#robed man at da con where will he go

[starakex]

Re...u...nion...

[punemy-spotted]

The Price You Pay

Pairing: Mob!Steve Rogers x Reader

Warnings: Non-con/Dub-con, mentions of murder, unclear timeline, blackmail, unprotected sex, fingering (F!receiving), smut, esoteric references to past abuse, manipulation, Dark!Fic

Words: 5.2k (holy fuck?)

Summary: You need his help. He names his price.

Notes: This is for @stargazingfangirl18 and her incredible 5K Soft!Dark Challenge and I can't believe I wrote over 5k words for a oneshot, making this the longest piece I've ever written. I took a blend of prompts: Mob!AU; “When I woke up this morning, I certainly didn’t think my day would end like this;” and “That’s a big favor you’re asking for, I think you need to make it worth my while.”

And this was intended to be a oneshot but now I can't stop thinking about it so thanks Siri, I think this is now a part of my WIPs too! Your work is amazing and I had a blast being able to take part in this!

As usual, my work is 18+ ONLY, Minors DO NOT INTERACT

You went to him first.

You went to him, handed them your business card and I want to speak to Steve Rogers.

Honestly they almost threw you out with an extra hole in your head but then the man of the hour walked right in.

So now you’re here. Now you’re here, sitting across a gorgeous dining table with a ten-course meal laid out and honestly you’re surprised they didn’t tie your wrists to the arms of the chair while you watch him eat and take in the look of those baby blue eyes scanning you over.

He even brought you non-alcoholic rosé, when you said you didn’t drink.

So.

So.

You wanted to talk to me?

Yeah, I do. Thought you’d just sit me in your office, have a consultation.

I like breaking bread with new friends. Have a nice dinner, get the wine flowing — of course, that’s not gonna loosen your tongue, but we’ll forgive it.

Oh. Cool, I like being forgiven.

He laughs at that one and the room, strumming with tension, snaps into amusement. So do you, cracking a half smile on dark red lips, before swallowing down the lump of anxiety threatening to break through and destroy everything. You need this. You need this and you can’t let anything — not your nervousness, not your morals, not him — stop you. You need this and it needs to be done and if this is what justice is in this fucking city then so be it.

Well, sweetness, you’ve got my attention. You want to talk business or pleasure?

That one makes you laugh, a little sharp and a little cruel, and the curling smirk on his face gets a little furrowed because he hears it too — pain.

It could be both, you say finally, picking up the glass of rosé-that-wasn’t, if your reputation is as real as they say it is.

He lifts a bite of cheesecake into his mouth and lets it melt on his tongue while he watches you, somewhere between impressed and incensed. You know the look — you saw it the last time he met you in court, but you weren’t there as allies then. Never thought you’d come to me, he admits finally, sounding halfway bemused at the idea, but you’re full of surprises, aren’t you, Counsel?

You wince, or maybe smirk, eyes on the man before you.

It’s a game, a dance, a ruse, and the woman you thought you were thirteen months ago when you put four of Steve Rogers’s best men in jail for fifteen years — fifteen years longer than any District Attorney had ever managed to do before you, and you were just the rookie they handed a shit case to — is leagues different from the woman you are now, seated prim and proper in the lion’s den.

You’re not innocent. That’s not been your game for years — this life doesn’t leave room for innocence, it tears at you, leaves you tired and broken and ill.

Your colleagues learned to fear him a long time ago, the man before you. Captain America, leading the city, the country, the world into a new era of high tech crime all under his thumb. It’s a pretty shiny shield, the one that sits behind him, but mirrors are black on the other side and his soul is dark as coal.

You’re not an angel yourself, and this deal with the Devil isn’t for anyone but you.

I need someone taken care of.

So you come to me? I thought you were a lady of morals, Counsel.

Certain kinds of morals.

You can see him smile, see the way he raises his glass, the glimmer of malice and amusement in his eyes. So tell me. What’s the name?

You give it.

He’s not in the city, your target, but he will be. A Judge, an activist, real tough-on-crime-sweet-on-justice type of shit. You don’t tell him the reasons why, because those are yours, but you tell him the name. You tell him he’s a problem, you tell him he’s dangerous, you tell him you’ll pay to have him taken care of, you tell him you don’t want to practice in front of that black, black robe.

And he smiles like the Devil he is, watches you with a grin and drinks his whiskey in one last shot before slamming it down, Real woman of the law, aren’t you?

You said that when we met the first time.

He’s a hunter, you can see it in his eyes. That lion’s mane might be tamed right now but it won’t be for long and you’re playing with wild animals. The eyes on you are ice and daggers, daring you to do the one thing everyone in the office has been begging you not to do.

(Drop the charges, Rookie, the case is just to get your face in front of the judge.)

You upped the charges.

(Rookie, you don’t know what you’re dealing with, there’s other cases.)

You subpoenaed his phone records.

(Rookie, don’t make me drag you off this case!)

You won.

You had no witnesses and a jury you had to drag in from god-knows-where after you proved, over and over again, that he’d paid off the cohort in the courtroom. Finding people with nothing to lose and a desire to do their civic duty wasn’t harder than you thought — it was exactly as impossible as you expected.

But you did it.

That’s what you do, isn’t it? Push and push and fight, claw your fingers at the ledge and pull yourself up, you pay for your crimes in your blood, sweat and tears you pay for the things you could have done then and didn’tdo.

You pay.

And sometimes, that payment bounces back.

And when it was all said and done, when the closing statements were delivered, when the Jury came back out and the Judge — hands shaking, mouth agape, eyes wide — read out the verdict no one expected, you… didn’t feel any better, did you? There was no justice for you in that room, just the searing glare of ice-blue eyes and the burning of your steel spine.

Real woman of the law, aren’t you?

First words he said to you, while the courtroom emptied out and you stood there, facing the man you’d just made an enemy of with your briefcase in your hand and your eyes aflame.

I did my job.

Did you? Is that what you think your job is?

My job is justice, unflinching and blind, Mr. Rogers. I don’t care how much power you have or how afraid you leave this city, I’m going to do my job.

You could always let justice turn a blind eye.

Yeah. I could, but that wouldn’t make this any fun, would it? Thank you for the win, Mr. Rogers — I’m sure I won’t get many more.

You leave him with a smile on his face and the scent of your perfume in his memories.

He leaves you with the pride of victory in your bones and a reminder that your strife could be worth it.

One day.

How do you plan to fill that pit, the one you tossed the corpses of your old self into? The one you let them claw up out of, to haunt you? Remind you?

You’re digging your own grave and you know it, but you won’t let Steven Grant Rogers be the first one to toss a handful of dirt over your corpse.

But now here you are.

In his dining room, enjoying dessert and some sort of after-meal coffee. In need of him…

This might almost have been a date, if not for the topic of conversation.

So. You want a Judge taken out. What if he’s already on my payroll?

Why would you keep a dead man in your pocket?

You like the sound of his laugh, and you don’t even have the excuse of wine to fall back on when it warms your core. Don’t admit it though, don’t say it aloud, don’t let him get an in. Be smart, cross your legs tighter, keep your eyes on the prize.

You’re so close to the finish line.

That’s a big favor you’re asking for, Counsel, I think you need to make it worth my while.

Worth your while?

I’m not a charity. And since you put the guy I usually use to handle these things behind bars for a few years—

You know I can get him out too.

That’s not payment, that’s putting things right.

You take a drink. Steady on, girl.

I’m leaving the DA’s office.

That stops him.

Oh that stops him good, and he looks fascinated. Interested. You’ve said something he can use as leverage and it’s not just about a job. That smirk on his face is smug and his eyes are darker and he has to know the impact that look has.

Can’t falter, don’t falter, don’t give in.

Am I allowed to ask why?

No.

You’ve done your research. You just don’t know why you’re thinking about it now. Steven Grant Rogers, “Captain America,” leader of a crime family that had too many names to stamp out, bolstered by a mad scientist, a military man through-and-through who turned New York into his own private base against whatever stood against his way.

Get in his good graces and you’re set for life. Get in his good graces and you’re safe, you’re protected, you’re good.

Get on his bad side and you only make that mistake once.

There are no second chances in this game, and here you are, asking for one.

So what? You leave the DA’s office, you leave yourself open to me — you think leaving New York is going to be the thing that stops me, Counsel?

No.

Then what?

Breathe. Steady.

I know you gave me that win on purpose — you could have taken out my last jury cohort. This isn’t about the four men… and you know I’ll get them out. This is something else, but I’m not here to ask about what or why.

He falters just briefly, like he’s surprised you knew, but the crack in his mask smooths itself over as soon as it forms and he’s back to watching you, nodding along in silence while you breathe and watch him and keep talking.

But even then. I got four of your guys in prison. And I know how your organization works — I subpoenaed the documents, remember? Your lawyers are good, but they’re not used to people asking the right questions. You want someone to seal up the cracks you need someone who actually knows what to look for.

You have more than his attention, you have his interest, and now he’s leaning in a little. Imperceptibly, but enough. Scanning over you from across the table, like he’s thinking how you managed to get so impertinent in the face of the likes of him but that’s the thing — when the only thing you have left to lose is your life, you’ll risk everything.

So what are you offering?

Breathe. Don’t. Stammer.

Myself.

The chair scrapes and suddenly there’s the clicking of guns, aimed and ready until his hand rises up and he stops them and he’s stalking towards you.

This is the lion’s den, sweetness.

The stakes are higher and you ought to be braver and he’s got your chin in his hand before you have a chance to react, dragging you to your feet. Do you know what you’re offering me, Counsel? Low and hissed and hungry, like those perfect teeth might be sinking into your throat in the next moment.

Oh, you have no idea.

You get me. On your payroll — you know. The offer you sent me a year ago.

You think it’s still open?

If it wasn’t, you wouldn’t have met with me.

The chuckle in your face makes your cheeks warm and you’re looking more flushed than you would like, the open shoulders of your dress suddenly feeling a lot more like a mistake the more you realize just what kind of meal he might make out of you tonight.

