#quaestor valdemar x mc

[soullessseraphim]

For our souls

[reneesghostinthelivingroom]

Quaestor Valdemar Masterlist

Doctor 1890

-when working on a project, Valdemar and reader spend many hours together.

(reader's choice.)

[angeledeggs]

Would you write something about MC being railed by the Courtiers in their demon form (and how we convince them to rail us in the first place) Thank Chu!!

I would 😂 thanks for the request! <3

Valerius🍷:

Probs a bit concerned for you at first, I mean... You're really into that?

Well, he's not shaming. After all, he is a bit charmed by the fact that you're attracted to him at all, even in his demon form.

If he ever realizes you want to get railed in his demon form (or if you tell him), he'll probably have to think about it for awhile.

After all, he doesn't want to accidentally hurt you with his claws or teeth or anything. And he is a bit self conscious of his demon form, anyways.

But he does, admittedly, get more confident when he finally notices the way you look at him in his demon form one day. He gets very.. confident, so to speak. Maybe a bit too confident.

Maybe just confident enough to push you onto the counter and bust your back out.

Or not. Who knows. He probably just keeps drinking his wine and chilling, like always. But if you keep looking at him like that-- he is going to go insane.

After a few more moments of you just looking at him in such a way, he dosent need convincing in the slightest. He would kill to get you under him at this point.

And that's exactly what he does.

Vlastomil🐛:

Probably extremely oblivious about it and will stay that way unless you come out and say it. And when you do (or if he figures it out on his own, then in that case, props to him.) he is absolutely SHOOK.

I mean, he's just giving you his dead stare and is like, "pardon me?". He already doesn't think of himself as quite desirable even in his human form cause of his age but like him in--

,,his demon form??

He doesn't know whether to be horrified or aroused.

Probably a bit of both, really.

He keeps trying to confirm it, like, "are you sure, my love?? you've seen me in my demon form, yes? I literally get covered in slime and grow a few feet taller---"

And when it finally sinks in that, oh, you really are into it, he gets much too confident about it. It's like a switch has been flipped or something, cuz he's immediately teasing you and getting you worked up just cause he knows now that you're into it.

Like Valerius, he dosent need much convincing to completely wreck you until the sun falls and rises, I mean, if you want it so bad, who is he to deny you?

Valdemar💉:

They're practically always in their demon form (or at least pretty close to it) so don't think that they don't happen to notice the way your gaze lingers on them.

Of course they'd love to get the chance to give you what you need, but they don't want to make it that easy for you.

After all, what good is a reward without a little work?

But you don't really say anything about it. But Valdemar knows that you want them. And so they finally decide to take matters into their own hands.

They put you to work in their dungeons for hours, knowing you'll do it for them. They feel a bit bad when it's dark and you're just finishing up, so they grab you by the shoulders and lead you away from the work.

They savor the silence before they speak, their body shaking slightly before they lean down and whisper to you. "May I?"

In the end, they don't need much convincing when you're there in front of them, looking so easy to make a delicious mess out of.

Volta🍰:

Like Vlastomil, she's probably going to not even notice that you're attracted to her demon form for a while.

Like, a while.

And then one day, she just realizes it right when you were about to tell her and she is... Shocked, for lack of a better term.

She dosent quite like the way she looks in her demon form. She dosent have much control over it though and while the pain stopped long ago, she knows the bones that snap out of her skin and the melting bits of her flesh might not be that attractive.

But you like it? You think it's hot?

She's... Flattered, really.

Probably doesn't need too much convincing. Like, as long as you reassure her that her sharp bones probably won't poke you and that you don't mind the melty bits of her skin, she is completely down to fuck you.

She kind of thinks you deserve it, anyway, for being so cute.

Vulgora⚔️:

Knows that you think their demon form is hot, but they won't do a damn thing unless you say it.

After all, they want to hear you say it.

They will definitely act smug when you finally say it. If you're very shy and just insinuate it, they'll take that too. Their endgame is to give you what you want, anyways

They definitely don't need an ego boost with how self confident they are, but it definitely gives them one anyway knowing that you think their demon form is hot.

Oh, but they're not gonna just come out and fuck you without you asking them to.

And even if you do, they'll be all sly about it, like, "ohh, i don't know, should i?" And they'll only stop when they see you getting frustrated.

They're giving you what you want in the end when they toss you on the bed and their bones snap into much taller, unnatural forms.

They just needed you to convince them, really.

(or not).

❀

[macabremayhem]

"What do you know about sex, Quaestor?"

MC asks playfully, trying to look into Valdemar's eyes. For a few seconds Valdemar does not seem to notice. They were engrossed in a brand new anatomy atlas.

"Sex, or Sextans is the equatorial constellation. Located between Leo and Hydra."

Valdemar finally answered without taking their eyes off the page. Then added, stubbornly correcting another article right in the tome,

"And I'm not insisting that you have to feel the same way, but I am definitely insisting."

/sorry not sorry, made just for fun/

[greyspirehollow]

They will return with more disturbing facts ! [Request]

request by @plushtoad

Pairing : Quaestor Valdemar x Liam (my mc) - Platonic ! Fandom : The Arcana visual novel Warnings : disturbing facts? (like two, because I'm too lazy to do research)

Summary : How does one try to get closer to an unhinged surgeon? Try and be creepy yourself !

It had started during the years of the Red Plague. Liam had just become Julian's apprentice, and he'd been warned about Valdemar multiple times.

But that didn't stop the necromancer from wanting to be friends with them (or at least get them to warm up to him somewhat). And so, like any kid that is told 'don't do that', he did exactly that.

Although he took his time... He'd observe from afar, and take mental notes during each interaction he'd have with them ; their mannerisms, what they'd talk about, etc, etc... And the plan in his head seemingly started taking shape, and he couldn't help a mischievous smile from playing on his lips (even if it was hidden by his plague mask).

One day, he spotted Valdemar working on one of their corpses -as usual-, and he stood in the doorway for a moment. Liam then approached them, standing on the opposite side of the operation table. They didn't look up from the body. "Yes?" they inquired nonchalantly. Liam stayed silent for a few seconds, then just -

"Did you know, according to cannibals, the tastiest part of the human body is the palm of the hand?"

silence. They blinked, looking up at him, trying to comprehend just why Liam had just said that. Had he come here simply... for that? Their brows were subtly furrowed, and Liam stood there in the uncomfortable silence for probably a hot minute. However, he soon dashed off ; "Until we meet again !" accompanied his escape. Valdemar watched him go, a little more confused. After standing in silence for a hot minute themselves, they went back to the corpse with a little shrug "well, that's nice to know...."

Unbeknownst to Liam, he'd soon get a taste of his own medicine... The following day, he was getting done with a patient's diagnosis under Julian's supervision, when the plague doctor went to order files in his office. The necromancer was left alone for a few minutes ; but that was enough. He felt someone's breath right at his ear and stiffened. "Did you know, it's actually your bone marrow that fabricates your blood cells..." Liam's mouth opened in a silent gasp, as Valdemar's words echoed in his brain "nooo..." he whispered, drawing a chuckle out of the demon "until we meet again~" they said ; "you can't just do that !! you can't- come back here!!" before leaving the poor magician all too aware of his bones, despite his protests.

From then on, it became a casual inside joke between the two of them, as they tried to out-creep the other (even though Valdemar constantly won), much to Julian's despair. But Liam's plan had worked, in the end : Valdemar had warmed up to him.

Three years later, when they saw him quite literally come back from the dead only to investigate on Dr. 069's possible involvement in Lucio's murder they were... Surprised. And ready to investigate. They'd approach him while he was in the library, and well, he hadn't seen them coming.

"...did you know" they started, making him jump and turn around. There was a brief bit of silence before they went on "...that according to cannibals, the tastiest.." "...the tastiest part of the human body is the palm of the hand" the necromancer finished, a flicker of recognition flashing in his eyes he smiled and chuckled "I have a feeling we're not exactly strangers, Quas... Quaster..." ; "Quaestor Valdemar" they confirmed, nodding, the smile on the necromancer's face widening. Liam chuckled and shook his head "you gave me a real scare ! I thought you were about to skin me alive ! -That can be arranged -No don't-"

Even if Liam didn't remember the whole context of their "friendship", they had to admit, he wasn't exactly a nuisance.

[glamourgirl777]

Valdemars reaction to their significant other getting possessed by another/lesser demon?? 👀

(Sorry I've been so inactive there is so much shit going on atm 💀)

Feel free to request any other hcs!!

Valdemar's reaction to their s/o being possessed by a lesser demon.

I feel like valdemar would notice it VERY quickly

They are so observant that they would instantly know something is off.

I think that their first course of action would be to slip in a few random questions into a conversation just to see if their theory is right.

When proven correct

They would sit said demon/you down and ask them to leave with their signature scary smile and wide eyes.

And if that didn't work

then you best believe that valdemar would've definitely already looked into exorcisms.

Being a demon themselves they'd enlist the help of a preist to do it for them if not scaring them into it.

With the demon possessing their s/o knowing that they know valdemar would either be very careful in excectuing the exorcism or they would just slam you on their vivisection table and get to work.

When the demon would've finally leaving their beloved they would definitely start placing cloaking spells onto their s/o whenever there out of their sights.

(Sorry this is so short lmao)

[needybabytrashbeans]

Quaestor Valdemar x Bismuth (OC) - The Feeling's Mutual

-

Commission by @silversnape ! Forgot to post and got sick so it's only just now getting posted but glad you enjoyed it fren! :) If anyone else wants to commission my rules are on my page and my DMS are definitely open to it!

Word count: 6,888

Genre: Innocent, fluffy, maybe a lil gorey or horror induced

Enjoy!

-

There's a graveyard located deep in the forest. Of course it was best to keep it from the palace grounds, for it was a dark little reminder of the past in Versuvia that was hidden amongst overgrown foliage. Quaestor Valdemar hadn't spoken much on it, what was there to say anyway? The land was full to the brim with the dead, headstones far out of reach. Bismuth, the apprentice to the physician, had grown a curiosity for it though it wasn't surprising for her to do so with her because of her natural sense of curiosity. Even if Valdemar hadn't said anything about it themselves the woman had been reading, there weren't many stories on the ancient land but she was able to find a few things.

To start of the land was filled with the dead as stated before, those who lost their lives to the great red plague that ruled over the lands. Bismuth had heard the tales of it from various mouths, people who had lost loved ones during those times or who were descendants of such and even more from Valdemar themselves who seemed to…enjoy talking about such a dark time. That wasn't new though of course it's not like the Quaestor grew eager to talk about anything else but the death toll that occurred back then.

Even so, they could talk about the plague all day she was sure but still…they hadn't said anything on the graveyard itself.

Valdemar suddenly snaps their fingers on front of bright eyes, Bismuth blinks at the action. She had zoned out, the graveyard has been on her mind for a while now. Probably more than it should be. Natural curiosity of a cat, hopefully it wouldn't get her killed.

"Assistant? Bismuth?…Are you even listening?" They question, voice smooth but there's some firmness and a light sigh that leaves them as they eye her, hovering close to her as if examining her gaze. The hand in her face is covered in sticky blood, they lower it to grab a rag that sits beside them, freeing their other hand from the corpse in front of them laying on the table. A man who had died of some sort of liver damage…Valdemar wipes their gloves clean before turning and looking at her once more, eyebrows furrowing a little.

"I'll say it again. Did you even hear a thing I said? How are you supposed to take notes when you can't even focus on what I'm saying?" They huff lightly but it's clear that their tone with her isn't as harsh and cold as it could be, one could say that they were rather nice to her compared to many others. Usually actions like this would set them off, make them glare and tsk in annoyance but they almost seem to have an uncharacteristic…patience with her.

