’s too many black suits I can’t see shit

I can’t even tell what’s going on here

8th grade school assembly about how it's uncool to shit on the walls at school

let's all get fancy so we can go to the opera and sit on the stage (idk this one's hard lol)

"Yes i am a time traveller, now don't freak out"

Tfw you forget to pay your lighting bills

White guys make decisions that will benefit them and screw someone that’s not a white guy over-- OUCH but that is too real (although not really in context here)

dead man gives speech at his own funeral

brotus and the boys ??? last meeting before the stabbing

high society social function ends in mass murder-- right opera, wrong scene

Someone walks into the talent show stage with a dog

Black-dressed bitches worship a man.

Worst school assembly of all time

POV:You're the window in the classroom and someone said "its snowing"

When the conductor shows up fashionably late to the orchestra concert

That's what you get for choosing the cheapest ticket option, get back in the mud where you belong

theyre just trying to jump into a grave at a funeral leabe them alone this is normal

oh my god he really whipped his dick out in front of everyone, this is just like in 1776 guys, except some women are actually in the room this time,

A funeral, stop wearing so much black

I want to slap their bald heads like rice

originally taken from: the Teatro Real Madrid’s 2018 staging of Gaetano Donizetti’s Lucia di Lammermoor, featuring Roberto Tagliavini (right) as Raimondo

Responses:

Crowd “haha!! Looks like someone missed the all-black memo!! Now it’s laugh-in-your-face time! / Guy on the floor (whispering to guy against wall): go, save yourself! I’ll hold them off...”

if i leave now i wont be a witness and can tell the police i had no idea

it was the best of times, it was the worst of times

Guy in the back pretends to help but is to far away to even know what’s going on.

priest walks in on beginning of an orgy, contemplated joining but is too scared-

when someone brings up capitalism but you’re just trying to play minecraft

lol lets trample this guy while the judge isnt looking

Again. Too many black costumes

Loved this Dostoevsky novel

i would know if opera directors were more creative with clothing choices ngl

me on parties lol

"imma just sneak out of here while everyone else is distracted"

"Where did he get this flooring!? Amazing!"

Everyone act normal!

The tell tale heart but they got REALLY drunk

man tposes to ward off vampires after being caught undercover

boys ???? night

the priest really shouldn't have visited the insane asylum-- closest

He’s FINE everyone’s been hit by a car before

Something happens in a room.

Perks of being a wallflower

There's always that one person in the fight whos trying not to get involved when they really wanna

Oh good, they’re all posing for a Rembrandt painting, I can just sneeeeaaak out the back here...

The gamer livestreaming Resident Evil + everyone watching the stream ? waiting for him to open the door just knowing it will trigger a chase scene

Quick!

the guy t posing in the back is regretting his every decision.-- also accurate

the us senate jumps ted cruz, some other wack ass gop senator is trying to sneak away

...I spoke too soon, however this is a James Bond mission

Queers help fellow queer do math but it's a struggle

#opera #opera tag #results #screencaps #captions #caption #caption this #caption contest #this seems to have gone over well and I am Pleased

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atomic-taco-muffin · 3 years ago

Text

Kingdom High Chapter 19

Warnings: same as the last chapter

Rating: SFW

And so, as the sunset on Ever After High...

Briar was snoring was pixies were doing her hair. Ashlynn applied some powder to her face and looked up to a photograph with Hunter in her mirror. She immediately shrugged and frowned.

The students were getting fairest for the big dance.

Cerise sneezed as Cedar applied some foundation. Kitty was in her room and put on some lipstick.

“Meow,” she said. Raven snapped her fingers and summons ravens as she continued to get ready while listening to music. Akaya and her friends were jamming to some music while getting ready. Later at night, Cupid and the others planned on sneaking out of the premises. They did this by climbing off a large chain made out of clothes which Cupid threw out the window and started climbing off on.

“Oof!” Blondie said as she fell flat off the rope. A few students of many ran off into the night. Meanwhile, Sparrow played on his guitar while Duchess swam over to him in swan form.

“Sparrow,” she said as she took his hat off and dropped it on his head afterward.

“I need you to help me ruin the True Hearts dance tonight,” she said.

“What? Why?” Sparrow asked.

“Briar is planning it!“ Duchess knocked off his hat off position and he fixed it. She pranced over to the other side of the fountain.

“And if I can get her in trouble with Headmaster Grimm, then, there'll be a new opening in the Royal ranks!” she said.

“You know what?” Sparrow asked as he stood up,

“I am done with you!” he said.

“What's ruffled your feathers?” Duchess jumped down from the fountain and confronted him.

“I, Sparrow Hood, the rocking-est, handsome-est guy in this school can't find out where the dance is!” Sparrow said as he crossed his arms.

“No one'll tell me, 'cause I'm friends with you. Except for Elrena. She’s a way better friend than you’ll ever be,” he said. Duchess put her hands on her hips.

“Well, someone other than her must know something...” she said.

“You really think anyone's gonna tell you the truth?” Sparrow asked as he pointed at her. Duchess pouted and thought for a moment and found Cedar.

“There's one person at this school who's cursed to,” she said. At the dance, students were being admitted in via invitation handouts. Some were already dancing. Ashlynn gasped as she found Hunter and walked away. Raven walked in and Briar signaled her over.

“Raven, over here!” Briar said.

“Wow, Briar. You really know how to throw the most hexcellent parties!” Raven said. Briar put her hands on Sakura and Hopper’s shoulders.

“I had some help,” she said.

“Heh, I uh...” Hopper turned into his frog form.

“Appreciate your kind kudos, fair maiden,” he said. The girls giggled. Suddenly, Maddie had entered.

“Hey guys! Who's deejaying tonight?” she said as she picked up Hopper with the spoon from the punch bowl.

“We got the daughter of the Pied Piper!” Sakura said.

“Melody Piper?!” Maddie flung Hopper off of the spoon.

“What up, Ever After? Ready for me to drop some True Hearts tunes?” Melody asked. The students cheered in excitement.

"Then follow me!" she said. She started deejaying and mice started dancing to it. Meanwhile, The Headmaster was busy with a few headlines, and Duchess entered his office.

"This next chapter day saw a thirty percent rise in our semi-magical creature attendance—" Milton said.

"Psst!" Duchess whispered.

"—rates, which, when you compare that to—"

"Psssst!" Duchess shyly signaled the Headmaster over.

"Excuse me. Duchess Swan! I'm addressing the entire magical community on the MirrorNet at this very moment!" Milton said. Duchess paced and danced around him as she spoke.

"I know, and I'm so sorry to disturb you, but there's something I just thought you had to know about," she said.

"Which is?" Milton asked.

"I hate to tell on my friends, but, some students are having a secret True Hearts Day dance!"

"Show me where." Milton groaned as Duchess did an enthusiastic split leap out the door.

~Le Time Skip~

"So, three hundred autographs later, my quill finally gives out! But, there are a hundred more girls in line—" Daring said.

"Daring," Raven said as she tapped his shoulder.

"And that just—" Daring chuckled.

"Daring. Uh, C-can we talk for a minute?"

"Of course, yes."

"I wanted to thank you, for that poem you left on my locker?"

"Um...I never wrote you a poem."

"You didn't? But it says right here:" Raven took out the poem and started reading it.

"'D. Charming'," she said. She suddenly gasped in realization.

"Dexter!" she said. Daring shrugged. Meanwhile, Cupid appeared in front of Dexter.

"Hi, Dex!" she said. In the distance, Daring was laughing.

"So, not exactly a happy True Hearts Day, huh?" Cupid asked.

"Why does my brother always get the girl? It's not fair," Dexter said.

"Maybe you should stop thinking so much about your brother, and, um...concentrate on someone else?"

"Uh...who?"

"You! You spend so much time comparing yourself to Daring, you forget you're great just the way you are."

"Really?"

"Cross my heart." Meanwhile, Raven was walking with Maddie, Yui, and Hana.

"It was Dexter! Ha, can you believe it? Dex, he's so sweet, and cute, and I'm gonna tell him that I—" Raven gasped as she saw him holding hands with Cupid.

"I'm too late," she said.

~Another Time Skip~

Duchess's believed-to-be-rendezvous point of the secret dance was in the forest.

"Where is this party?" Milton asked.

"Not much further," Duchess said as she held her skirt up.

~Another Time Skip~

"Give it up for Melody Piper!" Cupid said as Melody left the stage. The students cheered for Melody.

"Now, since True Hearts Day hasn't been spellebrated in such a long time, I wanted to tell everyone what it's all about. Once upon a time, there grew a very special tree: the Heart Tree," Cupid said. Blondie used her MirrorPad to broadcast the page Cupid's flipped on.

"And even if the winter was harsh, and the other trees failed to bloom, the Heart Tree blossomed no matter what. And so, our fairytale ancestors gave the blossoms to each other on True Hearts Day to show that even though it's not always easy, true love will always find a way," Cupid said. From one side of the room, Ashlynn glanced over to Hunter, and he did the same.

"And so, to encourage all of us to follow our true heart..." Cupid said. She whistled and signaled pixies to drop the Heart Tree blossoms to the audience.

"Make sure to give yours to someone special to you!" Cupid said. Suddenly, Ashlynn stepped on stage.

"Can I? Hunter, when I listen to my true heart, it tells me that you're my prince charming," she said.

"Aww," Hunter said. Blondie pushed him back.

"But how can you be a Royal, and date Hunter?" she asked.

"I don't know. But, if writing our own Happily Ever After means I can't be a Royal, then call me Ashlynn Ella, the Rebel!" Ashlynn said and stepped off the stage and walked over to Hunter. The students cheered for her and Hunter. Apple gasped in shock.

"I'd like to give this to you, Hunter, if you'll have it," Ashlynn said.

"Of course!" Hunter said and the two of them hugged. The students cheered for them again. Ashlynn broke off the hug and turned to Apple.

"Apple! I'm so sorry. I just had to do what—why are you giving this to me?" Ashlynn said.

"I might be worried about you, and I might think you're doing the wrong thing, but I want you to know that we'll always be friends, no matter what. That's what's in my true heart," Apple said."

"Thanks Apple, you're the best."

"I know," Apple giggled.

"This is literally the best day ever!" Hunter said.

"I'm gonna do it, I'm gonna do it," Dexter said as he fixed his glasses.

"Don't be a worry-flurry, let's party!" Maddie said as she took Raven's hand. Raven laughed in excitement.

"Mine, mine, mine, mine, mine," Lizzie said as she took everyone's heart blossom. Dexter sighed in disappointment. In the distance, Cupid and Melody were talking.

"Hey, Cupid! Have you seen Cedar? I can't find her anywhere," Cerise said.

"Oh! Cedar had something royally important to do tonight," Cupid said.

~Another Time Skip~

Duchess had found the secret location.

"There it is!" she said. Milton got slapped in the face with a huge leaf.

"Ugh," he groaned. As he and Duchess proceeded to walk up the stairs of the location, Milton karate kicked open the door.

"Ahhh!" he yelled. Inside was Merry Men and Elrena who were practicing their music.

"Dudes! Trying to practice here," Sparrow said.

"Ms. Swan, detention!" Milton said.

"What? Where are they?" Duchess asked.

"🎵You totally got what you deserve, yeah!🎵" Elrena sang as she pointed to Duchess. Sparrow smiled and high-fived her. Meanwhile, Cedar walked up to the original location of where the dance was.

"You told Cedar the wrong spot, 'cause you knew Duchess would try to get it out of her!" Cerise said.

"Yep!" Cupid laughed. Cedar walked up to the two girls.

"Then she left me a note back in the dorm, telling me the real party was here," she said as she high-fived Cupid.

Now that is a happy ending.

