#queen eri case

[roseeycreates-blog]

✨Eri Kisaki✨

My queen ~ I've been rewatching DC episodes and movies (she's in)

and gosh, Kogoro Mouri, you lucky duck.

[painttasticpony]

FAMILY BLOGS

These blogs belong to my cousins! The two "Sister Worlds" are one world, and it's connected to Paint's world from @unlocktheaskblog, hence why it is a sister world. The stories and lore are connected! Be sure to check out both :)

WOE MAY ASK BLOGS BE UPON YE

Unlock The Ask Blog, aka UTAB, is my main blog. It's all about you, the blogger, unlocking all the characters and lore there is to find! Unravel the mystery that surrounds Paint Tastic and her universe while silly shenanigans take place.

Trixie has been banned from performing magic shows after a magical mishap, so she's found a new career path, in law! Trixie has to learn her way through law so she can find a way to lift her show ban, or at least, find a loophole through it.

What's an alicorn? Sparky Blaze is just a flying fire horse who loves spaghetti! Sparky's got a big weird family for tons of fun. Only Mischief happens here!

Currently only in the prologue, the story remains a mystery. All we know for right now, is that we are following the strange mare, Midnight, who appears to be searching for something in the Everfree Forest.

We start following a weird little changeling named Cricket who seems to be searching for his queen. Chrysalis hates to admit it, but she needs his help if she's going to get out of her current, stony predicament.

We're in an alternate universe, and Twilight seems very on edge, not to mention to be keeping some secrets. Time to poke and prod until she spills!

Hurrah, Princess Luna has just returned after 1000 years on the moon! She's a bit anxious, but herself and Celestia are grateful to be together once more. It's time for the celebration, and surely nothing is amiss...

Pinkie Pie has come down with something ill after being cut by a strange rock. Weird things are going on, like Fluttershy suddenly being famous and random stuff popping out of Pinkies hair! (Stuff that she doesn't remember putting there, of course). Just what in Equestria is going on??

Ask Lady Eris is a very chill, silly blog for me. It's mainly sketches, but that's what makes it so fun for me. I just like her because she's cute and fun to draw ^^ Come see the Lady of Chaos who rains chocolate milk and protects her beloved Butterscotch!

This blog is more of a warm-up blog, it's something i throw my favorite characters from franchises into just to play around and sketch stuff!

[cobbleztone]

Opinions on DC comics things:

Superman should not have a no kill rule, but should avoid killing unless it's the only option.

Gotham City should have little to no metal buildings with Wayne tower being one if the only ones, it should be mostly brick and concrete and a bunch of older buildings made of stone that look like cathedrals. It is called Gotham, it should be a place that is a goth esthetic Also every Gotham tower should have Gargoyles. Gotham should look different from every other city on DC, it should not look like New York City, Metropolis, Star City, or Central City, but like an amalgamation of different types of citys and town that always looks erie at night no matter where you are.

Batman should be a lot more brutal when someone he is working with gets in trouble, especially if it's one of his kids. When Joker killed Jason, Batman almost broke his one rule and only didn't because of Superman. If Clark didn't get involved, Bruce would have probably ripped off Jokers head. Batman should be willing to kill when it comes to his kids.

Batman should have trauma from Jason's death and never let anyone work alone on a case, including himself. Batman should make a rule where you always have at least one other person at all times in case something goes wrong.

Billy Batson should be someone the league respects the opinion of because he has the wisdom of Solomon.

Dr. Fate should never be a member of the league as he is technically a parasite who takes control of people's bodies.

Batman and Green Arrow should have a friendly rivalry and drive each other to improve, with each of them sharing areas they are proficient in that the other isn't.

Bruce Wayne and Oliver Queen should be constantly working together for the betterment of people as they are both mega rich.

The Flash Family should be heroes who volunteer to patrol another city when a hero is out of commission as they can with ease.

[litnerdwrites]

I want to talk about the Valkyries

So, I love the Valkyries. Their friendship is everything, and frankly, the best part of the series. However, I've never really liked the idea of them being warriors, and I want to hear some thoughts and opinions on that.

It all comes down to this single sentence; “"There are many types of strength beyond the ability to wield a blade and end lives. Amren told me that yesterday."”

To me, Nesta's strength lies in her other skills and abilities. She was raised to marry a Prince, so there's no doubt she's far more educated than most in her station. She proved that she has a good head on her shoulders and heart in her chest when she calculated the cost of evacuating humans from the mortal lands bellow Prythian, which goes beyond the number of ships, mind you.

She'd have to calculate the cost of the ship, the sailors to man them, the cost of security to protect the refugees in case the ships are attacked, which would mean the cost of weapons made of ash (which we know is rare since the fae burned many of the ash trees long ago), the provisions of sailors, provisions for guards, provisions for refugees, medicine for those who are sick or elderly, the time it would take to sail from the continent, load up the ships, and then sail back, etc. It's not easy, and there are a lot of factors to take into consideration, but Nesta did it and presented it to The Mortal Queens, who might have executed them for siding with the fae or even just speaking back to them, with not a single ounce of fear.

Nesta endured her mother's abuse, and didn't let it make her resent Feyre and Elain, instead, fuelling her desire to protect Elain and allow them both to find happiness in their marriages, something which we can presume is rare based on the little information and context we have for the human lands, despite it not necessarily furthering her family, while not bothering to do so for herself.

Nesta won the heart of a duke before even stepping onto the dance floor, had Eris dancing in the palm of her hand, arguably before dancing with him, and her idea to distract The King of Hybern, when Rhys didn't consider it until she brought it up. Nesta united the High Lords. Not Feyre. Not the IC. Nesta. After witnessing her father's death, and having all her trauma come crashing down on her, attended a meeting with strangers, both humans and fae, at her sister's behest, then kept herself together long enough to make it back to Velaris and to her room.

Feyre takes strength and inspiration from Nesta and her steely resolve, in times like The HL meeting.

Within a single year, she forced herself to overcome her fear of bathtubs, alone, while enduring the criticism and verbal abuse of the IC. She endured that nightmare Solstice, dinner parties and other events with them watching her like a circus performer. She endured her so-called mates' abuse and the abuse he allowed his family to show her, leaving her completely alone. Nesta didn't throw herself into the river or try to commit suicide, as far as we know, during this time, and gave everything to keep her head above water.

Let nobody tell you that Nesta Archeron isn't a strong ass woman.

I think this is why her becoming a warrior bothers me. Her courtier and dancing skills are shown to help her thrive in a place like the CON, a place the IC hates and the narrative paints as being full of scheming, evil, deserve to rot in hell, asshole fae nobles. This is a disservice to Nesta's immense talents and skill in navigating these situations. to be exploited, and painted as something that is synonymous with the 'evil' of The CON.

Also, I think that certain parts of the CON's culture is similar to human culture, in some ways. Between that and Nesta telling Bryce about how she's okay with being fae because of immortality, I think SJM is doing a disservice to humanity and it's culture. Nesta's insistence on holding on to her humanity when she points out things like how Solstice isn't a human holiday, or how fae have regard for human custom or manners (twice), and even her modest style of dress is something I love about her character.

I hate how it feels like, that for all Feyre claims both the human and fae lands are her home, she's disregarding her human culture, and Nesta is being forced to as well. Assimilating into fae society doesn't mean that she has to abandon her culture, and I think it would've been great to see more human cultures and customs, even if they didn't have holiday's or religions, being integrated into the IC. Meanwhile, Feyre's only response is to try it, because she might like it, which I think is also incredibly insensitive. Feyre and the IC have essentially indoctrinated Nesta, and wiped her human values and traditions from her life.

Her so-called mate was also the one trying to make her train since ACOWAR, without regard for human customs and how much she values them. It's like none of them care for their human heritage, and want to abandon that piece of her all together. For all he claims to love her and her fire, he doesn't care for where it came from, and who she was before he moulded her into his version of a perfect mate.

Amren is the one who told Nesta that she doesn't have to be a warrior, and that's based on the strength Nesta displayed as part of her human upbringing, implying that, even then, she is strong without the ability to end lives. Yet, she's also one of the strongest advocates for Nesta being forced to train.

If exercise of some kind is what they think she needs, why not dance? Elain is aware of how much Nesta enjoys it, and given her repeated protests about being around Cassian, why not get her a dance teacher, outside the IC, and have her learn dances from different courts or places on the continent? It's something she enjoys, and gives her a chance to learn more about the world out there, while developing many of the skills she's been trained with since birth.

I don't want to hear anything about Nesta 'choosing' to be a warrior. She merely accepted her fate, knowing it was that, or certain death.

Honestly, I think I might have been more okay with the warrior thing, if she wasn't consistently exploited by the IC. Or if I wasn't convinced that Rhysand would treat the Valkyries as an extension of his military.

Speaking of the Valkyries as a whole, I think they have so much potential that's being wasted.

Why must they be warriors? Why not a group of healers, and diplomats, and dancers and explorers, and scientists? Why not have them as a way for Nesta to fulfil her own dream of seeing the world

I've made my stance on Rhysand's so-called attempt at equality in Illyria very clear in this post (where I talk about why Cassian would be the worst father ever), but the gist of it is that throwing women swords, and forcing them to be soldiers isn't equality. Giving them the same opportunities and education to chose to be a warrior, librarian, baker, blacksmith, teacher, merchant or whatever is the start of equality.

That's not to say that they can't be warriors too. It just irks me that it's all they are. That's not to say I dislike all fmcs who become warriors, though I do think that there's an overabundance of them. Why must being a warrior be what defines The Valkyries. I don't see how that makes them different to another military unit, even though Nesta is likely to be the only one expected to act like a real soldier.

The narrative makes Nesta a warrior with her other skills and passions being just a smaller part of her character. I think it should be the other way around. I think she, and The Valkyries, deserve to be more than warriors.

I feel like Emerie would be the only one who'd want to be a full time warrior out of the main three Valkyries. Even then, it's mostly due to how ingrained it is to Illyrian culture.

The concept of Nesta helping the Priestesses heal is perfect for her character, based on what we've seen her do for civilians and victims in the past. This is why I believe The Valkyries would've been more interesting if they took a humanitarian (kind of) approach to things. Helping women who are oppressed, like Illyrian women, or those in The CON, follow their dreams and escape abuse.

The IC call themselves The Court of Dreams, so wouldn't having The Valkyries be the ones to help the underprivileged start on the path to fulfilling their own dreams be poetic? It would give her a chance to travel too, if she went across Prythian or even to The Continent.

Stepping back from The Valkyries for a moment, there are many strong FMCs that aren't warriors at all. Personally, I think Stephenie Garber writes them best.

