#rough/zuri | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

itsmistyeyedbi · 5 months ago

Text

bare your teeth, blunt as they may be

Pairing: F!Detective/F!Li-Sar and F!Detective/Adam du Mortain Word Count: 5,5k Warnings: Angst, Lots of sexual tension and descriptions of violence (but those are pretty tame, nothing graphic) Tags: @agentnatesewell @ava-du-mortain (you haven't asked but I know you've been waiting for this lol). Let me know if you want to be tagged in future fics! Authors Note: I am done at last! I rewrote and edited this thing so much, I just had to stop at some point. I haven't settled on how Li-Sar looks so there isn't a whole lot of detailed description on her appearance (or her outfit; I'm so sorry but I cannot write her in what she's wearing in the books and I couldn't decide on another one for her), but Zuri is still pretty descriptive of her if I do say so myself. Also on a03!

The forest floor tastes like ash. Dry against her cheek, dry as her throat. She lands face first on the cracks of a former cage.

Zuri coughs, palms against the barren forest floor, arms shaking as she pushes herself up. Only her upper body makes it off the ground. She can't muffle the groan that escapes her lips. There's too much aching. In her limbs from blocking attacks, in her torso for taking one too many. Her knuckles, the side of her face, bruised. Her bottom lip, stinging, probably busted. Blood trickles down her chin and leaves a tangy taste in her mouth. She blinks and blinks and blinks the blurry vision away.

The hairs on the back of her neck stand at attention. The air is tinged with her magic - the same magic buzzing through her and flaring out of her in sparks. She's getting closer.

“Have I truly hurt you so, mortal?” She coos, her voice silky smooth from behind her. Zuri scrambles forward, trying to move her legs despite them feeling as heavy as cinder blocks. Li-Sar's tone shifts to something sharp with the promise of violence as she continues, “or is there another pathetic human being I need to rid this world of for you?”

Zuri slowly turns her head, eyes trailing up the length of her body before meeting her gaze and whimpering. Let her think it's over. Let her think she's done fighting-

Then kick.

Her foot strikes her in the calf. Li-Sar grunts, leg buckling slightly only because of how often she's been kicked there. She locks her foot around her ankle and the same leg crumbles to the ground. Dirt flies into the air when Li-Sar's forearms meet the floor. She manages to hold her weight on one arm long enough to reach for her gun. Aims it at her and-

“Come now.”

A hand hits her wrist, bats it away. It flies out of reach, accompanied by a dry laugh that's soon muffled by the ringing of a stray gunshot. It's hard enough to put Zuri on her back.

Li-Sar's head is framed with trees from her position above her. She's straddling her, thighs on either side of her, an arm pressing tight against her neck while the other wrestles away the hand reaching and clawing for her face. It's eventually pinned to the ground.

The ringing in her ears and hard landing disorients her enough for any move she makes to be sloppy, but not enough to drown out her next words. “You know that won't work on me.”

Her clothes cling to her body, crackling with static and suddenly she's off the ground. In the air. The world spins. Her back slams against something rough and flaky - a tree - and she wheezes in Li-Sar's grasp.

She shakes her head and tuts as she looks over her. She loosens her grip on her blazer, moving one hand up to Zuri's face, cupping her jaw and moving her head this way and that in inspection. Zuri feels more than hears herself protesting, her lip stinging as she says…something and squeezes her eyes shut so she doesn't have to watch her surroundings spin and droop in front of her.

Another coo. A thumb rubbing against her chin, blood smearing against her skin, het voice clear as the ringing fades away. “This isn't quite the mess I wanted to make of you, meor'dal.”

Zuri tries to focus on her breathing, ragged as it is, and opens her eyes to watch the trees that aren't obscured by the curls of her hair slowly come to a standstill. Anything but the sound of her voice or the feeling of her fingers on her skin. The way both imbed themselves into her mind.

“Listen, Li-Sar,” she rasps.

“Oh, my name sounds so sweet on your lips. Talk to me, I will listen to every word.” She brings her thumb to her mouth and sucks gently, her eyes flashing a bright white as she licks the blood off.

Her throat is still dry as she swallows and heat gathers in her cheeks. Why must she be so- God, this is ridiculous.

“You-” Zuri stammers, shying away from her gaze with an ahem before continuing. “It was stupid of them to come here and think they could take you on. Trappers are notorious for getting in over their heads.”

“So that's what those humans are? Trappers?” She scoffs. “A name fitting for those who foolishly throw themselves into a trap.”

“Right,” she meets her eyes again, watching carefully for a change in demeanour. She may not know what they're called, but she knew enough to draw them to her. Easy targets.

“We just came to get them away from here, take them in and figure out a motive.”

She wants to believe that they didn't intend to actually try and capture her - a being so powerful that her prison was interdimensional purgatory. She really does. But maybe years of eating dirt while fighting agents made them lose brain cells. That, or whoever orders them around found out about Sin and got cocky, thinking that they too could have a powerful, centuries old supernatural do their bidding. Whatever it is, it's ridiculous. So much so that the Agency sent her and the rest of Unit Bravo here to protect them from her - neutralise them and prevent as many deaths as possible.

Mostly so they don't have to play clean up. At least, that's what Morgan thinks.

They arrived while the Trappers were still alive and breathing and following hare-brained orders. They were standing around Li-Sar in a loose circle; she was watching them with a smirk and playing with the electricity dancing around her fingers. Probably pleased that her practice dummies delivered themselves to her. They started advancing slowly - at least they had enough brain cells to be afraid - and all she did in response was chuckle. The calm before the storm. She could and would wipe them out in seconds.

Zuri entered the scene with her hands raised. The powers had settled enough for them to not instantly open fire on people, especially when she remains calm. So with deep, calculated breaths, she used them to appear placating and harmless as she talked Li-Sar out of engaging them.

They aren't worth it, they wouldn't even be able to put up a good fight.

What do you suggest I do then, mortal?

Let me and my friends handle them. We'll get them out of your hair. It'll be more entertaining if nothing else. You could also catch a glimpse of that potential you're so interested in.

You and the vampiir in the shadows are…friends? You are full of surprises, aren't you? Fine then. Show me what you can do.

With a bright flash, she disappeared.

With her gone and the sun having sunk behind the trees, Unit Bravo was as strong as they could be while having Zuri in the vicinity. She may not be the sun or a centuries old deity, but the solar powers inside her were enough to prevent them from functioning at full strength. Not that it would be needed against a bunch of flighty, spooked Trappers.

It was a quick fight. Mission accomplished. It ultimately went well. Until it didn't.

One of them got up and tried to swing at her from behind. She saw the man in her periphery, lowered herself into a defensive stance. There wasn't enough time to dodge, but she could take him.

But not faster than Adam rushed forward to tackle him.

But he wasn't faster than Li-Sar, who appeared out of thin air and struck him down with a bolt of lightning.

He died on impact. Burnt to a crisp.

She missed Adam by a hair.

The air was heavy with tension and fear. Magic and blood. And she choked on it, too thick in her lungs as she gasped.