We might need to have a discussion about your workplace duties, Counsel.

You don’t notice the hand near your thigh until it’s too late, sliding up the soft fabric of your skirt until it’s squeezing your ass, until it’s jerking you towards him, until you’re pressed against his chest and the hand on your chin is now hooked around the back of your neck, thumb pushing your jaw until you’re forced to look at him. Won’t lie, when I woke up this morning, I certainly didn’t think my day would end like this, having your pretty little body in my arms,and you can look as indignant as you want but he’s got the upper hand and you only thought you were two steps ahead of him.

You think I haven’t thought about what it’d be like to put you in your place, Counsel? You’ve got a smart mouth — I wanna know what else it can do.

He doesn’t give you a chance to use that mouth to lash at him, lips sliding over yours, swallowing that indignant yelp with a punishing kiss. Nipping at the plushness of your lower lip until you open your mouth and yield to him with a sigh of reluctant surrender, let his tongue slide past that barrier for him to explore. He’s got his fingers wound through your hair, just a little too tight and whether the whimper in your chest is because of the pain or because of the want, he doesn’t care.

Knew you’d be sweet, Counsel… softly, when he pulls back to look at you, take a look at those love-swollen lips and your ruined lipstick, the pretty way you pant at him already, the heat burning your cheeks. Pay no attention to the slick warmth between your thighs, pay no attention to the way he makes you burn already, pay no attention to how your fingers have curled into the lapel of his coat to hold yourself steady, pay no attention to how you suddenly miss the pressure of his lips.

All that smart-talk and now you’re quiet, Counsel? F’I knew it just took a kiss to get you to shut up, I would’ve done that at trial, he’s purring in your ear, soft and sweet and you should push at his chest, so uncurl your fingers girl and push.

I didn’t say I was selling my body, there’s your harshness, and there he is, laughing at you again, the grip on your hair jerking your head back until you’re looking into those dagger-cold eyes again.

You don’t make the rules here, Counsel, I do, and you need me more than I need you. So if you want to make sure your Judge can’t start wreaking havoc on your career… you might want to get used to readjusting it for me. I promise I’ll make you feel nice, if you let me…

And if I don’t?

Then I take what I want and I don’t feel bad for not holding up my end of the bargain. Your choice, Counsel, you cum willingly and I’ll give you everything you want. Don’t, and it’ll hurt you more than it hurts me.

That’s not a threat, that’s a promise, and suddenly you’re more scared than you ever thought you’d be, wondering if you’ll need to sell another part of your soul to take him down after. How much of yourself will you put up as collateral to get justice for the wrongs you were never able to correct?

You’re afraid.

Oh sweetness, you’re afraid.

Here? Now?

No, Counsel, we’re gonna do this right, aren’t we? You wanna be in bed with me, I’ll take you to bed with me. Come on, say it. Say the word.

Say no. Say no, rail and fight, stamp your heels into the expensive leather of his shoes, jam your knee into the sensitive between his legs, scream and yell and tell him you will never let another man take advantage of you again to help you reach your goals. Do it. Do the thing you swore you would do the next time a man like him — men who think they can take anything from anyone, men who think they own the world and the women in it, men who think you aren’t strong enough to fight back — propositioned you just like this.

You’re selling your soul to get rid of a man just like this.

But that’s coiling heat in your core that wasn’t there the last time, was it? That’s want. That’s the realization that you like the way this predatory smile feels, that you like the way this one wants you. You’re not her, not scared and alone and helpless. You could fight back and run and maybe escape if you were lucky.

You could choose.

He’s let go of your hair to stroke your cheek with the backs of his fingers, soft and sweet, You gonna give me an answer, Counsel, or am I gonna have to take it?

Say something. Say no. Scream. Say no say no say no say— Yes.

It’s a whisper. A desperate, soft whisper. A helpless, lonely whisper. It’s enough.

He sweeps you around until you’re pressed with your back against his unyielding chest, feeling him flex with every movement, broad arm wrapped around your shoulders from the front. All of you are dismissed, and that’s when you remember there were others in the room with you. Others who just watched you concede to becoming Captain America’s newest plaything and the burn on your cheeks is more shame than lust. You pull at his arm briefly, futilely, earning a tighter hold for your efforts and a whispered don’t make me choke you, before you are half-walked, half-dragged out of the dining room.

The walk to his room is slow and agonizing as you’re pulled along, barely struggling but barely helping at the same time, tears sliding down your cheeks as you come to terms with what’s going to happen next — no one is going to save you tonight, no one’s going to interrupt and drag you out, this is your job and this is your place and here you are.

No one speaks. There’s no sound but the steady tap of your heels and his shoes on fine marble. Even your sobs are silent, even your breathing is muffled, until the stairs are traversed and the faintest click of a lock turning opens the door to the rest of your life.

You made a deal.

Time to pay.

Sit on the bed.

You move as if in a trance, and he watches your face, the hint of waterproof mascara failing to do its job, the smudged ruby red of your lipstick. Don’t give me that look, you knew what you were signing up for when you walked into this house, Counsel.

His hands are gentler than you’d expect, when he wipes away the streaks your tears leave down your pretty cheeks, coaxing you to look up at him, We’ll set ground rules later. Tonight? I wanna see if I can get that mouth of yours to beg for me.

It won’t, you snap without thinking, knifeblade sharp and cruel, ready for a fight again. He promised you that once, in a hiss you thought you’d misheard but no, you heard him just fine and now if he thinks he can quench your fire and have you pleading just because you sold your body for the prospect of revenge then he’s wrong.

Thing is, he laughs like that’s a challenge, and the hand holding your chin so gently is wrapped around your throat before you know it, silencing your voice with just the right application of pressure. I can do this all night, Counsel. Do you think you can last that long?

Fear. Anger. Indignation. You are fury made flesh and he is manipulating you with just the barest press of his palm and sliding over you, until you’re laid out there on soft sheets and he’s looming over you, splaying that big hand out and sliding it down your throat, over your chest, feeling the ruching of the fabric under his palm. You wrapped yourself up like a present for me, didn’t you sweetness?

The change in nickname isn’t lost on you but here you are, glaring up at him while he smiles so beatifically it leaves your blood boiling and your skin steadily warming. The rise and fall of your chest is hypnotic, every angry breath a swear you don’t utter, every inhale your protests dying in your throat. What can you say, what would you say, right now? There’s nothing that can change the way he looks at you, or the way his eyes flicker from ice to blue fire the more he takes stock of the pretty little thing he’s about to start sharing his bed with.

Fuck, you’re beautiful, that one shocks you, but not as much as the sudden rush of cold air when he tears the emerald green fabric of your dress down and reveals the soft swells of your breasts, nipples peaked from the sudden cold.

You don’t get much time to gasp, just something soft and strangled before he turns your voice to whimpers, wrapping lips around that pebbled tip and laving his tongue over sensitive flesh. Where are your words now, Counsel, while he threatens the softness of your chest with the scrape of his teeth, when he slides his hands over the round curve of your thighs and parts your legs so he can press himself between them, so he can press himselfagainst you? Where is the knife-dagger of your wit to protest each soft, suckling kiss to your skin, each press of his fingers like he could just squeeze his ownership of you into the plushness of your hips, into the sweet swell of your ass? What do you say to the dirty little thrust of his hips as he bucks with his own burning need, reminding you just how much this is for hispleasure as he will make it for yours.

You would, could, should push him off and instead what are you doing? Curling your fingers into the silk-smooth of his comforter, desperate to writhe out of your own skin away from the burning pressure between your thighs, the foreign, unfamiliar heat you suddenly feel like you might be craving.

Anyone ever touch you like this before me, Counsel?Warm breath splays across your skin when he questions you, eyes fixed on yours and he waits. Answer him, answer him, tell him he’s nothing, tell him you’ve had better, lie and destroy that ego, lie lie lie lie—

Nnnh—no.

He looks like you’ve just told him the best news of his life, eyes wide and blown with lust, Oh is that right? You’re saying no one’s ever touched you this good? Or just no one’s ever touched you at all?

You don’t have to answer. The furious blush on your cheeks? The way your eyes slide away from his? The way you writhe, trying to press your thighs together to relieve the pressure and finding the effort futile? If the man’s grin could get any wider, it would, right now. Oh sweetness, we’re going to have so much fun exploring your body together…

He pulls back just enough to take a look at you, already flushed and writhing and overwhelmed and if he could take a picture of this right now he would. He’ll save that for later though. Tonight? Tonight is just the two of you, and his hands are back to your skirt, pushing the tight fabric up over your round hips and revealing the lace of your panties… just before he rips them off, to the sound of your indignant yelp Steve!

You’re going to call me Captain, sweetness, we’re not close enough to use my name just yet.

No. No you’re not, and he���s not sure you’ll ever be — he rather likes the idea of hearing you whimper out his title when he gets you desperate and wanting.

He touches, slow and steady, watching you try to jerk away and tutting at you when you do, fingers at your delicate nerves like an assault on your pleasure. Bite your lip, bite back the moans, whine at him like he’s wounded you, You’re so wet, sweetness, you’re so desperate for me aren’t you, as he palms his cock to relieve the pressure on himself. You’re going to beg before he does and he’s patient, he’ll last the night.

St-stop it, it’s too— he shushes you ahtahtaht and rests his free hand on your mound, holding you down so his probing, inspecting fingers can take stock of the velveteen plushness of your delicate cunt. It’s too much, too much and you want to scream the moment he presses one finger into you, already overwhelmed, already so tightly wound the barest touches are unraveling you steadily.

You’re such a pretty thing, all desperate and needy, sweetness. You wanna cum already, don’t you? So busy, never gave anyone the chance to fuck that stuck-up bitch right out of you, did they? It’s almost pitying, isn’t it, the way he talks, hums at you while you’re reduced to a whining, whimpering mess so soon, so desperate for the release he’s on the edge of denying you, feeling you flexing around his finger and then the second leaping jolt of your body when another joins the inspection. Taking careful stock of the pretty cunt he owns now, and he’s careful to curl his fingers just right as he seeks the spot to hammer just to get you to scream.