I have to say, my true heart agrees.

~~~~

The girls were able to redecorate the place but they didn't want to party with the other students. They sat at a table, sulking. A couple of students noticed them and walked over to them.

"Would any of you ladies like to dance with us?" one of them asked.

"No thanks. We're good," Liliana said.

"Oh, come on! We can't leave you ladies here to sulk!" another student said.

"Didn't you hear her?! We're good, dumbass!" Andreanna said. The two students got scared and walked away.

"Should we head home?" Hasumi asked.

"I think we should," Kaji said. The girls stood up and headed home. They went to their rooms and locked their doors.

"What do you think happened?" Kairi asked.

"I'm not sure. Should we talk to them?" Aqua said. Everyone nodded in agreement and went to go talk with the girls.

#kingdom hearts #kingdomhearts #kingdom hearts imagine #kingdom hearts imagines #kingdom+hearts+imagine #kingdomhearts imagine #kingdomhearts+imagine #eah #eah imagine #ever after high #everafterhigh #ever after high imagine

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onestop-shot · 6 years ago

Text

You, Me, Us

member: JAEMIN x RENJUN x reader

genre: FLUFF

word count: 2,318

a/n: so here is the most awaited fluff of the month! I hope you all enjoyed as much I did writing it!my uwu’s for these. AND I DID A LITTLE TWIST ON THIS ONESHOT LIKE LEGIT A TWIST AND MY UWU CAN’T HANDLE IT. So to the anon who requested this, I hope you don’t mind the twist and I really hope you’ll love this 💚

to quote from ‘Dear DREAM by NCT DREAM’ - “I’ll be your home.”

a twist of Neverland and pixie dust~

“I told you! It wasn’t me! It wasn’t me!” You yelled at your father. He blamed you for wrecking his paperwork in his office. But that wasn’t you, surely it wasn’t you. Before that happened, you were in your room listening to music, tapping your toes as you did your homework for tomorrow. “You do not lie to me, young missy. I am through with you! Go to your room!” he yelled back.

“Gladly!” You stomped your feet and ran up the stairs, slamming the door behind you as you enter your room. “They blame me for everything my little sister do. Why is it always me? It doesn’t mean I’m older I’m the one to blame. That just seems unfair.” You drag your feet across the room and stumbled on your bed. You lie there looking up at your ceiling where the star glowies you stuck on before glowed at the your dimly lit room. “I want to runaway. I want to be happy for once.” you mumbled, as you were slowly drifting to sleep.

“Psst.”

“Pssssst.”

You eyes opened, you immediately sat up and looked around your room.

“Psssst.”

You heard it again, this time from your open window. You got up and slowly but carefully walked towards the window, a little hanger on your hand which you grabbed from you closet. “Wh-Who’s there?”

A deep sweet chuckle answered you.

And that woke you up. That chuckle was no stranger, you knew who owned that voice very well. A smile suddenly plastered on your face, and your heart begins to race.

“Hi!” a figure suddenly peeks from above your window.

“Ah!” you jumped, falling to your bottom. You groaned in annoyance.

“Sorry, [Y/N]!” The figure tall peachy haired boy helped you up.

You look at him and sighed, “Hi, Jaemin.”

He smiled his brightest at you and chuckled once again, taking your hand and pulled you to your window. “Wait,” you said. “I-I don’t think I should tonight, Jaemin. I don’t feel so well, everything has been chaotic and--”

“And this is why we’re here. Remember?” He softly places his right hand behind your back and his left arm under your knees, he lifts you up and does the most amazing thing you still get amazed till now. Fly.

You both flew up in the sky, the stars more real than what you have in your room. “Where’s Renjun?” you ask. He looks at you and up again, you followed his gaze and saw the Jolly Roger. “H-How did..did h-he...”

You two finally go to the Jolly Roger. Jaemin gently puts you down on the deck. “I can’t believe I’m riding the Jolly Roger, THE Jolly Roger.” you said, admiring in awe.

“Ahoy, there!” Another familiar voice called out.

You turn around and see Renjun standing behind the ship’s wheel. You smiled at him brightly and ran up to the quarterdeck. When you reached him, you hugged him tightly. “I didn’t know you miss me that much, [Y/N].” he hugs you back.

“So, Captain [Y/N], where to?” Jaemin gleefully shouts as he hangs from the ropes of the sail. You pull away from Renjun and stood tall, “TO NEVERLAND WE GO!” you shout, pointing up in the sky.

“You heard her, Renjun, to Neverland we go!” Jaemin said.

“Here we go, Neverland!” Renjun joins along.

The Jolly Roger begins to move, slowly sailing towards the blue night sky.

You suddenly felt a hand intertwine with yours. You look to your side and see Jaemin grinning widely, his eyes gleaming at the sky above you three. You then look at Renjun and took his hand, intertwining with yours.

The clouds were now on ones reach, and just behind those clouds, is another world you would never want to leave. Some people thought you were crazy, but you never really bothered to care. If this was all just a dream, you’re glad to have it. To have two soulmates who has been there for you since you could remember.

You approach the biggest cloud you’ve ever seen, lightning sparks around it, you hear thunder rumbling inside.

“Hold on tight.” Jaemin whispers to you. “We wouldn’t want to lose you again.”

You held on to their hands tightly. And you approach the cloud, half of the Jolly Roger swallowed up. Spritz of water touch your skin, and wind blowing wildly through your hair.

As the cloud swallows the whole ship, you open your eyes and the rest of the world disappeared.

You entered a realm of fantasy, a realm where worries are away.

The Jolly Roger lands on the ocean just below you, and sailed to the nearest shore.

The three of you walked down the board ladder off from the ship. The sand touches your bare feet, and it feels warm, warmer than your sheets back at home. You breathed in the air and it smells like the ocean. There was nothing unpleasant in the place.

“I’m still curious though,” you start. “How did you steal the Jolly Roger from Captain Hook?”

Renjun nudges Jaemin. He clears his throat as he place an arm around your shoulder, “We actually borrowed it from him.” he said.

“Borrowed? Na Jaemin, borrows?” you mock him with arms folded on your chest

“Absolutely! Tell her, Renjun!” he looks at Renjun with a wink.

“I saw that Jaemin.” you hit his rib, earning a groan from him and backing away.

You looked around and begin to run. You ran so fast that Jaemin and Renjun flew behind you, following your every step. You ran into the woods, passed through the Crocodile Crack having the two make sure you wouldn’t get snapped from the crocodiles.

You finally the hide-out, and you ran and ran. “Ah!” you screamed as you almost fell into a ditch.

“Gotcha!” Renjun caught your waist just before you landed in the booby trap the lost boys set up for the mean pirates. He flies you across the trap and set you down, checking you out to see if you’re okay.

“Thanks, Renjun.” you sighed, wiping off the sweat on your forehead.

“Here,” Renjun grabs a vine from the tree beside and turned your around, your back facing him. He gently takes a bunch of your hair and tied the vine around it with a knot. “In that way, you can see signs properly.” He says, pointing at the side that said ‘bOobY trAp aHeaD’.

You thanked him, giving him a peck on the cheek. Renjun turned bright pink.

“Okay, enough with this mushy mushy. Can we go now? I’m hungry and I’m pretty sure Tink has already prepared breakfast.” Jaemin said as he floats above you two.

“Of course, but I’m tired.” you muttered, smiling at Jaemin.

He lets out a sigh and quickly swooped you off the floor, “Last one’s a rotten egg!”

Renjun snapped awake from your little peck and immediately chased after you two towards the hideout.

Renjun won of course, he got to the opening of the cave just before you two. Your weight made Jaemin slow but he was fine with it.

You suddenly smelled something good, something mouth-watering. And just before you can speak, you got rammed by a group of boys and felt ticklish around your neck.

“[Y/N]! [Y/N]! We miss you!” the lost boy shout. There was Tootles, Nibs, Slightly, Curly and the Twins. And Tinkerbell, too!

“I’m happy to see you all too!” you laugh as they hug you around and realized you were all on floor.

“Okay, settle down now boys. Captain [Y/N], is hungry and tired.” Renjun starts as he takes away the twins from you. Jaemin doing the same with Tootles and Nibs. Slightly and Curly let go of you, taking Tink with them too.

The twins got away from Renjuns hold and took both your hands as they lead you to one of the rooms. Tree wood surrounds the room, a little fire burning on one corner. “Eat this, Captain [Y/N]! It’s our favorite! Tink made it!” the twins say in chorus. You look at the bowl, and it looks similar to your bowl of cereal at home except this one has acorns, nuts and leaves of some sort. You see Renjun walk past you and grinned, he knows you might find it difficult to eat and he’s challenging you to eat it so the twins wouldn’t feel bad, and Tinkerbell too.

The rest of the day was spent with games, usual hunting, swim with the mermaids in mermaid lagoon and a rough tide through the Skull Rock.

And you noticed that the night has fallen in Neverland.

The two older boys brought the lost boys back in the hideout and tucked them in. The Lost boys wanted you to sing them a song, and you did until snores filled the bedroom of vines as a hammock and bundle of leaves as beds. You slowly walk away from the room and said goodbye to Tinkerbell.

You left the cave and found yourself sad. More of getting that heartbreaking moment.

“It’s that time again.” you mumble as Renjun stood beside you.

Jaemin went ahead to the shore where you left the ship, busy preparing the Jolly Roger for another trip back to your hometown.

“It is.” he answers coldly.

You let out a deep sigh, he asks for your hand and you took it. He then hugs you tightly. But you didn’t lift from the ground. He just hugged you. “You ready?” he asks after a minute of staying like that. “No.” You replied.

But he didn’t listen, they usually don’t. You felt the absence of the ground on your feet and feel the air once again. His arms are tightly wrapped around your waist, letting you get a glimpse of the Neverland underneath you once more.

You see the Jolly Roger, and see Jaemin pulling up the sails.

Renjun flew you down till you’re on the quarterdeck, in front of the ships’ wheel.

“Time to go home, Captain [Y/N].” Jaemin beamed that promising smile of his, but something about it was telling you it was promising at all.

You place both your hands on the wheel, inhaled and exhaled deeply. “Back to reality we go.” You say.

The Jolly Roger lifts itself from the shore, creaking as it slowly flies to the same cloud you came out from earlier.

You let go of the wheel and turned to find Jaemin staring at the cloud. You walk to him and hugged him tightly. It took him awhile before he returns the hug. Squeezing you tightly as if he never wanted to let you go.

You felt the spritz of water once again, the thunder claps and flashing of lightning.

And suddenly, everything went quiet.

Everything felt different.

You lift your head up from his chest and look around you. The Jolly Roger is parked just on top of your rooftop, and you see from the distance that the sun is about to rise.

Jaemin and Renjun didn’t say anything, but they held your hand a flew you back to your room.

“It’s goodbye again.” You said as they sat on the window pane, watching you pout.

To be honest, they feel sad too. They didn’t want you to leave Neverland. They wanted you there forever, because you always smile. You were you. But this is your home, and this is where you belong. And that breaks them.

“It is.” Jaemin nods.

“But don’t worry,” Renjun nudges Jaemin, “it’s not like we won’t see you ever again.”

“Y-Yeah, thats true.” Jaemin agrees.

You nod, assuring them with a smile.

“[Y/N]? Are you awake?” you heard you father call as he knocks on your door.

You heart began to race. You look back at the window and see them no more, and you almost cried, you didn’t get to say goodbye. Your shoulders slumped, your head down. The knock returned and you walk to open your door, before you could open the door, you felt a light kiss on your cheek.

It happened all too fast, as you turn there was nobody. But you held your cheek, blushing as you knew it was either one of them.

You opened the door finally and your father walked in, sighing.

“I wanted to talk to you,” he held your shoulder, “I know I got mad at you last night but that was because those paperwork were very important to me. And I know it wasn’t your fault, and I just blamed it on you.” He pulls you and hugs you tightly, “I’m sorry.”

You smiled and returned the hug, “It’s okay, Dad.”

He then pulls away and fixes his work suit, “Hold on, you seem hot. Are you catching a fever?”

You shake your head.

“D-Did you left the window open throughout the night? I told you not to or you’ll catch a cold missy.” he says. “You’re staying home, you seem like you’re going to be sick. Rest for the whole of the morning, I’ll let your mother know.” he said and kisses your forehead before he leaves your room.

You smiled and walked towards your dresser to get a new pair of clothes, afterall, the adventure you had back in Neverland was a very bumpy one.

You chuckled, and something caught the corner of your eye.

On top of your dresser, was an acorn. That was never there before.

You reached for it and it drew out a long vine.

“An acorn necklace?” You giggle, realizing to whom it came from. You then wore it around your neck and went to your bed.

Lying down, you held on to the necklace, and you realized another thing, there was something carved to it.

It said, ‘I’ll be your home’

And you smiled, knowing that if you ever get lost, you’ll always find a home, and thats with them.

In Neverland.

a/n: OKAY SO I HOPE THIS MADE SENSE. I put my heart and soul to this, and honestly got a little teary. Let me know lovelys!