"Mind informing me of whatever could be on your mind at a time like this? Weren't you the one who suggested helping me tonight?" They inquired as they set the now bloody cloth back to the side before crossing their arms over their back. Bismuth looks up at them with surprise before slowly looking down at her feet, heart pumping in her chest just having them look at her. As curious as she was for the graveyard she had to avoid their gaze for a moment for she might end up flushing. She was infatuated with the other, whether they knew or not and usually a scenario where they were focus on her was like a dream but right now it seemed like she was before scolded which put a light frown on her lips.

She looks from her shoes and uniform back to the dead man on the table, his skin is pale as his torso lays wide open for all to see. There's tools on the side, a surgical knife, tweasers, a scalpel… her gaze stays on her for a moment before she looks back up at her superior who seems to still be waiting patiently for a reply, lightly lifting a brow.

"I've…been thinking about the graveyard in the forest." She finally admits slower than she usually would and Valdemar looks at her in slight suspension as she starts that sentence off just for their eyes to widen as she finishes. It's almost as if they didn't expect that answer from her, at all, and maybe they didn't but why did they almost seem spooked by her words? It's silent for a moment, unexpectedly silent, and Bismuth can't help but feel herself grow anxious. She must've said something wrong. There's a moment where she begins to regret saying anything but it's not like the woman would hold information from them if they asked because she followed them and admired them greatly. There was no way she could lie so easily to them. However, their silence makes her feel like she shouldn't have opened her mouth at all. She can feel herself begin to shake a little, the idea of them being angry getting to her for that was just not something she could handle.

She jumps when a gloved hand seems to snake its way under her chin. She twitched at the touch but Valdemar doesn't take that as a reason to pull away as they carefully cup her chin, firm but not enough to bruise or cause pain.

"Why would something like that be on your mind? How did you even find out about that place? No.." they speak, eerily persistent before shaking their head a little as if that wasn't the way they seen themselves starting their response.

"That place is not safe. Thinking about it like you are must mean you're curious in it…I don't know what that brain of yours is thinking but you don't plan to go find it for yourself do you?" They contested. They were in her face now, still holding her chin but leaned in close. Tone hard and gaze unyielding as they looked at her and made her look at them. Their hand pressed slightly harder as her eyes widened before her lip started to quiver a little, it didn't hurt it's not like they were digging their nails in or pressed harshly on her cheeks, they're hold was firm but gentle almost like leading a small animal to look and focus on them.

Bismuth could feel her eyes watering, she couldn't help but feel troubled or that she was being trouble for them. She suddenly felt a little bad within herself, over thinking. She did come to help them because that's what she loved, being under them and around them…close enough to touch them but now they were upset with her, looking at her with such a gaze even if their hand felt surprisingly warmer than they usually were on her cheeks.

Valdemar's gaze seems to soften even just a little, they make a motion of shaking her head softly from side to side. It lightens the mood even just a little, especially when they push up her cheeks and make her pout and pucker her lips. They huff softly before letting her free a second after.

"I'm not angry with you Bismuth, just don't go out there and that is a warning." They advised while turning away from her to walk over to a counter.

"I..heard about it at the market. I was just wondering and all. When we…work on things together like the bodies of the living it's only natural for me to wonder where they go when we're done with them. You…don't let me come with you when you take them away." She spoke feebly, at the time of doing so the Quaestor had picked up a body bag. It was black, easy to be ignored or confused for a shadow if spotted in the woods. She watched them and their tall lean figure as they did so and noticed when they seemed to pause at her words, calculating them in their brilliant brain.

"You…want to come with me?" They asked as if perplexed and she nodded almost as if shy.

"Yes." She confirms politely.

They seem to think about it, brows knitting together a little as if thinking of the consequences of this action if they agreed. She has been working with them for a while now, long and diligently too… She always did what she was told with no talk back and little failure, enough so that Valdemar themselves had placed a certain level of importance on her. They eventually breathe in deep through their nose and out through their mouth, collecting themselves and their various thoughts before walking over to the lifeless body and the woman.

"Fine, I feel as though I can trust you… just don't touch anything and don't venture off. Do you understand Bismuth?" They spoke carefully as they pulled open the body bag waiting for her response even though they were positive that they already knew what she would say. As they led the body into the bag and eventually zipped it up they glanced at her from the corner of their eyes to see…a sparkle could be found in those dark eyes of hers.

With eyes like hers they could be seen as nothing but plain to some though it was easy to see… that not many people held eyes like her's. Sometimes they'd twinkle when they called her name, even more so when she had earned some praise. Inky blackness seemed like a spiraling galaxy at times, at least when Valdemar was in the picture.

They looked away after a moment, moving their hands to grasp the body bag and haul the contents over their shoulder. Honestly, for how lean they were, they were quite strong…

"Y-yes!" She answered, a look of determination now forming on that cute little face of hers as she agreed to their terms.

"Well come on. Don't get lost." They emphasized before turning away and leading the way to the dungeons exit. She eagerly followed like a puppy and they found themselves chuckling softly at it, how she had gone from that pout from earlier to such a sweet smile.

It was a bit of a walk to get there but with each step they made Bismuth could feel the energy that flowed from the forest. It was like a tingle running over her skin or an unintelligible whisper in her ears. She had grown rather anxious during their little adventure together, even going far enough to be right on Valdemar's heels though they didn't seem to mind. At least she was staying by their side like they told her to.

The full moon was out, the smell of dirt and rain laced the air. From Valdemar's perspective they walked with a sternness, they knew where they were going unlike their subordinate. Their walk hadn't contained much talking at first, mostly the crunches of leaves under their feet or the screeching of crickets took up the silence. It was only when they weren't too far when Valdemar eventually spoke, breaking the silence but not without the woman walking beside them jumping as if shocked to hear of them after all this time. Valdemar grinned, a toothy grin that was just a bit wider than usual as if they found it funny to see the woman practically shaking in her boots.

"Apologies, I didn't mean to spook you." They hummed looking down at her before looking ahead again, eyes glowing bright in the darkness. In their free hand they held a lantern to help the woman beside them, just because they could see in the conditions of the night didn't mean that she could as well.

"I just wanted to say that for someone who was so curious you're shaking like a leaf. One would one I dragged you out here if you keep scrunching your eyebrows and looking around like that." They pointed out but there was a playful edge to their tone as if trying to help the woman calm down. It seemed to work as she turned her head to them quickly, cheeks brightly flushing at their teasing. When her mouth fell open as if to say something back they lifted a brow, smug smirk on their lips.

"Please don't tease me Quaestor…" she huffs softly turning her gaze away but not without them noticing the light flush on her cheeks. They chuckled but left her be for the time being.

It's a bit chilly out tonight, nothing that would stop the Quaestor themselves but Bismuth rubbed at her arms for more warmth. Valdemar led the way, their tall figure finding a trail and walking along it. The gates of the graveyard were rusted, the doors stuck in place and wide open almost as if welcoming them but Bismuth shivered just looking at it. It wasn't as if she didn't expect it to be somewhat like this but the eerie feeling in the air felt too heavy even with someone like the Quaestor being there to guide her.

Her stomach churned as her onyx gaze trailed over the land, headstones poking out for what seemed to be far far away as if there wasn't an ending. She briefly covered her eyes, mind getting jumbled for a moment as she tried to calm her nerves but then the sound of metal clinging against metal had made her jerk. Snapping out of her thoughts. Her gaze moved to Valdemar who had sat the lantern down for a moment, a shovel now in their free hand which had been leaning against the rusted gate with one other.

"Are you okay assistant?" They asked but their tone was less playful than before as they almost seemed to look at her…in worry. She flushed at the expression, that frown pulled at their lips felt homey. Bismuth nods quickly this time, waving a hand dismissely while still holding herself with the other.

"I-im fine. Just a bit cold out here tonight considering how warm it was earlier." She replied now lightly shrugging. Valdemar hummed at the reply but eventually nodded before looking down at the lantern next to their foot.

"Look, come here. The sooner we get this done the sooner we'll be able to return to the palace. The rain must've caused a cold front. Take the lantern and follow me, you'll be the light." They instructed and obediently the woman approached and carefully plucked the lantern off the ground. They nodded and from there on continued by passing through the fence.

There was a heavy fog in the graveyard, the heads of tombs only became harder and harder to recognize as the two of them went deeper and the crickets who chirped so loudly before had suddenly fallen silent. Valdemar walked with ease and poise, they've been across these lands many times before that at first they didn't realize Bismuth had fallen a bit behind. For her, these lands almost seemed like anything could jump out and grab her at any given moment. She trembled now but not because of the cool weather this time.

"Bismuth?" Their voice rang out through the still air. She quickly turned, they were probably about ten or so paces in front of her now, standing out in the field of fog and gravestones. Their magenta eyes looked at her, a slight bit of confusion could be found in their features.

"Are you sure something isn't the matter?" They called out. Just hearing their voice calmed her, surprisingly like a guide through the dark. She came to the conclusion that she didn't like it here as much as she previously thought she would, previously her curiosity of the place had come from the lack of general knowledge on it. Granted graveyards…weren't her favorite though so it should have been expected. Originally she planned to come in the early hours of the day, where the sun could keep her peace of mind safe but the Quaestor had caught her so quickly. So then, when they allowed her to come she practically leapt at the chance to spend more time with them. She hardly thought about her decision at first but once they entered the forest it felt like her heart constricted in her chest and that something…was watching.

She shook her head though even as her heart was racing in her chest and her stomach was churning a bit.

"N-no, just thought I heard something…" she says softly, running her free hand through her long raven hair as she caught up for them and they waited up until she was standing beside them again.

"Something…like what?" They persisted lightly but she didn't mind as they turned forward again and continued walking. From this distance and with this pace of step Bismuth could notice a few things about her superior. She tended to do so often, just a few days ago she noticed they had freckles. A few could be spotted on the space of their neck that didn't get wrapped but most were over their cheeks. She'd grown to like them, quite a bit actually. Right now she was picking up on their scent, a blush coming to her cheeks as her gaze fell to her walking feet.

They smelled of something sweet and gentle like lavender and then something more earthy and homey like sandalwood and it was hard not to notice, it was some of her favorite smells.

"It feels like we're being watched..so, I didn't necessarily hear anything." She spilled without them having to push too hard. They hummed at the response, a little frown seemed to dust their lips for a moment but then they grinned widely, sharp teeth glistening in the moonlight. It was as if they were proud of something.

"Well yes, that would only make sense. We are at a graveyard after all. I feel them as well but they know not to approach me so as long as you keep up you won't be snatched into the void between life and death." They informed, their words chilling.

This graveyard hosted the bodies of those that passed away during the plague, their spirits watched from a distance but with hunger in their eyes just being near a walking, breathing, person. Her flesh reminded them or theirs before they plague tore it off them or melted it away. Now they looked like ghouls, the energy that they carried was heavy. Heavier than anything else Bismuth had ever felt before and to be honest, their phrasing did nothing to ease her this time.

Her face didn't match theirs, she didn't have a wide grin on her lips like they had in theirs. She nodded though, surely they didn't mean too much harm by saying that right?

"I wouldn't let anything happen to you." They spoke lastly as they moved off the pavement to venture into the grass into an open plot. There was already a headstone in the dirt but nothing was on it as Valdemar knelt down to slide the body bag from their shoulder to the ground to rest in the grass. Bismuth had fallen silent, the churning in her stomach had turned back into a wild fluttering.

"Right…" she manages to say softly as she pets her warm cheeks with her free hand. They don't respond immediately this time, taking the shovel in their hands now. She hovers close but they wave her back a little.