He could've been killed too.

It didn't take much to convince the vampires to stay back and for Li-Sar to join her somewhere more private - maybe even nostalgic for her - but she knows they aren't far. After what happened during their first encounter, they weren't going to leave the two of them alone for long.

She needs to be quick.

“But we can't exactly question someone who isn't alive,” she can still feel his blood on her side, can hear how it splattered against bark and damp grass. The way his body fell to the ground, joining the others that were groaning on the ground with a stillness that only comes after a heart stops beating.

Her own hammered in her chest.

“...why?” She asks, quietly, hoping for a good reason, knowing she won't get one.

“Why?” Li-Sar stares her down with a raised brow as if the question couldn't be more ridiculous. Like questioning her at all was even more so.

Louder this time, with anger rumbling beneath a layer of fear and frustration. “After thousands of years, you're free. And the first thing you want to do is kill some random group of humans!? Why?”

“They led themselves to their deathbeds the moment they thought they could have any control over me,” she snarls, the stare souring into a glare. “They are worth less than the dirt beneath our feet. Pests, at best. And I will not let a pest touch what is mine.”

Her jaw clenches, blood boiling, sparks flying off her fingers. God, she can't take anymore of this. Of people staking claim of her, believing she'll bend to their will or will be their tool to use for whatever they want to gain. Something ugly and destructive stirs within her, all sharp teeth and claws and molten heat, rearing its head after laying low for months and being smothered by fear and sadness.

She returns the glare and digs her nails into her wrists, drawing out a hiss. Electricity flares between them, vibrant streaks of blue where her palms meet her skin.

“And what,” she speaks through clenched teeth, her voice low and hackles raised, “makes you think any part of me is yours.”

Li-Sar's hands glitch out of her grip before she slams her against the tree again. Hard enough for the breath to be knocked out of her lungs. Her body is heavy against hers, forcing her gasps for air to be shallow, her tender ribs screaming as the bark pricks at her back. A hand grabs her wrists and pins them above her head.

“Is the power surging through you not my own? Is our bond not what allows you to wield it?

She doesn't answer. She can't. Nothing she says can change what happened to her. That another supernatural tried to use her, that their will was imposed on her again. That her blood has been the catalyst for all of it. And everyone wants to drain her dry.

Fuck Ostin. And fuck every power-hungry asshole out there.

Zuri stifles a groan and twists and turns. Her legs are useless - heavy, far from the ground and too close to her body for them to put any distance between them. But she has to do something, anything.

Li-Sar tilts her head, watches her fondly and chuckles - now she can both hear it and feel it. Hates that the press of her body - how it reverberates through her, shakes against her - doesn't bother her the way it should. She leans in close, strands of her tickling her cheek as she murmurs, “your anger is endearing, although I don't understand it.”

Her lips brush against her ear and Zuri stills.

“You have seen my power firsthand, as well as how those around you yearn for it. But still, you fight it. As though it isn't a blessing to be my other-heart.”

“I,” she can't bring herself to turn her head away. “I don't know what that's supposed to mean.”

“Hmm. You will, in time,” she hums before pulling away slightly. Just enough for both of them to have a clear view of the other's face. Enough for Zuri to see nothing but her. Knuckles trail along the curve of her cheek and jaw, a pleasant tingle against her skin.

“The people of this world are meaningless to me. Specks of stardust in a vast galaxy. They have nothing to offer me. But you? You have,” she inhales, deeply, breathing her in while her eyes trace her features as though she could get drunk on her and her alone. “You have more than you could ever imagine.”

A shudder runs down Zuri’s spine. A part of her clings onto the anger she has, tries to will it to fuel her actions, but the heat building up inside her isn't from that alone. Some of it comes from having this woman in front of her. Bold, flirty, certain about herself, what she wants, who she wants. Their hearts are pounding against each other through their clothes, through their chests why does she have to be so-

Li-Sar's eyes travel lower, down her neck and collarbone to where their bodies meet. Zuri follows her gaze without thought. A charge of electricity dances back and forth between them, in and around one person and to the next. She isn't sure what it's transferring, but she can hear every breath they take, feel the clouds gathering above them, the ache in her body fading and the endearment Li-Sar felt towards her. The anger she felt when the Trapper tried to attack her. Amusement, disdain, excitement, confusion.

Lust.

“This is but a glimpse of your potential. Of what I can do with and for you. What I can do to you, if you wish it,” she purrs and puts a finger under her chin. The zap that follows feels like a dangerous mix of pleasure and pain, making Zuri shiver and look back up at her. An instruction and a warning.

“Don't you want to discover all you are?”

“I am more than my blood.”

There's conviction in her voice, stained with doubt and desperation. As if it isn't just the world she's trying to convince.

But she is more than that. She has to be. She is more than parts of Rook, more than parts of Rebecca, more than what Murphy did to her.

“But of course.”

“I'm mo-” she blinks, “...I'm sorry, what?”

Another chuckle. She holds her chin between her thumb and index finger. And there's that endearment again.

“Surely you don't think that I chose you over that witch because of your blood?” Li-Sar glances off to the side, her mouth curling in disdain as she sighs. “It is powerful, no doubt. An untapped part of your essence that freed me. But there have been many blood sacrifices - that alone is not enough for someone to share in my power.”

Blood sacrifices? Plural? A strange, specific set of words. Ostin did seem almost reverent when he first saw Li-Sar, seemed to loathe the idea of her being imprisoned. They're practically a deity, so having people worship her isn't far fetched. A cult following wouldn't be either. But Zuri only heard about here recently. Outside of how she handled her arrival and Ostin’s temper tantrum, she hasn't exactly done anything that would be of interest to…a God?

She purses her lips. Li-Sar watches her with half-lidded eyes, amused, as though she can hear the dogs turning in her brain. Her focus shifts down to her lips. Zuri pretends not to see it.

“I wonder what I've done that makes me- makes this different, then.”

“It's not just what you've done but what you would do, if you had the chance. I can see it in your eyes, something ferocious but restrained like-” she rolls her lips together and shakes her head, muttering something in Echolian.

“This English language is inept at describing this. But in all my years, I rarely happened upon someone who has this. But here you are. You, and a woman who calls herself the leader of Rogue Supernaturals.”

Oh shit. Her stomach drops.

“She's spoken to you already? How did she contact you? Did she-”

“Oh hush, there is nothing of importance there,” amusement seeps into her voice as she scoffs. “Nothing to panic over nor be jealous of. She lacks your restraint. It makes her nowhere near as tempting. It is adorable watching your control slip, mortal.”

Dammit. What is with her? Since when can someone she's just met make her fumble like this. Where the hell is her subtlety?

She can't even blame the fight. Li-Sar seems to have healed her wounds again.

God, get it together.

“Your floundering is endearing as well. Almost every part of you is. No need to be embarrassed.”

“I'm not-”

“She wanted to be what you are,” she interrupts and Zuri strains to hold her tongue. “My she’loe-chae'lis, my other-heart, my chosen. And perhaps she would be, if I had not met you first.”