My favourite Evangeline Fox. I think she's the strongest FMC I've read/watched because her strength comes from her kindness, and belief in true love, even when the world is trying to prove otherwise. She refuses to give up hope for a happily ever after, and fights through impossible odds with her wit and heart alone for her love.

I also love Scarlett's resolve and quick thinking. I honestly think she's a lot like Nesta in some ways, when it comes to protecting her sisters (though I think Feyre is a bit like her at time s too). I'm impressed by the lengths she'd go to for those she loves, and her resolve when she decides that she deserves better than what someone's giving her. I love Donatella's determination, and decision to use other people's low opinions of her, and ideas of her being just another dumb blonde, choosing instead to use it to her advantage and prove them wrong out of spite.

I love Tohru Honda and her resolve to be kind and compassionate to everyone, even those who don't deserve it. She assumes ignorance or accident before malice and continues to strive to be better, for herself and for others. Her kindness and compassion is what inspires others around her.

I love Sophie's resourcefulness and bravery in Howel's Moving Castle.

I love Winter from At The End There Was You, because of how kind and chatty she is. How she choses to believe that the good can outweigh the bad and never stops asking questions or being curious.

Even jumping back to SJM for a moment, I love Bryce, not because she can weald weapons, but because of how resourceful, kind and witty she is. I love how she uses her femininity and others' low opinion of her to her advantage. Yrene was my favourite character in TOG, and I loved Tower of Dawn because of her. Some of my favourite moments with Aelinare when she's being girly with Lysandra. From chatting and sharing chocolates, to playing with Evangeline, or having some form of girl time (most of which are in QOS).

The Valkyries had the potential to be more than just, the now, stereotypical, strong, warrior FMCs.

“"There are many types of strength beyond the ability to wield a blade and end lives. Amren told me that yesterday."”

I think this quote should've set the president for The Valkyries. Looking back at this, I think it's less The Valkyries that I dislike and more the fact that they're warriors. I wish it played more into that quote, rather than giving us the same old story about finding strength through fighting. Personally, I think solving disputes between nations through words and dancing, or discovering the cure to sicknesses, or even bridging the gap between two sentient races sharing a world (humans and fae) all while fulfilling your dreams is more impressive than swinging swords around and ending disputes with death.

If there really needed to be some semblance of warrior like training, why not lower the intensity to self defence? Do something like Yrene and start teaching women self defence and educating them in reading, writing and maths. Give them the opportunities to better their lives and create futures for themselves. Make them about empowerment in whatever ways others feel comfortable, not just by becoming warriors.

TLDR: I think the Valkyries, namely Nesta, being warriors, first and foremost, is a disservice to her character and to the strength of women who find empowerment through other means. “"There are many types of strength beyond the ability to wield a blade and end lives. Amren told me that yesterday."” is what Amren said in ACOWAR, as quoted by Nesta, and I think that should've set the tone for The Valkyries. The worst part is how her own so-called mate doesn't respect that about her. I do want to hear other thoughts on this matter though. Do being warriors suite The Valkyries? Does it suite Nesta or her story?

[readychilledwine]

Bound by Fate pt 6

Summary- When Kaylee Archeron meets Azriel, her world turns upside down. Between balancing her trauma, new powers, a mating bond, and war looming over her new home, Kaylee learns everything is not as little as it once seemed.

Warnings- miscommunication trope, sexual tension, Eris being the queen of pettytown

A/n- this is the smutless version of this filler chapter. But boy, do we love a petty Eris. If you'd like to read the smut version of this chapter, click here

Series Masterlist

Lucien and Kaylee sat around the fire. She had hardly spoken since they left the House of Wind a week ago. She had been focusing all her energy and effort on tracking the Mortal queen, and she had been so close today. They had almost linked until the sun fell, then Kaylee felt nothing coming from the Queen's end.

She did feel Azriel all day today, though. Love was constantly showering Kaylee's bones. She had been trying to ignore it, but as a shadow curled into her hand, dancing between her fingers, then ran up her arm, she broke. 

Lucien turned to her instantly, pulling her close as she cried. “It's okay,” he rocked her, running a hand up and down her back. “Just breathe, Kaylee.”

She couldn't, though. Panic began to flood her. Lucien rocked her, whispering comfort to her as he reached into her bag. He pulled out a small stuffed bat, one that He could scent Azriel on, and placed it in her arms. “Just breathe,” he repeated. “Breathe.” 

At that soft command, Kaylee felt her mind pause, shifting to focus on Lucien's command instead of her panic. She took a deep breath, eyes locked on his as he silently coached her through her panic. “That's my girl,” Lucien wiped a few spare tears from your face. “Keep going, Kaylee.”

Kaylee clung to Lucien that night, holding him close as she slept as if he was her lifeline. Lucien couldn't bring himself to understand Azriel. No matter how hard he thought about it, he could not understand. Had Kaylee been his mate, had those tables been flipped, he wouldn't have picked someone else over her. Just like he wouldn't pick someone else over Elain. 

He didn't stay up long enough to further question it, though. They had to get on the road early. Kaylee thought the queen was close, and Lucien needed to focus on this. He needed to prove Elain right.

Kaylee groaned as bright light hit her face and rolled into the warm chest. She felt a pull in her powers causing her to shoot up and hit a sleeping Lucien. “Lu, she's here.” 

The male groaned, arm going around Kaylee's waist. “Who?” His voice was laced heavily with sleep, eyes not even opening. 

“The firebird?” 

Lucien shot up next to Kaylee, eyes locked on the cursed mortal queen. “Can you feel her?”

Her only response was a nod. “Her name is Vassa. She wants to know what we want.”

Lucien looked between the two. “I trust you,” he looked at Kaylee. The simple statement struck, her eyes lighting up as she smiled. “Tell her everything.”

Night fall came quickly. The three of them spent the day talking and moving back towards the wall, with Lucien stopping every so often to grab some form of flora he had Kaylee staying away from. 

When she transformed back, silence fell between the three. There, naked as the day she was born, a mortal queen stood with her red hair moving gently in the breeze. Kaylee went into her bag, grabbing the clothing they had packed just in case Elain's vision had been correct and handed it to her. 

“Thank you,” she nodded to Kaylee, moving to go change into the soft tunic and leggings before rejoining them at the fire. “It is nice to speak to peo-” she shut her eyes and sighed. “It's nice to speak with… friends again.” 

Lucien spoke first, poking the fire slightly. “I can not imagine how lonely you are, my lady.” 

Vassa hummed. “You get used to loneliness. She is the first contact I have had in a long while. Most Humans and fae sleep when I'm human again."

“Do not get used to her being around,” Kaylee's head snapped to Lucien. “Her high lord has demanded her back for the meeting he is having. I will be transporting her to Autumn, and my brother will be taking her to the Night Court from there.”

“Lu-”

“He ordered it, hun. I'm sorry.” Lucien handed Vassa a plate of food. “It will be you and I, if you agree to take my company.” 

Kaylee stood, walking away from the fire and wrapping her arms around herself. She stopped at a lake, watching as a few fish swam by and took a seat. She thought she had more time to process. To get away. She felt a tug at the bond and gently answered, letting him know she was alive but still hurting. A wave of regret and of self hatred came down causing Kaylee to flinch. 

She was angry.

But Gods did she love him. She stroked the bond back, sending him her love and mixed emotions, and prayed he got the message. "Just give me time," she whispered.

Lucien and Vassa left Kaylee the next morning in a cabin. Kaylee shivered in dark, curling into herself as she waited for this brother to arrive.

To her annoyance, he was late. She took the blanket sitting behind her and wrapped it around herself with a sigh. 

“Such a sorrowful noise for one who is supposedly such a happy female,” the tone was mocking and bored. “You three were early.”

“Or you're late,” she shot back, wrapping further into herself. 

“No, little Kaylee,” the cabin came alive, flames starting in the fireplace, lanterns glowing brightly, and music playing. “You three were early.” She felt the male place a hand on the part of the blanket she had turned into a hood and pulled it down. “A tiny more attractive version of your sister, I see.” 

And this male? 

A stunning pale skinned red head. Freckles lining his nose like a constellation of stars. Burning bright eyes sparkling with danger that had Kaylee curling her toes. “You must be hungry,” he said. “I brought food. Come. Eat.”

“Papa told me to never take food from strange men.” 

He leaned down to her, face inches away. “Then it's a good thing I am a male, isn't it?” Kaylee made a face as he sniffed her and smirked. “Eat. Don't eat. Makes no difference to me, little one.” 

Kaylee stood following him after he walked away. “I don't even know your name.”

“Eris,” the male said, pulling her chair out. “Heir and general of the Autumn Court. The more important question is this,” the male pulled out a chair, turning it so he could straddle it and leaned in close to Kaylee. “Who are you?”

“Just Kaylee.” 

He scoffed slightly. “The shadowsinger is offering me a pretty deal to ensure you are returned in one piece,” his hand trailed her chin forcing her to look at him. “Just Kaylee. I can see why too. Such a beautiful thing left to the safety of little Lucien? I wouldn't have allowed you to even leave my bed.” 

Kaylee immediately noted how close they were. “I do not believe I will ever be in your bed, Eris.”

The heir smiled, face still near hers. “We shall see about that. I have until nightfall to change your mind.” He pulled away, fingers lingering in her hair as he did. “Eat, just Kaylee.”

Eris finally had Kaylee relaxed enough that the cabin didn’t carry a heavy scent of fear mixed with slight arousal. Bringing her four of his hounds had caused her guard to go down, and now the female sat pretty in his lap, sleeping soundly. His intention in trying to bed her was far from pure, but this would work. She would return to Azriel bathed in his scent from the close contact, and maybe then the male would realize how Lucien felt. 

His hands had run through her hair countless times, ensuring each strand held his scent. The blankets she was using were his, marking her body in his scent. The dress he was going to change her into hung in his closet. 

Was it as effective as fucking her senseless? No. Would it be enough to piss off the clearly tense shadowsinger? Eris smirked to himself, most definitely.

He kissed her shoulder gently, “Kaylee, we need to get you changed and ready to go to the Night Court.” She cuddled in tighter, squeezing her eyes shut and enjoying his warmth. “You've already overslept, little one, you won't have time to bathe.”

She shook her head, “Do not care.”

Eris stood, lifting Kaylee with him and carrying her to his room. “Well, I need to get ready, at least,” he laid her in his bed, covering her with the blanket, and went to the bathroom.  Kaylee sat up a few moments later and felt Her eyes go wide before looking down. Eris stood near the bathroom doorway shirtless, broad muscles on display as she finished changing into finely tailored trousers. 