"Hold the light." The ordered calmly and she nodded. As they started digging she couldn't help but look around the graveyard again, surveying the area. She couldn't see any faces, not any ghoul like creatures but she could…feel them. A heavy shiver ran up her spine for a split moment. She still felt sick even with them being near, felt as if at any time she'd feel someone breathing down her neck tickling the strands of hair there. She shifted on her feet as the Quaestor kept digging, they were a little over a foot deep now, eyes focused on the goal. She watched as they went further and by the time that they dug enough for just their headdress to be seeable Bismuth was shivering again.

Her dark eyes glanced around again, first time quickly, darting from corner to corner now, checking her surroundings continuously but being sloppy with the task as well since she feared that she'd actually see something this time. It was when her eyes looked at the body bag next to the large hole that she froze. For the splittest of moments it seemed like it had moved and she squeaked and jumped at the very thought. She was spooked, the longer she stood here with this light the more she felt like she was drawing moths in. They circled her, the sound of fluttering wings in her ears loud and overstimulating.

"What is it now Bismuth?" Valdemar called out again, this time peeking their head up from the hole to look at the woman. If it wasn't the fact that the woman was practically scared shitless she probably would have found their position a little humorous for it distantly reminded her of a gopher sticking its head out of the dirt. No, she trembled and upon seeing her Valdemar lifted a brow. Surely it was her own fear at this point, nothing had come for her all night and yet she was this frightened.

"I..uh…" she stuttered and they sighed. If they could guarantee that she was strong enough they'd suggest switching spots. No way that could happen, she'd take too long in that state and it's not like they wanted to give her that much work anyway.

"It won't be too long now if that helps ease you. With how scared you seem I can count on the fact that you'll never come here alone right?" They chuckled while going back to work looking back to the hole as they dug the shovel in again but the woman let out a much smaller laugh, rubbing her arm with her free hand again. This was probably why Valdemar didn't bring her along with them to begin with until today, this seemed like only a place they could thrive in. They didn't seem fearful or nervous at all to be here, they almost seemed to blend right in and that made the woman feel a little embarrassed… She was an adult and yet she shook like a young child right now who was scared the Boogeyman would get her. Maybe she was just overreacting…even if she felt sick to her stomach.

"Yes, I don't think I could be caught dead here." She replied without much thought and for a moment complete silence settled between them before Valdemar snorted, then they let out a roar of laughter. They cackled as if she meant to tell that joke, as if they'd slap their knee at any given time. They curled in on themselves, using the handle of the shovel for support as their wicked laughter filled the air.

Usually people would be unnerved by this but Valdemar had a nice tone of laughter, Bismuth noticed even if she had jerked upon it first coming out. It felt like they hadn't laughed like that in a long time and even if Bismuth was a little confused she felt warm hearing it. Knowing that she was the source of such made her cheeks flush and for a moment she felt a soft smile beginning to form on her lips as they let it all out.

That was until a hand, cold and clammy, slapped over her mouth with harsh pressure. It held an iron grip on her as shock surged through her entire being from the top of her head to the soles of her feet. Suddenly that warmth she felt shattered into an icy feeling of wriggling worms in her gut as the lantern fell from her hand, knocking the lit flame out and enveloping the area in the darkness once more.

When Valdemar eventually calmed themselves they hummed in content.

"Bismuth I didn't know you were a comedian-" they began to praise the little woman but froze when they realized how dark it had gotten so suddenly. Immediately they clambered out of the hole, it was deep enough now anyway. All that was needed was to toss it in and bury it but now something else was on Quaestor Valdemar's mind which seemed far more important than the corpse.

"Bismuth?" They stated louder, firmer, this time before snapping their head in the direction of the lantern that now lay abandoned in the grass. They sneered at the object like it was offensive to their very being…they let their guard down for the slightest of moments and that was apparently just enough. They didn't need to be a rocket scientist to know what had happened.

Their hands were freezing cold as they held her tightly, hands gripping and grasping at her like they'd tear the skin right off her body at any time. Bismuth was in a frenzy, kicking wildly even if none of them seemed to make any actual contact as if she was kicking nothing but air, as if no one was really there but they had to be…their hold was starting to get awfully painful. Tears were leaking from Bismuth's eyes as she looked up at the various faces. The spirits, which she could now see even if she wished she couldn't, had black eyes but nothing like hers which were laced in anguish, their eyes were soulless, empty, and devoid of any purpose or care for her. They wrestled her on the ground as if trying to drag her down to Hell with them.

'Flesh.'

One of their voices stated, eery and chilling to the ear. Raspy and hungry as a hand slid down her warm cheeks, wiping at Bismuth's tears even if more took their place. She snapped her head away, turning it to try and avoid the touch but another, different hand roughly grabbed her chin and turned her back.

'Such…warm skin.'

Another voice echoed, it was hard to tell who it came from but the spirits faces which had previously been devoid of emotions turned into slow, knowing grins. Their teeth were wicked and the lines on their faces seemed abnormal, inhumane, and Bismuth gagged on puke which had built in her. They didn't seem to care, if she choked on her own bile then surely they could take her flesh a lot sooner after she died and proceed to drag her soul into the afterlife with them. They seemed to collectively communicate this between themselves as their grins grew even wider. There were quite a number of them, fifteen or so and counting as spirits seem to curiously leave their graves to see what the ruckus was all about.

It wasn't often that a human like her, or a human of any case, came through this graveyard and being victims of the plague only gave the spirits reasons to have a vendetta. Quaestor Valdemar had been their deaths and for many long years their spirits have been contained in this area where magic of the Quaestor held them in place. However, when the Quaestor approached today and with a cute little human with them at their hip, the spirits decided the best case of repayment for their internal suffering was to take from the lead physician themselves. Which is why when their guard was at its lowest they took her and dragged Bismuth further into the graveyard like a human rag doll.

Bismuth continued to squirm and wrestle them, her clothes getting dirty as she kicked up grass and dirt in her fight. Her clothes were wet with mud. Eventually a cold hand clasped around her ankle making her gasp as one of her last attempts to get away from these people, these creatures,…was taken from her. Hands already held down her wrist against the freezing ground as a spirit sat on her chest, a lady with long inky black hair…much too similar to Bismuth's.

'Lets take her…'

'Drag her back to hell with us…'

'Feed off her flesh and bones…'

'Savor her warm blood…'

The voices spoke as if they were circling and this time Bismuth was permitted to hear the conversation and when she did her eyes widened in absolute fear. They wanted to feed off her, consume her as if she was…prey.

The ghostly woman above Bismuth leaned down, long sharp nails digging deep into Bismuth's wrist, hard enough to make them bleed. Bismuth cried in pain under the hold but the woman continued, leaning close until she slid her tongue out. It was long, gray in color, Bismuth looked at her in wary and when the woman slowly trailed that cold tongue over Bismuth's tear stained cheek the living woman croaked under the hand over her mouth. More tears fell, the woman was tasting her and as much as she wanted to fight and run Bismuth couldn't do anything but stay glued to the ground under their surprising strength. She couldn't even move her hands to perform any form of magic that could save her.

Her thoughts went to Valdemar. She wondered where they were, if they were still laughing at the gravesite even. Her heart twisted in her chest, she was sure they would have never found themselves in this situation. They were strong, something that she didn't see herself as at times and this was definitely one of those times. What if they…were embarrassed by her? If they could see her now, fighting uselessly against a bunch of ghosts with no luck would they laugh at her like they laughed at her joke? A cruel, chilling laugh as if they saw no use in her? This is probably why they didn't trust her enough to bring with them to this place before, this whole time she had been useless and nothing but a nuisance. Surely if she had never come they wouldn't have had to deal with her and could have finished a lot quicker.

And now, she was going to die. At the hands of Quaestor Valdemar's own victims who saught revenge.

Bismuth sobbed, she was scared. Her stomach hurt like it had never down before and when the ghostly woman above her bared her teeth as if to bite Bismuth squeezed her eyes tightly shut.

…Then, the sound of swishing wind filled the air like a whip. It took a moment for Bismuth to realize what happened until screeching cries filled the air and a firm hand grabbed her by the back of her shirt and pulled her back with a heave. She bounced a little at being pulled back, blinked heavily as those tears fell and she tried to make sense of what occurred. It was when she looked up, lifting her head from the ground, that her eyes widened in awe, heart leaping in her throat.

In front of her stood…the Quaestor. Their back was to her, tall and broad as they stood in front of her as if they were…protecting her. In their hand was a weapon, one she's never seen them with before now and her eyes sparkled just seeing it, just being in its presence. It was a scythe, a long beautiful scythe with an ancient looking skull holding the blade together to the staff. They twirled it in their hands with a form of grace she's never seen before with any else and the head of the blade twinkled in the moonlight.

"Bismuth…" Valdemar stated in a calm tone though their voice was also firm. She immediately jumped just hearing it.

That was all though from them as they twisting their right wrist, scythe practically glowing. She clutched her shirt with shaking hands, the screeching had dialed down into growling and snarling except for one spirit, the woman who sat on Bismuth, her head had been severed from her body, lying limp on the ground and slowly turning to dark ash. A few spirits had been cut down, bodies turning into ash, melting away in the wind. Bismuth's heart was racing in her ribcage far too much for her to even say anything without her voice shaking. It was fine though for Valdemar still wasn't done dealing with the rest of the now infuriated ghosts.

"I'll only say it once. Get back in your graves, now, and I won't have to destroy all of you." The Quaestor stated with an eerily smooth tone. A few spirits backed off and hesitated just hearing them, faltering at the weight that those words carried. They sounded a little…angry.

Were they angry for her?

'Tch! As if!' A spirit roared, a man with dark crunchy hair. He and a few others decided to try again and as they bomb rushed the Quaestor Valdemar who narrowed their gaze, sharp fuschia eyes zoned in on their opponents as they rushed forward, and with a reeled back swing they slashed at the incoming borage. The wind produced by the scythe time was enough to slash at the trees even beyond the graveyard. It was seeable too, the slash that is. It was bright, their magic being a vibrant emerald color with specks of lighter greens and onyx's. The trees that were slash fell to the ground with loud, destructive thuds and with them came more screeching as spirits who didn't listen to the Quaestor's words lost their heads much like those before them. The slash had even sliced through rows of graves, shattering them with the impact.

As their bodies crumbled and collapsed the few spirits who had a sense of mind trembled in fear, looking at the Quaestor who stood unyieldingly in front of the woman behind them, before scurrying like a bunch of roaches and rodents back into their graves.

Quaestor Valdemar stood in silence for a moment as Bismuth tried to get on her feet before turning to her. They could be heard taking in a long deep breath through their nose before slowly releasing it from their smooth lips before turning to the woman, scythe dissolving from their hands into inky black, gas like tendrils before disappearing altogether. Their gaze on her seemed unreadable, not like they were easy to read begin but over the time of working by their side even Bismuth had gotten to know some of their expressions. This one however…

She scramble to her feet, wincing at the feeling of the scratches that had come from being dragged and the forming bruises on her skin. Even so she stood, holding one of her arms now. She still had tears in her eyes and almost as if ashamed she slowly lowered her gaze, bangs sweeping over her eyes.

"Doctor…I'm…I'm…" she sniffled. She shouldn't have come with them. She had been nothing but a nuisance after all. She wanted to apologize and is her mouth quivered she opened her mouth to officially get it out but the feeling of arms enclosing her made her jump and jerk into silence. Her mouth lightly fell open and her eyes had blown wide open as the moon shined down on them.

They were hugging her.

Shock rushed through her body.

"Don't." They started, arms hugging her even closer. She's never touched them before, sure they hovered over her at times and lingered closely but never once have they ever…held her. Never once had she even been this close to them, close enough to take in that sweet scent, enough to touch their pristine clothing, or enough to feel the light warmth that radiated from them. Her fingers twitched, carefully moving up to wrap around them too. A part of her feared reciprocating but surely this meant it was allowed though right? Surely she could have this from them.