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theimpaviscaravan-blog · 7 years ago

Text

Caomhan

Plague

Introducing Sorneith's worst thief, Caomhan

Though his lack of grace hinders him from stealing anything of worth, it makes for hilarious tales around the campfire. How else would they know that the Matriarch of clan Atrox does, in fact, store prisoners in their familiar pit. Basel still gleefully recounts his release, Hooded Dodo dragging behind angrily as it gnawed on his tail, after being forgotten down there for two weeks. Or how many clans throughout the Scarred Wastelands have a tendency to try to feed dragons found stealing to the Retchers encircling the Wyrmwound. The Impavi are all too familiar with the well trodden paths leading to that particularly deadly location, having tracked many a failed mark as they dragged their poor Wildclaw to meet his demise.

That's not to say Caomhan is completely useless. Due to how often he gets caught, or failing to reach his target all together, he has gained some skill in sweet talking those who catch him. Though not a master in coercion, his silver tongue has saved him from many more trips to the glowing pool at the heart of the Wasteland. His young age and innocent face has lead many maternally inclined dragons to take pity on him and those who care little for appearances can be swayed or distracted by a well spun story or magic trick.

Needless to say, outings with the rest of the travelers had by this point become a bit of a hassle, seeing as the other Impavi felt the need to constantly keep one eye on him at all times. Not the safest way to travel for sure, considering the dangers that lurk not only in the Wasteland, but in many other regions as well. Far too many times has it brought them face to face with fiercely aggressive Overcharged Silverbeasts and savage Chimeras.

After much deliberation, and a terrifyingly close call with a Malevolent Spirit, it was decided that a solitary journey across Sorneith might do Caomhan some good. How else to improve not only his skills, but to gain useful knowledge that could benefit the clan.

Leaving the winding tunnels that the Impavi call home would come to be the most difficult thing Caomhan had ever done, but the rewards would surely outweigh the risks........ right?

Light

So... I'm not entirely sure what I just saw. It's been a rough week to say the least. I've seen plenty of things in my lifetime, but this was still enough to surprise me...

I was just wandering around, hunting for my next meal when these two giant ridgebacks come out of nowhere, their dark scales blending in with the shadows. Next thing I knew I was being dragged back to their "camp" and set in the center of their place. There were tents everywhere, arranged in a circle with all doors facing center. Little by little the clan members began nosing their way out of their tents to peer at me. As their numbers continued steadily growing I became increasingly nervous, but straightened myself out as a white skydancer emerged from the crowd. Judging by the way that all the other dragons parted around her, avoiding even a brush of her red wing tips, I assumed she was the leader and stepped forth.

"I'm Caomhan," I stated, giving her a nod of greeting. "I was just passing through and grabbing a bite to eat-"

"A bite," the skydancer interrupted in a soft but hardly comforting voice, "of prey in our territory. Surely you had seen the signs warning intruders not to steal our precious resources."

Okay, so yeah, I had seen the signs posted around. They had all said things like 'keep out' or 'no hunting', but I had figured that, with how old the signs were, no one was still guarding the place. It looked abandoned.

"No, I didn't see the signs. Why?" The female shook her head. She seemed to be debating something, but I was confident I could talk my way out of it.

"I'm locking you up," she said. Not what I had been expecting. "I will contact our leader. She will decide what to do with you." More dragons were joining us, all looking far more intimidating than me. This may be a good time to back down, save some smart words for later. They led me to a tent that looked sturdier than the rest and send me inside, closing and locking a wiring door behind me. Two guards remained, although they wouldn't answer me when I tried to talk to them.

I remained in this cell for a few days. Apparently, from the little I caught when the female skydancer walked by - Lexa, as I now know - the leader of their group had been contacted. Seems as though this clan was bigger than they had looked. The clan kept me fed, but wouldn't tell me what was going on.

A few days later, when I was sitting in the corner of the den doodling in the dirt with my claw, I heard flapping noises. It sounded as though a lot of dragons were landing not too far away. I peered out the door, seeing a variety of dragons landing in the center of the clearing. Lexa trotted out to greet them. I spotted a massive guardian and ridgeback with scales black as night standing side by side. They must be the ones Lexa was approaching... Suddenly one of the guards shifted, blocking my view of what was happening and despite my complaints, he refused to move.

A few hours later the group had dispersed into the dens, most of them following Lexa into what I assumed was her den. While they were gone, I spotted a tiny black shape fluttering nearby. At first I had assumed it was some strange butterfly native to Light territory, but then I realized - it was a fae! "Psst!" She didn't seem to notice, so I repeated myself. "Psssst!" The little creature turned, then fluttered closer to me.

"I shouldn't be talking to you..." the small fae said. Now that she was closer I could see her better. She was black, but had strange blue streaks all over her.

"It's only bad if you get caught," I stated with a wink. She smirked and seemed to brighten a little bit. "Hey, do you have any idea what's going on in there?" I wanted to know what was going on and if it concerned me, but the moment I said that her face darkened. "Hey, there, what's wrong?"

"T-They're debating what to do with you," the small fae stated. "You shouldn't have come here. They don't want anyone knowing the location of the Melohn. They can't let you leave..." She looked up at my face, concern growing on hers. "I.... I have to go."

"Wait!" I cried out, but it was too late. She was already fluttering away, leaving me to think about my predicament. So this was the cult I had heard about. A bunch of dragons intent on destroying the deities that ran our world and created us. They were notorious for being fierce, brutal fighters who rarely took prisoners after a battle... Not good. Since I was left alone in my den, I began to plot a method of escape...

The next day, when the little black fae flew by, I asked her to come over to me again. "What is it you want?" she inquired, clearly uncomfortable with being around me.

"Oh, I just want to chat. Is that so bad?" She shrugged, so I continued. "It's so dull staying locked up in this cage all the time with no one to talk to. Think you could keep me company for a little while?" She hesitated, so I flashed her my best smile - it never failed me before, and didn't fail me then. The little fae nodded.

We chatted for a while. Conversation flowed easily between us. I found out that her name is Occulus and she is the adopted daughter of Trine, leader of the cult. I asked if the guardian or ridgeback was Trine, but she laughed, explaining that Trine was a tiny black fae. The two dragons I had seen were her guards. Switching topics, we chatted for a while and before I knew it, a darkness had settled over camp.

"I'd better get back," Occulus said, although she was clearly hesitant to do so. "But I enjoyed talking with you. Maybe... Maybe we could chat again tomorrow?"

I smiled and nodded my head. "Of course." With an excited grin, the little fae fluttered off into the darkness, leaving me on my own for the night.

At the crack of dawn I felt small claws pushing at my face. "Wake up," the critter whispered. "Come on, you've got to wake up!" I sat up, nearly knocking the creature over. I looked around and saw it was Occulus. "They're going to kill you," she whispered urgently. I glanced up at the guards, but they didn't seem to suspect anything. "I ripped a hole in the back of the tent. You can get out that way. Keep running west and you'll hit one of the other territories. Don't stop - they'll be looking for you. And stay on the ground or our patrols will spot you." I nodded, rising to my feet and squeezing out of the crack she had made. "Oh, and cross a few rivers. Trine often rides her wolf familiar and he's got a good nose. And Caomhan... Good luck." With that I nodded, flashing her another grin.

"I'll be okay," I stated, then darted into the trees, fleeing this clan and promising myself I'd never come back.

Arcane

I had left the realm of the Lightbringer in a rush with a grin on my face, but I was hopelessly unsure of where to go next. So I ran in search of adventure, traveling until my legs would take me no further. It was clarifying: the wind in my face, the ground underneath my claws; it helped me think. Not that there was much to think about, but it made me think of home at the very least.

When I stopped, it took me a moment to realize where I was, and that was just it, I didn't know where I was. I pulled out my crude map and turned it every which way and looked all over the place for some sort of landmark. Nothing, nada. The mountain I saw not too far ahead was not on my map, or at the very least on my map it wasn't surrounded by pink crystal and starwood bushes. Wherever I had stumbled, it was obviously somewhere under the Arcanist's influence, but where? It was then that I heard a roar behind me and I turned just in time to see a rather large Imperial charging right at me. I yelped and tried to run out of the way, but the Imperial caught me by surprise and pinned me against a tree.

"What are you doing here?" He growled at me, "There are no trespassers allowed here." Well that makes two places so far I've been that haven't allowed trespassers.

"What makes you think I'm trespassing? There are no signs, nothing, so how am I supposed to know the rules if you don't put them forth?" I had stumped the Imperial and I took the moment to flee , running right past him. He was several meters away before he heard the Imperial shout at him to stop. A big lumbering beast like him must not be fast on his feet! However, I got barely more than 5 more feet before I bumped into another body.

The Spiral growled at me and swung out with his tail, but stopped himself when he saw the Imperial catching up, looking past me he spoke to the blue Imperial, "Step off Rael. You can't go hurting innocent dragons can you? Obviously, since he can enter here, he is one of us." The Spiral spoke in such a cheery tone it sounded almost fake, but either Rael didn't comment on it or he believed it.

"I guess you are right, Darke," spoke the Imperial, "it is probably best that we take this troublemaker to Clya."

"No! I mean, you shouldn't take him immediately, he has traveled a long way and deserves some rest. He can sleep in my lair tonight, if he wants to that is." I do have to admit that I was tired, and told them as such, but I was scared to spend the night with this evil looking stranger. And it was definitely getting late. I've gotten out of scrapes and scraps before, so what could go wrong?

"I wouldn't mind to have some time to rest, I would love to take you up on your offer, Darke was it? Lead the way!" The Spiral smiled, which looked creepy under his hood in the low light.

"Excellent, follow me. Rael, I suggest you go home and not speak of this endeavor to Clya. We wouldn't want her to know about yet another one of your failures, would we?" The Imperial, Rael, looked both ashamed and like he was about to rip Darke's throat out, but rather than respond he just walked away from us up north. "Now now, follow me."

We walked for a while in silence, but before night fell we reached den carved into a mountain side. "You can rest here tonight, there should be some extra bedding in one of the rooms."

I couldn't take it any longer, I had to ask, "Where is here exactly?"

"Here? Well this is my den." Dark replied, almost sarcastically.

"Not here as in this place, but here, this world. It is on no map and there are no recordings of it anywhere. Why are there so few other dragons? Who is Clya?" Questions spilled out of my mouth and began rolling off of my tongue in quick succession. Darke flashed that eerie grin again.

"Why don't you come inside and we'll talk by candle light?" Darke led me inside and with a wave of his claws the entire room was lit up by candles, "An impressive trick, no?" Darke draped himself over what looked like a pile of linens and fabrics piled up, "So to answer your questions, you have found Clan Meridon, residing within the realm of Meridon. We are on no maps, but we are allied and aligned with the Arcanist which results in the landscape you see." I sat down as Darke continued talking, intrigued by his story. "There are no recordings of this place in any historical text as this place is considered a myth, just like the Lyrens. The Lyrens live here, as you might know Lyrens are extremely powerful and can take the shape of any dragon or change their appearance as they please, and only those with Lyren blood can enter this place. Although there are some exceptions like yourself and me."

"Then how did you get in here?" I asked, hanging onto every word that came out of the Spiral's mouth. Darke pulled back his hood, revealing a scarred face decorated with red and purple tattoos.

"I am on a mission. The Lyrens are an evil race. They kill and disguise themselves as others to manipulate them. They abuse their power and plan to take down the deities. Clya, the leader, is horribly corrupt and mad with power that she will banish her own children so that they don't overpower her. Her mate, Kozane, is just as bad. I am on a mission to eradicate the corrupt race and I can only assume that you must be on a similar mission because you were able to enter through my ward." I was uneasy, I didn't know what I had just gotten myself into, but I didn't like it. I had no idea who Darke or Clya really were so I had no clue if this mysterious figure was telling me the truth. I figured for my own safety that I should play along.