“Stupid fae males and their attractiveness,” Kaylee grumbled softly and laid back into the bed. She had turned her back to the doorway, squeezing her eyes shut, and cuddled into the blanket that smelled like warm cinnamon and fire. 

 She felt the bed dip behind her and herself get pulled into a warm body. “Is my shirtlessness bothering you, just Kaylee?”

Kaylee refused to let him tease her anymore and rolled over so they were chest to chest, her face near his. “I am perfectly fine. Thank you for asking.”

He chuckled softly. “You do not lie well,” Eris ran the back of a finger down Kaylee's face, smirking as her eyes fluttered shut. “You are such a beautiful little thing.”

Her arousal flooded his nose. Her eyes went wide as he rolled them, so he was on top of her. "Say the word, and I'll stop."

“Please stop,” Kaylee put a hand on his bare chest. “Azriel will not appreciate this.”

Eris held that hand, kissing it softly. “Azriel doesn't even appreciate you, but if you insist little Kaylee. Walking away from the opportunity to share my bed is your loss.” 

Eris stood again and motioned towards the burgundy dress hanging up. “You need to get ready. We've wasted a lot of time playing this back and forth game, dearest. We are pushing being late."

Kaylee went towards the dress. It was an expensive fabric threaded with hints of gold and gems. It was fit for a queen, not some common female he had offered to bring home. “This is expensive. You didn't purchase this for me, did you?”

Eris shook his head. “It has been sitting unused in the Forest House for a while. I refuse to show up to a party with you looking less than divine. Therefore, I picked that dress. You look close in size to the female it was made for."

Hewn City terrified Kaylee. She could not help but to cling close to Eris despite Cassian having trained her in fairly basic Self defense. “A few more halls, Kaylee,” Eris held no arrogance in his voice. It had almost begun to border on comfort. 

These halls were too close to Hybern's cells. Dark smelling of moisture and earth. 

Kaylee felt a soft familiar purr and felt her shoulders fall slightly. 

Rhys was close, and he had his beast looking for signs of Kaylee. She also felt the bond tug as it began to come alive. 

Eris paused before entering a room. “Well, little one, this will be our last few moments alone.”

“Thank you for taking care of me,” Eris nodded. 

“It was self serving, but you are welcome.” She watched as a mask went up, an almost sad dead look coming over the heir’s eyes. He pushed the door open, walking in with her on his arm and a smirk.

Kaylee watched as Rhysand's face dropped, anger flaring in his eyes. She heard the growl from Azriel and Cassian. Eris turned to her, murmuring quietly in her ear, “And the game begins. Thank you for providing me with entertainment, just Kaylee."

Taglist: @impossibelle @luvmoo @wallacewillow0773638 @nightless

@cat-or-kitten @knmendiola @holb32

@mis-lil-red @minakay @whatsupb18  @deeshag @justdreamstars @pyrostatic @acourtofmarvels @no1massassin @dream-alittlebiggerdarling @acourtofbatboydreams @mich0731 @thelov3lybookworm @going-through-shit

@coralseacourt @snoopyspace @tothestarsandwhateverend

[icycoldninja]

Hello! Are You familiar with game of thrones? If not you can ignore this but if you do Can you write a dmc boys +v with a Daenerys like s/o? She has 3 dragons and is immune to fire plus she is an awesome badass queen, but in this case since the dmc world is more modern times she can just be a queen from a far kingdom that is also modern like and happened to meet the guy in her travels.

Sup? Hope you're well! No, I'm not familiar with Game of Thrones, but I can work with what you've given me. Hope you enjoy! 💜

Sparda boys + V x Daenerys-like!Reader headcannons

¤ Dante ¤

-So, you're a mighty queen from a distant kingdom? Dante never thought he'd be meeting royalty, but here he is.

-When he sees your dragons, he freaks. He didn't think those even existed, let alone be standing right in front of him. Then he remembers he and his brother are half demons with magic demon swords, so maybe it's not all that unusual.

-Thinks it's so cool that you're immune to fire--so is he! Now you have something in common.

-He'd love to visit your kingdom someday, if you're willing to take him.

-Bonus points if you let him ride one of your dragons; he's always wanted to soar through the air on a scaly dragon's back, even though he can fly on his own.

■ Vergil ■

-Vergil wasn't too impressed at first. So what if you're royalty? There's plenty of that around.

-Then he sees your three dragons and thinks to himself, damn, if she can tame three of those terrifying beasts, she must be full of POWER.

-After this, Vergil decides it may be in his best interest to get to know you a little more, and in the process, learns about your immunity to fire.

-Now, this is very good because it means you can help him beat up his literally fiery brother whenever the need arises.

-Also wants to visit your kingdom to see if there any ways to get POWER and MOTIVATION there.

-However, do not, under any circumstances, make him ride your dragon. He isn't too fond of riding on animals, and besides, he can fly on his own.

□ Nero □

-Nero is indifferent to your royal lineage, but he thinks it's great that you, as a queen, get time to travel. It seems he's under the impression that all kings and queens are confined to their kingdoms and never allowed to leave.

-He immediately hits it off with your dragons; for some reason, they like him, and for an even stranger reason, he likes them.

-Your fire immunity makes you the perfect person to call whenever he wants to have a barbecue. No one ever needs to worry about getting burnt by the fire because you're around to deal with it for them.

-Nero isn't too fond of travel, so it's highly unlikely he'll visit your kingdom, but if you ask nicely and maybe bribe him with affection, he'll give in.

-Loves riding your dragons for two reasons: 1), it's fun, and 2), it saves more time because unlike his father and uncle, he can't keep up his Devil Trigger for very long.

● V ●

-Is very surprised that a fair and beautiful queen such as yourself is wandering so far from home. Should you not be within your palace, governing your subjects?

-Your badass-ery soon answers his question. The way you command everyone's attention and generally just run the place is inspiring.

-That, added to your 3 awesome dragons, only serves to impress him further.

-V gets along very nicely with your dragons, as do his familiars, when they are around. He's an experienced pet owner himself (kinda) and is more than willing to trade tips and tricks with you.

-Would absolutely love to visit your kingdom someday; the scenery, regardless of what it may be, will surely inspire his writing spirit.

-Wants to ride your dragon too. He's used to riding Nightmare and Griffon, so it won't be much of an issue for him.

[olenvasynyt]

What do you make of the quote in SF where Eris says, “I wanted to feel out Jurian and Vassa.” He didn’t mention his brother oddly enough.”

Do you think Eris didn’t care about Lucien’s opinion of things and what he knew? Or because Eris knows his brother well enough to not need to “feel him out”

I misread that quote for a second and I thought it was Eris “wants to feel up Jurian and Vassa” lmao so a good start for Dana 😂

I think this is a case of Eris focusing on the politics and pushing away personal feelings. Vassa and Jurian are very important aspects to the future political system of the human lands, since Vassa is a queen and Jurian is a general. However, Lucien is very close with both of them: he lives with them, no doubt gives them advice, is their connections to Prythian, etc. SJM writing in Eris not mentioning Lucien and how it was “odd” kinds of reads like an emotion for Lucien like concern, interest, etc should have been expected, but it never happened. Eris avoided that by not mentioning him.

Eris definitely knows a lot about Lucien since they were raised together. Lucien is also an emissary: he's been one for Spring and Night. But it's interesting because Lucien is part of the politics too and plays an important role. Wouldn't Eris want to "feel out" Lucien to see where his loyalties lie, what is influencing him, etc. He could be doing that, though. We don't exactly know his relationship with Lucien but I personally think there may still be a bit of resentment about the past, even if it's not total hate (I totally believe Lucien knows Eris' true motivations but he understands what he's willing to do to achieve his goals).

I think Eris wouldn't be willing to talk about his true feelings for his brother with anyone in the IC, and he also would not talk badly about him or twist the truth. It was a very quick thing that Cassian caught, and SJM made sure it was highlighted.

I hope we see more of Lucien and Eris' relationship in future books and I hope they reconcile with each other! Thank you for the ask!

[wishcamper]

Nessian Week Day 5 - Behind Closed Doors

I meant to write a sexy, Casino Royale-esque poker scene but it somehow ended up as Cassian fangirling over his wife for 3k words so uh. Here you go.

Read here or on ao3!

High Stakes

A/N: This prompt really made me want to play with the idea of layers of intimacy in long-term relationships because a) I don’t think we have enough representations of healthy, fulfilling, functional monogamy and b) I‘ve always thought there was beautiful potential for Nessian to know and understand each other to the point where they can see all the layers of the other person, and be able to hold space for the other’s complexity. I’d just really like to believe that’s possible. So I hope that comes across. 

I’m exploring some of these same ideas in ACOVAV, my ongoing ACOSF fix-it. Questions around the character’s experiences and my own, like: what does it look like to build tension in a story and depth in a relationship without miscommunication or people treating each other badly? What if it’s two people trying their best to get close while also wrestling with their own individual shit in very real, understandable ways? What exists at that intersection between me and us? Something interesting, I think.

If that interests you too, you can read that fic on ao3 :)

---

“Mr. Archeron.”

“Marlowe. How’s she looking tonight?”

Two males stood before the door of a long-vacant tavern, sweating slightly in the night air thick and lush as it only was in summer, Velaris bursting with vitality after dark. The cobblestone streets were full of revelers who passed by without a second glance, ignorant that beyond the hidden entrance lay a world where fortunes were won and lost, where the honor of courts rose and fell at the discretion of a female known only in whispers as the Queen of Cards.

A female who just happened to be Cassian’s wife.

“A strong start,” Marlowe said as he ushered Cassian into the candlelit basement, flickering shadows belying the bustling street above. “The High Lord from Autumn has cheek, though.” 

“Yeah, Eris gets like that when he’s losing.”

They shook hands and Cassian made his way down the dim hallway, the sounds of chatter and shuffling and clinking coins drifting toward him. He could hear Eris braying high above the others, Rhys’ smooth voice giving back just as good. When he reached the arched entrance to the playing room, everyone had their backs to him except Nesta, who glanced up from her three-card hand and smiled. 

She always faced the door during games, ready to protect her players’ privacy in case someone got past Marlowe, though it had the unintended effect of giving him a moment to take her in uninterrupted. Her gown was midnight blue tonight, long sleeves in tiers of iridescent silk like a dragonfly’s wings, hair cascading over one shoulder studded with opals that turned fiery in the faelights.

A glittering queen holding court. And damn if Cassian didn’t want to go to his knees before her, still, after all this time.

“Can we get on with it or do I need to send you two to time out?” she asked the still-squabbling High Lords without missing a beat, tossing her cards in and signaling to the silver clad dealer to begin the next round before. She threw in her ante next, silver bracelets chiming at her wrist with the movement.