"I'm glad you weren't hurt too badly. I let my guard down and just like that you were taken from me. Taken from my side. I must still have work to do when it comes to keeping you safe." They hummed against her, breath lightly tickling her neck making her shiver softly, a blush coloring her cheeks as she bit her lip. Her heart hurt, the tone in their voice sounded hopeless, grateful but analytical. It sounded like they were blaming themself for everything that had happened.

Before Bismuth had noticed she had started to shed tears, for some reason she felt lighter and Valdemar's scent and the hand rubbing soothing circles in her back didn't help calm her sobbing. She felt many things suddenly; relief, sadness, confusion and something much more fluffy.

Admiration.

She couldn't immediately understand what they were doing or why but she didn't mind. She would never mind something like this and from someone like them specifically. She almost tightened her hold when she felt them slowly pulling away but she restrained herself. They moved their hands to her shoulders and gave them a little squeeze.

"Let's get back to the palace, I'll check over you and look over your wounds." They hummed, right hand moving to caress her cheek, wiping at a few tears before lightly cupping her cheeks and tilting it to look a little closer at her. They seemed rather occupied for someone who said they'd check it later, were they actually worried? Even with her blushing hot cheeks she stayed still as they hovered close to her face. She squeezed her eyes shut, hands on their biceps. A chuckle eventually left their lips, filling the night air. Next thing Bismuth knew there was a soft pair of lips against her cheek. She blinked in confusion before her face exploded in a bright crimson color.

"At least they didn't scruff up this little face of yours too badly. Come on, let's go." They spoke, tone going from lightly joyous to a more professional one once more but even so Bismuth could have sworn their face had also grown a bit dark in hue. She slapped her hand over her cheek and sputtered, officially at a loss for words.

"You! Huh?! Oh God…" She concluded in defeat. Her face was so flushed as she followed them. It was like she immediately had forgotten what had previously occurred to her. They had…kissed her! Her heart was practically running laps in her chest so fast that she had to reach a hand up and grip her shirt. She had never thought they'd do such a thing, did that mean they felt something for her like she had for them for so long now? Is that why she caught them staring at her at times or seemingly overprotective with her, even a bit clingy at times? She didn't mind those times with them was this proof?

She sure hoped it was.

She opened her mouth to say something about it after a while of walking with them. They had made their way back to the grave, the body was gone now in the dirt, buried beneath the earth and next to the gravestone was the lantern. Valdemar grabbed it before they continued the walk, leading Bismuth back to the fence.

"Um…Quaestor?" She started softly as they walked the trail.

"Valdemar is fine." They replied with no issue. Bismuth nodded.

"Alright but…I'm just…a little confused. I don't want to assume but…back there you…" she squeezed out, Valdemar could probably see her tapping for pointer fingers together like a shy child. They lifted a brow, glancing down at her at their side before laughing a little, now looking at her fully again as they made their way back to the palace.

"Can't even wait for us to get back to safety before you ask those things?" They inquired, tone lightly teasing as they looked away once more. "It's been a long time since I've felt for someone as I do with you. That's what you were going to ask right? Well, I thought it'd be the best way to show you how I felt, maybe I got caught up in the moment as well." They explained and Bismuth fell into silence, eyes wide, and heart stunned. Were they really just confessing to her?

"Was I wrong to do so? I read that maybe people liked to use cheek kisses for those they like, would you prefer a different one?" They hummed, a grin on their lips but yes their cheeks were bright as well, a little blush of their own. They had read up on something like that just for her? She needed to know more but even then it felt like her heart would explode out her chest at any moment. How long have they felt this way for her? What books had they read? What ideas did they have for different kisses?

Bismuth was a mess, if she could tuck her face into her shirt for a moment she probably would.

"I've liked you for so long…" she whispers and Valdemar hums.

"And the feeling is mutual, so let's talk about it when we get back. We can discuss whatever you'd like and I'll answer with honesty to each one. " They promised and from there Bismuth nodded, butterflies practically bubbling up her throat as they eventually exited the woods.

"Okay." She agreed softly.

[k1nky-fool]

The Ace of Swords

Book I: The Devil in the Details

Chapter IV: Blessings and Curses

Nadia Satrinava x OC, Callisto

Warnings: The Red Plague, angst, Lucio is still weird.

Masterlist

Chapter IV:

Lyra had asked for her presence the next morning. Which Callisto figures is good news, since she was conscious enough to ask for someone to talk to. When she arrived in her room, Lyra was sitting up. Valerius was absent from the room, which she noted as odd, but Julian was there writing down everything he could, even as illegible as his handwriting was. 

“Callisto, thank you for coming.” Lyra relaxes. “I need your help.” 

“Lyra, there’s not much I can do for you that Julian can’t.” Callisto said, noting that both her eyes had the red scaleria and she looked like she didn’t get a minute of sleep. 

“I know.” She said. “You can’t cure the plague, but you can make me look like I don’t have it.” 

She knew exactly what she was talking about. If Callisto could create light from any description, then making Lyra an illusion of health wouldn’t be impossible. “I would have to make you something that wouldn’t decay.” Callisto said. “A charm like that would take a little while to make.” 

“Valerius will pay you to get the materials and for the rush.” Lyra said quickly. “I need to be able to fool Lucio.” 

Julian stopped writing, and it caught Callisto off guard too. She however, recovered fast. “Hey, I don’t need a reason to make a fool of Lucio.” Thankfully, Lyra found it funny. Callisto took a notebook out of her bag and started writing down ingredients she’d need, and her regular rate for a spell like this. “Should I give this to you or the Consul?” 

“He’s meeting with the Countess for tea right now. Since you’re friends with the countess, you could catch him there.” Lyra said. 

“Gotcha.” She nodded. “Stay alive.” 

Lyra laughed. “I would rather give him the plague than die with a portrait unfinished.” 

“You know he’ll ask me to summon your ghost so you can finish it, right?” 

“Good, I’ll haunt him while I’m at it.” She huffed, turning over in bed. 

Nothing like an inevitable death to change an attitude. “Take care of her, Julian.” 

“I’ll do everything I can.” He said, but his voice was shaky, and unconvinced. Julian was never good at focusing on the present. The inevitable drop that every patient experienced was hanging over his head. There wasn’t much Callisto could do to help him out. 

When she found Valerius and Nadia on the veranda, sipping tea, Valerius was the first one to notice her. “Welcome Callisto. I take it Lyra got the chance to speak to you.” 

“Yes, she told me to give this to you.” He took the folded up piece of paper, and studied it. 

“That’s all?” He asked, perplexed. “I expected you to take advantage of the proposition.” 

“My prices are enough to sustain my lifestyle. Most of the high prices are for specific ingredients that are difficult for me to obtain.” She explained, as Nadia gestured to invite her to sit down. “Besides, I think it would be plain evil to take advantage of a client that needs my services.” 

“I appreciate the gesture.” Valerius said blankly, as if it pained him to say so. 

If Callisto had gotten to know Nadia at all in the last few days, then she definitely knew that Nadia had already figured out what was going on with Lyra whether or not Valerius had told her. 

“I hope you understand, Countess, Lyra’s privacy is very important to me.” He said, tucking the note into his jacket. 

“You needn’t worry Consul.” She promised. “The palace will keep her safe.” 

“I appreciate it.” He nodded. “If you would excuse me, I have some matters I must attend to quickly.”

Nadia didn’t immediately jump onto asking about what he learned from Lucio. Lyra’s prognosis was a shroud that hung over the entire palace. It seemed that she’d found a place in the hearts of everyone that stumbled upon her. Even someone as haughty as Valerius couldn’t help but fall in love with her. 

“She wants to finish the portrait, then?” Nadia asked. 

“Can you blame her? I’d haunt my shop if I left a spell undone.” Callisto attempted to lighten the mood, but the small smile on Nadia’s face disappeared as fast as it had appeared. 

“I often wish I could have answers to my questions, even as selfish as some are. It’s a horrible kind of longing, when you want for something that you know was never yours to reach for.” Nadia mused, looking up at clouds swirling above Vesuvia. 

“Why not try to reach for answers?” Callisto asked. 

“Because when I ask why, I am terrified to hear what I will be told.” Nadia said, honestly. 

“I get terrifying answers every day.” She said. “I’m more scared of finding questions that don’t get answers.” 

“Have you ever had a question that never got an answer?” Nadia asked. 

“I got four yesterday.” Callisto reported, and Nadia immediately looked at her in shock. “Valdemar, Vulgora, Volta and Vlastomil. I read them in front of Lucio and it is clear to me that they are not human. On top of that, whatever they are, they’re powerful enough to silence one Arcana each.”

“I expected that the news would get worse before it gets better. Not this much worse.” She sighed. 

“Did you learn anything from Valerius?” 

“He suspects that the court’s incompetence is related to Lucio’s influence. However, he did note that Valdemar is far more malicious than the others.” She explained. “I think if anyone knows the most, it’s the Quaestor, yet I suspect getting any answers from them will be impossible unless we have something to offer them.” 

“Hate to be crass-” 

“No you don’t.” 

“Fair enough, but we don’t have shit for Valdemar.” Callisto said. “There is nothing we have that they want.” 

Nadia agreed. “We may need to ask the Arcana for a new approach, then.”

She didn’t need to be asked twice. The deck all but lept into her hand, and with a small shuffle, a card fell out of the deck and landed face up on the table.  

The Moon was making his appearance once again, but the feeling she got was not any kind of answer or even question. Callisto closed her eyes and concentrated, but the vision that she received was a memory. Nadia’s open balcony door from a few nights ago. Clio’s voice rang in her head. 

“Invitation.”

“I have another approach.” Callisto said, “Do you have somewhere I can perform a ritual without being found?” 

Nadia caught her eye with a mischievous smile. “I do.” 

Callisto followed her through luxurious halls until they got to a gilded door that she quickly realized was Nadia’s bedroom, but they didn’t stop there. Nadia brought her to a wall in the corner of the room where a hidden lever revealed a stone staircase. They ascended stairs in silence for a long while, but Callisto couldn’t help but focus on Nadia pulling her by the hand as they continued. Once at the top, a beautiful studio was the reward. The ceiling was vaulted and there was an unmistakable owl roost near the top. The walls were marble, and the windows were stained glass. There was a crescent pool that was filled by a sparkling, waterfall, fountain. The other side of the room was home to a desk filled with small clockwork pieces. 

“Welcome to my contemplation tower.” Nadia smiled. “I admit I would often use this place to hide from the palace as a whole, but if you do not wish to be disturbed, then this is the place for you.” 

“I’m your only guest?” Callisto asked. 

“You and Chandra.” Nadia teased. “But to be completely honest, we are her guests.” 

She couldn’t deny that she felt special. Like maybe Nadia was more open to Callisto than she initially thought. Up until three days ago, Nadia was an elusive figure among Vesuvia’s most elite. Now she’s letting Callisto in on where she was hiding all this time. It’s a gesture of trust that leaves her blushing. 

“This will work perfectly.” She smiles, and sits beside the water. 

“What sort of ritual are you performing?” 

“I’m going to speak to an Arcana.” Callisto answered. “They exist in worlds far beyond ours, and magicians can reach them through a personalized gate. I’ve had a gate since I was fifteen, but it has been a while since I’ve tried to contact any of them.” 

“When was the last time you attempted this?” Nadia asked. 

“When Aunt Mosyne died. I spoke to The Empress to meet with her one last time.” Callisto said. “Now I’m trying to reach The Moon, but I need to stash my body here while I’m traversing the Arcana’s world.” 

“Is this dangerous?” Nadia asked, through a strained voice. “I admit I’m not an expert in this craft, but I understand that metaphysical travel is not always safe.” 

“I won’t lie to you. It’s fairly dangerous, but the good news is that magic is considerably amplified in metaphysical worlds.” Callisto said. “I’m not unprepared, Nadia.” 