"I am on a mission, similar to that you could say," I started, unsure of how to continue, "a mission from Plague, but I would rather not say what it is until I am sure I have allies here."

"Of course, I do hope that we can become allies. I can see in your eyes that you thirst for something, and I would love to know what that desire is." Little did he know, I thought, that thirst was wanderlust. "I believe that we should rest now, we can discuss our plans in the morning." With a wave of his hand, just like before, Darke put out all of the candles.

It was pitch black in the room, but my eyes had already started to adjust. There was a small table in the room covered with papers; after almost an hour of waiting, Darke had fallen asleep and I stashed as many papers as possible in my bag. I would leave in the morning after a well-deserved rest and I planned to never return, unless I could figure out from these papers what was really going on here.

Nature

I made quick progress through the Arcanist's domain; heading to the coastline and, for once, keeping my head low. I didn't plan on running into anymore strange cults. It was at the very Northern point of the Starfall Coast, under the shadow of Night, that I came across it. Moored in the cove stood a small, rugged brig; silhouetted black against the rock's edge. Deep in my gut, I knew I should turn and leave - but what is life without a little adventure? They say curiosity killed the cat, but luckily I'm a dragon.

The shadows worked in my favour, allowing me to sneak my way right up to the hull. The ship itself was entrenched in darkness - perhaps it too wished to remain hidden. Looking up I noted the chipped paint on the hull, The Dirge Rat. The hand was scrawling and barely eligible. With baited breath, I made my way on board. To my relief, the deck was empty; time to investigate below - that is where pirates keep their treasure, right? It didn't take long to find a rusted chest - and spring the lock. Treasure. Gems. To be honest I couldn't belief my luck! That was until the floor lurched beneath me. Oh no. It was moving; I was stuck on a pirate ship. Actually, I was stuck on a pirate ship with two clawfuls of their treasure. Swiftly I found a secluded corner. The only way I stood a chance of leaving this situation in one piece was by waiting till the ship docked again.

Thud

A loud thud outside jolted me awake. A few blinks and I remembered where I was. Time to put plan escape-pirates-alive into action. I had just reached the steps to the deck when I turned; the remaining treasure in the chest beckoning me again. With a groan I swiftly turned - grabbing another bunch of gems.

"Well. Look what we 'ave 'ere."

Slowly I turned, pasting a grin on my face. The fact my claws still clutched treasure and jewels made my surrender seem a little hollow. A tundra and a wildclaw stood before me; the tundra wore an amused smirk, however the wildclaw looked like she would tear me in two where I stood. Noticing my unease, the tundra gave his compadre a side glance, "Easy Tamerlane, we'd better show 'im to Scrim first. We need more fodder to lure out the Maren." I gulped. Tamerlane - the wildclaw - made no attempt to relax, however disappeared above deck. The tundra looked back at me, "Follow me - and I'd leave the rest their if I were you." I obeyed.

Above deck sat a large tundra, clearly Captain of the vessel. Tamerlane stood by his shoulder, still looking as miserable. He regarded me, then began to speak, "I see you've met Tamerlane and my first mate, Riddick. What's your name?" "Caomhan." The tundra had an no-nonsense aura to him, my honeyed words would get nowhere. "I am Scrimshaw. Captain of The Dirge Rat - do you know what we do to thieves on this vessel?" He gave me no time to reply, "We throw them to the Maren!"

Before I could react or say another word a very bureaucratic looking a Skydancer emerged from the gangplank, "Cut the charade Scrimshaw, we all know your bark is worse than your bite - another stowaway I see. Well, have you given all your stolen items back?" I paused, "Yes." The Skydancer eyeballed me, "And do you plan on stealing anything else during your stay?" I hesitated, which caused the Skydancer to raise an eyebrow, "No." That seemed like the correct answer. The Skydancer turned and set off down the gangplank, "All well and good. Follow me this way." As I began to follow him I heard Riddick groan, "Damn Rune, always ruinin' ar' fun..."

Following Rune, I actually got chance to take in my surroundings. The Viridian Labyrinth; the prominent green foliage was evident. Birdsong filled the sky overhead. We left the riverside quickly, wandering past crude huts. Though a few bushes and trees, the forest opened out into a large clearing. A few huts were constructed around the outer edge. A campfire blazed in the middle. Rune turned to me, "You are welcome to stay as long as you see fit. We can provide food and shelter if you need it." Before I had chance to say thank you, Rune was already rushing off. For a moment, I found myself confused. Not five minutes ago I was on the verge of becoming seafood... and now I was being treated to fine hospitality? Then again, why was I questioning it! I spent the night trading campfire stories for food from the locals.

I stayed late into the night bantering with Shadow, a well-travelled skydancer who had also found himself in his fair share of...compromising situations. The night would have been perfect; had I not felt Tamerlane's gaze boring a hole in my back. Eventually, in the early hours of the morning, I was alone. Time to leave. I almost felt bad leaving the Clan that had showed me such hospitality. As I passed off the Clan territory I grinned, flipping a small silver pocket watch with my claws. Somehow I'd managed to keep it hidden from the pirates. A thief I certainly was.

Water

I thought it best to get as far away as possible from the pirates, lest they figure out what I'd taken and come after me. I detoured through my homeland, but stayed away from my clan. I wasn't ready to return home yet, but I didn't want to risk another encounter with the dreaded Melohn either.

It wasn't long before I had left the scarred wasteland behind and arrived at the Windswept Plateau. The Winds buffeted me about viciously, and I became terrifyingly aware of how close I was to the rocky cliff face.

I told myself not to look, but I couldn't help but peek down below at the Sea. Mid gulp, a strong gust of wind caused me to lose my balance and I went tumbling over the edge.

I must have blacked out, because when I came to next I was surrounded by three dragons.

It took me a moment to realize that the gibberish flying out of the the blue spiral's mouth was actually a dramatic recount of how I came to be in their lair.

"You were falling through the sky - are you all right anyways? - anyway you were falling through the sky just as Stitches - that's this lovable fluff right here you see - anyway just as he was leaving the lair - and are you sure you're alright, you don't seem to be keeping up with me - anyway, he was coming out and he saw you and being the quick thinker he is - that's a lie, he's actually quite slow most of the time but when he sees someone in trouble, anywa-" she stopped after one quick glance from the emerald skydancer.

"Hali, I am sure the reason he doesn't seem to be keeping up is because you're talking so fast that even I am having trouble keeping up," she said, before turning her piercing gaze on me. "What is your name, Stranger?"

I told her, glancing around. I seemed to be in some sort of network of caves, light filtering down through holes in the way and a warm breeze coming from somewhere further off. A few emerald hatchlings were watching me with intent curiosity, but they were soon herded off by another dragon.

"If it's alright with you, I'd love to stay a while, if you'll have me?" I asked. There seemed to be very little funny business around here, and I was glad of it. They seemed friendly enough, and friendly people were almost always easier to con, surely.

The skydancer, Meliae and leader of the clan as I soon learned, didn't take long to decide, and I was welcomed into Clan Aequorentis. As it turned out, they were often saving other dragons from the winds of the plateau, and often had travelers come and stay. Their clan was nestled between the fierce Sea of a Thousand Currents and the howling Windswept Plateau, but they were under the Tidelord's domain. The entrance to their cave was through a lengthy swim from the sea, through a tunnel that opened up into the main cave.

That night I recounted my travelling tales to the clan, captivating my audience, and listened to the tales of the other travelers. As it got later, the tales began to wane, before a mysterious imperial came and sat beside me.

"I know what you are," she said, shuffling a deck of cards in her claws, "And I don't much appreciate you taking advantage of the clan's kindness like this."

"I don't know what you mean."

"Yes, you do. I warn you, to take advantage of their hospitality and steal from them, fate will condemn you."

"I admit, I was a thief once, but my travels have taught me the errors of my way," I said, with my most charming voice. These old dears were suckers for the bad boys turned good types, and I knew just how to make them think that.

She pulled a card out from her deck, and lay it down. "Just what I thought," she murmured, "The seven of swords. You deceive those around you. Be careful, my young one. The Wheel of Fortune is always turning, and you might be feeling on top of it now, but soon you will find yourself at the low."

I attempted to shrug off the old bats words that night as I went to sleep, but to no avail. Instead I wandered around the lair, scouting out any marvelous trinkets I could steal. I was drawn to one, in particular, a marvelous blue pendant. Perhaps I could sell it for a pretty penny, or use it woo some floozy with significantly greater treasure. Sure that everyone was asleep, I pocketed it swiftly, before wandering some more.

I could hear voices ahead of me, and I ducked behind a rock - or perhaps a sleeping snapper, it was hard to tell in the dark - and listened quietly. They seemed to be having a disagreement, and I listened carefully.

"We ought to strike soon," a voice hissed, "Meliae is unfit to lead the clan. Look at all those strays she's letting in."

"I agree, my sweet, but everyone still adores her. We must think of a way to get them to turn their backs on her," another voice chimed in.

"I say we just kill her and be done with it. And kill any that disagree with us," the first voice said. "Did you see that riff raff she let in today?"

I tried to contain my resentment at being called riff raff, and snuck off as carefully and quietly as I could. I gathered my things, and tip toed quietly to where the emerald skydancer slept with her partner. I woke her, and told her of what I had heard. It seemed unkind to leave without telling her, even if I was stealing from them.

She nodded, and thanked me, and was bid me safe travels, and told me I was always welcome to visit again.

At the entrance to the cave the mysterious imperial from before sat. "You've done a good deed today, so I will overlook that pendant of mine poking out of your pocket," she said, before disappearing off into the dark of the cave.

Wind

Still high on the success of my most recent visit, I decided to brave the winds of the Windswept Plateau once more, but this time from the gentler slopes of the Zephyr Steppes.

I took a detour south to the Ashfall Wastes before doubling back north into the Windsinger's domain. The breezes here were a far cry from the howling gales of the Reedcleft. Little animals frolicked among the hills, and the grass itself seemed to sing with the wind. I encountered a few clans out and about, but many of them were small and new, not worth the effort of buttering up.

Soon, dark clouds began to move over the sun. The sky darkened, and the dragons around me packed up to return home. In the distance, I saw a great bamboo forest. Strangely enough, many of them skirted it, like they were avoiding it. Of course, I took that as a cue to explore.

Thunder crashed high overhead, and warm rain filtered through the bamboo cover to drip onto my pelt. In this darkness, I could only shield my eyes with one talon as I pressed forward, looking for a den, a hollow, anything.

Lightning flashed bright white, and in the afterimage, I saw a dragon-shaped shadow dart just out of sight.

Ominous, but probably just a passing traveller?

I pressed on, but when I turned my head, there were bright yellow lights floating through the darkness.

My foot caught on a root under the leaf litter. I shook it loose, and when I looked up again, there was a Skydancer standing not one foot in front of me.

"Who are you?" she asked, at once soft-spoken and firm. As she spoke, a few floating candles glided up to illuminate the space between us. Well, that explained that.

"Just another traveller," I said, indicating my road-worn clothes.

"Liar. No one just 'passes through' this forest. Who sent you? Was it a Fae in a blue birdskin?"

"Birdskin? Never seen anything like it. If you could just point out the nearest place I could shelter from the rain, I'll be in and out before you even--"

"That's exactly what Levante's spy would say. Get out, and don't follow me." She extinguished her candles with a wave of her talon and vanished into the darkness.

So with that warm welcome, I decided to take the most logical course of action and follow her.

It was quite an adventure trekking through the bamboo forest, avoiding fallen shoots and hidden slopes. But soon came a dip in the land, and a sprawling village of bamboo huts laid out before me.

It was still raining, but through the curtain of water I saw a few Skydancer-shaped figures moving about, obviously eager to get out of the cold.

That's when I felt talons grasp my shoulder.

"I don't believe I was expecting any visitors today."