With some grumblings the players turned to their hands, and Cassian edged along the wall to where Emerie sat at a high table on her own, grazing on the arrayed refreshments and accounting her winnings in a worn ledger. 

“I was up and didn’t want to push my luck,” the female whispered when he nodded in greeting, giving him a sly smile. Cassian smiled back - Emerie always came out on top. He suspected Nesta was subtly losing to her friend on purpose after the female refused to let her fund an expansion of her shop. And he suspected Emerie knew it, too, but both were too proud to say it aloud. She licked the tip of her pencil and made another note. “Plus, it’s fun to watch your mate knock a few High Lords down a peg.”

“Sometimes I wonder if that’s the real game,” he confessed, and Emerie grinned smugly, wings ruffling with delight.

They observed the game in silence for a moment, allowing Cassian time to survey the other players in attendance tonight. There was an endless rotating cast of characters at Nesta’s now-famous monthly games, the invitation so coveted they’d had all manner of bribes delivered to the House of Wind by very confused messengers. Thankfully all gifts were now rerouted to a third-party location, after a lesser lord of Summer sent a dozen peacocks they’d chased about the House for hours.

There were seven of them tonight as usual, including Emerie, all faces he recognized buried in their cards around the half-moon table. Granted, it helped that nearly half the players were his wife, her best friend, and Rhys, whose pile of coin looked so pitifully low Cassian couldn’t help but smirk when he caught his brother’s eye.

“We should raise the blind,” Rhys interjected. “What's the point of playing if you’re eschewing risk?”

It still surprised Cassian sometimes that Rhys kept coming back despite showing no taste for gambling in the past. But he supposed Rhys had always been weirdly competitive with Nesta, and even though they’d buried the hatchet long ago Nesta still loved winning her brother-in-law’s money fair and square. Which she did without fail, hand over fist, with a silent pact between them not to tell Feyre.

Neither of her sisters knew, by design he suspected, and Mor was off in Montesere ‘finding herself’ again, whatever that meant. Azriel had a brief, brilliant run before his competitiveness got the best of him and he was banned for brawling at the table, one of the only standing rules. Emerie and Eris were regulars, and he’d seen the others in attendance before: broad-shouldered Megrin Stonecutter of the Velaris maester’s guild and Nuan of Dawn, who perched cross-legged in her chair, a pair of elaborate spectacles whirring on her round face

Opposite Nesta tonight sat the High Lord of Day, still radiant despite having foregone his usual golden adornments. Helion looked nonplussed by his own losing streak as Cassian watched him toss his cards face down in front of him, leaving only Rhys, Eris, and Nesta still alive in the hand.

“I fold. You all are vicious. Are you not joining us, Cass?”

“And add one more body to the slaughter? No thanks.” He’d never had much interest, content to watch Nesta splatter egos against the wall.

Megrin grunted in agreement and slid her cards to the dealer past the large pile of gold in the center. “I’m out, too. Clearly someone knows something I don’t.”

“It’s yours to call, Eris,” Rhys said breezily. “Unless you’re waiting to ask your father’s ghost for permission.”

Cassian snorted, making eye contact with Rhys again, who shot him a shit-eating grin as Eris covered his mouth with a stiff hand, brow furrowed. 

To everyone’s surprise, Beron Vanserra had been felled two years prior by an ordinary fever. No one in Autumn nor elsewhere could make sense of it - it was as if one day the hands of hel simply reached up and snatched him back into the earth. So a court that had once been destined for a bloody coup passed the crown peacefully, which was a good thing all around, though Rhys loved painting Eris as a cowardly dawdler whose target put himself in an early grave just to end the waiting.

The Autumn lord sneered at the insult, still waffling. “Some of us prefer to think about our actions, Rhysand, instead of barrelling forward with whatever scheme will inflate our self-importance the most. Stealing things from other courts, for example, books, brides -“

Nesta glanced over at Cassian then, crossing and uncrossing her fingers where they lay against her cheek, and he had to stifle the laugh that bubbled forth at the private joke, just for him. It was her signal that sexual tension was present in the room, sometimes to indicate she wanted to leave whatever function they were at, sometimes so they could share a roll of their eyes. In this case he knew she meant the squabbling lords, as many a late night they’d mused that Eris and Rhys could get past their rivalry if they just had sex about it. 

“As much as I enjoy seeing Rhysand’s self-importance punctured,” Nesta drawled when the latter opened his mouth to retort. “You can’t delay your bet with old, petty scores. We’re all rather bored with it. If you’re going to cheat, at least use some imagination.” 

She sipped at her glass of pomegranate juice, a frequent gift of affection from Helion and a nod to the other rule: no alcohol. 

Rhys’ expression flashed briefly with betrayal, but he schooled it quickly, knowing better than to give himself away. But Cassian knew Nesta’s smoky eyes clocked it before they turned to Eris. 

“I remember you once tempting me with an invitation to Autumn, to see how a High Lord plays. Is this what you had in mind?” She gestured to the modest pile of gold in front of him. “I rather think I made the right decision, don’t you?”

Emerie chuckled beside him, and Cassian felt a thrill low in his stomach to see Nesta so self-possessed, lit from within. After everything they’d been through with the Trove, with their families, a part of him wondered if he’d ever see her ferocity again, if the sharp point of that viper’s tongue would smooth over for good. 

She’d become very soft for about a decade after the Blood Rite, and they’d taken long walks through the Illyrian Steppes and the Myrmidons, swam in streams and lakes and the oceans of Summer, watched the bees drift lazily from flower to flower in Elain’s gardens in Day. It was as if she’d needed to come completely to rest before deciding what to do next. And the solitude seemed to give her a sense of clarity, but he’d been glad as fuck to be an exception to that rule, to witness the private puzzlings and support her in finding purpose in her life.

They’d only just returned to Velaris the previous spring, when the threads of family and duty pulled them home at last. Their time away was intimate and lovely, some of the best years of his life, yet Cassian enjoyed seeing Nesta confident out in the world again. The poker game had been the first of many things to draw her out, and he couldn’t wait to see what she’d surprise him with next, his strong, clever, deadly little wife.

Eris grumbled and tossed a few coins in the middle. “Happy now? Or would you prefer to seduce it out of me?”

Cassian watched her swallow the barb, which would’ve sent her into survival mode in the past and now rolled off her with barely a ripple. Leashed his own instincts to leap across the room and tackle Eris to the ground, because Nesta wouldn’t hesitate to kick him out for breaking the rules too, mate or no, and he’d miss his favorite show.

“Your luck doesn’t extend that far tonight,” she said demurely, and Cassian knew the smug prick was too stupid to see her coiling up to strike when the time was right. Nesta won the hand a moment later to groans all around, her Winter flush beating Rhys’ three pixies and Eris’ two pair, nymphs and kelpies.

“I propose a wager," Nesta declared as the next hand was dealt, her voice velvety and inviting. "The victor of the evening wins one favor of their choosing...” Eyes lit up around the table, anticipation deepening. “...from my husband.”

They all turned toward Cassian where he was leaning against the wall with an amused grin now, and he raised an eyebrow at his mate. Her eyes flashed silver where she stared back at him, and he felt her send a soothing wave down the bond, assuring him of her intent. Inviting him into the ruse. Cassian made a show of looking chagrined, shuffling his feet as he looked down.

Rhys was the first to respond, smirking. “I’ll take that bet.” 

Cassian knew he was incensed at the idea of losing, wrongly fancying himself more clever than his sister-in-law. Nesta knew it, too, and that arrogance made him play more recklessly.

“Count me out,” said Helion, winking. “You’re pretty, Cass, but my minister of finance will have my head if I lose any more.”

“Ah, why not?” Nuan flushed, uncomfortable with the attention now drawn her way, and chuckled nervously. “Not sure what use I’d have for you, dear, but who knows what worth it may hold!”

Megrin pursed her lips, sizing him up. “He has a strong enough back I suppose. I’ve been meaning to rearrange my forge.”

“Any favor of my choosing?” Eris mused, and Cassian felt the Autumn lord’s gaze roving over his body and then Nesta’s, possessive and hungry. The years hadn’t changed everything. Nesta answered with nothing but a feline smile.

The next few rounds passed in a blur of bluffs and bold plays. Nesta remained composed even on the hands she lost, an almost bored air to the way she watched the males bluster and crow. Eris' anger grew while Rhys shot daggers with his glare at her every win, turning each hand into an unnecessary battle of wills that made him play sloppy. Nuan ducked out when it became clear the prize wasn’t hers, and Megrin hung on for a while longer, bluffing her way through until her luck ran dry, to Cassian’s relief. 

One by one, Nesta outplayed them, her composure never faltering as she watched her opponents fume, each loss reigniting their fervor to win.

At last the players were down to the final hand, and the air in the hidden basement crackled with anticipation. The dealer laid down the community cards as bets went around: a wyvern, a lord, a lady, and a cave troll. Each still in signaled for new cards, Nesta tapping once against the table, her face revealing nothing. Cassian could feel his chest tighten as they sized each other up before Rhys pushed all his chips into the pot with a confident smirk.

"All in."

Unfazed, Nesta called his bet, gesturing idly at her pile for the dealer to sweep into the center with his crook. That left only Eris to decide his own fate, as well as Cassian’s.

He puzzled for a long while with his head in his hands before he finally spoke, low and deliberate. "I’ll call."

Coins cascaded into the center, a shower of gold. Then the final card was revealed—another lady. All coins in the center, it felt like everyone held their breath as the three remaining players revealed their hands. 

Rhys set down two lords, the grin spreading across his face triumphant and sure, the poor bastard. Eris only clucked his tongue and revealed his full house, ladies full of wyverns, smug despite achieving it on the last draw.

But Cassian knew it wasn’t over yet. He turned to where his wife was toying with the edge of her hand, and he’d seen that pose too many times not to recognize it at once: You Have Just Royally Fucked Yourself. Silver rolled over Nesta’s eyes, and with prim efficiency she laid down the three remaining trolls in the deck, one after another.

The room erupted, Eris upending his chair as he leapt to his feet, Rhys shouting about cheating and Helion tipping his head back to let loose a peal of laughter soon joined by Emerie and Nuan’s, by Megrin’s groan. Cassian couldn’t help the dopey grin that spread across his face, how at home Nesta looked in the sea of chaos when she winked at him, calmly piling her coins into neat stacks.

Once everyone had regained their heads they all passed a lovely hour in conversation, the air hazy from the cigarettes Nesta usually smoked with Lucien at their gossip sessions disguised as afternoon tea. Rhys departed first, claiming a return to his fatherly duties, though they all knew he was off to beg Feyre’s sympathies while he licked his wounds for reasons he’d never confess. Emerie left with a tight hug and a promise to have them up to Windhaven soon to see her new expansion, and Eris gave Nesta a begrudging bow before Helion swooped in and kissed her on the cheek. He did the same to Cassian, and they heard his warm voice echoing down the corridor, giving Eris shit all the way up the stairs.