Zuri keeps her eyes trained on her, white-blue against dark brown. Something creeps into her, something like disappointment and the anxiety of something being in jeopardy. Nothing important. Focus. Their blood had mixed when she gave her these powers. Can they be taken away? Could whatever it is that tether them to each other be severed? Would she give it to the Rogue's leader if it could be?

Li-Sar's eyes don't give away a thing. She just watches with what seems like endless patience, like watching the cogs turn is entertaining. Zuri doesn't think she can get any answers that she isn't already willing to share - nothing that really means something to her. Especially now, when she's holding onto anger so tightly that it chaffs and she's still caught in the tension simmering between them.

“You think too much,” she says, cooing again before leaning in close enough for their foreheads to touch. “Don't you see, meor'dal? The humans want to control me and the supernaturals of this world want to be my chosen. But all I want is you.”

Her breath hitches. The anger slips. All that's left is the heat thruming through her and pooling in her abdomen, the nerves fluttering in her stomach, her breath fanning her face, how thin their clothes feel, how they shouldn't be there-

God, it's all she's wanted for as long as she can remember. For someone to want her. To choose her over everything. Over work, over rationale or fear, over something or someone more convenient. To see something in her that's worth staying for, even if they can barely reach it. She almost can, just a few inches shy of reaching in and grazing that all too sensitive spot nestled inside her.

“All I want,” her voice is close to a whisper as she cups her face, “is you, and the world we can shape together.”

But at what cost?

Just…keep it together.

A shaky exhale is all that comes out for a while. A pause. Then eyebrows furrow as she frowns like she might just sob. Zuri shakes her head a bit before resting the back of her head against the tree - she didn't even realise it had moved - and peers up at the sky. The moon peeks out from behind dark red clouds.

She can't just take her at her word. Who knows if this is what she wants and not what she knows makes her weak, feeds some twisted part of her that wants someone to be willing to burn down the world for her.

“I,” the words die in her throat when she meets her gaze again, sees the depthless, unbridled need inside of them… she almost doesn't want to say it but…

She slams her eyes shut and shakes her head again. “No, no, I- I don't want the world.”

“Then what?” Frustration makes the charge between them tremble. Fingers grasp the side of her face in an attempt to make her look at her, as if she'll claw the answer out of her if that's what it takes to have her at her side. Zuri’s eyes open and Li-Sar's face twists. Something close to desperation meets that frustration.

“What do you desire? What is it you crave that you believe I cannot give to you?” A muscle in her jaw twitches as her lips set into a hard line, nose wrinkled and eyes glowing a bright white. “I am already yours as much as you are mine, so tell me!”

A rumble of thunder accompanies the growl in her voice and goosebumps rise on Zuri’s skin, the fear raking down her spine freezing her in her spot.

That's the problem, isn't it? Li-Sar would do whatever it would take to fulfill her, to gain her favour, to crack her open and free the ugliest parts of her from their restraints. She'd protect her from any and every threat, destroy them in a blink of an eye. If she joins her. If she's willing to bury those she loves alongside the power-hungry and greedy. They're nothing To her, after all. Insignificant little things with nothing to offer her. If Li-Sar is hers as Zuri is hers, what good would anyone else be? What would they be but a threat to their bond?

She doesn't want that. She never will. She'd rather go unwanted for the rest of her life than lose her friends, her family, the community she has here in Wayhaven despite everything. There's no answer she can give that is worth never laughing with Tina and Verda again. Or experiencing the world through fresh eyes with Farah. Watching the sunrise in comfortable silence with Morgan. Exchanging books and anecdotes with Nate.

Being the reason Adam lowers his guard and smiles enough for the dimples to show on his face.

Every moment with them plays in her mind like a movie on fast forward. Slows to the day she left a scar on Adam's arm, one that won't heal. It's permanent. Her throat burns. She can't lose them. She won't. Not while she's alive and breathing. She won't be the reason he's hurt again and no one will carry any scars because of her.

Zuri stares back at Li-Sar. Another rumble, another flash of electricity, a crack of lightning, tension tension tension-

She is unwavering, firm. She won't get the answer she wants. At that, the amalgamation of frustration and anger softens into confusion, then fascination, then…she looks impressed? Begrudgingly, but impressed nonetheless.

“Fine,” she scoffs and glances away, a wry smile tugging at her lips. “Keep your secrets while you can. You will speak them freely once you join me.”

She almost slumps in relief, her cheeks hot with embarrassment. This is, what? Their second meeting? Their first full on conversation? And she can toy with her as though she's known her her whole life, push every button, say all the right things. It will never not be weird to be on the receiving end of that.

The air sighs, feeling lighter by the second. But only one type of tension evaporated. The other still lingers, balances on a tightrope.

Li-Sar's gaze flickers between her eyes and her lips, her hand gently cradling her face rather than grasping it tightly. She releases her wrists and Zuri's arms fall to her bare shoulders. Blue currents run down her arms, whirl around Li-Sar's shoulders down to her fingertips. For the first time, she shudders, eyes widening as she continues to watch her with a new intensity.

“...would you grant me this moment?”

Her hushed words hang in the air between them. Zuri blinks up at her. This can't be what she thinks it is. What she hates that she hopes it is.

“...what?”

A thumb caresses her bottom lip, the stinging fading as she does. There's fluttering in her stomach again, warmth in her cheeks, anticipation in her veins.

“I'd like to taste you, if you'd permit me,” a small gasp, and Li-Sar mirrors her, parts her own lips, seconds that feel like minutes pass before she continues. “I will savour however much of you I can have.”

The heat returns with a vengeance at the yearning in her eyes. Oh God. Zuri’s heart might just beat out of her chest. The last kiss she had was both bittersweet and magical and everyday after that has been a test in restraint.

Being alone with Adam was like drowning; his presence is all-encompassing, beautiful, painful, everything it wasn't supposed to be. It was supposed to be easy and fun, her wriggling her way past his walls and getting to see more of him than what the world sees. But he burrowed his way under her skin too and now? Now she's lost her balance, fallen from the edge and things are more complicated than they've ever been. Now she itches to be in his arms again, to run her fingers through the short strands of his hair, to feel his hand on her face and his lips on hers. She finds herself on the verge of begging and pleading for him to share that moment with her.

Just one more kiss, even if he won't have her. Even if they keep dancing around what they have. Even if it's better that way.

And here she is, with an all powerful being who is bold and beautiful and dangerous and wants her. Who isn't afraid of what it could mean or how it could end. She wants her. She could kill her for daring to deny her. But instead she asks for a kiss. Just one kiss, even if she can't have her the way she wants to.

Zuri wraps an arm around her neck and draws her in before she can think. She doesn't want to think - to resist - anymore. She wants it messy and desperate and electric.

Li-Sar chuckles and puts her free hand against the tree, crowding her but preventing her from pulling her any closer. “You will have to use your words. That shouldn't be difficult with that silver tongue of yours.”

She can't say it out loud, it's messed up and embarrassing and-

“May I taste you?”