This Skydancer practically glowed with Arcane magic. Her demeanor was kindly, but guarded, like a mother hen investigating some strange new creature.

"That's the spy." The Skydancer from the forest emerged from my other side. "Cirrus, let's put a disorient spell on him and kick him out."

"Let the stranger explain himself," Cirrus said, though she didn't relax her grip on my shoulder.

"Sure, of course. Where to begin...I'm Caomhan Ar Sobek, ravishing thief and witted gentleman. I'm travelling the world, you see, and just happened to stumble upon your fine clan. If you would be so kind as to spare food and a bed for a night, I'll happily be on my way south."

"He's telling the truth," Cirrus said, releasing her grip. "Rather embellished, but truth nonetheless. Come along. I won't let it be said that the Skyline Clan is anything but welcoming."

As they escorted me down to the little village of huts, Cirrus, who turned out to be the leader of the Clan of the Endless Skyline, gave me a quick summary about their history. "You see, dear, we don't take too kindly to unexpected visitors, because every stranger may be a spy of Caer Ventus. They're a militaristic clan, whose leader would wish nothing short of razing our clan to the ground. Yes, we do take visitors, as Ararauna here often does..." The Light dragon sniffed and floated her candles forward to light the path. "But only if they've made prior arrangements through one of our clanmates."

They put me up in one of the smaller huts; though there was hardly room for more than a bed, it was obvious that it was well-lived in, probably by other travelling dragons. The patter of rain on the bamboo roof lulled me to sleep, and by the time I woke up the next day, the storm had lifted, leaving behind a dew-laden late morning.

Ararauna greeted me at the door. "Oh, the mysterious stranger awakens. See, Cirrus told me to scrounge something for you, but, you know, all-Skydancer clan. Here's some weird stuff that Baldwin gave me the other day." She handed me a plate and brisk-walked off:

Long story short, it was chewy, but decently meat-tasting.

While no one was paying attention, I decided to wander around the camp. The clan was out and about, eating breakfast, grooming each other, or preparing to fly out. In one corner was a small flower garden, where an older, very pink Skydancer with actual plants on her back tended the crops.

But of more interest to me was the black tulip corsage that was laying on a nearby table:

"Lovely craftsmanship," I said, strolling up to her.

She smiled a grandmotherly smile, waved her talon, and Arcane magic wrapped around a flower, causing it to instantly bloom. "It is, isn't it? Cirrus taught me how to preserve them, so they'd always stay pretty. Then we turn them into corsages for our female clanmates to wear." She showed me her own: A delicate sakura flower tied around her wrist.

"That's amazing," I said, and I truly meant it as I pocketed the corsage on the table.

A little more wandering later, I ran into Cirrus, who had a bundle of supplies in her talons.

"A cloak, fur-wraps, and wristguard," she explained, passing it to me. "Two days' worth of Soylent Red. And all waterproof in case of more dreadful weather."

"You're too kind," I told her.

"Can the same be said for you?" Her expression didn't change, but an icy bucket of guilt dumped over me nonetheless.

She held out her talon, and the pocket where I'd stuffed the corsage glowed. "You know, Providence was just about to forge a bracelet for you, as is customary for males, but I see you've taken a liking to that corsage. Keep it, as a reminder of our clan's hospitality."

I followed the clan's patrol guards out of the territory, where they pointed me south, towards the Southern Icefields.

I donned my new clothes and set off for more adventure.

Shadow

I was walking in a dark forest, i could just see in front of myself. Looking around i could see some 4 eyes looking at him, then 2 of them jumped to me. I started to run but I felt something hit my head and all i saw was black..

I awoke to see a Fae dragon looking at him, the Fae smiled at him then said "It's time to meet the leader"

The Fae took me to the leader Sandstorm and the deputy Greenteeth, Sandstorm said to the Fae "Thank you Gunborg you can go hunting now" I looked at the two dragons looking at him "My name is Caomhan and where are we?" The Green dragon smirked "you are in Shadow home of the tricksters"

I gasped my mind started spinning, I have been told that Shadow killed without thought and were the worst tribe there was.... I said in a small whisper "Are you going to kill me?"

Sandstorm grinned "We are not what everyone have been told about we are a kind tribe but you don't want to get our bad side" Greenteeth stepped beside him and told him "Let's get you fed then we can send you home"

I was eating some meat when Greenteeth came up with two dragons beside him, "This is Aquatic and Redeyes they will take you to the border."

I looked around I could just see the two dragons taking him out for the forest he did not understand how shadow could see.

Now he had feeling that he was being fallowed but as he looked he saw nothing

Then he was hit on the head and blacked out again

I awoke to see Redeyes and Aquatic in front of me in ropes I guessed that I had ropes on me too I asked the 2 mirrors "What has happened?" Aquatic assured saying that they were captured by a gang of rouges, I felt faint was this the dragons in the stories?

A dragons with scars came in with 2 other Wildclaws with scars "take them and kill them" he said to the 2 dragons

I was took to a small area with no trees, as I was going in i saw some moving in the bushes, the two male Wildclaws saw it too because i saw them look to the bush too, One of the Wildclaws said to the other "it's nothing let's get on with it and get it over with.

I closed his eyes waiting for the dragon to kill him and then i heard a battle cry and opened my eyes to see Greenteeth, Sandstorm and a 2 others jump at the Wildclaws, And the Fae that I first saw came to me, Aquatic and Redeyes, the Fae said to me "Let's go the others will be fine" I started to run after but he felt his back go on fire, One of the Wildclaws had jumped on me and started to claw me, I fell down and the Wildclaw started to claw my neck and belly till Redeyes jumped on him and started to bite him till the Wildclaw ran away with the other one I started to get up but I could not, I fell down and blacked out in pain.

I woke up to see Gunborg tending my wounds "What happened?" I asked. The Fae smiled at me and said "You been wounded very badly on the neck and on the belly and it's getting infected" "Oh" I said in a small sigh "When am I better?" "You should be better in two weeks or three" I then ate and went back to sleep

3 weeks later

I grinned, today I was to leave and keep adventuring, I was here three weeks and had lots of fun and had almost wanted to stay Sandstorm had gave me supplies and was taking me to the border

himself as I was walking I said "I'll miss you guys.... lots" Sandstorm replied "You will come visit us again right?" "I will try" I said saying good-bye as I got to the border

As I walked I thought for my new friends hoping that I will seen them again.........

Ice

At last, I had made it to The Southern Icefield where survival was deemed a struggle by many. The Frigid Floes would be the hardest I would have to deal with as most of the Ice clans dwell amongst Snowsquall Tundra.

The wind whipped around me rapidly as my plague-bound eyes admired the glacial structures that surrounded the area standing strong before me. What appeared to be a castle stopped me in my tracks and I tried to look in closer. Curiosity confirmed, it is definitely a castle! A castle made of... ice? I wondered if any dragon were to live there, and so I stepped forward with hope.

Upon entering the seemingly abandoned castle, I drew in a frigid breath and sucked the cold air into my wide lungs. Funny enough, it burnt. The feeling could only be described as more intense than the heat I may encounter in The Ashfall Waste, but let's not assume things. As these thoughts distracted me from my initial task, I suddenly heard echoing tip-taps against the hardened ground and surrounding walls. I snapped my head around to discover a Nocturne running towards me upon the ceiling, and finally dropping to my frightening talons. She regained her ability to speak in seconds and without leaving me to let any words escape from my dry throat to explain my appearance here, she whispers rather desperately, "you mustn't be here!" She pauses, averting her eyes so that they were looking into mine, "he mustn't see you."

She urged me forward and within a minute, I was outside of the castle as before, although in a different location. She pushed me forward, which I found to be rather irritating, and we appeared in a small den underneath the several layers of snow that lay atop. Within the den were two other dragons, specifically an older-looking Sydancer and a days-old hatchling.

Remaining naive about the situation, I turned to the Nocturne from before and set my mouth free, spewing out the most words I could register within approximately thirty seconds. "Who are you?", "where are we?", "what are we doing?", "what is this?", "who are they?" She smiled, acknowledging my confusion and spoke, quietly, "I apologise for the confusion I seemed to have caused... we are here for your own benefits", she paused, her breath hitching, "and for ours." "You're safe, so fear not. We cannot let him find out you are here, the king." Suddenly, I was less confused and now majorly concerned. Was I to die here?

Rapid shuffling could be heard in the snow upon us, and the Nocturne, who introduced herself as 'Wisp' stilled, and I followed. Rough sniffing and snarling was aroused and little pieces of snow fell atop my muzzle, causing an irritable itch to my nostrils. I couldn't hold it in... and I accidentally sneezed. Loudly, too. Whoops?

"Wisp, we are obliged to order you let us in so we can complete our rounds for today. Will you submit?" Wisp flinched at the harsh tone produced by an assumingly much larger dragon outside, and she dropped her head obediently, stepping from the den's entrance to reveal two armoured dragons: a large Imperial (called it), and a smaller Spiral.

"We apologise for the sudden visit, although you do know how our king is-" the Spiral stopped in her informal apology and froze, staring into my eyes with her glassy Ice-bound ones. A look of disappointment was shown in both the Spiral's and Wisp's glazed over eyes. The Imperial stepped forward, approaching me in a way I could only assume was to intimidate me. He cleared his throat, before speaking in a professional, although primal tone, "as a royal guard of the Glacial Union, I, Aviur, will be taking you as prisoner." Here we go again. I sighed and complied anyway, stepping forward to close the distance between us. What was the point in fighting when I know for sure I will find a way out in the end? I grinned internally, hiding my sheer excitement.

"Come now, Blyzwin! We must deal with this disease immediately." Disease? How original. The Spiral now known as Blyzwin whispered a quick apology to Wisp, turning to Aviur and I. We exited the den and I was pushed into the castle again. During our trip, I decided to let my eyes wander around a little. This was a castle, so perhaps there would be some extremely valuable items laying around. My eyes widened at the stray jewels and diamonds scattered across the frozen floor, until we came to a stop and I was pushed to the ground in a harsh manner. The sudden action made me cry out in surprise, and Aviur growled, pointing his guarded head towards a large cage. It appeared empty... and cold. I didn't notice the door opening until I was pushed inside, the door crashing back into its original place and creating a loud echo within the frigid castle. The guards began to leave, Blyzwin shooting me a sympathetic glance before they were out of my site.

I sighed, resting my head against the freezing bars and thinking to myself. How long was I going to be here? How would I get out? Hmm, I suppose I should start planning before the king arrives, if he arrives at all. I wasn't necessarily virgin to this sort of thing as I had experienced it before in previous regions, but it wasn't exactly something I enjoyed either. A loud clatter intruded my planning, and I looked around surprised. More clatters could be heard seconds later and I shivered, the cold becoming even colder on my shoulders. A small, broken giggle erupted from the darker end of the cage I stood within, causing me to still completely. Slowly, a large shadow began to emerge from the shadows, the shape of an Imperial coming into my view. A reek entered my sensitive nostrils and I cringed, my eyes beginning to water. The Imperial (called it, again!), rested against the bars in a position you could only assume is extremely uncomfortable. Bandages hung off her broken wings and bloodied tail messily, the reek emerging from the rotting roses that rest amongst half of her being. Her crazed eyes locked into mine, and she formed a disturbing, crooked smile.

Her long tail whipped around the cage heavily, resting itself on one of my exposed cheeks. I froze, and she spoke up, quietly, "it's been a while since I've had visitors... perhaps too long." She shifted her eyes so that they were trained on the outside of our shared cell, and her smile seemed to have faded. "I'm not particularly fond of the lack of manners, young man. SPEAK!" Her drastic change in tone caused me to physically flinch, and I grinned up at her nervously, deciding to introduce myself before matters could become worse. "I am Caomhan, and you are?" This seemed to please her as her smile returned, wider than before. "It is such a pleasure to meet you, Caomhan. I am Malice, the most beautiful Imperial in Sornieth!" I chuckled quietly. She was quite the character.