Nadia let her lay down, and as she drifted off, she found herself being dropped into water. 

Callisto remembered this, knowing that if she could just convince herself that she didn’t need to breathe, she wouldn’t drown. 

When Callisto broke the water’s surface, she found a bench beside the fountain she’d crawled out of. Her clothes weren’t wet, and the world before her was something she knew she’d missed. Her gate was a beautiful pavilion in a garden, the night sky sparkled with moving stars that drifted around like ocean currents. Fluffy insects and glowing cotton puffs from the rainbow trees floated through the air and made their home in the gate. 

From the far side of the garden, Callisto spotted someone walking down the cobblestone path. Once the figure was within sight, she was left a little confused. “Morrigan?” 

“Oh, this is your gate.” She stated blankly, like she had only just realized where she was. Morrigan was always priestly, with long, dark robes and ornamented, black, locks. It was rare that her face held any expression, but Callisto’s skills always made it easy to read her. Though, while her senses were sharper here, Morrigan’s mask was stronger too, and Callisto was no longer more skilled than her old coven sister.  

“What are you doing here?” She asked. 

“Finding you, I suppose.” She replied, but Callisto knew she wasn’t being difficult. In these realms, there was often no telling where anybody would show up. The only thing Magicians like them knew was that they end up exactly where they’re meant to be. 

“Do you have a message or a question for me?” Callisto asked. 

“A little of both.” Morrigan said. “I gave Julian a tonic. It has the potential to delay the plague for some time, even in the second and third phases, but eventually the plague gains a resistance to it within the patient.” 

“That buys time, something we desperately need.” 

“But my question is a little more grim.” Morrigan warned. “The Runes have told me that you’re in dangerous waters.” 

“What do you want to know?” 

“What are you prepared to do to put an end to this?” Morrigan asked. 

Was this really Morrigan? It wasn’t uncommon to find figures that were illusions of those she knew. But the mask she put up was recognizable as hers. Obscurity was where Morrigan had always resided. It seemed that Callisto needed to find her more than Morrigan needed to find her. 

“I’m prepared to give anything.” Callisto said. “Vesuvia is sick, and I have an opportunity to eradicate the disease. I’d be selfish to give anything less.”

Morrigan leaned against the pillar as she watched the sparkling garden. “I was scared you might say that. I can’t deny that what happens next isn’t what you would have wanted.” 

There was something bugging Callisto about Morrigan being here. It wasn’t an imposter, but it wasn’t Morrigan as she knew her. She was more powerful, more stoic, more concealed, and more surreal.

All at once the truth was revealed to her like the light hitting her face just right to catch a glimpse of her true face. “You’re older than me.” Callisto noted. “But you’re six months younger than me.” 

“I should have known you’d figure that out.” Morrigan sighed, but wasn’t too upset by it. Callisto had a million questions, but knew Morrigan wouldn’t answer them. It was dangerous to know too much about the future, especially here in the metaphysical world. “Go, as I recall, you’re on your way to communicate with The Moon.”

So she finds out about this one way or another. “Do I make it?” Callisto asks. 

“You will find what you need.” Morrigan wisely dodges, but Callisto knows how to read a magician's words. Even if this journey goes poorly, she will find something she needs. 

“Thank you.” Callisto nods, and finds her own way down the path, until she’s passed through her gate into a road among the stars. Beneath the invisible road was a churning void of something horrifyingly alive.

“Ruff!” 

The bark startled Callisto away from looking into the abyss. The being that stood in front of her was almost like an Arcana. She was a dog, but she stood like a person, and wore a dress with many layers for traveling, with a wooden walking stick in her paw. 

“Hello.” Callisto greeted awkwardly. “You’re new.” 

She wasn’t immediately scared of the traveler like the abyss below. There were many things that could put on a friendly face to lure someone into a trap, but Callisto’s intuition hadn’t led her astray yet. 

“Can you take me to The Moon’s realm?” She asked.

The dog nodded. “Hmph.” 

Callisto followed her along the road, moving in rushed steps to avoid being out here for too long. Being able to walk for so long without feeling tired was always an interesting feeling. Though, Callisto found herself looking down at just the wrong moment. Something, reaching out of the void, wrapped itself around her leg, and pulled her to the floor, but as soon as she hit, and her guide noticed she’d fallen, the floor disappeared out from under her, and she plummeted into the abyss. 

When she could finally tie herself back to her senses, she was falling through branches until she hit a slimy, watery surface. Once she had surfaced again, she could stand on the marshy ground and take a look at where she’d ended up. 

It was nearly impossible to see farther than a meter in front of her with the mist hanging low in the air. Trees that extended far into the mist, rooted in the swampy water, and an ominous red light came from every direction and illuminated the mist, but Callisto found herself deciding that this mess wasn’t for her to navigate on her own. 

So long as she knew a tool to be in her bag, she could use it here. Asra’s compass pointed directly in front of her, and she followed it carefully. The needle would point her around certain puddles of water that looked suspiciously dark, and away from roots that she swore she’d seen move. The compass spun in a circle as soon as she found an island in the swamp with a red lamp post. 

“I hope you’ll forgive me.” A disembodied voice said to her. “Mortals hardly ever reach here if they are looking for me.” 

“Then I take it the invitation was from you, Hanged Man.” Callisto identified him easily. “I’ve heard your voice before.” 

“You’re sharp, magician.” The Hanged Man said. A raven headed being came from the mist and stood in the lamplight with her. 

“You likely know why I’m here.” 

“You’ve exhausted your answers, and you need more questions.” He summarized. “I can’t imagine a better reason to come to The Arcana realms.” 

“Well, you have a history of being elusive with answers. If I’m going to leave confused anyway, I might as well be confused about new things.” Callisto figured. 

“So what compelled you to traverse here?” He asked as Callisto sat on the ground under the lamp, but she was quickly met with a chair made out of woven roots that appeared beneath her.

She pulled her feet onto the chair, making herself comfortable. “As you said, I’ve exhausted my answers and need better questions.” She repeated. “It’s clear that the Plague is tied to the Court, but I can’t narrow down exactly how, or even what started it. I know that questioning them can only get us so much, and we need a new plan.” 

“We?” He clicked. 

“Nadia and I.” She clarified. “She and I are helping each other root this out.” 

“Why Nadia?” He asked. 

Her heart dropped at his question. “Why not Nadia?” 

“Why not Asra?” The Hanged Man parroted her. “Why not Julian, Valerius, Lyra, or Morrigan? Nadia is not your only option, so you have clearly chosen her. So why Nadia?” 

Callisto felt empty, not having an answer for something she really should have considered before now. “Because she was the only one that cared to ask me for my help.” 

“Then why didn’t you ask for Asra or Julian’s help? You had just as much agency to ask for their help as Nadia did to ask for yours.” He pointed out, but the mist closed around her, and she appeared in her shop. 

The shelves are stocked well enough for when she opens again, and the lamp outside the shop was dark to alert the street that she’s closed. Callisto was packing supplies for her bunk in the plague dungeons with the rest of the doctors. She would have to be there full time for the first few weeks, and she wanted to make sure she’d have everything she needed. 

The door unlocked, and she froze, as Asra caught her red handed. The Salamander sat atop the stove illuminating Callisto as she packed her bag. “I didn’t think you’d be in town until morning.” She pointed out. 

“Callisto, what are you doing?” He asked. 

“Packing.” She stated bluntly. “I’m going to the palace to study the Plague. I’m apprenticing under Julian.” 

Asra tried to rest his hand atop hers to slow her down. “Callisto, we talked about this-” 

“It’s not your choice.” She picked up the bag to leave Asra, but he grabbed the bag. 

“Callisto, you know how dangerous Lucio is!” He begged. 

“You keep saying that, but you haven’t explained yourself once!” Callisto shouted back. “No shit he’s dangerous, he’s the fucking Count. I’m not stupid, Asra, I can defend myself!” She yanked the bag away from him and began walking away. 

“You don’t know what he’s capable of!” He yelled. 

“You don’t know what I’m capable of!” The shockwave that split the air of the shop made Asra’s ears hurt, as he fell to his knees. She was so angry and hurt that after nearly a decade of being his friend, the only time he wouldn’t trust her was when she really needed him to. “I wanted you to come with me! But if you won’t help me, then I’ll do it myself.” She began to leave, while Asra got back to his feet. “Now get out of my shop. I don’t want to see you again.” 

As she left the shop, she came back to the Hanged Man’s realm. She knew she’d never left, but the experience was jarring. He stood in front of her now. “Why didn’t you ask Julian?” 

She fell through the muddy ground and appeared in another memory. 

The dungeons were always most daunting at night. Especially as she aided Julian in an autopsy. 

“Forceps.” Julian ordered, and she did as he said. The masks they wore were a little difficult to see through as they fogged up in the damp dungeon, but while that made it easier to look at the violence in front of them, even with the herbs and flowers in the beak of the mask, the smell was always rancid. 

She knew he was investigating the neurocentric damage of the plague, so she looked away while she handed him tools to dissect the cadaver’s brain. 

“Scalpel.” was his next command that she obeyed. But as he continued, he slowed down. “I hate when I’m right.” 

“What?” 

“This state of cerebral necrosis is concurrent with nearly a week’s worth of decay.” He explained. “This patient passed last night.” 

The delusion symptom now had an explanation, but finding a way to combat it would be a long way away. 

“Why don’t you go get some rest, Callisto. You’ve been awake for forty-eight hours.” He suggested. 

“You’ve been awake for almost seventy-two.” She jabbed back. 

“We should both get some sleep.” He concedes. “Quaestor? Would you like to pack him up?” 

“Would I ever.” They appear, nearly out of nowhere, but their presence is always lurking beneath the palace. 

Julian helped her out of her coat as she took the whole thing off with her gloves. She helped him do the same, even as their masks bumped with how bulky they were. She hesitated to help him take off his mask, and instead reached for her own. 

He was nice enough to walk her up to her own bunk. “Are you alright, Callisto?” 

“I knew what I was signing up for. If I couldn’t stomach it, I’d have quit weeks ago.” She said plainly. 

“I think you’re ready to do your own independent studies.” He blurted. 

“You can’t be serious.” She laughed.

“I am.” He says. “I’m no magician, but you definitely are. Now that you know the basics, you can apply your own skills to your studies. I think it would do you a lot of good.” 

“You sure this isn’t you pushing me away?” She asked, unfortunately remembering how Asra had reacted the first time she brought up studying under Julian at the Palace. 

“Can you honestly say that your best work is elbows deep in corpses?” He asked, and he had a point. “With your own studies, you would also be able to split your time between your shop and the palace. You’d have a lot more luck using skills and tools you’re familiar with.” 

“Yeah, I think you’re right.” She agreed. 

When she came back, she was sitting in the chair again, but the Hanged Man was no longer standing with her. “I felt like I didn’t know Asra at all, but I knew Julian too much.” 

“So why choose Nadia?” His voice came from everywhere once again. The chair’s roots wrapped around her arms and legs and began pulling her into the water behind the lamp. She knew she wouldn’t have to breathe, but this also felt much more real than the other two illusions. 

Callisto couldn’t fight it at all and was pulled under the water. She had no idea how long she was under water, but eventually the roots released her as she relaxed. When she found the surface of the water, she wasn’t in the Hanged Man’s realm anymore. 

Knee deep water surrounded her as she stood on an obsidian floor. Off in the distance, she saw a pavilion, but instead of a roof, the pillars were so tall that she couldn’t see where they ended. But as she got closer to it, the crescent moon was framed by the pillars along with a wolf-headed figure. 

The Moon said nothing, but he stepped aside to show Callisto the water behind him that reflected the light from the moon above. 

The light swirled in a way that hypnotized her. “What is this?” 