You don’t, not yet, but that’s okay too, because he sees the way you take desperate hold of the sheets, the way your eyes roll backwards just slightly, the way you strain against his heavy hand to arch your back. Gotta tell you, sweetness, I imagined you under me a thousand and one ways but this one, right now? Tops the list. You ready to beg for me?

Do it. Do it and end your pleasurable torment. Do it and be released from the pressure, the coiling want. Surrender to him. Let him have you.

The white hot rush of your orgasm is not unexpected to him, his curling, cruel fingers having found the sweetness of your g-spot, but — you, too busy climbing the ranks to think of your own pleasure, too busy demanding your due from an unjust world explore your own warmth beyond that of a memory of a college hookup you would rather forget — you left breathless and wanton in the heat of the explosion he draws out of you, mewling something desperate and pleading against your own will and the song of it fills his ears like it’s all he’s ever wanted. There it is, and I thought we’d be here all night. A thumb flickers over the nerves at your entrance and you practically jump, something between a yelp and a moan escaping your lips.

First one’s just a treat, sweetness. Now on, you cum when I say you do, understand?

You nod.

Oh you nod, and you are lost, here and now. Sensitive and broken and there is so little of that steel spine here, writhing in his sheets and ohyou don’t know the things you do to him.

Think you can go again, sweetness? He’s purring, smug, twisting fingers stretching you slowly, muttering under his breath about how fucking tight you are around his fingers, how good you’re going to feel for him, and the smugness on his face is slowly fading into a dark consternation, brows furrowed like he’s somehow angry at you for being plush and delicate and fuckable.

You’re almost begging him to stop, and yet the pressure is building again, the twisting, coiling heat that leaves you breathless and mewling and he looks like he might be trying to immortalize this moment forever. Say it, sweetness. Say you need me. Beg me for my cock.

That’s it.

That’s what you need to, you need to beg, you need to give in. No more fighting, no more arguing no more —

Please…

Please what, sweetness, come on now. You got a way with words. The snarl is so barely contained.

Please, Captain, please just…

What do you need, sweetness? The fingers are relentless, the buzz in your nerves is overwhelming, you can barely even hear yourself talk, much less him.

Please just fuck me, Captain, I need your cock! It’s hurried and it’s crude and it’s desperate and it’s exactly what he wants as just another wall crumbles and you fall off your pedestal right into his arms.

He’s barely able to resist the buck of his hips, the need to be inside you, the knowledge that you are soft and velvet and you could be all over his senses just like this.

When did he free his cock? You don’t know, you just know it’s practically salvation when he sinks into you, when he fills you like you’ve been desperate for and Oh sweetness…pours from his lips just as you hiss out something like praise right back at him.

You’re so full and he’s so gentle, at first, like you’re made of crystal in his arms, like the slow shifting of his hips might have you shattering underneath him if he’s not careful. Cradling you, even, sliding your legs around his narrow hips as he leans in and takes a hungry kiss from your wanting, whimpering mouth.

Love this look on you, all wrapped around me, whispered low and slow into your ear, sweetness you have no idea how good you look…

Melt into those compliments, melt into him, because the way he’s holding you is divine and you can feel him so deep in you it’s making your head spin. When did your arms end up around him? When did you start clinging to him like an anchor, start winding your fingers through his hair, start leaving the marks of your nails on his back to the sound of his own needy groaning?

He noses your cheek and leaves a mark of ownership on your neck with hungry lips, knowing you’ll bruise a beautiful flower right over your pulsebeat and continuing the steady assault on your nerves, cunt-first.

Harder. Faster. More.

And oh, sweetness, you do shatter.

You shatter all around him, you shatter into something divine and rapturous, full of him and filled with him and he cums so deep inside you as you do, still fucking you through your joined climax, hips rutting and breath hitching and nearly furious at you for the way his vision whites out too, the way he feels like he can Never get enough and so he hisses that at you like an accusation while his thoughts reorient back to reality, back to smugness, back to the control you took from him while he tried to strip you of yours.

In the end, as he pulls away from you and sinks to the side of you, watching your sweet expression as you return to the reality of your new situation, he is satisfied… thoroughly.

Oh yeah, I think we can make this a working relationship, Counsel.

[songofclarity]

Heliocentric

[ Ch. 1 | MDZS Fanfic | Novel-verse AU ]

Canon Divergent AU in which Wen RuoHan gets to live and Nie MingJue has to survive

Or: Nie Mingjue's Very Bad No Good Fire Palace Adventure

Read on AO3

Rating: Mature

Genre: Hurt/Comfort, Whump, Sick Fic, Angst (with a happy ending)

Ships: Lan XiChen/Nie MingJue, non-con Wen RuoHan/Nie MingJue

Notes: For @whumptober2020 Day 1. This chapter ended up becoming an adaption/rewrite of the original Sun Palace scene, now from Nie MingJue’s POV. The quotes were translated by ERS. This, however, is where the canon timeline ends and the AU begins.

Chapter One: Shackled

The two chains ran from his shackled wrists to the collars around his sect disciples' necks. If Nie MingJue tried to break free by yanking his wrists apart to snap the metal binding his hands together, he would surely kill one disciple in the process. Most likely both.

But with his spirit energy low and his body an exposed nerve crying out with each lurch of the wagon, he could do little more than frown at the blurred shape of his hands, at palms darkened with dirt and blackened blood.

Using his own sect disciples to bind him. The Wen-dogs had learned a new trick.

“I think the bleeding has stopped, Sect Leader.” Dai Zhongyu pulled the cloth away from Nie MingJue's head and took the relieving pressure with it. Nie MingJue nearly sighed when the cloth was pressed back.

The two disciples, Dai Zhongyu and Wu Xihui, who perched on the edge of her seat as if the chain wouldn’t hold her back, didn’t seem too badly hurt. The others trailed behind the wagon, shackled together in a single line with the Wens bordering them on both sides.

The wagon creaked and rattled up the pass. Above them, the moon was nothing more than a sliver. Wen RuoHan had been with them at the beginning of the journey, but he'd left them in the care of his subordinates once the battle was through. If it could be called a battle.

Wu Xihui spoke just loud enough for Nie MingJue to hear. “I see Nightless City.”

Nie MingJue closed his eyes and took a slow, meditative breath. The second fight would be harder than the first.

“Sect Leader Nie,” Wu Xihui said again after several minutes, an evident hesitancy to disturb him. Her voice was quieter than ever but resolute as steel. “You can't go in there.”

Can’t I? he thought gruffly, but he did not have the energy to chastise this time.

Wen RuoHan had had Nie MingJue by the throat at Yangquan and could have ended it there. But after nearly three years of fighting, with Nie MingJue having taken Wen Xu's life personally, this would not be a clean end. Not with Wen RuoHan.

“We didn't expect to make it out of that ambush alive,” Dai Zhongyu continued, the start of an offer which Nie MingJue refused to hear out.

“Enough,” he told them, and at the sound of his voice the ring of swords unsheathing cascaded around them.

“We told you before: no talking!” barked one of the Wen-dogs.

“Sect Leader Nie needs water and bandages!” Dai Zhongyu retorted just as loudly.

Sitting right by Nie MingJue's right ear, he wished he wouldn't.

“We don't take orders from you.” The Wen-dog climbed up onto the moving wagon. His sword held in his right hand.

Nie MingJue had half a mind to grab it, but the chains were short and the action would yank on the collars and make a pile of them all.

The Wen-dog caught him looking, and sneered. "You still plan to fight, Nie MingJue? Even after Sect Leader Wen used your blood to wash the floor?"

The butt of the blade struck Nie MingJue in the forehead without warning. It was the kind of strike he'd taken a dozen times in the training yard. He'd wear the bump for a few days and be mindful of the soreness afterwards. Nie HuaiSang, twelve years old, had laughed at the vermilion mark.

“Are you opening your mind to wisdom at last, Da-ge?”

“That you need to study more, yes. XiChen tells me Cloud Recesses can help you if I can't—”

“No, no, no! I think you need a more vermilion mark, Da-ge, yours has begun to pale. Such wisdom is not good at all!”

The strike of this hilt near broke his skull in half by the feel of it. The world turned to a piercing white before everything went black.

        Nie MingJue stood at the center of the hall and no one dared approach him. They had removed the shackles. Even though his body had protested, he had taken the sword of that Wen-dog or another, it did not matter, but the jet black floor was littered with the lot of their bodies now.

He'd lost the sword at some point. Now he stood with a tenuous balance. A breeze would have pushed him over but the doors and windows were all soundly shut. Closing his eyes, he was alone for but a moment, standing in nothing but a body of broken bones. The pain in his head had subsided to a dull pressure that was almost blissfully numb compared to everything else. His eyelashes stuck with dried, clotted blood as he opened them again.

The room was a blurred haze. Figures identifiable by the colors of their robes rather than their faces.

He could pick out his own disciples by their uniforms. Not all of them had survived the march, killed some point between Nie MingJue losing conscious in the wagon and their arrival at the Sun Palace.

Nie MingJue lifted his head.

Wen RuoHan had not moved from his jade throne. With his face blurred beyond recognition, there was no expression to consider. At Yangquan there had been amused crimson eyes and a cruel edge to his grin when Nie MingJue had rushed forward with Baxia. Wen RuoHan was twice his age and his cultivation greater still. Great enough to sustain his youth, but youthful appearance was where their similarities ended.

Injured as he was, if Nie MingJue had Baxia in his hand once more, they would not be standing quietly in this hall as if waiting for something else to happen.

Nie MingJue could feel his death was imminent, but he would take a piece out of Wen RuoHan before that happened.

The wait ended with the doors opening behind them. Nie MingJue did not turn to look, but soon more Wen disciples in robes decorated with sun and flames shuffled across the floor on their knees. The grandeur of the Wens, he would have sneered during better times, to treat their own disciples like the lowest of servants.