Malice decided to wrap one of her large wings around my smaller frame, restraining me to her. She purred, lovingly, and used a single talon to stroke the feathers that lay atop my head. This made me struggle uncomfortably, and she glared with a snarl. I stopped. Moments later, a low growl could be heard from outside of the cage, and both Malice's and I's ears perked up in interest. Suddenly, something charges up against the cage and created a loud 'clang', causing Malice to lose her grip on me and spread her wings in distress. My widened eyes are met with cold, icy ones that hid beneath a wolf pelt, causing me to stumble back in surprise. The Tundra the pelt belonged to growled again, and attempted to bite at Malice from outside of the cell, succeeding in latching onto a small portion of her spread wing.

The door to the cell swung open, and whilst the guards were distracted with Malice and this odd, wolf coat-wearing character, I took this chance to flee quickly. Although my plan was to pick up a few of those bits and pieces of gems and treasure lying around, I knew that I had to keep running as the guards could be on my tail at any second. And I was right, as out of the corner of my eye, I could see Aviur charging towards me. I practically jumped once I had reached the end of the corridor, and fled to the snow outside. The large, heavy doors slammed behind me and I let out a heavy sigh, trying to catch my breath.

A strange Tundra appeared before me further out into the snowy plains, staring, observing. I decided to pass him anyway, stopping when he extended his front leg out in front of me. I watched it, and he opened his claws to reveal an item that closely resembled a weapon. As I took it from him, he nodded before walking back to the castle at his own pace. I grinned, ready to set off on my next journey.

Fire

One of the difficulties traversing the Southern Icefields is the weather. No matter how many layers I have on the Icewarden's chill seeps through my bones. I needed a change in temperature and headed for the Ashfall Waste. I looked at my map of Sorienth and groaned remembering the Southern Icefield was separated from Sorienth's mainland. I had already traveled far from the castle of ice, and looking around all I could see were with tufts of vegetation protruding from the endless blanket of snow. I shivered. A cold wind whipped across the plains throwing a clawful of snow in my face. Once it died down, I opened my eyes and let out a frustrated hiss. The cursed wind had ripped the map from clawtips! I could easily purchase another map from a local market, but that map in particular held sentimental value. I sighed again. I knew if I continued heading east I'd be able to reach the edge of the Icefields, and potentially find a dragon who could ferry me across the ocean. My wings were too stiff from the cold and hunger constantly gnawed my belly. I was too weak to fly in any case...but I continued walking. Pushing against the sharp winds and trudging through the cursed snow. At some point I began to tire. My body felt numb and I struggled to breathe. My movements were sluggish and I just wanted to collapse.

But I knew if I did, it might be the end of me. My mind was fuzzy, and all I could think was going home.

"I'm so tired," I murmured wearily, collapsing into a drift. I closed my eyes, breathing in the cold, unfamiliar air.

...

I woke in darkness, feeling pressed against a very warm body. I breathed in faint smells of ash and firewood wondering where I could be. Suddenly Something began to move under me and a huge wing unfurled above me, blocking the elements, and also revealing an enormous orange guardian covered with purple scales. Little fires danced around its body seemingly immune against the Icefield's harsh winds.

The guardian's head turned to face me; soft, but fiery orange eyes glowing with warmth stared down at me. It rumbled,"You're awake. I was worried you might av' frozen to death out 'ere."

I stammered,"Th-thank you. Who might you be?" The guardian replied in a good natured tone," Kindle. And yourself?"

I said," Caomhan. I-" then was cut off by a sharp rumble from my belly.

"I've something that'll remedy that," said Kindle. She put a slab of roasted meat in front of me. My mouth began to salivate.

"Go ahead an' eat it." I gladly devoured the offer, not wasting a morsel. After downing the last bit I looked at Kindle and said," thank you for everything."

"No trouble at all. But what's a thing like you doin' all alone out in the 'arsh weather?"

"I've been traveling to visit all territories of Sorienth. I've been traversing the Southern Icefields for awhile now and decided it was time to move somewhere warmer. Ideally the Ashfall Waste. But I underestimated my supplies and ended up losing my map along the way...and then passed out." Kindle nodded.

"Good thing I found you. And if you're headin' out the Ashfall Waste I can take you there. I'll carry you cause you're in no condition to fly." I began to protest, but Kindle took me in her claws.

"You can whine all you want, but it's better if you take it easy," she said. I felt the cold wind again and shivered. I couldn't wait to get to the Ashfall Waste.

...

A green mirror clad in nice attire was waiting for us when we landed in the Ashfall Waste. The Flamewarden's territory wasn't as desolate as I'd thought; there was plenty of flora and fauna in the surrounding area. The ground itself covered in a dark, black soil which was warm to the touch.

"That's Bardell, my mate," Kindle rumbled happily. I mentally chuckled looking at the mirror's small physique compared to Kindle's. Love comes in all shapes in sizes I suppose.

The mirror piqued," So you're back I see and with a companion."

"I'm Caomhan," I said noting Bardell's river royalist tail rings. Perhaps I could snatch them for myself later I mused.

"Where you headed Caomhan," Bardell asked.

"Er, nowhere in particular. Just wanted to travel around and get a good look at the Ashfall Waste's that's all," I replied, still eyeing the tail rings.

Kindle rumbled,"Well me and Bardell have places to be, and you're more than welcome to join us." I nodded a thanks.

"I think I'll be able to do fine on my own," I replied. "If you could point me in the direction of the nearest trading post I think I'll be able swipe, erm not really swipe, but purchase a map of sorts."

"A map you say?" said Bardell. "I think I have one if you'd like it. I found it on the ground a few hours ago." The mirror drew a familiar looking piece of parchment from his pockets. I happily clasped his claws into mine exclaiming,"Why thank you! I was afraid I'd lost it."

Bardell smiled,"Strange thing how fate works eh?" I nodded. "Well good luck and be careful of the surrounding area." The three of us departed, and turning away I looked down at the gleaming treasures I held in my claws; the mirror's tail rings were gently clasped in my claws. I then dashed across Flamecaller's blackened earth wondering what was in store for next.

Lightning

The Ashfall Wastes was, quite conveniently, located right beside the rumbling deserts of the Shifting Expanse. As soon as I exited the reaches of the Fire domain, I took in a deep breath and heaved a heavy sigh, refreshing my lungs from the ashy air of my previous endeavor. The Lightning domain, it's skies crackling with seemingly constant lightning, lay before me, tempting me. Ah, the home of the overbearing Stormcatcher, the entity of thunder and lightning itself. I wonder what valuables lie within those jutting spires...

I slowly made my way through the Highland Scrub, trekking easily on the smooth sand, though it's dryness tugged at my throat. I began to scan the area, searching for signs of a river, or any body of water at all, so that I could be rid of my quite unpleasant thirst. To my luck, I found a small river that slid through the sandy plain, and I greedily lapped at it's surface. The heat here was nothing like the Ashfall Wastes, but it still threatened to burn my hide, it was a desert, after all.

Little to my knowledge, a presence hid quietly behind a group of rocks, that is, until I caught it's deadly, magenta eyes. I stopped mid-drink, staying completely still, my nerves itching tensely. I knew those eyes. They were wildclaw eyes, as bright as day, and as cold and fierce as can be.

I swallowed slowly, glancing around for my best option at escape. To my dismay, nothing but miles of desert surrounded me, and surely I couldn't out run a native...especially another wildclaw, for that matter. I didn't have much of an opportunity to think that through, for as I looked back at those rocks, the ferocious eyes now clearly belonging to a sleek, and obsidian-colored female. Did I mention that particular female was now raging towards me with claws outstretched?

I yelped awkwardly in surprise and turned to run, the vicious wildclaw's screams getting louder as she swiftly gained on me, and the very moment I shot a glance behind me, I pummeled into a rather solid force, causing me to crash into the desert sand face-first. I coughed and spat out the sand in disgust, all the while flailing on the ground quite pathetically, if I may add. A few moments later I had properly cleared my eyes and mouth of the sand and looked up to see a pair of deep, shadowy eyes staring down at me. Another pair of equally deadly wildclaw eyes.

I gulped, frozen in place. "H-Hi there..." I feebly spoke, and I glanced behind me to see the female from earlier, glaring down at me, her growls very evident in her huffed breaths.

"What are you doing around here, peasant?" The female spoke, her gaze never ceasing to burn with fury. However, though her voice was equally as fierce, it was smooth, and rather alluring.

"Valiona, he seems to just be a passerby, he doesn't look fit to even lift a claw towards another, I don't believe he is worth our time." I flinched at the deep horror of the other's voice, it seemed to boom in my mind, though it was calm, and very emotionless. The shadowy-eyed owner of this voice was a male, and he seemed to be decently close to "Valiona", seeing the female instantly dropped her ferocity.

"Fine," Valiona hissed through her razor-sharp fangs. "but it is protocol to deal with anyone that enters the Expanse unaccounted for." She looked down at me boredly, her gaze extremely disapproving. "No matter how useless they are..." With that, she turned and calmly headed back the way she charged from.

I sighed, a bit shakily I might note, for my nerves calmed ever so slightly now that she wasn't in my immediate vicinity, until I remembered her friend behind me. "I uh...she's...she's quite the feisty one." I said awkwardly, trying to hide my uneasiness, and I even added my charming wink as I nudged the leg of the towering male above me. Bad idea.

He growled softly, and in a single movement, he dove his head down and clasped his jaws around the nape of my neck, yanking me harshly to my feet. Okay, perhaps I deserved that.

"Walk." Spoke the male, who now threw me forward, releasing my neck. I nearly stumbled back to the ground, but I caught myself, just barely, and decided it was best to obey my newfound superiors.

We trekked the warm desert sand for a few miles now, neither of my "escorts" saying a word. I took this opportunity to get a good look of my betters, starting with Valiona ahead of me. I casually eyed her figure, noting her dark, obsidian scales were blotched with even darker, crackling pattern. I then noticed, not knowing how I missed it before, a severe and bright coloring of orange and pink, looking like fire throughout her skin. Were they scars? Whatever they were, they were brilliantly colored and gave her an even more alluring look.

My thoughts were interrupted as my captive behind me nudged me forward a good length, nearly knocking me over once more. I glanced behind me, getting a good look of him, as good as I'd get in my current situation. His scales were a violet color, and gleamed like a crystalline coating, and he had the same dark pattern as Valiona did. They must've been related, they looked very alike, except for their difference in eye color, and the fact that Valiona was blazing with those "scars", as I now decided to call them. I also took note of their spiked, deadly-looking armor that they shared, along with their gleaming purple talons.

I interrupted my own thoughts this time, as I focused now on our current location, and our possible destination. Before us lay the crackling spires of the Lightning Farm, but before I could get a good look at it, I was rushed into a cave-like tunnel, and my surroundings became dark. "Where are we...?" I asked softly, but got no reply. I soon found out when we reemerged into the light of day, and I gaped at my new sight.

We were in a massive ravine, towering slopes of rock and mountain all around us. Large spires covered the above ridges, and lightning surged through them, creating a soft and oddly pleasant hum. "Wow...is this your home?" I breathed in awe, not expecting a response of course.

"Be quiet, whelp. Don't make me change your mind about keeping you alive." Snapped back Valiona, and she flashed me those fierce eyes once more, and I couldn't help but mirror back my famous grin. Another bad idea.

"You think this is amusing?!" She roared, turning fully and literally launching herself at me, pinning me down with her full force, her wings flared and her tail thrashing. "I could eliminate you with a single blow if I desired!! And you choose to laugh at me?!" Her voice echoed through my being, and probably throughout the whole ravine. I honestly was quite impressed with her stature, despite my quivering in fear.

"Valiona, darling, do take care to our guest...you don't want to break another one..." I looked up, after hearing this light and friendly voice, to see a quite elderly-looking guardian. Her scales were the color of the deepest depths of the ocean, she seemed to swell with the very might of Water, despite her frail and weathered build.

Valiona hissed and reluctantly released me, storming off somewhere I wasn't sure of. The guardian smiled down at me and helped me up with her large claws. "I apologize for her...she's always quite...judgmental of strangers." She then slowly looked at the other wildclaw who brought me here. "Theralion, dear, will you arrange a place for this young lad...? He surely must be wary from his travels..."