“Watch.” Was all he said. 

The light changed to an image of Nadia and Callisto dancing together, but they both looked different. Callisto looked like an entirely different person. Different clothes, different hair, and her expression was one of whimsy and excitement. Nadia looked happier, wearing a suit instead of her regular dresses, and she held Callisto close, like they were free to be happy together. 

“Is this real?” She asked. Callisto hadn’t seen herself so happy since she was a child. 

“What are you prepared to do to achieve this?” He asked, and Callisto felt her heart begin hurting. 

She fell to sit down on the steps and tried to put pressure on her chest to stop the pain. “I’m not here for something so selfish.” 

“Are you?” 

“It’s not for me to have, while everyone else is still suffering.” Callisto argued through the stabbing in her heart. 

“You are suffering.” 

“So is everyone else!” She screamed out, but the pain wasn’t subsiding. “What do I have to do!?” 

The pain stopped all at once. She looked back at the water and saw her reflection staring back at her with plague infected eyes. 

Before she could even jump back in horror, Callisto awoke back in Nadia’s tower. Her heart was beating faster than a field mouse, and she jumped up to immediately run to test herself for the plague, but Nadia stopped her. “It’s alright! You’re safe.” She quickly assured. 

“I need to test myself for the plague.” Callisto ordered, and continued back down the tower’s steps. The cards would likely just confirm her fear if she were to read them, but Julian had many more ways to test for the sickness.

“Callisto wait!” Nadia followed after her. She didn’t catch up to her until she was already half-way to Lyra’s room. “Stop for just a moment.” She finally caught her wrist and stopped her. “What is going on?” 

“I got another question I don’t have an answer for.” She said, pulling away from her, but Nadia didn’t stop her this time, letting her head off to get to Julian. 

She knocked before entering, but she didn’t wait for Lyra to finish saying it was alright to enter before she opened the door. 

“Did Valerius play nice?” Lyra teased, but Callisto immediately went for Julian’s bag. 

“What are you doing, Callisto?” Julian asked, seeing her shaky hands find a guarded scalpel, and cut her finger with it. She took the bottled leech out and popped the cork off, letting a drop of blood fall into the leech’s water. She closed the cork again and waited to see the leech’s reaction. Every muscle in her body relaxed as the leech curled around the blood, instead of pushing itself against the glass away from the drop. 

“Oh, thank the stars.” She whispered to herself. Now she had much more to consider. “I’m ok. I thought I might have been exposed.” 

“I’m glad everything is ok.” Julian said. 

“Sorry.” Callisto said. “I need to get started on that charm.” 

Upon returning to the guest room that Nadia had given her, Valerius was not kidding about getting the materials fast. He also got her much more than she wrote down. She’d be set on rare herbs for months. 

He also managed to get her a selection of peridot stones. She was pulled toward the tastefully cut peridot ring, knowing that if Lyra had to wear this, it might as well be something nobody would look twice at. 

Callisto let her intuition guide her as she made the charm, figuring out the appearance that needed to be presented. She thought of what needed to be concealed and what she needed to include with every ingredient she added. When her work was done, she went to bed, but her mind was still racing. It’s no wonder that she ended up back at her gate. 

She walked in this time, thankfully without the sound of running water, she didn’t wake up in the fountain. But now that she was here, she couldn’t help but wonder why she was here. Such a long time away from here, but being called here twice in one day was quite a peculiar event. 

When she walked down the path, she immediately found herself in a brilliantly colored oasis, but she couldn’t stop and appreciate the beauty as she got the sinking feeling of recognition in the magic. This was Asra’s gate.

Looking back, the doorway had closed. So the only way out was forward. 

As the edge of the water came closer, she spotted a figure sitting against a palm tree, but he saw her too. Asra waved to her, but didn’t say anything, as if he already knew she was just passing through. But she figured she was here for a reason, so she approached him. 

“Hey, Callisto.” He wouldn’t meet her eyeline. 

Callisto knelt down in front of him and held out his compass to return it to him. “I got your message, but you need this more than I do.” 

“I got yours too.” He accepted the compass, turning it over in his hand, using it as a distraction to not have to look at her. “Are we really ready to be friends again?” 

The question pulled at her heart. “Asra, I needed you to trust me, and you didn’t.” 

“And I needed to keep you safe.” He said. “Callisto, I would do anything to keep you safe.” 

“Anything except trust me to keep myself safe.” She argued, getting back up to leave. 

“Wait, Callisto. I wasn’t lying in my message.” She stopped, letting him speak. “Even if I don’t want you there, I want you to be successful. If there’s anyone that can save the city, it’s you.” 

“I didn’t lie either, Asra.” She said, “You’ve been my best friend for six years. I know you wouldn’t be warning me if it wasn’t important to you. But you’ve known me as long as I’ve known you. Whatever you’re doing, I know it’s dangerous, but just as important, and I trust you to handle it. Let me handle the plague.” 

“I’m trying to take down the Coliseum.” Asra said. “Muriel is trapped there, and I need to get him out.” 

Callisto felt sick. Lucio and Vulgora were in charge of the Coliseum, and both of them had Muriel fighting in the arena. Muriel was the gentlest spirit she’d ever met. The horror of him being tormented at Lucio’s command made rage spread through her body, but when the sand beneath her feet began turning to glass, she calmed herself. 

“I can bring it to the attention of Nadia. At the very least, she can get him some place to rest away from the Coliseum and it might give you a better chance to help him.” Callisto offered. 

“Thank you, Callisto.” He smiled. “Anything you need from me?” 

She thought for a long moment. “I could use some advice.” She sat down once again. “I’ve exhausted all my answers, and I need better questions. When I spoke to The Hanged Man and The Moon-” 

“You managed to visit both The Hanged Man and The Moon?” 

“On the same day, but really I fell into both.” She explained. “Anyway, both of them were more concerned about my relationship with Nadia.” 

“You’re in a relationship with Countess Nadia!?” Asra exclaimed. 

“A friendship, Asra.” She clarified. “They wanted to know why I chose to help her instead of asking you or Julian.” 

“Well, why did you?” He asked. 

“Because she asked.” Callisto answered again. 

“Well, you could have asked too.” Asra said. 

“You sound just like The Hanged Man.” 

“When the Arcana give you a question, you usually can’t get another one until you have your answer.” Asra explained. “If that was the right answer, then you would have more questions by now.” 

“I don’t know what kind of answer they’re looking for.” 

“Well, deconstruct it. A little shadow work never hurt anybody.” He said. “What attracted you to Nadia?” 

“Intuition?” 

“And water is wet.” Asra commented. 

“Not here!” 

“Do you want my help or not?” 

“Fine.” Callisto groaned, thinking about the day she met Nadia. She closed her eyes and let the memory resonate within her. “She was curious, and mysterious.” She recalled her entering the Library and sitting down with her. She asked about her shop, and her craft with interest. “She was honest and intelligent. And the Arcana had a lot to say to her.” 

“What did the Arcana say?” 

“The Ace of Swords said she was powerful, and that she hadn’t yet decided to wield it, but when she did, she would lose almost everything, as the Five of Cups said. But the High Priestess promised her that her intuition would guide her.” Callisto recalled. 

“It’s good that there’s at least one level-headed leader in Vesuvia.” Asra said. “What about after the reading? What stood out about her to you?” 

“It was still the Arcana at that point.” Callisto admitted. “The cards had been difficult to read until Nadia came and asked her question. I was curious as to why they responded so well to her.” 

“So what was it that made them respond to her?” He probed. 

She thought back to her aura after the reading. “I was worried about her. I could see that her endeavor would lead her to danger, and I knew that if she did it alone, she would be hunted by her obsessions.” 

“Were you worried enough to go with her then?” He asked. 

“No, it wasn’t until we spoke at the Consul’s estate that I was fully committed to helping her.” She found. 

“Then what was it there that convinced you?” 

That was the question she was looking for to be able to figure this out. Nadia’s invitation was set in her mind, but the open door was not the choice. So what made her close the door behind her? “She asked me to call her by her first name.” 

“And why was that so important to you?” Asra asks, knowing it’s the last question. 

“Because she trusted me.” Callisto opened her eyes, feeling lighter now that she’d gotten to the bottom of it. Asra also realized what that meant for him and Julian. She didn’t ask them because they didn’t trust her. Julian didn’t trust her to handle the dungeons, and Asra didn’t trust her to make her own choice, while Nadia did. Her first gestures were ones of faith in Callisto, and she had given her faith to Nadia. 

“There’s a door in the Oasis.” Asra informed. “Keep going in the direction you were going before. If the door feels dark, leave it, but you’ll know when you find the right one. You’ll find someone that can give you more questions.” 

Callisto thanked him and got up to leave. “And Asra.” He looked up to her. “When this is all over, come back to the shop. It feels a little empty without you there, and Mosyne would haunt my ass if I ever locked you out of there permanently.” 

Asra smiled. “I’ll see you when this is all over.” He promised.  

Callisto did as Asra said, walking down the desert, ignoring the doors that pulled her in with intrusive and unsettling thoughts, but when she found the door near the end, she could feel something else pulling her in. It was something more mysterious, and mischievous. 

As soon as her hand landed on the doorknob, she was on a beach and the door was gone. The waves were illuminated as they crashed, and the sand was soft and pleasant beneath her, and the gentle breeze that tossed the palm leaves whispered in languages she couldn’t recognize. 

“Another curious student. How extraordinary.” A voice she knew spoke kindly. 

“Magician.” Callisto spotted them further down the beach and walked up to them. “I’ve come looking for questions.” 

“Then you have come prepared.” The Magician mused. Their fox-like expression made her certain that they had what she was looking for, but she knew no Arcana gave such questions out freely. 

“Am I really prepared?” she asked. 

“Are you willing to accept what you do not know?” They asked. 

“Yes.” 

“Then you are prepared.” They brought them away from the shore, and together, they entered an illusion of her shop. They sat down in her booth, and her tarot cards sat in the middle of the table. “First, what do you know?” 

Callisto explained everything to The Magician. How the court weren’t humans, Lucio was planning something, and the plague was connected somehow. 

“You have a lot of knowledge, but no perspective.” The Magician noted. “What perspective might give you a better image of your predicament?”

“I have the perspective of a Magician.” Callisto said. 

“There are even things which are unknown to me.” The Magician said. “It is clear that this perspective will not be helpful until you see through a different one.” 

 “Then what do I look through?”

“Perhaps you haven’t even answered your most important question.” They proposed. “After all, do you even know what The Red Plague is?” 

Callisto reached for the cards and asked the question. The Devil stared back at her, but while she did not receive any words, she heard the same chilling laughter that she heard the day Nadia came to her. “An obsession?” 

“Close.” The Magician smiled. 

Callisto focused harder, but when she closed her eyes, she saw nothing but red, and as burning chains slithered around her neck and limbs, she opened her eyes to expel them. “It’s a curse.” She realized. “Whose curse is it?” 

“You have your questions, magician.” They smiled, and the world fell away as Callisto woke up in bed. 

Asra’s compass was no longer in her bag. 

[doctor-001]

Can you write some headcanons about Vlastomil in a relationship with a trans male mc? (Has top surgery already)

Vlastomil x ftm reader

-protects you from the Questors questions

-asks to put worms on your mastectomy scars, claiming it´ll make them better, bc "snail slime helps, so worm slime will,too!"