Or to treat Wen RuoHan like a cultivator who had already become a god.

One lone Wen-dog approached on foot, and approached Nie MingJue after greeting his master.

“Sect Leader Nie,” said a voice tinged with laughter, “long time no see.”

It was a voice Nie MingJue had not heard for years. It incited forgotten sparks of anger he had long-since let cool.

Meng Yao.

Of all the things that flashed in Nie MingJue's mind, the first was this: he looked well. His eyes were bright, his smile small and polite, and his robes were still pristine in such a way that even Nie MingJue had been forced to take notice when he'd elevated Meng Yao to be his lieutenant, as if Meng Yao had brushed off more than the sweat and dirt of carrying water back and forth to camp.

Nie MingJue had also been forced to take notice of Meng Yao murdering that Jin captain, and forced again to notice that Meng Yao was full of trickery and deceit. Nie MingJue had no expectation that Meng Yao had arrived to heal Nie MingJue's wounds as Nie MingJue had once healed his.

Meng Yao continued to speak as if two years ago, one year ago, Nie MingJue wouldn't have killed him on the spot. Or perhaps he did know. “I never would’ve expected you to be in such a terrible situation.”

But just as it was impossible to build a fire with the kindling collapsed and no room for breathe, Nie MingJue could not hold fast to his anger for strength.

“Get lost,” Nie MingJue said. That Meng Yao wore robes with the sun and flames told him more than he needed to know. So this was why he had never been able to find him. His old lieutenant had chosen to lie down with the dogs.

Just as he thought this, Meng Yao's laughter, dipping low with pity, made the hair on the back of Nie MingJue's neck stand up.

“Do you still think you’re the king of Hejian? Look carefully—this is Sun Palace.”

Nie MingJue looked down on him silently.

“I heard something quite interesting when I arrived today, MingJue-xiong,” Lan XiChen said.

“What did you hear?”

“A pair of young disciples were speaking of the King of Hejian.”

Nie MingJue frowned. “They'll need to study their books again. There is no such person.”

Lan XiChen's eyes widened but there was a gleam of innocent delight, “Please don't tell me you don't know!” He hid a breath of a laughter behind his sleeve and turned to the man sitting with them. “A-Yao, surely you can tell us all about this mysterious cultivator—”

“Sun Palace?” It was Dai Zhongyu. “It’s only the den of the Wen-dogs!”

Meng Yao stepped towards him and Nie MingJue heard more than saw the sword unsheathe.

A blade slicing through flesh could be mistaken for nothing else, as was the drop of a body hitting the floor when it had taken its final breath.

Dai Zhongyu did not utter a single sound. But the other disciples did. The hall roared with yells and hollers as the Nie disciples made their move. Nie MingJue had told them to stand back, but they were past that now. Their Sect Leader was spent and while they had no sabers in hand, they were not powerless.

Even Nie MingJue saw red as the blood flowed across the jet black floor. “You!”

“You Wen-dog!” Wu Xihui yelled over Nie MingJue. “If you’re so confident, why don’t you kill me as well?”

And Meng Yao did without flinching, slicing a red path across Wu Xihui's throat. For a moment Nie MingJue couldn't feel the pain in his body, couldn't feel anything at all. Meng Yao stood in a pool of blood, the sect disciples he had once joined forces with now lying at his feet.

“Sure,” Meng Yao said, smiling at Dai Zhongyu and Wu Xihui's bodies. “Does anyone else want to say the word?”

The heat of Nie MingJue's anger was burnt out. Now there was nothing but ice lodged in his chest as he spoke, unafraid, knowing from the moment he was captured that they would kill him at Wen RuoHan's feet anyway.

With careful enunciation as if his words carved through stone, he spoke: “Wen-dog.”

The sword pointing towards the ground did not, however, rise to meet him. Rather, Meng Yao smiled at him, pleasantly as ever. And still the sword did not move as he instead gestured for a Wen disciple to shuffle over on his knees.

So Meng Yao wasn't going to let Nie MingJue die that easily. Nie MingJue flickered a glance to Wen RuoHan, who continued to sit and watch quietly.

“Sect Leader Nie," Meng Yao said, drawing Nie MingJue's reluctant attention back, “why don’t you take a look at what this is?”

The Wen disciple had brought a slender box, the lid now open.

Baxia rested in Meng Yao's hands.

Nie MingJue preferred the numbing cool of ice, but the sight of Baxia, of Baxia held in Meng Yao's traitorous hands, infuriated him beyond measure, beyond words.

All he could get out was the same as before: “Get lost, now!”

“Sect Leader Nie,” Meng Yao soothed, only enraging Nie MingJue further, “Baxia had been in my hands quite a few times in the past. Don’t you think it’s already too late for you to be angry now?”

“Take your hand off it!”

Not only did Meng Yao not put Baxia down, he took a step closer. “Sect Leader Nie, your saber, I’d say, can pass as a top-tier spiritual weapon. With that said, compared to the saber of your father, the previous Sect Leader Nie, it’s still somewhat inferior.”

Nie MingJue would kill him—

“Why don’t you take a guess at how many times Sect Leader Wen has to slap it for it to break this time?” His smile had not shifted in the slightest and he spoke light and almost gentle. Without Nie MingJue noticing, Meng Yao had closed the distance between them.

The tension and rage which filled Nie MingJue almost made him pass out for want of breath. Blood pounded in his ears. His body shook. Everything had turned numb and he could feel nothing – nothing except the fury churning in him like a rising storm.

The bleeding bodies of his dead sect disciples. The bleeding body of his injured father on the forest floor.

The shattered saber. The qi deviation six months later.

All the people his father took down with him while cursing Wen RuoHan's name on his lips.

Wen-dogs! Meng Yao!

Meng Yao staggered back from the blow as Nie MingJue struck him. That Meng Yao was still standing, that he only coughed up a mouthful of blood, was a harsh reminder of the pitiful state Nie MingJue was in.

And all it took was a single kick to send Nie MingJue crashing to the ground. The back of his head struck the tile and knocked the air from his lungs. He clawed onto consciousness as the anger in Meng Yao's face finally bloomed, a face now towering above him.

“How dare you act in such a way before Sect Leader Wen’s eyes!” Meng Yao snapped, stomping his booted foot on Nie MingJue's chest.

The sword came next, stabbing downward.

Nie MingJue's palm struck the sword on the broadside. The metal shattered in a maelstrom of silver. Shards rained down upon him, landing harmlessly on his tightly woven robes and peppering his skin with cuts, but it was Meng Yao losing balance, nearly falling over headfirst. And it was that head that Nie MingJue raised his hand and moved to strike.

Wen RuoHan moved.

Meng Yao vanished from above him as Nie MingJue was yanked out from underneath. The high ceiling streamed past as Nie MingJue's body was dragged across the floor like a doll. The pain was blinding.  The wound in his head tearing open. He didn't have the spiritual energy to fight the pull. The smooth floor offered him nothing to grab onto. Wen RuoHan and the jade seat grew closer and larger by the moment.

Sliding through a gap between the row of kneeling Wen disciples, Nie MingJue grabbed onto the nearest one. The invisible tether pulling Nie MingJue pulled them both. Although the disciple hollered in protest, the additional weight did nothing to slow him down.

All he could do was stop the source.

Nie MingJue bore down and threw the disciple at Wen RuoHan.

What happened next made what Nie MingJue had done to Wen Xu appear a kindness. The disciples head reached Wen RuoHan first and Wen RuoHan raised a hand to meet him. The explosion was immediate. The body fell to the ground. Pieces of flesh and bone burst and splattered in a cloud of red rain.

Nie MingJue's journey across the floor halted. He would need to stay out of arms reach, but he had to move closer than this. He needed Baxia.

Leaping to his feet on the rush of the fight, he formed the familiar seal with his hands. The answer was immediate, as it always was. The cool hilt slid into his outstretched palm and fingers curled around it.

It was all the reassurance he needed. He always knew Baxia would be with him at the end.

“Sect Leader, watch out!” Meng Yao shouted from far away.

His only regret was that he hadn't taken care of Meng Yao first.

In front of Nie MingJue, the blurred face of Wen RuoHan let out a burst of mad, youthful laughter as if there were nothing more than a game. “Let it be!”

But the Wen-dogs, dozens of them, had already surrounded Wen RuoHan and his jade throne all the same. So Nie MingJue took care of them just as he had done with all the others during the Sunshot Campaign.

He let Baxia cut them in half as easily as slicing through paper.

Baxia drew the spiritual energy out of him like blood from a stone. The pain was gone. His blood ran hot—

He felt Wen RuoHan before he saw him. A specter traveling at great speed in a rush of white and red fabric. Nie MingJue slashed again. If Wen RuoHan touched him, he was dead. If Baxia touched Wen RuoHan, Wen RuoHan might die, for no matter his cultivation level, he was made of flesh and bone just like all the others.

Instead of cutting through Wen RuoHan, his strike tore open the floor like a jagged scar and sent tile and stone scattering in an explosion of dust.

And still the flat of Wen RuoHan's palm found an opening right on Nie MingJue’s chest.

Nie MingJue's feet left the floor and he crashed into one of the golden pillars. Both breath and blood escaped from his lips and blood trickled down his forehead, right between his eyes. His vision blurred worse than before and when a figure approached him, he struggled to keep his eyes focused on him.

It was then that he realized Baxia had fallen from his grip. Nie MingJue waved his arm with a heady strike.

He found nothing but air.

A solid fist struck his chest this time. He felt more than one rib crack as the room shifted and spun. His head struck tile again and his body cracked straight through the floor in another pile of broken stone.

His ears rung. He couldn’t move.

A new boot stood upon on his chest. The edges of his vision darkened. His lungs were heavy and he gasped for breath, with blood gurgling from the back of his mouth as he coughed.

He had lost in two moves. He hadn't been able to land a hit a single strike on Wen RuoHan, not at Yungquan, not in Nightless City...

“Your subordinate is useless to have needed your presence, Sect Leader,” said Meng Yao, his voice much closer now but outside of view.