Alone now, Cassian came up behind where Nesta was tucking a handful of coins in a pouch for Marlowe, looped his arms around her and buried his face in her neck. She batted at him but he felt her lean backwards all the same, cracking the door to that soft place within, that only her loved ones were allowed to enter. He knew she liked the affection, even if part of her still hated to admit it, if she only wanted it when it was just them.

“Wicked woman,” he teased, and he felt her smile against his cheek, the press of her nails into his forearm. “Were you seriously going to let Eris have his way with me?”

Nesta turned in his arms and he took her in close up for the first time all day, having left her snoring softly that morning when he departed for Windhaven. He warmed to see her face still relaxed and open, the ease in her posture. 

“If he won, sure.”

Cassian snorted. “I don’t know if that’s a testament to your confidence or your willingness to torture me.”

The candlelight flickered silver around them for a moment and he drew her close once more, breathing deep the vanilla and jasmine scent of her hair, the lingering smokiness. Nesta linked her hands behind his back and squeezed him hard, impatient.

“Can’t it be both? Now take me home, Lady Death is tired.”

“Is that your favor for winning, sweetheart?”

“No,” she said, eyes dancing and devious when he pulled back. “I’ve much bigger plans for you.”

And oh, she did.

They ended the night in Cassian’s favorite way, with him sprawled atop her, head pillowed on her chest, her long fingers working through the snarls in his hair he’d earned in their pleasure. The House dimmed the lights in the bedchamber that was once his, the door now warded to both their hands. Hands that bore twin golden rings and tattoos of an eight-pointed star, tokens of their promises, both his and hers.

“Goodnight, I love you.”

Nesta’s voice was thick and fuzzy, and he felt a quiet contentment on her end of the bond. It was rare for her to inhabit it in public as much as she had tonight, and Cassian remembered when her end of the bridge between them had been locked tight, impenetrable. He’d made a fool of himself trying to break through early in their love, using brute force to smash past her defenses, leaving her exposed. 

But now he knew the secret that should’ve been obvious, that he only had to knock.

“I love you, too, sweetheart.”

She smiled with her eyes closed and pursed her lips, kissing the air before sleep dragged her under.

[pocket-thrawn]

Crossing the Stars

A pretty self-indulgent fic, warming up my Thrawn writing muscles.

Thrawn x f!reader

Music swirled around you, painting dazzling notes of clear flutes and heady cellos all merging into a beautiful symphony. You smelled the fine wines and the decadent foods being passed around on silver platters by carefully dressed servants.

Despite the rich atmosphere and numerous happily chatting guests, all that filled your mind was the injustice of such rich frivolity when there remained such desperate suffering in the Galaxy. Acts of atrocity spurred on and, in some cases, encouraged by the very Empire you had to pretend to support.

Naboo was your home world, and you had fought tooth and nail to keep your people as protected from the Empire’s influence as you could. Your fellow senators had become little more than puppets dancing luridly on the end of Palpatine’s strings after the fall of the Republic. It was with a heavy heart you took up the mantle of Naboo’s senator after the last Queen had so tragically passed away.

So many uniformed individuals, your heart twisted at the sight of the Stormtroopers and Imperial officers milling around. Your own traditional dress brushed velvet against your skin as you turned and walked unhurried to a part of the grand hall that was sufficiently unoccupied.

“Oh, I do apologize.” You said, brushing against another body as you maneuvered around a rather gaudy potted plant.

“It is quite alright.”

You turned your head to offer the gentleman a commiserating sort of look at the state of affairs here, yet the small smile froze upon your face. Your eyes widened slightly, knowing immediately the identity of the blue-skinned alien you’d carelessly knocked into.

“Grand Admiral.” You said, fluidly moving to an appropriate distance from the Chiss.

Thrawn looked down upon you, a small tensing of his lips the only indicator of his amusement. “It seems you already know who I am. I would be remiss not to ask for your identity miss…”

“Erys.” The false name you’d created rolled easily off your tongue as you politely extended your hand, unsure if he would take it. “Senator and representative of Naboo and her people.”

Thrawn did indeed take your hand and shook once before relinquishing it. You noticed immediately how unusually warm his skin was against yours. “Grand Admiral Thrawn, of the Imperial Navy. A pleasure to make your acquaintance, however abrupt in nature.”

“Yes…” You pulled your skirts fully off the offending plant and gave it an aggrieved glance. “Again, sorry about that.”

Thrawn simply gave a small smile. His glowing red eyes unnerving in the emotionless quality they lent.

“Enjoying the gala?” You ventured, feeling obligated to keep the conversation going. You were almost on auto-pilot at this point, going through the motions of a political representative.

“Not entirely.” Thrawn’s smooth voice was almost hypnotic, you found yourself leaning in to hear better as he cast a look around the crowded room. “I am of far better use on the command deck of the Chimaera.”

“Your Star Destroyer, of course.” Something in your voice must have betrayed your disdain for the Imperial vessels because Thrawn’s piercing gaze flicked back to your face.

“Indeed.”

“You had art specially commissioned for the body of your ship, correct?”

“I’m surprised you are aware of my personalization.” Thrawn seemed to be growing ever more interested in this banter.

You chuckled, making sure to not make excessive eye contact with him. You didn’t want gossiping whispers following you back to Naboo. “I’m not sure there’s anyone who doesn’t know of it.” You met his eyes again, he was making no such tactful attempts. “It’s quite the statement.”

“There’s little about me that isn’t.” Thrawn intoned, drawing a surprised chuckle from you. “May I ask after the nature of your clothing?” He continued, hands tightly clasped behind his back and yet his gaze almost felt corporeal on your person as he studied you.

You swallowed a little thickly through your nerves. The points of brighter red you guessed served as Thrawn’s pupils followed the movement of your throat as you spoke. “Yes, of course.”

Thrawn held up a quelling hand for a moment, smiling politely. “I do not wish to impose my presence if unwanted.” It seemed he wished to clarify his intentions. “The conversation you lend is proving to be the most tolerable of this evening.”

You gave him a dubious look. “I get the impression that’s not saying much.”

He chuckled, short and quiet, but yet an actual expression of mirth from a man rumored to be implacable and cold at all times. “No, you are quite correct.”

“Still…” You decided to capitalize on this congenial moment. “I thank you for the compliment. My dress, as you already suggested, is fashioned after the regal regalia of my home world.”

“Excellent play on words.” Thrawn turned his body fully to face you and despite yourself, you did the same. “Please, continue.”

You explained the meaning behind the colors and the artistry woven into the fabric of your dress and hair ornaments. Thrawn listened with rapt attention, seeming to genuinely be interested in your every word. You couldn’t tell if it was simply politeness on his part, in a desire to be distracted from the endless chatter of political machinations around you. Yet as you spoke and he prompted you from time to time, you felt the tension between you slowly ease and drop into an easy companionship.

“Your planet has quite a rich history.” Thrawn said, inclining his head politely when you’d finished speaking. “My condolences on the passing of your late senator.”

Your lips pursed, lingering melancholia tugging at your heart. “She was the best of us.”

Thrawn was silent for a moment, his mouth turning slightly downward in thought. “You strike me as an intelligent and capable individual, you will do well.”

“What of you?” You asked the question that’d been burning in the back of your mind since bumping into him. “Where are you from? What brought you to serve the Empire?”

“A story, perhaps, for another time.” Thrawn said, giving you a smile to indicate he wasn’t offended by your prying.

“It’s quite unusual to see someone non-human to rise within the ranks of the Empire, and so quickly too.” You mused. “Though I am sure you’ve heard such a sentiment quite a lot.”

Thrawn nodded slowly. “Indeed, I have.”

You wanted to ask so many questions but got the sense he was not open to answering them.

“You are not fond of the Empire.” Thrawn said, it wasn’t a question, and it caught you off guard.

“I…whatever gave you that impression?” It was near impossible to keep the irony out of your voice. You clasped your hands behind your back, mirroring his posture, suddenly careful. Amidst the ease of your light banter, you’d forgotten just what Thrawn was and who he served.

Thrawn studied you silently for several seconds. “It is quite evident. Whenever you speak mention the Empire or look at the Officers in this very hall, the distaste is clear upon your visage.”

“You’ve been scrutinizing my ‘visage’ hm?” You asked coyly, deflecting.

“Indeed. Am I correct?”

You hesitated, your shoulders tensing as you looked around the room for a ready excuse to exit this suddenly uncomfortable encounter. You got the sense that it was no use lying to this Chiss man. You gave a terse nod. “Yes.”

“May I ask why?” Thrawn was unlike any Imperial you’d heretofore encountered. He had proven to be polite and respectful, even though you were a senator; a position that drew disdain and condescension from the majority of Palpatine’s servants. You felt like you could open up to Thrawn, which might have been his game all along, there was no real way of knowing.

The fact he would ask your reasons for disliking the Empire surprised you into answering. “There are aspects that I do not agree with, the utter abolishment of democracy being one of them.”

“It has not been abolished as of yet.” Thrawn intoned, lowering his soft voice so you could not be overheard. “The Senate remains, you are proof of this.”

“We are little more than puppets, extensions of Palpatine’s will. And the Senate, as it remains, is slowly being dissolved.”

Thrawn listened to your words, he didn’t argue back. Again, surprising you.

He waited, so you continued. “I don’t condone slavery or the rape of worlds for their resources, displacing millions of people from their homes.” Your words lapsed as you became dangerously close to speaking treason.

“I will not say the Empire is perfect.” Thrawn’s voice remained gentle, no condemnation coloring his words. “However, it is stronger than the Republic, more capable of protecting the Galaxy.”

“I won’t argue that the Republic was perfect.” You rubbed anxiously at your neck before folding your hands politely in front of you. “However a totalitarian regime that relies on fear to govern isn’t the answer.”

“Yes, I had heard rumor the senator from Naboo was quite vocal in her political stance.” Thrawn murmured, his hand found the small of your back causing you to jolt slightly. “Come, peruse the gallery with me.”

Intrigued and not wishing to draw more eyes than had been already, you allowed the Grand Admiral to gently guide you out of the crowded gala hall and into a more secluded marble corridor. Your footsteps echoed as you walked together in silence, Thrawn’s hand no longer at your back.

“After you, please.” Thrawn opened the glass door and bowed slightly as you passed.

You instantly noticed the plush carpet beneath your thin shoes and sighed in relief at the ease it gave your aching feet.