-matching outfits

-will ask the Quaestor a ton of questions abt gender re-assignment surgery and so back and so forth

-obviously, Valdemar agrees to perform the procedure anytime you want

-Vlastomil said he´ll take care of you after the surgery, if you end up getting it

-all in all he doesn´t care abt gender much, thus he doesn´t think of you any differently than cis people

[vesuviancourtthirst]

Are you taking requests because I’d like to request the courtiers with demon mc in heat?

i don't take requests but hhhhh i'll write this i guess

Valdemar

They'd mock you for being in heat

like what are you ? an animal ? a rabbit?

would try and do some weird experiments on you while you're in this state

don't expect them to coddle you

Vulgora

Kinda like Valdemar would mock you for being a weak demon with weak urges (even tho they get the same ones lmao)

wouldn't mind fucking you as often as you need/want

would be more agressive/jealous if they notice you tends to go to others for affection instinctively

Volta

please make it s t o p

she doesn't like it

she will coddle you tho

drowned in love affection

and also sugar and blankets

she'd spend her time cuddling with you

Vlastomil

worm man is busy with his worms and refuses to do anything to you in this state bc your mind isn't really here so you can't really consent

would give you anything you need, from food to affection

just,,,,,, no fuck

Valerius

?????????

what ??? the ??? fuck ???

doesn't understand what's happening

blushing like crazy once he understands

will try to have sex with you bc you keep complaining and begging and it really gets to his head

a bit shy afterwards

after thoughts : were you really yourself ??? did you really consent ???

he's a bit afraid

you better talk to him about it BEFORE it happens

[girlwithwolftatoo]

How do you think a situation like Hades and Persephone in mythology would play out with Valdemar and MC?

It’s a very curious point since I use more the Eros and Thanatos reference when I think about Valdemar x MC, still I can figure out how it would work:

*The kidnapping: Valdemar developing a special obsesion over MC, luring them to the dungeons but just in point to avoid any other plague doctor to cast their eyes upon MC. Probably would send them to their estate to keep them safe from the plague.

*The discovering: of course all their preacutions doesn’t work and MC ends up dying. They won’t let any other doctor to take care of the body, and won’t allow them to send MC to the Lazaret, instead they keep the body in a sealed coffin in their estate as they think how bring them back.

*Hell’s fruit: in this particular scenario it’s Valdemar not Asra who makes the deal, to bring MC back to life they ask the Arcana for help and, since we’re not sure if they have a heart to share (because uwu doctor is already so deeply into other deals they maybe have already lost some humanity in the process) maybe they give up someone else’s life (Lucio, perhaps?) in exchange. Then the Arcana give them magical pomegranates to finish the ritual.

*Spring and Winter: MC’s life is restored, but in order to keep them in that way, Valdemar must give up and not see their lover for half a year, in which MC would return to work in the shop as usually. The other half they crawl together in Valdemar’s estate and MC’s health is restored via the magical pomegranates every year.

[majesprick]

Hunyo (OC) is a traveling mercenary and was badly wounded during a battle. Valdemar encounters his body and mistake it as a corpse. Hunyo wakes up being carried by Valdemar and struggles, thinking the enemy is finishing him or something. He falls and meets eye w his captor. That’s the first time he got hit by the cupid’s arrow.

[reneesghostinthelivingroom]

I’d love something fluffy where the reader is Valdemar’s apprentice, and doing science stuff together!!! I love Valdemar and I love the idea of them letting me help with a science project. And getting to hug them lol

Doctor 1890

|| Quaestor Valdemar x nonbinary!reader

|| Warnings; non specified relationship between reader and Valdemar (up to reader's decision), short drabble

|| Summary; when working on a project, Valdemar and reader spend many hours together.

Requests open!