Good, Nie MingJue thought distantly. Surely he would come back as a fierce corpse if he had to die with Meng Yao smiling down upon him.

“You good-for-nothing.” The two of them laughed. Nie MingJue felt the subtle vibration through the boot on top of him. “He's the one who killed Wen Xu?”

“That's right. It was him.” Although it was no secret, for Nie MingJue had the head hung up for all the Wen to see, Meng Yao spoke with an eagerness that gave Nie MingJue no doubt that Meng Yao wanted him dead. And yet— “Sect Leader, are you going to kill your foe right now, or drag him to the Fire Palace? My personal suggestion is to take him to the Fire Palace.”

Wen RuoHan was on the verge of killing Nie MingJue outright. A better death than Nie MingJue had dared to expect. Nie MingJue’s eye twitched.

He should have killed Meng Yao!

“Why mop around with someone who’s already half-dead?” Several ribs were already broken and their edges felt like broken glass as Wen RuoHan twisted his heel. The darkness closed in even as Nie MingJue fought against it, raged against it, but he could not will his battered body to move.

“Now, that’s not the way to go about this,” Meng Yao said with a familiar playful politeness that ripped apart old memories. “With Sect Leader Nie’s sturdy body, he might become all great and mighty again after just a few days of rest.”

Nie MingJue tried to shake his head. The highest he could see was the knee of Wen RuoHan's robes, yet it seemed far away, as if Nie MingJue lay at the bottom of the well and Wen RuoHan at the top.

“Do as you please.”

If they did allow Nie MingJue to recover his strength… Then Nie MingJue would…

“Yes.”

Everything went quiet, and Nie MingJue thought he had passed out, until a thin cold light—

“Do you plan to take him back in pieces?” Wen RuoHan asked. The laughter was gone and something weightier had lodged in its place.

“Even half dead, Sect Leader Nie is vicious when cornered. I dare not seek Sect Leader Wen's help a second time.”

Nie MingJue realized Meng Yao must have drawn his sword.

“Are you frightened of him?”

“I know he is no match for you, Sect Leader, but for one such as I…”

“If he does become as mighty again as you suggest—” The heel on Nie MingJue's chest pushed down as if pushing the life out of him— “I might like to see him again. What did you call him earlier?”

“The King of Hejian.”

Wen RuoHan laughed. "Not anymore."

And Nie MingJue at last closed his eyes.

[ --> Ch. 2 ]

[ourotakuparadise]

Meeting with the Snow Spirit

OC quoted: Akuyama Yukino

Synopsis: The Straw Hat crew arrives on a winter island and has an unexpected encounter in the middle of a battle.

…….. ❄️……..

O bando do Chapéu de Palha estava em uma ilha com clima de inverno que era uma base secreta de sequestradores para comércio de escravos e acabaram se envolvendo em apuros ao serem reconhecidos, o grupo inimigo pensou que conseguiria capturar o bando pirata e lucrar vendendo-os ou entregando-os para o governo.

A batalha estava intensa e mesmo que o bando pirata estava com vantagem, os inimigos não paravam de aparecer.

“Eles são insistentes!” – Nami disse ficando cansada.

“Isso está ficando irritante! Eles não param de aparecer!” – Sanji retrucou chutando mais inimigos.

“Não desistam! Vão!” – O líder gritava ordens.

Mas de repente um estrondo é ouvido e logo veem o grande portão de ferro voando para longe levando alguns inimigos com ele antes de colidir contra uma das paredes rochosas. Todos olham na direção de onde o portão fora arrancado e viram em meio a fumaça um vulto...

À medida que a fumaça dissipa revela algo surpreendente: Uma mulher de cabelos brancos, olhos violetas com uma maquiagem azul celeste, a pele pálida com os lábios tingidos de um batom azul da cor de geleiras. Suas vestes eram um quimono azul claro e um tom de azul arroxeado e nos pés um par de sandálias geta.

Sua expressão era impassível, inexpressível e fria ao mesmo tempo. Era como olhassem para ela e apenas vissem uma paisagem coberta de gelo e neve.

“Quem é ela?” – Chopper perguntou temendo ser um inimigo.

“UM ANJO!” – Sanji gritou enquanto a fumaça de seu cigarro tomava forma de corações assim como seus olhos – “MELLORINE!”

A recém-chegada olha para o líder dos mercadores que imediatamente reconheceu a mulher, ela era a recente captura para uma nova leva de escravos e percebeu que ela estava sem a coleira e os grilhões.

“COMO VOCÊ SE LIBERTOU?!” – O líder inimigo estava furioso.

“A pessoa que faz perguntas aqui, sou eu... Agora onde está?” – sua voz era gélida de dar calafrios.

“MATEM-NA!” – o líder ordenou.

O grupo avançou contra ela, apenas para serem arremessados para longe por causa de uma nevasca que surgiu ao redor dela.

“Eu vou perguntar de novo...” – ao dizer isso ela desapareceu.

Logo antes que notassem a mulher de cabelos albinos ressurgiu emergindo do chão coberto de neve agarrando o pescoço do líder o erguendo do chão.

“Onde está a minha espada?” – Ela perguntou enquanto uma fina camada de gelo começa a se formar ao redor de onde a mão dela segurava o pescoço do homem.

“Vadia, você é usuária?” – ele perguntou.

“Cuidado com o que diz e pela última vez... Onde está?” – ela perguntou enquanto a camada de gelo se espalha cobrindo o torso dele.

“No, cofre!” – ele respondeu – “Agora me poupe! Por favor! Clemência, piedade!” – ele implora pela vida.

“...” – ela permaneceu em silêncio.

Ela o soltou, mas assim que ele tocou o solo gelo envolveu não só ele como quase todos os caçadores até que estivessem completamente aprisionados em grossas camadas de gelo e sem se importar ela continuou seu caminho até o único inimigo em que ela poupou.

“Me mostre o caminho e não tente nada... Ou eu vou atravessar seu crânio com uma estaca de gelo.” – ela disse calmamente fazendo ele tremer de medo.

“Sim senhora... é por aqui senhora...” - o homem murmurou apavorado enquanto indica o caminho. “Vocês façam o que quiserem, eu só quero minha espada de volta. Porém, se ficarem no meu caminho para recuperar o que é meu... Não vou hesitar.” – ela ameaçou calmamente o bando do chapéu de palha.

A mulher seguiu seu caminho com o homem a guiando, a maioria do bando estava ou apavorada ou incrédula pela frieza dela. Mas Luffy deu uma risada.

“Está decidido, eu quero ela na tripulação! Shishishi!” – Luffy disse surpreendendo quase todos.

“O QUE?!” – a maioria gritou em espanto.

Como sempre Luffy fazendo decisões sem pensar, o que poderia trazer muitos problemas.

…….. ❄️……..

The Straw Hat crew was on a winter-climate island that was a secret base of slave trade hijackers and got into trouble when they were recognized, the enemy group thought they could capture the pirate band and profit by selling them. or handing them over to the government. The battle was intense and even though the pirate band had the upper hand, the enemies would not stop appearing. "They are insistent!" - Nami said getting tired. “This is getting annoying! They keep appearing! ”- Sanji replied kicking more enemies. "Don’t give up! Go! ”The leader shouted orders. But suddenly a crash is heard and soon they see the great iron gate flying away taking some enemies with it before crashing into one of the rocky walls. Everyone looks in the direction from which the gate had been torn open and saw in the smoke a figure ... As the smoke dissipates it reveals something surprising: A woman with white hair, violet eyes with a sky blue make-up, pale skin with lips dyed a blue lipstick the color of glaciers. His robes were a pale blue kimono and purplish blue and a pair of geta sandals on her feet. Her expression was impassive, expressionless and cold at the same time. It was like looking at her and just seeing a landscape covered with ice and snow. "Who is she?" - Chopper asked fearing to be an enemy. "AN ANGEL!" - Sanji shouted as the smoke from his cigarette took shape of hearts just like his eyes - "MELLORINE!" The newcomer looks at the merchant leader who immediately recognized the woman, she was the recent capture for a new wave of slaves and realized she was missing the collar and shackles. “HOW DID YOU RELEASE ?!” - The enemy leader was furious. "The person who asks questions here, it's me ... Now where is it?" - her voice was cold with chills. "KILL HER!" - the leader ordered. The group lunged at her, only to be hurled away by a blizzard that sprang up around her. "I'll ask you again ..." - on saying that she disappeared. Just before they noticed the albino-haired woman reappeared emerging from the snow-covered ground, grabbing the leader's neck and lifting him off the ground. "Where is my sword?" - She asked as a thin layer of ice begins to form around where her hand held the man's neck. "Bicht, are you a user?" He asked. "Be careful what you say and for the last time ... Where is it?" - she asked as the layer of ice spreads covering his torso. “I-in the, safe!” - he replied - “Now spare me! Please! Mercy, mercy! ”He begs for him life. "..." - she remained silent. She released him, but as soon as he touched the ice ground, it enveloped not only him but almost all hunters until they were completely trapped in thick layers of ice and carelessly she continued on her way to the only enemy she spared. "Show me the way and do not try anything ... Or I will cross your skull with an ice stake." - she said calmly making him shiver with fear. "Yes, ma'am ... this is it ma'am ..." - the man murmured, terrified as he indicated the way. “You guys do what you want, I just want my sword back. However, if you get in my way to recover what is mine ... I will not hesitate. ” - she calmly threatened the straw hat crew. The woman went her way with the man guiding her, most of the pack either frightened or incredulous by her coldness. But Luffy laughed. “It's decided, I want her in the crew! Shishishi! ”- Luffy said surprising almost everyone. "WHAT ?!" - Most shouted in amazement. As always Luffy making decisions without thinking, which could bring many problems.

…….. ❄️……..