Her eyebrows furrow, she's holding her breath, her head moves up and down before she can think-

Yesyesyesyes-

“...yeah,” it's shaky when it comes out, mixed with a heavy breath. “Yes…please.”

Li-Sar's eyes flash again, the hand on her cheek sits more securely while the other slowly moves to her waist. She stares at her with wonder and… concern. Their foreheads touch and one of Zuri’s hands leaves her shoulder to brush her hair out of her face. She needs to look at her.

“You have been hurt, haven't you, meor'dal?” She leans in closer, dips her head until the tips of their noses brush, her voice soft but firm. “I promise you this. That ache in your heart? That is something you will never have to bear again. Not when you are with me.”

Zuri is warm all over from the heat inside and against her body. Her hair is soft between her fingers, her scent is dizzying, her breath fans against her face and she is so beautiful. She's beautiful, she's dangerous, she wants her, she isn't him. The light, barely there touch of her lips makes sparks course through her, through her fingers, slice through her thoughts until all that's left are fragments yes, please, I want, need this, kiss me, kiss me, please-

“Zuri?”

Eyes snap open. A hand covers her mouth. Her own shift to her shoulders, balled into fists, pushing her away. The bark pokes at her back and the back of her head.

She doesn't need to glance to the side to see who's there. She'd know that voice anywhere. She looks anyway.

Adam.

Shit.

The rest of Unit Bravo come up from behind him, standing at a distance. Stiff like they all want to run towards her and get Li-Sar as far away from her as possible.

Li-Sar is doing the same.

Her hair stands on end as she stares at them, the static so overwhelming it crackles and pops and stings. Thunder starts rumbling, low and threatening, the backdrop to this standoff. She doesn't look at Zuri when she speaks, her voice echoing through the forest as she speaks. “Which one of them is it?”

Fear floods in and flushes every feeling away. Shit. She could kill them right where they stand. She pushes the hand on her mouth away, gets a tight hold of her wrist.

“Li-Sar, no. Stop.”

“Tell me.”

Farah watches intently. Morgan growls. Nate puts a hand on Adam’s shoulder. He still shifts closer.

“No,” the panic is clear in the rasp of her voice. “Leave them alone.”

“Who-”

“Stop!”

Her voice booms. There's a crack of thunder, a flash of lightning. The vampires cover their ears. Zuri’s hand zips forward, clutches Li-Sar's jaw, forcing her head to turn towards her. Away from them. Something surges through her, mixing with the fear, amplifying the anger and the ugly little thing inside her that gnaws at its cage. She won't watch them be hurt again. Not by either of them. Her fingers dig into her face again, another hiss as her nails pierce her skin. Her mind races with thoughts and images of every way she could stop Li-Sar, each one gorier than the next.

It would be the last thing she lets either of them do.

“You stay away from him,” her voice is as cutting and as loud as the thunder, “from all of them. If you even look in their direction again, you'll lose any chance you had of me being your she’loe-chae'lis.”

She says the word like her Echolian has been fully honed.

Li-Sar stares at her, her face still scrunched in anger, her eyes bright but inspecting. Curious. Piercing like she might call her bluff that there's any chance at all. They dim, and familiar fascination slips through. That, and an impressed smirk.

“As you wish,” she steps away a few seconds after Zuri lets go of her jaw, keeping her eyes on her as she backs away.

She stops at the trees opposite her, places a hand on one, making sure to turn her body away from Unit Bravo when she does.

“Until we next meet, Zuri,” her name echoes before she vanishes in a flash of lightning with a loud crack.

The tree has been split in too, leaves burnt to ash, branches black and smoking.

A warning of what she can do. What she could've done.

Zuri’s feet touch the ground for the first time in ages and her legs buckle.

“Zuri, are you harmed? Are you-”

“Give her a moment, Adam.”

Nate puts a hand on his shoulder again. The four of them get as close as they can while staying out of reach. She looks back at them, leaning back against the tree, panting with a wry smile. They're okay. They're all okay. “A moment would be appreciated.”

“Woah. Your eyes,” Farah stares at her in awe. “Your hair, your voice! Holy shit. Those powers are getting stronger by the day.”

Inhale. Exhale.

“You say that like it's a good thing.”

“It's not a good thing or a bad thing,” she shrugs, “just…a thing. I think.”

Inhale. Exhale.

“When were you gonna tell us that stuff would make your voice that loud?” Morgan joins in, crossing her arms and inspecting her with a concerned frown.

Zuri let's out a short, breathless laugh. “Oh trust me, I would've told you the moment I found out.”

“We do trust you.”

She shakes her head and gives them a weak smile. They're only talking because they know the silence would be worse for her. That noise, no matter how soft, helps her breathe easier.

Inhale. Exhale.

She vaguely feels her earrings lower to their usual position, dangling from her ears. Her clothes loosening around her, back to hugging her figure instead of squeezing it. The magic inside her feels less like a waterfall and more like a small stream, contained and not sparking outward.

It's Nate who speaks next. “How are you feeling, Zee?”

Soothed. Embarrassed. Exhausted. Relieved. Too many things to describe in depth. But she knows one thing.

“You're all okay. You're alright, so I'm good. Tired, but good.”

She straightens up and takes a step towards them. Or really, stumbles towards them. Adam catches her by the elbow and puts a hand on her back. She looks up at him with furrowed brows before looking down at his arm, shying away from his touch. The scar is still there. She hurt him one way and almost hurt him in another.

She almost kissed her.

“Wait, Adam I…”

“It is as you said. We are all alright,” she looks up again and finds him smiling softly. “I am all right.”

Guilt coils inside her chest.

“Let us go home,” he adds softly.

Zuri stares at the split tree, rolling her lips together at the sight. At the images that come with it. The part of her that already misses her and part that wants her gone in a way that's more permanent than a magically powered cell. She nods, leans into him despite how wrong she feels for doing it, and he leads her away.

She needs to just… get away from here.

20 notes · View notes

cosmicsimsi · 1 month ago

Text

Even though Zuri was really committed to her job the last day were rough for her… she decides to quit and just spend her last months free without any trouble…

#thesims4 #ts4cc #the sims 4 #sims4cc #ts4 #simblr #sims 4 #sims #ts4 edit #story #zuri&grim

17 notes · View notes

knizuu · 1 year ago

Text

Yknow, I think Rough has a type- Drew @hansuart’s Zuri along with @ceoofdestructix’s Brienne!!!

Back to hyperfixating on the gals-

#Brienne the squirrel #Zuri the arctic fox #Not my oc #THEY ARE SO BEAUTIFUL #sth #sonic #sonic fandom #my art #art #my art <3 #giftos!