Started; November 4th

Finished; November 4th

~~~

It was late one night, you'd lost track of time many hours ago. As you usually did down in the dungeons where you and Valdemar worked. You were one of Valdemar's favourite mortals, they'd often call upon you for assistance. Considering you to be like an apprentice. You who was Doctor 1890. Together, the two of you examined the beetles in particular. As they were Valdemar's current passion project.

"Fascinating creatures, are they not?" You heard Valdemar say as they hovered over their desk. Bent down and taking a pair of tweezers to one of the beetles. Were they talking to you or themselves? You weren't always sure. Sometimes the answer was both, or they were simply just talking to themselves. Finding delight in conversations with their own mind often.

"Quite." You decided to take the risk and speak up, Valdemar paused when they heard your voice and turned to look at you. Head tilted ever so slightly in curiosity. They often forgot you were there, with how quiet you usually were. To hear you speak was like a rare treat. They looked back to the beetle, giving it a little poke as they wrote notes in a journal.

"Indeed." They replied to you, Valdemar was never one for much conversation. Normally only speaking when necessary, though they sometimes spoke to you. You were their exception. When you did speak to them, they loved hearing what you had to say. As you often had fascinating insights and provided such a unique side to every project the two of you worked on. And there's been many over the years.

Over the next few hours, your project came to a close. Having gathered all the information that was needed that day. Valdemar walked over to you, deciding to do something they didn't do very often. Figuring that you'd earned it," thank you for your help today Doctor 1890. Your insights are always helpful."

You couldn't help but smile at that. The praise certainly caught you off guard but didn't go under appreciated. You yourself took a risk and hugged Valdemar, feeling as they seemed surprised by the action.

"What is this?" They asked, arms staying where they were. You laughed a bit.

"A hug, never been hugged before?" You replied, they tilted their head to the side.

"No."

You gave them a little squeeze before letting go," See you later, Quaestor Valdemar." You waved and left the dungeons.

Valdemar watched you go. Knowing full well there would always be a later. They enjoyed your company more than they cared to admit. They had a soft spot for you.

[angeledeggs]

Main Six + The Courtiers with a bilingual partner

Main six plus the courtiers with a bilingual significant other! Hope y'all enjoy, and thanks for the surprising amount of support! :)

Asra 💜:

Finds it cool that you know another language, and will probably ask you how you learnt it, why you learned it, etc.

Asra is also bilingual! He speaks Arabic, too, which was his first language. He can also write in it flawlessly and though he speaks English very well, his writing in English can get a bit messy when he's tired

They'll probably want to learn a few things in the other languages you know just for fun, and if you want to have conversations in that language? Even better! Asra will hit the books right away!

If you have just a bit of an accent when you switch to English or the other language you know, Asra will probably blush a bit. He finds it attractive.

Will probably brag to their parents that you're so smart that you know more than one language, and probably to their friends, too.

If you know Arabic, or even better- learned it for Asra, he'll probably fall a bit harder for you and the bragging to his parents will most definitely be nonstop.

Muriel💙:

Finds it impressive, especially since he just knows English. Will ask you a bit about the language you know, how good you are, etc.

He'll probably not want to learn it though, not because he thinks it's weird, just because he's kind of bad at memorizing things (unless it comes to what you like).

If you want him to try though, he definitely will. He'd probably try to read some books and give up, and try flash cards instead. In the end, he can kind of carry a conversation with you in the language.

But if you want to speak in that language to him more often, he'll definitely amp up his studying and a lot of the times in the evening you'll find him quietly making more flashcards. It warms your heart.

He manages to stumble through an "I love you" in the language you know and gets really happy when you can understand him.

Nadia💎:

Finds it refined and elegant that you can speak in another language, even if you can barely do it and stutter through your words.

If you have any accent, she'll also find that extremely graceful of you.

She also knows a few languages herself which includes English and a few dialects of Hindi, but she won't tell you unless you ask, just because she's never thought of it before.

If you know her language or any of the dialects (or teach yourself), no matter how broken it is, she'll melt.

Is probably similar to Asra in the act of bragging to her family about you and your skills. A lot.

Might learn a phrase or two in the language you know, just to say it to you and see your reaction. But then she's suddenly studying it every night and sometimes mumbles it in her sleep when you two cuddle.

Julian🦠:

Thinks it's cool and deems you 'even smarter'

He knows Russian and might say a thing or two to you in it when he's teasing you. If you know Russian, he most definitely will blush whenever you even start to speak it for a second.

He insists that you teach him some together to 'bond', and he'll also most likely watch a few videos to learn it, too. His pronunciation is very bad, but he's so proud, you can't really tell him that.

He'll probably brag to Portia, too, about how awesome you are and how you're bilingual. He may or may not write down every little thing he loves about you in one of his journals. His journals are a mess though, so you'll never find it.

Will call you a nickname in the other language you know like sweetheart or honey. If you allow it, of course.

Portia🧡:

As soon as she hears you speak it, she's fallen in love all over again. Will definitely blush each time you speak it, which she can't help!

She knows just a bit of Russian, but not a lot, and mainly speaks English. Hearing and knowing that your bilingual definitely inspires her to get back to being fluent? And oh, if you speak Russian, she's absolutely floored.

Might study with you if you're not fluent yet, just for the bonding.

Gets all flustered if you have an accent, too.

She actually goes to her brother to get back into her Russian and will affectionately refer to you in terms of endearment of your own language, or her own like "Дорогой" or "Моя любовь"

Lucio👑:

Someone call an ambulance, because he thinks he's about to have a heart attack when he hears you speak in the other language that you know. A good heart attack, of course!

Only knows English himself and is impressed no matter what language you speak. He might even learn some of it just to impress you.

He's so proud of you for knowing another language, no matter what level of fluent you are. Sometimes he just asks you to speak it to him so he can relax.

If he's actually committed to learning your language for you, he'll put some TV shows on with voiceovers in the language you speak, since he heard that's the best way to learn.

Might even get a book, if he wants to feel like he really is trying.

After a long time, he'll be able to stutter through a conversation with you in the other language you know. But only to see you smile.

Valerius🍷:

How... Sophisticated. He's definitely impressed. Which, honestly, is rare for him. He only knows English, so to know that you know another language has him a bit speechless for a moment.

To show how impressed he is with your language abilities, he'll most likely get you a few books in the other language you know so that you can read them.

And if you have an accent? He's blushing already.

Will study the language half heartedly for a bit when one day he suddenly decides he actually wants to know it like you do, and studies much more.

He's able to keep a conversation with you, and to him, he's very proud of both you... And, yes, himself. But he definitely won't say it or brag or anything, he's just happy he can talk to you in the language. Especially gossip.

Vlastomil🐛:

Doesn't realize that you're bilingual at first, but when he does, he'll definitely compliment you on your knowledge.

Thinks that it's very smart for you to know more than one language, and finds himself impressed by the face that you're bilingual.

If you happen to have an accent in either your English or other language, he thinks that it's extremely cute and will probably ask you to speak to him in your other language just to hear it.

Just knows English and a bit of Latin, and that's probably enough for him. But if you want him to learn your language? For you, anything.

He'll definitely commit to it if you want him to learn it too, and will end up buying lots of books about the language. He ends up stuttering through it and half fluent, but very proud.

Valdemar🧠:

If you know a language, Valdemar probably knows it too, but they're still impressed. They probably won't admit it, though.

If you have an accent in either English or the other language, they find it, strangely... adorable. Very adorable, and they insist you speak it more often around them. They had spent years hiding their own accent/s wherever they went, after all.

Will definitely have a few books in the language you know. And they give it to you. They don't lend it to you. They give it to you, insisting that it was yours all along in the end.

If you call them something affectionate in your language, they will respond with a surprisingly enthusiastic kiss.

Volta🍰:

Wow, she's so impressed! She doesn't know many bilingual people and is monolingual herself, which makes your knowledge even more impressive to her.

Will want to watch shows with you that have your language in it, even though she can't understand it, just to bond.

She'll also probably want to try food from the country that speaks your language, just from curiousity.

She gets super blushy if you ever refer to her in your language as something affectionate, and will probably make a little squeaking noise.

Vulgora⚔️:

Only knows English, and is very impressed with your skill. Insists that they learn some, too, just so you two can talk in your other language.

They love it when you speak in the other language you know, and they find it actually calms them down, a lot. It's so calming to them that it's able to put them to sleep, really.

They brag about your skill to other nobles and maybe even the family members they still talk to.

If you ever refer to them as something affectionate in the language you know, they will demand you repeat it over and over for them until they can say it themselves and calm you that

It's surprisingly sweet for such an aggressive warrior.

❀

[greyspirehollow]

Chains

Pairing : Quaestor Valdemar x Liam (mc oc) ; platonic Fandom : The Arcana visual novel Warnings : angst ; hurt/comfort (still not good at warning tags grgrg)

Summary : Reverse ending ; Thinking they have betrayed him by aiding Liam becoming the new Patron Arcana of Death, the Devil punishes Valdemar (nothing related to assault, don't worry). But this cruel treatment will not go unnoticed...

The room was dark. The only source of light was the faint red glow of the chains that bound the Quaestor kneeling to the floor. The air was filled with the scent of burnt papers and parchments. They could still feel the trace of the quiet tears they'd shed when the Devil left, despite keeping their face as expressionless as possible. They were pretty sure they had bruises, and the tip of their right horn threatened to fall off at any moment because of how they'd struggled against their binds. They knew their labcoat was scratched, and that their bandages were loose. They could feel strands of hair tickle the skin of their cheeks. This... was simply cruel. Unjustified. After their centuries, their millenias of loyal services, how could the Devil possibly treat them like this?? They hadn't crossed any lines, not in the terms of their deal at least... So why? Their gaze remained on the floor as they let their thoughts consume them. What else could they possibly be doing? Struggle against the chains some more? To what end? They wouldn't yield.

But their train of thoughts was interrupted by the distant muffle of voices...

______________________________________________________________

In the corridors, some of Death's troupes looked around the rooms, opening every door they could, seemingly searching for something. Or someone. The skeletons were quick and efficient as Death advanced slowly, surveilling the operation. His cape flowed softly with each step he took. The skeletal soldier's search was fruitless so far, but it was also interrupted by a red figure down the hall. "...Vulgora." Death muttered, similarly to a greeting. Probably posted there to guard the halls, the Pontifex yielded a double bit great axe. But their expression lacked the usual bloodthirst and thrill of battle. As if... They didn't want to fight. Death was skeptical ; they'd always loved fighting. But he didn't have time to reflect upon that much : they charged at his soldiers, determined, and made the bones cackle and fall to the ground each time they'd seem them rebuild themselves. Death marched towards them, and drew their sword. He did well, because the Pontifex charged at him next. He blocked their attack, momentarily face to face with them. "They're on the second floor" if it could've conveyed confusion, Death's skeletal face would've upon hearing Vulgora's words. "The last door to the left." They sounded... worried. Death nodded and pushed them off, letting them pretend to fight off part of his troupes and taking only three soldiers with him as they rushed upstairs. He heard the Pontifex pretend to chase after them, and give up once he was halfway up the stairs. He climbed the marches one after the other.

______________________________________________________________

The sounds and muffled voices grew closer. Valdemar couldn't make out the words being said -what was the point, anyway?- but could only distinguish the clinking of metal on the floor. The steps grew closer.

"General ! They're in here !"

what...?

The door was pound against, exactly five times, before it fell off its hinges, hitting the floor with a loud thud and blowing an air current that made them squint their eyes, in addition to the sudden pool of light red light pouring from outside the dark room. They caught the glimpse of four silhouettes, three human sized ones and another, more imposing, standing in the center. The three smaller frames returned into the corridor, and seemed to go keep an eye on the surrounding area, the light they basked in revealing skeletons in armor. The Quaestor's gaze then landed on the fourth shadow : it slowly started approaching. On the floor, it noticed the carcasses of journals, books, files and parchments. And a copious amount of them, too... Two little green lights served as eyes to them, and Vlademar recognized those. Their teeth greeted together, but they couldn't find anything to tell him. Liam. The reason they were in this mess in the first place... That foolish necromancer, taking the place of the thirteenth major Arcana... They briefly looked back at the ground, but their head instantly snapped back up as they saw him crouch down beside a burnt book, about to touch the crispy pitch black pages. "GET YOUR HANDS OFF OF THAT!!" They shouted, instinctively getting up on their feet, only to be dragged back down by the red chains, drawing a pained grunt out of them. Their shoulders hunched slightly. Liam's hand immobilized in the air and he looked at them. They briefly wished they could still read his expression in this moment... "...Your research." he simply commented. They knew he was right. He got up, and slowly walked towards them. Their gaze was suddenly drawn to his sword, as it morphed into a scythe in his hand. They looked up right at those greenish lights he had for eyes now, their gaze unwavering. Death towered over them... They looked at him grip the weapon with both hands and raise it above his skull. He was going to do it, wasn't he? They weren't even mad. They found themselves... Strangely determined. Fine. After all, maybe it was the greatest service he could make them in th-

SHCLANK.

THUD.

....

....

..

The chains...

He'd aimed for the chains. Eyes wide, they looked at one of the metallic binds that was snapped in two by the scythe, and had fallen to the ground. Liam then snapped the other one.

SHCLANK.

THUD.

They felt the remaining ones around their body loosen, setting their upper body free. They looked at their shaky hands, and then back up at Liam.. Confused. He'd crouched down to their level. Despite the lack of... basically anything that could convey emotions on his face, they felt no ill will or threatening aura coming from him. As if... He wanted... to help...

"Do you think you can walk?"

The lich's raspy and otherworldly voice asked. "How can I possibly trust you?" was their immediate response, which they briefly regretted. Liam didn't seem fazed however. Even... Understanding. He removed the glove of his right hand, exposing his bones to the dark room's air, and reached for one of the burnt books that laid at their feet. They were about to protest again, gripping his wrist to yank it away from the fragile paper, but as soon as one of his bony digits made contact with it, it's as if the book was reborn. The pages found their normal consistency, and their handwriting appeared through the book again. Their jaw hung slack in a mix of confusion and bewilderment. "I thought... Y-you said it didn't work with..." they looked back at his orbits, inhabited by those two green lights, their gaze unable to hide their emotion. "This is... One of Death's tricks. A very brief reversal of time. It only works on objects..." He replied, as he got up and removed his other glove, going around and picking one by one the journals, the files and parchments, each seemingly coming back to life as he touched them. Valdemar was stuck in shock, still on their knees on the floor, the overwhelming amount of emotions swarming them without a single warning. He... He had to have ulterior motives. It couldn't be out of... kindness. Their brows furrowed "What do you want?? wh-why are you doing this?!" as they got back up on their feet, their hands slightly shaky. Liam looked back at them "...Do I need a reason to help a friend?"

...

Friend...? "You mean... Fiend." "I mean... Friend." Shock appeared on their features once more. Death took a slight breath and spoke up again : "But if it is easier for you, consider this a thank you for helping me get where I am now. A... Payback, if you will." he paused, turning around to face them "But the truth is, I only wish to help." The Quaestor stood there, dumbfounded, their brows knitted together due to... Whatever emotion they were currently feeling. They observed as Liam went around the room, picking up each and every single document that the Devil had previously burnt right before their eyes. They watched as he carefully arranged it all in a pile, then a mount as more and more documents were added. They took a few steps forward, their shaky hand reaching for one of the journals, flipping through the pages, then reaching for another one, and another, and another... Tears welled up in their eyes as they held at least a dozen against their chest, crumbling back to their knees and hunching protectively over them, as if they'd vanish if they let go. Their researches... Their life's work, their reason to live... Nearly wiped out like a speck of dust. They couldn't help the tears. Yes, they could muffle their sobs, and yes, they could hide their face against the pile of journals, but they couldn't stop the subtle shaking of their shoulders... Nor the bony hand that gently settled on their back and started caressing it soothingly, Liam crouching beside them.

______________________________________________________________

After a while of such deep and sudden emotions, Death stood back up, ordering his three soldiers to fetch the others, so all of them could carry the mount of documents out of this place. Valdemar took with them as much as they could, their legs slightly wobbly from the whole ordeal, as they, Death, and the soldiers hurried downstairs. They left the damned halls of the Devil's palace, and at the entrance, the Quaestor's eyes widened as they laid upon a familiar centaur-like figure. The horse skull turned to look at them "well, would you look at that! Quaestor Valdemar, in the flesh. It's been a while" Death. Their throat tightened and they looked at the ground in shame. This... All of this was starting to become a little too much. "Cut them some slack" Liam spoke softly, patting Death's flank. "I'm going to need you to carry them home. The Devil's not been kind with them..." Death nodded, although slightly bitter, lowering themselves so Valdemar could mount them, while the lich walked on foot. The Quaestor desperately clung to the journals in their arms, and as the gentle rocking motion of Death's pace nudged them, they felt exhaustion start to close onto them, despite their best attempt to keep their eyes open and surveil the soldiers which carried the rest of their researches.

______________________________________________________________

They woke up in what looked like a cottage, resting on a couch, with a thick blanket over them and a plush pillow under their head. They blinked awake, looking around, noticing Liam sitting at a table. The lich was studying what looked like maps ; there was a warm fire going in the fireplace. Their eyes lingered on the flames for a while before returning to Liam. They observed his skeletal hands carefully holding the paper, before their red eyes looked out the window, into the snowy forest around. The sight felt much less dreadful than they remember. The soft creaking of Liam's chair drew their attention. "Ah, you're awake. How do you feel?" It was... paradoxal to have Death sound so soothing... Or maybe it wasn't. "...Better." Warm. "That is great to hear." he put the map down on the wooden table, getting up to reach for a set of keys and picked two from it. He then walked over to Valdemar and gently placed the keys in their hand. "It's to access a small shed I have built nearby. I've made it so your research could be stored there, in Death's realm." yet another emotional blow for Valdemar. But of gratitude, this time. They closed their eyes and let out a soft sigh to keep their composure. "...Thank you." Liam nodded. "It's my pleasure." He was about to return to his table when Valdemar gripped his sleeve. He turned around. They'd stood up ; they seemed to be contemplating something. Their eyes briefly scanned Liam up and down, before they gulped and extended their arms, before wrapping them around him, in a clumsy hug. A warm feeling spread in the lich's chest as he embraced their smaller frame back.

Valdemar could've never guessed Death's embrace could ever be this soft and welcoming.

[glamourgirl777]

What Dating The Courtiers Would Be Like ☆

(This is my personal opinion) (also feel free to send any requests abt the courtiers or the main 6)

Volta

My baby volta is new to all this so your gonna have to communicate your feelings HEAVILY.

Volta is very clingy so expect to have her attached to your hip 24/7.

Unless there's food somewhere else you ain't getting rid of her.

Vlastomil

If you so happen to find yourself dating this wormy man I would think that it could be very hard to capture his attention unless your talking about worms or palace gossip.

If you want something from him or want to talk to him dropping him subtle hints won't work at all. You'll have to tell him upfront.

Though I don't think his lack of interest in your day to day life comes from a place of malice.

it's just he's so consumed in his wormy activities that everything else goes over his head. To make the relationship work you'll both need to communicate HEAVILYYYYYYYYYY.

Vulgora

Vulgora would be really REALLY protective (maybe bordering on toxic....)

I feel like they would either be extremely affectionate with you anywhere and everywhere or be extremely reserved with their affections until behind closed doors.

Though since you captured the pontifex's attention you must be one hell of a fighter which makes them hold you in the highest regard.🤭

Vlademar

When you two first started pursuing eachother seriously I think that vlademar would love to give you very subtle acts of affection in public just to watch you squirm and get flustered.

Be prepared to have them DOTE on your health.

I also think that instead of "traditional" gifts vlademar would most likely give you cute but very morbid poems about their love for you.

Valerius

Despite how little I know about his character I just know that this man would be A MASSIVE tsundere.

He wouldn't be open with his affections until atleast a year into dating you but he would make sure that you know he loves you. (That one doesn't make sense but yk valerius doesn't make any sense either)

Also be prepared for alot of extremely drunk confessions that he will heavily regret in the morning.