“Yes, a much more comfortable setting. One I quite prefer to political decadence.” Thrawn said behind you, and you turned to see him calmly observing a vivid oil painting framed by the door.

“You did mention your fondness for art.” You joined him and looked at the splash of color that made little sense to you.

“I am equally fond of truth.” Thrawn glanced sideways, you could feel the burning of those red eyes upon you like a weight before he shifted his attention back to the painting again. “What do you see upon this canvas?”

“A…lot of color all thrown together.” You said, mildly peeved, you folded your arms across your chest. “It’s quite an abstract piece.”

“Indeed.” Thrawn turned to face you more fully, causing you to step back on instinct. “To me it describes chaos, anger perhaps, a purposeful lack of care to hide the true meaning beneath.”

“You know…” You remained poised and standing straight, your shoulders back as you inclined your chin to look up at him. “It is very impressive what you can sense from someone’s art, or what they’ve named as art. However, I will remind you that art is up to the viewer’s interpretation. You cannot draw concrete conclusions from art the way you can from the sciences.”

A small smile tugged the corner of Thrawn’s mouth, it gave a self-satisfied impression. As if you’d said exactly what he’d expected. “Very astute, senator Erys. And almost entirely correct. However, even with art, there are certain patterns that become predictable as one studies the nature of sentient beings, particularly humans.”

You arched a brow. “Such as what, may I ask?”

“Emotion.” Thrawn said, leveling his glowing gaze at you. “I would suggest art is always produced by the emotion of its creator. That is why, to understand an adversary or an ally one must study all aspects of their culture, including their art.”

“Which am I, adversary or ally?” You asked, unable to help yourself, even as your hands clenched briefly.

Thrawn smiled and shook his head slightly. “I do not yet know, senator.” His smile faded as he lent down more into your space. “There are many rumors surrounding you, however I know firsthand how such gossip can be entirely inaccurate. For this reason, I am giving you one opportunity to tell me the truth.”

“The truth?” Your heart dropped like a stone; your hands became clammy as you realized how you’d walked right into his trap. The tilt of his head indicated he’d read and recognized all your reactions as the dread coiled within you.

“About yourself, and the organizations you are affiliated with.” Thrawn said softly, his every muscle holding very still, like a spider in its web. “Now, shall we start from the beginning?”

[nestastits]

Nothing makes me more upset than going into the Nesta Archeron tag and all the post being antis USING Nesta to shit on all the other characters😭

Nesta was abused by her mother and grandmother. Not Cassian. Not Feyre. Not the ic. Yet all I see are post about them and not the people who were actually abusive to my girl.

Nesta has also said some mean things. Sometimes provoked. Trauma does not give an excuse to be mean 😭😭. If that is the case for your argument of “Nesta is a saint and only did these things bc of her trauma and being pushed to do them” then Rhys should also be excused for what he’s done. Right? But no this argument only works to further your hatred for Rhys or any other character and bring up Nesta. Hypocrisy at its finest.

All of the characters have done bad things. Nesta included. We know what was going on in Nesta’s head now but that doesn’t make everything she did right. Nesta has acknowledged this. And you can block me for this all you want but what the ic did (put her in an environment AWAY from what she was using to cope with her trauma and a safe place for her to heal) was right. Did they handle it correctly? No. But it was the best decision regarding Nesta’s health and happiness. She would not have girlbossed and got better in that apartment. She would of killed herself.

And Nesta would hate anyone who said some stupid made up shit about her family, found family, and her mate. 😭

I am a pro Nesta and part of that comes with the ability to realize and acknowledge her wrongs too without bringing down another character to make her look better. Because most of these post I have seen on TikTok and on here in HER tag are about how the ic are shit and Nesta is a queen (she is) and needs to leave night court (a place she calls her home after not having one her entire life. A place she is truly happy at) and go be with Eris (a man she said she would use as her punishment and openly can’t stand to be around.🫤)

Leave my girl alone, please!!!! Stop using her to fuel your hatred for other characters.

It is especially hard for me because I am a Nesta Stan and Rhysand Stan. Those two are literally the same person different circumstances and yall are too afraid to admit it😭😭. In the wise words of Katherine Pierce “It’s okay to love them both. I did.” 👏👏

[deusvervewrites]

Eri for One AU: So uh. Eri's probably not doing so well mentally after All That, huh?

It wasn't a great time at first, no, but she does have much greater control of her Quirk so it's a bit easier to reassure herself that she can keep it together. Losing a second paternal figure the same way isn't great, but in AFO's case he'd forcibly activated her Quirk and she also has the body-jacking attempt to process.

Yeah she's going through it. But hey, undisputed queen of the underworld!

[autumn-foxfire]

Time for Movie 8!! And for one of the gayest moments in DCMK history (unsurprisingly, it's because of Shinichi and Kaito).

Sneak thief is one of my favourite nicknames Shinichi has given Kaito and I love when it's used as a term of endearment in fanfiction.

All DCMK movies should be KID movies. Or Ai movies that KID gets to appear in.

Shinichi: I'll never stop chasing KID

Me: GAY, GAY, HOMOSEXUAL, GAY.

Shinichi, don't get annoyed, you usually are great for trivial facts not many would know.

Kogoro: KID must have counted the letters wrong!

Shinichi: My husband would never do that.

And of course Kaito is watching his shrunken husband enjoy his riddle with a dove.

If Sonoko can call Ran Shinichi's wife and Shinichi her husband, I can call Kaito and Shinichi husbands :p And I will do, because these two are fated together.

I actually don't mind kids being interested in make up, it can inspire creativity, the bad thing about make up is the social expectations of it.

Damn, Kogoro, Ginzo, just kiss.

No, he's not disguised as any of them. He's disguised as somone very familiar to you, Shinichi. Because he's a little shit.

Kaito disguising as Shinichi is so risky of him though, because he's telling the world he looks like Shinichi.

SHINICHI IS NOT RAN'S BOYFRIEND. OR HUSBAND. He is Kaito's :p

Haibara not resisting the urge to tease Shinichi though, go queen.

How you know it's Kaito immediately. Shinichi would never actually compliment Ran because he treats her horribly.

And Kaito immediately makes Shinichi look like a dork.

How gross, even Ran has a feeling it's not Shinichi because the ass never actually compliments her. And this is supposed to be romantic. Throw their whole relationship into the bin, please, and start from scratch.

Kaito is such a little shit, waving to Shinichi before he leaves.

Shinichi: I've gotta go, cover for me.

Haibara, knowing they're about to go flirt on the roof together: ...have fun.

My god, how gay are these two T-T Kaito was waiting on the roof for Shinichi to arrive, he could have escaped by now but where is the fun in that.

...and they still can't resist the sexism of calling Ran his "woman" who is waiting on him with supper because that's all Ran is good for <.< I am going to strangle someone.

THE LIP LICK. Iconic.

The first time Shinichi falls and Kaito immediately goes to catch him.

Damn, what was Shinichi's plan T-T I can't believe he was going to knock Kaito out midair, the maniac.

Though it's because he matches Kaito's freak that he loves him :p

I love how Kaito lets Shinichi get close to him before he activates his wire to pull him back to the handglider. Always gotta tease his dear shrunken husband.

I love Sonoko. I love how she interacts with the kids. I don't like how her outfit looks though. The colours do not go together, love.

Shinichi senses his husband, awww <3

Honestly, it's so immature of Ran to constantly pull these tricks on her parents. I know it's because Gosho loves the "they're still in love with one another and Ran knows" but it's the second worst pairing in this series (Shinichi and Ran get first place by being so awful and so obnoxious as a pairing that we have to stomach every episode give or take) and no women deserves to be paired with Kogoro, the digusting man that he is to women.

Yay! More sexism. Gosho, girls don't give a fuck about the face they make when they pop their ears, unless they're one of those "to be a true lady" tiktok accounts.

Time for the pilot and co-pilot to be poisoned!

Oh and Juri too.

The best face Kogoro has ever made. It shall be in my nightmares <3

The face of a man whose life flashed before his eyes. Sadly a near-death experience will not let this man change his ways.

LMAO, SHINICHI USING THE WRONG VOICE.

Although Eri isn't stupid, she would know immediately that she never solved a case and would investigate the reason.

This murder was solved quite quickly considering... I guess it's due to the main drama being the plane going down.

How did Shinichi see them kiss her hand? He stayed in his seat. Oh, I guess he figured from how Kaito kissed her hand that she might have done the same to the pilots. That makes more sense.

And Kaito and Shinichi save the day.

I wonder if planes would have a back-up pilot for these very, very tiny chances of the pilot and co-pilot both falling sick.

LMAO I love how no one questions Kaito picking Shinichi to play his co-pilot. Well, Kogoro does but no one is listening.

Kaito looks very pretty here. He's always pretty though so it's not hard for him to do so.

"After this giant metle bird has returned to its nest," Shinichi, you need to join a drama club. You and Kaito could be the main attraction.

I love how the captain immediately gets worried hearing Shinichi's voice.

And Hawaii makes it's appearance.

And Shinichi's terrible luck strikes, not once, but twice.

Children: That was great.

Their parents: Oh shit.

And the tension rises. As they lose not only an engine but also all their fuel.

Kaito, most definitely: For fucks sake, Shinichi's luck is so terrible.

Interesting, even in a dire situation Shinichi called Ran, nee-chan and not Ran like he usually does. It's because his husband is around (ignore my delusions).

SONOKO T-T I love Sonoko.

Megure, Takagi and Shiratori just around to be the three stooges.

Kaito, knowing what to do, and leaving his husband alone to land the plane (so he can help him safely land it by providing him a lit up landing strip).

That grin when he lets go XD

Sonoko and Ran being the bravest girls on this whole plane, I love them so much.

TELL HIM OFF RAN.

Ran, if you don't want to be left alone, chase him. My god, Gosho will have Shinichi say that he will always chase KID and yet Ran will never chase Shinichi despite "liking him", she will only wait, and Shinichi will never let her chase him and will forever make her wait despite never knowing he will actually come back.

SONOKO! MY GOD SHE'S SUCH A QUEEN.

AGASA PROTECTING THE KIDS T-T HIS GRANDCHILDREN.

Ran and Sonoko (and Shinichi and KID) should go down in history for this. Sully did, they should too.

Imagine it, Sonoko and Ran introduce themselves and people are like "HOLY SHIT, YOU'RE THE GIRLS WHO LANDED A PLANE!"

...How does Kaito treat Ran better than Shinichi does, even though he was being a pervert.

How interesting, Ran immediately feels relief Shinichi didn't hear her say she likes him (or so she believes). Totally normal behaviour from someone who insists she does like that person.