La pandilla del Sombrero de Paja estaba en una isla de clima invernal que era una base secreta de secuestradores del comercio de esclavos y se metió en problemas cuando fueron reconocidos, el grupo enemigo pensó que podrían capturar a la banda pirata y obtener ganancias al venderlos. o entregándolos al gobierno. La batalla fue intensa y aunque la banda pirata tenía la ventaja, los enemigos no dejaban de aparecer. "Son insistentes" dijo Nami cansada “¡Esto se está volviendo molesto! ¡Siguen apareciendo! ”- respondió Sanji pateando a más enemigos. “¡No te rindas! ¡Vete! ”El líder gritó órdenes. Pero de repente se escucha un choque y pronto ven que la gran puerta de hierro se va volando y se lleva a algunos enemigos antes de estrellarse contra una de las paredes rocosas. Todos miran en la dirección desde la cual se abrió la puerta y vieron en el humo una figura ... A medida que el humo se disipa revela algo sorprendente: una mujer con cabello blanco, ojos violetas con un maquillaje azul cielo, piel pálida con labios teñidos con un lápiz labial azul del color de los glaciares. Su túnica era un kimono azul pálido y azul violáceo y un par de sandalias geta en sus pies. Su expresión era impasible, inexpresiva y fría al mismo tiempo. Era como mirarla y solo ver un paisaje cubierto de hielo y nieve. "¿Quién es ella?", Preguntó Chopper temiendo ser un enemigo. "¡UN ÁNGEL!" - gritó Sanji cuando el humo de su cigarrillo tomó forma de corazones al igual que sus ojos - "¡MELORINA!" El recién llegado mira al líder mercante que inmediatamente reconoció a la mujer, ella fue la captura reciente de una nueva ola de esclavos y se dio cuenta de que le faltaban el collar y los grilletes. "¡¿CÓMO LO LIBERASTE ?!" - El líder enemigo estaba furioso. "La persona que hace preguntas aquí, soy yo ... ¿Dónde está?", Su voz era fría con escalofríos. "¡Mátenlo!" - ordenó el líder. El grupo se abalanzó sobre ella, solo para ser arrojado por una tormenta de nieve que surgió a su alrededor. "Te preguntaré de nuevo ..." - al decir que ella desapareció. Justo antes de que notaron que la mujer de cabello albino reaparecía emergiendo del suelo cubierto de nieve, agarrando el cuello del líder y levantándolo del suelo. "¿Dónde está mi espada?" - Preguntó mientras una delgada capa de hielo comienza a formarse alrededor de donde su mano sostenía el cuello del hombre. "Puta, ¿eres usuario?", Preguntó. "Ten cuidado con lo que dices y por última vez ... ¿Dónde está?", Preguntó mientras la capa de hielo se extendía cubriendo su torso. "¡No, seguro!" - respondió - "¡Ahora perdóname! ¡Por favor! ¡Misericordia, misericordia! ”Él ruega por la vida. "..." - ella permaneció en silencio. Ella lo liberó, pero tan pronto como él tocó el suelo de hielo, lo envolvió no solo a él sino a casi todos los cazadores hasta que quedaron completamente atrapados en gruesas capas de hielo y descuidadamente continuó su camino hacia el único enemigo que escapó. "Muéstrame el camino y no intentes nada ... O cruzaré tu cráneo con una estaca de hielo" dijo tranquilamente haciéndole temblar de miedo. "Sí, señora ... es por aquí señora ..." - murmuró aterrorizado el hombre mientras indicaba el camino. “Ustedes hagan lo que quieran, solo quiero mi espada de vuelta. Sin embargo, si te interpones en mi camino para recuperar lo que es mío ... no lo dudaré ”. - amenazó con calma al paquete de sombreros de paja. La mujer siguió su camino con el hombre que la guiaba, la mayoría de la manada estaba asustada o incrédula por su frialdad. Pero Luffy se rio. “¡Está decidido, la quiero en la tripulación! ¡Shishishi! ”Dijo Luffy sorprendiendo a casi todos. "¡¿QUÉ ?!" - La mayoría gritó con asombro. Como siempre, Luffy toma decisiones sin pensar, lo que podría traer muchos problemas.

[black-emporium-exchange]

Pinch Hit #2 - emocsibe - CLAIMED

Claimed!

Please send a private message to this Tumblr account or send an email to blackemporiumexchange@gmail.com to claim. This pinch hit will be due September 3rd at 8 PM EDT, or ASAP after that.

Link to firebase: https://autoao3app.firebaseapp.com/#/BlackEmporium2022/user/emocsibe

Request 1

Ratings: Mature, Explicit

Relationships: Anders/Fenris/Dorian Pavus

Fanfiction

Prompt: A preferably Victorian!Thedas AU (basically Victorian setting but the basics of the DA universe, such as races, magic, spirits etc. remain intact) would be nice, maybe a paranormal/ghost-hunter one, where the chosen pair goes on adventures to either get rid of malevolent entities or help those trapped spirits and ghosts that simply want some relief. It would be nice if one of the guys were a psychic or a medium, and at least one of the others a nonhuman being, a vampire or a spirit with physical form or something like that (not a werewolf though, please).

Please have the story have a happy ending, aside from that feel free to go as dark or lighthearted, spicy or entirely innocent as you wish, I just ask that you don't go full angst and have them at least exchange a few kisses and some intimate moments.

Whether you want to add Justice to the story is up to you, but please don't make him go full Vengeance mode.

Do Not Wants: Major Character Death; Bad Ending; PWP, Rape/Non-Con; Cheating; Kinks involving not sex-related bodily fluids (blood is okay), degradation or intense physical harm; Dom/Sub dynamics; More serious BDSM elements; Crack/parody; ABO dynamics; First person narrative;

Would like this fic to contain: some soft domestic moments such as having a coffee together with one person's legs thrown over the other's lap; some gentle gestures like a kiss on one's hand; Anders having long hair and his lovers playing with it or styling it; happy ending; soft non-sexual intimacy; sexual intimacy; different flavours of kisses;

Request 2

Ratings: Mature, Explicit

Relationships: Cole/Dorian Pavus

Fanfiction

Prompt: Something soft and wondrous from both perspectives - something that shows how this is a first romance for Cole and the first openly acknowledged romantic relationship for Dorian. The small ways they bring each other gifts and happiness with their surprises - a soft and small kiss outside, a gift proudly worn, a story never before shared or heard.

I want this to be a get together story, but you can go into as many details about the following relationship as you'd like. Please have the story have a happy ending and a generally soft vibe, aside from that feel free to stray into the angsty territory of a past relationship gone wrong or the sudden injury from their adventures if you wish to do so. Also, please have them at least exchange a few kisses and some intimate moments, if not more.

Do Not Wants: Major Character Death; Bad Ending; PWP, Rape/Non-Con; Cheating; Kinks involving not sex-related bodily fluids (blood is okay), degradation or intense physical harm; Crack/parody; ABO dynamics; First person narrative; Dom/Sub dynamics; More serious BDSM elements;

Request 3

Ratings: Mature, Explicit

Relationships: Anders/Cullen Rutherford

Fanfiction

Prompt: Anders stumbles to Skyhold in hopes that maybe he can help, even if it's just brewing up a few potions or tending to a few broken bones. Or - the self-conscious, self-hating lack of Vengeance in his soul whispers to him - he could finally be brought to the justice he keeps escaping. So he gets to the gates, robes torn and boots damp and stomach painfully empty, and then he barely has the time to recognise the man who catches his falling form a few seconds later.

Do Not Wants: Major Character Death; Bad Ending; PWP, Rape/Non-Con; Cheating; Kinks involving not sex-related bodily fluids (blood is okay), degradation or intense physical harm; Crack/parody; ABO dynamics; First person narrative; Dom/Sub dynamics; More serious BDSM elements;

Would like the fic to contain: Anders and Cullen getting together; happy ending; soft non-sexual intimacy; hair-combing; healing magic from Anders to Cullen; sleeping in the same bed; Cullen being proud of Anders and vice versa; sexual intimacy; different flavours of kisses; angst is okay if it's resolved and leaves enough space for some softer times (e.g. Anders being brought in front of the Inquisitor to be judged)

Request 4

Ratings: Mature, Explicit

Relationships: Fenris/Dorian Pavus

Fanfiction

Prompt: What if Fenris also joined up with the Inquisition right from the start?

He was there when both the Inquisitor and the Tevinter mage disappeared, he was there when they stumbled out of a green rift, the Inquisitor's fingers pale from the force he was holding on to the Tevinter mage's robe. ("He was ready to stay" - the Inquisitor tells him later on - "in that horrid future, to save me.") He was also there when the Inquisitor gathered a party just in case the family reunion of the Altus would be a mere trap. And during the following days, he was there when Dorian broke down, mourning the past when his father was still proud of him, when he still had a family he thought to be loving.

Do Not Wants: Major Character Death; Bad Ending; PWP, Rape/Non-Con; Cheating; Kinks involving not sex-related bodily fluids (blood is okay), degradation or intense physical harm; Crack/parody; ABO dynamics; First person narrative; Dom/Sub dynamics; More serious BDSM elements; Slave Fenris;

Would like to see in this fic: Fenris being suspicious of Dorian at first, then slowly getting to know him and lowering his guard around him; Dorian knowing Fenris' history and being mindful of it (e.g. checking if Fenris would be okay with a barrier cast around him mid-fight, or Dorian with using his meager healing abilities on him when needed); The two of them talking about what should be changed about Tevinter, from two very different perspectives; Dorian very openly courting Fenris; Fenris being first suspicious then positively surprised by said courting; happy ending; soft non-sexual intimacy; sleeping in the same bed; sexual intimacy; different flavours of kisses;

Bonus idea to incorporate if you're feeling up to it: Dorian and Fenris, already romantically involved, stop at a river after a mission and things get playful and/or heated

Request 5

Ratings: Mature, Explicit

Relationships: Anders/Dorian Pavus/Cullen Rutherford

Fanfiction

Prompt: Cullen and Dorian are already in an established relationship (or they get together early in the story) and they establish a sort of playful game of courting each other even after they go steady. Then Anders turns up at Skyhold, injured and scared and completely alone in the world with Vengeance being gone. Both Cullen and Dorian wish to help him - and they do, and then their sympathy turns to something more, and they start to court the man. It is a brand new experience for Anders - the softness and openness of it all, the way they pull him into a kiss when they cross paths with him in the courtyard, the way they don't have to hide... It is something he never thought he'd have.