"Ah, so that's your name, my mysterious captive." I smiled coyly at Theralion, trying to stir some sort of amusement in him, but his gaze never faltered. That blank, cold stare, one I'll never forget. All he did was bow his head at the elder guardian, and walked right past me, as if I were no longer there.

"My name is Orchidna, what shall I call you, young one...?"

I turn my head back to my savior-from-doom-times-two and offered her my famous, charming smile "Caomhan, madam ! I am a seasoned adventurer and cunning thief, I have travelled far and wide across all of Sornieth to strike my claim at fortune and exploration!" I then bowed gracefully, which made the old bat cackle quietly.

"My, a thief with manners! How quaint...welcome to my clan, and my home. Do excuse those two...they're a vicious bunch, but valued members of my family nonetheless. We are the Clan of Severed Lightning, we have thrived here for many years within the Expanse..." Orchidna slowly turned, her massive wings folding neatly along her abyssal-colored figure. "Come, Caomhan, allow me to introduce you to my more...friendly clanmates."

I nodded enthusiastically, eager to meet someone who wouldn't try to kill me for once, and I followed the ancient dragon as she made her way across the light sand. The ravine they dwelled in was massive, and probably very well protected and hidden from others. It seemed to form a labyrinth through the land, endless in length as I looked as far as my eyes could reach without seeing an opening. I shivered, imagining what could hide deep within...or what dragons could have been lost there.

"Here, we live in peace from our neighbors, hidden from the sun's scorching rays..." Orchidna's pace was rather slow, and I was confused as to why such a watery being has lived so long in a place like this. She seemed to have read my mind. "If you are wondering why I have lived here so long...I can merely answer you with the fact that I am actually a Lightning-born dragon, despite my cursed and sunken look." She sighed deeply, and I decided not to ask any further.

We neared a cluster of well-carved dens in the mountainside, and another wildlcaw emerged from one, his scales dark and blackened with the pale look of butterfly patterns. His armor was similar to Valiona and Theralion's, but red in color, and he wear a silky red scarf, along with a shimmering red banner draped across his wings.Great, another one.

"Orchidna ! You know you shouldn't be out and about midday like this, it's far too warm for your weak bones..." The male stopped, and glared at me with his gleaming red eyes. "Who's this?"

"Oh, Duskwood ! This is...Caomhan, yes?" I nodded slowly as she continued. "This is Caomhan, and he is a famed traveler and thief!" Orchidna smiled widely, her grand-motherly gaze looking between me and 'Duskwood'.

"Hmph. A thief, huh?" Duskwood glared at me once more, his eyes seeming to grip my very soul. "Thieves are traitorous monst-" He was interrupted as another wildlcaw darted out from the same den, his figure white with bright red wings and fancy drapes of white silk.

"Hi there ! I'm Thalassian ! It's a pleasure to meet you, stranger !" The wildclaw took my hands and shook them excitedly. "You can call me Thal !" Thalassian released my claws and handed me a red-colored lei of flowers. "I love flowers...and-"

Duskwood immediately put himself between me and Thal, his tail thrashing lightly. "Thal, this thief does not deserve an inch of kindness, don't offer him anything." His tone was harsh, but he wasn't necessarily angry with his white-scaled comrade. Thalassian drooped his tail and wings, and gave me a sorrowful look before turning and slowly walking back to the den.

Duskwood looked back at me, and then to Orchidna. "Be cautious, matriarch, he reeks of bad intentions..."

With that, he turned and walked off, and I grunted in amusement. "Are all your clan mates violent wildclaws?" I asked the guardian, who I now verified as the clan's leader.

"Ah, no, my warriors are quite the tough ones...they're bred to fight and it's all they know, they're just keen on protecting what's important to them. Having a family...and a charge to live for...that, is the greatest prize." Orchidna offered me her wise smile once more and I considered her words, feeling inspired by them, and being reminded of my homesickness. "You may rest for the night, or as long as you need, but I advise for you to only take with you your lesson here, and nothing more." Her latter note was a bit dire, her tone turning serious, before she left me there on my lonesome in the center of the ravine.

I sighed, must everyone point out my flaws? My need for change? Was this journey more than just for exploration...but for learning? I laughed to myself, shaking my head. That was silly, I don't need changing. I glanced around me and noticed an empty dwelling behind me, and I ducked my head and entered the dark cave.

The smooth, stone floor was cool to the touch, and very refreshing compared to the harsh outside heat. I slowly lowered myself against the ground, laying out and sighing tiredly. My body was sore, weathered, and lacking of nutrients. Pulling myself towards a conveniently-placed pool of crystalline water, I begun to drink to my fill, until I heard a soft shuffling from deeper within the cave. My eyes scanned the darkness as I made out a small coatl making her way towards me. Swallowing my water slowly, I gave her a soft smile, trying to hide my I'm-slightly-freaked-out-look. "Uh, hi there...I'm sorry to intrude, I just ne-"

She interrupted me with a soft hum, smiling kindly as she waddled closer to me with a handful of herbs. She pressed a few of the plants against my small wounds, and I hissed softly, but I then felt very calmed and relieved. "Oh, that's wonderful...thank you." I smiled and she hummed again; I assumed she was acknowledging my thanks. She then handed me a small pouch of herbs, and I took it happily.The coatl disappeared back within the darkness of the cave, and I settled myself back down against the floor, finding sleep easily.

I woke up with a start, lightning had just crackled above the ravine, causing the stone walls to rumble and vibrate. I was terrified, standing my ground with my crown and wings flared, but I calmed as I remembered where I was. Sighing, I gathered my things and slowly exited the cave to the moonlit center of the Clan of Severed Lightning. Dragons were bustling all over now, as the moon hung high in the sky alongside the glimmering stars.

A few nocturnes were dancing happily in unison, magical lights and fires whirling all around them. Various coatls were gathered close together, grooming each other's feathers with their serpentine tongues, and even a few imperials were lounging in the scene. This clan was truly alive at nightfall, probably because it was too arid and hot in the day to leave the comfort of the cool dens. I smiled to myself. Family. Home life. It was wonderful, and I had begun to miss it even more the longer I was away.

My delight ceased when my eyes met those same gleaming, fierce Arcane-bound orbs. Valiona was glaring at me and I felt my spine freeze over. Luckily, this fear was interrupted when a very blue and glowing skydancer presented herself before me. "Hello there ! Caomhan is your name, yes?" I smiled charmingly. "It is, and my dear lady, what might I call you?"

"Her name is Astranar." A deep, and frightening voice answered, belonging to a very ominous and hooded imperial. "I heard about you, little thief. You best make your leave here before that word gets around to the wrong dragons..." He bared his grievous fangs at me, growling softly. "Oh, Stratholme, do leave him be ! He's only passing through." Astranar giggled and smiled at me joyfully, handing me a familiar crimson-colored lei. "Here, take this with you. Thalassian made it, he makes a lei for everyone he meets! He was too shy to come back and try again, Duskwood probably wouldn't have let him, anyways." She smiled and placed it around my neck, giggling once more. "It matches your eyes ! Oh Strathy doesn't he look lovely?!"

The imperial grunted, unamused, looking at me like he was going to throw me across the ravine. Astranar leaped up to Stratholme's shoulder, draping herself over his figure as she waved at me happily. The two left me be shortly after, and I looked down at the lovely-smelling lei that now adorned my neck. Despite my initial and intense coming here, this visit was wonderfully stayed. I sighed in content, securing my new herb pouch to my side and making my way out of the ravine from a nearby slope.

As I left, I felt a chill in the desert air, and I only heard the faint sounds of the clan behind me, and nothing else. Alone again, I set out into the night, remembering the words of the ancient guardian. I truly only left here stealing the very lessons I was taught, and that gave me a funny, fuzzy feeling in my core. Shrugging it off, I wandered through the quiet desert, seeking my next adventure.

Earth

Earth was the only territory I hadn't hit yet so I thought, why not go for the full set and make it something really to brag about? Dragonhome, after all, was known to have some fancy tombs lying around. The living put up such a fuss about having their possessions liberated. Maybe the dead would be different. Easy would be nice for once, right?

...Except. Oh, yeah. There wasn't any easy way to get from Lightning to Earth, was there? Briefly, I thought back to every other territory I had covered. Flying over Plague meant flying over a place that was actually friendly but the thought of doing that also felt awfully like giving up, even for a moment. No point in going over Fire. I wanted to nope nope nope Light so badly but it was either going over that slither of Light territory and into Shadow or taking on the entirety of Water. The problem was that Shadow sucked, too. Seriously, screw Shadow. I met some great folks there, sure, but I also almost died and I think I still need a bit of time to get over that.

I changed my mind pretty quickly after considering that. I'd take Fire over Light and Shadow any day. As a plus, Wind was one of the few places that didn't want to kill me, too! But dang it, that meant I was going to have to pass through Plague. Ah well. There were far worse things than having to swing by spitting distance of home. At the very least, I could find a place to stash my loot so far. It wasn't the heaviest trove I'd had to carry but I was going to Earth. You know, Earth. Rocks. Gold. Gems. Heavy things. If I couldn't steal at least half my weight in treasure, then I'd probably have to die of embarrassment. I want to be a good thief, after all! Not that guy who keeps getting caught and put into cells, nope, that's definitely not me at all. Must be an identical twin or something, I swear I have at least a dozen of them.

In any case, I went back home, dropped off the loot, and then slipped right back out so nobody knew a thing. Boring stuff compared to everything else I'd done recently. At least I wasn't fleeing under fear of death again.

So there it was! Dragonhome! The, er, home to the Pillar of the World! That really brown region that was -really, really brown. Yeah, I wasn't that impressed at first. It was a bit of a dump, actually, and I'm glad I don't have to live there.

The very first thing I learned about the place is that there is nothing there. No, honestly, where was everybody? First I tried to be stealthy and find someplace worth robbing. Then I lost the stealthy and just tried to find anything remotely of interest. I found rocks, mountains, mountains made out of rocks, and rocks on mountains. Before I caved and decided just to lug some of these useless rocks home, though, I spied my first sign of life in the area. A big red ridgeback appeared against the drab, boring mountainside and at that point, I was so glad to see another dragon that I just about up and sprinted after her. I've got to admit, though, she was much faster than I was and I almost lost her among the mountains anyways. I would like to say right here that I wan as doing a great job of not obviously following her. I was obeying all the rules: don't get too close, keep in the blind spots, et cetera. Act like you're not doing anything wrong at all. Keep one eye on the target and another eye on everything else. Remember that last part. I did it. I swear.

When she finally dropped by this rare patch of green, I didn't even get the chance to catch up with her. Some dragon who had come up next to me out of literally nowhere to scare the life out of me said, "You are following my daughter. Why?"

I froze immediately because I knew that voice. That voice was the last thing hundreds of charming rogues such as myself heard before meeting their god. It was the voice of an overprotective father who knew exactly what was going on and was about to disappear a problem over a steep cliff into a nearby chasm.

The voice of an overprotective father who also had brought along his mate to watch him torture the latest threat to one of their precious offspring. A lesser dragon would have bolted or broken down in panic. Luckily, I am neither. Instead, I did my best to beam at him so brightly that it hurt my face. "Actually, I was just going to ask for directions but I'd guess you'd know best so this is so much better!" Were those- yep, he had tons of scars. Some of them were so bad that I thought they were wrappings at first. I swallowed my fear; that's how they knew to get you, you know. I'd learned that from earlier.

The lady with him was a ridgeback so it really went without saying that she was about four times my height and could have squashed me like a bug. Honestly, I tried to pretend that she wasn't there, since she seemed to be pretending I wasn't there either. I couldn't see her eyes and she wasn't making even the slightest bit of sound. She was obviously that other ridgeback's mother, though. Their genes and colors were about the same. She didn't seem to hate me at first glance, so I took that as a tiny win.

The skydancer looked right at me. "What are you looking for?" There was only the barest amount of inflection in his voice. Creepy.

"I'm just looking for a place to stay," I said honestly. "It's the first time I've ever been to Dragonhome. I was hoping to find something interesting."

"You're a tourist," he said after a long moment.