29 notes · View notes

acertainmoshke · 10 months ago

Text

Yesterday was really rough, so I spent the entire afternoon at the library writing today (and conveniently missed all the sander/vacuum noise from the flooring guys). To celebrate that, I'm going to share a snippet from each story I worked on today! Starting with Cold Iron:

All my moves became instinctive. I went from half-laying on my stomach to on my feet in a single motion, my hand flinging up, cold surging through me— The beast, a flash of brown fur twice my size, was hit by a dozen bolts of ice as it leapt through the air. It landed inches in front of me, stumbled, but shook off shattered shards of ice like a dog shakes off water and kept coming. Its huge front paws hit me directly in the chest, a sharp reminder that I was no longer bound tight, and I collapsed hard on the stone floor. My head hit last and the room went even darker around the edges. My vision was filled with blurry teeth and a dripping nose. The "Hey!" seemed to come from very far away. Kris. Protecting me like always. Hey, I tried to answer, but the word hung still in the air around me. I realized I couldn't feel his mind against mine and wondered vaguely if he was angry again. The slobbering teeth in front of me felt distant. Nothing was real except the warm stone against my back and the course hair clenched in my fits as I shoved at its belly with all my strength, which had always seemed considerable before. And then the thing vanished as someone close by yelled something I couldn't hear. I looked up at Kris— No. Younger. Longer hair. Less spiky. Zuri raised her stick again and smacked the beast full in the face. I lay still, fistfuls of hair still clutched tightly, and watched her. "Come on!" That was Kris' voice, for real this time. I should get up... His prickly fist closed around my arm and dragged me up, then down. Everything was a blur, then dark. I leaned back and found a convenient wall, still warm. "What was...any of that?" I realized my eyes were closed. I didn't open them.

Tag list: @stesierra

#can Fae get concussions? discuss #moshke writes #writeblr #cold iron

21 notes · View notes

sketch-guardian · 5 months ago

Note

Hiii! I’m the same person who asked for the headcannons about the new classmates but I just wanna know if you’d ever be comfortable to post headcannons about all the classmates with a child mc who sees them as older siblings or parental figures. If not I totally understand!! I just wanted to ask since I live for found family tropes and I’m starting to get obsessed with your ocs 😋

I hope you’re doing well!! <33

Hello again!💜I'm fine, thank you for asking☺and I hope you are doing well too✨I'm happy that you're starting to like my OCs! You flatter me😳and don't worry, your request is perfectly valid😌so I hope you enjoy the result:

"RAD CLASSMATES+NEW EXCHANGE STUDENTS WITH A CHILD MC WHO SEES THEM AS A PARENT/OLDER SIBILING FIGURE"

DEMYA

Demya has a soft spot for kids, in the sense that, seeing them as frail creatures, she considers them in need of protection and care, this however doesn't change the fact that she still remains a bit feral by nature, especially due to the way she was raised, so every now and then Demya could be seen carrying child MC by the collar of their shirt with her teeth or some poor unfortunate soul could witness MC attached to Demya's back like a koala while she runs on all fours. In any case, Demya would be a great, playful, energetic big sister, who would hunt for the best food to share with child MC. Plus in her heart, Demya would love to have an offspring in the future, so she would be thrilled if MC saw her as worthy of a such an important role and would do anything both not to disappoint and to protect them, Demya doesn't want to lose her family a second time after all...

DOMNRA/MOBIM

Domnra may not seem the best with children on the surface, given his rough and harsh attitude, however living with Mobim has accustomed him to looking after another living being and therefore it wouldn't be too surprising to see him with Mobim and child MC in tow, like a mother hen with her ducklings. Domnra would at first be stunned by MC's view of him as an older brother/father, especially since he doesn't think of himself as a reassuring figure, however he would be quietly touched by the sentiment, it would remind Domnra of the times he cared for other soldiers back in his day as an angel, therefore he would promise to protect child MC at all costs, just like Mobim, to raise them and teach them to defend themselves. Speaking of Mobim, for child MC, Mobim would be like a little sibiling to play with

AZUL

Azul is a born entertainer and his characteristic of changing color depending on his mood attracts a lot of attention, therefore he would have no problem dealing with children or people in general. Having also raised Demya in a certain sense, since he taught her to read, write and essentially civilized her, Azul would feel a little nostalgic for the good old days and would behave in an attentive and caring manner, while still remaining fun, maybe a little clingy, he would definitely start ugly crying if child MC called him big brother or dad. Azul would also hang child MC's drawings everywhere if they were to make them, showing them off to everyone

ZURI

Zuri would prove a little hesitant at the beginning, not considering herself the best role model or exactly loving enough for child MC, in fact she wouldn't understand why child MC considers her suitable for such role, given her stoic nature, however Zuri wouldn't bear to disappoint their expectations and therefore over time she would get used to the new dynamic. For Zuri it would be more natural than expected to take care of child MC, having done the same with Azul and Domnra after their fall from grace and over time Zuri would realize that she enjoyed having child MC by her side, like a found family. Zuri would sew tailor-made clothes for child MC and fix their stuffed animals with patches in case of tears, as well as buy several gifts

ODON

Although Odon scares most living beings with their imposing and eldritch presence, it seems that animals and young people are curious about them and tend to hover around Odon, as if they understood Odon has truly changed for the better and trusted them. Odon would be intrigued by child MC and although puzzled by their desire to be in their company, Odon would be flattered and not at all bothered, they would also engage in telling stories and seeing MC play with their eye-like creatures. Odon has never had a family, so the fact that child MC sees them as an important member of their found family would make Odon feel accepted and at peace. Child MC, in Odon's presence, would be the safest child in all of Devildom and they would do various activities together, such as reading, visiting museums, Odon would also carry child MC on their shoulders, being very tall. Odon likes to attend child MC's tea parties as well

REMIEL

Remiel, despite her somber attitude, knows how to handle children quite well, because it unfortunately happened more than once in the course of her celestial duty that she had to help children's souls reach the afterlife, lost and afraid, with only her to guide them towards the light. Remiel is very patient and has both a soothing presence and a soft voice, so from a logical point of view, she could understand why child MC bonded with her, even if Remiel would wonder why they chose her, when surely there were other more appropriate choices. Having trouble understanding feelings and being quite dense, nurturing child MC could help Remiel comprehend the human world better and experience genuine sensations she has never felt before. Remiel would also like to introduce child MC to her parents, to include them and make them feel even more part of the family, as a little sibiling or child, hoping Azrael and Death don't intimidate child MC too much with their appearance. Remiel would be good at putting child MC to sleep, cradling them with her wings

NATHANIEL

Nathaniel isn't used to interacting with humans, being often busy with celestial matters, so he would be pleasantly surprised to have attracted child MC's attention, especially considering his frequent quietness. Nathaniel would be an excellent teacher and would help child MC with homework and other matters, even difficult ones, specifying how important it is to solve them without the use of violence when possible. The concept of family may be foreign to Nathaniel, but being a very patient angel, he would be glad to walk on such journey of growth alongside child MC, experiencing the joy of raising them. Nathaniel would be chill, but still protective of child MC and would be willing to accompany them to explore and discover both the Celestial Realm and Devildom. Nathaniel would also likely teach child MC his way of communicating only through gestures