Do Not Wants: Major Character Death; Bad Ending; PWP, Rape/Non-Con; Cheating; Kinks involving not sex-related bodily fluids (blood is fine), degradation or intense physical harm; Crack/parody; ABO dynamics; First person narrative; Dom/Sub dynamics; More serious BDSM elements;

Would like the fic to contain: happy ending; soft non-sexual intimacy; hair-combing; Anders and Dorian bonding over being magic nerds; sleeping in the same bed; Cullen's increasing acceptance of magic and mages being addressed (mainly by Anders who knew him during his Kirkwall years as well); sexual intimacy; different flavours of kisses; angst is okay if it's resolved and leaves enough space for some softer times (e.g. Anders being brought in front of the Inquisitor to be judged)

Request 6

Ratings: Mature, Explicit

Relationships: Michel de Chevin/Imshael

Fanfiction

Prompt: I'd like to see a Canonverse Fic where the only thing to change is that both Imshael and Michel get to live. They spend more and more time together and while there are some romantic feelings developing, Michel is too stubborn to admit it and Imshael is having way too much fun watching the Cheavlier struggle, so he also stays silent about the topic. I want to see what makes one (or both) of them snap out of this and confess their feelings towards the other. Is it one of them getting wounded? Or just a cozy evening around a campfire? It's up to you. It can end with their getting together or you can add some scenes from their lives after that point as well (do they want to get married? If so, please make it a non-Chantry wedding.)

Do Not Wants: Major Character Death; Bad Ending; PWP, Rape/Non-Con; Cheating; Kinks involving not sex-related bodily fluids, degradation or intense physical harm; Crack/parody; ABO dynamics; First person narrative; Dom/Sub dynamics; More serious BDSM elements;

Would like the fic to contain: happy ending; soft non-sexual intimacy; sleeping in the same bed; sexual intimacy; different flavours of kisses; fighting of the "we end up making up by the end" variety; tending wounds; given the ship some enemies to lovers energy; Major Character Death may happen if it's not permanent - looking at Imshael here, mainly; Some angst is okay, but please don't make it the main mood of the story; Spiritchevalier acting as a married couple long before any confession;

[throwingideasatthewall]

Clone Wars        Slaves of the Republic

Chil-dren

     Children are slaves

     Contin        -uing          on,                  That’s            Kin             da-

     Narrator

  (smarter than Anakin)

   It hasn’t been for several years           though right?

  Z-y      ger-i         a-  

  Seriously         you guys co -exist       and have a giant council,

    How did no one       notice this shit?

   Also if they’re         Sep-ar            Tist-             -      they have a   govern     -ment-

   So, is this some kind of   iron   curtain?

  Se-      riously?        -         How?

Also why is     Rex       or Cody?      —       Okay, seriously what is up with the    uniform?          -        Where’d you even get that from?

    There’s one dude,

   And if it was from like a secret         stash of disguises?

    Wouldn’t that be          several years          out of date?

   Like,      What?           -        You’re better off not doing the    dis-guises

    Also, geez a lot of assumptions like one       extremist made a claim and now the whole planet has the       burn           ...     Like seriously it’s in      char-        acter,

   But this means Obi-Wan was only agreeing with her because he knows her personally

    (’Her’ being            Man-             dal             Or              Ia             N       Duchess,’)

   Those are    ships

   What- music-

    Why?

 The music is just      nope,

   Bor        der-        Ing-          On-         .        Seriously     why is he here?           .          What is with the          clothing ?

       Why?

        Seriously, how is that going to           fool anyone,

         They’re-

       I don’t like the lack of logic            already in this episode,

  Why?

  ‘you’ll be so distracted by that she won’t notice that we completely invaded her kingdom wearing the uniform (possibly 10 years out of date) of her guard and do not at all look like a species

        Or anyone     she hi       -re         -d

     (And somehow     won’t get stabbed to death)

  Oh, 

   And       Ahsoka,

   Sl-ave

    Y-eah,

    Also why is       she wearing face coverings?

   Like, didn’t seem to be a       custom?

    Odd         Dis         guise

    (I guess anything covering features would         give her less of a chance of being           recognized)

      (Yeah but you know more about the emotions involved,             And probably would be better acting at it)

           Ma-ster

             No,

           Damn      she just scorch     ed his teaching

         Boomers,             Don’t know                  shit

            Why is it                  blue?

            Why is there a               dragon thing?                     -  

I don’t know     Ah-soka why don’t you ask the     clone you’re work      -ing with,              Or remember how they raised you for the sole purpose of serving their system

     Fighting for it

      This

  Oh great   did she tell you that information  ?

    (Instead of         y’know        fixing the damn problem,”

       Yeah,            Sucks,

      Oh they actually        brought that up,

     Okay, I deduct that point           (Slight               ly,)                -                Invit            -ation                  -                 Fair

          Brig              -and

         Again what makes them think that this is anything more than an        extremist ?

        Like, how is that        important?

       Halt,

     What,

     That          thi-ng,                ?

        Again           what?

           ?

   Also yeah the uniforms look      significantly different?

       That mean              anything?

        Again

        Oh, so those            birds are native ?

        Or, Other            Wise-

       Se-        riously           what?

       Not exactly how         attraction works,           Which I think is          what they were trying to             imply there,

      There needed to be more of a       look over-              Or                Him      taking off his hat               (For that                gasp reaction,)

            Also yeah        a newly minted slave would totally                   bow,                      To their oppressor,

               That’s                   something Anakin,                  should be doing,

               Ah, did you not send from                        your-self?                          That would’ve been more of a rea-lis-      tic scene for        the drinks line,

     Ha-           tred             -          Yeah no this is a really bad       job,

     Yeah, there’s no way       she’s falling for this,

  ‘This is he      he’s cute so I’ll play along,

      There’s, no other way this     isn’t ending with a dagger to a neck,

      Wa- rrior

      Oh she’s      talking about Ana                             -kin

  Stock,

  Again he literally sent you the    whole population of the planet,

   So, I don’t think he was that       specific,

   You know   it’s a good thing         Ahsoka’s as an adult            Because this would be highly      disturbing with any other      alternative..

   Also I guess that kind of makes sense as           the shock wearing off 

     but she definitely wouldn’t be that wild,

     Mo-

     Pro-cessed

    Yeah there’s      no way lady is falling for this,

    That’s     got dragged into it        temperament,

     Point,          It’s           Not-

     It’s         not          fitting        ‘ I know you’re         bull-     shitting me,”

    Her,

  Yeah there’s      no way,      she’s falling for this,

   (Anyone   would probably have a let’s see      where this leads,

   This-            Isn’t             It-

      You know this flir-            ting is better than anything that happens with    Padme-

       Like     it’s at least got the tone       -right

     Good

       But also no

      She’s significantly older than him and...  toxic,

       I’m going with     tox        -ic          -         Also- yeah 

   Anakin is definitely a lot better       at this-

 Ah-       soka          -            Not          even bothering        with it,

      Ai

         Again,       Why is this so much better than anything with       Pad-me,

  Like it’s toxic          -     but it holds them both accountable,

  Generally a lot      better writt          -en

   (Hopefully they were going for they don’t actually love each other      they just like breaking the rul-es)

   Because-       I can’t see it as any       -thing          else          Now,

   (Or even then,)

     Da-          Mn-

  W-e

  Yeah dude      it’s clear that she’s faking,

   What’s a        Hutt?

   Mm

  What?

  Also yeah no one questioned them about their     human appearance-

   Why-

 Ob-vious

  Also, yeah what are they even doing     bury-ing them alive,

         Why-

        Obi-Wan acts a lot more sus instead of just staying down in the pit with him under the guise of screwing with a prisoner

        Also yeah      I can’t blame him,

           She’s an adult

  Bru-tal

     Tox          -ic

       Also,           You          figured out the price between you two                That   should be     a lot more dramatic,

     They’re adults.

       Gi-

       Also yeah        no way she’s falling for that           -                 Also yeah   where did his name come from?            -          Like did they give an           alias at some point?           -         Cause is Lars just seems to come out of the air-

   [they told them that they knew said dude, Anakin talked with the queen but I can’t- but he didn’t mention her name-

      Me

     Again this is pretty good 

   though the tone did drop there a little,

   She’s        screwing with him-

     Yeah,          I’d be worried about him drinking the Kool-Aid right about now         too

     [he already drank the Generational Overstep one           ]

    We-ll

   P-

  Holo-

  What       -       Sl-        aves        -       Uhm,

   Sucks          . .      that he decided to enable that shitty system

    Accoun-    tability is always better,

    But if he dies the system of his        own making it his own fault,

      ?

      -  also yeah     now we’re sussing out the human targets,

         Ye-ah

 Yeah       no she’s definitely fucking with them,

   Also you’re telling me they didn’t notice him from the       white republic ass       robes?

      (Or did they just          give that to him?)

     Sub-mission

     Yes      she’s right,

  Mhm, loving this ro-     ast of Kenobi right now,

     It’s still said by a         worse enable

     So not too sweet

      But it      hits a spot,

       Any          way,

      Aight

Well isn’t this Anakin’s fantasy,     finally his anger out on his abuser              (Vent-ing)

           Hm,

           Yea-

             O-k

             Ok

            Seriously that is damn light

            Call-ing him a                   boomer

              Then they’re both enabling old Gen                     So pretty past the                  redemption mark,

                 But,                    Still,

Cath,arsis      is nice,  

B-ack

 W-h

 Yeah,        see      she      knew          it      was        bull,         shit-

    D-ie

   Wh-elp-           -          A more realistic relationship                   (toxic)

              High                  -                  Well

(Also when did the      clone get back?)