[laurarolla]

So Destiny 2, yeah? There's an element I've seen running through this season that, when combined with a common theory of how we will cross through the portal into the Pale Heart, gives me an idea about a possible old detail that could be important next season.

This year, each season sees the Guardians and their allies using dangerous powers to overcome a substantial challenge, pushing themselves to their limits in the process but pulling back from the edge just in time. Mara Sov empowers us with access to the ascendant plane that puts substantial strain on her, Sloane uses her partial taking to facilitate communication with Ahsa at the risk of being driven mad by Xivu Arath, Eris Morn becomes the Hive God of Vengeance while refusing to give in to the temptation of dominating the whole of the Hive in perpetuity, and next season, the big prediction is that we will use the incredibly dangerous Wish magic to open the portal to the Pale Heart.

I'm left to wonder if the dead ahamkara have the power to actually help us in this case, as while their magic continues after death, it seems far less powerful. But what if there were a living ahamkara to help us, or rather, a soon-to-be living one?

Credit to @thefirstknife for snapping a picture of this:

In the middle of this room, only in the game during Season of the Lost about two years ago, is the last egg of Riven, the last ahamkara. Fynch's little conspiracy theory from The Witch Queen campaign was right: there is one left. And while this little detail is years old by now... this is Bungie we're talking about. They wouldn't put this here without some idea for it, and they hopefully wouldn't forget it when the perfect opportunity to use it rolls around.

After all, what could be a more fitting way to push dangerous power to the limit than to entrust our future to a godlike child?

[shadowqueenjude]

Hiiii!! First your posts give me life!!! I’m always waiting for the next one because I know you’re going to spit gems and speak facts 💁‍♀️.

I have a question/thought about the mates situation. People keep saying SJM will be exploring the rejected mating bond concept, specifically in Elain’s book….When did she say that? WHERE? From what I’ve seen and read, she did say it was an interesting concept (fate, mating bond vs agency and all that good stuff) but she also said she didn’t know if she would be exploring it in the future, let alone in Elain’s book or the ACOTAR series. So HOW in the world do people take that as a confirmation that she will absolutely do it in Elain’s book? Even the whole “what if the cauldron is wrong” argument. Well maybe she’ll use Elain’s book to demonstrate that in fact the cauldron is never wrong because it actually doesn’t decide anything. This frustrates me to no end.

Anyway, keep slaying Queen 💅!

My dear Anon, we shall have an Autumn wedding.

This is what SJM said:

“That’s something I find to be very interesting,” she replies. “What if the forces that be put you with the wrong person? Or what if you just decide, eh, I’m not interested. … There’s a lot to explore within the concept of mates and your agency about it. 

“I’m not going to say if I am exploring it in future books or not,” she continues, “but it definitely offers a wealth of things to explore with this concept of freewill and what is true love. Is it something that’s destined? Or is it something that you make? Is it both?”

She did NOT confirm that she would be exploring it at ANY point!!!! I do NOT know why people are acting like it is a guarantee.

What if the Cauldron was wrong? COULD be foreshadowing yes, but the answer is rarely that obvious LMAO. Amren told Nesta that there were other ways to fight beside a sword, but Nesta became a warrior. Most likely it's talking about Elain. So is it really so hard to believe that this is NOT talking about Elain at all, but someone else entirely?

The three most likely options for a rejected mating trope are as follows:

LoA-Helion: we get to explore the pain and angst of knowing a mate has married and had children with another, and dealing with the rejected trope for centuries, but will eventually get together in the end. SJM is not about to give Lucien's parents a tragic ending lmfao. And in her world, rejected mates=tragedy.

Mor-Eris: if we go in the direction that mating bonds can only occur between males and females and Mor and Eris are both gay, so they can never have feelings for each other. In which case we explore the difficulties associated with a bond that neither person wants yet the instincts are still there.

Tamlin-Amarantha: did anyone wonder WHY tf Amarantha was so obsessed with Tamlin? Like, I know he's hot and all, but goddamnit girl what the fuck? Now, if they were mates and Tamlin rejected her, it would make sense. It would also add more nuance to Tamlin AND Amarantha's characters, and we'd get to explore Tamlin's trauma post-UTM after being forced to reject and kill his mate and how that drove him a little mad.

But, the rejected bond is NOT a guarantee, so there may NOT be any rejected bonds. These are all just theories at this point. One thing I am CERTAIN of is that the rejected bond will CERTAINLY NOT be Elain and Lucien. Especially not when SJM dangled Gwyn in front of us. Now THAT one is fucking obvious lol.

[acourtofinkandpapyrus]

A Flower With Petals of Flame: Part seven (Eris x Reader)

Warnings: Mentions of death

Part six Part eight

Tag list: open

After reuniting with Y/N reunites with her family, things are... awkward.

I sit in a room in the dawn court, looking at my family along with the new additions, all of us sitting in silence.

More had already half strangled me with hugs, but now things were getting awkward, as none of us knew what to say.

“So, two out of three of you have found your mates, very lucky.”  I say, sipping the alcohol that had been passed around.

Rhys nodded, smiling a bit, but Cassian smirked, putting his arm around Nesta.  “Yeah, I’d say we’re lucky males indeed.”

Nesta rolled her eyes, her lips quirking upwards.  “Do you have anyone special Y/N?”  She asked, her voice that of a warrior queen.

I froze, paralyzed.

“I’ve been dead.”  I say simply in response, looking away quickly.

I can still feel her eyes on my, but I refuse to look at her, in case she wants to push the subject.

“I actually know a decent amount of what I missed out on, Tamlin and Lucain caught me up on some of it, though I’m still not clear on some parts, like how you three were turned into fae.”  I say, hoping to move the spotlight off of me.

Again the room falls silent, and I realize I’ve touched on a sensitive subject.

“It's alright, I don’t need to know.”  I say, shooting the three sisters smiles, Feyre and Elain smiling back at me, while Nesta eyes me with suspicion.

“No, it’s fine.  I was… Killed.  The High Lords all joined together to bring me back since I broke Amarantha’s curse.”  Feyre said, and I nodded, giving her a comforting look.

“I’m so sorry you had to go through that.”  I say, knowing she’d probably already heard it a million times.

I knew what it was like to die and be thrown into a different world where you didn’t recognise yourself.

She nodded, and we all went back to being silent.

“I’m going to go look around a bit.”  I announce, standing abruptly.

“I’ll come with you.”  Azriel stands, and I suspect my brother had some influence on his decision.

“No thank you.”  I say with a smile, turning and walking out the door before he could respond.

All I really wanted to do right now was find Eris and talk to him.  I wanted to be able to talk about how awful this all was and just hang out with him like we used to.

Except I now had shadows following me.

They were very good at hiding, and an untrained eye wouldn’t notice them.  Too bad I am a trained eye, and have severe paranoia.

After maybe an hour of searching, I found a brightly lit room large enough that his shadows wouldn’t be able to tell what was happening.

So I sit down, smiling to myself.

A little while later I hear footsteps, and I smile to myself, surprised I can still recognise Eris’s solid, clipped gate.

As he opens the door, I grin at him, and he looks relieved as he rushes to me, letting the door close behind him.  “Are you alright?  They didn’t hurt you did they?”  He asks, his voice strained with worry

I shake my head, standing and going over to him, throwing my arms around him.  “Remind me why I wanted to find him again?”

He chuckled, hugging me back.  “Because he’s your brother and is the only one with any goddamned idea of what's happening.

I snorted, pulling back slightly.

“Thank you for standing up for me back in there.”  I knew what going against his fathers orders meant, what he did to his sons.

He smiled.  “Haven’t I already told you I would do anything for you, pet?”  He said a little too seriously.

I blush, looking away.  “Ah, you said you couldn’t say no to me, those are two very different things.”

He smirked, shrugging as he leaned against the wall.  “Then let me say it now. I would do anything for you.”

I nod, trying to smother the strange feeling in my chest.  “And I you Eris.”

Taking a small step back, the feeling in my chest lessened slightly as I regained my composure.  “So, do we have any idea who the other two who returned are?”

He shook his head, turning a bit more solemn as the subject changed.  “There’s been no word of them.  If it happened the same way your return did, then they should have shown up where they died.”

The worried twist of his lips unsettle me, and so instinctively I raise my hand, touching his lips with a featherlight touch.

He only moves slightly, to look at me with wide eyes.

I trace my fingers over the side of his mouth, and over his cheekbone, pushing a loose strand of his red hair out of the way.

“Everything is going to be alright.”  I half whisper, knowing he needed to hear it as much as I did.

He chuckled softly.  “You know, if anyone else said that to me, I wouldn’t believe them.”

I smiled, taking my hand back, “Well, I’m glad I’m not just anyone then.”

He stepped back, and I hated the coldness that enveloped me at the loss.  “I’ve got to go now, but if you need me, you know where to go.”

Of course I did, the tree between the autumn and spring court, where we used to meet before I had died.

I nodded, and he turned, leaving almost as quickly as he arrived.

I sighed when he was gone, letting my shoulders slump a bit.

It had been a long time since I didn’t know what to do, how to proceed.  All I knew was that I was going to have to question Elain about her visions.

About what exactly she had seen.

[readychilledwine]

Bound by Fate pt 6 version 2

Summary - When Kaylee Archeron meets Azriel, her world turns upside down. Between balancing her trauma, new powers, a mating bond, and war looming over her new home, Kaylee learns everything is not as little as it once seemed.

Warnings - miscommunication trope, sexual tension, Eris being the queen of pettytown, smut (MDNI), oral (f recving), fingering,

A/N - a little spicy fill-in chapter to bring our little Kaylee back home to Az featuring the queen of pettytown Eris. If you would like to read the shorter smutless version, click here 💙

Series Masterlist

Lucien and Kaylee sat around the fire. She had hardly spoken since they left the House of Wind a week ago. She had been focusing all her energy and effort on tracking the Mortal queen, and she had been so close today. They had almost linked until the sun fell, then Kaylee felt nothing coming from the Queen's end.

She did feel Azriel all day today, though. Love was constantly showering Kaylee's bones. She had been trying to ignore it, but as a shadow curled into her hand, dancing between her fingers, then ran up her arm, she broke. 

Lucien turned to her instantly, pulling her close as she cried. “It's okay,” he rocked her, running a hand up and down her back. “Just breathe, Kaylee.”

She couldn't, though. Panic began to flood her. Lucien rocked her, whispering comfort to her as he reached into her bag. He pulled out a small stuffed bat, one that He could scent Azriel on, and placed it in her arms. “Just breathe,” he repeated. “Breathe.” 