URIEL

Uriel isn't exactly a loving type and as a warrior angel, she is more used to fighting than looking after others, so at the beginning, rather than taking care of child MC, it would almost seem as if she were training them, almost like a soldier, obviously not overdoing it, given that they are still a child. It would take Uriel some time to get used to such a dynamic, but over time she would start to feel proud of having been chosen to represent such an important role, the fact that child MC looks up to her would slowly soften Uriel's edges. Some activities that Uriel and child MC would do together would be fighting with fake swords, in which Uriel would lose only to boost MC's self-esteem and fly embraced by her safe arms while doing cool tricks, at a safe distance from the ground. Uriel would also be quite strict when it comes to rules, so she would find a way to make them more bearable and manageable for child MC

14 notes · View notes

enteringdullsville · 1 year ago

Text

Sky, the Sky Blue Drewman

Statistics

Aesthetic: Goofy

Age: 22 (Season One)

Alignment: Accomplice

Badge: Thought Bubble

Color Type: Blue

Debut: Technobabble (Cameo)

Effects: Hairdryer (Sky curls into a ball, her hair covering her, and produces a powerful wind); Homing Attack (Sky curls up and repeatedly rams into the opponent from all directions); Thunder Voice (Sky shrieks, producing a sonic attack); Supercell Shock (Sky zaps the opponent with lightning)

Family: Cloud Cottlyn (Father)

Standout Features: Long curly hair resembling clouds, scribbly eyes, zigzag cheek marks, hoodie.

Rank: A- (Main Character)

Character Bases

Development

Sky’s concept always stayed the same: someone who was a fan of the show itself, knew the ins and outs of toon logic, but was still curious about everything. She was conceived as Iris for Rough Sketch but was rebranded as Natalie for the jump to ICT. These designs were recycled into Amy and Dwight, the former getting her hairstyle and many design aspects, the latter getting the midnight blue color and glowing eyes.

While “Iris” wasn’t around long enough for any extreme negative traits to manifest, she tended to be slightly invasive. Sky’s comparatively hands off in comparison, wondering more about the world itself. She’s also expanded to be a comic geek in general, giving her something to do once the novelty of being the fangirl newbie wears off.

Her entire design is taken from an old design of Shayla’s, formerly an azure Drewman named Zuri. Sky’s eyes, cheeks, and hoodie are the only design elements remaining intact from her time as Iris.

Be Great

#dullsville #it’s color theory #color theory #ict #Sky Cottlyn #sky blue #total drama #td priya #phineas and ferb #irving dubois #rwby #ruby rose #kid icarus #pit kid icarus #character design #original character #artists on tumblr #character select

14 notes · View notes

carnivorousyandeere · 1 year ago

Text

Kinktober Day 9: Fighting, Wrestling, Rough Body Play

( MDNI, No Age in Bio DNI )

Kinkdefinition describes three different versions of fighting— play fighting, competitive fighting, and erotic fighting:

“Play fighting is a form of physical play that involves simulated combat. It is often used as a way to bond with a partner or to explore power dynamics in a non-threatening way. Play fighting can involve wrestling, tickling, or other forms of physical contact.

Competitive fighting involves two or more people engaging in a physical contest to determine a winner. This can include martial arts, boxing, or other combat sports. Competitive fighting can be a way to test one’s physical and mental strength, as well as a way to experience the rush of adrenaline that comes with competition.

Erotic fighting involves using physical combat as a form of foreplay or sexual activity. This can include wrestling, grappling, or other forms of physical contact. Erotic fighting can be a way to explore power dynamics and sexual tension in a safe and consensual manner.”

From kinkopedia: “Rough Body Play is a wide field of kink that includes punching, kicking, slapping, striking – basically anything that flies in a bareknuckle fight gets included in my definition of Rough Body Play.”

Enjoys Play Fighting With Darling and Wants To:

Win: Quinn, Brucie, Elena, Wendell, Kyra, Lighthouse Spirit, Lan, Mildred, Cryptid, Gia, Hunter, Mason, Sonika, Genesis, Varsha, Kurtis, Isla, Eris, Kendra, Hailey, Kaylee, Lottie, Reed, Candy, Mina, Cael, Malak, Temperance, Kosuke, Jett, Tasi, Blake, Lenore

Lose: Byte, Mika, Felicity, Saturnia, Dante, Hana, Cyrus, Moth, Clay, Tasha, Memphis, Emerson, Jace, Rayleigh, Aspen, Ernie, Lyla, Olive, Zuri, Minnow

Either Way: Thorn, Penelope, Dakota, Ian, Mateo, Ace, Mehri, Tai, Airna, Dew, Fang, Sammy, Selene, Tomi, Jules, Chandler, Indigo, Darcy

Enjoys Sparring and/or Fighting With Darling and Wants To:

Win: Quinn, Cassandra, Elena, Lighthouse Spirit, Lan, Mildred, Gia, Hunter, Sonika, Genesis, Varsha, Kaylee, Lottie, Temperance, Kosuke, Lenore

Lose: Ian, Dante, Mateo, Moth, Memphis, Jace, Hailey, Lyla, Zuri

Either Way: Kyra, Dakota, Cryptid, Ace, Tai, Airna, Dew, Malak, Sammy, Tasi

Gets Worked Up:

While Fighting Other People and Wants to Fuck Darling After to Work Off the Excess Adrenaline: Marcus, Cassandra, Wisteria, Cryptid, Drew, Gia, Hunter, Mason, Varsha, Cecilia, Eris, Jace, Lottie, Cael, Blake, Cypress

Watching Darling Fighting Other People and Wants Darling to Work off Adrenaline With Them After: Byte, Mika, Penelope, Felicity, Ian, Mateo, Cyrus, Moth, Clay, Mehri, Kurtis, Rose, Angel, Fang, Lyla, Selene, Olive, Zuri, Chandler, Minnow, Darcy

Either Way: Quinn, Elena, Thorn, Kyra, Lighthouse Spirit, Lan, Mildred, Dakota, Dante, Ace, Genesis, Tai, Tasha, Memphis, Isla, Airna, Kendra, Hailey, Dew, Malak, Temperance, Ernie, Sammy, Kosuke, Jett, Tasi, Lenore

Rough Body Play Without Fighting or Sparring:

Wants to Rough Up Their Darling A Little: Cassandra, Mildred, Drew, Gia, Sonika, Genesis, Varsha, Kaylee, Lottie, Mina, Tasi, Lenore

Wants to Get Roughed Up by Their Darling: Erik, Mika, Thorn, Dakota, Cryptid, Ian, Dante, Cyrus, Moth, Clay, Tai, Tasha, Kurtis, Airna, Jace, Dew, Lyla, Sammy

Either Way: Kyra, Ace, Malak

#kinktober 2k23 #my thoughts #yandere #yandere oc #yandere imagines #yandere scenarios #yandere x darling #yandere x reader #yandere x you #yandere cw #mdni #nsft #yandere smut

10 notes · View notes

hansuart · 2 years ago

Text

how i imagined the skunk bros would introduce their girlfriends

#i have applications to apply to school that i need to do #but goddammit i needed this #;-;#my art #my ocs #rough and tumble #sonic idw #tumble/yuki #rough/zuri #tumble the skunk #yuki the arctic fox #rough the skunk #zuri the acrtic fox

86 notes · View notes

astarab1aze · 8 months ago

Text

➥ Drabble 1 / ?? - @gyofukuki

There were plenty of occasions, since their journey began, that Crovita had wondered if she'd made the right decision; This wasn't to say Geralt had been too rough around all his little edges, or that Asuka had been unhelpful and loud - although, both were, perhaps, a little true; Rather, her mind was elsewhere entirely, focusing too hard on the secrets she was keeping, sacrificing honesty for haste. She hadn't exactly been forthright with the hows and whys, hadn't exactly relayed what she'd been running from, offering too little for Geralt or Asuka to go on. All either of them knew was, simply, that they had to go, and keep moving. Don't look back, no matter what should happen, with or without her.