        Well,

      Also R2-D2 has the capabilities of a           projectile              launch                -er                  -               G           -uard                -              A-i

        Whe-

       Whe-n?

       Okay?

      D-amn      

      A-gain

      Exp-ression going a little          Looney Tunes        the-           re-

     (I should be able to read           their ex-           pression,”

]

 How?

  Did      that?

   She wasn’t wearing a     shock collar,

   And we didn’t see her gets sent to processing with that kind of thing would be implemented,

   Ser-

    Oof           -          Rex?           -        Freckin         down,

     Oof,

   W-h-         elp

   Again     emotion?

        [what’s              the           emotion?]

      W-h                  Oh-    

       I thought that was         pretty neat~ 

       Th-em      

      Da-mn   

     Also,             friends,         His       poisonous        en-abler          who        groomed          him          to            be          a child soldier,        And someone from a        younger       generation,         Who he groomed to be a child soldier,           Great         freck           ‘in           friends,               W-    

     Hey, that’s              some thing,              Mis-             s-             ion             .    

      Again has anyone been taking the mission        seriously            .         ever?         ..         At any point?   

     Anakin‘s been hecking around with this                      Obi-Wan decided screw            Subtlety, and went for             one guy,    

        And Ahsoka’s been been            be               grud               G                    Ing                        Ly                       -                      Putting                         up                      with                        it-                        ...                    Gen                          eral                         . . .                          Ser                          -vant                              -                                 Okay the tone just went into                               gar-                                 g-                               ,ling                               marbles,                                  And the                                   expression                                          is                                   neutral                                     (at                                      best)                                                                            What                                         the                                         hell?

   (Seriously why whenever Anakin‘s unfortunate childhood            it turns into gargling marbles?

        Like I can’t even tell what               emotion that is

     Either way    it’s just not how people talk,           Voice possibly getting         lower,          Not         what th             is- is

She is right - he has enabled a terrible system and continue(s - to be Obi- wan and the Council’s         bitch         (Non   identification          term,)

       Me

      Power

 Hey, no     difference from Obi-Wan,

      Great,

       Here,    The Boomer bait     Obi-Wan gave me,     Promising a place in      their screwed up           Future,       That I traded it then          Future            Now             Present              Ahsoka      ’s           (Chance)         at          A            Non-       (Completely)        Feck      -e-d              Child                 hood                 For,                  Thank       -s

   (Totally not a servant)

      Despite the      very conditional nature of         that agreement

              Also I real-ly like what they did there,      Anakin not being a slave         (Like he       said,

      Like in childhood)

              Now just being        a willing          servant,

        Really showing the         Modi    -cum      Of         Diff        er        en         ce         Be-tween    Being unwittingly       ordered         into it,                  And      (continued)     choosing to           enable it

       Fri-en          d-s

         Well that’s better for Ahsoka than literally anything Anakin and Obi-Wan have done for her

         Con-stantly              putting her in harms way-

         (Not giving a shit       about the child soldier thing)

          Great

          Why?

I don’t   honestly don’t get the idea behind the get up

As seen none of the   other     [of her     species]      Is     wearing     similar   get up

 Just-      doesn’t        add       up,-

  Aight

   Seems-         fine-  

     More hassle to get        food and water and        everything else up there to be        quite honest,

    Also seriously what is up with the wildlife?

   Like we have the cute        squishy things?

   And then        these?

    How?

   Promised

    Also,      That really     didn’t sound        too malicious         ...      Don’t get me wrong I think      I know what they’re trying to imply,

   But dude here’s suffering from          Clovis syndrome,

    Aka the tone just isn’t       carry          -ing           —-           There doesn’t seem to be any   malician     .behind what he just said,

   Like dude sounded like he said      “mine” as in mine for       board game night,

   “sk         -ug,”         Ok,     that’s Malacian      but it’s not the        right        kind,

       That just sounds          mildly offensive

                Non                    committal

                 Doesn’t really connect with    the tone of the previous sentence,

    Which was         like;           ‘The queen has promised you to me       how do you feel about it?’

      That, just coming            out of nowhere,

         Not carrying

        W-help

         A-         Ight-

         Not even             -consistent

           Like seriously,

       If you’re going to do a flat character              like that;

            At least try to do it                consistently;          Like dude went from “lust��, (I’m assuming it seems more like self-  conscious/doubt) to me then off-hand        Passive aggressiveness, then       Disciplinary,         Without so much          Of a pre-            empt       (Not        prompt,)                We never saw that        conscious          -ness               turn                to           aloofness,               Then cold rage,              pushing the button                   no shift,                     Only                impromptu                    jump,

            Shame would’ve been interesting if Ahsoka had a Clovis like friend,

            (I don’t know                  his age,)

                Again,

                Re-action?

  What am I supposed to feel          what, emotion is that

       I have           no clue,

      Well,         Why?

   [Why-

       ?

     Who is        this guy?

      A slave           owner/buy               -er?

        Whel-

        We’ve       found them

         No you were brought to them            -by force-

          Also where is the dude              that was just in a chair?

            Where?

           [also wow for Rex this must feel a                return ho                              me-

    Oh-but-

     Okay, not gonna          question it,

        Jedi

         -             Also yeah that was the question what their education of their youth actually is like

   *Groom            Ing

      Like the      propaganda        must be         damn          thick,

         As well as         the child abuse                    (If this is the state of society and seeing how they can see another         adult human being              (Sen             -tient)                 Yeah there’s no way those kids are in good condition,

            Also this dude comes off as such a              doof,

              Like not even remotely intim-              idating-                      -                  Well,                   Fuck

(Also yeah I’m pretty sure the         queen is going to be real fucking pleased that you just wasted a bunch of        stock

 Of a trade that is just getting back up and running again

 Also yeah     Kenobi really fucked this one up      -     His job to find them-       Fecked that      up-          -          Atten       -tion               -           Worst. way to get        attention         ever,

      You

  See, they’re specifically doing this to        mess with him-          -            De-fy

   And Obi-wan was then     allowed to wander off,

   While dude     spun the wrong way in his chair,

      Wh-

      Wh-at

      Why?

     Rom-antic     ?

    Lady that’s like pointing and saying you were once an abuse victim weren’t you?

    Like, very likely

  With the council, the clones            At least two slave               states                 (Planets)

       I think the only way you could get                 “vagu-er”                       Is saying                 child soldier,                       Sl-ave

  Being a slave      doesn’t make you       naturally virtuous,

    With      abusers,      it makes you pissed off

      Others,          Ty-pica               ll           y            Fine,

   But again that’s not guaranteed,

   Ex-abuse victims can still enable the abusers-

       And-

   [There’s just a lot of problems with this that I’m kind of     gargling,]

    Point being you can’t tell      something like that,

    And      suffering doesn’t make you more       virtuous,

          (Just means normal human decency stand out a lot more in the   darkness of degeneracy,

        Any,            Way,

   Groom         Ing

    Oh

   So they are actually       fram-          ing that it’s a bad thing,

     Good, cause it is

  Obi-Wan is a grooming frick

   And Ahsoka is a child robb         -ed of her child-            hood-

      By the council and implied to be              by Anakin              (Who did nothing and enabled it long past the point of        return,)

      Self-

     And literally        every-one             else                 (Inc-luding              the abuser        as we just saw)

         Self-           destruction            (and           enabling                it)             is a shit time,

             Be            Absolutely nothing besides a toxic enabler      upon a pile of rubble,

   It’s damn       useless,

    Oh, that’s almost           flirt              Ing-

That’s really dramatic music        for FLYING Frogs,

        Stay

        Again, he’s not       terribly opposed to this,

    -it

    Again, that came out of nowhere

    Like Anakin slavery hangups are the equivalent of an           on and off switch

     * Note, a reason.                To,              Slavery is bad         objectif             ication of other humans is bad,               Don’t do it,

          I called them hangups just to denote the fact            that there never anything,                  im-portant,                consistent or some thing he sticks by,

             Being perfectly fine with this        flirt      -ing        off the clock

    With a sl             -aver             -             Only occurring at random with no reuniting theme

         And literally just sounds like the writers,             Shou-ting-               “ Hey guys remember Anakin was a             slave?”

           Yes and while that can cause            rush-es of             e-motion

            None of that                 is shown,

            We don’t see Anakin clenching his fist and it building up that resent       -ment-

         We don’t see him fighting              the idea,                 that the            Jedi just use him,                 Like his               old slave                master-

                We don’t       see any emotion,

              It’s just dull

              Not like an emotional dull

              Like an unemotional one,

                            There’s not        h-ing

                            Which is a shame because there should be a lot of emotion here-

         And there’s not-

     She’s          Right,

     And Anakin is an          inhuman        abomination,            That can’t even           manage an emotion,

     (Might want to try          someone else)

        Really?

        Because he hasn’t managed a single emotion or       conflict this entire time,

        Unless you mean biologically complicated in that case yes how the feck does this man work?

        Adult people are             very emotional,              Dude can’t          even manage a bit of it

   - His expressions        are damn atrocities

      (Of logic!)

     (And        ,empathy)

   Again      Emotion,

  Well I will give this episode the benefit,        It’s the episode that got things the            closest thing to right             (Greivous’s lair,           Not          withstanding)                In terms of tone, 

       Near the middle

    (Before promptly          coming crashing down to the ground,)

     Unfortunately considering the rest of the episodes that isn’t really high  praise

      The thing about tone is I need to be able to understand what emotions your char-acters are feeling and being por-tray-ed in about every scene,

       And,           You can’t cut corners

       And hav-ing switching emotional        moods            With             out              pre            empt              or under-              standing,

        Still passing the threshold of being a              good story;

          -Co-herent tale that can be followed

          - doesn’t normalize        problematic or self-destructive                   Behavior

         However not one of a fun story;

       Leaving me with the persistent fee-      ling of chew-            Ing metal

      Mildly      irritating,        Clunky,          And not the least bit entertaining        or of any value                 (Much)

     That it has yet to          rise above