At that soft command, Kaylee felt her mind pause, shifting to focus on Lucien's command instead of her panic. She took a deep breath, eyes locked on his as he silently coached her through her panic. “That's my girl,” Lucien wiped a few spare tears from your face. “Keep going, Kaylee.”

Kaylee clung to Lucien that night, holding him close as she slept as if he was her lifeline. Lucien couldn't bring himself to understand Azriel. No matter how hard he thought about it, he could not understand. Had Kaylee been his mate, had those tables been flipped, he wouldn't have picked someone else over her. Just like he wouldn't pick someone else over Elain. 

He didn't stay up long enough to further question it, though. They had to get on the road early. Kaylee thought the queen was close, and Lucien needed to focus on this. He needed to prove Elain right.

Kaylee groaned as bright light hit her face and rolled into the warm chest. She felt a pull in her powers causing her to shoot up and hit a sleeping Lucien. “Lu, she's here.” 

The male groaned, arm going around Kaylee's waist. “Who?” His voice was laced heavily with sleep, eyes not even opening. 

“The firebird?” 

Lucien shot up next to Kaylee, eyes locked on the cursed mortal queen. “Can you feel her?”

Her only response was a nod. “Her name is Vassa. She wants to know what we want.”

Lucien looked between the two. “I trust you,” he looked at Kaylee. The simple statement struck, her eyes lighting up as she smiled. “Tell her everything.”

Night fall came quickly. The three of them spent the day talking and moving back towards the wall, with Lucien stopping every so often to grab some form of flora he had Kaylee staying away from. 

When she transformed back, silence fell between the three. There, naked as the day she was born, a mortal queen stood with her red hair moving gently in the breeze. Kaylee went into her bag, grabbing the clothing they had packed just in case Elain's vision had been correct and handed it to her. 

“Thank you,” she nodded to Kaylee, moving to go change into the soft tunic and leggings before rejoining them at the fire. “It is nice to speak to peo-” she shut her eyes and sighed. “It's nice to speak with… friends again.” 

Lucien spoke first, poking the fire slightly. “I can not imagine how lonely you are, my lady.” 

Vassa hummed. “You get used to loneliness. She is the first contact I have had in a long while. Most Humans and fae sleep when I'm human again."

“Do not get used to her being around,” Kaylee's head snapped to Lucien. “Her high lord has demanded her back for the meeting he is having. I will be transporting her to Autumn, and my brother will be taking her to the Night Court from there.”

“Lu-”

“He ordered it, hun. I'm sorry.” Lucien handed Vassa a plate of food. “It will be you and I, if you agree to take my company.” 

Kaylee stood, walking away from the fire and wrapping her arms around herself. She stopped at a lake, watching as a few fish swam by and took a seat. She thought she had more time to process. To get away. She felt a tug at the bond and gently answered, letting him know she was alive but still hurting. A wave of regret and of self hatred came down causing Kaylee to flinch. 

She was angry.

But Gods did she love him. She stroked the bond back, sending him her love and mixed emotions, and prayed he got the message. "Just give me time," she whispered.

Lucien and Vassa left Kaylee the next morning in a cabin. Kaylee shivered in dark, curling into herself as she waited for this brother to arrive.

To her annoyance, he was late. She took the blanket sitting behind her and wrapped it around herself with a sigh. 

“Such a sorrowful noise for one who is supposedly such a happy female,” the tone was mocking and bored. “You three were early.”

“Or you're late,” she shot back, wrapping further into herself. 

“No, little Kaylee,” the cabin came alive, flames starting in the fireplace, lanterns glowing brightly, and music playing. “You three were early.” She felt the male place a hand on the part of the blanket she had turned into a hood and pulled it down. “A tiny more attractive version of your sister, I see.” 

And this male? 

A stunning pale skinned red head. Freckles lining his nose like a constellation of stars. Burning bright eyes sparkling with danger that had Kaylee curling her toes. “You must be hungry,” he said. “I brought food. Come. Eat.”

“Papa told me to never take food from strange men.” 

He leaned down to her, face inches away. “Then it's a good thing I am a male, isn't it?” Kaylee made a face as he sniffed her and smirked. “Eat. Don't eat. Makes no difference to me, little one.” 

Kaylee stood following him after he walked away. “I don't even know your name.”

“Eris,” the male said, pulling her chair out. “Heir and general of the Autumn Court. The more important question is this,” the male pulled out a chair, turning it so he could straddle it and leaned in close to Kaylee. “Who are you?”

“Just Kaylee.” 

He scoffed slightly. “The shadowsinger is offering me a pretty deal to ensure you are returned in one piece,” his hand trailed her chin forcing her to look at him. “Just Kaylee. I can see why too. Such a beautiful thing left to the safety of little Lucien? I wouldn't have allowed you to even leave my bed.” 

Kaylee immediately noted how close they were. “I do not believe I will ever be in your bed, Eris.”

The heir smiled, face still near hers. “We shall see about that. I have until nightfall to change your mind.” He pulled away, fingers lingering in her hair as he did. “Eat, just Kaylee.”

Eris finally had Kaylee relaxed enough that the cabin didn’t carry a heavy scent of fear mixed with slight arousal. Bringing her four of his hounds had caused her guard to go down, and now the female sat pretty in his lap, sleeping soundly. His intention in trying to bed her was far from pure, but this would work. She would return to Azriel bathed in his scent from the close contact, and maybe then the male would realize how Lucien felt. 

His hands had run through her hair countless times, ensuring each strand held his scent. The blankets she was using were his, marking her body in his scent. The dress he was going to change her into hung in his closet. 

Was it as effective as fucking her senseless? No. Would it be enough to piss off the clearly tense shadowsinger? Eris smirked to himself, most definitely.

He kissed her shoulder gently, “Kaylee, we need to get you changed and ready to go to the Night Court.” She cuddled in tighter, squeezing her eyes shut and enjoying his warmth. “You've already overslept, little one, you won't have time to bathe.”

She shook her head, “Do not care.”

Eris stood, lifting Kaylee with him and carrying her to his room. “Well, I need to get ready, at least,” he laid her in his bed, covering her with the blanket, and went to the bathroom.  Kaylee sat up a few moments later and felt Her eyes go wide before looking down. Eris stood near the bathroom doorway shirtless, broad muscles on display as she finished changing into finely tailored trousers. 

“Stupid fae males and their attractiveness,” Kaylee grumbled softly and laid back into the bed. She had turned her back to the doorway, squeezing her eyes shut, and cuddled into the blanket that smelled like warm cinnamon and fire. 

 She felt the bed dip behind her and herself get pulled into a warm body. “Is my shirtlessness bothering you, just Kaylee?”

Kaylee refused to let him tease her anymore and rolled over so they were chest to chest, her face near his. “I am perfectly fine. Thank you for asking.”

He chuckled softly. “You do not lie well,” Eris ran the back of a finger down Kaylee's face, smirking as her eyes fluttered shut. “You are such a beautiful little thing.”

Her arousal flooded his nose. Her eyes went wide as he rolled them, so he was on top of her. "Say the word, and I'll stop." Her hand began to roam his chest, feeling every muscle laying bare to her as she admired him.

Eris took the sign, pulling Kaylee to him and kissing her tentatively. She met his efforts eagerly, hands continuing to explore his chest, arms, and back.

Eris pulled her up, putting her into his lap and pulling apart long enough to get her tunic off. "Needs to come off anyways," he moved to kiss her neck, hands threading into her blonde hair. "Gonna be late. If we're doing this it has to be fast."

Kaylee nodded. Pulling him back down to her in desperation to feel something, anything, other than the hurt and anger that was sitting deep in her chest.

She knew it was wrong as he laid her back down, pulling her legging and underwear down before removing his own clothing.

She knew she would regret every kiss down her body later.

But as a strong forearm came over her hips and a testing lick came, all those thoughts went away. For being so concerned over them being late, Eris took his time eating her out as if she was an expensive dinner instead of his last.

Every lick had Kaylee losing herself more and more, moaning and gripping his hair like a lifeline. Eris began to suck her clit, pressing down on it gently occasionally with his tongue. He hummed as she wiggled beneath him. "Please," she whispered breathlessly, "Eris, please."

His hand roamed up her thigh, knowing exactly what she was begging for. A finger trailed her core, gathering wetness before pushing in.

Kaylee's grip on Eris's hair tightened as she moaned and tried to arch her back. His fingers found what they were looking for immediately, as if this was a practice tried and true ritual for him, and with the skill he was showing her with his mouth and fingers, she quickly figured it was.

Eris continued sucking and licking, his fingers working in time with each gentle movement of his tongue on her bundle if nerves. Kaylee was quickly falling apart. Her stomach began to feel tight, her moans getting louder and louder.

Eris smiled as she tightened around his fingers and pulled away. "Cum for me, Kaylee. Be a good girl and cum for me." His deep voice was her undoing. Kaylee came screaming his name, stars in her vision as he continued his assault and worked her through her high. Once she came down, Eris removed himself from her, putting her fingers to her mouth and watching her clean them from hooded lust filled eyes.

"If we had more time, sweet Kaylee, I'd ruin you." Eris kissed her deeply, pushing his tongue into her mouth and allowing her to further taste herself. He stood again and motioned towards the burgundy dress hanging up. “You need to get ready. We've wasted a lot of time playing this back and forth game, dearest. We are pushing being late."

Kaylee took a few moments to recover before she went towards the dress. It was a soft silky fabric threaded with hints of gold and gems. It was fit for a queen, not some common female he had offered to bring home. “This is expensive. You didn't purchase this for me, did you?”

Eris shook his head. “It has been sitting unused in the Forest House for a while. I refuse to show up to a party with you looking less than divine. Therefore, I picked that dress. You look close in size to the female it was made for."

Hewn City terrified Kaylee. She could not help but to cling close to Eris despite Cassian having trained her in fairly basic Self defense. “A few more halls, Kaylee,” Eris held no arrogance in his voice. It had almost begun to border on comfort. 

These halls were too close to Hybern's cells. Dark smelling of moisture and earth. 

Kaylee felt a soft familiar purr and felt her shoulders fall slightly. 

Rhys was close, and he had his beast looking for signs of Kaylee. She also felt the bond tug as it began to come alive. 

Eris paused before entering a room. “Well, little one, this will be our last few moments alone.”

“Thank you for taking care of me,” Eris nodded. 

“It was self serving, but you are welcome.” She watched as a mask went up, an almost sad dead look coming over the heir’s eyes. He pushed the door open, walking in with her on his arm and a smirk.

Kaylee watched as Rhysand's face dropped, anger flaring in his eyes. She heard the growl from Azriel and Cassian. Eris turned to her, murmuring quietly in her ear, “And the game begins. Thank you for providing me with entertainment, just Kaylee."

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