The Askarri Shades were disbanded in the aftermath of her choice, free, then, to go their own ways before the revolutionaries could claim them. In her heart of hearts, the uncertainty that any at all had survived the swarm of pitchforks and sickles, the hangman's noose and the headman's axe, or the influence of Myrrdinian hatred toward mages and all things non-human- It settled in like a poison most vile, riddling her heartstrings with guilty rot not even the freshest and most effective of antidotes could cure. So many lives in her hands, and she let them go to save herself. Slit the Azzar's throat on the night the revolutionaries raided the royal palace - she wouldn't deign to call them by their chosen name; idiots and betrayers, all of them - and incurred the wrath of the surviving nobles, ending an era with her own two hands and watching as Sekora burned, blood running in her streets. So many innocent people, too, caught well in the mix, people she loved, defended, protected from the Azzar - people she had to abandon, lest she be killed before she could get to Zuri, retrieve Asuka, and leave for... someplace safer, someplace else.

When next they made camp for the night, she resolved herself to tell them both a bit more of the truth, instead of the paltry breadcrumbs she'd offered in the beginning... Geralt had to have known of the violence that'd broken out in Askarra, though perhaps not the extent of it or why it was happening in the first place, her involvement in it, choices she'd made, lives she'd ended through both action and inaction. Maybe he wanted to know, maybe he didn't, but even so, she didn't see a way out of this that didn't require some level of deeper honesty. If he didn't know exactly what could be trailing after them, how could he do his job effectively? How could he protect Asuka, himself? Even if he knew the risks, prepared for everything because he didn't know, it didn't sit right with her that she'd more or less lied by omission to him, counting on his help regardless of the truth.

Oh, how desperate she'd been, too, obfuscating it all in her frightened haste.

She thought about it for a long time, only half-paying attention to the roll of Tali's spine as he canted behind Asuka and Geralt's Roach. Poor thing was getting antsy, bobbing and shaking his scaly black head, all in response to the aches and pains Crovita had been feeling. Celare always were sensitive to their riders' emotions, not knowing what they meant but feeling them anyway.

"Mister Geralt, s'there any way we can take a break?" Asuka chirped, quieting with a firm hush, all those wild feathers ruffled. "Everythin' hurts. I'm not used to this like you an' mother... I'd rather use me own two legs."

Crovita tilted her head at that, then shook it, piping up before the witcher had a chance.

"Stay on the horse for now, Asuka," she said, soft authority leaking into her voice. "We'll find a suitable enough place to camp before sunset."

"But, mother--" They threw their head over their shoulder, momentarily unwinding their arms from around Geralt's middle to settle a hand on Roach's backside. There was a look in their eye, a furrow to their brow, and it only made matters worse for Crovita. "It hurts. I can't take all this constant bouncing."

"Patience, dear... Patience. Hold out just a while longer." Unless you'd rather ride Tali, but you know as well as I you'd hate that even more.

With a grumbling huff, Asuka turned forward again and was silent for the next three hours of riding, until the sun had dipped some below the horizon, casting long, orange shadows across the Scarburran hills. In the morning, they would make it to the Chimerian border and, if they were lucky, perhaps they wouldn't have to travel through the pseudocilium forest. Luck, however, was a quality most in Sunjatta were bereft, and though she'd exerted utmost care in charting their path up to this point, she'd no confidence such would lend them even a moment's peace. The closer they got to the border, the higher their chances of running into Wildlings and Myhala both; Not all of Scarburn had been reclaimed, as yet still subject to the hordes of violent, feral men and nameless, hideous creatures pouring out of the Myhalan Deep. Luck had served them well till now, but it would run out before long and no amount of careful planning or navigation would save them from the obstacles to come.

Still, it didn't much matter now. They were safe enough for the time being, enough to take a break, eat, stretch their legs, relieve themselves, feed and water both Tali and Roach, and decide what to do from there. There hadn't been any fresh signs of Wildlings or Myhala, only tracks a few days old, muddied by coastal rain turned inland, campsites all but trampled and picked clean by wildlife in the nights following. Both a good and bad sign, as there was no guarantee there wouldn't be any monsters, beasts, or Wildlings lurking somewhere else in the hills - but there certainly weren't any nearby at the moment.

As Crovita dismounted, slipping free of Tali's saddle and ignoring the puddle of mud she'd landed in, she heaved a sigh. There'd been evidence of some sort of struggle here, coagulated blood in what few footprints remained, and the scents still clinging to the grass and soil by threads had gone off in multiple directions then faded abruptly, washed away by the rain. Some weapons left behind, an odd collection of broken swords, chipped daggers, and dented hammers; The Wildlings that camped here before must've been attacked by Myhala, forcing them to flea into the hills. Odd, then, that they hadn't seen any, unless they'd been eaten. Which...inspired far less confidence than she'd been able to maintain as it was.

In spite of the ache between her thighs, tendons and ligaments all aflame with the day's ride, she wordlessly handed off Tali's reins to Asuka and made her way to Geralt's side, tending to Roach and adjusting his saddle. She touched his arm to get his attention, and he momentarily gave pause if only to glance at her; There was a...certain knowing in his eyes, a knowing that they couldn't stay there for the night, that something or someone awaited them in the hills.

"Geralt," she addressed him, "not here. Only long enough to do what we have to, no more."

"Myhala, Wildings, in the hills. Can't stay anyway."

"Should we circle back, make for Braemare northwest of here? May be wise to spend the night in the city."

"Too close to the border, overpopulated by Myrrdinian soldiers and hunters. Wouldn't be safe for either of you." He tightened the straps of his saddle, but not so as to harm to Roach - she would have to give her a few carrots for her patience, when Geralt wasn't looking. "Told you I'd defend you; Taking you back to Braemare would be doing the opposite."

There's nothing saying the Askarri we're running from won't be there either...

"What are we to do, then? If we can't stay here and we can't go back, we should press on, skirt 'round the pseudocilium and make camp once we cross the border. If we can find the Lightguards' tower, we may yet seek shelter there."

"No, too risky and too far. Those towers were built in the Second Era at entrances to the Deep, crumbling, infested ruins by now." A thoughtful pause, and cat-like gaze pulled away from her a moment. Likewise, she drew her arm away and instead crossed both over her chest, thinking over the steadily narrowing options they had left to herself.