"Well, yeah." It was more or less correct, right?

He glanced at the ridgeback. She went right on ahead of him so I think we all knew who was the boss in that relationship.

"Our clan is undergoing some changes in security measures," he told me. "Moreover, you don't look to be a scholar so I doubt it would be of much interest to you anyways. You are free, however, to spend however long you need at our outpost. It's just over that mountain."

"Sounds great! Just lead on." But also, wow! That was almost painless! Shame about not actually seeing the clan's lair, though. I bet there would have been tons of stuff just lying around for the taking. On the other hand, yikes, what if every other dragon there was a war veteran sitting on his laurels? It would have probably been exciting, at least.

The outpost was, well. It wasn't much to speak of, just a mostly empty cave with some crates and tables around. The company was much more interesting, a real mixed bunch: one of those funny looking bogsneaks, two skydancers, three imperials, one of the tiniest nocturnes I'd ever seen, and a ridgeback, plus that family of three. "Antares, who have you brought us this time?" The bogsneak asked the skydancer by my side.

"Just a traveler passing through," I said. "Nice to meet you."

Antares grunted. "Lost tourist."

"If you say so," the bogsneak said with a snort. "Haven't heard that one before. Going to be staying long?"

"Well, if that's what you want," I said, deciding to start laying on the charm. I mean, fine. She was in a full set of armor and carrying a cleaver but she also definitely seemed to have a sense of humor and that could only be a good thing.

"Depends if you're any good at stabbing things and not bleeding all over the place." She went back to talking to Antares. "Bryon's got the location of a necropolis that needs to be cleared out. If it's that bad, we'll have to call in for an exorcism. If it's not, we're supposed to smash all the undead we can find. The place wasn't a problem, apparently, until some group of treasure hunters set off the traps and ran. If he" -she meant me- "isn't gone by tomorrow, you're going to have to play babysitter until either we get back or he leaves."

"I've been in my fair share of fights before," I ventured. Sure, ran away from most of them but I was still technically there. Also, finally! Necropolis, tombs, graves, treasure. They seemed to be pretty skilled in breaking and entering so I should be able to snatch a thing or two. Or three or four.

She looked me over. "Got any magic?"

"Just a tiny bit," I said. Slight of hand, check.

"Weapons?"

"I prefer to improvise." Also true.

She sighed. I'm pretty sure she rolled her eyes, too, but it was hard to tell. "Cordelia, get the kid a knife he can actually hold. We'll see what we can do with him."

I needed to help my case some more. "I'm really good at not bleeding all over the place," I said earnestly. "There's not enough blood in your body to fill a teacup," Cordelia said dryly. She did give me a perfectly nice dagger, though. "All right, we'll be leaving at dawn so let's just make sure you know how to stab to death stuff that's already dead."

Spoilers: it involved lots of learning how to carve the flesh off of dead people and breaking bones. The last part was a bit harder, seeing as almost everybody in that party was several times my size and were therefore way better at naturally knowing how to do that.

Because I maybe had a bit of a death wish, I asked her how I was doing.

In a tone of infinite boredom, Cordelia said, "Kid, I have seen hatchlings with better martial skills than you." Ouch. "When in doubt, just light it on fire. You can do that, can't you?"

Just for that burn, I went ahead and stole a pair of gloves and stockings while nobody was looking. They looked pretty thick and nonbreakable so I was sure they were good for something beyond just sitting there and being pretty. The next morning we were off, having left the family of three behind to do their flower picking or whatever. And then -there really wasn't much to say, actually. We flew for a very long time and then we stopped and hunted a bit so we wouldn't starve. Then back to flying. Hunting. Sleeping. Flying. Cordelia roped her friends into "training the new kid up so he'd be useful" despite the fact that I'm pretty sure I was older than most of them. It was during one of those ground times that I learned something very important - namely that one of these dragons A) had seen me steal on that first night, B) didn't care I was stealing from them, but C) was insulted by how I was stealing from them. "You're really not that great at making sure people aren't watching you," Sincere told me. Who had named him anyways? Did they know he was going to end up looking like a gangster? "You also didn't look twice at the stuff that was actually valuable. Good job on getting something that was but I saw that look on your face -you just went for the first thing you saw, I bet."

"I have no idea what you're talking about," I said, because I was a self-respecting thief and that's what we did. I did let him tell about how to tell the difference between the really good stuff and their low-quality knock-offs, though, because that was just good sense.

When we actually got to the necropolis, I was the last one to know. The place was literally a hole in a ground and the moment we got in, it was scarily dark, with the sound of things moving in the distance.

The group's second in command, the pyromancer, set up the torch. And suddenly, we could see everything. More specifically, we could see a giant city of bones that were steadily coming to life. The corridor that we were staring down? Yeah, that was the throat of a massive imperial, far bigger than any of the three in our group.

The bogsneak Kindra, our fearless leader, didn't even hesitate. With a shout, she was immediately swinging her weapon down to that thing's empty belly, with the rest of the group close behind. I didn't really know what I was doing but I did know I didn't want to die in that monster's jaws so down the throat I went.

There was, apparently, a method for how they handled these situations once there was a bit of breathing room. First, they let their imperials fighters crash into everything and try to break it. Next, they let their sole mage, their third imperial, try to crush some bones with earth magic. The last part was where the rest of us came in, just dividing and ganging up on the smaller undead that kept trying to swarm the imperials. That's how I understood it, anyways. Just to be sure, I always kept next to somebody who seemed like they knew what they were doing. Never hurt to be safe, after all.

As we went deeper in, though, I still managed to get separated from the rest of the group when we all dodged this maze of thorns that suddenly appeared. Kindra called for everybody to start setting the place on fire. I saw the tiny nocturne dart above it all to try and find the mage responsible. I'm fantastic with finding things, however, so I naturally found them first.

"Two stories up, ugly fossil face to my left!" I called out. Which, okay, yeah. It got everybody`s attention.

Thorns whipped down on me in a frenzy and I leaped away, slashing randomly at stuff with my dagger. "Help would be great, by the way -ow!" The next thing I knew, my claws were empty and something really itchy in the painful way was spreading across my wings. I cursed a bit, just so the others knew I was still alive and not really impressed. The stuff started tearing at my arms and legs so I began to just punch it since I didn't have a weapon anymore. When I got the chance, I dove into a nearby room for some temporary shelter. Clawing the stuff off of my arms and legs, I remembered that stuff I had stolen earlier. Since it couldn't hurt anymore than not wearing it, I put them on and was relieved to see that I could start no-selling the thorns a bit. Since there wasn't much else I could do -not even run away!- I took some bones out of the walls and chucked them at the enemy mage above. I didn't think I'd ever been prouder than the moment when I actually nailed them in the head with somebody's femur.

Duck, throw, rinse, repeat. I did a lot of that for the rest of the fighting. It looked like the others were having the time of their lives, though. Somebody out there was actually laughing, the crazy old tundra.

I jumped back as something crashed through the ceiling, burning and screeching. Just out of reflex, I kicked it hard into the wall to get it away. Abruptly, it fell silent and so did everything else. Holy snap, I'd actually killed the mage! Before anybody else got there, I honored the proud tradition of killers everywhere and looted the body before everything of value could burn up. I had just managed to hide my prize as the others came stumbling in.

"Did you really just kill it?" Cordelia asked. Was it really that hard to believe?

"Of course!" I said, mostly managing not to be indignant because, wow! I actually did it! "Looks like it's one of those spells that only has one anchor," our mage said, peering at the corpse. "Whoever that was, destroying their body broke the rest of the enchantments around here. It should all be quiet now. Pity that the crown was incinerated, though. I would have liked to study it."

To that, I said absolutely nothing.

Cordelia looked at me suspiciously. "Hey, aren't those-"

I blinked guilelessly and raised my arms. "Oh, you mean the gloves? Sincere gave them to me earlier." Hey, if he hadn't reported me earlier, then he just as well did. "I hope you don't want them back seeing as, you know." They were kind of thorny now, and I wasn't entirely sure I could get them or the stockings off without a bit of work. "Kindra says to split up and comb over the area for any strays," an imperial said, nicely breaking into our conversation. She, in turn, was distracted by Bryon arguing that, no, there wouldn't be any strays, hadn't she just heard him? But blah blah paranoia and what about other independent blah blah magic.

I slipped away because, well, you heard the boss lady! With a prize already stowed in my pockets, I was motivated to find more valuables to bring home. Quickly, I made sure I was the first to reach where I had originally seen the mage shooting spells at us. Just next to it was a room with an opened stone casket, a shelf of dusty books, and a few chests lined up on the opposite wall. The casket was obviously empty and I wasn't going to waste time on paper so to the chests I went.

I took a little of the chests I could get open, a handful of yellow jewels here, a banner there, and a collar to match the crown. When that was all nicely hidden away, I shouted for the rest to come on up and see to the leftovers. All in all, though, I was feeling pretty good, even though it killed me that I couldn't have just taken all of the jewels in that one chest. From what I heard from Bryon and Seshat, the books were worth something but it sounded like they were obscure and boring and hard to sell. I guess that's just what scholarly types liked to fight about, though.

I was ready to bolt after that. I'd gotten what I'd come for, after all, and even if I didn't have my weight in gold, I did have a pretty awesome story to tell. Just up and leaving, apparently, wasn't what one did around these dragons. So I helped them with removing all of the valuables we had found -which was a lot, actually, so I lifted a few more jewels until I could practically feel my pockets bulging. Nobody seemed to notice, except Sincere who smirked at me annoyingly. I stayed with those dragons for one more night before hightailing it out of Dragonhome. They were an alright bunch and even all came out to give me a goodbye but Earth is one of the strangest places I've ever been and I can't really say I'm sorry that it's gone.

Plague Returned

Home at long last

Weary from his travels, the young Wildclaw was relieved to see the faint glow from within the brambles as he made his way to the entrance of his home. The cheer that arose when he entered the main all was deafening, and only grew louder when they noticed the curious outfit and bulging sack he carried behind him.

The rest of the evening was spent retelling the adventures he has been on. Many of the Impavi were disbelieving of his claims of secret cults and shape shifters all out the destroy the Deities, beautiful Faes who defy their mothers, how he helped save a clan leader from an assassination attempt and clans of nothing but Skydancers with beautiful flowers that they can preserve forever. As the tales went on and on, more dragons cried out that he should save the fairytales for Brastias.

That is......

Until he dumped his satchel out.

None could deny the magic radiating off the items he carried. A perfectly preserved corsage, an eerily glowing pendant and papers describing the Lyrens and their plot. Not to mention the thorns still wrapped around the flowing outfit he wore, tightening each time one of them would tug at them.

As the days went on, Caomhan proved just how much his time had changed him. Though his thievery was still sub-par, the reckless guile he carried when his would-be marks turned on him was far from the same attitude from before his travels. Laughing and dancing around his opponents in battle, a feat he never would have managed before, he'd gleefully shout taunts and mock their efforts. And, as is common amongst the Impavi, he spent much of his free time boasting,

'Why fear a sword when I was once cuddled by a rotting, rose covered Imperial.'

'You call that slinging spells? I've fought mages, er, a mage, far more proficient!'

'It's fine, Kasios, from my time on the infamous Dirge Rat, I've learned much of their language. Allow me to speak to the pirates.'

Needless to say, not all of his comments were proven correct...

To say the least, Sorneith carries more secrets than any of them had even imagined and Caomhan believes he's only scratched the surface of what lies beyond their caravan.

Murmurs begin between the Impavi, 'what else is out there?' they wonder.

There's only on way to find out.

#impavi #wildclaw #flightrising #flight rising #traveling dragon #caomhan

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