"Aren't there old smuggler's paths 'round here? Didn't Vago have some of the witchers carve them out in the same era? We could take one of them... Hmm," came a surprising suggestion, and Crovita had to turn some, cock her head over her shoulder at Asuka, who'd been prodding at their chin as if thinking aloud, not meaning to interrupt. That wasn't a bad idea, likely brought on by their study of history at the university. "Not sure if they're overrun yet. Could be. Maybe not, though. Maybe mother and Geralt know 'bout them already..."

Silly thing, eavesdropping while Tali lipped at their hair.

"That's not a half-bad idea. Geralt," and she turned once more to face him, but he had moved elsewhere, now removing the bit from Roach's mouth, "are the old smuggling routes still operational, still in use?"

"Some of them, others are overrun - hard to tell which. If Myhala came out this way, there's a risk none of the routes here are any safer to travel." Then, gruffly, as he briefly rubbed at Roach's snout, "Most of them are underground, likely to be overrun. Myhala nest in the tunnels."

She shouldn't have been surprised, yet she was, though out of frustration. Were they being too careful at the start of their journey, or not careful enough? Running out of options already and it'd only been a week's worth of travel, at least since they arrived in Scarburn; They couldn't take Roach or Tali through the underground routes, and if those same routes were overrun as Geralt seemed to suspect, then he was right and they wouldn't have been able to take them anyway, not unless they found one above-ground, untouched by Wildlings or Myhala. The likelihood of that was far too small for comfort, yet perhaps still worth a try - anything to avoid the fuckery in the pseudocilium forest, where too much lurked beneath mushroom caps and the hallucinogenic spores may as well have been snow.

After a few moments longer, she peeled herself away from Roach and Geralt, slinking back to Tali if only to tend to him much the same. Gently pulling the bit from his mouth and taking the reins from Asuka, slinging them over her shoulder long enough for her to scratch his chin and fish a strip of dried venison from her saddlebags with which to feed him. It wouldn't be enough to satisfy him, but unfastening the saddle and letting him hunt wasn't an option either. This would have to suffice, at least until they found a suitable place to camp for the night.

"I'm sorry, Tali. Later, I promise," she whispered, rubbing the celare's ashen nose.

"Mother, what are we going to do?" Asuka asked, at once huddling closer to her, talons sploshing in the mud puddles. "I'm so tired of pissin' outside--"

"Asuka," Crovita warned.

"Sorry, sorry, just- It's gross out here, an' what if we're bein' watched? Those Wildling barbarians - I don't want to be seen by them."

"Sweetheart, I understand you're not used to life on the road, but there are some things you're going to have to get used to. There are no toilets for miles, so, regrettably, this is one of those things." She tried her best to be sensitive to Asuka's unfamiliarity with the wilds, but now wasn't the time to be picky or display their inability to cope without the comforts of city life. "Do you need to go now, or can it wait a while?"

"I don't need to go at all, but that's not the point."

"Then stop complaining."

She could feel those golden eyes burning holes into the side of her head, but she paid them no mind, running her fingers over the patch of gray scales looping around Tali's neck.

"I bet Geralt gets it," Asuka muttered bitterly, crossing their arms over their chest.

"I don't think he much minds either way, dear - and don't bother him about it, please. He's neither the time nor, I'm sure, the patience to worry whether you can handle existing outdoors, and I'm not sure I do either."

At last, she stepped away, rifling through her saddlebags again for her waterskin and bowl, pouring in just enough to keep Tali going for a while longer - that was to say, the rest. She could wait until they came upon a stream to refill it, and there were enough between where they were and the border for it not to matter much besides. Handing the bowl to a pouting Asuka, waterskin in hand, she ruffled their hair and leaned forward to press a kiss to their forehead.

"Eat something, won't you? Venison and apples in my saddlebags. Geralt and I will figure out what to do from here," and she left them standing beside Tali a second time, her eyes shifting over to the witcher now crouched above a particularly deep four-toed print in the mud, gloved hand plucking free a scrap handful of scales.

He didn't utter a single word, and he didn't have to. Four toes and scales meant the Wildlings had celare themselves, be it one or many; Leastways, it couldn't have meant a pack of them happened to pass through the ruined camp, but it did mean their riders may well have escaped the Myhala that attacked them. Geralt ought to know more, if only by virtue of his senses; A witcher's abilities were comparable, perhaps better, than a harpy's, natural or not.

"Which direction did they run off in?" she asked lowly, the slightest tweak of... something to her expression.

"Northwest, to cut the Myhala off at the river," he said. "Some were injured, wouldn't have made it far. Myhala likely caught up to them before they could cross."

Ah, so returning to Braemare is dangerous for another reason.

"...And the path ahead?"

"May have to follow the border north to avoid Myhala. Less of a risk, after the March. Going south will take us into Luvia; Not sure that's wise."

"Mmm. Finally ordered their borders closed, haven't they?" she hummed, dropping to a crouch beside him, hands clasped betwixt her knees. "They can't afford to have Wildings, Myhala, and Myrrdin encroaching upon them at the same time. Only just recently reclaimed some parts of the Stormwilds, they don't have enough resources to keep up a fight."

He grunted and offered little else, more focused on weighing the risks versus rewards of whatever route he decided to take them down - or so she assumed. It was at this point she had to make the choice to trust his judgment alone; He knew best how to navigate the nations east of Zuri, where she simply did not. It'd been well over twenty years since she'd had to herself, and much had changed since then, much he'd be more familiar with.

It made her sick to her stomach. Not to trust him, but to trust at all, to hinge so much of her and Asuka's survival on the expertise of a single man. Maddening, uncomfortable, all amix with the guilt of not quite telling him the truth. On top of everything, there was the Askarri to consider, too. If they followed the borders north, there was a chance they'd run into Shades not yet returned from their annual journey to the Black Eyrie, and she'd not a doubt in her mind someone had sent a Crimson-Talon raven their way to inform them of the hells breaking out in Askarra.

Sooner, rather than later, she would have to tell him everything and, somehow, that terrified her more than the sparest chance they might cross the Shades' path. Perhaps irrationally so. She hoped he'd forgive her for it, in the way a professional ought to, but she wouldn't hold her breath, contingencies already forming in her mind in the off-chance he decided to wash his hands of them.

"Geralt, I-" She looked at him then, not bothering to hide the concern crawling across her face. "There's something I must tell you, when next we make camp. I'll trust you to guide us forward, until then, but I'm afraid it cannot wait much longer after. It's important, vitally so. My only hope is you - forgive my dishonesty, and continue to travel with us. I won't begrudge your decision not to, should that be your choice... We need you more than you need us, after all."

#☿ || Drabbles.#♞ // Verse: Of Endless Suffering.#✘ // Oh Be Still My Heart - I am His Forever; Geralt.#gyofukuki #/ been ages since i wrote anything this long #/ but i had a thought and this is where it took me #/ an altogether boring but uncertain time between them all before anything happens--

2 notes · View notes